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Glasgow Celtic Supporters Thread
- Thread starter noelyf
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noelyf
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Freeview week on Celtic TV
By: Newsroom Staff on 16 Mar, 2012
WE'RE approaching a crucial stage in the season with the first silverware of the campaign up for grabs this Sunday, and a derby game to look forward to when we return to league business – and all next week Celtic TV is taking you right to the heart of the action – for FREE!
From next Monday to Friday (March 19 – 23), the club’s official online TV channel is FREE to watch for all Celtic supporters across the globe.
We could hardly have picked a better week for the FREE trial and on our nightly news show, the Huddle Online, we’ll reflect on the Scottish Communities League Cup final encounter with Kilmarnock and look forward to our league meeting with Rangers at Ibrox.
Presented by host Gregor Kyle, the shows are packed with exclusive first-team interviews, behind-the-scenes footage from Lennoxtown and Celtic Park and a weekly in-depth interview with manager, Neil Lennon.
We’ll also have a series of classic match highlights leading up to the derby game, and you’ll have the chance to win a shirt signed by one of your Celtic heroes in our latest Goal of the Month competition.
The Huddle Online also features comprehensive coverage of the Under-19 and Development Squad matches, with exclusive match highlights and interviews with the rising stars and coaches.
During the FREE trial, supporters will also be able watch our pre and post-match media conferences and watch Sunday’s League Cup final in full from 3pm on Monday (March 19).
Next week’s Celtic TV Freeview is very easy to access. All you have to do is visit http://www.celticfc.tv/www.celticfc.tv and simply watch any of our programmes or content – you do not have to register, login or give us any of your details.
And remember supporters overseas can watch this Sunday’s big final live on the club’s official online channel!
Celtic TV takes you right to the heart of the action here at Paradise. Have a look for FREE next week to find out more.
noelyf
VIP Member
[h=2]Condolences to the Kelly family[/h] By: Newsroom Staff on 19 Mar, 2012
CELTIC Football Club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of Kilmarnock midfielder, Liam Kelly, whose father, Jack, tragically died following Sunday’s Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden.
Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, said: "Everyone at Celtic is devastated by this terrible news. All at the football club are thinking about Liam and the entire Kelly family at this very sad time."
Manager, Neil Lennon, spoke on behalf of the football department. He said: "All of the management team, players and backroom staff wish to offer our thoughts and prayers to Liam Kelly’s family.
"Myself and the entire team are shocked and saddened with this news and our heartfelt condolences go to Liam."
CELTIC Football Club would like to offer its sincere condolences to the family of Kilmarnock midfielder, Liam Kelly, whose father, Jack, tragically died following Sunday’s Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden.
Celtic Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell, said: "Everyone at Celtic is devastated by this terrible news. All at the football club are thinking about Liam and the entire Kelly family at this very sad time."
Manager, Neil Lennon, spoke on behalf of the football department. He said: "All of the management team, players and backroom staff wish to offer our thoughts and prayers to Liam Kelly’s family.
"Myself and the entire team are shocked and saddened with this news and our heartfelt condolences go to Liam."
noelyf
VIP Member
Football League rules out Celtic move
Monday, 19 March 2012
Football League chairman Greg Clarke today ruled out any chance of Celtic joining League One or the Championship.
A report yesterday claimed the Glasgow giants were so keen to join English football that they were in talks over a move into League One.
Club sources have insisted that is not the case and Clarke himself said it would be "disrespectful" to the Scottish football authorities to enter into any such talks.
Clarke said: "We have absolutely no intention of having any discussions with any club from another national league regarding membership of our competition.
"This would be highly disrespectful to the Scottish FA and Scottish Premier League and will not be countenanced by the Football League."
noelyf
VIP Member
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Excitement mounts as Thai Tims prepare for trip
By: Newsroom Staff on 23 Mar, 2012 09:38
ALREADY a big hit with Celtic supporters, and Celtic players, through the videos posted on the Internet of them singing Celtic songs, the kids from the Good Child Foundation are preparing for the trip of a lifetime when they come to Scotland next month.
