WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2001

Larsson the star as Sweden brush Malta aside.

Sweden won a one-sided friendly international 3-0 against Malta on Wednesday with Celtic striker Henrik Larsson the inspiration behind their victory. He had a hand in all three goals as Sweden totally dominated the match, played in pouring rain. Goals from Karl Corneliusson (30), Larsson (40) and Hakan Mild (78) gave Sweden victory with goalkeeper Magnus Hedman only having one corner to save the entire match. Corneliusson made no mistake when he scored the opener with only goalkeeper Ernest Barry to beat after Larsson dummied the defenders to create his chance, while Larsson, set up by Arsenal midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg, scored with a brilliantly executed chip five minutes before the break. Larsson provided the pass for Mild to add the third and complete an easy workout before their World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia and Moldova next month.

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2001

HAS NEIL LENNON PLAYED HIS LAST GAME FOR HIS COUNTRY?

NORTHERN IRELAND 0 NORWAY 4

Neil Lennon was booed by a section of the Windsor Park crowd on a miserable night for Northern Ireland.

Loyalists targeted Lennon because of his move to Celtic and this caused other fans to cheer the midfielder.

Lennon came off at half-time and left the ground to spark rumours that he may have played his last game for the Irish.

The Celtic star, who was making his 36th appearance and possibly his last,was so upset he left the ground straight away.

Norway won the international friendly easily thanks to a double from Thorstein Helstad and further goals from John Carew and Stale Stensaas.

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2001

NEIL LENNON IN THE NEWS

Celtic’s Neil Lennon has been in the news over the past twenty four hours for very different reasons.

Firstly we were informed that Neil has threatened to quit giving interviews to the media after he was misquoted in the press leading up to last weekend’s Hibs match.

Secondly and more importantly it’s been reported that Neil has been receiving death threats in the lead up to Northern Ireland’s match against Norway.

The midfielder has received death threats from Loyalist fanatics who have vowed to target him if he turns out for his country in the Windsor Park friendly against Norway.

But Lennon last night vowed not to be driven out of international football by bigots who once turned on another Celtic player, Anton Rogan.

In his home town of Lurgan, Co Armagh, the slogan "Neil Lennon RIP" has been daubed on a wall.

Lennon said: "It has been upsetting for me and my family. I can't understand it because I am just here to play for my country.

There is obviously a significant minority who want to make things difficult because I play for Celtic but I have received much support from manager Sammy McIlroy, the rest of the squad and many fans.

"It is a privilege to play for Northern Ireland and I want to do that to the best of my ability."

A Celtic spokesman said precautions had been taken to ensure the player's safety.

ANOTHER HOOPLESS KIT BLUNDER

Celtic have apologised to St Mirren for taking a cheeky swipe at the SPL strugglers in an ad for the club's controversial new strip.

The slogan - which appeared in last week's Celtic View - will be run again in the club's own newspaper this morning.

Embarrassed Parkhead officials contacted their Love Street counterparts to say sorry after the Umbro advert appeared last week along with the message: The New Celtic shirt is designed to prevent overheating (not strictly necessary for St Mirren away in December).

Last night the SPL leaders insisted the ad had been binned.

Spokeswoman Kate Cunningham said: "When Umbro showed the ad to us we said, 'Oh God, that's got to change.'

"It simply wasn't the right message, something we would never have said and we have completely changed it for this week. We have said 'oops' and explained everything to St Mirren. It was a genuine misunderstanding which came about because another company came up with the slogan."

However, Celtic have failed to have the advert altered in time for today's edition of the View.

A spokesman for publishers First Press said: " We are totally unaware of any controversy over the advert but we would have moved heaven and earth to help the club had any request been forthcoming." St Mirren chairman Stuart Gilmour said: "Celtic have made an apology and we accept it.

We just think it was a bit silly of them not to oversee the production of an advert which mentioned another club."

TUESDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2001

WORLD CLUB TOP 25

Celtic have dropped two places in the world club rankings after their draw with Hibernian on Sunday evening. The full list is reproduced below.

Club Country Points Last Week 1. Real Madrid Spain 289.83 1 2. Manchester United England 276.03 2 3. AS Roma Italy 268.63 3 4. Boca Juniors Argentina 252.00 5 5. River Plate Argentina 247.66 9 6. Deportivo La Coruña Spain 236.00 6 7. Vasco da Gama Brazil 233.83 4 8. Lazio Italy 233.00 8 9. Bayern Munich Germany 232.93 7 10. PSV Netherlands 231.22 13 11. Valencia Spain 227.13 11 12. Juventus Italy 224.25 10 13. Liverpool England 219.97 17 14. Barcelona Spain 218.81 16 15. Arsenal England 213.18 12 16. Leeds United England 205.05 NR 17. Celtic Scotland 204.50 15 18. Feyenoord Netherlands 201.53 14 19. Anderlecht Belgium 195.87 18 20. Cruzeiro Brazil 194.31 20 21. Spartak Moscow Russia 192.07 21 22. Kaiserslautern Germany 189.30 22 23. Bayer Leverkusen Germany 187.87 19 24. Nantes France 182.63 25 25. Rayo Vallecano Spain 181.18 NR

Tuesday 27th February 2001

UNLUCKY PETTA

Bobby Petta has had to withdraw from the Holland squad due to the groin injury he picked up last week. This was Bobby’s first call up to the full squad; it was reported on Monday that he might still be struggling to recover in time for Sunday’s away day at Dunfermline.

THANKS

Our thanks go to Joe McGrattan and all the lads of the various supporters clubs in Northern & Southern Ireland for the hospitality shown to us during our recent flying visit to the Emerald Isle.

FRIDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2001

BORDEAUX CRASH OUT OF EUROPE

Bordeaux who knocked Celtic out of the UEFA cup suffered the same fate themselves last night. The French side lost 2-1 at home to go out 6-2 on aggregate to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano.

THURSDAY 22nd FEBRUARY 2001

HOOPLESS KIT

Ex Celt Peter Grant sent me the following note on the new kit debacle.

Don't let fashion get in the way of traditions. When as a player and supporter it was always special when you heard the shout come on the HOOPS. I was one of the lucky ones to wear the HOOPS let there be thousands more.

Peter Grant

WEDNESDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2001

HOSPITALITY DAY

Please note that the Affiliation will be represented by delegates from the Pat Crerand CSC Chester & District at tonight’s game against Motherwell and not the Greenock Shamrock CSC as advertised in our column in today’s Celtic View. We will rearrange another date for the lads from the Greenock club to attend.

PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY

Our “HANDS OFF THE HOOPS” campaign is officially launched today with a press conference being held at Billy McNeill’s bar in Glasgow. The press conference is at 2pm and we will have Celtic personalities who are backing our stance against the new kit in attendance.

APRIL FOOL?

Rumours were sweeping Lanarkshire yesterday that Fergus McCann was about to make a dramatic return to Scotland to rescue Motherwell FC. Somehow I don’t think this story will come to anything.

BURCHILL OFF AGAIN

Mark Burchill has left Celtic for a second time to try his luck in England. This time he has moved to Ipswich Town on a three-month loan deal. Ipswich has been doing quite well in the English Premiership this season although they have went off the boil in recent weeks.

MONDAY 19th FEBRUARY 2001

SCOTTISH CUP NEWS

Celtic will meet Dunfermline on Wednesday 7th March 2001 in the replay of the Scottish Cup 4th round. The SPL game against St Johnstone scheduled for the same date will have to be moved out to another date.

Should Celtic overcome Dunfermline in the replay we will meet either Dundee or Hearts at Celtic Park on Sunday 11th March 2001. This game will have a 2.35pm kick off as it’s been penciled in by BBC Scotland for live transmission.

SUNDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2001

SCOTTISH CUP NEWS

If Celtic can overcome Dunfermline in the replayed Scottish Cup-tie they will meet Dundee or Hearts at Celtic Park, the game is scheduled to take place on Saturday 10th March 2001.

The full draw is as follows:

Dunfermline or Celtic v Hearts or Dundee

Dundee United v Rangers

Inverness Caley or Kilmarnock v Hibernian

Livingstone or Aberdeen v Peterhead

Ties are due to be played on the weekend of 10th & 11th March 2001

FROM THE TAMESIDE EMERALD CSC WEBSITE

SUNDAY 18th February

Giggs and Boyd Testimonials

It is being rumoured that the testimonials for Ryan Giggs and Tom Boyd will be Celtic - Manchester United clashes. A home and away friendly scenario looks on the cards. Amazing to think that Giggs is due a testimonial at all as he is still very young. The games which might be played in August and September will bring in close on a £1 million for the two stars. The only problem there may be is fitting the games in. Celtic will be in the Champions League next season in either the first or the second Qualifying round and the Scottish season starts in July. There is also the possibility of the English League starting early because of the 2002 World cup. Both games are certain to be sell-outs though! And rest assured, we at Tameside Emerald will put on a wee do down here in Manchester for all the travelling support.

SATURDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2001.

AIRDRIE KICKED OUT OF CUP

Should Celtic get through against Dunfermline in today's Scottish Cup tie one team they wont face in the quarter finals is Airdrie. The Lanarkshire club were kicked out of the cup last night due to cash flow problems. The team they were due to meet Peterhead have now been given a bye into the next round.

TALKS BEGIN TO TIE LARSSON TO CELTIC

Henrik Larsson's agent flew into Glasgow on Thursday as Celtic stepped up their efforts to tie down the prolific Swedish striker on a long-term contract aimed at keeping him at Parkhead for the rest of his career.

FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2001

NEW DATE FOR ST JOHNSTONE GAME

Celtic will travel to Perth on Wednesday 7th March 2001 to take on St Johnstone in the rearranged SPL game. The original game on Wednesday 31st January 2001 was postponed due to fog descending on McDiarmid Park just prior to kick off.

FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2001

MJALLBY WANTS LONG-TERM DEAL

Sweden international Johan Mjallby wants to see out his professional career with Celtic - though he has not ruled out the possibility of a couple of seasons with AIK in his home-land when he reaches his mid-thirties.

FRIDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2001

BORDEAUX THRASHED

Bordeaux who knocked Celtic out of this season’s UEFA cup look to be on the way out as well, they lost by 4 goals to 1 last night in Spain against Rayo Vallecano.

JUVENTUS IN STRIP CLIMBDOWN

Italian giants Juventus seem to be going through the same scenario as Celtic with regard to their football kit. The only difference being that Juventus have taken on board their fans concerns, the Italians have ditched a strip they had planned after fans complained about the colours being used in the new design. TAKE NOTE THE PLC BOARD OF CELTIC FOOTBALL CLUB.

THURSDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2001

YET MORE RESPONSE ON HOOPLESS KIT

To try and take away the one thing which is universally associated with CELTIC F.C. is an absolute travesty. Who do these people think they are ???

davidbeaton2000@yahoo.co.uk

I HAD SIX OF THESE ON ORDER FOR THE FRESNO CLUB BUT WHEN WE HEARD OF THE BAN WE HAVE CANCELLED.

BILL CHARTERS FRESNO CELTIC CLUB Weedevon@aol.com

100% agree. If you dont mind Ive stuck it on my website - URL is www.angelfire.com/tx/letterkenny/index.html

Any plans to hand out flyers at the games??

Cheers Shaun

tillyc@gofree.indigo.ie

Unfortunately I can't agree with the boycott. I don't see the breaking of the hoops being an issue despite me being very much a traditionalist when it comes to Celtic. The more money that Celtic take in, the more money Martin O'Neil has to further our ever growing ambitions. Indeed, I actually quite like the strip.

brian_nelson67@hotmail.com

After deliberating on the subject myself a few weeks ago, I to was amazed at the clubs rediness to move away from the original design. But after giving some thought to the matter, I came this conclusion.

