9/30/2002

WYCOMBE v CELTIC JASON COUSINS' TESTIMONIAL Tuesday 8th October - Kick-off 7.45pm - Adams Park The much awaited testimonial game for Jason Cousins versus Celtic will take place on Tuesday 8th October (kick-off 7.45pm) at Adams Park. This is the week before various international matches and with Celtic without a game, it provides an opportune time for the two sides to meet in what should be a memorable evening for the former Wycombe hero.

Speaking of the game to the local press, Cousins said "Finally after 18 months it's happening. I'm so happy, it's the match I wanted. It has been well worth waiting for.You cannot really ask for a better one. Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I feel honoured that they are coming to play for me."

9/30/2002

Celtic’s UEFA cup opponents lose at home

FK Suduva lost 1-0 at home to Nevézis on Saturday in the Lithuanian first division.

They currently lie sixth in the league having won just eight of the twenty-five games they have played this season.

9/26/2002

MACCA’S BACK

Two events are being held in October for ex Celt Frank McAvennie. On Sunday 13th October 2002 a match is being held at Love Street Paisley, St Mirren Legends v Celtic Legends. The teams will be made up of players from St Mirren’s Scottish Cup winning squad from 1987 and Celtic’s centenary double winning squad from 1988.

Match tickets are available from The Affiliation mdinning@yahoo.com or The Celtic Supporters Association, London Road Glasgow and also at the following outlets, Wig & Pen, Paisley, Watermill Hotel, Paisley, Tully’s Bar, Motherwell, Irvine No1 CSC Sports & Social Club, Lennox Bar, Dumbarton, Yogi’s Bar, Coatbridge, Donnachies Bar, Port Glasgow, O’Brien’s Bar, Lochee and the Lochgelly No1 CSC through Mark Cameron

A dinner is also planned for the same evening at The Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. For further details on both events please contact organiser Peter Dunn on 0191-942-0222, 07951-967-001 or by email at Peter.Dunn2@Blueyonder.co.uk

9/26/2002

CIS Cup third round draw:

Dunfermline Athletic v Falkirk Partick Thistle v Dundee Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle St Johnstone v Livingston Aberdeen v Motherwell Hibernian v Rangers Heart of Midlothian v Ross County Airdrie United v Dundee United

Ties to be played Tuesday 22nd or Wednesday 23rd October 2002.

9/25/2002

Celtic fans fool Spaniards (It was in today's Sun it must be true)

TWO Celtic fans were given the red carpet treatment by a top Spanish club - after claiming to be Parkhead scouts spying on a £2million defender.

The mystery pair - wearing Celtic badges on their jackets - blagged their way into Seville's stadium for the clash with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

They later claimed they were tracking highly-rated David Castedo - and left clutching a dossier on the Spain Under-21 star.

The skint Spanish giants are desperate to sell him to ease their financial plight and pulled out all the stops to impress their Scottish visitors.

Their appearance at the match sparked claims in Spanish papers and on websites that Celts were on the verge of a big-money swoop.

But Parkhead bosses insisted they had no one at the game watching Castedo - and had no idea who the pair were.

A Seville insider said: "We were under the impression that the men were from Celtic.

"They told journalists afterwards that their names were John Docherty and John Clark.

"They left with a dossier on the whole team and most specifically Castedo.

"The club is in a difficult financial position and a bid would have been welcomed from Celtic."

But a Celts official said: "We are not aware that anyone was working on our behalf at that match."

9/24/2002

ITV and BSkyB secure UEFA Champions League rights

UEFA Champions League matches will be broadcast on ITV and BSkyB in the United Kingdom for the next three seasons following an agreement for the sale of television rights for that territory, UEFA has announced.

9/24/2002

Larsson's warning for Reds

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has warned Liverpool not to expect an easy ride in their Champions League clash with FC Basel at Anfield.

Larsson was in the Celtic side which lost out on a place in the group stages of the competition after crashing to defeat in the qualifying round against the Swiss double winners, and he insists Liverpool will find it equally as tough tomorrow night.

He said: "Liverpool are going to find it very tough because Basel are a very solid side whose biggest strength is the way they work as a unit.

"Most of the players have been together a long time and know each other very well. They know exactly where their team-mates are going to be when they deliver a pass - and that is very difficult to defend against.

"They are not flashy, but very efficient. They work very hard as a team, going forward and defending, and you have to be on top of your game to beat them."

