5/30/2003

Chris Sutton hit by four match ban.

The ban is due to comments which he supposedly said to referee Kenny Clark and his two assistants, following Celtic's 4-0 win at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Sutton was give 2 red cards in the tunnel, and was already booked in the game for 'persistent fouling'.

We will miss the big man at the start of the new season with John Hartson also likely still to be recovering from his back problem.

5/30/2003

Diouf pleads not guilty.

Liverpool's Senegal star El-Hadji Diouf has pleaded not guilty to assaulting a Celtic fan during their Uefa Cup clash at Parkhead in March.

The 22-year-old striker is accused of spitting at a fan during the quarter-final match in Glasgow.

Diouf was excused attendance at the hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court before Sheriff Normand.

Murray McCarra, representing the Liverpool player, told the court that his client pleaded not guilty to the charge.

A trial date has been fixed for September 4.

5/27/2003

Celtic v Arsenal

Martin O'Neill's side will take on Arsene Wenger's Highbury side in a glamour pre-season friendly on Saturday, 2nd August.

The Hoops will also test themselves against Manchester United and AC Milan during their pre-season trip to the United States.

The game against Arsenal will kick off at 3pm and ticket details will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

The match will give O'Neill's side a difficult test ahead of their first Champions League qualifier which will be played four days later.

5/27/2003

Hartson undergoes back op.

John Hartson is today recuperating in hospital after undergoing successful surgery on his back.

A herniated disc suffered in the 2-1 victory over Rangers on March 16 dictated that the burly Welshman was forced to watch from the sidelines as Celtic’s hopes of a league and UEFA Cup double crumbled, and a 10-week period of patient rehabilitation now awaits him.

Thankfully, however, the surgeon who performed the operation is said to be happy that it was a complete success and, as things stand, Hartson should return home some time on Thursday.

5/27/2003

UEFA praise for Celtic.

UEFA Venue Director Antonio Giachino has written to Celtic to commend the conduct of both players and supporters during last Wednesday’s UEFA Cup Final.

In the act of losing to FC Porto, the club won plenty of new admirers, and Giachino insisted that the occasion had confirmed Celtic’s status as ‘a proud member of the European football elite.’

He wrote: “I would like to congratulate your team on its performance in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup final at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville on Wednesday evening, and to offer our commiseration for the fact that your players' endeavours did not result in victory.

"We would also like to compliment you on the remarkable campaign conducted by Celtic FC on the way to the first UEFA Cup final in the club's history, as well as on the manner in which your players, despite their disappointment, accepted the verdict of their defeat to FC Porto.

"Unfortunately, every final must have a loser. Nevertheless, your club's achievement in reaching the final reflects the professional attitude and commitment of your team and of the club's officials, and confirms that Celtic FC is a proud member of the European football elite.

"You may also have the satisfaction of knowing that, although your team did not win the game, your supporters present in Seville proved to the world that football fans can turn a match into a fiesta. In this respect, we were most impressed with your supporters, who displayed great sportsmanship in acknowledging and accepting the final result on Wednesday.

"We should also like to express our sincere gratitude to you, and to all your club's officials and staff, for the competent and friendly co-operation you offered us at all times during the final in Seville.

"We are looking forward to working together with you in the coming 2003/04 UEFA Club Competitions season.”

5/27/2003

Henke for La Liga?

Henrik Larsson is aiming to move to Spain next summer - and would rather play in La Liga than extend his Celtic contract.

The Hoops striker, who has 201 goals in six prolific years at Parkhead, is ready to turn his back on Celtic when his current contract expires.

And Larsson, who scored twice in last week's UEFA Cup final, hopes to end his career in La Liga, which he believes is the world's top league.

But Larsson, who has retired from international football for the second time, said his decision was not a knee-jerk reaction to missing out on the UEFA Cup and the SPL title.

"I am going to complete my Celtic contract and play in Scotland for one more year, I hope it goes well.

"But it would be a dream for me to finish my career with a couple of years in Spain.

"It has the best league in the world and I like the weather. I think my family would like the lifestyle.

"I have been thinking about this for a while but let's wait and see if there's any interest."

5/25/2003

SEVILLE GETS BACK TO NORMALITY.

Seville is getting back to normal after the invasion of 70,000 Celtic fans. Supporters left a makeshift flag reading, "Gracias Sevilla de la Celtic" - thank you Seville from Celtic. The message was left on a banner near the city's 500-year-old cathedral - one of the biggest in the world - which the army of fans used as their base. It was here that the massed ranks gathered to sing their anthems and extend the hand of friendship to locals and Porto fans.

The friendly invasion of the beautiful city - capital of Andalucia - lasted a week. Today it was life as normal at the cathedral, which buzzed with tour parties from across Europe and schoolchildren. Horses and carts at the rear stood still. Previously they had formed a train carrying fans four at a time around the city. In bars, locals discussed the remarkable scenes witnessed over the past few days. In one, Antonio Sanchez, 75, said: "We miss Celtic. They are in our hearts and we would welcome Glasgow back again."

An open-top bus tour showed that the flags and scarves were gone. The songs which filled the air were also absent. But everyone the Evening Times spoke to agreed the Celtic fans had left memories that would echo around the tapas bars for a long time to come.

5/24/2003

This may be a long shot but here goes anyway, a fan we met up with in Seville on Wednesday mislaid or had his bag stolen inside the stadium on Wednesday evening.

The bag contained a Canon MV20 camcorder some tapes and wiring for the camcorder, it also contained a pair of black Calvin Klein prescription glasses.

I believe the fans seat was in 207B no486 block O or something similar.

