| Match Pictures | Matches: 2003 – 2004 | 2003-2004 Pictures |
Trivia
- Celtic began their warm-up for the new season with a gentle 7-0 win over an amateur select in Sweden and a further hint of a change in tactics.
- The match at Kunghshamn Vallen Stadium was missed by manager Martin O'Neill. He was not due at their Kungsbacka training camp until the evening following after what Celtic describe as a "minor operation".
Review
Stanislav Varga, Steve Guppy and Chris Sutton put Celtic ahead before the break against a team combining players from the Kungshamn and Smogen clubs. Stilian Petrov added the fourth with a penalty before David Fernandez scored a double either side of a strike by young Ross Wallace.
But there appeared to be confirmation of summer speculation suggesting that O'Neill is contemplating scrapping his tried and trusted 3-5-2 system.
Stephen Crainey, who has been looking for a new club, started at left-back, with Jackie McNamara on the right, in a more traditional 4-4-2.
Magnus Hedman started in goal and was given a warm welcome by the crowd of 4,700 along with compatriot Henrik Larsson as he partnered Sutton up front.
Teams
Kungshamn/Smogen Select (4-4-2):-
Gorling; Albertsson, Dalkvist, Karlsson, Soderberg; Patriksson, Syversen (Williams 68), Kapella-Karlsson (Lindholm 64), Hysen (Maisa 64); Johansson, Henriksson (Hassellov 32, Olsson 54).
Subs:- Syversen, Hassellov.
Celtic (4-4-2):-
Hedman (Corr 46); McNamara (Agathe 46), Valgaeren (Kennedy 46), Varga (Laursen 46), Crainey; Smith (Wallace 64), Lennon (Miller 46), Thompson (Petrov 46), Guppy (Petta 46); Larsson (Beattie 46), Sutton (Fernandez 46).
Goals:- Varga, Guppy, Sutton, Petrov pen, Fernandez, Wallace, Fernandez.
Referee:
Attendance:
Articles
- Match Report (see end of page below)
Pictures
Articles
Broto to leave Celtic
BBC
Hearts are also on the lookout for a new goalkeeper but are unlikely to be able to match the Spaniard's wage demands.
Former Livingston goalkeeper Broto looked poised to re-sign for Celtic after impressing on a short-term deal.
But the 31-year-old said: "At the moment, I don't feel very good at all. I don't know if there is any chance of going back to Celtic now."
Broto had been considering a two-year deal, but it is being suggested that Celtic boss Martin O'Neill became frustrated at the length of time the Spaniard was taking to give him an answer.
The goalkeeper had played 10 times for Celtic after he was bought from Livingston as cover for the injured Rab Douglas and Magnus Hedman.
Broto, cup-tied for the Uefa Cup ties, retained his place ahead of Douglas despite the Scotland goalkeeper's return to fitness.
Ipswich boss Joe Royle has already admitted that Broto was one of his summer signing targets.
Hearts head coach Craig Levein has also promised to sign a goalkeeper within the next fortnight but is likely to find that Broto is outwith his club's means.
Reports have suggested that Broto had wanted parity with Celtic's other two goalkeepers, who are on £16,000-per-week.
Levein, who would probably not even have £5,000-per-week to offer, appears unlikely to give Roddy McKenzie a new deal unless he cannot find a suitable replacement.
Finnish international Tepi Moilanen had displaced McKenzie as first choice goalkeeper while on loan from Preston North End.
Moilanen is still under contract with the English club and the cost involved in a transfer might also prevent a permanent move.
Hedman: 'I'm no wimp'
BBC
The Swedish goalkeeper has made only a handful of appearances since his £1m transfer from Coventry City 10 months ago.
He has suffered from knee and calf injury problems, but some fans have suggested that he is a "wimp".
Hedman will now be involved in a head-to-head with Scotland international Rab Douglas for the first-team jersey after Celtic decided not to renew the contract of Javier Sanchez Broto.
And, having joined the squad at their pre-season training camp in his homeland, Hedman signalled his determination.
My priority is to show everyone I'm not the wimp they think I am
Magnus Hedman
"Because I was on international duty with Sweden last month, I was entitled to an extra week off but felt it was important to get back quickly and into the swing of things," he said.
"Last season was the most frustrating of my life, but it is defeinitely behind me now.
"I have no injury problems and feel alive again."
Hedman admitted that he had felt the pressure of fans questioning why he was constantly injured.
Broto to leave Celtic
"My priority now is to stay fit and show everyone I'm not the wimp they think I am," he said.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old winger Ross Wallace is also hoping to establish himself in the first-team squad.
Wallace recently agreed a new four-year deal and was invited to Sweden along with striker Craig Beattie, who also signed a new contract.
Craig Beattie
Craig Beattie had been wanted by Tottenham Hotspur
"It's the first time that I've been away for any decent length of time with the senior squad and obviously I'm desperate to take the chance now it's come along," he said.
"I have no idea how long the invite to train with the first-team will last, but I think both myself and Craig will be aiming to keep our place here."
Manager Martin O'Neill was delighted to secure Beattie's signature on a three-year deal just before their departure, the 19-year-old having attracted interest from the English Premiership.
"Spurs had shown a strong interest in him and they were very keen to take him to White Hart Lane, so I am delighted that he has committed himself to Celtic for the forseeable future," said O'Neill.
Celtic's 4-4-2 dumps Swedes
BBC
Celtic began their warm-up for the new season with a gentle 7-0 win over an amateur select in Sweden and a further hint of a change in tactics.
Stanislav Varga, Steve Guppy and Chris Sutton put the Scottish outfit ahead before the break against a team combining players from the Kungshamn and Smogen clubs.
Stilian Petrov added the fourth with a penalty before David Fernandez scored a double either side of a strike by young Ross Wallace.
The match at Kunghshamn Vallen Stadium was missed by manager Martin O'Neill.
He was not due at their Kungsbacka training camp until the evening following what Celtic describe as a "minor operation".
But there appeared to be confirmation of summer speculation suggesting that the Northern Irishman is contemplating scrapping his tried and trusted 3-5-2 system.
Hedman: 'I'm no wimp'
Stephen Crainey, who has been looking for a new club, started at left-back, with Jackie McNamara on the right, in a more traditional 4-4-2.
Magnus Hedman started in goal and was given a warm welcome by the crowd of 4,700 along with compatriot Henrik Larsson as he partnered Sutton up front.
There was also a welcome return after the break for forgotten goalkeeper Barry-John Corr.
The 22-year-old had been sidelined for two years with a debilitating back injury.
Celtic (4-4-2): Hedman (Corr 46); McNamara (Agathe 46), Valgaeren (Kennedy 46), Varga (Laursen 46), Crainey; Smith (Wallace 64), Lennon (Miller 46), Thompson (Petrov 46), Guppy (Petta 46); Larsson (Beattie 46), Sutton (Fernandez 46).
Kungshamn/Smogen Select (4-4-2): Gorling; Albertsson, Dalkvist, Karlsson, Soderberg; Patriksson, Syversen (Williams 68), Kapella-Karlsson (Lindholm 64), Hysen (Maisa 64); Johansson, Henriksson (Hassellov 32, Olsson 54). Subs: Syversen, Hassellov.
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