Scottish Premiership

CELTIC currently have the biggest football stadium in Scotland – but it could all have been very different.That’s if a plan proposed by beleaguered members of the old Hoops board 30 years ago had come to fruition. The plans envisaged a £100m – 52,000 seater stadiumThe plans of the siteAn artist’s impression of the plansThirty years to the day since Fergus McCann completed his transformational takeover of Celtic and ousted the old board, SunSport looks back on their plans to move the club away from it’s historic home.Younger supporters might be amazed to find out that before Parkhead was redeveloped into it’s current form, the club almost moved lock, stock and barrel to Cambuslang.It’s all a bit of a trek from the club’s existing home, but in some ways the plans for the 52,000 all-seater stadium and multi-purpose events venue could be seen as visionary.The incentive was the Taylor Report commissioned in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, which clubs had to conform to by 1994.Chairman Kevin Kelly was pictured at the site with his arms held aloft, declaring a new dawn for the club. Puff pieces in the Celtic View envisaged it as the ‘best stadium in the world’.Given an overall price tag of £100m, the plans revealed in April 1992 included a ‘space age roof’.There would be parking spaces for 4,500 cars, plus an integrated Celtic heritage museum on the site.Most read in FootballThen there was a retail village – including major stores and even CAR showrooms. Not forgetting a 30-lane ten-pin bowling alley and an eight screen cinema complex.Not only that, but there would be sports and leisure facilities on site.The plans included a permanent performance stage – with a mobile acoustic curtain enclosing 15,000 seats. There would be drive-through fast food restaurants, office units and a petrol station. Not to mention room for further expansion on the site.Working with London-based firm Superstadia, the Hoops had considered a whopping FIFTEEN sites, including Celtic Park itself and the likes of Linwood, Robroyston and St Rollox.But they had settled on the Bogleshole Road site in Cambuslang – in order to ‘maintain their East End roots’.The site is now occupied by Tennent’sThe site now is Tennent’s Caledonian Breweries Distribution WarehouseJohn McGinn’s grandad Jack was the man tasked with sourcing finance for the deal – with the first priority raising £26m for the first 32,000 seats (the two touchline stands) with the rest added later.But problems were afoot. First reports claimed the site was a toxic ”timebomb” riddled with up to 5000 different chemicals, many of them poisonous and cancerous.While this was denied, the proposal was widely unpopular within the Celtic support, who didn’t want to leave their spiritual home.Putting on a united front to the media, the capacity of the new ground had altered to just 40,000.Funding was thought to have been secured via a London company called Gefinor, only for the plans to be thrown into confusion again when they denied all knowledge. The whole thing was coming apart at the seams – with the unpopular stadium plan and apparent funding shortfall only adding to the ‘Celts for Change’ campaign. In came McCann and the rest is history – as the Cambuslang plan was scrapped re-shaping of Celtic Park took shape instead.As for the Cambuslang site, some of it is now occupied by a Tennent’s Caledonian Breweries Distribution Warehouse. READ MORE SUN STORIESIt remains a fascinating footnote in Hoops history.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

CELTIC failed to regain top spot in the league after a 2-0 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle.The Premiership clash mustered up a drama filled 90 minutes as FOUR VAR checks grabbed the headlines.The ball appeared to be thrown at Hart as he tried to retrieve it for the restartCameron Carter-Vickers approached his teammate to usher him awayThe pair left the stand to restart the game after going 1-0 downThe first big call was a penalty awarded to Celtic in the opening 15 minutes when Don Robertson pointed to the spot without the help of VAR – which immediately backed his decision.Adam Idah failed to convert the spot kick before Yang Hyun-jun was sent off for a high boot.And that was the second big call of the day as VAR intervened to prompt the referee to upgrade Yang’s yellow card to a red.VAR was involved again when Tomoki Iwata was penalised for a handball, something that came as a surprise to pundits including Kris Boyd.The resulting spot kick was converted by Jorge Grant and it was amid the celebrations that Joe Hart was tangled in an altercation with home fans.As the keeper hurried to get the ball to send up to the halfway line for play to resume, he was taunted by Hearts fans.The ball was thrown in his direction as he reacted angrily to the support, exchanging words with the fans.Teammate Cameron Carter-Vickers ran over to Hart before putting his arm around him and ushering him away from the stand.Most read in FootballHearts scored a second goal before half time which was ruled offside by VAR in a dramatic first half.But they struck again in the second half through captain Lawrence Shankland to take all three points.Moment Celtic-daft Gerard Butler scores acrobatic volley for his beloved Hoops – in a feature filmThe loss means Brendan Rodgers’ men remain two points behind league leaders Rangers with nine games remaining.The Hoops boss called out VAR assistant John Beaton after the full time whistle.The Irishman claimed that the official was “probably seeing something different to everyone else” with regards to Yang’s high boot and Iwata’s handball.Speaking after the game, he said: “I never like to comment on the officials, that’s not something I do. But that cost us today the officiating, from on field and from John Beaton on VAR.”That was really, really poor.”Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

