4/30/2003

Henrik makes things clear again.

I'd like to end talk of me staying on after my contract expires at the end of next season, because I've made my decision on that. I've been at Celtic for six years, and I have another year to run on the current contract, but after that I will leave.

I have loved my time with the club, and there's still a lot of football to be played both this season, and next, but you have to make certain decisions and stand by them. I don't think anyone can ever question my loyalty to Celtic, I've been here longer than a lot of players stay at clubs these days, and my commitment is total.

I love Celtic, the supporters have been amazing, and I love living in Scotland. But when I sorted out this new contract in 2001 I made it clear I would go at the end of it. That hasn't changed.

At the moment all I'm concerned about is playing for Celtic and getting as many points as we can. We had a tremendous result against Rangers on Sunday and that was a real boost for the club. In some ways it was easier than the usual Old Firm match because we had been so busy preparing for the Boavista game that we weren't caught up in all the usual pre-Old Firm pressure.

In some ways playing Boavista and not having time to think too much about Rangers worked in our favour. I thought we played well, and after they had a couple of chances we were able to get the first goal, which is crucial in these games.

Of course the fate of the Championship isn't in our hands now; all we can do is to concentrate on ourselves and try to win our games. But it isn't over yet.

4/28/2003

UEFA Cup final ticket information

All of the tickets made available via uefa.com to the general public for the UEFA Cup final in Seville, Spain on Wednesday 21 May are sold out.

Official allocations remain The only tickets remaining for the match are the official allocations reserved for the two finalists, Celtic FC and FC Porto. Both finalists are to receive an allocation of approximately 15,700 tickets each - more than half the stadium capacity - for the game at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville. Sales of these tickets are organised by the respective clubs.

Sold out The UEFA-approved capacity for the UEFA Cup final is 52,142, with 5,489 seats taken up by media and security requirements. A total of 13,928 seats were originally made available to football fans worldwide via sales to the general public. However, UEFA stresses that these tickets are now sold out.

Football family Another 6,846 tickets for the final are being made available to the "football family" - UEFA, the local organisers, UEFA member associations, commercial partners and broadcasters. Scotland's Celtic reached the final after a 1-0 away win over Portuguese side Boavista FC earned them a 2-1 aggregate success, while Porto drew 0-0 with Italian opponents S.S. Lazio to go through on a 4-1 aggregate

4/28/2003

Intersting stat from yesterday.

Our win at Ibrox yesterday was incredibly our 67th game of the season, this of course includes all our friendly games and our runs in the various competitions we are in.

4/27/2003

Silver goal "first" in Seville

The innovative "silver goal" ruling introduced by UEFA will make its debut at the UEFA Cup final between Celtic FC and FC Porto at the Estadio Olímpico in Seville, Spain on 21 May.

Coaches consulted The system – which will also be used at the UEFA Champions League final in Manchester on 28 May – has been launched by European football's governing body after widespread consultations with the football community, and replaces the sudden-death "golden goal" system that has been in force for the past few seasons.

15 minutes Under the "silver goal" ruling, if the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup finals end in a draw after 90 minutes, a first 15 minutes of extra time will be played. If one team is in the lead at the end of the 15 minutes, that team will be declared the winners of the match.

Penalty shoot-out If the two teams are still level after 15 minutes of extra time, a second 15-minute period will be played. If the result remains deadlocked at the end of the second period of extra time, a penalty shoot-out will determine the winners.

UEFA listens UEFA decided to bring in the "silver goal" system after analysing the effects of the "golden goal" ruling. The European body has reacted after listening to the viewpoints of a wide spectrum of representatives of the European game – including many leading coaches, who say that the "golden goal" rule puts far too much pressure on the match referee, and does not allow the team conceding the goal a chance to recover. Another view expressed to UEFA is that the "golden goal" system prompts negative football, and that the sudden end to a football match can also create safety and security problems.

Good for clubs, players and fans "We believe that this will be good for clubs, players and fans," UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee said of the "silver goal" system. "We have addressed the problems created by the golden goal which many in the game have identified."

Encouraging positive football "The new system will encourage positive football in the extra-time period, and produce a sensible and fairer ending to a game," he added.

