Monday 31st October 2005

Celtic and Wales international striker John Hartson has signed a new two-year boot deal with Puma following the superb start he has made to the 2005/6 season north of the border.

The 30 year-old has scored seven SPL goals as Celtic have climbed to the top of the league, putting him in joint second place behind current leading scorer Rudi Skacel of Hearts.

John joins other leading internationals in wearing the famous Puma brand including Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o, Arsenal's Freddie Ljungberg and Stellar's very own England international Peter Crouch.

The genial Welshman was delighted to be joining Puma, commenting:

"I have worn the boots for a while now and they feel great, they certainly seem to be helping me find the back of the net without too many problems!

"Hopefully I can keep on scoring and we can keep up the good run of results. The League seems to be a lot more open this year with teams like Hearts

Friday 28th October 2005

CELTIC IN NEW  £15 MILLION SHARE ISSUE

Celtic plc has today (Friday 28th October 2005) announced a new £15 million share issue to invest in the Club's football infrastructure and to strengthen its balance sheet.

Subject to shareholder approvals being obtained, 50 million new Ordinary Shares would be available to existing shareholders and new investors, priced at 30p per share. Priority will be given to satisfying applications from existing shareholders.

The Club's largest shareholder Mr Dermot Desmond has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to underwrite up to £10 million of the share offer which will enable Celtic to significantly strengthen its infrastructure, particularly through the creation of a purpose-built, world-class training and youth academy.

Celtic Chairman, Brian Quinn said: "If Celtic is to remain competitive in Scotland and Europe it must give a high priority to finding, developing and training high quality Celtic players of the future."

 "Therefore the Board believes that, as well as continuing to retain and attract experienced players, we must build upon the already excellent results of the Club's youth development programme."

"The first team is already seeing the enormous benefit of the country's most successful youth development programme, with players such as Wallace, Beattie, Maloney, Marshall, Lawson, McManus, McGeady and Kennedy already coming through, and there are many more in the pipeline."

"A key objective of this fundraising activity is the establishment of a purpose-built training facility incorporating a state-of-the-art youth academy.  This, together with planned major investment in coaching, scouting and player development programmes would account for £10million of the potential £15million sought."

"The remainder would enable Celtic to strengthen its balance sheet for commercial purposes, including debt reduction."

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "During the summer we spent more money on new signings and extending contracts for senior players than any other club in the country."

"The aim of this initiative is to enable us to make long term investment in our youth and training facilities, not only increasing the flow of exciting young talent emerging from Celtic but, will also prove to be a major attraction when we identify players we want to bring to the Club."

"We've been planning this exercise for several months and the funds raised will enable us to implement our long term strategic objectives by improving the Club's infrastructure, with a development at Lennoxtown being our preferred option.  In addition, we intend that the radical expansion of our global scouting operation under Ray Clarke will be funded via this exercise."

"We are, of course, extremely grateful to Mr Desmond for his offer to underwrite up to £10million of the share offer, a measure of his long-standing and continuing commitment to the Club."

Celtic Manager Gordon Strachan said: "When I joined Celtic I was very impressed by the standard of young player here. I am sure that the new facility that the Club is looking to fund through this share issue will assist in developing more new talent for Celtic, as well as providing a state-of-the-art complex for the first team."    

As part of the Stock Exchange announcement, the Board also announced its intention to de-list from the London Stock Exchange and transfer its listings to AIM to take advantage of the greater flexibility of AIM rules.

 A prospectus will be published by Celtic plc in connection with the proposed share issue.  Copies will be available shortly from  Celtic plc, Celtic Park, Glasgow, G40 3RE and Seymour Pierce Limited, Bucklersbury House, 3 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4N 8EL or by telephoning 0870 702 0192.

This press release is an advertisement and not a prospectus.  Investors should only subscribe for Ordinary Shares in Celtic on the basis of the information set out in the prospectus referred to above. The share offers are open only to investors resident in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.

Friday 14th October 2005

FRESH INJURY FOR JOHN KENNEDY

Celtic defender John Kennedy has suffered a fresh injury setback in his attempt to return to competitive football.

The 22-year-old has been sidelined since picking up a serious knee injury playing for Scotland in March 2004.

