2/28/2002

EX CELT PUT RANGERS TO THE SWORD IN UEFA CUP.

There's only one Pierre sang the Feynoord fans earlier this evening as the big man fired in two tremendous free kicks to help put Rangers out of this season UEFA cup. Final Score Feynoord 3 Rangers 2 (agg 4-3). Feynoord will now play PSV Eindhoven in the quarter finals. Valencia who knocked out Celtic in the last round are also through to the last eight, they defeated Servette 5-2 on aggregate, they will face Inter Milan.

2/28/2002

NO BATTLE OF BRITAIN IN UEFA CUP

The much talked about battle of Britain in this season's UEFA between Rangers & Leeds has been sunk without trace after both clubs were eliminated by Dutch clubs Feyenoord & PSV Eindhoven.

2/26/2002

BURNS STAYS AT CELTIC PARK

Tommy Burns has turned down the chance of becoming the manager of Kilmarnock for a second time, he has decided to stay at Celtic Park to concentrate on his role of youth development officer.

Hoops boss Martin O'Neill and Chief Executive Ian McLeod are both delighted that Tommy has decided to reject the position of manager of Kilmarnock FC.

2/26/2002

HARTSON TO MISS TWO GAMES

John Hartson will miss two games after his sending off last night at Aberdeen. Hartson was red carded for violent conduct after a clash with Jamie McGuire. He will miss the SPL games against Aberdeen on 2nd March 2002 and Dundee United on March 16th 2002.

2/25/2002

O'neill Issues Warning Over Burns

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has told the Scottish Football Association to get in touch with him if they want to use Tommy Burns as a coach. Scotland's new supremo Berti Vogts indicated that he wanted the Celtic youth boss to join him in his management team. But O'Neill has denied any contact has been made and insisted that if the SFA want Burns they would have to approach him first. "Contrary to what has appeared, I've had no contact whatsoever with the SFA," said O'Neill. "I have had no contact about Tommy Burns' situation. Tommy Burns is under contract here and if they want us then somebody should speak to us about it in a proper fashion."

2/25/2002

Hot News from a Leicester City fan site

25/2/2002

9:51 - City vs Celtic - May 12th There you go then, the last ever match at Filbert Street will see Martin O'Neill's Celtic side take on City. Martin will make a final visit to the ground he called home for 6 years and be able to pick over the wreckage of his great side. It will also give the City fans a chance to say a final farewell to O'Neill before we sink back to where he lifted us from all those years ago. Let us know what you think about this on TheFosse Forum

2/23/2002

Full-times from Scottish Cup ties.

Dundee United 2 Ayr United 2

Partick Thistle 2 Inverness Caley Thistle 2

2/23/2002

Call to end football drink ban.

(from BBC website)

A number of top Scottish clubs have called for an end to the ban on selling alcohol inside football grounds.

The move came in a joint submission to a committee set up set up by the Scottish Executive to conduct a full-scale review of the country's licensing laws.

The clubs want permission to start selling alcohol at bars inside stadia north of the border.

But the executive said it had no plans to relax the rules on drinking at football grounds.

A number of clubs have joined forces to make the submission, which was forwarded to the committee on their behalf by Scottish Premier League (SPL).

The clubs say the idea that drinking automatically leads to trouble is now "outdated and flawed".

The clubs argue that if there were designated points where alcohol could be sold and drunk inside stadiums it could cut down on heavy drinking and reduce the risk of trouble.

Police figures suggested that 500 people were arrested for drink-related offences at Scottish matches in 2000.

The majority were for being drunk in or around the stadium, possessing fireworks and breach of the peace.

Last year Scotland's police forces came together to tackle what they described as a rising trend.

With the backing of the SPL, they launched a campaign which warned offenders that they could be arrested, have their season ticket confiscated, or be banned from future matches.

2/22/2002

ANOTHER CELT FARMED OUT

Celtic starlet John Convery has joined Falkirk on loan to try and get his match fitness back after 18-months out of the game. The central defender was very highly thought of at Celtic Park before his injury and Martin O'Neill said of the 21 year old, "It's a good opportunity for John and it's one he'll be looking to make the most of. He's had a frustrating time of it of late with his injury, and this move will give him a chance to recover a bit of match fitness."

