August Rants

SIGNINGS IMMINENT?

Celtic are close to signing two if not three new players as Martin O’Neill tries to beef up the squad before the UEFA cup transfer deadline.

The three players are Alan Thompson of Aston Villa, a fee has been agreed between both clubs of £2.75 million, some loose ends require to be finalised.

Hibs' French striker Didier Agathe is the second player who looks to be on his way to Celtic Park and finally Henning Berg of Manchester United name has cropped up again, this one looks unlikely to go through.

More details as they become available.

FIXTURE MOVED

Sky Television have decided Dundee's match with Celtic, due on Saturday, December 9, will be played 24 hours later.

And once again, travelling supporters will be inconvenienced by the change as it also means a 6.05pm kick-off.

The club will no doubt welcome the injection of cash such coverage brings, but is it not about time TV stopped dictating play and kept the fixtures to Saturday afternoon's?

Why can't they show the live games then?

Dundee United fans are hardly going stay home and watch a Kilmarnock v Dundee United game being played at the same time, are they?

SUTTON TO PLAY FOR EN(GER)LAND?

Chris Sutton could be set for a sensational recall to the England squad following his astonishing displays in the hoops.

The Daily Ranger reports that Kevin Keegan may be short in the strikers department and may give the big man a recall to the squad, his first few games in the hoops have sent shockwaves through British football.

Surely it’s only a matter of time before our old friends from across the city put in a massive £25 million bid in for the man who stood out like a sore thumb in the DEMOLITION DERBY.

I can just see the headlines screaming out from the back page now:

CELTIC FANS IN UPROAR AS CLUB AGREES FEE WITH RANGERS FOR SUTTON.

Just a pity then like the 100 or so players they’ve told us about over the last few weeks that they forgot to add the usual slant, BUT PLAYER REFUSES PERSONAL TERMS.

NEW VIDEO DUE OUT?

I’m totally bemused it’s almost four day’s since the DEMOLITION DERBY and still no sign of the video in the shops. Come on Mr. MacDonald you should have been kicking some ass in the commercial department two minutes after the final whistle demanding that the video should have been on the shelves that same night. I’ve been camped outside my local video shop since early Monday morning and I refuse to move (I might even go on hunger strike) until this serious situation is rectified. Celtic fans all over the world demand copies of our very own DEMOLITION DERBY. 6-2 6-2 testing 6-2 testing 6-2.

TIME FOR FANS TO COME BACK DOWN TO EARTH

Well what a funny old game this is, no sooner have we THRASHED the champions then the rumours and counter rumours start to flood in. A few of the stories outwith the DEMOLITION DERBY are posted below.

RISETH WANTS TO LEAVE

According to his agent, Vidar Riseth is fed up with the lack of trust shown in him by Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill and is seeking a move away from the Glasgow club.

Celtic were mightily impressive last Sunday, as they put arch-rivals Rangers to the sword 6-2 with Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson scoring twice each.

However, Norwegian Riseth didn't figure at all in this match. In fact he hasn't appeared in any of Celtic's five league games so far this season.

His agent Erik Soler told VG that this situation was "no good".

"If this trend continues," Soler continued, "We will find another club.

"That is my job now, to find a club that is good for him. Football players who don’t play football, want something else. He is not satisfied with the situation at Celtic."

According to Soler, Germany could be Riseth's ultimate destination.

"We have talked with some German clubs," he revealed.

If O'Neill's wildly successful start to his managerial career at Celtic continues, it appears inevitable that Riseth will leave.

BURCHILL MAY STAY

Celtic striker Mark Burchill has hinted that he could withdraw his transfer request and stay to fight for his first-team place at Parkhead.

DUDEK EYED BY ARSENAL AND CELTIC

FEYENOORD goalkeeper Jurzy Dudek was named Holland's player of the year this week, but reports immediately suggested that both Arsenal and Celtic could be ready to bid 25 million guilders (£6.9 million) for him.

BRILLIANT REPORT FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

DEMOLITION DERBY Stephen Sullivan SPL, Sunday August 27th CELTIC… 6 (Sutton 1, Petrov 7, Lambert 13, Larsson 50, 63, Sutton 90) RANGERS… 2 (Reyna 42, Dodds 54 pen.)

There were dreams and songs to sing - that pretty much sums up the fantastic afternoon we have just enjoyed at Celtic Park. Had even in the most optimistic Hoops fan dreamt last night that we would put six past Rangers, he would have would have surely woken up this morning shaking his head at himself. But that's just what happened, and oh Bhoy does it feel good! We all know that this famous fixture has treated us cruelly in the past, but that wounded look we so often have to adopt after these occasions has been replaced by a massive grin which will most likely need to be surgically removed.

