McCourt Delighted To Fulfill Boyhood Dream

The Bhoys To Play First Game In Belfast Since 1984

By Tony Quinn

Adam Virgo has left Celtic and rejoined former club Brighton. Virgo, who joined Celtic in 2005 and spent last season on loan at Colchester United, has signed a two-year deal with his former club. Born in Brighton, the Scotland 'B' international missed the first few months of his Celtic career through injury and struggled to command a regular place after that setback. Most comfortable as a central defender, the emergence of Stephen McManus limited Virgo's involvement in Gordon Strachan's first season to 11 appearances, as the Hoops lifted the SPL title and League Cup. At the start of season 2006/07, Virgo moved to Coventry City on loan in order to gain vital match fitness, but was struck by a serious knee injury and missed the first five months of the season. He battled back to make 16 appearances for Coventry. Last season, Virgo completed a similar loan spell at Colchester United and was a virtual ever-present for the Championship club - making over 30 starts. With that loan deal finished, the 25-year-old has now returned to his first senior club.

Glentoran's planned friendly against a Celtic XI at the Oval in Belfaston 23 July has been postponed it has been reported. The SPL champions are now likely to fulfil a prior arrangement to play Donegal Celtic at Suffolk Road on the same date. It will be Celtic's first game in Belfast since they played Cliftonville at Solitude in 1984.

Morecambe have signed Celtic youngster Diarmuid O'Carroll on a one-year deal. The 20-year-old ex-academy starlet has been a regular scorer for the Bhoys' reserves for the past two seasons. O'Carroll, who has been capped by Ireland at all youth levels, said: "As a young Irish footballer it was my ambition to play for Celtic and I love the place. But I have to think of my career now and look to make my mark."

The SPL have announced that they have agreed a massive £125 million TV deal with Setanta Sports. The new deal ensures coverage will continue through to the end of the 2013/14 season. It is the biggest Scottish Football TV deal in history. SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said, "This will allow clubs to re-invest to make the Scottish game even stronger".

New signing Pat McCourt admits he was surprised to be given the chance to join his boyhood heroes. The 24-year-old winger last week agreed a three-year deal with the SPL champions after Derry City were paid an undisclosed fee. "It was a shock but a good shock," said McCourt. "It's something that I've always dreamt about my whole life and to get the opportunity to come play for this club was unbelievable."

Shunsuke Nakamura will be a Celtic player next season, according to his agent. The 30-year-old midfielder had been linked with a move to Serie A club Bologna, something both Celtic and the Italians deny. Naka's agent has insisted the player has had no change of plan. It is believed he will fulfil the final year of his Hoops contract before returning to his homeland to play for Yokohoma Mariners.

Cameroon international defender Timothee Atouba will cost Celtic £2m if he moves from Hamburg to Parkhead, according to reports. Atouba, 26, spent one season at Tottenham earlier in his career before joining the Bundesliga side. Wigan are interested in bringing him back to the Premier League - but Gordon Strachan appears to hold the advantage in the negotiations. Reports in Germany have claimed that Atouba is likely to cost the Bhoys £2m if he is to make the move to Glasgow this summer.

The date of the first Glasgow derby of the forthcoming SPL season has been changed, with Celtic's match against Rangers at Celtic Park now taking place on Sunday, August 31, 2008 - kick-off time has still to be confirmed.