Football: Bargain Bhoy Fernandez a real steal

JIM LEISHMAN freely admits that the pounds 1 million Livingston received from Celtic for David Fernandez represents only a fraction of the 26-year-old Spaniard's longer term worth.

The Livingston manager bases his prediction in the belief that Fernandez will blossom at a higher level in much the same way that Didier Agathe's has done since his switch from Hibs to Celtic.

Leishman said: "Celtic offers David a bigger stage and I believe he can go on to make the same sort of impact that he did with us.

"Martin O'Neill is a very shrewd manager who has shown himself to be and excellent judge of a player, with a number of those he has already taken from smaller Scottish clubs doing exceptionally well.

"Agathe cost hardly anything yet had all Europe's biggest clubs looking at him because of his performances in the Champions League.

"Robert Douglas is another who is probably worth a lot more now than when Celtic signed him from Dundee because he, too, has been outstanding."

Leishman also offers the view that Fernandez will relish the opportunity to link up with players of the calibre of Henrik Larsson and Paul Lambert.

"I think David is going to enjoy himself at Celtic Park because he has got great natural ability and, something else that is just as important at a big club, the character to impose himself in testing situations" said Leishman.

"This is a guy, don't forget, who was with Deportivo La Coruna not that long ago so he can handle himself playing in front of large crowds."

It seems reasonable to assume that Livingston feel somewhat hard done by, given their belief that Fernandez's market value will increase at an explosive rate.

But, having made a tidy profit on the deal after securing the striker's services for nothing from now defunct Airdrie, Leishman sees no cause for complaint.

He added: "In an ideal world we would have kept the player at Livingston. But if we had done that he could have left for nothing in November and that is not the sort of risk a club of this size can afford to take.

"The challenge for us now is to find the next Fernandez, be it from the Continent or through our own youth system.

"That will not be easy but as a coach you know that these sort of players are out there and that keeps you going."

Fernandez could be joined at Parkhead during the next few days by West Ham keeper Shaka Hislop.

The Trinidad and Tobago star is available on a Bosman free after losing his place at Upton Park to England keeper David James.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.