And the kids, known affectionately as the ‘Thai Tims’ are guaranteed the warmest of welcomes when they come to Celtic Park and also when they perform at a special event in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall on May 10.
Celtic supporter Paul Lennon is a volunteer at the Good Child Foundation School where his children are also pupils. Not surprisingly, he’s passed on his love of the Hoops to the kids, and he’s delighted that they’ve got the chance to visit Scotland, and Celtic Park in particular.
And ahead of the trip, he spoke to the official Celtic website about the mounting excitement amongst the kids at their trip, and of how proud he is that the Celtic family have taken the Thai Tims to their hearts.
How excited are the kids at the prospect of coming to Scotland?
As the date draws nearer, the level of excitement mounts with the realisation that this fairytale is real. All the talk is about sitting on an aeroplane, seeing their heroes at Celtic Park and the things we´ll do in Glasgow and Belfast. And the kids are also looking forward to eating real chocolate in Scotland – no-one has ever seen an Easter egg!
What sort of preparations have gone into this trip?
We´ve been very busy here planning for the trip. There have been parents´ meetings, discussions with the Thai education authorities, obtaining passports for the children and the required UK visas. We have an exciting itinerary planned that will see the kids have some wonderful, fun days out. The children will also be visiting several schools in Blantyre and Glasgow, which will be a beneficial educational experience for all concerned. And, of course, they’re looking forward to visiting Paradise and also going up to Lennoxtown.
Are the kids aware of how well-known they are with Celtic supporters?
The kids enjoyed watching the final at Hampden Park live on Celtic TV. At half-time, to their absolute amazement, the Thai Tims came on. The students can see that they have over 2.4million hits on YouTube, but I don´t think they really grasp how well known and loved they are by Celtic supporters. The Thai Tims have recently been on national Thai TV, it´s the talk of the hamlets and villages. The kids are feeling famous from being on Thai TV and they´re very proud to call themselves ´Thai Tims´.
Have they been practising all their Celtic songs ahead of the visit?
The children are aged between 7-12 yrs. We´ve had to learn all the songs together, as previously each song was given to a specific year group. We started preparing and learning our songs for the trip in November. The song book for the trip is extensive, including all the well-known Celtic songs, our players’ songs, some Scottish and Irish tunes, and even a Rod Stewart hit in case we get the chance to meet him.
Will they be nervous about performing at Celtic Park or at the concert in Glasgow?
Our school has almost 1,500 kids and we sing often at assembly. The children also sing at events outside of school so I don’t think they´ll be nervous for the concert. How do you prepare the Thai Tims for the reception at Celtic Park is something I´ve pondered and found no answers. We´ve told the kids to just enjoy it and I´m certain they will, and I know that the Thai Tims will feel the love and affection from the Celtic family when they sing at Paradise.
The Celtic Family have obviously taken the Thai Tims to their hearts – has it surprised you the level of interest from supporters around the world?
Being a Celtic supporter all my life, I knew that the Celtic family would support such a worthy cause. From Brother Walfrid to the present day, we have a wonderful charity ethos among our supporters. We received help and support from the very start for our Down’s Syndrome programme and the educational needs of all the children at school. It is with unending sadness that it took the tragic death of our volunteer teacher, Reamonn Gormley, to create this level of interest. We have a memorial to Reamonn Gormley that will travel with the Thai Tims to Celtic Park.
The work of the Good Child Foundation, and the forthcoming visit has also made the news in Thailand – will that publicity help the work of the school?
We’re now working with the Thai education authorities on a pioneering project involving our kids with Down’s Syndrome. All news media promoting inclusive education for children with Down’s Syndrome is excellent news.
The generosity of Celtic supporters is already well-known, so it must be pleasing that they are playing such an important part in bringing the Thai Tims to Scotland?
There would be no Thai Tims story without the generosity of the Celtic supporters. The visit will also help to raise the profile of the great work being done in Scotland and Thailand to help children with Down’s Syndrome.
