Celtic are said to be interested in taking Aston Villa’s Stephen Ireland on loan in January.
Ireland and his representatives were due to have talks with Villa officials. The former Manchester City midfielder has been unsettled since his £8 million move from Eastlands as part of the deal that took James Milner to City. Ireland has found first-team football hard to come by and does not see eye-to-eye with new boss Gerard Houllier.
The Sunday People suggests that Ireland would jump at the chance of a move to Celtic if he can’t secure a move to another English Premier League club though Celtic need some help from Villa in paying some of Ireland’s £60,000-a-week wages.
Tomorrow’s fixtures in the Scottish Premier League are once again under threat after Polish referees withdrew from plans to referee the games.
The SFA had arranged for officials to travel from Poland and believed that 11 of tomorrow’s 20 games in the SPL and Scottish League could go ahead, but the Poles have withdrawn from the plans after the Polish FA, the PZPN, told the SFA that the officials are required for games in Poland.
It is believed that SFA contacted officials in a number of European countries earlier this week but officials from Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Wales, Sweden and Estonia have all withdrawn their support for the plan. Around 11 games were said to have been saved: all six SPL games, one Division One games, three Scottish Cup replays and the Alba Challenge Cup Final, but nine games in Divisions One, Two and Three had all been lost, but the Polish move has now put those games under threat once again.
The referees are striking in protest at criticism from clubs saying their integrity is constantly questioned.
Fixtures in the SPL and the Scottish Football League look set to be postponed next weekend after referees in Scotland voted to go on strike.
The decision to strike was taken by Category One referees yesterday afternoon. The decision is said to be almost unanimous with only two of the 33 referees voting against the proposal. All ten of the Category Two officials voted in favour of the strike.
Match officials in Scotland are said to be unhappy about the amount of criticism they have to take both from clubs and from members of the public. Referees have reported that they have faced abuse in the street while some report that abusive emails have been sent to their workplaces.
The decision will affect six SPL games next weekend plus a programme of Scottish League games and the Alba Challenge Cup Final between Queen Of The South and Ross County.
The furore began in the wake of a decision by referee Dougie McDonald first to award Celtic a penalty in their game with Dundee United and then to rescind that decision. McDonald later lied to the Scottish Football Association over his reasons for overturning the penalty award. On Thursday Celtic chairman John Reid called for McDonald to be sacked.
The strike decision has received a mixed reaction. Motherwell boss Craig Brown told the BBC that it was “a radical course of action, a step too far,” while Kilmarnock boss Mixu Paatelainen warned “there has been too much talk of referees and I don’t think that’s healthy.”
Celtic inflicted Aberdeen’s heaviest-ever defeat in a one-sided game at Celtic Park that saw the Bhoys run out 9-0 winners.
Anthony Stokes opened the scoring for Celtic on 26 minutes from the penalty spot – the first of three spot kicks Celtic converted on the afternoon – after Hartley handled Ki Sung-Yeung’s shot. Hartley was sent off putting Aberdeen down to 10 men.
Two minutes later it was 2-0 as Hooper scored the first of this three goals with a shot past Langfield from 12 yards.
On 33 minutes Gary Hooper pounced after Zander Diamond deflected a McGinn cross into his path to shoot home from close range.
Celtic were also reduced to 10 men when Rogne brought down Maguire on the edge of the box, an offence which referee Muir deemed to be a goal-scoring opportunity.
As the first half drew to a close Langfield brought down Maloney inside the box and Stokes made it 4-0 from the spot.
It was 5-0 on 61 minutes as Magennis headed the ball into his own net as he tried to cut a cross and two minutes later Gary Hooper completed his hat-trick when he got away from Diamond and headed a cross past Langfield.
As Aberdeen folded Joe Ledley made it seven with a low shot into the goal and Stokes completed his hat-trick with Celtic’s eighth goal, robbing Maguire and slotting past the hapless keeper.
McCourt completed the rout with an injury-time penalty after Maloney was brought down.
After the match Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee said it was “a freakish result” and that he wanted to carry on as manager of the club he served with distinction as a player.
“I have a little group of players here that can do okay,” said McGhee.
“It went horribly wrong today but it doesn’t change my opinion of that and as long as I’m the manager I will go out for the next game and then the next game until someone tells me different.”
He added: “It was a freakish result. Not in the sense that Celtic deserved to batter us but freakish in the sense that it was the first time in my career that I’ve ever lost by anything like this but I have got to imagine that I am going to be the manager of Aberdeen on Tuesday night against Inverness and I have to prepare my team.”
Celtic Transfer News and Rumours, Tuesday 12 October
Follow us on Twitter
Celtic Keen On Irish Striker Madden
Celtic are looking at a possible move for Irish striker Paddy Madden. The Bhoys have been tracking the 20-year-old, who plays for League Of Ireland champions Bohemians, for some time and manager Neil Lennon watched him in a friendly between the two sides at Dublin’s Dalymount Park yesterday.
