7/28/2003

GAME GOES AHEAD

UEFA today confirmed Celtic's Champions League qualifier with FBK Kaunas on Wednesday will go ahead despite the death of one of their star players yesterday. Striker Audrius Slekys, 28, was killed when his BMW crashed into a wall. His funeral will be tomorrow.

7/28/2003

STRIKER'S DEATH PUTS TIE IN DOUBT

The first leg of Celtic's Champions League second qualifying round tie against FBK Kaunas may be postponed due to the tragic death of the Lithuanian club's striker Audrius Slekys.

Last season's UEFA Cup runners-up Celtic are due to visit Kaunas for the first leg on Wednesday.

However, a UEFA spokesman said on Monday morning that although European football's governing body had not yet heard from Kaunas, a postponement would be a possibility should they be approached.

"We haven't received any request from FBK Kaunas for the game to be postponed," he said.

"Should we receive one we would certainly look at it."

Celtic were also stunned by the news and offered their sympathy to the Lithuanian club. A spokesperson said: "We are deeply shocked to hear of the tragic death of Audrius Slekys. The thoughts of everyone at Celtic are with his family, loved ones and team-mates at this terrible time." end

7/24/2003

FANS' CHIEF BACKS O'NEILL

Celtic fans' chief Peter Rafferty is refusing to panic despite the mauling by Manchester United in the United States and lack of signings this summer. With the lack of transfer activity as the season rapidly approaches, supporters could be forgiven for getting twitchy. Martin O'Neill has failed to add to the squad which ended the previous campaign empty-handed and weaknesses seemed to be cruelly exposed as they were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester United in Seattle. But despite those issues, the president of Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs insists that Hoops fans still have faith in O'Neill to get it right for the start of season 2003/2004. "There's no need for concern," said Rafferty. "Celtic want to win every game and we don't play friendlies. "Nevertheless if you are going to learn anything it's probably in these games rather than when it comes to the full competitive games. "I wouldn't read too much into it and we are looking forward to the new season in domestic terms and definitely in the Champions League. "I don't think there's any great concern. We know Martin has mentioned that he would like to strengthen his squad. He has brought some quality young players in to bring the average age of the first-team squad down. "He's been exceptionally shrewd and let's not forget that we have been one of the few teams who haven't lost any of our first-team squad over the close season." Rafferty is eager to see the club replace playmaker Lubo Moravcik and he is confident that the Celtic boss will do just that. He continued: "There's been a number of quality midfield players mentioned without anybody been signed. But Martin knows exactly who he wants so the fans have got 100 per cent confidence in the manager's ability to meet that demand."

7/24/2003

PETER THE POINTER BECOMES ASSISTANT BOSS AT BOURNEMOUTH

Ex Celt Peter Grant is about to sign a new contract as assistant manager with AFC Bournemouth. The move officially marks the end of an incredible 22-year-long career as a footballer with the likes of Scotland, Celtic, Norwich, Reading and Bournemouth.

7/20/2003

From today's Seattle Times

Players to watch: Celtic of Glasgow

Henrik Larsson, No. 7

Born: Sept. 20, 1971; Helsingborg, Sweden

Noteworthy: The striker is hailed as "the king of kings" by Celtic supporters. As one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, the Swede has won a plethora of personal accolades, including the Golden Shoe award in 2001 when his total of 53 goals made him the first Scandinavian to win the award. How Celtic will replace him when he bids farewell in 2004 remains to be seen but, regardless, Larsson will depart guaranteed a place at the top table of Celtic legends.

Chris Sutton, No. 9

Born: March 10, 1973; Nottingham, England

Noteworthy: Chris Sutton signed for Celtic after a miserable season at Stamford Bridge, and has enjoyed something of a renaissance in Glasgow. The striker began the 2001-02 season formidably and produced a number of spectacular performances in the Champions League. Injury problems and the ill health of his baby son interrupted his season, but when fully fit, Sutton's fiercely competitive style is a potent threat to opposition defenses.

John Hartson, No. 10

Born: May 5, 1975; Swansea, Wales

Noteworthy: When Martin O'Neill took a $9.6 million gamble on John Hartson in 2001, there were those who predicted it would all end in tears. Two years later, 88 games and 49 goals later, those doubters have been silenced. After a sticky start to his Celtic career, the burly Welshman has steadily established himself as a fan favorite.

7/19/2003

Cash demands rules out Broto return.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has ended any possibility of goalkeeper Javier Sanchez Broto returning to Parkhead.

The former Livingston star, who has been tracked by Ipswich, was unable to reach agreement withs the Hoops after his short-term contract ended this summer.

The Spaniard reportedly slept with two mobile phones on his pillow awaiting a call from O'Neill while on holiday in his homeland earlier this month.

But O'Neill admitted any possibility of the popular keeper returning to the fold had been made impossible by the player's demands.

"Funnily enough, I like Javier enormously, but it was about money," said the Irishman.

Now O'Neill insists he will promote the talents of under-21 goalkeeper David Marshall as understudy to Rab Douglas and Magnus Hedman.

The 20-year-old is currently with the first-team squad in America ahead of the friendlies against Manchester United and Boca Juniors next week.

O'Neill added "I think everyone knows my feeling on young Marshall. He definitely has a future in the game. He works hard and is enjoying being away with us. He is a fine keeper."

7/17/2003

Lithuania looms again for the Hoops.

