Friday, 30 January 2004

20.32

MILOSEVIC SIGNS UP UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON

Celtic have completed the signing of Danny Milosevic until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old has impressed during a trial period with the Hoops and will be included in the squad to face Kilmarnock tomorrow.

The former Leeds goalkeeper moves into the vacancy created by Magnus Hedman’s loan departure to Italian side Ancona.

O’Neill earlier revealed he was keen to sign him until the end of the season as back-up to Robert Douglas.

He said: “He’s cheerful, wants to play and wants to have a go at it.”

O’Neill admitted he reluctantly allowed Hedman to go and insists the former Coventry man still has a future at Parkhead.

He revealed that he would have turned his request down had Sweden not been in the European Championships – but has told the goalkeeper that he could still be his number one.

“I didn’t really want him to go,” said O’Neill.

Friday, 30 January 2004

17:00

CRAINEY MOVES TO SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton FC have signed Celtic FC's Scottish international left-back Stephen Crainey for a fee in the region of £500,000.
The 22-year-old defender, who has struggled to hold down a first-team place with the Scottish Premier League leaders this season, completed a medical on Friday before agreeing a three-and-a-half year deal.
"We are delighted he has joined us," said Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe. "It is a good move for the player and the club. He is the right age and will be a good one for the future."

Wednesday 28th January 2004

17.30

Hedman heads for Italy

Celtic goalkeeper Magnus Hedman has joined Serie A outfit Ancona on loan for the remainder of the season.

The Swedish ace has been out of favour at Parkhead recently, with Robert Douglas taking over in goal since the Bhoys' Champions League exit against Lyon.

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill agreed to let the former Coventry man go so as not to hamper his chances of playing for his country at the European Championships later this year.

He said: "Magnus wanted to go on loan because he felt that his chances of first-team football may have been limited here at the moment and his position in the Swedish national side could be under threat. After due consideration I agreed to the loan."

The Northern Irishman has already moved to fill the void by taking former Leeds youngster Danny Milosevic on trial.

Wednesday 28th January 2004

15.05

Guinea 1 Rwanda 1

Bobo's team drop valuable two points as Rwanda snatch equaliser three minutes into injury time

Wednesday 28th January 2004

12:45

Gray join Blackburn

Sunderland's long-serving former skipper Michael Gray has joined Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer.

The England international left-back has made just two appearances for the Black Cats this season and spent four months of the campaign on loan at Celtic.

Wednesday 28th January 2004

12:40

Kennedy happy to stay a Bhoy
 

Celtic defender John Kennedy says he is happy to stay at Parkhead, despite struggling to make a first-team impact with the SPL leaders.

The 20-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has only started a handful of games for Martin O'Neill's side, but is content to bide his time for an extended run in the first team.

Kennedy said: "I have not set a time limit on getting a regular game. Obviously I am looking for first-team football but it doesn't happen too often at Celtic for young players.

"Contract talks have not started yet, but things are starting to get in motion and the manager more or less told me that I would be there for the long run.

"So I am just looking forward to getting everything sorted and staying a Celtic player for as long as it takes to become a regular.

"But I want to stay at the club. Who would want to leave a club the size of Celtic?"

Wednesday 28th January 2004

12:30

Ibrox match rescheduled.

Wednesday 28th January 2004

12:30

Martin O'Neill has vowed to keep defender John Kennedy at Celtic.

After an impressive display in the win at Aberdeen, when Kennedy replaced African Nations Cup-bound Bobo Balde, the Hoops boss is determined to thrash out a new deal for the 20-year-old.

O'Neill told the Celtic View: "His contract is obviously up at the end of the season and we would always have been looking to get things sorted out as soon as possible in any case.

"We certainly want him to stay and, if he continues to play to the standard of Saturday's performance, he'll have a big future here.

"The fact he slotted in so comfortably in the absence of big Bobo, who's been a real stalwart for us over recent seasons, did him immense credit."

O'Neill is also set for discussions with another defender after Stanislav Varga triggered an extension clause in his contract by playing his 30th game for Celtic at Pittodrie.

The Celtic boss added: "I think Stan knows how keen we are to keep him here and I'll definitely be sitting down with him sooner rather than later to discuss things.

"He's done exceptionally well for us and has compensated magnificently for the fact that we've been without players who have been absolutely vital to our hopes over the past few years.

"I'm sure he has enjoyed it over the past few months and we'll certainly be speaking to him in the near future to get things tied up.

"As things stand, it looks like that won't be until just after the transfer window closes but Stan is entitled to a new deal and that's exactly what he'll get."

