NOT THE WRIGHT DEAL FOR RICHARD by Graeme Bailey

IPSWICH TOWN goalkeeper Richard Wright has turned down a new contract at Portman Road, and his agent has said that he would be interested in Celtic if the Scottish giants made a move for the England international. The 22-year-old wants to consider all his options, and the Suffolk club will now have to decide whether to keep a player who is out of contract next summer for another year or sell him.

"Celtic are a big club," said Wright's agent Jonathan Barnett. "If the opportunity came, he would certainly talk to them but it is not something that we have discussed.

"Obviously, with Celtic being such a big club, it is something he would look at."

Despite the admission, though, Barnett denied that any approach had already taken place.

"Celtic have not approached Richard and we haven't even discussed it. He is still contracted to Ipswich and intends to see out his contract at Portman Road.

"Richard is happy at Ipswich but he wants to leave all his options open and see what happens."

Wright is on his way back to England with the rest of the Euro 2000 squad following Tuesday's defeat to Romania. Now please - I now we have a limited cash budget and must be careful about buys but as mentioned on another thread Shay plus 2million or so Good keeper. A sound investment at 21. Am I in Dreamland?

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Answers

I don't think so Pete. Get him on a 5/6 year contract and we're laughing even if he spends a year as Harper's No.2. It would save us paying some Spanish side #5 mill for some Prat or another.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000

Sounds like Wright's agent is starting the ball rolling.........who's gonna catch it? The only way I would think we should be involved is if we do a part-ex deal. Do you think we could do a "two-for-one"? I'm sure Lionel could find something interetsing to do down in Suffolk. #2M plus Shay is about the limit I'd go to.

-- Anonymous, June 21, 2000