Mowbray exhorts Celtic to launch title charge

February 20, 2010

Tony Mowbray says Celtic’s clash against Dundee United on Saturday is a must-win match if they are to stand a chance of regaining the Scottish Premier League title.

Celtic find themselves 10 points behind fierce rivals Rangers in the race for the SPL championship after they were held to a 4-4 draw by Aberdeen at Pittodrie last weekend.

The two giants meet next weekend at Ibrox in the third Old Firm fixture of the season and Mowbray knows Celtic can’t afford to find themselves even further behind.

And the Hoops manager has urged his side to get over their disappointing draw with the Dons and produce wins in their next two games to make the championship run-in more interesting.

“We have to cope with the frustration of the draw at Aberdeen, stick together and move on,” he said.

“We now find ourselves in the same position as we did a few weeks ago, when we chipped a couple of points off Rangers’ lead and then dropped points ourselves.

“What we have to do is get back to chipping the points away again. To do that, we need to get a positive result on Saturday against Dundee United and go into the Rangers game full of confidence.

“We were all disappointed after Saturday but if we win our next two games, it makes life very interesting. There are points to be won and lost — starting with our game against Dundee United. We will do everything we can to get a positive result.”

Despite his extensive dealing in the transfer market during January the Celtic manager finds himself light in numbers in defence.

Darren O’Dea is suspended while both Glenn Loovens and Jos Hooiveld are injured.

It could mean teenagers Josh Thompson and Thomas Rogne are partnered in the centre of defence although Mowbray has hinted at moving experienced full-backs Lee Naylor, Mark Wilson or Andreas Hinkel into the position as cover.

Ranger boss Walter Smith has the luxury of picking from a full squad with no fresh injury worries prior to the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at St Johnstone.

His side are unbeaten in the league since November and easily dispensed with third-placed Hibernian in a 3-0 win last Sunday.

The Ibrox side triumphed when they met the Saints in the League Cup semi-final earlier this month but Derek McInnes’s team are on a high following their 5-1 win over Hibs in midweek.

John Hughes takes his Hibernian side to Fir Park to take on Motherwell on the back of two straight defeats, their worst run since September.

Motherwell, on the other hand, are in great form since the arrival of Craig Brown as manager and are unbeaten in seven matches.

Kilmarnock take on St Mirren at Rugby Park with both sides looking to pick up points in their bid to climb away from the relegation zone.

Bottom club Falkirk take on Mark McGhee’s Aberdeen two weeks after they defeated the Dons at Pittodrie.

McGhee has come in for criticism after his side were knocked out of the Scottish Cup in mid-week by First Division Raith Rovers, while new Bairns boss Steven Pressley is still looking for his first win.

On Sunday Hearts face Hamilton at Tynecastle. Jim Jefferies finally claimed his first win in his second spell in charge of the Jambos with a 3-2 over Falkirk last week, while Hamilton hover near the relegation spot.

Fixtures

Saturday (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Celtic v Dundee United, Falkirk v Aberdeen, Kilmarnock v St Mirren,

Motherwell v Hibernian, St Johnstone v Rangers (1245GMT)

Sunday (1500GMT)

Hearts v Hamilton

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, andreas hinkel, celtic, clash, craig brown, Darren O'Dea, dea, Derek McInnes, Dundee, dundee united, Falkirk, frustration, Hamilton, hoops, john hughes, josh thompson, Lee Naylor, lunchtime, mark mcghee, Mark Wilson, premier league, rivals, rogne, Rugby Park, Scottish Premier League, st johnstone, steven pressley, tony mowbray, two games, walter smith

Celtic face sobering festive period, says Hinkel

December 6, 2009

Andreas Hinkel said the next month could be vital to Celtic’s title challenge after he helped his side back to the top of the Scottish Premier League with a 3-0 win over 10-man Aberdeen on Saturday.

Rivals Rangers had temporarily gone top with a 3-1 win over Falkirk in the early kick-off match which heaped the pressure on the Hoops.

