“He’s not about to barrel out of Celtic Park, but it is something that is on his horizon: the Premiership represents unfinished business for Scott McDonald. The Celtic striker, who struck his 18th goal of the season against Aberdeen on Saturday, insists he sees his immediate future in Scotland, but can’t hide an ambition to prove himself south of the border.” (tribalfootball)

Iran’s coach to focus on psychology before vital World Cup games (m&c)
“Iran’s new coach Afshin Qotbi said Thursday he would focus on the psychological rather than technical and tactical status of the national football team before the team’s three remaining World Cup qualification games.”

Silvio Berlusconi: An Italian Mirror (TIME)
“What do Italians make of Silvio Berlusconi? Easy. Most think: ‘He’s one of us.’ He loves his family, his football, his friends, his food. And his money, of course.”

South America: Ronaldo the Comeback Kid (Soccer By Ives)
“It doesn’t seem too long ago when many were calling on Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima to call it quits after suffering a serious knee injury early last year while playing for A.C.Milan, who let his contract expire and released him. The injury was the third such setback he suffered in his illustrious career.”

Brian Ching’s Ultimate XI (GOAL)
“He has surprising skill for a big guy (6 feet 1) and remains in the mix as the United States national team sets its sights on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”

Carmelo Valenica Learns Honesty is Not Always the Best Policy (The Offside)
“Watching the replay (above) it’s pretty obvious that Millonarios striker Carmelo Valenica took a deliberate tumble in the big Colombian derby vs Santa Fe last Sunday. Millonarios equalized from the spot and Santa Fe keeper Agustin Julio was sent off.”