9/23/2002

REF’S GET SPONSORSHIP DEAL

Used to be a common shout at football matches. Referee you need glasses well surprise surprise it was announced today that Scottish football’s ref are to be sponsored by SPECSAVERS

9/19/2002

UEFA CUP TRAVEL PACKAGE

The package trip we’ve arranged in conjunction with Sphere Travel Edinburgh for Celtic’s 2nd leg match in Lithuania is now sold out We managed to secure some 50 or so seats on this trip but these sold out within hours of being published here and on our website.

GOOD LUCK

Our best wishes go to Martin and the Bhoys as we set out to take part in this season UEFA Cup after the disappointment of missing out on the group stages of the Champions League.

WORKING PARTY

The latest working party meeting was scheduled to be held today at Celtic Park. Full details will be posted on our website as soon as possible after the meeting.

SUPPORTERS CLUBS LINKS

Does your supporters club have it's own website? If so drop me a line at mdinning@yahoo.com to have it linked up with The Affiliation's website.

GRANGEMOUTH No1

Is holding a RACE NIGHT in THE MAHRATTA, Bo'ness Road, Grangemouth on Friday October 11th from 8pm to 1am. No game the following day. Tickets priced at £4 including Buffet. New website now up and running http://www.grangemouthno1csc.tripod.com

MACCA’S BACK

Two events are being held in October for ex Celt Frank McAvennie. On Sunday 13th October 2002 a match is being held at Love Street Paisley, St Mirren Legends v Celtic Legends. A dinner is also planned for the same evening at The Normandy Hotel, Renfrew. For further details on both events please contact organiser Peter Dunn on 0191-942-0222, 07951-967-001 or by email at Peter.Dunn2@Blueyonder.co.uk

HOTEL DEALS FOR CELTIC SUPPORTERS

Arties Hotel in Blackpool. Contact Vinny or Margaret on 01253-346027 for details.

The Watermill Hotel in Paisley. Please phone 0141-889-3201 to check on availability.

9/17/2002

Tonight's European Results

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Auxerre v PSV 0-0 Arsenal v Dortmund 2-0 Valencia v Liverpool 2-0 Basel v Spartak 2-0 RC Genk v AEK 0-0 Roma v Madrid 0-3 Rosenborg v Internazionale 2-2 Ajax v Lyon 2-1

UEFA CUP 1ST ROUND 1ST LEG

Aberdeen v Hertha Berlin 0-0 Leixões v PAOK 2-1 Viktoria Zizkov v Rangers 2-0 Vitesse v Rapid 1-1 Bordeaux v Púchov 6-0 Austria v Shakhtar 5-1

9/17/2002

BASEL OFF TO WINNING START

FC Basel kicked off their Champions League campaign in style collecting all three points by defeating Spartak Moscow by 2-0.

9/17/2002

UEFA CUP RESULT

1ST Round 1st Leg

Zizkov 2-0 Rangers

9/17/2002

HEDMAN TO MISS OLD FIRM GAME

Celtic new Bhoy Magnus Hedman will be out for a few weeks following the calf strain he suffered recently.

It seems almost certain that Sweden’s No1 goalkeeper will miss the chance to make his Old Firm debut at Celtic Park on Sunday 6th October 2002.

9/17/2002

EURO-SOCCER HOBBY-CUP

EUROPE gathers from June 17th to June 21st, 2003 for the

EURO-SOCCER HOBBY-CUP

...the unofficial European Championship for fan club-teams,

which takes place in Upper Austria.

We are expecting about 500 teams from all over Europe to visit this unique soccer-spectacle.

Besides the thrill of competing against famous fan club-teams of European top teams for the 5.000 Euro prize-cheque, there are more reasons for you to participate in this tournament.

Each team has the opportunity to sell their merchandise-articles during the tournament and during the evening-events to the numerous visitors and to the other participants of the EURO-SOCCER HOBBY-CUP. Furthermore appealing supporting acts are organised.

Request further information or application documents right away or visit our homepage www.wva-marketing.at .

Application Deadline: Friday, December 20th, 2002

9/17/2002

What could have been!!!!!!!!!!!

Celtic’s conquerors FC Basel kick off their Champions League campaign tonight with a home tie against Spartak Moscow, the other tie in Group B sees Liverpool travel to meet another of Celtic’s old foes Valencia.

9/17/2002

Larsson tells Celtic fans don't panic over form

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has urged fans not to panic, insisting he will soon be back amongst the goals. Writing on his personal website, the Swede said, "Nobody panic, I will score goals again.

"We are still getting the results but I can't deny that I'm not finding the net at the moment - well, for the last two games at least.

