8/27/2002

Celts in Basel.

Celtic have settled into their Basel hotel. They held a light training session this morning. At a press conference, Martin O'Neill said Neil Lennon is mentally sound for the game. Steve Guppy was along with O'Neill at the conference, but the Basel manager said it was a ploy that left him unimpressed.

Basle say that in this, their biggest game in 25 years, they're in a no-risk, no-win situation. They promise fireworks in the St Jakob Stadium tomorrow night.

8/26/2002

Celtic defeat Thistle again.

Partick Thistle crashed 6-1 in there opening under 21 fixture against Celtic at New Broomfield. Gerry Britton scored Thistle's only goal but also socred a own goal and Stephane Bonnes socred a hat-trick for Celtic.

8/26/2002

Burchill sends Pompey top

Previous report wrong Mark Burchill actually hit the winner for Porstmouth to send them top of the Nationwide Division 1 league.

8/26/2002

EX CELT HITS EQUALISER

A late goal from ex Celt Mark Burchill at Grimsby today took Portsmouth to the top of Nationwide One as Norwich were held to a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

8/26/2002

PRE-MATCH PARTY IN BASEL

SWISS BARMY LIFE. THE PRE-MATCH PARTY IN BASEL. WEDNESDAY 28TH AUGUST 2002. ALL CELTIC FANS WELCOME AT PADDY REILLY'S PUB FOR AN AFTERNOON OF PRE-MATCH CELEBRATING. STARTS AT MIDDAY, WITH THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE GLASGOW CELTIC BAND, CHARLIE & THE BHOYS PLAYING FROM 3PM. PADDY REILLY'S, STEINENTORSTRASSE 45, 4051 BASEL

8/25/2002

Ex-Celt Vata wants SPL return

Former Celtic defender Rudi Vata is returning to Scotland and is hopeful of joining the SPL before this week's transfer deadline. The Albania international's agent Raymond Sparkes said: "Anyone looking for him can contact me."

Vata was released by his German club, Energie Cottbus, at the end of last season.

8/25/2002

Basel lose again.

Celtic's Swiss Champion's League opponents FC Basel lost 4-2 away to Thun on Saturday. They still sit second in their national league with 15 points. The leaders are Grasshoppers who are out in front with 21 points.

8/22/2002

SCOTLAND 0 DENMARK 1

Rab Douglas, Paul Lambert & Stephen Crainey featured in a dismal display by the Scots. Ex Celt Morten Wieghorst came on as a second half sub for the Danes, the home crowd subjected him to the usual abuse due to his recent Celtic connections. Some things it seems never change at Scotland home games.

FINLAND 0 REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 3

Celtic's Colin Healy capped a fine display by striking home the second goal, then setting up Arsenal's Graham Barrett for a third, just seven minutes after the youngster's introduction for his debut.

CROATIA 1 WALES 1

John Hartson played for almost an hour as Wales held Croatia to a 1-1 draw.

NORTHERN IRELAND 0 CYPRUS 0

Celtic’s Neil Lennon as we all now know has announced he has quit the international scene due to the death threats he received prior to last night’s match in Belfast.

BULGARIA 2 GERMANY 2

Stilian Petrov played as Bulgaria return to the Vasil Levski national stadium for their friendly match against the FIFA World Cup runners-up Germany after its redevelopment was finally completed over the summer. Germany came twice from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw

RUSSIA 1 SWEDEN 1

Johan Mjallby was in the Swedish team missing retired Henrik Larsson, Barcelona defender Patrik Andersson, Arsenal midfielder Freddy Ljungberg and Aston Villa striker Marcus Allbäck with injuries. Sunderland target Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck in stoppage time to earn Sweden a draw

8/22/2002

Donnelly & O’Donnell off-loaded by Wednesday

Ex Celts Simon Donnelly & Phil O’Donnell have both been handed free transfers by Sheffield Wednesday. The club need to cut their huge wage bill and are part of a cost cutting exercise by the club.

8/22/2002

Lennon quits after death threat

Neil Lennon has told the BBC he will never play for Northern Ireland again after receiving a death threat prior to the friendly against Cyprus.

Your say: What now for football in N. Ireland? Lennon, who was due to captain the side, received the threat from a paramilitary group shortly before kick off and decided to pull out of the match on Wednesday evening.

