Four-goal Celtic sink Kilmarnock

Pospisil gives Hearts heart

As it has now become a genuine three-horse race, the most-eagerly awaited Scottish Premier League season for years kicks-off.

Champions Celtic set the pace as they cruise to an opening-day 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Parkhead.
New Buoy Kenny Miller takes advantage of a Killie mistake to allow Maciej Zurawski to net the opener.
Another debutant, Jiri Jarosik, heads home the second before Shunsuke Nakamura curls in a free-kick for No 3.
Kilmarnock were given hope with a Steven Naismith strike before Zurawski hit the fourth.

Heart of Midlothian are also off to a winning start as Czech striker Michal Pospisil grabs the winner at Dunfermline Athletic.
Roman Bednar had given last season’s SPL runners-up the lead at East End Park before the Pars hit back through former Hearts midfielder Stephen Simmons.
Owner Vladimir Romanov anticipates another successful campaign, but without the turmoil of last term. He tells the Scotland on Sunday newspaper: “The best moment last season was when George Burley left the club, but the worst moment was when Graham Rix came in!
“I very much hope that this nightmare that we had last season will not be repeated, but that doesn’t mean I will keep silent if I am not happy with something.”

St Mirren return to the SPL in winning style.
The Division One champions win 2-1 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle with goals from Stewart Kean and John Sutton. The other winners are Falkirk (2-1 at Dundee United) while Hibernian and Aberdeen draw 1-1 at Easter Road.

Israel worry for Liverpool

Williams take charge at Colchester

—– After months of speculation about his future, Manchester United’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy joins Real Madrid for a reported fee of £10.2million.
The Dutch goal master signs a three-year deal to become Real’s third signing under new president Ramon Calderon after Italy’s World Cup-winning captain and defender Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil midfielder Emerson.
Van Nistelrooy - scored 150 goals in 218 appearances after joining United from PSV for £19million in 2001 - appeared to have little future at Old Trafford after falling out of favour with Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson earlier in the year.

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—– The Champions League Third Qualifying Round draw sends Liverpool to war-torn Israel.
They are due to travel to Maccabi Haifa next month; a city that has been under heavy fire since hostilities broke out with neighbouring Lebanon last week.
In an attempt to quell Liverpool’s safety fears, Maccabi president Jacob Shachar pleads: “Tel Aviv is quiet - let’s hope things will stay quiet and we will be able to host Liverpool.
“It’s an unpleasant situation although we understand Liverpool’s concerns.”

—– A week before their Championship debut, Colchester United appoint Geraint Williams as their new manager.
The 44 year-old former Wales international has been in temporary charge at Layer Road since Phil Parkinson left for Hull City last month.
Williams was assistant to Parkinson and previous boss Steve Whitton.

England may have limped in to the last eight of the World Cup before performing their customary bailing-out act but our lacklustre lads have soared five places in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Has Steve McClaren added some value already?

Not quite. The great leap forward results from a radical and long overdue restructuring on FIFA’s part, with greater importance attached to World Cup games rather than friendlies and the window reduced from eight to four years.

Biggest losers in the revamp are the CONCACAF nations, who traditionally spend most of their time playing among themselves. It will be some time before the USA (16) get back in to the top ten, let alone the unfeasible fourth place they attained in April.

One of the biggest winners under the new system is Canada, who have rocketed up 29 places to rank 54th. That’s quite an achievement for a nation whose solitary finals appearance came twenty years ago and who last played at the end of March. This puts Canada two places ahead of 2002 semi-finalists South Korea.

At least England’s stock rose as a consequence of playing some competitive games. Just as well we didn’t meet anyone more competitive than Paraguay (currently 19th), Trinidad and Tobago (64), Sweden (22) and Ecuador (28).

Other rollercoaster teams are Japan, who plunge to 49th and Ukraine, who zoom 30 places to 15th. Switzerland might not have scored a goal at Germany 2006 but did enough to lift themselves 22 places to 13th.

Flawed though the old model may have been the revised version has already thrown up many such anomalies. FIFA arrived at the new-look rankings “after extensive tests and assessments of more than 20 formulas (surely formulae?) and over 700 variations.” The old rankings were felt to be difficult to understand and too complicated. Many observers will experience difficulty in comprehending any measurement of footballing excellence that gives such an exalted rating to such a mediocre English side.

By John Kirk

In those now long distant pre-World Cup days, we collaborated with October Films to produce the ‘WORLD CUP WONDER GOAL OF ALL TIME’ which was screened on FIVE on 7 June.

