Neil Lennon: James Forrest excites the life out of me

Neil Lennon knows better than most the talent and ability of James Forrest.

Lennon was in charge of the Celtic side that lost 3-1 to Benfica earlier this season in Toronto when Forrest first appeared in a Celtic XI.

As reserve/development manager the caretaker boss has worked extensively with the 18-year-old and was delighted by Forrest's scoring debut against Motherwell today after appearing as an 81st minute substitute.

"He excites the life out of me," Lennon admitted. "I have been waiting to get him in the squad.

"He has been fantastic in the games he has played for me in the development squad. I wanted to give him his chance and I was so pleased for him

"He was out injured for a month and with the u-19s going for the league and cup double it has prevented him from getting his chance.

"He's a great kid and I have high hopes for him. I don't want to get too carried away, but he's a talent."

Forrest's goal, an impressive controlled lob at full stretch after forcing himself clear of a Motherwell defender from a Marco Fortune header, was an extra bonus on the second half performance.

After a promising opening of sharp passing and quick balls being played into the penalty box the pace dropped with Motherwell surviving quite comfortably.

Three minutes into the second half Aiden McGeady put Celtic in front with a classy and unexpected lob from 16 yards out just as his options seemed to run out.

That goal gave the homeside some breathing space with Darren O'Dea heading home a McGeady cross from close range in the 77th minute to ensure that Lennon's 100% SPL record was maintained with Forrest scoring after just six minutes on the park.

During his brief spell on the park he was able to showcase his impressive control and drive. 

With the ability to play comfortably on either flank and an obvious eye for goal he looks certain to be pushing for a first team place next season.

Robbie Keane made it a hat-trick of Irish scorers and moved to the top of the Celtic scoring charts with an injury time goal that bore all of hallmarks of a time served marksman. 

Stevie Frail on James Forrest from August

Paul George and Islam Feruz making their mark at Celtic

Less than 48 hours after celebrating his side's Hampden win over Rangers youth coach Stevie Frail was back at the coalface working with next season's u-19 prospects, tieing up the SPL campaign with a 2-0 win away to Hearts.

Half of the double winning side will be available again next season but they will mostly be targetting a place in the development squad or getting sent out on loan to experience regular first team football.

Watching a new group of players for the first time brings extra interest and yesterday's action at Hearts was worthwhile.
John Young and Curtis Jones formed a strong physical presence in front of the impressive Robbie Thomson in goal but it's the creative areas of the team that always attract attention.

Liam Madden, Callum McGregor and Islam Feruz created a very mobile midfield partnership with all of them showing great energy and flexibility to get up and down the park, put in their tackles and be on the look out for the defence spiltting pass.

In attack Liam Gourley didn't have many opportunities in front of goal but kept the Hearts defence busy with Paul George lying slightly deeper in support of Gourley.

Almost un-noticed on Wednesday George was given a 15 minute runout in the first team against AZ Alkmaar. Although the regular first team was rested and the u-19 squad were playing in the final of the SFA Youth Cup on the same night it says a lot for George that he was picked out to sample the first team experience straight from the u-17 side.

Frail said: "Paul made his debut at a very young age, we need to temper it a little bit due to circumstances but he still got his chance.

"He only got 15 minutes but the excitement from Wednesday night would take it's toll and we only gave him an hour today.

"Paul is an exciting winger, he can play on both sides and we're pleased for him. John Young has been on the bench a few times for the u-19s and has done well for the u-17s."

Feruz is another player to have sampled a first team match at Celtic Park, playing last season for the Tommy Burns XI and making a favourable impact on the fans as well as those on the park.

It's inevitable that greater attention and scrutiny will be placed on the Somalia born Scotland Schoolboys star but Frail and the rest of the Celtic coaching staff have to constantly remind themselves of the players youth.

"It was tough for Islam today because he was in with a young team as well," Frail added. "Maybe if we had went in with a bit more strength and bigger lads we would have seen more of him.

"I thought that he did fine. He is a talent, he has great ability and great feet and we're just letting him play and see how his game develops."

