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Barry's back. Goalkeepers: Neil Alexander (Cardiff City), Paul Gallacher (Norwich City), Craig Gordon (Heart of Midlothian) Defenders: Graham Alexander (Preston North End), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (West Ham United), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City), Graeme Murty (Reading), Robbie Neilson (Heart of Midlothian), Steven Pressley (Heart of Midlothian), David Weir (Everton) Midfielders: Scott Brown (Hibernian), Barry Ferguson (Rangers), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Heart of Midlothian), Lee McCulloch (Wigan Athletic), Nigel Quashie (West Bromwich Albion), Scott Severin (Aberdeen), Gary Teale (Wigan Athletic) Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers), James McFadden (Everton), Kenny Miller (Celtic), Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow). Fook knows why Severin gets the nod before Kevin Thomson of Hibs.

Poor game IMO but Celtic probably deserve to be ahead. Christensen made a crackin' save from the wee turncoat cunt who also nearly saved his penalty too. How laughable and pathetic is it hearing the Septic fans sing Kenny Millers name? It's amazing how fickle supporters can be, one minute they're slagging him and the next they love him? Two faced wee rats.

Just a wee note on some interesing stats. On home form Celtic are ranked No1 having won all 4 of their games. On away form they have won 1 drawn 1 and lost 1 which ranks them as No. 9. After Saturday Celtic will have played 5 home games and just 3 away games. Rangers will be the opposite,played 3 home games and 5 away games. Maybe a draw will not be as bad as we think given Celtics away form. ---------------- Celtic-----------v-----------Rangers --------------Pld-W-D-L-Pts-Rank-___-- Pld-W-D--L--Pts-Rank Overall Record-7--5--1-1-16---1---___---7--3--3--1--12---3 Home Record--4--4--0-0-12---1---___---3--2--1--0---7----2 Away Record--3--1--1-1--4---9---___ -- 4--1--2--1---5----6

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UEFACup/news/Kind=1/newsId=458539.html?cid=rssfeed&att=index This means Ferguson/Hemdani midfield. Which is unfortunate, i think.

Ferguson played against Everton (and Gravesen) twice during his injury plagued 2 years in England and was unbeaten in both. First game was a 2-1 Blackburn win with Ferguson "again man-of-the-match", setting up the first goal. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/pa...~22665,00.html The 2nd game was closer and was a 0-0 draw. However, the Blackburn match report indicates "Rovers were easily the better of the two sides creating the better chances, Nigel Martyn being the busier of the two goalkeepers." Barry Ferguson having 2 good shots well saved. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/pa...~27954,00.html All in all, I can't see the Rangers captain having too many sleepless nights ahead of his clash with Gravesen. Considering his performance last night, the only person with nightmares will be the man upsetting a few Celtic players with his �£45K per week pay packet (plus bonuses). Bring it on!

Regarding the Celtic Rangers game on September 23rd. Here's what they sent: 'Dear Supporter CELTIC V RANGERS, 23 SEPTEMBER - TICKET PAYMENT Rangers received confirmation during the close season from Celtic that their prices for visiting Rangers support would stay the same as season 0506, however we were informed last week that these prices have now increased by �£1. We will therefore have to take an additional payment of �£1 to cover the full charge of your ticket. This payment will be taken on 20 September. Rangers apologise to supporters affected by the price increase but would stress that it is a matter entirely outwith our control. Thank you for your continued support for the Club. Yours faithfully Andy Ward Head of Ticketing' How shite is this? They can just take money off you and there's nothing you can do about it.

Now, normally I'm good at this kind of thing, but this had me stumped for a long time when I got asked it today, thought I'd test you lot out. Name 3 players who have played for 3 British teams in the Champions League. As a wee example, my first guess was Craig Bellamy (Newcastle, Celtic, Liverpool) but then remembered he never played in Europe for Celtic having signed in January.

