BARRY ROBSON reckons Celtic's new manager does not need to worry about major squad surgery in the summer.
As far as he's concerned the players who lost the championship to Rangers are good enough to grab it back.
Crocked Robson was sorely missed by Gordon Strachan for the Hoops' fateful run-in, but he is convinced they still have the makings of a team to rule Scottish football again.
And he has every faith in his own ability to impress once he fully recovers from a second groin operation.
Scotland ace Robson, 30, said: "The squad will be needing re-shaped in a certain way. But that happens every year at a club like Celtic.
"Yes, maybe we need one or two signings.
"Of course, there are players out of contract and there might be others who want to leave. You don't know.
"But I think the nucleus of the squad is full of young, fresh talent that can bring the club forward. Depending on who goes, I don't think there's a need for major changes.
"The age group is extremely young and there's also a couple of good, experienced players who can help things along.
"So I think Celtic are in great shape for next season.
"The finances of the club are great right now and the club is run perfectly. It is in great condition at the moment. There is a massive fanbase and we have a brilliant new training centre.
"With all that, added to the nucleus of the squad, a new manager can come in and look forward to working with what he's got here.
"Things are run properly here and what money is made goes back into the squad.
"What else can the directors do? You can't go into debt, you can't start being silly when running a football club.
"You can't start throwing millions down the drain. Celtic is a proper football club. We'll be back next season and I know how hungry and how good the players are here.
"They will go on and take this team forward again.
"Despite not winning the league, we're in great shape for next season. We have a young vibrant squad that does need to be added to.
"If I had come here and hadn't done the business for Gordon Strachan I wouldn't have played.
"The new manager will come in and if you don't do the business you won't play.
"If you do, you will. It's as simple as that. It's all about working hard and making sure you take your chance if you get it.
"If you don't, it's about your own deficiencies.
"I don't know who is going to be the next gaffer, but I'm sure all the candidates will be looking at the squad to see what needs to be done.
"But I don't think there is much to be changed."
Robson has heard all the names linked with the job, including his former manager Craig Levein.
But he's relaxed about it all, while still gutted that Strachan has gone.
Robson added: "As long as it's done before the start of the season. There's no hurry.
"The main thing for us is getting the right man.
"It was disappointing for me that Gordon left because we got on well with him and enjoyed a tremendous amount of success.
"I think people tend to forget he won three league titles and three cups and reached the last 16 of the Champions League twice.
"And I also don't think the budget he had to work with was as big as it has been for previous managers.
"So take it as you will, I believe that to be success.
"To learn off him as a football man, he's incredible.
"I'm just glad I got the chance to work with him. He improved me as a player, he made me think about the game a lot more.
"And I'm sure if you asked every other player here they would say the same thing."
Meanwhile, Robson revealed he could have been back in action earlier if an original op had been successful.
He said: "The first operation I got wasn't right, so I had to go and see another specialist. I had to get him to make things right.
"Hopefully this time it will be fixed."
THE Tommy Burns Tribute match kicks off at Celtic Park at 2pm on Sunday.
Tickets are still on sale at the ticket office, which is open from 9am-1pm today and until kick-off.
But whoever it is has some very small shoes to fill.
Because for all the high standards Gordon Strachan demanded from the world, when it came to winning friends and influencing people, he set the bar low.
Yet still managed to limbo under it.
Yes, the Parkhead legions were grateful for the trophies he won them. They just didn't like him much.
Sure, TV and radio audiences couldn't wait for his next interview. But only so they could fume at him.
As for guys like me? Personally speaking, I really, really wanted to get on with him. It's just that he made it really, REALLY hard.
In short, this is a guy who had the chance to walk on carpets of rose petals - and instead earned himself a throne made of thorns.
A contrary little b****r who loved nothing better - in team selection, tactics and reaction to criticism - than confounding expectations.
Why? That's simple. Because he's a contrary b****r with Wee Man's Syndrome.
Some wee men, and I speak as a paid-up member of the gang, make up for in personality what they lack in height.
But Strachan displayed a Napoleon complex, the need to niggle and nark at anyone and everyone who pushed his buttons.
He simply couldn't take being questioned, particularly by those he felt didn't have the right.
He loved it when he was asked after games how he felt, because it let him say - all together now - that there was no point him explaining, because we'll never know.
What he didn't get, though, was that we asked because we didn't know.
