Tuesday 30th November 2004

12.30

Maloney set for comeback
 

Celtic Reserves v Livingston Reserves
Tuesday November 30, 2004,
Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie,
Kick-off 2pm

Shaun Maloney is poised to pull on the hoops for the first time in over nine months this afternoon as the reserves play host to Livingston at Airdrie’s Excelsior Stadium.

The 21-year-old striker had been due to return to action for Kenny McDowall’s side in his home city of Aberdeen last week, but after a combination of international commitments and call-ups to the
Barcelona-bound senior squad forced that game’s postponement, Maloney was instead left to look forward to making his comeback at the same venue at which he sustained cruciate ligament damage on February 23.

The bustling striker isn’t the only Celt looking forward to the game, either, with defender Darren O’Dea admitting that the recent, almost month-long, wait for the reserves’ notoriously stop-start season to
resume has been frustrating in the extreme.

He said: "The training has been brilliant, and we do some really intense sessions. Kenny's also been working hard with us on the shape of the team, and it's all good stuff.

"But at the end of the week, you want to have a game to put it all into practice and, if you don't have that, it means nothing. At the moment, that's all that's missing, and we're all looking forward to getting
stuck back into things.

"There definitely aren't as many games as with the '19s, who obviously play every week. But it's not so bad for me because I can still play with the '19s this year - it's the older lads I feel sorry for."

Tuesday 30th November 2004

09.00

CAMARA ADMITS GUILT IN OLD FIRM CLASH

Celtic striker Henri Camara has confessed to kicking Rangers defender Gregory Vignal in the unsavoury Old Firm clash.

The Scottish Football Association have referred the incident to their disciplinary committee but the Senegal international has come clean over the flashpoint.

The crime went unpunished by referee Kenny Clark but Camara, on loan from Wolves, insisted he did it as retribution for an early foul.

He said: 'My right ankle was injured during the match at Ibrox.

'The Rangers player tackled me from behind and stamped on my foot which reignited the pain.

'That made me really irritated and I gave him a kick.

'The boss understood this and he substituted me to stop me from getting a red card.

'I was able to play against Barcelona but I was not 100 per cent.

'I suffer with an ankle injury and often have to bandage it just to play.'

Saturday 27th November 2004

10.45am

MORE PLAUDITS FOR FANTASTIC CELTIC SUPPORT

THE MEMORIES of Celtic’s midweek journey to Catalonia will live long with the people of Barcelona, after the supporters once again showed why they are rated by FIFA and UEFA as the best in the world.

The Catalan capital was painted green and white on Wednesday night as over 10,000 Celtic supporters converged on the city from around the world.

Both the police and British Consulate in Barcelona have heaped praise on the supporters after several days of celebrations in the city passed without a single arrest.

Praising the support for their ‘immaculate behaviour’ a senior police officer commented: "With all the recent bother concerning racist insults and hooligan behaviour these fans were a breath of fresh air. They are always well behaved when they are in Spain."

The British Consulate added: "We did not have one single incident reported. We are delighted."

This is the second visit that Celtic have made to the city this year in European competition and this time many of the Catalonian’s had an idea of what to expect, but were still amazed by the sheer volume of supporters and their exemplary behaviour.

Las Ramblas was once again overflowing while in the Playa de Catalunya bemused locals in heavy coats and scarves looked on as fans enjoyed the warm November weather and danced and paddled in the famous fountains.

Superintendent Robin Howe and Inspector Val Thompson of Strathclyde Police travelled with the club and liaised with the local police and British Consul.

Commented Superintendent Howe: “There was in excess of 10,000 Celtic supporters in and around the stadium that night and their behaviour was excellent. With no arrests being made during their visit they were indeed excellent ambassadors for both club and country.”

Added Ronnie Hawthorn, Celtic’s Head of Safety and Security: “As always the Celtic supporters used all their experience to ensure another safe and successful trip to Barcelona and are to be commended and encouraged to maintain these high standards.”