Is that an important part of the trip, to ensure this work is promoted and supported?
As a father of a bhoy with Down’s Syndrome, I´ve experienced the feelings of rejection from schools unwilling to give our son a chance. Inclusive education and life in society for people everywhere with Down’s Syndrome is a message we´ll be striving to promote.
All of the major Celtic supporters’ groups have indicated their willingness to support the project and have offered their assistance and backing in making the initiative an overwhelming success.
Supporters can get involved by donating online at http://www.everyclick.com/thaitimsvisitvia text - Text CELT07 followed by £1, £5 or £10 to 70070 or through various initiatives that will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Celtic Supporters’ Association, The Affiliation of Celtic Supporters, the Irish Association of Celtic Supporters Clubs and the North American Federation of Celtic Supporters are also supporting this fundraising effort and members can raise funds directly through these groups as well.
celticfc.net
noelyf
VIP Member
Spanish fan Gonso at Paradise
By: Paul Cuddihy on 29 Mar, 2012 15:30
HE might have been heralded by some as ‘Celtic’s most famous Spanish fan’, but Gonzalo Bernal Belarra modestly shrugs off that tag. Known by his friends and fellow Celts as ‘Gonso’, he’s just happy to be part of the Celtic family.
“I’m not a unique Spanish Celtic fan,” he told Celtic TV. “I know people from Valencia, Asturias, Bilbao, Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia and, of course, from Vila-real who are all Celtic fans.”
Nevertheless, a video posted on the Internet charting his love of the Hoops has made Gonzo one of most well-known Spanish Celts.
The video was shot by one of his fsiends as a project for an English class, and it describes how the 30-year-old paramedic from Huesca, a town in the north of Spain, close to the border with France, in Aragon began supporting the Hoops and the lengths he goes to in following the team.
Gonso will be in Glasgow this weekend for the SPL match against St Johnstone, while on his most recent trip – for St Patrick’s Day and the League Cup final – he came along to Celtic Park to speak to Celtic TV about why he’s a man for the green and white.
Watch Celtic TV´s interview with Gonso HERE
Gonso on tour - video
[video=youtube;Hj7jk5srxDg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj7jk5srxDg&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/video]
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Excellent Vid Noely.Well done Gonso,he looks and sounds a very nice Guy👍
dee1979
Newbie
[h=2]Celtic Family's support for Stiliyan Petrov[/h] By: Newsroom Staff on 30 Mar, 2012 14:39
NEIL Lennon has spoken for the entire Celtic family in describing his absolute devastation regarding the terrible news that Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
The Celtic manager is a friend and former team-mate of the Bulgarian midfielder, as is Alan Thompson and Johan Mjallby. And they, like everyone else, have been left stunned by the news of Petrov’s illness.
Neil Lennon said: “We are all absolutely devastated to hear this news. As a member of the Celtic family, it is important for Stiliyan to know that he has our unequivocal support in battling against this disease.
“Knowing Stiliyan as I do, and the many obstacles he has overcome in his life to get to the peak of his career, he will overcome this one too.
“On behalf of the players and the backroom staff we send our support and best wishes to Stiliyan, Paulina and the family. We are there for them all and they will never walk alone.”
Aston Villa today released a statement confirming that the 32-year-old midfielder, who is their club captain, has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
The statement said: “The Villa Board received news today that our long-standing captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Stiliyan developed a fever following the Arsenal game last Saturday and subsequently underwent tests conducted by Dr Ian McGuinness.
“Haematology experts confirmed the diagnosis today. We expect to learn more about Stiliyan´s situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.
“During this time we ask that Stiliyan´s privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it. Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.”
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “This is terrible news and our support and prayers go to Stiliyan, Paulina and their family at this very difficult time.
“Stiliyan was an exceptional player for Celtic and helped to bring incredible success here during the seven years he spent at the club.
“He was also one of the most popular players here, not only within the club but with all our supporters and I know that they, too will want to pass on their support and best wishes to Stiliyan and his family.”
