Keane's influence continues to grow

Scottish Premier League/ Celtic 3 Aberdeen 0: Roy Keane's attributes as a footballer were somewhat lost in the melee surrounding his surprising arrival in Scottish football, and subsequent debate over whether he could be accommodated alongside Neil Lennon in the heart of Celtic's midfield.

Almost three months on, those who have followed Keane's low-key integration into Gordon Strachan's side have started to remember just why the 34-year-old was regarded as one of Europe's most effective midfield players.

Surging runs and regular shots at goal, which were key components of Keane's repertoire during his time at Manchester United, are becoming commonplace once again. Far from resembling a veteran, Keane looks fitter and leaner than he has done for years.

Though the Aberdeen support rejoiced in a chorus of "He's only here for his pension", they need only have glanced at the Irishman's positive influence on those around him to see Keane has bigger plans in Scotland than simply winding down his career. Put simply, he is already the player who makes Strachan's men tick and, as if to prove he has acclimatised to the SPL, Keane is not afraid to hand out his customary ear-bashings to colleagues.

Nobody has taken a closer view than the Celtic captain Lennon, who has seen his own form improve since forming a regular alliance with Keane in early February. "I just tell him to get on with it," joked Lennon, who clearly appreciates the contribution of his new team-mate. "Maybe people forgot it but earlier on in his career making those runs and supporting the attack were his forte. He had a hand in all three goals, which shows he has done a lot more than just come up here to sit deep in the midfield. You can see he is full of running."

Lennon reserved further praise for Stilian Petrov, who has been restricted to a peripheral role since Keane's move north but illustrated on Saturday when moved to centre-forward that his versatile talent remains vital to Strachan's hopes of long-term improvement at Parkhead.

"Stilian is great to watch," added Lennon. "He was excellent again, and his link-up play was really good. It just shows his ability, that he can play a number of positions and play them really well."

It was Petrov's move into attack that produced Celtic's opener in spectacular style against Jimmy Calderwood's unimpressive outfit. The Bulgarian swivelled on a cut-back from Maciej Zurawski to strike high past Jamie Langfield and rouse a previously dormant home support.

Shaun Maloney doubled Celtic's lead after chaotic Aberdeen defending failed to clear Keane's cross. It underlined Maloney's ability and Strachan will shortly open talks aimed at keeping the 23-year-old striker at Parkhead beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.

Zurawski added his name to the score sheet in the game's dying seconds by finishing off a move that, fittingly, involved Keane and Petrov.

Meanwhile, defender Stephen McManus is poised to sign a new deal with the club. The 23-year-old has become a first-team regular this season under manager Strachan after failing to make an impact during Martin O'Neill's time. "Stephen is as important to this club as any player. "The talks to sign him up have been going well and we're not too far away. He's the one who does our talking at the back and he's maturing all the time," said Strachan, who is currently considering a request to join the BBC as a pundit at the World Cup this summer.

CELTIC: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Wilson, Petrov, Lennon, Keane, Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson (Nakamura 63). Subs not used: Marshall, Varga, Pearson, Wallace, Dublin, Lawson. Booked: Balde. Goals: Petrov 66, Maloney 75, Zurawski 89.

ABERDEEN: Langfield, MacFarlane, Anderson, Diamond, McNaughton, Nicholson (Foster 31), Severin, Griffin (Crawford 73), Clark, Lovell, Snoyl (Mackie 38). Subs not used: Kelly, Dempsey, Stewart, Macauley. Booked: MacFarlane.

Referee: M McCurry (Scotland).