TORONTO--Toronto FC interim GM Earl Cochrane is denying a Scottish report that has linked Dwayne De Rosario to Celtic.
“Dwayne is not going on trial with Celtic or any other club,” Cochrane told MLSsoccer.com. “We have not received word from anyone and expect him to be with TFC when training camp opens next month.”
The Glasgow Evening Times reported that De Rosario was ”in line to spend time at Lennoxtown [Celtic’s training center] to let them see if he might be worth signing.” Although Celtic boss Neil Lennon was careful to suggest that a deal was far from being in place, De Rosario would be given a fair look.
“He’s a player who has been put to me. I’ve not had time to see much of him. But hopefully today I will get the chance to view some footage of him to see what I think,” Lennon told the Evening Times.
Cochrane said he’s not surprised to see De Rosario's name being linked to European teams. He suggested that the player's agent may be responsible for the rumor.
Late last season De Rosario was involved in a public dispute over his salary. Although he eventually apologized for a goal celebration in which he pretended to sign a check while facing the BMO Field box of club owners MLSE, he has said that he is interested in re-negotiating his contract.
De Rosario did not respond for a request to be interviewed for this story. However, last November he told MLSsoccer.com that contract negotiations with TFC were ongoing and “positive.”
As per league policy, Cochrane would not comment on contract negotiations. But he did say that he expects De Rosario to be back with the Reds in 2011.
“Dwayne is currently under contract with us and is a very important player for us moving forward,” Cochrane said.
