Thread: Peter Luccin

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Celtic take controversial midfielder Peter Luccin on trial seven years after spit shame

A FORMER Celta Vigo star who copped a four-game ban for gobbing on Celtic striker John Hartson is on a two-week trial at Parkhead.

Frenchman Peter Luccin checked in at Lennoxtown yesterday to train with Neil Lennon's new-look side and it is hoped he will pull on a green and white shirt this weekend, playing as a trialist at the Emirates Tournament in London.

Free agent Luccin, who has picked up a reputation for being a hatchet man in La Liga, flew into Glasgow on Sunday night accompanied by Spanish agent Jose Mesas after accepting an invitation to team up with Lennon's squad.

But the 31-year-old also faces a battle to win over the fans who were disgusted by his filthy at tack on Hartson during Celtic's tumultuous run to the UEFA Cup Final of 2003.

Luccin was caught on camera spitting at the Welshman's face during a bad-tempered tie at the Balaidos Stadium in December 2002 as Hartson's crucial away goal kept Martin O'Neill's men on the road to Seville.

Hartson said recently: "Celta Vigo had a player called Peter Luccin who once spat on me. UEFA threw the book at him, hit him with a European ban and a massive fine.

"But the midfielder was really lucky - lucky I didn't realise he'd done it until I was back home watching the incident on TV. "Had I known at the time I don't know what could have happened. In fact, yes I do. I'd have grabbed him by the throat."

Luccin moved to Spain in 2001 when he joined Celta Vigo from PSG and has played at Atletico Madrid, Zaragoza and Racing Santander.

But he is now a free agent and, nearly eight years on from that infamous night, he hopes to relaunch his career at Celtic. As the Hoops paraded their latest signing, Mexican midfielder Efrain Juarez, yesterday, Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper was undergoing a medical in Glasgow as Lennon looks to seal his £2million switch north.

But David James didn't make it to Celtic Park as planned due to family commitments.

Celtic intend to speak to the England keeper while they are in London for this weekend's Emirates Cup matches.

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...6908-22443162/

On trial: Peter Luccin, pictured playing against Celtic in 2002, could prove to be a controversial signing. Pic: © SNS Group

Celtic have given a trial to French midfielder Peter Luccin, who was previously handed a hefty ban for his behaviour playing against the Parkhead club. Luccin was banned for four matches for spitting at John Hartson during a Uefa Cup match in 2002.

The midfielder, who can also play in defence, arrived in Scotland on Sunday night and took part in a training session at Celtic’s Lennoxtown training complex on Monday. The player has travelled with his agent in the hope of persuading the Celtic coaching staff he can be a valuable addition to the squad for the SPL title challenge and European campaign.

Luccin is expected to be given a further chance to impress by playing for Celtic as a trialist in the Emirates Cup this weekend.

Celtic play Lyon and Arsenal in the friendly tournament in London and, with the matches coming between two crucial Champions League matches, are likely to use their full squad over the weekend. Luccin could be set to show manager and fans that he can do a job against top sides.

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Should the player convince manager Neil Lennon he is worth a contract, Celtic could pick the former Paris St Germain star up for nothing. Luccin is a free agent after leaving La Liga side Real Zaragoza at the end of the season.

The hard-tackling 31-year old has also played for Bordeaux, Marseille, Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid but serious injury disrupted his career at Zaragoza, where he spent nearly a year out with a knee problem. The midfielder is now looking to relaunch his career and is hoping to land a deal at Parkhead.

The trial was part of another busy day for Lennon as he prepares for his first season as permanent manager. In addition to unveiling new signing Efrain Juarez, Celtic completed the signing of Gary Hooper for Scunthorpe United and looked to the future with the addition of 15-year old Linfield forward Liam Conlon.

http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottis...al-midfielder/

Originally Posted by RafaelScheidt

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