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Now that the dust has finally settled on a successful and eventful league campaign, all thoughts turn to Europe.

With several departures already announced and yet more to follow this will help to release funds for new players.

Celtic have a strong European track record dating back to the sixties when in those days a European tie was decided over two legs, once defeated you were out, end of story.

So the burning question is can Celtic at the very least qualify for the group sections of the Champions League next season which will help boost income and give the team and fans a huge lift?

Or will the club again be in the Europa League which offers less revenue and glamour but more importantly does not give the fans the same lift as a Champions League night.

If the Europa League does beckon would we look on this as a failure or do we have to accept that currently we do not have the strength of squad to qualify for the group stages.

Now, I really hope Champions League qualification is achievable but the answer is dependant  on who Neil Lennon purchases during the close season.

More importantly how much money will he be given to spend in an already demanding transfer market?

For example, a £3million signing with a weekly wage circa £30k soon eats into a transfer budget.

This will be answered once we see who he manages to move on, personally I would like to see a Sutton/Hartson type of forward and a midfield play-maker added to the team.

A no nonsense ball winning centre half still remains a priority with the goalkeeping position still possibly a concern if Fraser Forster for whatever reason does not sign.

Neil has good cover in most areas of the squad and with new signings imminent he will hopefully add quality as well as competition for places.

The treble which was so within our grasp did not materialise but let’s be positive, the league was delivered as promised and I feel sure if the quality European clubs can once again visit our great stadium that the fans would be more than happy.

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As a championship winner Neil Lennon marvelled at Roberto Mancini’s dramatic Premiership triumph at Manchester City.

Lennon’s moments of high drama came much earlier in the season as he battled for his job as Celtic trailed Rangers by upto 15 points.

Those days seemed a lifetime ago as Celtic were presented with the SPL trophy on Sunday but after taking the applause Lennon settled down to watch the final drama of the Premiership season.

The coloured drained from the face of Alex Ferguson as Manchester City snatched the title back in stoppage time.

Only another manager could truly appreciate the situation that Mancini was in with the drama at the Etihad Stadium summing up the death or glory nature of management.

“I looked at Mancini down on his hunkers as his team trailed 2-1 and the title was slipping away from him,” Lennon recalled. “And I realised how precarious a job management is.

“A season is a lifetime in football and in the space of four minutes Roberto re-wrote City’s history.”

Lennon added: “I’ve learned an awful lot about myself over this season.

“When Celtic fall 15 points behind Rangers in what everyone knows is a two-horse race, your back is firmly against the wall.

“I didn’t panic and now I know I can handle the job’s challenges. I don’t think I was taken seriously when I took interim control from Tony Mowbray but I’ve proved there’s greater substance to me than was first thought.”

Lennon started his playing career at Manchester City but was freed as a teenager before moving on to Crewe and Leicester City before rejoining Martin O’Neill at Celtic in 2000.

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During the last two transfer windows Celtic were heavily linked to Senegal striker Baba Diawara.

In August they were only denied signing the striker from Maritimo by a delay in getting a work permit through despite the two clubs agreeing a deal.

With Neil Lennon still on the look out for a striker in January a return move for Diawara was expected but Seville moved first and took the striker to La Liga for £2m.

As back-up Celtic moved for Pavel Brozek but like Mo Bangura he was unable to score a single goal as Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes dominated the scoring charts.

Like Brozek and Bangura, Diawara has had to settle for a back-up role with Seville starting just two matches and appearing as a substitute nine times and coming up with three goals.

Before leaving Maritimo the 23-year-old had scored 10 goals in 14 matches.

Seville finished the season down in ninth place with just 48 goals from 38 matches.

Sanchez Negredo with 14 goals and Manu with ten finished at the top of the Seville scoring charts

Real Zaragoza, who had Efrain Juarez on loan for the first half of the season, performed a Wigan like escape by winning five of their last six matches to avoid relegation by two points.

Vilareal, Sporting Gijon and Racing Santader dropped down to the Segunda Division.

The relegation of Vilareal was the biggest shock of the season with the 2006 Champions League semi-finalists relegated after losing their final match of the season 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.

Vilareal picked up just ten points from their last nine matches and must now prepare for life outside the top flight after almost a decade of regularly qualifying for Europe.

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Landskroner’s up and down start to the season continued last night with a 2-1 win away to Falkenberg.

Henrik Larsson’s side went two up on the stroke of half time through goals from Fredrik Olsson and Fredrik Svanback.

