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7/31/2001
JORDAN PUMPS £1m INTO BHOYS
Martin O'Neill has received a cash boost after the club announced that their latest share issue has been an ''overwhelming success''. They have sold £22.5million of the £25million new shares and confirmed that motor racing tycoon Eddie Jordan had made an investment of £1million.
O'NEILL: 'UNITED ARE IDEAL EURO BUILD-UP'
Martin O'Neill believes tomorrow's visit to Manchester United is the best preparation his side could face before next week's tough Champions League third qualifying round tie against Dutch giants Ajax in Amsterdam. The Scottish champions kicked off their new Premier League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over St Johnstone on Saturday. Now they have just one more competitive match against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday night before they fly out to Holland next week.
FOXES SNUB CELTIC ELLIOTT BID
Leicester City have rejected a £3,5million bid from Celtic for skipper Matt Elliott. Celtic made their offer on Monday to Leicester manager Peter Taylor who instantly rejected their bid to capture the Scottish defender. Now the Foxes are set to offer Elliott a new lucrative contract in a bid to tie up his future at Filbert Street.
7/31/2001
AJAX DRAW CONFIDENCE FROM DEFEAT OF LIVERPOOL
Ajax have been buoyed by their triumph in the Amsterdam tournament and cannot wait for next week's Champions' League qualifier against Scottish giants Celtic. "This gives us a lot of confidence," said defender Daniel Cruz.
7/30/2001
CELTIC TOLD TO UP STAKES FOR HARTSON
Coventry City have told Celtic that Welsh striker John Hartson will not leave Highfield Road for anything less than £7 million. "If Celtic think they can get him for a couple of million less they are kidding themselves," said City chairman Bryan Richardson.
7/30/2001
TRANSFER RUMOURS
Martin O'Neill, hopes to "add a couple of players" to his squad by Thursday's European deadline. Matt Elliott, the Leicester City centre-half, and John Hartson, the Coventry City centre- forward, are top of his list.
7/29/2001
AJAX SEND OUT WARNING TO HOOPS
If anyone was under any illusions with regard to Celtic dumping Ajax out of the Champions League they had better think again.
Ajax crashed three goals past treble cup winners Liverpool to lift the trophy staged at their home ground in Amsterdam.
7/28/2001
CELTIC SNUB TREBLE BOOK
AN official history of Celtic's treble-winning season has been disowned by the club.
Lawyers for the Hoops demanded the removal of certain references which they felt would be offensive towards Old Firm rivals Rangers and their fans.
But Edinburgh-based Mainstream Publishing rejected the 11th hour intervention and will publish the book Keep The Faith on Monday as it stands.
Celtic, who begin their defence of the SPL title today against St Johnstone, have responded by severing all links to the book and will refuse to sell it in club shops or include it in their merchandise catalogue.
The record of an amazing season was written in just a few short weeks by Ron McKenna and Carlos Alba.
The pair received Celtic's official endorsement of the book - seen as vital to its commercial success.
But part of the arrangement included the vetting of text and it was when the club saw references to Celtic and Rangers that the two parties fell out.
Celtic objected to the description of Ibrox as "Castle Greyskull" and also demanded the removal of a song title favoured by the Celtic support The Blue Room is Bare.
A Celtic spokeswoman said: "It is with regret that Celtic Football Club feels it cannot endorse this publication.
"The club has invested thousands of pounds over many years to try and rid Scottish football of bigotry and sectarianism.
"As such, we cannot condone any language which encourages intolerance."
7/28/2001
AJAX HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO
Ajax manager manager Co Adriaanse admitted his side have plenty of work to do before they clash with Celtic in the crucial Champions' League play-off in a fortnight after a 1-0 loss to Milan in the Amsterdam tournament.
7/27/2001
I'LL QUIT CELTIC IN 2004 - LARSSON
Celtic striker Henrik Larsson insists his latest Parkhead contract will be his last with the club. The Sweden international signed a one-year extension to his current deal last month which will keep him in Glasgow until 2004. But Larsson, who owns a house in Helsingborg, maintains that he will return to his homeland when his deal finally expires.
