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08-03-2007, 02:08 PM
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#1 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 1970
Posts: 23
Rep Power: 0 |  A Bhoy In Paradise - A Celtic Story
Friday 28th July 2006 Quote: Daily Record
Playing A Game Of Risk
by Andy Walker
Celtics opening league game of the season against St.Mirren on Sunday at Love Street will mark a month since the surprise announcement of Paul McDaid as manager and two months since the shock departure of Gordon Strachan. McDaid has ambition, though it is not known whether this ambition is shared by Brian Quinn Celtic Chairman. When McDaid spoke at his first press conference at the club he said, "Obviously people will doubt my ability and whether I am the right man for the job. These people don't know me. It is a risk, a big risk in fact that the chairman and the board have taken giving me the job. They have faith in me and I have faith in myself. I'm on a one year contract but I will be here longer. I have been a Celtic supporter all my life and I know what this place is all about. It's anew adventure for me and for the club. I want Celtic to be the best team in Scotland, I want to progress in Europe too. Obviously I'm excited and I hope the fans will get behind my and the team for the coming season."
Paul becomes the youngest Celtic manager at the young age of 30. Until he became manager few people in Scotland had heard his name. He was born in Glasgow but has spent the last 15 years living and working in Dubai. He played loyally with a club there and in special circumstances was capped 32 times for the UAE national team, scoring 23 goals. After ten years he was appointed player-manager of both club and country, I would have been happy with a testimonial. McDaid helped revolutionise football in the country and was a well known icon in the region. Peter Lawell, Celtic chief executive watched McDaid with his players while he was over promoting Celtic in Dubai. The pair met again in the US when both teams were taking part in a tour there. After Strachans departure Lawell immediately chased the young man desperate to sign him up to take the club forward.
I was present at McDaids first press conference. He seemed slightly nervous about his first meeting with the Scottish media but you knew immediately he had a plan and was not afraid of causing a bit of a stir if it meant success. Over the past month McDaid has changed the face of Celtic. Several players have been told they are no longer needed, former captain Neil Lennon, Paul Telfer and new Strachan signings Paul Hartley and Lee Naylor. Bobo Balde and Maciej Zurawski are also expected to leave due to high wages and are not part of the manager's plans. Craig Beattie and Thomas Gravesen have already left the club, Beattie moved to Portsmouth and Gravesen to Getafe.
Pre-season has been pretty much a success for McDaids new team, with several promoted youth players and many new signings. Three of these players (Strachan signings) are former Rangers players Mark Brown, Kenny Miller and new captain Steven Pressley, "Captain of Celtic is something I thought I'd never be. It was Gordon who signed me up but Paul made me captain and I'm very grateful to both of them. Paul has a vision and it is a vision shared by all the players."
Over the past four weeks McDaid has brought in five of his own new players, Dutch defender Kevin Hofland of Wolfsburg, Lewis Stevenson of Hibs, American striker Eddie Johnson of Kansas City Wizards, Paul Anderson of Liverpool on loan and Grenadian midfielder Shalrie Joseph from New England Revolution. Joseph is looking forward to his new life in the SPL, "As soon as I heard Celtic wanted me I was ready to go. I had watched them beat top sides in the Champions League and I told the club and the MLS I have my heart set on the move. As soon as the price was agreed I got my self over to Scotland. I'm a bit frustrated just now that I haven’t played because of my injury but I can’t wait to get started."
As McDaid said it will be an adventure. With a month left of the transfer window I wouldn't be surprised to see more new faces at Parkhead and old faces leaving. Many fellow journalists have written Celtics chances off but I like Brian Quinn and Paul McDaid will this year take a risk. My money is on Celtic for the league.
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08-03-2007, 04:32 PM
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#2 | | Junior Member
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Sunday 30th July 2006 St.Mirren 0 Celtic 2
Miller(33)
Jarosik(52) Man Of The Match: Pressley Saturday 5th August 2006 Celtic 3
Nakamura(18)
Miller(23,71) Hearts 0 Man Of The Match: Miller Saturday 12th August 2006 Celtic 0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0 Man Of The Match: McGeady Quote: celticfc.net
Park Departs
Youth coach John Park has left Celtic to join Liverpool. Park had been at the club for just over a month. We wish him well in his new job
Manager Paul McDaid has appointed Jamie Steele as the new youth coach at Celtic Park. "This is a job I am really looking forward to taking. Celtic have a fantastic youth system and many good players have came out of it."
