Dundalk confirm Celtic friendly

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Dundalk have confirmed that they will play a glamour friendly against a "strong" Celtic eleven at Oriel Park next month.

The Lilywhites will welcome the Scottish champions on Sunday March 1, just five days before the kick-off of the League of Ireland season.

The club announced details of the friendly on Monday as it unveiled three more new signings for the 2009 season - former Manchester City youth midfielder Michael Daly, former Shelbourne defender Dave Rogers and Michael Collins, the former Newry City midfielder.

Dundalk have also named Jimmy Brown as technical assistant and head of player recruitment.

Speaking about the signing of Collins, Dundalk manager Sean Connor told the Dundalk website: "I have watched Michael for the past five years. I tried to sign him for Sligo and Bohs and eventually I have got him here. He is exactly what we needed to compliment the squad that we already have signed. Mickey will be the best piece of transfer business I do during the window. He's a born winner. He's agressive. He's a good talker and a good passer. I think he will add steel and authority to our midfield. He was also help develop Chris Turner and the younger players. I can't explain how delighted I am to get him signed. Sometimes you talk to players and you have to sell things to him. However, he was so easy to talk to and just wanted to come to the League of Ireland."

Connor added that he remains confident that defender Liam Burns will also joining the club before the start of the new season. A winger and an attacking midfielder are also on the former Bohs and Sligo manager's wish-list.