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Post by Bismarck on Dec 17, 2007 13:15:50 GMT
One for Gerry to have a rant or a scoff in....
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 17, 2007 13:18:18 GMT
Match report from the afternoon away defeat versus Inverness Caledonian Thistle Ten-man Caley Thistle came from two goals down to record their first SPL victory over leaders Celtic in what was an enthralling encounter. Fresh from their 4-0 rout of Falkirk in midweek, Celtic began the better of the two sides and almost took the lead with 10 minutes played. Aiden McGeady did well to whip in a dangerous cross that Michael Fraser flapped at. The ball then fell kindly to Scott Brown who promptly fired the ball goalwards only to see Phil McGuire clear his effort off the line. Caley Thistle had rarely been seen as an attacking force but it took a wonderful save by former Inverness goalkeeper Mark Brown to keep out Marius Niculae's volley after Ian Black's initial effort had deflected into his path. It was a miss that the hosts were left to rue as Celtic took a 24th minute lead. Paul Hartley's cross from a free-kick found Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's head and he made no mistake from six yards. Less than 60 seconds later and Gordon Strachan's men doubled their advantage with the Dutch striker on target again. McGeady was allowed too much time and space on the edge of the box to curl in a shot that was helped on its way into the corner of the net by Hesselink. Celtic appeared to be cruising, but were made to pay for taking their foot of the gas three minutes before the interval. Steven Pressley was adjudged to have brought down Niculae inside the box and John Rankin had enough power on his spot-kick to squeeze it under Brown's body. There was no let-up in the goalmouth action following the interval and after Hesselink had struck the post, Caley Thistle equalised when David Proctor headed home Don Cowie's corner on 57 minutes. Four minutes later and the home side's comeback was complete. Richard Hastings' long ball found Cowie racing in between Pressley and Stephen McManus before stretching to prod the ball beyond Brown. Celtic, however, were handed a lifeline on 67 minutes when Proctor clipped Scott McDonald's heels as the Australian raced in on goal, leaving referee Alan Freeland with no option but to give him his marching orders. The visitors then piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser and only a spectacular save by Fraser from Massimo Donati's header late on prevented the points being shared.
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Post by JoeLatics on Dec 22, 2007 18:12:06 GMT
u reilise no-ones gonna post on this thread...we're all englsih team fans..
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 24, 2007 10:35:57 GMT
except for the Celtic fan who is on here Joe!
Yeah we aint playing to well at the moment but hey i'm all booked up for the camp nou and looking fwd to it, mon the hoops
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Post by tigertiger on Dec 24, 2007 10:40:57 GMT
Im gutted that im in Glasgow on the 2nd January, when theres an Old firm game on and i can't get a ticket
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 24, 2007 10:44:06 GMT
you could get one easily enough tiger...if you sell a kidney or something, I can't even get one for me, the new years old firm derby is something special just hit one of the celtic boozers and soak it up
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 24, 2007 11:00:20 GMT
Celtic fail in McFadden loan move..... We have a lot of commitments, so we need all our top players around
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness on James McFadden Everton have rejected an approach from Celtic to sign Scotland striker James McFadden on loan in January. The 24-year-old's future at Everton is uncertain, and he has admitted he would consider a return to Scotland.
Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told BBC Sport: "We have rejected Celtic's offer out of hand and we have left it at that.
"We are not actively trying to sell him, but there has been a lot of interest, not just from Celtic."
Everton signed McFadden from Motherwell in a £1.25m deal in September 2003, but he has never been a regular under manager David Moyes.
He has started only three games this season, despite being one of the stars of Scotland's excellent, but ultimately unsuccessful, attemp to qualify for Euro 2008.
Wyness added: "We are in the Carling Cup semi-finals, the last 32 of the Uefa Cup and still have the FA Cup to come.
"We also have Premiership commitments, so we need all our top players around."
Everton have always insisted they will not sell McFadden, but he said: "I'd love to play in the Premiership.
"But if it is not going to happen or if a chance to go back up to Scotland came in and I felt it was right, I'd do it."
