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	Team	PTS
1	Rangers	86
2	Celtic	82
3	Hearts	59
4	Aberdeen	53
5	Dundee Utd	53
6	Hibernian	47
7	Motherwell	48
8	Kilmarnock	44
9	Hamilton	41
10	Falkirk	38
11	St Mirren	37
12	Inverness	37

MORE TRANSFER NONSENSE

The agent of Iceland international Solvi Ottesen has claimed his client is attracting interest from both England and Scotland .

Birmingham and Celtic have previously been credited with holding an interest and Ottesen's agent, Gulli Tomasson, is predicting movement soon.

“I am pretty sure something will happen for Ottesen during the transfer window ,” he said.

“It is no secret that English and Scottish clubs have been eyeing him. He is also interesting top Danish clubs.”

The Daily Record is reporting that Celtic and Birmingham are also in the hunt for Arsenal midfielder Amaury Bischoff.

The 22-year-old, who struggled with injuries last season, is a free agent after being told his contract at the Emirates was not being renewed. Now both Hoops boss Tony Mowbray and Birmingham manager McLeish are believed to be keen on the Portugal Under-21 cap.

He moved to the Gunners from German side Werder Bremen last year.

Another target still on Celtic's horizon is Nancy star Landry N'Guemo who was discussed during recent negotiations with the French side over Marc-Antoine Fortune.

TONY MOWBRAY LOOKS FORWARD TO MEETING AIDEN

On Monday, Tony Mowbray will be introduced to one of the club's most gifted personalities. Aiden McGeady will return to Lennoxtown with a spring in his step after a close season break.

"I am not anticipating any problems with Aiden," said Mowbray. "I would like to think he is wanting to come back and light this team up. I like talented, quality footballers. Everybody has told me he's this and that but I will find out for myself. I will find out when I take him off, when I sit him on the bench or the first time he disrespects somebody in the building. When I see the talent at his feet and the quality he possesses, I look forward to working with him."

A HOOPS HERO - PETER LATCHFORD

By David Potter

Peter Latchford was anything but a Celt in his upbringing. He came from Birmingham, the lesser known of two brothers, the other being Bob Latchford, a prolific centre forward for Everton and other teams.

Peter, on the other hand, was a goalkeeper playing for West Bromwich Albion, but struggling to keep his place when Sean Fallon saw him one day in a reserve match when he was really there to see someone else.

It was often said that Jock Stein neither trusted nor understood goalkeepers. He respected Ronnie Simpson and left him to it, but with his other many goalkeepers, he kept chopping and changing, unable to cope with a temporary loss of form. When Peter Latchford came to Celtic in early 1975, it was on loan, for Jock Stein was unfairly blaming Ally Hunter and Denis Connaghan for Celtic's inability to come to terms with Rangers' sudden surge in form, which seemed likely to win them the Championship for the first time since 1964.

Peter Latchford was first given the jersey on the day at Easter Road in February 1975 when it was generally agreed that the Scottish League was finally lost. Celtic then slipped further and further away from Rangers that spring, but Latchford, although occasionally fallible, was persevered with. From then on until 1980, Peter Latchford, barring injury (when Roy Baines took over) kept the position.

Peter very soon developed an affinity with the Celtic fans. Englishmen did not often play for Celtic in those days, but this one was so immediately likeable that he was totally accepted by team-mates and fans alike. It is after all not the man's creed or his nationality that counts, but the man himself.

By the time that his loan was turned into a permanent transfer in the summer, he had surprised himself and delighted his admirers by picking up a Scottish Cup medal in the 1975 Final against Airdrie.

In all, Peter Latchford would play 272 times for the Club with 82 shut outs - a record of about 30%. It was his misfortune to play through the turbulent times of Jock Stein's car accident and its aftermath, and perhaps even more traumatic for the rest of the players, the transfer of Kenny Dalglish and the eventual removal of Jock as Manager.

