February 2008

28th February 2008

IMPORTANT BARCELONA TRAVEL INFORMATION

CELTIC travel to play Barcelona in their second leg of their last 16 UEFA Champions League tie next week. The game at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, March 4 is guaranteed to be a special occasion, though a tough one for the Hoops who trail 3-2 from the first leg at Celtic Park.

As ever, Celtic supporters will travel to the Catalan city to cheer on the Bhoys and will rekindle friendships forged from the two most recent meetings between Celtic and Barcelona – in March and September 2004.

The city council, in welcoming Hoops fans to Barcelona, have set up a special Celtic Meeting Point (details on pdfs below. Click on links to read) for supporters to get together ahead of the game.

There will be a whole host of activities to keep fans entertained and it’s a tremendous gesture from the Barcelona authorities towards the visiting Celtic fans.

Supporters intending to travel to Barcelona for the game should take note of the travel information on the following pages that are designed to ensure a safe and successful trip.

This visit offers Celtic supporters another opportunity to enhance their reputation in Europe and build even closer links with a great city and another great support in Barcelona.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell has thanked the city of Barcelona ahead of next week’s visit.

He said: “We are delighted to be making another trip to Barcelona, one of Europe’s finest cities. We would like to thank the people of Barcelona in advance for once again hosting our club and our fans in their great city.

“In recent years, our fans have travelled to the city and enjoyed tremendous hospitality and a very warm welcome from the Barcelona residents.

“Once again our fans will travel to Barcelona, looking to enjoy the city, to enjoy football and to represent their club in a positive and friendly spirit.

“Our fans will be looking to support their team in a positive manner, to respect the city and at the same time make more friends as they always do when they travel.”

And last week, ahead of the first game in Glasgow, Barcelona president Joan Laporta praised the Celtic support.

Sr. Laporta said: “We are also looking forward very much to welcoming Celtic supporters to Barcelona in early March. The Celtic supporters are fantastic, in fact the best travelling supporters in the world as we have seen many times.

“We can assure Celtic supporters that they will receive a very warm welcome when they visit the city. I know that Celtic supporters are extremely passionate about their club, a club which I believe, like FC Barcelona is different.

“We know that supporters will travel in huge numbers to follow their team, but we also know the great reputation of good behaviour which Celtic fans enjoy and clearly we are looking forward to hosting the Celtic fans in the city once again.

“I know that the city council, the police, Celtic FC and FC Barcelona have been working very closely over a number of weeks to ensure that Celtic’s visit will again be a great success.

“There will be special arrangements made in the city to ensure that we do all we can to ensure this is the case. We hope all Celtic supporters enjoy their visit to Barcelona.”

Celtic fans have, over the years, gained a superb reputation throughout Europe, winning both the UEFA and FIFA Fair Play Awards following the 2003 UEFA Cup final in Seville.

And in forging friendships with other supporters, they have built up a strong bond with Barcelona fans. The two previous visits to the Catalan city have been hugely successful and the city is looking forward to welcoming the Celtic support once again.

 Barcelona_travel1.pdf
Barcelona_travel2.pdf

13th February 2008

Celtic Push Rangers Out Of Football Rich List

CELTIC have replaced Rangers as Scotland's only club among the world's
20 richest.

The Parkhead side are the only side in the group from outside the "big
five" leagues of England, Italy, Spain, Germany and France.

It marks a return to the top 20 for Celtic, who were 16th in 2006 but
didn't feature last year.

Rangers, 18th last year, drop out along with Manchester City, West Ham
and Benfica.

English clubs take three of the top five spots, while German sides also
feature heavily.

But Spanish giants Real Madrid remain the world's biggest club for the
third year in a row.

The Football Money League is compiled by business firm Deloitte, who
rank the biggest clubs in the world based on revenue. The top 20
consists entirely of European clubs.

Six English clubs feature, with four each from Germany and Italy, three
Spanish sides, two French clubs and Celtic.

There are more rich German clubs than ever before following the
2006World Cup.

Manchester United are second behind Real and are joined in the top five
by Chelsea and Arsenal. Chelsea climb two places to fourth while Arsenal
rise four places to fifth.

Experts behind the list predict Scottish clubs could soon struggle to
feature on it.

Dan Jones, of Deloitte's Sports Business Group, said: "Celtic are the
only side this year to come from outside the big five.

