Celtic Quick News

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:07:36 +0000

Chairman: We loved Tommy as one of our own CELTIC Chairman John Reid has described Tommy Burns as 'a true gentleman' and spoke of the immense sadness the Celtic family feels at the news of Tommy's death. The Chairman said: "The passing of Tommy Burns is devastating news and my sincere and heartfelt sympathies go to Rosemary and Tommy's family. (Celticfc.net)

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:05:06 +0000

Celtic's Burns loses cancer fight Celtic legend Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after losing his long-running battle against cancer.

Burns had been undergoing treatment in both Glasgow and France in recent weeks after being diagnosed in March. The former Scotland midfielder was treated for skin cancer in 2006, but it returned earlier this year. (BBC)

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:02:55 +0000

Burns' death casts a shadow over Celtic Scottish football is in mourning after it emerged that former Celtic FC midfielder Tommy Burns has died at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer. (uefa.com)

Tommy Burns

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:32:31 +0000

Tommy Burns developed a particularly intimate relationship with the Celtic support during his time as manager from 1994 - 1997. Those were not successful times for Celtic, but unlike normal fallow periods, those were years of belief; belief that Celtic were in the hands of someone who cared as much as you did.

Tommy was born into the same community Celtic were in 1888, the parish of St Mary's in the Calton area of Glasgow in 1956. Jock Stein signed him for Celtic in 1975, where he would remain until he accepted a post with Kilmarnock in 1989.

He had an enormously gifted left foot and was a tall, strong and intelligent footballer. As a manager he was renowned for playing attractive passing football.

In 2006 he was diagnosed with melanoma, although news that his treatment had been successful soon followed. It was announced earlier this year that the cancer had returned but on this occasion the disease would not abate. He passed away at 4am this morning.

His death will sadden many who never knew him personally and will devastate those who did, including all his friends at Celtic Park and Lennoxtown, and that means everyone at Celtic Park and Lennoxtown.

He evangelised by the way he led his life and bore witness to his faith.

My thoughts and prayers go to his wife Rosemary and his family.

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:10:04 +0000

McGeady Hopes For Title Hat Trick. Aiden has sights set on 3 in a row. (Teamtalk)

8 days of danger and opportunity for Celtic

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:18:47 +0000

My friends in Celtic it will be eight days before we see our team play again, but during this time our emotions will be subject to sunshine and shadow. You and I, just like Celtic, need to maintain focus on the job in hand; beating Dundee United.

Before Celtic play opportunities to further out cause will arise, just as our lead can come under pressure. We will not have it all our own way; Rangers will win again before the end of the season, but I sincerely believe that if Celtic maintain focus, we'll win the league.

The pantomime that Scottish football has become recently will continue to play, but we must leave it to others to become consumed in that, we have a game of football to prepare for.

Dateline 14 May 1988, Happy Birthday Celtic win a Centenary Double

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:16:38 +0000

Celtic beat Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final today to complete an historic double in their Centenary Season.

Kevin Gallacher opened the scoring for United early in the second half when he raced past Celtic skipper Roy Aitken to volley high into the net from the edge of the box. Aitken had already been booked and risked being ordered off if he obstructed Gallacher, but although United were ahead, Celtic were in familiar territory.

Just as in the semi final against Hearts, and in so many league games this season, they entered the final stages of the game a goal down but on the forward foot.

With 14 minutes remaining full back Anton Rogan surged down the left wing and crossed high to the back post where Frank McAvennie out-muscled Paul Hegarty to head into the empty net, Hampden went wild in expectation of a repeat of the Cup Final between these two teams three years ago, when Celtic came from behind to win in spectacular fashion.

In injury time substitute Billy Stark mis-hit a shot from a corner which ricocheted inside the box and broke to McAvennie, who stabbed the ball home to win the cup for Celtic.

A year that had started with Celtic fans singing "Happy Birthday dear Celtic.." climaxed with a run-away league title and two of Hampden's most exhilarating come-backs in years. Manager Billy McNeill, who returned to the club last summer after a five year absence, could not have imagined the impact he would have on the club.

Celtic target Croatian international midfielder

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:00:52 +0000

The Croatian press this morning reported Celtic have bid €5m for Dinamo Zagreb defensive midfielder and Croatian international Ognjen Vukojević (24). I understand, however, that Vukojević is only one of a number of possibilities under consideration.

