Rasmussen off the mark to boost Celtic´s title challenge

January 30, 2010

Celtic closed the gap on Scottish Premier League leaders Rangers after Morten Rasmussen’s first goal for the club clinched a 1-0 win against Hamilton on Saturday.

Tony Mowbray’s side struggled for long periods at New Douglas Park but Danish striker Rasmussen came off the bench to steal the points with a second half winner.

Rasmussen’s goal enabled second placed Celtic to move within seven points of Rangers, who host Falkirk later on Saturday.

Mowbray rang the changes after Celtic’s midweek defeat against Hibernian and handed former AIK Solna defender Jos Hooiveld his debut, while Cameroon’s Landry NGuemo, back from the African Nations Cup, returned to the midfield and South Korea’s Ki Sung-Yueng came in for Marc Crosas.

Mowbray’s switches didn’t have the desired effect in the first half and his team almost conceded in the fourth minute when Andreas Hinkel was forced to head Brian Easton’s corner off the line.

Aiden McGeady led the Hoops response and the midfielder went close with a drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Celtic were struggling to find their rhythm and Hamilton’s Mark McLaughlin intercepted a pass intended for Georgios Samaras, strode forward and shot just wide.

Hamilton goalkeeper Tomas Cerny was called into action for the first time as he blocked Marc-Antoine Fortune’s shot before the striker smashed the rebound over the bar.

Darren O’Dea nodded a Ki corner over the bar before half-time as Celtic laboured to make any headway.

Celtic still seemed out of sorts after half-time and Ki sent a weak header tamely past the far post after Samaras’s cross presented him with a sight of goal.

Mowbray responded by taking off China’s Zheng Zhi and Samaras,with Niall McGinn and Rasmussen sent on.

The move finally sparked Celtic into life and Ki drew a fine save from Cerny with a powerful drive from just inside the area.

Celtic were the dominant force now and, in the 67th minute, former Brondby star Rasmussen broke the deadlock when he turned and drove home from close range after Ki’s shot was blocked.

Fortune squandered a chance to give the scoreline a more flattering look in stoppage time when McLaughlin fouled the forward in the penalty area to concede a penalty.

Although Fortune struck his spot-kick well enough, Cerny made a great save to keep the score down.

HAMILTON, Scotland (AFP)

Tags: african nations cup, andreas hinkel, Brian Easton, brondby, cerny, China, Darren O'Dea, dominant force, Douglas Park, far post, Hamilton, hibernian, league leaders, long periods, marc antoine fortune, marc crosas, mark mclaughlin, mcginn, samaras, scotland, Scottish Premier League, seven points, south korea, Sung-Yueng, Tomas Cerny, tony mowbray, zheng zhi, Zhi

Wigan set to secure Under-21 Irish star McCarthy

July 21, 2009

Highly-rated Ireland Under-21 international midfielder James McCarthy snubbed newly-promoted English Premier League side Wolves on Monday when he agreed terms for a 1.2million pounds move to rivals Wigan Athletic.

The 18-year-old Scotland-born player – whose fee could rise to 3million pounds dependent on appearances – is the second major loss to Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academicals after Scottish Under-21 international Brian Easton moved to Premier League newboys Burnley last week.

“James is a superb prospect and I know Roberto Martinez and Wigan will look after him,” Hamilton chairman Ronnie MacDonald told BBC Scotland.

Wigan expect the deal concluded for the Ireland Under-21 international within 24 hours.

Tottenham Hotspur made a late expression of interest, while Celtic manager Tony Mowbray admitted that his club were being priced out of the race after they and Burnley had bids rejected earlier this summer.

And it appears to have been the promise of involvement in the first-team squad that tipped the balance in favour of Wigan.

McCarthy, who rejected a transfer to Liverpool in 2007 and was also linked with Chelsea, received no such guarantees from Premier League rivals Spurs or Wolves.

