Wednesday July 26, 2000

CELTIC 2 WEST HAM 1 

Would you believe it man of the match BOBBY PETTA!!!!!!!!!!! If I had not witnessed it for myself I would have thought someone was at the madam. 

The guy was not in the JINKY mode but he put in a good shift last night. 

Two fine goals, one apiece for Tommy Johnson & Stilian Petrov sets us up nicely for Sunday’s opener at Tannadice. 

Paolo Di Canio received a great welcome from the home support and he repaid us by slotting in the hammers goal. 

The real stuff starts on Sunday though, and once again we will probably be under pressure as our rivals from across the city kick off their league campaign 27 hours earlier. 

Still nothing to report on the transfer front, although things may change later today. 

Tuesday July 25, 2000

Transfer Update : not a jot 

Well the noon deadline passed around twelve hours ago, and still no sign of the Belgian the Daily Ranger almost assured us would be introduced as our latest capture. Now why does that not surprise me? 

Well I'm off to my kip now and we will see who the Daily Ranger has us signing today. Oh and Radio Clyde should not get off scot free, as their sportsdesk each morning has one of their intrepid reporters reading out the rag's headline each morning. 

Well it saves you rushing out to the shops to buy the thing, that will be good for the circulation of what is becoming the most hated paper on earth by Celtic fans. 

In fact we should have a poll between Celtic & Liverpool fans to see what paper is hated the most. 

For Celtic fans The Daily Record or Liverpool fans The Sun.

Sunday July 23, 2000

TRANSFER RUMOURS Celtic fans who still read the Daily Ranger will wake up this Monday morning to the news that Celtic manager Martin O’Neill looks to have made his second signing. 

Celtic should finally land Belgian international defender Joos Valgaeren today after Martin O'Neill agreed to bump up his offer for the 24-year-old. And the Irishman is also ready to increase the pressure on former club Leicester City to sell Neil Lennon by increasing his pounds 6.25m bid for the midfielder. JC Roda had initially agreed to a fee of pounds 3.5m for Euro 2000 star Valgaeren but the Dutch club upped the ante following interest from Champions League contenders Leeds United. However, I understand that they have now accepted an improved offer of pounds 3.8m for the big man who is expected to sign a five-year contract at Parkhead. The timing of the move couldn't be better following another example of disastrous defending in Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by Bordeaux. With Olivier Tebily and Brazilian Rafael struggling to achieve competence - Celtic have haemorrhaged 10 goals in their four pre-season games to date and face Paolo di Canio's West Ham tomorrow night - O'Neill realises that tightening up at the back is a priority. Valgaeren's arrival should help considerably in that respect and may speed the departure of one or both of the pair brought in by Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes last season. I understand that O'Neill will step up his attempt to take Northern Ireland international Lennon from Filbert Street. New boss Peter Taylor has insisted the 29-year-old, who has privately admitted his desire to join Celtic, is going nowhere. But if Ade Akinbiyi agrees to a pounds 5m move from Wolves the club may be tempted to cash in on a player O'Neill signed for just pounds 750,000 four years ago from Crewe. 

Sunday July 23, 2000

Transfer rumour updates 

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill will step up his transfer chase in the build-up to next week's big kick-off in Scotland. Newcastle United's Georgian international Temuri Ketsbaia and Leicester City winger Steve Guppy are the latest names to be linked with moves to Parkhead. Ketsbaia, who joined the Magpies three years ago, was left out of the 22-man party that flew to America for two pre-season friendlies. It is being suggested in the north east that Ketsbaia is facing a choice between moving to West Ham or Celtic. Guppy was a key figure in O'Neill's team at Leicester, but he is likely to meet with the same sort of stern refusal that met his £6.5m bid for Filbert Street star Neil Lennon. 

Celtic v West Ham United (Tuesday 25-07-00) K.O. 7.45pm 

Paolo Di Canio remember him? Returns to Paradise next Tuesday night for the challenge match that was set up as part of the Eyal Berkovic move to Celtic last season. 

Strange that the player named one of the three amigos by a certain Mr. McCann has been used as part of the advertising campaign for this so called glamour friendly. 

Still I’m sure Paolo will be given a huge Celtic welcome on his return after his “little problem” with the club. 