Vukojević joined Dinamo Zagreb two years ago and made his international debut in October 2007, scoring a goal against Slovakia. He is a highly mobile player and at just over 6ft tall has a strong physical presence.

Wed, 14 May 2008 03:02:27 +0000

Bluebirds And Celtic Have Summer Date in The Algarve. Cardiff City, Porto and Celts to play in Algarve Cup in July. (icWales.co.uk)

Wed, 14 May 2008 02:39:08 +0000

'Archaic System Requires A Rethink'. Craig Levein suggests refereeing in the SPL should not be a hobby and discussion about refereeing problems should be discussed openly without fear of Draconian reprisals. (Herald)

Opening salvo in offensive chants fired

Tue, 13 May 2008 22:36:36 +0000

We've had to endure the most unwanted attention this season from what often appeared to be a hostile media culminating in March, when a mobile phone video of Celtic fans in Barcelona singing add-ons to songs received headline news in the Daily Record and Sun.

Both newspapers gorged on the footage, incorrectly describing the vulgar, and offensive to many, lyrics as sectarian, raising the suspicion that they had gone beyond merely reporting news and were involved in a relentless pursuit of the good name of Celtic fans.

This evening the BBC One's Reporting Scotland broadcast Rangers fans in Manchester singing the proscribed 'Billy Boys', a song which caused Uefa to fine Rangers fans two years ago. If you were a paranoid Celtic fan you will no doubt consider that the Daily Record and Sun will ignore the evidence presented by the national broadcaster tomorrow, as their only interest is to sully the name of Celtic, not to report a fair and balanced view of news.

You will be proven right or wrong in a few hours.

Outrage over offensive chanting ahead of Uefa Final

Tue, 13 May 2008 12:01:35 +0000

Scottish football has been outraged by the revelation that news coverage will not be extended to allow chanting by Rangers fans at and before this week's Uefa Cup final to be reported.

Standing on the steps of Hampden Park, SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, who over 25 years has consistently denied hearing offensive chanting said, "We met with the decision makers this morning and looked at moving reports on what Zenit St Petersburg fans did last year, but it just wasn't possible.

"There will be no space in the newspapers or the broadcast media to cover this chanting.

"Yes, we are the laughing stock of world football.

"YouTube is certainly going to be an issue, I'm glad you asked the question, but we're looking into that.

"We're doing all we can, I believe the Pakistan government arranged something earlier this year. We are talking to the Chinese authorities as well; there is a lot we could learn from other parts of the world."

SFA president, George Peat said, "We should be trying everything in our power to help a Scottish club" (this one is an actual quote, although slightly abridged).

"Reports on incompetent referees can and should be moved."

UK Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said, "My ministerial schedule is far too busy discussing Zenit St Petersburg fans to allow me to get involved in a problem we can turn out attention to any week of the season."

No one from the media was available for comment apart from one journalist who, off the record, asked, "Well, why don't you go home?"

Tue, 13 May 2008 03:47:04 +0000

Wilson Hoping For Gers Slip-up. Full back says Celts are ready to capitalise on rivals dropping points in their 3 away games. (Teamtalk)

Tue, 13 May 2008 03:31:13 +0000

Levein Still Rages Despite McCurry Climbdown. Levein, Manager of Dundee Utd., dismissed Gordon Smith's comments and said: "These remarks by Gordon Smith don't surprise me in the slightest." "At Ibrox on Saturday it was about a basic level of competence, and my club and my own livelihood have suffered as a consequence. But what will the SFA do about it? Absolutely bugger all, I can assure you.

"People have wanted me to say that I was deliberately cheated at Ibrox. Well, I haven't said that. But I can tell you this, I felt as if I've been cheated."

EU man the barricades against Blatter

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:41:16 +0000

The European Parliament fired a shot across Fifa president Sepp Blatter's bows on Friday by voting against his suggestions to limit the number of non-nationals allowed to play for a team.

The motion voted for read: "The parliament calls on the member states and sports associations not to introduce new rules that create direct discrimination based on nationality, such as FIFA's 6+5.

"It calls on the Commission to recognise the legality of measures favouring the promotion of players who have come through training schemes, such as a minimum number of locally-trained players, irrespective of their nationality."

The motion was carried by 518 votes to 49.

Dutch MEP Toine Manders said: "In the jungle of sport we need clear legal guidelines. If you ask if these gentleman's agreements will hold, you are very wrong. We are talking about big business, powerful clubs who will go to court if necessary. Mr Blatter will only open up another pandora's box like Bosman."