Celtic Football Club - The Best of the Old Firm?

In the Scottish Premier League there is a larger gap between the top sides and the rest than in any other division across Europe. No other league has had the dominance that the Scottish Premier league has had. The two sides in question are Celtic and Rangers. Both teams are based in Glasgow and are collectively known as 'The Old Firm'. Celtic play in green and reside at the Celtic Park stadium which holds around 60,000 supporters. The majority of Rangers fans despise Celtic and this is one of football's greatest rivalries. Managed by Gordon Strachan in recent times Celtic have clearly had the edge over Rangers and enjoyed more of the success.

Celtic was founded in 1987 by Marist Brother Walfrid. The club was given the name Celtic to reflect both it's Irish and Scottish roots. Traditionally the fans of Celtic football club were Catholic people which today is something that is dying out. Celtic played their first official match against Rangers on the 28th May 1988 which they convincingly won by 5-2 and they have had numerous encounters since. A lot of the work done by Walfrid to create Celtic football club was inspired by fellow SPL team Hibernian and on the day of the first official match with Rangers 8 guest Hibernian players played for the Celtic team. Celtic have so far won 42 league titles with numerous other trophies to their name.

Celtic have not been such a force in Europe in recent times. In the 2006/2007 season they finished 2nd in the group stage to Manchester United playing some rather convincing football. In the first knockout stage they face AC Milan. Both the home and the away ties finished 0-0 and it was just a single goal in extra time scored by Kaka that was to seal Celtic's fate. In recent times no other Scottish side has been able to crack the UEFA Champions League. The problem for the club is attracting the bigger stars to Glasgow. The SPL is considered to be one of the smaller leagues in football. Other than the Old Firm teams there are no other sides that offer stadium facilities on that level and average gates of around 15,000 people. The size of the SPL and it's status in the game is on the rise and this could change in the future.

As a super power in the Scottish Premier League will Celtic establish themselves in Europe? Only time will tell.

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Celtic boss does not abort hearts

Lennon was pleased with Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has refused to rule Mugs out of the title race despite hailing his side's 4-0 win over the side third-top as "excellent."

"I am not getting carried away, ' said BBC Scotland.

"It was a six-pointer, but many people who ask numerous questions about us and heart-and players have answered that.

"There is a huge gap between us and heart, but there is a lot of football to play yet.

Scottish Premier League leaders Celtic is now ten points ahead of his side of Edinburgh, whose 11-game unbeaten run in Glasgow was to stop.

And Lennon thought the performance was even better than the humiliation 9-0 Aberdeen earlier in the season.

"In terms of pidalioycho performance was much better than the performance of Aberdeen although we did result that many objectives," he said.

Sammy has no intimation of my leave and not going anywhere

"Intensity and approach to the game was excellent and we got a grip of the midfield very quickly.

"It was a good night and other goals. We have earned good and three points, was crucial.

Lennon highlighted the influence midfield Captain Scott Brown and Charlie Mulgrew, playing as aforaayti in the heart of defence, for Special praise left-back.

"I thought we were brilliant from start to finish," he said. "There were some major performance and did everything I asked of them.

"They said at half-time, instead of winning the game 1-0, you can win it two or three nil? And they answered many questions again.

"I thought Brown, from start to finish, it was terrible and Charlie Mulgrew in the Centre-half was excellent and gave us a platform to go and play.

"And the two men face did what they do. All kinds of problems causing Hearts all night. "

Anthony Stokes scored twice, the first a stunning free-kick, and strike partner Gary Hooper gave an hour in the hearts of defence torrid.

"Me shouting for Charlie Mulgrew to take a free-kick, but Stokesy is full of confidence at the minute and it was a wonderful goal," said Lennon.

"Has become a very important player for us during the last month or so."

James Forrest marked his return from suspension with a thumping early opening goal.

However, he left after 24 minutes with a and injury similar to those that have been blocked recently Daniel Majstorovic and Giorgos Samaras.

' The only bottom is we lose Forrest for I don't know how long, but the child showed again what an impact player he can be, "Lennon said.

"Becomes a recurring trend and we do not know why. That is three, with Daniel and Sammy, not at the beginning or end of games but about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, before the kick-off, Lennon laughed off a message about the social network Twitter from someone claiming to be Samaras and saying the apochairetismoi to the Celtic support.

The administrator of our Celtic insisted that the message was not from Greek striker assembly himself before adding: "did any intimation to me leaving the aren't going anywhere."

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