And for those among you who have stood faithful through and through, despite all the bad times - enjoy tonight, because God knows you deserve it. Celtic, to a man, were just fantastic, and as every one of the hooped heroes worked tirelessly and effectively, Rangers didn't know what had hit them… For, while it may have been the Old Firm, the Rangers' defence seemed to be populated by the old and infirm judging by the way they were torn to shreds by the Celtic attack. It was great to watch, and the 60,000 colourful Celts certainly didn't have long to wait long for their magnificent backing to be rewarded. With less than a minute on the clock, Alan Stubbs knocked Lubo Moravcik's inswinging corner into the path of Henrik Larsson, and with the Swede's attempt at a shot appearing to be trickling wide, Chris Sutton was on hand to fire the ball low into the net. Celtic Park erupted in a wave of joy, but few in attendance would have realised that they had just witnessed history being made, for Sutton's 43-second strike is the fastest Old Firm goal to be scored in the Premier League, overtaking the record of 86 seconds held by Danny Crainie. Martin O'Neill's side had made a dream start, but with the decibel level rising to a deafening roar, they had to calm themselves or risk falling victim to the sucker punch. After five minutes, our worst fears were almost realised when Billy Dodds headed Giovannie Van Bronkhorst's free-kick across the face of goal, but fortunately no-one was there to add the finishing touch. At the other end, Lubo Moravcik's corners were causing the Rangers' defence no end of problems, and after seven minutes, some good play by Bobby Petta allowed the Slovak the chance to inflict more damage.

Again, Lubo flighted over a tantalising cross, and again Dick Advocaat's side were caught napping as Stilian Petrov launched himself at the ball to head powerfully into the top corner of the net. Seven minutes gone and two goals up - surely it couldn't get any better than this? But it did, just six minutes later, when Lubo Moravcik linked with Bobby Petta before weighting a perfectly judged cutback for Paul Lambert to smash an unstoppable low right-foot drive into the corner of the net. It was absolute bedlam in Paradise by this stage, and when the goalscoring trio ran to what used to be the jungle to celebrate, you never would have guessed that the famous terracing was gone. And, with 60,000 hearts thumping along to the beat of the Celtic Song, Henrik Larsson even had the opportunity to explode a few pacemaker by making it 4-0 just two minutes later. Jonathan Gould started the move with a long kick-out, and when Lubo knocked a brilliant ball over the top for Larsson to run clean through on goal, there was surely only one outcome likely. However, the Swedish superstar seemed to have too much time on his hands, and although he attempted to round the advancing Stefan Klos, the German keeper smothered the ball at the striker's feet. Nevertheless, the fans didn't seem too upset - after all, we were three up already so we didn't need another goal… did we? Well, the nerves certainly began to jangle when Rod Wallace crossed for Claudio Reyna to bullet in a header that Jonathan Gould just couldn't prevent crossing the line. However, Henrik Larsson again had the chance to prolong the lives of a few fingernails but, after Bobby Petta's shot had been saved, the Swede snatched at the rebound and sent his shot wide of the target. After the break, the titans recommenced their battle, and within five minutes of the restart, Larsson more than made amends for his first half misses with a stunning goal. Chris Sutton did well to chest Jonathan Gould's long clearance into the Swede's path, but from then it was all Larsson as he drove forward, played the ball round one side of Bert Konterman, sprinted past on the other and dinked a sublime chip over Klos to make it 4-1.

And, while we are still only in August, take note - the goal of the season competition has closed. Larsson's strike was simply poetry in motion, and with Celtic Park now bouncing, surely there would be no more surprises. However, it wouldn't be Celtic without a wee scare, and when Stephane Mahe was adjudged to have bundled over Rod Wallace in the box just four minutes later, Billy Dodds slotted the ball away to give us another attack of nerves. Nevertheless, despite a million heart-breaking experiences, we should have known to have faith in Martin O'Neill's side, because they have never given anything less than 100% since the Irishman arrived at the club. And true to form, when Johan Mjallby's persistence forced Tony Vidmar to bring him down, Bobby Petta curled over a perfect free-kick for Henrik Larsson to glance a headerinto the far corner of the net. With the Ranger supporters' poisonous repetoire now silenced, it was left to the Hoops faithful to enjoy taunting their unfortunate opponents with chants of 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life'! However, there were few tears shed when Berry Ferguson was rightly sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing minutes. And Chris Sutton heaped on more glorious misery in injury time with a sixth goal, the first time we have put more than five past Rangers since that famous 7-1 cup final 43 years ago. Bobby Petta played a delightful reverse ball to set Stephane Mahe free on the left flank, and when the Frenchman drilled a low ball across the face of goal, there was Sutton to fire home and make history. Of course, all this means that Martin O'Neill is now the best friend of every Celts fan around the world. And with his career as Celtic manager off to a storybook beginning, let's hope that it will have a fairytale ending come May. Website Man of the Match: BOBBY PETTA CELTIC (3-5-2): Gould, Mahe, Valgaeren, Stubbs, McNamara, Petta, Lambert (Mjallby 36), Petrov, Moravcik (Boyd 55), Sutton, Larsson (Burchill 86) RANGERS (4-4-2): Klos, Ricksen (Tugay 25), Amoruso, Konterman, Vidmar (Kanchelskis 66), Ferguson, Van Bronkhorst, McCann (Lovenkrands 77), Reyna, Dodds, Wallace.