It's called human interaction. It's about learning from each other.
But no. Press conferences were obligations he couldn't wait to fulfil and get the hell out of.
Again, though, what he didn't get was that in rubber-earing the media, he was actually showing disrespect to the tens of thousands of supporters who buy the season tickets and the replica kits.
Each snidey comment, each arrogant refusal to explain himself, put a bigger and bigger wedge between them and himself. By Sunday, it made the Grand Canyon look like a crack in the pavement.
For me, it's hell of a sad that a man who won six trophies in four years and twice made the last 16 of the Champions League should be able to walk away in such a ho-hum way.
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Yet it's an unavoidable truth that Strachan brought this ending on himself by his refusal to go out of his way to win over his doubters and the belligerent media persona he created for himself.
Even here, though, there's a contradiction - because whenever something came up that he did want to talk about, you couldn't stop him.
Phone-in critics. Loudmouthed neds. Website warriors stirring up trouble. Lack of discipline in schools and homes. When it suited, he spouted - and he was always fascinating.
I'll miss that. And I'll miss having someone around who plainly loved the game as much as he did.
But the football itself? Sorry, but it had been a grind for two and a bit seasons.
The squad he leaves behind? Sorry again, but half the signings are bad ones and the other half have lost the spark they had when they arrived.
From the embarrassingly overpriced and oversized Adam Virgo, through Du Wei and Thomas Gravesen to Massimo Donati and Georgios Samaras, he's brought more than his fair share of duds.
In guys like Paul Hartley and Barry Robson he's taken driven, exciting talents and made them play in straight lines and straitjackets.
In Aiden McGeady he made an enemy of a terracing hero. In Artur Boruc he let a man who needed the hairdryer treatment away with murder.
And amid this messy melding together of the indisciplined, the unwilling and the unable, he couldn't cash in on three-in-a-row by laying the foundations for a decade of domination.
On Sunday, I wrote that fed-up fans walked out on him in their thousands before he could walk out on them.
Now, it's fair to say he's quit before the board had to decide he had to go.
Their task now is to find a replacement who's a bigger man. In so many ways.
Forty-two years ago this week Jock Stein's Lisbon Lions became the first British team to win the European Cup. Read the Guardian's original match report and Hugh McIlvanney's take and share your memories...
The latest instalments in our series of classic reports are from 1967. On 25 May Celtic became the first British team to win the European Cup, an achievement that saw them immortalised in football history as the Lisbon Lions. The first piece is Albert Barham's stylish match report, which appeared in the Guardian on 26 May .
Barham, known to his colleagues as Bert, was the Guardian's football correspondent in London during the late 1960s and early '70s. He was troubled by heart problems, a legacy of his day serving as a Chindit in Burma under Brigadier Wingate during the second world war. "After you've done that, writing about football is pretty small beer" observed his successor on the paper, David Lacey.
The second piece is a terrific on-the-ground report by Hugh McIlvanney in The Observer. McIlvanney, a Scot himself, revels in the atmosphere in Lisbon. His obvious rapport with the fans and players is in sharp contrast with the way football journalism works today. McIlvanney builds his story on the incidental details and colourful asides he sees and hears. He remains the only British sportswriter to have been voted Journalist of the Year.
Celtic flags fly triumphantly in the evening shadows here today. At last, like the World Cup, the European Cup comes home to Britain. Celtic are the new champions and worthy ones at that, having beaten Inter Milan 2–1 in the final after a remarkable match; by sheer determination when all seemed stacked against them, when frustration and defeat stared them straight in the eye.
There is no individual hero. Every man gave his all. No other British club has ever reached the final, let alone win Europe's most coveted prize. And as the shadows lengthened just five minutes away from extra time Celtic scored the winning goal. It seemed the final minutes would never pass for their 7,000 supporters, who had travelled so far and so hopefully. It was like Wembley all over again after the Scottish victory against England.
Jubilation was everywhere as the supporters cavorted around their heroes. But hope had been slim for so long. Not for an hour could the despairing Scots break the defensive wall Inter built round their goal. Inter have done it so often, so successfully, it seemed Celtic, for all Johnstone's cunning and Murdoch's support of the forwards, had not the key to prise apart the tall Facchetti from his cohorts, Burgnich, Guarneri, and Bedin. But the assistance from the backs and particularly the shooting of Gemmell from outside the wall, was rewarded in the end.
