Scouts flock to Belgium

Genk and Standard attracts big interest

By Gerrit van Leeuwen   Last updated: 27th October 2008  

Scouts flock to Belgium

Defour: Big interest

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A total of 37 clubs, led by Celtic and including six English sides, were represented when Genk took on Standard Liege on Sunday.

Belgian football is known to be on the up and that was summed up by the huge number of clubs present at the Cristal Arena.

Celtic were at the match checking on Israeli target Elyani Barda, who they have scouted regularly in recent weeks.

The Israeli striker has bagged three goals so far this term and the Bhoys are just one of number of clubs checking on the 26-year-old.

The English scouts present were from Premier League sides Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, West Brom and Wigan, along with Championship outfit Wolves.

It is believed Blackburn were also there to watch a Genk player - Cameroon international defender Eric Matoukou.

There were also represenatives of 13 German and 13 Dutch clubs in attendance.

And it is thought that most were watching Standard players, who have impressed hugely during their current European campaign.

They were only just knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Liverpool, before they dispatched of the Reds' city rivals Everton to make the group stages of the Uefa Cup.

The likes of captain Steven Defour, Axel Witsel and Dieumerci Mbokani have all been attracting major interest in recent weeks.