Glasgow Celtic

[CelticBhoy]

I don't think we had any bookings too, am I right?

[JAM1E]

Happy new year all.....

Hope Rangers play better next time we meet you, I was happy with the draw 1-1. I would of liked 2-1 for Rangers that would of been a better start to the new year. But still happy with 7 points .......

Jam1e

[rgs2001uk]

I don't think we had any bookings too, am I right?

CB, I was under the impression the object of the game was about scoring goals, not bookings or fouls conceded.

Did that tit laugherty deserve to be sent off, yes.

Fortune goal disallowed, well I watched Hamilton suffer from the same affliction not so long back.

However I digress, if ever a game summed up an entire season this was it.

Mcgeady couldnt finish his dinner, Samaras couldnt score in the Nana plaza with a fistful of fivers.

Caldwell couldnt defend a simple corner, someone please tell him, head to ball, its not rocket science.

Mcdonald on the bench, stroke of genius from Mogga, what can he see others cant.

Salty, enjoy your holiday.

[CelticBhoy]

I'm gonna take that as a 'no' then.

[callum06]

Coming from a Rangers fan, they were shocking!! Celtic should have had the 3 points for sure!! If both sides continue to play the way did the other night then Rangers are going to slip up..... should be another tight race for the title.

[salty]

CB: Correct. No bookings.

fgs2001uk: Thank you for your kind wishes. I enjoyed your colourful description of some of the characters I was heaping abuse at on Sunday.

[salty]

Jam1e: I am not surprised you were happy with 1-1. Rangers are firmly in the driving seat at this point in time.

callum06: Honest appraisal of the game. Unless Celtic get their act together fast Rangers will only have to turn up to win the title again.

[CelticBhoy]

Read these stories today on the Daily Record site.

Yesterday said we were looking at Kitson too.

I hope Caldwell goes; with Samaras thrown in to seal the deal . . . .

CELTIC are preparing a move for Preston North End's £3m-rated Irish international defender Sean St Ledger. Tony Mowbray has identified the player as a top target as he looks to strengthen his leaky backline. (The Herald)

THE PARKHEAD club are also expected to close a deal for £2m French striker Olivier Giroud, currently at Tours. (various)

WIGAN and Middlesbrough lead the race for Gary Caldwell's signature but Celtic are thought to be holding out for £1m for a transfer to go through in January. (Daily Mail)

[salty]

CB,

St Ledger was outstanding for us in the 2 playoff games against France. If he can reproduce that form he would add a bit of solidity to our powder puff central defenders.

[CelticBhoy]

^ I'm glad to hear that, Salty ol' son.

Just a shame he sounds like a packet

of smokes, or a racehorse, or a yacht,

or something.

[imola]

seen your cup tie with morton is already snowed off fellas, we have ??? irvine meadow???my knowledge of them could be printed on the back of a postage stamp, any info?due to their name, l imagine they play somewhere in the countryside

[CelticBhoy]

Here's a sad and weird story from the Record.

(It has a 'Tic & Thailand connection)

Anyone know him?

Exclusive: Scotland's youngest lottery millionaire found dead aged just 29

Jan 7 2010 Janice Burns

Scotland's youngest lottery winner was found dead at his luxury hideaway yesterday.

Police have launched an investigation after they were called to 29-year-old Stuart Donnelly's home in the early hours of the morning.

His mum May, 52, and the rest of the family had just flown out to Portugal on holiday when they heard the news.

Now they are desperately trying to get a flight home to find out how Stuart died.

The former trainee pharmacist from Neilston, Renfrewshire, was just 17 when he won nearly £2million in 1997. He forked out £600,000 to buy new homes for his parents May and Danny, who had divorced in 1995.

The youngster's life changed dramatically as he was the main breadwinner for his family as well as caring for Danny, who had been struck down by polio.

Stuart sold his tiny two-bedroom flat in a council estate in Neilston and moved with his sick dad to a secluded lodge at Buittle Bridge in Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, which can only be reached down a single track road.

Celtic-daft Stuart bought the detached home for £129,000 and spent a fortune transforming it into a millionaire's paradise, installing a full-size snooker table among other luxuries.

He also bought himself a £2000 executive seat at Celtic Park, then banked the rest of his huge win.

But Stuart soon became a virtual recluse as he struggled to cope with his new-found wealth - and the sudden death of his dad of a heart attack while on holiday in the Far East.

