Glasgow Celtic Supporters Thread

[dee]

talk of jimmy bullard joining on loan as hull can`t afford his wages, he has been told you move to celtic or you get froozen out at hull.;)

 

[noelyf]

Celtic confirm Cha Du-ri signing


CELTIC are pleased to announce the signing of South Korean defender Cha Du-Ri on a two year deal, subject to a work permit.

The 29-year-old is Neil Lennon’s second signing of the summer following the arrival of Charlie Mulgrew from Aberdeen.

He featured in three of his country’s World Cup matches in South Africa and Celtic have contracted him to the club until 2012, with the option of a third

Cha Du-Ri

• Squad No: 6
• Position: Defender
• Age: 29
• Birth Date: Jul 25, 1980
• Birth Place: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• Height: 5' 11" (1.81m)
• Weight: 179 lbs (81 kg)

 

[Tamarc]

not sure about hearing these damn things at parkhead next season

 

[noelyf]

Fortune: I will be an improved player this season

Mark Henderson
MARC-ANTOINE FORTUNE insists that Celtic supporters will see an improvement in his performances over the coming season.

With the experience of 12 months in Scottish football under his belt, the French Guiana striker believes he now knows what it takes to be a success in the Hoops.

Lifting the league championship and finding the back of the net more often will be his two main aims for the current campaign.

“Every year I try to progress," he said. "I arrived last year and it was a difficult year. I did not know much about Scottish football. You have to fight every game. It’s not easy. But I am now ready to fight and now I know it’s a difficult league, and I am ready for it.

“I now know all the teams who I am playing against. When I arrived I didn’t know teams like Falkirk, and now I know the teams. I am more confident and ready.

“For the team, the first target is the title. And I know personally I need to score more goals than last year, so I will work on it and try to do better than last year.”

The squad began pre-season training last week under the direction of new manager Neil Lennon and his backroom staff of Johan Mjallby, Alan Thompson and Garry Parker.

And Fortune reckons that the familiarity of working with the Irishman and Mjallby during the final months of season means the transition to the new regime has been smooth.

“We had Lenny from the last two months of the season, so there is the same atmosphere”, he said. “He is really passionate and he tries to give us this passion on the pitch.

“So it’s going good. It’s hard work, but we need to work hard for this season, so it’s ok.”

Speculation has been rife of new additions to the squad including the striking department. However, Fortune is more than happy to see more quality added to the squad. Indeed, he thrives on the extra competition for places.

“We have a lot of targets, but we need players for the group, so this is welcome. If you add good players it can only be good for Celtic.

“My personality is always relaxed,” he added. “So I cannot get stressed about it. It’s good to have competition. I like it.”

 

[Tamarc]

Joe Ledley signs for Celtic

CELTIC Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of midfielder Joe Ledley on a four year deal.

The 23-year-old is Neil Lennon’s third signing of the summer following the arrival of Charlie Mulgrew and Cha Du-Ri.

The Welsh internationalist leaves Cardiff City after six years and will join up with the squad for the pre-season tour of America.

Ledley, who can also play on the left wing, has been capped for his country in 32 games and can’t wait to get started in Glasgow.

“Celtic is a massive club,” he exclusively told Channel 67. “I’m looking forward to the season and working with Neil and his coaching staff.

“I want to come here and win trophies. This is a great club and I’m looking forward to playing in front of a Celtic’s great fans every week.

“This is the right time to leave Cardiff and look at my career. Hopefully we can win the league and cups and it gives me the opportunity to play in Europe too.”

Celtic Manager, Neil Lennon, said, "We really are delighted to welcome Joe to Celtic. Clearly, there were a number of clubs very interested in signing him so we are very pleased he has chosen to come to Celtic, somewhere I think he can be a tremendous success."

Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, commented, "We are pleased to be able to support Neil in his plans for the development of the squad. Joe is a highly rated and sought after young player.

"We are pleased to have beaten off competition from a number of English Premiership clubs for his signature and we are sure he will be a great addition to our squad. We will continue to do all we can to ensure that we bring quality players to the Club."