8/21/2002

Neil Lennon receives death threat.

Neil Lennon has pulled out of Northern Ireland's match against Cyprus on Wednesday night after reported death threats from loyalist paramilitaries. Lennon was due to captain his country's team at Windsor Park in Belfast.

The alleged threat was made by the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

Lennon said: "After close consultation with the footballing authorities and the police service of Northern Ireland I will not be participating in this evening's international game.

"I am very disappointed that my desire to play for my country, on my first opportunity to captain my team, has been taken away from me."

The Celtic player was not on the Northern Ireland team bus when it arrived at Windsor Park with the rest of the squad.

It is thought he will fly back to Glasgow later on Wednesday.

A Celtic spokesperson said: "We are very disappointed to learn of the circumstances of Neil's having to withdraw, particularly in his first game as captain of his country's team."

The Irish Football Association consulted with police and with Celtic on the matter before Lennon took the decision to pull out.

The former Leicester player has been the target of sectarian abuse at previous international matches in Belfast.

Last year he was booed by a small section of the crowd every time he touched the ball.

Threatening messages had been scrawled across a wall near Lennon's family home in Lurgan ahead of the game last March.

At the time, he said he was considering his future in international football.

Wimbledon's Mark Williams took over the captaincy against Cyprus following Lennon's withdrawal with Colin Murdoch filling the void.

8/21/2002

Berger linked with Celtic switch

By Chris McMullan Date: 21/8/2002

In recent weeks Patrik Berger has been tipped to move away from Anfield and the front-runners in the chase for his signature appear to be Scottish champions Celtic. The fee being quoted is £2.5m which seems a little low for the 28 year old Czech international.

8/20/2002

Lennon takes captain's armband

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon will captain Northern Ireland in the friendly against Cyprus at Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

Lennon, who takes the armband in the absence of Steve Lomas and Gerry Taggart, has returned to fitness after knee problems last season and featured in both of Celtic's opening games of the new season.

"It will be a good feeling," said the former Leicester player. "It is always good to captain your country at any level, but to do it at full international level is a real honour."

He will win his 41st cap tomorrow when the Irish play their final warm-up game before the Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.

8/20/2002

Season Ticket Holders Only for Swiss Game.

Celtic will only issue match tickets for the away leg in Basel next week to season ticket holders.

This follows crowd disturbances at Basel’s home game last weekend.

The club have had requests from supporters in Germany, France and Switzerland for the game most of whom are not season ticket holders.

The message from the club this morning is that if you’re not a season ticket holder then there’s no point in applying for tickets for the match.

8/20/2002

Shields signs for Queens

Celtic striker Paul Shields has joined Queen of the South on loan until January. The 21-year-old will provide cover for Sean O'Connor, who was injured during a controversial Bell's Cup tie against Morton.

8/18/2002

Everton lead from Sunderland, Villa for Celtic kid Healy

Everton are leading the race for Celtic's highly-rated youngster Colin Healy. The midfielder is being groomed as Roy Keane's successor by Ireland's technical staff and is rated the Bhoys' best young prospect.

Healy spent part of last season on-loan with Coventry and has admitted he may need to move south for more first team opportunities.

Sunderland and Aston Villa are also considering bids, with an offer of around £1.5 million believed enough to land the youngster.

8/18/2002

Basel lose at home.

Swiss side FC Basel lost 3-2 at home to Luzern on Saturday afternoon, the home side were 2-1 ahead with just five minutes remaining, but theu managed to throw away the lead in the closing stages.

8/16/2002

CELTIC PARK : Best sporting venue in the UK.

Radio Five Live's Fergus Sweeney has paid homage to Celtic Park after the Scottish football champions' ground was voted the UK's favourite sporting venue. The BBC station had held the poll of sports fans in conjunction with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.

And Sweeney presented his breakfast sports news from the winning venue on Friday.

The Glasgow ground that Celtic fans call Paradise took an amazing 60% of the votes, easily out-polling the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Lord's cricket ground in London.

Derby County's Pride Park was somewhat surprisingly the most voted-for English football ground. Celtic and Nothern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon was on hand to give Sweeney a personal view of his beloved club's ground - both as a fan and a player.

Even before donning the famous green and white hoops, he had already fallen in love with Celtic Park after coming across on the boat from Northern Ireland to watch the matches there from the age of 12.

