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Saturday, December 2, 2000
Celtic NTL's £30m Deal is on or is it?
Celtic will next week accept NTL's investment of over £30 million after the club's management committee recommended a deal should now be signed to swell Martin O'Neill's transfer war chest.
The club has rejected alternative cash injections with rival companies and is returning to an adjusted package with the joint Old Firm shirt sponsor before a timetabled Christmas deadline.
The money will enable Martin O'Neill to buy not only for the second half of his assault on the title, beginning with Neil Lennon's arrival next week, but also for the Champions League next season - assuming his side finish no worse than second in the SPL table come May.
While Celtic entertain Dunfermline, Lennon will play his last match for Leicester at home to Leeds after City manager Peter Taylor accepted his poker play over Crewe's cut of a £5.5 million fee was his last hand under the threat of open revolt by the want-away player.
The protracted negotiations for the Northern Ireland international were close to descending to personal insults between the two managers, but O'Neill said: 'I don't think managers can start getting personal in these dealings - eventually, you have to be able to do business with the same people at some stage down the line, one way or another.'
Meanwhile, John Hartson is under consideration for the second time this season by the Parkhead club.
The player was a signing option for O'Neill before Rangers' abortive Champions League deadline-day signing bid - one which ended in medical failure.
However, Wimbledon's refusal to allow the Wales international to go north on loan means a move for Eyal Berkovic's former West Ham bete noire is not seen as imminent.
One key broker on the deal revealed that 'the interest in August from Celtic was greater than it is now'.
The manager has Chris Sutton's toe as his biggest worry for today's game as Celtic return to Parkhead, with Bobby Petta also struggling after the heavy gash received in his leg at Hibs in midweek.
Petta last night refused to point the finger at Hibs' Franck Sauzee after the Frenchman left him needing eight stitches.
He said: 'It was a 50/50 ball and you've got to go into it. I felt okay until I looked at it and I saw it was a big wound and I could just see the bone - which wasn't very nice.'
Mystery groin injury victim Johan Mjallby will again try to soldier on until the winter break, with O'Neill stating that he has responded well to an injection taken prior to Easter Road clash. 'It has certainly helped settled him down,' he added.
There was some good news on the player front for Celtic with Robert Douglas' goalkeeping rival, Jonathan Gould, signing an improved contract which ties him to the club until 2003.
SUNDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2000
INJURY UPDATES RANGERS 5 CELTIC 1
O'Neill revealed that Johan Mjallby - who was taken off at half time - has a calf problem and is doubtful for the Hibs game, while striker Chris Sutton played with a toe injury and may not make Easter Road either. Celtic will also be without midfielder Alan Thompson, who was sent off.
SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2000
SPL FULL TIME RESULTS
Aberdeen 3-3 Motherwell Dundee Utd 3-2 Dunfirmline Hearts 3-1 Dundee Kilmarnock 0-2 St Johnstone St Mirren 1-1 Hibernian
Scottish Premier Aberdeen 1 Motherwell 2 Stavrum 41 Townsley 14 McCulloch 43
Half-time: 1-2
Dundee Utd 2 Dunfermline 0 O'Connor 6 Easton 43
Hearts 0 Dundee 1 Carranza 24
Kilmarnock 0 St Johnstone 0
St Mirren 0 Hibernian 1 O'Neil 7
Half-time: 0-1
SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2000
SPL HALF TIMES
ST MIRREN 0 HIBS 1
HEARTS 0 DUNDEE 1
ABERDEEN 1 MOTHERWELL 2
DUNFERMLINE 0 DUNDEE UTD 2
KILMARNOCK 0 ST JOHNSTONE 0
SATURDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2000
SPL UPDATE Celtic's nearest challengers Hibs have gone into an early lead at Love Street. John O'Neill scoring after 5 minutes.
Dundee United 1 Dunfermline 0
FRIDAY 24th NOVEMBER 2000
STAN NETS NEW DEAL
Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov is expected to sign an extension to his deal at Parkhead next week. Not before time, Stan has been in superb form all season and certainly deserves his new deal.
WEDNESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2000
KERR FOR CARDIFF?
Celtic's third or fourth choice goalkeeper may be on the verge of a move to Cardiff City, Kerr recently spent some time on loan there and the Cardiff club are keen to secure him on a long term deal.
TUESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2000
BHOYS EYE UP YOUNGSTER
CELTIC boss Martin O'Neill is believed to be keeping tabs on Glenavon defender Brian Mallon. The 17-year-old played in Northern Ireland's Milk Cup in the summer and has caught the eye of Bhoys boss O'Neill. He has put in several impressive performances at Mourneview Park, which has alerted Celtic and the Scottish Premier League leaders may well make further enquiries if he continues his good run of form.
TUESDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2000
REF NAMED FOR OLD FIRM CLASH
The referee for Sunday’s Old Firm showdown at Ibrox has been named as Kenny Clark.
Tuesday 21st November 2000
CELTIC are set to tempt veteran midfielder Lubomir Moravcik into staying at Parkhead for one more season by bringing another Slovakian star to Parkhead. Former coach Dr Jozef Venglos is believed to have recommended Samuel Slovak of FC Tenerife to manager Martin O'Neill.
BENFICA OFFER £10M PLUS PIERRE FOR JARDEL
Benfica officials will fly to Turkey this week to open negotiations with Galatasaray for Brazilian striker Mario Jardel, the Portuguese giants' opening offer will be £10 million plus Holland’s ex Celtic star Pierre van Hooijdonk.
Monday 20th November 2000
Flag goes for £14,000
Former Celts director Willie Haughey paid £14,000 for a golf flag autographed by Tiger Woods while ex-Parkhead player Tosh McKinlay paid £2,000 for the Scotland shirt worn by Boyd in the recent 1-1 draw in Croatia. Boyd said: "It was a fantastic effort. "What has happened at the club recently has put football into perspective."
Boyd was at Celtic Park on Monday to announce that his testimonial dinner in Glasgow on Sunday night raised £16,000 for the Beatson Oncology Unit, where team-mate Alan Stubbs is undergoing treatment for cancer.
MONDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2000
NO STOPPING BORDEAUX Bordeaux assumed the Championnat leadership on Sunday night by crushing Rennes at Parc Lescure, two goals from prolific Portuguese striker Pedro Pauleta, left, helping the Girondins to a 3-0 win. Previous pace-setters Sedan were surprisingly defeated by Toulouse on Saturday and Paris Saint-Germain went down at Monaco.
SUNDAY 19th NOVEMBER 2000
Transfer Rumours Update
Cardiff City’s Robert Earnshaw who has recently been linked with a move to Celtic scored a second half hat-trick today in his side’s 5-1 win over Bristol Rovers in the AXA sponsored FA CUP. Earnshaw who had a month long loan spell with Greenock Morton earlier this season also picked up the man of the match award.
Manchester City’s websites are running with the story that Celtic are about to bid £3.5 million for out of favour striker Paulo Wanchope..
FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2000
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY
Celtic fans will welcome the news that Martin O’Neill plans to give us all an early Christmas present, this comes in the form of the new contract he is drawing up to be presented to our own King Henrik. The hoops boss plans to sit down around Christmas time and offer King Henrik the contract that will see him end his career in paradise.
FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2000
BERKOVIC FOR BLACKBURN?
Eyal Berkovic is once again being linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers; today’s tabloids report that he will only move to Blackburn if they are in the top four in the English 1st division after the New Year. The price being quoted for a move is thought to be around £3.5 million
THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2000
CELTIC FC STATEMENT ON ALAN STUBBS
Celtic Football Club official statement follows.
ALAN STUBBS
A spokesperson for Celtic Football Club comments, "Following a routine examination, it has been confirmed that Alan Stubbs has suffered a relapse in his condition and has been re-admitted to hospital for a course of chemotherapy. Alan and his family will receive the highest level of support from Celtic Football Club. The Club appreciates that Celtic supporters and the football public in general will be concerned at this development. However, the Club would like to request that the privacy of Alan and his family be properly respected by all." Paul Stretford, Alan’s representative comments, "I am sure that Alan, with the support of his family and friends will tackle this latest setback with the same grit and determination that epitomises the man both on and off the field. At this moment in time however, I think it is right that Alan, Mandy and his family are given the privacy, time and space required to come to terms with their situation. Alan is very aware of both the public and private support he has throughout the football world and greatly appreciates this." Alan Stubbs comments, "I would like to thank everyone concerned, especially my family, colleagues at the Club and the Celtic supporters in particular. I have come to terms with the fact that I have suffered a relapse and I intend to face the challenge of getting back to full health, head on. Along with everybody’s support and my own determination, I look forward to personally thanking you all when I return to Celtic Park in the not too distant future."
THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2000
FROM THE OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE
Stubbs relapse blow
Alison McConnell
Alan Stubbs will be forced to undergo a further three chemotherapy sessions at the Beaston Oncology Unit in the Western Infirmary, after a routine check-up revealed that the 29-year old has suffered a relapse from the cancer that affected him last July.
On that occasion Stubbs had surgery for testicular cancer, and tests yesterday confirmed that the condition needs further treatment.
Stubbs, who captained Celtic on Sunday’s 4-1 win over St.Johnstone, has the full support of everyone at the club.
Celtic Football Club will release an official statement within the course of the day.
Thursday, November 16, 2000
Berkovic fires shot at Celtic manager
Eyal Berkovic has taken a swipe at Martin O'Neill in the Israeli press - claiming he will leave Parkhead and emerge a 'better playmaker' than he was before his move to Glasgow. He told Ma'ariv newspaper: 'If anyone thinks they can put me in my grave, they are making a big mistake - I was born a playmaker and I will retire an even better one.
'Perugia offered me $700,000 a year to go to Italy, but that is barely half of what I am paid in Scotland. Besiktas and Nevio Scala want me to go to Turkey, but I don't want to have my kids growing up there.'
THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2000
CELTS INTERNATIONAL ROUND UP
SCOTLAN D
Jonathan Gould and Tom Boyd were both in the Scotland line up at Hampden in last night’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Australia.
ISRAEL
Eyal Berkovic played for Israel in their 2-1 defeat in Portugal.
BULGARIA
Stilian Petrov and his team mate Kaiserlautern's Marian Hristov were late in arriving for there countries game in Algeria and only played half a game each. Stilian was introduced as a sub after 58 minutes replacing Hristov.
The game was the first international to be held in Algeria since 1993. With a bloody civil war raging in the North African country, national sides have given Algeria a wide berth in recent years.
The result was Algeria 1 Bulgaria 2, both goals being scored by Petrov, not our Stan though, the game ended up with three Petrov’s playing for the Bulgars.
In front of a small crowd of 15,000, Martin Petrov put the visitors in front in the 38th minute with a neat finish. Madaoui equalised for Algeria just after half time, before Liteks Lovech striker Petrov cracked the winner with 21 minutes to go.
Algeria's disappointment on a historic day was compounded in injury time when goal scorer Madaoui was sent off for a second bookable offence.
WEDNESDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2000
INTERNATIONAL RESULTS
SCOTLAND 0 AUSTRALIA 2
ITALY 1 ENGLAND 0
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 3 FINLAND 0
WEDNESDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2000
GOULD TO START FOR SCOTLAND
Celtic goalie Jonathan Gould will start in goal for Scotland in the friendly against Australia at Hampden Park tonight, first choice keeper Neil Sullivan was injured in training earlier today.
CELTS IN INTERNATIONAL ACTION
A number of Celtic players are taking part in friendly international games tonight, the games that have been widely criticised by Old Firm bosses Martin O’Neill & Dick Advocaat will be updated here later.
PLEA TO LUBO
Martin O’Neill is in today’s edition of The Celtic View trying to persuade Celtic’s Slovakian maestro Lubo Moravcik not to quit at the end of the season. Martin O’Neill said, “I think Lubo was misquoted about retiring, just as he was about apparently saying the league would be over by Christmas. “He may well want to go into coaching, but my advice to him would be to play for as long as he is capable. “Lubo’s in the driving seat. If he comes to me in May and says he doesn’t want to hang up his boots, I’ll be absolutely delighted.
TUESDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2000
LENNON DEAL NONSENSE
Peter Taylor broke off from the England training schedule to describe the speculation regarding Neil Lennon and Celtic as utter nonsense. The caretaker-England boss described the claims as 'total nonsense'. Lennon's representative Mel Stein claims former Leicester boss Martin O'Neill has made a fresh inquiry about the player. Taylor, preparing the England team for tomorrows friendly against Italy in Turin, broke off from his duties to say: "I've had the article pointed out to me and it is total nonsense."
