NEWS STORIES 2007-2008 - PLEASE BE PATIENT WHILE THIS PAGE LOADS

Contains ALL of the news from this season's Celtic issues.

Click here for this season's programmes.

MAY 2008

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW ISSUE 69 - 31/05/08

A Champions Special Edition of the excellent Celtic fanzine Alternative View was issued today. The front cover has Celtic captain Stephen McManus proudly holding our SPL trophy that Rangers were supposed to win as part of their fantasy quadruple. Inside, we read how It all went wrong for the Scottish football establishment when the hOOped heroes went to Tannadice and the helicopter followed. Legend Tommy Burns is remembered for the great Celt that he was. If there's a better way for Celtic fans to spend £1, we don't know about it. Click this to see the Alt View cover.

.CELTIC ARE THE SPL CHAMPIONS - 22/05/08

Say hello to 3-in-a-row. After the traumatic week for everybody connected to Celtic legend Tommy Burns, the team he helped build went to Tannadice and made Rangers' 2-0 defeat at Pittodrie irrelevant by beating Dundee United 1-0. Gordon Strachan has now seen off Alex McLeish, the Paul Le Guen revolution and Walter Smith to become the first Celtic manager since the immortal Jock Stein to win 3 championships in a row and, he did it while qualyfying for the last 16 of the Champions League - TWICE! Click here to see the sell-out league clincher programme and match details.

.PHIL O'DONNELL TRIBUTE MATCH - 25/05/08

A Celtic Legends team played a Motherwell Legends team on Sunday 25 May as a tribute to Phil O'Donnell, who died playing for Motherwell earlier this season. The championship winning squad of 1997/98 represented Celtic and Motherwell had their Scottish Cup winning squad from 1991. It was a fitting pairing as 'Uncle Phil' played in both. 60,000 fans crammed into Celtic Park to watch the match that was won 5-1 by the Celtic team - understandable considering the age differences in the squads. Click this to see the programme and match details.

.CELTIC VIEW HONOURS TOMMY BURNS - 22/05/08

Issue 44 of the Celtic View was delayed for a day to allow the publishers time to include the amazing scenes from Tommy Burns' funeral on Tuesday where over 20,000 mourners lined the streets to watch the legends funeral cortège as it made its way from St Mary's church to Celtic Park. The entire issue, 72 pages has been turned over to the life and times of the Celtic legend who died last Thursday. Tommy was the very definition of a Celtic person and the issue covers his entire career from his very first match for Celtic in the 1974/75 season through his playing career and onto management and coaching. He will be sadly missed by all. Please click this to see the Tommy Burns tribute issue.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW ISSUE 68 - 17/05/08

Issue 68 of the Alternative View Celtic fanzine is out. Predictably, the front cover acknowledges the tragic death of Celtic legend Tommy Burns at the age of only 51. Tommy was a great Celt and he will be sorely missed along with Phil O'Donnell. We have looked out the programme for Tommy's testimonial against Liverpool played in 1987 and created an unworthy tribute to the great man. Click here for our Tommy's tribute.

APRIL 2008

.THE CELT FANZINE - EASTER ISSUE 111 - 26/04/08

As the latest issue of the cult Celtic fanzine The Celt dropped through the letter box on Saturday morning we were glad to see it was still going strong. The Celt is only available through subscription and cost £6 for 4 issues (4 issues per year) including p&p. Click at this to see the current issue of the Celt and details of how to make a subscription.

.MOTHERWELL SPL22 (POSTPONED) - 13/04/08

The three times postponed SPL match against Motherwell was, at last, played today at the turnip field called Fir Park. Gordon Strachan's men got a vital 3 points in the fight to retain our championship trophy with an easy 4-1 against a talented Motherwell team. Celtic captain Stephen McManus started the scoring for celtic with a header in 17 minutes and then scored one for the other side when he directed a Motherwell chance into the Celtic net while trying to clear. Scott McDonald got Celtic's second and Jan Venegoor of Hesslelink added another two, one in each half. Click this to see the programme, ticket, teamsheet and match details.

