ian1964

I hope he's heading for Ibrox:)

Rangers last night completed a stunning swoop from under the noses of Celtic for Slovakian World Cup star Vladimir Weiss. Record Sport can reveal the 20-year-old Manchester City winger will report to Murray Park this morning to sign a season-long loan deal. And while Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain was finalising the move late last night, Walter Smith's other top target Nikica Jelavic was considering walking out on Rapid Vienna ahead of their Europa League clash with Aston Villa tonight. Anxious Rapid bosses even flew to Jelavic's hometown of Zagreb to hold crisis talks with the striker's family in a desperate bid to get the 24-year-old to play. Jelavic has pleaded with the Austrians to let him fly to Glasgow to finalise a �£4million move that will see his wages increase from around �£3000 a week to a sum nearer �£20,000. Bain now hopes to be finally given the go ahead to sign the Croatian star this morning even though Rapid continue to dig their heels in. But while that standoff continued Weiss was making arrangements to travel north to join up with the Light Blues. The move is another huge transfer blow to Celtic boss Neil Lennon who has missed out on a number of big-name targets. As late as yesterday afternoon Weiss was still on Lennon's radar but Celtic had no idea he was set to move to their rivals. When asked about the Slovakian ace yesterday Lennon said: "Weiss is a player we've been looking at for some time." Weiss has not made City's star-studded 25-man squad for the Premier League but is highly rated by manager Roberto Mancini who has given his blessing to the loan deal. The move will come as a huge boost to Rangers boss Walter Smith who has been desperate to land a creative wide player. Smith and Bain made their first cash signing in two years last week when they paid Stoke City �£750,000 for former England striker James Beattie. Now Weiss has been tied up and Jelavic may soon follow as the crown jewel in Smith's limited summer spending spree. Jelavic knows the deal could collapse if he is forced to play against Villa as he will then be cup-tied for Rangers' Champions League campaign. He said: "If the club is asking me to play against Villa, I'll play. But I can hardly concentrate on the match when, over the past few days, I was sold several times. My head is all mixed up." Jelavic trained on Tuesday but demanded talks with club chiefs and requested his immediate release before the Villa game. This was rejected and his agent, Velibor Momcilovic, then told Rapid the player did not want to play for the club again. He said: "Nikica wants to go to Rangers right away. His heart is already in Glasgow." But Rapid sporting director Alfred Hortnagl insists Jelavic will play tonight. He said: "It is simply too late to agree to the transfer. It would be irresponsible just before an important game against Villa to sell such a player and not have anyone to cover."

RANGERS have struck a deal to sign Manchester City kid Vladimir Weiss on a season-long loan. The SPL champions swooped to secure their second signing of the summer from under the noses of Celtic. SunSport can reveal Gers manager Walter Smith first enquired about the Slovakian midfielder six weeks ago just days after Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon declared his interest in him. But Gers have won the race for the World Cup star after agreeing a fee with City late last night. Weiss, 20, will jet into Glasgow today to complete his 12-month loan move. City boss Roberto Mancini is convinced Weiss has a big future in the Premier League but wants him to gain more first-team experience. It's understood the fact Gers are playing in the Champions League was a major plus for Mancini. Weiss, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bolton, becomes Smith's second signing in a week following the arrival of James Beattie. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3102316/Walter-gets-Weiss.html#ixzz0x0BscvMm

Rangers pip Celtic for City midfielder Manchester City are sending Slovakia World Cup winger Vladimir Weiss to Rangers – for a bigger loan fee than Celtic offered. Talented Weiss had the choice of moving to either Old Firm side but is heading for a medical and signing at Ibrox today. He had a brief loan spell at Bolton last season. City had Premier League interest and from Stuttgart. Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Vladimir-Weiss-has-joined-Rangers-on-loan-from-Manchester-City-and-rejected-Celtic-article558275.html#ixzz0x04klUIP Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

