June 2006

Thursday 1st With the silly season in full swing now, John Hartson's agent confirms that he had been given permission by Celtic to speak to other clubs on behalf of the player several months ago. Jonathan Barnett said: 'There has been a lot of media coverage and speculation with regards to John's situation at Celtic, but at the moment, John is not certain to leave the club. I was given permission several months ago by Celtic to speak to other clubs in relation to John. This has been done and certain clubs have expressed an interest to Celtic. To suggest that Celtic have acted improperly is totally inaccurate. I have always had excellent dealings with Celtic and in this case, as always, the club has acted professionally.'

Monday 5th Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has been telling the Scottish Sun that he's interested in buying Stilian Petrov: 'I like Petrov, he is obviously a top player and I am aware of the situation. But I'm not going to say anything else at the moment, because he is one of Gordon Strachan's main players.'

Tuesday 6th Former Hearts chairman George Foulkes says in a BBC Scotland documentary that club owner Vladimir Romanov suspected that a draw against Celtic was rigged: 'The genesis of the concern that Romanov had was after the 1:1 draw at Celtic Park in October. Romanov was convinced that the result had somehow been contrived and was suspicious. But it was just so fantastic and unbelievable. He was fuming about it because he believed the match had been fixed.' Romanov later declined an offer from the programme makers to comment on what Foulkes said.

Wednesday 7th According to the BBC, Dundee have rejected an offer from Celtic for 17-year-old midfielder, Kevin McDonald: 'BBC Sport understands that a £75,000 bid, which could have risen to £125,000, was considered by the board. But a Dundee source said, 'The offer was swiftly rejected. If they want to offer a million pounds, that's fine. They started it, not us.'' A Celtic source didn't reply, 'My dad's bigger than your dad.'

Friday 9th The Daily Mail is reporting that Celtic have made an approach to Chelsea about midfielder Jiri Jarosik, but that the Czech's agent has warned that he is more likely to move to Russia.

Rangers have been ordered to make a public announcement at all of their home games prohibiting the singing of the 'Billy Boys', which should make for pretty quiet afternoons round Kinning Park way this season if the Orcs heed the warning. The order comes from UEFA after Rangers were fined £13,000 as a result of the sectarian behaviour of their supporters during their most recent participation in the Champions League. UEFA have also ordered Rangers to 'announce measurable targets in order to reduce sectarian behaviour amongst its supporters', and it instructed them to prove the success of its measures through statistics communicated to the public. Rangers have warned that their supporters must comply to 'avoid sanctions being imposed or expulsion from European competition altogether'.

Monday 12th Roy Keane announces his retirement from the game as a result of his long-standing hip injury. His statement said: 'Having received advice from my surgeon and the Celtic doctor, my only option is to retire. I would like to send the manager, staff, the players and the supporters of Celtic Football Club best wishes for the future.'

Leading the tributes to Keane WGS said: 'ÒRoy Keane is one of the greatest players to grace the game of football. It was fantastic that we were able to bring him to Celtic and it has been a privilege to work with him. Even in his short time with the club, Roy made a great contribution and played an important part in bringing success to the club last season. We were delighted to make Roy's dream come true when we signed him for Celtic and we were happy when he made our dream come true by helping us to win the title.' Peter Lawwell added: 'Clearly, everyone hoped that we could have enjoyed watching Roy at Celtic for one more season. However, given the medical advice which he has received, Roy feels this is the only option available to him. While we are disappointed, it is important that Roy's health comes first and we fully respect the decision which he has made.'

Tuesday 13th Former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune has been knocked back by Celtic on account of his susceptibility to picking up injuries. Fortune's agent said: 'I spoke to Peter Lawwell and he said, because of Quinton's injury history, Celtic could only offer him a one-year deal. Celtic had some concerns about his scans, but it was more to do with his injury record. Quinton did not want to uproot his family and bring them to Scotland just for one year. But we understand Celtic have to be sure about a player and it is just one of those things. I would like to thank Celtic for the way they conducted themselves. They could not have been more accommodating.'

Wednesday 14th Shunsuke Nakamura says he plans to stay with the club as he signs a new deal giving Celtic the option of another year on his contract. 'It will be common knowledge there have been offers for me to play elsewhere and these are always very flattering,' he is quoted on the official website. 'I'm delighted to be playing at Celtic, one of the world's biggest clubs. It was fantastic being part of a winning team which lifted two trophies in my first season with the club and I hope to enjoy more success from next season onwards. I am really looking forward to the season ahead with Celtic and the domestic and Champions League challenges which we will face. The Celtic supporters are amazing and they have made me feel very welcome in Scotland. I would like to thank them for all the backing which they have given me so far during my time with the club and I hope to be able to repay their great support by helping the team win more trophies.' Gordon Strachan said: 'Naka made a magnificent contribution to Celtic throughout the whole of last season and played a major role in securing the SPL championship and the CIS Cup. Despite other clubs being interested in signing him, Naka has made it clear that Celtic is where he wants to be, something everyone at the club is delighted about.'