New look Celtic youth side keep on winning

Filip Twardzik and Michael Ordish scored the goals to defeat Hearts 2-0 at Riccarton today to end the u-19 season in style with a ten game winning run.

The Hampden hero's were given the day off after their midweek exertions with the u-17 side given a valuable warm up ahead of Wednesday's Glasgow Cup Final clash with Rangers at Broadwood.

"We wanted to win this match, there was pressure on the players coming in," coach Stevie Frail said. "We're on a great winning run and it was good to get another clean sheet.

"That was our under-17 side coming in against a Hearts side that have five or six regulars who have played all season. We're really pleased with them it was a great result.

"This is a fantastic end to a great season, we won the league last Friday but have gone on to win the last two matches without losing a goal.

"We've won the league well this season but we got the points today and that keeps the gap at the top the same.

Filip Twardzik captained the side which included his brother Patrick with the entire team, except for full-back Stephen O'Donnell, all members of the u-17 squad.

It was a shaky start to the match by the new look defence but there was a familiar ring to the opening goal from Twardzik.

Liam Gourlay's corner from the right was met at by the end of 
Twardzik who sent a looping header back across goal and under the bar to put Celtic in front.

Celtic were down to ten men when Ordish clinched the points with 15-year-old Islam Ferrez hobbling off with cramp in the 84th minute.

Pressure from Kieron Brennan forced the Hearts keeper into a rushed clearance that fell to Ordish 30 yards from goal with the substitute striking the ball first time into the empty net.

CELTIC: Robbie Thomson; Stephen O'Donnell, John Young, Curtis Jones, Filip Twardzik; Patrick Twardzik (Kieron Brennan), Islam Ferruz, Liam Madden, Callum McGregor; Liam Gourlay (Jordan Moffat), Paul George (Michael Ordish) 
SUBS Connor Fairley, John Herron, Mo Yakub, Joe Chalmers

Presentation to u-19 side/Glasgow Cup Final

Celtic's double winning youth side will be presented with the SPL title at half-time in tomorrow's first team match with Motherwell.

Stevie Frail's side beat Rangers 2-0 at Hampden on Wednesday to clinch the SFA Youth Cup and completed their league programme today with a 2-0 win away to Hearts.

The SPL title will be presented to skipper Matty Hughes with the squad taking a bow to acknowldege the support that they received at Hampden.

On Wednesday night Celtic's u-17 side face Rangers in the final of the Glasgow Cup at Clyde's Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld.

It's a long time since that trophy carried much in the way of prestige but with Celtic and Rangers in action just 24 hours after the first team clash it's bound to attract a decent crowd.

David Murray savages fellow Rangers directors

David Murray has emerged from his self imposed silence to savage three of his fellow Rangers directors for spreading scare stories about the club's financial position.

Douglas Park has been quoted in the wake of revelations about a tax probe into Rangers dealings with Murray accusing the motoring giant of trying to destabilise the club.

Four years since he first attempted to sell the club Murray appears to be no closer to selling Rangers but that hasn't prevented him from attacking some of his fellow Ibrox directors.

Speaking to his favourite newspaper, The Daily Record, Murray said: "If Douglas, Dave King, Paul Murray or anyone else wants to buy the club they all know what to do. 

"Stop saying why you wouldn't buy it. What's the point continually trying to undermine Rangers when it's clear finances are improving?

"If you care about the club would you endeavour to undermine it by making the kind of statements we've read from Douglas? One can only wonder why.

"Is it an attempt to weaken the club in the hope of getting it at a cheaper price?

"If Douglas, Dave King or anyone else wants to buy Rangers they all know what to do. But please, stop undermining what has been a tremendous effort by everyone at the club during very difficult and trying times."

Murray added: "I seem to recall Douglas Park got in touch a couple of times. Two years ago he called Mike McGill, the finance director, and offered to buy the club for £1.

"Then he said he'd like to take over the running of the club but we felt that wouldn't have been in Rangers' best interests. I think it's time Douglas stopped shadow boxing and got into the ring.

"If he or anyone else wants to buy let them make their play. They do the due diligence and see where they are but there's nothing to hide here."