The win lifts LBoIS into ninth place in the 16 club division with ten points from seven matches, Osters and Hammerby are at the top of the table on 16 points having played a game less.

“The players did a fantastic job and stuck to the plan we drew up before the game,” Larsson said afterwards.

“I think we played a very good game against Falkenberg, who have been something of a nightmare opponent for us. I’m glad we could bring home the three points.”

LBoIS lost twice to Falkenberg last season with the combined scores coming in at an emphatic 9-1 aggregate.

On Monday LBoIS are at home to Hammerby knowing that a win is essential if they are to make moves towards the top of the table.

Larsson is in his third season in management and enjoying the challenge of working with part-time players and attempting to mould them in to an effective winning unit.

Last season the club flirted with relegation for a spell after a devastating run of injuries but the former Celt resisted the temptation to get his boots back on to help the team out.

AIK Stockholm who announced the signing of Daniel Majstorovic on Monday are currently in sixth place in the top division- nine points behind unbeaten leaders Elfsborg.

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Rangers have vowed to fight on despite having their appeal against a 12 month transfer embargo upheld by a panel chaired by Lord Carloway.

The findings of the SFA appeal acknowledged that more severe action, such as expulsion from the SFA, would have been justified but leniency was applied on the original judgement.

Rangers were in the dock for a number of breaches of rules including the non-payment of Income Tax and National Insurance during the current season as well as the failings of directors to act or report on those issues.

Reacting to tonight’s news Paul Clark of Duff and Phelps said: “The decision by the appellate tribunal to uphold the sanction, namely the suspension of registration of players for one year, is not competent in the view of the club and its legal advisers.

“Such a sanction was not available to the tribunal and should not have been imposed and it is the intention of the club to challenge the determination.

“The club will consider seeking review of this most disappointing decision and it is a matter of regret that the certainty and finality Rangers sought on this matter has not been achieved.

“Everyone at Rangers is bitterly disappointed and dismayed at this outcome.”

Rangers preferred bidder Charles Green said: “Our group went into the purchase of the club with this sanction in place but we hoped the decision would at least be commuted.

“We fully support the club as it considers an appeal against this latest decision.”

Ibrox favourite Sandy Jardine added: “Rangers supporters will be shocked and bitterly disappointed by this decision and will find it hard to take that the club has been so heavily punished for the actions of individuals.”

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Rangers appeal against a 12 month transfer ban and £160,000 fine has been rejected by an SFA appeal hearing.

Despite hiring leading QC Richard Keen to defend the club and find fault in the verdict the three man board chaired by Lord Carloway stood by the original verdict which Ally McCoist claimed could kill Rangers off.

With no new signings allowed over the age of 18 and the most of the current squad available for cut price transfers from June 1 tonight’s verdict is a major blow for the clubs hopes of survival.

An SFA statement tonight read: “The Appellate Tribunal will give its full reasons in writing in early course. However, in summary, it considers that: 

1. It was competent for Disciplinary Tribunal to impose the additional
sanction of prohibiting registrations of any new players of 18 years or
older for a period of 12 months.

2. The Disciplinary Tribunal was correct to determine that the conduct
involved – especially the deliberate non-payment of very large sums,
estimated in excess of £13m of tax in the form of PAYE, NIC and VAT -
was attributable to the club as a member of the Scottish FA. 

3. The Disciplinary Tribunal was correct also in holding that the

maximum fine available for this breach was £100,000, and on its own was inadequate as a punishment for this misconduct. It was therefore correct to select an additional sanction. 

4. The sanctions available included expulsion from participation in the
game and termination or suspension of membership of the Scottish FA,
which would have had a similar effect. The Appellate Tribunal observes
that serious consideration was given by the disciplinary tribunal to
imposing one of these sanctions, which would have had obvious
consequences for the survival of the club. The Disciplinary Tribunal
rejected these as too severe and this Appellate Tribunal agrees with
that conclusion. 

5. Although the Appellate Tribunal has listened carefully to the
representations from Rangers FC about the practical effects of the
additional sanction, it has concluded that this sanction was
proportionate to the breach, dissuasive to others and effective in the
context of serious misconduct, bringing the game into disrepute. In
particular, the Appellate Tribunal recognises that the Disciplinary
Tribunal decision does not affect Rangers’ ability to extend the
contracts of existing professional players, including those whose
contracts will expire at the end of this season and including also those
currently on loan to other clubs. The Appellate Tribunal observes that
Rangers FC have over 40 professional players in this category. 