Monday 19th Celtic sign midfielder Jiri Jarosik from Chelsea on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. 'He has tremendous ability and experience of playing at the highest level,' said WGS at the obligatory press conference. 'He is someone I feel will make an important contribution to the club as we look towards the challenges ahead, both at home and in Europe.'

'It is a tremendous honour to sign for a club of Celtic's size and stature,' said the player. 'It is a fantastic time to be joining Celtic, with the club again Scottish champions after doing so well last season and also with so much to look forward to in the Champions League. I am very excited about joining Celtic and hope to play a part in bringing even more success to the club.'

Tuesday 20th And today's signing is... 19-year-old midfielder Evander Sno from Feyenoord on a three-year deal. 'This is a fantastic opportunity for me at one of the world's greatest football clubs,' the Dutch youth international told the official website. 'I know all about the great support which the club enjoys and I hope to be able to play my part in bringing these fans more success. I would like to thank Celtic for giving me this opportunity.'

'We are trying to make the squad as big, as strong and as young as we can,' added Strachan. 'Evander has everything but experience and when that experience comes he will be a smashing player.'

Thursday 22nd No signing news today but the SPL have announced this season's 'fixtures'. Celtic kick off their title defence against Kilmarnock on Saturday July 29th, with an early kick-off to accommodate Setanta. The first Glasgow derby is scheduled for 23 September. With Setanta now covering more live games a spokesman for the league said: 'It is likely that the additional live games will either be scheduled for a Monday evening, Friday evening or Saturday lunchtime.'

Friday 23rd Having agreed a fee with Hibs to secure his early release from his contract, Celtic show off Derek Riordan at a press conference at the stadium. 'It's a big step for me. I hope I can get into the team, play well and score goals,' Riordan said. 'Derek was a bit worried about the strong squad with Nakamura, Maloney and McGeady,' said Gordon Strachan. 'But I told him 'they know you're coming and they're a bit worried too'. We've signed players who can adapt. With the amount of games we'll have they might need to play in different positions. Derek comes alive in the final third, he can make that crucial pass and he stays clinical whether he's getting a goal himself or putting another player in. We're still actively looking for players. We're looking for a bit of experience now. You can't just have a young team - we have to merge that with a bit of experience.'

In a clear dig at cash-strapped Rangers, Chief executive Peter Lawwell added: 'Derek is one of Scotland's most exciting young players and I am sure there were a number of other clubs keen to sign him. However, we are delighted to have secured his signature and announce him as our third new signing this week.'

Saturday 24th Neil Lennon signs a new one-year contract with Celtic. Lennon flew home from holiday in Portugal on Thursday in order to formalise the deal that takes him into his sixth year at Celtic Park. In doing so he has knocked back a lucrative three-year player-coach deal at Crystal Palace. 'I am really pleased to have agreed a new contract with the club,' he said. 'It was a magnificent honour to lift the SPL trophy last year as captain of Celtic and myself and the rest of the players will be doing all we can to try to retain the championship for Celtic.'

Monday 26th The revolving door at the entrance to the Walfrid will need oiling at this rate as John Hartson passes the others on the way out, joining West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee, on a two-year deal. 'The feeling of scoring a goal at Celtic Park is something that will live with me always,' he told the website of his representatives, the Stellar Group. 'I had five fantastic years in Scotland and been lucky enough to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. The time is now right for me to make a change and to return to English football.'

Tuesday 27th Bad news today as it's revealed that the defence will be without Bobo Balde for the start of the season as the result of a stomach injury. Balde saw a specialist on Thursday after the problem failed to respond to a period of rehabilitation. 'It is more than likely that surgery will be required. This surgery will be performed tomorrow (Friday),' a statement on the club website read. 'Bobo will be out for a number of weeks, but it is too early at this stage to give a specific time scale.'

Celtic have rejected an offer from Portsmouth for Stilian Petrov, according to Stan's agent. Tony McGill told The Herald: 'You can't blame Celtic for knocking back the bid, but Stilian is not a happy bunny. Celtic might be hoping that he will change his mind about leaving, but he is more determined than ever to move. Portsmouth is a Premiership club and he wants to play in the Premiership,' he added. 'He's becoming more and more frustrated that he's not allowed to speak to any interested parties. He's back at Celtic for pre-season training but his family are still in Bulgaria. He is there in body but not in mind. I'm going up to see him, but until Celtic accept a bid then he's not going anywhere.'

Redknapp told the Scottish Sun on Monday: 'I've been told he's put in a transfer request and I rate him very highly. Personally, I'd let him go if I was Celtic boss.'

Diary compiled by SAMUEL PEPYS-SHOW and HACKWATCHER

 

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