Daily Archives: February 27, 2010

Stage set for Old Firm showdown


“Old Firm games rarely fail to throw up controversial storylines and juicy sub-plots ahead of the big kick off, which only serve to add even more appeal to the famous fixture. Throw in an alleged attack, alongside the pending debut of a new hero and the events leading up to the latest blockbuster between the two arch rivals could scarcely have been more colourful.”> (ESPN)

Rangers v Celtic
“Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor will be in the squad for Celtic’s visit to Ibrox on Sunday. McGregor has recovered from injuries sustained in a night out incident, while midfielder Lee McCulloch is expected to shake off a knock. Celtic striker Robbie Keane has not trained all week and will be assessed before the lunchtime kick-off.” (BBC)

Scott McDonald backs ref to handle Old Firm pressure
“Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald says ref Dougie McDonald is more than capable of handling any extra pressure put on him for Sunday’s Old Firm derby. His former club this week expressed fears over refereeing standards.” (BBC)

Arsène Wenger’s revival at Arsenal will take time

“Every night inside the Revival Centre, patients offer up thanks to Arsenal Football Club, who have brought funds and hope to a blighted region. With 2,000 treated last year, many children now survive. Some don’t. The last request of a 15-year-old terminally ill girl was that she be buried in her beloved Arsenal top.” (Telegraph – Henry Winter)

The luxuries of being a Young British Manager

“When Mark Hughes left Manchester City back in December the English football media went into head-shaking overdrive. Don’t these foreign owners know that managers need time? And Hughes’ record certainly wasn’t bad, was it? OK, he went seven League games without a win, but he did match Wigan’s achievement of beating Chelsea, you know.” (WSC)

Juan Sebastian Veron looks to finish his career on a high

“Everything Barcelona’s Lionel Messi touched at club level in 2009 may have turned to gold but Juan Sebastian Veron wasn’t too far behind his countryman, leading Estudiantes to the Libertadores Cup and retaining his personal crown as South America’s footballer of the year.” (World Soccer)