But Celtic responded with what was their third win in a week at Parkhead which keeps them two points above Rangers, who have a game in hand, in the race for the title.

Celtic face their Glasgow rivals in the Old Firm derby at Parkhead on January 3 and Hinkel has targeted maximum points from their next four league matches to try and ensure the Hoops go into the game top of the table.

“This month is going to be very important for us with some hard games before the Rangers game,” the German said.

“It’s important that we take full points from them – that is the goal we have.

“The next two games, away to Motherwell and Hearts, could be vital. They are tough games but I think we can win these games and we have to.”

Against Aberdeen Marc Crosas picked out Hinkel on the right and his low ball across the box was met by Australian striker Scott McDonald, who fired the ball into the net off Langfield for the opener.

Georgios Samaras scored a double either side of Jerel Ifil’s sending off for violent conduct and Glenn Loovens and Niall McGinn saw efforts cleared off the line as Celtic ran riot in the second-half.

New Celtic manager Tony Mowbray and his team have come in for criticism this season as they struggled for form with just two wins out of ten in all competitions before their recent hat-trick of wins.

And though happy with the win, Mowbray is not about to change his habit of balancing out praise of his team with their shortcomings.

“You are never totally satisfied as a coach but there were plenty of pleasing things today,” Mowbray said.

“There have been periods of the season where we’ve been very good but that has been punctured as we’ve gone along by the odd game where we’ve dropped points.

“This week we’ve had a bit of consistency as we won three games but I have seen consistency in the performance for a few weeks.

“Management is not here to be enjoyed. I’m here to hopefully get the best out my players and at times of difficulty keep the group together and keep them believing.

“When things are going well my job is to keep their feet on the ground.

“We need to keep going because it’s a long season and at the end of the day I understand the next time we drop points it will be a crisis again.”

At Parkhead Aberdeen were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when Ifil saw red for violent conduct after lashing out at Samaras with his boot after the pair contested a high ball.

Mark McGhee was furious with his defender and said it may cost him his place in the side.

“If there is such a thing as a double red card then he should have got it,” the Dons boss said.

“It was stupid and reckless. It was lazy. The boy has been playing well but Zander Diamond is only a couple of weeks away from fitness.

“He might lose his place in the side because of this. I have no complaints about it apart from with him.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, andreas hinkel, Falkirk, Glasgow, hard games, hat trick, hoops, jerel, marc crosas, mark mcghee, maximum points, mcginn, motherwell, Niall, Niall McGinn, parkhead, premier league, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, shortcomings, striker, title challenge, tony mowbray, two games, violent conduct, Zander Diamond

Samaras at the double as Celtic stay top

December 5, 2009

A goal from Scott McDonald and a Georgios Samaras double sealed a 3-0 win for Celtic over ten-man Aberdeen and kept the Glasgow giants top of the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

Champions and rivals Rangers’ 3-1 win over Falkirk in the early kick-off heaped the pressure on the Hoops and they struggled to break the Dons down in the opening stages.

But Australian McDonald opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Samaras struck either side of Jerel Ifil’s sending off for violent conduct as the Hoops ran riot in the second half.

It was Celtic’s third win in a week at Parkhead and keeps them two points above Rangers, who suffered their only league defeat of the season so far in Aberdeen last week but who have a game in hand.

Tony Mowbray said it was a welcome three points.

“There were some good goals and some good attacking play,” the Celtic manager said.

“Aberdeen are a young athletic side with talented players and were always going to be dangerous but I think we managed to suffocate their counter-attacks.”

Celtic ‘keeper Artur Boruc returned after injury but there was only a place on the bench for club captain Stephen McManus on his return from a two-game suspension.

Mark McGhee made three changes to the side which defeated Rangers last weekend. Captain Mark Kerr was suspended and Andrew Considine and Ifil came in to bolster the Dons defence.

After a Charlie Mulgrew effort in the 14th minute which sailed past Boruc’s post Celtic Danny Fox came close to a sensational solo goal two minutes later for the hosts.