Following the UEFA Cup Final in Seville the Celtic support were awarded both FIFA and UEFA’s Fair Play awards, the first time the awards had ever been presented to a group of supporters, and with every passing European fixture their renown continues to grow.

“I spoke to the people from AC Milan the other day there and they were asking how many supporters went over for Wednesday’s game” added John Paul Taylor, Celtic’s Ticket Office Manager.

“We took 7000 to Milan and when I told them that there was over 10,000 in Barcelona they couldn’t believe it. I think they want to play us every week now!

“We also had a meeting with Barcelona on Wednesday and they were just amazed with the commitment and the behaviour of the supporters throughout the week.”

Saturday 20th November 2004

7.50am

St Mary's chance for ex Celt Petta.

BOBBY Petta, who was released from his contract with Celtic last month, will begin training with Southampton next week in a bid to win a move to the Premiership club.

Petta, 30, negotiated his departure from Parkhead after dropping out of Martin O’Neill’s plans. He had a spell on loan at Fulham last season, but now hopes to make his return to England permanent.

The Dutch winger’s former club Feyenoord were also thought to be interested in Petta, who made 81 league and cup appearances for Celtic, but has not started a match this season.

Steve Wigley, Southampton’s head coach, wants to have a look at Petta before committing himself. The St Mary’s club have struggled this season since the departure of Paul Sturrock as manager in August and Wigley’s long-term future at the club is still uncertain despite last weekend’s victory over Portsmouth in the south-coast derby.

Petta was signed for Celtic from Ipswich Town on a Bosman free transfer in 1999 by the Parkhead club’s former head coach, John Barnes.

MONDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2004

11.00pm

EX CELT LARSSON WINS TOP SWEDISH HONOUR

Arsenal star Fredrik Ljungberg has been named Sweden's midfield player of the year.

Former Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, now playing for Barcelona, won the top accolade of Swedish player of the year for the second time in his career after winning it in 1998 during his Parkhead days.

Ljungberg's role in Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten Barclays Premiership run, during which the Gunners won the league title, was enough for him to see off competition from his midfield countrymen.

But it was Larsson, who scored for Barca on his return to Glasgow in the Champions League this season, who sealed the top honour.

""Thanks to all the people who have helped me win this award," he said.

"Thanks to my former coach at Helsingborg, Bo Nilsson, who gave me my first chance to play at the highest level, and thanks to former Sweden coach Tommy Soderberg, who before tonight I had not seen since his hip operation.

"It's a pleasure for me to win this prize for the second time. I am proud. Very proud."

Tottenham left-back Erik Edman was named defender of the year after moving to north London from Dutch outfit Heerenveen in the summer.

Tuesday 09th November 2004

10.25am

Hartson's agent denies new deal is close.

The agent of Celtic striker John Hartson has denied that they are close to agreeing a new contract with the Scottish giants. The Welsh international is out of contract next year.

Agent Jonathan Barnett told Daily Record: "I am not in any hurry to conclude this. Not at all. Whenever the right thing comes up for John we'll do it - we're not working to a timescale.

"Why haven't Celtic got him signed up? Well, you will have to speak to Celtic. But nothing surprises me in life these days. They have got their agenda and we have got ours.

"Obviously there will be interest from other managers. I'm not going to speak about individuals but I'd imagine there would be a lot of clubs interested. John is a great striker. But he loves Celtic, he loves the supporters and he wants to see what they're willing to offer."

He added: "I don't think he's on trial at Celtic. Not after what he's done.

"If I'm not mistaken he's the top scorer in Scotland,isn't he?

"Well, if that's not good enough to prove his fitness then nothing is. So John's fine and hopefully we can sort things out.

"Talks are continuing - that's about all there is to report. It hasn't moved on much from summer but at least we are talking."

Tuesday 09th November 2004

10.22am

McGeady get's Ireland call up

Aiden McGeady has been called into Brian Kerr's squad for Ireland's friendly against Croatia on November 16.