Gers taking it a match at a time: Weir

December 30, 2009

Rangers captain David Weir says he won’t give this weekend’s game against Celtic a second thought until they take care of their match against Dundee United on Wednesday.

The Gers have stormed four points clear at the top of the table as the form team in the Scottish Premier League with five wins on the trot since their only defeat of the season against Aberdeen in November, scoring 19 goals along the way.

Their 4-1 demolition of Hibernian on Sunday, where they came back from going a goal behind in 12 seconds, signalled a statement of their intent in a week where they take on their three nearest challengers in the race for the title.

The second Old Firm derby of the season is on the horizon but veteran defender Weir says Wednesday’s clash with fourth-placed United at Ibrox is just as important as they bid to retain their championship crown.

“The league title isn’t won in December,” said the 39-year-old.

“All we have done is just given ourselves a chance. We’ve got a big week and the result against Hibs was a confidence booster. “After Aberdeen at the end of last month, we realised it just wasn’t good enough. We had a word, sorted a few things out and have won five games in succession since.

“It was a big disappointment, the manner in which we lost the opening goal to Hibs after 12 seconds, but we responded in the right way.

“The spirit in the side is good but the important thing is to keep a bit of momentum going. There are some very important games approaching and we have to be ready for them.

That means we have to get ourselves in the right frame of mind for the game against Dundee United.”

Walter Smith has been dealt a blow before the game with United with the news American winger DaMarcus Beasley has been ruled out for three weeks after injuring a thigh during training.

He will join fellow midfielders Kevin Thomson and Pedro Mendes on the sidelines for the visit of United, whose search for a new manager continues following the departure of Craig Levein to the national team.

However, there was better news for Smith as Maurice Edu returned to the first team as a sub in the defeat of Hibs on Sunday, his first appearance since May.

Rivals Celtic face a Kilmarnock side who haven’t won at home in their last four attempts.

Tony Mowbray’s side picked up a confidence boosting win over Hamilton at the weekend and the Hoops gaffer knows he can’t afford to fall any more points behind Rangers before the side’s clash at Parkhead on Sunday.

The manager will still be without Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney but Gary Caldwell returns after suspension as Celtic look to keep pace with the league leaders.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Motherwell make the trip to Tynecastle to take on Hearts without manager Jim Gannon, who was sacked on Monday after only six months in charge following his refusal to sign a contract with the Fir Park club.

St Johnstone have a tough task as they host Hibs, who were unbeaten in 12 matches before their loss to Rangers while strugglers Hamilton and St Mirren clash at New Douglas Park.

Fixtures (1945 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Wednesday

Hamilton v St Mirren

Hearts v Motherwell

Kilmarnock v Celtic

Rangers v Dundee United

St Johnstone v Hibernian

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, captain david, Captain David Weir, challengers, championship crown, confidence booster, craig levein, damarcus beasley, David Weir, Douglas Park, Dundee, dundee united, Fir Park, four points, frame of mind, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, Hamilton, hibernian, jim gannon, kevin thomson, Maurice, pedro mendes, premier league, Scott Brown, Scottish Premier League, second thought, Shaun Maloney, sidelines, St, tony mowbray, walter smith, winger

Rangers´ best to come, says Novo

December 19, 2009

Nacho Novo has warned the rest of the Scottish Premier League that the best is yet to come from Rangers as they bid to increase their lead at the top of the table.

Walter Smith’s side leapfrogged leaders Celtic when they won their game in hand against Dundee United on Tuesday.

Rangers produced their best performance of the season in the 3-0 win at Tannadice with striker Novo playing a starring role in a win that puts them one point clear of Celtic.

The Ibrox side now have a crucial run of games over the Christmas period starting with Saturday’s visit of Motherwell but Spaniard Novo insists the squad are getting better all the time.

“I think we are coming into form at the right time. It is a crucial series of games and we need to be up for them,” Novo said.

