INT SPL - Scottish Premier League

[TXT]

Celtic assistant manager Johan Mjallby has called the attack on Neil Lennon during the 3-0 win over Hearts "an absolute disgrace" and claimed the incident signals a dark day for Scottish football.

The Celtic boss was attacked by a Hearts fan in the aftermath of Gary Hooper’s second goal and Mjallby revealed Lennon was left stunned after the incident.

"What happened to Neil, it's a dark day for Scottish football," Mjallby told Sky Sports. "It's an absolute disgrace.

"I've never seen anything like it. Obviously he [Lennon] is a bit shaken but OK. "What happened to Neil, it's a dark day for Scottish football.

"I saw someone coming and obviously we didn't react at first but we were obviously a bit shocked all of us."

Mjallby was left shocked that a fan was able to get so close to the Celtic boss and revealed that he doesn’t know how much more abuse Lennon can take, after also receiving death threats and parcel bombs in recent times.

He added: "Of course Neil has had the death threat and obviously what can you do?

"The guy could've had anything in his hand. It was shocking.

"Obviously It's only been a few minutes after the game finished so I haven't really had time to speak to Neil.

"We all know he's a strong character but how much can a guy take?

"So we hope he is going to be in good mood later tonight but I really don't know at this given moment.

The former Sweden international also insisted that an investigation into the incident should take place, with the safety of managers coming into question.

"Of course we have to look into it. This can't happen again," he continued.

"We all want the game to be played nicely on the pitch but we all need to be secure in our jobs as well. It's something we definitely have to investigate and look into."

Celtic players were left shocked by the incident too, with Kris Commons, the scorer of the Hoops third goal, describing the incident as "outrageous".

"I'm lost for words. It shouldn't be in the game or anywhere near football. A manager being attacked on the sideline is outrageous," he said.

Defender Mark Wilson also commented on the attack, insisting that his manager will quickly get over the incident.

"I firmly believe he is too strong a character for that," he said.

"He has been through a lot this season, I can't remember any other manager going through that before. He has dealt with it but tonight was a real low point for Celtic and Scottish football.

"But I think he is strong enough to deal with it.

"He has a real love for the club and I don't think he would let that affect him. It is a sad night but it is not a sad dressing room. Apart from 30 seconds of madness, it is a real good night for us.

"But of course all the spotlight is going to be on this nut case who ran on. It should never happen, obviously.”

Wilson also revealed that Lennon wasn’t concerned with the incident after the game, instead concentrating on catching Rangers at the top of the SPL.

"He [Lennon] was upbeat and delighted in the dressing room, you wouldn't think anything had happened," he said.

"That's the kind of guy he is, very strong and purely focused on trying to win this league."

hrp2 x berlaku lg kejadian tu pas ni

 

[seether]

Stirling Albion launch ‘X Factor’ trials as part of their search for fresh talent

Stirling Albion have invited fans to take part in ‘X-Factor’ trials as they look for new players.

The Scottish side have invited interested people to pay £200 to play in a behind-doors match at the team's Doubletree Dunblane Stadium

“For us to make money, we need to think outside the box to try and find money and players,” club director Paul Goodwin told the Daily Record.

“Players are being asked to send in CVs and application forms. Hopefully we will be able to come up with a strong team for next season.”

The cash-strapped club currently only have one player on their books for next season, with a further seven players having until the end of May to decide whether to stay on.

Manager Jocky Scott will then have the chance to decide if any of the trialists have the ability to be offered a contract.

A notice on the club's website reads: “With up to six contracts available, we will be inviting trialists who pay £200 the chance to show their skills in front of our very own Jocky Scott - our version of The X Factor.”

Last June the club became the first senior football team in Scotland to be fully owned by its fans.

A supporters' trust made a £300,000 deal to wipe the debts and make a one-off payment to club chairman Peter McKenzie, who wrote off a £1.2 million loan due to him.

Albion have to 2000 registered trust members, including Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo and Scottish tennis player Andy Murray.

 

[seether]

Celtic interested in signing Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd

Celtic are understood to be interested in signing Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd after Neil Lennon attended the Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday night.

Lennon was in attendance as Cardiff suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Reading, according to The Guardian, crashing out of the race for promotion to the Premier League in the process.

