25th January 2007

The Affiliation of Registered CSC'S welcome new Bhoy Perrier-Doumbe

CELTIC have today completed the loan signing of defender Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe from Rennes.
 
The 28-year-old will join Celtic initially on loan until the end of the season, with Celtic then having the option to sign him for a further two years.
 
Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe told the Celtic website: "I am delighted to be joining Celtic. I know that they are a massive club with a great history and a fantastic support.
 
"It means a lot to me to be joining a club which not only is doing well in the League but is still involved in the Champions League and I look forward to training hard and fighting for a place in the team."
 
Gordon Strachan added: "It's great to be able to add a player like Jean-Joel to the squad. His enthusiasm and ability has certainly impressed everyone at the club."

25th January 2007

Celts to face MLS All-Stars

IN a major coup for Celtic, the Scottish Champions have been confirmed as the opposition in the 2007 MLS All-Stars Game in Colorado this summer.
 
Gordon Strachan’s side will face the top players of Major League Soccer in the prestigious game on Thursday, July 19 at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
 
And Major League Soccer are absolutely delighted that Celtic will be coming to the United States.
 
MLS Commissioner Don Gerber said: "We are thrilled to welcome Celtic, one of the world’s most popular teams, for a quality match against the best of MLS at our newest soccer cathedral, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
 
“We look forward to an exciting evening in this tremendous new soccer-specific venue.”
 
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to be traveling to America again this pre-season to take part in this match versus the MLS All-Stars.
 
“Celtic has a world-wide audience with thousands of fans in the United States and I am sure this passionate support will be looking forward to welcoming the team back. Everyone at Celtic is very much looking forward to the trip.”
 
The venue for the first Major League Soccer All-Star event hosted in Colorado will be Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, home of the Colorado Rapids.
 
The newest jewel of Denver’s sports landscape, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, is considered the biggest and most state-of-the-art professional stadium and field complex in the world and features an 18,000-seat stadium surrounded by a 24-field, fully-lit professional soccer complex.
 
Colorado Rapids Managing Director, Jeff Plush, said: “We are thrilled to play host to both Celtic Football Club and the best players from Major League Soccer in the league’s marquee mid-season event.
 
“This is just an example of some of the world-class events that the diverse soccer fan base in Colorado can expect here at our new home of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.”
 
Pepsi and Sierra Mist continue to support soccer in the United States by being the title sponsor of the MLS All-Star Game for the sixth consecutive year. Pepsi has been a corporate partner with MLS since the league’s inaugural season in 1996.
 
“The Sierra Mist MLS All-Star game has once again attracted one of the best teams in the world, making it a must-see event for the fans,” said Ralph Santana, VP of sports marketing, media and interactive, Pepsi-Cola North America.
 
“The fact that the game will be played in a brand new soccer stadium will add another level of excitement. It’s another great chapter in MLS history.”
 
The on-sale date for the general public, along with individual ticket prices, will be announced in the near future. For more information visit www.coloradorapids.com. 

18th January 2007

Burns leaves Scotland set-up

TOMMY Burns has stood down as assistant manager of the Scotland national team. He informed the SFA last night of his decision not to continue in the role.
 
The Celtic first-team coach and Head of Youth said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Scottish national squad and have made a lot of good friends in the process.
 
"I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone involved with Scotland every success for the future."
 
Celtic Football Club is delighted that Tommy has decided to devote all his energy to Celtic in his positions as first-team coach and head of youth development, which are key roles at the club.

17th January 2007

Celtic goalkeeper David Marshall signs Norwich loan deal

Celtic and Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall has completed his loan move to Championship side Norwich until the end of the season.

The 21-year-old has started only two games this season as manager Gordon Strachan has favoured Polish keeper Artur Boruc as his number one.

"England is a great place to play football and I'm looking forward to it," Marshall told Norwich's website.

"Artur has done really great so my chances have been limited this season."

Marshall lost his place last season following defeat by Artmedia Bratislava and a 4-4 draw with Motherwell.

He said then he did not want to spend another campaign on the bench and wanted first-team action.

"To get down here and hopefully get a few games under my belt is great and I want to repay the manager's faith he's showed in me so far," Marshall said.

Marshall was praised for a fine debut in 2004 against Barcelona in the Nou Camp, when he made a string of superb saves to help Celtic secure a 0-0 draw and progress to the quarter finals of the Uefa Cup.

But he has been unable to displace Boruc in the Celtic line-up this season and said he was looking forward to working with Norwich boss Peter Grant.

"I grew up watching Peter Grant play for Celtic so I know how passionate he is," said Marshall.

"I've been speaking to him over the last couple of days and he's shown me he wants to get Norwich back to where they belong."

12th January 2007

SPL award for fine Art

GOALKEEPER Artur Boruc has been voted December’s Bank of Scotland Premier League Player of the Month following a string of outstanding performances last month.

These included world-class saves in the games against Aberdeen, Motherwell and the derby clash with Rangers.

