Sunday Fulham Stuff (14.02.10)

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http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/celtic/157406-diomansy-kamara-is-celtics-wayne-rooney/

Diomansy Kamara is Celtic's Wayne Rooney


Tony Mowbray has compared his loan signing to the Manchester United star, praising him for his all-action performances.


14 February 2010 11:49 AM



Tony Mowbray has compared January loan signing Diomansy Kamara's style of play to that to Wayne Rooney's. The Celtic forward, who is on loan from Fulham, has impressed since his move, despite initial news of his transfer being eclipsed by that of fellow loan signing Robbie Keane.

Kamara netted his second Celtic goal in four matches as he opened the scoring in Saturday's 4-4 draw with Aberdeen. Mowbray though believes that, like the Manchester United star, the player's all-action performances will create even more chances for his team-mates, including Keane and other strikers Morten Rasmussen, Georgios Samaras and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

"In many ways Kamara reminds me of Rooney," said Mowbray. "He gives his all and would run 20 yards to get the ball for a quick free-kick.

"He will also chase back 70 yards to tackle an opponent and that's the kind of thing Rooney does."

The Celtic boss previously worked with Kamara at West Brom before the London club came calling for the Senegalese's services in 2007. They were then reunited on deadline day as the Cottagers allowed the 29-year-old to move north of the border on a temporary switch.

After falling down the pecking order at Craven Cottage under Roy Hodgson, Mowbray jumped at the chance to bring his former charge in to bolster his team's title hopes and said that his utility was a key factor in bringing him to Celtic.

"I had Kamara at West Brom and we sold him to Fulham for £6.5 million in 2007," Mowbray added. "He can cause damage on either flank and can also play in the middle."

The Paris-born forward, who has 43 caps for Senegal, moved to the UK in 2004 when Portsmouth bought him from Italian club Modena.

Mowbray then inherited the player when he became the Baggies' manager in 2006, inspiring him to be named in the PFA Championship team of the year in 2007 and voted the club's player of the year.