LENNON SETS SIGHTS ON SECOND TREBLE
Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon has set his sights on another glorious season at Parkhead - with the added bonus of a run in the Champions League. The Northern Ireland international still cannot believe the success he enjoyed after his move from Leicester City. He has not had too long to bask in the glory, but Lennon is relishing the chance to get the new season under way against St Johnstone tomorrow.
7/27/2001
CELTIC TO PLAY SUNDERLAND FOR GRAY'S TESTIMONIAL
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has agreed to bring his side to play Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in Michael Gray's testimonial.
O'Neill's treble-winners triumphed over Sunderland 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in which Gray played a key role.
O'Neill said: "We have agreed to play in Michael Gray's testimonial towards the end of the season."
7/27/2001
AJAX SUFFER HOME DEFEAT
Celtic manager watched our Champions League opponents go down by 1-0 last night in a four club tournament in Amsterdam. AC Milan provided the opposition, in the other game treble cup winners Liverpool beat Valencia by 1-0.
7/25/2001
MAHE FOR THE OFF?
Hearts manager Craig Levein revealed he is trying to lure defender Stephane Mahe away from Celtic.
The two clubs have already agreed a fee for the Frenchman and the 32-year-old has held talks with the ambitious Tynecastle club.
Mahe's wage demands are proving to be the stumbling block, but the Hearts boss is still hoping to land him before Saturday's opening match at Livingston.
7/24/2001
LARSSON - NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR MAN CITY
Who said this non other than the boss of tonight's opponents Sunderland - Peter Reid?
At a press conference yesterday at Celtic Park, Peter Reid revealed that he once nearly signed the King when he was at Man City - but he was not good enough. He did add jokingly to the assembled press hacks that they could cut that piece out if they liked. Man City's loss was most definitely Celtic's gain.
7/23/2001
FROM CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB
UEFA Champions League Qualifying Match Ajax v Celtic Amsterdam Arena Wednesday 8th August
Letters have been sent out to all season ticket holders who are on the European Registration Scheme advising that tickets for the match would be extremely limited. We have however been advised within the last hour by officials of Ajax that they will make a total allocation of 7,800 tickets available to Celtic on the basis that we cannot return any unsold tickets. Due to the level of demand experienced for the match we have elected to accept this offer. We would like to advise that tickets will still be available for Season Ticket holders initially, however this may change depending on demand.
All supporters wishing to attend the match should return their application to the Ticket Office by close of business Thursday. Details on Official Charters will follow asap.
7/23/2001
IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
Just as every Celtic fan expected Eyal Berkovic has come out with all guns blazing in an attack on hoops boss Martin O'Neill. Berkovic is quoted as saying " Even if O'Neill was to come back to me now and say that I would be in his team every week I would tell him to forget it."
7/23/2001
Burchill transfer in balance
Mark Burchill's anticipated transfer to Portsmouth was hanging in the balance last night as Pompey manager Graham Rix struggled to raise money to prise the out-of-favour striker away from Celtic.
7/23/2001
Celtic's opponents in Saturday's opening SPL match are in a spot of bother.
CLARK VENTS ANGER AS DEFENSIVE DUO LAND SUSPENSIONS
St Johnstone boss Sandy Clark admitted he is furious with defensive duo Jim Weir and Stuart McCluskey, who were sent off in Saturday's friendly against St Mirren and will now miss the clash with Celtic on the opening day of the season.
7/23/2001
Bobby Murdoch Benefit Dinner
There will be a benefit dinner in memory of the late great Bobby Murdoch in the Kerrydale suite at Celtic Park on Friday the 27th of July.
The main speaker at the dinner will be Bobby's former manager at Middlesbrough Jack Charlton.
Bookings are being taken for tables of 10 and tickets cost £45.00 each.
Telephone organiser Pat Rolink on 0141 204 5247 for further details.
7/23/2001
Celtic sign Balde
Celtic have completed the £900,000 signing of defender Bobo Balde from Toulouse.
