Bosnich is cleared for Celtic spell

Sir Alex Ferguson has cleared the way for the Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to move to Celtic.

Sir Alex Ferguson has cleared the way for the Manchester United goalkeeper Mark Bosnich to move to Celtic.

Ferguson's new signing, the French international goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, has been given the No 1 jersey for the new season ahead of Bosnich and the Dutchman, Raimond van der Gouw.

Ferguson believes Bosnich is too good a goalkeeper to play second fiddle at United and has given the Australian the chance to play regular first-team football at Parkhead on a one-year loan deal. "I'm prepared to let Mark go to Celtic because it will be difficult to operate with three goalkeepers," Ferguson said.

However, the former Aston Villa man's move to Celtic is not a formality. The financial and contractual details have not been settled and other clubs are chasing the Australian.

The former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett has been named as the new manager of the Third Division title favourites Darlington, following the resignation of David Hodgson and his assistant Ian Butterworth yesterday.

Portsmouth have completed the £600,000 signing of the 22-year-old midfielder Nigel Quashie from Nottingham Forest. The former Queen's Park Rangers player has signed a three-year deal.

Fulham have signed the French Under-21 international Fabrice Fernandes from Rennes. The 20-year-old winger joins the Craven Cottage club for a year, with a view to a permanent move.