8/31/2001

PETTA ON HIS WAY?

Celtic were refusing to comment last night on suggestions that Bobby Petta, the Celtic winger, was the subject of a £4m bid from Paris Saint-Germain. A Celtic spokesman said Martin O'Neill did not comment on transfer speculation.

8/31/2001

PELLEGRINO TURNS DOWN LUCRATIVE CELTIC SWITCH

Valencia defender Mauricio Pellegrino has turned down a move to Celtic, despite being offered a contract worth nearly £6 million over four seasons. "I am happy with the situation at Valencia, so there is no reason to change," he said.

8/30/2001

DATE SET FOR HIBS DISCIPLINARY HEARING

Hibernian will be called before the Scottish Football Association on September 10 to face charges of unruly fan behaviour during Saturday's defeat by Celtic.

8/30/2001

Cameras ready for Hoops' Euro adventure

Scottish Television will screen all of Celtic's Champions League group matches live during September and October.

The Hoops begin their campaign against Rosenborg at Parkhead on September 12 before travelling to Juventus the following week. STV will show all of the Hoops' matches in Group E live including both legs of the game against Porto.

Denis Mooney, head of sport at Scottish TV, said: "We're delighted to continue our coverage of the Champions League."

8/29/2001

In-demand Pellegrino ponders Celtic offer

Valencia defender Mauricio Pellegrino will reveal his future plans before the end of the week after Celtic became the third club to table a lucrative offer for the coveted Argentinian.

Fears that the 29-year-old was eyeing a hefty pay-day away from the Mestalla began when he negotiated a reduction of his buy-out clause from £14.8 million to £7.2 million at the end of last season.

8/29/2001

Squad lists deadline nears (FROM UEFA.COM WEBSITE)

Clubs taking part in this season’s UEFA Champions League first group stage and UEFA Cup first round have until midnight this coming Friday, 31 August, to finalise their squads for their respective competitions.

UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup squads The deadline applies to the 32 teams who will be setting out in the opening UEFA Champions League group stage on 11 and 12 September, and the 96 clubs competing in the UEFA Cup first round over two legs on 13 and 27 September.

A and B lists A total of 25 players can be named on the A list, while players born on or after 1 January 1980, and who have been eligible to play for the club in question for at least two years since their 15th birthday, can be included on the B list.

Association submits squad lists Each club’s national association must submit the A and B lists to UEFA by midnight on Friday, 31 August, and UEFA expects to finish checking the lists on Monday, 3 September. Full squad lists will be published on uefa.com when they are available.

Next deadline in January The squad lists are definitive until the next deadline of 31 January 2002, when clubs will be entitled to register a maximum of three new players, on condition that the total number of players registered on the A list does not exceed 25. Young players may be be added to the B list at any stage of the season.

8/29/2001

Ayr United 2 Celtic 3

Follow the link below for a report on last night's challenge match.

http://www.celticfc.net/newsdesk/latest_news/01-08/am_28_1655.htm

8/29/2001

Punter bets £390,000 on Celtic to retain title

From Ananova Wednesday August 29, 2001

A London punter has bet £390,000 on Celtic to retain the Scottish Premier League title.

The bet is thought to be one of the largest ever in British football history.

If Celtic do finish top of the league for the second year running, the un-named man will make a profit of £117,000 at odds of 3-10.

Joe Fagan, from bookmakers Victor Chandler, "The client came on the phone before trading yesterday morning and it was some wake-up call.

"I quoted him a 3-10 and he was happy to accept. We fancied taking him on because of Celtic's Champions League commitments this season and, for us, it certainly adds spice to the first Old Firm match.

"The punter shuns publicity and is a regular big-hitter at short prices."

8/29/2001

Neil Lennon Injured

The Northern Ireland midfielder has been forced to withdraw from the squad for this week's World Cup qualifiers due to a groin injury picked up at Easter Road last Saturday.

8/29/2001

Ticket office closed

The ticket office at Celtic Park has been closed for the rest of this week due to the demand for Champions League match ticket packages going through the roof.

8/29/2001

Celts on International duty

Several Celts are on international duty this week, we will be keeping you up to date with their progress

8/27/2001

BURCHILL OFF THE MARK

Mark Burchill started to repay his transfer fee from Celtic to Portsmouth today by scoring twice on his debut for Pompey. Portsmouth ran out 4-2 winners over Grimsby and move upto seventh place in the Nationwide Division One table.

