SPL secures its biggest TV deal

Gold is pleased with the new television contract The Scottish Premier League has announced its biggest television deal, proclaiming it as a significant cash boost for its 12 clubs. A £125m contract has been agreed with Setanta Sports to continue the rights to live SPL matches for a further four years, until 2014. SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said: "£125m marks the biggest-ever TV deal in Scottish football history. "This will allow clubs to re-invest to make the Scottish game even stronger." Setanta's present contract, which ends in 2010, was worth £54.5m. The new deal - more than twice the value of the present one - will extend the current partnership from the start of season 2010/11 through to the end of season 2013/14. No commercial deal comes close to matching what has been achieved today by the SPL SPL executive chairman Lex Gold As with the present contract, 60 games will be covered live each season for broadcast across the UK and Ireland. "Ten years ago, we spoke about delivering a brighter future for Scottish football," said Gold. "Today, as we look ahead to our next 10 years, we can do so with confidence. "No commercial deal comes close to matching what has been achieved today by the SPL and Setanta Sports for our game. "We have moved forward with Setanta Sports over the past four years. MY SPORT: DEBATE It's still a drop in the ocean compared to EPL Fife Bear "We look forward to working with them to continue building and developing our league." The BBC has a contract with the Scottish Premier League until 2012 for match highlights on television and online on the BBC Sport website. BBC Radio Scotland and the BBC Sport website also provide live commentary from all SPL games as part of that deal.

Person of the year 2008

Sean Mc Callister

What do you think? ..... familiar jersey?

Celtic running out of ideas?

Skippy pens new Celtic deal Celtic striker Scott McDonald has signed a new five-year contract following an impressive first-season at Parkhead. The 24-year-old Australia international, who scored 31 goals for Celtic after joining from Motherwell, played a key part in the club's third successive title victory - a turnaround from the 2004/05 season when his late goals stopped Martin O'Neill lifting the trophy. Chief executive Peter Lawwell told the club's official site: "This is great news for Celtic. It is well known that Scott loves playing for Celtic and he has a great affection for the club. He is also someone who performed brilliantly for Celtic last season. "Our priority is always to keep our best and most committed players and the Board is delighted to support Gordon in his plans for the future by securing Scott on this long-term agreement. We will continue to do all we can to ensure that Celtic stays at the top of Scottish football." McDonald said: "I am very grateful to Celtic for giving me this new deal. I am over the moon about it, because I still had another two years with an optional year still on my contract. "So for the club to show this kind of belief in me boosts your confidence. It's a great feeling, it makes you feel wanted and I am now just looking forward to more successful times at Celtic Football Club." McDonald had been attracting interest from clubs in the English Premier League. Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan had been rumoured to be considering a £6million summer-move for the player. But the hit-man's new deal, which will see him earn a speculated £1million-a-year, will ensure Keegan will turn his attention elsewhere. ***

Celtic boss can cope under pressure Gordon Strachan will be at Celtic for the long-run and is already looking forward to next season's Champions League. The boss, who has now won three league titles in-a-row and has reached the last-16 of the Champions League twice in two seasons, won over more of the Celtic support after overhauling Rangers' lead in the SPL to secure the title on the final day. And while Strachan knows he is under a lot of pressure at Parkhead, he is convinced he will be able to continue to work under "goldfish bowl" conditions - which mean a lot of the pressure comes off the pitch, as well as on it. Strachan told the Sunday Mail: "It has been an incredible education. But I've survived the three years at Celtic and I'm sure I'll continue. I've learned it's not all about tactics - everyone knows about them. "It's about dealing with people, dealing with situations and dealing with pressure. That's the difference when you get to this level - can you actually deal with these things? 'If any coach can get the chance - no matter what league you're in - to get into the Champions League then take it. It's a phenomenal tournament." Celtic's men-in-suits are expected to free-up a relatively large amount of cash for Strachan to use in the transfer market this summer, as the team will start their Champions League campaign in the group stage, rather than having to qualify. Meanwhile, Hull City have been linked with a move for Lee Naylor. The newly-promoted Premier League side are reportedly pondering a £2million bid. However, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp dismissed speculation he was planning to submit a bid for the player. ***

Big bids expected for Celtic's McGeady and Boruc Sunderland boss Roy Keane is reportedly weighing-up a £7million plus Anthony Stokes bid for Celtic's Aiden McGeady, and Kevin Keegan's Newcastle have also been linked with a move for the Ireland international. McGeady, 22, is thought to be near the top of Roy Keane's list of potential targets and, while Celtic would not want to sell the player, financial realities may provide the men in suits at Parkhead with a difficult decision to make. The Evening Times reports that Anthony Stokes, who landed on Celtic's radar when he was on-loan at Falkirk from Arsenal last year, will be offered as a "tempter" amid speculation Gordon Strachan is looking for another striker to bolster the squad. Meanwhile, Arsenal have again been linked with a big-money move for Artur Boruc. Arsene Wenger, who appears to be using Euro 2008 as a shop window, saw Boruc play in Poland's 2-0 loss against Germany last night and is expected to make a move. While no figures have been mentioned, the length of Boruc's contract and the reported interest of both Milan sides as well as a number of other clubs down south, should force Arsenal to start the bidding at more than £10million. McGeady and Boruc would clearly be missed and it's hard to see how either player could genuinely be replaced. However, if total bids of £17million-plus came in for the pair, it's feasible that the club may have to make unpopular decisions.

Champions Meet St Mirren On Opening Day

CELTIC will kick off their defence of the Scottish Premier League title and the bid for four-in-a-row with a home game against St Mirren. The match at Celtic Park, which will also see the league flag raised at Paradise, is on Sunday, August 10, with a 12.30pm kick-off. Gordon Strachan’s side will then face Dundee United at Tannadice in the second league match of the season before two consecutive home games – against Falkirk on August 23 and then the first derby of the season on August 30 when Rangers visit the home of the Champions. Celtic’s first visit to Ibrox is scheduled for Saturday, December 27. The post-split fixtures are due to begin on Saturday, May 2, with the final game of season 2008/09 scheduled for Saturday, May 23.All fixtures are subject to change.

CLYDESDALE BANK PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES 2008/09

Sunday August 10, 2008

Celtic v Mirren 12.30pm (Setanta)

Saturday August 16, 2008
Dundee United v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday August 23, 2008
Celtic v Falkirk 3.00pm

Saturday August 30, 2008
Celtic v Rangers 3.00pm

Saturday September 13, 2008
Motherwell v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday September 20, 2008
Kilmarnock v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday September 27, 2008
Celtic v Aberdeen 3.00pm

Saturday October 4, 2008
Celtic v Hamilton Accies 3.00pm

Saturday October 18, 2008
Inverness CT v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday October 25, 2008
Celtic v Hibernian 3.00pm

Saturday November 1, 2008
Hearts v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday November 8, 2008
Celtic v Motherwell 3.00pm

Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Celtic v Kilmarnock 7.45pm

Saturday November 15, 2008
Hamilton Accies v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday November 22, 2008
St. Mirren v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday November 29, 2008
Celtic v Inverness CT 3.00pm

Saturday December 6, 2008
Hibernian v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday December 13, 2008
Celtic v Hearts 3.00pm

Saturday December 20, 2008
Falkirk v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday December 27, 2008
Rangers v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday January 3, 2009
Celtic v Dundee United 3.00pm

Saturday January 17, 2009
Aberdeen v Celtic 3.00pm

Saturday January 24, 2009
Celtic v Hibernian  3.00pm