.MOTHERWELL SPL33 - 05/04/08

Celtic were defeated by Motherwell today thanks to a poor performance by the hOOps and a Simon Lappin goal. Added to the disaster at Ibrox last weekend, it isn't looking good for Celtic retaining their title but we'll KEEP THE FAITH until it is impossible to win it. Click this to see the programme and match details.

.CELTIC FANZINES - 05/04/08

Five different fanzines were on sale at CP today. NTV apart, the general theme on each front cover was "Is it time to go?" - a question aimed at Gordon Strachan and his team as they struggle to catch Rangers and defend our league championship. Not The View went with the Holy Goalie wearing a teeshirt with the slogan "Is it cold in his shadow?" that refers to the immortal Jock Stein winning the big cup that they will never manage to get. Click at the following links to see each fanzine - alternative VIEW Issue 65, TAL Fanzine Issue 44, Not The View Issue 163, Welcome To Paradise Issue 4, More than 90 Mins Issue 49.

MARCH 2008

.THE MANCHESTER CUP 2008 - 22 - 23/03/08

The Celtic Boys Club under 16's took part in the Manchester Cup in March. The prestigious international youth tournament has been running for six years and is competed for by many of Europes top youth teams. As well as the Scottish bhoys, teams from England, Ireland, Germany and Malta competed this year. Click this to see the tournament programme and the Celtic youth team list.

.GRETNA SPL31 - 23/03/08

Celtic went to Livingston to play Gretna in today's SPL match and came away with a 3-0 win and all three points to take to Ibrox next weekend. Unfortunately, because of the turmoil that the cash-strapped club are in, no programme was issued for this historic game. Click at this link to see the official teamsheet, match ticket, teams and scorers.

.MOTHERWELL SPL22 - 15/03/08

The Scottish Premier League match against Motherwell has been postponed for the third time because of a waterlogged Fir Park pitch. Motherwell produced a different programme for the match and it was on sale at Fir Park this morning. Click this to see the match programme.

FEBRUARY 2008

.ST MIRREN SPL27 - 24/02/08

Shunsuke Nakamura scored another of his trademark free-kicks at Love Street today to give the Celts all three points against St Mirren. Click to see the programme, ticket and match stats.

.BARCELONA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 20/02/08

Barcelona came from behind twice to beat Celtic 3-2 in tonight's Champions League match at Celtic Park. Celtic went 1-0 up from a Vennegoor of Hesselink diving header after only 15 minutes but this was cancelled out just three minutes later by Lionel Messi. Celtic scored a second when Barry Robson, playing his first European match for the hoops, looped a header over the Barca goalkeeper but this was equalled by Thierry Henry and then overtaken by another Messi goal to steer the Blaugrana to victory in Scotland. Click this to see the programme, ticket and match stats.

.CELTIC SUPPORTERS' ASSOC 61st ANNUAL RALLY - 17/02/08

The Celtic Supporters' Association held their 61st Annual Rally in the Royal Concert Hall on 17 February. Shunsuke Nakamura was the Guest of Honour and is featured on the front of the rally programme by a Jim Scullion painting. As well as Nakamura, almost every Celtic player from the first team and reserves were in attendance along with legends like Billy McNeill and Bertie Auld. The rally programme is another stunning publication from the bhoys at www.celticrally.com, a work of art (it really is) and was available for a £2 donation to the cause. Click this to see the rally programme.

.ABERDEEN SPL25 - 10/02/08

Celtic thrashed Aberdeen 5-1 in today's SPL match at Pittodrie. Celtic were in devastating form as they ripped the Dons defence apart time after time. Shunsuke Nakamura scored the first and debut bhoy Barry Robson came on as a sub in the 73rd minute to score Celtic's fifth with his first kick of the ball in the 74th. In between, man-of-the-match, Aiden McGeady scored a cracker and the SPL's top scorer, Scott McDonald, added another two. Click at this to see the match programme and match stats.

