Scottish Mag

This thread is Adrian Moletastic..

TRANSFER RUMOURS Parma have made a bid, thought to be £6m, for Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi. (The Guardian) Liverpool's record £25m bid for Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres is being held up by the striker's £2.5m pay-off clause. (The Sun) West Ham striker Carlos Tevez is likely to leave for Inter Milan this summer. (Daily Mirror) Thaksin Shinawatra has set his sights on bringing Shaun Wright-Phillips back to Manchester City when his takeover is complete. (The Sun) Preston striker David Nugent could have to wait until Christmas to get his dream move to Everton. (The Sun) Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is pulling out of a deal for Roma's Shabani Nonda and will offload Francis Jeffers to Ipswich. (Daily Mirror) Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge will snub a move from Stamford Bridge as he expects to be number one left-back at the club next season. (Daily Star) Tottenham will listen to offers for Jermain Defoe once they complete the signing of Charlton's Darren Bent. (Daily Mirror) Charlton are refusing to budge on their asking price of £17m for Bent. (The Independent) Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is lining up a double swoop for Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini and Celta Vigo's Daniel de Ridder. (The Sun) Bruce is close to signing French star Olivier Kapo from Juventus. (Daily Mirror) Sunderland boss Roy Keane is plotting a swoop for West Brom defenders Paul McShane and Paul Robinson. (The Sun, Daily Mail) Keane is close to agreeing a £1m move for Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson. (Daily Record) Dutch star Ryan Babel will snub a move to Arsenal this summer to stay at Ajax, but has admitted he is tempted by a move in the future. (Various) Fulham are ready to battle with Reading to sign Didier Digard. (Daily Express) Fulham made a £4.5m offer for West Brom's Diomansy Kamara after Heidar Helguson snubbed a swap deal. (Daily Mirror) Reading have offered Leroy Lita has been offered a new £20,000-a-week contract to keep him. (Various) Wigan are ready to sell striker Lee McCulloch to Rangers - as long as they agree to take defender Andy Webster too. (Daily Mirror) Rangers must fork out £1.5m up front, plus another £500,000 in add-ons if they are to sign Kilmarnock's Steven Naismith. (Daily Record) The Gers fear their chances of signing Bordeaux's Julien Faubert are no better than 50-50. (Daily Record) Crystal Palace's move for Benfica defender Jose Fonte is in jeopardy after interest from Steaua Bucharest. (Daily Mail) Wolves are close to a £500,000 deal for Crystal Palace defender Darren Ward. (Daily Mirror) Bolton have emerged as favourites to sign Sheffield United's Phil Jagielka. (Daily Star) OTHER GOSSIP Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has admitted he does not know whether Arsene Wenger will stay at the club. (Daily Mirror) But Wenger's good friend Max Hild, his former boss at Strasbourg, says that he will remain at the north London club for life. (The Sun) Former Fulham boss Chris Coleman has had talks about becoming the new Real Sociedad coach. (Various) Hong Kong billionaire Carson Yeung Ka-Shing is closing in on his takeover of Birmingham. (The Sun) Newcastle's new owner Mike Ashley is ready to invest £50m in transfer cash to trigger the club's revival. (Daily Mirror) Alan Curbishley's future as West Ham boss could be in doubt despite him leading them to Premiership safety last season. (Daily Star) Sven-Goran Eriksson has agreed to take the Manchester City job and prove his critics wrong. (Daily Express) Eriksson has agreed a three-year deal worth £3m a season - making him one of the Premiership's highest paid managers behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. City fans have been rushing to snap up season tickets with the prospect of Eriksson to splash £50m of the new owner's money. (The Sun) Eriksson will have to wait until next week to be named as Stuart Pearce's successor. (Daily Star) Thai prosecutors are stepping up their bid to derail Shinawatra's £81.6m takeover bid. (Daily Telegraph) Officials from the Premier League, FA and Football League have agreed to meet sports minister Richard Caborn for talks over foreign ownership of clubs. (Various) Chelsea want Portsmouth's technical director Avram Grant in place as their sporting director in time for their pre-season trip to LA. (the Sun) Everton's plans to move to a new 55,000-seater stadium in Kirkby have been hit by protests from local residents. (Daily Mail) Bolton's new arrival Bierim Dzemaili has been ruled out until 2008. (Daily Mail) West Ham are still waiting for almost £1m in compensation over the injury to Dean Ashton while on England duty. (The Guardian) AND FINALLY David Beckham is being urged to cut short his holiday to help the LA Galaxy, who have slumped to second bottom of their division. (The Sun) Sheffield Wednesday's pre-season plans are in doubt because of the flooding at Hillsborough. (Daily Express) Uefa has admitted English football fans are unfairly targeted by foreign riot cops. (The Sun)