Kennedy, who has undergone three operations on his knee, was handed a new deal this week and it appeared there was finally some light at the end of the tunnel.

However, he suffered a setback in training on Thursday and is set to head to America to have his knee checked over by revered surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

"John has suffered a reaction and I just hope it is nothing back to where it was," said a concerned Bhoys chief Gordon Strachan.

"When I looked at it, I just thought it was a kick and John thought it was more of a twist. So he's going to be tested.

"I spoke about his attitude on Thursday and he is going to be tested again.

"It is also a test for the club as well, because, when it happened, the training stopped for 20 minutes and it was hard to get going because he is held in such high esteem.

"John was hoping he was on his way back. I hope it is something that is not as serious as some thought it was yesterday."

Strachan, meanwhile, has admitted he may struggle to persuade Shunsuke Nakamura to feature in a couple of Glasgow derbies in November.

Nakamura is due to face Ivory Coast in a friendly for Japan on November 16, a game which is sandwiched between a League Cup quarter final against Rangers on November 9 and an SPL clash 10 days later.

Strachan says he his finding Japan's Brazilian coach Zico an elusive figure.

"I have not managed to speak to him, I didn't get near him in 82 (in the World Cup) and I'm not going to get near him in 2005! It's very hard to pin him down," said Strachan.

"We will speak about that and see how Naka feels about it."

Wednesday 12th October 2005

NEW ONE YEAR DEAL FOR JOHN KENNEDY

Celtic defender John Kennedy has signed a new deal which keeps him at the club until the summer of 2007.

The one-year extension to his current contract comes as a massive boost to the player as he continues on his road to recovery from a serious knee injury.

Kennedy's Scotland debut ended in agony when he suffered cruciate knee ligament damage following a crunching tackle from Romania's Vio Ganea in March of last year.

He has since undergone three operations to rebuild his shattered knee.

However, manager Gordon Strachan has made it clear the 22-year-old still has a big part to play at the club and news of his new deal comes in the same week Kennedy returned to first-team training.

And he insists knowing his future is secure can only aid his efforts to play for the top team again.

Kennedy told the club's official website, www.celticfc.net: "I am delighted to sign a new one-year extension with Celtic.

"I have obviously been out injured for some considerable time, however I am honoured with the faith the club has placed in me.

"Although I have returned to first-team training this week, I know the road ahead is a long one.

"The new deal allows me to concentrate on getting back to full fitness."

Strachan believes Kennedy's attitude to fighting back from a career-threatening injury deserved to be rewarded.

He said: "There is no doubt that John has had a pretty tough journey over the last year and a half.

"However, he has shown great mental strength and determination to get where he is now.

"I am delighted he has agreed this new contract with the club."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell added: "The board is delighted to show the club's commitment to John by extending his present deal.

"The way he has coped with the injury and his rehab has been a credit to himself and those around him."

Tuesday 04th October 2005

Celtic View hits shops tomorrow

Don't miss your new Celtic View, out tomorrow, bringing you Gordon Strachan's exclusive weekly column, exclusive interviews with hotshots Beattie and Maloney AND the chance to win priceless tickets for the forthcoming sold out clash with Hearts!

Neil Lennon Tribute Night

Neil Lennon has thanked the fans for the "fantastic" support he has received during the last few weeks following his recent suspension and first ever SPL red card. Neil has been a tremendous servant to Celtic over the last 5 years, and we are now pleased to announce a tribute dinner in honour of our captain. The event will take place in Glasgow's Thistle Hotel on Wednesday 23rd November, and comprise a four course meal, special guest speaker, tributes to our captain and words from the man himself. Places at this special event are limited and priced at £95+VAT per person, book now to avoid disappointment by calling 0141 551 4314/4388/4366 or emailing lwilliams@celticfc.co.uk dmaceil@celticfc.co.uk, or mhardie@celticfc.co.uk.

Wigan Athletic - Boss says star stays

 Wigan boss Paul Jewell has said he would be surprised if Lee McCulloch was to leave the club and go to the Scottish Premier League.

Rangers and Celtic have both been linked with a move for the midfielder who scored in the victory over Bolton on Sunday.

Jewell said "I know Lee is happy to stay here".

The manager added that he would be surprised if any of his squad wanted to leave the JJB Stadium.