.KILMARNOCK SCOTTISH CUP 4TH ROUND - 02/02/08

Celtic dumped Kilmarnock out of the Scottish Cup today with new striker Georgios Samaras making a scoring debut in a thrilling match at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Scott McDonald 2, Gary Caldwell and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were the other scorers in a 5-1.

Kilmarnock issued a match programme. Click this to see the programme and match statistics.

JANUARY 2008

.MOTHERWELL SPL22 POSTPONED AGAIN - 30/01/08

The rearranged SPL match between Motherwell and Celtic has been postponed again less than 1 hour before the match was due to start and with the majority of the fans already queuing at the turnstyles. Motherwell issued a new match programme for the game that was originally postponed due to the tragic death of Phil O'Donnell.

.CELTIC & IRELAND IN SONG AND STORY - 28/01/08

For the first time a detailed and comprehensive songbook surrounding key events in Ireland's political, social and sporting history has been compiled. The stories and issues that impacted upon the recent Irish immigrant communities in Scotland, noticeably prevalent amongst the supporters of Celtic Football Club, are focused on in particular. These historical songs and ballads have been used by the Irish people to defend and propagate the many related causes of Ireland. They have been known to educate and inform, to bring knowledge and truth through literature and poetry. Above all, the lyrics and tunes in Celtic & Ireland in song and story… are far reaching, educational, and of course, provide a great source of pleasure.

To buy it online or just find out more about this book compiled by Raymond Daly and Derek Warfield visit the CelticSongBook Web site.

.FALKIRK SPL24 - 27/01/08

Falkirk issued a 56 page programme at £3 for today's SPL match with Celtic at The Falkirk Stadium. A single Scott McDonald goal was enough to give the hOOps the three points and reduce their SPL deficit to four. Click this to see the programme, Celtic ticket and match details.

.KILMARNOCK SPL23 - 19/01/08

Celtic issued a match programme for the SPL game against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park today. Click here to see the programme and match details.

Two fanzines were also on sale - Issue 161 of Not The View and Issue 48 of the Irish-based More than 90 Mins.

.STIRLING ALBION - SCOTTISH CUP 12/01/08

Celtic issued a match programme with new bhoy Andreas Hinkel on the front cover for the Scottish Cup tie with Stirling Albion. The First Division team held out well until Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink dived to score with his head in the 37th minute. German internationalist Andreas Hinkel made his debut at right-back and Shunsuke Nakamura returned from long-term injury to score Celtic's third and best goal of the match. Scott McDonald scored the second goal in a 3-0 win that puts Celtic through to a Round 5 tie with either Airdrie United or Kilmarnock. Click here to see the programme, ticket, teamsheet and match stats.

DECEMBER 2007

.THE CELTIC VIEW CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2007 - 19/12/07

The Celtic View Christmas Special 2007 was out today. The normal 72 page issue has been bumped up to 100 pages but the price has been increased to £2.95 from the usual £2.25. There is little doubt that there has been a slight improvement in the club's official magazine lately but 28 pages of adverts is a bit much in our opinion, considering the 70 pence increase. Top goal scorer, Scott McDonald is on the front cover. Click here to see it.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW GOES FORTNIGHTLY - 14/12/07

The Alternative View has changed from a weekly to a fortnightly issue. Issue number 57 has doubled in size to twenty four pages of great Celtic related writing and cost £1 instead of 50p. It is an excellent read, written by Celtic fans for Celtic fans and "it gives it to you straight with no mixer". You can support this fanzine by taking out a subscription that gives you 6 months for only £18 including p&p. Click here to see Issue 57 and find out more about subscribing to the magazine. Click here to see every issue.