Friends say he and his dad fell in love with Thailand and bought property when Stuart spent his first holiday abroad there two months after the win.

The generous teenager also stunned relatives at the time by writing out £15,000 worth of cheques to help needy kids at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow, where his young brother Shaun was treated for a rare genetic disorder.

Stuart also dished out thousands of pounds to aunties and uncles.

Last night, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary confirmed an investigation had been launched into his death.

A spokesman added: "Early investigations suggest that there are no suspicious circumstances and a postmortem is being arranged."

A close family friend said: "Stuart always found this time of year tough without his dad because they were so close."

Stuart was one of 13 people who shared a £25million lottery jackpot in 1997.

When he found out he had won, he toasted his luck with a glass of cola because he was still too young to enjoy champagne.

At the time, Stuart's dad said: "I couldn't get a better son.

"He's the nicest person you could meet. Stuart doesn't drink, smoke or take drugs. He's here to look after me round the clock.

"Even if he wasn't a millionaire, he would still be a super son."

[CelticBhoy]

seen your cup tie with morton is already snowed off fellas, we have ??? irvine meadow???my knowledge of them could be printed on the back of a postage stamp, any info?due to their name, l imagine they play somewhere in the countryside

Check out this link, imola.

http://www.medda.co.uk/

You better get down the old stationary box for your ticket!

[salty]

^ I'm glad to hear that, Salty ol' son.

Just a shame he sounds like a packet

of smokes, or a racehorse, or a yacht,

or something.

Now now CB, you are being flippant.

BTW I dined at Simple Simon's last night. Walked back to base very slowly.

[imola]

seen your cup tie with morton is already snowed off fellas, we have ??? irvine meadow???my knowledge of them could be printed on the back of a postage stamp, any info?due to their name, l imagine they play somewhere in the countryside

Check out this link, imola.

http://www.medda.co.uk/

You better get down the old stationary box for your ticket!

cheers for the link,cb, dont think i will bother with a bat and wicket, bount to be snowed off , however , here , its always summer in siam!, cant forsee any giant killing act, H.F.C#1

ALL THE BEST CB

[CelticBhoy]

^ I'm glad to hear that, Salty ol' son.

Just a shame he sounds like a packet

of smokes, or a racehorse, or a yacht,

or something.

Now now CB, you are being flippant.

BTW I dined at Simple Simon's last night. Walked back to base very slowly.

Hope you had the sausages on the big

Yorkshire pudding with onions 'n' gravy.

Full marks from me on that dish .

[bladebhoy]

CB, greetings from Yuzhno Sakhailn I watched the auld firm game up here in Russia live last Sunday and yes we should have pumped the Orc's 5-1. However, very sad to hear about young Stuart Donnelly as I came from the same village Neilston in Renfrewshire as him and for many years I use to travel on the Barrhead Shamrock to watch the 'tic with one of his uncle's. When Stuart won the lottery money back in 99' his dad Danny put an open invitation to the regulars in one of the local Neilston bars for a free holiday to Thailand. At first they all thought it was a wind up but no Danny took about 15 off them on the lash to Pattaya for 10 days and as you do, a very good time was had I was led to believe. Very decent family the Donnelly's.

God Bless you Stuart ma man.

Spasiba

HH

[MSingh]

CB, greetings from Yuzhno Sakhailn I watched the auld firm game up here in Russia live last Sunday and yes we should have pumped the Orc's 5-1. However, very sad to hear about young Stuart Donnelly as I came from the same village Neilston in Renfrewshire as him and for many years I use to travel on the Barrhead Shamrock to watch the 'tic with one of his uncle's. When Stuart won the lottery money back in 99' his dad Danny put an open invitation to the regulars in one of the local Neilston bars for a free holiday to Thailand. At first they all thought it was a wind up but no Danny took about 15 off them on the lash to Pattaya for 10 days and as you do, a very good time was had I was led to believe. Very decent family the Donnelly's.

God Bless you Stuart ma man.

Spasiba

HH

Yeah & if my Aunt was my Uncle....

Up the Gers..