"It's happened to me before and any striker who has played for a long time will tell you it has happened to them.

"I don't like it but I've worked through it before and it will happen again. I can say with complete honesty I'm trying as hard as I can. I want to score and I'm not very pleased when I miss an opportunity.

"I've set standards for myself ever since I have been at Celtic and people expect me to keep doing that.

"But I expect a lot of myself as well, so I'm not worried about criticism from others because it is my own standards that I want to reach.

"Two seasons ago everything I touched went in but at the moment it's just not happening like that. There is a very fine line between scoring and missing and at the moment I've found myself falling on the wrong side of that line."

9/16/2002

Lithuanian opponents can't afford to scout Celtic

Lithuanian outfit FK Suduva have been studying videos of UEFA Cup opponents Celtic because they cannot afford to send a spy to Glasgow.

The club were expected to run the rule over the Scottish champions against Hibernian on Saturday.

But Suduva official Petras Alisauskas has revealed those plans were pulled because the club did not have the money needed.

He said: `We are not a rich club so we don`t have the money to send a scout to Scotland.

`We have financial difficulties which prevent us preparing the way bigger clubs can.

`We`ve had to make do with watching film clips but we have the money to go to Scotland for the match and we are hoping our poverty is just a temporary problem.'

9/15/2002

MOTHERWELL DEFEATED

Motherwell who defeated Celtic last Tuesday night have lost 4-2 today against Hearts at Tynecastle. The Fir Park side were two goals ahead before Hearts staged a comeback.

9/15/2002

name: Zoltan Puskas email: zoltan.puskas@universum.se Date: Thursday, September 12, 2002

event:

For sale: Sweden CSC metal badges, available in 8 different colourvariations at £4 or the whole set £25. All prices includes p&p please contact zoltan.puskas@universum.se. Also interested in swaps with other CSC badges.

9/9/2002

HOOPS BOSS READY FOR CONTRACT TALKS

Martin O'Neill plans to discuss his future with the Scottish champions as soon as possible.

I'll be sitting down very shortly with the board and I hope it will be days, rather that weeks, and weeks rather than months. It should be resolved pretty quickly," said O'Neill, who has won two Scottish premier league titles, the Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup since arriving at Celtic in July 2000.

O'Neill says a possible lack of money to spend on players in the future will not have a bearing on whether or not he will stay with the Glasgow club. "I've said before that I would wait until after the Champions League matches. It will materialise soon and I don't think that (financial prudence) will have too much bearing on it," he said. "Despite the size of this club, there is a lack of finance around in general terms. I'll just have to deal with that as I have been doing for the last few years." He added: "I will discuss my situation with the board and will give an update as soon as possible." O'Neill told shareholders at the club's annual general meeting on Monday that he was optimistic talks would go smoothly with the board. "I'm sure the directors will summon me for a board meeting and I am very happy to do so," he said. "I'll be sitting down with them and making sure things will go fairly, amicably and favourably." Celtic chairman Brian Quinn said the club was hopeful of finalising a new contract with O'Neill, who is the first Celtic manager in 20 years to win successive Scottish league titles. "We will do all we can to keep Martin at Celtic Park," said Quinn. Celtic's chief executive Ian McLeod added: "There is a willingness to draw discussions to a conclusion in the near future and we hope those discussions would be positive.

9/9/2002

Johnstone jinks his way to title of greatest Celtic player

FOUR of the biggest names in the club's history were honoured at a gala dinner celebrating the Celtic Oscars last night.

The late Jock Stein, forever remembered as "The Big Man", was chosen as the Greatest Ever Celt; Jimmy Johnstone, the man known at home and abroad as 'Jinky', was the Greatest Ever Celtic Player; Billy McNeill, the Greatest Celtic Captain, and Henrik Larsson, the Greatest Celtic Foreigner.

All three of the players made it into the Greatest Ever Celtic Team, too, in a vote that was conducted on the worldwide web.

Stein, still regarded by many, including Sir Alex Ferguson, as the finest ever Scottish manager, led the club out of a wilderness period into world renown as the first Scottish and British team to win the European Cup during a decade of almost constant success. He was Scotland manager when he died suddenly at Cardiff in 1985 at the end of a crucial qualifying tie for the World Cup finals.