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08-03-2007, 04:43 PM
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#3 | | Junior Member
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Monday 12th August Quote: BBC Sport
McDonald for Celtic
BBC Sport Scotland understands that Celtic have been given permission to speak to Motherwell striker Scott McDonald about a possible move to Celtic Park. A fee of £300,000 is believed to have been agreed between the two clubs.Celtic are not the only club in the running for McDonald's signature, though his preferred destination is the Parkhead club. McDonald is a player well known to the Celtic support after two last minute goals against the club snatched the league title from Celtics hand's on the last day of the 2004/2005 season.
Meanwhile, one player leaving Celtic could be winger Aiden McGeady. Reports suggest that Arsenal have made contact with Celtic enquiring about McGeady's availability.
| Saturday 19th August 2006 Aberdeen 3
Severin(15)
Miller(44)
Mackie(87) Celtic 2
Vennegoor of Hesselink(9,53) Man Of The Match: Vennegoor of Hesselink
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08-03-2007, 05:12 PM
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#4 | | Junior Member
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Tuesday 22nd August 2006
11.30am
I was sitting at my desk, in my manager's office, in Celtic Park. "Just through there Mr McDonald," I heard my personal assistant Margaret from outside. She had been working here for over 15 years working for many managers and had seen I dont know how many players walk through the doors into the office.
"Good morning Scott, welcome to Paradise."
"It's great to be here."
"Everything good in the contract?"
"Excellent Mr Daid."
"You are medically in perfect condition so now all you have to do do is sign on the line."
"Fantastic."
"You've got to be 100 per cent sure you want to be here. Are you sure?"
"I've never been surer of anything in my live."
Scott McDonald read through the contract offer one more time asked for a pen and signed the deal.
"Number twenty-seven, that okay with you?"
"Yeah, no problem."
"Great! Well give these registry papers to Margaret out there and tell her I woul like a press conference for two o'clock. Then go down to John in the kit room and he'll get you sorted. And Scott."
"Yep"
"It's Paul. None of this Mr McDaid stuff."
"Alright, thanks."
2pm
"Scott has shown that he has the ability to score goals and I think he'll be a great addition to the team. He has the right attitude to be at this club, he is a professional guy. I think he showed everyone that when he scored those two goals, yes those two goals. He's a Celtic fan and it would have been hard for him to do it but he did. It got him noticed, he has that bit of arrogance you need to be at the Old Firm."
"It will obviously be hard for me to break into the team. Kenny Miller and Jan are doing a fantastic job, but I, like everyone at this club have self belief, everyone has a determination and a goal. That's what makes this club different from anywhere else."
"Paul could I quickly ask a question on the rumours about Paul Hartley and Derek Riordan and possible moves?"
"There has been two offers for each player. These are loan offers which have been accepted and it is now up to Paul and Derek to decide where to go."
"Could you tell us which clubs have made the offers?"
"No, sorry."
"Will there be anymore buys before the window closes?"
"We will see."
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08-04-2007, 12:50 PM
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#5 | | Junior Member
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Friday 25th August 2006 Quote: Daily Record
Tough Draw For Celts
Celtic were yesterday grouped with English runners-up Man Utd in the group stage of the Champions League. Despite being in Pot 2, Celtic were given the challenge of Benfica from Portugal and Levski Sofia from Bulgaria. Man Utd and Benfica are the favourites to progress but manager Paul McDaid is confident that his team will do a good job. "It's a hard draw, but there is no such thing as an easy draw in the Champions League. You will be up against the best teams in Europe but that is what you come to Celtic for. We want to show that we can do something and our players are determined to show the doubters wrong. You look at that group and think wow! And there is obviously the Scotland versus England battle there with Man Utd and we want to make Scotland proud."