Golden goal examples The "golden goal" rule has been notable for settling the destiny of the EURO 96™ and EURO 2000™ titles. Germany won in sudden-death fashion during extra time in the EURO 96™ final against the Czech Republic in England, and France triumphed in a similar manner against Italy in the Netherlands three years ago. Liverpool FC also won the 2001/02 UEFA Cup with a "golden goal" against Deportivo Alavés.

4/22/2003

Still no go for the Hoops in the Premiership.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has told Celtic their Premiership ambitions remain a pipe-dream despite their run to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup.

The Hoops are preparing to fly out to Portugal on Wednesday to take on Boavista in the knowledge they are now just one game away from the final.

Martin O'Neill's side recorded a famous win at Anfield to win the Battle of Britain clash with Liverpool in the quarter-finals.

Blackburn had suffered a similar fate in an earlier round to give support to the argument that Celtic and Rangers would thrive in the Barclaycard Premiership.

The Old Firm have made no secret of their desire to leave the Bank of Scotland Premier League for its more glamorous counterpart down south but so far have been thwarted in their attempts to engineer such a move.

And Parry, who is the former chief executive of the Premier League, was adamant that would remain the case.

He told Liverpool's official website: "I don't think it ill happen because what you are really doing is asking two other Premiership clubs to drop out.

"When it's put to a vote, that's like turkeys voting for Christmas. I think it's very unlikely.

Parry - It won't happen

There are implications about European places, which is something for the bigger clubs to bear in mind.

"If they came in and were successful it might diminish our own chances of a Champions League place.

"I spoke with the chairman of Celtic last week and, bearing in mind Celtic and Rangers get European qualification every year, I asked him would he not find it more difficult to qualify for Europe in this league.

"He said of course it would be more difficult but that it was a challenge they were willing to take.

"You can see how it would make our league more exciting. If we had Celtic and Rangers in the calendar every year it would make for two very exciting additional away trips.

"There's no doubt there would be full stadiums and very competitive games so there are upsides to this, but there are downsides too.

"Whenever it's been discussed at the Premier League - and it's never been a very long discussion - there has never been any prospect that a majority of clubs would support it."

4/22/2003

Celtic chief exec to depart.

Celtic's controversial chief executive Ian McLeod is to leave the club at the end of the month.

The club's plc board revealed he would step down when his current contract expires on April 29.

McLeod hit the headlines many times during his tenure, including earlier this month when he attacked the Scottish Premier League for scheduling Sunday's Old Firm game so close to Thursday's Uefa Cup semi-final with Boavista.

4/20/2003

Bookies widen odds on Celtic retaining SPL.

William Hill and BET 365 are now offering odds of 8/1 on Celtic retaining the SPL for the 3rd year on the trot.

4/20/2003

Celtic's opponents lose in league clash.

Celtic's UEFA Cup semi-final opponents Boavista, stayed level on points with Moreirense FC in mid-table after the teams drew 1-1. Boavista striker Luiz Cláudio cancelled out Jorge Duarte's opening goal for the home side.

4/16/2003

Celtic Fans Leader’s Rap for ‘Mickey Mouse’ League

The president of the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs has urged the Bank of Scotland Premier League to take a look at themselves after the furore surrounding the last Old Firm game of this season.

Celtic were angered that the timing of the game was less than three days after the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg against Boavista giving Rangers an unfair advantage for the Ibrox showdown.

But the Hoops have now withdrawn their request for a re-vote on the April 27 date by the SPL board after a meeting with Strathclyde Police.

However, Peter Rafferty of the fans’ group believes the SPL are beginning to look like a “Mickey Mouse” competition with such decisions.

He said: “You are just looking for some consideration. It is a competitive league and, if you are looking for the true winners, you need a level playing field.

“We are fighting on two major fronts and playing at that European standard, which is helping Scottish football in general, it is nonsense that that is not taken into consideration.

“The so-called office bearers on the SPL board should take a good, hard look at themselves.

“We are the only professional league in Europe who adopts Mickey Mouse scenarios such as the idea of the split which is a complete and utter nonsense.

“The league should be played all the way through rather than splitting in half.

“It looks like there won’t be any relegation this year which makes it even worse.

“At the end of the day, anything which could have been done to help Celtic win the UEFA Cup final should have been done.”

But Rafferty has accused the SPL of being “unprofessional” in their handling of the Celtic situation.

