Football The Number 1 Sport

9-0 Celtic Run Riot.......

2010-11-08T13:00:00.000Z

9-0 Celtic Run Riot.......
A potent display by Celtic's strikeforce blew Aberdeen away in an afternoon of high drama at Celtic Park.
Anthony Stokes opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Dons captain Paul Hartley saw red for handball.

Gary Hooper grabbed a brace before Celtic's Thomas Rovne also saw red, Stokes then converting another penalty.
Josh Magennis netted an own goal and Hooper claimed his hat-trick before Joe Ledley, a third for Stokes and a Paddy McCourt penalty completed the rout.
The home side started brightly, perhaps boosted by the news that club legend Henrik Larsson was watching from the stands, but could not carve out a clear chance in the opening minutes despite their pressure.
Stokes was the first to have a go at goal, picking up on a pass from Hooper, but his fierce right-footed drive flew over the bar.

Chris Maguire was first to have an effort for the visitors after Darren Mackie won the ball in midfield, but the young striker took too long before shooting allowing Celtic keeper Fraser Forster to narrow the angle and put the ball out for a corner.
Ki Sung-Yeung then fired in a shot from inside the box which Hartley blocked with his arm, referee Alan Muir pointed immediately for the spot and Hartley saw red.
Stokes sent Langfield the wrong way with his spot-kick to open the scoring - his sixth goal of the season.
Almost straight from the kick-off Celtic doubled their lead, Hooper outmuscled Zander Diamond before crashing a shot past Langfield from about 12 yards out.

Aberdeen's afternoon went from bad to worse when Hooper claimed his second of the match, as Diamond deflected Niall McGinn's cross into the path of Hooper who fired home from close range.
Rovne then hauled down Maguire on the edge of the box and referee Muir produced his second red card of the match, deeming the offence a clear goalscoring opportunity.
The half ended on a dramatic note in keeping with the way the game was evolving as Langfield brought down Shaun Maloney inside the six-yard box.

Stokes converted the penalty to double his own personal tally, with Celtic fans left wondering why Langfield was shown a yellow card rather than red.
Stokes and Hooper were causing the Dons defence all sorts of problems, and Hooper was left with the first chance of the second half, but his shot after chesting the ball was turned
past the post by Langfield.
Hooper seemed eager to claim a hat-trick, and he flashed a volley just wide of the mark after a cut-back from right-back Cha Du Ri.

However, it was Magennis who scored next, putting his side five goals down as, stretching to head a cross clear, he diverted the ball past Langfield and into the net.
Hooper was not to be denied though, and, shortly after, he peeled off Diamond and flashed a back post header past Langfield.

Ledley then deceived Langfield with a low, driven effort with the visitors in complete disarray.
Almost straight from the restart, Stokes joined Hooper in grabbing a hat-trick, robbing Maguire of the ball before slotting calmly past Langfield.
Maloney was then brought down in the box for a second time for a penalty which this time was converted by substitute McCourt to put Celtic on cloud nine.

Celtic were toying with the visitors, whose confidence had utterly evaporated, leaving a question mark over the future of under-pressure Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee.(watch all 9 goals in the vodpod widget in sidebar just click on top video and watch)

Man City Mancini will appeal red card

2010-11-08T12:51:00.000Z

Roberto Mancini believes it is vital Manchester City are going into Wednesday's derby clash with Manchester United having returned to form - and hopes their match-winner on Sunday Mario Balotelli might be available for the Eastlands encounter.

Balotelli eased some of the pressure on his manager and fellow Italian Mancini by netting twice in the first half against West Brom at the Hawthorns as City secured a 2-0 victory to halt their run of three successive defeats. But the 20-year-old's afternoon turned sour after the break as he received a yellow card having clattered in to Marek Cech and was then given his marching orders within minutes following a tangle with Youssouf Mulumbu - who was also dismissed late on for scything down Carlos Tevez.
Rejecting suggestions Balotelli had kicked out at Mulumbu, Mancini said: "I absolutely do not agree with the referee about this sending-off."

Mancini intends to appeal against the decision by referee Lee Probert. That opens up the possibility of the striker being cleared in time to face second-placed United, who City, in fourth spot, are now once again only three points behind in the Barclays Premier League.
He added: "A red card for what? He played a fantastic game, he scored two goals, but the sending-off was very strange.
"I want to know why it was a direct red card. For me this is not correct and the referee must explain."
City were in second place behind leaders Chelsea before suffering a slump in results, and asked how significant he thought it was for his side to have got back to winning ways before the derby, Mancini said: "It is important because we are in a good position. We have this game (against United) and we can get to second position again."
West Brom have now picked up three red cards in the space of a week after they were reduced to nine men at Blackpool last Monday.

While Pablo Ibanez's was rescinded following an appeal, Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo had no complaints about the decision to send Gonzalo Jara off in that match and was similarly accepting that Mulumbu deserved to go against City - although he also felt there was nothing wrong with Balotelli's dismissal.
"I think the referee was in a good position on the (Balotelli) sending-off," Di Matteo said. "My player wasn't happy with the challenge and the official was there. In terms of the second one, for my player, I think there was no doubt about it."

Mock The Weekend
He scores two goals at the Hawthorns, he barely celebrates either. He gets sent off for a pointless dive and a petulant swipe, he doesn't visibly react either. Of course, it helps to be a 20-year-old that gets paid so much money it really doesn't matter how you perform (although not so much that he was prepared to throw away his £1.99 gloves in disgust). It also helps that the young Italian is pretty clearly off his rocker.

Mock The Weekend read more HERE

Who is Man City's best signing since Mancini took over????
    * Yaya Touré
    * Jerome Boateng
    * David Silva
    * Mario Barwuah Balotelli
    * James Milner
    * Aleksandar Kolarov
This summer saw changes aplenty at Eastlands as Roberto Mancini sought to stamp his own brand on the Manchester City squad, adding six players at considerable expense.
The Italian strengthened each department of the team as City attempt to hold their own among the Premier League's elite clubs and push for invaluable Champions League qualification.
Goal.com UK, in association with Castrol Football, wants to know which player you think has been City's best summer signing.

Click To Vote

More Players who could be leaving........
Mancini has already shown that he is not afraid to dump big-name players after he sent fans' favourite Craig Bellamy on loan to Cardiff City earlier in the season.
Shay Given, Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge and Shaun Wright-Phillips are all strongly believed to be on their way out of Eastlands.

Read the full story HERE

All off Robinho's man city goals

2010-11-01T21:26:00.001Z

Robinho Manchester City 08/09 All Goals, posted with vodpod

EPL match reviews sat 30th oct 2010/11

2010-10-31T09:41:00.000Z

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United established their usual top three positions in the Premier League with gritty victories but Manchester City lost ground with their second successive defeat on Saturday.

Leaders Chelsea snatched a 2-1 win at Blackburn Rovers through a late Branislav Ivanovic strike and Alex Song's 88th-minute header secured a 1-0 home win for Arsenal over West Ham United.

Manchester United, who have not lost at home to Tottenham Hotspur for 21 years, notched up another win in the series as a Nemanja Vidic header and a bizarre late goal by Nani secured a 2-0 success.

Manchester City followed last week's 3-0 loss to Arsenal by going down 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton beat Stoke City 1-0 with Aiyegbeni Yakubu's first goal of the season. Fulham beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 thanks to two goals by Clint Dempsey.

Chelsea lead the table with 25 points from 10 games, five ahead of Arsenal and United and eight clear of City.

Autumn games against mid-table opposition are often looked back upon as decisive in the title race and the top four may come to see Oct. 30 as a key date in their seasons.

Blackburn were well on top of a lacklustre Chelsea in the early stages and took a deserved lead through Benjani Mwaruwari after 21 minutes before the visitors hit back through Nicolas Anelka six minutes before halftime.

Chelsea, held 1-1 by Blackburn last season, eventually awoke from their torpor but struggled to create chances until Yuri Zhirkov's cross was headed home by Ivanovic after 84 minutes.

It was an all-action start at Old Trafford as Ji-sung Park hit a post with a shot for United and Rafael van der Vaart doing the same for Spurs.

Both sides showed plenty of invention and attacking intent but the breakthrough came from a straightforward set-piece goal as Vidic headed home a Nani free kick after 31 minutes.

Spurs then lost the impressive Van der Vaart with a hamstring strain that could keep him out of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan but the bad day was far from finished.

In an incident that will be replayed relentlessly, Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes thought he had been awarded a free kick and placed the ball on the ground in front of his goal.

Nani, seemingly aware that the referee had in fact ruled "play on", nipped in and tucked the ball into the unguarded net and, despite furious protests, the goal was given.

DOMINATED POSSESSION

Arsenal dominated possession at the Emirates, hitting the woodwork twice, but had to wait until the 88th minute to find a way past an obdurate West Ham as Gael Clichy crossed for Song to nod in his third goal in a week.

"Song is amazing, he has added something to his game. He came as a centre back, becomes a defensive midfielder and now he's playing like a striker," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Manchester City were all over Wolves initially but after a 23rd-minute Emmanuel Adebayor penalty they sat back and paid a heavy price when Nenad Milijas equalised and David Edwards scrambled in a winner after 57 minutes.

City manager Roberto Mancini was perplexed by the turnaround.

"We played very well for the first 15 minutes, some fantastic football, but after that I don't know why we finished playing football," he said.

"It's important for me to understand why this happened today. At the moment I don't. Maybe because we played well in the first 15 minutes we thought it was an easy game but it does not exist and in the end Wolves deserved to win the game."

Man utd win with an outragous 2nd goal........
With most off the talk focused on the Nani goal and how he cheated by even thinking he should have kicked the ball into an empty net after he handled it i had to post this next story in my opinion he should not have got the goal and should have got a yellow card for thinking about it, BUT on the other hand the whistle had not gone and we all no you always play till the ref blows, the goal stood and really the linesman is to blame fully here he saw the hand ball the ref maybe did not see it and for the linesman to have put his flag up so so late is outragous BUT he did put it up so the goal should not have stood once he explained to the ref what had happend the ref should have dissallowed it players should start being honest or are we all dreaming there all footballers are taught from an early age always play till the whistle blows so really who is at fault here?????

Manchester United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Old Trafford in a match marred by a farcical second goal scored by Nani.
Spurs' woeful record when visiting the Red Devils was maintained thanks to Nemanja VIdic's header on the half-hour mark.

Nani then doubled the lead late on in farcical circumstances. Goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes placed the ball down inside his box in the belief that Spurs had been awarded a free-kick for a handball from the Portuguese - who went down with a reasonable claim for a penalty - but referee Mark Clattenburg, who never blew his whistle, allowed the forward to casually trot up to the ball and knock it into the unguarded net.

The referee's assistant raised his flag to disallow the goal, but Clattenburg overruled his assistant, despite Nani clearly handling the ball after hitting the ground under pressure from Younes Kaboul, seemingly believing play had stopped. The goal stood, and the incident can now be added to the list of controversial events in the recent history of this fixture.

However, for all the mentions of incidents involving Pedro Mendes, Howard Webb or anyone else, the fact remains that the last time the Londoners won at Old Trafford, Gary Lineker scored the winner.

Spurs winger Gareth Bale, 21, was just five months old when his club claimed that 1-0 win, whilst the United full-back who did such a good job of controlling him, Rafael da Silva, had not even been born.

Despite Rafael managing largely to neutralise the Welshman's threat, Spurs still offered plenty in this match with, predictably, Rafael van der Vaart at the heart of all that was good about their play.

After a bright start from United - in which Park Ji-sung struck the post with a fierce low 20-yard drive - the Dutchman responded by hitting the woodwork at the other end with a rasping shot that crashed off the crossbar with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar well beaten, before flashing another strike over the target.

Park bent an effort wide of the Spurs upright, and Rafael did likewise after a slaloming run into the area but, before the skill and guile on show, it was the most basic of goals that broke the deadlock.

Javier Hernandez drew a foul from Spurs defender Younes Kaboul out on the right, and Nani's inviting free-kick was met by a timely run from the unmarked Vidic, who glanced his header past Gomes for his second of the season.

Unperturbed by going behind, Spurs continued to threaten, and a smart corner from Van der Vaart was clipped back to Luka Modric, who forced a decent save from Van der Sar - who became the ninth player over 40 years of age to play in the Premier League with this appearance.

After the break the match began to lose much of the preceding tempo and attacking ambition, with United gradually putting the squeeze on Spurs.

Bale marauded across the pitch before flashing a strike wide of the far post, before substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko's shot from distance deflected off Vidic and almost beat Van der Sar, but in general chances were at more of a premium

After Nani's comical goal doubled United's lead, the Portuguese seemed determined to score a genuine strike, and fired in a dipping rocket from distance that clipped the top of the crossbar.

To compound Tottenham's misery at yet again leaving Old Trafford with nothing save for frustration and a sense of injustice, Van der Vaart was substituted in the latter stages after feeling a twinge in his hamstring, a worrying sign ahead of their Champions League clash with Internazionale in midweek.

Man City Vs Wolves and Guess who wants RSC?

2010-10-29T20:26:00.000+01:00

Image by eckster via FlickrTEAM NEWS
Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez is out with a thigh injury. Tevez came off during the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend after suffering a dead leg and has been given permission by City boss Roberto Mancini to travel to Argentina to visit his family before reporting back on Monday. Dedryck Boyata is supended following his sending-off against the Gunners, while Aleksandar Kolarov (ankle) and Michael Johnson (toe) are still not ready to return to first-team action - but Kolo Toure should be fit to feature having missed the last three games with a hamstring problem.
Wolves skipper Karl Henry returns from suspension. The midfielder has served a three-match ban following his sending-off against Wigan a month ago. Central defender Jody Craddock is still sidelined with a thigh injury but is hoping to return to action in two weeks' time, while Stephen Hunt is in contention to make his first league start since his summer move from Hull after recovering from a foot injury.
KEY FACTS
Wolves’ first ever win in the Premier League came at home to Manchester City back in October 2003.
Carlos Tevez scored twice in this fixture last season.
Wolves are the only Premier League team not to have kept a clean sheet this season.
Wolves have not won since the opening day and have lost five of their last six games.
City have gone three games without keeping a clean sheet.
Manchester City have not won three successive Premier League away games since April 2007.
City have had just three attempts on goal emanating from indirect free-kicks this season, the fewest in the league.
No team has scored fewer second half goals than Wanderers this season, two.
Wolves have scored only one goal from a set piece this season, a joint-low.
Christophe Berra has picked up three yellows and one red card in his last six Premier League appearances.
MATCH ODDS
Wolverhampton 15/4, Draw 23/10, Manchester City 4/6

RSC can leave
Santa Cruz has played only once this season and was recently quoted as stating his desire to leave City in the next transfer window.

Roberto Mancini believes Roque Santa Cruz deserves better than his current predicament at Manchester City and hopes the Paraguay international can find another club in January
It has been a disappointing time for the striker at Eastlands since his arrival from Blackburn in 2009 and Mancini has given the green light for Santa Cruz to move on.

"Roque is a fantastic man and a good player, but he knows the situation here," the City manager said. "I am very sorry for him because Roque deserves to play every game because he works very well.

"But it is difficult at the moment. I hope for him that he can go to play for another team because he deserves this."

Hughes wants guess who
Fulham manager Mark Hughes could be set to renew his interest in Roque Santa Cruz when the January transfer window opens.

Hughes failed in an attempt to sign Santa Cruz on loan during the summer but is weighing up a second approach for the unsettled Manchester City striker.

Hughes worked with Santa Cruz at Eastlands and Blackburn and the Paraguay international has been told he can leave City.

"I'm interested in players of the quality of Roque," Hughes said. "My interest in him before was there for everybody to see.

"Whether we pursue that in January is open to debate. I'm not aware that he's available. That might change. But I don't like discussing players by name before we've actually signed him.

"This time in the transfer window we want to target players quite early so that we are ready to flick the switch when the window opens."

2010-10-29T11:36:00.000+01:00

Today i was going to delete this blog and be done with it but i just could not bring myself to do it this was my 1st blogger blog i set up i have changed its look so many times now, yes i will be changing it again giving it a total new look, also i have changed what subject the blog was about 1st it was all my tv and films which i watched and blogged about which i have to say i did enjoy but now it is football and only football which i post about and yes i have mainly been blogging about 2 teams Glasgow Celtic and Manchester City 2 teams i love being a Scottish man living in Glasgow Celtic has been my team for many years now were as man city i have been supporting for just as long now giving that i just could not hit the delete to get rid of this blog i am now going to start blogging and postting weekly posts about matches i watch which are mainly SPL matches and EPL matches along with Champions League and Europa League football so this is just a heads up to anyone who has been following this blog I AM BACK...............
If anyone would like to help by doing posts for this blog please send e.mail(address on main page) to myself or find me on TWITTER i would love someone elses input and it does not have to be a celtic fan or city fan(would be a bonus if you were)anyone who loves the game and oves having there say would be great so get in touch my next post will be on saturday/sunday and it will be the ST Johnston Vs Celtic match(live on ESPN).........

The Martin O'Neill Years at Villa

2010-08-10T09:23:00.001+01:00

O'Neil is a great manager and to hear he has left Villa was a shock when he was at Celtic I loved the man his passion was amazing he really lived the game the way he jumps up & down the sideline is outstanding I strongly believe all Celtic & Villa fans wish him well and I for 1 would love to see him at another club sooner rather than latter so here is what O'Neil achieved at Villa.
(This piece off news/story is from Goal.com mobile application)

"The Martin O'Neill Years: How Aston Villa grew under the enigmatic Irishman"

The sudden departure of Martin O'Neill from Aston Villa brought to an end almost exactly four years at the helm of the Midlands club.

The former Leicester City and Celtic manager was lured out of his self-imposed break from football by the chance to rebuild Villa, and was followed within weeks by Randy Lerner's arrival at Villa Park.

It seemed like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, but recent weeks and months have seen a bitter power struggle develop.

So just what did O'Neill produce in his four years in charge? Goal.com UK takes a look...

2006-07

Premier League finish: 11th - an improvement on 17th the previous season, but only by eight points
FA Cup: Lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Old Trafford in third round

League Cup: Lost 4-0 to Chelsea in the fourth round

Europe: Did not participate

Highs: A pair of nine-game unbeaten streaks to begin and close out the season. Foundation stones put in place with the purchases of John Carew, Ashley Young and Stiliyan Petrov

Lows: No wins in eight matches against the top four clubs in the Premier League. A 90th-minute goal from Ole Gunnar Solskajer knocks the club out of the FA Cup at the first - albeit sizeable - hurdle

Major arrivals: John Carew, Ashley Young, Stiliyan Petrov

Major departures: Milan Baros, Juan Pablo Angel

Net spend on transfers: £14.1m (£17.15m spent, £3.05m received)

2007-08
Premier League finish: 6th

FA Cup: Lost to Manchester United 2-0 in third round, this time at Villa Park

League Cup: Beat Wrexham 5-0, but lost to Leicester City 1-0 at home in the third round

Europe: Did not qualify

Highs: A sixth-place finish guarantees the club European football for the first time in six seasons

Lows: Manchester United knock the club out of the FA Cup for the second straight year with two late goals. Leicester City win at Villa Park in the League Cup, avenging their loss the year before and surprising their former manager

Major arrivals: Nigel Reo-Coker, Marlon Harewood

Major departures: Gary Cahill, Luke Moore

Net spend on transfers: £6.25m (£16.25m spent, £10m received)

2008-09

Premier League finish: 6th - again

FA Cup: Beat Gillingham 2-1 and Doncaster 3-1, but lost to Everton 3-1 in fifth round

League Cup: Lost to QPR 1-0 in third round

Europe: Victory in the Intertoto Cup puts the club in the Uefa Cup group stage. Two wins in their first two matches help advance the club to the first knockout stage, where CSKA Moscow win 3-1 over two legs

Highs: A second straight sixth-place finish, and European football after Christmas

Lows: A run on spending doesn't improve the club's position, or in the domestic cups. Losing to QPR at home in the League Cup

Major arrivals: James Milner, Curtis Davies, Steve Sidwell, Brad Friedel

Major departures: Thomas Sorensen, Shaun Maloney

Net spend on transfers: £45.9m (£48.4m spent, £2.5m received)

2009-10

Premier League finish: 6th

FA Cup: Beat Blackburn, Brighton and Crystal Palace (after a replay), then fight back from 2-0 down to beat Reading 4-2 in the last eight, only to lose to Chelsea 3-0 at Wembley in the semis

League Cup: Knock out Cardiff, Sunderland (on penalties) and Portsmouth, then win a wild semi-final against Blackburn over two legs, and are narrowly defeated by Manchester United in a controversial final

Europe: Lost to Rapid Vienna on away goals in Europa League play-off round

Highs: A third straight sixth-place finish, and two trips to Wembley. A crazy 6-4 win over Blackburn in the League Cup semi-final second leg. League win at Old Trafford is Villa's first in 10 years.

Lows: An early lead in the League Cup final doesn't hold after goals from Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney, though many feel Nemanja Vidic should have been sent off for conceding an early penalty, converted by James Milner. Losing the FA Cup semi-final, and in the first round of the Europa League

Major arrivals: Stewart Downing, Stephen Warnock, Richard Dunne

Major departures: Gareth Barry, Zat Knight

Net spend on transfers: £16.05m (£35.05m spent, £19m received)

VERDICT

When O'Neill took over, Villa had just finished a season that saw them narrowly avoid relegation. That they became a staple of the top half of the table and contenders in cup competitions is testament to O'Neill's work.

It didn't come for free, though, and Villa spent more than they received in every season, bankrolled by Lerner. Not for the first time, O'Neill has walked away because of not getting his way - and many will view his reign differently as a result.

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It really showed me when reading this next bit off Villa news as like all celtic fans I just admire O'Neil as a manager so to read that players at Villa were disrespectful towards him have a read at this.....

Aston Villa players celebrate Martin O'Neill's exit by texting pictures of champagne bottles to each other - report"
For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here.

Aston Villa players apparently celebrated the departure of Martin O'Neill from the club by texting pictures of bottles of champagne to each other, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

Certain members of the squad have apparently been expressing doubts over O'Neill's tactics and training methods in recent times, with many said to have been questioning his loyalty to certain players and his propensity for playing individuals out of position.

Indeed, the report claims that O'Neill said to a group of players at training recently that they looked as though they "hated him".

There have also been reports that the Ulsterman told the squad to "get your trainers" to do more running after Richard Dunne asked him to introduce more ball work into training.

With just five days before the season starts, USA coach Bob Bradley has emerged as a strong contender to take over from O'Neill, with Jurgen Klinsmann also a name linked with the position.

Our provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
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Story from Goal.com mobile application Goal.......

Top 10 Transfer sagas

2010-08-09T13:07:00.001+01:00

Transfer storys that could have been-

Read Goal.com's impressive Cesc Fabregas Arsenal to Barcelona timeline and it stretches to a mighty 4,608 words. That's before you even read any of the 100 plus stories! Arsenal's captain returning back to Barca resulted in several forests being felled to print all the news. Despite being pictured in a Barcelona shirt and making it abundantly clear he wanted to go back to Spain, the Gunners have managed to hold on to their man... for now at least. Prepare yourself for another instalment next year. Yawn.

9) Ricardo Quaresma
Porto - Inter (2008)

Having fallen out with Frank Rijkaard, Quaresma rebuilt his reputation at Porto when Jose Mourinho came calling in 2008. Inter's then new manager was shot down by his president Massimo Moratti, who said: "We don't need Quaresma". It didn't help that Porto were looking for silly money for the winger, believed to be around £40 million (£33m).

Mourinho played hard ball with his old employers and urged Moratti to get out his cheque book before a deal was finally done for a fee of ~18.6m (£15.5m), with young Inter player Pele moving in the opposite direction.

Inter fans were left wondering what all the fuss was about as Quaresma failed to make an impression at the San Siro, then went on loan to Chelsea, where he flopped, and has since moved to Besiktas.

8) David Villa
Valencia - Various (2008, 2009)

Along with the old chestnut of retired genius Zinedine Zidane moving to the MLS despite hanging up his boots in 2006, the prospect of Villa leaving the Mestalla has been mooted heavily for at least the past two years.

Linked with Chelsea as long as three years ago, Villa was rumoured to be on the way to Manchester United, and more recently to Manchester City for £40m. Chelsea were best placed and reportedly offered Villa a salary of £10m a year, but the player was always keen to remain in Spain.

"I do not close the door to either Real Madrid or Barcelona," he said in December 2009. "I am 27-years-old and I do not know what will happen in my future.

"I have a contract with Valencia until I'm 32, but nobody knows what the future holds."

Villa joined Barcelona for £40m (£33m) prior to Spain's victory at World Cup 2010.

7) Franck Ribery
Bayern Munich - Real Madrid (2009)

Seemingly intent on buying every single attacking player in the world, Real Madrid set their sights on Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery last summer. Endorsed by Zinedine Zidane, the Frenchman was tipped to follow in the footsteps of Kaka and Ronaldo by moving to the Bernabeu.

Desperate to leave the Allianz, Ribery told L'Equipe: "I have made up my mind, I want to leave. It will be Real [Madrid] or nothing."

It was claimed a deal was done for Ribery to do one more season in the Bundesliga - a la Ronaldo - and join in 2010. He won't be going anywhere until at least 2015 though, having signed a new contract with his current club last May.

6) Alfredo di Stefano
Barcelona - Real Madrid (1953)

Madrid legend Di Stefano initially moved to Spain to play for Barcelona after his Colombian club Millionarios accepted an offer from the Catalans. The Argentinian played a few friendly games for Barca but things got spicy when Real Madrid wanted the player to and offered money to Millionarios to get him.

A lengthy saga ensued, forcing the Spanish football authorities to get involved before the player made the move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in time for the new season. Read more about this controversial transfer in the top 10 transfers that never were.

5) Dani Alves
Sevilla - Chelsea (2007)

Chelsea fans awoke to news in August 2007 that the Blues had signed Alves for £30m (£25m). However, it didn't happen as Sevilla turned down two bids for their star full-back who made his feelings perfectly clear.