.THE CELT 110 - 10/12/07

The cult Celtic fanzine - The Celt - has been relaunched with Issue 110. The fanzine stopped in Jan 2007 after the very sad death of the editor and Celtic historian Eugene MacBride (a gentleman, RIP). The founder of the mag, George Sheridan, has agreed to return to the job of editing and producing the fanzine in Glasgow. The price of the magazine is up 50p to £1.50 per issue but having contributions from David Potter, Tom Campbell and others, it is the best read of it's type on offer for Celtic fans. Click here to see Issue 110 and find out how to subscribe or contact the editor.

.LATEST CELTIC FANZINES - 08/12/07

Two Celtic fanzines were on sale at the St Mirren match. Issue 47 of the Irish-based More than 90 Mins and Issue 160 of Not The View were being sold in the pouring rain. Click here to see the Mt90M issue and here for NTV.

.AC MILAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 04/12/07

The hOOps were beaten 1-0 by Milan in their final group match in the San Siro tonight. Celtic still qualify along with Milan because Shakhtar failed to get the three points they needed by losing 1-2 to SL Benfica in their last match in Donetsk.

There was no official programme and only two pirates on sale at the match (we don't count the pirates made by the ebay conmen). More on this later but well done wee Gordon Strachan in making Celtic the first Scottish team to make the last 16 two years in a row. Click here for the programme, ticket and match details.

NOVEMBER 2007

.ABERDEEN SPL13 - 24/11/07

Celtic returned to league business today and kept the number 1 spot in the SPL with a 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Celtic Park. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Aiden McGeady and Scott McDonald scored the goals for the hOOps in a match that Celtic never looked like losing. Click here to see the programme, ticket and match details.

Issue 159 of the Not The View Celtic fanzine was on sale at today's match. Click here to see the current issue or here to see every issue of the fanzine on our Not The View pages.

.SL BENFICA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 06/11/07

Gordon Strachan's hOOped heroes beat Benfica 1-0 in tonights Champions League match at Celtic Park. A goal by, man-of-the-match, Aiden McGeady on half-time was enough to get the three points that keeps Celtic on course for the last sixteen. Celtic issued a 68 page programme in A4 size. Click here to see the programme, ticket and match details.

Issue 53 of the weekly Alternative View was on sale at the match.

.1967 SOUVENIR MAGAZINE REPRINTS - 02/11/07

Two souvenir magazines that were first published by the Weekly News in celebration of the Celtic team that put Scotland on the European football map by winning the 1967 European Cup have been reprinted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the victory. Click here to read more about them.

OCTOBER 2007

.MOTHERWELL SPL11 - 24/10/07

Celtic beat Motherwell 3-0 at Celtic Park today thanks to another hat-trick from Scott McDonald. Click here to see the programme and match details.

Four different Celtic fanzines were on sale at today's match. The first is a brand new one from the Jungle Bhoys called "Welcome to Paradise". The price is £2 for 40 pages, it's a great read and, if you buy one, you'll be helping to pay for the banner displays at Champions League games.

The old favourite - Not The View - had issue 158 of their excellent fanzine out, Irish-based fanzine "More than 90 Mins" are nearing the big 50 with issue 46 of their glossy, A4 magazine type and the recently resurrected TAL Fanzine issued number 43. Worth the money one and all.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW HITS THE BIG 50 - 13/10/07

The 50th issue of Alternative View is on sale. The 50p Celtic fanzine never fails to hit the mark with it's fine journalism and they're spot-on with their latest headline "NO TRUST IN SMITH". The headline is a reference to the man who is running Scottish football, Gordon Smith, declaring that he thinks there is "an agenda against Rangers" and that naebody likes the poor wee souls. Who's paranoid now? God help Celtic if we ever have to depend on this guy for a fare hearing. Click here to see the 50th issue and the article on the most powerful Rangers supporter in Scottish football.

.JUNGLE BHOYS RACE NIGHT

If you don't already know it, the Jungle Bhoys are the group of Celtic fanatics responsible for the unbelievable flag and banner displays before Champions League matches at Celtic Park. The banners are all unique and many of them have been made to honour Celtic legends of the past, including Jock Stein, Jimmy Johnstone, Johnny Doyle, Neil lennon and John Thompson.

