SPORTSPORT 24 Monthly Certified Distribution To Come Published by Fortunegreen Ltd, Embassy House, Herbert Park Lane, Dublin 4 Printed by The Irish Times at Citywest in Dublin Editorial: (01) 637 5900 Advertising: (01) 637 5989 Classified: (01) 637 5979 Distribution: (01) 637 5901 Vieira so close to deal over Manchester City move P23 Birmingham end McGeady pursuit Staying put: McGeady By Neil Mackay Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon seems certain to take over as manager of scottish Premier League side Dundee United within the next 24 hours after the Tannadice club formally made contact with the League of ireland champions yesterday. Fenlon (pictured) still has three years of his contract to run at Dalymount Park, but Bohs are unlikely to stop him from taking on the 150,000-a- year post with the Tangerines. We have been contacted by Dundee United over compensation for our manager Pat Fenlon and we both agreed to continue talks on Friday with a view to sort it all out by the close of business, said Bohs secretary Gerry Conway. AIDEn McGEADy looks set to re- main at Celtic after Birmingham man- ager Alex McLeish admitted defeat in his efforts to sign the Republic of Ire- land winger. McLeish admitted he had made an enquiry about 10million-rated McGeady but has cooled his interest after being given a stern rebuff by Hoops boss Tony Mowbray. McLeish, who has also bid 9m for out-of-favour Liverpool wide man Ryan Babel, said: We have made en- quiries for several players. I am not going to confirm or deny any names. But as regards Aiden McGeady, we made an enquiry but we were told he is not for sale. The situation wont change until someone says he is up for sale. The transfer speculation at Celtic in- tensified yesterday though as Gordon Strachan and Roberto Martinez all confirmed they had made attempts to sign players from the club. Middlesbrough boss Strachan, who quit Parkhead in the summer, con- firmed he had held talks with his old team over a series of transfer targets. Strachan, who has been linked with Gary Caldwell, Stephen McManus, Barry Robson, Mark Wilson, Willo Flood and McDonald, as well as Rangers striker Kris Boyd, is giving nothing away about the names on his wish-list. He said: We are trying hard to bring in people who can lead and people who want to be led. I have to have people who I know, players I know who are men, who are leaders, and who know about playing at this level. Caldwell, Robson and Flood were believed to be the main focus of dis- cussions between the two clubs. And Wigans Martinez confirmed he failed in a bid to take striker Scott Mc- Donald on loan until the end of the sea- son with a view to a permanent deal. Full coverage: Groundsmen are keeping the RDS under wraps ahead of Leinsters game against Glasgow tonight Picture: Sportsfile Dundee Utd close in on Fenlon deal Leinster determined to beat the big freeze LeinsTers magners League encounter with table-topping Glasgow Warriors looks set to beat the inclement weather this evening after the rDs pitch passed an inspection yesterday morning, writes Gareth Makim. officials will continue to monitor conditions on field and in the supporters areas but are confident the game will go ahead as planned. however, much of the rest of the weekends sporting programme has fallen victim to the wintry conditions, with Ulster and Connachts games already postponed and the irFU cancelling all fixtures in the aiB League. But munster remain optimistic that musgrave Park will be fit to host their tie against Llanelli scarlets on sunday. in Gaa, the Leinster, Ulster and munster Councils have followed Connachts lead and postponed this weekends season-opening oByrne Cup, mcKenna Cup and mcGrath Cup football ties, while sundays race meeting at Leopardstown has also been cancelled. Leinster named their team yesterday, with Jonathan sexton making a timely return from the broken fingers he suffered during irelands win over south africa. shane Jennings is also back in the starting line-up after serving his 12-week suspension and captains the side from the back row. meanwhile, Leinsters heineken Cup clash with London irish on January 23 has been moved to Twickenham, it was confirmed yesterday. The move from readings madejski stadium is due to a fixture clash with a possible Fa Cup fourth round tie. Leinster team (v Glasgow): G Dempsey, I Nacewa, B ODriscoll, F McFadden, R Kearney, J Sexton, E Reddan, C Healy, J Fogarty, S Wright, D Toner, N Hines, K McLaughlin, S Jennings (capt), J Heaslip. Replacements: B Jackman, M Ross, M OKelly, Stephen Keogh, P ODonohoe, S Berne, Simon Keogh index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html