FORMER Celtic star Paddy McCourt is on the look-out for a new club.
It appeared the 33-year-old midfielder was poised to join League of Ireland champions Dundalk.
However, boss Stephen Kenny, the ex-Dunfermline gaffer, insisted he will not be signing the player and has merely offered McCourt training facilities.
The 18-times capped Northern Ireland international said: “I met Stephen a couple weeks ago.
“We are friends and live beside each other and he asked me what I was doing.
“We were in his house having a coffee and it just came up. He said: ‘If you want to come in and train, keep ticking over, you’re more than welcome.’
“That’s how it came about. I know the papers then thought I was going to sign for them.
“But I think in my preferred position they are well covered. In fairness to Stephen, he made that clear pretty quickly.”
The Irish maverick was signed by former Hoops chief Gordon Strachan for £250,000 from Derry City in 2008.
He became a fans’ favourite, despite playing a mere 66 league games and scoring only nine goals in five years before he was released to join Barnsley.
McCourt has endured a difficult year. He quit Luton Town last May when his wife Laura was diagnosed with a brain tumour – she subsequently underwent a successful operation.
He then signed a one-year contract with Northern Irish side Glenavon, but it was terminated by mutual consent before Christmas.
Kenny, the former Dunfermline manager, was McCourt’s coach during his successful spell at Derry that led to his dream move to Parkhead.
The skilful playmaker – nicknamed ‘The Derry Pele” – has also had stints at Rochdale, Brighton and Notts County.