"With Premiership clubs now benefiting from their new broadcasting
contracts, it looks increasingly difficult for the likes of Celtic and
Rangers to be among the top 20 revenue generators in the near future."

He added: "This is the first time any country has had three clubs in the
top five of the money league.

"Arsenal's move to the Emirates Stadium has transformed their revenues,
while Chelsea's income increase sees them make a return to the top
five."

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "It's a fantastic achievement
for Celtic to be 17th in the world in terms of turnover.

"This demonstrates the level of financial commitment from our supporters
around the world.

"To be the only club in this league out with the top five nations is
particularly pleasing considering the value of media rights in
Scotland."
POSITION CLUB £m

1 (1) Real Madrid 236.2

2 (4) Manchester Utd 212.1

3 (2) FC Barcelona 195.3

4 (6) Chelsea 190.5

5 (9) Arsenal 177.6

6 (5) AC Milan 153.0

7 (8) Bayern Munich 150.3

8 (10) Liverpool 133.9

9 (7) Internazionale 131.3

10 (12) AS Roma 106.1

11 (15) Spurs 103.1

12 (3) Juventus 97.7

13 (11) Olympique Lyonnais 94.6

14 (13) Newcastle Utd 87.1

15 (16) Hamburg SV 81.0

16 (14) Schalke 04 76.9

17 (n/a) Celtic 75.2

18 (n/a) Valencia 72.4

19 (n/a) Olympique de Marseille 66.6

20 (n/a) Werder Bremen 65.5

13th February 2008

McFadden: I Wanted To Join Celtic

Birmingham City striker James McFadden has admitted he had his heart set on a move to Celtic when he left Everton in January

Scottish striker James McFadden says it's great to be playing regular football now with new club Birmingham City, but nevertheless admitted that Celtic were the club he really wanted to join. 

The former Everton forward was rarely used by David Moyes and decided to leave Goodison Park to further his club career, which was failing to replicate his impressive international form. 

Celtic Interest

The Bhoys made a loan approach for McFadden, but he eventually ended up staying in England and moving permanently to Birmingham City in a £5m deal that reunited him with former Scotland manager Alex McLeish. 

"Celtic tried to take me on loan and I was keen on it at the time but I didn't speak with Gordon Strachan,” McFadden explained. 

"They never came in with a bid for me and then Alex McLeish really showed he wanted me here and that was a big thing for me.  I still maintain that Birmingham is a club with a lot of potential and I'll be giving it my best shot to make sure we are not relegated and then we can regroup in the summer." 

Regular Games

And the striker stressed that his move to St Andrews was absolutely the right decision, allowing him to play football again.  "I have maybe swapped a fight to get into the Champions League [at Everton] for a relegation battle at Birmingham, but I would rather play every week in a relegation fight than be a bit-part player at Everton which was the case," said the striker, who scored his first Blues goal against West Ham at the weekend.  

08th February 2008

SPL PRESS RELEASE

SPL takes action to stop illegal broadcasts


THE Scottish Premier League this week served an interim interdict on the licensee of the Arlington Bar and the Old Empire Bar in Glasgow, which had been granted by Lord Kinclaven at the Court of Session.

This interdict has the effect of preventing the licensee from using decoders to access and screen overseas broadcasts of Clydesdale Bank Premier League matches, where there is no agreement with the overseas broadcaster permitting access in Scotland.

The judgement follows other legal rulings in favour of the SPL against licensees of Europa and the Spirit, amongst others.

The Premier League in England has also recently been successful in obtaining interim interdicts north of the border against the licensees of the Town House in Dundee and the Mallard in Perth.

An SPL spokesman said: “We are delighted with the judgement. The use of decoders in this manner has a detrimental impact on the health of domestic football in Scotland.

“Working with our clubs and other football authorities, we will continue to monitor licensed premises and will take all necessary court action against offending pubs and clubs.

“Other licensees have avoided the risk and expense of legal action by lodging formal undertakings with us acknowledging that they are not entitled to, and will not use such apparatus to access SPL programming intended for broadcast overseas.

“We have received widespread support for our actions from the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and law-abiding publicans across the country.

03rd February 2008

SCOTTISH CUP 1/4 FINAL DRAW

Celtic will have to overcome Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the last eight of the Scottish Cup if they are to retain their trophy.