O'Neill offered £7.5million for the 29-year-old in the summer, but in the end Lennon decided his future was with the Foxes and signed a new four-year contract.
TUESDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2000
Tim brings Celtic to Carrow Road City physio Tim Sheppard has pulled off a major coup by bringing Martin O’Neill’s table topping Celtic to Carrow Road for his testimonial match in the New Year.
The match between City and Celtic will take place at Carrow Road on Monday January 22nd with a 7.45 pm kick off. Tickets will go on sale from December 1st but prices have yet to be announced.
The Scottish Premier League closes down for a month in January and this will be Celtic’s final warm up match before they resume action so competitive action is more than likely. As well as Martin O’Neill’s return, the match should see Chris Sutton back playing at Carrow Road.
Tim, a popular figure with players and fans alike is celebrating 20 years with the Club this season.
City chairman Bob Cooper said “I am delighted for Tim that he has been able to attract such high calibre opposition to Carrow Road for his testimonial match. It confirms the high esteem with which Tim is held throughout the world of football and I too would want to pay tribute to his loyalty, dedication and hard work for the Club”.
TUESDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2000
SWEDEN BACK DOWN OVER CELTIC DUO
SWEDEN are to back down over plans to call up Henrik Larsson and Johan Mjallby for a tournament in February which would have stripped Celtic of their stars when the SPL re-starts after the winter shutdown.
The Swedish FA confirmed on Monday that it has changed its mind about demanding the release of the Parkhead pair for the Kings Cup in Thailand and will use only Scandinavian-based players instead. Celtic boss Martin O'Neill had called the trip to the Far East "absurd" when he learned that it would deprive him of top scorer Larsson and defensive stalwart Mjallby for a two-week period which includes vital SPL games away to Hearts and at home to Rangers.
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2000
VIDAR WINS MAN OF THE MATCH
Celtic’s on loan Norwegian Vidar Riseth was voted man of the match for Munich 1860 in their 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg on Sunday.
EX CELT JOINS DERBY COUNTY
Derby have completed the swap deal that sees Brian O'Neil arrive at Pride Park from Wolfsburg, with Stefan Schnoor moving the other way. O'Neil, who has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2003, will take Schnoor's number three shirt in the Derby squad. The former Aberdeen and Celtic star played 42 games for Wolfsburg, scoring three goals. Having completed the move the 28 year old defender has now joined up with the Scotland squad for their friendly against Australia.
BORDEAUX GO TOP
Bordeaux who defeated Celtic last Thursday evening in UEFA cup are now out in front in the French League. They defeated Strasbourg 2-0 on Sunday to go two points clear.
MONDAY 13th NOVEMBER 2000
TICKET SCRAMBLE
Hoops fans will need to prepare for a ticket scramble when the Old Firm CIS cup semi final comes round.
It seems that the capacity at Hampden has been slashed by 5,000 due to safety problems.
The capacity for what’s meant to our showpiece national stadium now stands at 47,500 some 13,000 less than our own ground.
SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2000
NEIL LENNON TO JOIN HOOPS?
Today’s tabloids are running with the story that Celtic have agreed a fee to re-unite Martin O’Neill and Neil Lennon, various newspaper reports put the fee at between £5 million and £7 million with player reported to be on something like £30,000 per week. As there is no confirmation from the club on the move we can only wait and see if anything develops over the next few days.
SATURDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2000
SPL FULL-TIME SCORES
HIBS 1 KILMARNOCK 1
DUNFERMLINE 1 MOTHERWELL 2
DUNDEE UNITED 0 DUNDEE 2
ST MIRREN 1 HEARTS 2
FRIDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2000
TRANSFER RUMOUR Celtic have been linked with a transfer move for young Canadian defender Kevin McKenna, who plays in Germany with Energie Cottbus.
The 19 year old has been linked with a move to Parkhead in the German press, who have also linked former Celtic defender Brian O'Neil with a move back to Scotland after he fell out with his coach at Wolfsberg.
McKenna, who is relatively unknown in Britain, comes highly recommended, as his compatriot, Jason De Vos of Dundee United, says he has lots of potential.