"I want to continue growing as a player and if that has to be somewhere else, then it will be somewhere else," Alves said at the time.

He was dismayed at being told he would have to remain at Sevilla and fell out with the club's president as his form suffered. Coach Juande Ramos was happy with the news but then jumped ship himself to London to coach Tottenham Hotspur a few months into the season. Alves moved to Barcelona in 2008 but has recently been linked with a transfer to Manchester City.

4) Patrick Vieira
Arsenal - Real Madrid (2002,2003,2004)

Much like picking up your tennis racket for two weeks during Wimbledon, the Vieira to Real Madrid story became an annual summer event. After getting shot of Vieira's French team-mate Claude Makelele to Chelsea, the Spanish outfit were desperate to add some steel to their superstar line-up.

In 2004 the deal finally looked like being completed, with Arsenal accepting a £30m fee for their captain. Vieira pulled out at the last minute though after it emerged he wouldn't be on a Galactico level salary. Eventually left the Gunners a year later for Juventus.

3) Rafael van der Vaart
Hamburg - Valencia (2007)

So confident was the Dutchman of joining Valencia that he was pictured holding the club shirt back in 2007. Hamburg weren't willing to let him go for the £14m (£11.6m) offered and the player went out of his way to make the move happen.

Van der Vaart pulled out of a European game for the German club claiming he had hurt himself - lifting his one-year-old son - so he wouldn't be cup-tied. The saga was dubbed 'Van der Farce' by the German press and the final straw was when the player invited journalists to his house to talk about his dream move so his Spanish grandparents could see him play in La Liga.

Hamburg remained firm though and the player was forced to stick it out for another year before joining Real Madrid. Apparently Van der Vaart's Hamburg team-mates gave him a Christmas present of a Valencia shirt with the name van der Verrat on it. Verrat being the German word for betrayal.

2) John Obi Mikel
Lyn Oslo/Manchester United - Chelsea (2006)

A controversial transfer involving agents, strange television interviews, death threats and the eventual payment of millions to a club which Mikel never kicked a ball for.

The player had been identified by Manchester United in 2003 after starring in the FIFA Under-17 World Youth Championships. He joined Norwegian side Lyn Oslo to enable him to get a work permit and was announced as a Manchester United player shortly afer his 18th birthday. Mikel wore a United shirt in the press conference, saying he was delighted to be joining the club.

Chelsea then intervened, claiming they had a deal with the player. In the meantime Mikel was the target of death threats in his native Nigeria and disappeared when he was meant to play a match for Lyn. He showed up in London and gave an interview saying he had been pressured into signing for United and wanted to join Chelsea instead.

FIFA were forced to get involved and the transfer looked to be going down the legal route. Chelsea avoided this though by paying Manchester United £12m, and Lyn £4m, to settle the saga. Former Lyn director Morgan Andersen was convicted of fraud for his part in the long running transfer.

1) Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United - Real Madrid (2008,2009)

This one was always going to happen once Ronaldo put himself in the Madrid shop window after a stunning 2007-08 season, when he scored 42 goals.

Desperate to join Los Blancos, the player, who was earning £120,000-a-week with Manchester United, compared himself to a modern day slave when the Red Devils dug their heels in and insisted he give them one more season.

The saga dominated the summer of 2008 until Ronaldo agreed to stay with the Red Devils for another campaign. The media went into collective mourning when Ronaldo joined Madrid early the following summer, ensuring there was no repeat of the previous year's saga.

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Transfers man city & celtic...

2010-07-27T13:28:00.000+01:00

Transfer
News

City boss Roberto Mancini is seemingly keen for the future of the
£32.5 million British record signing to be sorted before the beginning
of the Premier League campaign as he tries to whittle down his 37-man
first team squad.

A source close to Robinho reportedly told ESPN Soccernet: "Manchester
City have asked Robinho to come back and report on August 5, the
player has no choice, even though he wants to stay with Santos.

"He loves the life style, the football, and the beach. He doesn't want
to swap that for the Manchester rain! There was an offer from Turkey,
but it wasn't enough money for City, and in any case could you see
Robinho going to Turkey? Hardly. He wants to be back in Santos.

"That is his hometown, they love him there, he walks down the street
and he is the biggest celebrity in town, and after training he's
straight to the beach. After a game, he's back on the beach. The
football is great for him, he can show off his skills.

"With City he is expected to run for 90 minutes, if they pick him,
that is," the source added. "He might be tempted to play for a club in
London, though, if anyone could afford his wages, but they couldn't.

"So, the big question is what do City do with Robinho, what can they
do with him? Having invested so much money in the player it is a
tricky problem for them."

Robinho has been on loan at Brazilian outfit Santos since January and
huge doubts remain as to whether he will ever pull on a City shirt
again.

More on Ireland-
"Roberto Mancini: It's up to Stephen Ireland to prove that he has a
future with Manchester City"
Roberto Mancini has informed Stephen Ireland that he has until the
start of the Premier League season to prove that he belongs with
Manchester City.

The 23-year-old believed that he would be dropped from the Italians
25-man squad for the upcoming season, but Mancini insists that Ireland
can still earn a spot on his team despite his poor pre-season thus
far.

Right now I dont know who will miss out. I have not decided anything
about Stephen Ireland, Mancini told The Daily Star.

There has been no problem with him on the tour. I dont know how its
possible for him to think anything other than that he has a chance of
a future here because I havent decided.

It is up to him to prove himself to me.

I made Stephen captain for the game on Sunday so that shows I still
have belief in him.

New Premier League regulations require a club to name a maximum of 25
players, leaving Mancini to question whether players like Ireland and
Craig Bellamy will make the squad for the upcoming season.

We have 30 players, maybe more, and we have to get it down to 25
before the end of August.

So it is clear that some of the players we have here are going to be
left off that list. I am not sure yet if one of those will be Craig
Bellamy.

At this moment it is impossible to know which players will be on that
final list.

More City news-

By Richard Parry(Goal.com)

Having been asked how Roberto Mancini should look to strengthen his
Manchester City side this summer, YOU, the fans, have responded in
numbers.

35.23 per cent of you feel that the current first team at Eastlands is
more than capable of achieving their goals this season.

Having already secured the services of Jerome Boateng, David Silva,
Yaya Toure, and Aleksandar Kolarov this summer, you have called on the
Manchester outfit to invest in youth development, as opposed to
strengthening the first team.

STRIKING CREDENTIALS

"We should have kept [Daniel] Sturridge, so another young striker
would be good. Connor Wickham?"

Craig | Salford

One player mooted as a potential signing is Ipswich Town's prodigy
Connor Wickham.

The 17-year-old striker has scored nine goals in 13 matches for the
England Under-17s, and many of you feel that the promising forward
would be a great addition to the squad.

CASE FOR DEFENCE
"Defender - Chiellini Need a centre-back to partner Toure. Lescott is
unreliable. Chiellini could be an excellent signing."

Hassan | England

Nevertheless, 30.54 per cent of you feel that the Italian tactician
should look to bolster his defensive options, with countryman Giorgio
Chiellini a name suggested.

The versatile 25-year-old has been a consistent performer for
Juventus, and with 32 international caps under his belt, could offer
an added level of experience to the City backline.

FORWARD THINKING
"We do need a new forward and Balotelli may be the answer. How many of
City's 'many' forwards are really good? Tevez and Adebayor. Bellamy is
a winger nowadays and Robinho will not stay at the club."

CTID | Manchester

Meanwhile, 15.44 per cent of you would like to see Mancini acquire an
additional striker, with Mario Balotelli touted as a strong candidate.

The Inter forward is widely expected to join Manchester City, and you
feel that the 19-year-old may just be the ideal man to bolster the
club's attacking line.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE
"Ramires from Benfica should be brought to Eastlands."

Obafemi | Naija

Somewhat surprisingly, considering the abundance of talent available
to Mancini, 17.28 per cent of you would like to see a midfielder
arrive, with Ramires mooted as a potential target.

Some of you feel that the Brazilian, who has made 16 appearances for
his country, would be an ideal partner for Yaya Toure, should City
look to strengthen their central core further this summer.

So there you have it, the richest club in world football, and the
majority of the fans are looking to the future, and more importantly,
ready to put away the cheque book.

Celtic Transfer news-

"New signing Efrain Juarez - 'I would play in goal for Celtic'"

New Celtic signing Efrain Juarez is prepared to play in any position
for his new manager Neil Lennon as long as he makes it into the Hoops'
first XI. Juarez, who joined the club from Mexican side UNAM Pumas,
says that he will let Lennon decide where his best position is as he
doesnt even know himself. "I dont know [what my best position is]," he
said when asked where he would like to play during his introduction to
the media at Celtic Park on Monday. "From right-back or midfield is
the same. I always work for the starting XI and for the good of the
team. "To represent these colours, I would play in goal." The Mexico
international has received clearance to play in Celtic's crucial
Champions League qualifier against Braga on Wednesday night and admits
he can't wait to get started with his new club. "I'm very excited [to
join Celtic]," Juarez added. "My agent told me Celtic were interested
and I didn't have to think twice. I said 'I'll sign a deal with this
team'. I admire the values of the club, it's one of the most important
clubs in Europe.

"I remember the final against Porto in Sevilla. It was amazing, they
are amazing fans. Seventy-thousand fans went to Sevilla. "I met some
fans outside and their passion is important. I tell you, it's amazing
that 70,000 supporters travelled. Only a few clubs would have this
kind of support follow them all over the world. It's a very famous
club in Mexico. "It's a big club, a historic club, not only in
Scotland but Europe and the world." Our provides the best breaking
news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide.
Never miss a thing again!

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clicking http://goal.mwap.at.

Sent from my HTC

Man City will Ireland be staying?

2010-07-27T13:24:00.000+01:00

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland wants to prove his worth
this season and retain his place in the first team at Eastlands.

The 23-year-old was named the clubs Player of the Year two seasons ago
but failed to build on that form last year, scoring just two goals as
he fell out of favour with manager Roberto Mancini.

The Irishman has reportedly had a bust-up with his manager on Citys
pre-season tour of America following suggestions he could miss out on
a place in the clubs 25-man Premier League squad ahead of the new
season.

A number of Premier League sides have been linked with a move for
Ireland but he insists he wants to stay at City to fight for his place
in the team.

"I have read in the papers about supposed interest from Sunderland and
Fulham and maybe even Aston Villa but I haven't heard anything
directly," he said, according to The Guardian.

"Ideally, I would like to stay and build a future here. I am not going
to rush in to anything, anyway. I think it's best if I see what
happens during the first half of the season and perhaps give the
situation until Christmas.

"If things aren't right at this stage then we can look at it again. I
have worked hard during my years at City and I love the club.

"I decided in the summer that I was going to get my head down and do
what I can to show the manager that I am worth a place on his team.

"It didn't go that well for me last season, when there were a lot of
changes at the club, but it is only a season ago that I was Player of
the Year at the club and my view is that I haven't become a bad player
overnight. The manager hopefully doesn't think that either."

Our provides the best breaking news online and our football fan
community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
The Goal app comes with-
Highlight news
Team news
Transfer Zone-
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For windows mobile go on microsoft marketplace to get the free
Goal.com application which gives all the lattest EPL,SPL news from
exclusives to transfers plus all club news app is updated regular also
share the storys on twitter,facebook,email and save storys in seperate
tab on the app, sounds like an advert there but this is a great app to
keep up todate on all football news.

Goal app news clip-
Mario Balotelli's agent has claimed he will have news on a proposed
move to Manchester City this week.

Sent from my HTC

New Season

2010-07-17T13:08:00.001+01:00

with the new season near starting, not fast enough, it had me thinking about doing this blog once again so after a lot of thinking i am going to start new posts at the begining of season 2010/11 now unlike last season it will only be 1 post per week abd will only be about matches i watch or go to the new post will be done every tuesday giving me time to watch sat,sun & monday(i watch on espn & sky sports 1 live & extended highlights on bt-vision/sports which does give option to watch full match or 55mins per-game highlights)matches special posts will only be posted on champions league & europa league group/knockout stages and these will be posted the day after each game so next post will be when the season starts.

test post from cellspin phn app

2010-05-19T07:30:00.001+01:00

Uploaded by www.cellspin.net

SPECIAL POST COMING SOON....

2010-04-21T14:46:00.001+01:00

This is a short post just to let people who follow/read my blog that i will be doing a special post, not this coming weekend, next weekend about this year 2009/10 season of football main teams i will be writing about are Celtic + Man City along with the rest of the SPL teams and EPL teams round up of this season. I would like to say sorry to followers of this blpg for not posting each couple of days like i started i will be posting the world cup matches when it starts and will start next season from game 1 right threw next season will be weekend posts only, except for midweek champions league and europa league matches, pall weekend posts will be the full round up of SPL & EPL games all cup mathes will not be posted unless Celtic or Man City play each week i will do a post called MY OPINION which will be about matches i watch this will be posted on Sat or Sun each week. Thank you for following my blog and lookout for next weekends post.

New Post

2010-03-22T15:46:00.001Z

test post for new app

celtic news 10th Feb 2010--Match review

2010-02-10T09:54:00.000Z

Fortune still fav--Mowbray
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray insists Marc-Antoine Fortune is still top of his list of strikers.

Fortune has scored eight goals in 23 games since his £3.8million move from French club Nancy in the summer, but was left out of the Active Nation Scottish Cup fifth-round win over Dunfermline on Sunday as new signings Robbie Keane, Morten Rasmussen and Diomansy Kamara all got on the scoresheet in the 4-2 win.

Ahead of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Hearts at Parkhead on Wednesday, where Celtic hope to close the 10-point gap enjoyed by Rangers at the top of the table, Mowbray said Fortune is still very much in his plans.

"Marc is at the front of the queue as far as I'm concerned," Mowbray said. "His performances over the last six weeks have been outstanding.

"Everybody prejudged him on his role but I always judged him over performance over 90 minutes, week in, week out.

"Both have had a lot of minutes on the football pitch and sometimes you want to change it about and freshen it up and so you utilise options if you've got them."

A few storys from the weekend --- also match review from the cup game

Celtic go threw-

Celtic recovered from a 2-1 deficit to overpower Dunfermline at East End Park and progress to the quarter-finals of the Active Nation Scottish Cup.

Diomansy Kamara blasted the visitors into the lead in 20 minutes, yet a minute later David Graham side-footed Nick Phinn's cross past Artur Boruc.

Andy Kirk then put the Pars ahead from a penalty conceded by Paul Caddis.

Morten Rasmussen stabbed a leveller and Calum Woods put through his own net, then Robbie Keane scored from the spot.

Celtic had most of the early play, pressurising Pars goalkeeper Greg Fleming with high balls into the box.

But for every attack down the right by Caddis, in for the injured Andreas Hinkel, the home side held firm and themselves looked in the mood for the fifth-round tie.

Jim McIntyre's team tackled aggressively in midfield, with Phinn and Willie Gibson giving Kamara and co little time on the ball.

Occasionally they worked their way towards Kirk up front but the support was sporadic.

Keane started the match on the bench, one of seven changes made by Tony Mowbray after the midweek defeat by Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League.

Like Hinkel, Jos Hooiveld missed the match through injury so Edson Braafheid, on loan from Bayern Munich, made his debut.

Celtic's pressure paid off in the 20th minute. First Georgios Samaras's(pic not from match)shot on the turn in a crowded penalty area rebounded off the crossbar and amidst the frantic scenes the Greek had a second effort blocked by Neil McGregor.

The ball eventually fell for Kamara, who rifled an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner of the net, with Fleming rooted to the spot.

As the visiting fans celebrated, their unease at recent performances surely easing, Dunfermline hit back.

A long ball down the right was chased and controlled by Phinn, who nutmegged Josh Thompson too easily at the corner flag, ran towards goal and his low cross found Graham, who nicked in front of Caddis to deftly side-foot past the exposed Boruc.

Boosted by that, the Pars pushed forward and won a penalty when full-back Caddis nudged Steven Bell off the ball at the far post as Calum Woods' cross looped over the central defensive pairing of Glenn Loovens and Thompson.

Kirk sent Boruc the wrong way for his 15th goal of the season and in doing so placed further doubts in Celtic minds.

Celtic drew breath and with three minutes to half-time they levelled.

Braafheid's clipped cross from the left was headed sharply towards goal by Brown and in an untidy scramble which produced a save by Fleming, Rasmussen's persistence and poacher's eye meant he was in the right place to prod the ball over the line.

Gibson produced the first chance of the second period, shooting powerfully at the Celtic goal but finding Boruc well placed to make the save.

Fleming denied Keane, on for Marc Crosas at half-time, and Rasmussen in rapid succession 55 minutes.

The on-loan Spurs star shot from an acute angle on the left and, when the Pars keeper blocked, the ball landed at the tall Dane, who must have been astounded to see his own effort palmed across goal and cleared.

In the following minutes, Keane teased a battery of Dunfermline defenders inside the box before poking an effort at goal, then found himself one on one with Fleming.

Yet again the goalie saved well, but when the ball cannoned out to the touchline it was Kamara who collected and swept a cross into the six-yard box.

While Dowie and Woods were caught in two minds about how to deal with Kamara's delivery, Rasmussen slid in towards goal and Woods, under severe pressure knocked the ball into his own net from two yards out.

Keane was brought down in the box by Austin McCann, who got both ball and man, as the Irish striker inspired swifter and more imaginative attacks by Mowbray's side.

Taking his time to compose himself, Keane rolled the ball home for his first goal in Celtic colours and he celebrated in trademark style before his adoring travelling support.

Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre sent on Joe Cardle for Phinn, while Zheng Zhi took the place of Caddis, then Kirk made way for Graeme Holmes as McIntyre tried to re-ignite his team's play.

And Cardle came close in the final minutes of the match, sending a lob over Boruc's head but just wide of the far post.

Mowbray was happy to see Celtic beat Dunfermline at East End park--
Celtic manager Tony Mowbray expressed relief after his side came from behind to beat Dunfermline and progress to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"There was some good and bad from us," Mowbray told BBC Scotland after the 4-2 victory at East End Park.

"At times today we looked very good and in total control and able to score at will. But at other times we let our standards slip slightly.

"I hope Celtic supporters can see what we're trying to build here."

Celtic took the lead through Diomansy Kamara but quickly found themselves 2-1 down following goals from David Graham and Andy Kirk.

Morten Rasmussen equalised just before half-time and the visitors improved after the break following the introduction of Robbie Keane.

Keane scored from the spot and Calum Woods's own goal ensured Celtic progressed to the quarter-finals.

"A lot of people seem to think there's a magic wand, you bring players in and everything just clicks into place," said Mowbray.

"But the signs are there. When we're in possession of the ball and going forward then I think this team can be exciting.

"We've still got work to do at the other end of the pitch. We missed Jos Hooiveld today, who has brought some composure to our backline.

"Today we had a young 18-year-old at centre-half and we did try to strengthen that area during the transfer window.

"It didn't quite happen for us but we will get there. I'm sure the people who make the key decisions at this football club can see things developing."

Robbie Keane scored his first goal for Celtic in the win over the Pars--
Mowbray was delighted with the impact on-loan striker Keane made when he came on at the start of the second half.

"Robbie has genuine class and if you can add class to a hard-working, talented football team and a little bit of magic then it can be the difference," he said.

"Robbie ignited that today; it's his cleverness and movement that creates space for the players to do the damage.

"I'm disappointed with the nature of the goals we conceded but it's about getting through and we managed to do that.

"I understand the hysteria surrounding a defeat but what I try to do is build football clubs from a position of strength."

Mowbray wanted me to stay--
Striker Scott McDonald has insisted he did not fall out with Celtic boss Tony Mowbray to hasten his move to Middlesbrough.

Australia international McDonald, who this week joined the Teessiders in a deal understood to be worth around £3.2million, took the difficult decision to head south of the border in an effort to keep his World Cup dreams alive.

"I wasn't too happy with not playing as regularly as I would have liked," McDonald said. "There was no fall out between me and the manager. They wanted me to stay at the football club but I felt I needed to get more game time. With the World Cup at stake at the end of the season, that was a massive factor also."

He added: "I had worked under [Gordon Strachan] beforehand and I believe I played my best football under him so it was another chance to team up with him and Garry Pendrey and try to progress even more as a player and keep getting better and better."

Keane Long way to go in title race--
Robbie Keane insists there is no reason why Celtic cannot peg back rivals Rangers and win the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The on-loan Tottenham striker's debut was wrecked when the Hoops suffered defeat at Kilmarnock on Tuesday which allowed Rangers' 10-point advantage to remain intact. Walter Smith's men are now favourites to retain the championship but Keane claims the title race is far from over.

He told the Scottish Daily Express: "There's no reason why we can't have a chance. I need a few games and we need to put a run together. There's every chance because there's a long way to go."

He added: "It was disappointing not to win at Kilmarnock. We were the better team and had a few chances but it was not to be.

Manchester city news 10th Feb 2010--match review

2010-02-10T09:24:00.000Z

With a poor game at the weekend this match last night was a real important one for city we needed a win if not just to close that gap for 4th postion but also for confidence for the Liverpool match, which will be a great match, the team did not disappoint as we won 2-0 1st goal from that man again yes Tevez, what would we do with him, it was the new man Johnson who was on fire, Mancini likes left footers playing on the right, Johnson was taking defenders on like a man possessed it was 30mins into the match when he got a penalty claim after setting of on a run down the right into the box when Paul Robinson brought him down, it was a soft penalty but a penalty it was, Tevez stepped up to get the 1st of the night Given was called into action when Muamba’s shot came in and Given had react with a diving save the 2nd came with a great long ball from Vieira, who played his 1st home game along with Johnson who got a well deserved man of the match award, to Adebayor who beat the offside and took the ball on his chest than caught the ball on the volley to thump it in the net making it 2-0 and giving City a well deserved win to keep us in that top 4 fight yes we are 5th in the league but we keep wining the gap is closing we can get the 4th, maybe, looking at stats that win at home gives us a new record of unbeaten games at CoMS of 20 and stretched their scoring streak on home soil to 21 matches in a row that's is the best for more than half a century things do look good when you really look at stats this is a good team City have we just need to keep the wins coming and we can and will be contenders for the league sooner rather than later.

Bellamy is the latest player to hit Manchester with a marketing campaign with a billboard(pic on right)appearing in Manchester city centre along with an HD viral ad available online HERE as well as being on display on selected outdoor screens in Manchester.
Watch Bellamy video I Give My All

Official review from MCFC
Referee:
Mike Jones (Chester)
Teams
Manchester City:

Given, Zabaleta, Toure (Lescott 54), Kompany, Bridge (Wright-Phillips 68), Vieira, De Jong, Barry, A. Johnson (Sylvinho 84), Adebayor, Tevez

Unused subs:
Taylor, Petrov, Onuoha, Ireland

Bookings:
None
Bolton Wanderers:

Jaaskelainen, Muamba, Knight, Steinsson, Ricketts, Cohen (M. Davies 74), Wilshere (M. Taylor 77, Robinson, Lee, K. Davies, Elmander

Unused subs:
Al Habsi, Samuel, Gardner, Basham, A. O’Brien

Bookings:
Muamba (62), Robinson (75)

This 120th meeting between these two sides will hardly go down as one of the more memorable ninety minutes but at least it proved a cathartic experience for City fans after their side’s less than enamouring effort at Hull.

Roberto Mancini, who by his own admission was angered by his side’s first team lethargy at the KC Stadium, stuck to his word and freshened things up with Adam Johnson and Patrick Vieira starting for the first time at home and Vincent Kompany returning from injury.

Though there were some classy touches from Vieira who is a world class reader of the game, it was the whipper-snapper Johnson who stole the show.

Playing alternately central and then on the right – clearly something Mancini likes his left footed players to do – Johnson slalomed this way and that, sashayed in and out of defenders with equal measure of ease and confidence and generally endeared himself to his new fans to the point that he had the man of the match honours pretty much sewn up before the half time whistle had gone.

It was Johnson’s trickery and verve that broke Bolton’s resolve after half an hour of huff and puff during which neither keeper had really been tested.

Johnson twisted down the right flank and into the area by which time defender Paul Robinson was so dizzy that he hauled him down for a soft penalty.

Jussi Jaaskelainen’s antics on the line were amusing and distracting and it nearly worked because Carlos Tevez penalty was not well struck though it did finally hit the back of the net thanks to a ricochet off the frustrated Finnish keeper.

Manu Adebayor shot wide from a promising position but it was Bolton who came closest to a second goal of the game when Muamba’s shot from the edge of the box took a deflection off Kompany forcing Shay Given into a diving save to his right.

In winning, the Blues extended their unbeaten run at CoMS to 20 and stretched their scoring streak on home soil to 21 matches in a row... the best for more than half a century.

According to the stats that really should not have been so difficult a task because Bolton had kept but one clean sheet in their previous 23 Premier League trips.

And their bid to improve that woeful record on the road was not helped by the loss of their top defender Gary Cahill thanks to the discovery of a blood clot on his arm. Not only is he a fine central defender but also tops Bolton’s goal charts this season and scored in the earlier meeting between these sides at the Reebok that ended in a 3-3 draw.

There was never a chance of another six-goal jamboree though Tevez , whose successful spot kick was his 19th goal of the season, almost made it 20 in the 52nd minute only for his his looping free kick to hit the top of the bar.

Kolo Toure limped off shortly afterwards handing a return to action for Joleon Lescott who had been out for the better part of two months...his last outing was, ironically, also against Bolton.

Jaaskelainen saved well from the ever-dangerous Johnson but Adebayor sealed matters in the 73rd minute springing the offside trap, taking Vieira’s long ball on his chest and then hammering home a volley for his ninth of the campaign and third in as many starts. He had never previously scored in eight Premier League attempts against Wanderers and this was a splendid way to break that drought.