Tellingly Murray makes no mention of next season's playing budget which is expected to be finalised in the next fortnight.

With Walter Smith without a contract and desperate for a loosening of the influence of Lloyds TSB on the club's playing budget Murray has been unable to provide the Rangers boss with any hope of a realistic budget for the new season.

Despite two years of Champions League money, amounting to close to £30m, a new tighter budget is expected to be applied for next season scuppering Smith's hopes of re-signing six out of contract players as well as a new deal for the Ibrox boss or his assistants.

Double delight for Richie Towell

Richie Towell was the Dub with the double last night as Celtic's U19 side beat Rangers 2-0 at Hampden Park to clinch the SFA Youth Cup.

Second-half goals from substitutes Sean Fitzharris and Filip Twardzik made it a memorable night for the young Celts, who were cheered on by the majority of the 7,579 fans after clinching the SPL title at the weekend.

"It was brilliant, it's been an unbelievable season," Towell admitted.

"Everyone put in a shift over the season and the two substitutes came on and won the cup for us.

"Before the game they were a bit disappointed not to be starting.

"Sean's head went down when the side was announced, he wants to play every game. Filip was the same, but the lads got behind each other and we got our rewards.

"We didn't play as well as we could in the first half but I felt that we dominated Rangers in the second half.

"Our fans were brilliant. They outsung the Rangers fans all through the game and were like a 12th man.

"When the goals went in it was an amazing feeling. Two years ago I lost in this final to Rangers, so this was very sweet. My family and a few friends flew over for the match, it was great to celebrate with them."

Towell has split his season between the U19 side and the development/ reserve squad under the guidance of first-team interim boss Neil Lennon.

Despite his first-team commitments and having to prepare for the Alkmaar friendly, Lennon played an active part in the youth's team success.

U19 coach Stevie Frail said: "Neil had a word with the players before the game. We had our team talk at Celtic Park, Neil and Mr (Peter) Lawwell (Celtic's CEO) spoke to the players.

"Neil was really inspiring. He's done it as a player, he told them to enjoy the experience and come back with the cup."

Evening Herald interview

Frail's praise for terrific Celtic support at Hampden

by Joe McHugh Youth team boss Stevie Frail has saluted the Celtic support that roared his side to victory at Hampden last night.

The Green Brigade, plus reinforments, were out in force backing the young hoops from the warm up through until the final celebrations.

After the match the players joined in wild celebrations with the fans with Frail leading the praise for the twelth man at Hampden.

He said: "The crowd were absolutely fantastic, we owe them a big thank you.

"They kept us going right from the first whistle. Before we finished the warm up they started teaming in and I couldn't believe how many were there.

"They were terrific, they gave the team a lot of backing and the celebrations at the end were fantastic."

Two years ago Richie Towell was a loser at Hampden but the right-back lapped up every moment of last night's success with his own personal support group over from Dublin for the occassion.

He said: "Our fans were brilliant. They outsung the Rangers fans all through the game and really were like a twelfth man.

“At the start of the second half we looked over at the fans who were singing their hearts out and that gave us a lift.

“When the goals went in it was an amazing feeling. Two years ago I lost in this final to Rangers so this was very sweet.

“My family and a few friends flew over for the match, it was great to celebrate with them afterwards."

Match report and quotes

Super subs Fitzharris and Twardzik win the cup for Celtic

A wondergoal from Sean Fitzharris swung the SFA Youth Cup Final Celtic's way as the young hoops sealed the u-19 double.

After a less than memorable first half the second half turned out to be much more lively with substitutes Fitzharris and Filip Twardzik turning the game Celtic's way.

Goalkeeper Danielle Giordano played a massive part in the win with a point blank save from Archie Campbell just four minutes before Fitzharris's opener.

"We felt that if we played as we can we would win," coach Stevie Frail explained afterwards. "But in cup finals, especially an Old Firm match, it's about who can handle the occassion, who has the bottle and mental strength.

"In the second half we showed exactly what we've had all season. You need determination and desire to succeed, it's not only about silky soccer and we tell the players that.

"We should have played better tonight on a good surface but nerves and the way cup finals go had an impact.

