CELTIC skipper Tom Boyd is in no doubt who the Parkhead side want at their helm when they venture into Europe next season - Wim Jansen, the man who brought them their first Championship in ten years.
The Dutch coach looks poised to walk away in the summer after the club's greatest 90 minutes in the past decade. But Boyd said: The boss has not spoken to any of the players about his situation and what he wants to do, but we want him to stay. After all, we have picked up the double of the Coca-Cola Cup and the title in his first season here. Our fans have waited a long time to see us lift the Championship trophy and for a club like ours, ten years is much too long."
Midfielder Paul Lambert echoed Boyd's sentiments in giving his support to the man who brought them success. "I just hope Wim decides to stay," said the man who helped Borussia Dortmund to European Cup success last season.
Jansen, who has a get-out clause in his contract, enabling him to leave after just one season as head coach at Parkhead, looks set to make an exit in August for an as-yet-unidentified major European club. "I have made a decision in my own mind about what I want to do," he said. "It is important knowing where you want to go as a club. You can spend a lot of money and attract the best players. It depends on a club's way of thinking. I have wanted players and not got them.
"This has got to be one of the highlights of my career as a coach and something I will always remember. It hasn't been an easy season and it has come down to the last game. But it is over now and we are champions and that is something we can be proud of."
Goalkeeper Jonathan Gould paid tribute to the Bhoys' supporters, whose stirring rendition of ‘You'll Never Walk Alone' fuelled an explosive Celtic start which saw them score through Henrik Larsson after three minutes.
"These fans are second to none and I am delighted for them," said the keeper. "This is another step forward for Celtic after winning the Coca-Cola Cup. This is a massive club and the potential for success here is unbelievable. Now we have the Champions' League to look forward to."
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GOUGH'S CUP FINAL RALLYING CRY
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RANGERS captain Richard Gough is worried that the team's misery over missing out on a record ten championships in a row could wreck their chances in Saturday's Scottish Cup Final.
A 2-1 win over Dundee United at the weekend was not enough to stop Celtic ending their nine-year run of titles, but the Ibrox club can still end the season with some silverware by beating Hearts in the Final.
For Gough, it was an unhappy way to mark his and manager Walter Smith's last League match with Rangers, but the defender knows the worst could be yet to come.
"There was a lot of disappointment in the dressing room, but we must realise it isn't time for holidays yet," he said. "We've a Cup Final to play and we want to end on a high for the gaffer by giving him the trophy on his last day as manager."
Big-hearted Gough found time to applaud the Bhoys for their first Scottish title in a decade: "We didn't show the consistency needed over the season, but all credit to Wim Jansen and his men - I'd like to congratulate Celtic. I know how difficult it is to win the Championship, having won so many of them. The best team normally comes out on top over the course of the season and so it's proved."
That verdict was echoed by Smith himself, who conceded: "It hasn't just been recent games which have cost us the Championship. Celtic have been the one side to capitalise on that this season. But when I look back, we've done the same to other teams over the years.
"The past achievement of having been at this club when 10 out of the last 12 Championships have been won doesn't erase the disappointment of having missed out on the record. We all know we must pick ourselves up from this and focus on winning the Cup next week."
BRIAN LAUDRUP'S proposed move to Chelsea is in doubt after it emerged that Rangers now want a £6m fee for a player they were going to release for free.
"If they insist on it, I would have to rethink my position about moving to England," said the angry Dane. "Staying at Rangers simply isn't an option. I am upset by their attitude. This is no way to treat a player who has been at the club four years. Last season, I was offered a £5m deal with Ajax but decided to stay. There was no mention of compensation when I told them I was going to Chelsea."
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