Falkirk 1-3 Celtic

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Falkirk played some good football at Hampden this afternoon and looked competitive with the bottom half if the Scottish Premier League, but Celtic scored three, hit the woodwork three times and had a good goal incorrectly disallowed for offside, emphasising how comfortable a day’s work it was for the SPL, Scottish Cup and League Cup favourites.

James Forrest reached the goal line and cut back to Scott Brown, whose shot was deflected onto the post before rebounding to Gary Hooper who made no mistake.  The nearside linesman did nothing for the reputation of Scotland’s officials by raising his flag despite a second defender being inside the six yard box while the Celtic striker was 8 yards out.

Six minutes later Thomas Rogne got his head onto a Forrest corner but saw the effort rebound from the crossbar.  Falkirk maintained parity for 27 minutes before conceding cheaply.  Darren Dods, aware of Rogne’s potency at set pieces, hauled the Celtic defender to the ground inside the box from a Mulgrew corner.  Scott Brown converted the resultant penalty.

Stokes could have made Celtic comfortable six minutes from half time when he connected with Hooper’s cutback but his shot was blocked.  A minute later Falkirk were level.  Victor Wanyama misplaced a cross-field pass to Cha in the middle of the field, Emilio Izaguirre had pushed forward while no one dropped back to cover.

Cha and Wanyama both had chances to get tight on breaking Falkirk players but Higgingbotham feigned a shot and rolled the ball into the path of 17-year-old Jay Fulton, who finished clinically.

Within a minute of the break Rogne had a chance to put Celtic ahead again but mistimed his header before Gary Hooper set James Forrest through with Falkirk keeper McGovern to beat but the winger was denied.

Falkirk’s best chance to win the tie arrived six minutes after then break when Fulton drifted in unattended at Celtic’s left but his half-volley from 7 yards flew over.

Thomas Rogne hit the cross bar for the second time with a deflected shot after another Mulgrew corner.  A minute later Anthony Stokes put one foot in the final when he lifted a free kick over the Falkirk wall and into the side of the net.  It wasn’t the hardest struck free kick but he caught McGovern mid-jump on his line, so the keeper was slow to move to his right.

Falkirk pushed forward whenever they could and Duffy got the better of Joe Ledley to setup Alston but the substitute couldn’t convert.  12 minutes from the end Fraser Forster made an impressive double save after a corner.  He stopped the first from Darren Dods and then saved from Stuart Murdoch.

Ledley saw a shot from a Matthews cross deflected over before the Celtic full back cleared at the other end when Weatherston got behind Wanyama to cross.

Gary Hooper secured the win for Celtic when he collected outside the box after 85 minutes, turned his defender and headed for the bye-line.  His cross was converted by Stokes with Ledley waiting if needed.

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582 Comments

  1. Margaret McGill on

    Árd Macha says:

     

    30 January, 2012 at 00:44

     

    No worries. I dont care what MON thinks either. Neil’s team is Neil’s team. I have always had faith in Neil. So what if he doesnt win a treble this year. He is the Celtic manager.

  2. Árd Macha, dont know what has you in such a foul mood but I hope its nothing too serious!!

     

     

    Just wanted to let you know that i’ve signed up for liofe 2015 in the city hall last week and will be looking lots of tips in the coming

     

    months!!

  3. that hooper goal chopped off was INCREDIBLE !!

     

     

    i saw it immediately

     

     

    i was doped up on paracetamol, didn’t sleep much, was hardly really concentrating and was receiving zero income for keeping an eye on play

     

     

    the CHAP running the line…

     

     

    he was receiving good money

     

    was allegedley watching the game closely

     

    was less than 50m away

     

    had the 6yrd line to go as a guide

     

    has been training for the job for months/years

     

    and has attended several courses

     

     

    Gary was at least 2yrds, maybe 3-4 yrds ONSIDE

     

     

    that is not a close call

     

     

    even Joe, further back, was onside, tho he had nothing to do with the play in question

     

     

    somethin not right there

     

    somethin not right at all

  4. Margaret McGill says:

     

    30 January, 2012 at 00:52,

     

     

    Cheers, and what a great comment about our manager. We could all learn from that.