DEMOLITION DERBY

Celtic 6 (six) Rangers 2 (two)

INCREDIBLE, MAGNIFICENT , SUPERB, MAGICAL, ASTONISHING

ENOUGH SAID.

MESSAGE TO KEN BATES OF CHELSEA: HAVE YOU ANY MORE DUDS YOU WANT TO GET RID OF, PLEASE CONTACT MR. MARTIN O’NEILL 95 KERRYDALE STREET, GLASGOW G40 3RE

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN RUMOURS

So it now look as though we owe Mark Viduka money, he's now been quoted as saying he gave 150% to the hoops in every game. I must have missed all of last seasons games as I don't recall anyone giving the fans 150%

CIS CUP NEWS

Celtic have been handed a home tie against Raith Rovers in the third round of the CIS League Cup. The full draw is: Celtic v Raith Rovers, Livingston v Hearts, Dundee United v Airdrie, St Mirren v Dundee, Dunfermline v Motherwell, St Johnstone v Kilmarnock, Rangers v Aberdeen, Falkirk v Hibernian.

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN – NEWS & RUMOURS

At last a piece of good news in the build up to this weekend’s big game.

VEGA Ramon Vega has come out and stated that he has no intention of quitting Spurs to move north to join the hoops. Thank God for that cry the Celtic faithful in a collective show of unity. Why is it that Celtic are constantly linked with players who can’t get in to their own teams for whatever reason?

VIDUKA Mark Viduka has certainly endeared himself to the Celtic support for life with his comments that he only tried 70% in each match he played in the hoops, well Mark I believe 100% of the Celtic fans saw right through you the minute you set foot inside our ground.

Does this now mean that you will be sending Celtic a cheque for the wads of cash you must owe them for the 30% of games in which you never bothered you’re a**e. Thanks for the memories NOT.

BURCHILL Mark Burchill could be on the move after Thursday’s UEFA cup tie, Preston North End seem to be among the favourites who want to take a chance on the transfer listed youngster.

BERKOVIC It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Eyal Berkovic will receive in tomorrow night’s tie after his recent comments in the press.

FIRST ROUND DRAW The draw for the 1st round proper of this season’s UEFA cup takes place on Friday, as soon as it’s announced we will try to put travel plans in place for fans wishing to cheer the hoops on again in Europe.

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN NEWS & RUMOURS

Martin O'Neill's former assistant at Leicester City, John Robertson, is expected to join him ahead of Sunday's match with Rangers. We understand the former Scotland winger is coming towards the end of protracted negotiations with his current club and will leave tomorrow or Thursday and arrive at Parkhead in time to join O'Neill in the dug-out for the match of the day in Scotland. A crowd of over 60,000 is expected fort hat match, which as always will be beamed around the world. Tommy Burns will also be alongside O'Neill, but there's no indication at this stage what role O'Neill has for the former player.

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN RUMOURS

Eyal Berkovic is alleged to have said that the only good thing about being at Celtic Park is his £28,000 a week pay packet, I say alleged as it was reported this morning by our old Association evictee friend Hugh Keevins.

Hugh also attempted to brighten up our day by informing us that GEORGE McBRIDE (remember him) will be running the line at Sunday’s game. For the fans who may not remember Mr McBride was the only person in Ibrox a few years ago who thought that the Jorge Cadette goal was offside. Let’s hope he sticks his flag where the sun don’t shine this coming Sunday.

Preston North End managed by ex Celt Davie Moyes are reported to be ready to put in official bid for transfer listed Mark Burchill.

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN NEWS & RUMOURS

A small piece with regard to a lot of Celtic's supporters third favourite team. The teams being CELTIC, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND & SWEDEN.

Henrik Larsson & Johan Mjallby were both named in Swedish coach Tommy Soderberg's squad of 18 on Monday for the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on September 2.

The full squad is : Goalkeepers - Magnus Hedman (Coventry), Magnus Kihlstedt (Brann) Defenders - Patrik Andersson (Bayern Munich), Joakim Bjorklund (Valencia), Karl Corneliusson (AIK Stockholm), Teddy Lucic (AIK Stockholm), Olof Mellberg (Racing Santander), Roland Nilsson (Helsingborg) Midfielders - Niclas Alexandersson (Everton), Daniel Andersson (Bari), Johan Mjallby (Celtic), Magnus Svensson (Brondby), Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal), Hakan Mild (IFK Gothenburg), Anders Svensson (Elfsborg) Strikers - Marcus Allback (Orgryte), Kennet Andersson (Fenerbahce), Henrik Larsson (Celtic)

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN NEWS & RUMOURS

The ref for Sunday’s first Old Firm game of the season will be Stuart Dougal, FIFA official Dougal has previously only taken charge of one Celtic-Rangers game, a 0-0 draw at Ibrox two years ago, but he is highly-rated by his bosses at the SFA.

Steve Guppy Tuesday morning’s newspapers are linking Celtic with out of favour Steve Guppy of Leicester City.

The rags state that he COULD interest Celtic, note the word COULD as this looks like another “he’s not getting a game for his club” let’s link him with Celtic story.

