Greece’s parliament passed a crucial austerity bill in a vote so close that it left the coalition government reeling from dissent.

Greece’s fragile coalition government faces its toughest test when lawmakers vote on new painful austerity measures demanded to keep the country afloat, on the second day of a nationwide general strike.

Thousands have marched through Athens as trade unions held their third general strike in six weeks.

Thousands of police are on guard in the centre of Athens for German chancellor Angela Merkel’s first visit since the eurozone crisis began three years ago.

Spartak Moscow 2 Celtic 3

Celtic 2 Helsingborgs 0

Celtic 2 Helsingborg 0 (Celtic win 4-0 on aggregate)

European leaders are gearing up for a high-stakes week of financial diplomacy that could determine Greece’s future – and the stability of the 17 countries that use the euro.

Greece’s new conservative-led coalition government named its Cabinet today, appointing a prominent banker to take over the key position of finance minister.

Greek conservative leader Antonis Samaras is starting coalition talks after winning elections that follow weeks of uncertainty over the debt-crippled country’s future in the eurozone.

Greece is to hold an early general election on May 6.

Hearts 0 Celtic 4

Celtic 0 Atletico Madrid 1

Talks are under way on the formation of a temporary coalition government in Greece to ensure the country does not go bankrupt in the next few weeks, a spokesman for the ruling administration has claimed.

Celtic 0 FC Sion 0

FT: Celtic 0 Ross County 2

Hearts 2 Celtic 1

Ukraine 0 Greece 1 (Greece win 1-0 on aggregate)

Niall McGinn admits the Clydesdale Bank Premier League’s under-21 rule is going to “kill” his attempts to become a Celtic regular.

Celtic 2 Dundee United 1

Rangers 0 Celtic 1

Georgios Samaras is keen to win a permanent move to Parkhead, according to his agent.

Manchester City are expected to confirm the £5.75m capture of Valeri Bojinov from Fiorentina within the next 48 hours.

Man City 2 Everton 1

Georgios Samaras put 17 games of goalscoring misery behind him to net the second-half double that allowed Manchester City to welcome the new year on a winning note at Eastlands.

LEAGUE ONE Chesterfield piled the pressure on Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce by coming from a goal down to end the Premiership strugglers’ interest in the Carling Cup.

Manchester City 3 Kashima Antlers 4

Manchester City 2 Aston Villa 1