retired_ajbrittney

Hmmmn

Any more chance of awhere are they nowsection. How is Darlington and for that matter Mputu doing?

I think that Steve O'Mao should turn his attention to acquiring a English club. Sutton Utd perhaps?

Raptor

Next up is a squad review ahead of the new League season, and the official club magazine will do a Where Are They Now on another famous ex-Celt soon.

retired_mellnet

MJ Stevie, Did I tell you that Frost was hanging around the ground match day again.

SO'M Any idea on what he was doing?

MJ I thought it might be good to know what he was up to, so I sent some of the boys to find out.

SO'M They didn't rough him up did they?

MJ No not the 'boys'. I sent a couple of stiffs to snoop in on his conversation.

SO'M And?

MJ The poor ******* was looking for tickets on the cheap.

SO'M That gives me an idea.

retired_mellnet

Patrick came home from his post office gig carrying a package gingerly.

MF What you got in your hand's?

PO'K I picked up the mail after my shift was over and there was an suspicious package from 'S' Tea' VV E O, O, O Trying to read Stevie O'Mao

MF Good job Patrick, it says Stevie O'Mao. Why would Stevie be sending Katie a package?

PO'K Be careful it might a bomb from one of Unionist enemies. You know the war and all.

MF I would suspect that with your war record the Unionists would be sending you a Pension.

PO'K What is that suppose to mean?

MF Nothing, now let's see what Stevie has to say.

PO'K It's bomb Rushing and diving under the table, making a lot of noise.

KF What is all the racket in here? Kate comes to see what all the noise is about.

MF Nothing. Patrick thinks Stevie sent you a bomb, and I am going to open the package to see what he sent you.

KF Why would Stevie be sending me a package?

MF That is what I am going to find out. Frost opens the package It looks like the ******* sent you season tickets and a note.


Dear Katie,

It has been a long time, hasn't it? Nice you made it through the war safely. Who could have known you didn't really die. Well the real reason I am sending this package was I got tired of hearing stories of your fabulous husband trying to use his former clout and failing in attempts to see 'HIS' club play, ie trying to score tickets cheaply off scalpers. It must be hard for a man of his former stature to be unemployed and down on his luck. (Maybe he could ask Patrick for some advice on how to deal with it. Sorry had to get that one in.) So I thought this was the least I could do, enclosed are enough season tickets to take the entire Frost clan to our matches. I even included vouchers for our new European campaign, and after we got rid of Fatnaldo and Best's personal drinking buddy, Uncle Roy, we should do very well.

Yours,

Stevie O'Mao

P.S. I am sending them to you, because I know that Frost would be too proud to accept them from me. Plus you of all people know there is more to Ole' Stevie than just great sex, that underneath I'm not such a bad person.

Raptor

Raptor

Belfast Telegraph, Friday 10 August 2012

... We open the Telegraph's Ultimate Guide to the new football season with Belfast Celtic, champions for the past four seasons.

Belfast Celtic
Stadium: Casement Park, 30,000 all-seater (temporary home)
Last year: champions
Title odds: 1/3

Ireland hasn't seen a clearer title favourite than Celtic this time around. Even the most optimistic Shelbourne, Linfield or Rovers fan will find it hard to see the championship shield end up anywhere other than at Celtic's temporary home Casement Park. Despite the departure of Ronaldo, the club's squad has plenty of options in every department. The only question mark remaining is how new manager Bruce Arena will adapt to Irish football. After last season's Champions' League disappointment, the American has a point to prove as he tries to fill the boots of Mark Frost and George Best. With the squad at his disposal, the transition is expected to be a smooth one. Arena's only worry will be the small number of forwards available. A handsome transfer budget should solve that soon enough however.


Goalkeepers

John DODDS (Sco, 30) - An £850,000 summer signing from Coventry, Dodds returns to the club he spent a loan period at in the 2006/7. Back then, he was the apprentice, now the Scot arguably is the master. In the absence of Danny Milosevic, he made the #1 jersey his own during the Super Cup, and is considered Arena's first choice keeper.

Danny MILOSEVIC (Aus, 34) - Spending the summer as Australia's reserve goalie in their victorious OFC Nations Cup campaign could prove to be an expensive mistake for Milosevic. During this time, Dodds arrived at Celtic and became the new first choice at the Belfast side. Familiar with losing his place to a rival keeper, Milosevic will have to work hard to regain his position, as unlike Patrick Bucic, Dodds isn't expected to go anywhere for the foreseeable future.

Defenders

Ljubo MILISEVIC (Aus, 31) - Fellow Australian Milisevic hasn't been able to repeat his good form of his first two season at Celtic in the previous two campaigns, but the club's management have opted against transfer-listing the centre half. With two years left on his contract, Milisevic knows this will be a make-or-break season though.