OLD FIRM COUNTDOWN RUMOURS

Well as predicted just a couple of hours after I had published my latest rant uncle Hugh Keevins informs all the Celtic fans that Eyal Berkovic is unhappy at being left out of the Celtic team.

Radio Clyde’s morning sports bulletin reported that Berkovic’s advisers are flying in to meet with Martin O’Neill to thrash out just what’s happening with their player.

The first no doubt of many stories that will be doing the rounds this week as the build up to this Sunday’s match begins in earnest.

BONUS FOR CELTIC FANS

Celtic fans all over the world that are unable to attend Thursday’s UEFA cup tie against AS JEUNESSE ESCH of Luxembourg are in for a bonus this week.

Fans who have access to the Internet will be able to watch the whole match live courtesy of CELTIC TV. The game kicks off at 7.45pm, but there will be a build up to the game with the programme starting around 30 to 45 minutes earlier.

This is another piece of history being created by the club and they should be rightly proud of the set up CELTIC TV now has in place.

To capture the build up and the whole match live Celtic fans should go the official club web site the address is http://www.celticfc.co.uk/

TRANSFER RUMOUR UPDATE

After yesterdays fine 4-2 win at Tynecastle Martin O’Neill has come out with a few quotes with regard to future signings for the hoops. The former Leicester boss admits he won't be entering bidding wars with other clubs as he is afraid of losing the confidence of the Bhoys plc board on the verge of the EC's proposed scrapping of transfer fees.

O'Neill said: "Football as we know it will change for ever if this legislation is passed. How could I possibly justify spending huge amounts of money on a player and then go back to the plc board to say 'Sorry he's handed in his notice because he wants to go elsewhere'."

The Irishman fumed: "If you don't have contracts which are legally binding there's nothing you can believe in anymore."

On Friday Martin O’Neill let the media know that he was becoming increasingly hacked off with the constant stream of names being linked with the club,

It's a waste of his time to be asked to comment daily on transfer speculation and from now on he will only do so at the Friday press conference.

The press however don’t seem to have been listening as this morning’s rags once again have us linked with some old and some new names. First up is Tottenham’s Swiss international centre-back Ramon Vega.

And Spurs, who will be looking for around £2million, have told O’Neill to “make an offer.” Vega, 29, has fallen behind first-choice defensive pairing Sol Campbell and Chris Perry at White Hart Lane.

Other’s mentioned are surprise surprise Alan Thomson of Aston Villa and Henning Berg of Manchester United, no mention however of Colin Cameron of Hearts after his inept display yesterday at Tynecastle.

Speculation will continue all week in the lead up to the first old firm game a week today. Don’t be surprised if a major exclusive comes out this week, does this not always happen in the lead up to a major game for the club?

Or is that me talking with my PARANOIA head on?

17 Aug 2000

VIDAR & RAFAEL TO GO?

This morning’s DAILY RANGER carries on the story they threw at us yesterday with regard to a bid for Henning Berg winging it’s way to Manchester.

Celtic have of course neither confirmed our denied the story SO IT MUST BE TRUE.

To spice things up a bit more, they’ve reminded us that Rafael is about to be shoved out of the front entrance, but this time he’ll be followed by VIDAR RISETH.

Not content with that bit of news they’ve also thrown in the usual, Riseth's agent, Erik Foler, has been instructed to find the defender, who has yet to start a game under O'Neill this term, a new club.

Again it look’s as though this story will run on for a few days until we get sick of reading about Henning Berg.

17 Aug 2000

HENNING BERG UPDATE (NOT)

Well the only mention of the Henning Berg alleged transfer bid came from RADIO RANGERS on it’s twice a day sports updates.

We of course all know where RADIO RANGERS get there headlines straight from the back pages of either THE DAILY RANGER or SUNDAY MASON enough said.

16 Aug 2000

TRANSFER RUMOURS AGAIN

This morning’s DAILY RANGER again reliably informs us that Celtic are preparing a £2 million bid for Manchester United’s centre back Henning Berg, once again they reckon that this will spell the end for Brazilian Rafael Scheidt.

I don’t know what the Brazilian has done to offend anyone at the DAILY RANGER HQ but for some reason they seem hell bent on getting Celtic to push the big man out of the exit door at Paradise.

Will this rumour come true; I wouldn’t hold my breath!

16 Aug 2000

INTERNATIONAL CELTS IN ACTION

Celtic had several players on international duty last night hence the cancellation of our scheduled match v St Johnstone at Perth on Wednesday night.

ICELAND

In Reykjavik, Iceland secured a shock 2-1 win over Sweden with a penalty scored six minutes from time by Panathinaikos midfielder Helgi Sigurdsson.

Celtic’s Johan Mjallby (SWEDEN) opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a header on the rebound from a Fredrik Ljungberg close-range shot. But Rihkardur Dadasson equalised 16 minutes later and Iceland never looked back.

BULGARIA

Celtic’s Stilian Petrov (BULGARIA) & Joos Valgaren (BELGIUM) both played for their respective countries before a sparse crowd at the G Asparuhov stadium on Wednesday, Bulgaria proved no match for a Belgium side playing without their injured first-choice striker Branko Strupar. The score on the night ended Bulgaria 1 Belgium 3

FINLAND

Vidar Riseth (NORWAY) played in Norway’s 3-1 defeat in Finland, want away Barcelona star Jari Litmanen scored twice for the home side.

