Celtic News Center

The Bhoys Return To New York

Almost 25 years to the day of their last game at the stadium, Celtic will return to the Meadowlands on Friday July 14th where their opposition will be the highly rated Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara. "These two teams are steeped in the history of soccer, not just in the UK and Mexico, but the entire soccer world," said George Zoffinger, the president and chief executive of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, which operates the stadium. "We are thrilled and honored to bring a match of this quality to New Jersey."

In their last visit to The Big Apple back in July 1981 Celtic competed in the Trans-Atlantic Challenge Cup tournament as a last-minute replacement for Donetsk Shakhtyor - the USSR team withdrawing on July 9th because the New York Cosmos had planned to play South African Steve Wegerle. The Soviet Union had adhered to a U.N. boycott of athletes from South Africa, because of the South African Government's apartheid policy. The tournament was made up of four teams: Celtic, The Seattle Sounders, England's Southampton and the New York Cosmos.

In their first game on July 12th 1981, the jet-lagged Hoops were no match for the great Cosmos going down 2-0 with goals from Julio Cesar Romero and Jeff Durgan before a crowd of 29,215 at the Meadowlands. Reports on the game suggest that if it were not for Packie Bonner, the Celtic goalkeeper at the time, the Cosmos might have won by much more. After the game Bonner's performance, during which he made 10 great saves, was praised by the great Giorgio Chinaglia. "Their goalkeeper made some excellent saves," said the Italian.

Celtic then met the Seattle Sounders in the next game in the competition on Astroturf at the former home of the Seattle Mariners - the Kingdome - in Seattle before 20,486 people. The Bhoys, not familiar with playing on plastic, lost this game 2-1 with Charlie Nicholas scoring with a rocket from 20 yards and George McCloskey hitting the woodwork with 4 minutes left at the end of the game. In Celtic's final game they beat Southampton 2-1.

This coming Friday the Bhoys' return to New York to play Chivas in a much anticipated game with fans jetting in from all parts of the U.S., Canada, Ireland and Scotland and their opponents appear to be relishing the prospect of playing the famous green and white hoops. "We are looking forward to playing the Scottish Champions. Celtic is a great side and we will meet the challenge with our full squad including our players participating in the World Cup," said Nestor de la Torre, the team's vice president. Often called the most famous name in Mexican soccer, Chivas had six players in the Mexican team playing in the World Cup in Germany and are in the semi-finals of Mexico's Torneo Clausura, and the quarterfinals of the Copa Liber-tadores. Since 1906, the team has won 10 Mexican championships and become one of the most recognized and loyally supported teams in Mexico. Historically, Chivas has been the 'Mexican' team using only Mexican-born players and consistently provides the most players to the Mexican National Team.

Other News

Stanislav Varga traveled to the U.S. with the Celtic squad on Monday last which may mean he is close to signing a new one-year contract. Varga looked to have been on his way to a new club from Parkhead, but Bobo Balde's recent injury and the departure of Roy Keane and John Hartson may have prompted a rethink from Gordon Strachan. Varga's agent Tony McGill said: "He has gone to America and we are still talking to Celtic." McGill, who also represents Stilian Petrov, is in the dark over Harry Redknapp's claims that Portsmouth are preparing to make a new bid to take the Bulgarian to England.: "I read the quotes from Harry Redknapp which said they were making an improved offer but I have no idea whether or not they have, or whether it's been accepted or not." A Celtic spokesperson said: "He (Petrov) is coming with us (to the U.S.). Nothing has changed regarding his moving at the moment."

According to reports on Monday Celtic are hoping to sign two World Cup internationals to strengthen the squad before the domestic and Champions League campaigns begin. Gordon Strachan apparently wants Croatian Niko Kranjcar, and Ecuador defender Ulises De la Cruz. Hadjuk Split midfielder Kranjcar is rated at around £2m, and Aston Villa's De la Cruz £1m. Any move for either may depend on whether Stilian Petrov gets his wish to leave the club.

Alan Thompson fears Celtic's grueling world tour could jeopardize Celtic's chances of silverware this season. The midfielder commented last week in Poland prior to the Bhoys traveling to the U. S. and then to Japan between SPL games. Celtic also have friendlies at home against Everton and Man Utd and a trip to Chelsea. Thompson said: "I don't know what input, if any, the manager had when the schedule was put together but it does seem particularly long. Going to Japan isn't ideal and our complete program seems too much."

Aiden McGeady has said he is ready to fight for his first team place despite the arrival of Jiri Jarosik and Derek Riordan for a midfield role. The Donegal man said: "It's the same every season. That's what happens at a big club like Celtic. They are always looking to strengthen. You accept that when you sign.

"You just have to show the manager you are better than players he has brought in. And I definitely have renewed determination to do that. I want to play in every game. I suppose every player does. But, because I am now a year older, I'm even more determined."

Gordon Strachan has claimed his squad is too young and inexperienced to cope with the demands of Champions League football. The Hoops manager said: "When I first got here we were old and we've tried our best to get as many young players as we can. But we need that experience. You look at the teams who do well in the Champions League and the World Cup and they have a good smattering of experience. We can't just leave it to Neil Lennon and Paul Telfer. It's a problem, especially when it comes to the Champions League." Strachan also said he cannot compete with the top clubs in England as he attempts to bolster his squad. "It's madness now. Say I'm looking for a striker. Andy Johnson - £8.5million and however many thousand a week. Dean Ashton - £7.5million. I don't even have what they get for one player in my whole budget. Even if we went for these guys the wages would kill us. So we have to try elsewhere."