Bolton’s anger at losing a game in which they competed well eventually spilled over into frustration and penalty villain Robinson was lucky to see yellow and not red when he upended substitute Wright-Phillips.

The Wanderers’ mood will not have been assuaged any by a glance at the league table. They still dangle perilously close to the relegation trap door while the Blues are up into fifth and still pressing for a top four place and eyeing cup success.

Manu goals are all speacial

Kompany hails important win

Alan Bates super busker video

SPL Match reviews 08th Feb 20010--Scottish Cup round-up

2010-02-08T12:29:00.000Z

Only 1 spl match on the weekend between old rivals motherwell and hamilton read the review after the cup round up starting with Celtics win.

Celtic see off Dunfermline
Celtic are through to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup thanks to a 4-2 victory over First Division Dunfermline in an action-packed game at East End Park on Sunday.

Diomansy Kamara fired Tony Mowbray's men in front with a stunning strike from the edge of the box in 20 minutes but David Graham equalised almost immediately and Andy Kirk put the Pars ahead from the penalty spot in 28 minutes after Paul Caddis was judged to have pushed Steven Bell.

Morten Rasmussen levelled from close range just before the break and his pressure caused Calum Woods to divert the ball into his own net in 59 minutes before Robbie Keane, on as a substitute, sealed Celtic's passage with a penalty midway through the second period.

Aberdeen or Raith, Dundee, Dundee United, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Ross County and holders Rangers or St Mirren complete the last-eight line-up, with the draw at 1pm on Wednesday.(more on this match in todays Celtic news post coming later today)

Saturdays cup games--

David Goodwillie fired Dundee United into the last eight of the Scottish Cup as Peter Houston's side overcame St Johnstone 1-0 at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

The striker, who netted at Partick Thistle in the previous round, was on target just before the break as United gained revenge for a League Cup defeat in Perth earlier this season.

Holders Rangers and St Mirren - who meet in the League Cup final next month - face an Ibrox replay for a quarter-final berth after a 0-0 draw in the lunchtime clash in Paisley.

Hibernian eased past Third Division strugglers Montrose 5-1 at Easter Road. Colin Nish's first-half double had Hibs in command and Derek Riordan, Abdessalam Benjelloun and Alan Gow all netted in the final quarter of the match with Chris Hegarty replying for the visitors.

Connor Sammon opened the scoring and youngster Liam Kelly bagged a brace as Kilmarnock posted a 3-0 victory over First Division Inverness CT at Rugby Park.

Gary McDonald was the Aberdeen saviour with an equaliser deep into stoppage time as the Dons drew 1-1 with Raith Rovers at Stark's Park. Iain Williamson had given the hosts a half-time lead.

In the two ties not involving SPL clubs, Dundee beat Ayr United 2-1 and Ross County hammered Stirling Albion 9-0.

SPL Match-- Well edge out Accies
Craig Brown's Motherwell notched up a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a 1-0 win over Hamilton Accies at Fir Park this afternoon.

Lukas Jutkiewicz scored his 10th SPL goal of the season - only Kris Boyd, Anthony Stokes and Kenny Miller have netted more - to leave Hamilton bottom of the table on goal difference.

Motherwell boss Craig Brown said: "It was a poor performance, hopefully we can play an awful lot better than that. There was no sharpness about us, no threat in front of goal. I genuinely believe a 0-0 draw was what the game deserved. It was competitive but it wasn't quality."

Hamilton manager Billy Reid said: "Once again we've conceded a scrappy goal. I thought we battered them for the last 25 minutes and probably deserved to get something. It's been the same for quite a few weeks, balls crossing about the line and it's just not going in."

Match reviews - 8th feb 2010

2010-02-08T12:16:00.000Z

EPL

Match Reviews

This week was not a good one for Man City getting beat by Hull is a little embarrassing to say the least no disrespect meant but when you look on paper at the 2 teams only 1 should win, well on paper, it is looking harder each week for City to get that 4th postion in the league this year it makes me think will Mancini stay if we are not in europe next year, it was Noel Gallagher that put that in my head on espn's talk of the terrace show, i sure hope he does not as another change of manager would sure mean trouble for the players we need stability in City now i had said this before that it will take us a few seasons to get where we should be, top 4th league position contending for league win and champions league qualifying group stage plus winning domestic cups, i also said this when Hughes was manager as maybe me being Nieve i thought Hughes would have had at least 2 seasons to get things going, well how wrong was i there, Mancini is a good manager his first few games we saw changes in the defence that were so needed but on Saturday it was hard to watch(never mind blog about)defence was just not there and we paid for it 2 nil in 1st half so can we pick it back up looking at the table we have still a chance and Arsenal getting beat was a lil helpfull i guess more work in defence Mancini please.

Hull City

2-1

Manchester City

Read indepth review

I was looking forward to watching this next match against Spurs and Villa the 2 of these teams have been playing some good football this season infact in a way they sometimes play alike they like to play fast paced football, always good to watch, Defoe is on fire this season and he near put Spurs in front from the start only to put it over the bar Crouch was having no real luck either with his closest going past the post the 2 teams were trying to go for it and get the opening goal but it was not to be as the game went on and on and on you just knew that a draw was looking like the final score a few chances came Villa's way but went begging to put in the goal i felt Spurs were missing something or someone Robbie Keane sprung to mind, wait thats right we have him at Celtic, yes i really felt if Spurs had had Robbie there and then he might have won that game for them also Lennon was missing who lets face it is dynamite at the moment all in all i was looking for a better match but i felt the 2 teams in the way they play just canceled each other out.

Tottenham Hotspur

0-0

Aston Villa

Read indepth review

Now like most, if not all, City fans i just hate it when United win but when they win by 5 goals to nil well it is a bad day, watching the game was even worse(if my mate didn't want to see it i wouldn't have watched)in a way i think everyone new the out come of this match before it started as Portsmouth with all there problems, on and off the pitch, just ain't a challenge for ateam of players like Man U, honestly i was hopeing just maybe they would do the unthinkable and beat Man u, even i have to admit here that with the title race so close between Chelsea and united that every game united play they are going to make it as dificult as posiable for the team there plying they know they need to win every game going to and hope Chelsea lose a couple this season it is close it really makes it exciting but this weekend Man u never really had any challenge it was more a training game for them Rooney just can not stop scoring now after saying it was a training game the goals they scored were mostly deflections Rooney got the 1st a good cross in and he headered it in the 6yard box really could not miss from where he was 2nd was well a joke goal Nani tryed to flick it in the box it deflected and rolled in the goal so slow it was like watching slow motion 3rd was Carick who shot from outside the box the ball deflected and yes went in the net at 1st i thought good goal but replay was when i saw deflection 4th ok no deflection here Berbatov got the ball at edge of the box and hammered it in the best goal no doubt 5th not a deflection BUT was an own goal infact 3 own goals was the way it went down with Rooney and Berbatov only getting the goals.

Scorer: Rooney (40)

Scorer: Vanden Borre (45 o.g.)

Scorer: Hughes (58 o.g.)

Scorer: Berbatov (61)

Scorer: Wilson (69 o.g.)

Manchester United

5-0

Portsmouth

Read indepth review

Her are the rest of Sat/Sun reviews---

1-0

Read indepth review

0-0

Read indepth review

2-1

Read indepth review

3-0

Read indepth review

1-1

Read indepth review

2-1

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Read indepth review

Chelsea

2-0

Arsenal

Read indepth review

SPL Weekend preview's for 06th Feb 2010--Scottish Cup previews

2010-02-06T11:29:00.000Z

Eight SPL clubs are involved in the fifth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup this weekend, with a place in the quarter-finals on March 13 at stake.

St Mirren v Rangers - Saturday, 12.30pm (BBC)
Holders Rangers, who have top scorer Kris Boyd back in their squad after injury, won 2-0 in Paisley on Clydesdale Bank Premier League duty last month and the teams meet again the League Cup final on March 21. Saints knocked out Alloa with a 3-1 home win in the last round while Walter Smith's men ousted Hamilton Accies after extra time in an Ibrox replay.

Hibernian v Montrose - Saturday, 3pm
John Hughes' men are massive favourites against a team who are bottom of Division Three and only posted their first league win of the season last weekend. Irvine Meadow were beaten 3-0 at Easter Round in round four by a Hibernian side seeking a first Scottish Cup triumph since 1902.

Kilmarnock v Inverness CT - Saturday, 3pm
Jimmy Calderwood's men are on a high after beating Celtic on Tuesday night thanks to a Chris Maguire goal but will be wary of an Inverness team who have already seen off Motherwell. Killie, who last won the Scottish Cup in 1997, edged out Falkirk to reach the last 16.

Raith Rovers v Aberdeen - Saturday, 3pm
Aberdeen prevailed against Hearts in round four and now travel to John McGlynn's First Division side, who overcame Airdrie in a replay. The Dons haven't won the Scottish Cup since 1990 and are aiming to recover from home defeats to Motherwell and Falkirk in the past week.

St Johnstone v Dundee United - Saturday, 3pm
The local rivals served up a thrilling 3-3 draw in the SPL last month and meet again this weekend. Saints dumped United out of the League Cup earlier in the season and were comfortable winners at Forfar in round four while Peter Houston's men safely negotiated a tricky trip to Partick Thistle.

Dunfermline v Celtic - Sunday, 12.15pm (Sky)
Tony Mowbray's side head for East End Park, having knocked out Morton in round four. Robbie Keane is again expected to feature as Celtic bid to bounce back from defeat at Kilmarnock in midweek. Dunfermline needed extra time to beat Stenhousemuir in a replay in the previous round, having won an appeal against explusion from the tournament for fielding a suspended player.

Brown to skipper Celtic
Scotland midfielder Scott Brown has been named as the new Celtic captain after Stephen McManus moved on loan to Middlesbrough during the transfer window.

The former Hibernian player, pictured at training on Friday, returned from injury as a substitute against Kilmarnock on Tuesday night and Hoops boss Tony Mowbray told the club website: "Scott Brown is at the stage in his career where the responsibility will be good for him.

“I understand Scott’s personality. He wants to win and he wants to be a winner out on the field. When Scott’s fit and available and in the team, then he will lead the team out with the armband on."

There are two other ties this weekend not involving SPL clubs - First Division leaders Dundee host Ayr United and Ross County face Stirling Albion of Division Two at Victoria Park.

Scottish cup records of the current SPL clubs Motherwell v Hamilton preview

Only one spl game on and it is a derby at fir park Motherwell v Hamilton now i used to go to Motherwell games way back in the late 80's, when i was a boy, so this fixture has always been a great one the 2 teams have loads of history with Hamilton coming of the win with celtic in the mid week clash(less said about that the better)they will be confident to say the least but they will have to work for the win in a way i wish i could go to this match brings back memorys just thinking about it a lot has changed at fir park since i went, it was the stands way back then, one thing will be the same and that is the local turn out for this fixture fir park should be busy plus fans that have not been for some time maybe turn up for this local Lanarkshire derby.

Derby day at Fir Park--
Motherwell and Hamilton Accies meet in a rearranged Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at Fir Park on Saturday. The derby clash was postponed on January 2 and goes ahead this weekend as both clubs are already out of the Scottish Cup.

Motherwell have been in great form under new boss Craig Brown, with 10 points from their last four matches, and can go five points clear of sixth-placed Hearts with victory tomorrow.

A difficult run of fixtures has seen Accies slip to the foot of the table on goals scored but a win would see them move level on points with St Mirren. It was 2-2 at New Douglas Park earlier in the campaign and the sides meet there again next weekend for part two of a derby double header.

Motherwell manager Craig Brown said: "We hope it (the good run) will be maintained and we think there is no reason why not because the players are committed - they are good players. Hopefully we'll get a similar response to the end of the season."

Accies boss Billy Reid said: "It's an interesting one. It's a complete turnaround to how they play. Jim Gannon got the ball from the back and made numerous passes before getting the ball forward. Craig tends to be a bit more direct and, at the moment, it seems to be working for them."

Last five form: Motherwell LWWDW Hamilton LLLDL Referee: Mike Tumilty

John Terry update

2010-02-06T11:15:00.000Z

John Terry has been sacked as England captain following a meeting with manager Fabio Capello at Wembley.

The Chelsea star met Capello in an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon, but left after just 12 minutes having been informed of the Italian's decision.

In a brief statement, Terry said: "I fully respect Fabio Capello's decision. I will continue to give everything for England."

Terry, who was first made full-time skipper in 2006 by former manager Steve McClaren, has been the subject of intense media speculation following allegations about his private life.

The FA published the following statement from Capello on their website:

"After much thought, I have made the decision that it will be best for me to take the captaincy away from John Terry.

"As a captain with the team, John Terry has displayed extremely positive behaviour. However, I have to take into account other considerations and what is best for all of the England squad.

"What is best for all of the England team has inspired my choice. John Terry was notified first.

"When I chose John Terry as captain, I also selected a vice-captain and also named a third choice. There is no reason to change this decision.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank The FA, particularly Lord David Triesman and Ian Watmore for allowing me to make this decision in my own time and in the best interest of the team."

Terry was seen by many as the perfect England captain with natural bulldog spirit

combined with superb defensive qualities.

In the 15 matches in which he wore the armband under Capello, England won 11 and drew two, qualifying easily for this year's World Cup in South Africa where they will be among the favourites to win the trophy.

Manchester United Rio Ferdinand, the current vice-captain, is a strong favourite to take over in light of Capello's statement, while Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney are also in contention.

Capello may also decide not to appoint a permanent skipper, selecting a captain only on a match-by-match basis.

News broke last Friday of an alleged affair between Terry and Vanessa Perroncel, the long-term girlfriend of England and former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Terry, who is married, had attempted to suppress stories with a controversial super-injunction, which was lifted by High Court judge Mr Justice Tugendhat.

Miss Perroncel has announced that she will not sell her story to a newspaper, despite rumours of a £250,000 offer.

Match previews - Sat 6th FebEnglish Premiership

2010-02-06T10:47:00.000Z

A look ahead to Saturday's fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

Manchester United aim to go back to the top of the Barclays Premier League as they host Portsmouth.

With leaders Chelsea not in action until Sunday, the champions can overhaul them with a victory against the bottom club.

Liverpool and Everton meet at Anfield in a mouth-watering Merseyside derby and the day finishes with a big match which could have a major impact on the race for a Champions League spot as Tottenham Hotspur take on Aston Villa.

Liverpool v Everton

Liverpool have taken 14 points from a possible 18 during an unbeaten run of six matches in the Barclays Premier League. They have conceded just one goal in that time.

Everton have gone nine league matches without defeat to ease up to ninth place. Their last league defeat was against their local rivals.

They have won four of their last five, conceding just four goals in seven league outings.

But they have not won at Anfield since 27th September 1999, losing four and drawing six of their short visits since a solitary Kevin Campbell goal gave them victory.(read the rest of todays previews plus links for indepth previews)

Bolton v Fulham

Bolton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 24 league matches and are kept out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Wanderers have won only two of their last 13 and have triumphed in just three of 17 Premier League meetings with the Cottagers.

Before their midweek victory over bottom club Portsmouth, Fulham had lost five in a row and had gone six without a win.

Roy Hodgson's men have not won on the road in 11 attempts since August, losing their last four.

Burnley v West Ham

Burnley have gone 12 Barclays Premier League matches without a victory and are still looking for their first point under new manager Brian Laws.

They have scored just four goals in their last nine outings and have lost their last four.

The Clarets won five of their first six home fixtures in the Barclays Premier League but have failed to take three points in five Turf Moor encounters since.

West Ham United's only victory in their last nine came against bottom club Portsmouth and they are still seeking their first away win since the opening day of the campaign.

The Hammers have drawn their last three and have scored just once in their last four but they have won three and drawn one of their four visits to Turf Moor since 1978.

Hull City v Man City

This will be Hull City's third home match in a week. The Tigers have lost just one of their last eight in front of their own fans and that was against Manchester United. They held leaders Chelsea to a 1-1 draw in midweek and will be a tough test for Manchester City.

However Phil Brown's men have gone 10 league matches without a win and are stuck in the drop zone.

City have won five of their last six Barclays Premier League matches but have won only one of their last nine away from Eastlands.

Manchester City have not come out on top in their last six visits to Hull City.

Man Utd v Portsmouth

The champions have won 10 and drawn one of their 12 matches at Old Trafford where they have conceded just one goal in their last seven - and they know another victory would put them back on top of the table, for at least 24 hours.

United have won all six Premier League home meetings against Pompey, conceding just one goal. Wayne Rooney has scored nine goals in 12 matches against the south coast club.

Portsmouth have not won in eight on the road in the Barclays Premier League and are facing their third away fixture inside a week having already lost at Manchester City and Fulham.

They have picked up only one point from a possible 15 and have won just one of their last 25 away from home.

Stoke v Blackburn

Stoke City are unbeaten in 2010 and have lost only one of their last seven league outings at the Britannia Stadium.

Manager Tony Pulis is hoping for a victory to celebrate his 300th match in charge of the Potters.

Blackburn Rovers are picking up form, taking seven points from a possible nine. But they have gone six without a win on their travels.

Both sides are unbeaten in their last three and come into this fixture on the back of a goalless draw.

Sunderland v Wigan

Sunderland have won only one of their last 14 and are second from bottom in the current form table, looking nervously over their shoulders just three points clear of the drop zone.

They have taken just four points from a possible 30 and have beaten the Latics only once in their seven Premier League meetings. They have netted just three times in their last five home matches.

Wigan Athletic will want to bounce back from their shock FA Cup home defeat by Notts County in midweek.

Roberto Martinez has seen his side win just once in their last eight league matches.

Spurs v Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur have taken 10 points from a possible 12 at White Hart Lane where they have kept four successive clean sheets.

However, they have won only once in the league in 2010.

Aston Villa have won three of their last four away fixtures and would leapfrog Harry Redknapp's men with another success on their travels.

They won 2-1 at White Hart Lane last season, their first victory there in nine visits.

Barclays Premier League fixtures

Click on a fixture below to view the indepth match preview

Liverpool v Everton (Referee: Martin Atkinson)

Bolton Wanderers v Fulham (Mark Clattenburg)

Burnley v West Ham United (Steve Bennett)

Hull City v Manchester City (Phil Dowd)

Manchester United v Portsmouth (Lee Mason)

Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers (Howard Webb)

Sunderland v Wigan Athletic (Stuart Attwell)

Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (Chris Foy)

All match reviews will be posted tomorrow morning along with match previews for Sunday

celtic news 5yh Feb 2010--

2010-02-05T13:27:00.000Z

This is a kind of late match review from that midweek farce, maybe not farce or maybe it was, it was all set the hype was there the transfer window shut and all was looking good again at Celtic, after the sneaky loan deal of Keane, we were really looking forward to seeing Keane in action was this going to be the turn around we needed was he going to our golden boy, lets face it when do we do things the easy way, after the amazing shock news had sunk in and we had all gathered outside Parkhead to get a glimpse of our new signing after YEARS of trying to get Keane to come to Celtic and after what looked like our manager gone nuts with selling players, i had thought he had lost the plot, we were all shocked at the last minute when Keane was said to be signing a deal, i had to read it 6 times, we have to say one thing here well done Mowbray for doing what other managers could not do.

The stage was well and truely set for sure the fans went to Killie to watch Keane in action for the 1st time in the Hoops shirt, also lets not forget Kamara also a good player, the press were also keen in seeing the new player for the 1st time in Scotland it was a little surprise at Mowbray's line up not 2 strikers but 3 on in the 1st half, over kill sprung to mind, so Mowbray was making a statement from the start here all excited that Keane would start along with Kamara ok i may be focusing on these 2 players here but that match EVERYONE was focused on them was this the turn around for us this season was it hell we all no the score and it was such a let down we needed a win not a draw a win and we got beat by a team at the bottom of the spl what is happening the game much the same all threw we just were not up for it like Killie were give them there due here they won i would not go as far to say they were the better team but they took there chance and scored i just feel that once again Mowbray got it all wrong with the line up he should have played Rasmussen with Keane after his first goal at the weekend he would have been pumped up to get more and also what was with bringing Brown on in a left back position we were a goal down we needed someone to get the ball from midfield into attack and who else is better at that than Brown that was strange, not as strange as what Brown done when he came on he went straight over to Loovens and took yes TOOK the captains band ????? WHY, is that us had our chance i would think so ok Mowbray is trying to look at the bigger picture here but if that is the case why sign a big player like Keane just till the end of the season would it have been better buying a player he new would stay for a few seasons and work with him this season is over in my eyes and really all i am looking forward to now is watching some good football can we at least do that ?

I say we can not come back to win this season BUT Mowbray thinks different here is the post from Celtic site

Mowbray: title challenge is still alive

AFTER the euphoria of Robbie Keane’s arrival 24 hours earlier, defeat at Kilmarnock last night was a bitter disappointment to Tony Mowbray. But the Celtic manager has insisted there is still a long way to go in the title race.

Despite the Irish star’s presence on the pitch alongside fellow new Bhoy Diomansy Kamara, the Hoops went down 1-0 at Rugby Park thanks to Chris Magiure second half strike.

Plenty of chances fell Celtic’s way, but it was a night where they could not find the killer touch in front of goal.

The Hoops boss said: "For me, it's about trying to win every game - we've said that. We haven't won tonight, so we're obviously disappointed but we keep going. It's a long way to go.”

"We came here trying to claw back the three points and it didn't go our way. We were a bit disappointed with the nature of their goal. At the other end, we did create chances. We ended up in some decent areas but didn't take them.

"I'm sure there'll be some twists and turns and we'll look to try to get the next three points when they come.

He added: “We are going to try to build this club to the point where we can compete very successfully, both domestically and in Europe. That’s what we are trying to do. I've been saying that for a long time.”

It was certainly not the start Keane would have wanted in a Hoops shirt, but Mowbray believed that the striker’s display showed that he would be a big player for the Hoops this season.

"I thought Robbie played well,” said the manager. “He brings a different dimension to our team. At times he made the team tick by positions he takes up on the pitch. I'm sure he'll be a huge benefit for us as we move on."
Official Post By Mark Henderson Celtic site

lennon's praise for brown and grant

NEIL LENNON paid tribute to comeback duo Scott Brown and Charlie Grant after the midfielders played their part in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Drogheda United.

Brown built up his fitness with a 60-minute run-out against the League of Ireland side, while Grant made a welcome return to the fold after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Goals from Brown, James Forrest and Paul McGowan gave Celtic the win but Lennon had multiple reasons to be happy with the 90 minutes as 2,500 fans flocked to see the Hoops.

“Scott was excellent for an hour," Lennon told the Celtic website. "He’s just desperate to get back into the first-team now and hopefully he’ll figure at the weekend at some point.

“He’s working his way back to full fitness and is a good indicator for where these other players have to be. He’s the current Scottish Player of the Year, he’s a full internationalist and he led the way on the pitch.

“It’s good to see senior players bringing these kids on. They will learn from playing beside guys like Scott and I have to give him credit for the attitude he showed out there. His appetite was fantastic.”

Grant, meanwhile, hasn't had his injury troubles to seek for the last three years after a cruel run of bad luck. However, he took a small step on the road to recovery with a 20-minute run-out and produced a typically combative display.

Lennon said: “Seeing Charlie out there was the highlight of the night for me. That kid has had horrendous luck with injuries over the last few seasons.

“He got 20 minutes and looked like he’d never been away. I was delighted to see him play. He got stuck right in as he likes to and reminded me a wee bit of myself! We will introduce Charlie back in gradually but I was happy for him.

“Overall, I was pleased with the performance. We were up against an experienced League of Ireland side with 2,500 people watching. The game was designed to raise money for Drogheda, but it was a good opportunity for our players to test themselves."
Official Post by David Friel Celtic site

Manchester city news 5th Feb 2010--

2010-02-05T12:05:00.000Z

Carry on Kolo--
Roberto Mancini has confirmed Ivory Coast star Kolo Toure will remain the City captain for the foreseeable future.

The Blues boss started his reign by continuing with Toure as skipper during the victories over Stoke City and Wolverhampton Wanderers just after Christmas, two games the Blues won comfortably.

Then Shay Given took the captain’s armband during Toure’s participation in the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and Nigel de Jong has also led the team on a number of occasions this season.

With Vincent Kompany, Stephen Ireland, Patrick Vieira, Gareth Barry, Craig Bellamy and Carlos Tevez all outstanding captain material in their own right, competition to lead the Blues is fierce.

However, Mancini was quick to hand the captaincy back to the experienced Toure on his return against Portsmouth last weekend and he repaid his manager by turning in a man-of-the-match display.

“Having said that, I want my team to have many captains out on the pitch, but only one player can wear the captain’s armband – and that is Kolo.

“He is a very important player for us and a very good leader so I am very happy for him to continue to skipper the team.”

Roberto Mancini remains baffled at the decision to deny highly-rated Kenyan midfielder McDonald Mariga a work permit on transfer deadline day.

With a deal in place and personal terms agreed, the deal to bring Mariga to the club collapsed when he was denied the papers to work in the UK and player subsequently joined Inter Milan. The Blues’ boss reckons Inter’s gain is very much City and the Premier League’s loss.

“We had two or three targets but our main aim was to bring Mariga to the club,” said Mancini. “We couldn’t see any problems so to have the panel rule against granting him a work permit is, I believe, an incredible decision.

“He is a young player and Kenya’s most important footballer and considering he’s played in Sweden and Italy for the past six years and with relations between Kenya and Britain strong, I just cannot understand why he had his application was refused.

“All the top teams in Italy and many others in Europe wanted him so it is very disappointing when we had agreed a deal.”

While missing out on Mariga has been a source of frustration for the manager who was keen to add to his midfield options, at least he has a couple of players returning from injury who can lighten the workload mainly shouldered by Gareth Barry and Nigel de Jong for much of the campaign.

“Things are improving with Patrick Vieira and Wayne Bridge recovering from injury and when Micah Richards returns, we also have the option of playing Pablo Zabaleta in midfield, too,” he said.