8/24/2001

BURCHILL COMPLETES MOVE TO POMPEY

Mark Burchill today moved to Portsmouth for an initial fee of £600,000. more cash will follow for Celtic in the coming months.

8/24/2001

CELTIC TRUST – WELCOME SATURDAY AGM SWITCH

The Celtic Trust group of supporters and shareholders today welcomed the decision by Celtic PLC to hold its Annual General Meeting for shareholders on a Saturday. The Trust believes that such a move will improve accountability and communication between the club and its supporters by allowing many supporter shareholders to attend the AGM for the first time. Since its inception the Trust has been campaigning for the AGM to be held at the weekend.

8/23/2001

Lippi's reaction to the draw

From www.juventus.com

Here are the comments of Marcelo Lippi regarding the draw for the first round of the Champions League: "The groups all seem the same in terms of difficulty. Perhaps the most demanding is that one with Roma and Real Madrid. Another interesting group is the one with Lazio and Galatasaray".

Then he added: "As far as our group goes, I've got a high opinion of all the teams we will face. Now though, we must start to make scouting trips to watch these future opponents closely; and especially Porto, who are the first team that we'll face. All of these opponents are important teams in their own countries. Rosenberg I remember, because we played them during my first spell at Juve. Then Celtic, for some years have been good in Europe".

"Psychologically we are ready to take on this challenge, because there is a great desire here, and I also speak personally,to make an impact in this competition".

8/22/2001

PRIDE AT STAKE FOR INJURY-HIT AJAX

Ajax face Celtic looking to restore lost pride following their 3-1 home-leg Champions' League qualifying defeat against the Scottish Champions. "We're going there to qualify, if that fails we hope to get a measure of revenge," manager Co Adriaanse said.

8/22/2001

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND UP

Europe's big guns sailed through to the Champions' League proper with Lazio and Liverpool the biggest winners, 4-1 against FC Copenhagen and FC Haka respectively. Barcelona, Dinamo Kiev, and Real Mallorca and Bayer Leverkusen are also through to the group stages.

RESULTS Dinamo Kiev 1 - 1 Steaua Bucharest Dinamo Kiev win 5-3 on aggregate

Bayer Leverkusen 3 - 0 Red Star Belgrade

Bayer Leverkusen win 3-0 on aggregate

Liverpool 4 - 1 FC Haka Liverpool win 9-1 on aggregate

Lazio 4 - 1 FC Copenhagen Lazio win 5-3 on aggregate

Barcelona 1 - 0 Wisla Krakow Barcelona win 5-3 on aggregate

Real Mallorca 2 - 0 Hajduk Split Mallorca win 2-1 on aggregate after extra time

8/22/2001

YOUNG GUN CALLED UP TO UNDER 21 SQUAD

Celtic's Shaun Maloney, who made a sensational first-team debut for Celtic at Ibrox at the end of last season has been drafted into the Scotland under 21 set up.

8/21/2001

McNAMARA SET FOR NEW DEAL

Jackie McNamara is set to be offered a new deal that will see him through until 2005. The deal will take Jackie through to ten years service with the club and he could be in line for a testimonial match.

8/21/2001

INJURIES TAKE THEIR TOLL ON AJAX

Ajax's inability to cope with a lengthening injury list was apparent again on Sunday as they were held 1-1 by Roda JC. With the Champions' League showdown with Celtic looming, midfielder Richard Knopper admitted there is cause for concern.

8/20/2001

FULL REPORT ON UNDER 21s FROM OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Balde stars for '21s

By Stephen Sullivan

Scottish Premier Youth/Under-21 League, Monday August 20, 2001, New Broomfield Stadium

CELTIC… 2 Petrov 13, Maloney 55 ABERDEEN… 1 Clark 49

Goals from Stilian Petrov and Shaun Maloney got the under-21s’ league campaign off to a flier but it was Bobo Balde who lit up New Broomfield on his Hoops debut. Under the watchful eye of Martin O’Neill, the giant Guinean came through the match with flying colours by giving Aberdeen’s hapless trialist Eugene Dadi the most torrid 90 minutes of his professional life.