A former Scottish Premiership star has been involved in a shocking incident while playing for his new club.The dramatic scenes saw the defender PUNCH an opponent, who he alleges racially abused him.
Luiyi De Lucas was a Livingston player until last monthCredit: Kenny Ramsay
De Lucas was at the centre of a shocking incident in Cyprus
The defender punched opponent Eliel Peretz
The defender was visibly furious with the opponent as he swung a kick
De Lucas had to be held back and now he’s alleged why
Apollon Limassol and AEL Limassol went head-to-head in the Cypriot Cup quarter-finals.
Former France star Mathieu Valbuena’s 41st minute effort looked to have won it for Apollon before all kinds of added time drama.
A Pedro Marques penalty in the 90th minute made it 2-0 before an AEL penalty made it 2-1 in the 94th minute.
Marques struck again instantly after and that looked to be that.

But horrific scenes then arrived right at the final whistle.
And former Livingston defender Luiyi De Lucas was one of the players at the centre of the incident.
Having made 22 Premiership appearances, De Lucas left Livi last month after a year in Scottish football.
Citing homesickness, the 29-year old who’s from Dominican Republic moved to Cyprus to join AEL.
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The centre-back was involved in the ugly scenes at the end of this rivalry clash, with pictures captioning the chaotic moment.
Moments after the referee blows for full-time, Apollon’s Eliel Peretz can be seen saying something to De Lucas.
The two players then walk towards each other before De Lucas dramatically swings and lands a huge PUNCH to Peretz’s face.
De Lucas then swings a kick at Peretz, who moves away as other players rush to the scene.
Teammates can then be seen holding a visibly furious De Lucas back from getting at Peretz any further.
Peretz can then be seen approaching once more, and further words between the players are exchanged.
The referee showed a red card to both players.
It was unclear at the time what had exactly happened, but it was seemingly clear that the former Livingston man was left incensed by something that had been said to him.
De Lucas, today, has broken his silence on the matter and alleges that he was racially abused by his opponent.
And he says he has now informed the police about the matter.
The defender issued an apology for what he described as his own “reckless behaviour.”
But De Lucas says his actions came about after he was allegedly subject to “constant repeated insults of deeply racist and personal nature.”
In a lengthy statement posted to X, he said: “With this statement I want to address all the fans of Cyprus, the friends of AEL, the Football Association and all the competent authorities.
“I express my sincere apology and regret for the incident after the cup match. My actions were unacceptable and unprofessional and I want to apologise firstly to my fellow footballer, but also to everyone for my reckless behaviour.
“In my professional career I have never had such an incident before. In all the teams I have played for, my behaviuor on and off the field was completely professional and I never had a confrontation with either another colleague or a teammate.
“In no way do I justify my actions. Unfortunately my mind was clouded by the unacceptable and unprofessional behaviour of the opposing player from the moment he entered the game.
“During his game I received constant repeated insults of a deeply racist and personal nature. I don’t want to give basis to words being used against me as I hope to move on.
“Never in my professional career have I experienced this level of verbal racism on the field, the frustration and humiliation I was experiencing was clouding my judgement and my mind. My reaction was an extremely poor attempt to stop what was happening to me.
“I want to reiterate clearly that there is no excuse for my actions. Being a part of such a fine sport as football that promotes fair play, I feel it is important to provide some clarity as to what I was experiencing prior to my actions.
“I have already filed a complaint with the Cyprus Police with the help of my lawyer and I have already started the process of reporting the racist behaviour against me to the Competent Authorities of KOP, Uefa and Fifa.
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“I want to apologise again to everyone for my behaviour and emphasise that my actions have no place in this sport. Moving forward, I am solely focused on supporting my team and my club.”

