DAVID Bentley made the perfect start to his Tottenham career by scoring in his new club's victory over Celtic at the Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament in Rotterdam.
The £17million winger pounced in the 80th minute to give Tottenham their second goal of what was mostly a one-sided affair.
Bentley, a second-half substitute, could not have dreamed for an easier way to score his first goal for Spurs.
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erbatov raced free down the right flank, cut inside and crossed beyond Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc to leave Bentley with a simple tap-in.
Bentley came on to rapturous applause from the Spurs fans who had made the trip over to Holland for the tournament, which ends with their side taking on Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.
The former Blackburn man made an instant impact by creating an opportunity two minutes into the second half, picking out Berbatov with a delicate chip only for Boruc to come racing out of his goal to stifle the move.
Tottenham had earlier gone ahead in the 24th minute thanks to Darren Bent's seventh goal in three games.
The £16.5million striker took advantage of a careless mistake by Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley, who sold Boruc short with a 40-yard backpass.
Bent struggled to establish himself in Tottenham's first team last year but has seen been given a good run-out in pre-season thanks to the departure of fellow striker Robbie Keane to Liverpool.
Bent sneaked in to intercept Hartley's pass and slotted coolly past Boruc from the tightest of angles for goal which is certain to provide concern for Gordon Strachan.
Tottenham dominated the rest of the first half and they could have had a penalty after Bent was tumbled over by Gary Caldwell in the box early in the second half.
Aiden McGeady represented Celtic's biggest threat but the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions posed little threat to Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal.
Bent could have had a second goal in the 74th minute after his curling shot was saved by Boruc but Bentley sealed the win six minutes later for Juande Ramos' team.
Meanwhile, Celtic have been linked with a move for West Bromwich Albion defender Paul Robinson.
The 29-year-old full-back is under contract at the Hawthorns for the rest of the season, but could be tempted north if there is no offer of a new deal from manager Tony Mowbray.
Robinson looked like he was on his way to Wigan Athletic last year, but the £1.5million transfer fell through when the player failed a medical.
Celtic are understood to be monitoring his position.
The full article contains 441 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