 

[Tamarc]

NEIL Lennon and his Celtic squad jetted off to America this morning to kick-start their ten day tour of the States.

The team head to Philadelphia for their first match on Wednesday evening against Philadelphia Union, which will kick-off 1am Celtic Park Time on Thursday.

The Battle of Britain commences two days later as Manchester United line-up against the Hoops in Toronto, with a midnight on Saturday morning kick-off CPT.

Seattle Sounders are next up for Celtic who travel to the west for a 8pm CPT kick-off on July 18.

The Bhoys round-up their tour of USA and Canada with a clash against fellow green and white hooped side Sporting Lisbon. The match kicks off at 1am CPT on Thursday July 22.

The full first-team squad, along with new signing Joe Ledley, have travelled, but Aiden McGeady and Niall McGinn have stayed at home due to injury. McGeady will have a scan tomorrow on a thigh injury which is hoped to not be too serious while McGinn is set to return to training in three weeks after breaking his metatarsal in May.

 

[noelyf]

Celts open North American tour with narrow defeat

Mark Henderson
CELTIC kicked-off their North American Tour with a 1-0 defeat to Philadelphia Union.

Sebastian La Toux struck the only goal of the game in the 23rd minute with a cool finish. And, although the Hoops dominated much of the second half, they were unable to force an equaliser in a match which saw both sides make a raft of substitutions.

In the spectacular surroundings of Philadelphia’s brand new PPL Stadium, which sits on the banks of the Delaware River, Neil Lennon had plucked for a mix of youth and experience for his first match since being appointed manager.

Notably, Dominic Cervi was handed a rare start between the sticks, while Milan Misun, made a welcome return at left-back. It was his first competitive match since picking up a serious injury during last year’s pre-season tour of Australia.

Up front, Lennon opted for a partnership of Paul McGowan and Morten Rasmussen.

The first real chance fell to the home side in the seventh minute. From a corner on the right, the ball ricocheted around the six yard box, before falling to the feet of La Toux. He turned and shot, but it went straight down the throat of Cervi.

Understandably, the Hoops struggled to match the e pace of their opponents – who are midway through their domestic season – in the opening 10 minutes. And La Toux threatened again, driving the ball past the far post from 25 yards.

Celtic’s crafted their first opening in the 13th minute. Neat play down the right between Paul Caddis and McGowan saw the latter’s attempted chip drift wide of the near post.

The MLS side continued to look the more threatening, though, and in the 23rd minute they opened the scoring.

After Jordan Harvey’s initial shot was blocked by Glenn Loovens, Eduardo Coudet picked up the ball and threaded a pass through the heart of the Celtic defence. The dangerous La Toux beat the offside trap, rounded Cervi and rolled the ball into the empty net.

Just after the half hour mark the French striker nearly doubled Union’s advantage. Racing on to a long ball, he flashed a shot across goal which shaved Cervi’s far post.

In the 35th minute, the Hoops came close to a leveller with a well-worked free-kick. It looked like Paddy McCourt was going to strike the ball, but Marc Crosas rolled the ball instead to Jos Hooiveld, who slammed the ball past the near-post from 30 yards.

The Dutch defender had another attempt from a set-piece three minutes later. Again, it was well struck, but flew wide of the near-post.

In the 42nd minute, the match was held up for a few minute, following an injury to Philadelphia midfielder Roger Torres, who had came off the worst from a determined but fair Scott Brown challenge. The Union player was forced to leave the field on a stretcher and was replaced by Andrew Jacobson.

Marc Crosas had the final effort of the half, but his shot from 25 yards flew over.

At half-time both sides made changes. Joe Ledley and Charlie Mulgrew came on to make their Hoops debut, while Mark Wilson took over the captain’s armband from Scott Brown and moved into central midfield. Philadelphia, meanwhile, made all five of their remaining substitutions.

Both debutants looked comfortable beside their new team-mates and indicated they will be good additions to the Celtic squad for the forthcoming season.