16 Aug 2000

BLINKER FAILS IN BOLTON MOVE Former Celtic winger Reggie Blinker has failed in his bid to win a contract with Bolton. The former Dutch international had hoped to move to the First Division club after being released by Celtic this summer. He had talked of his determination to impress Trotters boss Sam Allardyce, and scored for the reserves last week. But the 31-year-old midfielder has now left the Reebok Stadium.

"Based on what I've seen, I don't think Regi would do anything for us," Allardyce said. "He has not really shown what we thought he would still be capable of."

15 Aug 2000

THE FINN, THE SCOT & THE MOROCCAN

Well the transfer rumour roundabout has started up again, we are now being linked with the Moroccan Abdelkrim El-Hadrioui (now there’s a name that rolls off the tongue) a 28 year old left back who currently ply’s his trade with the giants of Dutch football AZ 67 ALKMARR.

I would reckon the only thing the hoops have in common with this outfit are the numbers six & seven, the year we won the real EUROPEAN CUP.

The Finn whose name has resurfaced again is Joonas Kolkka the PSV Eindhoven winger, the trail on this particular player seems to have gone cold over the past week or so, however his name popped up again in the RADIO RANGERS newsdesk at 5.30 this evening

The Scot whom everyone seems to think (apart from Martin O’Neill) is heading down Paradise way is Colin Cameron of Hearts. We are due to play Hearts this coming weekend at Tyncastle, lets hope any business that’s to be done is completed before the weekend.

On the other hand will Jim Jefferies do with Colin Cameron what he did to Paul Ritchie last season and drop him before a vital game.

I’m forgetting one thing here it’s Celtic the jam tarts are playing not Rangers, you can bet your bottom dollar Cameron will be on from the start if nothing materialises over the next few days

13 Aug 2000

FINAL SCORE

CELTIC 2 (LARSSON, JOHNSON) KILMARNOCK 1 (McLAREN)

Celtic gained all three points in a very hard fought contest; the hoops went in at half time one down thanks to a wonder strike from Kilmarnock’s Andy McLaren.

Celtic were very poor in the first half and frankly deserved to be one down at the interval.

A different start to the second half though with the Swede Johan Mjallby replacing skipper Tom Boyd at half time, whatever boss Martin O’Neill said during his half time team talk seemed to work almost instantly with the hoops looking well up for the task ahead.

Apart from Paul Lambert being short with a pass back to Gould it was all Celtic and it was no surprise when Henrik Larsson swept home the equaliser five minutes into the second half., Moravcik found Lambert on the right and the midfielder played the ball into the path of Larsson, who drew Marshall before sliding a right-foot shot past the keeper.

The home side then produced their best move of the match in the 63rd minute when Petta sent Moravcik galloping clear down the left, and he squared the ball to Larsson - who blasted a right foot effort on target that Marshall could only parry.

Larsson was causing the home defence endless problems throughout and it was the Swede who created the winner in the 73rd minute when he threaded the ball through to Johnson, who beat the offside trap and he too casually slotted home a right-foot effort past Marshall.

The Tommy Johnson goal ended the goalscoring in the game but the visitors' misery continued in the last minute when Baker was dismissed for a foul on Moravcik and referee Kenny Clark wasted no time in brandishing his second yellow.

My man of the match was BOBBY PETTA , although the sponsor’s man of the match went to Henrik Larsson. Another three points for the hoops and long may it continue.

Our next game take’s us through to Edinburgh to face the jam tarts; another tough fixture looks to be on the cards.

11 Aug 2000

Old Firm set to leave Scottish league

The main story carried by the BBC on Friday evening was that Celtic & Rangers would be leaving the SPL to take up their places in a new European league set up.

Last season when our Chief Executive Allan MacDonald was attending meetings on this very subject Celtic were ridiculed in the gutter press.

Strange that this now seems to be a fantastic idea backed by non other than the SPL’S Roger Mitchell.

As reported by the BBC on Friday 11th August 2000

The Old Firm looks certain to join a new European set-up Celtic and Rangers are poised to leave Scottish league football in the most sensational move in the history of the game north of the border.

The new set-up will feature 16 clubs from seven nations, with three sides from Scotland. The other participating nations are Holland, Portugal, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Qualification would be by merit, with the clubs finishing in the top three next season winning promotion to the new league.

In the unlikely event that the Old Firm finishes outside the top three, Rangers and Celtic would remain in the SPL and be among those guaranteed substantial compensation payments for missing out on the lucrative new format.

Initially, the new league would guarantee three places to Scotland, four to Portugal, four to Holland, three to Scandinavia, which would be treated as one nation, and two from Belgium.

That would mean Scotland's representatives would be involved in home and away matches with the likes of Benfica, Porto, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Feyenoord, Rosenborg Trondheim and Anderlecht.