Villa seal �£6.5m deal for Petrov Petrov is O'Neill's first signing Aston Villa have completed a �£6.5m deal for Celtic midfield man Stilian Petrov. The 27-year-old Bulgaria captain has signed a four-year contract and is boss Martin O'Neill's first signing since taking over at Villa Park. Petrov worked with O'Neill at Celtic and it is understood the transfer could eventually be worth about �£8m. He is away on international duty, but loose ends have been tied up and Petrov is likely to make his Villa debut at West Ham on 10 September. Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp had trailed Petrov throughout the summer, but admitted defeat once O'Neill made his move. The talented Petrov joined Celtic in July 1999 from CSKA Sofia and has made more than 250 appearances for the club. Petrov was contracted to the Scottish champions until 2010 but submitted a transfer request at the end of last season. 606 VIEW Bit overpriced is my immediate reaction, but he is a good player who will do well for us TL 606: Have your say He won his first cap for his country in March 1999 against Belgium and was eventually appointed skipper of his country. Petrov was voted the Scottish Premier League's player of the year in 2001 after helping Celtic to the domestic treble. O'Neill is also believed to be interested in Barcelona striker Javier Saviola who is out of favour at the Nou Camp. The 24-year-old is out of contract next summer and Barcelona are keen to off-load the Argentinian international who impressed at the World Cup. But O'Neill faces competition from the likes of Celta Vigo, Real Zaragoza and Villarreal for Saviola.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_F.C

Does anyone else realise that the general standard of both rangers and celtic has vastly detiorated over the past few seasons? 5 years ago we were still trying to be like man utd, now weve succumbed to being a breeding ground for their youngsters. 5 and ten years a go we were linked with and tried to get some big names from europe, at times we got them, at times we failed, no were trying to sign a 3rd player from a piss poor austrian team??? does that mean austria vienna have better players than us??? what the hell has happened? were now relying on kris boyd to score our way outta trouble it seems, i no its only a few games into the season but i mean they dont fill me with great confidence. wen baz comes back it wont exactly makes us a great deal stronger in midfield, clement is up and coming hemdani is mince and baz is average at best, we badly need more talent, and not anymore from vienna or poorer teams in spl. to me we are just heading in the wrong direction your thoughts please?

Go on Hibs !!!! 1-0 - Scott Brown after 8 mins !!

http://www.gersnet.info/fmrangers/newmain/250806.html Let me tell you a bedtime story.... A few months ago a group of Celtic fans aided by their 'useful idiot' in the media, a sprinkling of Celtic-minded MPs and a couple of on-message academics decided to make an issue of a song sung by Rangers fans - specifically one word - which while not literally offensive was argued by the group to offend them and be unacceptable. That group of fans actually contacted their club and one person within that club who they thought would sympathise with their position. Surprisingly, firstly to them and to their supporters, the club warned them that nothing positive would come of their complaints. They told them while the problem was unsavoury it was only a mirror image of Celtic's similar problems with certain terms and songs. As such, the club told the complaining group that although they might get a result initially; over the long term only damage would be done to all parties. Over the subsequent months the group made their complaints and obtained their victory. Rangers fans were villified, the club fined, the offending term and chant condemned by all and also importantly banned by UEFA according to their new laws concerning such songs. Nevertheless, their hypocrisy shines brighter than ever. '******' is offensive and sectarian but 'hun' or 'DOB' is just the craic. Songs about some issues are bigotted and unacceptable. Glorification of terrorist organisations are political and a rightful expression of the downtrodden rebel. Players mimicing flutes (to their own fans) are offensive and provocative while blessing one's self several times amongst other behaviour (in front of oppostion fans) is denying a catholic of their sporting beliefs. Players writing silly comments below their autograph is disgraceful and disgusting. PLayers calling opposition fans DOBs or shouting about the IRA just didn't happen OK... It sounds incedible doesn't it. Welcome to Scottish football. The place where banter and oneupmanship doesn't stop at football but goes right up the ladder to the very top. Politics, religion and law. All because of a wee white ball. And we wonder why we're so sh!t at the game? Unfortunately is the saturation of the sectarian issue by the media and the people who fake the moral outrage by reporting clubs and fans and players that is making the situation worse instead of better. The worst thing is the people who can really change things such as the media, the politicians and the footballing authorities are the ones throwing the dice in this game of chance. By doing so they are gambling not with their own petty agendas but with the future of our game. The stakes are high and we are losing. All of us.

heard that they posted the wrong dates for the champions league games on there official site and fans went and booked plane tickets:D

And pretty much stupid too. I was on a Septic fans forum having a wee swatch and what they thought of the CL draw when I came across a user who had started a thread named "that's me booked for Copenhagen". I opened the thread and laughed out loud when I realised he had booked up flights departing Dublin and landing in, wait for it......Malmo! Am I being thick here? Is Malmo not in Sweden? Ye cannae beat it!