Indeed, it was Mugrew, who had the first shot on target in an insipid second half. His curling free-kick was on target, but it was too central to trouble Brian Perk in the Philadephia goal. Unfortunately, the former Hoops defender suffered a head injury and was replaced by Thomas Rogne.

As the half wore on Lennon made further changes, with Ben Hutchinson, James Forrest and Cillian Sheridan all entering the fray.

And, while Celtic had now exerted a grip on proceedings, they were finding it difficult to breakdown a well-organised Philadelphia defence.

However, in the 73rd minute, Forrest did carve open the defence with a well-weighted pass. Wilson, making a run from deep, collected the ball on the edge of the area, but was unable to get enough power on his shot.

As Lennon urged his side on from the touchline, the Hoops came agonisingly close to grabbing a deserved equaliser on two occasions in added time.

First, Hutchinson was unable to find the net from close range with two attempts after Andreas Hinkel’s low shot was blocked.

Then, in the final attack of the game, the striker rose highest to glance a header off the underside of the bar, which no Celtic player could force home.

Despite being unable to find a leveller, Lennon would have been pleased to see 18 players get some competitive action in the first match of the North American Tour.





CELTIC…0

PHILADELPHIA UNION…1
La Toux 23

PPL Park
Chester, Philadelphia

Wedneday, July 15, 2010

CELTIC (4-4-2) Cervi; Hinkel, Loovens, Hooiveld (Mulgrew 45, Rogne 72), Misun; Caddis, Brown (Wilson 45), Crosas (Ledley 45) McCourt (Forrest 61); Rasmussen (Hutchinson 61), McGowan (Sheridan 75)
Not Used: Zaluska,

PHILADELPHIA UNION (4-4-2) Knighton (Perk 45); Harvey, Arrieta, Califf, Orozco; Fred (Stahl 45), Coudet (Noone 45), Miglioranzi (Okugo 45), Torres (Jacobson 43); Mwanga (McInerney 45), Le Toux (Zimmerman 45)
Not Used:

Booked: Harvey 37

Sent-off Stahl 89

 

[Tamarc]

Lennon:Aids wants out

NEIL LENNON last night confirmed that Aiden McGeady wants to QUIT Celtic.
The shattered Hoops manager confessed McGeady could be sold this summer.
Lennon revealed: "Aiden hasn't said to me he wants to leave in so many words. But the initital vibe came from his side of things."
Spartak Moscow, Aston Villa and Birmingham City are keen on the Republic of Ireland star.
But McGeady has indicated he is not keen on Moscow.
The Russian club have already had an £8.3million bid rejected. Spartak coach Valery Karpin said: "I don't think we will get McGeady. We have a list of about 15 players to fill our positions and one of them is McGeady."
McGeady like Fiorentina-bound Artur Boruc is not with Celtic here in America.
The winger is in Glasgow getting treatment on a thigh injury and Lennon added: "I know there are conspiracy theories, but it is genuine injury he picked up in a bounce game last week."


Read more: Lenny: Aid wants out | The Sun |Home Scotland|Scottish Sport|SPL

 

[Tamarc]

Paul Cuddihy
ARTUR Boruc has joined Italian side Fiorentina on a two-year deal. The Polish goalkeeper leaves Celtic Park after five impressive years at the club and goes with the best wishes of the whole Celtic family.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper joined the Hoops in 2005 from Legia Warsaw and quickly established himself as the first-team goalkeeper.

He made his debut in the 4-0 victory over Artmedia Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League qualifier at Celtic Park, and went on to make a total of 221 appearances for the club.

And he also famously scored for the club in the 9-8 penalty shoot-out victory over Dundee United at Hampden in the CIS Cup semi-final two seasons ago.

Artur has always been a favourite with the Celtic support and he has also proved to be one of the best goalkeepers the club has ever had.

Among the many highlights of his time at Celtic was the penalty save against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League in November 2006, which helped give the Hoops a 1-0 victory over the English giants and ensured qualification for the knockout stage of the competition for the first time in the club’s history.

