1/30/2003

Injury blow to Mjallby.

Johan Mjallby will be sidelined for the next four weeks after sustaining a small tear on his left thigh.

It is a crushing blow for the Swedish internationalist who played only seven times in the first half of the season after requiring a knee operation at the end of August.

The defender returned to action against Dunfermline on the penultimate game before the winter break after a 16-week absence, but just four games into his comeback he has found himself back on the treatment table.

1/25/2003

CELTIC STRIKER AT TANNADICE

Dundee United have taken Celtic attacker Stephane Bonnes on trial

The 24-year-old Frenchman trained at Tannadice today and will be given next week to impress boss Paul Hegarty. He has never featured regularly for the Hoops, but has been there for some considerable time, having been John Barnes’ first signing during his unsuccessful spell in charge at Parkhead.

If United decide to offer Bonnes a contract, it is understood the deal would involve no fee.

1/25/2003

O'Neill tight-lipped on Celtic future

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill was back in Glasgow today but was still remaining tight-lipped over his future at the Parkhead club.

The Hoops boss finally met up with his players at their Barrowfield training ground in the east end of the city after failing to show during their week-long winter training camp in Florida.

While his players were being put through their paces by assistant John Robertson and coach Steve Walford in Orlando, O’Neill was holding contract talks with Dermot Desmond at the major shareholder’s holiday home in Barbados.

Earlier today, O’Neill seemed keen to show it was business as usual, watching as his players trained ahead of tomorrow night’s Lisbon Lions benefit match against Feyenoord.

But his contract expires at the end of the season and his absence from the United States last week has only intensified speculation that he is set to quit Parkhead.

1/25/2003

Still no decision on Martin O'Neill's future.

The chairman of the Leicester City Supporters Association believes alarm bells should be ringing among Celtic fans over the future of manager Martin O'Neill.

The former Foxes boss is weighing up his options over a possible extension to his contract at Parkhead.

Celtic fans are anxiously waiting for a decision from O'Neill.

But the Leicester supporters were left in a similar position when their then boss was wanted by both Leeds and Celtic.

LCSA chairman Cliff Ginnetta is convinced the current O'Neill situation is "strikingly" similar to the one which eventually saw him leave Leicester.

England forward Emile Heskey was sold to Liverpool in March 2000 for £11 million after the Leicester board found the enormous offer too much to resist.

Heskey was an integral part of the success O'Neill enjoyed with City.

Ginnetta now believes the expected departure of Hoops striker Henrik Larsson could have a similar effect on O'Neill's decision.

Ginnetta said: "Heskey leaving the club was one of the main reasons which prompted Martin to leave Leicester.

"When you lose a top player like that the manager must think it's time to go himself.

"Celtic have got a massive fan base but you wonder whether they have the money and the attraction to bring the top players to the club."

1/25/2003

John Hartson named player of the month.

Celtic striker John Hartson has been named the Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League player of the month for December. Hartson has been in outstanding form and scored five goals in the last month of 2002 including a wonderful hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Hearts on Boxing Day.

Earlier this season the Welsh international had expressed concern over his lack of first-team starts at Parkhead.

Despite bagging 25 goals for Celtic last season Hartson was unable to dislodge the strike pairing of Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton and it was rumoured he would leave Glasgow.

But with boss Martin O'Neill recently deploying Sutton in a more withdrawn midfield role Hartson has flourished in his partnership up front with Larsson scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

1/25/2003

No replacement for Gould?????

Terry Gennoe has admitted he’s not yet sure whether Martin O’Neill will delve into the transfer market to replace the recently departed Jonathan Gould.

1/25/2003

Lack of regular updates.

Please note that the lack of regular updates is due to me relocating to a new job in Kent. I hope to resolve this within the next few days and have the rants page updated more frequently over the coming days/months.

1/25/2003

Celtic v St Mirren

ST MIRREN manager John Coughlin has expressed his delight at drawing mighty Celtic in the third round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup. A trip to Parkhead on January 25 represents a real financial fillip for The Buddies who are in desperate need of a cash injection.

"It is absolutely fantastic for the club," beamed Coughlin.

"The money will be a great boost for the club, so I obviously applaud that and we can look to better times in the future.

"When Celtic came out of the hat I thought there was no chance of us getting them because there was still so many teams in there.

"But when our name was read out I couldn't believe it and the feeling I got was incredible so everyone's looking forward to it."

St Mirren have the cash boost they wanted but must now shut out the likes of Henrik Larsson, Stilian Petrov and Chris Sutton to reach the fourth round.

1/25/2003

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A very happy New Year to Celtic fans worldwide from all at The Affiliation.