The second leg of the tie against FC Utrecht takes place tomorrow at 2:30. Celtic enter the tie with a 2-0 lead gained at Celtic Park. Celtic are also coming off of a 4-0 drubbing of St. Mirren this past Sunday.
FC Utrecht were also impressive in their weekend match against Willem II by running out to a 3-0 score with a brace from Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. One player who will not be facing off against Celtic is Jacob Mulenga, the Zambian striker who left the match against Celtic with a calf injury. Celtic continue to miss long term injured Gary Hooper, Niall McGinn and Andreas Hinkel. Depending on who you believe Glenn Loovens left Celtic Park on Sunday after not being named as a starter or to the bench and may be on his way back to Cardiff.
Also, joining Celtic on loan is giant (6′7″) goalkeeper Fraser Forster. He is ineligible to play in tomorrow’s match but is eligible for Sunday’s match.
So let’s have a good turn out for tomorrow’s match and cheer the Bhoys on to European progression!
A sane start time? A sane start time.
Celtic open their home portion of the campaign against St. Mirren this Sunday at 10. Celtic are on a two match winning streak that includes two clean sheets while St. Mirren began their campaign with a plucky 1-1 draw against Dundee United.
Celtic enter the match with Gary Hooper, Andreas Hinkel, and Niall McGinn all definitively out while Josh Thompson has joined Rochdale on loan for the season. Emilio Izaguirre is back in Honduras packing his bags and signing the proper papers to join Celtic and is not eligible as of yet.
St. Mirren (with a Lennon of their own managing) have injury and suspension issues, especially up front with Michael Higdon suspended, Paul McQuade, Steven Thomson and David Barron injured and Paul McGowan (on loan from our beloved Celtic) unable to face his parent club.
Sunday should be a lovely day with cooler temperatures so take advantage of the lack of paint-melting heat and join us at Fado for a continued great start to the campaign!
And the answer to the question “Will the match be broadcast?” is a resounding no.
No, it will not be broadcast in the United States. That means fire up the computers and go to Channel 67 (or other less legal means) to watch the Bhoys play AT HOME in the Europa League. Lovely.
That aside, Celtic will be playing their Europa League qualifier against FC Utrecht this Thursday with a new signing (or two) at their disposal. With Craig Bellamy going back home to Wales Celtic have welcomed in 33 year old Daniel Majstorovic, Swedish internationalist and center half to the squad and are close to signing 24 year old Ecuadorian Emilio Izaguirre, who plies his trade at left back.
Going the other direction is Darren O’Dea who is back on loan to Ipswich Town for 6 months. Celtic’s injured list include Gary Hooper (gone about 6 weeks), Thomas Rogne (2-3 weeks), Niall McGinn (2 weeks), Mark Wilson (2 weeks), and Pat McCourt who was Maloneyed after scoring the winning goal against Inverness this past Saturday (day-to-day).
The latest in rumor mill “slightly not completely rubbish” transfers have Celtic interested in two Manchester City players - Vladimir Weiss, a winger and Slovakian internationalist, son of Vladimir Weiss, Slovakian national team manager. The second player is Séamus John James “Shay” Given, who you may have heard of before. He’s apparently a goalie, Irish internationalist and spent 3 years as a Celtic youth player from 1991-1994. It was announced today (August 17th) by a man who wears a scarf an awful lot (no, not HIM), that Given may leave the club if he wishes.
So, enjoy the match in your own special way on Thursday and the match report for the weekend will come later this week!
As the transfer window draws near a close, a wholly made over Celtic squad will be taking the field against Kilmarnock this Tuesday at 2:30 P.M. How much is Celtic made over? Here are the ins and outs over the past month:
IN: Ki Sung-Yeung (midfielder), Morten Rasmussen (striker), Jos Hooiveld (defender), Thomas Rogne (defender), Paul Slane (forward), Edson Braafheid (left defender/wing back) (loan), Diomansy Kamara (striker) (loan to buy).
OUT: Mark Brown (to Hibs), Stephen McManus (loan to Middlesboro), Barry Robson (to Middlesboro), Chris Killen (ditto), Willo Flood (ditto), Gary Caldwell (to Wigan).