For all the great expectation of high tension no one could have expected it to erupt so sharply or suddenly. Within the first six minutes Celtic were a goal down to a penalty. It came as Craig fouled Cappellini and was scored by Mazzola for whom this must have been an emotional experience for it was here his father played his last match before he died so tragically in the air crash afterwards. Inter, for all their leisurely approach, snapped into action near goal with surprising skill and speed and only seconds before the goal Cappellini sprinted down the wing and Mazzola's low header glanced off Simpson's knees.
From that disastrous goal, however, Celtic gained in strength. Back came Inter into the old familiar pattern of massed defence behind which stalked Sarti plucking the high shots out of the air. There was no way through for Celtic. There was no way over the wall either. It had to be from outside the wall in the hope of a chink being made that success could come.
Celtic waited so long. Incident piled upon incident, thrill upon thrill. Auld hit the crossbar, a low left foot shot from Johnstone was smothered by Sarti, who in the next minute tipped a header from Johnstone over the crossbar.
Nine men were pulled back to stem Celtic. Inter were well content and determined to hold what they had. It demanded defence of the highest order against an attack as consistent and resolute as Celtic's. Sarti just managed to smother one free-kick which Gemmell deflected off this wall of defence. Later, lobbing rather speculatively, Gemmell's shot hit the bar as the evening sun glinted in Sarti's eyes. And all the while Inter had not threatened again. And when they needed to come from their defensive box they could not.
Gemmell claimed the goal which brought Celtic level after an hour, and what a beautifully taken goal it was, coming from the clever understanding of Murdoch and Craig. This time the groping fingers of Sarti could not touch Gemmell's fierce, first-time shot. With the goal came renewed hope for in spite of Inter's stubborn defence, Celtic were back with a real chance. It did not come until five minutes from time and then Chalmers was promptly submerged by his jubilant colleagues after he had scored the most crucial goal of his career. And so on to the rejoicing.
INTER MILAN — Sarti: Picchi, Burgnich, Guarneri, Fachetti, Bedin: Corso, Bicicli, Mazzola, Cappellini, Domenghini.
IMMORTALITY FOR CELTIC'S BIG MAN
HUGH McILVANNEY reports from Portugal on the implications of Glasgow Celtic's great victory.
Today Lisbon is almost, but not quite, back in Portuguese hands at the end of the most hysterically exuberant occupation any city has ever known. Pockets of Celtic supporters are holding out in unlikely corners, noisily defending their own carnival atmosphere against the returning tide of normality, determined to preserve the moment, to make the party go on and on.
They emerge with a sudden flood of Glasgow accents from taxis or cafes, or let their voices carry with an irresistible aggregate of decibels across hotel lounges. Always, even among the refugees who turn up at the British Embassy bereft of everything but the rumpled clothes they stand in, the talk is of that magical hour-and-a-half under the hot sun on Thursday in the breathtaking, tree-fringed amphitheatre of the national stadium.
Clean sweep
At the airport, the impression is of a Dunkirk with happiness. The discomforts of mass evacuation are tolerable when your team have just won the greatest victory yet achieved by a British football club, and completed a clean sweep of the trophies available to them that has never been equalled anywhere in the world.
They even cheered Helenio Herrera and his shattered Inter when the Italians left for Milan yesterday evening. "Inter, Inter, Inter." The chant resounded convincingly through the departure lounge, but no one was misled. In that mood, overflowing with conquerors' magnanimity they might have given Scot Symon a round of applause.
Typically, within a minute the same happily dishevelled groups were singing: "Ee Aye Addio, Herrera's on the Buroo." The suggestion that the most highly paid manager in Europe is likely to be queueing at the Labour Exchange is rather wild but the comment emphasised that even the least analytical fan had seen through the hectic excitement of a unique performance to the essential meaning of the event.
Mundo Desportivo of Lisbon put it another way: "It was inevitable. Sooner or later the Inter of Herrera, the Inter of catenaccio, of negative football, of marginal victories, had to pay for their refusal to play entertaining football." The Portuguese rejoiced over the magnificent style in which Celtic had taken retribution on behalf of the entire game.
