The Offical Glasgow Celtic thread

[Rav67]

Won't bother heading up to Manchester but will head to Wembley for the Spurs game if Derry aren't playing that weekend in the qualifiers, anyone else heading to Wembley? Think its Sunday the 28th July and Barca will be playing either before or after it.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

From BBC

McStay departs Celtic for Ujpest 

McStay's reserve side won their eighth successive league title this year
Celtic have announced that reserve team coach Willie McStay has left the club to take up the role as manager of Ujpest FC in Budapest, Hungary.

A former Celtic player, McStay has enjoyed success with the Celtic reserve sides, winning an eighth successive league title this year.

McStay has operated in a coaching capacity at Celtic for 15 years.

He said: "This is a great move for me at this stage of my career. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

The move is thought to be part of an international exchange programme in which Ujpest would be utilised as a feeder club for Celtic, with the Glasgow club's youth players gaining early experience in Hungary.

This is a tremendous opportunity for Willie to gain invaluable managerial experience and we wish him every success

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell
With Tony Mowbray's arrival, Celtic's reserve and youth set-up was expected to undergo a shake-up and McStay's departure will allow the new manager to make his own mark on the development of emerging talent.

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Willie to gain invaluable managerial experience and we wish him every success."

Ujpest FC chief executive Joe Borocz was in Glasgow on Tuesday to conclude the negotiations.

Borocz added: "We are looking forward to welcoming Willie to Budapest.

"We are confident that he will have a very positive impact on our team and on Hungarian football overall."

McStay, the brother of former Celtic midfielder Paul, made 65 league appearances for Celtic between 1979 and 1987 and had spells with Huddersfield Town, Notts County and Hartlepool United.

He took up a role as player-manager of Sligo Rovers from 1992 to 1994 before taking on the reserve coaching role at Celtic.

[T Fearon]

I hope a role is found for the great Danny Mc Grain, who was an integral part of the reserve set up under Mc Stay.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

I hope a role is found for the great Danny Mc Grain, who was an integral part of the reserve set up under Mc Stay.

Tone I'm nearly sure I read somewhere that he was going to stay involved with the Reserves and help Neil Lennon out with running them and hopefully securing a nine in a row!

[T Fearon]

Great news. Met the great man and had a photo taken at Glasgow Airport a few months ago. Humility personified (ie Danny Mc Grain, not me!)

Having a legendary presence can only help young players to develop

[Main Street]

Where do you keep all those photos, Tony?

[reddgnhand]

Great news. Met the great man and had a photo taken at Glasgow Airport a few months ago. Humility personified (ie Danny Mc Grain, not me!)

Having a legendary presence can only help young players to develop

Did you happen to tell him you are a Spurs fan really?

[Evil Genius]

Great news. Met the great man and had a photo taken at Glasgow Airport a few months ago. Humility personified (ie Danny Mc Grain, not me!)

Having a legendary presence can only help young players to develop

Did you happen to tell him you are a Spurs fan really?

Probably not.

And McGrain never let on he's a Prod, either 

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Just for information.


IT'S been a busy start to his first day at work. On the wall in Tommy McIntyre and Chris McCart's office is a whiteboard, covered with the names of current players, scouting targets and imminent signings.

Since accepting the post back in April, former Scottish Football Association Head of Youth, McIntyre, has used every day off and spare minute to visit the park and Lennoxtown preparing for the official July 1 start date.

This has meant that both he and Celtic's Head of Youth, McCart have been able to hit the ground running as they make the plans for the new campaign begin in earnest.

The new Academy structure will see McIntyre take responsibility for the U19s and U17s, working directly with coaches Stevie Frail and Miodrag Krivokapic.

Elsewhere John McLaughlan will take charge of Intermediate Level, Martin Miller the Junior Academy, Brian Meehan will work as Welfare and Operations Manager, Ian Coll as Sports Science, Niam Mohammed as full-time Academy physiotherapist and Tom O'Neill in charge of scouting.

"There is a new management structure in place, new coaches at the club and I think it's an exciting time for everyone, not just for me coming into the job, but for the supporters, the staff, the players and everyone connected with it."

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/2511843/I-went-from-scrapheap-to-Paradise.html

[illdecide]

Hartley and Dutchman leave Celtic 

Hartley and Vennegoor of Hesselink are both out of contract at Celtic
Celtic have confirmed the departures of striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and midfielder Paul Hartley.

Manager Tony Mowbray said: "I had a good long conversation with Paul. He came in to see me.

"The outcome of that is Paul won't be offered a new contract. He is free to look for other employment.

"I have had no contact with Jan. Jan is out of contract - he is free to seek other employment and I'm pretty sure that's what he will be doing."

Hartley is poised to make a decision over his own future having been offered a contract by Greek top-flight club Iraklis Saloniki.

Hearts were also interested in bringing the 32-year-old Scotland international back for a second spell at Tynecastle.

Hartley, who started his career with Hamilton and also had spells with Millwall, Raith Rovers, Hibernian and St Johnstone, had been with Celtic since 2007.

Netherlands international Vennegoor of Hesselink has been linked with moves back to his homeland.

The 30-year-old striker, who spent three seasons with Celtic, previously played for FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven.

[illdecide]

Celtic's bid to lure Marc-Antoine Fortune has taken another twist, with the Nancy striker's team-mate Landry NGuemo set to make a switch to Glasgow after agreeing a move. And also...


Celtic defender Bobo Balde insists the club owe him more than £200,000 and has taken his case to PFA Scotland, the players' union.

[T Fearon]

Despite VOH having a poor season last year, he owes Celtic nothing. His goals the previous season, particularly in the crucial final games, won us the league and he has been a great Celtic servant all in all.

Ditto Hartley. Just wish both guys were 5 years younger but it also makes sense that they move on. We don't want to be retaining players into their late 30s like the Huns

[Rav67]

Hadn't realised JVOH was out of contract, was thinking we'd get maybe £2m for him this summer. 

At keast the fact he's gone means Celtic will definitely have to buy a striker.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Hadn't realised JVOH was out of contract, was thinking we'd get maybe £2m for him this summer. 

At keast the fact he's gone means Celtic will definitely have to buy a striker.

Nah sure don't we still have Chris Killen!