Euro heartache for Celtic despite second-leg win August 4, 2010 CELTIC crashed out of the Champions League at the first hurdle for a second year running despite rallying to a 2-1 second-leg victory over Braga at Parkhead. With the comfort of an imposing 3-0 lead from the first leg, the Portuguese side clicked into cruise control when Paulo Cesar glanced in a neat first-half header. [...]
Blackburn hold talks of takeover August 4, 2010 BLACKBURN ROVERS are the latest Premier League to hold talks over a possible takeover. Chairman John Williams revealed yesterday the club are in discussions with a number of interested parties about taking charge at Ewood Park. Rovers currently owned by the trustees of the late Jack Walker and has debts of around £20m, but Indian [...]
England need to be wary of Yousuf threat, warns Swann August 4, 2010 GRAEME SWANN admits England are wary of the threat of returning Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf for the second Test. Yousuf, 35, has come out of international retirement to help bolster the batting line-up of a Pakistan side thrashed by 354 runs in the first Test at Trent Bridge last week. And spinner Swann admits Yousuf, [...]
Johnson anguish as Toulon refuse to release Wilkinson August 4, 2010 ENGLAND were dragged into another club versus country row last night after Toulon refused to release Jonny Wilkinson for international duty. Wilkinson, 31, has been in impressive form for the Top 14 club so far this pre-season and is required to play in their opening league game against Bayonne next Friday. But that clashes with [...]
It’s the most open race for many a year August 4, 2010 MANAGERS will have one just word embedded in their minds when they open their Championship campaigns this weekend: Blackpool. Ian Holloway’s achievement in taking the Seasiders to the promised land on a shoestring budget and a team of grafters will certainly not have gone unnoticed among bosses of the so-called smaller sides in the second [...]
100 marathons in 100 days is not boring, it’s soul-destroying August 4, 2010 FOR most of us, running a marathon is fulfilling a lifelong ambition, but for Mike Buss it’s an everyday chore. Buss, a former Army PTI and record-breaking endurance athlete, is making a mockery of the gruelling 26.3-mile challenge by completing it every day for 100 days – all in the name of charity. Since 16 [...]
Brum boss McLeish lines up swoop for Italian duo August 4, 2010 BIRMINGHAM City boss Alex McLeish is lining up an audacious swoop to land experienced Italian duo Mauro Camoranesi and Fabio Grosso. Camoranesi, 33, has been linked with a move away from Italy after eight years at Juventus and the midfielder’s agent has confirmed the Blues have made an approach. “There was an official contact with [...]
Bruce eyes up loan bid for frustrated keeper Hart August 4, 2010 SUNDERLAND are leading the race to sign goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan from Manchester City. Black Cats boss Steve Bruce is on the lookout for a temporary replacement for the injured Craig Gordon and has confirmed he has made an approach for the highly-rated England keeper. “We’ve asked the question of City and we now [...]
Woods in battle to stay as No1 August 4, 2010 GOLF: Tiger Woods’ five-year tenure as world No1 could come to an end this weekend when he defends his WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. Phil Mickelson will depose him with a win or a top-four finish if Woods were to finish outside the top 37, while England’s Lee Westwood, the world No3, will also reach No1 [...]
Pair retire to take coaching roles August 4, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales wing Mark Jones and Ireland flanker Simon Easterby have both announced their retirements from the game to take out coaching positions with Magners Leaguers Scarlets. Jones, 30, won 47 caps for Wales in an injury-ravaged career and takes up the role of skills coach, while 35-year-old Easterby has accepted a two-year contract [...]