Rangers pip Celtic for City midfielder Manchester City are sending Slovakia World Cup winger Vladimir Weiss to Rangers – for a bigger loan fee than Celtic offered. Talented Weiss had the choice of moving to either Old Firm side but is heading for a medical and signing at Ibrox today. He had a brief loan spell at Bolton last season. City had Premier League interest and from Stuttgart. Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Vladimir-Weiss-has-joined-Rangers-on-loan-from-Manchester-City-and-rejected-Celtic-article558275.html#ixzz0x00UFFrn Sign up for MirrorFootball's Morning Spy newsletter Register here

Yobo heads for Scotland Joseph Yobo could be on his way to Scotland on a one-year loan deal, sources close to the player have told SuperSport.com. The Nigerian international has been frozen out of the Everton starting team since his return from the African Cup of Nations in February, and is keen to rack up playing minutes. "A number of clubs have indicated their interest in having him, and Everton have no objections," a source close to the player told SuperSport.com. "But the firm interest has come from Scotland and discussions are taking place." Although no club was mentioned, Celtic are believed to be in the forefront of discussions and a deal is expected to be sealed within days. http://supersport.com/football/nigeria/news/100818/Yobo_heads_for_Scotland

Already posted mate http://www.gersnetonline.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=19676

Just kidding the kiddie fiddlers on, ST sales are not too good for the BHEASTS then??

As far as I know, he will not be able to play for us if Rapid qualify,if he actually plays against Villa,if Villa qualify he will be ok to play for us

I'm away on Holiday tomorrow for 2 weeks in the sun, MAYBE when I get back he will have signed...................................................then again, maybe no!!

The BHEASTS must have some wage bill:)

As I said, I haven't seen enough of him,but I was under the impression he plays wide

I believe he played out wide for derby for the season he was on loan there,pretty successful by all accounts,pacey

Have to disagree with you here mate. Now I have to say I've not seen a lot of this guy play,apart from highlights against Glentoran, but if the guy is out wide in a starting position does it really matter if he goes inside or outside?,surely the point is being able to get past a defender which we don't really have a player who can do this regularly.