“Hull are not easy to beat on their own pitch, as they proved by holding Chelsea to a draw this week, and they will provide a stiff test for us. We need to play with concentration and heart because they will fight hard and we have to be ready for that.”

Mancini also hinted there could be debuts for Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson at the KC Stadium.

“It’s possible Patrick could be involved because he’s trained with us for the past two days with no problems, but we’ll decide tomorrow if he plays on Saturday,” concluded the manager.

“Adam Johnson is a good young player and we’re very happy to have him here. He is settling in quickly and again it is possible he could also play.”

Transfer rumour gossip and facts 09/10 season jan window--now clossed

2010-02-02T12:13:00.001Z

Here is all the ins outs of the transfer window for 09/10 season only english premier league spl coming soon.
We take a look at the steals and dud deals of this year's transfer window, with Jack Wilshere's loan move from Arsenal to Bolton among those to catch the eye.

Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough to Manchester City, £7m) - The England U21 winger has been chased by a host of Premier League clubs since Boro's relegation last season and the fee City eventually stumped up for him reflects that. Will fit in well with City's forward thinking and should make the left flank position his own. If so, he may even push for full international honours before too long.

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal to Bolton, loan) - The most exciting English prospect for years should get more playing time at the Reebok than at the Emirates, which is just what he needs at the age of 18. Owen Coyle, a purveyor of the passing game, will let Wilshere play his natural game and in doing so Bolton may even become an attractive side to watch.

Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy to Everton, loan) - It may only be a 10-week loan until the start of the MLS season, but Donovan is just about the only player to move this month who has actually had an impact. The American has started each of Everton's five matches since his arrival, scoring once, helping the Toffees on an impressive run of form.

Maxi Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid to Liverpool, £1.5m) - Few fans were excited by Rodriguez's arrival - mainly because it showed how little money the club have to spend - but the Argentine winger is precisely what Liverpool need. He should provide much-needed creativity from wide areas and may prove a very clever free pick-up by Rafa Benitez.

Victor Moses (Crystal Palace to Wigan, £2.5m)- The England U19 striker was linked with everyone from Nottingham Forest to Barcelona, but it was Wigan who won the race for his signature on deadline day, taking advantage of Palace's financial woes to secure him for a cut-price £2.5m. Should add flair and dynamism up front.

WORST

Amr Zaki (Zamalek to Hull City) - The Egypt striker hardly covered himself in glory during his time at Wigan, where his then manager Steve Bruce went as far as to label him the most unprofessional person he had ever worked with. Phil Brown will have his hands full.

Benni McCarthy (Blackburn to West Ham) - Having been turned down by Eidur Gudjohnsen and Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Hammers had to settle for the South African, who is short of form and will struggle to justify his whopping £38,000 a week deal which, for a cash-strapped club, seems rather a lot of money.

Mido (Middlesbrough to West Ham) - Mido will cost West Ham a fraction of that - a mere £1,000 a week, less than a plumber - yet with six other strikers to compete with at Upton Park, it is difficult to see how the Egyptian, who said he had made financial sacrifices to "play more football", will fulfil his ambition.

Patrick Vieira - (Internazionale to Manchester City, free) - There can be no doubt that Vieira was once a Premier League great, but he is far from the player he was during his time at Arsenal. He may add some experience on the pitch, but if he is not on it - and considering he was not good enough to get in Internazionale's team earlier this season, he may struggle for playing time at City - his impact will be limited.

Sol Campbell (free agent to Arsenal) - Another veteran looking for one last hurrah in the Premier League, Campbell represents a risk for Arsenal, even though he did not cost a penny. Another 'episode' at Notts County proved it's anyone's guess as to what is going on in Sol's head and the last thing Arsene Wenger needs at the Emirates is a fragile mind. William Gallas is still there, after all.

Premier League - Deadline day transfers--
All the deadline day transfers involving Premier League clubs.
ASTON VILLA

OUT: Nicky Shorey (Fulham, loan)

BIRMINGHAM

OUT: Marcus Bent (QPR, loan)

BLACKBURN

OUT: Benni McCarthy (West Ham, undisclosed)

BURNLEY

IN: David Nugent (Portsmouth, loan), Jack Cork (Chelsea, loan)

OUT: Jay Rodriguez (Barnsley, loan)

CHELSEA

OUT: Jack Cork (Burnley, loan)

FULHAM

IN: Stefano Okaka (Roma, loan), Nicky Shorey (Aston Villa, loan) Christopher Buchtmann (Liverpool, undisclosed)

OUT: Diomansy Kamara (Celtic, loan), Toni Kallio (Sheff Utd, loan), Wayne Brown (Bristol Rovers, loan),

LIVERPOOL

OUT: Christopher Buchtmann (Fulham, undisclosed)

MANCHESTER CITY

IN: Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough, £7m)

OUT: Javan Vidal (Derby, loan)

PORTSMOUTH

OUT: David Nugent (Burnley, loan), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City, £4m),

STOKE CITY

IN: Asmir Begovic (Portsmouth, £4m)

OUT: Michael Tonge (Derby, loan), Ben Marshall (Carlisle, loan)

SUNDERLAND

IN: Alan Hutton (Tottenham, loan)

OUT: Daryl Murphy, David Healy (both Ipswich, loan), Nyron Nosworthy (Sheff Utd, loan)

TOTTENHAM

OUT: Robbie Keane (Celtic, loan), Alan Hutton (Sunderland, loan), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham Hotspur, loan), Troy Archibald-Henville (Exeter, undisclosed)

WEST HAM

IN: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn, undisclosed), Mido (Middlesbrough, loan), Ilan Araujo (St Etienne, undisc)

WIGAN ATHLETIC

IN: Victor Moses (Crystal Palace, £2.5m), Marcelo Moreno (Shakhtar Donetsk, loan)

celtic news 2nd Feb 2010--

2010-02-02T12:02:00.001Z

With Mowbray selling McDonald yesterday the thought of not having a strong squad ran threw my head yes we have Samaras and Fortune but honest now they just ain't consistant enough so i was wondering, what are you thinking about Mowbray, ok there was the signing of Kamara from fulham not a bad player seen worse and surely he can't be as bad as Fortune, no dissrespect to him, the window was near shut(i could hear the hinges)so imagine my surprise when my rss hub on my phone rang its alert tune, yes it could have been 1 of many feeds, but since the transfer window opened i have been following it threw my rss hub and it really is the only one that i set to alert as the feed is posted live so i new it was a transfer i had to read this feed about 6 times(no joke)as i read it for the 6th time it sank in Robbie Keane had signed a loan deal with Celtic amazing feeling is a understatement here all, and i do mean ALL, Celtic fans have been hearing this for years that Keane will be signing infact maybe every transfer window we have heard this i jaut had to double check one last time so sky sports news got turned on along with my netbook, well had to be sure, and there it was top story Robbie has joined celtic.

He was the fourth signing of a busy day for Bhoys manager Tony Mowbray, who completed the loan signings of Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara and Bayern Munich defender Edson Braafheid, as well as securing Motherwell's Paul Slane on a four-year deal. Maybe now we can see Mowbrays vision here, maybe he has a method to his madness, i thought after selling McDonald Mowbray had just lost the plot i really rate McDonald he played for the club with his heart he loved it at Celtic so i was shocked when i read he was gone it had been rumoured he was going but i never thought Mowbray would get rid he is a top striker sad to see him gone no surprise that Gordon wanted him at Boro was the selling of him to make the cash to bring Keane to Celtic just maybe it was and now the big question i have is what will Mowbray do when the loan is up, will Mowbray want to keep Keane, every Celtic fan will be hoping he stays but if Spurs offer him more games i think he will go back anyway that is 6 months away for now we just have to enjoy the football he will be playing.

Last night outside Parkhead the crowd gathered to welcome Robbie it was midnight but that does not stop Celtic fans when we want to see a new player Robbie will be wearing number 7 yes McDonalds old number, is that a sign that he will stay to replace McDonald, it has been no secret that Keane has been a fan of the Celtic since he was a young boy and even has dreamt about playing in Celtic colours "The club is massive," he said. "I am a Celtic fan and did not have to ask much about it. I always wanted to play for Celtic and it works for all parties" we all know it is a big bonus when a new signing is fan and suports the club and to get a welcome like he did last night must have felt amazing after all it was midnight on a monday night "It was an overwhelming reception from the fans. You only get that kind of reception at a football club like this. It just shows the type of supporters Celtic have" Robbie said so will we see him play tonight i hope so the match is on espn live.
Here is some Celtic news from the past few days

Robbie gets a warm scottish wellcome--
Robbie Keane was presented to hundreds of jubilant Celtic supporters in the early hours of Tuesday morning after completing his surprise loan move from Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland striker arrived at Parkhead to a hero's welcome on the stroke of midnight before addressing the throng waiting to greet him.

"It's absolutely unbelievable," Keane told them. "This is the reason why I've always wanted to come to Celtic."

He added: "It's no secret over the years I've been a Celtic fan. I'm hoping to bring a lot of success in the short time I'm here."

Asked why he decided to join Celtic, he said: "To play football, first and foremost. I'm no different to anyone else.

"I always wanted to play for Celtic and it works out well for both parties."

He confirmed Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had been trying to sign him for some time.

"Peter said it's no secret they've been trying to get me for a few years," said Keane, who has been handed the club's famous number seven jersey.

"There wasn't much persuading, to be honest with you."

Keane admitted the move was a dream, adding: "I didn't want to come here at 34 years of age at the end of my career and struggling. I think I'm coming here at the peak of my career."

Robbie out to upset gers--
Robbie Keane is on a mission to help Celtic wrest the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title from Rangers this season after making a surprise loan move from Tottenham.

The Hoops pulled off arguably the biggest coup of transfer deadline day by securing the Republic of Ireland striker until the end of the season.

Lifelong Celtic fan Keane, 29, refused to look beyond that when asked if he would like to make the move permanent.

"I'm here until the end of the season," he said. "That's as far as I've thought about anything. I'll enjoy these few months of playing football."

And that will involve winning as much silverware as possible. Indeed, so significant is Keane's move, bookmakers immediately slashed the odds of Celtic overhauling Rangers' 10-point lead in the SPL.

Keane said: "I'm not a betting man, so I don't get involved in that. But, at the end of the day, I'm here to hopefully win trophies for Celtic and that is hopefully winning the league. I want to be part of that and I believe, with the squad of players that are here, there's no reason why we can't."

Not forgeting Kamara--
Diomansy Kamara is eager to follow in the footsteps of "hero" Henrik Larsson and become a Celtic favourite for years to come.

The Fulham striker on Monday joined Celtic on loan until the end of the season along with Bayern Munich left-back Edson Braafheid. Both players declared themselves amenable to longer-term stays with Kamara determined to sample some of the adulation shown to Larsson, who scored 242 goals in 315 appearances.

"It's a great feeling, I'm so happy to be here," the 29-year-old said. "When I was younger my football hero was Henrik Larsson and for me it's a dream to play for Celtic."

He added: "He was scoring all the time, every game. He was unbelievably good.

"The fans loved him and go crazy for him. I will try to work hard because I know it's a passionate club.

"The fans love you to work hard for the team, so I will work hard and hopefully score goals because that's why they have signed me."

The Senegal international admits he cannot expect to attain the status of Larsson, but former West Brom team-mate John Hartson has tipped him to be a fans' favourite.

"I could never be at his level, because what he did, nobody had done at Celtic," Kamara continued.

"But I have been talking to John Hartson as well, because I played with him at West Brom.

"He also did so well at Celtic. He told me it's a good chance for me, with my capacity the supporters can love me. It's what I do on the pitch that is most important."

Manchester city news 2nd Feb 2010-

2010-02-02T11:25:00.000Z

Johnson joins blues-
The Club is delighted to announce that Adam Johnson has joined us from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee after agreeing terms and passing a medical this afternoon.

The former England Under-21 winger, who has signed a contract until June 2014, steps straight into Roberto Mancini's squad against Hull on Saturday. He will wear the traditional No.11.

Johnson, who played 19 games for England Under-21s and scored four goals, has played 96 times for Boro, scoring 13 times and making a firm impression on the game's shrewdest judges.

He made his senior debut for Boro aged 17 in a UEFA Cup tie at Sporting Lisbon, playing his maiden Premier League match six months later in a 2-1 home win over Arsenal.

Loan spells of one month with Leeds in 2006 and three months the following year with Watford - where he scored five goals in 12 appearances - helped to speed up his development.

Manager Roberto Mancini said: "We are delighted that Adam has chosen to come here. He is a very good player with fantastic potential, and as a club we are always keen to sign British talent."

Watch Johnson in his 1st interview as a City player HERE

Adebayor thanks fans-
Emmanuel Adebayor has thanked City fans and officials for helping him through the nightmare of the shootings in Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Togo international lost friends and colleagues when the team bus was ambushed in a terrorist attack and is adamant that the love he received from back in England has been a major factor in him quickly returning to football.

Adebayor played at the City of Manchester Stadium for the first time since the horrific attack on Sunday and scored a superb 20-yard volley as the Blues overcame Portsmouth 2-0 to continue an impressive run of home form and keep up the pressure in the race for a top four spot.

“It was good to be home and back on the football pitch,” the striker told mcfc.co.uk in an exclusive interview. “At one point I didn’t think I would ever see City’s stadium and the fans again.

It was great to score but more importantly I want to say a huge thank you to all the City fans and to the club for helping me through a terrible time

“Through all the difficulties the fans were there with me calling my name and sending me messages of support, I was very moved by the way they did that.

“The club too did everything they could for me checking I was ok and giving me time before coming back. At the end of the day the most important thing is the relationship between the players and the club and the players and the fans and I feel I have a good relationship here with both.

“The people who work at City and watch City have faith in my ability and faith in what I am doing. I have been through a difficult moment in my life and they have proved that. There is a big Manchester City family and there is a lot of love there.

“I am glad now that these terrible moments are behind me and now life goes on and that means playing football for City and hopefully being successful.”

The win over Portsmouth stretched the Blues unbeaten home run to 14 matches in the Premier League alone and signalled intent not to bow out of the race for fourth spot in the league.

Victory over Portsmouth was not close to the side’s best form of the season but there was a professional edge about the victory that bodes well.

“Portsmouth fought hard but the two goals just before half time gave us breathing space,” concluded Adebayor.

“It was a great pass from Stephen Ireland for my goal and we never looked like giving up the lead once we had it. It is good to get ninety minutes under my belt it is a long time since I played a full game and I feel better for it.”

Links--
Mancini on Pompey win(video)

Kolo gives Boyata wise words

Vidal on loan

What the papers say--

Red tape leaves Bobby blue-
City's capture of Adam Johnson predictably claimed headlines as the transfer window slammed shut, but the Mirror also notes the one that got away from Roberto Mancini.

Manager 'Bobby Manc' was keen to add Parma midfielder McDonald 'Big Mac' Mariga to the squad but it was one of those deals that didn't quite happen, to the disappointment of the headline writers.

The Mirror's Football Spy reports in a comprehensive spread that: "Manchester City's surprise move for Parma's Kenyan failed because his country are 98th in the FIFA rankings.

"City tried to get a work permit for the midfielder but Kenya are rated almost 30 places outside government demands."

The Mail's Simon Cass reckoned that "Roberto Mancini was close to signing the Kenya midfielder but work permit problems saw the deal die." Could be one for the summer though?

Cassy also lists his five best deals in "That was the window that was" and after Sol Campbell's free transfer back to Arsenal ranks Vladi Weiss's loan move to Bolton as top value.

He writes: "Owen Coyle wants Bolton to play more attractive football and on-loan Slovak Weiss can deliver that. Thre skilful 20-year-old can play on the right wing or behind the strikers."

He also includes Johnson's move in his big five, commenting: "Seeing City sign young, English players might surprise some people but £7m winger Johnson is supremely talented and was courted by several other top clubs."

now mobile

2010-02-01T21:09:00.001Z

This is just a test post for my new app on my htc phone moblog for well yes blogging on the move

celtic news 31st Jan 2010--Match review

2010-01-31T11:05:00.000Z

It sure looks like Mowbray is having a total revamp of celtic players as he loans and sells the jan transfer window away with a couple of signings going south and i have to say Danny Fox being sold was kind of strange he only bought him now he has gone to Burnley but all eyes would have been on new signing Morten Rasmussen yesterday at Hamilton as he came on for Samaras, who had an off day, only to score and show Samaras just what Mowbray, and the fans, wanted it took Celtic 67mins to get the goal in our defence the pitch was in a bad state(if you could use that as an excuse)the ball was bobing up and down, ok enough excuses, it was only minutes after the new boy Morten Rasmussen came on that he started and opened his scoring account in celtic colours with a sharp turn in the box to hit the ball in the net more of that please the cry was and if he keeps that up yes Mowbray will have done good time will tell us the answer to that.

Celtic were awarded a penilty late into the 2nd half Marc-Antoine Fortune stepped up(and i just had a feeling)and it was a poor poor poor POOR hit by him and Hamilton gollie managed to save, what was a weak shot, Mowbray has a lot to do with this team mid-field yesterday just didn't manage to play well(ok the pitch was bad)they just couldn't keep the passing going making little mistakes but making a lot of them if that was a better attacking team we were playing we would have been beat by a lot now McGeady is a good player he needs someone to really teach him to pass the ball more often yes it is good watching him doing his runs but more often than not they end up no were when he could have passed it and kept the play going in our favour he needs someone in mid-field with him another fast pacey winger Andreas Hinkel played a good game making run after run up the right, from defence, to get the ball in the box with some ok crosses. The winning needs to keep coming if we want to threatin rangers i think we can do it and really honestly i can see us do it.

Here is some team news along with an indepth review of yesterdays match..

Mowbray backs new boy-
Tony Mowbray is unhappy that Morten Rasmussen will have to tone down his goal celebrations in Scotland after seeing the Dane booked in the wake of his first goal for Celtic.

Substitute Rasmussen struck the second-half winner as Celtic beat Hamilton 1-0 in their Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounter at New Douglas Park.

After running to the temporary stand which housed some of the Hoops support, followed by most of his team-mates, Rasmussen was shown a yellow card by referee Calum Murray, which irked the Celtic boss who made his feelings known to fourth official George Salmond.

"When is a player allowed to celebrate?" Mowbray said. "I can understand if it was an Old Firm game and the players go into the crowd but I genuinely couldn't see the problem with the boy celebrating with our supporters and making a connection with them.

"The referee is probably going by the letter of the law but I like common sense. I have watched Rasmussen score many, many goals in Denmark, he is on the fence, in the net, he is grabbing hold of the pretty girls in the crowd.

"He celebrates with his supporters, it is a reflection of what it means but he will learn very quickly."

Ramsmussen bemused at yellow card-
Celtic`s new signing Morten Rasmussen admitted his surprise at being booked for celebrating his debut goal in the Hoops` 1-0 win at Hamilton.

The former Brondby striker had only been on the pitch for three minutes after replacing Georgios Samaras when he pounced on a loose ball in the Accies box to drive past Tomas Cerny.

After running to the temporary stand which housed some of the Celtic support, followed by most of his team-mates, Rasmussen was shown a yellow card by referee Calum Murray.

Rasmussen, who celebrates his 25th birthday on Sunday, was perplexed by the decision.

He said: "The referee told me that I was not allowed to go off the park but it is allowed in Denmark,"

"But that's okay. I was happy to have scored but it was more important that we got the three points."

Hughes confirms Brown signing from Celtic-
Hibernian manager John Hughes toasted a perfect week with an injury-time 2-1 win against St Mirren and the capture of goalkeeper Mark Brown from Celtic.

The Edinburgh outfit moved three points clear of Dundee United in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - with a game in hand over their Tayside rivals - thanks to an injury-time own goal from Jack Ross.

It was Hibs' second late victory in succession after Danny Galbraith's last-gasp winner at Celtic in midweek.

Hughes also confirmed his club had secured Brown, 28, on a two-and-a-half-year deal for no fee after his release from Celtic. The experienced custodian will now fight it out with Graeme Smith, Graham Stack and Yves Ma-Kalambay for the Hibs number one spot - but the future of the latter pair is surely uncertain.

"We have signed Mark Brown from Celtic. He is a guy that, once again, has got the best years in front of him," said Hughes.

"I'm absolutely delighted to get him, the experience of being at Celtic will have helped him. I think I'm bringing in a real top-class `keeper. The goalkeeping position has caused me concern, but they can all now go and fight for the jersey."

Indepth review---
Team line ups-----

      Hamilton
    * 01 Cerny
    * 02 McClenahan (van Zanten 51)
    * 04 Canning
    * 06 McLaughlin
    * 15 Easton (Crawford 81)
    * 25 Elebert
    * 08 McArthur
    * 27 Mensing
    * 33 Wilkie
    * 26 Thomas
    * 28 Kirkpatrick (Marco Paixao 70)
     Substitutes
    * 19 Murdoch,
    * 03 Hastings,
    * 05 van Zanten,
    * 36 Crawford,
    * 14 Elliott,
    * 18 Flavio Paixao,
    * 21 Marco Paixao

    Celtic
    * 01 Boruc
    * 02 Hinkel
    * 16 Hooiveld
    * 38 Thompson
    * 48 O'Dea
    * 06 N'Guemo
    * 18 Ki
    * 27 Zhi (McGinn 64)
    * 46 McGeady (Caddis 85)
    * 09 Samaras (Rasmussen 64 yellow card)
    * 10 Fortune
     Substitutes
    * 24 Zaluska,
    * 52 Caddis,
    * 14 McGinn,
    * 17 Crosas,
    * 20 McCourt,
    * 19 Rasmussen,
    * 55 McGowan

Match report-
Morten Rasmussen bagged his first Celtic goal to set up an unconvincing win at Hamilton Accies.

The Danish striker immediately marked his arrival as a substitute with a sharp turn and shot on 67 minutes.

Prior to Rasmussen's strike, Celtic had toiled to break down stubborn, if unadventurous, opponents, with little goalmouth action to excite the fans.

Celtic were awarded a late penalty but Tomas Cerny made a good save to deny Marc-Antoine Fortune.

It was a hard slog for the visitors, who rarely found any passing fluency on a badly rutted pitch.

Visiting manager Tony Mowbray will be pleased that Rasmussen opened his account but the lack of cutting edge and midfield creativity must be a concern for the team chasing league leaders Rangers.

The home side made a lively start, with Celtic scrambling to clear a dangerous fourth-minute corner from Brian Easton, while Jordan Kirkpatrick was inches away from connecting with a Trent McClenahan cross.

However, the Accies completed the 90 minutes without a serious effort on target.

Celtic slowly worked their way into the game and Hamilton defender Mark McLaughlin awkwardly turned the ball over his own crossbar before Aiden McGeady went close with a drive from 18 yards.

Celtic full-back Andreas Hinkel was getting forward frequently but his team-mates could not capitalise on the German's good deliveries into the penalty area.

Nine minutes from the break, McLaughlin stepped in to intercept a slack pass to Georgios Samaras then strode forward purposefully only to see his 30-yard drive fly wide.

Fortune broke free of the home defence but his shot was well blocked by Cerny before the striker ballooned the rebound over the bar.

Celtic skipper Darren O'Dea headed over from a corner before Jos Hooiveld hit the side-netting following another set-piece from Ki Sung-Yueng.

Early in the second half Landry N'Guemo made a powerful run from the heart of midfield but his shot took a deflection and looped into the arms of Cerny.

On 65 minutes, South Korean midfielder Ki did well to manufacture room for shot on the edge of the penalty area but his powerful effort was beaten away by Cerny.

The breakthrough came two minutes later when Rasmussen, on as a replacement for the ineffectual Samaras, managed to turn sharply and shoot low into the net after a strong run from Ki.

The visitors were knocking the ball around with more purpose after the goal but still found it difficult to prise open the Accies defence.

A fierce angled drive from Fortune was blocked at his near post by Cerny and the keeper again denied the Celtic striker from a penalty in time added on.

Fortune was bundled over by McLaughlin but his spot-kick lacked accuracy and Cerny was able to parry the ball to safety.

"Over the 90 minutes we matched Celtic in most departments. Our goalkeeper has had one or two saves.

"But they've got the break of the ball and the big lad's (Morten Rasmussen) put the ball in the net.

"It's a wee bit unfair on our players; their commitment and effort was there for all to see. We just don't seem to get that wee break in front of goal.

"We had five first-team regulars missing today, but we have to start picking up points. It's been a tough schedule for us. We've got a break next week and we'll come back."

"We expected a tough game and I said that before the match.

"Hamilton are a very committed side and they've had three games recently against Rangers and done exceptionally well.

"They made life very difficult for us and we had to be patient, we knew we'd create chances.

"Thankfully, Morten Rasmussen came off the bench and scored a goal - that's why he's here.

"We've got some key players out injured at the moment: Brown, Maloney and McDonald. Your best players make the difference in the tight games.

"Hopefully, when the players I've mentioned return, and with another one or two additions, then we won't be far away."

SPL news 31st JanSPL--Match reviews 31st Jan 20010--

2010-01-31T10:34:00.000Z

Debut joy for Rasmussen

Morten Rasmussen came off the bench to net the winner midway through the second half as Celtic beat Hamilton Accies 1-0 in the lunchtime clash at New Douglas Park.

Marc-Antoine Fortune saw his late penalty saved by Tomas Cerny as the ex-Brondy hitman's goal proved enough. The result leaves Tony Mowbray's men 10 points off the pace but they can cut the gap to seven by beating Kilmarnock in a rearranged game on Tuesday.

Rangers remain clear at the top thanks to a 3-0 victory over bottom club Falkirk at Ibrox. A superb Steven Davis free-kick gave Walter Smith's men - unbeaten at home in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League - an interval lead and John Fleck and Steven Whittaker struck in the second period.

Craig Brown continues to enjoy a great run with Motherwell. They beat Aberdeen 3-0 at Pittodrie to secure a fourth successive SPL shut-out and move up to fifth in the table. John Sutton's double and Lukas Jutkiewicz goal made it a day to remember for Well in the North East.