Bad news for Hammer’s fans 

Next weeks pre-season friendly against Scottish rivals Celtic at Parkhead is a sell out - and Hammers fans are being warned not to travel to the game without tickets. The ticket office at Upton Park confirmed this morning that our entire allocation of 1000 tickets has been sold out for the match, which takes place next Tuesday (25th July). When we spoke to the Celtic ticket office this morning we were told that no more tickets were being made available for West Ham fans - despite the ground having a capacity of well over 60,000. The ticket office manager also warned that no tickets would be made available on the day either, and therefore Hammers fans without tickets were advised to stay at home. According to Hammers managing director Paul Aldridge the club had no say in the size of the allocation, which, considering the attractive nature of the fixture appears a little on the small side. He told us: "There was not an option given concerning visitors’ allocation as it is in accordance with the League Ruling." 

CELTIC 2 BORDEAUX 4 Not really much of a surprise here considering we had an even weaker team than we had last season. I know Henrik returned to score from the spot, but it’s the defence that need’s shoring up and fast. 

If we begin next week’s league campaign with a defeat, we will struggle to catch back from day one. 

Anyway this is the reason that a man of Martin O’Neil’s stature has been thrown into the lion’s den, let just hope that he comes out alive. 

Sunday July 23, 2000

Micky D Snr - hope you had a good holiday! 

Latest 'Tic News: 

Martin O'Neill has admitted that Celtic's defence is in need of strengthening after our 2-0 defeat last night (Friday 14th) against Sachsen Leipzig - a German third division side. 

According to press reports our lack of defensive stability will see MON increase his interest in Belgian international defender Joos Valgaeren from Dutch side Roda, we have apparently already bid 3.2million for him, which may have to be increased. 

Also in the news: 

Mark Burchill is hinting at departing the club if he struggles to hold down a regular first team place under MON's regime. I am pretty sure if Mark takes his chance when given it MON will reward him appropriately with a starting place. 

Another name to be added to the ever increasing ‘wanted list’ is that of Aston Villa’s Alan Thompson, the 26 year old midfielder is quoted as saying “Celtic are a great side” and “Martin O’Neill appears to be a fantastic boss”. 

Watch this space…. 

Saturday July 15, 2000


Sorry there has been very few updates of late as I´m currently writing this from Costa Dorada. 

I see nothing much has changed with the Daily Ranger having the usual field day with our latest big money siging. Last nights result from Germany was hopefully just a blip in Martin O´Neill´s build up to the new season. 

Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible, meanwhile, The Affiliation would like to welcome Chris Sutton to Celtic Park and wish him all the best for a great future with the club.

Saturday July 08, 2000

No New Faces 

Celtic head off to Dublin today and there’s not a new face in sight, the supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated as we read daily about who our rivals are signing up. 

Chris Sutton is seemingly holding out for a pay off from Chelsea before he makes his next move, why is it that every time Celtic are involved in a transfer it seems to take an age to complete the move? 

Another supposed target Don Hutchinson of Everton is now poised to renew talks with his club to try and resolve his future. 

Martin O’Neill sure has a massive job on his hands if he thinks he can get by with squad we all watched and suffered last season. 

Friday July 07, 2000

Rumour Update Radio Clyde this morning reported that Martin O’Neill hoped to finalise the deal that would bring Celtic target Joos Valgaeren to the park within the next 24 hours. 

The report was brought to us by Hugh Keevins remember him, from the training camp in Belgium set up by the other half of the Old Firm. 

The Belgian Euro 2000 defender will return from holiday hoping to seal the move from his Dutch club Roda Kerkrade to Glasgow. 

Chris Sutton All has gone quiet again on the Chris Sutton front, no other details available at present. 

Thursday July 06, 2000

News of former Celt 

Ex Celt Paul Byrne who once scored for the hoops at Ibrox seems set for a move to St Patrick’s Athletic. 

The former Celtic and Bohemians midfielder, Byrne, Bohemians' captain last season, has just returned from America for family reasons after starring there in recent months for Hershey Wildcats. 

Portadown, Bangor, Shamrock Rovers and Kilkenny City are among the other clubs showing an interest in signing Byrne. 

Thursday July 06, 2000

TODAY’S RUMOUR ROUNDUP 

The Daily Ranger & Radio Clyde both lead today with the story that Everton’s Don Hutchinson is Martin O’Neill’s latest transfer target, for added spice both go with the story that Alan Stubbs looks set to move in the opposite direction as part of the deal. 

The Daily Ranger has also thrown another goalie’s hat into the ring. The player in question is 23-year-old Roy Carroll of Wigan Athletic; Carroll was part of the Wigan side who missed out on promotion by losing to Gillingham in the Second Division play-off final at Wembley in May. 

Chris Sutton might well be part of the squad who are bound for Dublin this weekend. 