The Celtic boss is also believed to have been monitoring Reading striker Shane Long, who scored two goals at the Cardiff City Stadium, but the Republic of Ireland international is reportedly valued at around £4m.

Bothroyd, meanwhile, is set to see his contract expire this summer, meaning he could move to another club on a free transfer.

The newspaper reports the 28-year-old may be open to a move to Scotland, though Everton, Sunderland and Birmingham City are also believed to be interested.

The striker, who has played for several clubs including Coventry City and Perugia, earned his first international cap this season as he made an appearance as a second half substitute for England in a friendly defeat against France.

 

[seether]

Rangers turn down third bid from Bursaspor for Steven Whittaker

Rangers continue to fend off Turkish side Bursaspor over Steven Whittaker, having turned down a third offer for the player, this time in excess of £650,000.

Whittaker, who can play at full-back and in midfield, is wanted by Bursaspor to join striker Kenny Miller, who made the same move in January.

This third offer, which the club’s official website confirmed had been rejected, represents an increase of nearly £80,000 from the Turkish club’s previous bid, but in the wake of Craig Whyte’s takeover, Rangers do not feel pressure to sell.

Speaking last month after the original £350,000 bid had been lodged, new manager Ally McCoist said: “I can confirm we had an offer from Bursaspor.

“[Director Andrew Dickson] didn't even tell me the figures involved because I told him that I wasn't interested in selling Steven.

“I have made it clear that Steven is one of the players I see as part of my long-term plans for the club.

“That is why we have opened talks with his representatives to extend his current contract.”

Whittaker has 12 months to run on his current deal but talks are ongoing to tie him down to Ibrox for years to come.

The versatile Scottish international has played a key role for Rangers since previous manager Walter Smith brought him to the club from Hibernian in 2007, and was a consistent performer as they secured their third consecutive SPL title this season.

 

[seether]

New Rangers owner Craig Whyte vows not to overpay for players

Rangers owner Craig Whyte insists he will not overpay for players in the transfer market.
His comments come after the Glaswegian club failed to land Tomer Hemed, Maccabi Haifa's top scorer, with the Israeli international opting for Real Mallorca.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist described signing Hemed as a “no-brainer” prior to him moving to the Spanish club.

“The fact Hemed has gone elsewhere is disappointing but we will not overpay for players. He was not our first choice anyway,” Whyte said to the Scottish Daily Mail.

“Ally has targets in mind and we are actively negotiating to bring in several new players,” he added.

Managerial rookie McCoist is yet to make a signing since being installed as Walter Smith's replacement.

Some Rangers fans have been getting restless at their club’s lack of activity in the transfer market, but Whyte, claims without his intervention the state of affairs would be much worse, and many of the best players at Ibrox would have to be sold.

“Rangers [have] no bank debt now,” Whyte said. “If I hadn't come in, Rangers wouldn't have gone bust.

"But they would have been forced to sell the best players and substantially reduce the wage bill."

Rangers are the reigning champions of the Scottish Premier League having won the title under Smith last year.

McCoist was assistant manager at Ibrox for over four years before it was announced in February he would take over from Smith at the end of the 2010-11 season.

 

[seether]

Ally McCoist: Rangers unlikely to meet Aston Villa’s valuation for Carlos Cuellar

Rangers manager Ally McCoist says the club are unlikely to be able to meet Aston Villa’s asking price for Carlos Cuellar but remain keen on bringing him back to the club.

Cuellar joined Aston Villa from Rangers back in 2008 and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Birmingham-based outfit, though it is thought new Villa manager Alex McLeish is willing to let the defender leave to raise funds for new signings.

Rangers have seen an offer of £1.5 million rejected for the defender – with Villa thought to want double that amount - though McCoist says talks are ongoing.

“Gordon Smith [Rangers' director of football] has been talking to Aston Villa about Carlos," McCoist was quoted as saying in The Daily Record.

"I'm very keen for that deal to go through, but I don't think we'd be going as far as £3m to make it happen."

McCoist had also been linked with a move for Wolves defender Christophe Berra, but the Rangers boss has poured cold water on any potential deal for the former Hearts player, revealing: "He was a player we looked at but won't be pursuing."

 

[seether]

Emilio Izaguirre: Manchester United wanted me in January

Celtic defender Emilio Izaguirre says he expects Manchester United to try and sign him again after failing in January.

