Celtic to open new Cardiff City stadium

Loovens set to return to City ...
for one night only

Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told Cardiff's official website: "We are pleased to play our part in the opening of such a prestigious new venue.

Cardiff City will officially open the new £50million stadium on Wednesday July 22 with a prestige pre-season friendly against Celtic.

With the usual blurb and hype, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell told City's official site: (www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk) "We are pleased to play our part in the opening of such a prestigious new venue. It will be a fantastic occasion for both sets of supporters."

The by-line to the game being it's an occasion to remember Celtic's legendary boss Jock Stein, who died at Cardiff's current Ninian Park home after a World Cup qualifier in which Scotland qualified, at Wales' expense, for the finals in Mexico in 1986.

This is not believed to be the first game at the new ground as City will play former F.A. Cup opponents Chasetown in a low capacity game and have lined up a further game against Spanish side Seville.

City's pre-season will also include friendlies in Madeira.

Another Rangers Man Heading To Cardiff City?

Cardiff City have been raiding Scotland fast and often for talent, so much so that BMIBaby flights between Wales and Scotland are probably surving on players and their famiily/friends flying between the two countries.


Rangers have been the most raided club of all with Steven Thompson, Gavin Rae, Chris Burke and Super Ross McCormack heading to Ninian Park whilst Kevin McNaughton arrived from Aberdeen although it's not one way traffic with Warren Feeney, Willo Flood and Glenn Loovens gone the other way.


Now it appears another may be coming this summer. Promising but injury hit defender Steven Smith, who played well for Cardiff in a friendly at Merthyr last week, is being touted as a possible signing. Gavin Rae commenting, "“I heard that and I spoke to Smithy when he was down. There’s a lot of ex-Rangers players at Cardiff and the gaffer seems have a bit of success with the ex-Rangers boys, so it’s great and he’s a great wee player.”

Loovens Bags A Medal

Former Cardiff City centre half Glenn Loovens picked up some silverware with Celtic today as they beat Rangers in the unglamorous CIS Insurance Cup, putting in a great performance as well.



Loovens has also played Champions League football so maybe won't be regretting leaving Cardiff but he's hardly had the happiest time being see as a back up player by boss Gordon Strachan starting just 7 league games.

Flood to sign for Celtic today

The day after missing the decisive penalty in an extraoridinary 11-10 penalty shoot-out that put his on-loan side Dundee United out of a Scottish Cup to Celtic, Willo Flood met up with the victors to take a full medical and is set to be unveiled as a new signing today joining ex-Bl;uebird Glen Loovens at the club.

Flood was in his second full season on loan at United but out of contract at Cardiff City this summer. They wanted to keep him but were unable to match his financial demands, indeed Cardiff City are believed to still be paying the bulk of his wage now.

A good story appears in today's Times about Flood.

Willo Flood on way to Celtic
Times Online


Willo Flood on way to Celtic
Times Online

Cardiff about to get a Burke?

The Rangers official website have confirmed that midfielder Chris Burke is being linked with a move to Cardiff City.

I don't know much about him but the stats show he came through the ranks at Rangers, is 25 years old and scored 14 goals in 81 starts plus 35 sub appearences for the Ibrox club. However, he has suffered injuries and missed a season with a mystery virus. This term, he has played just 1 hour of first team football including half hour in a 3-0 win at Inverness last weekend. Burke also scored the only goal in a private friendly with Morton today but would appear to be a gamble if indeed City are looking to take him.

Having failed in Europe this season and falling behind Celtic in the chase for domestic honours, Rangers are conducting a firesale and made it known that they would listen to offers for a number of players, Burke included. The clubs seem to conduct business regularly these days with Thommo and Gavin Rae coming to Wales and Glenn Loovens going the other.

Celtic ready to turn down any offer from Cardiff for Loovens

Celtic are set to decline any bid by Cardiff City to buy back or loan Glenn Loovens as The Hoops aim to win the SPL as he is concerned at his lack of resources in his own squad.

Loovens has played only 9 times for Celtic since being sold by City 4 months ago for £2.5M and become understudy to the regular pairing to Gary Caldwell and Steve McManus, only getting games when they're rested, injured or suspended. His last outing came just 10 days ago against Falkirk emphasising he's still very much part of the first team scene. Gordon Strachan also praised him as a "marvellous player" after that game and stressed how having Loovens banging at the door is bringing out the best in his first choice centre halves. However, you have to wonder if there has been an indication from Loovens himself that he would be interested in a return to Ninian Park so quickly for Cardiff to consider making a move.

Other obstacles are that Celtic only have 4 fit first team centre halves having lost John Kennedy when loaned to Norwich while fellow reserve centre half Darren O'Dea is attracting the attention of City's rivals, Burnley.

It is believed Cardiff are considering a 6 month loan deal for the player followed by buying him back in the summer should Cardiff get promoted to the Premiership, a similar arrangement was mooted to have been offered to Sunderland for Michael Chopra.

Maybe Jonesy should go for a player swap - Loovens for Darren Purse. :>)

Loovens Coming 'Home'???

Doncha wish you had a City shirt again like me?

Doncha ..... doncha??

Rumours abound that Cardiff City are weighing up a loan or permanent move for Glenn Loovens who they sold to Celtic just 4 months ago for £3M.





Loovens has talked about his progress and great career move going to Scotland but, in reality, he's become a squad member only getting games when others are injured or suspended. With Celtic crusing their way to another SPL title and already out of Europe, it is possible there is a deal to be done.





Dave Jones may be looking at another centre half as bids may arrive for Roger Johnson, Gabor Gypes has been solid but not overly convinced while club captain Darren Purse may be moved on in January after a possible fall out with the boss and finding himself out of the 16 in recent games.