“We were delighted to beat United, but we need to hit that level every game, and look to be even better as we have so many tough matches. The boys have been working really hard to get it right after some bad performances. I think the signs are better now, but we can improve.

“Everybody is fighting for each other and that is making a big difference for us just now. The boss has been on at us to make sure we press other teams and we did that really well at Tannadice. To win 3-0 up there was excellent.

“All over the park, from defence to midfield and the strikers, we have been very good and well organised in the last few games. The boys have been fantastic with three league wins in a row, and hopefully we can keep it going in the big games we have coming up.

Smith has been boosted by the return of injury of three first-team stars for the visit of Jim Gannon’s side on Saturday.

Keeper Allan McGregor should return to take his place between the sticks from Neil Alexander, who kept two clean sheets in his absence.

Kevin Thomson, who missed the match against Dundee United with a slight thigh strain, will be included in the squad as will American Maurice Edu, who has been out with a knee injury since May.

A win for Rangers would send them four points clear and put the pressure on Celtic, who don’t face Hearts at Tynecastle until Sunday.

However the Hoops will take some confidence from showing against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday when they came from three goals down to finish the game with a 3-3 draw.

Boss Tony Mowbray rested several first team players for the match in Austria with one eye on the game against Hearts but the performance of the fringe players will have given him something to think about.

Long-term injuries Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney will be missing for the game against a Hearts side who are without a win in three games.

In Saturday’s other games third-placed Hibernian face a tough away game against Aberdeen, Hamilton are at home to Dundee United, bottom two Kilmarnock and Falkirk meet at Rugby Park and fellow strugglers St Johnstone take on St Mirren.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Hibernian, Hamilton v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Falkirk, Rangers v Motherwell, St Johnstone v St Mirren

Sunday

Hearts v Celtic (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Allan McGregor, Austria, best performance, better all the time, big games, christmas period, clean sheets, Dundee, dundee united, getting better all the time, Glasgow, Hamilton, jim gannon, kevin thomson, kilmarnock, knee injury, Maurice, midfield, nacho novo, neil alexander, premier league, Rugby Park, Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Spaniard, strikers, thigh strain, tony mowbray, Vienna, walter smith, win 3

Dallas accepts Scottish refs need to improve

December 12, 2009

Scottish Football Association head of referee development Hugh Dallas has conceded that there are problems with refereeing in Scotland.

Dallas has become involved in a war of words with Motherwell manager Jim Gannon, who has criticized several decisions made by officials this season.

Dallas says he was “insulted” by Gannon’s comments but he adopted a more conciliatory tone, telling BBC Scotland, “I’m the first to admit that refereeing is going through a period at the moment,

which we wish it wasn’t. But, trust me, we are working hard behind the scenes to try and improve things.”

He added, “I appreciate that the managers are frustrated and get upset.

“I don’t know what kind of pressure they’re under because I’ve never been a manager, but we try to handle things internally.

“We analyse games on a Monday and a Tuesday with the referees, we take in the referee observer’s comments and we have a seminar this weekend because, apart from improving the standards of referees, we also have to improve the standard and the coaching of our observers who are passing on the advice.

“So, we’re working away quietly in the background.”

Tags: bbc, conciliatory tone, decisions, games, jim gannon, motherwell, observers, referee development, refereeing, referees, scotland, scottish football association, war of words

Rangers must ´write off´ Euro loss, focus on League

December 12, 2009

Kenny Miller has told his Rangers team-mates to forget about their European nightmare if they want to retain the Scottish Premier League title.

The Ibrox side ended a dismal Champions League campaign on Wednesday as they slumped to a 1-0 away defeat to Sevilla.

It was Walter Smith’s side fourth loss as they ended Group G with just two points, the worst tally of any Scottish team to have competed in the competition.

The defeat also means the Scottish champions have now gone a club record of 11 European matches without a win.

However, things are brighter on the domestic front, where the current champions sit just two points behind leaders Celtic, with a game in hand.