"Winning trophies helps players to develop. If we finish in mid-table at u-19s and don't win a cup then I don't think that we're going to have many players good enough to get a first team chance.

"We want to be successful by playing in the right way. Without being blase a lot of the stuff that we've played this season has been excellent."

Despite having the balance of possession in the first half Celtic failed to carve out any meaningful chances.

Greig Spence cut an isolated figure up front with only some bursts from James Forrest down the left flank causing Rangers any concern.

Spence forced a good save out of Grant Adams four minutes into the second half but the game really livened up in the 54th minute when Giordano pulled off a fantastic instinctive save from Campbell.

"I think that was the turning point in the game," Frail added. 
"Their striker hit it well but it was a reaction save and we went up the park and scored.

"Strikers and scorers get the praise and headlines, rightly so because it's difficult putting the ball in the net but Danielle had a fantastic save tonight."

Shortly after that save Fitzharris replaced the injured Darren McCauley with the substitute making an incredible impact within two minutes of coming on.

Coming in off the left flank with little in the way of options the substitute let rip with a fierce dipping shot that flew across Adams into the far corner of the net.

"Jordan Lowden wanted me to pass the ball and was ready to shout at me but it was great to find the net," the goalscorer explained.

"I'm not going to lie, I was devastated to be on the bench tonight. From the bench I had a desire to get on and do something but to score a goal like that was amazing.

"There was a bit of luck involved in it but it was a great feeling to find the net.

"As soon as I got on the park I forgot about being dropped and concentrated on playing my game.

"You can't argue with the manager's decisions. We've got quality throughout the whole squad, myself and Filip came on and scored the two goals."

Even by their own high standards the noise coming from the Green Brigade increased after Fitzharris's goal with Celtic starting to play with an extra level of confidence.

In the 68th minute Spence went off suffering from cramp with substitute Twardzik waiting three minutes before nodding home an inswinging free-kick from James Keatings.

Rangers never really looked like getting back into the match but they were given no encouragement from the Celtic defence marshalled by skipper Matty Hughes and Deccy Gallagher in front of the impressive Giordano.

After the presentations and celebrations had died down a little Frail explained the decision to bench Fitzharris despite the key role that he had played in securing the title.

The hoops coach added: "Players worry about themselves, I have to worry and think about the squad. We know that Sean can play, it was a hard decision to leave him out because he did very well against Rangers at Murray Park a few weeks ago.

"I could see on Tuesday that he was dissapointed, I would expect nothing else. We picked the team, he was part of the squad, he took it on board and didn't sit and sulk.

"He was around the team and when we asked him to go and do it he delivered. It was a fantastic goal and he was brought down for the free-kick that led to the second goal."

On Friday Celtic complete their domestic campaign away to Hearts in the SPL.

CELTIC: Giordano; Towell, Hughes, G Gallagher (S O'Donnell 89), Lowdon; Bagshaw, G Gallagher, McCauley (Fitzharris 56); Keatings, Spence (F Twardzik 68), Forrest. SUBS Kennedy, McGregor

RANGERS: Adams; Durie (McCausland 77), Cole (Wiktorski 83), Scott, Wylde; Ness (Dick 63), McGeouch, Hutton, McCabe; Campbell, Naismith SUBS Weir, Wright.

Some great pictures from the match

Totally mental celebration picture! 

North American pre-season details

Celtic are expecting to formalise a four game pre-season trip to North America in the next few days.

With the dates of their Champions League qualifiers confirmed the club is expecting to announce friendlies to be hosted in Seattle, Toronto, Philadelphia and Boston between July 12 and 21.

Closer to home Celtic will be competing in the Emirates Cup alongside AC Milan, Arsenal and Olympique Lyon.

Celtic will play Lyon on Saturday July 31 at 2pm to kick the tournament off and will face Arsenal at 4pm the following day in the final match.

Either side of the Emirates Cup dates Celtic will be playing Champions League qualifiers with the third round ties taking place on July 27/28 and August 3/4

Seattle Sounders July 18
Emirates Cup details.

Richie Towell's journey from Dublin to Hampden

Richie Towell is looking to graduate out of youth football as a double winner after tonight's Old Firm final at Hampden.