The guy is not so concerned about the camcorder but would dearly love to retrieve the tapes as it’s like his video diary of his time in Seville with his family and the Celtic supporters.

If anyone on the list could help with the recovery of the goods a reward would be available.

The fan was so desperate to see the game that he paid 1200 euros about 800 quid on the day of the game for two tickets for himself and his 15-year-old son.

If anyone can help with any information could they please e-mail me at mdinning@yahoo.com.

regards,

Mick Dinning (secretary)

The Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs.

5/24/2003

Liverpool fans want to see hoops win title.

According to an exclusive poll on the official LFC website, more Liverpool fans will be supporting Celtic than Rangers as the Scottish title goes to the wire this weekend.

We asked Liverpool supporters who they wanted to win the Scottish title and in a poll of over 4,000 votes - twice as many plumped for Celtic over Rangers.

The final results were 2,752 votes for Celtic and 1,343 for Rangers.

Rangers and Celtic go into the final round of matches together on 94 points. Rangers start as favourites to clinch the title. They have a one-goal advantage over their Glasgow rivals and face fifth-placed Dunfermline at home. Dunfermline have scored only one goal in their last four visits to Ibrox while conceding 16. Celtic take on in-form Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

5/13/2003

Hartson struggling for Uefa Cup final.

John Hartson is doubtful for Celtic's Uefa Cup final clash with Porto next week but fears over Magnus Hedman have eased.

Hartson is being closely monitored by the Parkhead medical team after a back injury threatened his chances.

The forward has not played since the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on April 27.

His recovery has been described as slow by the club website despite returning to running in training.

But fears that the Hoops would be without a recognised goalkeeper for the final in Seville next week are disappearing after Hedman came through an under-21 game against Dundee United unscathed.

The Swedish international has not played since February due to knee ligament damage.

Hedman said: "Fitness-wise, I have no problems but now I need to work on getting back a bit of sharpness.

"I want to take it step by step but obviously my target is to be part of the squad in Seville."

Steve Guppy also returned to action in the 4-2 win over the Tannadice side after a double hernia operation.

Chris Sutton, Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren all came through the 1-0 victory over Hearts without any adverse reaction.

But Bobby Petta has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after sustaining an ankle injury in training.

5/13/2003

Lennon assault - man charged

A 19-year-old man has been charged with assaulting Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon.

The move follows an alleged incident in the Hillhead area of Glasgow in the early hours of 8 May.

A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Inquiries are continuing."

A date is yet to be set for the man to appear in court. He is no longer being held by police.

5/10/2003

Celtic fan's Seville service

With the UEFA Cup final just a few weeks away, the fanatical reputation of Celtic FC supporters is looking increasingly deserved, especially after it was revealed that one fan is intending to take a 48,000 kilometre flight to soak up the atmosphere of the final against FC Porto in Seville, despite not having a ticket. Jim McQuillan, a 34-year-old office worker, intends to spend 62 hours in the air, making a total of ten flights, in order to get to the Estadio Olimpico. Australian by birth but Scottish by blood, McQuillan demonstrated his canny Caledonian eye for a bargain with his choice of flight. "I have to be there and a round-the-world ticket was the cheapest way to go," he said. McQuillan only recently returned to Australia after spending several years living in Govanhill, Glasgow and he cursed his timing on the eve of his journey. "I can't believe I spent the last 13 years in Scotland then Celtic get to the UEFA Cup final six months after I return to Australia," he said. "I don't particularly like flying so I'll have a couple of beers and hope they knock me out."

5/9/2003

Liverpool star charged by Strathclyde Police.

El Hadji-Diouf has been charged with assault for allegedly spitting at a fan during a UEFA Cup match.

The striker has been told he is facing criminal prosecution in Scotland following the incident during the match against Celtic.

He was excused attendance at court today (Friday, May 9) where he was accused of spitting at Celtic supporter Dominic Schiavone in March.

Senegalese Diouf will have to appear personally later this month at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Today, no plea was made before Sheriff Craig Henry.

A police investigation was launched the day after the Liverpool FC match against Celtic, which ended in a 1-1.

An incident involving Diouf sparked an angry reaction from a grou of Celtic supporters in the 60,000-strong home crowd.

Diouf was subsitituted by manager Gerard Houllier just minutes later.

Two Celtic fans were arrested following the incident, in which they were seen grabbing the player as he fell into the stand.

They were later released without charge.

But Strathclyde police compiled a report on the incident and sent it to the Procurator Fiscal, the Scottish version of the Crown Prosecution Service.

Dozens of Celtic fans standing in the vicinity were interviewed about what they saw.

After the match, the African player of the year apologised for his behaviour.

But after weeks of deliberation, Liverpool FC and Diouf were both told that he would be charged with assault for spitting.

5/9/2003

O'Neill signs Celtic deal.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has finally signed his new 12-month rolling contract that was originally agreed in January.

The former Leicester City boss' earlier admission that he had still to sign the contract had led to renewed speculation about his future, prompting him to put pen to paper.

"I have signed the documents," said O'Neill. "But it still won't prevent me from getting the bullet if the results don't go right.

"Brian Clough once said that the only thing that is inevitable in football is getting the boot.

"It doesn't make a bit of difference to me, but I suppose it satisfies some people that it's done.

"I had a meeting in January and I suppose some would see it as bizarre and there's been plenty of talk about it in the last few days."

5/1/2003

Celtic v Dundee match brought forward.

The game scheduled for Saturday 17th May 2003, has been brought forward to Wednesday 14th May 2003, this will give Celtic more time to prepare for the UEFA Cup final against FC Porto in Seville the following week. Dundee football club should be applauded for their willingness to allow Celtic more time to get ready for there biggest games in over 30 years.

5/1/2003