Izaguirre enjoyed a sparkling debut season for Celtic in the SPL and despite being happy in Scotland would welcome a move to the English Premier League champions.

“Every day I speak to my agent and he asks me how I am. I’m also waiting to see how my work will go with Celtic,” Izaguirre told Honduran newspaper El Heraldo.

“I don’t talk about that [speculation surrounding possible moves to other clubs]. The move to Celtic happened and I kept quiet. If I have to move then I will welcome it and I will be grateful to God, and I will take advantage.

“I don’t know [of any interest from other clubs], but the Manchester United thing is true. [United boss Sir Alex] Ferguson asked about me and spoke to my team to see what my situation was, but at that time Patrice Evra hadn’t signed [a new contract], but then he renewed and there was nothing more.

“Manchester United looked for me but Celtic told them no because they wanted me for that season, but they said that they could speak in July, so now we’ll see what happens with me. If not I’ll stay at the club.

“I’m happy in Scotland and my agent is the one who is working on that [possible transfers] because I want to fulfil my contract until the end with Celtic, if nothing else comes up.

“I came here with the dream of triumphing in Scotland and I’m doing that. That’s the important thing for me at the moment.”

Despite interest from the Red Devils Izaguirre hopes to be ready to take part in Celtic’s pre-season training.

“I’m still recovering from the muscle problem I’m suffering and on July 1, I will start running again and I hope to take part in the pre-season in Glasgow without any problems.

“Next week I have to be in Glasgow working with my team and I would like to rest for a few days and spend these last days I have left with my family in Honduras.”

 

[seether]

Ally McCoist closing in on signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns

Ally McCoist has admitted he is hopeful he can complete the signing of Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns shortly as he seeks to bolster his Rangers squad.

The 28-year-old is widely expected to arrive at Ibrox imminently and McCoist confirmed a deal was close.

“There could be information on Neil Danns in a matter of days,” he told the club’s official website.

"We've been talking to his representatives since he left Crystal Palace and I'm trying to push that one through."

Danns featured 38 times last season for the Selhurst Park club, but is out-of-contract on July 1 and has been linked to several Championship clubs including Southampton and Hull City as well as Rangers’ rivals Celtic.

McCoist also admitted that he was in talks with three existing players who he was hoping to tie to the club on longer contracts.

He told the Daily Record: "I'm going to do everything to keep him [Steven Whittaker], Allan [McGregor] and Steven Davis at the club."

 

[seether]

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra hints he will stay at Ibrox

Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra has insisted he is not in negotiations with any other club and has hinted that he is happy to remain at Ibrox where he has just one year left on his current deal.

The Algerian international reportedly turned down a two-year contract extension with the club at the end of last year, but has now hinted he will remain in Scotland as there have been no offers for his services.

"I have not negotiated with any club,” he told the Daily Record.

"I am on holiday with my family and there has been no offers for me.

"I will be back early next month for pre-season training with Rangers."

Bougherra signed for Rangers in 2008 from Charlton Athletic for £2.5 million and has gone onto win three SPL titles, one Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup with the Gers.

 

[seether]

Kyle Hutton urges Allan McGregor to stay at Rangers amid Aston Villa interest

Kyle Hutton wants Allan McGregor to stay at Rangers despite interest from Aston Villa.

The Scotland goalkeeper has the subject of former interest from former Villa Park boss Gerard Houllier, whilst manager Walter Smith has also played down reports of the 29-year-old being on Arsenal’s radar.

But McGregor’s team-mate, Hutton, wants the Rangers stopper to remain at Ibrox following a string of impressive displays last term.

"You have seen what Allan did last season, he was outstanding," Hutton told Sky Sports.

"The saves he pulled off and the way he conducts himself on the pitch, he could easily play in England.

"So if we can keep hold of him, that will be a big plus.

"It is a bonus [the squad is intact]. If you are comfortable with your team-mates it can only be a good thing."

Hutton also welcomed any potential Rangers acquisitions this summer, insisting the need to challenge for a place within the side is healthy.

"Competition is good for a club. If new signings come in, we will just have to deal with it,” he said.

"It's part and parcel of football so all you can do is keep doing your best and hopefully catch the gaffer's eye."