Martin O'Neill returns to Paradise

MARTIN O’NEILL will be back in the home dugout at Celtic Park for next week’s Legends game. And if the reception the former Hoops players will get from the fans will be a warm one, then the former Celtic boss is guaranteed a welcome that will raise the roof at Paradise.

Martin will manage the Celtic Legends team against Manchester United, and he’ll be re-united with many of the players who worked under him at the club between 2000 and 2005, including Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, Johan Mjallby, Alan Thompson, Didier Agathe, John Hartson and, of course, the man currently in the Celtic Park hot-seat – Neil Lennon.

During those five years in charge of Celtic, Martin O’Neill won three SPL titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup.

And among the many European highlights of that era was, of course, the 2002/03 UEFA Cup campaign, which saw the Hoops reach the UEFA Cup final in Seville, where they were unlucky to lose after extra-time to Porto.

When Martin O’Neill was appointed Celtic manager, he spoke to the fans gathered outside the front of the stadium and promised them that he would do everything he could to bring success to the football club.

He certainly did that, and supporters remain grateful for everything Martin and his players did for Celtic during that incredible five-year spell. And the Irishman will be welcomed back home as a true Celtic legend.

NEIL LENNON last night revealed talks have begun with Manchester City over a stunning swoop for Craig Bellamy.
Celtic boss Lenny wanted to use the Dublin Super Cup to corner Bellamy about returning to Parkhead. But the striker didn't travel but Lennon admitted negotiations took place between both clubs as Celtic try to land City's frozen-out £80,000-a-week hitman.
It's understood Celts majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and City chief executive Garry Cook played golf last Friday.
Now the Celts gaffer hopes both parties can make serious progress in the next few days to pull off the signing of the summer.
He said: "I didn't make in-roads with Craig, but the clubs have been working on it in the background. Hopefully we'll know more later in the week.
"I haven't spoken about the wage side of things yet, but there were conversations about it between both clubs."

Celtic's Irishmen put Airtricity League XI to the sword
By: Laura Brannan on 31 Jul, 2011 15:54
31 July 2011
Dublin Super Cup
Aviva Stadium

CELTIC 5
(Stokes 38, Murphy pen 70, Hooper 83, 85, Stokes 87)

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE XI 0

TWO of Celtic’s Irishmen made the difference against Airtricity League XI, scoring three of the goals in a comfortable 5-0 victory to close their participation in the Dublin Super Cup.

Anthony Stokes opened and closed the scoring with a goal in each half, with Daryl Murphy also striking on his homeland.

A late Gary Hooper double brought a dramatic end to the match, but it wasn't enough to secure the trophy, with Manchester City going on to lift it later in the afternoon.

Less than 24 hours after match one, Neil Lennon led his side into the tournament’s second and final encounter against the League of Ireland select.

And he named an entirely different side to the one which started against Inter Milan, giving Victor Wanyama his second start and Darren O’Dea his first since returning from his loan spell at Ipswich Town last season.

There was a subdued start to the game with the first shot on target not coming until 11 minutes when Airtricity’s Daniel Kearns forced Dominic Cervi into a low save.

Wanyama attempted to bring Celtic into the game with a long-range effort five minutes later but he couldn’t keep it on target. It proved to be one of the few chances in front of goal until the half hour mark when Celtic got themselves into the game.

Paddy McCourt had an effort blocked 12-yards out before Anthony Stokes unleashed a volley from the edge of the box with his first touch. But the Dubliner didn’t need to wait long for his next chance in front of goal, and this time he was able to put it into the back of the net.

On 38 minutes, Daryl Murphy turned away from Ryan McBride and charged into the box. Playing the ball back to Stokes, he put Celtic ahead with his first touch, slotting it under the keeper with the inside of his right foot.

The Hoops went into the break a goal ahead and started the second-half in encouraging style. Murphy charged into the box optimistically before Wanyama attempted another long-range effort.

Airtricity had a good opportunity to draw level five minutes after the re-start when former Celt Danny Lafferty strode up from his left-back position to force Cervi into a save.

Stokes, who was looking hungry whenever he was on the ball, then timed his run into the box well. As he turned to make a pass back to Gary Hooper, though, he was blocked on the byline.

He then showed delightful skill at the corner flag when he made a back-pass through his marker’s legs and sent a cross into the box. It wasn’t followed through though as it missed Hooper’s head and was cleared before Muprhy could get onto the end of it.

Celtic went on to secure the victory in the 70th minute when Murphy calmly converted a penalty into the bottom right corner. The decision was awarded after Danny Ventrae handled the ball inside the box, and the Irishman continued his 100 percent record from spot by doubling the Hoops’ lead.

Eight minutes later Stokes had another good effort to add to his, and Celtic's, tally, chesting the ball down and striking it from the edge of the box, but it fell just past the far post.

A Hooper double inside the last ten minutes began an exciting end to the match. The striker ran onto a Kris Commons pass on 83 minutes to slot it into the far corner, before knocking it home from 12-yards just two minutes later.

Stokes then rounded off his sublime performance with a wonderful goal, three minutes from time. Collecting a pass from Paddy McCourt just inside the box, he turned and cracked his effort in off the left upright, with Celtic finishing the match 5-0 winners.

CELTIC (4-4-2): Cervi; Matthews (84), Majstorovic, O’Dea, F Twardzik; McCourt, Wanyama, Towell (Commons 58), Murphy; Hooper, Stokes
Subs not used: Zaluska, Loovens, Maloney

AIRTICITY LEAGUE XI (4-4-2): Doherty (B Murphy 46); Heary, Price, McBride, Kearns (McClean 74), Gamble, Lafferty, Bennett (Russell 55), McGlynn (Dillon 33), Byrne (McLaughlin 68), Ventrae (Kavanagh 79)
Subs not used: D Murphy, O’Brien, Zayed, Higgins, Molloy, McEleney

Website man of the match: Anthony Stokes

[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

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.

FT Rangers 0-1 Malmo

:lol: :lol: :lol:

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

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."

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Looks like fucking bumble bees.

Pic of the shirt?