3/31/2001

DO YOU BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ IN THE SUN?

Celtic have had secret transfer talks with Claudia Caniggia, his agent has claimed. Fernando Consentino told The Scottish Sun: "There is one club from Scotland and four from the Premiership who are interested in signing Claudio. The Scottish club is Celtic and although we have met just once with the club they are anxious to sign Claudio."

3/31/2001

SPL FINAL RESULTS

Dundee 2 Kilmarnock 2

Hearts 3 Motherwell 0

Rangers 0 Dundee Utd 2

St Mirren 1 Dunfermline 1

3/31/2001

SPL FULL TIMES

RANGERS 0 DUNDEE UNITED 2 Loads of empty seats at Ibrox with ten minutes to go.

DUNDEE 2 KILMARNOCK 2

ST MIRREN 1 DUNFERMLINE 1

3/31/2001

SPL LATEST

RANGERS 0 DUNDEE UNITED 2

3/31/2001

SPL LATEST

RANGERS 0 DUNDEE UNITED 1

3/31/2001

TRANSFER DEADLINE LOOMS

Well the mad stampede into the transfer does not look as if it's going to happen. Unless something breaks today it looks as Martin O'Neill is going to go with what he's got for now.

We still have at least nine games to go, ten if we include getting to the Scottish Cup Final. Any more injuries or suspensions will see us limp towards the finishing line.

Let's hope that Martin has not been prevented from buying by our friends in the PLC department.

3/30/2001

UNDER 21 FRIENDLY RESULT

CELTIC 0 BRANN BERGEN 1

Official Site

Brann Bergen enjoy narrow win by Alison McConnell

Martin O'Neill used a closed doors under-21 friendly against Brann Bergen to cast his eye over one or two potential new recruits in the Norwegian side.

Rumours in the press had linked the Celtic manager with defender Erlend Hanstreit and striker Thorstein Helstad, and if true, the latter certainly took his opportunity to impress when he netted the only goal of the game five minutes after the interval.

A long-kick out from Magnus Kihlstedt in the Bran Berg goal wasn't picked up by the Celtic defence and Helstad coolly collected the ball before sliding it beyond the reach of the Greek Livingston trialist goalkeeper, who turned out for Celtic.

However apart from this the game itself was a drab affair that failed to uncover any real stars and although the Norwegian side enjoyed the best of the second period they failed to add to their tally.

Paul Shields ought to have equalised in the final minute of the match when he robbed Hanstreit of the ball and then raced on to beat Roy Wassberg, but with only the keeper to beat he blasted his shot high over the bar.

Brann Berg were furious that play had been allowed to go on, claiming that Hanstreit had been fouled, but in any case nothing came of the decision to allow play to continue.

It wasn't the most enjoyable of afternoons for Shields who also missed a first half penalty after John Paul McGovern header was handled inside the box. The former Raith Rovers hit his shot low and to the left but Kihlstedt guessed correctly and clawed the ball round the post.

Shields tried to atone for his indiscretion seven minutes later with another long-range attempt but his shot was just wide.

Celtic enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening period but struggled to make an impact against the well-organised Norwegians and, by and large, were restricted to long efforts from outside the box.

Stephane Bonnes came closest in the opening minutes with a sizzling 25-yard effort that sailed narrowly wide of the target.

A few minutes after the restart Marc Cocozza was forced to retire after he collided with the trialist keeper, and Paul McLaughlin was introduced to the match.

Brann Berg midfielder Alex Valencia came close to netting in the 54th minute when he escaped the attentions of McGovern before lobbing the keeper but his attempt landed on the roof of the net.

Both sides made changes throughout the second period with Ross Ballantyne coming on for Jamie Smith and Brann Berg also made a number of switches.

Azar Karadas was only on the park a few minutes before he was involved in a spat with Ryan McCann, but the situation was quickly diffused before it resulted in any serious incident.

Endre Hansen laid the ball into Petter Furuseth Olsen's path, but with the keeper already beaten and frantically racing back, he blasted high over the bar.

McLaughlin had a superb shot blocked by Kihlstedt after Jim Goodwin had put him through in the 72nd minute, but at the other end Martin Knudsen tried to find the route to goal from a 20-yard free-kick after he had been fouled by Goodwin just outside the box, but his shot took a deflection and edged narrowly wide of goal.

CELTIC (3-5-2): Trialist; McCann, Goodwin, Cocozza; McGovern, Bonnes, McBride, Doyle, Smith; Shields, Sullivan. Subs: Morrison, Pinkowski, Ballantyne, McLaughlin.

BRANN BERGEN (3-5-2): Kihlstedt; Ylonen, Hanstreit, Wassberg; Kvisvik (Knudsen 76), Sammuelson, Rasanaustas, Brendesather, Valencia (Hansen 63); Helstad, Olsen (Karadas 62). Subs: Kvisvik.

3/30/2001

3/30/2001

TRANSFER NEWS

Expect to hear plenty of transfer speculation over the next 24 hrs as the transfer deadline looms.

Still several players being linked with moves to Celtic but nothing confirmed as yet. Any definite moves will be posted here as soon as they are confirmed.

3/28/2001

SPL RESULT

ABERDEEN 3 ST JOHNSTONE 3

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Les Ferdinand has stated he has no wish to come to Celtic Park.

Lubo to make decision soon

Jason McAteer to arrive before transfer deadline?

Norweigan double swoop on the cards?

Updates later on all of the above if anything develops.

3/27/2001

LENNON INJURED.