The group fund the banners and other stuff for the displays themselves. They raise the money needed by producing badges, postcards, teeshirts and other stuff that you can buy by contacting them through the Jungle Bhoys Web site. Recently, they held a Race Night at MacConnel's bar in the city centre to help pay for their next banner to honour Celtic legend Jimmy McGrory. click here to see the four page programme issued for the race night.

If you would like to help the Jungle Bhoys continue with their great banner displays, send your contribution to P.O. Box 8742 Bellshill ML4 3WX and make cheques payable to 'Jungle Bhoys'.

.CELTIC 7 RANGERS 1 - 50th ANNIVERSARY

50 years ago this weekend, Celtic beat Rangers 7-1 in the League Cup and set a British record (still unbroken) for the biggest victory in a domestic cup final. As would happen, Celtic play Rangers on Saturday at Ibrox in SPL10. If you're lucky enough to a have a ticket for the showdown match, you will be one of the first to see the Jungle Bhoys new 7-1 banner to honour the fantastic victory over the darkside. Click this to see the postcard the Jungle Bhoys issued to mark the famous victory. The original programme for the final is quite valuable and copy in good condition can fetch more than £150. Click here to see the 7-1 programme, teams and scorers.

.GRETNA FC SPL9 - 07/10/07

The first ever Celtic match against Gretna ended in a 2-1 win for the champions in a hard-fought match at Motherwell today. Beating the European champions Milan in midweek in front of 60,000 fans and then having to do it in front of just 6,000 looked like too much of a culture shock for the hOOps after Uruguayan Fabian Yantorno put Gretna ahead in 37 minutes. Gretna held out until 4 minutes from the end when New Zealander Killen and then Australian Scott McDonald scored to keep the Celts at the top of the SPL. Click here to see the historic matchday programme and match details.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW ISSUE 49 - 07/10/07

Issue 49 of the new weekly Alternative View was on sale at the Gretna match today. The front cover has Scott McDonald celebrating the winner against Milan in midweek with a "Cheats Sorted Out" headline. Inside, we learn that Labour MSP Karen Gillon has said in a new book that the 'Sash' is not an offensive song and that she has sung it before. Click here to see it or here to see every issue of the Celtic fanzine.

SEPTEMBER 2007

.DUNDEE UNITED SPL8 - 29/09/07

Scott McDonald scored a hat-trick against Dundee United today and Celtic returned to the top of the SPL after Rangers drew 1-1 at Motherwell. Click here to see the programme and match details.

.HIBERNIAN SPL7 - 23/09/07

Celtic lost 3-2 at Easter Road today in SPL7. Hibs issued a matchday programme for £2. Click here to see the programme and match details. Issue 48 of the alternative VIEW fanzine was on sale outside the stadium.

.CHAMPIONS BACK ON TOP SPL 6 - 15/09/07

SPL Champions Celtic beat ICT 5-0 and went top of the table with Rangers getting a 4-2 gubbing in the early kick-off match at Tynecastle today. Click here to see the matchday programme, ticket, teamsheet and other memorabilia from the match.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW - 13/09/07

Subscribers to the alternative VIEW got the latest copy of the weekly Celtic fanzine this morning. Issue 46 has Super Artur Boruc on the front cover with a headline claiming "Boruc: Celts Open Talks" and a story telling us that "Celtic have opened behind the scene talks to extend keeper Artur Boruc on a luctrative long term contract". A positive Celtic story so not one for the daily fish wrappers. If you don't subrcibe yet (why not?) you will be able to buy a copy of Issue 47 at the Inverness Caley match at Celtic Park on Saturday. Click here to see issue 46 or here to see every issue since the magazine began back in 2002.

