Team news ahead of Sunday's Scottish Premier League opener between Hibs and Celtic at Easter Road (kick-off 12.30pm).

Hibernian are without four players for the clash.

Akpo Sodje (knee) and Sean Welsh (cheekbone) are both likely to miss about four to six weeks of the season.

Martin Scott is out with an Achilles injury and Michael Hart will not play despite returning to training following an ankle injury.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown is suspended for Celtic's Clydesdale Bank Premier League opener against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday.

New signing Victor Wanyama could make his SPL debut after coming on as substitute against Cardiff in the midweek friendly.

Paddy McCourt, Darren O'Dea (both knee), Thomas Rogne and Jos Hooiveld (both calf strain) are all out.

Hibs (from): Stack, Wotherspoon, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth, Murray, Thornhill, Galbraith, Stevenson, Palsson, De Graaf, O'Hanlon, O'Connor, Sproule, Crawford, Horner, Taggart, Brown.

Celtic (from): Zaluska, Matthews, M Wilson, K Wilson, Loovens, Majstorovic, Izaguirre, Ki, Wanyama, Kayal, Maloney, Mulgrew, Commons, Forrest, Samaras, Stokes, Hooper, Cervi, Cha.

KELVIN Wilson will make his competitive debut for Celtic this afternoon as the Hoops take on Hibernian in the first SPL game of the season.

With Scott Brown suspended for the opening two matches, Kris Commons will slot in on the right wing while Lukasz Zaluska takes his place between the sticks for the first time since March.

The match in Edinburgh kicks-off at 12.30pm and is live on Channel 67.

CELTIC: Zaluska; M. Wilson, Loovens, K. Wilson, Izaguirre; Commons, Ki, Kayal, Ledley; Hooper, Stokes
Subs: Cervi, Matthews, Mulgrew, Wanyama, Forrest, Maloney, Samaras

That black shirt is Celtic's home kit? Really?

Celtic have never lost on the opening day in the 13 years of the current SPL (10 wins, 3 draws).

No, that's our 3rd. The yellow/black Quarters was our International third. Come on, do you really think we'd drop the hoops?

Pic of the shirt?

Looks like fucking bumble bees.

Clearly you forget the actual bumblebee kit from 2 years ago:p

Ki kicks off Celtic’s season in style

24 July 2011
Scottish Premier League
Easter Road

HIBERNIAN 0

CELTIC 2
(Stokes 13, Ki 63)

ANTHONY Stokes opened Celtic’s 2011/12 campaign with an early goal at his old hunting ground before Ki Sung Yueng rounded off the 2-0 victory against Hibernian in the capital.

The Hoops collected their first three points of the season with a goal in each half, but were unfortunate not to enjoy a greater margin of victory when Gary Hooper’s penalty cracked off the post just after the hour mark.

Neil Lennon handed Kelvin Wilson his competitive debut while Lukasz Zuluska took his place between the sticks for the first time since March. Apart from that, though, it looked like a typical starting XI from last season.

The Hoops were well-organised from the start but it was Hibs who created the first real opportunity on nine minutes. Ivan Sproule, starting his second spell at Easter Road, made a break in Hibs’ half but the counter attack ended with Callum Booth hitting a low effort straight into Zaluska’s arms.

And the home side continued to throw bodies forward, causing problems for the Celtic backline. Garry O’Connor, also starting his second spell at the Edinburgh side, couldn’t angle his header on target, and failed to take advantage of David Wotherspoon’s good build-up.

Just two minutes later, though, Celtic changed the direction of play and capitalised on their first effort on goal. Stokes controlled Kris Commons’ free-kick at the far post, and with 13 minutes on the clock, the former Hibee struck it into the top corner from tight angle.

Mark Wilson, who was captain for the afternoon due to the two-match suspension Scott Brown has carried forward from last season, had the ball in the net on 19 minutes. The low drive under Graham Stack, however, was ruled offside.

Sproule almost set up the equaliser for Hibs just before the half hour mark when he played a pass across the box to Wotherspoon, but the onrushing midfielder couldn’t make the crucial touch in time to do the damage.

The second-half burst into life on 51 minutes when Booth’s long-ball found Sproule, who managed to beat the offside trap. Racing into the penalty area, though, he was closed down by three defenders.

Celtic switched play five minutes later, with Gary Hooper and Joe Ledley both threatening in front of goal. It was Ki who struck the killer second, though, on 63 minutes after Stokes provided him with the pass.