He added: “I’m disappointed in the whole scenario – it has been handled unprofessionally.

“The impact Celtic have made in Europe this season should have been a major consideration when these decisions – or lack of decisions in this case – are being made.

“I would think this is the view of all fans. Celtic supporters will look on it as a negative situation and, maybe, more should be done to prevent this type of thing happening.”

4/15/2003

Ex Celt to retire.

Ex Celtic defender Stephane Mahe is to retire from playing at the end of the season to concentrate on his coaching career.

The 34-year-old has endured an injury-hit spell at Tynecastle since arriving from Celtic two years ago and has now decided to accept a coaching job in his native France.

Hearts boss Craig Levein told the media : "It's sad that Stephane is leaving but it has now reached the stage where a succession of injuries are handicapping him from playing at the top level for very much longer.

"He's going to take up a coaching post with a team in the lower divisions in France."

4/14/2003

Fixtures announcement delayed.

The Scottish Premier League have confirmed the final set of fixtures will not be officially released until the wrangle over the final Old Firm fixture is resolved.

An SPL spokesman said: "Celtic have requested a review of the date for the forthcoming Old Firm fixture as is their right.

"This will now be done at an SPL board meeting on Thursday, April 17. The final batch of fixtures will be announced thereafter."

4/14/2003

Lennon unhappy with fans' reaction

Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon insists a minority of supporters have driven his father away from Parkhead.

The former Northern Ireland international was a target for abuse from a section of the crowd during the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg draw with Boavista last week.

Hoops manager Martin O'Neill blasted those fans for their criticism of Lennon and wing-back Didier Agathe.

But the former Crewe and Leicester midfielder has admitted the barracking did cause him to 'wobble' during the game.

Lennon told the Evening Times: 'My dad wasn't over for the Boavista match but he was watching it on TV and could hear what went on.

'He was really upset and he told me he wouldn't be coming back to see me play at Parkhead because of what happened.

'He's obviously very proud of me playing for Celtic and, to be honest, it has probably hurt my family more than me.

'I'm not pleased about what happened and it will take me a long time to forgive the fans who barracked me.

'I wobbled for 10 minutes or so after it, before managing to compose myself again.

'Playing in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup is hard enough without having to go through that.

'Personally, I thought it was unjustified but I'd like to point out I received some nice cards and messages from fans.

'They apologised for what happened but I'm big enough and ugly enough to get on with it.

'However, I don't think it's a coincidence that our best performances in Europe have come away from home.

'The tension is so intense at Parkhead sometimes and the fans have got to realise it's not the same as domestic games.

'I was pleased to hear the fans singing my name against Kilmarnock but I haven't forgotten what happened on Thursday. It's still very much a sore point for me.'

4/14/2003

Sutton ready to make comeback.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has hinted that Chris Sutton could be back for the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg in Boavista after suffering a broken wrist against Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup Final.

The Bhoys striker had a lighter cast put on his hand on Friday and he is in line for a dramatic return to boost their hopes of a place in the final.

"It's hard to say if he will be back for the Hearts game this weekend," said O'Neill. "He has had a lighter plaster put on his wrist.

"It is a wee bit like Stan (Stilian Petrov) who played after having a lighter cast put on.

"He will be stepping up his training by the end of the week and I wouldn't rule him out for next week, but Saturday could still be too early."

Sutton's return will be a timely boost for the champions, who are in the hunt for a third successive title and a place in their first European final in 33 years.

4/11/2003

Date set for final Old Firm clash.

The Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League have confirmed the final Old Firm game of the season will take place on Sunday April 27. The Ibrox showdown is scheduled to happen just three days after the UEFA Cup semi-final second leg between Celtic and Boavista in Portugal. But the Hoops are not due to return to Glasgow until Friday 25th - the day after the match in Porto.

4/10/2003

Ballot for Boavista away match.