Ghana international midfielder Laryea Kingston says he turned down offers from Premiership sides Newcastle and Bolton to sign for Hearts. The 26-year-old, who impressed on loan at Tynecastle last season, signed a three-year deal following his £500,000 move from Terek Grozny. Kingston said he had ambitions to play in the Premiership at some stage of his career, but was happy at Hearts. He also urged captain Craig Gordon to commit his long-term future to Hearts. Kingston endeared himself to the Hearts fans during his loan spell last season - scoring one goal in 11 appearances. The midfielder urged goalkeeper Craig Gordon to remain at Tynecastle, following speculation linking the Scotland international with a move to the Premiership.

His crack is good on howaythetoon but he's still going on the same on N-O as he did on here from what I can tell - 5th best, you lot don't know what a shit board is etc. I thought he was alright too but I don't think he's that missed on here as he had become a bit of a self-parody to say the least. I liked and got on with him but I still cannot get my head round the fact that he stopped posting after Baggio had dug up his old post on Souness and "spat the dummy" with the forum, yet now has Baggio as a mod on his forum?

Villa improved by 5 places, I think thats an improvement that alot of clubs would be encouraged by having previously finished 16th in the league.

Is it the Sunday night you are looking to stay? You can get the Travelodge on the Quayside on the Sunday for £15..

I still haven't sold him my "one" share yet...

Looks like next seasons defence will be Naylor Balde Fanni...

Michael Ricketts

David Rozehnal is relishing the chance to pull on a black-and-white shirt for the first time next season as he prepares to complete his £3m move to St James's Park. The Paris-Saint Germain defender and his advisers were expected to arrive in the North-East last night and, with a medical having been arranged, Sam Allardyce will hope the deal proceeds without problems. The United boss will be desperate to close the deal as soon as possible after a player who has made no secret of his ambitions to test his talents in Spain highlighted that his agreement with Newcastle is not yet binding. Sevilla last week failed in an attempt to sign the Czech international. But although he remains keen to experience La Liga action at some time in his career, Rozehnal is excited about the challenges he will face on Tyneside after revealing he has a long-held affinity towards Newcastle. "My dream has always been to play in Spain," admitted the 26-year-old, who is in line to become Allardyce's first defensive recruit following a successful meeting last week. "Nevertheless, when I was young I used to watch the Premier League as well. "Manchester (United), Liverpool and Newcastle were all clubs I liked and I remember (watching) the legendary Alan Shearer. Newcastle is a really huge club and I take it (the impending transfer) as an appreciation of my work. "After an unsuccessful season at PSG I take it as a kind of reward and I'm glad that it's this club. Newcastle has a rich history, great facilities and the club has a great name." Rozehnal is expected to sign a four-year contract after officials at the Parc des Princes sanctioned his departure last week. A player capped 35 times at international level has long been an Allardyce target, with the 52-year-old having attempted to lure him to Bolton during his reign at the Reebok Stadium. "It seems it is very close - although I haven't signed anything so far," added Rozehnal, who will be urged to put pen to paper as soon as possible, assuming his forthcoming medical proves successful. Once Allardyce is certain the deal has been closed, he will turn his attentions to his other targets. A manager keen to sign four further defenders could return to France to do so. Marseille's Habib Beye is a confirmed target, while United continue to be credited with an interest in Alou Diarra. The Senegal-born French international is desperate to quit Lyon this summer and the midfielder will have no shortage of admirers as he contemplates his future plans. As well as Newcastle, Portsmouth, Bordeaux, Monaco and Werder Bremen are all understood to be keen on the 25-year-old. It is clear that Allardyce is searching far and wide as he bids to restructure his first-team squad and, with the European Under-21 Championship having ended in Holland at the weekend, further progress could soon be made. Maceo Rigters, who helped the Dutch prevail on home soil, finished as the tournament's leading scorer and has caught the eye. The striker's representatives insist Newcastle have registered an interest, although 10 clubs are understood to be keen on the NAC Breda forward, who is reported to have a modest release clause in his contract. Ajax's Ryan Babel has indicated that he is interested in moving to the Premier League this summer, although Dutch Under-21 coach Foppe de Haan has warned it is too soon for the Feyenoord favourite Royston Drenthe to succeed in England. Frederic Kanoute has been touted as a target, although a striker whose goal against Getafe won Sevilla the Spanish Cup at the weekend is adamant he is going nowhere. The Frenchman insisted last night: "I've got two years on my contract and I'm not planning on moving."

