Substitute gives dour Rangers a little cheer

January 23, 2010


Super-sub Andrew Little rescued a point for Rangers as he struck a last minute equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw against ten-man Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

Scott Robinson gave Hearts the lead in the 75th minute just 90 seconds after Hearts player Christian Nade saw red for his second bookable offence.

A spirited performance from the Hearts defence looked to have sealed the win before Northern Irishman Little popped up to strike his first club for the club.

The point takes the league leaders ten points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League although rivals Celtic have two games in hand, starting with their match against St Johnstone on Sunday.

In the absence of the 31-goal partnership of Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller through injury Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck, who between them had scored three this season, filled in up front for Rangers.

Nade had the first real effort of the match in the fifth minute. Captain Michael Stewart picked him out at the edge of the box but he blasted his shot high over the bar.

With some of the Rangers players slow out of the blocks it was Lafferty who was first to try his luck but the Northern Irishman’s shot on the turn didn’t trouble Marian Kello.

Kello had to be at his best to produce a spectacular one-handed save low down to his right to prevent Steven Davis’ curling free-kick creeping in.

The home side threatened again from another set-piece when Kevin Thomson’s floated free-kick into a packed Hearts box was headed just over by Kirk Broadfoot.

Allan McGregor had to be alert at the start of the second-half when he saw Nade’s low drive late and got a fingertip to it to force in round the post.

Hearts were then forced on to the back foot with Sasa Papac stinging the hands of Kello with a 30-yard pile-driver.

Rangers were driving forward in search of an opener and Davis and Lee McCulloch both blasted efforts well over before Lafferty was presented with a golden chance to give his side the lead.

Fleck burst through the Hearts defence at pace and slipped in the beanpole striker but he hit his shot straight off the body of the out-rushing Kello. Hearts were reduced to ten-men in the 72nd minute following a moment of madness from Nade.

The Costa Rican, who had been booked just three minutes beforehand for a foul on McGregor, kicked the ball away in frustration after being flagged off-side and referee Calum Murray quickly gave him his marching orders.

However the sending off seemed to spur Hearts on and they took the lead 90 seconds later. Lee Wallace’s low drive was superbly saved by McGregor but Robinson got in front of Papac to slide the rebound into the net.

Rangers brought on youngsters Little and Gregg Wylde as they chased an equaliser but it was Hearts substitute Ryan Wallace who came closest when his drive was blocked by McGregor on the line.

Papac blasted a chance high over from ten yards before Little rescued a point for Rangers in the final minute.

McCulloch fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box was saved by Kello but the Northern Irish striker was first to the rebound to strike it home to keep Rangers’ ten-month unbeaten record at Ibrox intact.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Whittaker wants to be Rangers spearhead

January 23, 2010


Steven Whittaker has told Rangers manager Walter Smith he can be the answer to the Ibrox club’s striker crisis as they prepare to face Hearts at Ibrox on Saturday.

The utility man struck a double in extra-time at Ibrox on Tuesday to sink Hamilton’s Scottish Cup hopes.

The win booked their place in the last 16 of the competition but came at a price with forwards Nacho Novo and Kenny Miller both limping out with injuries.

And with top scorer Kris Boyd already out following a hernia operation and Steven Naismith still struggling for fitness it leaves Smith with few options up front.

It means youngsters John Fleck or Andrew Little could partner Kyle Lafferty, who has shaken off a flu bug, although Novo has a fighting chance of making Saturday’s clash.

However Whittaker, who has struck eight goals this season, says he could fill in up front in a game that could see Rangers open up a 12-point lead at the top.

“In my younger days I played up front,” Whittaker said.

“I played off the front two when I was a youth player, but then I gradually worked my way wide to either right, left or full-back.

“I have filled in at various positions before for Rangers. It’s nice for other people to chip in with some goals – myself included. I’m now creeping up towards double figures and hopefully I can reach that before the end of the season – especially with some of the strikers injured.”

Hearts, who have recovered from a poor start to the season to occupy fifth spot, could welcome back Marius Zaliukas and Jose Gonclaves from injury but Craig Thomson is out following surgery.

Tony Mowbray takes his Celtic side to Perth to take on St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Hoops boss has come under fire following his side’s 1-1 draw with bottom club Falkirk last weekend which saw Celtic slip nine points behind Rangers, although they have a game in hand.

Mowbray is still without Scott Brown, Shaun Maloney, Daniel Fox and top scorer Scott McDonald through injury and captain Stephen McManus is also struggling.