Rangers take on St Johnstone on Saturday but could find themselves even further behind in the race for the championship if Celtic can claim victory in the early kick-off match at Motherwell.

Miller says it is vital the Gers don’t dwell on their continental form if they are to harbour any hopes of being crowned SPL champions.

“We have to forget about the European campaign now. All we can do is just write it off,” the striker said.

“We cannot let the European disappointments this season linger for any time at all. Hopefully we can go back and win the league again. That’s a big thing now for the club and the fans.”

Tough games away to Dundee United and Hibernian await Rangers after this weekend’s match before the Old Firm derby in January and the Scotland international knows they will be crucial in the club’s bid to make it two titles in a row.

“We have a hard month now in the SPL,” Miller said.

“We start on Saturday with St Johnstone at Ibrox and then we’ve four more big games in December. There’s also an Old Firm game at New Year and then the Scottish Cup starts.

“So I think we are entering a crucial period over the next five weeks. We have tough matches scheduled but if we take a lot of points from these games – against sides who are challenging us – we will be in with a real shout of winning the title again.”

Gers boss Smith could welcome back Kris Boyd, who missed the match in Sevilla with a thigh strain, but will still be without Kirk Broadfoot and Maurice Edu for the visit of Derek McInnes’ side.

Celtic can pile the pressure on Rangers by moving five points clear at the top with a win away to Motherwell.

Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are out with long-term injuries as the Hoops begin a run of three away games in a row against Jim Gannon’s side at Fir Park.

In Saturday’s other games, Hearts take on Dundee United minus captain Michael Stewart, Suso Santana, Ian Black and Eggert Jonsson, who were all sent off in last week’s defeat to Hamilton.

Hibernian hope to keep up with the leaders with a game away to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen host Hamilton while St Mirren take on bottom club Falkirk.

Fixtures

Saturday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Aberdeen v Hamilton, Hearts v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Hibernian, Motherwell v Celtic (1245GMT), Rangers v St Johnstone, St Mirren v Falkirk

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, big games, Boyd, captain Michael Stewart, Derek McInnes, disappointments, Dundee, dundee united, european campaign, european nightmare, Falkirk, Fir Park, Hamilton, hibernian, Ian Black, jim gannon, kenny miller, Kirk Broadfoot, league campaign, Maurice, motherwell, premier league, rangers team, scotland international, Scott Brown, scottish champions, scottish cup, Scottish Premier League, scottish team, SEVILLA, Shaun Maloney, st johnstone, striker, walter smith, winning the title

Mowbray not concered at Celtic home form

October 18, 2009

Tony Mowbray says he isn’t concerned by Celtic’s home form after watching his side lose top spot in the Scottish Premier League following a goalless draw against Motherwell.

The Celtic coach was visibly frustrated after watching his side waste a host of chances against Jim Gannon’s side, who also held Rangers to a goalless draw at Fir Park earlier in the season.

The pressure was on the Hoops going into the game after Old Firm rivals Rangers moved top of the league with a 2-1 away win to St Johnstone but the shot-shy Celtic strikers could not find a way past a well-organised Motherwell defence.

The result means that the Hoops have won just two of the seven games played at Celtic Park in all competitions so far this season.

Along with the draw against Motherwell the Bhoys have dropped points to Dundee United, lost to Arsenal and Dynamo Moscow in the Champions League and needed a last-minute winner to see off Hearts.

Celtic face German giants Hamburg at Parkhead on Thursday as they attempt to kick-start their Europa League campaign but Mowbray shrugged off suggestions of a crisis in confidence at home.

“You can massage the stats all you want. I think we have drawn against Dundee United and now Motherwell,” Mowbray said.

“I’m not interested in Arsenal at home in the Champions League or Moscow. You can throw stats at me all you want but our league form is fine.

“It’s the first time we’ve failed to score a goal in the league this season. I defy anyone to say there was a lack of effort and lack of determination about the way the team went about the job.

“If we had scored two of our 15 efforts on goal we would have been sitting here saying job done, let’s move on to next week.