     

     

    supercelt,

     

     

    Where should I start a charad.

     

     

    Firstly, the reason that I’m inn bad form is that the evictions in Donegal have now started again and I have to find a new place for my mobile home and santcuary.

     

     

    Secondly, It’s liofa 2015 not liofe 2015-:)

     

     

    By the way if you really want to impress, the best way to say someone is fluent is just to say they have it (Tá Gaeilge aige – he is fluent in Irish).

     

     

    Liofa, for us dinosaurs means ‘agile’.

     

     

    Árd Macha

  5. To: stewart regan, iain blair

     

     

    morning gents

     

     

    any comments on the condition of the Hampden pitch this weekend ?

     

     

    i see QP’s last home game was back on 14th Jan

     

     

    so i doubt their play had impacted upon it

     

     

    maybe use of UV lamps for 2-3 weeks ?

     

     

    two hard fought semi-finals

     

     

    hopefully, the pitch will be fine for next season’s winter semi’s etc

     

     

    thanks again for all your efforts !

     

     

    kind regards

     

     

    TC

     

     

    – as for PA-system, it has been an ongoing problem at Hampden, way way too loud, and too often

     

     

    PS – good to see all sets of strips in full contrast (tho as mentioned before am not a fan of white and yellow clashing)

     

    http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/E2llzKcjCma/Ayr+United+v+Kilmarnock+Scottish+Communities/gHNC_ZSCDMz

     

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=329854003721178&set=pu.133829389990308&type=1&theater

  6. no10 for Falkirk today won MOM

     

     

    played a blinder the wee english lad – good on him

     

     

    but was he so noticeable cos he had so much white tape round his socks or was it cos he is a classy player ?

     

     

    prob said before, we should keep an eye on him – but is he a one-game wonder ? are other clubs gonna step in ? do we need such a player ?

     

     

    March 2010, he scored from halfway line…

     

     

    hurricane higginbotham

     

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallum_Higginbotham

  7. Árd Macha

     

     

    if you going to be pedantic, then, it’s in..not ‘inn’ :D

     

     

    and btw i am starting refereeing this season…I hope to get a few St.Galls junior games..lol

     

     

    Sorry to hear about your holiday home in ‘Dhún na nGall’!

     

     

    i’ll be attending my classes in An Droichead and hope to converse with you soon!!

  8. supercelt,

     

     

    Pedant is my middle name.

     

     

    Get yourself over to Cluan Árd, where the classes only get in the way of having a good time-:)

     

     

    Árd Macha

  9. ernie lynch says:

     

     

    29 January, 2012 at 23:34

     

     

    tommytwiststommyturns says:

     

    29 January, 2012 at 23:31

     

     

    UEFA have no say on the matter, neither do the SFA.

     

     

    The SPL is a private limited company. Its members (the clubs) decide what it does, no one else.

     

    ————————————————————-

     

    Are all professional clubs not required to have a licence to operate? If so the SFA who grantthe licence and so UEFA will have a big say if they care to get involved.

     

     

    Given the public values UEFA have come out with it is difficult to see how they could remain silent of any sollution that undermines the integrity of footballis arrived at.

     

     

    The only solution that does not do that (assuming a newco scenario) is a newco starting at the bottom.

     

     

    When the Daily Record and Hugh Keevins start spouting for justice then the tide is turning.

     

     

     

    Tax shouldn’t be hanging over gaffer Ally’s head

     

     

    By Hugh Keevins on Jan 29, 12 06:45 AM in

     

     

     

     

    I stood behind Sasa Papac in the queue for popcorn at the cinema last Sunday night.

     

     

     

    I can confirm Sasa bought what he paid for and didn’t ask for preferential treatment. A credit to his club as opposed to credit for his club while they’re hard up.

     

     

    The story’s only worth retelling because it wouldn’t be hard to get the impression there are those who believe a system of celebrity justice should come into play if Rangers suffer the worst-case scenario at the hands of the taxman.

