retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
August 26th, 2001
Celts Held By Killie

Celtic dropped their first points of the season so far when Kilmarnock held them to a 1-1 draw at Parkhead yesterday. The home side started strongly and Shaun Maloney scored his 5th league goal in 5 games early on and were unfortunate not to be further ahead before half time. However, Kilmarnock came back strongly in the second half and the evergreen Iain Durrant pulled them level after 58 minutes. Maloney always looked threatening and had several chances to put Celtic ahead. With 4 minutes remaining substitute Stephen McManus latched on to a through ball from Maloney and slipped the ball past the keeper only for the linesman’s raised flag to rule his effort out.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 2nd, 2001
Scots Pounded In Dublin

Scotland had keeper Neil Sullivan to thank for keeping the score respectable in their friendly in Dublin yesterday. David O’Leary’s side went ahead after just 6 minutes with a goal from Tottenham’s Gary Doherty and spent the remainder of the match giving Sullivan a hard workout. Bertie’s Boys were unable to prise the initiative from a determined Irish team and were fortunate to have suffered such a narrow defeat.


The Glasgow Herald
September 7th, 2001
Petrov Heading To Greece

The latest victim of Celtic’s Scots only policy is Bulgarian midfielder Stilian Petrov. A deal worth £6M has been agreed with Greek team Olympiakos and the 22-year-old will join his new club when the Greek transfer window opens on January 1st next year.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 9th, 2001
Gallacher Sinks Hibees

A goal in each half from the veteran Kevin Gallacher was enough for Celtic to see off the challenge of Hibs at Easter Road yesterday. The home side struggled throughout to mount any kind of attacking threat and rarely caused Rab Douglas any concern. With teen sensation Shaun Maloney sidelined for a few weeks with a groin strain, 20-year-old Paul Shields started up front and was unlucky not to claim a goal, having several good attempts well saved by Nick Colgan.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 12th, 2001
No Roman Holiday For Celts

Celtic’s visit to Roma last night for the first of their Champions League Phase 1 group matches ended in disappointment. Outplayed for most of the match, Tick Jones’s young team lost 2-0 with goals from Vincenzo Montella and Cafu. A number of the youngsters in the team looked overawed by the experience of playing in the Olimpico in front of nearly 80,000 fanatical supporters. Jones himself sees each game in Europe as a learning experience for his team. “We did not expect to come here and have a realistic chance of winning” he said after the match. “Considering the recent upheaval in the squad I am very pleased that we held one of the best sides in Europe to a fairly narrow victory. This season is all about building a new squad and gaining experience of European competition, and tonight was certainly a learning experience for all of us.”

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 16th, 2001
Douglas Blunders Gift Dundee Points

Celtic suffered their first league defeat of the season when high-flying Dundee came away from Parkhead with a 3-2 win courtesy of some elementary mistakes from Rab Douglas. The big keeper looked uncharacteristically nervous and uncertain throughout the match, and his poor performance cost his side dear. Captain Paul Lambert put the home side in front after 33 minutes when he scored with a powerful shot from distance. Douglas apart, the home defence looked solid, with the veteran Tom Boyd back from injury and young Eddie Forrest looking assured in the centre. However, a snaking run from Beto led to Fabian Caballero getting the equaliser on the stroke of half time. Giant defender Lee Wilkie put Dundee ahead in the 56th minute after Douglas had flapped at a corner. Caballero made it 3-1 with 10 minutes remaining when the Celtic keeper seemed to misjudge the Paraguayan’s shot. Paul Shields pulled a goal back at the death, but it was too little too late. Rangers move to the top of the table on goal difference from Dundee, with Celtic two points back in third.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 17th, 2001
Thompson Set For Villa

The rumour that the imposing front entrance at Parkhead will be replaced with a set of revolving doors gained further credence with the departure of Alan Thompson and the arrival of Gary McCutcheon. Thompson will be joining Aston Villa for a £3M fee with McCutcheon being picked up as a free agent having been released by Kilmarnock.


The Glasgow Herald
September 20th, 2001
Lokomotiv Wreck For Celts

Lokomotiv Moscow visited Parkhead last night and made a severe dent in Celtic’s European hopes by sneaking a narrow 1-0 win, leaving 60,000 fans bitterly disappointed. The Russians came to defend in numbers and Celtic had plenty of possession and no shortage of scoring opportunities. But in their eagerness to attack they may have been guilty of defensive naivety and Lokomotiv scored midway through the first half with a classic breakaway goal. The home side kept coming forward in search of an elusive goal, but were unable to penetrate a determined defence. It was a brave effort but their failure to convert pressure into goals meant a frustrating end to the evening.

retired_amyslack

Scotland On Sunday
September 23rd, 2001
Stalemate In Old Firm Match

Yesterday’s Old Firm meeting at Ibrox ended all square, thanks mainly to a heroic performance by Rangers keeper Allan McGregor. The 19-year-old was making his debut in the first team as Stefan Klos is sidelined with an injury sustained in the midweek victory over Milan. The youngster came on for the experienced German in that match and his performance was so impressive that Rangers manager Alex McLeish decided to give him a starting place against Celtic. That proved to be a wise as well as a brave decision as McGregor pulled off a string of wonderful saves to deny Celtic the victory that their fine attacking play deserved.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 27th, 2001
Euro Joy For Celts

Celtic got their first Champions League points last night with a good 2-1 win over Ajax at Parkhead. It was a solid team performance from the home side and they were superior in all departments, limiting the visitor’s scoring opportunities and creating a number of chances themselves. 17-year-old midfielder Mark Fotheringham scored his first goal for the club to open the scoring after 25 minutes and young forward Bryan Prunty doubled their advantage just after the restart. Jari Litmanen scored a late consolation for Ajax but Celtic held on for the win. Roma beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 for their third straight victory and look to be certain group winners. But there is still all to play for as the other three teams are neck and neck on 3 points each.

retired_amyslack

The Glasgow Herald
September 29th, 2001
Ritchie Moves to Parkhead

Celtic unveiled their latest signing yesterday as they announced that defender Paul Ritchie has been signed from Manchester City in a £2M deal. The 26-year-old is a member of the current Scotland squad and recently gained his 3rd cap in a friendly against Ireland.


Scotland On Sunday
September 30th, 2001
Livvy Brushed Aside

Celtic made light work of the visit of struggling Livingston and ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. Although the visitors managed to reach half time without conceding they rarely threatened the Celtic rearguard. Colin Hendry and debutant Paul Ritchie dominated at the back and Paul Lambert, Allan Johnston and Mark Kerr controlled midfield. Celtic stepped up the pace in the second half and goals from Lambert, Paul Shields and Ritchie gave them a comfortable 3 points.

retired_destiny1124

Looks like you are gaining some momentum now BobBev I like the squad you are developing there...