Those finishing bottom would be involved in an end-of-season promotion and relegation play-off that would give clubs left behind in the SPL the chance to swell Scotland's representation further. Games would kick off at 1pm on Saturday afternoons in an attempt to maximise television audiences.

10 Aug 2000

NEIL LENNON QUOTES

Neil Lennon is quoted on several occasions in the Friday morning rags regarding Celtic’s bid to sign him some of his quotes are as follows.

"I want to make it clear to Celtic fans I haven't turned my back on them.

"It's been made out down here as if I snubbed Celtic after saying they were always the club I supported as a boy and I can't accept that. Leicester made it impossible for me to sign for Celtic. They simply wouldn't let me speak to Celtic.

"Don't get me wrong I'm not having a go at Leicester, how could I when they have been so very good to me? I'm happy to stay but the bottom line is they wouldn't let me go.

"They made it clear it would cost £8million for anyone to buy me but Celtic couldn't afford that kind of money and so the deal was a non-starter.

"I resent anyone saying I have done the dirty on Celtic. It was a decision that was never mine to make and I want all the Celtic fans to know that."

People kept saying to me 'you don't want to go up to Scotland because it would be taking a backward step'.

"I didn't look at it that way. Football is football and I would have enjoyed it anywhere.

"I want to make it clear to Celtic supporters everywhere I've not turned my back on them.

"I've not done the dirty on Celtic as it was a decision that never mine to make in the first place and I want all the Celtic fans up there to know that."

Nice to know you care Neil, now go away and enjoy your £32.000 a week.

On a personal note why don't we go that extra mile and push the boat out for Steve McManaman. Now he's a player.

No doubt later we'll see the headlines R*****S have agreed a deal with Real Madrid, but David Murray has pulled out of the deal due to the players personal terms.

10 Aug 2000

Jeunesse Esch 0 Celtic 4

Swedish striker Henrik Larsson healed the emotional scars of his horrific broken leg in Lyon with a goal to help Celtic brush aside the Luxembourg minnows on his and their return to European club competition.

Alan Stubbs had failed to shake off a knee injury and the strength of coach Martin O'Neill's defensive resources was tested to the full but they handled the home side's best efforts early on.

But Celtic were pushing forward for the away goal and in the 10th minute space opened up for Chris Sutton 22 yards out and he tried to beat the keeper with a curling right-foot shot which flew just wide of the upright.

The visitors continued their efforts to prise the home defence open and with Sutton and Larsson again showing a good understanding they began to wear them down.

Sutton's persistence almost paid off in the 22nd minute when he got to the by-line before picking out Mjallby, who was free in the box, but the big Swede could not find the power and his header was comfortably saved by Van Risswisck.

Two minutes later and Celtic produced their best move of the game when a one-two between Sutton and Larsson created space for the £6 million man to try a right-foot effort that keeper did well to save low to his left.

Moments later and the duo almost linked up again to open the scoring when Larsson got to the by-line and pulled the ball back – but the keeper again saved well at the feet of Sutton.

The former Chelsea and Blackburn star went close again in the 26th minute when he rose to meet Moravcik's corner, his powerful header sailing just over the bar.

It was inevitable that Celtic would take the lead sooner or later, but they had to wait 36 minutes for it to come. Larsson slid the ball into the path of the on-rushing Moravcik inside the area and he calmly slotted the ball past Van Risswisck into the bottom corner.

Larsson should have capped his return to the big stage with a goal in the 44th minute when Moravcik found him in space, but his effort from the edge of the area was brilliantly pushed over by the Jeunesse goalkeeper.

The tie was killed off just three minutes later when Sutton and Larsson combined on the edge of the area and the Swede controlled the ball with his right foot before placing past Van Risswisck with his left.

Larsson was replaced by Tommy Johnson immediately after his strike and the former Aston Villa man was inches away from adding a fourth when he lobbed the onrushing keeper in the 76th minute.

But another goal arrived in the 81st minute when Bobby Petta got the goal his performance deserved when he cut through a group of players before unleashing an unstoppable drive to send the travelling green and white army partying into the night.

Jeunesse Esch: Van Riffwifck, Lamborelle, Thill, Schaack, Schault, Wagner, Bokboiloni, Stut, Kurtz, Anodio, Bekil.

Celtic: Gould, Mahe, McNamara, Valgaeren, Larsson, Sutton, Lambert, Petta, Mjallby, Riseth, Moravcik

Referee: George Kasnaferis (Greece)

10 Aug 2000

FINAL SCORE FROM LUXEMBOURG

A.S.Jeunesse Esch 0 Celtic 4

Goals from Lubo (2) Henrik & Bobby Petta will see Celtic stroll through to the 1st round proper of this seasons UEFA cup.

More details to follow.

09 Aug 2000

LENNON IS STAYING AT LEICESTER

Late night reports on Wednesday suggest that Neil Lennon has decided to stay at Leicester City. The 29-year-old said: 'I now intend to focus on the season ahead. I have been through an unsettling experience which has had an unsettling effect on the other players. 'But it is over now and I simply want to get my head down and complete my preparations for what promises to be an interesting time for the club in the Premiership and UEFA Cup.' Lennon has been a target for former boss Martin O'Neill after his move to Celtic in June.

