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Gordon Strachan has made his first official move in the transfer market with a £2million bid for Maciej Zurawski of Wisla Krakow.
The Polish striker is in top form and has already stated in the media he would love to move to the Scottish giants.
And Wisla President Janusz Basalaj said earlier today: "We have just received an official offer from the Scottish club.
"Celtic has presented their proposal and we have launched negotiations."
Strachan has had Zurawski watched and is hopeful of getting the player on board quickly.
But Celtic fans will be concerned that this might mean a move for Welshman Craig Bellamy is becoming more and more unlikely.
Newcastle want at least £5million for the unsettled striker although Celtic aren't prepared to match that valuation.
Meanwhile, defender Joos Valgaeran has signed for FC Brugge on a free after his contract expired.
The Belgian will be returning to his homeland after Martin O'Neill brought him to Glasgow 5 years ago.
Neil Lennon though is going nowhere after agreeing to sign a one year deal which will probably see the Northern Irishman into retirement.
The Polish striker is in top form and has already stated in the media he would love to move to the Scottish giants.
And Wisla President Janusz Basalaj said earlier today: "We have just received an official offer from the Scottish club.
"Celtic has presented their proposal and we have launched negotiations."
Strachan has had Zurawski watched and is hopeful of getting the player on board quickly.
But Celtic fans will be concerned that this might mean a move for Welshman Craig Bellamy is becoming more and more unlikely.
Newcastle want at least £5million for the unsettled striker although Celtic aren't prepared to match that valuation.
Meanwhile, defender Joos Valgaeran has signed for FC Brugge on a free after his contract expired.
The Belgian will be returning to his homeland after Martin O'Neill brought him to Glasgow 5 years ago.
Neil Lennon though is going nowhere after agreeing to sign a one year deal which will probably see the Northern Irishman into retirement.
Celtic could re-sign Craig Bellamy on loan for another season in a £1.5million deal with Newcastle Utd.
New boss Gordon Strachan is keen to get Bellamy back on board at Celtic Park as he looks to the new season.
But the Celtic board are reluctant to release the £6million Newcastle want for the Welshman and the prospect of another loan looks more and more likely.
Everton though could kill Celtic's hopes of taking Bellamy back if they pay the full amount Newcastle are after. Aston Villa are also in the frame for Bellamy's signature with Birmingham out of the frame after signing Mikael Forsell.
New boss Gordon Strachan is keen to get Bellamy back on board at Celtic Park as he looks to the new season.
But the Celtic board are reluctant to release the £6million Newcastle want for the Welshman and the prospect of another loan looks more and more likely.
Everton though could kill Celtic's hopes of taking Bellamy back if they pay the full amount Newcastle are after. Aston Villa are also in the frame for Bellamy's signature with Birmingham out of the frame after signing Mikael Forsell.
Celtic 1-0 Dundee United
Celtic ensured manager Martin O'Neill bowed out with a seventh trophy to his name as his side beat Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final.
Alan Thompson's 11th minute goal was the difference between the teams.
The midfielder drilled a free-kick low towards goal and it came off United defender Garry Kenneth on its way in.
Chris Sutton missed a late penalty to make sure of the win and Alan Archibald almost scored an injury-time equaliser, but his long-range drive hit the bar.
The game's early exchanges were cagey, with both sides enjoying possession in their own half, without offering any attacking incision.
But Celtic's first opportunity brought about the opening goal.
Craig Bellamy won a free kick on the right, a couple of yards outside the penalty area.
Thompson drove the ball towards the front post and as Bobo Balde allowed it to run through his legs, it came off Kenneth's heel before crossing the line.
United's reply was a good run and cross from Jason Scotland, but Stevie Crawford just failed to make contact, with the goal at his mercy.
Mark Kerr made a timely interception in front of his own goal to deny John Hartson an almost-certain second goal, and sloppy play by Kenneth presented Stilian Petrov with a shooting chance, but he fired wide from the edge of the box.
Celtic were increasingly dominant as the first half wore on and Mark Wilson was forced to make a fantastic challenge on Thompson to prevent him doubling his and Celtic's tally after Sutton had put a dangerous ball into the box.
Just before half time, Derek McInnes blocked Bellamy's goal-bound shot and Stan Varga headed just over from the resultant corner and at the other end Brebner rifled a shot wide as United finally put a meaningful attack together.
A scintillating piece of play by Bellamy down the left almost led to a second Celtic goal shortly after the restart, but this time it was Archibald who denied...
Celtic ensured manager Martin O'Neill bowed out with a seventh trophy to his name as his side beat Dundee United in the Scottish Cup final.
Alan Thompson's 11th minute goal was the difference between the teams.
The midfielder drilled a free-kick low towards goal and it came off United defender Garry Kenneth on its way in.
Chris Sutton missed a late penalty to make sure of the win and Alan Archibald almost scored an injury-time equaliser, but his long-range drive hit the bar.
The game's early exchanges were cagey, with both sides enjoying possession in their own half, without offering any attacking incision.
But Celtic's first opportunity brought about the opening goal.
Craig Bellamy won a free kick on the right, a couple of yards outside the penalty area.
Thompson drove the ball towards the front post and as Bobo Balde allowed it to run through his legs, it came off Kenneth's heel before crossing the line.
United's reply was a good run and cross from Jason Scotland, but Stevie Crawford just failed to make contact, with the goal at his mercy.
Mark Kerr made a timely interception in front of his own goal to deny John Hartson an almost-certain second goal, and sloppy play by Kenneth presented Stilian Petrov with a shooting chance, but he fired wide from the edge of the box.
