28/11/2003

Maloney: My Celtic frustration Celtic youngster Shaun Maloney has conceded that he had no option but to sit patiently on the bench. The Scotland Under-21 striker has been kicking his heels as his team-mates have continued their relentless quest for silverware - Celtic have amassed 43 goals in 13 league games, losing just two points and conceded just four this season. They are also on the verge of the Champions League knockout stage but, while Maloney admits to being frustrated, he admits he cannot exactly tell manager Martin O'Neill that he has got it wrong. He said: "The boys have been doing pretty well so I can have no complaints. It's not like they're not doing well. It's frustrating when you don't play. You can't do anything about it but you want them to do well when they're out there but I'm sure I will get a chance."

Thursday 27th November 2003

Hargreaves hails hoops fans.

Bayern Munich star Owen Hargreaves believes Celtic have a big home advantage over the rest of Europe's elite if they make it through to the Champions League knock-out stages.

The midfielder has played in some of the most hostile grounds and biggest competitions for England and his club.

But he was in awe of the Parkhead noise and claimed that the atmosphere generated by the home crowd was the most inspiring and, to some extent, intimidating he has ever experienced. Hargreaves hailed that fanatical support as a reason for the Hoops' incredible 64-match unbeaten run at the stadium.

Celtic need just to avoid defeat away to Lyon to book their place in the knock-out stages and Hargreaves believes they can shock a few teams, especially at fortress Parkhead.

He said: "It's difficult to say if they can go all the way but they have a great team and they play to their strengths. "At home they are definitely a very difficult team to play and when it comes to the knock-out phases anything can happen because it's only two games.

"I've never witnessed anything like this in my football career. It was phenomenal, the atmosphere and the noise that they made - and made for a battle and war for 90 minutes. "I've played in lots of big games and stadiums but I've never witnessed fans making that much noise in 90 minutes.

It was fantastic and a lovely experience." Hargreaves has been a regular feature of Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad since before last season's World Cup. The Swede was at Parkhead to see him and Celtic duo Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson in action. The Canadian-born Bayern star believes the SPL pair are more than capable of playing for their country, especially as his team-mates had to pay them special attention.

"Both of the players have great strengths. Alan Thompson has a great left foot and he can definitely change the game, although in the second half we did well to stop his threat," said Hargreaves. "Sutton is tough because he is very experienced and keeps the ball - so it wasn't easy against them." Hargreaves believes Bayern will also go through to the knock-out stages.

"We definitely have the advantage now," he explained. "We have Anderlecht at home and anything other than three points would be an absolute disappointment

Thursday 27th November 2003

Beckenbauer hails 'fabulous' Celtic


German legend Franz Beckenbauer has heaped praise on Celtic after the Champions League draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

The Hoops only need a point from their final game at Lyon to progress from Group A to follow on from last season’s UEFA Cup final appearance in Seville.

But the Bayern president admitted his relief that the Germans had earned a point at Parkhead.

Beckenbauer said: “Celtic are a fabulous side. It’s no accident they made the UEFA Cup Final. I’m impressed by their running and enthusiasm.

“They played outstanding football for 70 minutes, controlled the match and had the better chances.

“Let’s be thankful we’ve come away with a draw.”

Tuesday 25th November 2003

Celtic's 62-match unbeaten home run means nothing-Kahn

Bayern Munich captain Oliver Kahn believes his side will show their mettle and end Celtic's impressive home run in Tuesday's Champions League clash. "We are FC Bayern and we're going to Glasgow to win," said the Germany goalkeeper, who was not impressed by the fact that Celtic have gone 62 homes matches without defeat since a Champions League 1-0 reverse to Ajax Amsterdam in a third qualifying round second leg match in August 2001.

"Runs are meant to be broken," he added.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld demanded a show of pride for a game Bayern have to win to avoid their destiny slipping out of their hands.

"It's the game of the season," Hitzfeld told reporters before Bayern flew out of Munich on Monday. "I want to see the players give it all they have."

There is plenty at stake for the four-times European champions, who lie third in Group A with two games left and are at risk of making a first-stage exit from the showcase competition for the second successive year.

The German champions have struggled both in Europe and at home this season and their laboured 1-0 win over city rivals TSV 1860 on Saturday which kept them in fourth in the Bundesliga did little to boost their confidence.

"We'll have to play better than that in Glasgow but we can do it and we will," said Kahn.

Bayern's preparations were marred by a row between Michael Ballack and executive manager Uli Hoeness, who said the Germany playmaker was not fit and could hardly run.

"This is not fair because I always give my very best," Ballack responded. "I know I wasn't good in the derby but it was not because I couldn't run."