Tuesday 27th January 2004

10:40

Referee for Saturday's game

Tom Brown is the referee for Celtic's home match on Saturday against Kilmarnock

Sunday 25th January 2004

17.10

Bobo's team off to winning start

DR Congo 1-2 Guinea
Celtic star Bobo Balde helped his team to a win in this afternoon's African Cup of Nations Group A match. Bobo seemingly strolled through this one as Guinea pulled off a shock win.

Celtic employees to go in cost cutting exercise.

Friday 23rd January 2004

17:54

Celtic have announced a "limited number of redundancies'' at the club in a cost-cutting exercise.

The Parkhead plc board want to improve efficiency across its business operations.

But the savings from the redundancies are expected to be ploughed back into footballing side of the club.

Celtic could shed up to 30 jobs with the cost-cutting measures.

A Parkhead statement said: "Celtic plc today announced the start of a rationalisation programme as the club moves to improve efficiency and lower costs across its business operations.

"The programme is expected to result in a limited number of redundancies, with some unprofitable operations likely to close.

"Celtic will enter into a consultative process with the employees concerned over the coming weeks.

"The measures are expected to yield significant cost savings to the club.''

Friday 23rd January 2004

15.30

Tuesday 20th January 2004

20:10

Ex Celt Peter the Pointer to join West Ham United

Tuesday 20th January 2004

11:45

Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has revealed that he could quit football altogether at the end of the season.

The Hoops legend will quit Parkhead in the summer when his current deal expires and his availability has already sparked a race for his signature.

Larsson has been linked with moves to the Barclaycard Premiership and Catalan giants Barcelona.

But he insists he is not willing to speak to interested clubs until the end of the season - and could just as easily decide to return to his home-town instead.

Larsson told Swedish newspaper Expressen: "I might quit football after this season and move home to Helsingborg.

"That's as probable as me deciding to keep playing. This guessing game is just annoying.

"I will not get in contact with other teams. Everything has to go through my agent and we will agree what will happen when my contract with Celtic runs out."

Monday 19th January 2004

09:10

It's in THE SUN it must be true

Henrik Larsson will sign for Barcelona on a free transfer when he leaves Celtic at the end of the season, says The Sun.

The paper claims Larsson has snubbed Newcastle and other Premiership clubs to play in La Liga.

It is reported that the Sweden striker has been offered around £70,000 a week by Barca.

Saturday 17th January 2004

13:10:00

Agent denies Henrik's Newcastle link.

Henrik Larsson's agent Rob Jansen has scotched suggestions that Newcastle United have commenced negotiations with the Celtic striker

Saturday 17th January 2004

11:00:34

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier admits he had heated discussions with Celtic counterpart Martin O'Neill after he was linked with the Anfield job.
Houllier was angry that O'Neill failed to dampen speculation that he would succeed him at Anfield.

O'Neill phoned Houllier and the Reds boss said: "I told him that in the English press there were no
denials from him.

"We have sorted it out now and there is no problem. Everything is fine."

O'Neill had been named as the prime candidate to take over from Houllier after he came under pressure following a poor start to the season.

But the speculation has eased after a run of three successive wins and Houllier is confident O'Neill will no longer be touted for his job.

He said: "As far as Martin O'Neill goes, I don't think the speculation about him and my job will come back again.

"The Martin O'Neill saga has been going on for about 14 months now. To be fair to him, he phoned me. I am pleased that he did that. I value our relationship, as I told him.

"At the time when the rumours were reaching their height, and in a very light-hearted way I just said
Martin must have very good friends in the press because his name keeps coming out.

"As I said maybe he has a very good agent. I know now that he has no agent, by the way."

Houllier added: "I think maybe those light-hearted comments had offended him.

"I am sorry about that. But we have sorted it all out now, and there is no problem. Everything is fine.

"In the first stage, yes, the rumours were irritating; then at the second stage it became extremely
entertaining.

"It got to the point where Sam Allardyce was being linked with my job last week. That was funny."

16/01/2004
23:18:26

Henrik for Newcastle ????????

Tonight's Sky Sports News updates are reporting that Henrik is close to signing a pre-contract agreement with Newcastle.

