Evening Times

Teplice Rely On Big Two for a Miracle

TEPLICE admit they will need a miracle if they are to knock Celtic out of the Uefa Cup tonight, writes Ronnie Cully. However, manager Frantisek Straka is banking on the man they consider their own version of Lubo Moravcik, Pavel Horvath, to deliver it.

Larsson and Co Can Ease Pain of Hoops Fallen Heroes; Celtic in Europe: As Stricken Mates Await the Surgeon's Steel O'neill Insists His Men Focus On Writing Off the Czechs

HE MAY be back home packing his bags for yet another essential visit to the operating theatre, but the substantial shadow cast by John Hartson still falls over this small spa city today. The bombshell news the striker must undergo more surgery on his dodgy discs has hit the Celtic players hard.

Henrik's No to Sweden

Henrik Larsson hopes he has finally laid to rest all talk of him ending his international retirement to play for Sweden in Euro 2004. Uefa president Lennart Johansson had pleaded with the Celt to play in Portugal, and even offered his fellow-Swede an all-expenses paid family trip.

Cadete Is Not Awol

PARTICK Thistle co-manager Gerry Britton today dismissed fears that loan striker Jorge Cadete had gone Awol in Portugal. The former Celtic striker, who has signed a short-term deal with the Jags, hasn't been seen on the Firhill club's training break and some players feared he had done a runner. However, Britton revealed he had given the 35-year-old a few days off before the Tennent's Scottish Cup quarter-final with Dunfermline on Saturday.

Souness Helps Berti

SCOTLAND boss Berti Vogts has organised a closed doors match against Blackburn Rovers later this month to prepare his side for the friendly international with Romania. The national squad will meet up on Monday, March 22, and will travel to England for training and a 45-minute game the following day against Graeme Souness's side.

Celts Lined Up for Oz

CELTIC are being lined up as possible opponents for Hearts in a far-fetched plan to play an SPL game in Australia next season in a move that could net the clubs up to (pounds) 500,000 each. The Tynecastle club have held talks with an Australian football agency about the possibility of staging a league game in the 90,000- capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Celts Are On a Tightrope; Sutton, Thompson, Balde Face Ban

MARTIN O'NEILL will tonight order his players to steer clear of trouble here - even if FK Teplice turn nasty. In the wake of the shock news about John Hartson's back surgery, the Hoops boss does not need more ill luck.

Arveladze in Op Shock for Rangers

RANGERS' pre-Old Firm preparations were rocked today with the news that leading scorer Shota Arveladze will need a knee operation after Sunday's Parkhead showdown. But the 31-year-old will still lead the Light Blues line as Alex McLeish's side bid to keep their season alive. However, Arveladze's knee injury needs a specialist medical verdict and is the reason a new two-year deal tying him to Gers has stalled.

I Support My Striking Mum

My mum's a nursery nurse. You might have seen her in the Evening Times on Monday where she was talking about her reasons for going out on strike. Above her piece, in the main feature, some of her colleagues explained their reasons for ignoring the strike call and crossing picket lines. Presumably, when an agreement is reached, those unwilling to take part in strike action will be do the decent thing and refuse a pay rise? No, I thought not.

Work with Autism Gets (Pounds) 750,000 Boost

ONE-STOP shops for adults with autistic spectrum disorder are to be developed thanks to a (pounds) 750,000 boost. Greater Glasgow NHS Board is to use the cash on a range of health, social care and self-help services for sufferers, their families and carers.

Council Boss Raps Soaring Water Bills; Firm Accused of Diverting City Money

SCOTTISH Water today came under blistering attack from Glasgow City Council's boss. Charles Gordon accused the company of using money from Glasgow households to pay for investment outside the city.

Jennifer's Attack Ordeal

Former soap star Jennifer Ellison has been subjected to a terrifying gang attack. Police confirmed they were investigating after Miss Ellison and her boyfriend, Tony Richardson, 24, were attacked as they sat in a car outside a bar in Liverpool.

M&S Rings Up Store

SHOPPERS are counting the days to the grand opening of a new Marks and Spencer store in Bearsden, near Glasgow. The retailer is opening a 4000 sq ft Simply Food store in Drymen Road, on Wednesday, March 17, at 10am.

Thugs Made Boy Plunge 25 Feet From Edge of Cliff

THREE teenage yobs surrounded a terrified schoolboy and hounded him off a cliff. The callous trio cheered as their 15-year-old victim plunged 25 feet on to rocks below.

Death Crossing May Shut in Row Over Train Noise; Fury at 'Excessive' Horn Blasts at Spot Where Man Was Killed

A RAILWAY crossing where a man was killed trying to rescue his dog may be closed in a row over noisy trains. Rail bosses are considering shutting the foot crossing at Cardross, near Helensburgh, nine months after George Clark, 56, was hit by a passenger train.

Calls for New Blitz As Litter Cop Issues 28 Spot Fines in 4 Months; Msp Wants Action to Reverse Dirty City Image

ALMOST 30 litter louts have been fined in Glasgow in the four months since the city's new refuse cop took to the streets. PC David Duncan has handed down (pounds) 50 fines to 28 people caught dropping litter since joining forces with Glasgow City Council in October.

Hit-Squad Cracks Down On Bus Crime

A HIT-SQUAD is targeting fare evaders, smokers and louts on Glasgow buses in a bid to make travelling on public transport safer. The specialist team of security officers is now travelling on the city's First buses to crack down on those flouting the law.

Mackintosh House Gets a Facelift

ONE of Glasgow's best-loved visitor attractions, The Mackintosh House, closes for refurbishment next month. The house will be recarpeted, repainted and a new interactive display will be installed during its closure from April 19 to May 29.

Firms Talk Trade with Hungary

SCOTS businesses will discuss ways to win lucrative contracts with Hungary at a special seminar in Glasgow tomorrow. Hungary joins the EU on May 1 and will benefit from funding for new design, landscape and construction projects.

Scots Twice As Proud As the English

SCOTS take double the pride in their nationality as their English cousins. More than two thirds of people in Scotland, 68%, regard themselves as being Scottish first and foremost.