GET WELL SOON...
NEIL Lennon has spoken for the entire Celtic family in describing his absolute devastation regarding the terrible news that Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
The Celtic manager is a friend and former team-mate of the Bulgarian midfielder, as is Alan Thompson and Johan Mjallby. And they, like everyone else, have been left stunned by the news of Petrov’s illness.
Neil Lennon said: “We are all absolutely devastated to hear this news. As a member of the Celtic family, it is important for Stiliyan to know that he has our unequivocal support in battling against this disease.
“Knowing Stiliyan as I do, and the many obstacles he has overcome in his life to get to the peak of his career, he will overcome this one too.
“On behalf of the players and the backroom staff we send our support and best wishes to Stiliyan, Paulina and the family. We are there for them all and they will never walk alone.”
Aston Villa today released a statement confirming that the 32-year-old midfielder, who is their club captain, has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
The statement said: “The Villa Board received news today that our long-standing captain Stiliyan Petrov has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia. Stiliyan developed a fever following the Arsenal game last Saturday and subsequently underwent tests conducted by Dr Ian McGuinness.
“Haematology experts confirmed the diagnosis today. We expect to learn more about Stiliyan´s situation in due course and we have moved quickly to support him and his family.
“During this time we ask that Stiliyan´s privacy is placed ahead of all inquiries and trust that we will share information as we receive it. Stiliyan is cherished by many and he will get from Villa every ounce of love and support that we have to help bring this to a positive conclusion.”
Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: “This is terrible news and our support and prayers go to Stiliyan, Paulina and their family at this very difficult time.
“Stiliyan was an exceptional player for Celtic and helped to bring incredible success here during the seven years he spent at the club.
“He was also one of the most popular players here, not only within the club but with all our supporters and I know that they, too will want to pass on their support and best wishes to Stiliyan and his family.”
GET WELL SOON...
noelyf
VIP Member
Celtic U19s are Champions
By: Laura Brannan on 31 Mar, 2012 13:45
CELTIC´S Under-19s were crowned champions today (Saturday) for the third year in a row after Hearts failed to take points from their last league game of the season.
Hearts, who went into the game a point behind the Hoops, lost 2-0 in the Edinburgh derby, meaning Tommy McIntyre and John Kennedy´s side clinched the title with three games remaining.
And it is a magnificent achievement for the celtuc Under-19s, who have won their last eight matches to catapult them to the league summit.
Head coach, McIntyre was delighted to see the club´s hard work pay off and believes the Championship is well-deserved.
"Having won it in the manner in which we have won it, with three games to go, is exceptional," he told the official Celtic website. "Our players have really dug in this season and we were always the team to beat.
"We were top of the league in November but Hearts were so many games ahead of us so they were ahead of us. It´s really difficult having games in hand, that´s always a big ask, but the players went on and won all their games with a bit of style so I´m really delighted for them.
"We felt as if we always had to put pressure on Hearts and a few things through the season really spurred us on and gave us that extra to dig in and win the league. It´s a great honour and to do it three years in a row is even better.
"The players have stuck to the task, worked really well, and showed what they learnt in the NextGen Series as well. I can´t take anything away from the players and it would have been a travesty if we hadn´t won it."
The young Hoops have only lost one game so far this season, and after six games in the prestigious NextGen Series, and a good run in the Scottish Cup, which sees them face St Mirren in the semi-final tomorrow (Sunday), they have had a demanding season.
McIntyre has been pleased with how they have all coped with the pressure and puts it down to a team effort from both the staff and players.
"I´m really happy for John Kennedy. He´s come in and he´s been exceptional," he continued. "It´s his first year in this side of coaching and he´s worked really hard, so he deserves all the credit he gets.
"It´s been a real team effort though this year. Chris McCart, our Head of Youth, Ian Coll in sports science, Hugh McGovern too, as well as the goalie coaches, Colin Meldrum and Peter Latchford, have been excellent with the boys."