Celtic clinched the U19 SPL title at the weekend with Towell missing only one match of the campaign due to international commitments.

After three years at Celtic the former Crumlin United midfielder knows all about the Old Firm rivalry and the importance of the Hampden showdown.

He said: "A Celtic-Rangers game means everything and this one will mean that bit more because there's a prize at the end of the game.

"At any level a Celtic-Rangers game is special. Two years ago I lost in the final to Rangers and experiences like that drive you on as a player.

"We've won the title and want to go on and do the double. We've won against each other in the league but over the season we've been the better side and we want to prove that at Hampden.

"There's a lot of confidence around in the squad because we're on a good run. We won eight games on the bounce to clinch the title and that's very satisfying.

"At the start of the season the coaching staff set us the target of winning the double and we've still got work to do.

"I've got about 10 family and friends flying over for the match -- that's fantastic -- and I feel that I owe them something back.

"My mum and dad were due over last weekend but that was cancelled with the volcano problems. Hopefully lifting the trophy at Hampden will make up for that."

Three years in Glasgow hasn't diluted Towell's accent in any way, with his enthusiasm and drive coming through loud and clear whenever he plays. As a schoolboy he had offers to move to England but has no regrets about opting for Glasgow and has felt at home with Celtic since the day that he arrived.

During a week-long stay at Tottenham as a 15-year-old he was looked after by another former Crumlin star, Robbie Keane, but decided that his future lay in Scotland.

He added: "Almost as soon as I arrived at Celtic I found myself playing against AC Milan and Real Madrid in the Villareal Tournament and that was fantastic.

"I've been playing every week since I arrived at Celtic and I know from other lads that that doesn't always happen in England.

"There's a great structure in place at Celtic with good coaches and others behind the scenes that look after you so well.

"There are others around the club like Lenny and Willie McStay who know how you are doing. It's like a big family and I'm so happy I made this choice.

"Seeing Robbie Keane around the club is fantastic, he was one of my schoolboy heroes and is very down to earth. 

"He was always along at trophy presentations at Crumlin and would sometimes come along to training when he was back home during the close season.

"We had a great side at Crumlin and that has given a lot of us our chance in football.

"Connor Clifford is doing well at Chelsea, Aaron Doran and Gavin Gunning are at Blackburn and there are others making progress.

"I'm pleased with the way that things are developing at Celtic and have never regretted coming here.

"Finishing my time with the youth side by winning a cup final against Rangers at Hampden would be the perfect ending."

As published in the Evening Herald, Dublin

Greig Spence's Hampden goal

Greig Spence is looking to complete a dream season as a double winner at Hampden- kick off 7.30pm.

The striker left Alloa for Celtic at the start of the season and has fired the goals to take Stevie Frail's side to within ninety minutes of the double.

Spence's eight game scoring run- including match-winners against Livingston in the SFA Youth Cup semi and Rangers in the league- came to a halt against Aberdeen on Saturday but that didn't dampen his celebrations of Celtic's title success.

Tonight's Hampden date with Rangers gives the young hoops another opportunity to lift silverware with Spence going into the match full of confidence.

He said: "We can't wait for the game to come along, we're confident on the back of winning the league and the spirit among the players is sky high.

"This is the first final that I've been in for a while and playing at Hampden will be the highlight of the season- you can't get better than a final at the National Stadium.

"Goals are what strikers are there for, especially when you play on your own up front. I've managed to bag a few and I've been happy with that.

"Every time that I get put through on goal it's in my head that I'm going to score.

"Although I've scored a few goals we've had a great defence, they've had a good run of clean sheets and that spreads confidence throughout the team."

After a lean spell in February Spence was dropped for the home defeat from Rangers but responded with a double against Falkirk in the following match.

At any level scoring in eight consecutive games is a fantastic achievement with Spence convinced that being left out helped turn his season around.

"I went through a bad period and got dropped," he recalled. "The coaches got a reaction from me after that and I've been happy with my form.

"Looking back I was maybe trying too hard and things weren't going for me. Football is about highs and lows, I was firing blanks, I wasn't playing well and deserved to be dropped.

