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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

Caoimhin Kelleher told to 'cement his legacy' by swapping Liverpool for Tottenham

Caoimhin Kelleher has been told to ‘cement his legacy’ by swapping Liverpool for Tottenham this summer.

Spurs were last night urged to seal a deal for the Corkman after Emmanuel Petit claimed his French compatriot Hugo Lloris is ‘not their future’.

Leicester City and Sheffield United were among the clubs interested in Kelleher during the January window, once it emerged that Liverpool may consider selling him.

READ MORE: Declan Devine says Bohemians won't sell their soul

Kelleher - valued at up to £30 million - is still back-up goalkeeper to Alisson and has made just three club appearances all season.

Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has said that Kelleher is at a ‘career crossroads’, particularly if he continues to warm the bench.

Lloris, 36, retired from international duty after the World Cup final and won’t be part of the France squad to face Ireland in next month’s Euro qualifier.

But while Lloris is focusing on his Tottenham career from here on, Petit does not believe his fellow countryman is the long-term answer at the London giants.

Petit said: “Caomihin Kelleher should consider a move away and a club that he would fit in perfectly is Tottenham.

“Hugo Lloris is 36, he has had a few injuries and has retired from the national team - he is not the future anymore.

“(Fraser) Forster is also 34, so Tottenham may need a refresh in that department.

“Kelleher is 24 years old. In the cup fixtures last season, especially against Chelsea, he was really good.

“If he wants to cement his own legacy, he should leave and join Tottenham.”

Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (©INPHO/Tom Maher)

Meanwhile, Petit claims France still feel ‘ashamed’ for the Thierry Henry handball that contributed to Ireland missing World Cup 2010.

And while it is a new generation of Irish and French players that will meet in the March 27 Euro qualifier, he reckons Ireland will be motivated by it.

Petit, a World Cup and European Championship winner with France, said: “We felt guilty and ashamed with the infamous handball.

“Many of our players wanted to replay the game against Ireland, however it was more romantic to see France qualify for the World Cup than Ireland.

“It’s not the way we wanted to qualify, and it is not our history. If it was around then, VAR would have ruled France out of the World Cup.”

Emmanuel Petit was speaking to Premier League Odds and Boylesports

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