Neil Lennon has suffered an injury as Northern Ireland prepare to face Bulgaria on Wednesday evening. The player seemingly went over an ankle in training. Martin O'Neill will be in contact with the player later today.

3/26/2001

Larsson: I'll be staying with Celtic

Henrik Larsson has restated that he will see out his career at Celtic - because he says he is not good enough to join one of Europe's top clubs. The Swedish striker, who helped his country to a 1-0 World Cup win over Macedonia on Saturday, has plundered 47 goals so far for the Hoops this season.

But despite Europe-wide interest, including reports from Italy that AC Milan have made him a priority target, Larsson said: 'I can't see that I will get an offer from one of the absolutely biggest clubs in Europe, such as Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid. I am not in the same division.

'I haven't heard anything and it sounds totally unrealistic. I've never thought about leaving Celtic and everything suggests I will end my career at the club.'

Celtic fans and boss Martin O'Neill will welcome Larsson's comments

3/25/2001

INTERNATIONAL ROUNDUP

Mixed fortunes for Celts on international duty on Saturday, Neil Lennon’s Northern Ireland team going down 1-0 to the Czech Republic, glad to report no repeat of the abuse directed towards Neil on this occasion.

Sweden won 1-0 at home against Macedonia with a goal set up by King Henrik that allowed Anders Svensson's to score just before half-time.

Ramon Vega played well in Switzerland’s 1-1 draw with Yugoslavia in Belgrade.

Celtic’s Scottish players were part of the squad who blew a two goal lead against 10-man Belgium at Hampden, Joos Valgaern was subbed for tactical reasons during the game. Paul Lambert was man of the match at Hampden with Tom Boyd also performing well.

Ex Celt Rudi Vata was captain of the Albainian team that suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hand of Germany, the Germans scoring with two minutes remaining.

No injuries to any of the Celtic players on duty, they will all be playing again in midweek.

3/25/2001

THE KING OF KINGS

- Larsson best i Europa!

Henrik Larsson has won the poll being run by Norway’s leading Daily Newspaper.

Henrik scored 23.43% of the votes beating off Gabriel Batistuta who polled 17.72%.

Well done to everyone who took the time to vote.

Saturday, 24 March 2001

THE KINGS LEADING THE WAY

Norway’s largest daily newspaper VG is currently running a poll to find out the top player in Europe for season 2000/2001.

It comes as no surprise that the man leading the way at present is one HENRIK LARSSON ESQ.

There is still two day’s left to vote and you can help by casting your vote to the following URL http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=240321

Half way down the page there is a little rectangular yellow box slightly to the right with the heading "AVSTEMNING - Beste spiss i Europa" Click on that and hey presto! You will be helping to make Henrik the King in yet another country.

Wednesday, 21 March 2001

VEGA TO STAY? LUBO TO GO? STAN FACING OP

CELTIC defender Ramon Vega has clinched a lucrative new two-year deal.

But fans' hero Lubo Moravick now looks certain to return to France at the end of the season.

Vega is currently on a short-term deal until the summer after boss Martin O'Neill bought out his contract at Spurs for pounds 350,000 in December.

The Irishman has been so impressed by the 29-year-old powerhouse over the past four months that he has decided to extend his stay in Glasgow.

There are a few minor details still to be ironed out - Vega is insisting on a new house as part of the package - although the Swiss international expects to sign his new deal on Friday.

Last night the player's agent, Philip Spencer, confirmed: "I'm hopeful that by the end of the week, or the weekend at the latest, the matter will be concluded.

"It has always been my intention to meet Martin O'Neill during the international week in March and that's what I will do.

"Although it is a bit premature to say the deal is a formality I don't envisage too many problems."

The deal will tie Vega to Celtic until the summer of 2003. Vega, who collected his first honour with Treble-chasing Celtic in Sunday's CIS Cup win over Kilmarnock, has always indicated a desire to stay in Scotland.

The only stumbling block to any permanent move was his girlfriend Olivia's reluctance to leave London. That has now been resolved.

But Celtic's hopes of signing Moravcik on a new one-year deal look dashed.

A coaching post with his old club Bastia is one possibility, although St Etienne, where he spent six years, have also expressed an interest.

Hibs star Russell Latapy is being lined-up as a direct replacement for the 35-year-old, who has become an icon to the Parkhead faithful.

Moravcik was bought for a bargain pounds 350,000 by Dr Jozef Venglos over two years ago.

He had never won a medal in his career but now has two League Cup winners' badges, and looks certain to quit Celtic with a title gong.

Crocked team-mate Stilian Petrov will undergo an operation on his broken leg today.

And it is now hoped the Bulgar could be back sooner than initially expected.

Specialists at Glasgow's Western Infirmary originally planned to put Petrov's leg in a cast and allow the smashed tibia and fibula to heal naturally. But a further scan revealed an op was the player's best option.

He will have pins inserted, similar to the procedure carried out on Henrik Larsson.

While Petrov still faces a lengthy period on the sidelines, there is now a chance he may be back playing before the end of the year.

Tuesday, 20 March 2001

FROM TEAMTALK (TORQUAY UNITED)

Douglin poised for Celtic switch

Teenage defender Troy Douglin could be set for a permanent move to Celtic,

Douglin has been on loan with The Bhoys for the last six months, and talks are now taking place over a permanent deal.

We understand that Wes Saunders is currently in Scotland, but the deal will only go through if Celtic can offer The Gulls a suitable deal. The 18-year-old has made a good impression at Parkhead, and Martin O'Neill would like to push through a full-time switch before the Scottish transfer deadline on Thursday week.