McFadden has a year and half to run on his current deal at Goodison Park, but that has not stopped rumours that he will the subject of much interest in the January transfer window.
And a move back to Scotland would appeal to the international, who added: "Obviously it would be nice to be back with my family and back playing football again.
"But until that chance comes it is quite hard to answer that question. Hopefully it will happen one day but I will wait and see."
McFadden's agent Willie McKay confirmed last month that Everton are looking to offer the striker a contract extension, and McFadden said: "The club have made it clear that they want to offer me a contract.
"But I have not gone down that road yet because I want to try to get into the team before I start talking about contracts."
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 24, 2007 11:02:28 GMT
Looks like we'll need to buy him outright then! Although would be better concentrating on buying a solid defence imo
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 27, 2007 15:55:33 GMT
Dundee United 0-2 Celtic Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring at Tannadice Celtic remain at the summit of the SPL after a gutsy win at Tannadice. Dundee United captain Barry Robson hit the crossbar with a thunderbolt, while Grzegorz Szamotulski made a great stop from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
But the Celtic striker was not to be denied and powered home a header from a Paul Hartley corner after the interval.
Stephen McManus knocked in a second goal with his chest soon after as United failed to deal with another wicked delivery from Hartley.
Interview: Dundee Utd manager Craig Levein Interview: Celtic manager Gordon Strachan
Defender Bobo Balde was handed his first start in a year as Celtic looked to overcome a sticky patch of results.
And his presence helped the visitors keep their first clean sheet away from home in almost 15 months.
Rangers had taken top spot for 45 minutes, having kicked off earlier, but Celtic are two points clear again, although their rivals have two games in hand.
The game started at a frantic pace but clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening stages.
Celtic midfielder Jiri Jarosik should have done far better in the 22nd minute when, after latching on to a knock-down from Vennegoor of Hesselink, he drove the ball wide of the target from a good position in the penalty area.
Tannadice skipper Robson whipped a corner straight on to the head of Lee Wilkie but the defender turned the ball wide, with Celtic keeper Mark Brown rooted to his line.
Visiting captain McManus then rattled the United crossbar with a shot, but the referee Eddie Smith had already blown his whistle for an offside.
In the 38th minute Robson took aim from all of 35 yards out and his powerful drive left Brown helpless as it rebounded off the crossbar.
And an absorbing first half ended with Szamotulski producing an outstanding save to tip a towering header from Vennegoor of Hesselink up into the air and once again off the woodwork.
United looked the stronger side after the break but Celtic's Aiden McGeady threatened with a surging run and shot on 65 minutes that flew a yard or so wide of the target.
Soon after, Celtic were in front when Vennegoor of Hesselink rose highest to nod a Hartley corner home.
The visitors made the best of another set-piece a few minutes later and McManus arrived at the back post to bundle in a flick-on from Massimo Donati with his chest.
Celtic started to open up with great effect and a blistering run from McGeady set up Scott Brown for a shot that cannoned off the post.
The home side battled gamely in the closing stages but could not find a way back into the match.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dundee Utd: Szamotulski, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Flood, David Robertson (Conway 58), Buaben, Gomis, Robson, Hunt, Jordan Robertson. Subs Not Used: McLean, Kerr, Cameron, Kenneth, Duff, Don.
Booked: Gomis.
Celtic: Mark Brown, Caldwell, Balde, McManus, Naylor, McGeady, Scott Brown, Hartley, Jarosik (Donati 72), McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs Not Used: McGovern, Riordan, Sno, Killen, O'Dea, Caddis.
Goals: Vennegoor of Hesselink 68, McManus 74.
Att: 12,357
Ref: E Smith
____________________________________________________
1st clean sheet away from home in 15 months, thank f*ck for that, big win for us yesterday and very much needed, Gretna on Saturday and then the Currant Buns on the 2nd of January
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Post by likeasharkinafunnyhat on Dec 27, 2007 17:09:45 GMT
Watch out for Kenny Deuchar
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 27, 2007 17:16:08 GMT
Think he best watch out for Bobo Balde, don't expect anything other than 3 points and at least 3 goals against Gretna and hopefully the same against the Currants
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Post by likeasharkinafunnyhat on Dec 28, 2007 12:12:01 GMT
Didn't he break his leg a while back?