Johnstone, who is courageously fighting motor neurone disease, honed his skills as a boy in his "lobby" at home, where he dribbled endlessly in and around a collection of milk bottles. His trickery was such that he left Terry Cooper, the English international full back and, at the time, one of Europe's highest rated defenders, baffled and bewildered with a phenomenal display of wing play against Leeds United in both legs of the European Cup semi-final of 1969-70. Jimmy collected 23 caps and some infamy over his escapades, most memorably the "rowing boat" incident when he was rescued from a drifting boat in Largs harbour when with the Scotland squad at the coast.

He numbered among his fans the great Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid, in whose testimonial game he turned in a virtuoso performance.

McNeill, the first British player to lift aloft the European Cup, picked up another major prize which he will cherish as a lifelong Celtic man. McNeill,

captain of the team who lifted the European trophy in Portugal on that famous night in 1967 when they beat Italy's finest, Inter Milan, could scarcely have had a challenger for his honour.

Nicknamed "Caesar" during his playing days, when his guardsman-like bearing proved an appropriate stature for the man who became the best- known Scottish player of his era, McNeill played for the Parkhead club for 18 years and was manager on two separate occasions. He signed for Celtic in 1957 and stayed 17 seasons, retiring after Celtic won the Scottish Cup in 1975.

He played more than 800 games for the club and his massive collection of medals, 23 in major competitions, might well be the best in the world. He was capped by Scotland 29 times.

He became manager in succession to Jock Stein in 1978 and went on to lead the side to three league championship wins and a Scottish Cup success matched by a League Cup triumph.

He left the club in 1983 to join Manchester City amid public acrimony over his salary, which was a long way short of his peers in Scotland. After a spell at Aston Villa, he was called back to take charge of Celtic again and in 1988 led them to the league title in their centenary year.

Larsson, who joined Celtic from Feyenoord five years ago for a fee of £650,000, making him just about the best bargain the club have ever enjoyed, was a certainty for the "best foreigner" category.

If Larsson, who has been just as much a success with Sweden in the past few years as he has been at Parkhead, had a pleasing debut season in Scotland, scoring 19 goals and helping his club win the league title, his entire future looked in doubt the following year when he suffered a horrible leg break in Lyon during a European tie. However, he not only recovered but came back stronger and better than ever and won the European Golden Shoe award last year. He has also twice been Scottish Player of the Year in each of the two categories, by the players' vote and also that of the writers.

Tommy Gemmell won the scorer of the best Celtic goal ever with his equaliser in the European Cup final, while Murdo Macleod was the scorer of the best goal in an Old Firm game (his goal in the 4-2 win which won Celtic the league in 1979). The 7-1 victory in the League Cup final of 1957 was, unsuprisingly, chosen as the best Old Firm game ever.

Celtic's Best Team of All Time, according to the vote, is, in 3-5-2 formation: Simpson: McGrain, McNeill, Gemmell: Johnstone, McStay, Murdoch, Auld, Lennox; Dalglish, Larsson.

9/9/2002

JINKY FANS CHOICE AS BEST EVER CELT.

JIMMY JOHNSTONE was last night named the greatest ever Celtic player ... and the late Jock Stein was hailed greatest ever Celt.

At a star-studded show in Glasgow, around 3000 people gathered to see the Parkhead club pay tribute to some of the most important figures in their history.

Stein, who managed Celtic to their European Cup success of 1967, was rated by supporters the most important figure ever to have worked for the club, with wing wizard Jinky their No.1 player.

An emotional Johnstone said: "This is a great honour for me and I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart."

Sports Record columnist Murdo MacLeod won an award for the greatest Old Firm goal for Celtic - in the 4-2 title-clinching win over Rangers in 1979.

Greatest Celtic team, as voted by fans, was: Ronnie Simpson, Danny McGrain, Tommy Gemmell, Bobby Murdoch, Billy McNeill, Bertie Auld, Jimmy Johnstone, Paul McStay, Kenny Dalglish, Henrik Larsson, Bobby Lennox.

9/8/2002

CELTS INTERNATIONAL ROUND UP

FAROE ISLANDS 2 SCOTLAND 2

Rab Douglas, Stephen Crainey & Paul Lambert were part of this embarrassing Scotland outfit, the Scots were on the brink of their biggest ever humiliation when the Faroe Islanders surged into a 2-0 lead. Celtic captain Paul Lambert led the come back with a scrappy goal after 62 minutes. The Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson saved a point for the Scots with a goal seven minutes from time.

FINLAND 0 WALES 2

Wales got their EURO 2004 qualifying campaign off to a flying start with a surprise away success against Finland. The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark when the Finnish defence failed to clear a cross from Gary Speed, and Celtic’s Hartson converted from close range. The scoring was completed in 72 minutes when Ryan Giggs released Simon Davies, and the Spurs man drilled the ball in at the near post in the 72nd minute.