Monday, 19 March 2001

Riseth signs for 1860

Vidar Riseth has signed a four-year-contract with Bundesliga side 1860 Munich, with "The Lions" paying £1million to The Bhoys. The Norwegian defender joined on loan in November and has put in quite a few convincing performances in the Bundesliga, despite 1860's unlucky run this season, failing in their goal of clinching a European spot as they are nine points down with only eight games to go. 1860 have urged Riseth to sign a long-term contract now as from next season the 29-year-old could have only signed a two-year contract due to the FIFA's new transfer system.

Monday, 19 March 2001

FROM THE KING'S OWN WEBSITE

Monday 19th March 2001 A reward for all our hard work

We had a bit of a party at Celtic last night after beating Kilmarnock 3-0 in the CIS Cup. We're really happy with both the performance and the result, and it's great to have some reward for all the hard work the team put in.

Of course it was great to get the goals, and I have to say I'm very pleased with my third, it was nice to score a goal like that, and to get it in a final is a bit special. I knew what I was going to do, and just took the ball on. They are the sort of moments you train for, and the important thing is just to go for it, and not falter. But the most important thing was that Celtic have got some reward for the way the team has played so far this season. It was great to hear the fans, who were brilliant. Everyone is very happy, but we know there is still a lot of work to do this season.

I thought we played well - even after losing Chris Sutton we didn’t let up, we took the game to Kilmarnock. We knew we’d have to play well, because they were desperate to beat us and pick up a bit of silverware. You don't get to a cup final and then sit back. When you’re there you throw everything in to it. They wanted to win, but we were hungry for victory. Most games seem like a cup final when you play for Celtic, so we are used to teams raising their game. Luckily we were able to play good, controlled football.

Friday, 16 March 2001

IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION

CIS CUP FINAL - Sunday 18th March 2001

We received additional tickets for Sunday's match. All members of the Away Registration Scheme have now been offered tickets. All remaining tickets will go on sale to Season Book holders on a first come first served basis at 9am on Saturday. West Stand £16 only.

Cheers Claire

Friday, 16 March 2001

I THOUGHT MY CAREER WAS OVER

Petrov tells of his fear as he's ruled out for 9 months

STILIAN PETROV last night admitted he feared his career was over as he looked at his shattered right leg seconds after his sickening collision with St Johnstone skipper Jim Weir. The young Bulgarian was given the dreadful news yesterday that he will be out of action for the next nine months.

However, Celtic's 21-year-old midfielder admitted that he initially feared his injury was much worse than a straightforward leg break. He said: "I am totally in shock. This injury is very bad for any professional player but particularly for me because I'm so young. "The first thing I thought - probably the first thing anybody in my position thinks - was that it could all be over for me. But I now hope I'll recover as soon as possible."

Manager Martin O'Neill confirmed that Petrov is likely to be out until Christmas - robbing the player of the chance to play in the early stages of the Champions League next term. O'Neill said: "Stilian's injury is similar to the one Henrik Larsson had, although if anything, it is a cleaner break this time. "The doctors say that he might not need an operation and that they might be able to manipulate the break back into place but you are still looking at between eight to nine months. "We'll do well to see him on the field before Christmas.

The Parkhead boss paid tribute to Petrov's performance on and off the field for Celtic and admitted that the loss of the player has cast a huge shadow over the club's CIS Cup Final preparations. He said: "His circumstances here have improved immensely in the past year. "He arrived in a foreign country where he knew very little of the language and was not at ease with it. "He had no real friends here and it was very difficult for him. "But it shows you the character of the boy that his English is very good now - he's made a big effort to do that - and more importantly, his efforts on the field of play have been phenomenal. "He has been immense for us this year and he is still improving. "Obviously he will get over this but it is a blow to him and to us."

Celtic defender Ramon Vega spoke for all of his team-mates when he insisted that the Parkhead outfit is aiming to win the CIS Cup on Sunday and dedicate the victory over Kilmarnock to Petrov. The big Swiss stopper said: "It is very disappointing for Stilian and everyone in our dressing room is quite down. "It's terrible that he can't play in the final but we are going to win the medal for him and we hope to win the league for him as well. "We will think about him in every game." As well as missing Celtic's run-in, Petrov will also be sidelined for his country's crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Northern Ireland, Iceland, Denmark and the Czech Republic.

Bulgaria coach Stoicho Moldenov said: "I don't want to say anything at the moment because I still can't believe Stilian has been so badly injured. "He is a key player for us and it's very bad to lose such a good player. It's not good for the team."

Friday, 16 March 2001

CUP FINAL TICKETSCeltic fans have received 2000 extra tickets for Sunday's final and they will be on sale from 9.30am at Celtic Park today to season book holders.

Friday, 16 March 2001

UNDER 18'S MARCH ON

CELTIC 4 HAMILTON ACCIES 0

Celtic's under 18s team had an easy win over Hamilton Accies in last night's cup tie played at Celtic Park.

Thursday, 15 March 2001

BHOYS TARGET ITALIAN HIT-MAN

SCOTTISH Premier League champions elect Celtic are considering making a move for Brescia striker Dario Hubner, as Bhoys boss Martin O'Neill prepares for an assault on the Champions League next season. O'Neill is keen to strengthen his squad for the challenge of Europe's premier competition with the Scottish giants almost certain to win the title this season and qualify for the Champions League, as they hold a massive 16 point lead at the top over closest challengers Rangers.

The Bhoys boss has targeted his strikeforce as the area he is most keen to add to - with a real lack of quality cover for star duo Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton.

