Davis targets prolific striker

Davis targets prolific striker

Published Apr. 23, 2013 3:15 p.m. ET

Celtic have cut the price of an adult season ticket by ?100 for the 2013/2014 campaign.

The Scottish champions took the decision to allow their fans to benefit financially after what they described as a 'positive year on and off the field for the club'.

Neil Lennon's side reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, including a home victory over Barcelona, retained their SPL title and have a Scottish Cup final date to look forward to next month.

Chief executive Peter Lawwell said: "Celtic has enjoyed a wonderful title-winning 125th birthday season and I congratulate Neil and the players for all they have done.

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"We have now won back to back SPL titles, secured a Scottish Cup final place and have put Scottish football back on the map at the highest level, as one of the top 16 clubs in European football.

"Such a run of success has led to a very positive year off the field for the club and we wanted to make sure that our fans share in this success.

"The backing of our fans has, as ever, been crucial. Domestically and in Europe they have once again been right with us and we felt it important that we rewarded their commitment by making this gesture.

"Our foundations are strong, we have real stability and we look ahead to a bright future for the club with absolute confidence."

Celtic have also introduced a number of measures to attract younger fans to Parkhead, including an improved family stand area and a new facility and viewing area for disabled supporters.

Along with the cheaper adult season books, Celtic have pitched tickets for under-18s in three brackets - U13s = ?50 (?2.38 per match), 13-16 years ?105 (?5 per match) and 17-18 years ?186 (?8.86 per match).

Romania international Mutu was sacked by Chelsea after testing positive for cocaine in 2004 and the club have been on a nine-year battle to reclaim the money they lost in signing him.

After serving a seven-month ban Mutu went on to sign for Juventus via Italian side Livorno - who acted as an intermediary because at the time Juventus had filled their quota of overseas players.

The Swiss courts have ordered Mutu to pay compensation of 17.2million euros (?14.5m) to Chelsea but he has still not paid up, and the club is now pursuing legal action against Juventus and Livorno, holding them to be liable for payment because they signed him for nothing.

Chelsea had paid ?15.8million to sign him from Parma and Juventus went on to sell him for ?6million to Fiorentina.The case is being held before FIFA's dispute resolution chamber in Zurich this week.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "We are exercising our legal remedies to recover the amounts owed to us and we will continue to do so."

Chelsea have also taken legal steps to try to claim three properties bought by Mutu in Miami worth several million points in total.

Mutu, who is aged 34, currently plays in France's Ligue 1 for Corsican side Ajaccio. He has said he intends to retire at the end of next season.

With one game left, Crewe have scored 51 goals - only two more than relegated Portsmouth - and sit 16 points off the play-off places.

But Davis believes adding a regular goalscorer will improve their chances of pushing up the table.

He told the club's official website: "We have conceded less goals this season which is a great achievement as we have stepped up to a higher level, but we have found it more difficult to score goals on a consistent basis.

"That has been a concern to us. We haven't scored enough goals as a collective and if you can get three or four players in double figures then you have a great chance.

"I will look to add to our goal threat next season and will be doing our best to find a 20-goals-a-season striker. I want us to be better in the front areas and have some real pace up front to add to our threat."

The absence of top-scorer Mathias Pogba - who has netted 16 times in all competitions - has not helped matters. The Guinea international last featured on April 1 and, while Alex won the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final without him, they have lost all four league games since.

Davis added: "We have missed our leading scorer. Losing Pogba was a blow to us because he had been our most consistent goalscorer and offered us a real physical presence and pace up there.

"He has shown that he has an ability to get in there for us and score goals. The others have found it difficult to score goals on a consistent basis and it is something we need to improve on looking ahead to next season."

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