Third-placed Hibernian left it late to clinch a 2-1 Easter Road victory over St Mirren. Sol Bamba's early own goal had Saints in front but Liam Miller levelled before the break and an injury-time own goal from Jack Ross consigned the Paisley club to a seventh successive away defeat.

Kilmarnock and Dundee United were involved in an incredible 4-4 draw at Rugby Park. Killie had failed to score in five SPL matches but Simon Ford and Kevin Kyle netted before the break. United led 3-2 at that point thanks to goals from Craig Conway (2) and Prince Buaben but required a Jon Daly penalty to salvage a point after Manuel Pascali and Craig Bryson had the hosts 4-3 ahead.

Kenny Deuchar's first league goal of the season was enough to give St Johnstone a 1-0 win over Hearts at McDiarmid Park as Jim Jefferies suffered a defeat in his first match in charge. Derek McInnes' men, promoted last term, are now nine points clear of Falkirk with a game in hand.

Clydesdale Bank Premier League table and statistics

Aberdeen v Motherwell info plus SPL news and transfer ins and outs

Aberdeen are hopeful that this afternoon's Clydesdale Bank Premier League match with Motherwell will go ahead at Pittodrie as scheduled despite the wintry conditions.

The pitch is free of snow and the club are working hard to clear the stands and concourse areas.
SPL news 31st Jan 2010--
Jefferies back at Hearts

Jim Jefferies has tonight been named as the new manager of Hearts following the departure of Csaba Laszlo earlier today. His first game is away to St Johnstone on Saturday.

Laszlo had been in charge for 18 months and guided the club to third place in the SPL last season, with Hearts set to take on St Mirren on Tuesday for a place in the League Cup final.

Jefferies, who left Kilmarnock earlier this month after eight years at the helm, returns to Tynecastle where he spent many years as a player and won the Scottish Cup as manager in 1998.

He told the Hearts website: "Everyone knows the affection I have got for the club. I didn't give it any thought until I got the call this afternoon. The discussions went well and I know how things work in the club - it is just a fantastic feeling to be back involved at the club again.

"We're in the top half and we're in a cup semi-final. It is very positive. It is not often a manager can come back and it has been nine years. Hopefully we can use the experience gained in that time. Although I am a bit older, the passion is still there for this club."

Managerial factfile - current SPL bosses

Busy day of ins and outs

There were several comings and goings in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Friday ahead of the closure of the transfer window at midnight on Monday.

Rangers striker Rory Loy (pictured) has joined St Mirren on loan until the end of the season and Buddies boss Gus MacPherson said: "We were down to three strikers. Rory is a young, talented striker with a lot of pace and we believe he can add something to the squad."

Full-back Brian Easton has rejoined Hamilton Accies on loan from Burnley, whose manager Brian Laws said: "He is a player who has got a good future ahead of him and it's important he gets as many games as he can." Striker Joel Thomas has also returned to New Douglas Park on loan to the end of the season, moving north from Colchester United.

There were two notable departures from Celtic. Stephen McManus has joined former boss Gordon Strachan on loan at Middlesbrough while full-back Danny Fox has signed for Burnley.

Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes is close to joining Sporting Lisbon and Jerome Rothen has left the club. Manager Walter Smith said: "I would hope a little bit of money would be freed up. The one area that's causing a bit of a problem more than anything else is in the wider areas."

Jan transfer window singings

English Premiership Match reviews 31st Jan-Match pteviews also

2010-01-31T10:17:00.001Z

With Chelsea heading to Burnley to keep the pressure on Man u for this years premier league title all the focus was centred around John Terry and the news headlines were not a vote of confidence for the Chelsea and England captain now i blog about football so putting that a side lets get on with the football i say. Chelsea needed to win yesterday and win they did but the 1st half we saw them maybe a little unsure they did not go at Burnley the way we have seen them start previous games i like watching Chelsea(only like now)as they do play some great football they are all out attack but yesterday they were not the same they had chances and new signing Leon Cort was just amazing in the Burnley defence tackle after tackle he just was up for it, until the 1st goal, it took Chelsea around 30mins to get the opener and it came from Anelka(who else)Joe Cole started the move with a high cross to the back post, it looked a lost cause, until, Malouda chased the ball, who got it back into the area and Anelka lost two defenders to coolly finish to open there account for the day.

It didn't take long in the 2nd half for Chelsea(who looked like they were playing much better)to get the goal they needed, Joe Cole was the man who got it in the net BUT it was was ruled offside in the 56th min, Lampard had a close one before that only to be saved, Chelsea kept the preasure up on Burnley and that question was running threw my head not if but when will they get that goal and it came when Ancelotti decided to switch things around in the 73rd minute and brought on Daniel Sturridge for Joe Cole, who else but Terry, Terry managed to get on the end of a cross in from a corrner by Malouda the ball came in to, the box in the 83rd min, Terry headed it in the net to give them the winning goal and take them 4 points in lead of Man u who play today all in all a slow start by Chelsea but they done what they needed and unlucky Burnley they did play well defensivly.

Read the full indepth review from that game plus all off yesterdays matches ----

Burnley

1-2

Chelsea

17:30

Turf Moor

Match review


	Birmingham City	1-1	Tottenham Hotspur		15:00	St. Andrews Ground

Match review

0-2

15:00

Match review

0-0

15:00

Match review

0-1

15:00

Match review

2-0

15:00

Match review

Today we have the 2 Manchester teams playing not each other, which would be dynamite to watch, Man City are at home to portsmouth here are the previews and links to indepth previews also for Monday nights match reviews posted tomorrow and Tuesday.

Match previews - Sun 31st Jan
A look ahead to Sunday's fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsenal and Manchester United will aim to enhance their Barclays Premier League title credentials as they meet in a mouth-watering fixture at the Emirates Stadium.

In the day's other match, bottom club Portsmouth bid to become the first visitors this season to win at Manchester City

Man City v Portsmouth

Manchester City are unbeaten at Eastlands this season, dropping just six points in front of their own fans.

Portsmouth have taken just one point from a possible 15 on the road and have not won a league match at Manchester City in 15 visits since August 1963.

City have scored in their last 20 home fixtures and if they find the net against Pompey, it will be their best scoring sequence since 1958.

Click for in depth preview
Manchester City v Portsmouth (Referee: Martin Atkinson)

Arsenal v Man Utd

Arsenal are unbeaten in 10 league matches, taking 24 points. They are the division's top scorers but their goalless draw at Aston Villa was their first of the season.

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last four league matches against the Gunners but have not won at the Emirates in the Barclays Premier League.

Arsene Wenger is chasing his 300th win as a Premier League manager. Victory against United would see him become only the second manager to reach this milestone after Sir Alex Ferguson who is currently on 438.

Click for in depth preview
Arsenal v Manchester United (Chris Foy)

Match preview - Mon 1st Feb
A look ahead to Monday's fixture in the Barclays Premier League.

Sunderland host Stoke City on Monday with both clubs looking nervously over their shoulders.

The Black Cats have slipped to the fringe of the relegation battle after taking just three points from a possible 27.

They have won only one of their last 13 and have leaked 18 goals in their last six matches.

survival scrap

Stoke sit just two points above the Wearsiders and manager Tony Pulis is keen to ensure his side do not get sucked into a survival scrap.

After failing to win any of their final six fixtures of 2009, the Potters are unbeaten this year and seem to be bouncing back to their best on the evidence of an impressive win against Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Stoke have failed to win in their last seven visits to Sunderland but have drawn four. They have won only once on the road this season while Steve Bruce's men have been beaten only twice at the Stadium of Light.

Click for indepth match preview
Sunderland v Stoke City (Referee: Howard Webb)

SPL Weekend preview's for 30th Jan 2010--

2010-01-30T10:40:00.000Z

Weekend previews plus were to watch/listen to each match match reviews posted tomorrow morning along with managers reactions.

It's top against bottom in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this weekend as Rangers entertain Falkirk while Celtic are in action at Hamilton on Saturday lunchtime - live on ESPN.

Third-placed Hibernian have home advantage against St Mirren, Dundee United travel to Kilmarnock, Aberdeen host Motherwell and St Johnstone welcome Hearts to McDiarmid Park.
Click for all spl match previews

Aberdeen (6) v Motherwell (7) – Saturday, 3pm
Last five form: Aberdeen LWLWW Motherwell LLWWD
Referee: Steve Conroy
TV: Highlights Sky Sports & BBC
Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Motherwell although both games this season have been drawn – 0-0 at Pittodrie and 1-1 at Fir Park. The Dons are above their visitors on goal difference and are seeking a third straight SPL win. Motherwell have also been in good form, taking seven points out of nine under new manager Craig Brown, without conceding a goal.

Hamilton Accies (10) v Celtic (2) – Saturday, 12.30pm
Last five form: Hamilton LLLLD Celtic WDDWL
Referee: Calum Murray
TV: Live on ESPN & ESPN HD
Celtic have won all five previous Clydesdale Bank Premier League encounters, including a pair of 2-1 victories at New Douglas Park. Accies have failed to score in four of their last five SPL games since winning 2-1 at Aberdeen and are three points above bottom club Falkirk. Celtic have scored in each of their last 13 matches but have kept only three clean sheets in that period.

Hibernian (3) v St Mirren (9) – Saturday, 3pm
Last five form: Hibernian LDLWW St Mirren WWLLL
Referee: Willie Collum
TV: Highlights Sky Sports & BBC
John Hughes’ men are looking for their third win in the space of a week after beating Hamilton and Celtic to return to third in the table. Hibs have won their last three home games against Saints, including a 2-1 victory in August, and have failed to net in just one SPL fixture at Easter Road.
St Mirren are on a run of six successive away defeats and have not scored in the last three.

Kilmarnock (11) v Dundee United (4) – Saturday, 3pm
Last five form: Kilmarnock DLLLD Dundee United LWWWD
Referee: Dougie McDonald
TV: BBC ALBA delayed transmission
Dundee United won 2-0 at Rugby Park earlier in the season before a 0-0 draw at Tannadice on Boxing Day. United have lost just once on the road - at Ibrox - and have been in good form under Peter Houston, who will stay in charge until the summer. Killie are a point above bottom club Falkirk but are still seeking their first SPL goal since the arrival of new boss Jimmy Calderwood.

Rangers (1) v Falkirk (12) – Saturday, 3pm
Last five form: Rangers WDWDW Falkirk WLDLD
Referee: Crawford Allan
TV: BT Vision on demand
It’s top against bottom at Ibrox, where Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Hearts last weekend. Walter Smith’s men won at St Mirren in midweek to go 10 points clear at the summit. The Light Blues have won their last 11 matches against Falkirk in all competitions since the Bairns triumphed 1-0 in December 2006. Eddie May’s men are undefeated in their last three away matches.

St Johnstone (8) v Hearts (5) – Saturday, 3pm
Last five form: St Johnstone LWWLD Hearts WDWDL
Referee: Euan Norris
TV: Highlights Sky Sports & BBC
Saints hold the upper hand this season, with a 2-1 win at Tynecastle after a 2-2 draw in Perth.
St Johnstone were involved in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Dundee United in midweek and only the leading four clubs have scored more goals. Hearts saw their unbeaten run ended by Aberdeen but they have been solid on the road of late, winning at Falkirk and drawing at Hibs and Rangers.

English Premiership Match previews 30th Jan 09/10 -

2010-01-30T10:31:00.000Z

Match previews - Sat 30th Jan
A look ahead to Saturday's fixtures in the Barclays Premier League.

Chelsea look to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League as they travel to Burnley.

With Manchester United not in action until Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti's men can open up a four-point gap over the champions.

Birmingham v Spurs

Birmingham City's 12-match unbeaten run came to an end with their 3-0 midweek defeat at Chelsea and manager Alex McLeish will be looking for his side to string together another strong sequence of scores.

Tottenham Hotspur have lost just one of their last five on the road as they push for a place in the Champions League.

Spurs have kept a clean sheet in six of their last seven league matches but have won only once at St Andrew's in the past 24 years, a 2-0 success in March 2006.

Birmingham are unbeaten in their last seven home league fixtures and have kept nine clean sheets this season.

Ckick for indepth preview
Birmingham City v Tottenham Hotspur (Referee: Stuart Attwell)
click for the rest of today's epl previews

Fulham v Aston Villa

Fulham play their first home Barclays Premier League fixture of the year. They have gone 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions at Craven Cottage.

Aston Villa have not found the net in their last four league outings, picking up just two points in that run.

Fulham have lost their last four league matches and have gone five without a win.

Click for indepth preview
Fulham v Aston Villa (Lee Mason)

Hull City v Wolves

Hull City will be glad to get back to the KC Stadium after four successive away matches. They had gone five unbeaten in front of their own fans before losing at home to Manchester United on 27th December.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have lost three of their last four and are out of the drop zone only on goal difference.

The Tigers have gone eight league matches without a win while Wolves have gone 400 minutes without scoring a goal in the Barclays Premier League.

Click for indepth preview
Hull City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Mike Dean)

Liverpool v Bolton

Liverpool have taken 11 points from a possible 15 during an unbeaten run of five matches in the Barclays Premier League.

Bolton Wanderers have lost four out of six away from home, taking just two points in that time. But they have not won a league match at Anfield since January 1954.

Liverpool have won their last six meetings with the Trotters whose midweek clean sheet against Burnley was their first in 23 league matches.

Click for indepth preview
Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers (Steve Bennett)

West Ham v Blackburn

West Ham United have lost just two of their last eight home league fixtures but stay out of the drop zone only on goal difference.

Blackburn Rovers are bidding for a third successive win but have picked up just two points from a possible 15 away from home.

The Lancashire club have not won at the Boleyn Ground since April 1994 and have lost 13 of their last 16 fixtures away from Ewood Park.

Click for indepth preview
West Ham United v Blackburn Rovers (Peter Walton)

Wigan v Everton

Wigan have lost just one in eight in all competitions at the DW Stadium but are just two points above the relegation zone.

Everton have gone eight matches unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League to ease up to ninth place.

The Latics have won just two of the 10 meetings with the Merseysiders who have come out on top six times.

Click for indepth preview
Wigan Athletic v Everton (Alan Wiley)

Burnley v Chelsea

Burnley are still looking for their first goal or point under new manager Brian Laws but are strong at Turf Moor where they have lost just once this season. However they have drawn their last four in front of their own fans.

Chelsea have taken two points from nine on the road but remain top of the current form table.

Burnley have gone 11 Barclays Premier League matches without a win while the Blues have won two out of seven on the road.

Click for indepth preview
Burnley v Chelsea (Phil Dowd) Previews for tomorrow matches will be posted later on today also with the latest transfer news rumour and facts all match reviews posted tomorrow morning.

Manchester city news 29th Jan 2010--

2010-01-29T12:45:00.000Z

Is Fergie starting to wory about his neighbours next door after banning reporters from the ground he just might be having nightmares about City,
in fact, at times it has seemed like he’s losing the plot completely.

Last Friday, a group of Sunday newspaper journalists banned by United from attending future press conferences for daring to use some quotes from the United manager in which he had criticised Carlos Tevez.

According to Ferguson, Tevez should have been sent off for a tackle on Wes Brown in the first leg of the semi-final clash with City.

Later he told a member of his staff to instruct us not to use the quotes.

It wasn’t because he thought his words would inflame an already volatile situation but that he was worried he would be giving the Argentine striker another stick to beat him with.

The Sunday Mirror – along with four other newspapers – ran the quotes because we felt we were right to do so.

If our motive had been to land Ferguson in trouble with the FA as they attempted to take the sting out of the return tie, we would have also reported some less than complimentary remarks he made about referee Mike Dean, which we were happy to ignore when he made it clear at the time they were off the record.

Now banning orders aren’t such a rarity at Old Trafford. But five in one day is, I believe, a record.

Sky Sports News were next to get the red card on the eve of the second leg, apparently because they had the temerity to show Gary Neville giving Tevez the finger.

Maybe Sky should now ask United to send back their share of the £1.78billion they pay the Premier League – if the Glazers haven’t already spent it.

Yet perhaps the clearest indication that City are really starting to play on Ferguson’s mind was his team selection for the Carling Cup games.

Playing the kids was never going to be an option given how City have approached the competition.

They would have been hammered over two legs and would have perhaps never recovered.

But Ferguson’s desperation to have Rio Ferdinand in his team spoke volumes given that he knew the England defender had been caught bang to rights elbowing Hull’s Craig Fagan last weekend and would have a suspension extended if United launched an appeal.

The fact that he was willing to sacrifice Ferdinand for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal and three other Premier League games was the biggest complement he could have paid City.

It was the epitome of a small mentality, to be honest.
So what do we think is he starting to worry as even he has to admit next season i think City will be a team to be watch not just because i am a fan but because they are getting better as the weeks go on and with Mancini there he really has had a good start and the players seem to like him and more important the players really are playing for the club(not like a certain Brazilian)every City fan must admit Mancini was a good move and he is doing good for the club so yes Fergie should be worryed.

What the papers are printing-

The late finish on Wednesday meant that yesterday's papers mostly just had reflection on events on the night at Old Trafford. Today's a different story, with plenty of scribes having had enough time to mull things over.

Ian Herbert in the Independent acknowledges that City lost the battle, but that it would "be foolish to rule them out of the turf war", going on to reveal that Roberto Mancini earned an ovation from the squad for a rousing speech on the team bus as they prepared to leave Old Trafford.

Oliver Kay in The Times also brings in the other big story in the wake of the exit from the Carling Cup, the departure on loan of Robinho for Santos. "Day 514 of the Great Manchester City Project was one of contemplation. There was the hangover from the dramatic but ultimately deflating night before and there was also the meek departure of Robinho, the £34.2 million man whose acquisition was supposed to herald the club’s emergence as football’s new superpower. Let us call it the end of the beginning for City under the ownership of Sheikh Mansour."

There are many a column inch on the Brazilian, but with that transfer window beginning to close there's plenty of other moves to be contemplated. In the Sun Gordon Strachan is expecting Adam Johnson to stay at Middlesbrough, but they, and other papers, report that the player has asked for permission to speak to City.

A loan move for Benjani from City to west Ham is mooted once again in several places, while the name of Fernando Gago crops up more than once. The Sun says that we have been told to up our bid for the Real Madrid midfielder by £5m to £15m, while the Independent thinks we may miss out given the Spanish club's reluctance to sell.

But on a different tangent, look in the Mirror for Robbie Savage's "I was having dinner with my mate Roberto Mancini" story. A Leeds fan berated Sav for five minutes, ignoring who he was with, until the very funny (and unprintable) punchline. Needless to say our manager had the last laugh and remained as unruffled as ever.

Do the Tevez dance winner has been anounced on Man City Site

Watch some video from the Site Fanzone Dannys top 5

The oldest City fan has had her 100th birthday Happy Birthday Alice

Transfer rumour gossip and facts 09/10 season jan window--29th

2010-01-29T12:31:00.000Z

HEADLINES: Birmingham to sign Pavlyuchenko in package worth £23m..... Arsene Wenger rules out new signings..... Brown rubbishes 'fire sale' claims..... Avram Grant threatens to quit Portsmouth..... Anderson linked with Lyon.....

Arsene Wenger has admitted is is "unlikely" Arsenal will sign any new players before the end of the January transfer window...

DEAL: Chris Hughton has bolstered his defensive options by signing QPR defender Fitz Hall. Newcastle officials have also confirmed that they have made what they consider a "fair and substantial" offer for Victor Moses

BIRMINGHAM CITY: Birmingham's new owner Carson Yeung is reportedly ready write a £23m cheque to bring Roman Pavlyuchenko to the club. Tottenham are prepared to sell the Russian but want to recoup the £13m they paid for him 17 months ago with £50,000 a week wages and a signing on fee taking the package to a Blues club record. (Daily Express) Alex McCleish has also admitted the striker is top of his wish list but thinks Tottenham might be asking for too much...

PORTSMOUTH: Avram Grant has threatened to walk out of Portsmouth after two players were sold behind his back. The club are confident they have convinced Grant to stay but the former Chelsea boss and chief executive Peter Storrie are both fuming after Younes Kaboul and Asmir Begovic were sold to Tottenham without them knowing. (The Sun)

HULL CITY: Cash-strapped Hull's entire squad was last night put up for sale, according to the Daily Star. Hull's debt is believed to stand at £10m, with a reported wage bill of £39m, and chairman Adam Pearson will listen to all offers for their players in a bid to balance the books. But manager Phil Brown has come out and rubbished the rumours.

MANCHESTER CITY: Manchester City lead the chase for Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson. The winger has asked for permission to talk to City with the Daily Express reporting that Boro are holding out for £9 million.
SPAIN: Manchester City have refused to stump up Real MadridÂ’s £20m euro asking price for Argentinean midfielder Fernando Gago. Celtic have had a 1.5m euro bid for centre-back Ivan Ramis turned down by Mallorca. (Marca)
Manchester City have refused to give up on signing Bari goalkeeper Jean François Gillet but the shot stopper has reiterated that he does not want to leave Italy. (Tuttosport) . Manchester City team page .

BOLTON: Bolton Wanderers are attempting to hijack Aruna Dindane's £5m to Birmingham. City have agreed a fee with Lens for Dindane, who has scored five goals on loan at Portsmouth this season, but the Trotters are set to step in and offer a higher salary. (Daily Star)

FULHAM: Fulham have revived a bid for Roma striker Stefano Okaka. The 20-year-old Italian looked set to sign on loan earlier this month but talks broke down. (Daily Star)

WEST HAM: The Hammers have expressed an interest in Egypt striker Mido and are also eyeing Palermo keeper Rubinho. (Daily Mail)

BLACKBURN ROVERS: Sam Allardyce is confident he can keep Morten Gamst Pedersen out of the clutches of other clubs. The midfielder's contract expires in the summer and Turkish club Fenerbahce are interested in making a pre-contract agreement with Pedersen. But Allardyce said: "I think we can keep Morten here."

CHAMPIONSHIP: West Brom are closing in on a deal to sign Dutch international Andwele Slory from Feyenoord. Billy Davies has launched a £1.5m bid to bring Victor Moses to Nottingham Forest from cash-strapped Crystal Palace, with fellow promotion chasers Newcastle and West Brom also reported to have bid the same amount. Sheffield Wednesday boss Alan Irvine is poised to sign Zimbabwe international Onismir Bhasera. Championship team page

LEAGUE ONE: Gillingham and Tranmere are fighting to take Colchester's Scott Vernon on loan. League One page

GERMANY: China international Hao Junmin will join Bundesliga club Schalke 04 as a free agent.

According Mundo Deportivo, ValenciaÂ’s Manuel Fernandes will today join Internazionale on loan for the rest of the season

Deportivo La Coruna are closing in on the signature of Valencia Asier del Horno, who is set to join on loan until the end of the season. (Marca)

AC Milan chief Adriano Galliani expects Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Â“Huntelaar has to resign himself and be calm because Milan aren't selling him,Â” said Galliani. Â“No-one has come to me with any offers.Â” (libero-news.it)

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini admits midfielder Fabio Simplicio could be on his way to Roma. (Corriere dello Sport)

ITALY: Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt continues to be linked with a move to Juventus if boss Rafa Benitez makes the switch in the summer. (Virgilio Sport)

All Transfer news and rumours are from Yahoo and all links in this post are for Yahoo pages even the team pages are Yahoo team pages not the clubs official sites more rumours gossip and fact soon.

SPL news 29th Jan 2010--

2010-01-29T12:21:00.000Z

Have Celtic blew it can we get back into title race with Rangers are just some of the questions i have been asking myself and to be honest i think we can we have the players to do it after the midweek game with Hibs and there late goal(what is it with late goals this week)to beat us 1-2 at home we have still got a chance yes it will be tough we are 10 points behind Rangers and we do have a game in hand we are at Hamilton on Saturday and we really have to win that(along with every other game)the title race is still on i think and so does Darren O'Dea here is what he said along with some SPL news(tomorrow morning will be match previews)

O'Dea thinks so-
Celtic captain Darren O'Dea denied the Hoops blew their title hopes on Wednesday night after a 2-1 defeat against Hibernian at Parkhead left them 10 points behind Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Marc-Antoine Fortune headed the home side in to a fifth-minute lead but that was cancelled out before the break by Easter Road striker Anthony Stokes and Hibs substitute Danny Galbraith fired in a dramatic breakaway winner in the dying seconds.

Asked if Celtic had blown their chance of wresting the title back from Ibrox, the Irishman retorted: "No, no. We are very disappointed, there's no doubting that. We need to go on to Saturday (against Hamilton) and win. But we have a game in hand and have Rangers still to play twice so it's not over by any means."

He added: "But it is a big challenge. We are 10 points behind and it's no secret that we have to win games but it's not over."

O'Dea insists the Hoops' dressing room is still firmly behind manager Tony Mowbray.

He said: "Oh yes, that's not even a question. The manager has got ideas and all the players are completely behind him.

"There is no doubting the effort but effort but isn't enough at a club like Celtic and at the moment we are just lacking a little bit."

The Celtic manager ignored one question about him feeling under pressure before insisting the Parkhead club can still catch their Old Firm rivals.

He said: "We have still to play Rangers twice and on the evidence of the first two games against them, it's games that we should be looking forward to.

"How many games have we got to go? There are enough games and enough points.

Ruddy welcomes well stay-

Motherwell goalkeeper John Ruddy is delighted both he and Craig Brown have extended their stays at Fir Park until the summer.

The club announced on Wednesday that Ruddy and Everton team-mate Lukas Jutkiewicz had prolonged their loan deals after having a major influence on Motherwell's season so far. Hours later Brown confirmed he had agreed to make his interim management role a more permanent arrangement, with an 18-month contract a possibility when the former Scotland boss sits down with chairman John Boyle.

"It will be a full season of football and it's something I've wanted for a long while," he said.

"I've had numerous loan spells ranging from a month to three months. I've grown fond of those places as well, with the exception of a couple!

"But because it's been six months you grow a bit fonder and the club have been excellent with me so I was more than happy to stay. The fans have been great with me ever since I joined so hats off to them and hopefully I can keep turning in performances for them."