AIDEN McGEADY'S spew of bile over the dear green place which is my native city, was as predictable as it was preposterous and pathetic. According to the Moscow bound former Celtic player, he had to get away from Glasgow because he was a hate figure who had been subjected to death threats. Yet, according to one senior source of mine within Strathclyde Police HQ ,there is no record of McGeady ever making a complaint to them, or of them ever investigating any such serious threat against him. He also says he was fed up with Glasgow and wanted to leave, and that it was nothing against Celtic, but Glasgow was the problem. However, it is when he delves into murky waters that the situation becomes - as you might expect - muddied. For he claims some fans hate everything Celtic stand for, and - and I quote McGeady directly - ''Everything I stand for as an Irish Catholic, playing for Celtic.'' He went on to mention some of the places where he says the abuse is at its highest, these being, Ibrox, Tynecastle, Motherwell and Falkirk. But it is the fact he mentions what Celtic stand for, and what he, as an Irish Catholic stands for, which has me baffled. After all Celtic, as their Mission Statement, makes clear, hold no truck with any sort of discrimination. Does McGeady think Celtic stand for Irish Cathlolics? It will be interesting to see whether or not chairman John Reid and chief executive Peter Lawwell move quickly to dis-associate Celtic with their former player's inflamatory remarks. I also wonder just what the reader who took offence at my light hearted reference to my granny being a Presbyterian, thinks of McGeady citing religion in such a way. Funnily enough in the last quarter of a century I have never been aware of a greater intensity of abuse directed at Celtic players at Ibrox, Tynecastle, Motherwell and Falkirk than that hurled at Rangers players at Parkhead and the homes of those other three clubs. Though when Rangers visit Easter Road the vilification from the Hibernian supporters usually exceeds all they have to suffer elsewhere, with the exception of the east end of Glasgow. Not for a moment do I doubt that McGeady has met some uncouth and unpleasant types - whether they be Rangers fans, who abuse him because he played for Celtic, or members of the Tartan Army, who give him stick for turning his back on the land of his birth, and electing to play for a foreign country. In this respect I sympathise with him. Just as I sympathised with Nacho Novo when the death threats he received were of a serious enough nature for him to call in the constabulary. There was also the gutter chant from Celtic hordes directed at the Spanish player, which went :''I hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo, hope you die in your sleep, I pray, Hope you die in your sleep Nacho Novo, with a bullet from the IRA.'' LOVELY! Then there was DeMarcus Beasley, an Afro-American from the south side of Chicago - which as Leroy Brown tells us is the meanest part of town - who had his car firebombed, while Allan McGregor's motor was trashed too. Mo Johnston - remember him? - was at such a risk from Celtic fans he had to have bodyguards, and go and live in Edinburgh. That's some price for any Keelie to have to pay. On the park too it is Rangers players who have been more in the Old Firm hate firing line. Witness what happened in front of 60,000 people and a television audience of a couple of million to then Rangers captain, Fernando Ricksen when his face was cut and needed stitching after being smacked by a missile hurled from the Parkhead stands. More than five years on and the culprit remains at large, perhaps even sitting in the same seat at Parkhead. Maybe the guilty man or woman is the same thug whose aim was good enough to fell referee Hugh Dallas at the Celtic shame game in 1999. Put alongside all of that, the abuse McGeady was subjected to from the stands was pretty small beer, while what he may or may not have suffered on the street - and I don't doubt he had some pretty hairy moments -pales into insignificance compared to what at least three Rangers players have had to put up with on and off the park in the last couple of years. We have certainly moved a long way since the 1960s when Jim Baxter could you out on the toot in safety with Paddy Crerand, Mike Jackson and Billy McNeill. Or since the late 80s and early 90s when I shared many a bottle of bubbly with Paul Elliott, Jackie Dziekanowski, Paul McStay, Ally McCoist, Stuart McCall and Dale Gordon in the upstairs piano bar in Victorias. But back to McGeady. And in the arena where he should be judged - football - Celtic won't miss him. And if you don't want to take my word for it, then how about verdict of Giovanni Trapattoni? The veteran and highly decorated Italian coach, now in charge of the Republic of Ireland ,no longer sees McGeady as a first choice. With no goals in McGeady's more than half a century of international appearances, you can see where Trapattoni is coming from. And more:http://davidleggat-leggoland.blogspot.com/

Aye,the MHEDIA are not interested in this '' political chanting ''

TGFITW!!!!!!! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjdE0b5Jhpk]YouTube- Celtic Fans Against The British Army[/ame]

I think that is the only thing we can do,I'm not convinced with his signing but I'll happily be proved wrong,he may just replace Boyds' goals

I'm more excited about getting Barazite signed tbh,but I know nothing about this guy

Just the typical arrogant Engurland fan:) Bougherra wasn't a big hit @ Charlton either,it's always hard to judge a player hopefully WS will make the right decision[hard hat at the ready]

some comments from wednesday fans http://www.owlstalk.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=133622