However, it is believed that Madden is unhappy with the personal terms being offered him by Celtic and may decide to chance his arm with a Championship side.
“We’re still talking to Celtic but nothing has been agreed,” Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon told Dublin paper the Evening Herald yesterday. “We’re still at the talking stage and it’s all up in the air.”
“Paddy is keen to play abroad. I would like to hold on to him if I can. Any deal has to suit the club and suit the player. If it doesn’t suit Paddy or Bohemians it won’t happen. I don’t want to lose Paddy – I want to keep all of our players. Celtic are still keen and they are interested in Paddy.”
Paul Hart has admitted that he is admitted in the vacant manager’s job at Hibernian and says the job is one that interests him.
The 57-year-old has been out of football since a short-term contract with Crystal Palace ended at the end of last season, a season in which he managed to prevent the south London from being relegated to League One.
Hart told the Daily Record: “The Hibs job is one which really interests me. They’re a club with a great tradition in Scottish football and have produced some excellent young players over the last few years. That kind of club is one that appeals and excites me.”
Chairman Rod Petrie has received Hart’s CV as he mulls over who is going to replace John Hughes whom Hibs parted company with on Monday following a disappointing start to the season.
German manager Uwe Rapolder is also said to be in the running. The former Cologne and Arminia Bielefeld boss has been out of work since leaving German second tier side TuS Koblenz in 2009.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club,” Rapolder said this week. “They have good young players and I believe they can compete with the likes of Rangers and Celtic if they’re given the right direction and mentality.”
Jimmy Calderwood,Michael O’Neill and Gareth Evans have also been linked with the job.
Rio Ferdinand is expected to make a return for Manchester United as they take on Rangers in their first Champions League match.
Ferdinand sustained a knee injury during England’s first World Cup training session in South Africa in June.
Wayne Rooney should start after being left out of United’s squad for their trip to Everton last Saturday.
Michael Carrick is struggling with an ankle problem and will miss the match.
Rangers Team News
Rangers are hoping that defender Steven Whittaker recovers from a calf injury, but Kirk Broadfoot picked up an ankle injury during Saturday’s victory over Hamilton and is doubtful for tonight. Broadfoot has until later today to prove his fitness and Rangers boss Walter Smith could pick on-loan Vladimir Weiss in his place.
New signing Nikica Jelavic is ineligible having played for Rapid Vienna in the Europa League so striker Kenny Miller is expected to return to the starting line-up having started on the subs bench on Saturday.
Aston Villa are ready to let Curtis Davies go out on loan. Celtic are favourites to land the 25-year-old defender who Villa signed two years ago from West Brom for £10 million.
Davies is able to renegotiate his £25,000 a week wages after making his 60th appearance for Villa in the Europa League clash with Rapid Vienna last week, but the Midlands side are prepared to let him leave Villa Park with Celtic the favourites to secure his signature.
Celtic To Wrap Up Stokes Deal Today
Celtic expect to wrap up the signing of Anthony Stokes from Hibernian today in a £1.2 million deal.
The 22-year-old hit 23 goals for Hibs last season and is expected to sign a deal after a medical at Celtic.
In turn Hibs have signed striker Daryl Duffy on a season-long loan from English League One side Bristol Rovers.
Celtic are to step up their interest in Hapoel Tel Aviv striker Itay Shechter after an abject performance in Holland last night saw them exit the Europa League after a 4-0 defeat by FC Utrecht.
Schechter starred in Hapoel’s Champions League victory over Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg this week and Celtic boss Neil Lennon is ready to bid £2.5 million to bring the 23-year-old to Parkhead. However, the Hoops’ elimination from European football could prove a problem with Hapoel ready to taste Champions League action for the first time.
Celtic fc,celtic fc news,celtic,Glasgow celtic,Glasgow,celtic Glasgow,Scotland,celtic quote,celtic park,celtic health,celtic health care,celtic insurance,huddle,celtic Glasgow fc,Glasgow Celtics,celtic fc net,celtic fc bedding,celtic fc game.celtic fc tshirt,
Newcastle keeper Fraser Forster has completed his loan move to Celtic. The 22-year-old has joined the Hoops on a one-year deal. Forster completed his move last night and will be paraded to the press on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6ft 6in stopper becomes Neil Lennon’s 10th signing of the summer.
Celtic Interested In Eagles
Celtic are looking to sign Burnley midfielder Chris Eagles. Eagles almost joined Rangers earlier this summer but looks set to sign for arch-rivals Celtic instead. Neil Lennon wants Eagles to replace Aiden McGeady who moved to Spartak Moscow in a £9.5 million deal earlier this month.
Meanwhile Newcastle goalkeeper is in talks with Celtic
Celtic want to take Newcastle keeper Fraser Forster on loan. The 22-year-old is currently number three in the pecking order at St James’s Park behind Steve Harper and Tim Krul and Forster impressed during a season-long loan at Norwich City last season. Now Neil Lennon wants to take the 6ft 6in stopper north of the border on another season-long loan at Parkhead.
