Delvecchio response expected in the next 48 hours.

Last updated : 20 June 2007 By Clydebuilt

Celtic should find out within the next two days whether or not £3 Million rated Genarro Delvecchio will opt to join the club. Celtic face competition from both Napoli and Palermo but it is thought that the lure of a new challenge and Champions League football will see the 29 Year-old join the Hoops.

Sampdoria spokesman Matteo Gamba said: "Gennaro is excited by the idea of playing for Celtic, but he's also well aware of Palermo's interest. Napoli are watching the situation, too.

"Gennaro is speaking to the club and we should know within the next few days what will happen."

For those who don’t know much about the once-capped Italian, here is a brief resume.

"Gennaro Delvecchio (born 25th March 1978 in Barletta) is an Italian Football player. He is a midfielder who currently plays for U.C Sampdoria of Serie A. He debutted in Italian top division in 2005/2006 with U.S Lecce, after having played before only in lower leagues (from Serie B toSerie D).

He was first capped by Italy National Team head coach Roberto Donadoni for a friendly match against Croatia, then lost 2-0 at home. He was also selected for Euro 2008 Qualification Matches matches against Lithuania and France in September and matches against Ukraine and Georgia in October, but did not play any of those.

In the Serie A season 2006-2007, he headbutted Marco Materrazzi on the chin and saw a red card. This incident happened just a few months after Zinedine Zidane's similar attack on the Internationale defender"

Will we call him Rino?

In other news this morning, Mad Vlad of Mid-Lithuania has announced that there will be a massive 30% price hike for Tynecastle tickets for the visits of Celtic and Rangers next season. Briefs for the clashes at Tynie next season will cost a whopping £35!

This is a shocking move from a club who decided that they would decrease our allowance last season due to them achieving a modicum of success the season before! We have subsidised this club for years and now that their johnny-come-lately fair weather support decide that they want to see their ‘team’ in action. We the Celtic support have to concede seats that they previously occupied and are forced to pay over the odds for one of the few fixtures that every travelling fan wants to see!

Some might say the fans have the option to vote with their feet, but I know that we will still sell out our allocation in both ties.

Yours in Celtic

Clydebuilt