“But we missed them so we are disappointed and frustrated. The centre-halves have kept a clean sheet today after a little bit of flak they have taken in recent weeks so the strikers might score a hatful next week.”

Rangers had to come back from a goal down at St Johnstone after falling behind to a 17th-minute strike from Collin Samuel and Gers boss Walter Smith praised his opponents’ industriousness.

“We were always going to have to work hard for a win today and St Johnstone made us do that,” he said.

“In spells they played well and so did we play well in spells.

“Although St Johnstone had possession of the ball at times, there weren’t that many opportunities for either side.”

The champions hauled themselves level shortly before half-time through Kris Boyd before Bosnian defender Sasa Papac secured all three points with a fine curling shot in the 83rd minute.

“It was a good finish for a full-back, getting himself into that position,” said Smith. “Last season and this season Sasa Papac has shown he is capable of getting forward.

“That’s back-to-back wins for us and that is something we have struggled to do this season and hopefully we can keep it going.

“We’re struggling to find consistency of performance but the signs are getting better with each game.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: bhoys, Boyd, celtic park, champions league, Collin Samuel, dundee united, dynamo moscow, Europa, Fir Park, flak, giants, Glasgow, Hamburg, hoops, jim gannon, league campaign, minute winner, Moscow, motherwell, parkhead, premier league, rivals, Scottish Premier League, seven games, st johnstone, strikers, tony mowbray, walter smith

Mowbray welcomes back Celtic´s walking wounded

October 17, 2009

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray has been handed a fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s game against Motherwell as the Scottish Premier League prepares to get under way again after the international break.

The Hoops’ gaffer had an injury headache before his previous fixture against Rangers at the beginning of the month with a number of first team regulars sitting out the 2-1 defeat at Ibrox.

But the international fixtures have afforded his stars a two-week break allowing many to recover from their knocks and strains and take their place in the squad to face Motherwell.

Midfielder Scott Brown was forced to pull out of Scotland’s friendly with Japan last weekend due to a niggling injury on the ankle on which he underwent surgery in May.

But after a consultation with a Harley Street expert the 24-year-old has rested the ankle for the past fortnight with the Celtic medical team optimistic this has alleviated the problem.

Another player close to a top team return is striker Marc-Antoine Fortune.

The summer signing has been missing for the past seven weeks after picking up an ankle injury in the Champions League defeat to Arsenal.

However Mowbray hopes both players will soon be firing on all cylinders as the Hoops aim to keep their one-point advantage at the top of the SPL.

Rangers have the chance to put pressure on their rivals by going top if they win against St Johnstone in the early kick-off game so Mowbray knows he needs his best players available.

“I hope Scott is going to be okay for the Motherwell game,” Mowbray said.

“We’ve been nursing him through the last few weeks and he needed a break. We wanted to give him a rest and the specialist felt that would benefit him too.

“That’s why Scott didn’t go to Japan and hopefully it will help him over the coming weeks.

“Marc-Antoine Fortune is another player that we’re assessing closely and we hope he isn’t too far away,” Mowbray added.

“Marc had some rehab to do, but he’s been back running on the grass and things seem to be fine with him.

“He’s looking fit and strong, but we’ll move him on to twisting and turning this week and then contact football before too long.”

Australian international Scott McDonald had to pull out of the Socceroos squad to face the Netherlands but should be back to face his former club while full-backs Andreas Hinkel and Danny Fox are responding well to treatment on hamstring injuries.

However, Mowbray won’t face a dilemma over which central defensive partnership will face Motherwell.

Glenn Loovens’ appeal against a one-match suspension was rejected so Gary Caldwell will return to partner Stephen McManus against Jim Gannon’s side, who are aiming to break into the top four with a win at Parkhead.

In the early kick-off game Rangers travel to Perth to take on St Johnstone. Walter Smith, too, will welcome back several players with Lee McCulloch and Kevin Thomson both back in training.