Currently, Celtic have only veteran star Lubomir Moravcik and Tommy Johnson as back-up to the regular front pair, and, with Mark Burchill seemingly on his way of Parkhead, O'Neill wants to improve his striking options at the club.

The former Leicester boss is believed to be ready to come to Italy to watch the player in action so that he can assess him, with the April clash with Juventus the most likely game.

Hubner is one of the most under-rated strikers in Italy and he has a proven goal scoring record wherever he has been, scoring 176 career league goals.

The 33-year-old, who is nicknamed 'The Bison', has got 13 goals for Brescia this season and he has been their top goalscorer the past two seasons.

Hubner joined the club in 1997 from Cesena and he has quickly become their star player with his prolific goalscoring.

The Italian ace, who is under contract at Brescia until the summer of 2002, may be tempted by a move to such a high profile club as Celtic having spent the majority of his career in the lower leagues with small clubs.

He may also be persuaded by the attraction of playing in the Champions League next season a chance he thought he might not get in such a late stage of his career.

Thursday, 15 March 2001

The Scotsman

A DAY LATE, BUT WELL SAID.

Bigots unoriginal and out of tune Mike Wade

No-one knows who they are or where they live, few have even met them. But they are the people who make up the football songs.

Beavering away in the corner of some smoked-filled bar or like impoverished poets high in a garret, they follow in the wake of Charles Wesley, producing a modern hymnnery for the cathedrals of sport. Or something like that.

A few clubs have always been poorly served by song. Stenhousemuir supporters could only devise a thin chant of "Warriors" in the late Seventies, dimly recalling the movie of the same name, but without any of the menace, far less the moral fibre of the film.

It's worse still for the choir at Somerset Park, who for decades have struggled through games only by morphing "Ayr" into a two, three or four-syllable word to ensure it fits a tune.

Fortunately, other sides draw on a richer musical heritage. Only last year a 24-track CD arrived at The Scotsman dedicated to the Honest Men's fiercest rivals, "the famous Ayrshire Killie" featuring, though no-one knows why, The Halls of Montezuma.

Hearts, too, have many a merry tune in their honour. A friend, troubled by the behavioural problems of his football-loving son, sought to calm the child by buying a record of the famous songs of Gorgie. After hours listening to an incessantly jolly interpretation of Hearts, Hearts, Glorious Hearts, the lad began to show signs of improvement, and within a week had been moved to shatter the disc.

The most exhaustive research studies, presumably commissioned by the Charlie Chester Institute at Leicester University , show the golden age of the terrace anthem was the Seventies.

That young shaver Adam Crozier, with his yen for reviving the oldest international fixture in the world, was but a babby on the Isle of Bute when Hampden echoed to Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Bobby Moore superstar/ Walks like a woman and he wears a bra".

AS BEFITS a decent operatic performance, before one international (and after the traditional booing of the national anthem) a Scotland supporter meandered on to the pitch and presented the England captain with a handsome bunch of flowers. Something in that inscrutable Moore visage suggested the usually 'Appy' Ammer wasn't best pleased.

On club grounds other, lesser wordsmiths were at work. Few will forget the Hare Krishna tribute to Celtic's Harry Hood or the skilful reworking of Campdown Races to pour scorn on the blameless career of St Johnstone's Henry Hall.

Years passed, songs changed, tunes were adapted. Chicory Tip's Son of My Father was dedicated to Rodney Marsh and every other player whose name scanned. Other librettists fell back on the standard themes, like this classic reworking of John Brown's Body heard at Loftus Road: "Who's that driving on the pavement/ Who's that crashing through the wall?/ He plays in red and white/ And he crashes every night/ Tony Adams is a donkey after all."

It's in the nature of these songs that most are unprintable, but many will make you laugh on the first hearing.

It's part of the football experience, and most fans can just about discern a line between a brand of good humour and the unspeakable's chant of the unrepeatable.

That's why Hearts officials have been able to report a strong reaction among their wider support to those few idiots who spent their Sunday afternoon anointing Celtic's Neil Lennon with boos, and singing sectarian songs borrowed from Ibrox. Beyond the cave-dwelling fraternity, who needs this rubbish?

When Lennon was abused by his own supporters in Belfast last month, there was widespread condemnation of his treatment. Sadly, the publicity created by that backlash has prompted a moronic element within the Hearts support to ape their neanderthal cousins.

Not that it's by any means confined to those 20 or so meatheads from Edinburgh way. One off-duty Scotsman hack remained oblivious to the derision aimed at Lennon because a motley crew of Celtic-supporting teenagers insisted on standing up in front of him and belting out the Boys of the Old Brigade. Soldiers were they, but barely old enough to remember the Gulf War.

The same day, at Tannadice, the press box was the target of chants from a section of the visiting Rangers contingent who, curiously oblivious to those familiar figures of fun on the pitch, directed their chants at a single journalist whose copy, apparently, had been enraging them.

When this note of hatred and violence becomes too audible, there's no longer pleasure in the game.

Mercifully for most of us who enjoy attending football matches, like the racists' chants, these sectarian voices are in the minority at most football clubs. Let's look forward to the day the bigots' songbook is decomposing.

Wednesday, 14 March 2001

VIDUKA FOR THE OFFSKI ONCE AGAIN?

"Italian League leaders Roma are confident of capturing Mark Viduka - who has tormented their rivals Lazio this season - for £16million in the summer. Roma, eager to pair the Leeds striker with Gabriel Batistuta, believe their hand has been strengthened by manager Fabio Capello's long-standing friendship with the agent who engineered Viduka's move from Croatia Zagreb to Celtic."