Had it been a week earlier, Balde would almost certainly have played himself into the frame for Wednesday’s crunch match with Ajax but the very fact that he played the full 90 minutes, tiring towards the end, seems to suggest that O’Neill will wait before handing him a full debut. However, the former Toulouse defender certainly whetted the appetites of the few hundred Celtic supporters who turned up at the under-21s’ new home and looks destined to become real fans’ favourite.

But while his all-action defensive style – not at all unlike that displayed by Marvin Andrews on Saturday – was a highlight of the evening, there were a number of other plus points for both O’Neill and under-21 boss Kenny McDowall.

Petrov and Morten Wieghorst both stepped up their respective bids for full fitness, with the former in particular showing the skill and energy that made him one of the key components in last season’s treble success. The Bulgarian midfielder was also ably assisted by his young team-mates, who dominated an Aberdeen side boasting the talents of Hicham Zerouali, Thomas Soldberg and welcoming back long-term injury victim Russell Anderson.

Indeed, it took Celtic just 13 minutes to break the deadlock. John Paul McGovern cut in from the right flank and delivered a delicate through ball for Petrov, who expertly out-muscled and out-manoeuvred the Aberdeen defence before hammering a right-foot shot past Ryan Esson into the far corner of the net.

It was a great goal and one that the Bhoys’ enterprising early play had fully justified. However, the Dons came storming back and six minutes later came within inches of a leveller when Dadi played a neat one-two with Zerouali and volleyed just over the bar from 20 yards.

Nevertheless, this was a rare opportunity for the French striker who, on the occasion of his 28th birthday, saw his chances of a permanent move to Pittodrie hampered by the shackling influence of his former Toulouse team-mate. And not content with keeping the Aberdeen strikers away from Allan Morrison’s goal, Balde even went looking to cause mayhem at the other end as the half wore on.

Indeed, he came close to doubling Celtic’s lead after 24 minutes when, after a great run and cross from Ryan McCann, he rose above both Soldberg and Esson only to see his header drop short of the goal-line.

Aberdeen looked down and out at this stage but, after a half-time roasting from Drew Jarvie, they emerged from the break with a renewed sense of purpose and were rewarded with a stunning equaliser three minutes in. Zerouali claimed an assist after his hard work had won possession, but the goal was all down a quite magnificent 25-yard shot from Chris Clark, which curled into the top right-hand corner past the helpless figure of Morrison.

Aberdeen’s joy was to be short-lived, however, because Celtic reclaimed the lead just six minutes later. A dreadful lapse in concentration from Soldberg allowed Maloney to pounce and, after robbing the Dons defender, the young striker showed tremendous composure to take the ball round Esson before threading a left foot shot into the net through a ruck of legs.

Thereafter, the match became a little scrappy. However, only a brilliant point-blank save from Morrison prevented Clark from doubling his personal tally after the young Dons winger had evaded the attentions of the Celtic defence.

At the other end, Ryan McCann – filling in up front - went desperately close to selaing the three points with a deflected shot that Esson acrobatically tipped round the post. But two goals were enough in the end and, with Balde, Petrov, Wieghorst and a whole host of young hopefuls proving that they’re ready to stake their claim for a first team spot, Martin O’Neill must surely have left New Broomfield in an optimistic frame of mind.

Website Man of the Match: BOBO BALDE

CELTIC (3-5-2): Morrison; Goodwin, Balde, Kennedy; McGovern, Healy, Wieghorst, Petrov, Smith; McCann, Maloney. Subs: Marshall, Doyle, Fotheringham, McBride, Miller ABERDEEN (4-4-2): Esson; Lilley, Anderson, Soldberg, Rutkiewicz; Bett (Peat 71), Tiernan, O’Donaghue, Clark; Dadi, Zerouali. Subs: Duncan, Michie, Kidd, McCulloch

8/20/2001

UNDER 21'S RESULT

CELTIC 2 ABERDEEN 1

Stan Petrov scored 1st goal and both Morten & Bobo played in the match.

8/20/2001

SUKER READY FOR CELTIC SWITCH

If you believe everything you read in the press then Davor Suker will Celtic's latest signing and Don Hutchinson will be signing for Old Firm rival Rangers. Let's just sat we'll wait and see if anything develops.