15/01/2004

Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard is refusing to rule out a move to sign "great player" Henrik Larsson. Larsson is set to quit Celtic Park at the end of this summer when his contract expires. The Swede insists he has not yet decided on his next port of call but had previously indicated he would like a spell in Spain before returning to his homeland. Although Barca boss Rijkaard is not short of firepower - with the likes of Patrick Kluivert and Ronaldinho to call upon - he makes no secret of the fact he is a big fan of Larsson. He told Scotland Today: "If all the circumstances are right he would fit into the project of Barcelona. "He is a little bit older now - but he has always had good form. For me, though, it is difficult to talk about other players because I am working with my team. "I have three strikers who are in good shape, so let's wait and see. But I think he is a great striker - and he has showed that in all the years and games he has played. "He has had a wonderful career, and I think he is a great player." Larsson has never played in one of Europe's big leagues, having moved to Scotland from the Dutch league in 1997. The one question he has never attempted to answer is whether he could have been as successful in front of goal on a bigger stage. Rijkaard said: "Barcelona is a big step to come from another country with a different culture and mentality. But Larsson has played a lot of international games, so he knows how to handle those situations. "If you have a good player in a country like Scotland and other clubs are searching for a player like that then he has two possibilities. "He is either going to conquer the other country and be really satisfied or he won't manage it. That is always the question. "If you make a step like that you have to set the goals which you want to achieve."

15/01/2004

Leicester welcome back Guppy

Leicester captain Matt Elliott has welcomed the return of winger Steve Guppy - and he believes his deadly crossing ability can help Les Ferdinand and Co score the goals to keep to the Foxes in the Premiership. Guppy has rejoined City on a free transfer from Celtic and has signed a short-term contract until the end of the current campaign. Elliott told the Press Association: "It's good to have Steve back on board. I saw the reports that he could be back on the scene and it's good news for us. He had a great time here before, being a key player in the side that had a lot of success, and if he can recreate that sort of form then everyone will be happy." The 34-year-old enjoyed the most successful spell of his career during the Martin O'Neill era at Leicester and he won his only England cap against Belgium at The Stadium Of Light in October 1999. Guppy followed O'Neill - and Neil Lennon - to Celtic three seasons ago but he has recently been on the fringe of the first team plans at Parkhead.

14/01/2004

Travel difficulties for Tynecastle M8:

RESURFACING WORKS JUNCTION 1 HERMISTON GAIT – JUNCTION 2 CLAYLANDS Friday, 16 January, to Monday, 19 January, 2004 WEEKEND OF CELTIC / HEARTS SPL CLASH AT TYNECASTLE Amey Highways in Scotland, today (13 January, 2004) advised drivers that a planned maintenance programme of resurfacing work on the M8, between junction 1 Hermiston Gait and Junction 2 Claylands, will begin at 7.30pm on Friday, 16 January and be completed by 6.00am on Monday, 19 January, 2004. Football fans travelling to Tynecastle via the M8 for the Celtic / Heart of Midlothian Scottish Premier League clash on Sunday, 20 January, 2004 should be aware that the westbound carriageway will be closed during the works. A contraflow will be in operation, all traffic will be running on the eastbound carriageway with one lane heading westbound and two lanes heading eastbound. Kenny Kerr, Unit Manager for Amey Highways, South East Unit said: “Amey Highways is carrying out this work as part of an ongoing maintenance programme on behalf of the Scottish Executive. We are committed to provided advance warning to motorists of forthcoming works and have identified that traffic levels may be higher this Sunday due to the Celtic/Hearts football match in Edinburgh. “We regret any inconvenience that this work may cause and would advise football fans, shoppers and families alike to allow extra time for their journey when travelling on the M8 this weekend.”

14/01/2004

Valgaeren raring to go.

Celtic defender Joos Valgaeren is finally ready to return to training after a nightmare catalogue of injuries this season. The 27-year-old has started just seven games in a season interrupted by groin problems, but the Belgium international wants to get back to business as soon as possible. Valgaeren told celticfc.net: "I am close to full fitness and I hope I'll join in training on Thursday and Friday with the rest of the first team. I will need a couple of games at under-21s level to get my match fitness and my sharpness back. But I hope I have had my bad luck for the season now." Valgaeren is determined to try to make up for lost time. "I want to put my injury worries behind me and play a part in the remainder of the season," he said. "Pre-season was fine, and then I played a couple of games and I was involved in the qualifiers for the Champions League. But from then on it was one injury after another. I played a few under-21s games and then came back and got injured in training. It has been a nightmare season for me, but I hope that's it behind me now. "These things happen in football, and you have to accept it. It has been a while since I played first-team football, so I do need my sharpness back. But I would like to think that I can soon start pushing to play again." Valgaeren recognises his chances of making an immediate return to first-team duty are limited after the form Stanislav Varga has shown this year. But the Belgian is the first to acknowledge what his Slovakian team-mate has done so far this year. Valgaeren said: "Stan Varga has done brilliantly this season. It took a little time for him to settle here and get his fitness up. But no one can imagine Celtic without him at the moment - that's how influential he has been." He added: "I'm looking forward to getting back, because I've hardly been involved and the healthy league position isn't down to me; it has been down to the guys playing every week. The guys have done magnificently over the season. It has been great so far, but there are an awful lot of games to play. We know what can happen if we lose a couple of games. It is a nice position to be in, but we won't be letting our concentration slip at all."