The club is believed to have purchased land near their training ground at Barrowfield. They have also taken out a lease for five years on a local velodrome. 

The club intends to develop top training facilities and there could be room for five full-side pitches if planning permission is given the ok. 

Wednesday July 05, 2000

BORO PULL OUT OF SUTTON RACE 

Middlesbrough have pulled the plug on their efforts to sign Chelsea misfit Chris Sutton after he asked for more time to consider their offer. 

Boro had hoped their £6m bid would secure the services of the former England striker amid stern competition from Celtic and Aston Villa. 

But they have now withdrawn their offer after Sutton asked for a delay after initially promising an answer by last Friday. 

Neil Lennon 

New Leicester City manager Peter Taylor issued a hands-off warning to Celtic on Wednesday night over his prized midfielder Neil Lennon. The Northern Ireland star is one of the earmarked targets of new Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill as he attempts to surround himself with tried and trusted faces. 

However, while Lennon is known to be eager to join his mentor O'Neill in the SPL, he faces a difficult task convincing his new manager that he should be allowed to do so. 

Taylor admitted: "I would not want Lennon to leave. He is an important player here and if he left it would leave a huge hole to fill. I am not sure that Celtic can offer him anything that he hasn't got at Leicester. 

Eyal Berkovic 

Eyal's outburst at Israeli press could lead to suspension 

Celtic star Eyal Berkovic is facing suspension from the Israeli national team after an astonishing outburst against the country's journalists. Pressmen in Israel are demanding the Football Federation prevent the volatile midfielder from taking part in forthcoming World Cup qualifiers after Berkovic described them as "primitive" and "having no respect". 

If the hacked-off hacks do not get the justice they want, they will take their grievances all the way to UEFA and ask them to take action against the player who has been at constant loggerheads with the media in his homeland. 

The bizarre story unfolded after Scottish Football's record signing penned a scathing article in the popular sports magazine Seven Day in which he slaughtered the Press. 

A member of the Israeli Union of Sports Journalists said: "In 70 per cent of the article Berkovic made a hard attack against journalists, calling us primitive and that we had a lack of respect. 

"He even complained that we wore shorts to training sessions, which is stupid considering how hot it is in Israel. 

"He cannot be allowed to get away with this so we've written to the Federation to ask for action against Berkovic because he is in breach of a new code we have set up. 

"We want him to be punished. We know they will discuss it but if nothing is done then we will go to UEFA because they insist on the proper conditions for journalists." 

Tuesday July 04, 2000

MORE TRANSFER NEWS - RUMOURS 

Not a day goes by without Celtic being linked with one player or another, well we would not like to let the supporters down would we? 

Today’s Daily Ranger has us linked with a forgotten man at Aston Villa, Allan Thompson. 

Thompson cost Villa 4.5million two years ago when he was transferred from Bolton, he is currently two years into a five year deal. BUT and it's a big BUT, a succession of injuries has seen him fall from favour. 

So that’s all right thinks the Daily Ranger he’ll do for Celtic. I think the jury might be out on this one. 

One more thing on the transfer merry go round, where is all the cash for these so called moves meant to be coming from? 

If we were to buy even half of the players we’ve been linked with your talking a good 50 – 60 million quid. Do we have anywhere near that sort of dosh available? 

Somehow I don’t think so, still football’s a funny old game, and maybe I’ll be proved wrong. We can always dream. 

Sutton Update 

Chris Sutton is expected to give he decision today on where is future will take him. 

Now where have I heard that before? 

Valgaeren Update 

Seems a bid was made by the club of around £4 million for the services of one Mr Valgaeren, the club are have now seemingly upped the price to nearer £6 million. 

Roda president Noel Hendriks said: "Yes, Celtic have made an offer but it was not good enough. 

Another one that looks as if it will drag on for a while yet. 

Tuesday July 04, 2000

Regi Blinker 

Regi Blinker has seemingly turned down a move back to Holland with AZ Alkmaar. The winger, out of contract and not in Celtic's plans for the new season, is keen to play in either Italy or Spain but there has been no interest from either country. 

Joos Valgaeren 

Celtic target Joos Valgaeren gave Martin O'Neill on Tuesday night the green light to make him a £4million Parkhead recruit. 

The Belgian Euro 2000 defender will return from holiday later this week hoping to seal the move from his Dutch club Roda Kerkrade to Glasgow. 

Talks between Celtic and Roda were ongoing last night with both parties optimistic an agreement can be reached. 

Valgaeren is quoted as saying: "I am very interested in going to Celtic. There has to be an agreement between the clubs before I can consider it, but I am interested." 