Celtic are more then the shirts they wear on their back. They are us - the supporters. They are a football team with a heritage we are proud to be part of. They are an organisation which has risen from poverty to be one of the most loved and best known clubs in the world. They are more than a football team. Therefore more than the shirt on their back.

The hoops are symbolic. Much loved by many. Immediately identifiable. But so will the new shirt. Given time. And who's to say this redesign will last.

Many Thanks for your time,

J. Mc Garry jjpmcg@hotmail.com

THURSDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2001

MORE RESPONSE TO THE PRESS RELEASE

Got the press release and agree with every word. My mom - who is 82 this year - also thinks that it is a big disgrace, an insult to the support and the tradition of the club. It will not be bought in this house and if you are organising anything to make feelings clear to the PLC/UMBRO, let us know.

Eugene Rogers. vambo@rools.freeserve.co.uk

Message to Messrs. Dinning, Toner and Kelly.

Get a life.

Celtic have played in many varied and wondrous kits over the years. They were Celtic, they are still Celtic and will always be Celtic.

We have just beaten Rangers twice inside four days and totally destroyed their season, while setting ourselves up for our most successful season in decades. Why oh why do you no-brainers have to come out with such drivel the very next day. Is it because the media are no longer phoning you guys for your doom and gloom quotes, as they were last season, and you are missing your spot in the limelight.

The club is bigger than any one of us, and you have absolutely no right to spout such nonsense, supposedly, on behalf of the supporters. If the fans don't like the strip then they are perfectly entitled to vote with their wallets and refrain from buying it. They (we) don't need lectures from anyone on spending our own money.

One final suggestion. When you are phoned by the tabloids looking for an anti Celtic headline, why don't you just say "no comment" for once and stop giving ammunition to those who seek to denigrate the club you claim to support.

Ken Kinnaird kinnaird@supanet.com

WEDNESDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2001

MORE RESPONSES TO MONDAY’S PRESS STATEMENT

Hail, hail We fully support the boycott of the new strip, the traditonal hoops are dearly beloved around the world and a symbol of our great teams of the past, to through this away without regard for the feelings of hoops supporters worldwide is to say the least shocking.

We are only a small group of hoops supporters here in Finland, but cherish the hoops as part of our heritage. We shall soon be trying to form the Helsinki CSC and would appreciate any advice you could give us.

Hail, hail. HELSINKI CSC

We cannot be beaten in this, they MUST NOT be allowed to steal our Hoops.

Paul Larkin.

WHY NOT LET THE FANS SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEW STRIP THROUGH THE PAGES OF THE CELTIC VIEW.

THEN TAKE A VOTE ON THE MOST POPULAR DESIGN. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT MOST OF THE FANS THAT REALLY CARE ,GET WHAT THEY WANT, THEREBY ENSURING HIGH SALES FIGURES.

IT IS NOT A NEW IDEA SEVERAL CLUBS DO IT.SOUTHAMPTON EVEN PUT THEIR STIP SUGGESTIONS ON `SOCER AM` ON SKY SPORTS FOR THEIR FANS TO TAKE A VOTE ON.

PS I AGREE WITH THE STAND THAT THE VARIOUS SUPPORTERS GROUPS ARE TAKING, ITS TIME FOR THE FANS VOICES TO BE HEARD. NEXT ISSUE ON THE AGENDA SHOULD BE THE NUMBER OF LIVE SUNDAY GAMES, BUT THAT WILL PROBABLY FALL ON DEAF EARS.

SEE YOU ON SATURDAY, OR IS IT SUNDAY?.

Wille Barr.

WEDNESDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2001

RESPONSES TO MONDAY’S PRESS STATEMENT

Subbuteo have actually re-started production of the figures that we all knew from our childhood. However in a shocking break from tradition the design of the Celtic team will no longer have players with arms at their side. Instead the arms will be raised so that the lovely new hoopless design can be seen to the full.

Subbuteo refused to comment on the latest action however it is believed that the FAMOUS HOOP design will be supplied with a bottle of tippex. That way the FANS can decide if they want the new design or not.

Yesterday the Celtic Supporters Association the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs issued a statement to Celtic fans everywhere. They called for a boycott of the new "Celtic" strip.

I put Celtic in quotation marks, as this is not a strip I can associate with our great club. It is the first time in nearly 100 years that the world-famous hoops have been broken. It is understood that the club was offered 6 designs by UMBRO and this is the one they have opted for.

A blue design submitted by Nike just missed the deadline for acceptance. I may joke but this might only be the start of the dilution of a strip we are proud of. Some supporters will rightly question the timing of the events. However given the circumstances there could be no better time.

The groups held off so there would be no adverse reactions leading up to the Old Firm title show down. However they had to make their move now so as Celtic and UMBRO will sit up and take notice.

Celtic has attempted to offer an olive branch in the form of consultation on the design of future strips. However like the form of the current Celtic team - horse and bolted are the words that spring to mind.

The club accepts they have made a serious error of judgement. Therefore how about some positive action instead of the usual head in the sand stuff.

This is our history and pride at stake here. Even watching black and white TV footage of Celtic you can still identify the hoops. That is part of our identity and the history of the club known throughout the world.

Cait Coyle recalls this little gem of why the hoops are a symbol of Celtic: "It was 1968, Celtic were European Champions. We were in Denmark to play in a friendly against Copenhagen 1803. I can't remember the score though I'm pretty sure we won.

But as the final whistle was blown the Bhoys started to remove their tops, a plain green effort (away strip) when they were shocked by the Danes refusal to accept the plain Tops in the customary swap saying "This is NOT the Celtic 'European Champions' top.

We do not want this shirt, we want the Green and white hooped tops for which the team is renowned" This resulted in Big Jock Stein quickly phoning CP and a hamper load of hooped tops were flown into Denmark that very evening. Our blushes were saved that time.

But as we approach a new season in the Champions League do we want to risk this insult again to be accused of palming off cheap imitations, in place of our beloved HOOPS????. This is not an isolated event either - nor one that happened when the team was more successful.

I was talking to my Hungarian friend about football in general BEFORE the new design of strip was released. This is what he had to say: I know quite a lot, as both my brothers are fanatic about Ferencvaros. This team has a lot to do with Celtic as they were founded at approximately the same time (Celtic 1888, FTC 1899), they also have green-white club colours (in 1996 they even purchased the same shirts as Celtic from UMBRO, which they called "the famous Celtic hoop shirt")

The Etims recently had a letter from Tony Mowbray and here is a direct quote from the piece. Again it was before the new design was released: "I feel honoured to have played in "the hoops" and to have given my all for the Club at very difficult period in the Clubs history."

These are only some examples of why as Celtic supporters we should take pride in having the hoops. It is therefore perfectly understandable why the fan's groups have taken this particular stance. They are prepared to fight for something that is close to our hearts, if not the clubs.

After the release of the press statement we have the replies from both the club and shirt makers UMBRO. Celtic "regret the activities of certain supporters groups in their attempts to mount a negative campaign" Well blow me down with a feather - after the attempts by those in charge at Celtic Park to run a club last season you'd have thought they'd be the last to mention negative campaigns.

The fact is that despite one of the worst seasons in history the fans returned once again this season to support the club.

We stood with our hoops at the start of the season not knowing where we would end up. Isn't it about time the club reciprocated our actions?

All we are asking for is to maintain the tradition of our club. The reaction from UMBRO is mystifying to say the least: "Umbro's challenge is to produce a playing kit that upholds the traditions of the club" So what tradition is that - the colour?