12/01/2004

Pearson shines in U21 victory Stephen Sullivan Scottish Premierleague Under-21s, Monday January 12, 2004, Excelsior Stadium CELTIC…. 2 Sylla 64, 74 DUNFERMLINE… 0 If Stephen Pearson thought life as a Celtic player was going to be all glitz, glamour and sell-out crowds, he learned differently today at a rain-soaked Excelsior Stadium. There, in front of a handful of hardy souls braving sleet and freezing January temperatures, he splashed and squelched his way through a match that was made predictably scrappy by the monsoon conditions Lanarkshire was subjected to this afternoon. Yet it was to Pearson’s great credit that he mastered the conditions to give an assured, dynamic performance in a match won for Kenny McDowall’s side by a second half brace from Momo Sylla. The new Bhoy did, in fact, have one the best early chances to score when, on 11 minutes, he waltzed through the Dunfermline defence and past Scott Thomson, but in doing so overran it and couldn’t quite manage to stretch enough to divert it between the sticks. A few minutes earlier, Celtic had come even closer to taking the lead when Steve Guppy saw a header cleared off the line after John Kennedy had knocked back across the six-yard line a tantalising Tony McParland free-kick. It had been an encouraging and entertaining opening to the match, but there followed a truly torrential downpour which put a dampener on the players’ early enthusiasm and saw the game become bogged down in midfield. Stephen McManus was presented with a half-chance on 34 minutes, but although he sneaked in on a Momo Sylla cross at the back post, Thomson recovered in time to push behind the big defender’s goalbound header. Fortunately, an improvement in the conditions over the interval was accompanied by an improvement in Celtic’s play, and the Hoops went on to spend the entirety of the second half encamped in the Dunfermline half. Chances to make the pressure count weren’t long in arriving either, the first falling to Paul Lawson just three minutes after the break when the young midfielder twisted, turned and fired wide from 25 yards. Seven minutes later, Pearson came agonisingly close to netting his first Celtic goal when, having risen to meet a Guppy cross, he could only look on in despair as his angled header came crashing back off the outside of the post. McDowall’s side were undoubtedly edging closer to an opener, however, and 18 minutes into the second half they claimed their just deserts. Stephen Crainey and Jamie Smith fashioned the opportunity with some crisp passing on the boggy surface and, when the latter’s through ball released Momo Sylla, the Guinean made no mistake with a cool finish from close range. It was a fine goal from a player who had been moved forward by McDowall to operate as a makeshift striker, and 10 minutes later he reaffirmed the wisdom of his manager’s tactical switch. On this occasion it was Guppy delivering with trademark accuracy from the left flank and, with Thomson stranded, Sylla rose above his marker to bullet in a header that was helped on its way over the line by Smith. At the other end, meanwhile, David Marshall was struggling to keep himself warm with little in the way of assistance from Dunfermline, although Noel Hunt did miss a couple of gilt-edged chances to haul the Fifers back into contention. However, the loss of a goal would have been harsh on Celtic, who had been utterly dominant, and it wouldn’t have flattered McDowall’s men in the slightest had Smith netted with a late effort that ended up a yard or two wide of the far post. CELTIC (3-5-2): Marshall; Kennedy, McManus, Crainey; Sylla, Lawson (Quinn 77), McBride, Pearson, Guppy; McParland (McGeady 77), Smith Subs: McGovern, Irvine, Low DUNFERMLINE (4-4-2): Thomson; MacNicol, Labonte, Tod, Byrne; Bullen, McCarty, Kilgannon, Grondin; Hunt, Mehmet (Wilson 56) Subs: Storey, Campbell, McGuire, Murdoch

12/01/2004

Early k/o for cup tie. The Scottish Cup-tie at Tynecastle will remain on Saturday the 7th of February, but will kick-off at 12:15 for live showing on Sky TV.