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 28, 2007 12:16:47 GMT
Yeah he broke it last year (26th of Dec against Dundee Utd!!!) but has been out of favour and the management want him out, don't know if that has changed though
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 28, 2007 17:39:02 GMT
Hope this is true ____________________________________________________
Hinkel poised to sign for Celtic Full-back Hinkel moved to Sevilla in the summer of 2006 German international full-back Andreas Hinkel has agreed a January transfer to Celtic, BBC Sport understands. The attacking right-back will move from Spanish club Sevilla, who he joined from Stuttgart in June 2006.
The 25-year-old had been talking to Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund after submitting a transfer request.
But Hinkel, capped 17 times, has been to Glasgow and passed a medical and will be eligible to play when Celtic entertain Rangers on 2 January.
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has been short of a right-back because of injuries to Mark Wilson and Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe.
Central defender Gary Caldwell has filled that position in recent games.
"Hinkel isn't getting the continuity he needs, because he's competing with Daniel Alves, the best right back in the world," Sevilla sports director Ramon Rodriguez told the club website.
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Post by arover on Dec 28, 2007 18:00:03 GMT
Hope this is true ____________________________________________________ Hinkel poised to sign for Celtic Full-back Hinkel moved to Sevilla in the summer of 2006 German international full-back Andreas Hinkel has agreed a January transfer to Celtic, BBC Sport understands. The attacking right-back will move from Spanish club Sevilla, who he joined from Stuttgart in June 2006. The 25-year-old had been talking to Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund after submitting a transfer request. But Hinkel, capped 17 times, has been to Glasgow and passed a medical and will be eligible to play when Celtic entertain Rangers on 2 January. Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has been short of a right-back because of injuries to Mark Wilson and Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe. Central defender Gary Caldwell has filled that position in recent games. "Hinkel isn't getting the continuity he needs, because he's competing with Daniel Alves, the best right back in the world," Sevilla sports director Ramon Rodriguez told the club website. He could be a very good buy.
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 28, 2007 18:30:10 GMT
Do Celtic have a chance against Barca?
Gordon Strachan’s men will face F.C. Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 - a formidable task under any circumstances but even more so in light of Celtic’s recent run of mediocre form and defensive injuries.
Strachan himself told the BBC that beating Barca was a “realistic” goal that “can be done.” While I don’t doubt it can be done, calling it realistic sounds a bit, er, optimistic. But in Strachan’s defence, it would not be unprecedented. In 2004, the Bhoys knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA Cup, beating the Catalans 1-0 at Celtic Park and managing a scoreless draw in the return leg at Camp Nou. And defensive help may be on the way soon: the Hoops are said to be closing on a deal for Sevilla right-back Andreas Hinkel and the Daily Record is reporting Strachan may sign Brazil international Dyego Rocha Coelho to a three-year deal.
Do Celtic stand a chance - or can they only hope to avoid embarrassment? The first leg will be played at Celtic Park on February 20, with the return at Camp Nou a fortnight later.
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Post by likeasharkinafunnyhat on Dec 30, 2007 16:30:17 GMT
Celtic will reject any move for Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura from former Japanese club Yokohama Marinos.
The J-League club have admitted they would be interested in signing the 29-year-old, but not in January.
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told BBC Sport that there has been no approach for the Japan international.
And he stressed that Celtic had a year's option, starting in June, on Nakamura's contract and would be looking to extend his stay further.
The Marinos general manager, Katsunori Nakamura, who is not related to the Hoops player, said: "If he comes back to Japan, we, the Marinos, would like to stand for the candidacy as his next destination, but nothing has been decided.
"I think there will be the moment that I will have to go to Scotland for talks about this, but not now and not in January. I'd like to visit Celtic when the time comes."
Nakamura arrived in Glasgow from Italy in 2005 following a £2.5m transfer from Serie A outfit Reggina.