"I'm very happy to sign for this club," the French defender, who has signed a four-year deal, said. "It's a big club and a very big stadium and I look forward to playing here.
"I like the people here at Celtic and I hope to enjoy good times in the future with the supporters."
Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill was delighted with his first capture of the summer, but admitted that Balde may not be fit enough to play in Celtic's upcoming Champions League tie with Ajax.
"He'll maybe miss the first couple of weeks because he's had a problem lying over from last season," O'Neill said.
"He played the final game, but he had a groin problem and with the season ending he hasn't had any rehabilitation.
"It's highly unlikely at this minute [that he'll play against Ajax]. But he'll be here for the next four years anyway and I am delighted to get him."
7/22/2001
Toughest, but most beautiful draw: Ajax face Celtic Glasgow 20 July: Today's draw at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland has brought Ajax the toughest, but probably also the most beautiful opponent they could possibly bump into in the third qualification round for the 2001-2002 Champions League: Scottish giants Celtic FC, from Glasgow. The first leg is in Amsterdam on Wednesday, 08 August. Ajax is due in Glasgow's Celtic Park on 21 or 22 August.
7/20/2001
CELTIC REJECT KOLKKA JETS IN TO JOIN PAO
Panathinaikos are set to complete the £1.8 million signing of Finland international Joonas Kolkka on Thursday with the player jetting into Athens to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical
7/20/2001
TODAY'S THE DAY
No not the Champions League draw, but the day that French club Toulouse finally allow Bobo Balde & Marc Libbra to sign for the hoops. Well here's hoping, it's dragged on for almost the entire close season, another few weeks won't matter will it????????
JOHNSTON STAYING - BURCHILL GOING ?
It looks as though Tommy Johnson may now be offered a two year contract, no such joy for Burchill though it seems Martin O'Neill will offload him to any club coming with the right dosh.
7/18/2001
PAO BACK IN FOR KOLKKA AFTER CELTIC SNUB
PSV Eindhoven winger Joonas Kolkka has returned to the Netherlands after failing to win a contract at Celtic. The Finland star is now hoping to tie up a deal with Panathinaikos. "Kolkka is an option we are still taking very seriously," said a PAO source.
EX CELT PIERRE RATTLES IN HAT-TRICK ON FEYENOORD DEBUT
Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk and striker Jon Dahl Tomasson heaped praise on new signing Pierre van Hooijdonk after the Dutch striker scored a 20-minute hat-trick and created two more goals on his debut in a friendly against amateur side NSC.
7/17/2001
FINAL SCORE FROM PARIS
FC PORTO 1 CELTIC 0
7/17/2001
HALF TIME IN PARIS
FC PORTO O CELTIC 0
7/17/2001
CELTIC v FULHAM
Celtic's opponents for Friday's pre-season friendly have sold only 800 tickets. 300 tickets remain for any Fulham fans wishing to travel to Celtic Park.
7/17/2001
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW
UEFA confirmed on Monday that should Rangers progress to the next round of the Champions League there would be no possibility of them facing Celtic in the next round.
7/17/2001
KOLKKA MOVE OFF ?
The soccernet web site today reports that Martin O’Neill has scrapped plans to bring Joonas Kolkka to Celtic Park, story on this reproduced below.