"The coaches told me that I had to offer more to the team and score more. It's great to be scoring but I feel that I've been contributing more to the team as well.

"Winning the league was great and now we're looking to add another trophy.

"We've had two close games with Rangers. They are a good team but we know what's at stake and winning a final at Hampden would be a fantastic feeling."

Anyone going to Hampden should get along early, it's pay at the gate, in the past there has been a lack of turnstyles to let supporters in.

Tommy McIntyre's twin development aims

Tommy McIntyre believes that player development and winning honours go hand in hand at Celtic.

With his title of Head of Professional Academy the former Hibs and Aberdeen defender co-ordinates the Celtic's u-17 and u-19 sides coached by Miodrag Krivokapic and Stevie Frail.

Producing first team players is the target but success is also expected with the resourses that are committed into player development.

Tomorrow night at Hampden Celtic's u-19 side are looking to add the SFA Youth Cup to the SPL title that they won at the weekend with snap judgements likely to be made on a season's work.

Handling pressure and the demands of the big occassion are an essential element in player development with the game full of training ground wonderkids that couldn't translate their skills into a competitive environment.

With almost a full season in the job behind him McIntyre is a firm believer that a winning, successful team is essential if players are to realise their full potential.

"By developing young players you should also have successful teams," McIntyre argued. "Success breeds success, there is no one solution for everything, there's a blend to be achieved between having success and creating momentum in players development.

"Primarily we are here to develop young players but at any level there are lessons to be learned about winning trophies.

"We know that all of our players have talent- they wouldn't be at Celtic if they didn't but talent isn't enough.

"They need to have hunger and desire and we'll be looking to see that at Hampden on Wednesday."

On the back of The McLeish Report the Hampden clash between Celtic and Rangers will come in for additional attention and scrutiny.

McIntyre and his coaches are precise in their preparations for every match but know that ultimately it's up to players to perform on the pitch.

In the last two months Celtic and Rangers have traded wins at Barrafield and Murray Park to give their Hampden clash an extra edge.

Looking towards tomorrow's match McIntyre added: "We have prepared the players well and want them to enjoy the occasion of playing at Hampden in a cup final.

"We want them to display the talent that they have, to play their game and keep things simple.

"As young players we recognise that they will make mistakes but we hope that they can do themselves justice.

"Even senior players get nervous at cup finals but hopefully we can settle quickly and enjoy a great occasion.

"They've worked hard all season and it would be great for them to play to their potential and pick up a trophy for their efforts."

A clever little Dick from Holland

Without doubt the arrival of AZ Alkmaar and manager Dick Advocaat will create a bit of a stir ahead of tomorrow's friendly with Celtic.

Advocaat will be portrayed as a great Rangers man who inflincted untold misery on Celtic alongside David Murray as the Ibrox side attempted to put Celtic to the sword with an unprecedented spending spree.

But what are the facts of Advocaat's  three and a half year reign at Ibrox?

*Was he in charge when a Lubo Moravcik inspired Celtic sank Rangers 5-1?

*After vowing 'never again' did he lose 6-2 in Martin O'Neill's first derby less than three years later?

*Did he 'move upstairs' when the pressure got too much after losing five successive derbies?

*Who bought Tore Andre Flo, Daniel Prodan, Colin Hendry, Andrei Kanchelskis, Bert Konterman, and Michael Ball for £34m?

The Advocaat legacy is still being felt at Ibrox as Walter Smith battles to understand the politics of banking- a look at the list of players above gives a good indicator towards Rangers current debt levels and why Lloyds TSB won't allow any spending despite the success that Smith has brought.

For two season's Advocaat dominated Scottish football as Celtic floundered under Dr Jo Venglos then the disastrous partnership of Kenny Dalglish and John Barnes.

Despite his domestic success Advocaat was repeatedly caught out in Europe but that didn't prevent rumours suggesting that he could be leaving Rangers to take charge at Manchester United.

The European failures however were a definate sign that Advocaat had his limilations with Parma, Borussia Dortmund and Kaiserlautern ending Rangers UEFA Cup hopes before Christmas.

