Rangers manager Walter Smith saluted his side after clinching back-to-back Scottish Premier League titles courtesy of Kyle Lafferty s goal in a 1-0 win over Hibernian to lift some of the gloom amid well-documented financial struggles.
It was Smith s ninth title in his two spells at the club and his 19th major trophy in 19 years of management.
Since his return to the Ibrox club three-and-a-half years ago Rangers have won six trophies and made it to the UEFA Cup final in 2008, their first appearance in a European final in 35 years.
But the Gers gaffer claims this title could take pride of place in his achievements coming against a backdrop of financial uncertainty and doubts over the future ownership of the club which have seen them unable to sign a player in near…
Fabio Capello failed in a bid to persuade Paul Scholes to join England s bid for World Cup glory, he revealed on Tuesday as he unveiled a 30-man provisional squad for South Africa.
But the Italian was successful in convincing Jamie Carragher to end his self-imposed exile from international football and the Liverpool defender was included in a selection which also features Ledley King, despite the Tottenham defender s well-documented chronic knee condition.
Carragher retired from England duty in 2007 after growing unhappy at his lack of first-team chances during the reigns of Sven Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.
The 32-year-old later admitted in his autobiography that he felt worse when he lost a Liverpool match than he did when England lost.
Capello s…
Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura said he has never thought about leaving the French club.
The Brazilian has attracted interest from several big clubs, with some reports suggesting he is set to make a move to the Premier League.
Lucas was purchased by PSG for €40million and arrived at the club in January 2013, and he has scored 19 goals in over 130 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit.
He has helped the club to three straight league titles, just as many Trophee des Champions, two Coupe de la Ligues, and one Coupe de France.
The 23-year-old said he is flattered by the interest from other clubs but claimed he cannot see himself leaving the Parc des Princes any time soon.
I am pleased with the interest of big clubs in me if it is true it shows …
Craig Garnder, Sunderland’s goal-scoring hero from the weekend, is being eyed by a host of Championship clubs,.
Queens Park Rangers, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest are all keen on taking the 27 year old, who has just made seven starts in the Premier League so far this season.
However, Black Cats boss Gus Poyet is keen to keep hold of the midfielder, as they continue to participate in both cups, as well as attempting to secure their top flight status.
Gardner, who moved to the North East from Birmingham in 2011, is out of contract at the end of the season.
He was linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion in January, but Poyet refused to sanction a sale to a relegation rival.
Sunderland continue their bid for survival at title chasin…
Brendan Rodgers at Anfield, Steve Bruce against Manchester United and a chance for Tottenham to win back some pride.
There are fascinating subplots threaded throughout this weekend s Premier League fixtures as each club aims to take momentum into the international break.
Think you know how the action is going to unfold?
Test your top-flight knowledge with our Opta-powered big Friday Premier League quiz!
Answers are at the bottom of the page.
1. Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has scored seven top-flight goals against this weekend s opponents Liverpool. Can you name the only two players to have netted more Premier League goals against the Reds?
The manager on Jamie Vardy
He’s recognised as one of the best strikers…
Iker Casillas does not have a contract or the medical authorisation to play in one of Porto s final Primeira Liga games, says head coach Sergio Conceicao.
Real Madrid and Spain legend Casillas suffered a heart attack in a training session in May 2019 and has since retired as a player.
Porto wrapped up the Primeira Liga title with two games to spare by beating Sporting CP 2-0 on Wednesday.
Supporters subsequently posted #IkerCampeao on social media in a bid to get the 39-year-old goalkeeper an appearance before the conclusion of the season so he can be part of the triumph.
However, Conceicao criticised the movement because Casillas is not eligible to play for Porto anymore.
People who ask for this have no idea what is going on. Iker cannot play, C…
Spanish football is riding the crest of a wave following Spain s Euro 2008 victory and the record-breaking achievements of Barcelona in 2009, and La Roja are the favourites for the World Cup.
Having been drawn alongside Honduras, Chile and Switzerland in Group H, they will expect to make the last 16, where Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast are all potential opponents if they top their group.
Their best previous performance was a fourth-place finish in 1950 but in players like goalkeeper Iker Casillas, midfield magicians Xavi and Andres Iniesta and lethal strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres they possess the kind of quality that emerges only once in a generation.
Spain qualified with a flawless record, winning all 10 matches in their European qualifying group,…
No contest, is there?
FIFA have announced the ten nominees for the ‘Golden Ball’ award at the World Cup, otherwise known as the player of the tournament.
Let’s look at each of the players, in alphabetical order:
Andres Iniesta Spain
26 years old 48 caps
Although Iniesta is a technically gifted player who has a telepathic understanding with club and country colleague Xavi, I’m not sure he has quite produced his best at this tournament.
He has only been brilliant whereas his normal level is ‘absolutely’ brilliant. He was a doubt for the tournament with an injury and he hasn’t looked fully fit. He is getting better with each game and I fully expect him to star in the final tomorrow.
Arjen Robben Holland
26 years old 51 caps
Another p…
La Nazione is reporting that Fiorentina are weighing up January move for AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes.
Viola are short of options in the heart of defence after seeing Stefan Savic and Jose Basanta leave and they appear ready to rekindle interest in the French stopper.
Fiorentina were on the verge of recruiting Mexes this summer, but AC Milan chiefs ultimately pulled the plug on the deal.
Nevertheless, Viola officials plan to return for the 33-year-old in the winter, considering that the player will then have just six months left on his contract.
And with Mexes unlikely to see much playing time under Sinisa Mihajlovic, a January exit does appear on the cards.
The former France international joined AC Milan on a free transfer from AS Roma four …
Mario Balotelli celebrated his 50th Milan appearance by opening the scoring in their 3-0 win over Serie A strugglers Livorno on Saturday.
Adel Taarabt and Giampaolo Pazzini joined Balotelli on the scoresheet to settle the contest at San Siro and pile more misery on the relegation-threatened visitors.
The win marks Milan s fifth straight Serie A victory and keeps their hopes of UEFA Europa League qualification alive, as well as easing the pressure on coach Clarence Seedorf amid rumours that he will be replaced at the end of the season.
Balotelli had been a doubt to start after leaving the warm-up early with an apparent thigh problem, but showed no ill-effects as his 30th goal for the club ensured they led at the break.
Milan continued to dominate after the break,…