The Old Firm in England.

[All Blue Supporter]

www.skysportsnews.com
Old Firm in England

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The rumours, the stories, the debates - finally is all over. For years now, many supporters of both sides of Glasgow have claimed there sides would be better off in England due to the poor standards of Scottish football, while others have disagreed that taking out the Old Firm would damage Scottish football for good and slowly would turn very similiar to the Irish Leagues.

Well it's happened, Celtic and Rangers will now find themselves playing in the English leagues next season, although didn't get exactly everything there own way. Both sides have to start from NPower League Two and work themselves up into the Barclays Premier League, as there was no way the English FA was going to allow eother club into the most prestigious and claimed best league in the world just like that.

Outside of the Old Firm support in Scotland, there's also been mixed reactions from other supporters, claming that league would be excitable, more unpredictable now that the dominating two have moved, however alot of people agree with others that the money that Scottish football will lose out on now from losing the Old Firm will have severe consequences. Down in England, supporters also have mixed reactions for the move, where some are glad and inviting the sides down and looking foward for the "big" games others are wary of the teams reputation and there fans, especially with what happened with Rangers fans in Manchester during the UEFA Cup Final.

However, for Celtic and Rangers - it's a move there both delighted with and there lookign to be in the Premier League within the next five years. It's yet to be known, if both clubs will manage to keep on to there players or not, but rumours are already flying about that new managers may come in to takeover to guide the either of the clubs to the promise land of the Barclays Premier League.

 

[CCFCFAN]

Who are you managing Celtic/Rangers?Good start

 

[All Blue Supporter]

Henrik Larsson named Celtic Manager

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A return of a legend, a hero infact one of the greatest players to ever wear a Celtic Jersey is back at Celtic Park, as he was announced as there new manager to guide them to the Barclays Premier League. Rumours had been circulating if Celtic who change there manager with the new challenges infront of them and it seemed just too much for them to turn down when Larsson had quit his managerial job in Sweden.

Larsson, who's a massive fan favourite with the Celtic support, is taking a risk with his reputation in returning as manager, as we all know how easy it is, for the fans to turn on you when you aint getting results, no matter how big you was as a player. With Larsson now announced as the manager, it appears his first job will be sorting out the team as rumours have it some players are wanting to leave due to the league position, where as others may remain loyal, time will tell about that situation.

The new League Two table is shaped up and unsuprisingly Celtic and Rangers have been made instant favourites to win the league, even though it's there first ever time competing domestically in England. It will be interesting to see just how well the Old Firm will do after years and years of whining the Scottish Premier League was too easy for them.

(Two screenshots combined, League was too large for one screenshot)



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[james_lwau]

Can you send me a link to that custom database? I'd love to get celtic from League up to the premiership

 

[All Blue Supporter]

Pre-Season & Transfers

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With the new League position of Celtic, there was always going to be a possibility of losing players, to higher league clubs. Although to be honest, not as many players as you would of thought have been wanting to leave and only a few players have left Celtic Park so far and to be honest Larsson has made sure he's got a suitable price for everyone of them. It seems the lure of still playing in Europe as kept players at Celtic Park and ofcourse the ambition they have for reaching the Barclays Premier League.

The first player to head out of Celtic Park, was Dutch defender Glen Loovens. Loovens, who hadn't been making many performances for Celtic as of late, especially at the end of last season has signed for FC Kobenhaven for a fee of £750,000. Larsson said it was better for Loovens to recieve first team football at his stage of his career. Ki Sung-Yong has also left Celtic park in a £2,000,000 deal to Ajax, a move which Sung-Yong described as a "dream move" and also very respectable fee for Celtic.

Paddy McCourt is one of the bigger names to have left Celtic, McCourt leaves in a £2,000,000 deal to Championship big spenders Leicester City. McCourt who plays on the wings, was informed by Larsson that he wouldn't receieve much football after relising the style of football (formation) wouldn't suit McCourt. Larsson claimed it was a shame to lose such a talent from the club, but he just wouldn't of got games at Celtic Park.


The last to leave Celtic Park is Thomas Rogne, who's been snapped up by Championship favourites West Ham United for a fee of £2,500,000. Larsson claimed he had intention of allowing Rogne to leave, but claimed the offer was to good to turn down and allowed Rogne to join the London club.