Despite playing numerous friendlies and testimonials this is the first time Celtic will play Man U in a competitive match. It is a tie Uniteds Scottish manager Sir Alex Fergusson is looking forward to. "It will be a different type of European game against Celtic. But they shouldn't be underestimated. Celtic Park is a fortress. Only Barcelona have been able to win a Champions League game there. The players and the fans will be really up for the game, there's something special about Parkhead on a big European night."
Celtic have played Benfica once before. Celtic winning 3-0 at home but losing 3-0 away before going through the round by the toss of a coin. It will mark a special return to Lisbon almost 40 years since Celtics most famous team the Lisbon Lions became the first British and only Scottish side to win the European Cup back in 1967.
It will be hard for Celtic to progress but like Paul McDaid said when is it ever easy.
| Quote: celticfc.net
Cup Defence Begins
With the excitement of the Champions League draw it was perhaps easy to forget that the draw for the CIS Insurance Cup 3rd Round took place. Celtic who won the cup last March in a 3-0 win over Dunfermilne will start their defence against last years First Division champions St Mirren. The game will be played at Love Street on Wednesday 20th September. Celtic played their opening game of the season against St Mirren beating them 2-0.
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08-04-2007, 12:59 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member
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Saturday 26th August 2006 Celtic 3
Miller(7,82)
Nakamura(86) Dunfermilne 1
Thomson(67) Man Of The Match: Nakamura Monday 28th August 2006 Quote: celticfc.net
Celtic Sign Barry Robson
Celtic have completed the transfer of Scottish attacking midfielder Barry Robson from Dundee United. More to follow
| Quote: celticfc.net
Hartley and Riordan Off To England
Paul Hartley has completed his loan move to Barclays Premier League side Charlton until theend of the season
Derek Riordan has moved to English side to Newcastle until the end of the season.
We wish them both well at their clubs.
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08-04-2007, 01:14 PM
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#7 | | Junior Member
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Friday 1st September 2006 Quote: BBC Sport
Transfer Round-up
Celtic
In: Kenny Miller(Wolves, Free), Gary Caldwell(Hibs, Free), Jir* Jaroš*k(Chelsea, Undisclosed), Evander Sno(Feyenoord, £80k), Derek Riordan(Hibs, £150k), Lee Naylor(Wolves, £600k + Charlie Mulgrew), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink(PSV, £3.4m), Thomas Gravesen(Real Madrid, £2m), Steven Pressley(Hearts, Free), Mark Brown(Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Undisclosed), Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe(Rennes, Loan), Paul Hartley(Hearts, £1.1m), Paul Anderson(Liverpool, Loan), Kevin Hofland(Wolfsburg, £5.5m), Shalrie Joseph(New England, £1.2m), Lewis Stevenson(Hibs, £425k), Eddie Johnson(Kansas City Wizards, £1.9m), Scott McDonald(Motherwell, £300k), Barry Robson(Dundee Utd, £275k)
Out: Dion Dublin(Norwich, Free), Roy Keane(Retired), John Hartson(West Brom, £500k), Adam Virgo(Coventry, Loan), Mo Camara(Derby County, Free), Charlie Mulgrew(Wolves, Trade Lee Naylor), Stilian Petrov(Aston Villa, £8m), Stan Varga(Sunderland, £550k), Ross Wallace(Sunderland, £550k), Stephen Pearson(Derby, £750k), David Marshall(Norwich, Loan), Shaun Maloney(Aston Villa, £1.1m), Craig Beattie(Portsmouth, £2m), Thomas Gravesen(Getafe, £1.4m), Paul Hartley(Charlton, Loan), Derek Riordan(Newcastle, Loan)
| Manager Of The Month: Jimmy Calderwood(Aberdeen) Player Of The Month: Kenny Miller(Celtic) Young Player Of The Month: Aiden McGeady(Celtic) League Table | |
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08-04-2007, 04:59 PM
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#8 | | Junior Member
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Saturday 9th September 2006 Quote: Clyde 1
Superscoreboard Live
Peter Martin - Celtic today dropped more points after drawing one-one at Fir Park against Motherwell. Rory McAllister put Motherwell ahead after thirty-five minutes. Kenny Miller equalised after sixty-one minutes. Man of the Match was undoubtedly Celtic centre-back Stephen McManus but the big news was Aiden McGeady's injury. McGeady has been fantastic this season for Celtic winning Young Player of the Month in August. McGeady was taken off after ten minutes being replace by debutant Barry Robson who also picked up a knock. Celtic face Man Utd on Wednesday and losing Mcgeady could be a serious blow. Andy Walker is with Celtic manager Paul McDaid.