But there was something reliable about Peter. He made mistakes (as all goalkeepers do), but he also had some great games as well. He won the Scottish Cup another two times against Rangers in 1977 and 1980 - a clean sheet in both. And how appropriate it was that the 1980 Cup Final ended with the ball in Peter's hands!

And of course, Peter was also part of the 1979 game at Parkhead when ten men won the League against Rangers. Only a Scottish League Cup medal eluded him - twice did he reach the Final, however.

Peter Latchford was voted the Celtic Supporters Association Player of the Year in 1978 - possibly a comment on the “headless chickens” performances that the Celtic fans got from the other players, but more likely a token of their appreciation for what Peter was doing for the Club.

He injured himself in training at the start of the 1980/81 season and played only occasionally after that, for Paddy Bonner was just too good to replace. He stayed with the Club that he now loved until 1987, but came back as a Goalkeepers' Coach, and is still frequently seen on Celtic TV as a pundit.

David Potter

MOWBRAY EXPECTS BORUC TO PRODUCE

Tony Mowbray revealed yesterday what he expects from Celtic's goalkeeper in the coming months.

"I had a good chat with him," he revealed during a frank interview at Lennoxtown.

"I have only watched him from afar but I base my relationships on respect and as long as there is a mutual respect and he understands my job, there won't be a problem. Equally, if he has issues or problems, he has to make me aware of them, there is no point keeping it to himself.

"I also asked him about his motivation and whether he was ready to go again. He must be professional."

"He has not intimated to me any problem or unhappiness. He needs to get a good pre-season and work hard but he also needs to perform on the pitch."

"He understands that if he wants to win a move to the biggest clubs in the world he has to work hard and show it on the pitch because the big clubs ain't come knocking."

"Everybody has an opinion on the high-profile players but I try to find out for myself."

Mowbray also had this to say. "I do not like lazy or slovenly people."

"Running is not his greatest forte but he was practically crawling round the pitch to do the same as the rest,"

Mowbray said. "His personality suggests he is confident and knows his ability but I also think he knows he also needs to knuckle down."

"Whether that is to become the best keeper for Celtic or to attract a huge bid from the giants, that is never going to happen unless he produces."

ANOTHER TWO HEAD FOR THE EXIT DOOR

Celtic have confirmed that striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and midfielder Paul Hartley will leave the club.

Manager Tony Mowbray said: "I had a good long conversation with Paul. He came in to see me.

"The outcome of that is Paul won't be offered a new contract. He is free to look for other employment.

"I have had no contact with Jan. Jan is out of contract - he is free to seek other employment and I'm pretty sure that's what he will be doing."

Hartley is poised to make a decision over his own future having been offered a contract by Greek top-flight club Iraklis Saloniki.

Hearts were also interested in bringing the 32-year-old Scotland international back for a second spell at Tynecastle.

Hartley, who started his career with Hamilton and also had spells with Millwall, Raith Rovers, Hibernian and St Johnstone, had been with Celtic since 2007.

Netherlands international Vennegoor of Hesselink has been linked with moves back to his homeland.

The 30-year-old striker, who spent three seasons with Celtic, previously played for FC Twente and PSV Eindhoven.

MOWBRAY HOPEFUL OF SIGNING FORTUNE

Tony Mowbray hopes to make Marc-Antoine Fortune his first signing in the next 48 hours after confirming Paul Hartley and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink have left the club.

Celtic have offered the Nancy striker a contract but face competition from the likes of Portsmouth, Hull City and Fulham .

Fortune worked under Mowbray during a loan spell at West Brom last season and the Celtic manager is hopeful their personal relationship will work in his favour.

'My advantage is I have worked with him - he knows me as a coach, I know his strengths and weaknesses,' the Celtic manager told a media conference convened to promote the club's summer coaching courses.

'I don't think it's any secret that the English Premier League clubs get £30-35million each year off their television deals and the Scottish clubs don't.

'But what I do know is we have a huge pulling power from the support and the history and tradition of this club. Believe it or not, there's a lot of footballers who play for the love of the game as well as the money that goes with it.