Finally, in virtually his last act as Rangers manager Advocaat steered Rangers into the last 16 of the UEFA Cup thanks to a penalty shoot out win over Paris St Germain which saw the Dutchman sprinting onto the pitch to take part in the celebrations and virtual lap of honour.

Within a week of that result Cladio Reyna was sold to Sunderland and Advocaat moved aside for Alex McLeish in the first serious indication of Rangers future downsizing.

Ironically Advocaat did go on to enjoy success in the UEFA Cup helping Zenit St Petersburg to defeat Rangers 2-0 in the 2008 final.

Across the city the spending of Advocaat had implications at Celtic where the board realised that some serious investment was required if Celtic weren't to be left on the sidelines looking in from the outside on the Champions League.

Fortunately for Celtic the appointment of Martin O'Neill and his spending proved to be a much more profitable gamble helping to bring six SPL titles out of eight and regular Champions League campaigns.

Despite the current positions in the SPL table I think that it's fair to say that Advocaat's arrival at Rangers has been of more benefit to Celtic.

Rangers are attempting to fight their way out of the financial disaster created by Murray sanctioning spending way beyond their means in an attempt to finally make an impact on Europe.

For all their difficulties and the missed opportunities of the last two seasons Celtic and the supporters now have realistic aspirations to dominate at home and be competitive in the Champions League although reaching the knock-out stages of the competition is the realistic extent of ambitions.

Like Graeme Souness before him Advocaat will milk whatever reception he gets at Celtic, with his career on the wane and his legacy hanging over Rangers the self-styled Little General has certainly played an important role in Celtic's recent history.

Deccy Gallagher's Hampden dream

Ever-present Deccy Gallagher is hoping to crown his season by adding the SFA Youth Cup to the SPL u-19 title won by Celtic at the weekend.

The young hoops kept the momentum going by beating Aberdeen 1-0 on Saturday but it was understandable that some minds were straying towards Wednesday's Hampden showdown.

Gallagher has been an imposing figure at the heart of the Celtic defence throughout the season and is looking forward to finishing the season in style.

"This will be the biggest night of my career," the defender admitted. "And it'll be the same for the rest of the players.

"We've had a good season and it would be a great achievement to win a trophy at Hampden.

"At Celtic there are always expectations and that's something that we have to deal with.

"We've had two tight games with Rangers in the last few months and I'd expect it to be close again at Hampden.

"Winning at Murray Park gave us a huge lift in the league, there wasn't much between the teams then Greig Spence popped up with a goal near the end.

"A draw wouldn't have been good enough in that match, we knew that we had to win and it was a great feeling to get the points that day.

"We've kept the form going and are on a good winning run but we know it will be a hard match at Hampden.

"Playing in a cup final against Rangers will be a great occassion, there's bound to be a bit of nerves about but that gives you the edge to play at your best."

Gallagher started the season alongside Declan Gallagher ( no relation) in central defence but has been playing alongside captain Matty Hughes since the season resumed in February.

Despite his size he likes to knock the ball about and laughs at the back handed compliments about his passing ability.

He added: "The coaches here like me to express myself on the pitch. When people look at the size of me they don't expect much, when they see that I can play a bit they get surprised!

"My first job is to be a defender but I like to show that I can play a bit as well.

"Playing for Celtic is a massive thrill for me, I've always supported the club and when Tommy Burns spoke to my dad about joining Celtic I was delighted. It was an honour to sign and to pull on the jersey.

"I never take anything for granted, every time I put on the jersey I know what it means and what's expected of you.

"Being part of a league winning side has been a fantastic experience.

"I've had a couple of games with the reserve side and got a taste of what could be ahead of me when we played against Shamrock Rovers.

"Going to Ireland and playing in front of a full house was a great experience. Mark Wilson, Paul Caddis and Paul McGowan were in the side and showed me what's demanded at Celtic.

"It's been a great season for myself and the u-19's, winning at Hampden on Wednesday would be the perfect end to the season."

Matty Hughes is followed out by Deccy Gallagher, Jordan Lowden and Michael Ordish