4/30/2002

NEW DEAL FOR "BIG GREENOCK"

Celtic's Danish international midfielder Morten Wieghorst looks set to sign a new one-year deal at the Glasgow giants. Wieghorst has fought back to fitness after contracting Guillain-Barré-syndrome and regained his place his the first team recently in a bid to convince boss Martin O'Neill that he is worth an extended stay at Parkhead. He played the entire 90 minutes of the win at Hearts at the weekend and revealed afterwards that he is likely to stay at the club. Wieghorst said: "I prefer playing in midfield, but I'm also happy in the sweeper role that Martin O'Neill put me in. Over the next couple of weeks I expect to sign a new contract. The club have told me they are interested in keeping me."

4/30/2002

CELTIC'S CHARITY SHINES THROUGH

Celtic will waive the £100,000 fee they would be getting for appearing at next week's testimonial for Gary Kelly of Leeds United. A fantastic gesture by the CHAMPIONS of Scotland.

4/29/2002

QPR v CELTIC

Celtic are set for another pre-season ‘battle of the hoops’ with Queens Park Rangers after fixing up a friendly at Loftus Road on July 13. The two sides locked horns at the same time last year, when goals from Henrik Larsson and Lubo Moravcik delighted a large Bhoys support, and this re-union will likely prove another ideal opportunity for London-based Celts to cheer on Martin O’Neill’s side. A very small number of tickets will be available from Celtic Ticket Services, but Hoops fans can also purchase their tickets from Loftus Road Box Office on 020 8740 2575 or from Ticketmaster, with a maximum purchase of 4 tickets per person.

4/29/2002

The Bhoys are back in town

(from the QPR site)

Celtic will once again be visiting Loftus Road for a pre-season friendly with the game taking place on July 13 with a 2pm kick off.

Martin O'Neill's Scottish champions ran out 2-0 winners when the two sides met last year in what was a great occasion - an atmosphere that is sure to be repeated when Celtic visit Loftus Road once again.

Ticket priority for the game will be given to Season Ticket Holders and Members who renew before May 31st.

4/29/2002

Bhoys lined up for Adams benefit

Arsenal ace Tony Adams's latest testimonial is likely to be against Celtic, in a game taking place at Highbury on May 13. More details to follow.

4/25/2002

HEALY PONDERS CELTIC FUTURE

Republic of Ireland midfielder Colin Healy admits he is unsure of his future at Celtic after returning to Parkhead following a loan spell at Coventry City. "I don't know yet whether I will be playing up here," he said.

VALGAEREN INJURY HITS BELGIUM HARD

Belgium are reeling after Celtic defender Joos Valgaeren was ruled out of the World Cup with a stomach injury. "This is a huge loss, a really big blow," said coach Robert Waseige. "We all had high hopes for Joos."

4/23/2002

IT'S IN THE SUN (SO IT MUST BE TRUE)

Today's Sun newspaper has an exclusive that Celtic are ready to swoop for Motherwell's kid superstar James McFadden. The fee being touted is close to £1 million, the youngster signed a new three year deal with his club only last month.

4/23/2002

Wyness hits back at Celtic

Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness has stoked up the war of words with the Old Firm by hitting back at Celtic plc chairman Brian Quinn.

Quinn warned the other 10 top-flight clubs were taking a huge risk by going it alone after they announced their intention to resign from the Scottish Premier League in two years' time. But those words have annoyed other chairmen and Wyness could not resist taking a swipe at the "greed" of the Old Firm.

The Pittodrie chief told Scottish TV: "I'm extremely disappointed for a man of Brian Quinn's experience to come out with those sort of statements."

4/22/2002

Henrik in 6th position.

Henrik Larsson is sitting in joint sixth position in this season's Golden Shoe competition, the leader is one time Gers target Mario Jardel.

4/19/2002

Celtic's New York fund-raiser postponed

Celtic have been told that a New York friendly with AC Milan to raise money for those affected by September 11th cannot take place.

US soccer bosses blocked the game, which was expected to raise more than 1million US dollars by attracting 80,000 fans to the Giants Stadium.