We are pleased to report that the programme has met with such success that an updated version - with the 147 goals from the 2006 World Cup finals considered - is to be shown tonight.

So to find out how this year’s crop compare with the classics from the past, tune-in to FIVE at 9.50pm.

The bedrock of the programme is the formula created by AFS senior analyst Mark Baber that takes into account the variables involved in creating and scoring a goal.

The groundbreaking classification system has been used to assess all the 2,063 goals that have been scored in the history of the World Cup finals.

The result is the two-hour ten-minute show which counts down the Top 50 of all time, and talks to the men who scored them, saw them and conceded them; and looks back at the tournaments in which they were scored.

Mark has evaluated the top 100 in terms of technique, aesthetics, final strike, assist, build-up, save-ability, stop-ability, difficulty, intention, build-up, importance of the goal, time of the goal, quality of the finish and quality of opposition.

The goals are then placed into six categories - volleys, shots outside the box, team goals, dribbles, headers and free-kicks - and each was compared to an imagined perfect goal of its type.

As well as the expert scientific view, there’s also the qualified opinion of a vast array of leading professionals.

How about this for just part of the cast list:
- Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Bobby Robson, Bryan Robson, Jorge Burruchaga, Carlos Alberto, Carlos Bilardo, David Platt, Dennis Bergkamp, Liuz Felipe Scolari, Graeme Le Saux, Glenn Hoddle, Jack Charlton, Jairzinho, John Barnes, Nobby Stiles, Ossie Ardiles, Peter Beardsley, Peter Shilton, Rivelino and Socrates.

Juve demotion confirmed

Quinn appoints Quinn to top Black Cats post

—– Following the appeal to the Italian Football Federation by the four Serie A implicated in the Italy match-fixing scandal, the punishments are significantly reduced.
Juventus are still to be relegated to Serie B, but their 30-point deduction is reduced to 17 points. The decision to strip Juve of their last two Serie A titles and the five-year bans for former club executives Luciano Moggi and Antonio Giraudo stand. The Turin club are also fined 120,000 Euros.
Lazio and Fiorentina are reinstated to Serie A. However, their points deduction is increased from seven to 11 for Lazio and 12 to 19 for Fiorentina.
AC Milan stay in Serie A with their penalty cut from 15 points to eight but, having been banned from European competition, they have been allowed to play in the Champions League qualifying rounds this season.
New punishments will see Juventus and Fiorentina play their first three home games of the 2006-07 season at neutral grounds. Lazio were given a two-match stadium ban and Milan one match.
Due to Fiorentina and Lazio staying up, Lecce and Treviso - the bottom two clubs in Serie A last season - will not now be reinstated to the top division.
Messina, who finished 18th, stay up in Juventus’ place although they will now fear Juve’s next appeal.
Despite the watered down penalties, all four clubs have indicated that they will consider civil action.

—– Niall Quinn - Sunderland’s former centre-forward who is the Wearside club’s chairman-in-waiting - is announced as the Black Cats’ new manager in succession to Mick McCarthy.
The ex-Republic of Ireland striker’s consortium bought a controlling stake earlier in the month and Quinn’s first major task was to find a new boss.
Attempts to bring former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill and Bolton Wanderers’ manager Sam Allardyce to the Championship outfit have been thwarted, but a proven top class manager is still in Quinn’s plans: “If it takes three months to get to a point where we can bring in a new manager then great, I will gladly walk away.
“When I was in full flow with the club three months ago, becoming manager is not something I thought I would be doing but it has transpired that way.
“Even though the group who are backing me could not have been more ambitious in trying to attract a world-class manager; what happened is that we decided we would try to attempt the first hurdle because what we have to do is try to stop the slide.”
The 39 year-old who has no previous coaching or managerial experience will be assisted by Bobby Saxton who was No. 2 to former boss Peter Reid at the Stadium of Light and Roker Park.

Dunga is new man for Brazil

Chelsea lose out in Duff deal

—– Mick McCarthy is unveiled as the new manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 47 year-old former Republic of Ireland coach led Sunderland to the Championship title in 2005 before leaving in March when the Black Cats were bottom of the Premiership.
McCarthy - who replaces Glenn Hoddle after the former England coach resigned three weeks ago - reveals that he will be bringing some experienced campaigners to the Wolves camp: “We need to bring in more players as the Championship is a tough division.
“I’ll be phoning managers up and down the country to try and get some players in. If my number comes up on their mobiles they shouldn’t be surprised.
“At the moment we’ve only got 16 first-team players and my initials stand for Mick McCarthy, not Merlin the Magician.”