Kolkka told to forget a move to Parkhead By Peter Jardine Joonas Kolkka's Parkhead dream evaporated into the North Sea somewhere between Glasgow and Eindhoven last night as Martin O'Neill dropped his interest in the PSV winger. Comparisons with Barcelona's Marc Overmars have been ubiquitous over the past week as Kolkka trained with Celtic at Bisham Abbey but his scarcely-showstopping performance against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday has dissuaded the Irishman from a £1million deal. The Finnish international was back in Holland over the weekend waiting for an invitation from Celtic to come to Glasgow to complete signing negotiations until O'Neill concluded the player is no better than Bobby Petta for the left-flank. Kolkka hit the post in the 2-0 victory over QPR and his transfer has done the same, despite all the talk of outstanding pace and his credentials as a Finland team-mate of Antti Niemi and Jonatan Johansson. Instead, the 26-year-old midfielder today re-starts pre-season training with PSV Eindhoven with his agent, Kees Ploesma, confirming his client's deep disappointment that the switch has foundered. 'Joonas is very disappointed but it seems that Martin O'Neill has said no after the training and the friendly match he played for Celtic,' said Ploesma. 'He wanted very much to come to Glasgow and was hopeful of playing for them in the Champions League, just as he has done for PSV Eindhoven. 'He thoroughly enjoyed his time with Celtic in England last week. He enjoyed the atmosphere among the players and was keen to join them but instead he will now return to PSV to start training with them for the new season in Holland.' O'Neill, of course, has much on his mind, with the Bobo Balde and Marc Libbra interest still alive as he takes Celtic to Paris today for this evening's friendly against FC Porto at the Stade Charlety. Hibs have made it clear they will not pursue Libbra unless he contacts them, after Alex McLeish and chief executive Rod Petrie expended much energy into trying to seal his transfer earlier this summer. Craig Brewster is due to play for Hibs tonight in France against Lorient instead, and Petrie said: 'If Libbra wants another chance, he must come to us.' Balde's Parkhead position remains shrouded in doubt after he walked out on the Celtic medical last Friday and O'Neill will address his protracted transfer after tonight's match at a Paris athletics stadium. Porto, meanwhile, may be using the dressing rooms from which Zine-dine Zidane and Fabian Barthez laid hands on the World Cup, but they seem to have contracted an inferiority complex with regard to Celtic. O'Neill suggested at the weekend that some of the potential Champions League opponents may well fear the Scottish title-winners and the Portuguese runners-up come into that category. Porto must first overcome Barry Town or FC Shamkir of Azerbaijan - the Welsh have a 2-0 lead - to reach the third-round draw, where they could be paired with Celtic. And, although they are currently staying at the Clairefontaine training complex used by the French national team, new coach Octavio Machado said: 'We would much prefer if we didn't have to face Celtic again after this friendly. 'We know the strength and power of the Glasgow clubs and we would not want to be facing Celtic for a place in the Champions League. 'We respect them and their play-ers, like Henrik Larsson, but the match in France is simply part of our preparations for the games against Barry Town or Shamkir.' Porto finished second in the championship for the second successive year, with Machado returning to the club to take over as coach last month. They have been at their Paris base for ten days, playing a Third Division outfit first and losing 1-0 to Auxerre at the weekend.
7/16/2001
V&V FOR CELTS CLASH
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is planning to use Ryan Giggs' testimonial match against Celtic on 1 August, to give new signings Juan Sebastian Veron and Ruud van Nistelrooy their Old Trafford debuts.
British record signing Veron will fly out with the rest of the United squad on Thursday for their tour of the Far East, which will last for 10 days.
"They will get bits of matches together while we are in the Far East, of course, but Ryan’s match will be the first game in which I’ll fit in all my key players. It will be the match when I start to try and blend things together," said Sir Alex.
"I am glad I will be able to play Veron and Nistelrooy in England together for the first time in Ryan’s match because he deserves a good crowd. Some people say that players don’t deserve testimonials anymore but I think Ryan does."
7/16/2001
LIBBRA IN - BALDE OUT
It looks as though the transfer of Bobo Blade is not and cut and dried as reported last week. Seemingly the bold Mr Balde left halfway thorough his medical and returned home complaining of a groin strain. We have not yet heard the end of this.
The French farce transfer of Marc Libbra to Scotland was back on last night after Toulouse accepted a £500,000 bid from Celtic for the striker.
Hibs manager Alex McLeish will be furious if this turns out to be true, more on these stories as things unfold.
7/13/2001
POLL BACKS BHOYS PREMIERSHIP CHANCES
Sportinglife.com users believe Celtic would gain a European spot if they competed in the Premiership.
