Keane finally snaps up Scotland as Town get down to some serious business

Town boss Roy Keane was a happy man this afternoon after finally bagging Wigan striker Jason Scotland.

The 31-year-old Trinidad and Tobago hitman signed a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee – and could yet make his Blues debut in the Carling Cup clash with Crewe tomorrow.

An international pal of Town’s Carlos Edwards, Scotland has long since proved he can score goals at Championship level.

And while the switch to the Premiership and a £2 million reunion with his former Swans mentor Roberto Martinez might not have panned out as well as all had planned at the JJB, Scotland’s arrival in IP1 looks set to be warmly welcomed by the Suffolk faithful.

For with both Jon Waters and Pablo Counago out of the door and Jon Stead rumoured to be half-way gone already, so eye-brows were being raised as to just what Town’s strike force would look like going forward.

Wickham and AN Other duly became Wickham and Scotland – as and when, of course, the teenager recovers from his nasty summer ankle knock.

“Jason is a good player – and I’m delighted to have him at the club,” Town boss Keane told the club’s official website earlier today.

Speaking straight after Saturday’s 2-1 away win at Crystal Palace and Keane had urged against expecting transfer miracles; suggesting anything could happen in the fickle world of footballers and their financing.

But this morning, the club delivered the manager’s long-term target – and gave Keane new options in and around that opposition penalty area.

“He is more of a poacher than the other strikers we have here,” said Keane. “[They] do a lot of work down the channels.

“He has proved that he can score goals at this level, but we have to be patient with him and give him time to settle in,” added Keane.

Blues fans will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief that someone has walked through the door as Walters, Coungao and Co disappear out of it.

And nor have they had to wait till the midnight hour on the 31st for the wheels of transfer business to turn. Whether that’s that for now, remains to be seen.

The feeling remains that Keane would be anxious to add greater depth to his squad; a couple of early injuries and the odd red card and Town’s youngsters come very much to the fore in his thinking.

Scotland always looked a willing worker and his goal scoring record is certainly something to respect at this level and, indeed, the one below.

With pace and trickery now emerging on the flanks and a centre midfield probably erring more on the side of graft than craft, Keane is beginning to put together a decent Championship outfit – as the opening three results have already proved.

Latics chief Martinez wished the player every success as he looked to rebuild Wigan’s shattered morale after a fraught start to the new campaign.

Running into Chelsea in their early season mood isn’t good for the health of the also-rans.

“Jason is a good pro who has never given me less than 100 per cent on the training ground and on the pitch,” said the Spaniard. “Everyone at the club wishes him all the best with his new career at Ipswich Town.”