The Celtic defender intercepted a pass on the edge of his own box before going on a surging run that ended with a powerful drive which Jamie Langfield parried.

After sending one effort wide of Langfield’s post, then seeing the Dons keeper produce a fine save from a shot on the turn, McDonald saw his luck change in the 39th minute.

Marc Crosas picked out Andreas Hinkel on the right and his low ball across the box was met by McDonald who fired the ball into the net off Langfield.

Samaras doubled Celtic’s lead in the 52nd minute. McGeady cut in from the right and floated a cross to the back post where the unmarked Greek striker headed high into the net.

Aberdeen were reduced to ten-men in the 56th minute when Ifil was sent off after lashing out at Samaras with his boot after the pair had contested a high ball.

Langfield denied Samaras and McGeady in quick succession before Maurice Ross cleared Glenn Loovens’ header off the line.

Samaras made it 3-0 in the 76th minute. Crosas played a long ball over the top of the Dons defence and the Greek took two touches before prodding it past Langfield.

Landry N’Guemo then crashed a shot off the post before Samaras fired the rebound wide as he missed the chance for a hat-trick and substitute Niall McGinn saw his chipped shot cleared off the line by Ricky Foster as Aberdeen were run ragged.

Mark McGhee felt his side had been well beaten.

“We let ourselves down in the first-half with a lapse of concentration,” the Dons boss said.

“In the end I was looking at the clock and counting it down wanting the game to finish.”

Earlier in the day Kris Boyd scored his 150th goal in the SPL as Rangers won 3-1 away to Falkirk.

Boyd netted a double before Pedro Moutinho pulled one back before half-time. A second-half penalty from Kenny Miller sealed the win for Rangers.

Elsewhere Hibernian remain third with a 2-0 win over Motherwell, Dundee United defeated St Mirren 3-2 and Kilmarnock won 1-0 away to St Johnstone.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, andreas hinkel, Artur Boruc, Boyd, captain mark, captain stephen, captain Stephen McManus, Charlie Mulgrew, club captain, considine, Danny Fox, Dundee, Falkirk, game suspension, georgios, Glasgow, Jamie Langfield, jerel, marc crosas, mark kerr, mark mcghee, Maurice, Niall McGinn, parkhead, Pedro Moutinho, Ricky Foster, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, solo goal, tony mowbray, violent conduct

Rangers desperate to bury Euro nightmare

October 24, 2009

Rangers defender Sasa Papac has targeted a winning run in the Scottish Premier League as they aim to put their European humiliation behind them.

The Bosnian played in the 4-1 humiliation handed out by Romanian minnows Unirea Urzceni at Ibrox to leave the Gers’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Rangers return to domestic duty this weekend as they take on Hibernian, hoping to hold on to top spot in the league and heap pressure on Old Firm rivals Celtic who don’t play Hamilton until Sunday.

The Easter Road outfit have been rejuvenated under new boss John Hughes and currently sit in third place, just two points behind the leaders.

Hibs have had an excellent start to the league campaign with Hughes adding quality additions to the squad in the shape of Anthony Stokes and Liam Miller.

A win for the Edinburgh side would see them take top spot in the table from their hosts.

Walter Smith’s problems have mounted after their midweek European disaster with the news midfielder Pedro Mendes and defensive lynchpin Madjid Bougherra could be missing for several weeks with knee injuries.

Portuguese playmaker Mendes was taken off at half-time against Unirea after giving Rangers the lead in the match. His is the more serious of the injuries with fears he could be ruled out for two months.

Medical staff are more optimistic about Algerian defender Bougherra’s injury but he will definitely miss Saturday’s match.

It is the last thing the supporters want to hear as they try to get over such a disastrous result but Papac says going on a winning run in the league could ease their pain.

“If you are playing for Rangers, every game is important and you must try to take three points every time you step out on the park,” said Papac.