However, central defenders Jos Hooiveld and Thomas Rogne could be in line to make their debuts and Ki Sung-Yeung will look to add to his impressive first showing against Falkirk.

Elsewhere on Saturday, interim Motherwell manager Craig Brown will be hoping his side can bounce back from their Scottish Cup defeat to First Division side Inverness Caledonian Thistle as they take on St Mirren at Fir Park.

Aberdeen welcome former manager Jimmy Calderwood, now in charge of Kilmarnock, back to Pittodrie for their clash with the Ayrshire side.

Hibernian will be aiming to regain third spot from Dundee United as they welcome Hamilton to Easter Road.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Hamilton, Motherwell v St Mirren (1230), Rangers v Hearts

Sunday

Falkirk v Dundee United (1315), St Johnstone v Celtic (1530)

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Burnley appoint Davis as caretaker boss

January 6, 2010


Burnley have appointed first-team coach Steve Davis as caretaker manager as they prepare for the imminent departure of manager Owen Coyle to Premier League rivals Bolton.

Davis will take charge for Burnley’s league match against Stoke on Saturday with the support of goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes, club chairman Barry Kilby has confirmed.

“The backroom staff will take the team on Saturday and Steve will be in charge,” said Kilby.

Lawyers from both clubs are currently working on a compensation deal for Coyle, who has expressed a wish to leave Turf Moor for Bolton where he played in the mid 1990s.

Coyle was appointed Burnley boss in November 2007 following spells in charge of Scottish clubs Falkirk and St Johnstone.

The Scot, 43, quickly made his mark in England with Burnley generating a number of upsets in cup competitions before winning promotion to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

Although Bolton are currently in the Premier League’s bottom three, Coyle will enjoy considerably greater resources there than he has done at Burnley, who are only two points clear of the drop zone.

LONDON (AFP)

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Bad weather disrupts Scottish football

January 2, 2010


Saturday’s Scottish Premier League matches between Falkirk and St Johnstone and Motherwell and Hamilton have both been postponed because of frozen pitches.

Meanwhile, the cold weather affecting much of Britain led to the entire postponement of all of the scheduled fixtures in the three divisions of the Scottish Football League.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Boyd double keeps Gers in title mix

December 13, 2009


A Kris Boyd double helped Rangers to a convincing 3-0 win over St Johnstone to keep them two points behind Celtic in the race for the Scottish Premier League title.

Celtic’s 3-2 win over Motherwell in the early kick-off meant Rangers started the game five points behind but they showed no signs of nerves as Boyd netted within 30 seconds.

Nacho Novo won a penalty mid-way through the half which Boyd duly converted before the Spaniard added a second-half strike as Rangers ran riot.

Rangers will have the chance to top the table if they win their game in hand over Dundee United on Tuesday.

“Throughout the match we created an awful lot of opportunities,” Ranger manager Walter Smith said.

“We should have done better when we did get the opportunities but all-in-all I’m delighted with the performance.”

St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes said: “We slit our own throats and never got going defensively at all.

“All credit to the lads who kept going, but it wasn’t an enjoyable afternoon.”

Before kick-off a thigh injury for Allan McGregor meant Neil Alexander took his place between the posts, Kirk Broadfoot made his first start in nine months while Boyd also returned from injury.

And it took just 30 seconds for the SPL’s top-scorer to add to his already impressive tally for the season.

A slack clearance allowed DaMarcus Beasley to play in Boyd, who spun on the edge of the box and sent a measured shot beyond former Rangers keeper Graeme Smith.

Only a fingertip save from Smith stopped Kenny Miller from doubling the lead in the eighth minute with the keeper at full-stretch to keep out his acrobatic volley.

A lapse in concentration allowed Chris Millar to rob Novo of possession just outside his own box before he unleashed a fierce drive that Alexander did well to turn round the post.

Broadfoot almost marked his Rangers return with a goal in the 19th minute but he headed Novo’s pass over the bar.

Novo won the home side a penalty in the 27th minute. The Spaniard was quickest to a loose ball in the box but was sent flying by the trailing hand of Smith as he rounded the keeper.

Boyd stepped up to take the resultant penalty and he buried his shot low into the bottom left-hand corner. Miller came close with a dipping volley from 12 yards that just cleared the bar before he turned provider for Boyd with only the outstretched leg of Smith denying the striker his hat-trick.

Boyd did have the ball in the net in the 45th minute but was flagged offside before he finished high past the keeper. The lively Novo added a third in the 51st minute.