The outs do not include players that are on loan and are expected to come back.
And that is so far as it is still possible that there is a move or two in either direction as the SPL window closes at midnight today and the English window closes at 5 P.M. (GMT). So if you liked Celtic’s team last year you can follow them as they play for Middlesboro. Said team is also making a move for a Japanese player who currently plies his trade in Spain.
Oh. The match. Yeah.
So after Morten Rasmussen came on and scored 3 minutes later to give Celtic a 1-0 win over Hamilton the Bhoys move on to their make-up game against Kilmarnock. Celtic remain 10 points back of league leaders. . .that other team. Kilmarnock reside in 11th place after coming off of a 4-4 draw with Dundee United this past weekend. So who will be in our lineup on Tuesday? Your guess is as good as mine as nothing in our lineup seems set.
I hope that we can have a good turn out this Tuesday. I’m probably out for the match but if someone wishes to collect, I’d be indebted.
And welcome back to another mid-week madness match for Celtic. Playing the second of three matches in 6 days Celtic will be hoping to continue their winning ways in a home match versus Hibs tomorrow at 2:45. Celtic came off of a 4-1 win over St. Johnstone this past Sunday while Hibs are coming off of an equally impressive 5-1 demolition of Hamilton.
Lots and lots and lots of movement as it still appears that Stephen McManus may be moving away from Celtic on loan (and probably putting paid to his time at Celtic Park) and Danny Fox on a 1.8 million pound transfer to Burnley. Incoming (and coming directly into the squad) is Morten (Duncan) Rasmussen, our new Danish international striker. Also looking to join the squad is Jos Hooiveld who may be seeing his first action this week as fellow countryman Glenn Loovens will be a closer to game-time decision due to the concussion he received this past Sunday.
Other injury front news has an announcement of Scott McDonald and Scott Brown both in training and returning to full strength.
Fun fact time: which player has 8 goals in the past 10 matches?
If you said Georgios Samaras, give yourself a point. Kind of snuck up on you there, no?
Due to illness I am no more than 50/50 for making the match tomorrow. If someone would be kind enough to collect, consider me indebted to you.
Celtic continues their SPL season by facing off against St. Johnstone this Sunday at half past 10. Celtic remain in second place with 38 points from 19 matches while St. Johnstone are holding on to 9th place with 19 points from 17 matches.
This game begins a series of 3 matches in 6 days for Celtic (Sunday - Wednesday - Saturday) and their hopes to get back in to the SPL race. Celtic have been facing a massive injury woe as Ki Sung-Yueng, Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus, Mark Wilson, Danny Fox, Paul Caddis, and Lee Naylor are injured. Landry NGuemo remains away on international duty.
Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are apparently fit again but do not seem to factor in to this weekend’s match.
On the transfer news front, saying Scott Brown is leaving gets you sued, Scott McDonald is the next to go out the door to Middlesboro (apparently) or Wigan and we now have signed Thomas Rogne to meet up with Jos Hooiveld. Also rumored to be coming in are Paul Slane (Motherwell) a youngster on a free contract in the summer and (take this as you will) the Danish Duncan Ferguson,Morten Rasmussen for a fee of around 2 million pounds.
I hope to see everyone there on Sunday with a later start to gird our loins for the field of battle.
Celtic are back in league play again this Saturday, playing Falkirk at home. Celtic are currently residing in 2nd place in the table, 7 points back of the huns and 4 points in front of third placed Hibs. Falkirk are at the bottom of the table 2 points away from Kilmarnock who reside in 11th place.
Of course some changes have come to the team with Gary Caldwell going to Wigan, Willo Flood (who?) and Chris Killen (who?) going on loan to Middlesboro for the remainder of their contracts and Barry Robson (who was playing well) gone in a transfer to Middlesboro as well.
Joining Celtic is Jos Hooiveld, a 6′3″ center half who was bought from AIK in the Swedish league. He, like Georgios Samaras began his career at Heerenveen and is under contract for the next 3 1/2 years.
Other rumors abound, including (no, not mentioning Keane) Celtic looking at Thomas Rogne a 19 year old Norwegian center half and Markus Johnsson a Swedish right back who plays for AIK.