McCarthy will be Wigan’s fourth signing of the close season after they secured the services of Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas and midfielder Jordi Gomez, as well as Jason Scotland from Swansea, who signed for 2million pounds and rejoins his old boss Martinez.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: bbc scotland, Brian Easton, English Premier League, favour, Hamilton, hamilton academicals, hendry, Honduras, Hotspur, Ireland, irish star, james mccarthy, Jason Scotland, Jordi Gomez, Liverpool, london, macdonald, midfielder, premier league, roberto martinez, Ronnie MacDonald, spurs, Swansea, Thomas, tony mowbray, wolves

Saturday’s Transfer Rumors

July 11, 2009

‘After pulling the plug on a deal to bring Samuel Eto’o to the club, Manchester City are also set to miss out on Carlos Tevez, who is in no rush to finalise his future with Chelsea reportedly also interested in the Argentine striker.’ – Daily Star

‘Alternatively, City will tie up a deal for Tevez before jetting out on their pre-season tour of South Africa on Wednesday.’ – The Sun

‘City will sign Tevez and are also set to increase the stakes in their pursuit of Chelsea defender and captain John Terry with a third bid worth £40m.’ – Daily Express

‘City captain Richard Dunne is determined not to leave Eastlands and is prepared to see out another season despite Stoke and Sunderland have each having £4m offers for the centre-back accepted.’ – Daily Express

‘Manchester United have targeted Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and are willing to offer £30m plus Portuguese winger Nani to land the Argentine.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has laughed off rumours linking the club with a move for French international midfielder Franck Ribery.’ – The Sun

‘However, Benitez is interested in Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole – the subject of a failed £5m bid from Sunderland on Friday – as a possible replacement for Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, who have been linked with moves away from Anfield.’ – Independent

‘Arsenal can rest easy this summer after Russian forward Andrey Arshavin denied any interest in a move to Champions League holders Barcelona, and big-spending Real Madrid insisted they are not pursuing midfielder Cesc Fabregas.’ – Daily Express

‘Tottenham are set to make a last-ditch attempt to hijack Everton’s plans to sign Sheffield United’s England Under-21 right-back Kyle Naughton.’ – The Sun

‘Spurs boss Harry Redknapp wants Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to be part of any deal that sees forward Darren Bent join the Black Cats.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Everton have launched a £12m bid for Standard Liege captain Stephen Defour, formerly the midfield partner of Toffees’ record signing Marouane Fellaini at the Belgian club.’ – The Sun

‘Fulham are closing in on an £11m deal for Portsmouth and England striker Peter Crouch after agreeing to sell forward Bobby Zamora to Hull.’ – Daily Mail

‘Sunderland are also chasing Crouch but may have to raise their bid to £15m in order to land the striker after having an £11m offer rejected by Pompey.’ – The Times

‘Former Liverpool and Middlesbrough midfielder Boudewijn Zenden – currently with Marseille – claims Fulham want to bring him back to England to add experience to their forthcoming European campaign.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Sunderland have won the £6m fight to sign Manchester United striker Fraizer Campbell, who was also a target for Hull, West Ham and Newcastle.’ – The Sun

‘Stoke are reeling after being snubbed by Rennes midfielder Stephane M’Bia, who has agreed to join Marseille in a £10m deal instead.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has given the green light to Aston Villa’s £18m double swoop for Boro’s attacking duo Stewart Downing and Tuncay.’ – The Sun

‘Arsenal’s French defender Mikael Silvestre is a target for French champions Bordeaux.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Bolton want to sign Real Betis midfielder Achille Emana but are struggling to meet the £11m asking price.’ – The Sun

‘Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is set to join the the chase for Aston Villa centre-back Zat Knight, who is also wanted by Bolton.’ – Daily Mirror

‘Burnley manager Owen Coyle is ready to clinch a £600,000 deal for Hamilton’s Scottish Under-21 defender Brian Easton, who has expressed an interest in a move to the Premier League.’ – Daily Mirror

By: Abhimanyu Rajput