“That will be the case against Hibs this weekend, especially because we will be playing them at Ibrox. I hope we can beat them because going on a winning run could end up being so important to us in the end.

“In Scotland, you need to have over 80 points to win the SPL title and we are still some way from that. It is vital we come out on top as often as possible and especially this weekend. Hibs are a good team and they’re doing very well just now.”

On Sunday, Celtic are away to Hamilton looking to bounce back from their disappointing goalless draw against Motherwell at Parkhead.

Striker Marc-Antoine Fortune has resumed light training but the game against Hamilton has come too early for him.

Defender Glenn Loovens is back after suspension and Andreas Hinkel has recovered from injury. Landry N’Guemo is also in contention after being dropped for the Motherwell match but full-back Daniel Fox is out.

In Saturday’s other fixtures Hearts take on bottom-placed club Falkirk, St Mirren host Motherwell and Aberdeen welcome Dundee United to Pittodrie.

Mark McGhee’s side know a win could see them leapfrog United into the European spots and include new signing Maurice Ross in their squad.

Former Celtic striker Mark Burchill could make his debut for Kilmarnock in their game against St Johnstone.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

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

Sunday

Hamilton v Celtic (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, Anthony Stokes, bosnian, champions league, daniel fox, Dundee, Easter Road, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Hamilton, hanging by a thread, heap, humiliation, john hughes, knee injuries, league campaign, liam miller, lynchpin, marc antoine fortune, mark mcghee, Maurice, medical staff, motherwell, new boss, pedro mendes, playmaker, premier league, quality additions, sasa papac, Scottish Premier League, spl, walter smith

Domestic duties for Celtic after Gunners blow

August 22, 2009

After the glamour of their midweek Champions League match Celtic get back to domestic duty this weekend when they take on St Johnstone at Parkhead.

The Old Firm side went down to a 2-0 defeat to English giants Arsenal in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday.

Now new Hoops boss Tony Mowbray must lift his side for the visit of newly-promoted St Johnstone as they continue on their quest to regain the Scottish Premier League crown from arch-rivals Rangers.

A dominant showing at Pittodrie against Aberdeen on the opening day of the season saw Celtic rack up a 3-1 victory, a performance Mowbray will want his side to repeat.

New signing Landry Nguemo has been in impressive form since joining the Hoops on a loan deal from French club Nancy in the summer.

And while all the talk in Glasgow surrounds the club’s return tie at the Emirates Stadium next week the Cameroonian midfielder says the players were only looking to the match against St Johnstone.

“We were unlucky in the game against Arsenal with the way we lost the two goals but now we must focus on the game against St Johnstone,” said Nguemo.

“Everyone is talking about Arsenal but the players all want to win the championship, so for us this game against St Johnstone is no different. In your head, you have to treat every game the same. It can’t be viewed differently.

“We want to win the league and to do that, you have to focus on every game.”

Celtic have been boosted by the news captain Stephen McManus made his return from injury in a workout against Blackburn Rovers this week, but the game against St Johnstone could be too soon for him.

Saints manager Derek McInnes will be without defender Kevin Rutkiewicz for the trip to Celtic Park but will have taken confidence from his side’s strong performance in their SPL opening day draw with Motherwell.

On Sunday, champions Rangers face a difficult away match at Tynecastle against Hearts.

Walter Smith could hand Kevin Thomson a starting place after he came on as a substitute in last weekend’s 4-1 defeat of Falkirk. The midfielder has been out since November with knee ligament damage and is in need of match fitness.

Kirk Broadfoot, Nacho Novo and Maurice Edu miss out with injuries while Sasa Papac and Kyle Lafferty are suspended.

Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo will be without captain Michael Stewart after he picked up a red card in their match against Dundee United.

New Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee hopes his team can kick-start their season with a win away to Hamilton.

The Dons have had an awful start to their campaign with embarrassing defeats to Czech side Sigma Olomouc followed by their opening day humbling at home to Celtic.