[CelticBhoy]

CB, greetings from Yuzhno Sakhailn I watched the auld firm game up here in Russia live last Sunday and yes we should have pumped the Orc's 5-1. However, very sad to hear about young Stuart Donnelly as I came from the same village Neilston in Renfrewshire as him and for many years I use to travel on the Barrhead Shamrock to watch the 'tic with one of his uncle's. When Stuart won the lottery money back in 99' his dad Danny put an open invitation to the regulars in one of the local Neilston bars for a free holiday to Thailand. At first they all thought it was a wind up but no Danny took about 15 off them on the lash to Pattaya for 10 days and as you do, a very good time was had I was led to believe. Very decent family the Donnelly's.

God Bless you Stuart ma man.

Spasiba

HH

Cheers for that. It was a sad story to read in the Record

and I was sure someone here or hereabouts would know

the poor bloke. Thanks for the heads up.

[CelticBhoy]

Here's a wee bit more on the story

from today's Record:

Exclusive: Secret Thai bride of tragic Scots lottery winner

Jan 8 2010 Janice Burns

Scotland's youngest lottery winner died weeks before he was due to wed a beautiful Thai bride.

A close friend revealed last night that Stuart Donnelly - who was just 17 when he scooped £2million - had fallen for a girl he met on holiday in Thailand.

But before shy Stuart's love could fly to Scotland to be with him, he was found dead by a relat ive in the luxury home where he hid from the world.

The family friend said: "Stuart had a lot to look forward to. He was getting married in a few weeks to a gorgeous Thai girl.

"He wasn't that big on the wedding thing but marriage was the only way he could get her over to Scotland.

"Stuart loved every thing about Thailand - the culture, the girls. He met this girl when he was out there and they just clicked. "

Stuart, 29, died on Tuesday night in his remote home at Buitte Bridge, Kirkcudbrightshire.

His mum May, who had just flown out to Portugal for a family break, became worried when she couldn't get in touch with him.

"Stuart's phone kept ringing out," said the pal. "May was frantic. He never goes out of the house and she had a mother's instinct that something was wrong.

"May asked a family member who lives nearby to pop round and check that Stuart was OK and they found him dead.

"We're sure Stuart didn't take his own life. He wasn't down or depressed. He'd been looking forward to seeing his bride.

"He had a few health problems which may have contributed to his death, but we won't know until after the post mortem.

"May and the rest of the family are on their way back f rom Portugal. They're all devastated."

Trainee pharmacist Stuart's life turned on its head in 1997 when his 13-strong lottery syndicate won a jackpot of more than £25million .

The caring son spent £600,000 buying homes for May and his dad Danny, who divorced in 1995.

Stress But later, Danny, who suffered from polio, moved into the Buitte Bridge house so Stuart could look after him.

Stuart had moved to Kircudbrightshire from his tiny council flat in Neilston, Renfrewshire.

He turned the house into a millionaire's paradise with a full-size snooker table and other luxuries, and it became his refuge from the stress of life as an overnight millionaire.

A friend said: "Stuart became too rich too young, which forced him to grow up too quick.

"He became the centre of media attention and couldn't handle it, so he just shut himself away.

"He didn't go out socialising. In fact, he hated it."

For Stuart, Thailand provided a refuge from his problems. He first went there with Danny three months after his win, and loved it.

"He was a different person when he was in Thailand," the friend said. "He felt free and it was the best way to meet girls."

But tragedy struck on one of Stuart's Thai trips when Danny, who was with him, died of a heart attack. And his loss added to his isolation back in Scotland.

The friend said: "Stuart became rather lonely in that big house after his dad died."

Stuart spent a lot of his time making friends on the internet.

He introduced himself on Bebo with the message: "Eat well. Stay fit. Die anyway. Word LIFE!!!!! And independence for Scotland is IMPERATIVE!!!!!."

Stuart listed his interests as Celtic FC and said he said he was happiest when watching TV, listening to music or surfing the internet - "anything that involves not leaving the house".

He is survived by May, sister Mhairi-Anne, 20, and brother Shaun, 16.

[Jockstar]

Sorry to hear that about the lad.

[CelticBhoy]

From the Record:

CELTIC last night agreed a £2million fee for Gary Caldwell, Barry Robson and Willo Flood to join old boss Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough.

Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell gave permission for the wantaway trio to talk cash with Boro counterpart Keith Lamb after the Teessiders met his asking price.

Strachan also hopes Chris Killen will join Boro after he offered to pick up the final six months of the Kiwi striker's Celtic contract.

Caldwell has also been given permission to speak to Wigan but Strachan is confident the lure of teaming up with him again will swing the deal in the Championship club's favour.