2/20/2002

BOBO BALDE OUT OF GAMES AGAINST ABERDEEN & RANGERS

Bobo Balde has become only the second player to be punished by the Scottish Football Association following video evidence.

The Celtic defender has been suspended for one match for deliberately striking Hibernian's Paul Fenwick in an SPL match on February 2.

A statement from the SFA said: "The incident, which was missed by the match officials, was clearly picked up on television, and the SFA disciplinary committee used video evidence to take action."

Balde, who attended the disciplinary committee meeting at Hampden Park accompanied by Celtic company secretary Robert Howat, has also had 12 points added to his disciplinary record.

He will now miss Celtic's next match, against Aberdeen in the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-finals on Monday, while the 12 points take him over the 'disciplinary threshold' and he will also miss the league game against Rangers on March 10.

Celtic have seven days if they want to lodge an appeal against the decision.

2/18/2002

Celtic line up bid for O'Neil

Celtic look set to make a £4million pound bid for Gary O'Neil - with Lewis Buxton also in their shortlist.

Celtic are closing in on Pompey's youngsters with Buxton and O'Neil on their minds for next season. It is understood that they are preparing to bid £4million for O'Neil - similar to bids made by Sunderland and Aston Villa - but this time, the time and price could be right for Mandaric to sell.

The club are once again heading for £5million losses and with O'Neil showing poor form, Mandaric could be tempted to let the England youth star go. Celtic - in the black as much as we're in the red - are looking to add to their squad, especially with the news that midfielder Lubomir Moravcik will return to Slovakia at the end of the season.

Buxton is also on the clubs shortlist but it is unlikely that Pompey will part with a youngster in such good form and would not command a large transfer fee. Buxton has been a true star this season, working hard and utilising this ability. The man highlighting these players to Martin O'Neil? Jim Duffy - an interesting twist in the tale.

In Fratton Faithful's opinion, a £4million bid for O'Neil would be too good to refuse - that may be because I am still to be convinced over his potential. This season he has coasted along for far too many games. Buxton on the other hand looks like a future international and selling him would be a step backwards.

2/18/2002

Healy lands Coventry loan extension

Coventry's loan star Colin Healy has been handed permission by his club Celtic to stay with The Sky Blues for the remainder of the season. Hoops boss Martin O'Neill is happy to see the 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international enjoy a run of first-team games at Highfield Road, but has insisted on a recall clause in the deal, allowing him to bring back Healy with just 24 hours' notice.

2/18/2002

CELTIC FACE ANXIOUS WAIT OVER LARSSON

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faces the prospect of being without star striker Henrik Larsson for next week's Scottish Cup quarter-final clash against Aberdeen after he limped out of Sunday's SPL win over Dundee.

2/17/2002

LENNON IN BUST UP AFTER WIN AT DENS.

Dundee assistant manager Dario Bonetti and Neil Lennon could face punishment after they had to be kept apart at the end of Celtic's win at Dens Park.

Bonetti refused to attend the post-match press conference in the absence of brother Ivano, who is still away in Italy after getting married.

But he is sure to know already about the bust-up between his brother and the Celtic midfielder, who were involved in an angry exchange of words following a challenge on Barry Smith and after the game.

2/17/2002

UPDATE FROM DENS PARK

John Hartson has scored his 18th goal of the season, Celtic now lead Dundee by 3-0. Lambert & Agathe have both been subbed, replacements were Steve Guppy & Jamie Smith.

2/17/2002

HALF TIME AT DENS PARK

Celtic currently lead by 2-0 with goals from Swedish pair Larsson & Mjallby. Larsson has gone off injured with a suspected hamstring injury, he has been replaced by Lubo Moravcik.

2/17/2002

BURNS IN CONTENTION FOR SCOTLAND ROLE

Scotland manager Berti Vogts has confirmed that Tommy Burns is in the running to become his assistant.

LAMBERT RULES OUT SCOTLAND RETURN

Paul Lambert insists that he now wants to concentrate on bringing more success to Parkhead - and not returning to Berti Vogts' Scotland side.

2/15/2002

LAMBERT SIGNS NEW TWO YEAR EXTENSION

Celtic captain Paul Lambert has signed an extension to his contract that will keep him with the Scottish champions until 2005. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill's persuasive qualities culminated in the 32-year-old putting pen to paper on Friday morning.