     

     

    The fact Celtic and Rangers are Scottish football is undeniable.

     

     

    The notion a club, if it is found guilty of tax irregularities – and gaining an unfair advantage over their competitors – should get off lightly is indefensible.

     

     

    Sir David Murray’s return to the training complex named after him created a frenzy of speculation last week and recalled his famous “If Celtic put down a fiver I’ll put down a tenner” boast from the late 90s.

     

     

    If it’s legally established that the tenner was peeled from a wad of notes that ought to have been paid to the government then the rules of natural justice must apply.

     

     

    And Scottish football’s administrators must be seen to impose the statutory penalties required without fear or favour.

     

     

    If it’s proved wrongdoing took place then Rangers’ inability to sell season tickets and corporate boxes isn’t anybody’s concern but those who created the problem.

     

     

    We’re now witnessing the unedifying sight of those who once idolised Ally McCoist using him as the focal point for their anger over the chaotic state of affairs at Ibrox.

     

     

    Whoever else is to blame for the state Rangers are in, it isn’t McCoist. But those who are culpable know who they are. Ally would have had a hard enough job if he’d replaced the living legend that is Walter Smith while Rangers were loaded.

     

     

    But he’s been left a hostage to fate by his own employers.

     

     

    If the case against Rangers falls after an extensive investigation by HMRC then they leave the dock without a stain on their character.

     

     

    But the negative effects of a contrary judgment have to be secondary to the positive need for justice being seen to be done, otherwise we start a free-for-all among the insolvent.

     

     

    This has nothing to do with Celtic being entitled to any serious sense of grievance. It’s a myth that a succession of Celtic managers had to live in Rangers’ shadow while the Ibrox club allegedly made illegal payments.

     

     

    The allegations made against Rangers cover a period that began in 2000, which was when Martin O’Neill came in to rejuvenate Celtic.

     

     

    He would have won five titles in a row if it hadn’t been for final-day setbacks in 2003 and 2005. And the accusations of wrongdoing continue through the period Gordon Strachan won three in a row.

     

     

    It could be that Neil Lennon, who’s doing fine on his own, might prosper while Rangers face up to certain harsh realities in the near future. But that would only be a severe case of what goes around comes around.

     

     

    Karma could also prove problematic for Hearts.

     

     

    They were pursued by the SPL over claims Jambos owner Vladimir Romanov failed to act in good faith when he withheld wages.

     

     

    His competitors had to pay bills – whether it causedhardshipfor the clubs or not.

     

     

    That matter was settled on Friday with Hearts avoiding punishment. But there is no escaping the fact the huge debts run up under Romanov are proving a millstone around the club’s neck.

     

     

    In this regard, it was unsettling to read about First Minister Alex Salmond contacting members of Qatar’s royal family to see if they’re interested in buying Hearts.

     

     

    What did it do for the country’s feelgood factor to have Salmond told they don’t care about Scottish football? And there will be those who are going to answer a question on Scotland’s independence who’ll think Salmond should have had more to do than find a new owner for his favourite team.

     

     

    As Alex might say in another context: “Do you agree Hearts should be an independent club?”

  10. Auldheid

     

     

    re this….

     

     

    In this regard, it was unsettling to read about First Minister Alex Salmond contacting members of Qatar’s royal family to see if they’re interested in buying Hearts.

     

    _________

     

     

    a certain Mr G Souness was rubbing shoulders with a few wealthy arabs at Al Jazeera TV few years back (2009-10) – i would not be surprised if he tried to get involved again with rfc (in fact, he’s probably been in the loop all these years) – he was after all the chap who allegedley introduced Mr D Murray to rfc

     

     

    also, comment on twitter last night that the fans of rfc working for hmrc are extremely sad about the duty of their employers toward their beloved club – can you imagine it ? :)

  11. big Tam has 18months of his contract to go

     

     

    best to have a wee look at that shortly

     

     

    signed by Tony Mowbray

  12. Sixteen roads to Golgotha on

    Sad to read the news about Tom McLaughlin.

     

     

    Good luck and best wishes Tom from Béal Feirste Thiar.

