retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
November 14th, 2002
Hartson Set For Motherwell

Motherwell announced yesterday that they have completed the purchase of
striker John Hartson from Celtic for a fee of £1.6M. The big Welshman has been stuck in the reserves for over a season and is said to be desperate to get back into first team action.


Scotland On Sunday
November 17th, 2002
Celtic Back On Track

For 55 minutes yesterday’s visit of Hibs to Celtic Park followed a pattern that is by now depressingly familiar to Celtic fans – Celtic dominated the play but were unable to get the ball in the net because of a goalkeeper in top form. Nick Colgan was the man in question this week as he pulled off save after save. But then several unexpected events took place. Firstly, Paul Shields opened the scoring for Celtic. Secondly, when the visitors got the ball in the net against the run of play the effort was ruled out for offside. Finally, Don Hutchison added a second goal for Celtic to give his side a 2-0 win and some welcome relief for Tick Jones’s blood pressure. Even the last minute dismissal of Paul Richie couldn’t spoil things for the home side.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
November 22nd, 2002
Narrow Defeat For Celtic In Belgium

Celtic returned from their UFA Cup first leg match against Anderlecht on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. Things were looking good for the Scots when Gary McCutcheon gave them the lead on the stroke of half time. However, a strangely subdued second half performance allowed the home side back into it as first Oleg Iachtchouk and then captain Glen De Boeck scored for Anderlecht. Whilst disappointed in the final result, manager Tick Jones is still confident that his team can progress thanks to their away goal.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
November 25th, 2002
Celtic Triumph In Old Firm Derby

Celtic recorded an excellent 2-1 win at yesterday’s televised Old Firm match at Ibrox. The home side started strongly and created a number of good opportunities but they found Celtic keeper Rab Douglas, clearly happy with his new contract extension, in tiptop form. The visitors weathered the early storm and gradually began to play their way into the match. Just on the half hour Gary McCutcheon opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Paul Lambert cross. It was end-to-end stuff as both teams looked to attack at every opportunity and Stefan Klos was called upon to show his goalkeeping skills. With 20 minutes remaining Stephen Crainey scored his first goal of the season and gave Rangers a mountain to climb. The home side finished with a flurry of chances but Andrew Cole’s 89th minute strike was too little too late as Celtic held on for a terrific win.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
November 26th, 2002
Stewart Signs For Celtic

Celtic announced yesterday that 21-year-old Scottish international Michael Stewart has been signed from Manchester United. A fee of some £2.4M was agreed between the clubs and the midfielder agreed personal terms over the weekend when he was in Glasgow attending the Old Firm match.


The Glasgow Herald
November 28th, 2002
Impressive Debut For Stewart

Michael Stewart made an impressive start in his Celtic career as he stepped straight into the starting lineup against Livingston as Tick Jones made a series of changes to rest players after the weekend's exertions at Ibrox. Stewart was asked to take Paul Lambert's position guarding the defence and he scarcely put a foot wrong. Clearly seen as a natural replacement for the club captain he was calm and assured throughout. 3rd place Livingston worked hard to keep Celtic at bay but finally succumbed to a Steven Pressley goal, his first for the club, 9 minutes from time.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
December 1st, 2002
Hearts Brushed Aside

Celtic returned from their encounter with Hearts at Tynecastle with a very comfortable 4-0 win. Stephen Crainey, Paul Shields, Kiegan Parker and Gary Teale were the players on the scoresheet as the home side struggled to contain a very lively Celtic midfield and attack.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
December 6th, 2002
Celtic Trounce Anderlecht

Celtic booked their place in the 3rd round of the UEFA Cup with a superb 5-0 defeat of Anderlecht in Glasgow last night. It was the Celtic youngsters that provided the platform for the win as they turned around a 2-1 deficit after the first leg and triumphed 6-2 on aggregate. 19-year-old Mark Fotheringham got the home side off to the perfect start with a goal after just 2 minutes. Then 22-year-old Jamie Smith provided two more before half time to take Celtic into the break 3-0 ahead. Then 20-year-old Mark Kerr, who impressed sufficiently to take Man of the Match honours, scored the 4th just after the restart. Substitute James McFadden, still only 19, added the 5th from the penalty spot after the Anderlecht keeper was dismissed for a trip on Smith. The only sour note for the Celts was an injury to captain Paul Lambert that will sideline him for up to a month.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
December 7th, 2002
UEFA Cup Draw Sets Up Battle Of Britain

Yesterday’s draw for the UEFA Cup had pitched Scotland against England as Celtic face Middlesbrough. The first leg will be played ay the Riverside at the end of February next year. Celtic currently top the SPL whilst ‘Boro lie 4th in the EPL.


The Glasgow Herald
December 9th, 2002
Celtic Leave It Late

A goal by Mark Kerr deep in stoppage time at the end of a thoroughly entertaining encounter at Celtic Park gave the home side a 2-1 win over Dundee. The visitors put in a battling performance and forced Rab Douglas into a series of excellent saves. At the other end Dundee keeper Mark Brown also excelled and the 21- year-old, transferred from Inverness Caledonian for £1.6M in the summer, kept his team in contention on a number of occasions. Alan Johnston gave Celtic the lead early in the game but we had to wait until the 78th minute for another goal when Andy Smith equalised for the visitors.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
December 12th, 2002
Celtic Hit Hibs For Six

Celtic have booked their place in the League Cup Semi Final with a 6-0 demolition of Hibs at Easter Road. A hat trick from Gary McCutcheon was the platform on which the victory was obtained as Celtic’s relentless attacking style reduced the home side to some desperate defending. Jamie Smith, Gary Teale and Stephen Crainey provided the other goals in a victory that was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests. Unfortunately for Celtic central defender Brian McAllister sustained a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
December 15th, 2002
Celtic Power On

Celtic continued their remorseless progress in the SPL with a 3-0 win at Kilmarnock yesterday. The home side worked hard and defended well and looked like reaching the break unscathed. However, Mark Kerr had other ideas and he opened the scoring on the stroke of half time. Kilmarnock held firm for most of the second half but Alan Johnston and Gary McCutcheon both scored in the last ten minutes to seal the win.

retired_bbcarr

McCutcheon seems to be having a good season :thup: and i was mighty pleased at the scoreline over Hibs