Celtic Fall To U.S. All Stars

Riordan Gets Equalizer Against The Fire To Save The Bhoys' Blushes

By Tony Quinn

After the game Gordon Strachan insisted that Celtic's defeat by the MLS All-Stars has not derailed his pre-season plans. Strachan said: "That was a great work-out and I think the summer is officially over. I enjoyed it, especially in the second half, when we got things organized. But the MLS can be proud of themselves. They played well." And Strachan pointed out that the All-Stars featured 15 internationals from the USA, Canada, Grenada and Colombia, and were further ahead in terms of fitness. "They started brighter," he said. "There was an energy to them, an energy that comes I would think with them being at home and playing quite a few games and being right on top of their game. Everybody's sharp, mentally sharp and competing in every game. We're not at that stage yet, we're still preparing, so the edge they had mentally helped and the energy they've built up over the season helped."

Artur Boruc was modest about his performance. "I was a little bit lucky," he said. "What can I say? That's my job. They beat us 2-0, so that's the proof of how good they are." Australian striker Scott McDonald insists every defeat hurts, even if the result will have no lasting impact. "We don't like losing," said McDonald. "At the end of the day there were no points up for grabs, so I guess we can leave the negatives with the losing."

In Celtic's second game in the U.S. on Sunday, Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored Chicago Fire's goal in a 1-1 draw with Celtic at Toyota Park. In the 30th minute, Blanco dribbled past Artur Boruc before tapping the ball into the open net. Blanco signed with the Fire in April but had to wait until the end of the Mexican league season and the Copa America tournament to join the team. Celtic equalized through Derek Riordan who volleyed Massimo Donati's cross into the right side of the net.

The Celtic players have had little time for sight-seeing during the current tour, but Scott McDonald said there was one activity he really enjoyed. "I had a bit of nice shopping in Denver, which was nice," McDonald said. "I got a couple of T-shirts. It's nice to come over here-especially with the exchange rate. It's a bit cheaper. The boys have been going a bit mad."

Bristol City have decided not to give a deal to out-of-contract Celtic striker Kjartan Finnbogason after a trial spell at Ashton Gate. The Iceland under-21 international turned down a new deal at Celtic Park to further his first-team chances. He played 45 minutes in all three of City's games on their pre-season tour. City boss Gary Johnson told the club website: "He would have been behind two or three of our current lads in terms of getting a first-team place." Finnbogason, 21, has also had a trial spell at Swedish club IFK Gothenburg. He arrived at Celtic Park from KR Reykjavik along with midfielder Theodor Elmar Bjarnason in December 2004.

Celtic are on the trail of American soccer ace Michael Bradley. The hoops are keen on the Heerenveen midfielder after his impressive performances for the U.S. in this summer's under 20 World Cup in Canada. Celtic scouts John Park and Ray Clarke both came back with glowing reports about the 19 - year old and told Gordon Strachan to try and snap him up. Bradley, the son of U.S. national coach Bob Bradley, became the youngest player in MLS history to win a move abroad when he went to Holland two years ago. It now depends how much Heerenveen will demand for him although it is unlikely they want bidding to start below 1.5 million Euro.

Motherwell manager Mark McGhee hopes to tie up a loan deal for Celtic's Adam Virgo after being the go-ahead by Gordon Strachan. McGhee was manager of Brighton when Virgo left the Seagulls to join Celtic two years ago, but after struggling to make his mark in Glasgow the 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Coventry. New boss McGhee made Virgo a target as soon as he took charge at Fir Park in mid-June and is hopeful of the player wanting to join him at Motherwell. "Gordon Strachan has said we can have Adam on loan but the player has still to agree," McGhee said. McGhee has watched Virgo on duty with Celtic's reserves and said: "He was the player I recognized from working with him and I know I can get him back to his best."

Bobo Balde has pledged his immediate future to Celtic despite reported interest from Sunderland. Roy Keane was reported to have made a £1.5m offer for his former Celtic team-mate. "I have made it clear in the past that I am very happy at Celtic and I am not interested in anything else," Balde said. "As far as I am concerned, nobody has spoken to me about a move anywhere." The 31-year-old Guinea international has returned to action after a broken leg and is determined to regain his place in the center of the defense. But he faces intense competition from Stephen McManus, Steven Pressley, Darren O'Dea, Gary Caldwell and John Kennedy. "I love the club, I am very settled in Glasgow and I would be happy to fulfil my current contract," said Balde, who has two years of his current contract still to run. "I just want to be fit and ready for the start of the new season. I am just concentrating on getting my fitness back to where it was. Last season was one to forget and I want to get back to my best."

Bryan Robson has ended his interest in Thomas Gravesen after admitting the Celtic midfielder does not want to join Sheffield United. Robson had hoped to persuade the Denmark international to join his Championship side. However the 31-year-old has two years remaining on his contract at Celtic Park and is among the club's high earners. Gravesen's form since joining Celtic from Real Madrid last August has been one of the few disappointments in Gordon Strachan's first two years as Hoops boss. Robson said: "I wouldn't have thought it is going to happen now. I was prepared to wait but I just don't think he is too keen to come. I just don't think he can make his mind up and he has been stalling on things."

Paris Saint Germain right-back Bernard Mendy has confirmed he would move to Celtic. The former Bolton star has been strongly linked with a move to Parkhead and he has now admitted he is attracted by the prospect of joining the Hoops. "Celtic are a great club and I would certainly consider the option of a move," said the 25-year-old. "I like British football and I enjoyed my spell on loan at Bolton in season 2002-03. The possibility of playing in the Champions League again is extremely attractive However, at this stage, I have not been informed of any official offer from Celtic."