And his penalty shoot-out heroics the following year in the qualifying round of the same competition against Spartak Moscow in August 2007 put the Hoops into the group stages on what was an incredible European night at Paradise.

Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “It was clear that after five years with Celtic, Artur wished to pursue a fresh challenge.

“I know everyone at the club and all our supporters will sincerely wish Artur all the very best in this challenge.

“During his time at Celtic, he has been a magnificent servant to the club and without any question, he is one of the finest goalkeepers ever to play in Scotland. Indeed he has been one of Europe's top keepers.

"A true character, a passionate man and a real Celtic supporter, he has been part of some memorable occasions and been instrumental in the successes which the club has enjoyed. We send him all our best wishes for the future.”

All the best to Artur,you will be missed by the celtic faithfull. Hail Hail

 

[noelyf]

Best Wishes to the Holy Goalie 👍

A great keeper & a great character :)

 

[noelyf]

Celtic face SC Braga in Champions League qualifier

Newsroom Staff
CELTIC will face a tough European tie against Portuguese side SC Braga in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

Neil Lennon's squad will compete against a team that finished second in the Portuguese League last season, five points behind champions Benfica. And the tie will see the Hoops visit the 30,000-capacity Estadio AXA.

The ties are scheduled for July 27/28 (first leg) and August 3/4 (second leg). More information to follow on Celtic FC Splash

 

[wheelo]

best of luck to them in this years champions league and SPL

 

[allybird58]

As Wheelo says Noely.Good luck to Celtic and Neil lennon,for the season ahead👍

 

[noelyf]

Irish striker Daryl Murphy signs for Celtic

Paul Cuddihy
CELTIC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Daryl Murphy, who joins the club from Sunderland on a three-year deal.

The Irish internationalist is the club’s fourth signing of the summer, and joins new Bhoys Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Ledley and Cha Du-Ri in Neil Lennon’s squad.

The 27-year-old began his football career with his hometown club, Waterford United before joining Sunderland in 2005. He also spent loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday and then at Ipswich Town last season.

Murphy made his full international debut for Ireland on May 24, 2007 against Ecuador at the Giants Stadium, New York, and he has gone on to gain nine caps for his country

 

[noelyf]

Impressive Celts downed by red devils

Mark Henderson
DESPITE an impressive performance in the Toronto heat, Celtic went down to a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the second match of the pre-season tour of North America.

Dimitar Berbatov gave the Red Devils the advantage after 30 minutes, before Georgios Samaras deservedly brought the Hoops level in the second half.

However, two late goals from substitutes, Danny Wellbeck and Tom Cleverley, gave United the win. For those Celtic fans watching the match though, this was a display which would provide plenty of encouragement for the season ahead.

Neil Lennon had made a raft of changes from the opening match of the pre-season tour against Philadelphia Union. They included a first ever start for youngster James Forrest in the top-team, while Shaun Maloney and Thomas Rogne also made their long awaited return from injury.

Facing them was a strong United side, with Sir Alex Ferguson selecting the likes of Ryan Giggs, Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher in the starting XI.

After both teams had early period of possession, it was the Hoops who had the first effort on goal in the seventh minute. After United’s won their first corner, the ball was headed clear to Maloney, who picked out Marc-Antoine Fortune on the left in space. He drove forward into the box but elected to shoot from a tight angle with players waiting in the middle.

At the other end, some delightful skill from Giggs created a chance for Gabriel Obertan inside the box, but the French winger dragged his shot wide.

United began to zip the ball around and created another opening minutes later. Diouf crossed to the far post, but Berbatov looped a header over.

As the half wore on though, the Hoops began to take a stronger grip on proceedings.

Neat play on the left between Maloney and Mulgrew, saw the latter swing in a wicked delivery to the back post, which was heading towards Brown, until the intervention of the United defence.

In the 20th minute, a corner was only knocked clear to Marc Crosas on the edge of the area, but his low drive was blocked.