While the appointment of Brown had no bearing on Ruddy's decision to stay, he is pleased the manager and assistant Archie Knox will continue.

"I think I would have stayed anyway, to be honest," the 23-year-old said.

"But, with the gaffer coming in, he has given a new lease of life to everyone. I think you saw that with the performances the last few games.

"He's a very influential man, he has obviously done great things in this country and down in England so it's fantastic to have a bloke like him around the place.

"You could see it from day one when him and Archie came in, they are two massive characters. The job they have done in the short time they have been here is fantastic so hopefully we can continue with it until the end of the season."

Concerns for injured duo-
Hamilton manager Billy Reid has a couple of injury doubts for their Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Celtic.

Alex Neil and Mickael Antoine-Curier are slight concerns but will have their fitness assessed.

Joel Thomas - who has rejoined Accies on loan from Colchester - will be in the squad if the paperwork is completed on time.

McGhee hails confidence boost-
Hibernian's win at Celtic was the only disappointment of Mark McGhee's evening after he watched his Aberdeen side demolish Hearts.

The Dons romped to a 3-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory at Tynecastle to keep alive their hopes of snatching a Europa League spot and boss McGhee hailed his side's performance as their best of the season - but the result was soured somewhat by the fact they failed to cut the gap to third place after Hibs stunned Celtic at Parkhead.

"That's a disappointment, not because I'm a Celtic supporter but because I want to catch Hibs," said McGhee, who was nevertheless pleased fourth-placed Dundee United were held to a 3-3 draw by St Johnstone.

"They've dropped two points so we've done some good work.

"We can only win our games and I think this result coming here will give our players and supporters a whole lot of confidence and whole lot of belief that we can now take into the upcoming games."

Hibs remain 12 points clear of Aberdeen, while United are 11 ahead, though McGhee's men have games in hand.

"That's all we can do, chip away at it," he added.

The Dons boss was shocked how easily his side secured victory at Tynecastle, which came courtesy of goals from 16-year-old Fraser Fyvie - the new youngest scorer in SPL history - Darren Mackie and Derek Young.

"You think if you're going to win, it's probably going to be by the odd goal, the way that they play and the fact that we've not been scoring a lot of goals," said McGhee, who insisted there had not been a single "failure" in his team.

Manchester city news 28th Jan 2010--match review

2010-01-28T18:20:00.000Z

Having maybe got hopes up with all the hype around this game in Manchester it was that man Rooney who came up with the VERY late dramatic goal to snatch it from city and take united threw to the final.
Our day has to come we have the tallent and boy do we have the spirit just maybe we need someone with Tevez's belief up front with him and Bellamys speed it is only a question of when do we win a cup or title now and not will we win a cup or title there is no doubt in my mind that City WILL at Wembley very soon one thing i really hope the police find the people who threw things onto the pitch and hit Bellamy with this sort of thing is pure outragous and we all should help stamp it out by helping and pointing the people out they should not get away with it.
Robhino now has packed his bags and went to Santos well for 6 months anyway now will he come back does he even want to come back to City i really do not think he does and i really hope he does not as i have said we want players who want to play for the club not juat collect pay checks here is what City said on there web siite tomorrow i will be doing a full post on all the midweek matches i am still watching some of them so will post tomorrow about them.

Robhino has gone well for 6 month anyway
The Club can confirm that it has reached agreement with Santos for Robinho to join them on a six-month loan. The agreement takes immediate effect and ends on August 4.

Santos will assume all of the player's contract terms, including wages and bonuses. Robinho will travel to Brazil on Sunday to begin his loan period.

Manager Roberto Mancini said: "Robinho is someone who needs to be playing regularly and we wish him well for the period of his loan."

Robinho joined City on the final day of the transfer window of summer 2008 for a British record fee of £32.5m from Real Madrid.

He signed on the first day of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed's ownership and enjoyed a fine season, ending the campaign as top scorer with 15 goals, including a hat-trick against Stoke.

Robinho, who left Santos for Real Madrid in 2005, is first choice for Brazil, with whom he won the Confederations Cup last summer, but fears a lack of match action will jeopardise his place.

Well again i am gutted with the result of last nights match here is the official match review.

Offical match review--
Match details
Wednesday 27 January 2010, 8:00PM

Att: 74576
Carling Cup

Referee:
Howard Webb (South Yorkshire)
Teams
Manchester United:

van der Sar, Rafael (Brown 74), Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Nani (Valencia 90), Scholes, Fletcher, Rooney, Giggs

Unused subs:
Kuszczak, Owen, Berbatov, Park, Vidic

Bookings:
Scholes (36), Nani (64)
Manchester City:

Given, Richards, Boyata, Kompany, Garrido (Ireland 65), Wright-Phillips (Adebayor 74), De Jong, Barry, Zabaleta, Tevez, Bellamy

Unused subs:
Taylor, Onuoha, Sylvinho, Petrov, Adebayor, Ibrahim.

Bookings:
Tevez (46)

City’s wait for a Wembley final will have to go on hold a little longer after they were beaten 4-3 on aggregate in this epic arm wrestle with neighbours United.

Despite leading 2-1 from the opening contest a little over a week ago the Blues were unable to hold on to their slender advantage finally succumbing to second half goals from midfield duo Paul Scholes Michael Carrick and yet another Old Trafford injury time heartbreaker this time from Wayne Rooney.

The Blues had earlier given themselves a lifeline through Carlos Tevez whose 76th minute goal had levelled the tie and put a more realistic shine on events.

Carrick and Scholes stuck in the 51st and 73rd minutes after a first half in which the home side threatened only sporadically as lone hitman Rooney failed to make an impression on a watertight City defence. It made act two of the Carling Cup passion play every bit as intriguing and compelling as part one had been at CoMs.

The list of characters in Red had changed slightly but the Blues' main man Carlos Tevez was there sharing top billing while his verbal sparring partner Gary Neville was consigned to the stands.

City’s stuck with the same line up as the first encounter with African Cup of Nations returnee Emmanuel Adebayor back in the squad and on the bench. All those who had watched the FA Cup win at Scunthorpe returned to action.

There is little doubt that this pulsating and absorbing contest shifted the Carling Cup firmly back into centre stage after a spell when the second domestic knockout competition was almost being treated as insignificant.

There was no sense in this semi final or the one between Villa and Blackburn that this competition is any way second best. 10,000 City fans roared their lungs into submission in a bid to end the cup final hoodoo stretching back 28-years but even their herculean efforts and those of their heroes were ultimately dashed by Rooney’s free header a minute into the three added on by referee Howard Webb.

The first half had offered few clues as to the four goal salvo that would follow with the Blues testing van der Sar more often than the Reds troubled Shay Given.

The Republic of Ireland man was called into action just once to gobble up a low shot from Ryan Giggs at the other end his Dutch counterpart held Craig Bellamy’s header under the bar having earlier sprawled to save from Tevez effort also with his head.

van der Sar was first in action in the second half brilliantly turning aside a Micah Richards’ shot after the full back cut in from the right.

Then United briefly took control as Scholes scored from pull back by Carrick before Carrick himself rolled in a second off the post.

Dedryck Boyata cleared over his own bar at the height of the home side’s one spell of dominance and the battling, brave Blues bounced back as Tevez’ flick made it three for the tie and seemed to have sent the tie into extra time.

Evans was forced into heading over his own bar by Richards’ scuffed effort as City sought to repeat what they had done in 1969 but with referee Webb staring at his watch Rooney popped up with a winning header.

It was harsh on a City side that had tried its heart out and seemed comfortable for long periods. Vincent Kompany excelled at the heart of the back four when Boyata was only a hair’s breadth behind him ...Boyata became ‘Manata’ over this distance of this tie and may be harder to shift than Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott anticipated.

Mancini rues dramatic winner

Calm heads are what Mancini needs

Transfer rumour gossip and facts 09/10 season jan window--26th

2010-01-26T11:13:00.000Z

HEADLINES: Manchester United keen on Chris Smalling... Anderson on his way out of Old Trafford...Arsenal join Everton in race for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar... Manchester City eye Fernando Gago and Thiago Motta...

ARSENAL: The Gunners could have a rival to their interest in Fulham's Chris Smalling - Manchester United are reportedly preparing a £7m bid for the former Maidstone centre-half (Express). Injuries to Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea have left them short at times this season, with Nemanja Vidic's head seemingly elsewhere.
(They are also looking at Milan flop Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Star), but only for a cut-price deal.)

BLACKBURN: Benni McCarthy's move to West Ham was on the rocks after Rovers demanded £2.5m for him but he skipped training so could be allowed to leave for less. If not, Sam Allardyce will discipline him. Seems harsh as they are trying to get rid, but The Express are calling it a full-on strike.

BURNLEY: The Clarets have expressed an interest in taking Danny Fox back to England. The Scotland left-back only joined Celtic from Coventry in the summer.
Read more transfer news plus SPL clubs ins and outs

EVERTON: The Toffees move for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is gaining momentum (several papers). The Milan forward cannot buy a start at the moment but is a top player and would be an impressive replacement for Jo.

FULHAM: Roy Hodgson may have to look elsewhere after FC Basel insisted Swiss striker Marco Streller is going nowhere. They could revive their interest for Stefano Okaka, the Roma striker (Independent).

MANCHESTER CITY: A £12m bid for Real Madrid midfielder Fernando Gago has been rejected, with Los Merengues holding out for around £6m more as the Argentina man's time at the Bernabeu seems to be up (Sun). Gago, still only 23, has fallen out of favour since Madrid signed the world and his dog in the summer, with Xabi Alonso and Lassana Diarra preferred in central midfield.
(if that does not work, Roberto Mancini will raid former club Inter for Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta. He would join on loan.)

MANCHESTER UNITED: Anderson is set to leave Old Trafford after failing to show for training, according to The Sun. The Brazilian was dropped from the squad for the 4-0 win against Hull after playing poorly in the Carling Cup defeat to Manchester City and is on the wrong side of boss Sir Alex Ferguson. He cost around £20m when he joined from Porto but expect him to go on loan or for less than half that.

SUNDERLAND: The Black Cats are rumoured to have made a £10m bid for Younes Kaboul as they try to shore up a defence that leaked seven against Chelsea a few weeks back (Star).

TOTTENHAM: Harry Redknapp wants Roman Pavlyuchenko to stay but the player, it seems, cannot be bothered with being fourth-choice any more. Giovani dos Santos, meanwhile, is set to end his White Hart Hell and move to Galatasaray as part of Frank Rijkaard's revolution (Sun).

WEST HAM: They said they needed two strikers but the £100k-a-week option is unlikely, so the two Davids are eyeing another cheapish option to compliment McCarthy: Argentine forward Carlos Menseguez, of San Lorenzo, could move on loan. His track-record does not bode well though - West Brom chose not to take up their option after a short and unsuccessful loan spell last season.

CHAMPIONSHIP: Middlesbrough are close to signing Stephen McManus from Celtic after Gary Caldwell opted to join Wigan from the Hoops instead. Gordon Strachan is also set to swoop for Wayne Routledge in a £1.75m deal from QPR.

All transfer rumours are from Yahoo Sport and th various papers named after the rumour..........................

SPL Transfer news Jan window 09/10 season--26th Jan

Ins and outs at SPL clubs during the January transfer window:

ABERDEEN
In
Paul Marshall (Manchester City, loan)

Out
Sammy Stewart

CELTIC
In
Jos Hooiveld (AIK Stockholm)
Thomas Rogne (Stabaek)
Ki Sung Yueng (FC Seoul)

Out
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
Ryan Conroy (Partick Thistle, loan)
Willo Flood (Middlesbrough)
Chris Killen (Middlesbrough)
Barry Robson (Middlesbrough)

DUNDEE UNITED
In
Dusan Pernis (MZK Zilina)

Out
Mark Fotheringham
Johnny Russell (Raith Rovers, loan)
Nicky Weaver

FALKIRK
In
Jack Compton (Weston-super-Mare)
Colin Healy (Ipswich Town, loan)
Enoch Showunmi (Leeds United)

Out
Brian Allison (Stirling Albion, loan)
Chris Mitchell (Ayr United, loan)
Toufik Zerara

Hamilton Accies
In
Stuart Elliott (Doncaster Rovers)
David van Zanten (Morton)

Out
Guillaume Beuzelin
Leon Knight (Queen of the South)
Kevin Welsh

HIBERNIAN
In
Graeme Smith (Brighton)

MOTHERWELL
Out
Steven McGarry (Perth Glory)

ST MIRREN
Out
Stephen McGinn (Watford)

ST JOHNSTONE
In
Cillian Sheridan (Celtic, loan)

Out
Jonatan Johansson

Manchester city news 25th/26th Jan 2010--

2010-01-26T11:03:00.000Z

With all eyes on the transfer window and more important one transfer just stands out yes the Brazilian Robhino and Santos now i think folk who read my blog(not that many iam sure)already no my opinion on this for those who don't well i say sell and get rid yes not loan SELL it has been said the deal has been done for the loan(Rumour just in Robhino deal has been DONE link from twitter source)also read he is taking a pay cut. One thing is for sure the pay cut just makes me sick paying that much to ANY 1 person is outrageous no wonder he has an atitude i really hope he gets sold for good done and dusted never mind loaning him out get rid close the books on him this just shows he is not interested in playing good football for Man City we all no he wants to be in a Chelsea shirt(or is that just because there playing well this season)really he only came to City for that MASIVE PAY CHECK(£160,000-a-week)now most players at his age would have done the same, fair enough, BUT at least MOST other players WOULD PLAY for that pay check not give a half hearted attemp(more on Robhino bellow)............On to a total different player Tevez this guy is just amazing the way he darts around the pitch in an artical i read(which is bellow)he said "The welcome I received from the moment I arrived at City has been very special. I was made to feel loved and this means a lot to any footballer" for any player to say these things means a lot to the fans because it is a statement which tells the fans he is going to give his all in every game Tevez fells he is at the right club and for all the City fans that is priceless to hear as this means he is also very happy at City which also means staying long term it has been no secret that Mancini also likes Tevez he did want him at previous club he managed good signs all round as a happy player plays well a happy manager who likes the happy player just makes for an amazing player read the Man City news bellow 1st here is more on Robhino--

Todays Robhino update 26th
Santos have said they prefer to take Manchester City forward Robinho on an 18-month loan rather than make him a short-term signing.

The Brazilian giants have targeted the former Real Madrid player who has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League this season.

"We are respecting Manchester's directors, they have to be respected. We are optimistic without being too optimistic," Santos communications coordinator Arnaldo Hase told BBC Radio.

"The negotiations began last week, there were some mails between the Manchester directors and Santos directors."

He added: "The first thought of the Manchester directors, it was about six months. Of course Santos would like it to be more - one year, one year and a half if possible."

Robinho was a £32.5 million recruit by City last January and is known to want a return to his homeland.

While City officials remain reluctant to discuss the issue and boss Roberto Mancini insists he wants the player to stay so long as he is happy, Robinho said on Monday he was "90 per cent" certain he is returning to Santos.

Manchester City's final bill for expensive Robinho mistake will be at least £40m

In the next 48 hours, it could all be over. Five hundred and 13 days, 53 games, 16 goals and £11.5million in wages since Robinho touched down at Manchester City, rather than Chelsea, the man who changed the world will most likely be gone, certainly for six months, possibly for ever.

Perhaps, given the nature of his arrival, Robinho should delay finalising the loan deal which will take him to Santos, where he began his career, until the last day of the transfer window.

Perhaps television reporters should be stationed outside the club’s 20,000-capacity Vila Belmiro ground, together with jubilant fans. Perhaps Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, the Brazilian side’s president, should give an interview stating the move shows Santos’s intent to become the biggest club in the world.

Perhaps not. More likely, the player who cost more than Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres combined, the most expensive footballer in British history, will slink away from the Premier League through the back door. The man who arrived to set Manchester City on the road to glory will depart on the boulevard of broken dreams.

Few will miss him. True, he offered the occasional, tantalising glimpse of his undoubted, extraordinary ability. He was mesmeric on occasion last season, particularly at Eastlands, as Arsenal would testify. Edited highlights are not enough for £32.5 million, though. City had a right to expect the full feature.

They did not get it. By any normal reckoning, Robinho must rank as the standard-bearer for the worst excesses of the Premier League, for the perils of reckless spending.

He has been deemed surplus to requirements by two managers, one representing British grit, the other continental flair. Roberto Mancini worked with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Luis Figo. He knows how to get the best out of mercurial players. Even he found himself resigned to failure with the Brazilian.

Only two clubs, Benfica and Santos, have expressed any interest in rescuing him from his Eastlands purgatory. Neither of those sides, rich though their histories are, are at the forefront of the modern game. Neither of them even want to pay for him.

City will write off at least £40 million, all told, from the Robinho experiment. Even Manchester United recouped £10 million on Juan Sebastian Veron.

And yet such an analysis is overly simple. Yes, Robinho did not succeed on the pitch. Yes, economically, he was an expensive mistake. But he was not bought solely to deliver success on the pitch. And City deal in the freakonomics of the petrodollar. The cost? Just a handful of barrels.

Robinho was a statement of intent, a sign of what was to come. He was the clarion call that made the world sit up and take notice. Five hundred and 13 days ago, everything changed, and it was Robinho’s arrival that proved it. In that sense, he succeeded. In that sense, he could not have failed.

Robinho's father and several of the player's advisers also arrived in England over the weekend after the Brazilian international confessed he wished to leave Eastlands just 18 months after signing for a British record £32.5 million.

While Santos do not have the funds to match the player's £160,000-a-week wages, the club are believed to be ready to offer a package which would mean Robinho taking as much as a 30 per cent pay cut. City and external investors – in exchange for the right to use his image – would contribute the majority.

Under the terms of the offer, Robinho could forego as much as £1.2 million over the duration of his contract to push the deal through, though City are adamant they are under no pressure to let him to leave and insist a deal will only be agreed if a suitable financial package can be agreed. Robinho's father and several of the player's advisers also arrived in England over the weekend after the Brazilian international confessed he wished to leave Eastlands just 18 months after signing for a British record £32.5 million.
Robhino deal has been DONE read HERE

Carlos Tevez: I am at 'the right club' after joining Manchester City--
Carlos Tevez has said he is now at the right club after joining Manchester City from Manchester United.

The Argentina forward has stoked up the rivalry between the clubs with his brace in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final clash at Eastlands last week and his subsequent spat with United captain Gary Neville.

Manchester City stepped in to sign Tevez in the summer when United decided not to turn his loan deal into a permanent arrangement, and the 25-year-old insists he could not be happier at how things have turned out.

Quoted in the Daily Mirror, Tevez said: "The welcome I received from the moment I arrived at City has been very special. I was made to feel loved and this means a lot to any footballer.

"I feel I've shown I'm at the right club now. Everyone knows how important the fans are at this club and, if I make them happy, it's an honour.

"I think the United fans know I tried hard. City is my club now, a place where I feel part of everything. Maybe this wasn't always the way at United."

Nedum 1st game at wembley in sights--

Nedum Onuoha has never played at Wembley, but each passing cup-tie brings that mouthwatering prospect a little closer for the England Under-21 defender and lifelong Blues fan.

Nedum marked his call-up at Scunthorpe on Sunday by firing his first FA Cup goal - and City's important second - in a battling 4-2 victory that took Roberto Maancini's men into the last 16.

But the game that has captured Onuoha's imagination is the Carling Cup semi-final derby second leg at Old Trafford on Wednesday with City potentially just 90 minutes from reaching the final.

Nedum said: "It's probably as big a game as we've played in, an absolutely massive game and one that won't be forgotten for a long time. We need to make sure that at the end it's in our favour.

"It's the first time in a long time there's been so much pressure on United to beat us. But if you start thinking of defending at Old Trafford, it usually leads to bad things happening.

"We have to attack. If we score the first goal then it puts a lot more pressure on them. And if the game gets stretched later on, there are players on our side who will relish it.

"I was at the play-off final when we beat Gillingham but I've never actually played at Wembley, never come close. But we need to make sure we get through that semi-final hurdle."

Nedum, 23, was sidelined by injury when new manager Mancini arrived, but added: "You could see the way that the mentality changed in a short time, and there was even greater expectancy.

"It was good to be able to watch things develop and know the level you needed to be at if you want to be in the side. It's a challenge, but if it's too easy you probably lower your standards."

His strike just before half time at Glanford Park came courtesy of a cute pass from Stephen Ireland - the provider when he scored his UEFA Cup goal in Copenhagen 11 months ago.

Nedum, who was raiding from right-back, smiled: "I've played alongside Stevie for years, so I knew when to expect the ball. I usually score once a season, so I guess that's probably it!

"Perhaps in the past we'd have faced an upset. I was on the bench at Oldham and it hit me quite hard, but even though Scunthorpe arre a good side I was never really worried eveen at 1-1."

The official Man City match review plus news from past few days
match review
Match details
Sunday 24 January 2010, 4:00PM

Glanford Park Att: 9000

Roberto Mancini clearly has the hang of this cup-tie lark. At this rate, success-starved Blues fans are going to have to start thinking about making more than one trip to Wembley.

The only team in the country not to have lost a cup game this season found that Glanford Park was no cakewalk, but on a day when another of the elite fell by the wayside, City were good value.

Tricky ties like this were once the bane of the Blues. You don't need to go back as far as Halifax to feel a sense of relief. Oldham in 2005, Forest last season ... the list is too long.

But even though he fielded only three of the stars who tackled United in the Carling Cup semi-final derby, Mancini showed he can manage the high-wire balancing selection act with the best.

Indeed, it was Arsene Wenger who miscalculated on the day, otherwise his beaten Arsenal side would be bound for the City of Manchester Stadium in next month's fifth round rather than Stoke.

Impressive goals from Martin Petrov, Sylvinho and, finally, Robinho made sure that gallant Scunthorpe were never more than tasty filling between two hefty slices of the Carling Cup derby.

Scunthorpe do have a fighting quality about them, as they had showed during the feisty first half of their eventual 5-1 Carling Cup defeat at the City of Manchester Stadium back in October.

They once again had to contend with conceding an early goal, this time from that rejuvenated winger Petrov, who has flourished under Mancini after his perceived neglect earlier this season.

The Bulgarian, who kicked off Mancini's reign by scoring against Stoke on Boxing Day, conjured a fabulous strike after Robinho's series of stepovers momentarily mesmerised home defenders.

Teams
Scunthorpe United:

Murphy, Byrne, Jones (Milne,82), Murfin, Williams, Thompson, McCann (Wright, 87), Togwell, Woolford, Hayes (Forte, 87), Hooper

Unused subs:
Lillis, Sparrow

Bookings:
Manchester City:

Taylor, Onuoha, Boyata, Kompany, Sylvinho, Ireland (Zabaleta, 65), De Jong (Cunningham, 46), Ibrahim, Robinho Bellamy, 84), Benjani, Petrov

Unused subs:
Nielsen, Barry, Wright-Phillips

Bookings:
Sylvinho, Cunningham

But again, just as they had in October, Nigel Adkins' plucky Championship side not only recovered their composure but snapped up an equaliser to make a proper cup tie of the occasion.

Paul Hayes, celebrated in Scunny for scoring at Stamford Bridge, is an FA Cup warrior who helped Barnsley to the semi-finals, and his 29th-minute finish certainly matched Petrov's for quality.

Television replays showed that the striker was offside when the ball fell for him to volley past former Arsenal keeper Stuart Taylor, making his City debut in his first FA Cup tie for seven years.

But Scunthorpe probably deserved their stroke of fortune, given that they were by no means inferior in a cut-and-thrust first half, and the Blues had to work harder than they'd have liked.

Nigel de Jong, always up for a scrap, hurled himself into the midfield dogfight with gusto while Somali-born Norwegian youngster Abdi Ibrahim acquitted himself well on his surprise debut.

But it was another of City's bright young men who reclaimed the lead as Nedum Onuoha finished a right-flank raid by clipping Stevie Ireland's astute lifted pass beyond Murphy before half time.

City were bound to miss de Jong, replaced at half time by second debutant Greg Cunningham, and the Irish left-back's enthusiasm in the challenge cost him an unlucky booking inside two minutes.

But Cunningham's appearance freed Sylvinho for a midfield role that allowed the former Barcelona veteran to seal victory with a marvellous 35-yarder that dipped and dazzled as it beat Murphy.

As well as being his first Blues goal since arriving last summer, it was the Brazilian's first in English football for a decade, having last scored in Arsenal colours against Chelsea in 2000.

Soon after, a pinball flurry in Murphy's six-yard box saw the keeper block successive efforts from Ibrahim, Robinho, and Robinho yet again, prompting the frustrated Brazil ace to shake hands.

Scunthorpe felt somewhat aggrieved, having seen Cliff Byrne hit the bar in the first half and Taylor pull off a super save from Sam Togwell in the second just before Sylvinho made it 3-1.

They made sure there was a tense finish when home skipper Byrne's toe-poke effort from a long throw crept past Taylor off Dedryck Boyata's deflection with 20 minutes still to play.

But City rode the home backlash before some smart passing crafted a fine, clinical fourth goal for Robinho, who scored his first since May before immediately making way for Craig Bellamy.

Watch the official highlights HERE

Boss pleased--
Roberto Mancini was pleased with his blend of youth and experience that saw City through to the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues knocked a battling Scunthorpe United out of a cup competition for the second time this season, and in an entertaining affair goals from Petrov, Onuoha, Sylvinho and Robinho saw the Blues to a 4-2 win.

Abdu Ibrahim and Greg Cunningham were the latest City Academy graduates to make their first team debuts, and Stuart

“We played well, especially at times in the second half, but it was a difficult afternoon for us. Scunthorpe made it hard and deserve some congratulations. We had expected a typical FA Cup tie, which is what we got. I told the player they would need to concentrate for the full game, they did and we got the result but it was not easy.

“Our young players did very well, they have shown me what they can do in training and I had no problem in picking them today. They have the right mentality and this was a big test for them. I’m pleased with them and pleased for them.”