8/19/2001

O'NEILL ACCEPTS FAIR RESULT

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill admitted his side did not deserve to take three points against Scottish Premier League new boys Livingston, who have now managed to hold both Old Firm giants to a draw.

8/19/2001

AJAX TONE UP WITH OPENING DAY DRAW

Ajax opened up their league campaign in Holland by playing out a 1-1 draw at the Amsterdam ArenA against Roda JC

8/17/2001

Ajax hit by injuries ahead of Celtic game

Ajax Amsterdam have been hit by a spate of injuries ahead of the second leg of their third- round Champions League qualifier away to Celtic next week, the Dutch club said on Friday.

Finnish international defender Petri Pasanen and Colombian midfielder Daniel Cruz have been ruled out of the game after suffering injuries in training this week.

Ajax, who lost the home leg against Celtic 3-1 earlier this month, said Pasanen would be out of action for three months after breaking a bone in his left foot. Cruz will be sidelined for six months after breaking his left ankle.

8/16/2001

THE KING TO BE CROWNED

Henrik Larsson Celtic's prolific striker will be presented with his award as Europe's leading league marksman last season at a glittering ceremony in Monaco next Thursday, in tandem with the Champions League draw and before the Super Cup showdown between Liverpool and Bayern Munich the following day.

8/16/2001

Celtic keen on Heenan

Arbroath wonderkid Kevin Heenan has been linked with another move to a big club - and this time it is SPL champions Celtic. The youngster has drawn interest from many of the top clubs north and south of the border including Arsenal, Liverpool and Rangers and most recently Charlton but now Celtic have thrown their hat into the ring and have offered the youngster a trial.

Heenan was watched by a Celtic representative last week and Parkhead bosses are keen to see him in action for The Hoops. John Brownlie told the Press and Journal: "Celtic want him to go down for a trial and we would have no problem with that. The only thing is Celtic have a big game next week against Ajax so maybe we should wait until the week after.

"It would only be fair to Kevin if he could get the chance to impress in front of the Celtic manager, but Martin O'Neill may be too busy with the Champions League next week."

It is thought The Licthies would receive up-wards of £200,000 for the promising young Scot.

8/15/2001

THE KING ON TARGET FOR SWEDEN

SWEDEN 3 SOUTH AFRICA 0

Henrik Larsson was involved in all three goals as Sweden easily swept aside the challenge of South Africa.

Larsson opened the scoring from the spot after just five minutes, he also set up the other two goals.

Allback tapped the second into an open goal after good work from Larsson.

Substitute Andreas Andersson headed home a Larsson cross from the left for the third in the closing stages.

Glad to report that both Larsson & Johan Mjallby came through the match unscathed.

8/15/2001

BOBBY PETTA NEWS

Bobby Petta's dream of a Holland debut against England tonight has been ruined by injury.

Petta sustained a hamstring injury in a training session last night.

The injury has forced the Celtic star to withdraw from the clash at White Hart Lane.

It is the second time Petta has been frustrated by injury as he seeks to break through at the top level.

Holland coach Louis van Gaal called him up to a squad last season but a lack of fitness forced him to pull out.

Petta had been due to play in tonight's clash in place of the injured Marc Overmars

8/15/2001

PETTA MAY NOW BE INCLUDED

Bobby Petta may indeed get a game at White Hart Lane tonight for Holland against England, he will replace Marc Overmars of Barcelona if Overmars fails a late fitness test.

8/14/2001

PETTA IN HOLLAND SQUAD

Bobby Petta has not made the starting eleven for the friendly between England & Holland at White Hart Lane on Wednesday evening.

8/14/2001

KERR OFF TO WIGAN?

Fourth choice goalkeeper Stuart Kerr has gone to Wigan Athletic on trial with a view to a permanent £250,000 move.

8/14/2001

WIEGHORST NEARING FIRST-TEAM RECALL

Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst has taken another step towards a first-team recall with a two-goal starring role in a friendly. Last season, the Dane had feared for his life after being struck down by the life-threatening brain disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome. But now he is back in Martin O'Neill's plans and scored twice in a 4-0 win at Stenhousemuir. Mark Burchill supplied the other two goals and new signing Steve Guppy also played.