A few of us condemned Herrera unequivocally two years ago after Inter had won the European Cup at their own San Siro Stadium by defending with neurotic caution to protect a luckily gained one-goal lead against a Benfica side with only nine fit men. But he continued to receive around £30,000 a year for stifling the flair, imagination, boldness and spontaneity that make football what it is. And he was still held in awe by people who felt that the statistics of his record justified the sterility of his methods.
Now, however, nearly everyone appreciates the dangers of his influence. The twelfth European Cup final showed how shabbily his philosophy compares with the dynamically positive thinking of Jock Stein. Before the match Stein told me:
"Inter will play it defensively. That's their way and it's their business. But we feel we have a duty to play the game our way, and our way is to attack. Win or lose, we want to make the game worth remembering. Just to be involved in an occasion like this is a tremendous honour and we think it puts an obligation on us. We can be as hard and professional as anybody, but I mean it when I say that we don't just want to win this cup. We want to win it playing good football, to make neutrals glad we've done it, glad to remember how we did it."
Vital positions
The effects of such thinking, and of Stein's genius for giving it practical expression, were there for all the football world to see on Thursday. Of course, he has wonderful players, a team without a serious weakness and with tremendous strengths in vital positions. But when one had eulogised the exhilarating speed and the bewildering variety of skills that destroyed Inter – the unshakable assurance of Clark, the murderously swift overlapping of the full-backs, the creative energy of Auld in midfield, the endlessly astonishing virtuosity of Johnstone, the intelligent and ceaseless running of Chalmers – even with all this, ultimately the element that impressed most profoundly was the massive heart of this Celtic side.
Nothing symbolised it more vividly than the incredible display of Gemmell. He was almost on his knees with fatigue before scoring that minute but somehow his courage forced him to go on dredging up the strength to continue with the exhausting runs along the left wing that did more than any other single factor to demoralise Inter.
Gemmell has the same aggressive pride, the same contempt for any thought of defeat, that emanates from Auld. Before the game Auld cut short a discussion about the possible ill-effects of the heat and the firm ground with a blunt declaration that they would lick the Italians in any conditions.
When he had been rescued from the delirious crowd and was walking back to the dressing rooms after Celtic had overcome all the bad breaks to vindicate his confidence Auld – naked to the waist except for an Inter shirt knotted round his neck like a scarf – suddenly stopped in his tracks and shouted to Ronnie Simpson, who was walking ahead:
"Hey, Ronnie Simpson, what are we? What are we, son?" He stood there sweating, showing his white teeth between parched lips flecked with saliva. Then he answered his own question with a belligerent roar. "We're the greatest. That's what we are. The greatest." Simpson came running back and they embraced for a full minute.
Stein's heart
In the dressing room, as the other players unashamedly sang their supporters' songs in the showers and drank champagne from the huge Cup ("Have you had a bevy out of this?"), Auld leaned forward to Sean Fallon, the trainer, and asked with mock seriousness: "Would you say I was the best? Was I your best man?"
"They've all got Stein's heart," said a Glasgow colleague. "There's a bit of the big man in all of them." Certainly the preparation for this final and the winning of it were impregnated with Stein's personality. Whether warning the players against exposing themselves to the sun ("I don't even want you near the windows in your rooms. If there's as much as a freckle on any man's arm he's for home") or joking with reporters beside the hotel swimming pool in Estoril, his was the all-pervading influence.
Despite the extreme tension he must have felt, he never lost the bantering humour that keeps the morale of his expeditions unfailingly high. The impact of the Celtic invasion on the local Catholic churches was a rewarding theme for him. "They're getting some gates since we came. The nine o'clock and ten o'clock Masses were all-ticket. They've had to get extra plates. How do they divide the takings here? Is it fifty-fifty or in favour of the home club?"
Ecstatic praise
It was hard work appearing so relaxed and the effort eventually took its toll on Stein when he made a dive for the dressing rooms a minute before the end of the game, unable to stand any more. When we reached him there, he kept muttering: "What a performance. What a performance."
It was left to Bill Shankly, the Scottish manager of Liverpool (and the only English club manager present), to supply the summing-up quote. "John," Shankly said with the solemnity of a man to whom football is a religion, "you're immortal."
An elderly Portuguese official cornered Stein and delivered ecstatic praise of Celtic's adventurous approach. "This attacking play, this is the real meaning of football. This is the true game." Stein slapped him on the shoulder. "Go on, I could listen to you all night." Then, turning to the rest of us, "Fancy anybody saying that about a Scottish team."
