Celtic Diary Friday June 28

The switch of the Champions League tie against Cliftonville has been approved by UEFA. The first leg will be in Belfast on Wednesday July 17, with the return in Glasgow on the following Tuesday. Summer football. you can’t beat it.

When Celtic last played Cliftonville, back in 1984, there was a bit of crowd trouble, and Strathclyde Police, who have a campaign at the moment to stamp out possible trouble at the football by interning anyone featuring the colours green or white about their person, have promised to keep a low profile at this one to avoid any flare ups.

Manager Neil  Lennon is looking forward to the game.

” It will be the first time I have taken Celtic to a competitive game back home so that is something to look forward to, but we will be totally motivated, obviously, to play as strongly as we can and try to win the tie. Its a great draw and will create a lot of interest back in Belfast but I am wary of the tie. ”

On paper, it should be straightforward, but the Irish side will raise their game more for this one than possibly any other in the players careers. It could be tricky, but perhaps that is why Celtic favoured the return at home, with a large crowd backing them to correct any potential upset in the first game.

Thomas Rogne is set for a medical at Wigan Athletic, which could scupper any move. He’ll need to borrow someone elses medical records, and perhaps take his family doctor with him to have any hope of passing. However, the fragile defender deserves a wee bit of luck, and we wish him all the best. Celtic will be seeking clarification as to whether they are entitled to any compensation for Rogne, for although he is out of contract, he was offered a new deal, and Celtic would be paid for his development as long as he moves before the end of the season where he turns 23. Rogne is 23 tomorrow, so there is half a chance of getting something, but it is unlikely. Shame, it could have gone towards his medical bills.

The bidding war from serious clubs who actually have a chance of landing Victor Wanyama seems set to begin. Reports from Liverpool indicate that Brendan Rodgers will be allowed to spend big on the Kenyan, whilst Afrikansoccer suggests that Arsene Wenger wants to take him to Arsenal. Frankly, most Celtic fans now don’t care where he goes, as long as the club gets a decent wedge for him. Agent Ivan Modia, who has not only burnt his bridges with Celtic, but scorched the earth below them, must be delighted. Right up until the next time he unearths a gem and tries to offload him somewhere that knows how to polish off the rough edges.

Still, if he moves to Liverpool with his client, the odds are he’ll get his pockets picked and his wheel trims removed. Serves him right.

Moscow Spartak are looking for £10m from Everton for ex Celt Aiden McGeady, which means he won’t be returning to Celtic, unless he waits until his current deal is up.

Gary Hooper is still a little confused as to why Celtic won’t pay him as much as other top earners at the club, and reading between the lines, perhaps thats where the Wanyama money will go….

Thats a sensible rumour. The silly ones include the wee Mexican winger dos Santos coming to Celtic, along with the surprise goalie, and Anthony Stokes going to Sunderland, for £4m. Even though Stokes is actually out of contract.

Crewe play at Lennoxtown this weekend, and don’t be surprised if Luke Murphy gets a tour of the complex. This lad is going to be a big player one day, and even if it means loaning him back to the English side, he should be snapped up. If thats actually legal.

With namesake Daryl away to Ipswich, theres already a shirt with his name on it, which would free up a few quid more  for his wages.

Elsewhere in Scotland, well, Hampden to be precise, a fifteen hour meeting ended in the wee small hours of this morning with the mess that is the SPL merging with the mess that is the SFL to create a great big mess called the SPFL. Most chairmen are happy with it, although the fans won’t see that much of a difference, the idea is to streamline everything, and spread the money about a little more evenly.

Problem is , though, simply re-naming a product that isn’t selling, whilst retaining the same management that failed to sell it in the first place, just prolongs the agony. New faces, not names, are what is needed. The windows need to be opened and the offices need a good clear out.

The new set up sees the elevation from associate to full member of new club Sevco Rangers, which in the words of this weeks CEO Craig Mather is “what everyone in Scottish football wanted “, proving that he is equally as short sighted and stupid as any of his predecessors.

But, its not all bad news for the new club. They have taken delivery of a new bus to help them on their new adventure.

The club have decided to hire one from Bruces coaches , presumably because creditor 193 of the old club is Parks of Hamilton, who were stiffed for just over £7,000.

Still, its a classy vehicle.

The new bus replaces the old one, which was bought after all the players left the dead club, when they first started pretending they hadn’t died.

It will be used until they finalise the new sponsorship deal with their new owners.

Actually, though, its one of the new luxury coaches from Bruces coach hire, and you can even hire this beauty for weddings and funerals. Somewhere, there is already a whip round in place..

Except you might want to change the rather tasteless decor.

The new clubs fans are delighted with this-well, they haven’t had a great deal to cheer about, and its nice to see them happy, because they have been punished enough. Well, thats what they keep saying in the papers, so it must be true.

Something else that could keep them happy is a new wee game they can play next season. As their new strips are made from a template, and the deal they have is just for Puma to supply some kit, not as sponsors, as suppliers only, mind, the fans can spend hours of harmless fun spotting teams who have the same strip as them.

To explain the deal, clubs, from amateur to professional, choose a design from a catalogue, and the company then sends them a kit at wholesale prices. Anyone who has been involved with a school or pub team will be familiar with this.

Look at these pictures, and you can see similarities.

Thats Sevco, here is Falkirk

Wolves;

and Plymouth

Yet another part of their “unique ” identity has been stripped away, quietly and yet portrayed as a triumph.

New sponsors Blackthorn must be delighted.

Charlie Nicholas was the man who was a dumpling at school, well done to Horsely and Anthony Flynn for spotting that.

Who said this, after a Cup Final win ?

” The enthusiasm of youth, and the never say die spirit to conquer, coupled with harmony in execution, sent Celtic rioting home to a wonderful victory. ”