Madjid Bougherra returned unscathed from international duty with Algeria and Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty are expected to be fit as Rangers aim to build on their Old Firm victory.

The game has come too soon for American international Maurice Edu as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury.

In Saturday’s other fixtures Aberdeen host Hearts, Dundee United face Hamilton, bottom club Falkirk take on St Mirren while third-placed Hibernian welcome Kilmarnock to Easter Road.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Hearts

Celtic v Motherwell

Dundee United v Hamilton

Falkirk v St Mirren

Hibernian v Kilmarnock

St Johnstone v Rangers (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, ankle injury, champions league, Danny Fox, Dundee, Easter Road, firing on all cylinders, fortnight, Glasgow, Hamilton, harley street, hoops, jim gannon, kick off game, Marc, marc antoine fortune, Marc-Antoine, Maurice, medical team, midfielder, motherwell, Perth, point advantage, premier league, regulars, rivals, scotland, Scott, Scott Brown, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, seven weeks, st johnstone, Steven Davis, strains, striker, tony mowbray, walter smith

Cash-strapped Rangers start season under cloud

August 15, 2009

Cash-strapped, injury-hit Rangers open the defence of their Scottish Premier League title against Falkirk at Ibrox on Saturday with manager Walter Smith facing a major selection headache.

In defence, Sasa Papac is injured while Kirk Broadfoot is ruled out with an ankle injury.

American midfielder Maurice Edu is out with a knee injury, Kevin Thomson is still in need of match fitness as he continues his rehabilitation and disgraced former captain Barry Ferguson has been moved on to Birmingham City.

Up front, Nacho Novo dislocated his shoulder in a training ground accident while Northern Ireland forward Kyle Lafferty is banned for the first two games of the season.

However, one selection issue that Smith will welcome is the one to decide who will start in goal against Falkirk.

Neil Alexander was handed the gloves to the end of last season but Allan McGregor, who was dropped for his behaviour while on international duty, is back in contention.

Another player Smith will be happy to have available is last season’s top-scorer Kris Boyd who has warned his teammates that Falkirk, now managed by Eddie May and assistant Steven Pressley, will be difficult opponents.

“Falkirk have caused us a lot of problems in the past and they’ve shown they can make life difficult for us,” Boyd said.

“As such, we need to go in against them with all guns blazing from the off and it’s up to us to take the game to them.”

In Saturday’s other games, Tony Mowbray makes his league debut as Celtic manager away to Aberdeen.

He has Dutch defender Glenn Loovens missing to suspension for what is a potentially difficult tie at Pittodrie just three days before a crucial Champions League play-off clash against Arsenal.

Dons manager Mark McGhee knows his side will need to drastically improve from their humiliating 8-1 defeat to Czech side Sigma Olomouc in the Europa League.

New Hibernian manager John Hughes welcomes St Mirren, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, to Easter Road.

Kilmarnock host Hamilton at Rugby Park with both sides expected to be involved in the battle against relegation and will want to get some early points on the board.

Newly-promoted St Johnstone open their campaign against Motherwell.

Derek McInnes has added to a squad which coasted to the First Division while new Motherwell manager Jim Gannon will have to pick up his players after their Europa League exit to Steaua Bucharest.

On Monday, Dundee United and Hearts clash at Tannadice.

Craig Levein will be hoping to lead his side to a European spot this season after narrowly missing out last year while Hearts are looking to mount a challenge to the Old Firm following on from last season’s third place finish.

Fixtures (1500 GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Celtic (1245), Hibernian v St Mirren, Kilmarnock v Hamilton, Rangers v Falkirk, St Johnstone v Motherwell

Monday

Dundee United v Hearts (1945)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Allan McGregor, barry ferguson, birmingham city, broadfoot, bucharest, captain barry, captain Barry Ferguson, craig levein, czech side, Derek McInnes, Dundee, Easter Road, Eddie May, Falkirk, Glasgow, ground accident, Hamilton, jim gannon, john hughes, kevin thomson, Kirk Broadfoot, kyle lafferty, league debut, mark mcghee, Maurice, nacho novo, neil alexander, Northern Ireland, papac, pittodrie, Rugby Park, Scottish Premier League, sigma olomouc, st mirren, steven pressley, tony mowbray, walter smith

Fulham qualify, Roma, Galatasaray swamp rivals in Europa League

August 7, 2009

English Premier League Fulham reached the Europa League play-off round on Thursday where they were joined by free-scoring Roma and Galatasary.