Fortune, who was operating as the lone striker, showed good strength and control to twist past Jonny Evans, but the defender managed to recover before the striker could get a shot away.

While Celtic were now stroking the ball around comfortably, they were shown the dangers of any lapses in concentration on the half hour mark when the Red Devils created two good opportunities.

First, Brown was dispossessed in midfield, allowing Rafael to break quickly and release Obertan in space. And he should have done better than shooting wide of Lukasz Zaluska’s post.

Then, Berbatov showed excellent control to find space 25 yards out and flash a shot narrowly wide.

Celtic didn’t heed the warnings, though, and United made the breakthrough in the 34th minute. Diouf floated a cross in from the left. Berbatov took a touch and fired past a helpless Zaluska into the far corner.

The goal saw the Hoops lose their way for 10 minutes, but they began to claw their way back into match as half-time approached. Forrest skipped past Fabio and delivered a dangerous ball to the back-post, which was narrowly away from finding Fortune and Maloney.

And after a good spell of possession, Ledley showed good vision to find Mulgrew in space. The full-back needed no invitation to burst into the box and fire a ferocious shot at goal, which was deflected into the side netting.

At half-time, Lennon replaced Brown with Georgios Samaras, with United making four changes.

Straight away the Red Devils nearly doubled their advantage, but Darren Gibson blazed over after a lovely lay-off from Berbatov.

The Hoops support thought they were celebrating an equaliser when Samaras headed home a Mulgrew free-kick, but to their disappointment it was ruled out for offside.

On 54 minutes, Mulgrew tried to surprise Van Der Sar with a near-post shot, but the Dutch keeper was equal to the task.

But just past the hour mark Celtic deservedly grabbed an equaliser. Ledley made a great run into the box and was hauled down by Chris Smalling. Samaras placed the ball on the spot and confidently stroked it into the top corner.

Two minutes later, the Greek striker, who was making a real impact drove down the left and floated a dangerous ball into the six yard box, which just evaded the head of Forrest.

Lennon’s side were now playing with real confidence and Marc-Antoine Fortune stung Van Der Sar’s hands with a powerful shot, after good link-up play with Ki - who had joined the fray along with new signing Cha Du-Ri midway through the half.

But just as it looked like Celtic were the ones that would find the winner, United struck at the other end. The ever-dangerous Berbatov spun inside the box and slid the ball across the face of goal, and Danny Wellbeck had the easiest task of stabbing the ball into the net.

Fortune tried to reply straight away with a long-range effort, which was well struck but was straight at Van Der Sar.

With the Hoops pushing forward, there were inevitable gaps being left at the back though and Federico Macheda forced Zaluska into a magnificent save from 18 yards.

And United put an unfair reflection on the scoreline when Tom Cleverly’s shot was deflected past Zaluska.

Celtic continued to press for an unlikely way back into the match, but the best chance they could muster was an ambitious 30 yard shot from Ben Hutchinson.

Despite the defeat, this was an encouraging performance from the Hoops against a top European side - and Lennon would be able to take plenty of positives from the display.


Rogers Centre
Toronto, Canada

Friday, July16, 2010


CELTIC…1
Samaras 61

MANCHESTER UNITED…3
Berbatov 34, Wellbeck 79, Cleverly 86

CELTIC (4-3-3) Zaluska; Wilson (Cha 67), Rogne, O’Dea, Mulgrew; Brown (Samaras 45), Crosas (Ki 67), Ledley (Ferry 76); Forrest, Fortune, Maloney (Hutchinson 74)
Not Used: Hooiveld, McCourt, Loovens, Caddis, Cervi

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2) Van Der Sar; Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Fabio; Obertan, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs, Diouf, Berbatov

 

[allybird58]

What can i say sorry Noely.:faint: :faint: Come on the Celtic👍 Thanks for update,first iv heard about result👍

 

[noelyf]

Artur Boruc has paid tribute to Celtic after bringing his five-year spell at the club to an end when he joined Fiorentina.