RUSSIA 4 IRELAND 2

Celtic’s Colin Healy was a sub in this shocker from the Republic; this was Ireland’s heaviest defeat since ex Celt Mick McCarthy took charge as boss.

LATVIA 0 SWEDEN 0

Magnus Hedman was in goal as Sweden dropped two points in a game they should have wrapped up long before the end. Latvia had a goal chopped off late in the game as both sides settled for a point apiece.

BELGIUM 0 BULGARIA 2

Stan Petrov was on the score sheet in as Bulgaria secured all three points in Brussels. The visitors went ahead on 17 minutes when playmaker Krassimir Balakov burst down the left before crossing for the on-rushing Zoran Jankovic to head in off the bar. Eighteen minutes into the second half, Petrov sealed victory for Bulgaria with a free kick from 30 metres that deflected off the Belgian wall to leave a wrong-footed Gert de Vlieger stranded.

9/7/2002

Harston puts Welsh in lead.

Celtic's John Hartson has given Wales a 1-0 half time lead over Finland in their group 9 Euro 2004 qualifier.

9/7/2002

Old Firm double act rescue sad Scotland against mighty Faroe Islanders.

FAROE ISLANDS 2 SCOTLAND 2

Old Firm captains Celtic’s Paul Lambert and Rangers Barry Ferguson helped rescue a point for Scotland they scarcely deserved as the team struggled to a 2-2 draw against the Faroe Islands.

9/7/2002

Information for fans travelling to Lithuania.

Website link to follow for fans travelling to Celtic's UEFA cup tie next month against FK Suduva. http://www.lithuanianholidays.com/

9/6/2002

Lubo hangs up his boots.

Veteran former Celtic midfielder Lubomir Moravcik has retired from football only two months into his stay in the Japanese league. An ankle injury has forced the 37-year-old Slovakian to end his 19-year career. Moravcik won his second Scottish championship medal in a row with Celtic last season. But he had been used increasingly sparingly by manager Martin O'Neill and decided he did not wish to remain in Glasgow if he was not guaranteed a first-team place. He signed a six-month deal with JEF United Ichihara but played just three matches for the J-League club before the ankle injury brought about a premature end to his new adventure.

9/6/2002

Celtic's UEFA opponents lose.

FBK Kaunas continued their march towards the title as they beat Celtic's UEFA cup opponents FK Suduva 4-1 last weekend to secure a six-point lead at the top of Lithuanian first division.

9/5/2002

Always remembered.

On the 5th day of September 1931 at 12 minutes past nine pm, Johnnie slipped away from us, Celtic lost one of their greatest thats why a man we never knew, saw playing, but only read about will always be in our hearts forever, wherever you are Johnnie God bless.

no more well stand and cheer you on the slopes of celtic park Johnnie Thomson 05-09-1931 RIP

9/5/2002

Young Celts secure Scotland U21's win.

Shaun Maloney & John Kennedy scored the goals for Scotland's under 21 side at Hamilton last night, the final score was Scotland 2 Israel 1.

9/2/2002

Mjallby crocked for Sweden

Swedish Captain Johan Mjallby will not play in this weekends international for Sweden.

The Celtic star has an inflamed knee and will not be risked by coach Lars Lagerback.

9/2/2002

Maloney signs new three year deal.

Celtic striker Shaun Maloney has confirmed that he has agreed on a three-year contract extension at Parkhead.

The youngster's first-team chances have been few and far between, but manager Martin O'Neill was keen to hold onto him - and the feeling appears to be reciprocal.

"It's been going on for some time, but I'm delighted now because everything is sorted," said Maloney

9/2/2002

FC BASEL CONTINUE WINNING RUN

Defending Swiss champions Basel went behind on 19 minutes but levelled when Grasshoppers goalkeeper Fabrice Borer was dismissed for pulling down Hervé Tum. Mario Cantaluppi converting from the spot, but Christian Gimenez and Murat Yakin sealed the win late on in the second half.

9/1/2002

NEXT SEASON'S CL STARTS NOW

(from Jinky's Oars website) The quest for a place in next season's Champions League draw continues today with a game at home to Livingston. There are two places up for grabs next season but obviously the spot we want is the one that comes courtesy of being SPL Champions.

What's gone is gone and all we can do now is look forward, backing the team 100% in every game even when things are not going to plan. Getting on the backs of the players will only hamper our chances of success so starting today let's give them all our total support.