Lennon had hoped to take Manchester City’s Shay Given on loan, but City are insistent that Given will not be leaving the club so Lennon has been forced to look elsewhere.
Manchester City have blocked a move from Eastlands for goalkeeper Shay Given.
Celtic, Arsenal and Fulham are all keen on loan moves for the 34-year-old after he lost his place in City’s starting line-up to Joe Hart. However City are insisting that Given waits until the next transfer window in January before letting him go anywhere.
West Brom have denied making a bid for Celtic’s Marc-Antoine Fortune.
The Frenchman had a successful loan spell at The Hawthorns from French side Nancy during the second half of the 2008-09 season and followed former boss Tony Mowbray when he left for Parkhead.
However, Celtic boss Neil Lennon wants to raise funds to further strengthen his squad and could be prepared to listen to offers. West Ham are also said to be interested and could be about to bid £2.5 million.
Celtic fc,celtic fc news,celtic,Glasgow celtic,Glasgow,celtic Glasgow,Scotland,celtic quote,celtic park,celtic health,celtic health care,celtic insurance,huddle,celtic Glasgow fc,Glasgow Celtics,celtic fc net,celtic fc bedding,celtic fc game.celtic fc tshirt,
Rangers have completed the signing of Rapid Vienna striker Nikica Jelavic in a £4.1 million deal. Jelavic is Rangers’ biggest single signing in the eight years since Mikel Arteta joined from Barcelona in 2002.
Jelavic was in Glasgow on Friday to undergo a medical and agree personal terms and joins pending being granted a work permit. That is not expected to arrive until after tomorrow’s game with Hibs.
Rangers were locked in negotiations with the Austrian club for weeks before Jelavic finally signed last night, with the Croatian’s demands for a pay-off from the Austrian club said to be a particular sticking point.
Jelavic hit 28 goals in 48 games last season including three in two games against Rangers’ arch-rivals Celtic. He joined the Austrian club from Belgian side Zulte Waregem two years ago but it was only at Rapid that the 24-year-old’s goalscoring record took off. Jelavic also has six international caps for his country scoring twice including the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Slovakia earlier this month.
Rangers boss Walter Smith admitted that Jelavic could be the last signing during this transfer window.
“We could be doing with a few more, but I would think, financially, that would be us finished,” he said last night.
Rangers also completed the signing of Vladimir Weiss on a season-long loan from Manchester City on Thursday and James Beattie in a £1.5 million deal from Stoke last week.
“We’ve managed to bring in three players for the first time in a couple of seasons and we are delighted with that aspect,” Smith said.
Rangers lost Kris Boyd to Middlesbrough and Nacho Novo to Sporting Gijon during the close season.
Rangers Transfer News – Jelavic To Sign for Rangers
Follow us on Twitter
Jelavic Flying To Glasgow
Nikica Jelavic will undergo a medical at Rangers tomorrow ahead of a £4 million move from Rapid Vienna.
The striker was withdrawn from tonight’s Rapid squad to face Aston Villa in the Europa League play-off and will fly to Glasgow first thing tomorrow.
Jelavic moved to Austria from Belgian side Zulte Waregem two years ago and has hit 25 goals in 67 league games for Rapid. He was linked with a move to Blackburn earlier this summer but Rovers couldn’t offer the fee Rapid were looking for and the move fell through.
Earlier this month, as Rangers interest became known, the Croatian spoke of his desire to move to Ibrox:
“I was informed about Rangers’ interest in me and I really want to go,” he said.
“Rapid are a great side and I have enjoyed my time here but I have paid them back well with goals and I deserve the chance to go.
“It has always been my dream to play in Britain and Rangers are a big club with tradition. I would love to play there.”
Celtic winger Paddy McCourt will be fit to face Dutch side Utrecht in the Europa League play-off first leg match at Parkead this evening. McCourt has recovered from a neck injury he suffered after celebrating his goal in the league victory over Inverness on Saturday.
New signing Daniel Majstorovic replaces the suspended Jos Hooiveld but Emilio Izaguirre was not signed in time to face the Dutch. Striker Gary Hooper is out for up to six weeks with a calf injury
Celtic fc,celtic fc news,celtic,Glasgow celtic,Glasgow,celtic Glasgow,Scotland,celtic quote,celtic park,celtic health,celtic health care,celtic insurance,huddle,celtic Glasgow fc,Glasgow Celtics,celtic fc net,celtic fc bedding,celtic fc game.celtic fc tshirt,
Celtic have signed Honduran left-back Emilio Izaguirre. The Honduran has obtained a work permit and has signed a three-year deal with the SPL club.
He joins from the Motagua club in Honduras.
The 24-year-old was part of his country’s national team in the World Cup in South Africa. He joined Motagua in 2003 and has made over 150 appearances for the club.