Tuesday, 13 March 2001

Victory Party

Hail! Hail!! The Los Angeles CSC and the Las Vegas CSC are hosting a Celtic Victory Party the weekend of June 22-24. It will be held at the New Frontier Casino, right on the Las Vegas Strip. Room rates are as follows... $55 per weekend night, $65 for an upgrade $35 per midweek night, $45 for an upgrade (for those of you that want to come out a day or two early)

Call the New Frontier at 702-794-8400 or 1-800-421-7806 Be sure to tell them you are with the Los Angeles Celtic Party.

You can also find information at the Los Angeles web site through NAFCSC.com You can also e-mail Jennifer Harris from the Las Vegas CSC for more information.

Make sure you thank Tommy Love for all of his hard work on putting this celebration together!!

Hope to see you there!!

Yours in Celtic, Jennifer Harris treasurer Las Vegas CSC

Tuesday, 13 March 2001

SPL RESULT

Aberdeen 1 Hibs 0

Gundveit (2mins)

Tuesday, 13 March 2001

LARSSON IN SWEDISH SQUAD Celtic striker Henrik Larsson is among five British based players to be named in Sweden's World Cup squad for the World Cup double-header with Macedonia and Moldova later this month. The Parkhead star - who bagged his 43rd goal of the season in the Bhoys 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Hearts yesterday - is joined by team-mate Johan Mjallby. Influential Arsenal midfield man Freddie Ljungberg, Sunderland's Stefan Schwarz and Coventry keeper Magnus Hedman make up a trio from the Premiership.

Monday, 12 March 2001

FROM TODAY'S EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS

Sectarian minority bring shame on club

by Paul Kiddie

Hearts today vowed to ban the bigots after their supporters chanted sectarian abuse during the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

Around 1500 fans made the trip to Glasgow for yesterday's cup tie, which the home side won 1-0 thanks to Henrik Larsson's first half header.

Although heavily outnumbered, they gave the Jambos superb encouragement throughout the match.

But a minority brought shame on the Gorgile outfit by targeting Northern Ireland's Neil Lennon - the catholic midfielder was also jeered at Windsor Park last week by a section of the home fans during the friendly with Norway.

Flags with the red hand of Ulster were also seen at Parkhead and Hearts fans themselves have called for action to be taken by the club against the people involved.

The club's website was today flooded with complaints and one posting declared: "In all the long years watching Hearts, never have I been so embarrased and ashamed of some of my fellow fans. I sat and listened to guys belting out a complete litany of hatred. Is this the type of numbskulls we want following us? The Sash, Rule Britannia, Neil Lennon R.I.P., not to mention Nazi salutes, Union Jacks and Red Hand of Ulster flags - it is now time for the club and the decent fans to stand up and be counted. Never have I witnessed so prolonged and hate-filled filth as what was in evidence at Celtic Park."

Spokesman Douglas Dalgleish insisted Hearts will continue to do all it can to root out the troublemakers and warned severe punishments awaited those found guilty.

"We have stated before that there is no place for sectarianism at Hearts Football Club", he said.

"People have to conduct themselves in a proper manner. Okay, they can shout and chant but to single out individuals because of their religious beliefs is just not on. If these people can be identified - and bear in mind we know exactly who we sold tickets to for yesterday's match - they will not be welcome at any game in which Hearts are playing, home or away".

Monday, 12 March 2001

QUOTE OF THE SEASON

Knocked out of five competitions before the end of March. Well done the Teddy Bears, you are indeed, "The People"

Finbar O'Flaherty

Monday, 12 March 2001

CELTIC REACH FOR THE SKY

Celtic's Scottish Cup semi-final tie against Dundee United will be shown live on Sky TV.

The fixture will take place on Sunday April 15 at Hampden Park (2pm).

The other semi-final between Hibernian and Livingston will be played on Saturday April 14 (3pm) and will also be held at the national stadium.

Saturday, 10 March 2001

KILLIE OUT OF SCOTTISH CUP

Celtic opponents in next week’s CIS Kilmarnock were knocked out of the Scottish Cup today by a last minute winner for Hibs; also joining Hibs in the semi-final will be Livingstone who defeated Peterhead by 3 goals to 1. The draw for the semi-finals takes place on Sunday evening after the Dundee United v Rangers match at Tannadice.

Saturday, 10 March 2001

PETROV TIPS CELTIC FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GLORY

Stilian Petrov is backing Celtic to go all the way to the later stages of the Champions League next season.

Celtic have yet to make the group stages of the competition and missed out to Croatia Zagreb in 1998.

But Petrov says that trend will soon to change under manager Martin O'Neill.

Saturday, 10 March 2001

Larsson to end career with Celtic

HENRIK Larsson has given his unequivocal pledge that he wants to remain with Celtic for the remainder of his playing days.l The Swedish striker, who is on the verge of signing an improved contract with the league leaders, has also claimed that money is not a big issue for him.

Larsson said: "I have said I will end my career with Celtic and that’s that. Then I will move back to Helsingborgs with my family, no doubt about it.

"My son Jordan speaks Scottish [sic], so it will be really interesting to see what happens when we go back to Sweden."

Larsson’s new contract is expected to be worth £35,000-a-week but the player is adamant money no longer motivates him. "I think less and less about money now," he said. "I don’t have to earn such-and-such a figure as I thought I had to when I was younger.