He quickly became a mainstay of Celtic's midfield and boosted the club's commercial interests in the Far East.
Celtic and the player's agent rejected suggestions this summer that Nakamura was looking to leave the club and had a get-out clause in his contract.
But Nakamura's season has been plagued by injury and he made the last of his 12 appearances in November. ----------------
Surely he wouldn't want to go anyway?
Oh yeah 3-0 against Gretna... as easy as the scoreline suggests?
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 8:00:31 GMT
Yeah we have a chance against Barca, wouldn't dream of saying we are favourites but we have a chance if we keep a clean sheet at home. As for Naka I really don't think he is leaving WGS (wee gordon strachan) said "What me? Sell one of the best players in Britain?" Says it all really (i hope) And the performance against Gretna left a lot to be desired but 3 points and 3 goals sets us up well for the visit of they b*stards on the 2nd
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Post by arover on Dec 31, 2007 8:18:32 GMT
Yeah we have a chance against Barca, wouldn't dream of saying we are favourites but we have a chance if we keep a clean sheet at home. As for Naka I really don't think he is leaving WGS (wee gordon strachan) said "What me? Sell one of the best players in Britain?" Says it all really (i hope) How good is he really?
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 8:21:22 GMT
On his day he can be absolutley lethal, he is normally outstanding at home but when the going gets rough away from home he has the tendancies to go missing, but overall he is an excellent player.
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 13:23:49 GMT
Celtic seek Old Firm postponement Celtic want the game postponed as a mark of respect for Phil O'Donnell Celtic have asked for the Old Firm match on Wednesday to be postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell. O'Donnell collapsed and died during Saturday's match against Dundee United at Fir Park.
The Scottish Premier League is considering Celtic's request to have the game at Celtic Park postponed.
Motherwell's match against Hibernian and Gretna's game with St Mirren have already been postponed.
Both Gordon Strachan and Rangers manager Walter Smith say if it was up to them the game would not be played.
Celtic Captain Stephen McManus commented: "Having met this morning as a group for the first time since Phil's death, the Celtic team, management and backroom staff feel very strongly that our match on Wednesday should be postponed as a mark of our sincere respect for Phil O'Donnell, a great player and a great man.
“A number of our squad have very close connections to Phil's family and feel it would be inappropriate to proceed with this match at such a time, following such a tragic event.
“We understand sincerely the inconvenience and frustration a postponement would cause supporters of both teams, particularly those who travel long distances to games - and we fully respect the views of all fans on this matter. However, we feel that this would be the only correct decision. I hope that supporters would understand our position in such circumstances."
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 13:27:52 GMT
Game is now postponed
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 31, 2007 14:23:38 GMT
Normally the Annual General Meetings for Celtic PLC, the company that runs Celtic FC, are rather placid affairs. The controversy surrounded the appointment of the new Chairman, Dr. John Reid. While the vast majority of the attendees came to support their club, talk about its future, and vote for the new chairman, a vocal minority also arrived with the full intent of voicing their displeasure with Reid’s association with the club.
WHO IS JOHN REID?
For those who don’t follow British politics, John Reid was Tony Blair’s minister extraordinaire, holding seven different ministerial posts during the Blair premiership. In essence, he was Blair’s fixer, a known surly character who was willing to kick some ass if need be to get a ministry in order. He was never particularly popular with opposition operatives, and quite frequently, with those within his own Labour Party. A Scot, who is a lifelong Celtic supporter and holder of season tickets, Reid’s appointment has raised the ire of some in the Celtic community for a few reasons.
First, he served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. There are many supporters who just can not stomach the idea that the face of the British government in Northern Ireland will now be leading a club with a fan base diametrically opposed to British rule in the six counties. Despite the fact that Reid was the first Catholic appointed to the post, and his tenure was littered with positive accomplishments, some feel that a former representative of Britain in Northern Ireland should never have a place at the club.