The South Korean unleashed a low, left foot drive, reminiscent of his Scottish Cup final goal in May, 20 yards out and slotted the ball into the left corner to double the Hoops’ lead.

Four minutes later, Hooper was given the chance to add to the scoreline. Sproule brought Emilio Izaguirre down inside the box following a wonderful lay-off by Ledley, but the striker couldn’t convert the resulting penalty.

Slamming the ball off the keeper’s right post, Stack was able to keep Celtic out and maintain a level of hope for Hibs who were still trying to edge their way back into the game.

With less than 20 minutes left on the clock, though, time was running out for the home side and substitute Georgios Samaras came close to edging Celtic further ahead with one of his first touches of the ball.

James Forrest, who had replaced Kris Commons just before the second goal, made a solo run down the right flank with four minutes remaining. Weaving his way into the box showing tremendous pace, the Scotland internationalist’s was causing problems for Hibs, but his shot was blocked at the final hurdle.

Ki had the last chance of the match, unleashing an even more ambitious effort than the one he scored with, but from 30 yards he was unable to keep the powerful shot on target and the game ended 2-0, with Celtic comfortably winning their first three points of the new campaign.


HIBERNIAN (4-4-2): Stack; Booth, Hanlon, O’Hanlon (Stephens 61), Murray (Crawford 84); Sproule, Thornhill, Stevenson (Galbraith 70), Wotherspoon; Palsson, O’Connor
Subs not used: Brown, Scott, Taggart, De Graaf

CELTIC (4-4-2): Zaluska; M. Wilson, Loovens, K. Wilson, Izaguirre; Commons (Forrest 59), Ki, Kayal, Ledley; Hooper (Maloney 85), Stokes (Samaras 78)
Subs not used: Cervi, Mulgrew, Matthews, Wanyama

Website man of the match: Ki Sung Yueng

Much much better second half. Commons was great, Ki and Kayal are a fantastic partnership too.

I wouldn't change that XI except for Brown in for Ledley, and of course switching flanks. And Majstorovic for somebody.

Maj for Loovens.

Brown's not much good on the right, is he? They need to line up with a more narrow formation perhaps to accommodate.

Obvious choice there. Dunno why Loovens started today.

Brown's not that great on the right, but he does a good job cutting inside from there. Commons needs to play on the left, and Ki and Kayal deserve to stick together, so realistically, it's the only option.

Could play a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 :-k

Celtic number two Johan Mjallby has confirmed the club have taken on Milos Lacny and Katlego Mphela on trial.

Lacny, 23, actually had a trial with The Bhoys two years ago, but he opted to join Sparta Prague.
He has since slipped down the Czech side's pecking order and now Celtic are once again looking at the Slovakian.

Joining Lacny at Parkhead is South African Mphela, who was interesting arch-rivals Rangers last summer.

Mjallby is looking forward to seeing the pair up close and personal and hopes they can express themselves while at the club.

"We have a guy from Slovakia and a South African on trial," confirmed Mjallby. "It's good to get them in to see what they offer.

"It is hard when you come in on trial because you don't know the players or surroundings but it is up to them to express themselves."

Efrain Juarez joins Real Zaragoza on loan

EFRAIN Juarez has joined Real Zaragoza on a season-long loan. The Mexican internationalist, who has made 20 appearances for Celtic, scoring two goals, joins the Spanish side who are currently managed by his fellow countryman, Javier Aguirre. They finished 13th in La Liga last season.

Everyone at Celtic would like to wish Efrain every success with Real Zaragoza for the forthcoming season.
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1320

FT Rangers 0-1 Malmo

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Trialists set to face Wolves

CROATIAN goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa is set for another run-out tonight (Wednesday) in the friendly against Wolves. And he’s set to be joined by strikers Milos Lacny and Katlego Mphela after Celtic were given permission to field them in the match.

Neil Lennon will check out former Slovakian U21 internationalist Lacny (23), who was previously on trial with the Hoops in 2009. He scored in a friendly against Everton but went on to sign for Sparta Prague.

Twenty-six-year old Melpha, who has 40 caps for South Africa and featured in the 2010 World Cup, will also play this evening.

He currently plays for Mamelodi Sundowns and was top scorer of the Premier Soccer League in 2009/10, winning the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot and the Players’ Player of the Year award.