"I’ve got a nice watch, a nice car and I don’t have to look at the price tags when I go shopping for clothes. But money is not the big motivation for me. I get a lot of begging letters asking for money, mostly from Sweden actually."

Despite Larsson’s comments, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said: "The player’s agent Rob Jansen has come over from Sweden and we have had preliminary talks. He was quite happy with the way things are going, but this will take a few weeks to sort out. I am sure it will simply come down to money."

Saturday, 10 March 2001

O'Neill convinces Larsson to sign for life By Roger Hannah

Martin O'Neill's personal touch in contract talks has convinced Henrik Lars-son to commit the rest of his career to champions-elect Celtic.

Larsson: Celtic for life (MarkThompson/Allsport) O'Neill took charge of negotiations with Larsson's agent Rob Jansen this week to exhibit his burning desire to tie the 42-goal striker to Parkhead for life.

Jansen will return to Glasgow in the next few weeks to conclude the £40,000-a-week deal - and Larsson last night reassured Celtic fans that he will sign. O'Neill yesterday revealed his own role in the contract talks, adding: 'Rob has come over and we have had preliminary talks. He is quite happy with the way things are going but it will take a few weeks to sort out.

'I wanted to ensure that the agent knew we want to keep the player for as long as he wants to be here. There is another date to resume things.'

Larsson, the darling of the Celtic faithful, reiterated his intention to sign on again in the east end of Glasgow. 'I will end my career with Celtic and that's that,' said the striker, who is only six goals short of Charlie Nicholas' post-war scoring record of 48 in one season.

'Money is not the big motivation for me. I think less and less about money now and I don't have to earn such-and-such a figure, as I thought I had to do when I was younger.

'Of course, there are enormous sums involved in football and I get a great salary every month. But I don't spend a lot because I was not brought up with a lot of money and I evaluate things in a different way.'

Larsson, who has recovered from a slight ham-string strain to face Hearts in the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-final at Parkhead tomorrow, has clearly been swayed by O'Neill's involvement.

And he also has set his sights on breaking Nicholas' goal record and rewarding the supporters who have awarded him cult status in Scotland.

'After my two goals against Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup, I've scored 42 goals, which is close to the post-war record 48 scored by Charlie back in the early 80s, ' added Larsson.

'I know most people are counting, but when it is your job to get the goals you just think about winning matches. The most important thing to me is that Celtic do well.

'Having said that, I'm obviously very proud to have scored so many and, if it ranks me up with great Celtic players of the past, that is really nice.'

Saturday, 10 March 2001

Aston Villa have rejected a move from Rangers to sign out-of-favour winger David Ginola on loan until the end of the season.

Rangers manager Dick Advocaat was looking to Ginola to solve an injury crisis which has left him without four left-sided players.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Arthur Numan, Jorg Albertz and Neil McCann are all currently on the casualty list at Ibrox.

But Villa manager John Gregory turned down an attempt by Advocaat to take Ginola for the next three months a week ago.

Friday, 09 March 2001

THE FINAL Old Firm league game of the season will go ahead on Sunday, April 29 live on Sky Sports - a week later than originally planned because FIFA has sanctioned World Cup qualifiers four days earlier much to the fury of the SPL.

Friday, 09 March 2001

NEIL LENNON is set to announce today that he will continue to appear for Northern Ireland if selected, despite being the target for sectarian abuse when he appeared against Norway in a friendly at Windsor Park 10 days ago.

Lennon, whose appearance in the 4-0 defeat lasted only for the first half, left the ground early after being targeted by a section of the support which was in attendance with the declared intent of subjecting him to a barracking.

Thursday, 08 March 2001

CELTIC have reportedly jumped to the head of the queue to sign Vitesse Arnhem`s Victor Sikora. The 22-year-old made his debut for Holland in last week`s friendly with Turkey and he is thought to have a very bright future ahead of him.

Italian club Udinese were rumoured to be lining up a 15 million guilders (£4 million) bid for the youngster, but now Celtic are believed to be rivalling them for the Deventer-born player.

Thursday, 08 March 2001

India hopeful of friendly against Celtic

Celtic have been lined up to play a pre-season friendly against the Indian national team.

In a bid to raise the profile of the game in their homeland, India will tour Britain in July and are trying to organise three friendly matches, against Celtic, Fulham and Coventry City.

Wednesday, 07 March 2001

STRIKER SEARCH ON

Martin O’Neill has hinted that he is searching for a striker to back up Chris Sutton & Henrik Larsson after it was revealed that Chris Sutton might be out longer than expected.

Sutton was injured early in the game at East End Park on Sunday and a scan has shown damage to his shoulder ligaments.