Second, and more importantly, is the charge that Reid is a war criminal (which was expressed vociferously by some Celtic supporters at the AGM) for his involvement in Blair’s decision to go to war in Iraq versus the vast majority of British public opinion, and his staunch defense of that decision against overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Basically, some people view him as the British equivalent of the clinically senile Donald Rumsfeld, though for me that is quite a stretch.
Incredibly, Reid’s involvement in the rush to war and the defense of that policy is not his only brush with the “war criminal” tag. During the Bonsian War of the late 1990’s, Reid struck up a bizarre friendship with Serbian rebel leader Radovan Karadzic, who has since been indicted for war crimes by the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Reid admitted to being a guest of Karadzic at a Geneva hotel during the time that the war crimes Karadzic has been charged with took place. That raises the scary prospect that horrific, murderous decisions were made in the other room while Reid was watching Celtic on the television. Reid’s defense is that he was working in his capacity as shadow Minister of Defence in attempting to come to a diplomatic resolution to end the fighting.
MY PERSPECTIVE
Having read a wide variety of thoughts on this situation, including Reid’s own, I have come to the conclusion that this is a positive appointment for the club. There are a number of reasons for this, and the best of them was perfectly articulated by Reid himself, “I do not believe the vast majority of Celtic supporters want that [his political decisions] to be debated within Celtic Football Club. We leave those differences at the door, and the great strength of this club over the years has been precisely that it will not allow sectarian or other divisions to impede the unity of purpose behind those of us who want to see Celtic succeed.”
Celtic has always been known as the Catholic club, or the Irish club. While the heart of the club will always be Irish Catholic, the modern Celtic is so much more than that. These days the Club and its supporters are some of the most welcoming you will find in any sport, anywhere. Come as you are, provided you love the club, and everything will be cool. I’ve probably viewed Celtic matches in a half dozen different pubs/bars around the US of A, and have never failed to receive a warm welcome and some pints on the house before anyone asked a question about my background or where my allegiance to the club comes from.
The tie that binds supporters to supporters and to the club is the pursuit of trophies and great things for Celtic, now and in the future. Leave your political leanings at the door, but bring your scarf and voice. That’s a great philosophy to have, and it isn’t found at every club around these days [cough cough].
The Celtic Football Club was around long before the Iraq War was launched, and no matter how long the quagmire lasts, will be around for many years after. Its bigger than political opinions and misguided friendships, and it should always remain that way.
John Reid’s intellect and drive are legendary, and in the age of marketing a football club as a global brand, could anyone interested in running Celtic have a more powerful, connected Rolodex than Reid? No way. Simply put, the man will be able to make things happen.
It is entirely fair to question Reid’s judgment. By all accounts, Reid is a man of conviction, loyalty, honor and strength. The profiles that I’ve encountered lead me to believe that every decision he made throughout his political career was made with the best interests of his constituency and the British public in mind. The results have not always been what he wanted them to be, but as Chairman of Celtic Football Club, the most we can ask for is a diligent leader who will always act in the best interests of the club, and that is who I believe John Reid is.
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 14:26:23 GMT
Where did you get that croc of poo from Otto
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 31, 2007 14:55:23 GMT
Hee hee.....First cast......how are you today mate......(I just found it in tinternet and thought I would annoy you......!!
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 14:58:14 GMT
Pretty gutted about Phil O'Donnell, think sense has prevailed and the game is called off. Looking fwd to tonight, what about you? how's things?
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 31, 2007 15:03:28 GMT
Oh yes....you could not play so soon.....
Anyway....out tonight.....we are off to the local hotel to stay with a few friends....feeling better today....I have been really ill with flu....
I get the feeling you don't celebrate New Year like the rest of the Nation?
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 15:06:25 GMT
Not really a fan but meeting the missus's extended family so on my best Hope yours goes well sounds like you're on the mend
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Post by Bismarck on Dec 31, 2007 15:12:29 GMT
Feeling alot better today mate.....Gees....I have not been that ill for years....I have lost a stone in weight....never heard of before at Christmas....!!!
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Post by gerry09 on Dec 31, 2007 15:13:43 GMT
I lost some weight too, turns out it was round the back
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