The proposed May 14th date clashed with a USA friendly with Jamaica two days later and the US Soccer Federation refused to waive the rules even for a charity match.

A charity friendly is now being provisionally arranged for January 2003.

A Celtic spokesman said: "Following extensive discussions with the soccer authorities in the United States, it is with regret that we are unable to proceed with our plans to stage a match in New York against AC Milan in May 2002 and raise over 1million US dollars in support of people affected by the September 11th tragedy.

"We have been working for some time to bring the event together and raise substantial funds for the families of emergency services personnel who lost their lives in the tragedy.

"Unfortunately, due to local US soccer regulations we are unable to stage the match in May.

"We are disappointed that, despite our best efforts, these regulations could not be waived, particularly given the charitable nature of this event.

"However, we are delighted to announce that we plan to stage a match in New York in mid-January 2003 against high-profile opposition, details of which will be announced as soon as possible.

"This new date will allow supporters more time to make arrangements and will also allow us to maximise the great potential which this initiative clearly has and ultimately achieve our aim of raising 1million US dollars for a very worthy cause."

4/18/2002

HOW THE CELTS FARED ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Scotland 1, Nigeria 2

Rab Douglas made his debut, with Stephen Crainey and Paul Lambert both playing for Berti Vogts for the second game in succession. First game on home soil for Berti’s men same outcome again though another defeat.

Ireland 2, USA 1

Colin Healy played the full 90 minutes, afterwards boss Mick McCarthy praised the on loan Celtic youngster. He now has a great chance of making his way to the World Cup in a few weeks time. Strange one in this game “Pope scores in Dublin”

Norway 0, Sweden 0

Johan Mjallby and Henrik Larsson both played for 74 minutes in Oslo, but it ended goalless.

Mexico 1, Bulgaria 0

Stilian Petrov played the full ninety minutes in New York, but the Bulgarians suffered the torture of a last-minute winner from Mexico.

4/17/2002

Celtic duo get award nomination

Midfield ace Stilian Petrov has joined team-mate Paul Lambert in the race to snap up this year's Players' Union Player of the Year Award. The Celtic duo are in the four-man shortlist after impressive seasons for the SPL champions, with Bulgarian international youngster Petrov, who scooped the Young Player of the Year award last year, boosted by a double nomination. The dynamic midfield man has again been put up for the junior award in addition to his senior nomination, but it is Lambert who remains firm favourite to pick up the prize. Also in the running is Rangers defender Lorenzo Amoruso and Livingston's livewire Spanish attacker David Fernandez after an impressive season with the newly-promoted West Lothian club. Meanwhile, Petrov will also go up against an Old Firm rival for the youth award, with Rangers midfielder Stephen Hughes in the running along with Aberdeen and Scotland kid Kevin McNaughton and Motherwell striker James McFadden.

4/17/2002

CELTS ON INTERNATIONAL DUTIES

A fair number of Martin O'Neil's men are on duty for their various countries tonight. We will keep you posted on the men who matter later tommorrow.

4/4/2002

UEFA CUP ROUND UP

The all Milan final looks to have been well and truly scuppered after tonight's results. AC MILAN were thrashed 4-0 by BORUSSIA DORTMUND and the other half INTER MILAN lost 1-0 at home to FEYNOORD.

4/4/2002

OPEN DAY A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

A huge crowd turned up at Celtic Park today for the Club's first official open day...

Over 13,000 fans turned up at Celtic Park today for the club's first official Open day.

Young Celtic fans were delighted to be able to watch their heroes go through their paces and some where lucky enough to be able to get on to the Sacred Parkhead turf to take part in an impromptu penalty kick competition along with first team regulars including Henrik Larsson.

Celtic Chief Executive Ian McLeod was delighted with the large turn out and it looks as though the open day will become a regular feature in the calendar at Celtic Park.

The five pounds entry fee at the event was made redeemable in the Celtic superstore and various charities also benefitted from the event.

4/4/2002

Some information from the latest working party meeting held at Celtic Park.

Cup final tickets will be priced at £25 to £35, Celtic expect to receive the same allocation as last year around 21,000

Celtic will be playing a few games in the next few months that may be of interest.