Wednesday, 07 March 2001

SCOTTISH CUP REPLAY RESULTS

ABERDEEEN 0 LIVINGSTONE 1

KILMARNOCK 2 INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE 1

Monday, 05 March 2001

THE REAL NEIL LENNON STORY

Andersonstown News 5/3-2001 'Wipe them ashes off your forehead Lennon... you wee Fenian f***er ye!' Andersonstown News editor Robin Livingstone declined the comfort of the press box at Windsor Park last Wednesday to join the fans in the West Stand as Neil Lennon played his first game for Northern Ireland as a Celtic player. This is the shocking truth of what the player had to endure. The announcer inside Windsor Park was calling out the Northern Ireland team for the first time as I stood outside in the freezing cold, queuing for a ticket for the West Stand. Each name was greeted by a ragged cheer, but not number eight. The mention of Neil Lennon's name brought a lusty chorus of boos which was a cause of much merriment among the fans beside me in the queue. Bob-hatted fathers smiled at their well-wrapped children, a young couple hugged each other tighter and giggled. "Fenian bastaaard!" called a young man from the centre of a group of ten or twelve. Subdued laughter, a steward in a fluorescent jacket rolled his eyes and smiled. I handed over my tenner, pocketed the ticket and set off on the five minute walk through the narrow terraced streets around Windsor to the West Stand. Smiling young vendors offered copies of the Northern Ireland fanzine WSYEM (We'll Support You Ever More) at £1 a throw. The front page is given over to one-paragraph 'Important Message'. It reads: "If Neil Lennon takes the pitch tonight, please remember that all eyes will be on us, the fans. This may not be an important night football wise, but for us it's the best chance yet to prove that our reputation is unjust. Just remember who kissed the badge in front of the Kop against Moldova and who was inspirational in our victory against the Republic in Dublin. Leave club rivalries back in Glasgow." Page two rather diluted the effect, though. "Why did he do an interview just weeks after his transfer, in which he talked about wanting to play for a 32 county united team? It's almost as if he wanted to alienate the supporters. All I know is that he has given more ammunition to those who wish to harass him." The thin crowd in the West Stand was grouped together in the centre back of the stand as if huddling together against the plummeting temperature. Ulster flag and union jack capes provided a thin extra layer of clothing for many, but the temperature rose markedly when the announcer read out the teams for the second time. Again, the name of number eight Lennon drew a chorus of boos and whistles. Some fans cheered and clapped, but the cheers disappeared up into the floodlights and the applause was muffled by uncertainty and thermal gloves. A guy in his twenties, with an unmistakeable Ballymena accent, booed and whistled shrilly as he squeezed his way along the row to take his seat beside me. "F**k ye, Lennon!" he roared at the top of his voice. Just five yards away, three stewards chatted on the cement stairwell and ignored similar sectarian abuse flying over their heads. Two men with a toddler between them turned their heads and smiled broadly. As the teams filed on to the pitch, the cheering was punctuated by personal greetings for Neil Lennon. "F**k aff back to Celtic!" "You Fenian ballix ye!" The abuse ceased only when the fans stood for the Queen, complete with the Windsor Park "No Surrender" add-on. As the teams awaited the whistle, ranged around the pitch like Subbuteo players, all eyes were on the stocky figure of Lennon, unmistakable with his dyed blond hair. The tension rose markedly as the match kicked off and the seconds ticked by before Lennon's first touch. With depressing inevitability, boos, jeers and whistles split the thin, cold air as Lennon accepted his first pass at Windsor as a Celtic player. The sporadic cheers and muffled applause of scattered fans was no match for the organised anti-Lennon hard core at the back of the stand. Halfway through the half, the strains of "there's only one Neil Lennon" were heard in the distance, getting stronger as uncertain Lennon supporters gradually joined in. But no sooner was it loud enough to be heard on the pitch than it was obliterated by a much louder barrage of boos and jeers. In response came a booming rendition of 'The Billy Boys', the notorious sectarian anthem that the IFA claims to have banished from Windsor Park as part of its 'Give Sectarianism the Boot' campaign. "Hello, hello, we are the Billy Boys. Hello, hello, we are the Billy Boys, we're up to our knees in Fenian blood, surrender or you'll die, for we are the Billy Boys..." Behind me, a baseball-capped man in his mid-twenties, delirious with joy now that his favourite song was back in vogue, stood up, cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed: "Wipe them ashes aff your forehead Lennon, you Fenian f***er ye!" It was a popular insult, resulting in belly laughs and smiles all round. The stewards beamed, the two men with the toddler in front of me appreciated it greatly. It was the queue for a flurry of ash and Ash Wednesday insults. "Away and wash your head, you Fenian c**t." "Stick your ashes up your hole, you wee f***er ye!" Meanwhile, the booing continued and the atmosphere was turning ugly at the back of the West Stand. A handful of stewards had moved in among the boo-boys and events on the pitch - where Norway had established a comfortable 2-0 lead - were forgotten about as spectators stood on their seats and strained to see what was going on behind them. I stood too and watched as the stewards were jostled by the crowd. Ear-splitting whistling erupted, aimed at the men in the fluorescent jackets who had the cheek to intervene. They needn't have bothered. The Billy Boys was struck up again and the booing seemed to increase in volume. Lennon had become disconsolate and dispirited. Still the best player in green by a distance, he seemed to want to offload the ball as quickly as he could, playing quick, short passes, as if trying to cut the boos off. Not the tallest of men anyway, Lennon seemed to grow even smaller as half-time approached. I found myself hoping that one of his colleagues would put an arm round him, make some kind of gesture of support. I wondered whether manager Sammy McIlroy would make the short walk to the stand and tell the crowd to stop. Instead, the Norwegians scored a third and when the whistle sounded, Lennon trooped off, 7,500 eyes on him and him alone. I thought for a second about shouting something in support, but since I was just about the only person in the West Stand who was on his own, decided not to do anything to make myself stand out. Lennon was near the corner flag now, closer to the West Stand than he had been for 45 minutes. "F**k aff back to Lurgan, you wee c**t ye!" "Don't come out again, you dirty Celtic f***er!" "Jump in the bath and wash them ashes aff your head!" Lennon kept walking and stared straight ahead. The jumper pulled down over his hands against the cold made him look even smaller and more alone. If he could make any of the insults out through the deafening clamour, he didn't show it. The people in front of me took off to get hamburgers so I took my feet off the freezing concrete, put them on the seat in front of me, pulled my coat up round my ears and read more of WSYEM. "I believe the IFA, if serious about attracting more supporters to Windsor, should think less of going to Curley's on the Andersonstown Road and more about going to Connswater in the east of the city to try and attract the stay-away Glensmen. Many people in the nationalist community do not recognise Northern Ireland as a country. This fact automatically stops them from supporting the team. They support the Republic." I was digesting this when more scuffles broke out at the back of the stand. Later I heard that IFA Community Relations Officer Michael Boyd had arrived to remonstrate with the fans. Again, everyone stood on their seats to watch the altercation and boos, jeers and whistles filled the stand. The reappearance of the team brought attention back to the pitch. The announcer read out the subs and when he revealed that Lennon would not reappear, a roar of triumph went up. Gerry Taggart didn't appear either; the captain; the best defender - when the team was 3-0 down. "Stand up for the Ulstermen!" they sang delightedly. And even as they did stand up for the Ulstermen, Norway banged in a fourth. The match died a death. Beaten, and with no-one to boo and jeer, the West Stand died a death too. While Lennon was on the pitch, the match was exciting. Now the realisation dawned that their team was getting stuffed. Some wags began a new chant: "We're gonna win five-four..." I left half an hour early, walking through the deserted streets around the ground, past the hamburger stands with union jacks and Ulster flags hanging limply from their roofs. The walls around the ground were covered in graffiti: UVF, UDA, Kill All Taigs, F**k the Pope. I watched the match on BBC later on as I thawed out at home. From the first whistle until the end, commentator Jackie Fullerton mentioned the booing once. Team manager Sammy McIroy said afterwards: "I didn't think it was all that bad and I'm sure Neil felt the same. " In the papers next day, just one of Lennon's teammates commented on the matter - his pal Gerry Taggart. Norway players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Henning Berg had more to say than the Northern Ireland team and management put together.