"Particularly on European nights, it is a fantastic experience," said the 31-year-old who previously experienced England's top grounds while playing with Leicester City.

"My first Champions League game last season was against Porto and, when they lifted up the Champions League flag, the noise was just something else.

"The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up.

"60,000 people singing and lifting their scarves up. I just thought ' this is surreal'."

He also acknowledged the special emotions created by games between Celtic and often bitter Glasgow rivals Rangers.

"The atmosphere is just pure, raw aggression and just something I had never experienced before," said Lennon.

He confirmed that the stadium helped raise the team's performance.

"We were unbeaten in the Champions League at home last season and also beat Valencia here in the Uefa Cup on another great night," he said.

Fans were asked as part of the Radio Five Live poll to name what they liked best about their favourite sporting venue, from the design and facilities to the atmosphere on match days.

Celtic Park took 59.9% of the votes, 28.4% voted for the Millennium Stadium and 11.7% for Lord's.

A plaque has been presented to Celtic by CABE and Radio Five Live.

The UK's top 10 favourite sports venues in order were: 1. Celtic Park, Glasgow (Football)

2. Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (Football/ Rugby Union)

3. Lord's, London (Cricket)

4. Pride Park, Derby (Football)

5. Welford Road, Leicester (Rugby Union)

6. City of Manchester Stadium (Football/ Commonwealth Games)

7. Stadium of Light, Sunderland (Football)

8. St James' Park, Newcastle (Football)

9. Franklin's Gardens, Northampton (Rugby Union)

10. Brandywell, Derry (Football).

8/13/2002

Basel boss Gross: We must stop Celtic's Larsson

FC Basel manager Christian Gross knows his team must stop Henrik Larsson if they are to have any success against Celtic tomorrow night. The former Spurs boss also revealed he tried to sign the Swede while manager of Grasshoppers.

He said: "I met Larsson in Zurich and asked him to join Grasshoppers but he decided he did not want to come to Switzerland at that stage.

"When you see what he has achieved by moving to Holland with Feyenoord then on to Glasgow, it is clear that he made the right decision for himself. He has developed into a very strong player and doesn't need many opportunities to score a goal.

"He is technically very good and he works hard for the team. We will have to watch him very carefully."

Gross added, "There is a lot of self-belief in our team but we will not be as adventurous or attack with the same enthusiasm as we did in Zurich. We have to be careful with Celtic."

8/12/2002

Celts named in Scotland squad.

Rab Douglas, Stephen Crainey & Paul Lambert have been named in the Scotland squad for the forthcoming friendly against Denmark.

8/11/2002

FC BASEL SCORE FOUR IN ZURICH

Celtic's opponents in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier FC Basel had a fine 4-0 win away to Zurich on Saturday.

8/11/2002

Here we go again !!!!!!!

Celtic boss linked as Man Utd hand Keane coach role

Manchester United skipper Roy Keane will join the club's coaching staff this season. The midfielder will work with the youth team in his first serious steps into top-level coaching.

The Sunday Mirror says the move will act as an apprenticeship for Keane, who will be offered a senior player-coaching role next year.

It's been suggested Keane will become United's assistant manager under Martin O'Neill, who is tipped to move to Old Trafford from Celtic in 12 months time.

Sir Alex Ferguson would be kicked upstairs to assume a football director's role.

8/9/2002

Euro Tie live on BBC Scotland

BBC Scotland will have live television and radio coverage of Celtic's Champions League third qualifying round first leg against FC Basel on Wednesday 14 August

8/6/2002

McLeod looking to switch

Chief Executive Ian McLeod is hoping that Celtic's live TV game against Partick Thistle at Firhill, rescheduled to Sunday 25th August, can be switched back to its original date 24 hours earlier. The second leg of Celtic's Champions League qualifier against either Basel or Zilina will take place away from home and on the 28th August, and obviously Martin O'Neill would prefer the extra day to prepare for what could be the most important game of the season.

"Celtic are extremely disappointed that our game against Partick Thistle has been rescheduled," said McLeod. "This game is immediately prior to the vital second league qualification tie to gain entry into the Champions League.

"Given that this is the only opportunity for a Scottish club to participate, we would have thought it would have been in everyone's interest, including the SPL and the BBC, to provide us with every opportunity to succeed.