—– Dunga is named as Carlos Alberto Parreira’s replacement as the new coach of Brazil.
Their captain when they won the World Cup in 1994 has no previous coaching experience.
The 42 year-old says: “I want to bring the same determination I had as a player. Motivation and will to win are fundamental for anyone who wants to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team.”
He is currently a director Queens Park Rangers.

—– Three years after signing him for £17million, Chelsea suffer a £12million loss on Damien Duff as the Republic of Ireland winger joins Newcastle United for a ‘bargain’ £5million.
Previous reports suggested Duff would switch for £10million, and Toon chairman Freddie Shepherd was quick to praise Chelsea for allowing the move to go ahead: “Chelsea are happy with the deal and we are happy. Let’s be honest, we owe Chelsea a big favour.”

Three-goal Toon see off Lillestrom

Arsenal open new home as Bergkamp says farewell

—– Having been held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg at St James’ Park, Newcastle United beat Lillestrom 3-0 in Norway to win their Intertoto Cup Third Round tie 4-1 on aggregate.
The Geordies take the initiative with two Shola Ameobi goals before Emre Belözoglu ensures Toon’s place in the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Cup in the final minute.

—– In Dennis Bergkamp’s Testimonial match, Arsenal open their new 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium in a carnival atmosphere in front of a sell-out crowd.
The game with Ajax (Bergkamp’s first club) mixes Gunners past and present against an array of Dutch legends.
Ian Wright, Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira and Marc Overmars are amongst the returning Gunners, while 59-year-old Johan Cruyff and Holland World Cup coach Marco van Basten take to the field for Ajax in the closing minutes.
At the end of the final game of his career, Bergkamp is carried shoulder high during a lap of honour by Vieira and Thierry Henry.
Ajax’s striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar has the honour of scoring the first goal at the new stadium.

Board say boss played no part in alleged player revolt

Gaydamak takes control at Pompey

—– Manager David O’Leary leaves Aston Villa after three years in charge at Villa Park.
The 48 year-old’s departure came at the end of a six-hour meeting that followed the inquiry by the board into a statement criticising chairman Doug Ellis last week, that was allegedly issued by the first-team squad.
A club statement read: “On 17 July 2006, Aston Villa announced that the board of Aston Villa had set up an internal enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the publication of a statement purportedly from the entire first team squad.
“That enquiry has completed its investigations. Although no misconduct by the manager, David O’Leary was uncovered, as a result of the investigation, it has been agreed that an amicable parting of the ways was in the best interests of all parties.
“Accordingly, a compensation package reflecting the situation has been established and it has been mutually agreed to terminate the contract of David O’Leary, with immediate effect.”
With ex-Villa midfielder Alan Curbishley immediately installed as favourite to replace the Irishman, they begin the search for the 13th manager of 82 year-old Doug Ellis’ chairmanship.
The Villa supremo has remained on holiday in the Mediterranean throughout the growing so-called ‘Villagate’ crisis.
O’Leary, who refuses to comment, is linked with the vacant post at Sunderland where his former Republic of Ireland team-mate Niall Quinn is set to takeover as chairman.

—– Joint-owner Alexandre Gaydamak buys chairman Milan Mandaric’s remaining stake in Portsmouth for around £32million.
The 30-year-old son of a Russian billionaire invested around £20million in Pompey in January. It allowed manager Harry Redknapp to make extensive signings and save the Premiership club from relegation.
Glen Johnson has arrived on loan from Chelsea in the close season, and further recruits are expected to follow.
Mandaric becomes non-executive chairman after denying rumours that he is planning a £15million buy-out of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Having transformed Pompey since taking over in 1998, he says: “I could not have asked for a better scenario than this one and I know that supporters are going to give Alexandre the same wonderful backing and encouragement they gave me,” Mandaric said.
“I can do this all safe in the knowledge that I will place Portsmouth Football Club in the control of a person that has massive ambitions, who has fallen in love with the supporters and is someone who will take this on to the next level.”