Gordon Strachan’s side, victors in the competition last year, breezed past Kilmarnock 5-1 on Saturday to secure their place in the hat, while Aberdeen squeezed past First Division side Hamilton 1-0.

The inclement weather has forced a series of replays and postponements, meaning the Pittodrie clash is the only confirmed tie for the next round.

SPL leaders Rangers will have home advantage if they overcome Hibernian, with Livingston or Partick Thistle the visitors to Ibrox.

Queen of the South, in the last eight for the second successive season, will play Motherwell or Dundee, while the winners of St Mirren against Dundee United travel to either Ross County or St Johnstone.

The games will be played on the weekend of March 8 and 9.

01st February 2008

Maciej Zurawski leaves Celtic

POLISH striker Maciej Zurawski has today left Celtic to sign for Greek side Larissa FC.

The 31-year-old, who joined Celtic from Wisla Krakow in the summer of 2005, made a total of 73 appearances for the Hoops, scoring 30 goals.

In season 2005/06, Zurawski finished as Celtic’s joint-top scorer with John Hartson on 20 goals, helping the Hoops win the SPL championship. He also scored in the 3-0 CIS Cup final win over Dunfermline.

Last season, Zurawski was hindered by injury but still scored 10 goals as Celtic retained their SPL title and lifted the Scottish Cup.

The Pole also helped Celtic reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League in consecutive seasons under Gordon Strachan.

Injury and the form of Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink limited Maciej to just eight appearances this season, although he did score a crucial penalty in the shoot-out win over Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League qualifier.

Zurawski, who has won 53 caps for Poland, is currently captain of his country and hopes to be involved in this summer’s European Championships.

Everyone at Celtic would like to thank Maciej for his contribution to the club’s success since 2005 and wish him good luck with his new side.

NEW BHOYS ATTEND PRESS CONFERENCE AT CELTIC PARK

News image

MANAGER Gordon Strachan welcomed another two new faces to Celtic Park today (Friday) as Barry Robson and Koki Mizuno were paraded in Paradise after signing from Dundee United and JEF United respectively at the end of the January transfer window.

And it would seem that the manager has been wanting to work with midfielder Robson for quite some time now.

He said:  “Barry has been in our face since I started here two-and-a-half years ago. He’s been annoying me for two-and-a-half years and I thought, ‘that’s enough,’ we’ll get him along here.

“So it saves that worry and to have him on our side is great because he gives us goals, he gives us energy, he gives us determination and a will to win.”

Robson picked up his one and only Scotland cap so far when he replaced Celtic’s Gary Caldwell for the last half-hour or so of the 1-0 victory over South Africa at Hampden in August last year.

However, such is the former Tannadice man’s versatility on the pitch, working out who he would replace in the current Celtic team may not be so straightforward.

The manager said: “We’ve been working on this for a wee while now and he gives us a lot of options in where he can play and I’m sure Barry arriving here will have a few of the players, not just one or two but quite a lot of them, saying to themselves, ‘we better be playing well because he’s ready to step in’.

He added: “I’m happy with the balance of the team. We’re starting the second part of the season and a lot of this group are now settled. We all know what we have to deal with between now and the end of the season.

“We have to collect a lot of points, stay in cup ties and entertain as best we can with the pitches the way they’ve been.

“So we have a nice balance to the team as when the surface is good we can play decent football but if the surface is a bit ropy then we can dig out a result as well and use strength.”

Koki Mizuno will now join his countryman and fellow Japanese internationalist at Celtic Park but the manager admitted that the 22-year-old will be a spectator alongside the cup-tied Robson for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

He said: “We’ve got to give Koki a wee bit of time because, unlike Naka who stopped off in Italy before he came here, he’s come straight in and the change in culture will shock him so he has to acclimatise on and off the pitch to Scottish football.

“Koki’s a pure, pure football player like Naka and we know that he took a wee while to get himself beefed up for the Scottish league but he did and he’s been absolutely fantastic since then.

“We give the players here a platform to see if they can adapt to playing Champions League football, pressure football and winning football every week and it’s up to them to take it.

“And we do feel that Koki can do that. That’s why we’ve asked him to come along and join us. We feel he has good things in his game and we feel we can add to them to make him an all-round player."

 

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