Goalkeepers:Neil Alexander (Cardiff City), Craig Gordon (Hearts), Graeme Smith (Motherwell) Defenders:Graham Alexander (Preston), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Christian Dailly (West Ham), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Graeme Murty (Reading), Gary Naysmith (Everton), Robbie Neilson (Hearts), Steven Pressley (Hearts), David Weir (Everton) Midfield: Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Hearts), Lee McCulloch (Wigan), Nigel Quashie (West Brom), Scott Severin (Aberdeen), Gary Teale (Wigan) Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers), James McFadden (Everton), Kenny Miller (Celtic), Garry O'Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) Burke, Ferguson and Muarry miss out though injury

Pot 1 ----- Barcelona (Esp), AC Milan (Ita), Real Madrid (Esp), Internazionale (Ita), Liverpool (Eng), Arsenal (Eng), Manchester United (Eng), Valencia (Esp). Pot 2 ----- Lyon (Fra), Porto (Por), PSV Eindhoven (Net), Bayern Munich (Ger), Chelsea (Eng), Roma (Ita), Celtic (Sco), Lille (Fra). Pot 3 ----- Sporting Lisbon (Por), Benfica (Por), Bordeaux (Fra), Steaua Bucharest (Rom), Werder Bremen (Ger), Olympiacos (Gre), CSKA Moscow (Rus), AEK Athens (Gre). Pot 4 ----- Anderlecht (Bel), Dynamo Kyiv (Ukr), Levski Sofia (Bul), Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr), Galatasaray (Tur), Hamburg (Ger), Spartak Moscow (Rus), FC Copenhagen (Den). I' like Celtic to get Barca Celtic Bremen Hamburg I could see them finishing in 4th place. They'll struggle whoever they get and the best they'll finish is 3rd and that's at a push.

Roy Keane is being linked with a sensational return to football as manager of Sunderland. The club refused to state Keane was on the brink of being handed the job, however they confirmed talks with "a high-profile figure" were ongoing with a view to a swift appointment. The Black Cats slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Bury on Tuesday in the first round of the Carling Cup, a result which came on the back of four straight league losses. Niall Quinn, the chairman-manager, decided to relinquish all coaching duties after the Gigg Lane shock and announced his intention to appoint a "world-class" new boss. Manchester United legend Keane has no prior management experience, which would make him raw to the job rather than of established pedigree. However he enjoyed enormous success during his playing career and as a former United captain is a recognised leader. Quinn also knows him well, the pair having played in the same Republic of Ireland side for many years. Sunderland said in a statement: "No new managerial appointment has been made at this time. "The club is in discussions with a high-profile figure and is hopeful an announcement will be made in the near future." Keane, 35, retired as a player in June, after a short spell with Celtic during which he helped the Bhoys win the Bank of Scotland Premier League and Scottish League Cup. He ended a 12-year association with United in November 2005 and fulfilled a lifetime ambition by joining Celtic on an 18-month deal. He managed only 13 appearances for the Hoops before quitting on medical advice. With his body ravaged after cruciate ligament and hip operations, Keane had no choice other than to follow doctor's orders, and - should he be confirmed as Sunderland's new boss - there seems no prospect of him combining management with playing at the Stadium of Light. Well that will cut off any chance of Rangers players going there.

Hi Paul, I see you have a few problems regarding alleged sectarian comments you made a few years ago. There are two distinct avenues of help for you: 1. Join the BBC. Despite repeated complaints to this public organisation regarding the following Stuart Cosgrove interview in popluar St Johnstone fanzine 'Blue Heaven', the BBC tend to ignore any contact from concerned customers. Moreover, if you are a valued member of their organisation (and you will be if you make public comments like yours - well done!) you can expect us to deny comments were made and coerce the fanzine website owners to remove that page. Don't worry if anyone keeps screenshots of the offending article, we'll just ignore any enquiries about it. Screenshot 2. Join Celtic FC. If you are found guilty of such comments join sectarian-free Celtic FC. Not only will we ignore all claims against you (despite being caught on live TV), we can control the press to ensure the allegations are quickly removed from the public domain or don't even appear in the first place. Then, because of your obvious commitment to the 'cause' we'll give you a bumper new contract and make you club captain. Have a good day and may you continue to express your rightful right as a downtrodden irish national (doesn't matter where you were born) to discriminate against those DOB's who hold us back.