Therefore, the Appellate Tribunal affirms the decision of the
Disciplinary Tribunal. 

Kenny Dalglish became the fourth Scottish manager to exit the Premiership when he was sacked by Liverpool today.

Following a meeting in Boston the Anfield legend was sacked with the news confirmed on the club website late this afternoon.

With Steve Kean and Owen Coyle relegated and Alex McLeish sacked by Aston Villa on Monday only three of the seven managers from the Glasgow area remain in the Premiership.

After a decade away from management Dalglish replaced Roy Hodgson as Liverpool boss in January 2011 but never came close to capturing the levels of success he had enjoyed at the club in the eighties.

Announcing the termination of his job Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said: “Kenny came into the Club as Manager at our request at a time when Liverpool Football Club really needed him. He didn’t ask to be Manager; he was asked to assume the role. He did so because he knew the Club needed him.

“He did more than anyone else to stabilize Liverpool over the past year-and-a-half and to get us once again looking forward. We owe him a great debt of gratitude.

“However, results in the Premier League have been disappointing and we believe to build on the progress that has already been made, we need to make a change.

“We are committed to delivering success for our supporters and our ambition remains resolute to return this great Club to the elite of England and Europe, where it belongs.”

Accepting the decision Dalglish stated: “Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving the football club, I can say that the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club forward in the same way as when they arrived here.

“I would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for their effort and loyalty. I said when first approached about coming back as Manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same”.

Assistant manager Steve Clark has also left the club with Paul Lambert and Roberto Martinez amongst the early favourites to replace Dalglish.

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Christmas comes early for agents this year with June 1 the big day for anyone with a player at Ibrox.

That’s the date that the Rangers players return to full pay after a three month cut and when the players get-out clauses are activated.

While Ally McCoist’s squad were acclaimed as heroes for saving the club in March by taking pay cuts of upto 75% it’s the club that are likely to feel the pain as the players and agents activate the get-out clauses.

With no European football and uncertainty over five year contracts signed last summer it’s highly unlikely that any of the established players will be around for next season regardless of what happens to Rangers over the summer.

According to the Daily Record the value of the Rangers first team squad has plummeted from £25m down to £8m leaving the club with a massive gap to fill even if they manage to overturn the 12 month transfer ban imposed by the SFA.

Leading the Ibrox summer sale is goalkeeper Allan McGregor who has a £2m fee on his registration having previously been quoted at close to £10m to Premiership sides after Sunderland paid out £9m to Hearts for Craig Gordon.

Crocked Steven Naismith also has a £2m fee on his head but having not played since October clubs will be reluctant to pay out with question marks over the players fitness.

At 27-year-of-age Steve Davis won’t be short of offers of £1.65m to return to the Premiership where he has already played for Fulham and Aston Villa.

Kyle Lafferty is about to enter the final year of his contract and is available for £575,000 having signed from Burnley for £4m in 2008.

Another signing from that year, Steven Whittaker, is available for £850,000 having cost Rangers £2m when he was signed from Hibs by Walter Smith.

Midfielder Maurice Edu was also part of Smith’s 2008 signing spree and is reported to have negotiated a transfer fee of just £300,000 for the final season of his Rangers deal.

Finally defender Dorin Goian is up for grabs at £500,000 a year after Rangers agreed a fee of £750,000 with Palermo although that fee was never paid to the Italian side.

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On Thursday 15th May 2008 I was driving as normal to work. As usual, I had the radio on and I heard something that certainly wasn’t usual.

From memory, there wasn’t anything particularly different about that morning. It was just a Thursday morning that I happened to be going to work on.

Then Hugh Keevins came on the radio with the announcement that Tommy Burns had passed away. Like everyone who supports Celtic, it’s something that I felt great sadness over.

We had heard about Tommy’s health problems in the past but he was a young healthy fit man. He was Tommy Burns and he was one of the first people that came to mind when I thought of Celtic.

Such an integral part of the club couldn’t be gone just like that? I remember Gordon Strachan talking about Tommy Burns shortly after his death and saying how he was such a good guy.

Regardless of the fact that Tommy was a successful football player, a promising manager, and a respected coach, he was still a down to earth guy.

Ever since I had been a supporter of Celtic, Tommy was part of the club.

He started playing for the club before I was born and was there until I was 6 or 7 years old. By that time, I already was aware of who some of the players were, including Tommy.