Players Out

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Celtic have also been busy in bringing in players aswell as selling them. The first signing of Henrik Larssons Celtic managerial career was the season loan of Manchester United hot-shot Federico Macheda. The young Italian striker was delighted to join Celtic on a season long loan deal, explaining that the opportunity to play first team football at a team with the history and ambition that Celtic has, was a "no brainer".

Next was the signing of Leicester City's highly rated attacking midfielder, Andy King. In a move what was inspired on by Leicester City's chairman, Andy King was delighted to sign for the hoops. In a deal of just over £4,000,000 - it seemed that Celtic had got a fair deal on the player, although Leicester City manager Sven-Gorn Erikkson was left fuming that the board accepted the deal over his head.

Another season loan was brought in from Manchester United, this time it was the young highly rated midfielder Paul Pogba who was seeing stars in green and white. Pogba who's delighted to have teamed up with team mate Federico Macheda had no problem making his mind up when Celtic came hunting for him and is looking foward for the season ahead of first team football.

Another one of Celtic's signings so far this season is a very controversial one. Young experianced highly rated centre back Danny Wilson, has joined on a season loan from Liverpool as replacement for the departed Thomas Rogne. Why controversial? Because Danny Wilson was signed from Rangers, when Liverpool bought him - so it will be very interesting to see how the fans will re-act to Wilson in a hoops shirt.

The final signing of Celtic this season, is experianced left back Ian Harte who has joined from Reading for a fee of £825k. The experianced left back is thought to be delighted to sign with Celtic and cant wait to get the season started. One of the reasons what convinced him to sign for Celtic was actually the manager himself Henrik Larsson, who had alot of enspiring words to convince Harte this was the right move for him.

Players In
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Pre-Season friendlies is always a time about getting your fitness up and getting the team gelling together, ofcourse it's always nice to win, but the main priority is go get good performances and make sure the side is ready for the new season, which was Henrik Larsson's look of it, especially with the new signings he had made, it was all about getting them to gel.

Pre-Season Friendlies

Celtic 4 - 0 Celtic Reserves

Albion Rovers 1 - 4 Celtic

Celtic 1 - 0 Velez

Rochdale 0 - 4 Celtic


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A very convincing Pre-Season by Celtic, scoring a total of 13 goals and conceding just one in four games. They look ready to hit the ground running for there new season in the NPower League 2 and people are starting to see why there joint favorites with Rangers to win the league after there dominating display over League 1 side Rochdale. Henrik Larsson claims his players are ready for the new fresh challenge what awaits them, but we will find out next week when the NPower League Two kicks off.

Next Saturday..

Npower League Two
Celtic v Swindon Town
Celtic Park

&

Npower League Two
Macclesfield Town v Rangers
The Moss Rose





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[All Blue Supporter]

August Update


Celtic v Swindon
NPower League Two
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Cracking way to start the League Campaign for Henrik Larsson's Celtic side, a dominating victory over a team which was one of the favourites to challenge the Old Firm for promotion this season. Kevin Wilson got Celtic off to a flyer with a smart diving header just inside five minutes and from there Celtic never looked back. Swindon was able to hold on to half-time at just a goal down, but Giorgus Samaras doubled the lead just under the hour mark in the second half with a smart finish. After a poor game all round for Swindon it was made worse when Joe Devera put the ball in his own net by a foolish header and the game was rounded up by a debut goal from Federico Macheda to Celtic there first domestic league win in England and a very convincing one too.

Bristol Rovers v Celtic
NPower League Two

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A suprising result to say the least, but a game which will prove to Celtic that this league aint going to be just a walk in the park. A very spirited performance Bristol Rovers side earned themselves a point from the Glasgow giants as the was able to contain Celtic throughout the game. Celtic had more of the possession and chances and the deadlock was broken when Federico Macheda lobbed the keeper to give Celtic the lead, but it only lasted for six minutes as Scott Mcgliesh found himself in space to unleash a powerful effort from the edge of the box to beat Fraser Forster at his right corner to level the scores. Celtic had various chances to win the game, including Gary Hooper's open goal miss, but Bristol Rovers hung on to a result they will be delighted with.

FC Sion v Celtic
Europa League 4th Qualifying Round Leg 1

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Ok, yeah so if your wondering why a League Two club is playing in Europa? It's because Celtic finished 2nd the season before in the Scottish Premier League, which meant they still qualified for the Europa League, aslong as they got past the qualifying round against FC Sion. In a game where it really coul of went either way, it was Celtic what left with the advantage as a super strike from Andy King on the edge of half-time gave them the lead, before Gary Hooper doubled the lead with just eight minutes to go with a fine solo effort. This gives Celtic a massive chance qualifying for the group stages as the 2nd leg will be played at Celtic Park.