The 19s can put league business on the back burner now and turn their attentions to tomorrow´s semi-final at St Mirren Park, aiming for a place in the final at Hampden.
McIntyre expects a good reaction from the newly crowned Champions and is looking forward to the game.
"We can put all of our focus into the game tomorrow and I´m hoping they will turn up and put on a show," he said.
Celtic play St Mirren in the SFA Youth Cup semi-final at St Mirren Park this Sunday, April 1 (KO: 1pm). Admission is free.
noelyf
VIP Member
Mjallby: Stan is a fighter
By: Mark Henderson on 01 Apr, 2012 16:22
IN the 19th minute of today´s game at Celtic Park, the whole stadium rose for a standing ovation in a show of support for Stiliyan Petrov, who was diagnosed with acute leukaemia on Friday.
The former Celtic midfielder wore the No.19 on his shirt during his successful seven-year spell in Paradise. He was a popular player then and he remains a firm fans´ favourite to this day.
The news of diagnosis came as a huge shock to the entire Celtic family, none more so than the club´s management team, with Neil Lennon, Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson all playing alongside the Bulgarian for many years.
And they showed their backing for their close friend by wearing the No.19 on the back of their shirts during today´s game, a move replicated by the players during their pre-match warm-up.
Speaking after the game, assistant boss, Mjallby, described his feelings on today´s tribute, along with his belief that his former team-mate would beat the illness.
"It was absolute brilliant," he said of the standing ovation. "It was terrible news on Friday when we heard that he had leukaemia.
"We all give him our best, our love and all the support for him and his family. He´s a fighter and a strong boy and I´m really hoping he will beat this and I´m quite sure he will.
"I spoke to Stiliyan yesterday morning and gave him my support. And what can you really say, it just puts football and life in perspective when someone you played with and are close to gets this diagnosis. It´s just terrible. But we are all sure and hoping he will come back."
dee1979
Newbie
[h=2]Post-split SPL fixtures announced[/h] By: Newsroom Staff on 03 Apr, 2012 16:18
CELTIC will play three home games in the post-split SPL fixtures, which were announced today (Tuesday), with Rangers, St Johnstone and Hearts all visiting Celtic Park.
The first of the fixtures, however, is an away game against Motherwell on Sunday, April 22. The final Glasgow derby of this season will be at Celtic Park on Sunday, April 29, while there is also a Thursday night home fixture, with St Johnstone the visitors on May 3.
The penultimate game of the season will see Celtic travel to Tannadice on Sunday, May 6, while the final day of the season, Sunday, May 13, the Hoops will play host to Hearts.
Sunday, April 22
Motherwell v Celtic
Fir Park
KO: 2pm
Sunday, April 29
Celtic v Rangers
Celtic Park
KO: 12.45pm
Thursday, May 3
Celtic v St Johnstone
Celtic Park
KO: 7.45pm
Sunday, May 6
Dundee United v Celtic
Tannadice
KO: 12.45pm
Sunday, May 13
Celtic v Hearts
Celtic Park
KO: 12.30pm
Looks like we will not get lifting the TITLE until the last home game against the mini huns...
CELTIC will play three home games in the post-split SPL fixtures, which were announced today (Tuesday), with Rangers, St Johnstone and Hearts all visiting Celtic Park.
The first of the fixtures, however, is an away game against Motherwell on Sunday, April 22. The final Glasgow derby of this season will be at Celtic Park on Sunday, April 29, while there is also a Thursday night home fixture, with St Johnstone the visitors on May 3.
The penultimate game of the season will see Celtic travel to Tannadice on Sunday, May 6, while the final day of the season, Sunday, May 13, the Hoops will play host to Hearts.
Sunday, April 22
Motherwell v Celtic
Fir Park
KO: 2pm
Sunday, April 29
Celtic v Rangers
Celtic Park
KO: 12.45pm
Thursday, May 3
Celtic v St Johnstone
Celtic Park
KO: 7.45pm
Sunday, May 6
Dundee United v Celtic
Tannadice
KO: 12.45pm
Sunday, May 13
Celtic v Hearts
Celtic Park
KO: 12.30pm
Looks like we will not get lifting the TITLE until the last home game against the mini huns...
