21st May 2007

CELTIC'S PRE-SEASON FIXTURE SCHEDULE

SPL Champions Celtic will travel to Switzerland, England and America and then return to Scotland to take part in eight pre-season friendlies ahead of the 2007/2008 campaign.

Gordon Strachan’s men face Swiss sides FC Basel (Thursday, July 5) and Young Boys of Berne (Saturday, July 7) as part of a five-day trip to Berne, Switzerland.

After returning home to Scotland, Celtic will then travel down south to play Peterborough (Friday, July 13) and Queen's Park Rangers (Sunday, July 15).

Following those fixtures, the squad will fly to America, where the MLS All-Stars (Thursday, July 19) and Chicago Fire (Sunday, July 22) will provide the opposition in Denver and Chicago.

The Hoops’ pre-season schedule then takes them back to England for a glamour friendly with Newcastle United (Thursday, July 26) at St James’ Park.

Celtic's final pre-season game takes place at Celtic Park against Parma (Sunday, July29) from Italy before the SPL for season 2007-2008 kicks off again with our opening match v Kilmarnock.

Celtic’s pre-season fixture schedule:

Thursday, July 5, 2007 – FC Basel v Celtic
(Grenchen Stadium, 8pm kick-off)

Saturday, July 7, 2007 – Young Boys of Berne v Celtic
(Grenchen Stadium, 7.30pm KO)

Friday, July 13, 2007 – Peterborough United v Celtic
(London Road Stadium, 7.45pm KO)

Sunday, July 15, 2007 – Queen's Park Rangers v Celtic
(Loftus Road, 3pm KO)

Thursday, July 19, 2007 – MLS All-Stars v Celtic
(Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Denver, 7pm KO)

Sunday, July 22, 2007 – Chicago Fire v Celtic FC
(Toyota Park, Bridgeview IL, 2pm KO)

Thursday, July 26, 2007 – Newcastle United v Celtic FC
(St James’ Park, 7.45pm KO)

Sunday, July 29, 2007 – Celtic FC v Parma
(Celtic Park, 2.00pm KO)

(All dates and kick-offs are listed at local time and are subject to change)

19th May 2007

PRE SEASON MATCH ANNOUNCED TODAY

CELTIC will face Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly at St James’ Park on Thursday, July 26.

The Hoops will face Newcastle, now managed by Sam Allardyce, and he is looking forward to facing the Scottish Champions.

“It’s a great thrill to be the new manager of Newcastle United and I’m already looking forward to our pre-season matches,” Allardyce said.

“I’m pleased that we have arranged a game with Celtic at St. James’ Park. As the Scottish champions and a side that did well in the Champions League last season, they’ll give us a hard match, which is exactly what we will be looking for.

“I’m sure we’ll get a big crowd for this game and that will make for the kind of great backing I’m looking forward to the team having at every home game.”

Celtic have been popular visitors to St. James’ in recent times, providing the opposition for Peter Beardsley’s benefit game in 1999 and, of course, more recently in May last years for the Alan Shearer Testimonial.

The July 26 fixture has a provisional kick-off time of 7.45pm. Ticket details will be announced in due course.

16th May 2007

Paul Cuddihy (Celtic View editor)

CELTIC Football Club is delighted today to announce the signing of Scott Brown from Hibernian FC in the biggest ever transfer between two Scottish clubs.

Scott (21) has signed a five-year contract with Celtic and will team up with the Scottish Champions when the transfer window opens.

Celtic Manager Gordon Strachan said: "We are delighted to have signed Scott and are excited about him joining us next season.

"He has all the attributes to be a great Celtic player and I am sure he will enjoy teaming up with the other players at the Club as we try to bring more success to our supporters. I would also like to thank the Celtic Board for their support in bringing Scott to Celtic."

Scott Brown said: "Everyone knows Celtic is one of the biggest names in football and the opportunity to join a Club of Celtic’s stature was one I had to take.

"Celtic has enjoyed a great season, lifting the SPL Championship and making great progress in Europe. The Club has a magnificent support and I will be doing all I can to make sure I play my part in delivering more and more success to these fans.

"I would also like to thank Hibernian FC and the Hibs fans for all they have done for me. I have enjoyed my time immensely playing for Hibernian for a number of years and have nothing but praise for the Club and its staff and supporters. I wish everyone involved with Hibernian, the very best for the future."

Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell added: "We are delighted to secure the signing of Scott, one of the most talented players in the country.

"There was considerable interest in Scott from a number of other clubs across Britain and clearly it is fantastic news for the Club and our supporters that we have signed him.

"Scott did have more lucrative offers elsewhere, but we are clearly very pleased that he has chosen to join Celtic. The Celtic Board is delighted to support Gordon and his plans for the future."
 

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