2/15/2002

CELT, HEALY MAKES IRELAND WORLD CUP CASE.

Celtic's on loan to Coventry City Colin Healy is on the verge of a shock World Cup call-up after the midfielder impressed on his Ireland debut in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Russia "It was unbelievable when the announcer called out that I had won the man of the match award," he said.

2/14/2002

VEGA PLACED ON TRANSFER LIST BY WATFORD

Ramon Vega who played in Celtic's treble winning side last season has been placed on the transfer list by Watford boss Gianluca Vialli. Vega joined the club on a free transfer from Celtic in the summer and has been a regular at the heart of the defence.

Vialli said: "The decision to place the players on the transfer list is part of our reassessment of the best way to achieve our aims.

"We are transfer-listing players that I have signed, but if I feel things are not progressing as they should then it is better to act straight away - both for Watford Football Club and the players themselves.

2/14/2002

Celts return from international duties.

Several Celtic players returned today from duty with their respective countries last night. Glad to report that no manager Martin O'Neill has no further injury worries to contend with.

Young Colin Healy who is currently on loan at Coventry City starred for the Republic of Ireland in their 2-0 win over Russia.

2/11/2002

Larsson hints at going home.

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson will leave Celtic when his contract runs out in two years' time.

He said: "When my contract ends in 2004, my family will move home to Helsingborg so our son, Jordan, who will then be seven, can go to a Swedish school."

2/11/2002

Joos pulls out of Belgium Squad.

Celtic star Joos Valgaeren's hopes of making Belgium's World Cup squad this summer have suffered a setback after being forced out of this week's friendly match with Norway because of a stomach injury.

2/10/2002

THE KING MAY RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson could quit international football after the 2002 World Cup finals, it has been reported in his Swedish homeland. Swedish regional newspaper Helsingbors Dagblad on Sunday quoted Larsson as saying: "The European Championships in Portugal seem distant and it is not certain that I'll be as keen to play for the national team then as I am now."

"I have to make a decision about my future."

The 30-year-old added there would be no point playing in the qualifiers for the 2004 tournament if he would not be available for the finals.

2/10/2002

O'NEILL HAILS 'MAGNIFICENT' CELTIC

Martin O'Neill described his Celtic side as "magnificent" after they bounced back from their defeat by Rangers, with a 5-0 victory against Dunfermline.

2/7/2002

CELTIC SLASH DEBTS

Celtic's debts have been reduced by two thirds within six months thanks to qualification for the Champions League. Read the full story on the BBC website http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/football/teams/c/celtic/newsid_1807000/1807662.stm

2/7/2002

Bobo to appear in person.

Bobo Balde has been given a date of February 20th 2002 to appear before a disciplinary committee to answer charges against him following his challenge against a Hibs player last Saturday.

2/6/2002

AYR UNITED MAKE HISTORY

Ayr United made a piece of their own history tonight when they beat Hibs 1-0 after extra time to go through to meet Rangers in this seasons CIS Cup final. Eddie Annand scored the all important winner from the spot after 100 minutes of play.

2/6/2002

CIS CUP SEMI FINAL RESULT

HIBS 0 AYR UNITED 1 (AET)

SCOTTISH CUP 4TH RD REPLAY

DUNDEE 1 PARTICK THISTLE 2

2/5/2002

MORAVCIK SET TO LEAVE CELTIC FOR JAPAN

Lubo Moravcik has confirmed he will quit Celtic at the end of the season.

But he is ready to play on with former Hoops boss Dr Jozef Venglos in Japan.

Moravcik has delayed his Parkhead departure once before to help the club's pursuit of back-to-back Trebles.

Manager Martin O'Neill has refused to rule out another change of heart this time, but the 36-year-old has reiterated his desire to quit in May.

The Slovakian, however, has hinted he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

He is exploring the possibility of linking up with Venglos at Japanese J-League outfit JEF United Ichihara.

"Yes, I am definitely going to leave," said Moravcik. "I've honestly decided that I want to finish.

"It's going to be hard leaving because I like Celtic and they are in my heart and I hope they will do good things again this season.

"But it will be hard to carry on as I'm 37 at the end of the season. I have been very lucky to play for a long time and I can leave with a good feeling.