He said: 'It has been a privilege to play for such a massive club like Celtic and the support that I have received has been amazing and made my time at the club a very special part of my career and my life.


'I would like to thank the club for their support and give the Celtic fans a special 'hail, hail!'.


'The club and the fans are unique and I will continue to take an interest and follow the progress of Celtic.


'I hope I can return as a spectator and a supporter in the future and I wish my successor the very best of luck.'

 

[Tamarc]

EFRAIN Juarez has become the latest player to join Celtic this summer after agreeing a four-year deal with the club. The Mexican internationalist has met up with his new team-mates in Seattle as they continue their tour of North America.

A work permit has been approved for the 22-year-old, who represented his country during the 2010 World Cup tournament in South Africa. And he will undergo a medical in Seattle, while the club are in the process of finalising all documentation.

Juarez joins Celtic from Mexican side UNAM Pumas, and manager Neil Lennon is delighted to have added the player to a squad which has already been boosted by the arrival of Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Ledley, Daryl Murphy and Korean internationalist Cha Du-Ri.

 

[noelyf]

Celts sink Sounders for first tour win

Mark Henderson
SOME devastating counter-attacking saw Celtic secure their first win of their North American Tour with a 2-1 triumph over the Seattle Sounders.

Georgios Samaras opened the scoring from the spot just past the half hour mark, after he was brought down in the act of scoring after an incisive Hoops breakaway.

In another flowing move, spearheaded by the impressive Milan Misun, Paddy McCourt added a second after the break with a neat finish.

Although Seattle pulled a goal back through a long-range effort from David Estrada, the Hoops held on comfortably for the victory and had plenty chances to add to their tally in what was an excellent overall performance.

After the impressive second half showing against Manchester United in Toronto, Neil Lennon had opted for an attacking line-up with McCourt, Samaras, Cillian Sheridan and Morten Rasmussen all starting.

The Sounders had quite literally laid out the red carpet for the Hoops. And there was a 10 minute delay before kick-off for the US national anthem, and music from bagpipe and brass bands.

Once proceedings got underway it was the home side that threatened to open the scoring after 120 seconds. Montano NKufo found Fredy Montero in the box and his shot across Dominic Cervi shaved the far post.

The Hoops hit-back immediately, when McCourt slid the ball through for Rasmussen, but the striker was flagged for offside.

The Danish hitman was involved again minutes later, heading over from a good delivery on the left from Sheridan, who had surprisingly started in the left-back position.

McCourt, who was operating just behind Rasmussen, was getting plenty of the ball and in the ninth minute his cross-field pass found Andreas Hinkel. The German defender cut inside into the box, but his low cross failed to find a target.

Since the opening exchanges there had been little attacking threat from the Sounders. But midway through the half, they began to pose a few more problems to the Celtic rearguard.

First, Taylor Graham fired over from 20 yards after a corner had been cleared to the edge of the area.

Then, Freddy Montero showed some lovely skill inside the box to flick the ball away from Jos Hooiveld and power a shot over the bar.

But it was from a Sounders attack that Celtic took the lead. McCourt won the ball in his own half and found Simon Ferry. The young midfielder looked up and slid a lovely pass through for Samaras, who raced away from the defence, rounded Sounders keeper, Terry Boss, and stabbed the ball home.

However, the celebrations were cut short when the referee, Paul Ward, brought the play back to send-off Boss for a foul on the Greek striker and award a penalty. The decision caused a furore on the home bench and the match was held up for a few minutes.

When he finally took the kick to a chorus of boos, Samaras kept his cool to fire high past substitute keeper Jordan Jennings, who had replaced the impressive Montero.

With the extra man advantage, Celtic tried to stroke the ball about and engineered another shot on target in the 35th minute, when Jennings pushed away a Ki free-kick.

There was little further incident until half-time, although Rasmussen may have done better when he failed to pick out the run of Paul Caddis through the middle

It was the 10 men that created the first opportunity after the restart. A neat interchange between Peter Vagenas and Sanna Nyassi nearly crafted a shooting opportunity inside the box, until a timely intervention from Hooiveld.

