BERKOVIC SET TO GO BRITISH

CELTIC midfielder Eyal Berkovic, currently on loan at Nationwide First Division side Blackburn, has revealed that he is planning to boost his chances of winning a permanent deal at Ewood Park by applying for a British passport.

The Israeli international recently joined Blackburn on a three-month loan deal, and he has already set his sights on a permanent switch, after making his first appearance for the Lancashire club at the weekend.

Having seen his current loan deal initially held up while he awaited clearance for the move from the Department of Employment, and having played for both Southampton and West Ham prior to moving to Scotland, Berkovic knows of the problems that non-EU players face in securing a work permit to play in Britain.

For this reason he has confirmed that he will be applying for a British passport when he becomes eligible for one later this year, which is sure to help his chances of sealing a move away from Celtic.

"In August I will have been here for five years, so I can apply for a British passport," said the 28-year-old.

"It is something I have been thinking about for some time because every time I move I have to apply for a work permit.

"If I do well here at Blackburn I would like to stay here with a long contract, but this gives me another option."