1-0 to Celtic. Pearson after 26 Mins. :yawn:

Rangers Under 19's showed their intentions to wrestle the Youth League Championship from great rivals Celtic with a powerful and assured display against Hearts. Saturday 19th August 2006 - SPL Youth (Under 19) League Fresh from their midweek victory over Dunfermline at Rosyth the young Light Blues maintained their maximum points tally with a dazling display in front of the 60 spectators, who included Scotland Under 21 boss Archie Knox and ex-Ranger Bobby Williamson. Right from the first whistle Rangers made it clear that they meant business as they pinnned the vistors behind the ball as Lennon and Stirling linking up well to cause the Hearts rear guard all sorts of problems. The first clear chance fell to Rangers after 7 minutes when Paul Emslie let fly with a piledriver which Haraldur Bjornsson did extremely well to palm over the bar. It looked like the incecent pressure had paid off on the quarter of a hour mark when a sweeping move involving Lennon Stirling & Shinnie down the right saw Dean Furman hammer the ball home only to be ruled offside. It didn't take much longer for the breakthrough to finally arrive, another 5 minutes, as Stirling and Furman linked up tp provide a perfect cross for Stevie Lennon to finish in style with a diving header from only a few yards out. Furman was again to be a provider for Lennon 4 minutes later as he tee'd the ball up on the 18 yard line for the striker, though this time the shot went narrowly wide. With Lennon playing through the middle up front he was provided with plenty of assistance and it was the turn of Steven Stirling on the half hour mark who played a perfect pass through the Hearts defence to allow Lennon to race through on Bjornsson, only for the forwards first touch to let him down and give the keeper the opportunity to bravely collect the ball at the feet of Lennon. 4 minutes from half time Joe Sagar averted what would have been a travesty of justice when he pulled off a fingertip save from the head of Hearts defender Alan Lithgow who powered in goal bound attempt from a corner. Half Time - Rangers 1 Hearts 0 Stephen Frail made 3 changes to the Hearts side at Half Time, all to the middle and forward line, to try and take the game to Rangers but it was goalkeeper Bjornsson who made the most impact on 53 minutes when he was caught in posession inside his box and as he tried to clear he was challenged by Lennon, as the ball broke it favoured the Rangers man and Lennon then had the easiest of tasks prodding the ball into the gapping net to double the lead. Only a minute later with Hearts now showing more attacking prowess it was Joe Sagar who found himself in an identical situation only this time the break of the ball favoured the goalkeeper as the ball spun out of play. The changes made to the Jambos attacking line up paid off in 68 minutes as Gary Glen twisted and hit a half volley over Sagar and into the corner of the home net to bring Hearts back into it. Rangers substitute Ally Park was to make the match safe on 76 minutes when he collected a perfectly floated cross field pass from Andy Shinnie on the edge of the 18 yard box, unmarked he moved forward to steady himself and then unleashed a perfect curling shot with the inside of his right boot past the despairing and outstreched Bjornsson. Hearts treid again to close the gap a minute later but William McLachlan was the hero this time as he cleared the goal bound shot off the line. Steven Stirling was outstanding in the match and on 83 minutes he broke through the hearts defence down his right, the first cross was blocked but he regained the ball and his second attempt was perfect for Lennon to claim his hat trick but the strikers shot rattled the post to deny him. Right on full time Shaun Kelly found himself in referee Rodney Marshalls book when he downed Andy Shinnie with a clumsy tackle borne out of frustration. It had been a superb display against a side who had always made it very close, but this time there was a style and organisation about the performance which saw outstanding contributions from Rangers midfield and forwards. The standard has now been set for the Under 19's, a standard which if maintained will surely see the title back at Murray Park after a five year absence. The Teams; Rangers - Sagar, McLachlan, Donald, McMillan, Gallagher, Emslie, Stirling, Furman (Craig 86), Lennon, Shinnie, Woods (Park 71). Subs not used - Adam, Perry, Smith, Hadden Heart of Midlothian - Bjornsson, Kelly, McDonald, Brown, Lithgow, Mearns, Mackle (Divine 45), Forter (Baxter 45), Glen, Jonsson, Park (Hamilton 45). Subs not used - Amos, Stewart

