[Link] Rafik Halliche

Stopper on trial with Celtic

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• Rafik Halliche came up against Frank Lampard during the 2010 World CUp finals

EXCLUSIVE by RONNIE CULLY
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7 Dec 2011
CELTIC have taken Fulham’s Algerian international central defender Rafik Halliche on trial.
The 25-year-old was given the chance to seal a deal in the bounce game against Hibs at Lennoxtown today.
Halliche is under contract at Craven Cottage for another 18 months, but Fulham boss Martin Jol is willing to offload him.
And, if the imposing, 6ft 2in defender impresses Neil Lennon, he could be brought to Parkhead as soon as the transfer window re-opens in three weeks.
Halliche was signed by then-Fulham boss Mark Hughes in August last year after impressing at the 2010 World Cup finals.
Partnering Madjid Bougherra, he played in all three group games for Algeria, including the goalless draw against England.
That intensified the race to sign him from Benfica, who had loaned him to Nacional immediately after signing him in 2008.
Arsenal were reported to be leading the chase, but it was Fulham who got in first and bought Halliche for an initial payment of £1.3million, with the same amount again due on completion of a specified number of games.
However, injuries severely curtailed Halliche’s first season in England. And, when Hughes was replaced by Jol, he fell down the pecking order behind the likes of Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, Aaron Hughes and Zdenek Grygera.
Jol agreed to allow Halliche to sign for Swansea on loan in August. But a delay in finalising the deal meant it could not be completed before the transfer window closed.
Swansea continued to try and push it through, supported by the FA and the English Premier League.
However, Fifa refused to issue an international clearance certificate, and eventually Swansea had to admit defeat.
Halliche has remained in the reserves at Fulham this season. And, with no prospect of forcing his way into Jol’s plans, a quick exit is considered best for all parties concerned.
Halliche was a first-pick in the Algerian national side and has accumulated more 21 caps for his country.
But his lack of games has seen him lose his place in Vahid Halilhodzic’s team, and he is desperate to move to a club where he can once again play regularly.
Algeria – who are currently 30th in Fifa’s rankings list – just missed out on qualification for the African Cup of Nations, which takes place next month, so Halliche would not be arriving at a new club just in time to head off for four weeks on international duty.
As Halliche hopes to move into Celtic, Badr El Kaddouri appears to be nearing the end of his time with the Hoops.
The Moroccan full-back has struggled to command a starting place since signing on loan from Dynamo Kiev in August as cover for the injured Emilio Izaguirre.
And, with the Honduran defender ready to resume playing in the next couple of weeks, and left-back Andre Blackman already signed until the end of the season, El Kaddouri could be headed for St Etienne, who have declared an interest.

 

Looks the part;

 

Looks like he's been unlucky with his club career, might be worth a punt.

 

Could be worth a punt?

 

As long he isn't in the same * category as his international team mate.

 

dont know much about him but can he be any worse than the present CBs

 

Behind Chris Baird and Aaron Hughes ? No thanks.

 

Nothing wrong with being behind Aaron Hughes, hes a good defender

 

He's an average defender.

 

Would rather go for someone thats been getting first team football but if he impressed on trial then why not give him a chance

 

Not sure on this. Strikes of desperation a wee bit to me, taking a guy on trial from the EPL.
I doubt he is better than what we have. A lot of people just give stick to our central defenders no matter what. We have a lot of central defenders already, if we were to get someone else, id rather they be a cut above what we already have, and not somebody else's cast off.

 

exactly how i feel.

we need a new centre back in. with the greatest respects to Fulham and Halliche, if he can't get a game there, he isn't good enough for us.

 

Can we afford to get it wrong "again" especially at the centre of defence

 

...no and Bhoy would this lad be a gamble.

 

Definitely worth a look

 

I agree this doesnt get the juices flowing but were we not slating rangers when they signed big snotter from charlton were he was surplus to requirements and I hated the guy but he did them a turn especially next to the old yin,

 

Also, if we pair him with big Kelvin, it will be very similar to his partnership with Bougherra for the Algerian national team which performed excellently at the world cup.

 

3 weeks untill window opens so have a look at some triallists to see if we can unearth a gem,if not hopefully go for other targets

 

No harm at all in taking a look. I trust Lenny's judgement as long as the board don't railroad in the signing.

 

Nah. Let's keep lookin'...