Luque goal saves Toon blushes

Colombia join World Cup 2014 bidding

—– Six days after the World Cup Final, the 2006-07 season kicks-off in England as Newcastle United welcome Lillestrom to St James’ Park in the first leg of their Third Round tie in the Intertoto Cup.
A crowd of 31,059 see the Norwegians - managed by former Manchester City striker Uwe Rosler - take a 21st minute lead through Robert Koren.
Without the retired Alan Shearer and injured Michael Owen, Albert Luque saves the Toon blushes with a 50th minute strike. It’s only his second goal for the club.

—– With the World Cup due to be staged in South America in 2014, Colombia joined the bidding to host the tournament.
The South American Federation (Conmebol) had previously named Brazil as the sole applicant.
Speaking at the 20th Central and Caribbean Games which are currently being held in the country, Colombian president Alvaro Uribe announces: “I think Colombia is capable of hosting a football World Cup. I’m sure we will achieve it and will do it very well.”
Colombia was awarded the 1986 World Cup but was not able to stage it because of financial problems and increased violence. Mexico stepped in.
FIF president Sepp Blatter recently criticised Brazil’s stadiums and infrastructure but Colombia has its own political problems associated with rebel factions and drug cartels.

Relegation for Juve, Lazio and Fiorentina

Mutiny at the Villa

—– Less than a week after Italy lifted the World Cup, severe punishments are imposed on four of Serie A’s top clubs after a sports tribunal’s investigation in to the match-fixing scandal.
Juventus, Lazio and Fiorentina are all demoted to Serie B (the Italian league’s second division).
Juve are also stripped of their last two Serie A titles and will have 30 points deducted in the coming season. That means the Turin giants are almost certain to stay down for at least two seasons.
Lazio also suffer a 7-point deduction while Fiorentina are handed a 12-point loss
Although AC Milan retain their Serie A status, they will start the 2006-07 season with a 15-point deduction.
All four are also barred from European competition in the coming season.
Juve’s immediate reaction included: “We expected a balanced sentence not only in form but in substance; our expectations were different ones.”
Fiorentina feel their punishment is “profoundly unjust” while Milan claim “extraordinary injustice”.
Lazio president Claudio Lotito, who is banned for three years, fumes: “I think this sentence is provisional as it’s based on a theorem which is completely ridiculous”.

The summary of the punishments is:
Juventus:
Relegated to Serie B
30-point deduction for next season
Stripped of 2005 and 2006 titles
Out of 2006-07 Champions League
Five-year ban for ex-general manager Luciano Moggi
Five-year ban for ex-chief executive Antonio Giraudo
AC Milan:
Deducted 15 points next season
Out of 2006-07 Champions League
One-year ban for vice-president Adriano Galliani
Club official Leonardo Meani banned for three years and six months
Fiorentina:
Relegated to Serie B
12-point deduction next season
Out of 2006-07 Champions League
President Andrea Della Valle banned for three years and six months
Four-year ban for honorary president Diego Della Valle
Lazio:
Relegated to Serie B
Out of 2006-07 Uefa Cup
7-point deduction next season
Three-year ban for president Claudio Lotito

They have all vowed to appeal to the Federal Court, and it must be submitted in the next three days.
There is little chance of lifting the ban on European places as the UEFA deadline is 25 July - only 11 days away.

—– A statement allegedly issued by the entire first team squad at Aston Villa launches a tirade of criticism in the direction of chairman Doug Ellis.
The anonymous statement, that is published in the Express & Star, reads: “The chairman should be behind the club and not working against what we’re trying to achieve.
“There’ve been a series of cutbacks and we feel we have to mention this because they are now starting to affect us.
“People talk about Aston Villa being a big club and winning the European Cup in 1982.
“We feel it should be a big club but if the chairman has got ambition, he needs to start showing it. It has to come from the top.
“So many other clubs are doing so much to show their ambition apart from us. As players we’re all ambitious and we want to improve on last season.
“At the end of last season, the chairman refused to pay £300 for the pitches to be watered. The training ground development, which we were all looking forward to working in, has stopped.
“Now we have lost a masseur because the club refuse to pay for one and are clubbing together to pay for our own.
“We have also heard that the physio, who was on his way to see Martin Laursen, could not claim back for a cup of coffee at the airport.
“We’ve had no explanation for the cutbacks and we feel if the manager (David O’Leary) can’t get one, then we have no chance.
“Maybe the chairman thought he would have left by now because of the takeover. Supporters are concerned with what happens on the pitch and rightly so.
“But we feel with all the cutbacks, it is difficult to attain the targets we all share.
“There are no positives coming out of the club. We need to see a plan where the club is going and all the players feel the same. Every penny is being watched.”