“It’s really good,” said Boruc as he collected the award today after training.

“I really enjoy it and what can I say, it’s always good when the people around you appreciate what you are doing. It’s my work and this award is very good.”

When asked if this rich vein of recent form represented a career-best, the 26-year-old replied: “Probably”, before quickly adding: “But it could be better. And I am working hard to be a better goalkeeper.”

Consistently outstanding displays since Boruc’s move to Glasgow from Legia Warsaw have, however, restricted fellow stopper David Marshall’s opportunities at the club, with the Scottish internationalist linked with a loan deal as he bids to gain first team action.

“He’s a good team-mate, a good guy and first and foremost, he is a good goalkeeper,” said Boruc.
 
“It’s really tough for him, because he has been sitting on the bench for almost two seasons now and it would probably be better if he had had a few games, but that’s up to the manager.”

Gordon Strachan was, however, full of praise for Boruc in the wake of the award and although he highlighted the fact that it was unusual to see a Celtic goalkeeper presented given this rare recognition, he thanked the stopper for his contribution.

“We’re disappointed at having a goalkeeper who is Player of the Month,” smiled the Celtic manager, “it’s not often that happens at Celtic.

“But after getting over that, we have to congratulate him. We’re disappointed at giving him a lot of work to do, but we’re happy that we have a top goalkeeper. There are different sorts of emotions.

“He’s been excellent. There have been games when he’s not had that much to do, but he’s pulled off saves at the right time. We’re grateful he is here.”

The award will also serve to boost Boruc’s confidence as Celtic prepare for this Sunday’s game against Hearts, with former Tynecastle defender Steven Pressley preparing to line-up against his old club in the heart of the Celtic defence.

“I am looking forward to it,” concluded the Polish internationalist. “It’s a great place to play football and a great place to get three points, so we will be looking forward to it.

“Steven is a good player,” added Boruc. “That’s why I am not afraid to defend and it will be much easier with him in the team.”

12th January 2007

Alan Thompson joins Leeds United

The Affiliation wish Alan all the best on his move to Leeds United, Alan was a great player in his time with Celtic Football Club.

 

Alan Thompson has completed his move to Elland Road.
The former Celtic midfielder completed the formalities of his switch on Friday morning and has joined for an initial period until the end of the season.
Alan becomes the sixth new transfer arrival of the month, joining Tore Andre Flo, Armando Sa, Matt Heath, Robbie Elliott and Tresor Kandol at the club.
Boss Dennis Wise is hoping to add further to his squad.

11th January 2007

Pearson signs for Derby

STEPHEN Pearson has signed for Derby County and joined up again with his former manager, Billy Davies, now in charge at Pride Park.
 
Pearson has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Championship side, who are currently second in the table and aiming for promotion to the Premiership.
 
Twenty-four-year old Pearson joined Celtic from Motherwell in January 2004 and made a total of 76 appearances for the Hoops, scoring seven goals.
 
He won two league championship medals and a Scottish Cup medal with the club and also gained five caps for Scotland.
 
Everyone at Celtic thanks Stephen for his contribution to the club’s success over the past three years and wishes him every success in his future career.

08th January 2007

McDowell set for Old Firm switch

Celtic reserve team coach Kenny McDowell is set for a move to Rangers.

McDowell has been credited with producing much of the young talent that has emerged at the Parkhead club in recent years.

It is understood that the former St Mirren player will take up a coaching role at Ibrox.

He will be part of a coaching team headed by Walter Smith who will be named Rangers manager this week.

08th January 2007

O'Carroll makes Ross County loan move

Diarmuid O'Carroll has joined Scottish First Division side Ross County on loan until the end of the season.

O'Carroll, 19, is the seventh Celtic youngster to go leave the club on loan this season and will join team-mate Michael Gardyne, who is already at the Highland club.

Tommy Burns, Celtic's head of youth and first-team coach, believes the move can only be beneficial for the teenager.

He told the the club's official website: "Ross County are a club with good facilities and are very progressive for the level at which they operate.

"They have good people up there. Scott Leitch is the coach, while (director of football) George Adams was here before, so we have a good relationship with them.

"The loan deals are good from Celtic's point of view, because we can get good young players into that first-team environment and as I've said before, if they get in at that level and make an impact, then they will have a greater opportunity to come back here and succeed.

"It's a deal that will work well for both parties."

Burns believes that the timing is perfect for O'Carroll to make an impact in competitive football.

He said: "Diarmuid is ready for it. He's had a couple of seasons with the reserves now and is just champing at the bit to get out and show that he is a natural striker who can score goals.

"This gives him the platform to go and do that."

Meanwhile, County have paid tribute to Hoops right-back Gary Irvine, who returned to Celtic Park last week.

"Gary has opted to return to Celtic to push for first-team football," said a County spokesman on the club's official website.

"Although we are of course sad to see Gary go, we would like to take this opportunity to thank him for the outstanding contribution he has made to the team during his time here and also to wish him all the best for his future career."