Celtic FC Thread

[RAB - P]

Celtic defender Daniel Majstorovic has been ruled out of action for up to eight weeks with a fractured toe.

That means the defender will miss the Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Rangers on 20 March.

The Swede suffered the injury to his right foot during Saturday's 2-0 league win at home over Hamilton Accies.

Thomas Rogne replaced Majstorovic at half-time in that match, and he and Glenn Loovens are candidates to partner Charlie Mulgrew at the back.

The 33-year-old stopper joined Celtic in August from AEK Athens and has only missed three games so far this season.

The former Basle player, who has represented his country 40 times, has also chipped in with two goals since his move to Glasgow as a free agent.

Majstorovic suffered another injury during the January transfer window, prompting his manager Neil Lennon to consider signing a new replacement.

However, the Swede recovered quicker than anticipated and has take part in 33 of Celtic's 38 competitive matches this term.

In recent weeks, he has been playing in the centre of defence alongside Mulgrew, who is more used to playing at full-back.

Celtic hold a five-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premier League, although their Glasgow rivals have two games in hand.

Neil Lennon's side are also still involved in the Scottish Cup and travel to Inverenss on Sunday in the quarter-finals

 

[RAB - P]

Celtic at home in East End...of Africa

CELTIC have given their blessing to a team set up in the club's name in Kenya's biggest ghetto.

Internet millionaire Jim Mullins and film-maker Jamie Doran have funded Kibera Celtic to help starving children in the poverty stricken shanty town - the focus of this year's Comic Relief effort.

Jamie had been making a film about K ibera in the wake of the post-election riots in 2008 when he decided to form the club.

Kibera Celtic previously played their matches in bare feet because they had no boots and crowds have grown from a handful of fans to several thousand supporters attending each game.

They're about to start their first season in the Kenyan national league.

Jamie said: "The whole point is that they become self-sufficient and that the money they raise goes back into the local community.

"The club is now funding businesses, including one which distributes fresh water to the townships.

"Next week, work starts on building a small complex of shops and kiosks and they're going to call the mini-mall Celtic Park.

"The Celtic jersey has become the most popular in Nairobi, outselling those of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool."

Doran and Mullins have met with representatives of Celtic in Glasgow to see how best the SPL side can help their African namesakes.

Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "This is a fantastic initiative and one which is very much in line with Celtic's founding principles of charity and of helping others in need."

It's understood that, as well as donating kit and equipment, Celtic will be sending members of Neil Lennon's side over to Kenya on a goodwill mission to meet players next season.

 

[RAB - P]

Jimmy Johnstone - the Greatest Ever Celt

IT was five years ago, on March 13, 2006, that the player voted the Greatest Ever Celt by supporters passed away after a long and courageous battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

James Connolly Johnstone, known to his friends as Jimmy and to the wider footballing world as Jinky, was born in Viewpark on September 30, 1944, and he remained immensely proud of where he came from throughout his whole life.

He signed for Celtic in November 1961 and made his debut for his beloved Hoops on March 27, 1963. It was a less that auspicious start to what would become a glorious career – Celtic lost 6-0 against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park – but it did not deter or dishearten the diminutive winger.

Like many of his contemporaries, it was the arrival of Jock Stein at Celtic Park in 1965 which galvanised his career, and Jinky would go on to play a pivotal role in the unprecedented success Celtic enjoyed at home and in Europe over the next few years.

The pinnacle of that was, of course, the European Cup triumph on May 25, 1967 when Celtic beat Inter Milan 2-1.

Jinky, however, wasn’t content with just making his mark on that prestigious competition, and on Wednesday, June 7, 1967, in the Bernabeu Stadium, he and his team-mates provided the opposition for the great Alfredo Di Stefano’s testimonial.

The legendary Read Madrid player may have been the focus of the night, but it was Jinky who grabbed all the headlines with a breathtaking display that had the Madrid fans shouting ‘Ole!’ at his every touch.

Jinky stayed at Celtic until 1975, and made a total of 515 appearances for the club, scoring an impressive 130 goals.

He remained an immensely popular figure amongst the Celtic support who, in 2003, voted him the Greatest Ever Celt.

By that time, however, he was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. He faced that battle against the toughest of opponents with incredible bravery and courage, always strengthened by the support of his family and the convictions of his faith.

Sadly, Jimmy Johnstone passed away on March 13, 2006, and the Celtic support, as well as the wider footballing world, mourned his passing.

A statue of Jinky stands outside the front of Celtic Park, alongside those of Brother Walfrid and now Jock Stein, as a permanent memorial and a reminder to future generations of a wonderful player.

And on this day, the Celtic family will say a prayer for the loss while also remembering the unique talents of a player who was always proud to wear his beloved green and white Hoops – Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone, the Greatest Ever Celt.

 

[RAB - P]

Samaras agrees Bhoys stay

Skysports.com understands that Celtic striker Georgios Samaras has agreed a new three-year contract.