Adding more fun on the injury front, Scott McDonald will be out the remainder of the month with hernia surgery and the condition of Landry N’Guemo is yet to be determined as he came off injured in the Africa Cup of Nations. Long term injuries to Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown have yet to have a comeback date announced.
In Scottish Cup news, some interesting info. Dunfirmline had to forfeit their 7-1 victory over Stenhousemuir due to the fielding of an ineligible player. This means if Celtic overcome Morton then we would face off against a lesser light in the next round. Dunfirmline plan on appealing, but don’t you believe it.
I hope to see everyone bright and mid-morningy on Saturday!
It’s here! It’s here! It’s here!
Due to Champions League Qualifying this is not the first match of the year. That was the opening game at Celtic Park. Nor is it the first match of the year where we have been together. That was the return leg in Moscow.
But it is the first SPL game of the year. We will be opening both Fado’s (there is no early EPL match) and the season Saturday morning with an away match at Aberdeen before Celtic change their focus to more Champions League play versus Arsenal on Tuesday.
No major injuries have been reported at this time for Celtic. There is one player move on the cards as it appears that Cillian Sheridan is moving on a 6 month loan to Plymouth Argyle. Another rumored move that would benefit Celtic mightily would be the return of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona. Here’s hoping.
I have been a little negligent in putting out the financial news, so you have my apologies for that. We are once again offering a season pass for those wishing to purchase one. The price remains the same at $300 which can be paid in up to four installments. The match price is remaining the same at $10/match.
And in broadcast news FSC as of last night had time blocked off saying CL Qualifiers (or some such) for our matches against Arsenal. HOWEVER the teams in said slot are not named at this time. Setanta has no such information on their site. Obviously if the match is on FSC there will be no viewing charge.
I hope to see everyone very bright and very early as a new day dawns on another season of Celtic football!
Well, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas yesterday and Santa brought you all the presents you requested.
Speaking of presents, everyone knows that Celtic want only one present this weekend - 3 points from the huns at Ipox.
The match is at 7:30 on Saturday morning. If you have forgotten this little tidbit, please use this time of year for some much needed self-reflection. Celtic are still atop the table with 47 points from 19 games. They are coming off of a 3-0 win over Falkirk with an impressive second 45 minutes.
4 points back of the perennial league leaders are the huns. They have 43 points from 19 games and are coming off of a 1-0 win over Hibernian.
Some good news on the Celtic front is the return of Paul Hartley and Barry Robson with Stephen McManus also declaring himself fit. The huns appear to be healthy, but one can always hope. Celtic have also signed two players - Dundee United keeper Lukasz Zaluska on a pre contract and Milan Misun, an actual left back and Czech U-20 player.
I would say I hope to see you there bright and early, but this isn’t hope - this is a huns match. I will see everyone there tomorrow!
My apologies for the late post. I was being warm in Florida and did not want to ponder coming back to the cold. But I did. Just for you. I hope you appreciate it.
Well, heard any news this week? Anything interesting? Probably not, right? In the season of forgiveness and giving I am sure I did not hear anything that might have involved discord or caused the old ‘cracked crest’ coming out in the papers.
After last week’s 1-1 draw with the Jambos, Celtic face off against Falkirk at Falkirk Stadium. Managed by John “Not Yogi but the other one” Hughes, Falkirk find themselves in 9th place with 17 points from 18 matches. They are coming off of a 2-1 loss to Aberdeen. Celtic continue to top the table even against their recent play with 44 points from 18 matches.
Celtic are expected to sign Czech Under-20 left back Milan Misun in the next day or so. Also linked with Celtic are Sylvinho - another left back from Barcalona, Dundee United goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska - close personal friend of Artur Boruc, Szabolcs Huszti from Hannover 96 - a pure coincidence that he is a left wing and finally, possibly, Simir Stilic - a Polish attacking midfielder.
Not coming to Celtic is Erlend Hanstveit, a left back on a free from Brann Bergen.
Celtic did sign Niall McGinn - a midfielder from Derry City.
I hope to see everyone bright and early Sunday! If not, please enjoy your Christmas season and I am sure you will be attending a relatively minor match against some team or another on the 27th.