Even that leaves a lot to be desired - a sort of slime green. But wait UMBRO are tugging on the old heart strings: "The shade of green used to form the hoops is taken from within the the club crest" Couple this with the fact that the strip will be released on St Patrick’s day then we have a company attempting to play the emotional card.

Sadly they are not playing the ace from the pack. Instead of going for the hoops we are left with a strip that is an imitation at best.

One also has to question why the strip is being released so early. Apart from the marketing ploy of a St Patrick's day release you have to wonder if we'll see another strip released at the start of the season. Though this time it will have LEAGUE CHAMPIONS below the club crest.

Call me cynical but nothing would suprise me now. I also believe that this is only the start of the problems UMBRO will face.

I've felt the new strip and have to say that it is paper thin - almost as thin as the width of the hoops under the arms. UMBRO will no doubt be held responsible for this but the authorisation of the design is a matter still to be cleared up.

One of the most astonishing facts about the whole affair is that NO-ONE at Celtic Park is prepared to accept responsibility.

That itself is a damning indictment of how the matter has been addressed. Either the design was deemed acceptable or it didn't receive much attention and was passed almost un-noticed. Which is it to be Celtic? One of the greatest symbols of our tradition and this is how it is treated.

It is seen that the Celtic hoops are renowned throughout the world and a more distinctive strip I cannot think of. It is a symbol of our club that we must strive to maintain.

For once in a long time the club are successful and we have the players playing for the jersey. However the club are selling the jerseys and with it our pride. It's time for the supporters to voice their opinions.

After all the customer is always right.

TUESDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2001

CELTIC TO PLAY DUNFERMLINE IN CUP

Celtic will travel to play Dunfermline on Saturday in the Scottish Cup.

Dunfermline staged a remarkable comeback in tonight’s replay coming back from being 2-0 down at half time to win by 3 goals to 2.

The Celtic ticket office staff will now be working against the clock to try and get the briefs out to fans that wish to attend Saturday’s game.

TUESDAY 13th FEBRUARY 2001

HANDS OFF THE HOOPS

Our campaign to have the hoops reinstated started in earnest on Monday afternoon with our joint press release. Celtic Football Club have responded in exactly the manner we expected, their terse statement reads " Celtic Football Club regrets the activities of certain supporters' groups in attempting to mount a negative campaign and we are sorry not to have their support at this point in the season. "Celtic Football Club is delighted with the unprecedented number of advance orders placed for the strip more than a month before it becomes available for sale."

We do not have a problem with the club; we will always support the club we love. We have held five meetings at various times with the club over the last few weeks. It’s our belief that the club fail to see how much this issue means to the fans. The club knows that the new kit is a mistake, but they still want us to go out and buy it. The club says they are delighted with the unprecedented number of advance orders placed for the strip more than a month before it becomes available for sale. More people have visited the three supporter’s organisation websites to register their disgust at the new kit than have allegedly placed an advanced order.

More to follow on this story for sure.

MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2001

CELTIC STATEMENT

In response to the press release today Celtic have released the following statement.

New strip goes ahead

by Newsroom Staff

Just 24 hours after Celtic's victory over Rangers, an announcement was made by the Celtic Supporters' Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters' Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Clubs calling on their members to boycott the new-style Celtic strip.

A spokesperson for Celtic Football Club said: " Celtic Football Club regrets the activities of certain supporters' groups in attempting to mount a negative campaign and we are sorry not to have their support at this point in the season.

"Celtic Football Club is delighted with the unprecedented number of advance orders placed for the strip more than a month before it becomes available for sale."

MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY 2001

LAMBERT OUT OF HOSPITAL

Celtic’s Paul Lambert spent last night in Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital after complaining of feeling unwell after yesterday’s Old Firm match.

Were glad to report that Paul left Hospital this morning, he will resume training later in the week.

SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2001

SPL FULL TIME SCORES

HIBS 4 ST MIRREN 2

DUNFERMLINE 3 DUNDEE UNITED 1

MOTHERWELL 0 ABERDEEN 1

SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2001.

