Bhoys Leave It Late As Reid Condemns Rangers Fans

Celtic 3 Aberdeen 2

By Tony Quinn

Jan Vennegor of Hesselink hit a late winner as Celtic came from behind to beat Aberdeen at Parkhead. Vannegoor of Hesselink, who put the Hoops into an early lead in the 14th minute, struck in injury time after Scott McDonald's header tied the scores at 2-2 12 minutes from time. The Dons rallied after going behind and led through Charlie Mulgrew's shot and a Mulgrew free-kick curled in off the post from 30 yards.

Celtic chairman John Reid has condemned as "racist" the 'Famine Song' chanted by Rangers fans at the recent Glasgow derby. Mr Reid, who also warned he would not tolerate offensive chanting by Celtic supporters, has written to Hoops fans about the controversy which erupted after last month's clash between the sides. "We should condemn racism and sectarianism without fear or favor wherever they arise," said Reid. "That is an essential part of Celtic Football Club's ethos." And former Northern Ireland Secretary Reid continued: "As both Rangers Football Club and Strathclyde Police have stated, the content of the song - which is directed against the community of Irish descent in Scotland - is in breach of Race Relations legislation and exposes its perpetrators to the risk of prosecution. The Irish Famine was a human tragedy of immense proportions. It is one of the few such events for which the British Government has expressed specific regret for its share of responsibility."

Members of the Vila-real Submari Celtic Supporters' Club met Scott McDonald, as Celtic thanked the fans for their continuing support ahead of the match against Villarreal CF on Tuesday. The Vila-real Submari CSC was founded in 2004 when the residents of Vila-real were won over by the behavior and example of the Hoops supporters after Celtic lost their UEFA Cup match against the Spanish side. The lasting impression which the Celtic fans made prompted the residents to start up their own Celtic Supporters' Club.

Celtic has already welcomed the Submari CSC to Glasgow on a number of occasions and Scott McDonald made a special presentation to the supporters' club on behalf of everyone at Celtic. Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell said: "It is a real honor to enjoy the support of such great people and magnificent that the supporters' club was established in such circumstances. We are fortunate to have established great connections in Spain, both in Vila-real and in Barcelona, with the formation of another supporters'club - this really does demonstrate the power which football has in bringing people together." Ernesto Boixader, the Submari President and a former footballer who played for Villarreal in the 1980s, commented: "It is great that members of our club have the chance to meet players and officials from Celtic. We are looking forward to a great match and we welcome the club and all our fellow Celtic fans to Spain. We're sure we will have another great football occasion in Vila-real."

Poland coach Leo Beenhakker recalled Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc on Tuesday for World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Slovakia after a two-match suspension. The Dutchman also included midfielders Dariusz Dudka and Rafal Murawski who received the same suspension for "irresponsible behavior" after Poland's 1-0 loss to Ukraine last month. Poland hosts the Czech Republic on Oct. 11 and plays at Slovakia on Oct. 15. Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski started in Boruc's absence, and Beenhakker said Boruc faces a fight to regain his starting spot. Japan coach Takeshi Okada has named Shunsuke Nakamura among a European-based midfield trio for next week's friendly against United Arab Emirates and a World Cup qualifier at home to Uzbekistan on October 15.