.ST MIRREN SPL4 - 02/09/07

Celtic beat St Mirren 5-1 at Love Street today and Gordon Strachan managed to give all his fringe players a game. There was a place in the starting lin-up for Hartley, Riordan and Sno with Zurawski and Killen coming on as subs. St Mirren were beaten easily but the goal of the match was scored by Saints new Argentinian signing, Franco Miranda, with a shot from about 25 yards. Saints issued an A5 match programme for £2.50. Click here to see the programme and match stats.

.ALTERNATIV VIEW 45 - 02/09/07

Issue 45 of Alternative View fanzine, the third since their resurrection, was on sale outside the St Mirren match. It has a great image on the front cover of the Celtic players after Artur Boruc's penalty save against Spartak Moskva in midweek. Click here to see issue 45 or or here to see every issue on our alternative VIEW fanzine page.

AUGUST 2007

.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW - 30/08/07

Click here for a printout of the full draw and match days at the UEFA Web site.

.BRAGIN CUP 2007 - 24-26/08/07

The Celtic first team are about to go to Ukraine for their first Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk but a Celtic youth team have already played there this season. The Under 17's took part in the Bragin Cup which is held every year in memory of their former president Aleksandr Bragin. Bragin and five bodyguards were blown up at Shaktar's ground four minutes into a match against Crimean team Tavria in 1995. Click here to see the programme issued for the tournament that included Shakhtar, Sampdoria and Feyenoord.

.DYNAMO BATUMI REPRINTS - 16/08/07

As predicted, the Spartak pirates are being sold on ebay - but were NOT sold at the match. Worthless pirates sold by conmen on ebay are one thing but if you are a user of ebay's auction site you may have noticed that a COPY of the 1995 Dynamo Batumi v Celtic programme has sold on ebay for £155. Yes some poor collector paid all that for two bits of folded photcopier paper. This programme was undoubtably a reprint and means that the unfortunate Celtic collector that 'won' the auction has overpaid by around £153 plus the ridiculous postage costs charged by the Russian sellers on ebay for their fakes. This programme is one of the rarest Celtic programmes ever and fortunes have been paid for it. The chance of anyone putting a real one on ebay starting at 99 pence with no reserve is nil and collectors should keep this in mind when tempted to bid on this kind of auction. We all like a bargain but watch you don't get dupedski.

.SPARTAK MOSCOW - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 15/08/07

Celtic managed a 1-1 draw in Moscow tonight thanks to Paul Hartley's first ever goal for the hoops. Hartley's goal put Celtic into the lead in the 21st minute and gave them a vital away goal for the return match at Celtic Park in two weeks time. Spartak issued an official programme in small numbers but there were NO pirate programmes on sale at the match or in the city before the match. No doubt the conmen will soon have their home-made pirates for sale on ebay soon but none of them were sold in Moscow. Click here to see the programme and match details.

.FALKIRK - SPL2 11/08/07

Champions Celtic got back to winning ways by beating Falkirk 4-1 in SPL2 today. Man of the match Massimo Donati forced Celtic's first to equalise Higdon's goal and Kenny Miller, Shunsuke Nakamura and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink followed with goals in a fantastic second-half that gave the hoops all three points. Click here to see the Falkirk programme and match details. Good luck to the Bhoys for their Champions League qualifier in Moscow on Wednesday.

.SPARTAK MOSCOW PROGRAMME

A Celtic collector that was in Russia for the UEFA Champions League qualifier match against Spartak Moscow has brought back a number of match programmes and would like to sell them to collectors (no dealers). If you are interested, the programmes are priced very fairly at £5 each plus £2 postage. To order a copy of the programme (plus a free b&w teamsheet), please contact Joe (acting on behalf of the seller) using this email address jaygee@celticcollectorsclub.co.uk.

.GALWAY UNITED - 08/08/07

Celtic played their second freindly match in Ireland against Galway United at Terryland Park tonight. This time, without most of the first team stars that lost to Finn Harps, the hoops won by 3-0. Click here for more details.

.FINN HARPS - 06/08/07

A Celtic XI were beaten 3-2 by Finn Harps in Donegal in Monday night's friendly, with Paul McGowan scoring both Celtic goals. Harps issued a 52 page souvenir limited edition programme for the match.

