retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 5th, 2002
Berti’s Nightmare Continues

Scotland’s Euro 2004 qualifying campaign looks to be as good as over following last night’s 2-0 defeat in Belarus. The game was closer that he scoreline might suggest but the home side fully deserved the victory. The win was built around superb play by midfielders Alexandr Hleb of Stuttgart and Valentin Belkevich who plays for Atletico Madrid. The Scots had no answer to their incisive and dynamic play as Hleb scored once and Belkevich was provider for both the Belarus goals. Scotland are now at the foot of Group 9 with no points from two games and are looking enviously up at the likes of Cyprus.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 8th, 2002
All Square In Old Firm Match

Well it had to happen sometime – after opening the season without conceding a goal in the first 7 games, the Celtic rearguard was eventually breached as the first Old Firm match of the season at Parkhead ended tied at one apiece. The visitors opened the scoring after just 6 minutes through new boy Kevin Nolan, signed from Bolton for £4.3M at the start of this season. It took Celtic just 10 minutes to respond with Mark Fotheringham bagging the equaliser. From then on the home side made most of the running and Stefan Klos was by far the busier of the two keepers. Both sides can make a case for deserving all three points – Celtic hit the woodwork twice and Rangers also struck the bar and had a last minute strike by Andrew Cole ruled out by the linesman’s flag. So a draw was just about the right result and it gives the Premiership table a somewhat unusual look – Hibs head Livingston on goal difference with Celtic 3rd and Rangers 4th.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 13th, 2002
Narrow Euro Win For Celts

Anyone who expected Celtic to make their UEFA Cup 1st Round tie at home to Chernomorets Odessa a formality was forced to think again. The Ukrainians had the better of the first half, striking the woodwork twice when they probably should have scored. Mark Kerr scored Celtic’s only goal of the night in the 51st minute but the home side created enough openings to have scored several more. Unfortunately some rather poor finishing means that the trip to the Ukraine in a fortnight will be anything but easy. Scotland’s other UEFA representatives Livingston returned from Norway on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat by Rosenborg but with what might be a vital away goal in the bank.

retired_melodylim

As I cant seem to contact you I was not sure if it is all right to start with a team from division 3 for the challenge? I give it ago even if I am not allowed to use a div 3 team.

Thanks In Advance & Keep Up The Good Work

retired_destiny1124

Johnwalker- There have been several started with lower level squads, so that is fine.

retired_melodylim

Thanks

retired_amyslack

johnwalker - what Faramir said

Scotland On Sunday
September 15th, 2002
Celts Unveil New Recruit

Yesterday Celtic announced yet another new arrival at Parkhead as midfielder Gary Teale joins the Braveheart Revolution in a £2.8M move from Wigan.


The Glasgow Herald
September 16th, 2002
Celtic Back On Top

Celtic have gone back to the top of the table following their 2-0 win at Motherwell yesterday. Goals in either half by Alan Johnston and captain Paul Lambert made the points safe and but for a stellar performance by home keeper Ian Dunbavin the final score would have been much greater.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 22nd, 2002
McCutcheon Double Breaks Hearts

Two goals from Gary McCutcheon provided Celtic with the impetus they required in last night’s televised encounter with Hearts at Celtic Park. With Kevin Gallacher and Jackie McNamara also finding the net the 4-0 scoreline didn’t flatter the home side as they could easily have scored more. Earlier in the day the club announced two more departures as Frenchman Stephane Bonnes and Irishman Liam Miller were both released on free transfers.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 27th, 2002
Celts Through, Livvy Out

Celtic progressed to the UEFA Cup 2nd round thanks to an excellent 3-0 victory in the Ukraine over Chernomorets Odessa to give them a 4-0 aggregate win. A powerful midfield display, spearheaded by Charlie Miller, was the springboard on which the performance was based. Mark Fotheringham, Brian McAllister and Gary McCutcheon provided the goals on the night in a match that Celtic totally dominated. Livingston on the other hand were eliminated 2-1 on aggregate after they were held to a scoreless draw by Rosenborg at Almondvale.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 28th, 2002
Celtic Go Dutch In UEFA Cup

Celtic have been drawn against Dutch team Vitesse Arnhem in the UEFA Cup 2nd Round. The first leg will be played in Holland on October 17th.


The Glasgow Herald
September 30th, 2002
Battling Buddies Run Celts Close

A battling performance by newly promoted St. Mirren came close to gaining them a deserved point against Celtic at Love Street. Gary McCutcheon gave the visitors an early lead but the excellent Christopher Wreh equalised just 5 minutes later. Unfortunately for the home side some panicky defending resulted in a penalty that was coolly converted by Mark Kerr and the ever-dangerous McCutcheon added his second and Celtic’s third after 23 minutes. But St. Mirren never stopped fighting and a penalty of their own 12 minutes from time was put away by Bernard Allou to give them hope of a point. But it was not to be and the visitors held on for the victory.