Richard SINCLAIR (Sco, 30) - Never seems to be first choice at the start of the season, but still manages to make over 20 starts each season. An impressive Super Cup campaign puts the former Port Vale man in contention for a regular starting slot in the back three.

Joe DOYLE (Irl, 27) - Celtic's most expensive defender proved to be worth every last penny of his £1.5m transfer fee during his two seasons at the club so far. Strong in a positional sense and dangerous when venturing forward, Doyle quickly became one of the most popular Celtic players of the current generation.

Paul O'CONNOR (Irl, 27) - Continued to improve since joining from Man Utd in 2008, until injuries and fitness problems kept him out of contention for the best part of the 2010/1 season. O'Connor changed his approach to the game and his lifestyle to re-establish himself as a first team regular last season, however, and went on to make a staggering 55 starts for Celtic.

Christian HANSON (Eng, 31) - Like Milisevic before him, Hanson was originally brought in to be transformed to a forward. His creativity and long shots were the main reason for this. The experiment failed, but Hanson made regular appearances in Celtic's back three. In the club's attacking style of play, Hanson was given enough opportunities to come forward after all.

Jason MOONEY (Irl, 21) - Now 21, Mooney is another one facing a make-or-break campaign. Making his debut as a 17-year old, Mooney bettered himself every year, but struggled last season, especially against European opposition. A good season could finally bring a first full Ireland cap.

Colin MORTON (Sco, 31) - At the start of his 12th season, Celtic's longest serving player knows his days of regular first team appearances are over. Despite this, Morton will, as always, still get a few games under his belt when fixture congestion, injuries and suspensions kick in.

Thomas POWER (Irl, 20) - Another product of Celtic's youth system, but like Mooney one who has a lot to prove this season. Looked out of depth against Continental teams. Permanently listed for loan as Celtic seek to let the player gain regular first team experience in the British League in preparation for a future attempt at European glory.

Midfielders

Keith ANDREWS (Irl, 31) - Had always been considered Roy Keane's natural successor as Celtic captain, but lost the battle for a permanent place in central midfield. George Best's change of system to one containing wingbacks gave Andrews a second chance though, and as right wing back, the Irishman rarely misses a game. One-hundred-and-four starts in the past season prove this. His influence and experience made Andrews the right choice for the captaincy.

Phil LLOYD (Eng, 26) - £1m arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2011, and a useful holding player. Brave and determined, his only problem is Celtic's offensive system. Lloyd is often only utilised when the club are up against creative opposition, where caution is required.

Barry BURNS (Irl, 19) - When fixture congestion forced Best to throw in a handful of youngsters in 2011, Burns was one of them. Reserves manager Kabia didn't think he was ready yet, but Burns impressed and was added to the first team squad for the following season. Strong competition limited the former U-18 International to nine games, and it remains to be seen whether the coming season will see an increase of that tally.

Michael KEANE (Irl, 29) - Once upon a time Keane was close to the Ireland squad, but it appears the attacking midfielder will be stuck in the B team for the rest of his International career. If that's the price to pay for playing in the Irish League, the player said, he's happy to do so in the knowledge Celtic will make the odd Champions' League appearance. A series of ligament injuries hampered Keane's 2011/2 season, and it is feared the player will never reach his old form again.

Andrew REES (Wal, 23) - Arguably Celtic's best crosser of the ball. Arrived from St.Johnstone last October for a relatively cheap £750,000. Hasn't been able to guarantee himself a first team slot due to the fact Celtic hasn't used authentic wingers for a while now.

Dave FITZGERALD (Irl, 32) - Brought in for a cut-price transfer fee of £150,000 after Athlone's relegation in 2010, Fitzgerald was never expected to be a first team regular. The left winger offers valuable experience though, and proved himself good enough to appear in selected League games.

Michael FOLEY SHERIDAN (Irl, 29) - Impressive European displays initially, but no longer first choice in central midfield. Another victim of the lack of width in Celtic's current formation.

Paul SCHOLES (Eng, 37) - Veteran ex-Man Utd and England player with over 70 caps, though the last was over 5 years ago. Approached by then manager Mark Frost when his United contract was about to expire, but elected to join Sheffield Wednesday instead. Two years later, George Best managed to bring Scholes to war-torn Belfast after all, also on a free transfer. Like Ronaldo, Scholes was brought in to improve Celtic's reputation in Europe and bring vital experience at the highest level to the club. The ginger support man finds it increasingly difficult to play the full 90 minutes, but often works wonders when coming on as a sub.

Forwards

Glen KEDDY (Irl, 29) - Very prolific last season, breaking the 20-goal barrier for the first time since 2006/7. After Ronaldo's departure, Keddy will have to lead the forward line.

David HEALY (Irl, 33) - If Keddy's 21 goals last season were impressive, Healy's tally of 26 was even more so. The arrival of Ronaldo cost Healy a lot of playing time during 2010/1. At one point, Best even demoted the former International to the Reserves and transfer-listed him. That status stayed beyond the summer of 2011, but Healy was added to the first team squad again. Determined to prove he still had that goalscoring touch, Healy went on a scoring spree that made his manager rethink his decision.