"I don't know about retiring because as you know Dr Josef Venglos has just gone to Japan and maybe I can still go there for a couple of months.

"There's nothing certain, but this is an option that I have for a couple of months, but you never know.

"I could get an offer from France, but first I will have a break and then I will see.

"I think I have done my best for Celtic and it's in my mind to leave. I never expected to play at my age in such a good team."

2/5/2002

UEFA CUP SET FOR MAJOR SHAKE-UP

Teams finishing third in their Champions League group are set to lose the privelege of gaining automatic entry in the Uefa Cup.

2/5/2002

EDINBURGH POLICE APOLOGY

There have been numerous complaints from Celtic supporters who experienced difficulty in leaving Easter Road after Saturday’s match with Hibernian.

We have registered a complaint with George Douglas on behalf of all supporters who were at Saturday's game and we expect to hear more feedback at today's working party meeting.

The Edinburgh police have admitted that their departure operation was not conducted properly and have stated that this particular procedure will not be repeated.

2/4/2002

PETROV STILL A POSSIBILITY FOR OLD FIRM CLASH

Martin O'Neill is refusing to give up hope on Stilian Petrov recovering in time for Celtic's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final with Rangers.

2/4/2002

SFA may use video evidence for Balde

By Roger Hannah

Bobo Balde could become only the second player to face SFA trial by television after Rangers full-back Fernando Ricksen, following his confession that he used strong-arm tactics on Hibs' Paul Fenwick at the weekend. A Hampden spokesman said yesterday that the SFA disciplinary committee is awaiting Alan Freeland's report but, with the referee having missed the incident, TV evidence would have to be examined - meaning a nervous wait for Balde.

The Celtic defender insisted he never intended to hurt his opponent, but furious Hibs manager Franck Sauzee claimed Balde should have been sent off after flooring Fenwick with a forearm smash at Easter Road on Saturday night.

The SFA spokesman said: 'The regulations provide for the SFA disciplinary committee to take action in exceptional circumstances. I would emphasise "exceptional" because the use of TV evidence has only happened once before.

'But we must first wait until we receive the relevant reports.'

Just 24 hours ahead of the Old Firm CIS Cup semi-final, Balde, whose physical style had to be defended by Martin O'Neill only last week, has claimed he was simply trying to free himself after Fenwick grabbed his shirt.

'I remember touching him,' admitted Balde, who left the Canadian requiring medical treatment after an incident caught by the Sky cameras.

'I didn't want this to happen but, if the player plays normally, I would do nothing. I was only trying to get myself free. He did not play fair football when I came up for the corner, he tugged me. When this happens, I want to leave the player - but sometimes I touch their heads.

'I play hard sometimes but I don't try to hurt the player. I want to win the ball. If I hurt the player, I don't mean to.'

Sauzee's delight at the 1-1 draw against Celtic was tempered by the clash, with the Hibs boss feeling his countryman should have been dismissed. He said: 'He should have been sent off.'

Although Freeland missed the clash, the controversy surrounding the incident - and the fact it was viewed by a live television audience - could persuade the SFA to take action.

Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen served a belated ban for his karate kick on Aberdeen's Darren Young 15 months ago, one missed by referee Mike McCurry.

Ricksen was punished after the SFA reviewed video evidence of the Pittodrie clash.

Balde, having confessed to striking Fenwick, could now become the latest high-profile case to be examined by the Hampden hierarchy.

But he won an unlikely ally in the shape of the Hibs stopper, who declared a wish for the matter to be taken no further by the authorities.

Fenwick said: 'I don't know if it was intentional or not, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.'

1/31/2002

Injury update on McNamara & Petrov.

Celtic midfielder Jackie McNamara has been ruled out for about four weeks after tearing a hamstring against Livingston. Stilian Petrov, who also picked up an injury in that game, is also likely to miss games but an x-ray revealed no serious ligament injury to his ankle.

Petrov is almost certain to miss Saturday's trip to Hibernian and is rated doubtful for Tuesday's CIS Insurance Cup semi-final with Rangers.

Meanwhile, Jim McInally and Joe McBride have joined the Celtic youth coaching set-up.

Dundee United legend and former Celtic star McInally is to succeed Chris McCart as under-16 coach while McBride, son of Lisbon Lion Joe, will take charge of the under-13s.