There is good reason to hope that people will say such things about Scottish and English clubs with increasing frequency in the near future. Now that the Continental monopoly of the European Cup has been broken, British football is poised for a period of domination.
Glasgow Rangers can strike the next blow when they meet Bayern Munich in the final of the European Cup for Cup Winners at Nurnberg next Wednesday. Scot Symon has rebuilt his Rangers team with patient thoroughness this season, and their thrilling draw with Celtic at Ibrox three weeks ago confirmed how far they have come. Spurred by their great rivals' achievement, they will not be easily denied.
Continental clubs can expect no respite next season when the powerful challenge from Scotland will be backed by the presence of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the two major competitions. It seems unlikely that anything short of the personal intervention of De Gaulle can prevent us from being in among the European prizes again.
David Friel CELTIC’S quest for four-in-a-row ended in disappointment on Sunday afternoon as the Hoops were held to a 0-0 draw by Hearts. Gordon Strachan’s side created the best chances in a frustrating 90 minutes but were continually denied by a well-organised Tynecastle outfit.
In the end, Celtic’s result didn’t matter as Rangers beat Dundee United 3-0 at Tannadice to seal the championship and leave the Hoops heartbroken.
Scott Brown passed a late fitness test to take his place in the Celtic starting XI. Darren O’Dea returned to the team in place of Lee Naylor at left-back.
Celtic Park was full to capacity as the Hoops supporters looked to play their part. There was a rousing rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ but Hearts weren’t there just to make up the numbers.
The first quarter of the match saw Celtic dominate possession. Yet the Jambos, with five men across midfield, were giving little space away.
Shunsuke Nakamura, always probing for an opening, came close with a free-kick in nine minutes. With everyone expecting a trademark curler, the Japanese star went for a low effort but Marian Kello saved.
Artur Boruc, barring a few crosses, wasn’t being tested. At the other end, Kello was having a busier afternoon as Celtic began to create chances.
In 21 minutes, Brown surged forward, exchanged passes with Scott McDonald, and forced Kello into a low save. The ball rebounded to the Australian and he blazed over from seven yards.
Aiden McGeady started to have more of a say in the game and almost opened the scoring in 28 minutes. He moved in from the left, played a one-two with McDonald and fired a low shot that was tipped on to the post by Kello.
It was a superb attempt by McGeady and he turned creator soon after. Dancing in from the right, he slipped a pass to Nakamura and Kello again pulled off the save.
Brown was next to have a go in 37 minutes. He burst forward, sprinted on to a Nakamura pass, cut inside and fired over the bar. Celtic forced a succession of corners in the closing stages of the half. However, Hearts had the best chance when Gary Caldwell cleared off the line from a Calum Elliot shot.
With Rangers leading at Tannadice, Celtic were up against it as half-time arrived. The second half started with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink coming on for Georgios Samaras.
McGeady had Celtic’s first effort of the second period. Moving on to an O’Dea knockdown, the winger rolled his shot wide of target.
Vennegoor of Hesselink, under pressure in the box, looped a header over the bar but chances were few and far between. McDonald, finding space at the edge of the box, curled a shot over in 69 minutes.
That was the Aussie’s last involvement. He was replaced by Shaun Maloney seconds later as Celtic looked for inspiration. The little attacker was sent through by Brown soon after coming on but Kello made the save. Maloney then headed wide before the end as Hearts held out.
Celtic have only themselves to blame if the title goes back to Ibrox
As Rangers seek the victory that will land them the SPL for the first time since 2005, Celtic rue a costly bout of travel sickness
How has it come to this? The question Celtic's supporters can legitimately ask as they adopt a prayer mat and radio approach to the final day of the Scottish Premier League season.
From an apparently unassailable position at the turn of the year, when Gordon Strachan's team led Rangers by seven points, momentum has shifted. And how. Victory for Rangers over Dundee United on Sunday will secure the title; Celtic's only hope of salvation is that United's bid to earn European football means they earn at least a point and, in turn, the defending champions beat Hearts. The Tynecastle side, after all, will arrive at Parkhead with only pride and a little bit of mischief-making in mind, their supporters still wounded by the loss of a championship to Celtic in the dying minutes of the 1985-86 season.