Beasley’s cross picked out Miller in the box whose shot was well saved by Smith but Novo was there to drill the rebound into the net from 10 yards. A slack Kevin Thomson pass allowed Graham Gartland to race in on goal but his lobbed shot floated over the crossbar before Saint’s Millar sent a weak header straight to Alexander.

Novo was inches away from his second as he slammed a shot off the post from the edge of the box, Smith saved well from Beasley’s rising shot and sub John Fleck fired just over as Saints were run ragged.

In the early kick-off Georgios Samaras gave Celtic the lead before goals from Lukas Jutkiewicz and Mark Reynolds sent Motherwell in ahead at the break. Aiden McGeady scored Celtic’s 1000th SPL goal to equalise and Barry Robson missed a penalty before substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune scored a 25-yard screamer within seconds of coming on to seal the win.

Elsewhere St Mirren and Falkirk and Kilmarnock versus Hibernian both finished 1-1, Hearts and Dundee United ended goalless and Hamilton won 2-1 away to Aberdeen.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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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)

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Rangers power into Scottish League Cup semi-finals

October 28, 2009


Rangers powered into the Scottish League Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Dundee in the last eight on Tuesday.

Walter Smith’s side, who reached the League Cup final last season, took an early lead when Steven Whittaker headed home John Fleck’s cross in the 15th minute.

Dundee’s Leigh Griffiths equalised after 29 minutes with a superb free-kick to claim his 12th goal of the season.

But the First Division leaders were denied an upset as Gary MacKenzie nodded Whittaker’s cross into his own net in the 57th minute before Fleck’s 85th minute strike, set up by Nacho Novo’s run, completed the job for the Scottish champions.

St Mirren will join Rangers in the last four after turning on the style with a 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Michael Higdon headed home in the 23rd minute and Jack Ross added a deflected second in the 61st minute.

Motherwell had come from two down to draw in Paisley on Saturday but their comeback attempts ended when Stephen Craigan netted an 80th minute own goal.

St Johnstone stormed into the semi-finals for the second time in four seasons with a 2-1 win against Dundee United.

Steven Anderson put Saints ahead in the 72nd minute when his effort deflected off Sean Dillon.

Darren Dods deflected a free-kick from Liam Craig past his own goalkeeper four minutes later to put Saints on course for victory but Prince Buaben’s first goal in Scottish football, in the 82nd minute, gave United a glimmer of hope.

GLASGOW (AFP)

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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)

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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)

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Champions League Play-offs: Mowbray focuses on Gunners

August 25, 2009


Celtic boss Tony Mowbray will take no notice of the convincing home win over St Johnstone when he writes out the team lines ahead of the Champions League play-off clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Hoops, who trail 2-0 from the first leg in Glasgow, warmed up with a 5-2 win over the Clydesdale Bank Premier League new boys at Celtic Park.

Marc-Antoine Fortune and Scott McDonald were reinstated to the side after being dropped for the visit of the Gunners and both found the net, with the former Nancy striker scoring his first two goals since his move from the French club in the summer.

And Shaun Maloney grabbed a double, with Collin Samuel and Jody Morris scoring consolations for the visitors.

But Mowbray has now, turned his attention to Arsenal, revealing that his starting 11 is already picked.

“When the Arsenal tie came out, my idea of how the team might play was settled pretty quickly,” Mowbray said.

“The result of the first leg alters your thought patterns of how you might set up in the second leg.

“If we had been sitting here 2-0 up, then I would probably play a different team to one that is 2-0 down and having to score some goals.

“But I am pretty clear in my mind what my team will be next Wednesday.

“I understand that if we lose 2-0 again, I will be judged to have got the team wrong again but if we win 3-0 then hopefully everyone will be pretty happy.”

While, Mowbray will be without Cameroon international Landry N’Guemo through suspension, the Celtic boss claimed that was not the only reason he was left out of the St Johnstone game.

“It was partly that,” Mowbray said.

“But he has two international games coming up halfway round the world and if you have the opportunity to look after your players, you take it.”

Mowbray, however, will risk the ire of the Celtic fans and indeed Fortune and McDonald, if his two main strikers are relegated again to the bench in London.

Fortune insisted it was only a matter of time before he broke his duck at his new club and is looking to build on that double against the Gunners.

“I hoped to start last Tuesday, I hope to start every game,” Fortune said.

“Every player wants to play in the big games in the Champions League so of course I was a bit disappointed but the team comes first.

“It will be difficult because, as everyone knows, Arsenal are a tough team to play against.

“But we did it against Moscow in the previous round so we will see what happens on Wednesday.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

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