14th May v AC Milan (New York) note the date change from the 18th, it will be confirmed within the next five days if this game is going ahead.

6th & 7th July : Celtic will be playing two matches at Dublin's Tolka Park, likely opponents will be Shelbourne & Shamrock Rovers.

27th July : Celtic will play Ajax in a pre-season game, this game will be a freebie with your season book (next season)

Season book renewals should start dropping through your doors over the next two weeks, there will be another increase in price, unknown at this time.

4/2/2002

Celtic Tickets On General Sale

Tickets for Leicester City's friendly fixture against Celtic at Filbert Street on Monday, April 8 went on general sale today (Tuesday).

The match will mark the first return of former manager Martin O'Neill to the club since he moved to Glasgow almost two years ago.

A capacity crowd is expected for what will be the first meeting ever between the two clubs.

O'Neill established himself as one of the most successful managers in Foxes history during a five-year stay.

After clinching promotion to the Premiership in his first season, he took the club to two Worthington Cup triumphs and four successive top 10 finishes.

He departed in May 2000 for Celtic with his assistant John Robertson and first team coach Steve Walford.

The game has been arranged as part of the agreement which allowed Walford to move to Celtic.

Celtic will be sending a full-strength squad which will include former Foxes favourites Neil Lennon and Steve Guppy.

Ticket Selling arrangements for this friendly match are as follows:

Season Ticket Holders Tickets commenced sales from Monday 18th March and were reserved until close of business on Saturday 30th March. Bookings will be accepted by post, phone, fax and in person. Season Ticket holders in the South Stand Upper Tier and East Stand will not be able to take up their own seats as Celtic have been allocated these areas after consultation with the Police. These Season Ticket Holders will need to purchase tickets elsewhere in the ground. Tickets are priced at £10.00 Adults and £1.00 Concessions.

Members and General Sale General sale begins on Tuesday 2nd April, priced £15.00 Adults and £5.00 Concessions.

Celtic Supporters Celtic have been allocated 7000 tickets for this fixture priced £15.00 Adults and £5.00 Concessions. 5000 of these tickets have been sent to Celtic for them to sell. The remaining 2000 went on sale at Filbert Street and are now sold out.

4/2/2002

Referee for Saturday

Celtic v Livingston, 12 noon pm Live on Sky Sports Referee: Willie Young

4/2/2002

Goalkeepers Wanted

There are still a few Goalkeeper positions available in Football Aid matches around the country.

If you are a Goalkeeper or know a Goalie who would like the chance to play, contact katie.goldsack@footballaid.com

4/2/2002

Goalie for the offski?

CSKA Moscow have reportedly made an approach to sign Russia international goalkeeper Dmitri Kharine.

The 33-year-old is third in the Celtic pecking order but helped CSKA win the USSR title in 1991.

4/1/2002

Mjallby in the lead.

Johan Mjallby is leading the race to be The Affiliation's Player of the Year

4/1/2002

Celtic to benefit if Leeds sell Viduka

Celtic could earn £3 million this summer, if Leeds United sell Mark Viduka to Deportivo La Coruna.

Boss Martin O'Neill negotiated a 15 per cent sell-on clause when Viduka was transferred to Elland Road two year ago. Deportivo coach Javier Irureta is leading the chase for Viduka but he faces competition from Serie A. Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale insists he will not sell the striker for less than £30 million. Deportivo want Viduka to replace Diego Tristan, who is expected to join Italian giants Roma. Deportivo manager Irureta said: "Viduka is a world-class player and I want him in my side. If we sell Tristan then I'll move for him. We can't keep Tristan here if he wants to go. Fabio Capella has told me he likes Tristan very much."

4/1/2002

Celtic confident of beating Boro, West Ham for Izzet

Celtic are confident of landing Leicester City midfielder Muzzy Izzet ahead of several English rivals. With the Foxes facing relegation, Izzet is expected to quit Filbert Street at the end of the season.

He almost signed for Middlesbrough in January for £6 million and has also been linked with West Ham and Derby County.

But Celtic hope the carrot of Champions League football and the chance to again work with Martin O'Neill will be enough to bring the London-born Turkish international to Glasgow.