Robson's heart is set on the move while Flood will be delighted to escape the Celtic reserves as Boro pick up the final 18 months of his deal.

Reports that Celtic kicked out a bid for Scott McDonald from Wigan are wide of the mark. Roberto Martinez wanted the Aussie on loan but no cash offer was made.

Meanwhile Celtic are set to swoop for giant Dutch defender Jos Hooiveld from Swedish champs AIK Stockholm.

The 26-year-old arrived in Glasgow yesterday and was given a guided tour of Celtic Park and the Lennoxtown training facility.

AIK will demand a fee for their 6ft 3in stopper but Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell hopes to tie up a deal this weekend for the Swedish Player of theYear.

With Gary Caldwell on the way out it appears Tony Mowbray already has his replacement lined up.

The player's agent Alex Kroes said: "Jos has had a very good last two years of his career. He is really going step by step forward quickly.

"Celtic is a bigger club than AIK. AIK still is a great club though. They have 35,000 people at home games, they won the cup last year, they won the league title but of course Celtic is another step forward in his career.

"If a move could happen and things become concrete it would be very good for both Celtic and for the player.

"But AIK will never allow their best player to go on loan somewhere - if it does happen they will have to put some money on the table."

Hooiveld started his career at Heerenveen in Holland before being sent on loan to rival Dutch club Zwolle.

From there, the centre-half moved to Kapfenberg in Austria but only made 14 appearances.

A switch to Finnish side Inter Turku in 2007 then sparked a change in fortunes and he established himself as a first-team player and earned ravereviews

Aik then snapped up Hooiveld in January 2009 and paired him with Swedish international defender Nils-Eric Johansson to great effect.

[CelticBhoy]

^ Will we miss any of the three listed?

Maybe Robson. But not the other two.

[salty]

^ Will we miss any of the three listed?

Maybe Robson. But not the other two.

Robson made a huge difference 2 years ago when he was signed mid-season. One of the major reasons we won the League. Injured and missed 2nd half of last season. How cruical was that? Does'nt seem to be the same player since he returned. Not getting any younger.

The frightening thing is Caldwell is the least error prone of our central defenders though that is not saying much. If we get this Dutch guy he surely would improve things.

Edited January 10, 2010 by salty

[CelticBhoy]

Anyway, went to see the Royal Trophy today.

Colin Montgomerie is a right fat (can't swear).

Do like his style though. Good main man.

Asked him if he fancied managing the 'Tic once

he'd finished at Celtic Manor in the summer.

Can you guess his response?

[salty]

CB, I hope you didn't ask him when he was about to putt. Yes I can. He is of the other half.

I would have liked to have gone myself but the heat would have killed me.

[CelticBhoy]

Actually not that hot as it got a

nice breeze the whole time.

Saying that, my neck is burning!

[salty]

Caldwell to Wigan, and Robson to Middlesboro together with Flood and Killen on loan. The question now is how good is the big Dutchman coming in? He is reputed to be a no nonsense defender which is good. But hopefully not another Bobo Balde whose speciality was giving away silly free kicks with mindless challenges.

Shoring up the defence would be the first priority and then hopefully scoring goals when on top. We have got to get our asses into gear without delay.

Hope the neck is recovered CB

[CelticBhoy]

Neck is fine. Thanks for your concern, Salty old son.

I'm forgetting what football is with the 'Tic as we've

only had one game this year. Hope the weather has

improved over there or this season could run into next.

I liked Bobo, Salty. I admired his way of ambling around

at the back and seemingly easy way of (mostly) clearing

any trouble. Admittedly he had a few major errors to his

credit, but look how many games he played in. Caldwell,

on the other hand, erred on a constant basis. Let's just

hope the new Dutchman can cope with it all.

[imola]

Neck is fine. Thanks for your concern, Salty old son.

I'm forgetting what football is with the 'Tic as we've

only had one game this year. Hope the weather has

improved over there or this season could run into next.

I liked Bobo, Salty. I admired his way of ambling around

at the back and seemingly easy way of (mostly) clearing

any trouble. Admittedly he had a few major errors to his

credit, but look how many games he played in. Caldwell,

on the other hand, erred on a constant basis. Let's just

hope the new Dutchman can cope with it all.

do you mean the main stand players and officials seats, whilst collecting 40k per week, and refusing to go on loan?proper hero he was