Celtic were increasingly dominant as the first half wore on and Mark Wilson was forced to make a fantastic challenge on Thompson to prevent him doubling his and Celtic's tally after Sutton had put a dangerous ball into the box.
Just before half time, Derek McInnes blocked Bellamy's goal-bound shot and Stan Varga headed just over from the resultant corner and at the other end Brebner rifled a shot wide as United finally put a meaningful attack together.
A scintillating piece of play by Bellamy down the left almost led to a second Celtic goal shortly after the restart, but this time it was Archibald who denied...
Strachan in for O'Neill at Celtic
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is to leave the club after Saturday's Scottish Cup final, with Gordon Strachan taking over from 1 June.
"I am leaving Celtic purely for personal reasons and I am extremely sorry to be departing in such circumstances," said O'Neill.
O'Neill's wife Geraldine has been receiving treatment for cancer.
Strachan has signed a 12-month rolling contract - the same arrangement as O'Neill had.
O'Neill's assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford are also leaving.
"We (the O'Neill family) have had discussions for some weeks as we awaited certain biopsy results," he added.
"We have had suspicions in recent weeks and that has taken it to a different level but she wouldn't like me to go into too much detail.
"We had some good news at the back end of last year and she is not too clever at the minute. I don't have a monopoly of bad times but it is the correct thing to do.
"She has stood with me for quite some time so this is the right thing.
"I would like to thank sincerely Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board for giving me the opportunity to manage this fantastic club five years ago.
"It has been an honour and privilege to have served the club and its supporters during that time and being part of Celtic history.
"My time at Celtic has been most rewarding and I have been privileged to have worked alongside a large number of very talented and committed people throughout the club.
"My special thanks to John Robertson and Steve Walford."
Chairman Brian Quinn said it is with "great regret" and "great reluctance" that O'Neill is going.
He added: "Whilst it will come as a great disappointment that he is leaving, we fully respect the reasons behind his decision.
"He had proved himself one of the great Celtic managers and his place in the history of the club is assured."
Chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "It's to the great credit of Martin and his assistants...
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill is to leave the club after Saturday's Scottish Cup final, with Gordon Strachan taking over from 1 June.
"I am leaving Celtic purely for personal reasons and I am extremely sorry to be departing in such circumstances," said O'Neill.
O'Neill's wife Geraldine has been receiving treatment for cancer.
Strachan has signed a 12-month rolling contract - the same arrangement as O'Neill had.
O'Neill's assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford are also leaving.
"We (the O'Neill family) have had discussions for some weeks as we awaited certain biopsy results," he added.
"We have had suspicions in recent weeks and that has taken it to a different level but she wouldn't like me to go into too much detail.
"We had some good news at the back end of last year and she is not too clever at the minute. I don't have a monopoly of bad times but it is the correct thing to do.
"She has stood with me for quite some time so this is the right thing.
"I would like to thank sincerely Dermot Desmond and the Celtic board for giving me the opportunity to manage this fantastic club five years ago.
"It has been an honour and privilege to have served the club and its supporters during that time and being part of Celtic history.
"My time at Celtic has been most rewarding and I have been privileged to have worked alongside a large number of very talented and committed people throughout the club.
"My special thanks to John Robertson and Steve Walford."
Chairman Brian Quinn said it is with "great regret" and "great reluctance" that O'Neill is going.
He added: "Whilst it will come as a great disappointment that he is leaving, we fully respect the reasons behind his decision.
"He had proved himself one of the great Celtic managers and his place in the history of the club is assured."
Chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "It's to the great credit of Martin and his assistants...
Celtic manager reportedly to step down
CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill is expected to announce his resignation from the club on Wednesday, it is being reported.
The departure of O'Neill was widely expected following news his wife's poor health.
News of the expected announcement, which will add to fans' misery, comes only days after the Glasgow side relinquished the Premierleague championship to their Old Firm rival Rangers in a dramatic conclusion to the title race.
Celtic led Motherwell, 1-0, and were on course to claim the title, until the final minutes of the game when two shock goals from Scott McDonald ended the Glasgow side's championship dreams. Rangers, who defeated Hibernian 1-0, then lifted the trophy to the surprise and delight of their fans.
Celtic will hope to take something from a disappointing finish to the season when they face Dundee United in the Tennents' Scottish Cup final on Saturday. Even a victory here will not assuage the fans' sense of loss if their iconic manager announces his departure, which was being reported on television.
Gordon Strachan, the former Scotland star and Southampton manager, is widely being tipped to replace O'Neill.
By BRENDAN O'BRIEN
-----------------------------------------------
From Scotsman
CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill is expected to announce his resignation from the club on Wednesday, it is being reported.
The departure of O'Neill was widely expected following news his wife's poor health.
News of the expected announcement, which will add to fans' misery, comes only days after the Glasgow side relinquished the Premierleague championship to their Old Firm rival Rangers in a dramatic conclusion to the title race.
Celtic led Motherwell, 1-0, and were on course to claim the title, until the final minutes of the game when two shock goals from Scott McDonald ended the Glasgow side's championship dreams. Rangers, who defeated Hibernian 1-0, then lifted the trophy to the surprise and delight of their fans.
Celtic will hope to take something from a disappointing finish to the season when they face Dundee United in the Tennents' Scottish Cup final on Saturday. Even a victory here will not assuage the fans' sense of loss if their iconic manager announces his departure, which was being reported on television.
Gordon Strachan, the former Scotland star and Southampton manager, is widely being tipped to replace O'Neill.
By BRENDAN O'BRIEN
-----------------------------------------------
From Scotsman
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