If Rangers close the deal, and there would be no excuse if they don't, given they have waited four years to be in this position, it would be tricky to sway from the theory that Celtic have lost, rather than their great rivals won, this championship. It will prompt controversy, but the assertion of Georgios Samaras that Celtic's mistakes would have played the pivotal role in a Rangers title win is correct. Not only on the field, either. Rangers have returned nine more points than Celtic since January, hence the league position turnaround.
Travel sickness has undermined Strachan's bid for four in a row, perhaps calamitously. The Celtic manager is fond of quoting statistics relating to possession, shots on target, corners et al. Strachan can, in fact, give the distinct impression Celtic have played like Samba superstars even in defeat. Yet it is no longer lost on him that the most important number of all, that in the goals-scored column, has been Celtic's downfall.
Their last two away matches, at Easter Road and Ibrox, have failed to return a single goal. That fact comes despite concerted spells of territorial dominance in each. A more damning statistic shows that, since Celtic defeated Rangers on 27 December, they have dropped points in nine out of 17 league matches. Hardly title-winning touch.
Celtic have won two SPL matches away from their own patch in 2009, not since last November have three victories in succession been returned.
Rangers' form, of course, has been far from lamentable since that defeat at Ibrox during the festive season and they are due great credit from recovering from what was a sizeable blow. Nonetheless, what cannot be ignored is the extent of Celtic's relative strength and dominant position at that juncture.
The reasoning behind Celtic's capitulation will forever be unclear. The signs were in place as early as 3 January when a two-goal lead and therefore two points were surrendered against Dundee United. Whether Strachan's players simply felt Rangers lacked the experience or ability to overhaul them, or they believed too much in their own talents, there has been a definite loss of focus and form. The manager should largely be exempt from criticism, perhaps his tendency to stick by underperforming squad members aside.
Fiscal prudence is the want of any club's board; attempting to stay only half a pace ahead of your biggest rivals at a time when they are weak is another matter entirely. Celtic's January transfer operations resulted in just a single player, Willo Flood, arriving into Strachan's first-team party. Rangers, meanwhile, were desperately trying to flog anyone they could in order to balance the books.
Dermot Desmond, the Celtic majority shareholder, is known to have a fondness for gambling but this was one of his biggest of all. It may yet pay off, Celtic may retain their title, but it would have been more troublesome than if even two high-profile players had been signed four months ago. Celtic have not been shy recently to publicise their financial strength; a factor which will not matter one iota to supporters if the championship has changed hands by tea time on Sunday.
Given their financial situation, it has been widely known that a failure to win the league this time around would have huge implications for Rangers. Celtic, though, dithered. Anyone who has watched Hibernian's impressive centre-forward Steven Fletcher this season would be hard pushed to argue he would not represent a fine partner for Scott McDonald in the Celtic team. A bid was indeed lodged from Glasgow's east end for the player; that it was done at the eleventh hour in January suggests either a misplaced arrogance on the part of Celtic or they weren't actually that desperate to secure the Scotland international. The form of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Samaras thereafter has hardly backed up whatever reasoning was prevalent.
Strachan, given his success since 2005, was worthy of more backing from his board than was forthcoming. History suggests Celtic will dispose of Hearts on Sunday. It also hints – Rangers have not won at Tannadice since 2006 – that their great rivals will not be allowed to charge over the finishing line in rousing fashion. Yet if Glasgow's blue half are to celebrate on Sunday night, their rivals have more cause to rue a series of missed opportunities than exhibit basic despondency.
Celtic heading to Australia for July friendly!
CELTIC will play a friendly match in Australia this summer. The game in Queensland against Brisbane Roar will take place on Sunday, July 12 at Suncorp Stadium.
And it will give the many thousands of Celtic supporters in Australia the opportunity to see the Hoops in action, with striker Scott McDonald returning home.
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said the club was delighted to accept the invitation to play in Australia.
“Celtic are fortunate to enjoy the support of millions of people worldwide,” he said, “and it will be a great privilege to ensure that many of our Australian supporters have the chance to see the team play in their own country.
“As well as playing in the match we are hoping to stage a number of other supporter events and we are sure we will make this a trip to remember for Celtic and our fans.”
The Queensland Government were delighted to announce the ‘coup’ of getting Celtic to play there, and Premier Anna Bligh also said that the game against Brisbane Roar would constitute the annual ‘Queensland Roars Against Racism’.