Dermot Desmond, chief of the Glasgow giants, revealed the club would consider moving to the FA Premiership if they have outgrown the Scottish League.
Our online poll found that more than 47 per cent of respondents thought the Scottish champions could seal a top six spot in England's top division, a view backed by their manager Martin O'Neill.
A massive 22 per cent them said Celtic could be champions while slightly more believed they were disappear into mid-table obscurity.
Only seven per cent voted for the other option that they would be relegated.
7/13/2001
HOW WOULD CELTIC DO IN ENGLAND?
Your chance to vote in the Sporting Life poll, follow this link and cast your vote.
http://www.sportinglife.com/polls/
7/13/2001
FROM THE QPR OFFICIAL WEBSITE
CELTIC SELL-OUT EXPECTED
TICKETS for QPR's pre-season friendly against Celtic at Loftus Road on Saturday are still on sale - although the club expects the ground to be sold out before the end of the week. The visit of the Scottish treble-winners has attracted unprecedented interest for a pre-season fixture at Loftus Road - among both QPR supporters and exiled Celtic fans. Celtic are planning to bring a full-strength squad to Loftus Road with manager Martin O'Neill putting the finishing touches to his plans for the Scottish League season which begins on July 28. Saturday's match is a 3pm kick-off. If you still haven't got your tickets, call the QPR box office on 020 8740 2575.
7/12/2001
OLD FIRM FANS FAVOUR PREMIERSHIP SWITCH
A Celtic supporters' spokesman today declared that the majority of Hoops fans would welcome a switch to the English Premiership. Celtic's majority shareholder Dermot Desmond has gone on the record stating that he expects the club to join the English elite within a few years. Desmond revealed that talks had already started among clubs and chairmen and that Rangers were also strongly interested.
7/12/2001
CELTIC 'WILL JOIN ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP SOON'
Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond today predicted the club would soon be able to defect from the Scottish Premier League and join the English Premiership. The Celtic principal investor said joining the Premiership would make financial sense for both Old Firm rivals - as well as the leading clubs in England, and claimed ''the ball is already rolling''. Desmond made his comments in an interview with the Dublin-based Business and Finance weekly magazine in the wake of Celtic's current £25million share placing.
7/11/2001
BALDE MOVE ON HOLD
Toulouse defender Bobo Balde's transfer to Celtic has been put on hold as the financially-stricken club have still not found new owners to save them from bankruptcy. The 25-year-old was expected to sign a five-year deal yesterday with the Scottish Treble winners after protracting negotiations. But the sealing of the deal was postponed because the name of the French club's new owners has not been announced.
7/11/2001
MJALLBY PROMISES EVEN MORE
Johan Mjallby has promised Celtic manager Martin O'Neill and the Parkhead faithful that this season will be his finest yet in a Hoops shirt. The Swedish international comfortably completed the transition from midfield to defence last season on the way to the Treble. And despite playing through the pain barrier for most of the campaign Mjallby was just pipped by fellow Swede Henrik Larsson for the fans' player of the season award.
7/11/2001
Britain's most expensive player to face Celts?
Another transfer which has stalled is the £23.4m arrival at Manchester United of Juan Sebastian Veron, who may have to wait up to two weeks for work permit clearance.
United are still preparing to hold a press conference, probably tomorrow, but the Argentine's debut will have to be put on hold.
The red tape means he would miss friendly matches in Malaysia, Singapore and Bangkok and could have to wait to make his debut in the Ryan Giggs' testimonial against Celtic at Old Trafford on Aug 1.
7/11/2001
LOOK WHO’S POPPED UP AGAIN
The player currently training with Celtic in England was seemingly a target for the hoops last year, our rants section carried the story below almost a year ago
07 Aug 2000
NEW SIGNING TARGET
Rumour has it that his latest transfer target could be little known Finnish international winger Joonas Kolkka. The Parkhead side had the left-sided PSV Eindhoven player watched in action for his club in a pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday last week and O'Neill received positive reports on his performance. Kolkka was Dick Advocaat's last signing at his old club and his advisor Kees Ploegsma confirmed the Parkhead club's interest in his £2million-rated client: 'Celtic are interested in signing Joonas. Now they just have to make a concrete offer,' he said.
