Celtic News

[SiN]

This is where you can find, post, read about the News coming from Celtic :)

[SiN]

Celtic are facing a fixture nightmare following the latest postponement of their game against Motherwell at Fir Park - and fear the worst may still be to come.

The much-criticised surface, which is also being used by Gretna this season, has repeatedly failed pitch inspections in recent weeks and fell foul of the weather again this morning.

The original fixture, cancelled following the death of Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell at the end of December, was initially re-scheduled for January 30 but that was called off with less than an hour to go before the evening kick-off.

The champions are due to play Gretna at Fir Park next Saturday but that game could also be in danger, leaving Celtic, who have yet to discover when the Old Firm match which was postponed in January will be played, with a worrying fixture backlog.

The Parkhead club's response to yet another postponed fixture was terse.

A Celtic spokesperson said: 'This is extremely disappointing news and once again has caused massive inconvenience for those supporters who travel long distances to matches.

'There is clearly a fundamental issue with this pitch and we would have obvious concerns about future matches taking place at Fir Park, including next Sunday's scheduled league tie with Gretna.

'Once again we sincerely sympathise with our supporters given the difficulties this postponement has caused.'

Peter Rafferty, president of the Affiliation of Celtic Supporters' Clubs, fears the closing months of the season could become an embarrassment for Scottish football.

Rafferty said: 'As far as a postponed match at Fir Park goes, we have been there before and we are back there again.

'The SPL might think it's okay to have a 12.30pm kick-off but when the game is not called off until 9.30am then that is not good enough.

'Some of our fans travel from the north of Scotland, England and Ireland, and you have to take that in to consideration.

'Motherwell have got to spend serious money on their pitch.

'They have taken Gretna's money and they have to reinvest it and make the playing surface better.

'The Gretna game next week must be in doubt even at this early stage.

'Given the state of the pitch, any wet weather this week and the game will be off again.

'It has been a horrendous season so far and there is a nightmare in the offing.

'There are important issues at stake. It is the time of the season when trophies are won and lost.

'But it is getting harder and harder to fit games in and we don't want to make a mockery of the season by playing three or even four games a week.'

Rafferty believes there are wider issues at stake than just the state of the Fir Park pitch.

'There is a place for television but there is an increasing amount of live games that we are involved in which are changed to suit television,' he said.

'It is difficult to get people to games at 12.30pm.

'We had a Scottish Cup game against Kilmarnock played at noon and that is not in the best interests of the fans at a time when we are trying to build goodwill.

'Celtic fans are supporters of football, not just Celtic, and we bring revenue to the other clubs.

'So Scottish football needs to have a hard look at itself.'

No date has yet been set for the rearranged game.

Celtic remain three points behind SPL leaders Rangers who have a game in hand over the champions.


Wow celtic are really facing a fixture dilemma!!

[Andygers]

News:

Celtic drew again in the league and are utter s**t, they are only in with a chance of 1 trophy and they just got a replay in that game in the Scottish cup. In other news there are no tims in Europe, unlike their glorious counterparts Rangers. Business news now and Celtic have wasted money on big fat duds who they claimed to be the best signings this year, Scott Brown.....GIRUY!!!! Fatty Donati.....GIRUY!!!!

Finally its the weather and storm clouds have been gathering over the tattie bowl, with heavy a shower of s**t on Saturdays.