"There are other clubs interested but Celtic have first choice to sign Joos if they can reach an agreement." 

Dutch Cup winners Roda initially placed an unrealistic £6m price tag on Valgaeren's head at the end of last season but have been forced to drop it to around £4m. 

Valgaeren, tipped by Belgian national team coach Robert Waseige to become one of the best defenders in Europe, has been with Roda for three years, recovering impressively from a year-long lay-off with a knee injury, and is keen for a fresh challenge 

Monday July 03, 2000

Another player for the transfer targets list? 

MARTIN O'NEILL has kicked off moves to bring Belgian internationalist Joos Valgaeren to Parkhead. 

The Celtic boss spoke to the 24-year-old central defender's agent at Euro 2000 and is ready to offer the player's Dutch club JC Roda pounds 4m. 

Last night Valgaeren's agent Guido Mallants confirmed that talks have started and that the Belgian is keen to come to Glasgow. 

But Celtic have to agree a fee with Dutch Cup holders Roda, who have the player tied up for another two years. 

Monday July 03, 2000

New signings nil 

Martin O'Neill today put the hoops through their paces at training, still no word on any new signings. 

Manchester City Teamtalk News 

The Light Blue half of Manchester were quick to rubbish any rumours of a move for Mark Kennedy from Celtic. 

Mark Kennedy is definitely not on his way to Celtic despite several rumours earlier this morning which were doing the rounds. 

The story first received an airing on Simon Mayo's Radio One show on Monday morning, always a good place to listen to the latest piece of transfer speculation ! 

Several e-mails to TEAMtalk also claimed that they had heard the rumour that the City winger was set for a £4.5 million move to Martin O'Neill's side. 

Needless to say the rumours were totally groundless, and Kennedy will still be playing for the Blues next season in the Premiership - probably ! 

Monday July 03, 2000

What do we want from OUR club? 

Celtic have now been linked with around thirty players since Martin O'Neill's arrival - but who do you want at Celtic Park? 

Do you fancy the likes of Richard Wright (Ipswich) Neil Lennon,Gerry Taggart (Leicester City) Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa) 

Do you think Chris Sutton would be a bargain at £6m or a waste of money. 

Was there anyone at Euro 2000 who caught your eye and would fit into Celtic's price bracket, whatever that may be. 

Should we have kept Kenny Dalglish at the club? 

Should Alan MacDonald have gone along with Kenny? 

Would we have been better hanging onto John Barnes? 

Should we have held Mark Viduka to his contract and banished him to the reserves? 

E-mail your views & comments to MDINNING@YAHOO.COM 

Sunday July 02, 2000

Lennon for Celtic? 

Neil Lennon will ask Leicester City for a transfer, because he has decided he wants to follow his former manager, Martin O'Neill, from Leicester City to Parkhead. O'Neill has told the Leicester chairman, John Elsom, that he wants the midfielder, but has been rebuffed. However, Lennon will try to engineer the move by telling Leicester he wants a transfer. 

O'Neill should also get positive news from the Chelsea forward Chris Sutton today on a £6m move to Celtic. Sutton has turned down Middlesbrough. 

Sunday July 02, 2000

O'Neill concedes Rangers hold advantage Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has conceded that city rivals Rangers are a mile ahead of his new side. As he sets about bridging what many describe as a monumental gap, the former Leicester boss praised the efforts of his counterpart at Ibrox, Dick Advocaat. O'Neill revealed: "People who do well, regardless of which club they come from, get my admiration. "I'm not trying to win votes from fans across the River Clyde from Celtic Park. Believe me, I know what I'll get when I go to Ibrox for the first time. "But Rangers are the benchmark and I believe respect for the opposition will give players additional determination to beat them." He concluded: "We can't deny that Rangers are a mile in front of us at the moment and that's where we'll be starting from in the new season." 

Sunday July 02, 2000

Burley & Stubbs 

John Barnes has a go at former player Craig Burley & current player Alan Stubbs in today’s Sunday Mason. 

The ex boss accuses both of them of causing unrest in the dressing room, he also is quoted as saying Burley was working his way out of Celtic Park long before he left for the big high fliers called DERBY COUNTY. 

Sunday July 02, 2000

PR GURU LEAVES CLUB 

Celtic's PR man Peter McLean has left the club to pursue other media and PR projects. 

Chief executive Allan McDonald said: "Peter's work has been of the highest calibre over the last six years and his commitment to Celtic has been considerable." 

McLean said: "It has been a great honour to work for a club of Celtic's stature."