7/10/2001
INFORMATION ON PORTO GAME IN PARIS
Here's some info for supporters planning to travel to Paris for the pre-season friendly against PORTO. Please re-post this info on all relevant CELTIC lists.
1) TUESDAY 17th July, kick-off time still to be settled but probably 8.30pm or 9pm.
2) TICKETS. None will be distributed by Celtic Ticket Services. Tickets will be available at the gate. Charlety Stadium holds 20,000. Tickets are priced at FF75 to FF230 (approx. £7-£20) and may be purchased at FNAC or CARREFOUR stores. Here are the addresses of two central Paris FNAC stores below. It will avoid queueing at the stadium if you can pick up your tickets before.
Champs Elysées 74, avenue des Champs-Elysées Galerie du Claridge 75008 Paris
Saint-Lazare rail station (opposite) Passage du Havre 109, rue Saint Lazare 75009 Paris
3) TRAVEL to the stadium. There's a direct rail link from the Gare du Nord by RER (regional express trains) southbound to Cité Universitaire RER station.
4) Paris members of the French CSC will meet up after the game in O'Sullivan's pub (corner of bd de Montmartre and rue de Montmartre, metro station is Grands Boulevards). All Celts welcome, of course.
THE BIGGEST IMMIGRANT POPULATION IN PARIS IS THE PORTUGUESE AND THEY LIKE THEIR FITBA. SO TURN OUT FOR THE CELTIC AND HELP TO CHEER ON THE BHOYS.
Hail hail,
Bill
P.S. Email for Paris members of French C.S.C. is pariscelts@hotmail.com
7/10/2001
Open day at Celtic Park
Newsroom Staff
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Saturday, July 14, Celtic fans are being given a fantastic opportunity to find out all about the new share issue and how to apply for shares in the Club at a special Open Day at Celtic Park.
The event is on at the Kerrydale Suite in the stadium from 12 noon till 6pm.
And fans will get the opportunity to speak to Club representatives and take part in Q&A sessions with Chief Executive Ian McLeod.
There will also be the chance to experience a pitch-side tour, and refreshments and bar facilities will be available throughout the day.
So don’t miss the Open Day at Celtic Park this Saturday from 12 noon. Ghuy
7/10/2001
Boss refuses to speculate.
O’Neill declined to comment on speculation that he is poised to return to his former club, Leicester City, to try to sign Matt Elliott. "I’m laying down a policy this year about not talking about other clubs’ players," he added. Leicester manager Peter Taylor said yesterday that the Scotland defender was not for sale and would still be at Filbert Street in the new season.
7/10/2001
O’Neill offers Berkovic a chance to prove himself
The Celtic manager Martin O’Neill yesterday insisted there was no rift with Eyal Berkovic and offered the disgruntled Israeli international the chance to fight way back into the SPL champions’ first-team plans.
Berkovic, already upset that the Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness failed to make his loan move to Ewood Park a permanent one, has made his feelings known publicly, but O’Neill firmly denied there had been a showdown with the unsettled midfielder.
"There were raging headlines in Sunday’s newspapers that I told him to shut his gob. Well, I never said that.
"This is nothing new. I think he was disappointed that he went to Blackburn and looked to have done very well and then nothing materialised," said O’Neill.
7/9/2001
Balde confirms he wants to be a Bhoy By Roddy Thomson in Dublin
Bobo Balde was on Sunday presented with a baby girl after a 3am dash to a maternity ward in Marseilles - leaving a ruling on Monday afternoon on the fate of bankrupt Toulouse FC as the last obstacle to his move to Celtic. The towering defender was on Sunday night in the bosom of his family, but took time to deny claims that he was considering an offer from Wolfsburg.
Balde told Soccernet that he had made up his mind to reject the Bundesliga for the SPL, stressing: 'I said no to Wolfsburg, and yes to Celtic.'