Celtic replied through a dangerous cross from Ki, and a marauding run from Paul Caddis.

At the other end, Miguel Montano dragged a shot wide, before the Hoops added a second through another excellent breakaway in the 64th minute.

A Sounders corner was cleared to Misun and he powered forwarded down the left. Showing great composure he picked out McCourt in the middle and the Irishman calmly sidefooted the ball past Jennings into the far corner.

It was just what the Hoops deserved and it seemed a first win on the tour was now secure. However, out of the blue, the Sounders pulled a goal back. Estrada had only been on the park for seconds, and with his first touch he struck an unstoppable shot into the top of the net from 25 yards.

Buoyed by the goal, the home side pushed forward with renewed purpose. However, in truth, Lennon’s side still looked comfortable and came close to increasing their advantage on several occasions.

With around 20 minutes remaining, Ferry won possession and fed Marc-Antoine Fortune and from a tight angle he forced Jennings into a good stop.

And then McCourt saw another shot agonisingly hit the post after good work from Paul McGowan

Fortune’s pace was causing the Sounders defence problems and he cut the ball back for James Forrest and his flick found the side-netting.

In the 77th minute, Charlie Mulgrew picked out Fortune from the left, but the striker couldn’t keep his header down.

As the clock ticked down, Celtic remained dangerous on the break with Forrest and McGowan both coming close.

Although, Estrada, who had been a real danger since his arrival nearly grabbed a draw for the home side when he cracked a shot off the post from a narrow angle.

However, Celtic held on for their first win of the North American Tour in a manner which will provide the manager plenty of encouragement. The Hoops now head to Boston to take on Sporting Lisbon.

 

[noelyf]

Like father like son for new bhoy Cha

Laura Brannan
FOR most of his career, Cha Du-Ri has lived in the shadow of his father, Cha Bum-Kun, one of the biggest names in South Korean football.

During his playing days, Cha senior scored 55 goals in over 100 internationals, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer and he was also given the ‘Asia’s Player of the Century’ award.

But at the age of 29, new Celtic signing, Cha junior, has managed to make his stamp on the game and shown he is worthy of his own reputation.

With 50 caps to his name and fresh from the 2010 World Cup, he wants to prove to the Celtic fans what he can bring to the club based on his own ability and achievements.

“It was very hard for me when I started playing,” Cha said. “My father played in Germany for 10 years and won the UEFA Cup with Frankfurt.

“Everyone was watching to see if I was going to play the same way as my father. I have the same style as him but he scored more.

“Everyone still speaks about my father and I'm happy with that. But now I need to make my own name.”

And that’s something Cha looks to have started already as he arrives on Scottish soil with a wealth of nicknames already attached.

Known as ‘The Human Weapon’, he has also earned the title ‘Autobahn’ because of his trademark speedy, all-action approach in the Bundesliga since he started playing in Germany eight years ago.

“I'm a fast player and I try to play very strongly on the pitch,” he added. “In Korea they also gave me the names 'The Terminator' and ‘Robot’.

“I love my nicknames because they reflect the way I play. I'm sure the Celtic fans will like them too.

“My father is proud of me and pleased I'm moving to Scotland - he knows the Scottish league is strong and hard and that will suit my game.”

Cha has teamed up at Paradise with South Korea team-mate Ki Sung-Yueng, on a two-year deal following a successful World Cup campaign in South Africa.

And the defender, who made the switch from German side Freiburg, became Neil Lennon’s second signing of the summer and can’t wait to play in front of the faithful Celtic support.

He said: “I think the way I play will be very good for the Scottish league. In Germany when defensive players make a good tackle, the spectators say nothing.

“In Scotland or England it's different and the crowd show their appreciation. That part could be very good for me and I hope to have lots of good games for Celtic.

“I know a bit about the Scottish game from watching the live games on TV when Celtic play Rangers. I loved those games and I'm even happier knowing I'll get a chance to play in them.

“But I know Celtic must win every game - and that's a big motivation for me too."