If Martin O'Neill does sign the player, he will join a long list of Canadians currently plying their trade in Scotland, including De Vos and Pat Onstad at Dundee United and Paul Fenwick and Mike Franks at Hibs
THURSDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2000
UEFA CUP NEWS
If Celtic survives tonight’s tie against Bordeaux there’s no chance of an Old Firm game in the next round. UEFA have structured the competition so that teams from the same country cannot meet until at least the last sixteen.
WEDNESDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2000FORMER
FORMER CELTIC SKIPPER MCPHAIL DIES
Former Celtic captain John McPhail has died at the age of 76 after a short illness.
John scored the winning goal for Celtic in the 1951 Scottish Cup final victory over Motherwell.
He was also capped five times by Scotland between 1950 and 1954.
All at the Affiliation pass on their sincere condolences to John's family & friends at this sad time.
WEDNESDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2000
BERKOVIC IN ISRAEL SQUAD Despite being unable to gain entry to Martin O'Neill's team, Eyal Berkovic has again been named in Isreal's squad for next week's friendly against Portugal.
WEDNESDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2000
FUNNY OLD GAME Only last week Celtic were being linked once again with Liverpool's Titi Camara, now that our neighbours from across the city have been knocked out of the Champions League, the Liverpool player is being touted as the player to help Rangers in their quest for UEFA Cup glory
TUESDAY 07th NOVEMBER 2000
LAMBERT MAY HAVE STRESS FRACTURE
Today’s Daily Ranger reports that Paul Lambert may have a stress fracture and could well be out of the team until early next year.
Celtic Football Club have still to confirm or deny these reports, a statement is expected from the club later today.
MONDAY 06th NOVEMBER 2000
LAMBERT DOUBTFUL FOR UEFA CUP TIE
Paul Lambert could miss out on Thursday’s UEFA cup-tie against Bordeaux after picking up an ankle injury in yesterday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
LENNON FOR CELTIC?
Neil Lennon is again being linked with a move to Celtic, Lennon has been off form for most of the season and this is being partly blamed on the moves by Celtic in trying capture his signature earlier this term. If Celtic were to go back in with another £5million plus offer Leicester may find this very hard to resist.
SUNDAY 05th NOVEMBER 2000
BORDEAUX WIN PRIOR TO UEFA TIE
Bordeaux, champions two seasons ago, followed up last week's win at the Parc des Princes with a 1-0 home win over Lille, who would have gone top with victory. Pascal Feindouno got the winner for the home side in the final seconds
SATURDAY 04th NOVEMBER 2000
SPL FULL TIME RESULTS
HEARTS 3 ABERDEEN 0
RANGERS 7 ST MIRREN 1
MOTHERWELL 2 DUNDEE UNITED 1
ST JOHNSTONE 0 DUNFERMLINE 2
SATURDAY 04th NOVEMBER 2000
VIDUKA RUNS RIOT
Ex Celt Mark Viduka scored all four goals for Leeds United in the early morning SKY TV match against Liverpool at Elland Road. The match ended Leeds 4 Liverpool 3.
Saturday 04th November 2000
TOTE MAKES RANGERS FAVOURITES TO LIFT CIS CUP
BOOKIES last night made struggling Rangers favourites to win the CIS Cup after they were drawn against Celtic in the semi-finals last night. Tote quoted Rangers at 11-8 to lift the trophy despite Celtic's 6-2 thrashing of Dick Advocaat's side in August and the fact they trail Martin O'Neill's men by 13 points in the title race. Celtic are 13-8, with other semi-finalists Kilmarnock 3-1 and St Mirren the 12-1 rank outsiders
Friday 03rd November 2000
CIS INSURANCE SEMI-FINAL DRAW
St Mirren V Kilmarnock (Fir Park, Motherwell)
Celtic V Rangers (Hampden Park, Glasgow)
Ties to be played on February 06th & 07th 2000.
Friday 03rd November 2000
PLC BOARD TO DECIDE ?
Celtic’s PLC board will decide later today whether to take Kenny Dalglish on in court, it’s believed that Celtic offered Dalglish around £300,000 as a pay off earlier this year. It’s thought however that Dalglish will be pushing for a full year’s salary believed to be in the region of £600,000. It’s great isn’t it how you can demand that sort of cash for doing absolutely hee-haw. Oh I nearly forgot Dalglish brought us the CIS insurance cup.