LITHUANIAN champions Kaunas took a major step towards a Champions League meeting with Celtic after taking a 1-0 advantage over their Faroe Islands counterparts HB Torshavn last night.

Europe’s premier competition got under way last night as the minnow side’s battled out the first legs of the first qualifying round.

Celtic, who reached the UEFA Cup final after failing to make the group stages last season, will play the winners next month and the Lithuanians certainly have the upper hand, taking a precious away-goal victory into next week’s second leg.

In front of a meagre 1,600 crowd in the stadium that witnessed Scotland’s embarassing 2-2 draw with the Faroes last September, Lithuania international Martin Opic scored the all important goal in the 75th minute.

Kaunas had Andreus Gedgaudas sent off in the 83rd minute but comfortably saw out the final seven minutes.

7/12/2003

Varga signs new Celtic deal

Celtic defender Stanislav Varga has signed a new two-year deal.

The Slovakia international joined the Hoops in February as a free agent following a trial spell.

The giant centre-half was picked just twice for the first team by manager Martin O'Neill - the Scottish Cup defeat at Inverness and the final day win at Kilmarnock.

The 30-year-old was offered a new contract and, after playing his part in a three-game tour of Sweden this week, has returned to Parkhead to sign the contract.

Varga told www.celticfc.net: "I'm very happy to have signed. Now I am just looking forward to helping Celtic to win some trophies because, at any club, and especially one as big as this, that is always the most important thing.

"Last season was still a great one in many ways, but it is gone now and we have to try and move forward.

"I'm just happy I will be part of Celtic for the next two years because I always wanted to stay.

"For me, everything is fine - fantastic, in fact - and I am grateful to the gaffer because he has been very good to me.

"He has given me the chance to play for a great club for another two seasons, and I will give both him and the team everything I have."

7/9/2003

Have paitience Boss urges fans.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has urged fans to be patient over the lack of transfer activity over the summer.

While Old Firm rivals Rangers have set about strengthening their squad for the new campaign, there has been no news from Parkhead.

But Hoops boss O'Neill insists there is still time for signings to happen before the new season kicks off.

He said: "I'm asked the same question every single year and you should know by now that I'll give you exactly the same answer.

"We will try to get players in if we can and that's really it.

"I'll try my very best and, if we can, then we can. Like anything else, we would try to freshen up, but the side did actually get 97 points last season and got to a Uefa Cup final as well.

"And you can also see that some of the young lads are coming through but I'm not any different to anyone else and I would like to freshen things.

"Everyone thinks it's all quiet on the western front but we might do something."

7/4/2003

BOSS ESCAPES UEFA RAP

There was a major pre-season boost for Celtic manager Martin O'Neill when he escaped punishment for his angry outburst following the controversial UEFA Cup final defeat to FC Porto in May.

The outspoken Northern Irishman was incensed by the play-acting of some of the Porto players and the appointment and display of referee Lubos Michel after his side went down 3-2 in Seville.

After a number of run-ins with UEFA, O'Neill must have feared the worst, but, after considering the criticism at a hearing today, the European governing body decided no action was necessary.

A spokesman for UEFA said: "No disciplinary case has been or will be opened against Mr Martin O'Neill further to his comments and that is the end of the matter."

The Celtic boss has been banned from the dugout on two separate occasions in Europe in the past two seasons.

He was annoyed when Michel failed to take action against apparent time-wasting by the Portuguese side but the Slovakian referee made no mention of the comments in his report.

O'Neill will now be in the dugout against either HB Torshavn or Kaunas in the second qualifying round of the Champions League.

7/1/2003

Paul Byrne offered trial by Carlisle Utd.

Carlisle United manager Roddy Collins has offered a trial to the former Celtic midfielder Paul Byrne. Byrne’s claim to fame in the green and white hoops came when he scored the equalizer for Celtic in a Premier League match against Old Firm rivals Rangers in the mid 90’s. The player was Collins' captain at Bohemians and the Carlisle boss is a big fan of the 29-year-old. "He was excellent at Celtic, but he had a bad time when Lou Macari left. I took him under my wing at Bohemians and made him captain. He is an excellent player and I seemed to get the best out of him. "I told him to come over here. There are no strings attached. If he shapes up in pre-season we will sit down and have a chat."

7/1/2003
10:29:19 AM

Motherwell rumour doing the rounds.

Motherwell are interested in Celtic strikers John Paul McGovern and Craig Beattie. McGovern spent last season on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, while Beattie was recently linked with a move to Spurs. Terry Butcher is quoted as saying: "John Paul is one we've looked at. Craig Beattie is another, a very good up-and-coming striker."

One question, where will they get the cash?

7/1/2003

Milan cancel Celtic friendly

AC Milan have pulled out of the friendly against Celtic which was set to be played during the Bhoys' pre-season tour of the United States.

The clash was scheduled to take place on 25 July in Ohio and the club are still considering whether to arrange alternative opposition or return to Scotland earlier than planned.

A club spokesman told www.celticfc.net: "Due to a decision taken by AC Milan, it is with regret that our match, scheduled to take place in Cleveland on 25th July 2003 has been cancelled.

"No decision has yet been taken on whether to arrange a replacement match against other opposition, or to return home earlier than first scheduled to prepare for the Champions League qualifier.

"We are currently examining our options and will inform supporters of any new fixture as soon as possible."