Moment of the day was Sylvinho’s spectacular long-range strike that put City 3-1 ahead midway through the second half, with the veteran Brazilian coming in for praise from his manager.

“Sylvinho is a great player to have in your squad, he sets an example to everyone and deserved his goal. It’s good to have someone like him that can change position if we need, and he had to in the second half. It was a fantastic strike by him and I’m pleased for him for all the hard work he puts in for the squad.”

Weiss on loan--
Vladimir Weiss has completed his loan move to Bolton, which will see him spend the rest if the season at the Reebok Stadium.

The 20-year-old Slovakian winger has made one starting appearance as well as three off the bench for City this season, scoring his first senior goal in the win over Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

His deal has been inked in in time for him to be registered for Tuesday night’s game against Burnley, where new Bolton boss Owen Coyle will face the club he left only recently.

Vlad will be keen to see some valuable match action ahead of his country’s participation this summer’s World Cup, and everyone at City wishes him every success for the rest of the 2009/10 campaign.

Robhino in spotlight--
No surprises as to what story in the Monday papers have descended on.

Robinho's comments to a Brazilian radio station dominate the back pages, with reports from yesterday's win at Scunthorpe inevitably being coloured by speculation over the player's future.

The Guardian's Danny Taylor was wedged into the compact surroundings of the press area at Glandford Park yesterday and he observes:

"The Brazilian may not have come to England with the intention of defeating sides of Scunthorpe's calibre but the late goal that saw off the side currently fourth from bottom of the Championship can be described as some kind of farewell gift – providing, that is, he gets his wish to leave England.

"Until then it had looked as if the former Real Madrid player would remember this as an occasion that encompassed all his memories of English football: a wintry afternoon in a strange town, little time on the ball, a heavy pitch and an opposition crowd roaring with malicious joy whenever his first touch let him down, or on those demoralising moments when he tried his luck from distance without any of the magic of old."

But with only a few days of the transfer window left there is always room for rumoured comings-and-goings. The Mail says that City are interested in taking Roma right-back Marco Motta on loan, while in the Mirror Benjani is 'likely' to get a similar deal with West Ham.

celtic news 26th Jan 2010-

2010-01-26T10:13:00.000Z

Samaras: team spirit is second to none at celtic
THERE may have been comings and goings at Celtic Park in recent weeks but Georgios Samaras says it has not affected the togetherness that exists among the squad.

The Greek striker believes there is a tremendous team spirit within the Hoops dressing room and also that new signings, Jos Hooiveld, Thomas Rogne and Ki Sung Yueng, have already fitted in well.

“I think we’re a really strong group and when a new player comes in he’ll settle right into the atmosphere,” Samaras said.

“When you have 20-25 players and want to win a game or do better in training sometimes you have some arguments, but in the end it’s like a big family.

“Most of the players have been here for two or three years, and even when players are out or are in, you have plenty of others who can keep the atmosphere and the dressing room the way we want.

“We’re always strong and don’t need anything else to make us stronger. We feel well with ourselves and that’s the most important thing.”

“I feel good in myself and all the team are feeling really good. There are a lot of games and a lot of points to be won and a lot of things can still happen."
(story by Mark Henderson from CELTIC Site)

That was posted before the st.johnstone match bellow is MORE transfer news and yes MORE players could be heading south and Mr O'Neill(who every celtic fan respects)has said NO to Mowbray about Curtis Davies for a loan deal so who is next to pack and head down south soon we will have an all new celtic team good thing or bad ?

Martin says no--
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has dashed Celtic's hopes of signing fit-again central defender Curtis Davies on loan.

Bhoys boss Tony Mowbray was reported to be interested in linking up with Davies, who played under him at West Brom before moving to Villa Park. Davies returned to action after five months out following shoulder surgery as a substitute during Saturday's FA Cup win over Brighton.

But O'Neill is not keen on allowing Davies to make a temporary switch to Parkhead. He said: "I wouldn't be in a position to be wanting to loan players out at this stage."

He added: "The reason being, of course, is that if you do it internationally between two countries - and Celtic and ourselves would be that - you'd have to do it for the whole of the season.

"While it would be great for some of the younger players to get maybe a month's football, we may well need Curtis. Things can happen here.

"A loan would be absolutely out of the question, especially for a season loan.

"I'm looking at trying to get some of the younger players games but I'm mindful of the fact that after 28 days we can get them recalled."

Villa have just three experienced centre-backs - Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar and James Collins - in addition to Davies as they push for a Champions League spot and Carling Cup and FA Cup glory.

Rasmussen keen on hoops--
Brondby striker Thomas Rasmussen hopes his "dream" move to Celtic becomes reality on Monday.

Celtic are understood to have agreed a fee of around £1.8million for the Dane. The 24-year-old, who has been in Thailand on duty with a Danish league select team, expects that to be completed soon and he is keen to sort personal terms with the Glasgow club.

"This is a dream I have had for a long time," Rasmussen said in the Mail on Sunday. "It is a step up for me, if it becomes a reality. I expect a clarification on Monday, but now I am going home to Denmark with the rest of the league team."

He added: "I have not even negotiated my personal things, but if the other things go in order, then I guess this also will. And I would really want it to go in order."

Fox could be set to head south next--
Burnley are interested in bringing Celtic's left-back Danny Fox to Turf Moor, Press Association Sport understands.

The Scotland international's short spell at Parkhead will end if the clubs agree a fee and the 23-year-old thrashes out personal terms with new Burnley boss Brian Laws.

Fox was signed from Coventry for an undisclosed sum on a four-and-half-year deal in July and made his debut in the 5-0 Wembley Cup win over Egyptian champions Al-Ahly. He has played 23 times this season under Celtic boss Tony Mowbray and in November made his Scotland debut in the 3-0 friendly defeat by Wales in Cardiff.

The departure of Fox would signal yet another change to the Hoops' squad which has already lost Gary Caldwell to Wigan and Willo Flood, Chris Killen, and Barry Robson to Middlesbrough.

Manchester city news 24th Jan 2010-

2010-01-24T11:22:00.001Z

With the headlines for man city all focused on one person for near 2 weeks(Tevez who else)the focus has returned to Robhino who is being headhunted by Brazil team Santos who he used to play for but they only want a loan deal which could be the right move as who would want to pay millions for a player who comes on as a sub only to be subbed now it was probable that the getting subbed after coming on as a sub situation prompted Santos to come forward after all when you see a player get subbed after coming on as a sub you start to think the manager wants him gone or at the very least is not happy with there performance i just have to say to Mancini snap this deal up get rid let him go home to Brazil we never no just maybe he might come back from the loan a total different player all together the loan JUST might make him happy the loan and being on home soil JUST might make him play better or am i JUST wishing and dreaming here after all in my eyes he is one of the laziest players i have EVER seen on his wage he should be darting about the pitch like a man possessed chaseing that ball like a pitbull(ok maybe not pitbull more grayhound)lets just say i am not a Robhino fan i really was expecting a hole lot more from him after all he has got talent he just does not use it ALL the time BUT i do have to say that when he does use it boy it is class to watch i really think this loan would be good for him and lets face it he aint really going to get picked for matches right now really is he ?

Here is the official Man City news--

Robhino could be moving back home--
After a few days of Carlos Tevez, Robinho is back at the top of the sportsdesk agenda as several papers report that Santos are in the process of trying to loan back their former star.

It did not go unnoticed in Brazil that Robi was a substituted substitute in the defeat at Everton last week, and that was taken as a sign that Roberto Mancini might be up for a deal.

Robinho is a likely starter in tomorrow's FA Cup tie at Scunthorpe, but the Daily Telegraph's Mark Ogden is among the reporters suggesting that it could be a farewell appearance for City.

Oggie believes a move has been sanctioned and writes: "Attempts to re-ignite Barcelona's interest in the Brazil forward by offering him on loan until the end of the season have been met with a cool response from the European champions, who have told City that Robinho is no longer a leading target.

"But Brazilian club Santos, who sold Robinho to Real Madrid for £20 million in 2005, are in talks with City over a short-term move for the 25-year-old (He's 26 on Monday-Ed).

"Although the two clubs remain some distance from agreeing on financial aspects of the deal, which would involve Santos paying a substantial proportion of Robinho's £160,000-a-week wages, sources at City believe a compromise can be reached.

"Despite making an instant impact at Manchester City following his move from Real in September 2008, Robinho scored just three goals in 2009 and he has yet to find the net this season."

Shrewd Sun man Neil Custis and Chris Wheeler in the Mail have similar stories from their Brazilian contacts, the latter offering also a cracking piece on our Cup opponents Scunthorpe. However the latter also offers up a piece that incorrectly says that City have had a bid for Victor Moses rejected by Crystal Palace

Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson, in his Mirror column, nominates Shay Given as a candidate for Player of the Year alongside Cesc Fabregas and former Blue Nicolas Anelka.

Lawro muses: "How Arsene Wenger and other bosses must kick themselves for not signing probably the best goalkeeper in Europe for a relative £6million snip."

Finally, scarf news: The Mirror reports that bookmakers Hills go 11-1 that Roberto won't wear one at Scunthorpe (anybody who's ever been to Scunny in January would want 500-1) while Sky Bet offer 8-1 that he wears it for every remaining game of the season. What, even the FA Cup Final?

Stephen Ireland set to do sunaday service--
Stephen Ireland is set to return to the City side for Sunday’s FA Cup tie as Roberto Mancini weighs up his options for a busy few days of cup football.

The 08/09 City Player of the Year has been out of the side due to a hamstring strain picked up against Wolves last month. The Blues boss is aware that some of his midfielders have carried a heavy burden of late, but is also keen to put out a strong side at Glandford Park.

“There are no new injuries,” he said on Friday lunchtime,”but we will recall Stephen on Sunday.

We will mix it again because I have three or four players who are very tired and I want them to be on the bench. I want to play a few young players again from the start.

“Gareth and Nigel have played a lot recently, so we’ll recall Stephen for Sunday, probably not for the whole game. We want to win, it will be difficult for us, they will be strong at home but we will put a good team out and we are looking to win. We’ll have a strong bench and they will be ready if we need them.”

The Manager also reported that Carlos Tevez may be one of those who do not start on Sunday, adding: “He’s very tired and he has a muscle problem. I have told him to stay at home and rest, but he might be on the bench.”

Patrick Vieira could be ready to make his debut after the game on Sunday, while Emmanuel Adebayor could be back training with the squad early next week.

“We think Emmanuel will be back on Sunday. It will be difficult for him to be ready for United, but if he is OK after he returns and he trains well, it’s possible he will be on the bench"..........

No more cup shocks says Mancini--
Roberto Mancini will be bearing some recent cup shocks in mind when City take on Scunthorpe at Glandford Park.

The Blues travel to north Lincolnshire having already beaten Nigel Adkins' side this season in the Carling Cup, but for Mancini that 5-1 win at the City of Manchester Stadium will count for nothing when the two sides kick off on Sunday afternoon.

He said, "We have watched Scunthorpe on video, and of course we played them in the Carling Cup earlier in the season.

Sunday will be a different game, there will be a few changes to our team but I want us to play well. Anything is possible in the FA Cup, and when I was in Italy everyone knew how big the FA Cup was.

"We must remember what happened between Liverpool and Reading, and United and Leeds as well. If we think about what happened in those two games, then we can go to Scunthorpe and make sure we win. It's a small ground, they will be strong because they are at home but we will have to be at our best and do what we can."

One player yet to feature since Mancini's arrival at City is Joleon Lescott, who had surgery to remove floating bone on a knee in early December. The England international is making good progress and could be in contention within a couple of weeks.

"Joleon is training with the physios," the boss continued, "maybe next week he will be able to train with the team. It might be possible that he will be ready for either Portsmouth or Hull after that. I saw him play when he was with Everton, and I know he's a good player with a lot of experience."

Clib news--

March games been moved--
Supporters are advised that due to television demands three fixtures have moved in March.

The home game against Tottenham is now on Saturday, March 6 with a 12.45pm kick-off. The trip to Sunderland has gone back a day to Sunday, March 14 (4pm) and Wigan will come to CoMs on Monday, March 29 (kick-off 8pm).

Jo on loan till end of season--
The Club can confirm that Jo will spend the rest of this season on loan to Galatasary.

The striker, 22, moved to City from CSKA Moscow in June 2008 and scored three goals before being loaned to Everton for the latter part of the 2008-09 season.

He returned to Goodison Park for the start of this season, but he now moves to the Turkish club, where he will team up with former City team-mate and fellow Brazilian Elano.

Transfers news for season 20th/24th--January deals and shock moves--

2010-01-24T10:53:00.000Z

HEADLINES: Van Nistelrooy signs for Hamburg... Real Madrid prepare Rooney bid...Everton agree Senderos deal...Wigan poised to sign Liga ace...Celtic want St Ledger...United eye Moussa Sissoko

DEAL! A massive blow for West Ham, Stoke and possibly also Spurs as Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has plumped for a move to Bundesliga side Hamburg. Hopefully the new Spurs management won't be wearing long faces for too long over the snub

Wigan have agreed terms with Villarreal to buy Argentine striker Marco Ruben.

ALMOST DONE: Everton have agreed a deal with Arsenal to bring in defender Philippe Senderos on loan until the end of the campaign Full Story

look around Europe sees Ajax striker Luis Suarez signe a one-year contract extension at the Amsterdam ArenA, Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard is hoping to stay at loan club Nice, Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini has been linked with a move to Barcelona, according to Sportevai.it and Inter midfielder Ricardo Quaresma could be off to Sporting Lisbon (Corriere Dello Sport).

A look at Saturday's tabloid rumours.

ARSENAL: Victor Moses is the latest to be linked to the Gunners. Not only the Gunners but Manchester City, Fulham, West Ham and, um, Nottingham Forest are preparing swoops for the £3m-rated teenage forward (Star).

BLACKBURN: Rovers have been linked with a swoop for Barcelona misfit Eidur Gudjohnsen, who started his English career at local rivals Bolton (Mail). Benni McCarthy is set to leave for West Ham.

CHELSEA: Joe Cole will not leave the Blues this summer - but Carlo Ancelotti will not guarantee him a first-team slot (Mirror).

EVERTON: Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could be in line for a surprise move to Goodison, with Louis Saha's contract winding down and Jo off to Turkey (Mail).

LIVERPOOL: Transfer target Luis Suarez will stay at Ajax after he signed a new contract with the Dutch club (official).

MANCHESTER CITY: Robinho's Eastlands hell could be over with Santos poised to take him on a six-month loan to help him find form before the World Cup. The FA Cup match with Scunthorpe will be his last game for City (Sun).

MANCHESTER UNITED: The Red Devils are lining up a bid for Moussa Sissoko, the Toulouse midfielder, as a long-term replacement for Owen Hargreaves. Anderson could go the other way to France, with Lyon keen, while Serb flop Zoran Tosic could be winging his way to Cologne (Mail).

TOTTENHAM: Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to snub Harry Redknapp's 'risky' deal and join Hamburg (Mail), with some claiming Spurs actually opted against a deal for the injury-prone 33-year-old (Star, Sun).

WEST HAM: Blackburn's Benni McCarthy is set to join the Hammers as they look for striker number two in their bid to bring a £100k-a-week star and a back-up to Upton Park.

SPAIN: Real Madrid have drafted in super agent Pini Zahavi to snare Wayne Rooney from cash-strapped Manchester United (Sun).

TURKEY: Blackburn winger Morten Gamst Pederson could be on his way out of Ewood either now or in the summer, with Fenerbahce emerging as prime suitors (Mirror)

More transfer news and rumours threw the week all Transfer news from Yahoo Sport

SPL Match reviews 23rd Jan 20010--

2010-01-24T10:47:00.000Z

Little denies Hearts--

Andrew Little came off the bench to grab a last-minute equaliser as leaders Rangers came from behind to draw 1-1 with Hearts in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Saturday.

The Northern Ireland internationalist pounced to deny Csaba Laszlo's men victory at Ibrox after Marian Kello had parried a Lee McCulloch shot. The visitors - who had Christian Nade sent off - had gone ahead through teenager Scott Robinson's first senior goal in 75 minutes.

John Hughes' Hibernian bounced back from last weekend's defeat at Tannadice to thrash Hamilton Accies 5-1 at Easter Road. Top scorer Anthony Stokes and Derek Riordan both scored twice and Colin Nish was also on target for Hibs before Flavio Paixao pulled one back.

Craig Brown's Motherwell ended a live TV jinx as they defeated St Mirren 2-0 in the ESPN lunchtime clash at Fir Park. Jamie Murphy and John Sutton scored in the second half as Well won at home for the first time since October. It was an eighth away defeat of the season for Saints.

Jimmy Calderwood made an unsuccessful return to Aberdeen as the seventh-placed Dons edged out Kilmarnock 1-0 at Pittodrie. A stylish goal from Derek Young early in the second half was enough to separate the two lowest-scoring sides in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

There are two games on Sunday. Falkirk will move off the bottom of the table if they take a point or better against Dundee United while second-placed Celtic go to a St Johnstone team who have not played an SPL fixture since Boxing Day. Both matches are live on Sky Sports.

Post-match reaction by managers

What the managers said after Saturday's games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League:

Aberdeen 1-0 Kilmarnock

Mark McGhee "I thought the performance today was good. We tried to play from the back and to a large extent it was successful. We passed the ball about pretty well in the second half."

Jimmy Calderwood "The first goal was always going to be vital, which they got through a wonderful strike from Derek Young. After that it was one-way traffic and they were hanging on."

Hibernian 5-1 Hamilton Accies

John Hughes "Once we got the first goal, I felt we played some really good stuff. I think we caught Hamilton at the right time. They've come off three momentous games with Rangers."

Billy Reid "I think we were losing 5-0 with 30 minutes to go, which I couldn't quite believe. I thought we'd scored early on from a set piece - the ball just didn't go in the net."

Motherwell 2-0 St Mirren

Craig Brown "They have taken the message about resilience and no-nonsense defending. You could see very few chances created by St Mirren and it was the same against Kilmarnock."

Gus MacPherson "The biggest disappointment is the way we defended a straightforward ball into our box. We had a chance to put the ball into their box and a minute later we're 1-0 down."

Rangers 1-1 Hearts

Walter Smith "We don't drop many points at home so but, in the context of the game and the way it went today, we are happy to get a point in the end."

Csaba Laszlo "Maybe if we had a bit more experience, we wouldn't have lost the goal because Rangers only had one chance. But I must compliment my team for their performance in this game."

Match reviews - 23rd Jan 2010 FA cup 4th round

2010-01-24T10:35:00.000Z

FA Cup review -
A round-up of Barclays Premier League sides in FA Cup fourth round action.

Goals from Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge saw Chelsea safely through to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.

Anelka made the breakthrough in the 36th minute but Darren Carter should have equalised for Preston only to send his shot the wrong side of the post from close range.

That proved to be the turning point with Sturridge extending Chelsea's lead in the 47th minute after John Terry's header had been blocked.

late winner

Reading produced another FA Cup upset as Gylfi Sigurdsson's late winner dumped Burnley out at the Madejski Stadium with a 1-0 triumph.

The Royals had won a replay at Liverpool in the last round, and added another Barclays Premier League scalp after a battling second-half display.

Sigurdsson, who had been a doubt because of a foot injury, latched onto a long ball into the penalty area with just three minutes left to send the Championship side into the fifth round.

Fulham won 3-1 to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round after overcoming a spirited Accrington Stanley side who were reduced to 10 men in the first half.

Having enjoyed the better of the opening stages at the Crown Ground, Stanley fell behind in the 21st minute when Erik Nevland fired in from close range.

The League Two side equalised within four minutes as top scorer Michael Symes tucked away his 14th goal of the season, but then suffered a setback in the 41st minute when Darran Kempson was sent off after bringing down Zoltan Gera.

Second-half strikes from Damien Duff and Gera sealed victory for Fulham as the Barclays Premier League team made the most of their man advantage.

late reply

Aston Villa overcame a first half scare to keep alive their hopes of a Wembley double at the expense of lowly Brighton & Hove Albion with a 3-2 victory at Villa Park.

The Carling Cup finalists were rocked when Nathan Delfouneso's early goal was cancelled out by Tommy Elphick shortly before half-time.

But the midlands club dominated the second period and further goals from acting skipper Ashley Young and Fabian Delph ensured their passage into the last 16 before Nicky Forster's late reply.

First FA Cup goals for Gretar Steinsson and Johan Elmander were enough to put Bolton Wanderers through to the fifth round at the expense of Championship side Sheffield United.

Iceland defender Steinsson fired a shot through goalkeeper Mark Bunn's legs from a narrow angle just after the interval and substitute Elmander converted from a similar position six minutes from time for the 2-0 win.

Birmingham City stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches as they battled their way into the FA Cup fifth round witha 2-1 sucess over Everton.

The Blues led 2-0 at the break thanks to fine goals from Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson.

But after substitute Leon Osman had hauled Everton back into the match in the second period, the Midlanders were forced to defend for their lives to advance to the next round.

their blushes

Notts County found themselves just seven minutes away from causing a major FA Cup fourth round upset, only for Barclays Premier League Wigan Athletic to avoid severe embarrassment courtesy of a rousing second-half comeback and draw 2-2.

The financially-troubled League Two club were in dreamland heading into the break on the back of goals from striker Lee Hughes and Ben Davies.

Wigan spared their blushes in the second period as Jason Scotland and Ben Watson hit back to force a February 2nd replay at the DW Stadium.

Portsmouth kept their dreams of a financially-lucrative return to Wembley alive after defeating Sunderland 2-1 to book a spot in the FA Cup fifth Round.

A brilliant brace from Nigerian midfielder John Utaka cancelled out Darren Bent's early strike to give Pompey's suffering supporters reason to be cheerful.

fire home

Ronald Zubar's sublime 84th-minute volley spared Wolverhampton Wanderers' blushes as they twice came from behind to take a spirited Crystal Palace side to an FA Cup fourth-round replay.

The right-back displayed the poise and precision of a world-class striker to fire home and salvage a 2-2 draw for a below-par Wanderers side.

Alan Lee and Darren Ambrose had twice handed the Championship outfit the lead at the start of each half, with David Jones initially levelling matters.

Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford was the FA Cup hero again when he slotted home a last-gasp penalty to make it 2-2 at White Hart Lane to earn a fourth-round replay against Tottenham Hotspur.

Keeper Casper Ankergren will also take the plaudits after saving Jermain Defoe's first-half penalty but it was Beckford who grabbed two equalisers to add to his winner in the previous round against Manchester United.

Peter Crouch grabbed the opener but Beckford replied after the break, then the Leeds striker won and scored his stoppage-time spot-kick after Roman Pavlyuchenko looked to have earned Spurs a win.

celtic news 24th Jan 2010-

2010-01-24T10:24:00.000Z

Tony Mowbray admits Celtic's trip to St Johnstone on Sunday has become even more difficult due to the lengthy list of absentees which has decimated his squad.

Ki Sung-yueng, Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus, Mark Wilson, Daniel Fox, Paul Caddis and Lee Naylor are all out injured and will miss the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at McDiarmid Park, while Landry NGuemo is away on international duty with Cameroon.

Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are fit again after recovering from tendinitis and an ankle operation, respectively, but will not return to full training until Monday, while new signings Thomas Rogne and Jos Hooiveld are not yet ready after a six-week lay-off.

"St Johnstone have impressed me and they have a bright young manager in Derek McInnes," Mowbray said. "While we ended up scoring a few goals against them earlier in the season it was an entertaining football match.(read the bit on Brown bellow is Mowbray going to sell him if he does it will be a BIG mistake in my mind Brown is a TRUE celtic man my opinion on this KEEP HIM it will come back to haunt you Mowbray)

"They have done well since, they have picked up points along the way and so we are expecting a very, very tough game.

"It becomes more difficult when you see our injury list - the quality footballers that will not be available to us. We would still hope to go there and be competitive and get a result."

Morais will be fit--
Filip Morais has recovered from a hamstring injury ahead of St Johnstone's Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Celtic at McDiarmid Park.

Collin Samuel, Kevin Rutkiewicz and Martin Hardie all remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.

Cillian Sheridan, on loan from Celtic, will not be available

Hoops close on Ramsmussen--
Celtic have agreed a fee with Brondby for Denmark striker Morten Rasmussen, Press Association Sport understands.

Personal terms have yet to be sorted, however, with no further developments now likely on the matter until next week.

Responding to reports linking him with a transfer to Parkhead, Rasmussen told Danish television station TV2: "A move to Celtic would obviously be interesting for me."

He added: "As long as nothing is certain, it's difficult for me to say much.

"They're a big club and it has always been a dream of mine to play outside Denmark - but we will have to wait and see what happens."

Earlier, Hoops boss Tony Mowbray played his cards close to his chest regarding the 24-year-old, but would not deny that he was set to move for the player.

He said: "I don't want to sit and discuss any players because you move from one to the next to the next.

"So let's move on and we will wait and see."

No truth in Brown reports--
Tony Mowbray ended another demanding week as Celtic boss reiterating his admission that he does not enjoy the job.

The former Hibernian and West Brom boss spent most of Friday's press conference at the club's Lennoxtown training centre stressing that he had not told midfielder Scott Brown he wanted to sell him, as opposed to focusing on Sunday's trip to St Johnstone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Mowbray's exasperation about certain parts of his role came to the fore again as he said: "I said to you a few weeks ago, this job is not a job I enjoy."

He added: "Do I have fun? No. I come to work, I work as hard as I can and I don't cut corners.I am as professional as I can be.

"I talk to my players - believe it or not - and put together a team to win football matches and just keep going."

Mowbray reiterated his stance on the Brown matter, saying: "The bottom line is I am a guy of integrity and honesty. My whole life is about the way I live it."

"I understand the vagaries of journalism but (if) you push me in to a corner and write something that just didn't happen - sometimes you have to make a stand. Fact.

"I don't like it when I see things printed that never happened. I think it's right that we take a stand against that.