Emre has rejected the opportunity to make an emotional return to action in Istanbul after resisting Galatasaray's advances in order to pledge his future to Newcastle. And a player who has also turned down an offer from Fenerbahçe this summer has identified his admiration for Sam Allardyce among his main reasons for wanting to remain at St James's Park. The midfielder will not be alone in staying put when his departure had appeared inevitable, with Freddie Shepherd expected to survive a boardroom cull this morning. Mike Ashley's takeover had seemed certain to bring his long reign to an end but, although his colleagues are all preparing to resign their positions, Shepherd has been asked to remain in office. The United chairman had planned to stand down, but Ashley's advisers are keen to retain his expertise as a fresh era begins at the club. Shepherd has been made an offer to continue his stewardship and, although he has yet to agree, the signs are that a man who has spent recent days considering the matter will announce that he will do so, assuming that he likes what is said at today's meeting. Allardyce - who is poised to complete David Rozehnal's signing from Paris-Saint Germain - will keep a close eye on developments. The 52-year-old will hope that a resolution to a protracted power struggle will aid his attempts to rebuild his first-team squad, with progress having not been as quick as he would have liked. With pre-season training set to start next week, a manager who had planned radical changes has so far signed just two players this summer. That Emre has declared his commitment to the Gallowgate cause will offer encouragement that things are moving in the right direction. "I'm very happy in England and I'm not thinking about leaving Newcastle," said the former Inter Milan favourite (pictured right), who is preparing to return to Tyneside for a third season. "I know all the Turkish newspapers will write my name in their headlines during the transfer window. But although I have received serious offers from Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, I want to continue my career in England. "The Premier League is famous all over the world and that's why I wanted to move there. I will stay at Newcastle. I have great respect for Sam Allardyce, the new coach." Having started his colourful career at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Galatasaray's approach will have held an obvious appeal for a lifelong supporter who progressed through the club's youth system to become a Turkish superstar. In a rival pitch, Fenerbahçe have offered Emre Champions League football following their latest Turkcell Super Lig championship triumph. However, although Newcastle will not contest a Continental campaign following last season's struggles under Glenn Roeder, a player determined to rebuild his career in England following the racist abuse charges which threatened his footballing future is planning to return. Having sold Scott Parker to West Ham, Allardyce will welcome such news. Indications that Rafael Benitez has no plans to attempt to lure Michael Owen back to Liverpool will also be considered with relief, although Arsenal's intentions remain a concern. As the search starts for Thierry Henry's successor, both Owen and Obafemi Martins are among the leading candidates, although Bolton's Nicolas Anelka is understood to be Arsenal's first choice. It seems Allardyce will have Shepherd's support as he strives to retain the pair. The club's long-serving chairman has studied Ashley's proposals for a new-look management structure and the indications last night were he is content with his proposed role under Newcastle's incoming owner, with Ashley's team aware some continuity is needed as they prepare to appoint a new board. The club's existing directors are set to sever their ties with the club, with a meeting having been scheduled for this morning. Executive director Douglas Hall, his sister Allison Antonopoulos, fellow non-executive director Timothy Revill and Shepherd's brother Bruce are all expected to stand down.