Well Done Celtic football club :celticspin: all players and Neil Lennon Congratulations :celticspin: :woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo: :cheers: Noely
noelyf
VIP Member
Kilmarnock 0-6 Celtic
Updated: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012
Celtic sealed the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in wonderful fashion
Celtic clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in fine style today by crushing Kilmarnock 6-0 at Rugby Park.
Left-back Charlie Mulgrew was the force behind their first half domination, scoring twice and setting up goals for Glenn Loovens and Gary Hooper to give the rampant visitors an unassailable interval lead.
In what was one of the most impressive performances of the season, late goals by midfielder Joe Ledley and Hooper confirmed with some conviction that the championship is back at Parkhead for the first time in four years.
Celtic can now look forward to next week's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden and on this form, Neil Lennon's side must be favourites for the double.
Lennon, who was given a hero's reception by the Celtic fans after the game, was certainly vindicated in the three changes he made for the trip to Ayrshire.
In came right-back Adam Matthews, stopper Kelvin Wilson and midfielder Ki Sung-yueng with Mikael Lustig, Thomas Rogne and Anthony Stokes dropping out, with only the Irishman starting on the bench.
Killie's on-loan defender Lewis Toshney was not allowed to play against his parent club and his place was taken by Liam Kelly.
Kilmarnock had beaten Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden last month but, with the mood the Parkhead men were in, there was never any chance of a repeat.
The Ayrshire club had moved some of their supporters from the East Stand to allow Celtic fans three of the four stands at Rugby Park.
The move to accommodate the hordes of Hoops fans looking to attend what they hoped would be a title party made around £150,000 for Killie's coffers but it was akin to a home game for Lennon's men with a matching atmosphere which helped the visitors race into an early two goal lead.
Celtic started strongly with Kris Commons pushed up alongside Georgios Samaras and Hooper but it was Mulgrew who headed them into the lead after only seven minutes.
Ki's powerful drive was deflected for a corner and when the South Korean swung the ball in from the left, Mulgrew rose high inside the six yard box to steer the ball into the net.
From then on it was all Celtic and all Mulgrew.
In the 16th minute he took a Scott Brown pass wide on the right before swinging in a cross to the back post where the unmarked Loovens headed past Cameron Bell for his first goal of the season.
Celtic were overwhelming a startled Killie side who did not have any sort of antidote and in the 34th minute Mulgrew all too easily drifted in from the left before curling his shot past Bell and into the far corner.
Moments later only a brilliant block from the foot of Bell prevented Samaras making it four, after the Greece striker had been unselfishly set up by Commons 12 yards from goal.
It was too easy for the visitors and a minute from the break, from wide on the left, Mulgrew crossed to the back post for Hooper to volley high past the helpless Bell.
Killie boss Kenny Shiels replaced Garry Hay and Lee Johnson with James Dayton and Ross Barbour for the start of the second half while Filip Twardzik soon came on for Hoops skipper Brown.
Celtic were free-wheeling while it was purely a damage limitation exercise for the bewildered home side although a brief spell of pressure on the Celtic goal in the 52nd minute ended with Kelly firing high over the bar from outside the box.
Celtic fans rejoiced, mostly in the possible demise of their administration-hit Old Firm rivals Rangers.
In the 62nd minute, in a swift Celtic counter, Commons sent Loovens through on goal but the big Dutchman shot wide as he collided with Bell, both players continuing after treatment.
Stokes, who had replaced Samaras, had a great chance in the 75th minute when he was sent clean through by Mulgrew but the former Sunderland player hesitated in possession and was robbed by back-tracking Killie defender Mo Sissoko.
Two minutes from time Ledley grabbed the fifth with a dink over Bell after the Killie defence crumbled before Hooper volleyed in number six a minute later to seal a commanding performance.