Pletikosa has already played for the Hoops in the 1-0 victory over Cardiff City last week.

[size=6]Celtic beaten by Wolves in friendly[/size]

Friendly fixture
Celtic Park, Glasgow
Wednesday, July 27, 2011

CELTIC…0

WOLVES…2
O’Hara 26, Twardzik o.g. 73

AN EXPERIMENTAL Celtic side were defeated by Wolves in an entertaining friendly encounter in Paradise. Jamie O’Hara put the visitors ahead from a 20-yard free-kick after Stephen Hunt had been fouled by Victor Wanyama.

Czech youngster, Filip Twardzik, doubled their advantage when he turned Stephen Ward’s low cross into his own net.

Neil Lennon had made wholesale changes from the team which won so comfortably against Hibernian in Sunday’s SPL opener, using the match as a valuable fitness exercise.

New Bhoys Adam Matthews and Victor Wanyama both made their home debuts, while trialists Stipe Pletikosa and Katlego Mphela also featured in an unfamilar line-up.

In stark contrast, Mick McCarthy had selected a strong side and it was the visitors who enjoyed the best of the opening minutes, with Kevin Doyle and Steven Fletcher trying their luck from distance without troubling Pletikosa.

However, the Hoops soon began to make an impression against their Premier League opponents, forcing a succession of corners and looking to test Wayne Hennessey in the Wolves goal at every opportunity.

That was most visibly demonstrated by a venomous drive from 25 yards from Matthews which Hennessey struggled to keep out. An enthusiastic Wanyama also tried his luck, firing over from 20 yards.

Another defender who was presented with the next best opportunity, Charlie Mulgrew heading Shaun Maloney’s corner wide when well-positioned.

Yet just as Celtic were enjoying their best spell of the match, the visitors took the lead. A foul was awarded against Wanyama for a foul on Stephen Hunt. Dead-ball expert, O’Hara took responsibility and curled a shot over the wall into the top corner.

Despite the blow, Celtic were soon back on the offensive. A foraging run down the right from Wanyama drew a foul from George Elokobi. From Mulgrew’s accurate free-kick, Mphela’s header forced Hennessey into a smart reaction save.

Maloney was becoming increasingly influential. First he burst into the area but his low cross-shot was easily held by Hennessey, before his low cross narrowly evaded James Forrest.

It was the visitors who had the first attempt after the restart as Hunt tried to catch Pletikosa out from 18 yards but his drip drifted wide.

At the break, Mphela was replaced by Lacny and he didn’t have long to wait for his first involvement. Mulgrew’s powerful free-kick was parried by Hennessey straight to the Slovakian, but he had little time to react and the ball rebounded harmlessly back to the Wolves keeper.

That free-kick had been won by Forrest after a jinking run through the heart of the Wolves side and he continued to be a real thorn in the visitors defence all evening.

Predictably, both sides began to make several substitutions, causing play to become more disjointed. However, former Birmingham defender, Roger Johnson nearly scored in unusual fashion with a looping volley after Cha had blocked a free-kick.

Shortly after, Daryl Murphy had plenty of space on the left but his low cross lacked the power for Lacny to take advantage and Hennessey was able to smother the ball.

Twardzik, who had replaced Cha, linked up brilliantly with Kris Commons down the left, allowing the latter to test Hennessey with a low effort.
However, the Czech teenager was left holding his head in his hands just minutes later at the other end when he turned Ward’s cross into his own net.

Only an excellent stop from Pletikosa prevented from the Premier League side adding to their tally as he rushed out quickly to block Doyle’s goalbound shot, after the Irish striker had beaten the Celtic offside trap.

Celtic continued to search for a way back into the match in the closing minutes. And Forrest did carve out a decent opening for Georgios Samaras but the Greek striker swept his shot over.

CELTIC (4-4-2) Pletikosa; Matthews, Majstorovic, Wanyama, Mulgrew; Cha (Twardzik 68) Brown, Maloney (Commons 62) Forrest; Mphela (Lacny 45) Murphy (Samaras 75)
Not Used: Cervi

WOLVES (4-4-2) Hennessey; Stearman, Berra (Zubar) Johnson, Elokobi; Kightly (Foyle 76) Henry, O'Hara, Hunt (Hamill 62); Fletcher (Ward 62) Doyle (80)
Not Used: Davis , Ikeme, Craddock

Website Man of the Match: Charlie Mulgrew
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=1328