http://www.gersnet.info/fmrangers/newmain/190806.html Firstly I'll start by defining the word hypocrite: Webster's Dictionary has the following: I wouldn't normally waste my or your time by talking about Celtic or one of their players but considering this 'man' is going to be all over the papers for the next few days I think it's only fair we see this wolf without the sheep's clothing. Firstly we'll discuss Lennon's disgraceful claims in Saturday's Daily Record (as proven liar Hugh Keevins did previously a few weeks back) that Rangers didn't sign him in the early 80s as he was a catholic. This simply isn't true and is heresay of the highest order. I'd imagine if this was the case Rangers would not even have asked Lennon over from NI. Why waste time and money if the school-boy signing wasn't to happen because of his religion. Interestingly, Rangers signed John Spencer in 1984 and he was also a catholic. Before that Rangers had dozens of catholic players since our inception in 1872. Certainly seems to counter the Record's claims of signing policies and the like. I'd suggest that Lennon wasn't signed simply because he wasn't good enough. Nothing else. The same article quotes Lennon as saying his father "expressed his grave reservations about me ever signing for Rangers, not least because it could place my personal safety, and that of the rest of my family, at risk from the actions of extremists". Perhaps there is some truth in this statement as I can recall Mo Johnston and Neil McCann both having trouble from such people. Not Rangers fans of course, but Celtic fans who took umbrage when they signed for Scotland's most successful club. Indeed, Johnston has had to make his life away from this country due to the same 'extremists' Lennon's father talks about. Moreover, Lennon himself had trouble from his own fans a few years back - his father self-imposing an exile on himself from Parkhead due to the treatment his son got for his defensive style of play. Do we see a pattern here? Going back to the definition above we read about false pretending and acting. Lennon does a great job of this. Time after time we read sympathising articles from his many similar friends in the Scottish media about how he is the victim of sectarianism and abuse during his time in Scotland. Now, I've no doubt the guy does suffer from the occassional bit of such behaviour and no-one should be subjected to this. Ask Ian Ferguson. Or Mo Johnston. Or Neil McCann. Or maybe wee Lenny should take the advice given to Ian Ferguson by his friend and greatest supporter Martin O'Neill when he was asked about the terrible sectarian taunts Ian Ferguson used to receive from Celtic fans: "He's man enough to ignore it". Speaking of sectarian behaviour and abuse Lennon has been guilty of the very same - strange from a man who abhors it and admits his life has been negatively affected by it? It's been that bad he took it upon himself to call the Rangers bench and fans 'Dirty Orange Bastards' during a heated Old Firm game in November 2004. During the same game he spat on a Rangers scarf right in front of the Copland Road stand. Not that you'll read anything about that in his book I'm sure. Certainly he (or his club) have never shown any regret for his behaviour that day. Indeed, the following year, Celtic made this man their captain. A great role model I'm sure. The following year he was found guilty of threatening behaviour towards officials after another defeat at Ibrox. Some Old Firm (well Rangers) players have actually been convicted of similar behaviour in the past. Not the eternal 'victim' though. Earlier this season we all read the stories about Lennon's cheating with various different women and how he was again guilty of threatening behaviour towards one of his various pregnant girlfriends. Now, some newspapers should never be believed at face value. However, Lennon (and his club) have never denied these stories so I think given the usual urgent PR responses from Celtic when a negative story does appear in the press (it does happen now and again I hear) didn't occur in this case, we can safely assume the stories are true. All of this article so far paints a very different picture from the one you'll read in this weekend's papers. Indeed, one which fits the earlier definition perfectly. Let's not be timid here. Neil Lennon is the worst kind of person one could ever meet. More than half of Glasgow doesn't like the man. More than half of Scotland detests the man. Everywhere he goes he brings the worst out in people. That's NOT, I repeat NOT, because Neil Lennon is a catholic. That's NOT because Neil Lennon is even a Celtic player. It's because Neil Lennon is a cheat. Neil Lennon is a liar. Neil Lennon is a hypocrite who is the very bigot he complains about so often. The same goes for every newspaper and journalist who gives this man (and I use the term loosely) the platform to air his hypocritical views.

Taken from SportingLife.com

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4792973.stm WTF:eek: Darn Celtic supporters!!! BTW i like the way it says he just ran away

Neil Lennon has been entirely 'dropped' from the Celtic squad, and once again Stephen McManus has been given the captain's armband. 2 stories have emerged from Chick Young: 1: He was escorted from the stadium in temper 2: He actually just has a hamstring injury. Also interestingly the top 3 sides with 100% records (and Celtic) all play each other today - so some things have to give today which can only play into our hands.

John Terry http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4780745.stm Strange choice I have to say, I'd have appointed Neville the new captain. On a side note, doesn't JT follow Celtic?