Further to today's Supporters Club ballot, the following clubs have been allocated 2 tickets each:

Govan Emerald Montrose Renton London No.1 Kirkshaws Dumfries Bothwell Muirhead Neilston Starry Plough Phil Cole Notre Dame Dean Park Wimbledon MacConnells John Colrain Tollcross Exec. Heriot Watt Tommy Boyd Jimmy McGorry East End Largs Belvidere Wim the Tim Canvendish Govan BrightonTollcross Shamrock Billy McNeill No.1 Irvine No.1 Erskine & Renfrew Joseph Rafferty Easterhouse Emerald Lomond Possilpark The Hay Glenbarr Celtic Cross Tameside Emerald Banknock Gordon Nairn Bar Cumbernauld No.1 Kilbirnie Paradise Jimmy Cowan Evergreen Commercial Bar Yokermill Road Kings Park Drumchapel No.1 Coatbridge No.1 Sons of Donegal Kirkintilloch Emerald Livingston No.1 St. Patricks Shotts Blantyre Claddagh Tommy Burns Inverness Auchinleck Birnieknowe Grangemouth No.1 Bannockburn Edinburgh No.1 Blackpool Shamrock Ardrossan Garryowen Tommy Craig Bellshill & Dist. Port Glasgow No.1 Jimmy Delaney Cleland St. James Coatbridge Dundee West End Teeside & Darlington James Stokes Gerry Connor Millburn The Future is Green Craigshill Shamrock Paul McStay St. Ninians Linnvale Shamrock

4/8/2003

Guppy's season could be over

Celtic's Steve Guppy could be ruled out for the remainder of the season after it was confirmed he must undergo a hernia operation.

The winger has seen a specialist in Leeds along with club doctor Roddy MacDonald on Monday after feeling discomfort in the left side of his groin.

The club will allow Guppy a week to see if the injury settles after two weeks in rehabilitation.

If the rest does not allow the player comfort, he will see the same Munich surgeon who treated Rob Douglas and Joos Valgaeren.

4/8/2003

UEFA Cup Semi-Final Celtic Vs Boavista Thursday 10th April - kick-off 7:05pm

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MATCH IS NOW COMPLETELY SOLD OUT.

4/7/2003

Boavista held to draw in League clash.

Moreirense 1 Boavista 1

Boavista remain in 11th position in the Portuguese SuperLiga

4/4/2003

Another new date for Motherwell match

MOTHERWELL v CELTIC Scottish Premierleague, Wednesday May 7, 2003, Fir Park Stadium, Kick-Off 7.45 pm

Celtic will now travel to face Motherwell on Wednesday May 7 after a suitable date was found for the Scottish Premierleague match postponed from Ferbuary 15.

The match had originally been rescheduled for Wednesday April 16, but, following discussions between the league and both clubs, this new date has been agreed upon.

The match will kick off at 7.45 pm.

4/4/2003

The hoops in the USA.

Celtic will now play three games in the USA this summer against Manchester United, AC Milan and a team from Mexico yet to be announced.

The games will be played in Seattle, San Francisco & Cleveland.

Kick off times and dates to be advised.

4/4/2003

Larsson contemplates international future

Henrik Larsson is to consider making his decision to come out of international retirement a permanent one.

The 31-year-old announced his retirement from the Sweden team after the World Cup, but was persuaded to make a one-off comeback against Hungary on Wednesday because Ajax's Zlatan Ibrahimovic was suspended.

But after he played a crucial role in Sweden's 2-1 win coaches Tommy Soderberg and Lars Lagerback are keen to extend the arrangement, even telling Larsson that he will be allowed to miss friendly games.

"I am going to think very hard about whether I'll keep on playing for Sweden,".

"It was a very long week and it was hard to be away from home for such a long time.

"But, at the same time, I really enjoyed being back in the team."

4/3/2003

SEASON BOOK INCREASE TO BE CONFIRMED.

With regard to my post yesterday following our Working Party Meeting, word on the street is that the board have opted for 10.00 increase with no cup games thrown in. This is still to be confirmed by Celtic Football Club.

4/2/2003

SEASON BOOKS TO RISE IN PRICE AGAIN.

The club will shortly be announcing its season book prices for next season. Adult prices will rise by 30.00 with children paying an extra 20.00.

The sweetener for the fans is that all domestic cup games played at Celtic Park will be included in our books.

The club are depending very heavily on us winning something this season, we have warned them on several occasions that the prices we pay at present does not represent value for money in the SPL.

For the board to totally ignore our warnings once again and go and increase the prices for next season is madness in the extreme.

Unless they have a late change of mind the increase is expected to be ratified at the meeting of the Celtic Board on Thursday 3rd April 2003.