Bulgaria international Stilian Petrov, who is regaining fitness after a badly-broken leg last season, made another appearance.

The midfielder's first comeback match had been an Under-21 fixture against Ayr United last week.

8/14/2001

DON'T BLAME CELTIC - ELLIOT

Matt Elliott says Celtic are not to blame over his contract wrangle at Filbert Street.

Elliott has rejected a new contract offer claiming he is worth more.

But he says that his decision to reject it has nothing to do with Martin O'Neill's interest in him.

The central defender labelled City's offer to him as "derisory". Several weeks ago, City rejected a £3 million offer from Celtic for Elliott.

Celtic already have City old boys Neil Lennon and Steve Guppy.

City manager Peter Taylor says of Elliott:"He's very happy at the club."

Now where have we heard that before, Mr Taylor? Was that not what you were saying when we were trying for Neil Lennon.

8/14/2001

ADRIAANSE ROLLS OUT NEW-LOOK DEFENSIVE AJAX

Ajax manager Co Adriaanse is ready to abandon the club's attacking philosophy ahead of the new Dutch season after fielding an experimental side featuring five at the back and two defensive midfielders in a friendly defeat by Roma.

Result : Roma 2 Ajax 1

8/13/2001

SUTTON CATCHES ERIKSSON'S EYE

Celtic's in-form striker Chris Sutton has been told that he is in the future plans of England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson. The £6million man has been hailed as ''a player in the form of his life'' by manager Martin O'Neill after a stunning start to the new season. Sutton sealed Celtic's 3-1 victory against Ajax last week with a glorious goal and comfortably reverted to defence for Saturday's 2-0 win over Hearts.

8/13/2001

CELTIC FOCUS IS ON SPL DEFENCE, CLAIMS LENNON

Neil Lennon has insisted that retaining the Scottish title remains the No 1 concern for Celtic, despite likely Champions' League qualification after the club's 3-1 defeat of Ajax. "We have come a long way in a year, but our priority is still the league," he said.

8/11/2001

CELTS GO GLOBAL

AMERICAN cable firm ESPN will beam Saturday's SPL clash between Celtic and Hearts live across the world.

The game will be shown in America, Australia and the West Indies, where Celts have an ever-growing fan base.

8/6/2001

CELTIC WERE OUT FOR REVENGE

Chris Sutton says that Celtic had no intention of treating Ryan Giggs' testimonial as a friendly. The Celtic striker says that the Parkhead side were seeking revenge after Manchester United treated Tom Boyd's testimonial a few weeks ago in the same fashion.

"We were up for the game because of the way they played last time," Sutton told the Sun.

"We went out that night at Parkhead to play it as a friendly but they were putting the foot in all over the shop.

"That annoyed us and we decided at Old Trafford we would be putting it about."

United won the first match 2-0, but Celtic reversed fortunes at Old Trafford.

The second match was littered with hard challenges, and Sutton appeared to slap David Beckham in the face.

"A lot of guys were playing for pride and we got it back," Sutton added.

"To go there and win 4-3 shows we can handle ourselves."

8/5/2001

HARTSON RAPS RANGERS CLAIMS

Celtic new signing John Hartson has refuted claims that his move to Rangers last season collapsed because he failed the toughest of medicals.

The Welshman has been poised to join the then-champions in a double deal with Ronald de Boer, who did complete a £4.5million switch from Barcelona.

8/5/2001

AJAX CHIEF: HARTSON DOESN'T SCARE US

Ajax manager Co Adriaanse claims his side will not be quaking in their boots at the prospect of facing Celtic new-boy John Hartson - but he admits Henrik Larsson is causing him concern.

But Adriaanse still insists Celtic are favourites to come out on top in the Champions League third qualifying round tie, because they have already out-performed Rangers' big-name Dutchmen.

Adriaanse saw Larsson, who played most of the match alongside debutant Hartson, convert the only chance that came his way at Kilmarnock and earn his side a 1-0 win yesterday.

8/4/2001

COVENTRY CHIEF INSISTS HARTSON WAS '100% TAPPED UP'

Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson has refused to back down in his claim that John Hartson was 'tapped up' by Celtic prior to his move to Parkhead, even though Martin O'Neill has insisted that the Sky Blues boss is wrong.