retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
August 5th, 2001
Injury Crisis at Parkhead

Celtic went into their game against Dundee United at Tannadice without Tom Boyd who suffered a groin strain during midweek training and with triallist Brian McAllister sitting on the bench. They came away with a hard fought 2-1 win but with another three players on the injury list. Jackie McNamara was withdrawn after just 10 minutes with a leg injury. Next to go was young defender Jon Paul McGovern with a knee injury and then in the second half 20-year-old forward Jamie Smith was withdrawn because of a knock to his ankle. Celtic showed great character to come back from a Billy Dodds goal after just 6 minutes. Stephen McManus got them back on even terms with his second consecutive penalty just after the restart. Then exciting young striker Shaun Maloney got the winner with 10 minutes remaining. Manager Tick Jones said “I am very pleased with the way that the boys overcame our enforced changes to fight back and get the win. But I can’t believe that we have lost three players in one game – at this early stage of the season this has already stretched our playing resources to the limit. With our critical Champions League qualifier coming up this is a terrible blow to our hopes”. His reaction clearly indicates that he has no plans to bring back any of the non-Scots into the first team squad.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
August 8th, 2001
Larsson Leaves Celtic

Shockwaves reverberated around Celtic Park yesterday when the departure of goal scoring legend Henrik Larsson was announced yesterday. His £12M move to Parma has erased any lingering doubts amongst the Parkhead faithful that the club may be reconsidering their controversial new “Scots Only” policy. This news overshadowed another outgoing move as the £4.5M deal taking Ulrik Laursen to Brondby was small beer in comparison. At the same time it was revealed that Mr. Braveheart himself, long-time Rangers favourite Colin Hendry has agreed a £275K move from Bolton and David Weir would be the first big-money signing, moving from Everton for £3.5M. 35-year-old Hendry has signed a two-year deal at Celtic Park and is said to be “thrilled to be part of this bold experiment to rejuvenate Scottish football”.

retired_destiny1124

Glad you are having a go at this too Bob- it really is a pleasant challenge

Good Luck

retired_amyslack

Thanks Faramir - good luck with your attempt

The Glasgow Herald
August 9th, 2001
Celts Lose In Bucharest Drama

Last night we witnessed one of the most extraordinary evenings in Celtic’s long history of European encounters. Manager Tick Jones took the unbelievable decision to travel to Bucharest with only 12 players, leaving all of his “foreign” players back in Glasgow. With 4 Scots out injured and his recent signings ineligible, he was left with a skeleton team. This astonishing gamble almost paid off, as his bare bones team held out for 86 minutes before Dinamo scored the only goal of the game. Even more amazing was that this was achieved with only 10 men for most of the game, after 17-year-old Mike Doyle was somewhat harshly red-carded after 31 minutes. Interviewed after the game, Tick Jones had this to say. “I am sure that I will be harshly criticised for my choice to stick with our Scottish players, but I feel that tonight’s result vindicates that decision. I discussed the situation at length with my coaching staff and with the Board of Directors and they fully supported my actions.” Rivals Rangers will take a narrow 2-1 lead to Switzerland for their return match against Basle.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
August 11th, 2001
New Faces At Celtic

There have been several new arrivals at Celtic in the last couple of days as manager Tick Jones continues to bring in more Scottish players. The veteran attacker Kevin Gallagher has joined on a free transfer having been released by Newcastle. The 34-year-old has been brought in on a two-year contract. 26-year-old forward Kevin Thomas has also been signed as a free agent following his release from St. Johnstone. Finally, the much-touted Mark Kerr has moved from Falkirk in a £1.1M deal. The 19-year-old midfielder is generally seen as an exciting young talent and is reported to be delighted to be part of the Celtic set-up.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
August 12th, 2001
Gallagher Makes Dream Debut

New signing Kevin Gallagher got off to a dream start against Partick Thistle at Parkhead when he opened the scoring after just 6 minutes. A penalty from Stephen McManus 6 minutes from time sealed the win but Thistle did manage a late consolation goal in stoppage time. New boys Kevin Thomas and Mark Kerr played well in midfield and veteran Colin Hendry was solid at the back. This was a fine way to bounce back after their European disappointment in midweek and their third straight league win sees them top the table on goal difference over Dundee.

retired_amyslack

Thanks addictee - good luck if you do give it a go.

The Glasgow Herald
August 18th, 2001
More Moves At Celtic

The squad changes continue at Celtic with a vengeance with three new players coming in and one departing. Out went young French goalkeeper Michael Herbert who was sold to Laval for £525K. In came 22-year-old defender Eddie Forrest on a free transfer having been released by Airdrie. He is joined by ex-Rangers forward Allan Johnston in a £1.8M deal from Middlesbrough and veteran striker Gordon Durie, also on a free transfer.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
August 19th, 2001
“Jukebox” Durie Still On Song

Gordon “Jukebox” Durie showed in his Celtic debut yesterday that, even at 35 and counting, he still has an eye for goal. It took just 2 minutes for the ex-Rangers marksman to open his account when he fired the Celts ahead against Dunfermline at East End Park. Captain Paul Lambert doubled their advantage 5 minutes later as Celtic caught the Pars napping. Debutant Allan Johnston was unlucky not to get off the mark when his 36th minute strike was ruled out for offside. Celtic controlled the midfield, were solid as a rock at the back and always looked likely to add to their total. Johnston made an impressive debut but it was defender Stephen Crainey that took the Man of the Match award for his fine performance in his defensive midfield position. The 20-year-old has made a very impressive start to the season and has taken full advantage of his unexpected promotion to first team football.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
August 23rd, 2001
Maloney Seals Euro Win

Last night a sell-out crowd at Parkhead saw Shaun Maloney score the winning goal as Celtic overturned a 1-goal deficit to beat Dinamo Bucharest 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. Once again manager Tick Jones stuck with his Braveheart Scots, even though he could still not fill the substitutes bench because of injuries and ineligible players. Despite a desperate appeal to UEFA to allow additional players to be registered because of the club’s unique situation, only Mark Kerr was allowed to be added to the squad. This meant that only 4 of a possible 7 substitutes were on the bench and Jones risked playing a less-than-fit Jon Paul McGovern in central defence. Dinamo came to Glasgow intent on holding on to their lead. They defended in depth and made it tough for the home side by keeping as many men behind the ball as they could. Chances were few and far between and the first half looked like ending in a stalemate until Mark Kerr popped up to power home a cross from Stephen Crainey to tie the aggregate score. With less than 15 minutes remaining, Shaun Maloney picked up a Kerr knockdown to put Celtic ahead in the tie overall. Dinamo then mounted a series of attacks in the last 10 minutes and keeper Rab Douglas earned his money with a string of fine saves to ensure that the Celts go into the first group phase. Rangers made sure that two Scottish teams progressed with a good 2-0 win in Switzerland to eliminate Basle 4-1 on aggregate.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
August 24th, 2001
Celts To Face Roma And Ajax

Celtic will face games against two of the toughest teams in Europe in their Champions League Phase 1 group. Drawn in Group C alongside Roma, Ajax and Lokomotiv Moscow, Celtic face some challenging games. Realistically they will probably be challenging Lokomotiv for the UEFA Cup slot that the third placed team in the group will gain.


The Glasgow Herald
August 25th, 2001
McAllister Arrives At Celtic Park

Ex-Wimbledon defender Brian McAllister is the latest Scot to arrive at Parkhead following his successful trial spell. The 30-year-old has signed a three-year deal and is said to be delighted at the prospect of being involved in what is becoming known as the “Braveheart Revolution”.