CEDRIC KEEPER
Defender set for another new deal
CEDRIC KIPRE is ready to sign on the dotted line at Motherwell for a third time in nine months.
And the defender wants to celebrate by snapping up silverware with the Steelmen.
The 21-year-old penned a one-year deal when he arrived from Leicester last July but added an extra 12 months just six weeks later and is now set to land an even longer-term contract.
The former PSG youth – who last month earned his first call-up to the Ivory Coast senior squad – admitted he’s at the perfect club to continue his development and he has set his sights on dumping Aberdeen in next week’s Scottish Cup semi at Hampden.
The centre-back suffered heartache in the Betfred Cup Final against Celtic but is determined to go all the way this time.
Kipre will face the Dons on league duty tonight and said: “We are still negotiating so we will see what happens.
“Hopefully in the next few days it will be signed because I am happy to stay. I am feeling good.
“I am still young and have a lot to learn. I still make mistakes so have to keep progressing. We’ll see where it takes me one day.
“There is lot to achieve here. We have the opportunity to get to another final and hopefully this time we can go on and win it.”
Kipre admitted the last month has been a rollercoaster with his controversial red card in the draw with Celtic, his international call-up and then the dramatic 2-2 draw with Rangers at the weekend.
The youngster’s feet have barely hit the floor but while Well boss Stephen Robinson reckons it’s only a matter of time before the centre-half makes a move to the English top flight, Kipre revealed he’s happy to stay in Scotland for the foreseeable future.
He said: “It has been a crazy few weeks. Obviously the red card wasn’t good but the decision was changed and it was great to be involved in the international team.
“I have had a decent season and the call-up was a nice reward.
“It showed I made a good decision coming here. I wanted to play men’s football, play regularly and I have managed to do that here. It’s nice to hear the manager say I will be playing in the English Premier League soon but I know I still have a lot to learn.”
Kipre’s sending off against Celtic was overturned after an appeal and he insisted the clash with Scott Brown didn’t merit a red.
The Hoops skipper has been involved in running battles with several rivals in recent weeks with red cards shown to Aberdeen’s
Hopefully in the next few days it’ll be signed. I am happy to stay and I’m feeling good CEDRIC KIPRE
Sam Cosgrove and Ross County’s Andrew Davies either side of the Motherwell man’s ordering off.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers accused rivals of putting a bullseye on his captain’s back – but Kipre insisted his flashpoint was nothing personal.
He said: “He’s not a target. He is a player like everyone else. It didn’t matter if it’s Hearts or Hibs or anyone, it’s the same thing.”
Meanwhile, Well boss Robinson is adamant tonight’s Dons clash won’t be a dress rehearsal for Hampden on April 14.
He said: “It’ll be treated as a separate entity. Aberdeen have had a super season and are going for second spot so I don’t think anyone will be saving anything or trying to keep secrets ahead of the semi-final.
“Both teams want to win and it will be a competitive fixture. I’ll be setting up to win the game.”