  13. Margaret McGill on

    All together now……

     

     

     

    Romanov in the Gorgie with St. Patrick’s Fenian Band

     

    Roam enough in the Gloamin with a green shamrock in my hand

     

    And when the music stops and the jambos are a corpse

     

    oh its good to be a Roman spastic.

  14. Sixteen roads to Golgotha on

    I would also urge the Celtic support to have patience with wee Emilio.Encourage him,and back him to the hilt.He sustained a terrible injury,but i have no doubt that the wee legend will return to his best soon enough.

     

     

    And what about our manager? Lenny Bhoy? Different class he is.

     

     

    Not so sure if being proud is a virtue,it probably isn’t – but i am proud of our manager,his wee team,and our infinite football club.

     

     

    It sure does feel great to be a Tim just now.

  15. Margaret McGill on

    Gold Coast Tom for you… (ok I plagiarized)

     

     

    Celtic book their place in the anti Catholic community cup. A nation mourns. The histrionic poodles have calmed down. Peace and love erupts on the timternet.

  16. Sixteen roads to Golgotha on

    Martin O’Neill this,and Martin O’Neill that,and Martin O’Neill the other thing…

     

     

    The Celtic Football Club was here long before he was,and it will still be here,when he has departed this life.

     

     

    Heaven knows,i am more than grateful for what he achieved at our great club,and the memories that will live long in our hearts & minds.I thank Martin O’Neill,sincerely for that.

     

     

    Personally though,i believe that Lenny is a better manager.A far better manager in fact.

     

     

    And for those Celts that hit me with Seville,i will see their Seville,and raise their Seville with Wim the Tim,circa 1998.

     

     

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4-i-yYbloU

     

     

    I didn’t quite make it to Seville,Ballyliffin in the wilds of Donegal was where i watched that game.But i was in Paradise that day we stopped the disease.

     

     

    Jealousy is a terrible thing. :p

  17. Morning CQN,

     

     

    A big thanks must go out to the SingTims Techie department for making last night a success….. Gran job they did….

     

     

    What a fantastic night in SingTims H/Q, estimated 40 people turned up awaiting the arrival of the one and only Mr. Stewart!!! What a absolute gentleman and die-hard Celtic supporter..

     

     

    It really does top it all off when such a celebrity in attendance and amongst the support…..

     

     

    Rod, thanks for the beer and please do come back!!!

     

     

    Yours in Celtic

     

    SPC

  18. Sixteen roads to Golgotha on

    And as for der hun.Their punishment should be this – all those tainted titles that they cheated their way to,at least 12,i would say – those titles should be made defunct,obsolete – the hun should be stripped of those titles and they should be awarded to the clubs,the fair and sporting clubs,the clubs that played within the rules.They should be made to hand back the said titles,just like dope fiends that are caught cheating in the world of athletics,most give back the medals that they cheated other,honest athletes out of.

     

     

    Our club,for the main part,were the innocent victims in all of this dishonesty.But let us also spare a thought for poor Aberdeen,they were also cheated out of a title that was rightfully theirs.

     

     

    Those despicable frauds and cheats,cost our club untold millions by their underhand tactics.Champions League revenue,Tv money and all the rest.

     

     

    They should be made an example of.

  19. More from…

     

     

    Heroes Are Forever: The Life and Times of Celtic Legend Jimmy McGrory By John Cairney

     

     

    what a book !

     

     

    Jimmy scored 522 in 501

     

     

    1st (part) season, he only scored 1 ! aged 19 (early 1920’s)

     

     

    he was then loaned out for a wee bit but he scored the winner 2-1 v Celtic in the cup at CP during that spell so he was of course quickly returned to base

     

     

    star-striker Joe Cassidy was sold off to Bolton for £5,000 so Jimmy had the chance to step in

     

     

    first 3 matches of new season, he failed to score, pressure was on

     

     

    then, sadly for Jimmy, his father Harry was killed aged 65 in an accident as follows….while out for lunch and sitting on a bench, some boys were throwing stones – one of the stones struck Harry on the head – he died later in hospital