"The daft thing about it is that there are so many grey areas. Do I talk to my players? Every day. It's my job is to talk to footballers.

"Was there a meeting at Christmas time telling him (Brown) he could go? Never. He didn't misunderstand me. It was a total mistruth and I think the club and myself have made that pretty clear. It's not disruptive because it's not true."

Manchester city news 20th Jan 2010--match review

2010-01-20T09:54:00.001Z

The stage was set the lights went out the song was being sung--- Yes it was Eastlands last night at the most important match in Mancini's rain so far as Man City faced Man U in the 1st leg of the cup the place was buzzing as the players took to the field to start the 1st 45mins in the 180 that will be played over the 2 matches.

I was a little taken aback with Mancini's choice in the squad Richards,Garrido left and right back was no surprise but with Kompany,Boyata in centre back was the 1st ? of the night Kompany i would have picked for sure and nothing against Boyata but this was an important game Boyata just lacks experience(nothing like being threw in at deep end i guess)that was all then as i looked at the midfield Barry(i would have picked),De Jong(also good choice),Zabaleta(hmmmm 2nd ? of the night)Pablo is a great player but when you look at these three players in midfield you just no that Mancini is really an Italian manager these three in midfield means a defensive game Wright Phillips out on the right was the perfect choice Mancini was not just thinking about the game he was thinking about the 2nd leg he wanted a defensive game and his line up showed that and the with Bellamy(3rd ? of the night)and Tevez up front he was going to be playing for counter atacks for sure with there speed.

Right from the start we saw City sit right back not rushing the ball no pushing infact not doing much apart from defend which afected the city fans as they went quiet after a bit then in the 16th min it happened united scored with Giggs tapping it in the city net after Valencia’s cross(right across the goal mouth)meant for Rooney who got a touch but Given managed to get to it only the ball to fall for Giggs who could not have missed the net City then had a few chances a long ranger from De Jong which would have went in it was a thumping shot Van der Sar could only punch it out another chance fell to Tevez as a high cross came in from SWP but he say it to late as the ball came in from the right Barry jumped for it along with united defender the ball went over them and the chance was gone as Tevez sees it to late.

Just before half time Bellamy was doing what he done best,Mancini had moved the team around a bit to 5 midfield Bellamy on the left SWP on right with Zabaleta,Barry,De Jong,as Bellamy made a run up the left Rafael on his tail Rafael then pulled Bellamy outside the box then again inside Bellamy went down and with no doubt in the ref's mind he ponted to the spot who else but Tevez stepped up,Van Der Sar tryed to put him off by taking his time only to get shown the yellow card,Tevez THUMPPED the ball near taking the back of the net off half time 1-1 each now the penalty i really thought yes no doubt it was(at the time)but looking at it again and again and again i have to say honestly it was not a penalty yes a foul outside the box but when you look at it Rafael did pull Bellamy outside when they both were inside the box you see Rafael try to grab but missed and Bellamy goes down it looks more like a stumble than being pulled BUT saying all that we got the penalty and Tevez scored it is one of them it could have been the other way around a bit of good luck YES.

The 2nd half was set 1-1 each all to play for no changes by either team at half time and City looking a lot better as they started to challenge for the ball pushing(just a lil)Kompany near getting the lead goal afetr Bellamy crossed it in from a corrner the 2nd goal came when the ball came in man u thought they had cleared it Zabaleta headed it,from just outside the box,back in Kompany slipped but managed to flick it back in over united defence and Tevez headed it in,that goal meant so much to him as he ran down to the dug outs and stood right infront so that Feggie could look at what he had lost with his to hands at his ears you could see in Tevez's face that that goal was personal to him,City deserved the 2nd goal they had came back from what i would say a bad start to be in the lead yes a lil luck with the penalty but the 2nd was all good play and well deserved City played much better in 2nd half attacking when they had the ball and defending well united nearly came back when Rooney shot but Given was not going to let City lose another as he saved twice to denie Rooney amazing goal keeping Tevez was subbed with Benjani and SWP,who had came close to making it 3-1 but Van Der Sar saved it,made way for Sylvinho united made changes bringing on Owen(who came on as sub in last derby only to score)Onuoha came on for Boyata(who looked dissapointed at being subbed)one more shot from Owen beat Given but Onuoha kicked it clear.

Now it is all down to the 2nd leg the stage is well and trully set here is the Man City Official review plus some team news-----

Official review --
Match details
Tuesday 19 January 2010,

Att: 46067
Carling Cup

Referee:
Mike Dean (Merseyside)
Teams
Manchester City:

Given, Richards, Boyata (Onuoha 69), Kompany, Garrido, Wright-Phillips (Sylvinho 84), Barry, DeJong, Zabaleta, Bellamy, Tevez (Benjani 79)

Unused subs:
Taylor, Ireland, Robinho, Petrov

Bookings:
De Jong (82m)
Manchester United:

Van der Sar, Evra, Brown, Anderson (Owen 72), Rooney, Giggs, Carrick,R.Da Silva (Diouf 90), Evans, Fletcher, Valencia (Scholes 87)

Unused subs:
Kuszczak, Neville, Park, F. Da Silva

Bookings:
Da Silva (41m), Van der Sar (42)

Review
Passion, intensity, vehemence, rapture, pick your adjective, this Manchester derby had the lot.

When the prize at stake is not just the perfunctory week- in-week out three Premier League points but a place in a domestic cup final, the various emotions shuffle into even sharper focus.

Both sides and sets of fans will now reconvene on January 27 for the second half of this epic...at least there is time to recharge the batteries before nerves and sinews are again stretched to snapping point.

City will go into the Old Trafford leg with the numerical and perhaps psychological advantage after a Carlos Tevez double inched their noses in front in the search for the winning post.

Make no mistake the second meeting has every chance to be the same kind of thunderous, thoroughbred classic full of flair and flares that this game proved to be.

United, with plenty of their big names present, took the lead in the 16th minute with a goal that owed much to Antonio Valencia’s persistence, a deflection by Wayne Rooney and the instincts of Ryan Giggs.

But City were unfazed and took the game to their neighbours with Nigel de Jong testing Edwin Van der Sar from long range and Tevez heading wide from a great position. He was much more accurate from the spot in the shadow of half time after Craig Bellamy won a penalty against Rafael that United will still be arguing about until the second leg comes along.

Much of the talk before the game surrounded Brazilian firefly Robinho.

Subbed as a substitute during a dismal performance at Everton last Saturday, but then subsequently reprieved by the warm words of his manager who refused to see what all the fuss was about, the British record signing was named on the bench.

However, there had to be changes made to the side that surrendered the manager’s unblemished record at Goodison and there might have been even more had the Italian boss not inherited a squad that has an injury list so lengthy that it could be named Holby City not Manchester City.

So in came Dedryck Boyata at the heart of the defence with Micah Richards shifted to right back and Pablo Zabaleta was given a stint in midfield.

Zaba did well enough but it was his countryman Carlos Tevez who was the fulcrum of everything good that the Blues achieved as an attacking force.

Despite a question mark against his fitness Tevez appetite for the fray was almost insatiable and with Nigel de Jong and Gareth Barry far more effective than they were at Everton in the weekend defeat he was able to feed off more than scraps.

City were the better team in the opening exchanges of the second half when with a little more purchase and accuracy Kompany might have given them the lead with a header from Bellamy’s corner.

The second goal, when it came, was with the run of play. United thought they had cleared the ball when Zabaleta hooked it back into the box, Kompany helped it on and Tevez – who else? – pounced to force the ball home from close range for his 17th of a wonderful campaign.

Ferguson sat impassively as the 41,000 home fans chanted ‘sign him up’ at him in unison and Blues got the chance to pay further homage to their leading scorer when he was withdrawn eleven minutes from time.

Mancini showed his is no follower of convention by replacing Shaun Wright-Phillips with Brazilian defender Sylvinho. Earlier the England man had come close to making it 3-1 but was denied by Van der Sar.

Not that the Dutchman was alone in his heroics, for Given saved well from Rooney twice and Onuoha cleared off the line from late substitute Michael Owen.

manchester city news 20th Jan--
SWP Hails his team mates and the fans--
Shaun Wright-Phillips hailed his teammates' work ethic and the fans' lungs after the Blues snatched the lead in the Carling Cup semi final with United.

And he believes that fan power allied to that never-say-die spirit could be the key to reaching Wembley.

The Blues’ midfielder reckons that 10,000 City fans piled into Old Trafford next Wednesday night may make all the difference.

But the England man urged everyone connected with the club to put the semi final aside until after the weekend FA Cup tie at Scunthorpe.

“It was a very satisfying win,” declared Wright-Phillips. “The players showed great character to come from a goal down.

“What we have to do is savour this tonight and then put it aside, we have a game on Sunday night that we have to win and we will be back in training for that match tomorrow morning. Preparation is everything.”

After a spell on the sidelines with a bad ankle and then a recurrence of the same injury Wright-Phillips was just glad to get three-quarters of a game under his belt and is now looking for more work.

“I felt strong in terms of running for most of the match and I was glad to get some game time in,” he said.

“Carlos Tevez was fantastic again for us, he has been unbelieveable all season. His energy is superb but everyone played their part in what was a memorable win and that’s a few we have had over United in recent seasons.

“We know that the job is only half done but we know too that we will get all the backing we need next week. If there are only a thousand of our fans there they will make themselves heard so goodness knows what it will be like with 10,000! But we have to make sure we give them something to sing and shout about.”

Pablo salutes match hero--
Pablo Zabaleta says that Carling Cup derby hero and fellow Argentine Carlos Tevez will go all out to try and fire City to the top as well as a Wembley final.

Form striker Tevez snapped up his 16th and 17th goals of a remarkable season to wipe out Ryan Giggs' opener and give the Blues a 2-1 lead to take to Old Trafford for the second leg.

Pre-match newspaper stories had Reds club skipper Gary Neville insisting that United had been right to let Tevez come to City during the summer rather than sign him permanently.

But Zabaleta said: "Carlos was fired up because of what was said. United fans know he was a big loss because he was a great player for them. He can repeat this in the second game.

"Every team wants Carlos Tevez, and we have a great opportunity to enjoy him at this club. I am sure that Carlos will try to take Manchester City right to the top

Zaby played his own part in the victory, switching seamlessly from the right-back role he filled at Everton on Saturday into a midfield position for injury-hit boss Roberto Mancini.

He joked: "Be careful Shay Given! I can play in different positions. The manager will decide where. Today he told me midfield, and I started on the left wing and then moved inside.

"It's a great advantage for me to be able to play in plenty of positions. When he says to change position, it's not a problem for me. I always try my best to perform for the team."

Pablo was proud of the team's efforts in bouncing back to take a first-leg lead against the holders. He said: "Our reaction after the goal was great, though the last few minutes were unbelievable.

"We know that it will be difficult at United, but we have a chance. Old Trafford is a great stadium, and there will be a lot of pressure on us, but we have players with strong character.

"We needed to give our fans a great game. I think everyone is happy. Beating United in the derby is real satisfaction, but the tie isn't over. We need to play 90 minutes more to get to the final."

celtic news 20th Jan 2010-

2010-01-20T08:40:00.000Z

Celtic go threw--
Niall McGinn's strike after 35 minutes gave Celtic a 1-0 victory over Morton in their Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Cappielow.

The Clydesdale Bank Premier League side had edged a decent first half without unduly troubling Ton goalkeeper Colin Stewart.

However, 10 minutes from the break Hoops striker Marc-Antoine Fortune cut the ball back for the former Derry City player who drove past Stewart from 12 yards and from then on the visitors looked comfortable.

Celtic will now go away to Irn-Bru Second Division side Stenhousemuir in the next round, if Dunfermline, who were thrown out of the competition by the Scottish Football Association for breaking various rules in their win against the Warriors, do not win their appeal.

First Division Morton started with impressive and inevitable enthusiasm but it always looked like being a difficult night. Allan Jenkins fired wide from 20 yards after the home side had fashioned a half-chance in the fifth minute and moments later there were unsuccessful cries for a penalty when Celtic captain Darren O'Dea appeared to tug at Brian Wake in the box.

In the 19th minute, after slack play by defender Glenn Loovens in giving the ball away to Peter Weatherson, Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc had to make a decent save from the Morton striker's long-range drive.

An open game swung from end to end with Fortune failing to control a Lee Naylor cut-back from the by-line in a penetrating Celtic attack, just before Aiden McGeady fired wide after a driving run into the home box.

Celtic had the edge in class and in the 35th minute it showed when McGinn fired them ahead with a perfectly-executed goal. As Celtic probed down the left, the Northern Ireland international was perfectly placed to meet a Fortune cut-back and thrash a left-footed shot past Stewart from 12 yards.

In the 58th minute Stewart was called into action for the first time in the second half when he dived to his right to parry a powerful Georgios Samaras drive away for a corner, which Morton survived.

With four minutes remaining Naylor ran on to a Samaras knock-down and crashed a wonderful 30-yard volley off the post, moments before Fortune failed to control the ball a few yards from goal to pass up on a great chance to clinch the tie.

Mowbray plays down Senderos link--

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray poured cold water on speculation Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos could be joining the club.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had earlier confirmed Celtic's interest in the 24-year-old Swiss defender, who himself said: "I am very honoured a big club like Celtic are interested in me and a loan deal right now would suit me perfectly."

However, the Celtic boss, speaking after Niall McGinn's first-half strike gave the Hoops victory over Morton in their Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Cappielow, said: "There has been no bid. There is no decision (to be made) from Senderos.

Told that Wenger had confirmed Celtic's interest, Mowbray replied: "We have an interest in many players, I would suggest.

"For whatever reason, that came out but that is only one enquiry of many (players) that we have asked about. So I wouldn't be holding your breath too much at the moment."

Manchester City news 19th Jan 2010-

2010-01-19T12:06:00.000Z

With Mancini watching what can only be described as a poor match on Saturday at Everton iam sure he has been having a lot of thoughts about who to play in tonights match against united(live on bbc2)as we seen Santa Cruz is a none starter as he is out for at least 1 month after his 3rd start and only lasting a hole 5mins on saturday i don't think we will miss him really will we? another thing that would have kept Mancini thinking was Tevez,as we also saw on saturday he was not his usual self(infact looked like he was strugleing he did stay on)will he be fit to play tonight also playing Bellamy on saturday for the full 90mins was that a mistake? Hope not we did see Sean Wright Phillips back in action on saturday after Robhino who came on as a sub ended up going of for SWP to come on really do hope that Robhino if he is played tonight steps up and plays a game for a change and be profesional(Mancini says he has a future at man city)for once also Petrov i can't see him playing tonight he is a great player but i think Mancini playing him on the right instead of left side is a mistake but what do i no my line up for tonight would be back 4 Richards,Onuoha,Kompany,Garrido midfield De Jong,Barry with Sean Wright Phillips on right wing and Bellamy on left Tevez and Benjani up front it is going to be a real test saturday was an eye opener and probably will make city play better tonight we need to be real tight and keep pushing forward and not let united play match review tomorrow.
Important ticket info for tonights match READ HERE
Here is the lattest team news from city........

Manchester City news 19th Jan 2010-

Kompany tonights match fresh challenge-
Vincent Kompany has assured Blues fans that the defeat at Everton will have no bearing on City's bid for Wembley in tomorrow night's Carling Cup semi-final derby first leg.

City's 2-0 reverse at Goodison Park on Saturday night, only the third of the campaign, prevented the team from returning to the all-important fourth place in the Premier League table.

But Kompany insists that Roberto Mancini's men can bounce back stronger for the City of Manchester Stadium showdown as the Blues eagerly pursue their first League Cup since 1976.

He admitted: "The result was a disappointment for us all, that's what I saw on everybody's face. But we have all been through a lot of stuff through the years so Everton won't affect us at all.

"Being beaten hasn't happened a lot this season. But when it has, we've learned from it and come out stronger. We lost to a free kick and a penalty but we've made mistakes, and if we work on those mistakes, we are going to be a better team against United.

"We've had a lot more delicate stuff to deal with this season than the Everton defeat. We're a strong squad and we have to make sure we're at our best in the semi-final.

"We've bounced back from situations already this season, just look at the table. We are going to be super-motivated, and we've got all the ingredients for a very good first leg.

"When you lose a game, the first thing you want to do is to get back out on the pitch and do it better, so I can guarantee that all the players are hungry going into the derby.

Vince added: "We're as excited as the fans. One thing they can do for us is make the place a blue hell on Tuesday night. If they do that, we'll take care of the rest.

"We can bounce back from any situation with the help of our fans. Remember Hamburg? The crowd were the 12th man and lifted us to score three. If they can do that on Tuesday we'll have an extra man on the pitch - then it's up to the players to do the job."

Tevez on a mission for glory-
Carlos Tevez has revealed his burning desire to help City end their trophy drought as he prepares to face his former team in the Carling Cup semi-final derby tonight.

Leading scorer Tevez, a high-profile arrival during the summer, has an eye on much more than a Wembley appearance as he gears up for the sell-out first leg at the City of Manchester Stadium.

He said: "I understand that the fans want us to win something, because for many years they haven’t won anything. The players also want to, and that’s why we work hard to achieve it.

"My passion and love is for Manchester City. One of the reasons I have signed for City is to win something here, and it's why I took so much pressure and took the decision.

"One of the things that attracted me was the great ambition that the club has, so it was a big proposal for me and a big challenge. I didn’t want to lose the opportunity to be a part of it.

"We want to break the years of nothing – to win and give happiness to the supporters. And it's also important not just to win one trophy, but to follow that with more success."

Tevez, who has been a hero in red as well as blue, added: "The semi-final is a big challenge, and of course it's most important that we win because we are playing our biggest rivals!

"It's two big teams who will fight strongly to win, but we should believe and I want to believe that we will win. I'm sure if we are humble, and go with dedication and motivation, we will win.

"I've nothing to prove, I've moved on and look to the future. When you are young, you dream about playing in major finals, so to have the chance of playing at Wembley again is fantastic for me."

What the papers are saying--
Patrick joins golden oldies-
You can't keep City out of the headlines these days, but among the hundreds of column inches devoted to tonight's Carling Cup derby, a surprise observation in the Daily Telegraph.

John Ley, a master of facts and statistics, has gleaned that 33-year-old Patrick Vieria's much-heralded signing for the club is part of an unappreciated trend in the Barclays Premier League.

He writes: "They will not play in every game, and they will certainly not last many 90-minute contests, but the arrival of Patrick Vieira at Manchester City and the return of Sol Campbell has confirmed a trend: Premier League clubs are realising the value of youthful exuberance."

Nobody analyses the stats quite like Ley, and he produces the survey that backs up his assertion, showing City with six players over 30 (Arsenal have three, Portsmouth and Stoke ten each).

He adds: "The poll shows that there are now a further 18 players aged 30 or more at clubs currently in the Premier League than there were five years ago.

"And when Vieira makes his debut, City will have more 30-plus players than five years ago, meaning that more than half of the Premier League will have a greater number of older players than in 2005."

Chelsea have nine, by the way, and Manchester United six. And of the 15 players over the age of 35, eight are goalkeepers, says John. Former City Old boy David James will be 40 in August.

Sergio Canales, cited as City's latest transfer target in the Mail, is a mere nipper at 18. The Racing Santander whizkid also interest Arsenal, adds Simon Jones. The Mirror reckons Pompey centre-back Younes Kaboul, 24, is also on the radar.

Transfers news for season 14th/19th--January deals and shock moves--

2010-01-19T11:38:00.000Z

HEADLINES: Tottenham in talks to bring Ruud van Nistelrooy in on loan... Barca ready to offer Wayne Rooney £8m a year after tax... Liverpool on verge of £12m deal for Sunderland's Kenwynne Jones... New Hammers owners David Gold and David Sullivan bring £8m transfer kitty... Roman Pavlyuchenko's hopes of move to Russia dented as two clubs pull out... Jermaine Beckford to leave Leeds for Everton in the Summer...

Read summary of each headline most are rumour only.............

Manchester United: Barcelona have turned up the heat on their attempts to bring Wayne Rooney to the Nou Camp by setting out a wage deal worth £8 million a year - after tax (Daily Star). And if you think it'll never happen, then this news tells you all you need to know about the financial crisis at United: the Glazers have had all the players sent the prospectus for the £500 million bond issue, effectively asking them to pour their wages back into the side. Not that the Glazers are desperate or anything... (The Sun) And in a move that will outrage United fans, the Guardian has pointed out a clause in the prospectus that would allow the Glazers to scoop nearly £130m out of club coffers if they get the full £500m! Manchester United team page

Liverpool: Fernando Torres wants a Spanish striker such as David Villa or David Silva to play alongside at Anfield (The Sun) - possibly a direct attack on the latest attempts by the club to buy Kenwynne Jones from Sunderland (£12 million, according to the Daily Mirror). "We need footballers who break the deadlock," explained Torres. Liverpool missing big guns

Portsmouth: David James has been told to drop his £50,000 a week wage demands if he wants to secure the January move that could secure him a World Cup spot. (Daily Star) French club Lille are mustard keen on defender Younes Kaboul - to the tune of £10m. At money like that Pompey will have no choice but to wave goodbye to the 24year-old

Tottenham: Harry Redknapp is negotiating a loan move to bring Real Madrid veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Spurs, according to the Daily Mail, with a move potentially on the cards in time for the mid-week clash with Liverpool. But Redknapp has denied that he's had a £4m bid rejected for Manchester United and England number two goalkeeper Ben Foster. Redknapp claims not to have even made a bid, let alone had it turned down. (The Sun) Roman Pavlyuchenko's hopes of a move to Russia took a hit after Zenit St Petersburg and Spartak Moscow both pulled out of the race. (Daily Express and The Times) All the details on the Tottenham team page

Everton: Leeds' FA Cup hero Jermaine Beckford will stay put until the end of the season but will move to Everton in the summer (Daily Mirror). US star Landon Donovan has settled in well already at Everton, and is already talking about extending his loan deal beyond March. (The Sun)

Birmingham: Celtic have confirmed that they're willing to let Aiden McGeady go - but only if Birmingham meet the demands for around £10m. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is on the verge of bringing Villa's Craig Gardener to the club for £3.5m (The Sun) with a move for FC Moscow's Argentine forward Maxi Lopez also possible. (The Times)

Bolton: Jack Wilshere's potential loan move from Arsenal is on the rocks due to injuries to Aaron Ramsey and Samir Nasri. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn: Rovers are keen on buying Everton's 21-year-old striker James Vaughan for around £2m. (The Sun)

Hull: Hull have brought in Amr Zaki on loan, but now the cash-strapped Tigers are to offload Irish veteran Kevin Kilbane to Sheffield United to try to cut their wage bill. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal: Gunners club officials entertained Spanish wonderboy Sergio Canales and his father in London on Monday to discuss a possible move (Daily Mail). Gunners team page
Please note clicking the team page links only takes you to the Yahoo sport page for that team NOT there official site.

celtic news 19th Jan 2010-

2010-01-19T11:25:00.000Z

Now with the transfer window nearly shut it looks like Aiden McGeady is set to stay along with others but the next thing we all want to no is for how long in an article Mowbray says he is going nowhere(story below)but rumour and gossip keeps flying around saying he will go for the right price(look in next post)Birmingham are set to buy him and really want him and really no wonder if Adien went down south what a loss that would be he is probably the one player celtic have who really can make a difference to ANY match the guy can play Mowbray says he has the x-factor but with Birmingham looking at him it is only going to be a matter of time before another english premiership club wants him how much is he worth ? and what would be the price before Mowbray says YES ? I would have to say that before the start of next season we will see McGeady pack up and head down south to which club ? The one that wants him badly enough will get him i can't stop saying Mowbray wants his celtic team which means selling and buying.
Read the article below plus was there a rift between Mowbray and Caldwell ??

McGeady going nowhere--
Tony Mowbray has warned Aiden McGeady's suitors not to bother even picking up the phone as he urged the club's fans to trust his Celtic revolution.

Reports on Friday claimed Alex McLeish was preparing an £8million bid for the Hoops' star player, who has been on the Birmingham boss' wishlist for some time.

But Mowbray said: "Aiden's a very important player for our club in what we're trying to build here. There's no interest whatsoever in listening to bids. Other clubs would be wasting their energy picking the phone up."

Mowbray sees McGeady as crucial to Celtic's hopes of wresting the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title from Rangers.

"I wouldn't sit here and say one player makes the difference," he said.

"But what Aiden McGeady brings is that x-factor for us really, the ability in the Scottish game - where we do play against teams with a lot of men behind the ball - to eliminate individuals, to go past packed defences, to beat two and three men.

"Our financial situation is we don't need to accept bids for players that we don't want to sell."

Mowbray denis rift over Caldwell--
Tony Mowbray insisted there was no rift between himself and the Celtic board after Gary Caldwell claimed he was sold against the manager's wishes.

Scotland defender Caldwell, 27, was officially unveiled as a Wigan player on Thursday in a reported £1million contract. He suggested Mowbray was happy to concede to his wage demands but was vetoed by chief executive Peter Lawwell and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

While not specifically denying there had been a difference of opinion over Caldwell, Mowbray said: "First and foremost, it should be said I've got a very strong relationship - working relationship - with the executives at the club and my chief executive, Peter, and with the major shareholder, Dermot."

He added: "There's no animosity and nothing going on behind the scenes that anybody should try to read into."

Mowbray, who also denied Caldwell's claim that the Celtic boss had expressed a desire for him to stay, added: "I admire Gary Caldwell as a guy and as a football player.

"Yet, there was a negotiation that went on and on and never came to a conclusion to the point that he was running out of contract, a club made a bid and we accepted that bid.

"I don't think we need look too deeply into those comments. Certain mischievous avenues could try to create a wedge that is not there.

"I wish Gary all the very, very best. He's an excellent footballer, he's a wonderful individual and a good man.

"But it's wrong to say that there's a conflict of interest at this club with myself and my board."

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9-0 Celtic Run Riot.......

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