'To play for a club fighting for championships, hoping to compete in the Champions League is a much bigger draw than taking the money sometimes and going and fighting against relegation and playing in a league when there are only really four teams who can ever compete to win that league.'

The former Hibernian boss added: 'As a manger I respect all footballers, especially one I have worked with and know what a good man he is. But he does have choices and that's because of his talent and ability.

'I think it will happen naturally over the next day or two. I'll either be sitting watching him shaking someone's hand and holding a shirt up somewhere at an English Premier League club, or you will all come back here in a few days' time and meet the guy yourself.'

DERBY DENY COMMONS LINK

Derby County have insisted that they have received no approach from Celtic after reports linked Kris Commons with a move to the Scottish giants.

The Scotland international winger has drawn admiring glances from clubs in both the Premier League and SPL after a series of impressive performances at Pride Park.

But Rams chairman of football Adam Pearson has stated there has been no contact from the Bhoys.

He told the Derby Evening Telegraph : "We have heard nothing from Celtic and can only presume it is speculation.

"Kris is an important member of the team."

CELTIC IN DOUBLE SWOOP?

Celtic signing target Marc-Antoine Fortune may come to Parkhead as part of a double package that includes Landry Nguemo after Nancy reportedly linked him with a move.

Nancy sporting director Nicolas Holveck said: "It's very possible Celtic will want to sign Landry.

"He's a talented player and one I know their manager was very interested in when he was at West Brom last season. So, yes, Celtic is a possibility for him.

"He has two years left on his contract but it's almost certain he will leave this summer. He wants to leave and has our wishes to do so if the right deal can be struck.

"I can also confirm we have met with Celtic and formally accepted their offer for Fortune.

"It's now down to the player to decide his future and I hope he can do this over the next few days but we haven't set a deadline for Marc-Antoine.

"There has been an incredible level of interest in him. There are four very good options for him in England as well as Celtic so it's a big move for Marc-Antoine and he wants to take his time to decide."

NGuemo will be allowed to leave either on loan with a view to a permanent deal or for a fee in the region of £1.5 million .

He said:"Who wouldn't be interested in joining a club as famous as Celtic?"

01/07/2009
GOODBYE AND THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES
RACE FOR FORTUNE BACK ON
CELTIC BAD BHOY - THE ORIGINAL SINNER

30/06/2009
CELTIC LOSE OUT ON FLETCHER
WILLIE WALLACE -A CELTIC LEGEND
CELTIC SHORTS - FORTUNE, MARQUES, DIAZ AND MANCHESTER

29/06/2009
MCGINN OUT TO IMPRESS
THE CELTIC LEGEND OF CHARLIE GALLAGHER
FLETCHER BOUND FOR BURNLEY?

28/06/2009
THE CELTIC LEGEND OF DANNY McGRAIN
CELTIC TO STRIKE IT UNLUCKY?

27/06/2009
UNSUNG HOOPS HEROES - ADAM McLEAN

26/06/2009
MARK VENUS LAYS IT ON THE LINE - NO EXCUSES!
UNSUNG HOOPS HEROES - WILLIE ORR
CELTIC LINE UP THREE TARGETS?
MARK VENUS - NO PRESSURE ON SCOTT

25/06/2009
MARK VENUS UNVEILED TO THE FAITHFUL
LITTLE ZIDANE FOR CELTIC?
BOBO TO BURNLEY?

24/06/2009
LATEST TRANSFER NONSENSE
BROONIE SAYS COUNT ME IN
UNSUNG HOOPS HEROES - JOHN DIVERS (THE THIRD)
CELTIC TO LOSE OUT ON FORTUNE?

23/06/2009
GOODBYE NAKA
CELTIC HERO - PAT STANTON
HENKE SET TO STRIKE GOLD
BROWN TO MISS OUT

22/06/2009
LET THE PEOPLE SEE...
GOOD FORTUNE FOR CELTIC?
JOE MCBRIDE ON TONY MOWBRAY
UNSUNG HOOPS HEROES - RAB DOUGLAS