     

     

    funeral took place on a Saturday at Jimmy’s local – St Roch’s in Garngad, where Jimmy was of course devastated – boss Willie Maley took the lad aside and suggested he take part in the match later that day to take his mind off it all, if only for 90mins

     

     

    he did

     

     

    and he scored

     

     

    he then went on a run of scorin in games, next scorin a couple of hat-tricks

     

     

    he would end up with 30goals that season

     

     

    am now at page 50 or so

     

     

    great book

     

     

    can you imagine our ancestors’ reaction at having the young lad in the team that Saturday having just lost his father ? and imagine the respect for him both being there and indeed scoring ?

     

     

    awesome !

     

     

    hail hail

  20. .

     

     

    SingTim..

     

     

    If its a Game against Der Orc.. Don’t invite Ros the Mod.. He’s a Frikin Jinks.. And he Won’t buy the Bar a Round ( we had circa 350 in) he did Sign an Awful lot of shirts tho..

     

     

    Hail Hail..

     

     

    Summa

  21. Margaret McGill on

    Sixteen roads to Golgotha says:

     

    30 January, 2012 at 04:17

     

     

    ..and what if they are not?

     

    a strenuous letter campaign to Alex “fart in the wind” Salmond?

     

     

    Those naughty cheating huns. Look what they did Alex? No peace without Justice.

     

     

    Or maybe FIFA?

     

     

    Or Dermot Donut?

     

     

    We have Tims on this blog tonight who are compromising Celtic ethos for Newco coz its “business”.

  22. Margaret McGill on

    In 2006 three billion cognoscenti–including 20 million in the United States–

     

    watched Italy’s extraordinary victory over France in the World Cup final.

     

    It was a down-and-dirty game, marred by French superstar Zidane’s head-butting

     

    of Italian defender Materazzi. But millions were also exposed to the poetry,

     

    force, and excellence of the Italian game; as operatic as Verdi and as cunning

     

    as Machiavelli, it seemed to open a window into the Italian soul.

     

    Meanwhile in Scotland

     

     

    Salmond finds friends in Ireland but not in Nothern Ireland.

     

    Maybe the SNP lack of involvement of Irish opinion within Scotland

     

    is zero because he thinks they are all from Norn Irn like Neil.

  23. Sixteen roads to Golgotha on

    Margaret McGill says:

     

    30 January, 2012 at 04:30

     

     

    I don’t care about any of them.Sending der hun into administration most probably will only be doing them a favour.They should be forced to hand back all those titles that they cheated us out of,that should be their punishment.If i were Lawwell or Desmond,that would be my condition for letting them return,back to the fold.

     

     

    As for the Independence issue – i would once have been happy to see it,for selfish reasons,as it would guarantee a united Ireland.But,after reading on CQN,how that SNP mob would hang the Celtic support,or anything deemed to be Irish,or Catholic in Scotland,out to dry – i am not so sure now.

     

     

    I read about yer man Reg Empty Head claiming that if Scotland voted for independence,then the “Unionist” folk of the six counties would become violent! ffs! That made me laugh!

     

     

    Scotland,Ireland,England,or whatever…It’s Europe that calls the shots,when all is said and done.

     

     

    I do not think that Celtic supporters have anything to fear,if Scotland does become independent.It’s not as if working class folk in Scotland are,or have been living the dream under Westminster rule.

  24. Morning Celts from a dry, calm but cauld looking NW of engerlund, day off so tucked up in my scratched whilst awaiting the LL excuses over Jelly legs, sweet.

     

     

    Will the transfer fee take them to ST renewal monies? That is the question, there’ll be a few court cases to come in between TAL

     

     

    V

  25. Good morning all from a cold and frosty East Kilbride.

     

     

    An interesting 41 hours in store, I think.