No as delighted as Liewell is

THE smog cloaking Moscow could not obscure Aiden McGeadyââ?¬â?¢s vision of the future. Being shuttled around a city wreathed in the smoke from spectacular forest fires, the 24-year-old was quickly coming to a decision. Or, rather, two decisions. He wanted to be in Moscow and he wanted to be out of Glasgow. The move from Celtic to Spartak Moscow was thus inevitable. McGeady is aware that his Ã?£10m transfer caused surprise, even shock in some quarters. The player had been linked with Barclays Premier League clubs, with Aston Villa leading the chase. Surely, the winger would be joining up with Martin Oââ?¬â?¢Neill? But that move foundered as the squalls at Villa Park gathered to produce the perfect storm that led Oââ?¬â?¢Neill to walk away from the club. In contrast, McGeady took a voyage of discovery. He flew to Moscow, talked to Spartak officials and seized the chance to accept another challenge. He will, of course, be handsomely compensated for his career move. Estimates of his wage range from Ã?£40,000 to Ã?£60,000 a week. McGeady will not discuss financial terms, but as a wealthy young man his protestations that money was not the deciding factor carry some weight. ââ?¬Å?What they were offering, not in terms of money but on the football side, was far greater than any other team who came in for me,ââ?¬Â he said of Spartak. ââ?¬Å?The lure of the Champions League was huge. And this is a better league, too. I also know that people get transfers from the Russian league to Serie A, to the Premiership, to La Liga. Frankly, it was best for everyone if I moved on.ââ?¬Â His first experience of the city sealed the move. As pedestrians coughed and spluttered under the fumes from fires, McGeady sat and quietly assessed what lay before him. ââ?¬Å?It was hectic, very cosmopolitan. I liked it immediately. I was trying to get my head round the idea that I would be here permanently. I wanted to see if I could see myself living there, and I could.ââ?¬Â His mind was almost made up before he stepped on the plane to leave Glasgow. McGeady was becoming restless, tired of living in a city where he could rarely feel at ease and increasingly appalled at the level of abuse directed at him. ââ?¬Å?I was getting fed up with Glasgow. I wanted to leave. Nothing against Celtic ââ?¬â?? itââ?¬â?¢s Glasgow,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?If you are not a footballer, it is a great city to live in. There are loads of things to do and the people are very friendly but as a footballer it can be a nightmare. When you are out everybody either wants to shake your hand and praise you or they want to have a go at you. If you have a bad result, then even going to the shops is difficult. ââ?¬Å?You are hiding your face as you go past a group of people because they will shout at you. Moscow is bigger and maybe I can disappear into it a wee bit.ââ?¬Â McGeadyââ?¬â?¢s decision to play for the Republic of Ireland made him a target for a heightened level of abuse from the stands. ââ?¬Å?There are a lot of horrible places in Scotland for that type of thing: Tynecastle, Ibrox obviously is always going to be bad with the Celtic-Rangers rivalry, Motherwell, Falkirk. Some fans there hate everything Celtic stand for and everything I stand for as an Irish Catholic playing for Celtic.ââ?¬Â There is a defiance, however, to McGeady. ââ?¬Å?You enjoy going to those places because it makes it even better when you win,ââ?¬Â he said. He was always aware that to play for the Republic was to place himself squarely in front of ferocious criticism. He was warned when he made the decision as a teenager that the reaction would not be pleasant, but McGeady was surprised at the vehemence of what followed. ââ?¬Å?It begins in the warm-ups before games with all sorts of stuff being shouted at you, even from little kids,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Fair enough, you can have a shout at somebody. Every footballer expects that, but some of the stuff ââ?¬Â¦ you would not get away with it in any other walk of life but because you are a footballer you are expected to tolerate it. But if it happened in public, on a street, then nobody would be surprised if it developed into a fight. It is unbelievable what some people shout.ââ?¬Â He has never regretted his decision to choose to play for Ireland. ââ?¬Å?When I made my debut for Celtic there was a huge fuss made about it. Now I am fed up talking about it.ââ?¬Â McGeady is, though, content about how his life has developed. ââ?¬Å?I am not afraid to make decisions. If I feel it is the right thing to do, then I will do it. It is that simple. And I will live with the consequences. I have lived with the Ireland thing for years. But I am happy with what I decided. Yes, it turned people against me. But I am not there to be anybodyââ?¬â?¢s mate.ââ?¬Â He deals with criticism boldly and without any attempt at false modesty. ââ?¬Å?I know what level of footballer I am. I know I can be better but some of the stuff levelled at me was just nonsense.ââ?¬Â McGeady addresses the two major criticisms he has faced as a Celtic player. The first is his goalscoring, though his record of one goal every five games is not too shabby. ââ?¬Å?I want to score more,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?I remember when I was younger and was in the youth team I used to score a lot of goals. I was a great finisher. I made my debut playing as a second striker but as I have played more and more out wide I have seemed to lost that part of my game, that ability to slot in the chances. I have lost that instinct to score. I want that back.ââ?¬Â The second criticism concerns the ââ?¬Å?no end productââ?¬Â mantra that has been a constant refrain by McGeadyââ?¬â?¢s critics. ââ?¬Å?How many times have I heard that from people saying that my end product is not good enough? Everybody can improve and I will try to do so, but what other winger sets up 14 goals in a season and does not take corners or free-kicks? ââ?¬Å?It is funny how people ignore statistics when they do not suit them. Pundits say it all the time and viewers and readers have it driven into them so they start to believe it. To be honest, it does my head in a wee bit and I will be glad to get away from that.ââ?¬Â The overwhelming impression is of a young man ready to move on. ââ?¬Å?It is a life experience. It is one of those things I will enjoy,ââ?¬Â he said of life in Moscow. ââ?¬Å?If I was not a footballer, I would like to go travelling.ââ?¬Â He added: ââ?¬Å?I hear people saying it is a bad move. Can anybody explain that to me? What if I stayed at Celtic and they were struggling and I am off form or am injured? I would be regretting the chance not to go. I donââ?¬â?¢t see in any way that it can be a bad move.ââ?¬Â McGeady, though, knows it will be a wrench leaving a club he loves and a family that is close. ââ?¬Å?Of course, there will be will be difficulties at first. I expect that. I can see why a lot of people would say no to Spartak because it is a tough move to make. I accept that but I am determined to get through it. I like the city already and it is a better level of football with the Champions League in the offing.ââ?¬Â He will, of course, be back in Glasgow regularly, perhaps on football business. The Champions League draw could bring him back to the city to face Rangers. He chuckles at the prospect. McGeady could also return later in his career to the club that nurtured him. ââ?¬Å?I will definitely miss Celtic Park,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?It is a great place to play football. It was an exhilarating arena especially when you were playing well. The noise level was incredible on Champions League nights or Old Firm matches. It was tremendous to hear the roar if you got past the full-back. ââ?¬Å?So every footballer would want to play there. Never say never. I am a Celtic fan so anything is possible. Celtic would be a good place to come back to play the last years of my career if they wanted me and I could still perform at that level.ââ?¬Â That is in the distant future. McGeady remains focused on his challenge in Moscow. ââ?¬Å?I am just desperate to play,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?I have only been on the park for 55 minutes this season. I want to go and win trophies for my new club. We are capable of doing well in the league and the Champions League is a fantastic prospect.ââ?¬Â http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/celtic/exclusive-aiden-mcgeady-explains-how-leaving-glasgow-is-the-most-eloquent-answer-to-his-detractors-1.1048663