12/01/2004

Agent rubbishes Hartson rumours. John Hartson's agent has rubbished press reports claiming that the Celtic striker is close to agreeing a move to Fulham. The Welsh international was said to be on the verge of joining the Cottagers to replace Louis Saha, who has been linked with a switch to Manchester United, but Jonathan Barnett insists that it is all just paper talk. "This is complete rubbish. There have been no talks with Fulham," Barnett told the Glasgow Evening Times. "Their manager, Chris Coleman, knows John from their days together with Wales, but that is possibly the last time they spoke." Hartson has just 18 months remaining on his current Parkhead deal and Barnett claims that his client would prefer to sign a new contract rather than return to English football. "Celtic have not offered John a new contract. We are waiting for the club to contact us," he added. "John is fine about it, but he is eventually hoping Celtic will offer him a new deal - and that they will not wait too long to do it."

12/01/2004

Guppy key to move SUNDERLAND defender Michael Gray's move to Celtic rests on whether or not winger Steve Guppy is sold in this month's transfer window. Guppy is surplus to requirements at Parkhead and he has attracted the interest of a number of clubs south of the border, with Wigan Athletic leading the chase. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has told Gray that the left-back will only return for a second stint with the Bhoys if they can offload both Bobby Petta and Guppy from the wage bill. Petta has since joined Premiership side Fulham, while interest remains quite high on Guppy. But if a deal fails to materialise for the former Newcastle United winger then Gray will have to face up to life at Sunderland again, where he knows his future is bleak.

12/01/2004

Larsson could yet choose England Henrik Larsson has been linked with Spanish giants Barcelona Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has not ruled out an end-of-season move to the English Premiership. Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson pulled out of the race to land the Swede after revealing that he had been told a deal was already in place with another club. That destination was widely thought to be Spain - and Barcelona in particular. But Larsson said: "I don't say no to the Premiership. It's an interesting league with fine clubs." Larsson, speaking to the Daily Record newspaper, added: "If an interesting offer comes in, I'll have to think about it seriously and talk it over with my family." Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain would not rule out a move for Larsson. "We are working on some very expensive Bosman transfers. Is Henrik Larsson on our list? All I can say is that there are definitely strikers among those names."

12/01/2004

Fulham line up Hartson bid Fulham will replace Manchester United-bound Louis Saha with Celtic striker John Hartson, according to the Daily Mail. Cottagers boss Chris Coleman expects to lose the Frenchman to United despite desperate attempts to reject bids of around £10million. Hartson is believed to have been sounded out by his former Wales teammate Coleman and Celtic are likely to accept a £4million offer.

11/01/2004

Larsson won't join Magpies - Robson Sir Bobby Robson insists Celtic striker Henrik Larsson has decided which club he will join at the end of the season and it is not Newcastle. The Hoops legend will quit Parkhead in the summer when his current deal expires and his availability sparked interest from a host of interested clubs. Newcastle boss Robson was keen to lure Larsson to St James Park but has been told he is wasting his time. He told the News of the World: "We have made further enquiries regarding Henrik Larsson and have been told there is no point in getting involved in a deal for him. "We have been told the club he is going to at the end of the season and that everything is already sorted out. "A deal is cut and dried."

10/01/2004

McFadden tips Pearson for English move.

Everton striker James McFadden has tipped former Motherwell team-mate Stephen Pearson to be a success at Celtic - but he believes the highly-rated midfielder will eventually carve out a career in the Barclaycard Premiership. Pearson was linked with a move to Everton before signing with his boyhood heroes but McFadden claims he will eventually quit Scotland. McFadden told the Herald: "He asked what it was like down here and asked if I was enjoying it but in the end the chance to sign for Celtic was too good to turn down. "He should go there believing he can play every week and there is no reason why he can't. "He has one of the best engines I have seen, he supports attacks and breaks up play too. He will also score a few more goals because of the chances Celtic create but that's only if he works on his finishing. "Who's to say he might not end up down here afterall? After Celtic, there is no other club for him to move to in Scotland and there are about 20 teams down here."

10/01/2004

Prunty completes Dons move.

Aberdeen have completed the signing of Bryan Prunty from Celtic on an 18-month contract. The Scotland Under-20 international has failed to make an impact at Parkhead and has moved on to further his career at Pittodrie. Prunty said: "It's fantastic to be staying in the SPL and I'm grateful for Celtic for allowing me to go. "Aberdeen are going well just now and I realise it will be difficult to break into the team but, if I didn't believe I could do that, I wouldn't be here.'' The 20-year-old could make his debut in the Tennent's Scottish Cup third round tie with Dundee on Saturday.