"We have appealed to the SPL and the BBC to maintain the Saturday fixture date and we still hope this can be achieved."

8/6/2002

MJALLBY KEEN ON LEEDS MOVE From SKY SPORTS

Celtic defender Johann Mjallby says he would consider a move to Leeds. "If the clubs are talking with each other and reach an agreement, I will listen," said the Sweden international.

8/6/2002

Partick Thistle v Celtic

Partick Thistle have confirmed that the Celtic match in 2 weeks time shall take place on Sunday 25th August at 3pm and shown live on BBC Scotland

8/6/2002

Elliott blasts Leicester over Celtic snub.

Leicester City defender Matt Elliott has blasted the club for blocking a move to Celtic last year. The Foxes turned down a £3.5 million bid from Celtic last summer, but have now handed Elliott a free transfer as part of cost-cutting measures.

The Scottish international said, "I'd like to think the club would hold me in high esteem and not accept any price but that's rarely the case. It's ironic that Leicester turned down millions from Celtic last season and then suddenly I'm available on a free.

"Last year they weren't listening to anything and now, by putting me on the list, they're almost pushing the point.

"It's a crazy world but the financial side of things comes above everything else. It's a sad reflection but, unfortunately, a sign of how football is going.

"The decision to put me on the transfer list is obviously disappointing but I don't think I'll be the last.

"One or two may find themselves joining me in the next few weeks."

8/5/2002

LARSSON SHOULD BE FIT FOR ABERDEEN GAME

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson should be fit for the trip to Aberdeen at the weekend.

The Swedish international was taken off during the 2-1 win over Dunfermline at Parkhead on Saturday as a precautionary measure after suffering a hip injury.

But the club have confirmed Larsson has not suffered a serious injury.

Wing-back Didier Agathe is also expected to return to training at the end of the week after missing the opening day win over the Pars with a groin problem.

Midfielder Alan Thompson, who has been ruled out for six to eight weeks has begun work in the pool.

Striker John Hartson is receiving treatment for a knee injury and is working on conditioning exercises.

8/5/2002

Next Saturday's kick's off at 3pm.

Aberdeen Football Club can confirm that the SPL match against Celtic will go ahead next Saturday at 3pm. The game, which is the Dons opening Pittodrie fixture, will not be televised live by the BBC.

8/5/2002

Swiss side Basel win at home.

Celtic's other possible opponents won 4-2 at home on Saturday against Servette. Basel are currently sitting in third position in the Swiss League.

8/5/2002

Celtic's possible opponents slip up in league match.

SK Zilina lost their 1st match of the season on Saturday, they went down by 1-0 away to Dubnica. The team still lead the Slovakian league with a toatl of nine points from four matches played

8/5/2002

Leeds prepare £6M offer for Celtic's Mjallby

Leeds United boss Terry Venables has identified Celtic's Johan Mjallby as the man to replace Rio Ferdinand. The Mirror says a Leeds scouting team were at Parkhead on Saturday to watch the Swede in action against Dunfermline.

Venables is reportedly preparing a £6 million offer for the 31 year-old, who has been linked with a move south for much of the close-season.

8/1/2002

Celtic fans in match day confusion!

The season has still to kick off and already the fans are left wondering just what is going on. The BBC who have secured the rights to televised SPL soccer for the next two years had us down to play Aberdeen on Sunday 11th August 2002 with a 2pm kick off. Lo and behold they just happened to also have the Edinburgh derby pencilled in for the same day. Now our match has been switched back to it’s original date but now the kick off time is 1pm for screening as a pay per view event by Sentanta Sports, is it any wonder that the Celtic support feel a little cheesed off at being taken for granted once again?

8/1/2002

Celts facing Sunday trip to Aberdeen.

As expected Celtic's match against Aberdeen as been switched to Sunday 11th August 2002 with a 2pm kick-off. The match will now be televised free to air by BBC Scotland, not much good though for armchair fans though who don't receive BBC Scotland on their TV'S.

8/1/2002

FC Basel hold upper hand.

Swiss side FC Basel have the advantage going into next week's 2nd leg of the qualifiers for this season's Champions League. They held Slovakian's SK Zilina 1-1 last night, the winners of course are battling it out for the right to meet Celtic in the 3rd qualifying round.