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JOHN HARTSON was stunned by Celtic’s lack of heart in their weekend loss to Kilmarnock.And one player amongst Brendan Rodgers’ stuttering squad got it tighter than all the rest.
John Hartson is not happy with the state of affairs at his old teamCredit: The Sun
Since dropping two points to Derek McInnes’ men on Saturday, the Hoops have dropped behind Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table and the natives are more restless than ever.
Fans bellowed out derogatory, expletive-laden chants aimed at Peter Lawwell come full-time at Parkhead, and Rodgers hadn’t escaped criticism either.
The players themselves have been called out by supporters and pundits alike.
Former Celtic frontman Hartson branded Alexandro Bernabei a DISGRACE following his performance in the 1-1 draw against Killie.

In particular for his defending (or lack thereof) for Davie Watson’s equalising goal.
The left-back misjudged the flight of the ball and failed to keep track of supersub Watson who ghosted in at the back post to nod home in stoppage time.
Bernabei cried for a foul but Watson used his arm cleverly rather than unfairly to get on the end of Fraser Murray’s cross.
The Welshman vented his anger live on the Go Radio Football Show, ripping into the Argentine defender in no uncertain terms.
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An incredulous Hartson said: “At that goal, Bernabei is a disgrace. He’s a DISGRACE there.
“He doesn’t even challenge Davie Watson at the goal.
Celtic fans turn on boss Brendan Rodgers and chant against chairman Peter Lawwell at end of Kilmarnock draw
“If you’re a left-back in that position, last minute, you are giving everything to stop a goal. 
“That could cost Celtic the title!”
“It’s got to mean something, you’ve got to defend that goal with your life!”
He then gestured to co-pundit Craig Moore and added “like people like him did!”
Hartson accused some of the Hoops squad of taking it easy, and echoed recent sentiments that certain players wouldn’t get a game for Kilmarnock.
He said: “Yes, Kilmarnock are doing well but you can’t let them get three results against you and still expect to win the league.
“Some Celtic players wouldn’t play for Kilmarnock. They’re coasting, happy to be Celtic players and wouldn’t play for other teams in Scotland.
“Brendan Rodgers has been missing some first team players. Cameron Carter-Vickers is out. Reo Hatate is out. But some of the players who have come into replace them, they are showing that they’re just not quite at the level.
“They should be ready to go in and give Brendan Rodgers a headache.”
Celts skipper Callum McGregor admitted after the match that the squad’s bottle was now right to be questioned.
He said: “Mentality is so key when you play for big clubs. You need to be mentally strong and be together. You need to do the basics of the game together.
“If you do that you give yourself a chance.
“If you don’t do that, it becomes individuals running about trying to do their own thing.
“We have 12 games to solve it. The players must be aware that there’s a certain standard required on the pitch.
“You turn up and something happens out of the blue where you think, ‘Where did that come from?’. That’s telling me that there’s something missing right now.
“I’ll find the answer to that, I’m sure of it.
“I will leave nothing unturned until I find the answer to that question.
“We’ve been in this position too many times this year.
“But it’s all about doing the basics right.
“When you don’t do that then the question gets asked about bottle and nerve.
“The game should be 2-0, and it should be done by half-time or by 65 minutes.
“No one’s questioning your bottle at that point, you’re doing the basics, you’re doing what the team’s asked you to do.
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“Maybe we do now have a question to answer about bottle, about nerve and about everything else.”
Alexandro Bernabei struggled against Kilmarnock at the weekendCredit: SNS
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