Andrew Johnson scored twice to add to Dickson Etuhu’s opener as Fulham saw off Vetra of Lithuania 3-0 for a 6-0 aggregate win in their third qualifying round, second leg clash at Craven Cottage.

“We were good value for our three goals as we were in the first leg,” said Fulham coach Roy Hodgson.

“I am pleased with our attitude, pleased with the quality of our play and pleased with our passing.”

Galatasary of Turkey, coached by former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, crushed Israel’s Maccabi Netanya 6-1 for a 10-1 aggregate with Congo striker Shabani Nonda grabbing a hat-trick.

Veteran striker Francesco Totti, who scored twice in the first leg, also claimed a hat-trick as AS Roma beat AA Gent 7-1 in Belgium for a 10-2 aggregate.

Dejan Lekic was another hat-trick star as 1991 European champions Red Star Belgrade overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to beat Georgia’s Dinamo Tbilisi 5-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.

Lekic completed his hat-trick in the 88th minute, just when 1981 Cup Winners Cup champions Dinamo were in sight of an away goals victory.

In a fiercely-contested tie, where the Georgians had led 4-1 on aggregate at one stage, both sides finished with 10 men.

Scotland suffered a double dose of misery.

Mark McGhee’s Aberdeen, humiliated 5-1 at home by Sigma Olomouc in the first leg, slumped to a 3-0 defeat in the return tie in the Czech Republic for an embarrassing 8-1 aggregate exit.

Tomas Janotka, Marek Kascak, with a penalty, and Michal Hubnik scored the goals in the first half.

Steaua Bucharest, the 1986 European champions, defeated Motherwell 3-1 for a 6-1 aggregate win.

“We had two clear-penalty shouts and were disappointed not to get the second goal. The belief would have come from that,” said Motherwell manager Jim Gannon.

“I knew the second goal would be critical. If we got it, the mood and atmosphere in the stadium would change in our favour. But, if they got it, it would have been the opposite.”

There will be no European adventure this season for 37-year-old former Celtic, Manchester United and Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson whose Helsingborgs side lost on penalties to Sarajevo.

Larsson was forced to miss Thursday’s tie after breaking a kneecap in the first leg in Sweden.

The 35 third qualifying round winners go into Friday’s play-off draw where they will be joined by the 15 losers from the Champions League final qualifiers as well as 26 other leading sides which include the likes of Everton, Aston Villa, Werder Bremen, Valencia, Lazio and Ajax.

The winners of the 38 play-off ties will be joined by the losers of the 10 Champions League play-offs in the group stages of the tournament.

PARIS (AFP)

Tags: aa gent, Aberdeen, Ajax, andrew johnson, Barcelona, Belgium, Belgrade, Bremen, bucharest, craven cottage, cup winners cup, czech republic, Dickson Etuhu, English Premier League, european champions, francesco totti, frank rijkaard, fulham, Galatasary, Georgia, Henrik Larsson, israel, jim gannon, lazio, Lithuania, maccabi netanya, Manchester, Marek Kascak, mark mcghee, PARIS, red star belgrade, return tie, Roma, roy hodgson, Sarajevo, scotland, shabani, sigma olomouc, Sweden, tbilisi, Tomas Janotka, Turkey, United, Valencia, veteran striker, vetra

Fulham qualify, Roma, Galatasaray swamp rivals in Europa League

August 7, 2009

English Premier League Fulham reached the Europa League play-off round on Thursday where they were joined by free-scoring Roma and Galatasary.