MARTIN Bain will go to war with Rapid Vienna over Nikica Jelavic if the �£4million striker is not allowed to travel to Glasgow today to finalise his move to Rangers. Record Sport can reveal the transfer saga of the summer took a dramatic twist yesterday when Bain thrashed out a deal with all parties and the 24-year-old finally agreed to sign. But the Ibrox chief executive was stunned when the Austrians backed out at the 11th hour and insisted instead Jelavic will play against Aston Villa on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off. Bain was outraged and last night, speaking exclusively to Record Sport, he demanded Rapid grant Walter Smith's priority target immediate permission to fly to Scotland. He said: "We have agreed personal terms with the player having already reached an agreement with Rapid on his transfer fee. But his club have moved the goalposts and this is not acceptable. We expect the player to be in Glasgow in the next 24 hours to undergo a medical." It's understood Jelavic is also furious at Rapid's stance and fears the deal will collapse if he is forced to face Villa. The player could then become cup-tied for Smith's Champions League campaign - and Rangers would be highly unlikely to stump up �£4m for a player who could not be used in Europe. To further confuse matters, news agencies in Croatia last night were reporting Jelavic was on his way to Glasgow - while Rapid bosses were insisting their prized striker WILL be part of their plans for the clash with Villa. Sporting director Alfred Hortnagl said: "He will be staying with Rapid Vienna ahead of our games against Aston Villa. "We do not have time to bring in a new player before the matches so Jelavic won't be leaving the club." Last season Jelavic scored 21 times, including three goals against Celtic in the Europa League. Meanwhile, Rangers have handed former Sheffield Wednesday winger Etienne Esajas the chance to win a deal by impressing Smith in a trial. The 25-year-old Dutchman arrived in Glasgow yesterday. Esajas has just been released by Wednesday after making 60 appearances in three seasons and it is believed he's been recommended to Smith by Ibrox fitness coach Adam Owen, who worked with the player at Hillsborough. Esajas is expected to take part in a closed-doors match against Partick Thistle at Murray Park today. The game will also give Smith a chance to have a look at Honduras striker Georgie Welcome and a nother opportunity to assess Esajas' countryman, Nacer Barazite, who did well against Glentoran last week. Smith said: "One of the main reasons we are holding this game is to look at Nacer Barazite and Georg ie Welcome and some of our younger boys who have not had many games yet. "We will wait to see what happens. It's been a bit unfair on Georgie in part icular because he has not had the chance to play yet. "You can see certain things in t raining but you can't make a decision until you see a player in a game. So we will have a good look at him."