Hitzfeld can rely on his best possible team with the notable exception of Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler, who is being treated for depression and does not know when he will be able to resume playing.

Bayern Munich midfielder Ze Roberto could miss the Champions League tie at Celtic on Tuesday with a back problem.

The Brazilian returned from international duty with the problem, leaving coach Ottmar Hitzfeld anxiously waiting on the player's fitness for the game at Parkhead.

Hitzfeld told the official Bayern website: "He can only do light training and it is critical for Tuesday whether we can play him."

Sebastian Deisler, Mehmet Scholl and Alexander Zickler will also miss the game against the Hoops.

Butcher expects Pearson to leave

Motherwell manager Terry Butcher has said that he expects Stephen Pearson to leave Fir Park when the transfer window reopens in January.

The 21-year-old came on as a second-half substitute during Scotland's shock 1-0 victory against Holland on Saturday and has already been linked with a host of clubs, including Celtic and Blackburn Rovers.

"He is out of contract at the end of the season and a lot of people are allegedly interested," Butcher told the BBC's official website.

"Obviously if he gets Scotland caps his stock rises. He is a very good player who can take people on at pace.

"He is a quality player who can play at the top level in my opinion. People may think they can take him for nothing, but there are supposedly a lot of clubs interested and we've had one or two enquiries.

"He may well go in January, and if that's the case that's the case, but what he is doing is playing well and helping Motherwell do well.

14/11/2003

Celtic coach McInally turns down Montrose

Jim McInally has turned down an offer to join Montrose to remain coach with Celtic. The ex-Celtic and Aston Villa striker explained:

"It was nice of Montrose but it's not the right move for me at the moment. "As much as I love coaching the kids, I still want to become a manager again in my own right. I've had the experience with Sligo Rovers in Ireland and it's something I really enjoyed. "I'm learning all the time and there can't be anyone better to work under than Martin O'Neill. "It's right to start off at a smaller club before going on to something bigger.

I love working at Celtic but I know the time will come when I've got to do my own thing."

14/11/2003

LARSSON FOR THE BLUES?

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce could be ready to launch a big-money bid to sign Henrik Larsson when his Celtic contract expires in the summer.

The Swedish marksman comes to the end of his stay at Parkhead at the end of the season and he will be one of the most sought-after free transfers of recent times.

Bruce has recently been to Glasgow to watch Martin O'Neill's men in Champions League action, and watched both of their strikers.

The St Andrews boss says that he was casting an eye over Welsh striker John Hartson, but could not hide his interest in Larsson. "I might have gone to watch Hartson but the other one out of contract is a hell of a player," said Bruce. "Mr Larsson's not bad is he?"

The question has always been raised whether Larsson could do well in The Premiership, and he may decide to bring the curtain down on his career south of the border.

Blues co-owner David Sullivan is backing Bruce all the way and will free-up the cash to offer the prolific Swede a bumper deal to move to the second city.

12/11/2003

Hartson happy to stay a Bhoy

Celtic's Welsh international striker John Hartson is happy to stay at Parkhead, despite rumoured interest from a number of

Premiership clubs. The 28-year-old frontman has impressed since returning from a long-term back problem and is content to see out the rest of his

contract, which runs out in the summer of 2005. Hartson's agent, Jonathan Barnett, told the Glasgow Evening Times: "There are a million clubs who are

showing an interest in John. "At least five or six clubs in the Premiership like him and call us all of the time. We get calls almost every day, but John has said he's very happy where he is right now. "There is no reason for him to go anywhere at the moment."

11/11/2003

Henrik Larsson has been named as one of Europe's Top 50 footballers. The King of Kings has been named in France Football Magazine's Top 50

European footballers of the year. Henrik is the only player from a Scottish side to be named in the top 50, which also included names such as Oliver Kahn,

Roy Mackaay, Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry. He was also included in the list in 2001, after winning the European Golden Boot, in Celtic's Treble season.

Larsson was on fire during Celtic's UEFA Cup run, scoring in every tie he played in.

11/11/2003

Peter Scarff Linwood CSC Coach trip to Lyon. Coach leaves Linwood late Monday evening 08th December 2003 for the 7.00 am Tuesday morning ferry at

Dover, Arriving in Lyon early evening. One nights Hotel accommodation in central Lyon. The coach will return directly home after the match. Total cost £130.

Deposit required to secure a seat.

For details contact iain.reynolds@lineone.net

11/11/2003

Apologies for the lack of updates over the past few days, this was due to a server issue with our hosting company, hopefully all is now resolved.