08 Aug 2000

MORE TRANSFER SPECULATION

Turks Besiktas chasing Lambert

Whilst we wait on the Neil Lennon saga drawing to it’s conclusion some internet sites are reporting that Turkish side Besiktas are about to launch a £3 million bid for Saturday’s man of the match Paul Lambert.

If Celtic do acquire the services of Lennon from Leciester City, Lambert could find himself surplus to requirements. Paul has come out and stated on more than one occasion that if the boss feel’s it’s time for him to move on then he would not have a problem with that.

This is one story that just might have a ring of truth to it.

08 Aug 2000

FIXTURE RE-ARRANGED

Celtic’s game against St Johnstone scheduled for next Wednesday 16th August 2000 has been postponed due to several of the first team squad being called up by their respective countries for international duty. The fixture has been re-arranged for Tuesday 17th October 2000.

TRANSFER SPECULATION

The transfer roundabout is in full swing again, last night we were linked with the PSV winger Joonas Kolkka now it seems we are in a tug of war with Ipswich trying to secure the signing of Colin Cameron of Hearts.

The goalkeeper situation is also the subject of transfer speculation with reports suggesting that Celtic are about to take Wigan Athletics’ highly-rated 'keeper Roy Carroll to Parkhead.

07 Aug 2000

NEW SIGNING TARGET

With Mark Burchill handing in his official transfer request Martin O’Neill must now try to get players in for strikers positions in the team.

We’ve lost Mark Viduka to Leeds United and now it looks as though Mark Burchill will be following him.

Rumour has it that his latest transfer target could be little known Finnish international winger Joonas Kolkka.

The Parkhead side had the left-sided PSV Eindhoven player watched in action for his club in a pre-season friendly against Sheffield Wednesday last week and O'Neill received positive reports on his performance.

Kolkka was Dick Advocaat's last signing at his old club and his advisor Kees Ploegsma confirmed the Parkhead club's interest in his £2million-rated client: 'Celtic are interested in signing Joonas. Now they just have to make a concrete offer,' he said.

CHRIS SUTTON

Chris Sutton will miss Sunday’s game at Celtic Park against Kilmarnock; he will serve an automatic one-match ban after last weekend’s controversial sending off against Dundee United.

Who will take Sutton's place in the side next weekend became an even more intriguing question last night when it was confirmed that Mark Burchill had submitted an official transfer request. Celtic has accepted the transfer request and they will now be looking for at least £2 million for the Scottish internationalist.

07 Aug 2000

Mark Burchill demands move from Celtic

Celtic striker Mark Burchill has had a transfer request accepted by the Parkhead club. The 19-year-old has becoming increasingly frustrated at being left on the bench, despite having broken into the Scotland international squad.

It is believed that Celtic will be seeking upwards of £2m for the player, who has been with the club since joining as a schoolboy.

Burchill's agent Blair Morgan said: "It was with great reluctance that he handed in a transfer request, but he wants regular first-team football and the club say they can't guarantee that."

The youngster, who will be 20 later this month, had been forced to play second fiddle to Harald Brattbakk then Mark Viduka, and even veteran Ian Wright, as partner to Henrik Larsson in the last two seasons.

This term, his prospects did not improve under his fourth manager in three years and he has not only found himself behind new signing Chris Sutton, but Tommy Johnson as well.

The frustration became too much and, after a meeting with manager Martin O'Neill, Morgan announced: "The talks were lengthy and amicable.

"After careful consideration, Celtic agreed to grant his request for a move."

Last month, the player himself had warned: "I love being here, but I have to be realistic as well.

"If Martin O'Neill decided to go with someone else then I might have to play my football somewhere else."

Should Burchill move, it will almost certainly be outwith Scotland, as no club other than Rangers would be able to afford the kind of money being demanded by Celtic.

However, should he wish to join a high-profile club south of the border or abroad, Burchill may find himself in a similar position behind more experienced strikers

07 Aug 2000

REFS CHIEF BACKS SUTTON RED CARD

The Scottish Football Association referees' department has backed match official Alan Freeland over the dismissal of Chris Sutton on Saturday. The Celtic striker was sent off by Freeland for a second bookable offence during the 1-0 win over Motherwell, a decision which was criticised by Parkhead manager Martin O'Neill. But SFA referees' development officer Donald McVicar believes that such criticism is merely part and parcel of being a 'sitting duck' in football.

''It is par for the course, isn't it? Referees are easy targets,'' said McVicar. ''Players can make monumental mistakes in play and managers make errors in team selection. But when a referee makes a mistake - and they are all human - it is major news and they are an easy target and maybe a way of taking the flak away from a team or a manager. But referees have been handling this for years and will have to handle it for years to come.''

Sutton was dismissed after tangling with Well defender Greg Strong in the second half. McVicar has not received the referee's report on the game yet but believes that earlier misdemeanours could account for Sutton's dismissal.