     

     

    Jobo

  26. Jelavic Transfer: What is at stake

     

     

    http://rangerstaxcase.com/

     

     

    30/01/2012 3 COMMENTS

     

    The proposed move of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers to Everton has predictably stirred much debate. Much of the chatter has focused on what the receipt of fresh cash would mean for Rangers FC. As we told you three months ago, Rangers cannot get to the end of the current season on their own cash-flow. Without some combination of external capital investment from owner Craig Whyte, selling assets, or dramatic cost-cutting, Rangers would have faced- based upon the budget in place in August- certain bankruptcy before the season’s end.

     

    Companies in dire financial straits stop paying their bills until forced to do so. Craig Whyte’s Rangers have seen more court than Andy Murray in recent months. It seems likely that had Rangers paid their bills on time and kept current with PAYE, National Insurance, and VAT that the club would have already folded. Depending upon your perspective, Craig Whyte is to be applauded for ducking and diving to prolong Rangers’ life or he is to be pilloried for avoiding the legitimate consequences of insolvency- technical and actual. Only Craig Whyte will know for sure whether he had access to sufficient funds to pay the club’s bills as they fell due (and has simply chosen to not do so).

     

    The Jelavic transfer (if actually concluded) is a form of liquidation in place. They are digesting themselves for sustenance. Rangers will convert an intangible asset to cash. They will probably get to meet their next payroll without needing to bring in more of Whyte’s own cash. We do not know how much of the £6.7 million Craig Whyte promised to invest in Rangers has actually been delivered. However, we do know from the unaudited accounts released that it was not delivered by 30 June 2011. (For any sports hacks reading, get an accountant to explain it to you). It is understood that Whyte has been bringing in some cash to meet recent pay requirements, but since information security has tightened recently at Ibrox, we have not been able to get detailed reports on how much.

     

    Rangers’ management indulged in farcical efforts at the end of the last transfer window to convince the world that Rangers had rejected a £9 million offer for one of their few sellable assets. Even the claimed £6.5 million offer from Leicester City is believed to have not gone further than an enquiry. Rangers are reported in the English media to be now ready to accept an offer of £3.5 million. To accept such a bid only a few months after rejecting much better offers would represent comically poor asset management- or it might be the first glimmer of truth to emerge in the Jelavic saga. Succulent lamb supply is apparently scarce in England. Rangers’ ability to control how the story is reported there is limited. Of course, here in Scotland, they have no such problem. The deal will be reported in our press in whatever way Rangers demand “£3.5 million now with add-ons and bonuses- let us just call it £6 million. A 50% profit on a player? What a deal!”

     

    There has been a lot of speculation over how much of any transfer fee Rangers will see. My only source on this is from documentation prepared for Whyte in late May 2011, just after the takeover.

     

     

    This excerpt seems to indicate that from the original £4 million transfer fee, that €2.4 million ( £2 million) remained to be paid at the end of May 2011. Since that time, we have heard reports that Rapid Vienna had been threatening legal action to get Rangers to make good on a milestone payment. So it looks like the ‘ring-fencing’ of these funds did not actually take place under Whyte. Reports in the Austrian press back in early November claimed that Rangers had fallen behind on a stage payment of €500k. We have no information on how many such payments were paid between May 2011 and now, but it is possible that Rangers still owe Rapid Vienna as much as £1.4 million from the deal. Furthermore, without access to the transfer contract, we do not know if any outstanding amounts must be repaid immediately on the player being re-sold or whether Rangers can take the £3.5 million now and stick to the original payment schedule.

     

    There has also been chatter about Rapid Vienna’s claims over sell on fees. It would be a surprise if Martin Bain (a very experienced football negotiator) had agreed to anything other than the Austrian club receiving a percentage of profits. If Jelavic is sold for £3.5 million, Rapid Vienna would not see any additional fees.

     

    Given Rangers’ reluctance to pay bills without fuss, it seems reasonable to assume that there were no additional payments to Rapid. If this is the case, Rangers’ net haul from the deal could be as low as £1.9 million. Although, if Rapid’s share can be delayed per the original payment schedule, Rangers might be able to use all of it as working capital prior to a result from the tribunal. In this case, Rapid would join the queue of unsecured creditors who will get stiffed should the tax case go “as well as expected”.