Portuguese striker Marco Paixoa joins twin Flavio in the Hamilton squad for the game after signing on at New Douglas Park this week.

Motherwell host Kilmarnock at Fir Park. Killie were many critics choice for the drop but 3-0 win over Hamilton sees them sit in second.

New Motherwell manager Jim Gannon’s introduction to the SPL was a 2-2 draw with St Johnstone and will be looking for his first home win.

John Hughes takes his Hibernian side to face old club Falkirk in Saturday’s early kick-off match. The Bairns were battered by Rangers last week while Hibs picked up a 2-1 win over St Mirren. St Mirren host a Dundee United side boosted by a 2-0 win over Hearts thanks to new signing Danny Cadamarteri’s double.

Fixtures (1500 GMT, unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Falkirk v Hibernian (1230)

Celtic v St Johnstone

Hamilton v Aberdeen

Motherwell v Kilmarnock

St Mirren v Dundee United

Sunday

Hearts v Rangers (1245)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, arch rivals, blackburn rovers, captain Michael Stewart, captain stephen, captain Stephen McManus, celtic park, Danny Cadamarteri, Derek McInnes, Douglas Park, Dundee, Emirates Stadium, Falkirk, Fir Park, french club, Glasgow, Hamilton, john hughes, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Kirk Broadfoot, landry, league crown, loan deal, Marco Paixoa, mark mcghee, Maurice, mcmanus, motherwell, Nancy, Novo, parkhead, pittodrie, premier league, return tie, Scottish Premier League, st johnstone, tony mowbray, tynecastle, walter smith

McGeady´s double gives Celtic a convincing start

August 15, 2009

Celtic laid down an early marker in the Scottish Premier League title race as last season’s runners-up started the new campaign with a 3-1 victory at Aberdeen on Saturday.

With Tony Mowbray taking charge of his first league match since replacing Gordon Strachan in the close-season, Celtic’s players were keen to show they can win back the title from Rangers and raced into a three-goal lead before half-time.

Aiden McGeady’s double strike and a Scott McDonald goal had the Hoops in control and, although Dons midfielder Sone Aluko pulled one back after the break, there was never any danger of a telling comeback as the visitors got the boost they wanted for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Arsenal at Parkhead.

Celtic were quickly into their stride and McGeady worked a one-two with McDonald before driving wide from the edge of the area.

They kept up the pressure and it took two fine saves from Jamie Langfield to keep out Shaun Maloney. First the winger’s toe-poke from close range was pushed away by Langfield, then seconds later the keeper repelled a powerful Maloney drive.

Langfield was in action again as he saved from Marc Antoine Fortune’s shot but it wasn’t long before Celtic took the lead.

In the 28th minute, Maloney picked out Fortune on the left side of the box and his angled shot was blocked by Langfield, only to loop back off the striker towards McGeady, who bundled the ball over the line.

Aberdeen were in such disarray that boss Mark McGhee hauled off Darren Mackie to try to spark his side into life.

It made no difference and McGeady increased Celtic’s lead with a superb curling effort in the 42nd minute.

There was still time for Celtic to grab a third before half-time as Dons defender Richard Foster failed to clear a Fortune cross and Australia striker McDonald slammed home.

With one eye on the Arsenal clash, Mowbray replaced Glenn Loovens with Scott Brown and moved Massimo Donati back to defence.

In the 61st minute, Aberdeen claimed a consolation goal through Aluko.

Substitute Michael Paton sent in a cross which was laid off by Gary McDonald and Aluko controlled the ball on his chest before sending a dipping volley from 16 yards over Artur Boruc.

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: Aberdeen, aluko, Artur Boruc, Australia, boss, celtic, close range, consolation, Darren Mackie, disarray, gary mcdonald, Glasgow, gordon strachan, hoops, Jamie Langfield, marc antoine fortune, mark mcghee, massimo donati, mcgeady, Michael Paton, parkhead, premier league, Richard Foster, Scott Brown, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, Shaun Maloney, striker, tony mowbray, winger

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.