''I haven't seen the referee's report on the game but from what I can gather, Chris Sutton was sent off for probably persistently infringing the laws of the game after having received a caution. The referee would give it as he sees it. If he has sent him off for that, he has obviously committed a number of offences and the referee has acted accordingly.

''I believe it was a particularly niggly game with a lot of things happening. It was quite a difficult game to handle and the players, perhaps, did not help the referee. But, until I see the report, I won't know what the referee has said about it.

''There is limited scope for TV evidence. There has been a committee looking at the possibility of video evidence and there may be changes due but I do not know to what to extent.''

05 Aug 2000

NEWS UPDATE

HENRIK LARRSON Some interesting pieces in the Sunday morning rags, at last a positive story on Celtic from the SUNDAY MASON.

The MASON reports that Henrik Larrson will be more than delighted to stay at Celtic Park for the remaining three years of his contract.

Henrik adds, “"My answer to any speculation about my position is to say I know where’ll be in three years time. "If Celtic still want me then I'll be where I am now. I've no intention of playing for anyone else. "I look at players like Luis Figo leaving one great club for another by joining Real Madrid from Barcelona. But I'm happy where I am and my family love life in Scotland as well."

Great news for Celtic fans, just want we want to hear from one of the true Celtic greats.

MARK VIDUKA Soccernet reports that Mark Viduka is actually earning less at Elland Road than he did at Celtic Park,

David O’Leary is quoted as saying 'They loved him at Celtic and he liked them, and yet he still joined us for less money. That showed real ambition.

In Scotland, I think Viduka felt he was in cruise mode in that league. If he had been a big-easy type he would have stayed up there. The fact that he didn't impressed me.'

Sorry David but I can’t see the Celtic fans taking that in.

05 Aug 2000

FINAL SCORE FROM CELTIC PARK

CELTIC 9 MOTHERWELL 10

Men left on the park that is, well if that was not one of the worst referee’s to be put in charge of a football match I’ll eat FERGUS McCANN’S bunnet.

The guy ALAN FREELAND or should it be FREEMASON should not be allowed anywhere near a football ground ever again. He was a disgrace and his counterparts running the line were not much better.

What started off as a fairly bright contest began to disintegrate before almost 60,000 supporters’ eyes?

As soon as he sent off Motherwell’s John Davie’s the game began to nosedive, before the sending off he had already booked Chris Sutton, his crime being fouled and then pushed by Motherwell’s Greg Strong as he tried to get back on his feet.

Greg Strong was also yellow carded for the trying to keep the big man down.

Prior to all this nonsense-taking place Stilian Petrov had given Celtic the lead after 11minutes with a goal that had Andy Goram rooted to the spot.

A lot of petty fouling then ensued for most of the game and this led to Jackie McNamara being booked twice in a matter of minutes early into the second half and he was the first Celt to have an early bath this season.

With around 12 minutes remaining he was joined by Chris Sutton who managed to get a second yellow card for a handbag at twelve paces shove in the back.

Martin O’Neill was also spoken to by Mr. Freemason for leaping about the touchline like a man possessed after the Chris Sutton sending off.

Well Martin that’s you been in charge for 180 minutes of competitive soccer in Scotland, I bet your now thinking my God it’s true CELTIC DO PLAY AGAINST 12 MEN IN EVERY GAME.

For the record CELTIC ran out 1-0 winners on a somewhat controversial day.

04 Aug 2000

AT LAST WE’VE GOT HIM “OH NO YOU HAVEN’T”

Our old friends from across the city it seems have been involved yet again in a nearly got him transfer.

How many times are they going to trot this old story out, the latest one goes something like this?

Rangers have failed in an astonishing £16million bid to end their striker search when Darko Kovacevic rebuffed a renewed attempt to lure him to Ibrox.

A fee of $25m was agreed with Juventus for the player, and agents representing the Scottish champions were trying to agree personal terms right up until Friday afternoon. However, the 24-year-old Yugoslav international is believed to have refused Rangers' offer of just under £2m-a-year gross on the grounds that it barely represented a rise on his current salary of £1.3m net in Turin. That was an impasse for the SPL champions who had already staked a huge amount on Kovacevic's capture when the transfer fee and salary were combined.

News of the failure in the most audacious bid in Scottish football history will have come as another blow to David Murray who yesterday had to contend with the revelation that coach Dick Advocaat would opt to leave the club when his contract expires in two years time.

EXCLUSIVE

INSIDER CHANGES HIS NAME

After yesterday’s news that an INSIDER from Celtic Park was passing info onto THE DAILY RANGER, I can exclusively reveal that the INSIDER has changed his name to SOURCE.

Saturday’s edition of the RANGER reporting on the Mark Bosnich snub to Celtic has the following snippet for us to enjoy over our Cornflakes.

A source close to O'Neill said: "The manager was already losing interest in Bosnich because of the money that was being talked about. "He was willing to pay the wages but over the last couple of days all kind of extras have been shoved on top.

If Bosnich wants to stay where he is then I don't think Martin will be too upset.

Thanks for the info INSIDER or SOURCE whoever you are.

We can’t wait to see what you’ll be calling yourself in tomorrows SUNDAY MASON.

04 Aug 2000