SPL UPDATE

Hibs have gone back to second in the league after defeating St Mirren by 4-2 earlier today at Easter Road.

Hibs came from behind after St Mirren had gone into the lead early in the second half.

Goals in the game came from Sauzee, Zetelli (2) & Latapy for Hibs and Gilles (2) for St Mirren

SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2001

DREAM BET BY FAN.

A Celtic fan is hoping to strike it rich after placing a bet on his team that could earn him £100,000 - after a dream that they would beat Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Glasgow publican Jimmy Stewart dreamt that Martin O'Neill's side would beat the Scottish champions 4-0 - with prolific striker Henrik Larsson hitting a hat-trick, including the first goal of the game from the penalty spot.

He has staked £10 at 10,000/1 with William Hill on that happening in the game on Sunday.

SATURDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2001

DO YOU FANCY A BET

Irish bookmaker PADDYPOWER.COM is offering a great bet with a difference on tomorrow's Old Firm clash at Celtic Park. You can get odds of 8/1 for the following bet : M.O'Neill To Be Seen Live On Sky Jumping With Both Feet Off The Ground 5 Or More Times At Different Stages Of The Game. Now that's got to be worth at least a tenner.

FRIDAY 09th FEBRUARY 2001

EXCUSES EXCUSES

Well the tabloids have made some reading over the last 24 hours, Petta’s a cheat, Petta’s showboating, sparked off the trouble, we’re better than them, wait until Sunday, our squad is down to the bare bones, the usual noises coming out of Castle Greyskull after a defeat.

What happened to the teams that Rangers had at the start of the season, one for Scotland and one for Europe, more like a song for Europe.

Well Sunday can’t come quick enough for the Celtic fans and a chance to inflict even more damage to the Mighty Glasgow Rangers.

The strange thing about Sunday’s game is we can actually afford to lose and still win this league in a canter, there’s no way that the Mighty Glasgow Rangers are going to go the rest of the season gaining full points in every game.

Anyway there’s only one team than can now win the treble and that’s the MIGHTY GLASGOW CELTIC.

Roll on Sunday and let’s bring the house down.

THURSDAY 08th FEBRUARY 2001

BERKOVIC COMPLETES LOAN MOVE

Blackburn today completed the signing of Celtic midfielder Eyal Berkovic on loan until the end of the season. The 28-year-old Israeli international could make his debut at Nottingham Forest on Saturday after securing a work permit. However, Berkovic will probably begin his spell with Rovers on the bench after Graeme Souness' men trounced Premiership Derby 5-2 in last night's FA Cup replay at Pride Park.

Wednesday 07th February 2001

CELTIC 3 RANGERS 1

King Henrik continued his astonishing run of scoring in a controversial night at Hampden on Wednesday, netting two more goals to send Celtic into the CIS Insurance League Cup final with a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Rangers.

TUESDAY 06TH FEBRUARY 2001

TOM WILLIAMS CSC

This branch is holding another fund raising night at the Port Glasgow Town Hall on Friday 09th March 2001.

On stage will be the Irish folk band Shebeen, they will be joined on the night by a group of Irish dancers from the Inverclyde area.

A very limited number of tickets remain for the evening, to check on availability please contact Brian McDade on Port Glasgow 01475-801047.

TUESDAY 06TH FEBRUARY 2001

TOM WILLIAMS CSC

This branch is holding another fund raising night at the Port Glasgow Town Hall on Friday 09th March 2001.

On stage will be the Irish folk band Shebeen, they will be joined on the night by a group of Irish dancers from the Inverclyde area.

A very limited number of tickets remain for the evening, to check on availability please contact Brian McDade on Port Glasgow 01475-801047.

TUESDAY 06th FEBRUARY 2001

Kilmarnock reaches CIS cup final

Celtic or Rangers will meet Kilmarnock in the final of this seasons CIS cup after Killie beat St Mirren by three goals to nil on Tuesday evening.