Gary MALONE (Irl, 27) - The most talented of Celtic's forwards, but one with mental problems. When Malone's hot, he's unstoppable, but when faced with personal problems, he can make Emile Heskey look like a world class goal machine. In the shadow of Healy and Keddy, Malone still managed a dozen goals last term, and after all recent problems and threats to leave Celtic, the player signed a new three-year contract in the summer.

Raptor

Sunday 12 August 2012, Premier Division, Linfield v Belfast Celtic, The Oval

Celtic got their title defence off to a flying start at Linfield's temporary ground, when Paul Scholes and David Healy struck in the opening ten minutes. Bruce Arena surprised a lot of people by naming Barry Burns in the starting XI. When the youngster initiated the move that led to the opening goal, it looked like a golden decision though.

The two goals frustrated Linfield to the extend the game turned into a dirty clash, but then that was nothing new. Four yellow cards saw referee Pat Whelan re-take control of the situation. He also pointed to the spot after 20 minutes, awarding Linfield a penalty Kevin Grogan effortlessly converted. With over three-quarters of the game left, a goal feast was on the cards.

Linfield wouldn't get another shot on target though, and with that, they were destined to lose their season-opening fixture to Celtic once more. Already winners at their bitter local rivals, the bookies' extremely short odds on five-in-a-row appeared justified.

Linfield 1 (Grogan pen 20)
Celtic 2 (Scholes 6, Healy 9)
Attendance: 15,964

Raptor

If O'Mao thought things were going smoothly in Belfast, he'd probably think Hearts were cruising. Over in Edinburgh, his manager Stuart Redmond had shelled out £20m on a trio of defensive minded players. It would really tighten up an already solid team. Up front, Hearts relied on the creativity of Steven Dunlop and Michael Chopra, while in the centre of midfield, Darren Boyle ran the show. These three players formed the core of the Jambos' preferred XI, and were on a mission to take Hearts into Europe. No wonder Redmond had given all three a new, improved, contract. A solid performance in the opening BPL game against Blackburn Rovers further increased confidence in the Maroon half of Edinburgh. Patiently Hearts relied on their back four and compact midfield, before carefully tearing down Rovers' own defence. Near the end of each half, goals from Chopra and Dunlop set up a 2-0 victory. Could this be the year in which Hearts finally finished above Hibs again?

Raptor

Saturday 18 August 2012, Premier Division, Belfast Celtic v Saint Patrick's Athletic, Casement Park

Arena proved himself to be a true American in the first few weeks of his overall control of Celtic. After the two early goals against Linfield, his shock-and-awe strategy worked again against St.Pat's. Eight minutes were all Glen Keddy needed to open his 2012/3 account.

When the visitors came back out the stronger after half time, equalising on 52 minutes, Celtic again replied in ultra-quick fashion. Nine minutes later, they were 3-1 up, after another couple from Keddy. The second of these came from the penalty spot and completed his hattrick.

Under the watchful eye of the Frosts, Arena knew he was doing a good job winning over Celtic fans. The real test would lie in Europe though, and Wednesday's second leg of the qualifier against Polonia would determine whether or not the American would get the chance to make amends for last season's failure.

Celtic 3 (Keddy 8, 56, pen 61)
St.Pat's 1 (A.Campbell 52)
Attendance: 18,384

Raptor

Meanwhile, Frost and Best were still working on their plan to regain control of Celtic. Much as they hated the idea, the only feasible way seemed to be attacking the club's rulers, both on and off the pitch, via the press. Obviously, it had to happen anonymously. If people knew they were behind it, O'Mao's brigade could easily dismiss such criticism as political nonsense and backstabbing to try and regain control of the club. Also, with the good start of the season, attacking results on the pitch wasn't an option.

They didn't need that yet though. Removing Arena wasn't a top priority. The minute Frost would be in charge again, the American would be shown the door anyway. No, O'Mao and Johnson had to go. So information about the club's financial situation were leaked. Before Celtic's financial results were officially announced, news of the millions in dividend paid out to the Raptor Group reached the Belfast Telegraph. O'Mao and Johnson were accused of draining the club's resources, and the "unnamed source" insisted the club's transfer budget was suffering as a result of these payments to their owner. It was said this was the reason for the lack of transfer activity this summer (apart from goalkeeper Dodds, no one had joined the club), and why an extra striker hadn't been brought to Belfast yet.

It wasn't just an attack on the club's management then, but also on the Raptor Group. In the old days, this would've hurt Frost, but the company was nothing like it had been when he founded it. Frost had absolutely no links to the current directors, and felt they had betrayed both himself and the club. Any loyalty towards the Raptor Group was gone, and if they had to go down with O'Mao and Johnson, so be it.