Saturday, 03 March 2001

SPL FINAL SCORES

RANGERS 2 HEARTS 0

DUNDEE UNITED 4 ST MIRREN 0

ST JOHNSTONE 2 DUNDEE 3

KILMARNOCK 0 ABERDEEN 0

Celtic's lead at the top of the SPL is now 10 points after Rangers win over Hearts at Ibrox today.

Both teams have now played the same number of games.

Celtic though have the small matter of a game at Dunfermline on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, 03 March 2001

SPL LATEST SCORES

ST JOHNSTONE 2 DUNDEE 3

Saturday, 03 March 2001

SPL LATEST SCORES

RANGERS 2 HEARTS 0

DUNDEE UNITED 4 ST MIRREN 0

ST JOHNSTONE 2 DUNDEE 2

KILMARNOCK 0 ABERDEEN 0

Saturday, 03 March 2001

DUNFERMLINE GAME ON or OFF?

This Sunday’s game may be in some doubt due to the current weather conditions in the Kingdom of Fife. Dunfermline enlisted the help of 20 supporter’s yesterday afternoon to clear the pitch of snow.

As temperatures in Fife and across Scotland continued to plummet freezing fog allied to a rock hard pitch cast doubt over Sunday's live televised proceedings in spite of Dunfermline's fabled pitch balloon.

'It's poor at the minute,' admitted Calderwood.

'It's very misty and very cold as well, which is making things difficult. The snow has all cleared and the balloon's up on the pitch so I think it should be okay. '

We've got to hope that things improve and if it snows then that will flatten the balloon and then we're going to see a few problems. The danger is it's going to be very cold and it's very, very misty and if it was going ahead today it would have been hard to play.'

CELTIC APPLY TO JOIN G14

Celtic yesterday applied to join the influential G14 group of clubs who are dedicated to changing the structure of European football.

Celtic's move to join G14 brings them into line with Rangers, who applied when the lobby group - which includes Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich - met to draw up a constitution in Madrid last month.

The group had its second formal meeting in Brussels yesterday and considered Celtic's application. "We fully expected that Celtic would make this move because of their close association with Rangers in trying to set up an Atlantic League," a G14 spokesman said last night.

"We understand the position both of the big Scottish clubs find themselves in because of their restricted revenue from television audiences.

"We are sympathetic to both Celtic and Rangers but at the moment we are still engaged in drawing up a list of criteria for our member clubs so we cannot say exactly what the outcome will be.

However, both clubs will be looked at very carefully," added the spokesman.

Friday, 02 March 2001

NEW CHIEF EXCUTIVE NAMED

Ian McLeod has been named as Celtic Football Club's new Chief Executive. The 42-year old Wal-Mart executive will be introduced to the assembled media at a 2.30pm press conference at Celtic Park today.

A full in-depth interview with the new executive will be posted exclusively on the Celtic website later this afternoon.

Friday, 02 March 2001

CONGRATULATIONS

Well done to Martin O’Neill for picking up the manager of the month award for February.

CELTIC GOODS WANTED

Celtic fan Frank Mullen from Greenock has been in touch looking for help from Celtic supporters who may have Celtic memorabilia. Frank is looking to secure (1) A 1967 European Cup Final match ticket & (2) The 4 Away match programmes Zurich / Nantes / Vodjvodina / Dukla Prague leading up to the final. If anyone can help please drop me a line at mdinning@yahoo.com and I will pass this information on.

Thursday, 01 March 2001

THURSDAY 01st MARCH 2001

STAN ON TARGET

JORDAN 0 BULGARIA 2

Goals from Krassimir Chomakov and Celtic’s Stilian Petrov gave Bulgaria a comfortable victory over Jordan in the Prince Abdullah II Stadium in Amman.