The final is scheduled to take place on Sunday 18th March 2001.

Tuesday, February 06, 2001

Berkovic deal moves closer.

Blackburn Rovers have revealed the proposed deal to take Israeli midfielder Eyal Berkovic to Ewood Park has moved a step closer.

Scottish Premiership giants Celtic have given permission for the star midfielder to train with Blackburn Rovers and he is at Brockhall today.

Berkovic will undergo a medical as Rovers’ officials seek to tie up a loan deal which will see him at Ewood Park at least until the end of the season.

The club have also applied for the requisite work permit, a procedure that could take up to 48 hours.

But if all goes to plan, Eyal Berkovic could be in manager Souness’ starting line-up at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest on Saturday as Blackburn Rovers seek to maintain their promotion push.

MONDAY 05th FEBRUARY 2001

Rumour has it that Martin O'Neill made a tactical decision in last nights Hearts match. It is understood Henrik was substituted due to Martin O'Neill's fear that if he scored any more goals, it may have resulted in frostbite of the tongue.......

SATURDAY 03rd FEBRUARY 2001

SPL UPDATE

Celtic’s lead at the top of the SPL is now down to six points after Rangers won 2-0 against Dunfermline today at Ibrox.

In other games St Mirren defeated 10 man Dundee by 2-1, Kilmarnock’s poor form at home continued as Motherwell secured a win by 2-1. Dundee United and St Johnstone played out a 1-1 draw in a Tayside derby whilst the match between Aberdeen & Hibs was called off.

SATURDAY 03rd FEBRUARY 2001

BISCUIT TIN BINNED

It’s reported this morning that Celtic players stand to collect up to a cool £70,000 each if they can go on and win this season’s SPL. It’s also reported that this can double to £140,000 if the club can scoop the treble. Here’s hoping that the players are all richer by one hundred and forty grand then come the end of the season.

FRIDAY 02nd FEBRUARY 2001

ATLANTIC LEAGUE MEETING

Celtic are among a host of clubs who still see the Atlantic League as a possibilty. A meeting is scheduled for later today in Amsterdam.

The idea of creating a new Atlantic League (northern European League) is attracting interest from clubs in Scotland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal and Sweden, to name a few.

However, UEFA opposes the idea and turned up the pressure on those clubs thinking of taking part on Friday.

"If they want to break away clearly they have the right to do that," UEFA spokesman Mike Lee said.

Peter Fossen, a director for PSV Eindhoven, stressed on Thursday that the clubs were not seeking to break away from UEFA and accused UEFA of not wanting to "to listen to our solution".

Lee said that UEFA was holding meetings with clubs next Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We're a bit confused as to why they've made these declarations because there have been these discussions going on for some time," he said.

"They know only too well that we have initiated this consultation about the future of our competitions and we've invited them to play a part in that.

"We hope they'll play a part in those discussions. That's a much better way forward than public declarations and threats."

The interested clubs -- Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord from the Netherlands; Rangers and Celtic from Scotland; Benfica and Sporting from Portugal; Anderlecht and Bruges from Belgium; IK Gothenburg and AIK Stockholm from Sweden and Brondby and FC Copenhagen from Denmark -- are due to meet in Amsterdam later today.

"But they wouldn't obviously be eligible to play in our competitions. "We don't think it's a very sensible way forward."

THURSDAY 01st FEBRUARY 2001

MORE TRANSFER RUMOURS

Celtic are supposedly amongst the clubs interested in Bobby Zamora, the Brighton & Hove Albion current top scorer with 18 goals so far this season.

THURSDAY 01ST FEBRUARY 2001

PETROV BLOW

Stan Petrov will now miss the league match against Rangers on Sunday 11th February 2001 due to the cancellation of last night’s match at Perth.

BERKOVIC ON THE MOVE

Eyal Berkovic may be line for a loan move to Blackburn Rovers; any further updates will be posted if anything develops on this.