Celtic v Plymouth
NPower League Two

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Henrik Larsson's Celtic then welcomed the financially struggling Plymouth to Celtic Park for another League Two encounter. A game which Celtic dominated possession throughout, although Plymouth certaintly limited them to open chances, it was clear Plymouth was out playing for a draw and it seemed they're tactic may of been working until twenty minutes from time when Gary Hooper got himself on the end of Andy Kings cross to head Celtic infront. Massive relieve all round the stadium as Celtic went on to get another vital three points, Henrik Larsson claimed he had no doubt that the boys would get the job done today, despite them hitting the woodwork four times.

Celtic v FC Sion
Europa League 4th Qualifying Round Leg 2

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Henrik Larsson made it clear that he didn't want his bhoys to get complacent about there two goal advantage they had over Swiss side FC Sion. He wanted the team to go out and end the tie as a whole in the first half and arguebly you could say they done it, when Gary Hooper smashed home a powerful effort to the top corner to give Celtic the lead and further extend the aggegrate lead to three goals. The goal took the fight out of FC Sion and from there on Celtic dominated possession, and played some lovley slick passing football. The final whistle blew and Celtic had qualified for the Europa League Group Stages with a 3-0 aggregate wine of FC Sion. The first ever NPower Leahue Two side to be in the Europa Group Stages.

Europa League Group H

Athletico Madrid
Celtic
FC Zurich
Red Star

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Quite a tough gorup handed to Celtic, with Athletico Madrid and FC Zurich sure to cause alot of problems, also the unsuspectability of Serbian side Red Start Beldgrade was also a game not to take lightly. Celtic would do well to qualify from this group, but they're main objection this season is promotion.

Burton Albion v Celtic
NPower League Two

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A fiesty Burton Albion took the game to Celtic, but was unable to get anything out the game, as Celtic's squad just proved to strong and quick for Burton Albion. A bright start to the game, saw Celtic hit the woodwork twice in many minutes, but also saw Burton Albion get a header cleared off the line. Celtic continued to press with attack after attack but it wasn't until the last fifteen minutes where the finally got the goal they needed. Federico Macheda with a fine lob over helpless Burtion Albion keeper put Celtic on there way and then Kevin Wilson just a few moments later smashed in from close range. The victory meant Celtic would be top of the table for the end of August, which had proven to be a fine start to the season in there first time in the English leagues.

Rotherham v Celtic
Carling Cup 2nd Round

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The final game of the month was an away tie to fellow League Two side Rotherham in the second round of the Carling Cup. The game was very slow to start with niether side threatening, although Celtic did have more of the possession, they couldn't make anything of it. Joe Ledley had to be subbed off from which looked a serious injury, which was sure to dampen the Celtic camp as Ledley had been superb for them so far this season, he was replaced by Scott Brown. Brown then made an instant impact playing through Gary Hooper who then turned the ball across to set up Andy King to smash home from only a few yards to give Celtic the lead just before half-time. Celtic never looked back and the game was put to rest when that kid Federico Macheda popped up again with a tidy finish to give Celtic a comfortbale and deserving two goal win over Rotherham, which meant Celtic would Championship side Reading in the third round.

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Ok, so August ended with Celtic top of the table of League Two and also qualified for the group stages for the Europa League, not to mentioned they're also through to the next round of the Carling Cup. It's fair to say, it's been a superb month for the Glasgow side and to top it all off, Henrik Larsson won manager of the month for August in his first month in charge of Celtic. It seems Celtic just dont know the word losing as they continue to charge for glory and silverware, somethings just never change...

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[CCFCFAN]

Let's be fair you're gonna romp L2

 

[All Blue Supporter]

Should do! But the amount of games which I need to play this season is unbelievable..

44 league games + Europa League games + Carling cup games + FA Cups games + johnstones paint trophy.

If we get far in each competation, we're talking about 60+ games this season, but yeah..we should win League2 no problem.

Would you'se rather have a season update until we get to Championship/Premier League or are you'se happy with monthly.

 

[Moonschool]

Thanks for doing another story mate! Loving this one also ^_^

 

[All Blue Supporter]

thnks

 

[manutdfc]

not really interested would rather see celtic from league 2 then win the champs in 6-7 years