Andy Walker - Paul disappointing result, how do you feel?
Paul McDaid - Yeh it was dissapointing but we're staying positive. We deffinately need to be more consistant. I can't blame anyone if the guys try their best and to be honest I think we were unlucky. Not taking anything away from Motherwell, we didn't expect them to play so well and they were excellent today.
Andy Walker - Any news about Aiden McGeady and Barry Robson ahead of Wednesdays game?
Paul McDaid - Barry was just a knock he's fine for Man Utd. Aiden's out. He's obviously gutted and the team are gutted for him. I think it's a fractured jaw so we're about a month out but Barry is obviously good enough cover.
Andy Walker - What do you feel about Wednesdays game?
Paul McDaid - It will be very hard but we have to try.
Andy Walker - Thanks Paul.
Paul McDaid - Thanks Andy. | | |
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08-04-2007, 05:36 PM
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#9 | | Junior Member
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Quote: Daily Record
Outclassed
Manchester United 4
Celtic 1
Celtic manager Paul McDaid admitted that his team were outclassed last night at Old Trafford. United dominated from start to finish goals coming from Saha and Solskjaer, one positive from Celtic was Scott McDonald’s goal on his first appearance for the club. Just under 74000 watched the first competitive match between the two sides with the Manchester United fans leaving the happiest. A large Celtic support travelled to the English city, 4000 official tickets were given to Celtic, double that though were believed to be in the stadium and many more in the city centre.
Man Utd took the lead after eleven minutes from a strike from Louis Saha and he doubled his tally five minutes later. The tempo from the home side died down after that but they were still in control of everything on the park. After sixty-four minute McDaid threw Scott McDonald in at the deep end bringing him on for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The £300,000 buy gave Celtic hope two minute later scoring a fantastic goal against goalkeeper Thomas Kuszczak. This hope was short lived after Ole Gunner Solskjaer put Man Utd further ahead. Six minutes later Saha completed his hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.
“They were better than us. But we can’t get too upset about the result. It was maybe a bit harsh on us but Man Utd deserved it. I was delighted that Scott got that goal hopefully there is more from where that came from.” Scott McDonald agreed with his manager, “All the boys were really gutted but you could see the result coming as soon as the game started. It was great to get a goal on my first game and my aim is to score more and get myself in the starting line-up. It still doesn’t make up for the result.”
Man U: Kuszczak, Neville, Evra(Silvestre, 66), Vidic, Heinze, Ronaldo, Giggs, Fletcher(O’Shea, 56), Carrick(Solskjaer, 45), Scholes, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Zieler, Larsson, Ji-Sung, Brown.
Goals: Saha 11,16,73, Solskjaer 67.
Booked: Solskjaer
Celtic: Boruc, Wilson, O’Dea(Stevenson, 81), Pressley, McManus, McManus, Sno, Nakamura, Robson, Jarosik, Vennegoor of Hesselink(McDonald, 64), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Brown, Hofland, Caldwell, Anderson, Finnbogason.
Goals: McDonald 66
Man Of The Match: Saha
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08-04-2007, 05:49 PM
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#10 | | Junior Member
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Sunday 17th September 2006 Celtic 3
McDonald 36, 83
Robson 57 Hibs 0 Man Of The Match: Pressley Wednesday 20th September 2006 St. Mirren 0 Celtic 3
McDonald 2
Joseph 18
Miller 55 Man Of The Match: Robson Thursday 21st September 2006 Quote: celticfc.net
League Cup Draw
Celtic have been drawn against Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup Quarter Final on Wednesday 8th November at Ibrox.
Celtic play Rangers in the Bank of Scotland Premier League on Saturday on Saturday at Ibrox. Paul McDaid's first Old Firm game as manager and Walter Smith's first since returning to Govan.
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