In 1994, Tommy came back to the club as manager, by that time I already had my season ticket and was at an age (12) where I could enjoy the style of football that he had the team playing and I could idolise the players that he brought in.

He was part of the club, during the time that he was boss, I was lucky enough to have met him at Celtic Park.

I can’t begin to think of how many people who would have stopped Tommy Burns just to say hello or to get an autograph from him or a photo. Yet, he was always happy to stop and chat.

The reason I am writing this piece is mainly because someone on twitter, creg1888 suggested that I do it. There was also a suggestion that the Lennoxtown Academy should be named after Tommy Burns.

I don’t think that’s a bad idea although with the amount of football stadiums changing name, due to sponsorship deals, I don’t know if the training ground could end up being sponsored and renamed as something that will generate money for the club.

Regardless of that, I doubt any fans would have an objection to the Lennoxtown complex being renamed after Tommy Burns.

Tommy reckoned that he was a fan who got lucky. It’s one of the few things that I would have disagreed with him about. He was an incredibly talented guy who worked hard to get to where he wanted to be.

If anything, folk like myself and any other fans who watched him play, manage or even people who met him, then we are the lucky ones.

Tommy Burns. Gone but never forgotten. Rest in peace, Tommy.

Feel free to add your favourite memories of TB below

Emilio Izaguirre never sidestepped any questions as he met the press back in Honduras after Celtic’s SPL title presentation.

The full-back was happy to discuss the frustrations of his injury, rumours of interest from Manchester United and the prospect of playing in the Olympics at the same time as Celtic face Champions League qualifiers.

Reports of interest from Manchester United seem out of date but the other subjects certainly make interesting reading for Celtic fans.

“What Manchester I know nothing,” he responded to the question of interest from Old Trafford. “I have a contract with Celtic for many years, they are the ones who decide. I just dedicate myself to play.”

After breaking his ankle at Aberdeen in August Izaguirre made his comeback in January bit looked a shadow of his old self.

Neil Lennon was reluctant to use last years multiple Player of the Year award winner but in the final weeks of the season the old Izaguirre started to re-appear.

“In the last two months I went back to recover, he explained. “My family, my wife, my son and my colleagues always accompanied me.

“I want to thank God for the blessing given to me. It was a very difficult year with the theme of my injury, go back quickly and be ready was what affected me in that tournament.

“Winning this championship was very special. Now I want to play the Champions League.”

Honduras have two friendlies coming up over the next three weeks as they prepare for next season’s World Cup qualifiers with Izaguirre the first foreign based player to report for duty.

Before that they will compete in the Olympic Games with Izaguirre qualifying as an over-aged player for a tournament that clashes with Celtic’s Champions League qualifiers.

Playing in the Olympics is as big an honour as the World Cup for many nations with Izaguirre leaving the decision up to his national coach Luis Suarez.

“The teacher Suarez knows if I will consider it.” Izaguirre answered. “That player will not want to be in the Olympics, I think everybody, and if he considers me I’ll be there,”

“Right now the selection comes first and that I have it clear. I want to play two friendly match and then the tie. Then we’ll see what happens. My goal is to be in the World Cup.”

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Neil Lennon has started his summer clear-out with four first team squad men quitting the hoops.

Daniel Majstorovic has agreed to join AIK Stockholm on August 1 with Niall McGinn, Richie Towell and Mark Wilson also moving on.

There could be over a dozen departures in total over the summer with Darren O’Dea, Cha Du-Ri and Glenn Loovens also out of contract.

Lennon admitted: “We have a plan in place for next season and have identified three or four players we hope to bring in. We also need to trim the squad because it is a bit big at the moment.

“Niall McGinn, Mark Wilson and Richie Towell will leave the club as their contracts are up and Daniel Majstorovic has signed for Stockholm.

“There are a few more who will be out of contract and I need to know what their plans are.

“There are some I would like to keep but I am not too sure that is going to be the case.”

Out of favour Leicester defender Matt Mills is one of the players that Lennon would like to bring in with Kelvin Wilson likely to be offered as part of an exchange deal.

Efrain Juarez and Morten Rasmussen are both under contract for next season but know that they have no future at Celtic.

Getting an answer from Fraser Forster on whether he’ll return to Celtic on a permanent deal will be key to Lennon’s plans for next season.

Forster has twice joined Celtic on loan once the season has started but with the Champions League qualifiers starting at the end of July the hoops boss wants to have his best side available with a £15m bonus available for qualifying to the group stage.

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