The earlier-than-expected birth of Balde's second child helps clear the way for Celtic, who are hoping he will complete a medical and other formalities this week before signing a four-year deal in Glasgow.
A proposed rescue package for Toulouse is expected to pave the way for his sale for a reduced transfer fee.
While the player's family are in no position to travel at present, the knowledge that domestic matters are back under control does free him to concentrate on getting ready for the new season after a topsy-turvy summer.
Martin O'Neill learned of the Balde family's new addition - the player refused to divulge the baby's name - from the Press after Celtic recorded a 3-1 victory over Shelbourne at Tolka Park, Dublin, but stressed: 'I haven't been in contact even with Jim Hone, who looks after these things.'
Meanwhile, the Irishman applauded Sunday's opponents Shelbourne's fine first- half performance, which carried echoes of their showing against Rangers in a Champions League qualifying tie two years ago.
Debut Dubliner Mick Doyle's goal finally broke the stalemate for Celtic - who arrive at England's Bisham Abbey training base later today to continue their pre-season buildup - and O'Neill added: 'It was exactly the type of work-out we want as we build up towards the league and what is a massive Champions League qualifier.'
Chris Sutton went off early, but afterwards blamed a history of bad blistering during on season. O'Neill is not concerned over his fitness for QPR on Saturday - or the Porto game next Tuesday.
7/8/2001
Shelbourne 1 Celtic 3
Sunday 8th July 2001
Dublin teenager Mick Doyle was the unlikely hero for Celtic as the Scottish treble winners beat Shelbourne in the last game of their Irish pre-season tour on Sunday.
Martin O'Neill's team were drawing 1-1 in front of a crowd of 7,000 at Tolka Park when the midfielder, who has yet to make a first-team appearance, marked his return to his home town by heading past Shels goalkeeper Gareth Downey.
But both managers will be happy with the day as Celtic paraded three trophies for their adoring Irish fans while Shels boss Dermot Keely now knows his new-look side, which contained four summer signings, can hold its own against more illustrious opponents.
Indeed, the home side nearly hit the front on 17 minutes when winger Richie Baker was put clean through after good work by his older brother Dessie.
Richie's dummy managed to fool Bhoys keeper Robert Douglas, but the Ireland Under-21 could only hit the side netting. Baker had another good opportunity on 35 minutes but he blazed wide from Pat Fenlon's cross.
Celtic had plenty of chances of their own but were unable to beat new goalkeeper Gareth Downey until Jackie McNamara broke the deadlock on 52 minutes with a neat finish from Shaun Maloney's cross.
Shels were level within a minute when another new boy, Brian Byrne, converted a close-range header after Douglas had parried Dessie Baker's shot.
Doyle, on as a sub for Oliver Tebily, headed home from a Neil Lennon corner on 75 minutes and another sub, Tommy Johnson, made it 3-1 with ten minutes left.
Shelbourne: Downey, Heary, McCarthy, Gannon, R Baker, Hutton (D Byrne 46), Fenlon, Crawford, Hutchison, B Byrne, D Baker (McCann, 85)
Celtic: Douglas (Gould 70), Agathe (Fotheringham 70), Tebily (Doyle 65), McNamara (Miller 78), Crainey (Boyd 46), Moravcik (Goodwin 46), Lennon, Lambert (Burchilll 70), Petta (Smith 46, Wieghorst 78), Maloney, Sutton (Johnson 19)
7/7/2001
Celtic to make Danish link-up?
MARC RIEPER'S appointment as assistant manager at AGF Aarhus has sparked talk of a new working relationship with Rieper’s former club Celtic.
After years of internal power struggles, endless financial problems and poor results on the pitch AGF have responded by bringing in former star Rieper to add experience and enthusiasm to the coaching staff.
In an interview with the local newspaper Rieper said that it was a scandal that Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark, had been unable to produce a top team in recent years. He added that he expects the team to be back in the race for the Danish title within four or five years.