“The ‘world game’ is surely the best vehicle to send the important message that racism will not be tolerated in Queensland,” she said.
“And given the enormous fan base Celtic has throughout the world, we are expecting their game against the Roar to be a sell-out.
“This game will bring thousands of people to Brisbane and will not only boost the game’s profile in Queensland but it will provide a much-needed economic boost as well.”
Among the stars of the Brisbane Roar side are two names familiar to Celtic fans. Former Rangers players Craig Moore, who captains the side, and Charlie Miller, the Hyundai A-League Player of the Year are set to play in the game.
Brisbane Roar general manager Peter McLennan said: “This is a contest that should excite every football fan in Queensland, not just those who follow the famous green and white Hoops.”
And the Queensland Government’s Sport Minister Phil Reeves said it was another example of how the decision to build the world-class Suncorp Stadium was attracting world-famous sporting teams.
“If there is any doubt Queensland is home to world-class sporting stadiums, then this should put that to rest,” he said.
“Brisbane benefits economically from suh events and football fans get to see one of the world’s greatest and most popular teams play in their own backyard.
“The thousands of jobs generated from such an event and the spin-offs for tourism and hospitality is enormous.”
May 10
The Huns beat Celtic.1-0. In the pouring rain and we went into the game without Brown, McManus and Robson.
50-goal Scott is celtic's wizard of oz
David Friel SCOTT McDONALD completed a half-century of Celtic goals with two priceless second-half strikes to give the Hoops a 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Chris Maguire headed the Dons into an early lead but Celtic levelled on the stroke of half-time when Andrew Considine deflected Gary Caldwell’s header into his own net.
Both sides had chances in the second period but McDonald had the final say – producing two perfect finishes, one of which came in injury-time, to give Gordon Strachan’s side three vital points.
It was McDonald’s 49th and 50th goals for Celtic and leaves the reigning champions four points ahead of Rangers. The Ibrox side play Hearts on Sunday, before next weekend’s Glasgow derby.
With Scott Brown suspended, Paul Hartley was restored to the Celtic line-up. He partnered Marc Crosas in central midfield, while captain Stephen McManus recovered from injury to return in defence. However, he lasted just 50 minutes.
Aberdeen had the first chance of the match in four minutes and what an opening it was. Gary McDonald won possession and sent Maguire clear on Artur Boruc. The Dons striker seemed certain to score but his lob drifted wide.
Celtic’s McDonald, drifting in from the left flank, sent a low shot skidding past the left post as Celtic had their first effort of the match. The Aussie then forced a routine save from Jamie Langfield with a speculative shot.
Aiden McGeady was next to threaten for Celtic in 12 minutes. Crosas sent McDonald free on the left and the striker picked out McGeady on the edge of the box. The winger’s curling shot flew narrowly wide.
Boruc was called into action for the first time soon after when he produced a fine save to deny Sone Aluko. Andreas Hinkel immediately fired a long ball to McDonald but Langfield was quick off his line to thwart the danger.
Midway through the first half, Aberdeen took the lead through Maguire. Once again, Charlie Mulgrew – whose free-kicks caused Celtic problems on their last visit to Pittodrie – was the creator with a curling delivery that Maguire headed past Boruc from close range.
Aberdeen were enjoying a good spell. Maguire forced Boruc into a near-post save, before Scott Severin, unmarked at the back post, blazed over from a Mulgrew corner.
On the half-hour mark, Hartley thought he’d grabbed the equaliser. The midfielder harried Severin and won possession 30 yards out. With little back-lift, he sent a volley soaring towards the top corner. Langfield somehow tipped it over.
The Aberdeen goalkeeper was having a good day and he saved a low McDonald shot in 36 minutes. Seconds later, McGeady volleyed over the bar.
It was proving to be a tense and frantic first 45 minutes, but Celtic managed to grab the equaliser seconds before the break. Nakamura’s curling free-kick found Caldwell and his header was deflected past Langfield by Considine.
McManus, clearly struggling through injury, was replaced by Glenn Loovens five minutes into the second half. Almost immediately, Maguire came close to grabbing a bizarre second when he charged down a Boruc clearance and the ball bounced wide.
McGeady’s curling effort soared over the bar in 53 minutes. The winger then teed up Lee Naylor, but his shot was tipped over by the outstanding Langfield.