Samaras' existing deal was due to expire in the summer and he would have been able to leave the club on a free transfer had fresh terms not been finalised.

The ex-Manchester City marksman has been a key performer for Neil Lennon's side this season, including a brace in a 2-0 win at Rangers in January.

Last summer Samaras' future looked unclear, but he has won over Lennon and the Bhoys boss recently admitted he was 'very, very pleased' with his displays.

Celtic have now moved to secure the 26-year-old's services for the long term in a deal that should make the Greece international one of the highest-paid players at Parkhead.

 

[RAB - P]

Celtic defender Mark Wilson has agreed a new one-year deal at Parkhead.

Wilson, who joined the Bhoys from Dundee United in 2006, has established himself as a key player at the club since his arrival in Glasgow.

Wilson's existing deal was due to expire at the end of the current campaign and his new contract includes the option to extend his stay for a further year.

The 26-year-old has been in a rich vein of goalscoring form in recent weeks netting three goals, including the winner in the recent Old Firm Scottish Cup win over Rangers.

A Celtic statement read: "Celtic Football Club is delighted to announce that Mark Wilson has agreed a new one year contract with the club, with Celtic having the option of a further year."

The news is a boost for Celtic ahead of this weekend's Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Rangers.

Fixture change

Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League have announced Celtic's postponed match with Hibernian will now take place on 6th April.

The Parkhead clash was originally scheduled for Wednesday night but was delayed by the postponement of Celtic's Scottish Cup quarter-final against Inverness, which the Bhoys won 2-1.

Celtic's progression in the Scottish Cup means their match at St Johnstone, scheduled for 16th April has been postponed, with a new date yet to be determined.

 

[portbhoy]

Both teams look like they're going for an open attacking style, lets hope we have a good clean fight and not the debacle that followed the last game :Clap:

 

[Paul-K]

Celtic Goal

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REEWYLD7qwg&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - vlc record 2011 03 20 15h30m43s vlc record 2011 03 20 14h30m22s http 192 168 0 3 31344 ts[/ame]

 

[witchy2k11]

Re: Celtic Goal

Good to see Walter Smith allow his team to actually PLAY for a change instead of his usual tactics.

 

[Colin]

think i preffered the old rangers way of playing truth be told lol

 

[Colin]

och well no complaints from me on this one, few players under performed and there wasnt much in it, hopefully fires the players up for league run in.

 

[portbhoy]

Nope no complaints here either, will teach us for slagging Walters team set up's (go back to the defensive lineup Walter ) Tbh it should never have reached extra time Rangers aren't having too much luck with penalty claims this week and wanted it more you could see that 2 minutes in. Enjoy your beer peeps

 

[surfbum]

woo hoo Glad thats sorted..

Right on to the football then...

Treble is my prediction for this season getting it in nice and early so it will be easy to find come may

some other predictions!

2-0 next week in the cup replay Hooper and Mulgrew (originally went with ledley but think he is suspended)

League to be won by 9 points

and league cup to be won in extra time

yep u where right it was won in extra time lol
trebel is off :Clap::Bounce::Bounce:: party :

 

[surfbum]

Nope no complaints here either, will teach us for slagging Walters team set up's (go back to the defensive lineup Walter ) Tbh it should never have reached extra time Rangers aren't having too much luck with penalty claims this week and wanted it more you could see that 2 minutes in. Enjoy your beer peeps

good post mate

 

[IANB]

@ Colin
Remember my £2000 mate roud:

 

[surfbum]

@ Colin
Remember my £2000 mate roud:

 

[portbhoy]

Now theres no need for that can you keep your youtube videos etc to the Rangers thread can a mod nip this in the bud before it all kicks off again. I was gracious in defeat try to be a gracious winner

 

[surfbum]

Now theres no need for that can you keep your youtube videos etc to the Rangers thread can a mod nip this in the bud before it all kicks off again. I was gracious in defeat try to be a gracious winner

was it not in the rangers bit, my bad can a mod move it if it offends lol

 

[Colin]

have to agree with portbhoy think celtic fans have been good and gracious about your win, can you keep the roon ye type posts to the rangers thread? can a mod please delete and lets move forward in the spirtit that was agreed?

 

[surfbum]

have to agree with portbhoy think celtic fans have been good and gracious about your win, can you keep the roon ye type posts to the rangers thread? can a mod please delete and lets move forward in the spirtit that was agreed?

a mod did lol so wit u moaning about now

ps this segregation is crap lol

 

[extrasmooth]

I was disappointed not to see Anthony Stokes get on today for some point. He has had success against Rangers in the past when he was at Hibs and it was clear that Gary Hooper was not at his best today.

Rangers substitutes made a real positive impact whereas Paddy McCourt struggled to catch on to the pace of the game.

Two seasons ago, Celtic won the League Cup after extra time and then lost at Ibrox in the league match. Hopefully, it is the opposite this season.