However, perhaps the most encouraging aspect of Rieper's appointment, as far as AGF are concerned, is the possibility of forging a new relationship with Scottish Champions Celtic. Rieper is keen for AGF to watch Celtic and learn from their experience, but also hopes that players can be exchanged between the two clubs.
"THE FANS should however not expect to see a stream of Scottish players at AGF straight away as wages are too high in Scotland. But within time it might be possible for AGF to loan a few players from the Celtic squad, should we be in need of improvements," Rieper said.
"Celtic can also gain from the co-operation", he continued. "AGF might operate as a Scandinavian based scout for Celtic. If we find a good player who AGF cannot cope with financially then we will give Celtic a hint. And if we ourselves produce a player of some
quality then Celtic will be allowed the first bid," Rieper explained.
7/7/2001
PETROV AIMING FOR SEPTEMBER COMEBACK
Celtic have been boosted by news that Bulgarian star Stilian Petrov could make his comeback from a double leg fracture in time for the group stages of the Champions' League in September. He was expected to miss the rest of the year.
7/6/2001
BALDE TO BE A BHOY
CELTIC are finally expected to complete the £2 million signing of long running transfer target Bobo Balde from Toulouse. The 25-year-old defender is set to put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal with last season's treble winners after protracted negotiations.
Balde had been delaying over the move as he had been mulling over offers from French duo Marseille and Bastia as well as German outfit Werder Bremen, but Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill appears to have finally landed his man.
O'Neill's need to sign a new defender had been heightened by the loss of Alan Stubbs to Everton earlier this week and Ramon Vega's defection to Watford last month.
7/6/2001
Pierre up to his old tricks again!
DUTCHMAN PIERRE Van Hooijdonk has been suspended by Benfica after failing to turn up for a training session with the reserves.
The striker was told not to get changed when he reported for training with the senior squad on Thursday morning.
The player was subsequently banned and then went on strike after his reserve team no-show.
Van Hooijdonk insists Benfica owe him wages and part of his transfer fee, and he is standing firm. He said: "I am not leaving here before I get that money. They have started a war now, and if that is what they want then they will get it."
He added: "I do not think I deserve this after last season, when I scored 19 goals. I am curious how they are going to explain this to the fans."
This week Van Hooijdonk had a meeting with Feyenoord chairman Jorien van den Herik, when the striker said he would love to play in Rotterdam next season but first he wanted to resolve his financial conflict with Benfica.
7/5/2001
AWOL DJORKAEFF HIT WITH £10,000 FINE
Youri Djorkaeff who was recently linked with a move to Celtic faces a club-record £10,000 fine after failing to turn up for training with Kaiserslautern. "We won't tolerate his behaviour any longer," said Jurgen Friedrich, the president of the Bundesliga club.
7/4/2001
STUBBS A STEAL - LARSSON
Celtic superstar Henrik Larsson reckons Everton have picked up a bargain in Alan Stubbs, who has decided to leave Parkhead for Goodison on a free transfer. The defender, who has agreed a four-year deal, is expected to be unveiled by Everton as their first summer signing tomorrow. Larsson wrote of his former golfing partner on his icons website: ''He is very strong with both his left and right foot, and an incredibly accurate passer of the ball.
7/4/2001
BERKOVIC STUNNED BY LACK OF SERIOUS OFFERS
Transfer-listed Celtic star Eyal Berkovic revealed his frustration on Tuesday at the lack of interest in him from top sides. “How is it that Frank Lampard was bought by Chelsea for £11 million while clubs are only offering £2 million for me?” said the Israeli playmaker.
7/2/2001
HOOPS RETURN TO WORK
Celtic's squad regrouped today for their 1st pre-season training session.
Still no signings on display although this may change later in the week with expected arrival of Bobo Balde from French club Toulouse.
STUBBS TO SIGN ON WEDNESDAY
It's now expected that Alan Stubbs will sign for Everton on a Bosman on Wednesday of this week.
PORTO v CELTIC
Celtic will play Porto in Paris on July 17th in another pre-season warm up match, venue and kick off time still to be confirmed.