     

    In summary, Rangers’ inexperienced management team botched the marketing of their star player in the summer (and will have infuriated creditors awaiting on payment last summer with stories of rejecting fabulous offers). That Rangers’ title hopes are being dented for such a relatively small amount should ring the alarm bells of reality for any of Rangers’ supporters who still believe that all is well at their club. Is it enough to get Rangers’ through to season ticket renewals? That depends on how much in the way of external funds Mr. Whyte can access

     

     

     

     

    Quick Reply

  27. Bawsman –

     

     

    thanks for that fine breakfast read.

     

     

    Off to work now with a spring in my step.

     

     

    40 and a half hours…

     

     

    Jobo

  28. CELTIC boss Neil Lennon hopes to pull off one final deadline-busting swoop to sign giant Austrian striker Marc Janko.

     

     

    Record Sport can reveal Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell was locked in talks with FC Twente over the weekend in a bid to thrash out a deal for the prolific 6ft 6in hitman.

     

     

    Celtic – who yesterday lined up a League Cup Final clash with Kilmarnock by seeing off Falkirk – have agreed a deal to land Trabzonspor striker Pawel Brozek on loan but that won’t stop them trying to sign Janko.

     

     

    However, the chances of the Hoops pulling it off are being complicated.

     

     

    Porto are also talking to Twente and are prepared to meet the £4.2million asking price, leaving Celtic to pray the Portuguese side’s negotiations fail.

     

     

    There is also interest in the 28-year-old from the Premier League, with Fulham and Stoke believed to be at the negotiating table. But it is understood the battle for his signature is between Celtic and Porto.

     

     

    Sources in Holland believe at least two firm offers have been tabled and stress Celtic are in the thick of the battle to land the player with a spectacular scoring record.

     

     

    Janko hit 75 goals in 108 games with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria before moving to Holland for £4.5m in 2010.

     

     

    Twente are keen to recoup as much as possible of that but may be prepared to send him on loan until summer then thrash out a deal.

     

     

    He has bagged 24 goals in 44 games for the Dutch club and still has more than two years left on his contract.

     

     

    Twente are willing to let him move on in search of a regular starting place and the striker knows he would be almost guaranteed that

     

    at Parkhead.

     

     

    But Lennon is concerned the price could go sky high because of the competition.

     

     

    The Celtic boss tied up a loan move for Brozek over the weekend but last night denied he signed the Polish international to spite Rangers.

     

     

    UC

  29. Well done to all the bhoys today getting past a young team that gave it their all and with the bhoyz not getting out of 2 gear for most of the game. The first leg of the treble coming in 7 weeks, I would greatly love to see our young manager enter into our history books with a treble under his belt in only his second season in charge, then hopefully with this very team go on and conker europe in the next season or two.

     

     

    All I have done is read this site and Phil’s for the last 6 months daily, as its the only place to get the truth about our team, also and let the chips fall where they may over in the other side of Glasgow but I hope there is no point deduction this season (No excuses for them).

     

     

    I don’t know if you know this already but here we go:

     

     

     

    New Rangers Signing (NRS): Hey boss I want my name on the back of my shirt

     

     

     

    Boss: Naw Canny

     

     

     

    NRS: Ok I want my old house number then (88)

     

     

     

    Boss: Naw Canny

     

     

     

    NRS: Aw right then you choose, at least when I walk on the park & score goals I can bless myself

     

     

     

    Boss: Naw Canny club policy i’m afraid for over a Hunner years “Nae Blessing Ursel”

     

     

     

    NRS: Oh my dog with that kind a policy its a wunner your still in business

     

     

     

    Boss: Wellllll sonnnn, did I no tell you that, that one of those contracts was short and on a month tae month revolving thing….

     

     

     

     

     

    Hail Hail to Paul & all Celtic Qnewsers

     

    Finnharp

     

     

    PS: NRS has dyslexia

  30. Looks like Paul67 was spot on the other day with news this morning that Jellylegs has DEMANDED he be allowed to leave rangers.

     

     

    Usually hate Mondays, but after yesterday and reading todays news I have a skip in my step this morning.

     

     

    HH