It was funny enough up here when Celtic signed Rafael Scheidt, but think of the abuse this guy is potentially is going to get.. You can just imagine the weegie neds...."Haw Rod, Ya Fanny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

1 - Shopping for shorts, hoodies etc for T in the Park 2 - Also looking at tattoos (waits for the all tattoos are shit...) 3 - Enjoying a bottle of wine, though its nearly finished already 4 - Have a busy week of work to look forward to with two Corp ID brochures to finish off and a magazine to design 5 - Apart from Magmas contributions this thread is rather lame isn't it...

Happy Birthday Penny Hope you had/are having a good one..

Haggis Catcher..

Sunday Express-

Charlton Athletic are to announce the shock closure of their women's team. The club's entire women's section - senior teams, academy and centre of excellence - are to be scrapped. The decision is part of drastic cost-cutting measures being carried out following the club's relegation from the men's Premier League last season. Women's team manager Keith Boanas confirmed to BBC Sport: "All the staff involved in the women's set-up have had their employment terminated." An official club statement is to be made next week but on Friday, Charlton chief executive Peter Varney released a statement outlining a "significant level of cuts" at The Valley. Boanas was at the helm from the time Charlton took the hugely successful Croydon women's team under their wing in 2000. He said: "I'm devastated for the players and the many young girls who have had their dreams and aspirations shattered. I've been phoning round the players and some of them have been in tears." Like Croydon, who in the 1990s twice achieved the Premier League and FA Cup Double, Charlton have provided the toughest opposition to all-conquering Arsenal. Captain and England defender Casey Stoney, angry at the closure of the women's section, said: "I'm disgusted with the club - the men get relegated and we get punished. "The club's only trophies in recent years have been won by the women's team - and in the last four seasons we were the only side apart from Arsenal to win major honours. "Seven weeks ago we played in front of a record crowd at the FA Cup final - that's now our last match and I'm totally gutted for everyone involved on the women's side. "I just hope that what has happened to us doesn't reverberate around the women's game - otherwise it will be in serious trouble." There will be serious repercussions from Charlton's demise, including the reduction from 12 teams to an unwieldy 11 in next season's top flight. Peter Hough, chairman of the FA Women's Premier League, confirmed: "The League's AGM has been held and, once that has gone, no adjustments can be made. "It's a very sad day for women's football. We can do without losing any clubs, let alone one at the highest level, and this is terribly disappointing for the image of the game."

England manager Steve McClaren has urged fans to stop the criticism of Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard. He is unhappy Lampard was booed during the 1-1 friendly draw with Brazil at Wembley this month and has written to the official England supporters' club. In his annual report to englandfans, McClaren wrote: "We were all disappointed to hear Frank Lampard being booed at Wembley against Brazil. "Frank is a tremendous player and he didn't deserve that reaction." In Tallinn, for the game against Estonia, our supporters were brilliant England boss Steve McClaren McClaren and his team were targeted by disgruntled travelling fans in Barcelona when England were forced to battle for a 3-0 win over Andorra in March. Lampard, 29, did not play in that game but he and other watching players were verbally abused as they sat in the stands and retreated to the inner sanctum of the stadium for the second half. However, McClaren also praised the England followers for their backing in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier victory over Estonia, which followed the Brazil match. England won that game 3-0 and McClaren added: "In Tallinn, for the game against Estonia, our supporters were brilliant. "No matter where we play, we seem to have the largest travelling support and this can genuinely be a 12th man for us."

Doh! how did I not work it out? You would have thought the turtle outfit would have been a giveaway...

Which one is you?

No, the Alou Diarra that plays for Chelsea is Lassana Diarra.

The Mirror

Well, a week late and after everyone else had already picked up on the story, but still. That's the point, he was the first 'bout time he came up with some fresh news then 'Ronnie' Rozenhal is one thing, but I need my geordie/local lad signing - soon!!!1111 FYP