Aberdeen were always a threat and Tommy Wright was handed a golden chance in 58 minutes. Surging through on Boruc, Caldwell made a last-ditch saving tackle to deny the Dons striker.
Langfield saved from Hartley as Celtic applied more pressure. Time was ticking on and the need for a goal was becoming even more pressing. The Dons, however, were making life extremely difficult for Celtic.
Yet, just as he has done so many times over the last two years, McDonald produced the goods at the right time with a 72nd-minute strike. Andy Hinkel got the assist with a low cross and McDonald’s finish was clinical.
The Australian could have scored again instantly when he was sent through by McGeady, but he took the ball too wide and the chance was lost. Nakamura’s curling free-kick also whistled past Langfield’s right-hand post.
Celtic weren’t finished though. In injury-time, Boruc’s long kick was flicked on by Nakamura and McDonald raced clear to fire the ball past Langfield and seal three precious points for the league leaders.
It's great Scott
By ROBERT GRIEVE
SCOTT BROWN was named Scotland’s Player of the Year by his fellow pros on Sunday night.
And Celtic boss Gordon Strachan sealed a Hoops double when he was named Manager of the Year.
Midfielder Brown beat team-mate Gary Caldwell and Rangers pair Steven Davis and Pedro Mendes to win the players’ award.
And Strachan beamed: “Scott is a fantastic choice. He was nominated along with Gary Caldwell, who has been excellent, and Pedro Mendes too.
“But Scott has been absolutely terrific, he is a joy to work with.
“He is a work in progress and I am delighted for him.
“Life wasn’t great for Scott last year so this is fantastic for him.”
Strachan was also delighted with his own award which came on the same night the Aberdeen team which lifted the 1983 Cup Winners’ Cup received a special merit award from the PFA.
Strachan added: “That Aberdeen team set me on the road to being here.
“Without their help I wouldn’t have gone to Manchester United or any further. It’s that sliding doors thing.
“If I hadn’t been successful with Aberdeen I wouldn’t be here as manager of Celtic. I had two players involved for the Player of the Year award which one of them won so it’s a great night for us.
“For me personally it’s always nice to get a pat on the back.
“There are times as a manager when you think the whole world is against you it’s nice to know people appreciate the work that you do.”
Hamilton Accies starlet James McCarthy was named Young Player of the Year. In the other awards young Livingston striker Leigh Griffiths was the First Division’s top player.
Ayr United striker Bryan Prunty took the Second Division award and Bobby Barr of Albion Rovers came out top in the Third Division.
Mendes won goal of the season for his long-range strike against Celtic in August.
Former Dons skipper Willie Miller was delighted to see his class of 83 honoured.
He said: “This is another recognition for what we achieved.”
Club Name: The Celtic Football Club Nickname: Bhoys, Hoops, Celts, Tic
Ground / Stadium:
Celtic Park (also known as Parkhead) Capacity: 60,832
Celtic Football Club were founded in 1888 and since their inception they have developed into one of the top clubs competing in the Scottish League. Celtic form one half of the Scottish Premier League’s “Old Firm” along with bitter city rivals Rangers FC. This rivalry has existed throughout the ages and is well known as being one of the longest and deep rooted rivalries in football with Celtic being a predominantly Catholic club and Rangers a predominantly protestant club.
Celtic have enjoyed enormous success domestically lifting the Premier League title and the Scottish Cup on numerous occasions. Indeed, along with bitter rivals Rangers, Celtic are one of the top two clubs in Scotland and they both dominate the Scottish Premiership.
In addition to domestic honours Celtic have also impressed on the European stage and in 1967 they became the first British team to win the European Champion’s Cup. The year 1967 in fact became a watershed year for Celtic as along with the European Champion’s Cup they lifted the Scottish League title, the Scottish Cup, the Scottish League Cup and the Glasgow Cup.
Celtic reached the European final again in 1970 only to be ultimately beat by Feyenoord after extra time. The club had now firmly established themselves as not only one of the strongest teams in Scotland but as serious contenders in Europe. Despite this development Celtic were not to reach the same apex of European competition again until 2003 when Celtic lost the UEFA Cup final against Porto after extra time.
In recent years Celtic and Rangers have both taken steps to combat the sectarianism that has been inherent in their club cultures. Celtic remain one of the top two clubs in Scotland and continue to try and impose themselves on the European stage.
Celtic heading to Australia for July friendly!
It's great Scott
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