Click here to see the programme and match details.

.ALTERNATIVE VIEW CELTIC FANZINE IS BACK - 05/08/07

The Alternative View Celtic fanzine has been re-launched as a weekly issue after almost two years. It's back as a less glossy version of the highly-polished original. It's half the size of the original magazine but will only cost you 50p. Fifty pence! What can you get for that? Although the gloss is gone (and we prefer that) the quality of writing from Matt McGlone and his team of experienced writers is still there. Click here to see the new A5 size issue or here to see every issue on our alternative VIEW fanzine page.

.CELTIC COLLECTORS CLUB CDROM - 03/08/07

The Celtic Collectors Club have released a new edition of their excellent Celtic programmes CDROM. The CD contains images of over 4000 Celtic programmes dating back to 1946/7 (and many before this date) at all levels, reserves, friendlies, as well as League and Cup games. As a bonus team line ups, scores and scorers are listed going back to 1888 for every League, Scottish and League Cup tie, as well as all European games. It is a must for all collectors and you can have one for only £12.99. Click here to find out how to buy or order a copy.

.GLASGOW PROGRAMMES IN PARADISE

The GlasgowProgrammes.com stall at the front of the Celtic car park has moved. For many years it was a place where collectors would meet to talk about the hobby and buy football programmes old and new. The stall is owned by the father and son team of Steven and Danny Jacobs. Steven has been selling programmes at that spot since the early seventies but at the end of last season they decided to move their main pitch to a new location in Janefield Street, just across from the Lisbon Lions stand, against the fence at the Irn Bru factory. If you need a programme for the match, something to fill a gap in your collection or any back issues from this season, why not try their new stall. They also have a Web site at www.glasgowprogrammes.com.

.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW - 03/08/07

The draw for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League was made in Nyon, Switzerland today. Celtic have drawn FC Spartak Moscow of Russia and the matches will be played on 14/15 (Celtic Park) and 28/29 (BSA "Luzhniki" stadium) August 2007. The winners go through to the group stage which starts in September, where the 16 teams who have automatically qualified await. This season's final will be played in Moscow on 21 May 2008.

.FC SPARTAK MOSCOW - 03/08/07

Celtic could hardly have been given a more difficult draw in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Like in Ireland, Russian clubs play Summer football so Spartak Moscow are already half way through their season and are at the top of their domestic league table. Although it won't be cold when the hoops play in the BSA Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, they will have to play on Spartak's Astroturf pitch. If this happens it will be a distinct advantage for the Russians as they will be used to the type of fast-flowing football that this surface allows and their team contains Brazilian players from defence through to attack. Like Celtic, Spartak have a proud record of playing in European competition having played over 200 games.

On the positive side, the second leg is at Celtic park so the players will know what is required to make the group stages. Click this for the Spartak Moscow Web site or this for their UEFA Web site page.

.EDINBURGH CITY - 01/08/07

Celtic Under 19's played a friendly match with Edinburgh City Amatuers on Wednesday. The match was played at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh and resulted in a 3-1 win for the Bhoys. City issued a programme for the match for £1 which sold-out on the night. Click here for the programme and match details.

JULY 2007

.DUMBARTON - PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY 30/07/07

Celtic Reserves drew 1-1 in tonight's friendly with Dumbarton at Strathclyde Homes Stadium. Scott McDonald scored for Celtic 5 minutes from the end to equalise a Tommy Coyne goal scored in the first-half. With the SPL starting this weekend, first team players Caldwell, Balde, Jarosik, Gravesen, Killen, McDonald and Riordan played for match practice. Dumbarton issued a programme. Click here for more details.

.PARMA - PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY 29/07/07

Celtic issued a programme in small numbers (3,000) for the pre-season friendly against Parma. Click here to see the Parma programme and match details.

