30TH JANUARY 2008

Motherwell v Celtic

Wednesday 30th January 2008

GAME OFF

FIR PARK WEDNESDAY NIGHT 30-01-2008

Celtic supporters were badly let down tonight when the match at Fir Park Motherwell was postponed at 6.50pm.

The new rule introduced by the SFA recently was once again showing unworkable.

The exact same thing happened to Morton and Gretna supporters the previous week when there was a Scottish Cup tie to be played at the same ground and was called off less than one hour before kick off.

The new rule states that football grounds would be examined four hours before kick off time and the result of that examination would decide if the game is to go ahead or be postponed.

We would love to know if supporters clubs running coaches to games such as this are covered by insurance to repay the costs involved running coaches when things like this happen at such a late stage.

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GEORGIOS DELIGHTED TO BE ONE OF THE BHOYS

AN empty Celtic Park, buffeted by the winter rain, is a completely different proposition from a stadium filled with supporters ready to cheer on the team.

Yet the scale of the arena is something that is not lost of new signing, Georgios Samaras, who was happy to pose for photographs with the customary green and white scarf held aloft.

The 22-year-old striker has signed a loan deal with Celtic until the end of this season, with the club having the option of making the move a permanent one.

And in the process, the move has ensured Georgios Samaras becomes Celtic’s first ever Greek player.

Speaking exclusively to the Celtic website just after completing his move, the player explained the appeal of joining the Scottish Champions, not least the chance to help Gordon Strachan’s side make it three-in-a-row.

“I’m really delighted,” he said. “It’s the biggest club in Scotland and I’m looking forward to winning games and to win the title we have targeted.

“I’m here to help the team and to reach the targets you have. And, of course, a big team like Celtic wants to win everything and I’m here to do that – to win everything.”

Over and above the number one priority for the club – to retain the league title won the past two seasons – Samaras is also looking forward to playing his part in Celtic’s UEFA Champions League campaign, with a last 16 clash with Catalan giants Barcelona looming on the horizon.

The Greek internationalist is clearly looking forward to the prospect of facing up to some of Europe’s top players.

“It will be my debut because I’ve never played in the Champions League before,” he explained, “and I will do my best to get to the next round.

“It will be very difficult against Barcelona but in football you never know. I try to give 100 per cent in each game and, of course, to have the mentality to win every game.”

And while the challenges of club football are the most immediate ones he faces, the 22-year-old goalscorer is hoping that moving to a club of Celtic’s stature and reputation will also help his own prospects at international level.

Having already been capped 12 times for Greece, with three goals to his name, Samaras is aiming to win a place in the Greek national squad for Euro 2008.

Greece will be defending the trophy they won four years ago in Portugal and Celtic’s new Bhoy is hoping to play his part.

He said: “One of the reasons I signed here is because I will use the games to help Celtic, and, of course, for the chance to be in the squad for the national team of Greece for the summer.

"I’m here to help Celtic and for Celtic to help me.”

JAPANESE STAR KOKI MIZUNO SIGNS FOR CELTIC

CELTIC have completed the signing of highly-rated Japanese internationalist Koki Mizuno.

The 22-year-old has joined the Scottish Champions on a three-and-a-half year contract and teams up with his fellow countryman, Shunsuke Nakamura at Celtic Park.

Mizuno, who has already won three international caps for Japan, joined J-League side JEF United in 2004.

Having won youth international honours, he gained his first full cap in March 2007 in a friendly against Peru. And he won a further two caps in last year’s Asian Cup.

An exciting midfield player, Koki Mizuno is a tremendous signing for Celtic and supporters will be hoping he can make as big an impact as Shunsuke Nakamura, the current Scottish Player of the Year.

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08TH JANUARY 2008

CELTIC v RANGERS  Wednesday 23rd January 2008?

Match postponed from Wednesday 2nd January 2008 will now take place on Wednesday 23rd January 2008?

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05TH JANUARY 2008

CELTIC GOALKEEPER COMMITS TO CELTIC FC UNTIL 2011

CELTIC have signed up Artur Boruc on a new three-and-a-half year contract that will see the goalkeeper remain at the club until at least the summer of 2011.

The news will delight supporters who have seen the Polish internationalist play an integral part in Celtic’s back-to-back title triumphs as well as helping the club reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League for two consecutive seasons.

Boruc joined Celtic from Legia Warsaw in 2005 and quickly established himself as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

And the 27-year-old’s performances, both in the SPL and in Europe, have been outstanding, with his vital save in the penalty shoot-out against Spartak Moscow ensuring Celtic reached the group stages of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said: "Clearly this is great news for the club and we are delighted to have agreed this new extended contract with Artur.

“He has made a massive contribution to our success in the past two seasons and will hopefully continue to do so in the years ahead.”  

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have successfully concluded our discussions with Artur. He is an important part of Gordon’s squad and it’s great news for everyone that he has committed his future to the club.

“The Celtic board will do all we can to support Gordon's plans for the development of the Celtic squad.

“This means, as well as continuing to strengthen the squad through bringing in new players, which we have already done in the past few days with the signing of German internationalist Andreas Hinkel, ensuring that key players remain here at Celtic Park."

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Sevilla defender Andreas Hinkel signs 3.5yr deal with Celtic

Celtic have completed the signing of Sevilla defender Andreas Hinkel. The 25-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Glasgow club.

Hinkel has won 17 caps for Germany but joins after a disappointing 18-month spell in Spain, during which he struggled to establish himself in the Sevilla first team.

Hinkel was also wanted in the Bundesliga by Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg but opted for a move to Parkhead.

"I am delighted to sign for Celtic Football Club and am really looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates.

"Celtic is a great club with a great history, having achieved such success at home and in Europe. It is a great honour to join the club and I hope to play an important part in the club's future over the next few years.

"Having already played against Celtic in European competition, I am well aware of the magnificent stadium and wonderful passionate support which the club enjoys.

"I will be doing my very best to work as hard as I can to try and bring as much success as possible to the Celtic fans.

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04TH JANUARY 2008

CELTIC FANS IN SHOCK ON SUDDEN DEATH

OF EX CELT PHIL O'DONNELL

THE world of football has been left stunned at the sudden and tragic death of Phil O’Donnell. The Motherwell captain collapsed during his side’s game at Fir Park against Dundee United and was rushed to hospital where, sadly, he passed away.

Phil O’Donnell, who was 35-years-old, began his career with Motherwell in 1990 and spent four years at the club, helping them to a Scottish Cup triumph in 1991 before signing for Celtic in 1994.

Over the next five years he made 114 appearances for the club, scoring 20 goals and he was part of the Hoops squad which won the league championship in 1998.

A year later he moved south to Sheffield Wednesday where he remained until 2004 when he returned to Motherwell.

Everyone connected with Celtic Football Club is absolutely devastated at the news of Phil’s death. He was a tremendous professional with every club he played for, and in his second spell at Motherwell proved to be a great example to all the younger players at the club.

The thoughts and prayers of everyone at The Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs worldwide and Celtic Football Club are with Phil’s family, friends and team-mates at Motherwell at this desperately sad time.

The flags at Celtic Park are flying at half-mast as a mark of respect.