CELTIC yesterday blamed axed boss Tony Mowbray as it emerged they have plunged �£6million into debt - despite them not forking out a penny in compensation. Club chairman Dr John Reid claimed the �£3.14million cost of terminating "certain employment contracts" helped turn a �£2million profit the previous year into a �£2million loss in the 12 months to June. But sources close to Mowbray - who has not worked since he was fired - insist he is STILL on the Hoops' payroll. When Dr Reid was asked if his comments referred to Mowbray, who was sacked in March, he replied: "I never go into individuals. You can draw your own conclusions." He added: "I think it is public knowledge that, both in hiring a new management team and in parting with a new management team, there are costs involved. If it were not for those costs we would have equalled last year." However, the Mowbray source said: "There is no way Tony has reached agreement with Celtic over his compensation. He is very keen to reach a settlement because he is anxious to get back into football. "But as long as there is an outstanding debt due to him, he will not take up another manager's position." It would cost Celtic �£700,000 to settle with Mowbray - the size of the ex-Parkhead skipper's claim against the club. Earlier, Dr Reid said Mowbray's poor results were to blame for the hole in the Hoops' finances. He said: "Unacceptable results on the pitch meant a change in the football management team was needed. It was simply not good enough for this club and those who support it." Last season Celtic failed to win a trophy, missed out on the Champions League and crashed out of the Europa League at the group stages. Results off the pitch were also poor - turnover fell from �£72.5million to �£61.7million. Dr Reid said the economic downturn had contributed to a rise in the club's debts from �£1.5million to �£6million. Hard-up fans have been buying fewer season tickets for Celtic Park and companies hit by the credit crunch have slashed spending on matchday hospitality. Chief executive Peter Lawwell revealed government and council cutbacks had also hit bookings for conferences and banqueting events. He added: "Potential cuts in public spending in the coming year also mean trading conditions will remain difficult for some time to come." Mr Lawwell revealed the club had spent a total of �£13.6million on transfer fees for players, managers and coaches over the year. But this was partly balanced by raking in �£5.7million from player sales. And last week Celtic effectively wiped out their debts by flogging star winger Aiden McGeady to Russian side Spartak Moscow for almost �£10million. Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/3099080/Celtic-blame-loss-in-their-accounts-on-the-cost-of-the-Mowbray-regime.html#ixzz0wqRqCPQr