The travelling fans in the crowd of 15,926 stepped up their celebrations all the way to the final whistle which brought a huge roar.
Updated: Saturday, 07 Apr 2012
Celtic sealed the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in wonderful fashion
Celtic clinched the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title in fine style today by crushing Kilmarnock 6-0 at Rugby Park.
Left-back Charlie Mulgrew was the force behind their first half domination, scoring twice and setting up goals for Glenn Loovens and Gary Hooper to give the rampant visitors an unassailable interval lead.
In what was one of the most impressive performances of the season, late goals by midfielder Joe Ledley and Hooper confirmed with some conviction that the championship is back at Parkhead for the first time in four years.
Celtic can now look forward to next week's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Hearts at Hampden and on this form, Neil Lennon's side must be favourites for the double.
Lennon, who was given a hero's reception by the Celtic fans after the game, was certainly vindicated in the three changes he made for the trip to Ayrshire.
In came right-back Adam Matthews, stopper Kelvin Wilson and midfielder Ki Sung-yueng with Mikael Lustig, Thomas Rogne and Anthony Stokes dropping out, with only the Irishman starting on the bench.
Killie's on-loan defender Lewis Toshney was not allowed to play against his parent club and his place was taken by Liam Kelly.
Kilmarnock had beaten Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden last month but, with the mood the Parkhead men were in, there was never any chance of a repeat.
The Ayrshire club had moved some of their supporters from the East Stand to allow Celtic fans three of the four stands at Rugby Park.
The move to accommodate the hordes of Hoops fans looking to attend what they hoped would be a title party made around £150,000 for Killie's coffers but it was akin to a home game for Lennon's men with a matching atmosphere which helped the visitors race into an early two goal lead.
Celtic started strongly with Kris Commons pushed up alongside Georgios Samaras and Hooper but it was Mulgrew who headed them into the lead after only seven minutes.
Ki's powerful drive was deflected for a corner and when the South Korean swung the ball in from the left, Mulgrew rose high inside the six yard box to steer the ball into the net.
From then on it was all Celtic and all Mulgrew.
In the 16th minute he took a Scott Brown pass wide on the right before swinging in a cross to the back post where the unmarked Loovens headed past Cameron Bell for his first goal of the season.
Celtic were overwhelming a startled Killie side who did not have any sort of antidote and in the 34th minute Mulgrew all too easily drifted in from the left before curling his shot past Bell and into the far corner.
Moments later only a brilliant block from the foot of Bell prevented Samaras making it four, after the Greece striker had been unselfishly set up by Commons 12 yards from goal.
It was too easy for the visitors and a minute from the break, from wide on the left, Mulgrew crossed to the back post for Hooper to volley high past the helpless Bell.
Killie boss Kenny Shiels replaced Garry Hay and Lee Johnson with James Dayton and Ross Barbour for the start of the second half while Filip Twardzik soon came on for Hoops skipper Brown.
Celtic were free-wheeling while it was purely a damage limitation exercise for the bewildered home side although a brief spell of pressure on the Celtic goal in the 52nd minute ended with Kelly firing high over the bar from outside the box.
Celtic fans rejoiced, mostly in the possible demise of their administration-hit Old Firm rivals Rangers.
In the 62nd minute, in a swift Celtic counter, Commons sent Loovens through on goal but the big Dutchman shot wide as he collided with Bell, both players continuing after treatment.
Stokes, who had replaced Samaras, had a great chance in the 75th minute when he was sent clean through by Mulgrew but the former Sunderland player hesitated in possession and was robbed by back-tracking Killie defender Mo Sissoko.
Two minutes from time Ledley grabbed the fifth with a dink over Bell after the Killie defence crumbled before Hooper volleyed in number six a minute later to seal a commanding performance.
The travelling fans in the crowd of 15,926 stepped up their celebrations all the way to the final whistle which brought a huge roar.
The Lads were superb today Noely.Really enjoyed game.:cheers: Noely have a fantastic Celebration,You deserve a few Pints of the black stuff👍