Two Celtic fanzines had their first issues of the season on sale at the Parma match. Not The View had their 20th Anniversary issue on sale for £2 (up 50p on last season's price). This makes 156 issues of the mag since their first in August 1987. More than 90 Mins issued number 44 of their fanzine with Shunsuke Nakamura on the front cover.

.AIRDRIE UNITED - 25/07/07

No programme issued for tonight's reserves friendly with Airdrie Utd that Celtic won 1-0 thanks to a Paul McGowan goal. Click here for match details.

.CELTIC USA TOUR - JULY 2007

A programme was issued for both of Celtic's matches against Major League Soccer opposition in the pre-season USA tour. Celtic suffered a 2-0 defeat against the MLS All-stars team coached by Steve Nicol (ex-Liverpool and Scotland) and drew 1-1 with Chicago fire thanks a Derek Riordan goal. Click these for more details on the MLS All-stars match and the Chicago Fire match.

.FC BASEL / YOUNG BOYS - UHREN CUP JULY 2007

Celtic played two games in the Uhren Cup in Switzerland to kick-off their pre-season friendly matches. FC Basel were beaten 1-0 by a Kenny Miller goal but Young Boys gave us a 4-1 thumping in the second match. A free programme was issued for both games. Click here to see the programmes, tickets and match details. .

MAY 2007

.HONG KONG SEVENS 2007 - 25 - 27 MAY 2007

Celtic played in the Hong Kong 7's 2007 tournament in China on 25 to 27 May. The Celts were beaten 0-2 by PSV Eindhoven in the quarter finals and went out along with Arsenal and Spurs who were beaten by Central Coast Mariners and Happy Valley. Aston Villa were the only British team to make it through to the semi-final and eventually won the tournament by beating Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in the final. As usual, an excellent A4, full-colour programme was issued. Click here to see the tournament programme.

.CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIER DRAW

The draw for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League 2007/08 will be made on 3 August - just before Rangers are eliminated in their second round, second leg match.

.CELTIC PRE-SEASON GAMES - AMERICAN TOUR 2007

At this time, Celtic kick-off their pre-season matches with a trip to Switzerland to play two games in Berne. The Hoops line-up against FC Basel in the Grenchen Stadium on Thursday 5 July and Young Boys of Berne two days later at the same park.

Next, they head south to England and the first stop is London Road Stadium, Peterbourgh to play Peterbourgh United on Friday 13 July followed by a quick trip up to London to play Queen's Park Rangers on Sunday 15 July.

Four days later Celtic are off to the United States where Gordon Strachan's Scottish double winners will take on the mighty MLS All-Stars in a glamour friendly in Denver. Chicago Fire provide the opposition for the second US tour match on Sunday 22 July at Toyota Park, village of Bridgeview, Chicago.

Back from the USA, Celtic return to St James’ Park, Newcastle to take on United on Thursday 26 July. Celtic fans should be let into this one free after they were swindled at the Alan Shearer testimonial when the referee and club officials arranged for Newcastle to win the match. We don't care about Shearer (or any other non-Celt) and were there for one reason only - to see OUR team win!

Celtic reserves/ youths play Airdrie Utd on 25 July, Albion Rovers in a return match for the Jock Stein Friendship Cup (played last year for the first time) on 28 July and Dumbarton on 30 July. Celtic have also arranged to play two August friendlies in Ireland - Finn Harps on 6th and Galway Utd on the 8th.Click here for the 2007/2008 Celtic fixtures list.

.ENAMEL PIN BADGES FOR CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUBS

Would you like to get a badge made for your Celtic Supporters Club but don't know how to go about it? David Hood, a Celtic badge collector, can help your CSC get a new or first badge made at cost price. He can help to design it for you or you can make your own design. David is only interested in collecting badges, he will give you your badges at cost price and makes nothing from the transaction. Sound too good to be true? Well he has already helped over forty CSC's with the same deal. The minimum order is 50 badges and they cost £1 per badge. If you are interested, contact David by email at davidhood1888@btopenworld.com. Why not visit David's Web site and see the badges he has already made.