A round-up of other soccer news in brief
Cole ruled out for three games
JOE Cole will miss Liverpool’s next three league games after the club decided not to contest his dismissal against Arsenal.
The England international was sent off for the first time in his professional career on Sunday for a reckless challenge on the Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny.
Despite an initial suggestion that referee Martin Atkinson’s decision would be contested, the club elected not to lodge an appeal before yesterday’s 1pm deadline. It means Cole will miss the trip to Manchester City next Monday, a home game against West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City away on September 12th.
Liverpool risked losing Cole for their visit to Manchester United on September 19th if they were found guilty of making a frivolous appeal, a verdict that attracts an additional one-match suspension. The 28-year-old will be available for Thursday’s Europa League play-off ties against Trabzonspor.
Sheffield United to turn to Speed
SHEFFIELD United are poised to appoint Gary Speed as the club’s new permanent manager.
The Blades parted company with Kevin Blackwell after Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to QPR and Speed, who has been working as first-team coach, will be handed his first job as manager.
The 40-year-old is understood to have met with club chairman Kevin McCabe and chief executive Trevor Birch in Spain, where he was offered the role.
Birmingham snap up Derbyshire
FORMER Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Derbyshire has joined Birmingham City on loan from Olympiakos Piraeus, the Greek club said yesterday.
The 24-year-old made just 19 appearances for Olympiakos last season, scoring six goals in a spell that was hindered by injury and loss of form.
“Olympiakos announces that an agreement has been reached with Birmingham for the loan of Matt Derbyshire for one year,” said the Greek club in a brief statement on their website.
Coach Ernesto Valverde, who recently returned to the club after a one-year absence, signed Derbyshire on loan initially in 2009.
The former England under-21 international’s highlight during his time in Greece was helping his club do the double by scoring twice in the Greek Cup final win over AEK Athens.
Majstorovic determined to see title return to Parkhead
DANIEL Majstorovic has proclaimed himself fully prepared for the demands of playing for Celtic as he vowed to wrest the title back from Old Firm rivals Rangers.
The Sweden defender was unveiled at Celtic Park yesterday after completing his move from AEK Athens, who were unable to keep financing his salary.
“Expectations are always high at big clubs, especially from the fans and the media,” said the 33-year-old. “This is part of the job and you have to handle it. The derbies between Panathinaikos, AEK Athens, Olympiakos are the same, it’s high pressure.
“The fans are really, really crazy. Over there it’s not football, it is really a religion. . . . First of all they will see a player who always gives 100 per cent on the field. To take back the title for Celtic is the most important thing.”
The Swede could play in Thursday’s Europa League play-off first leg against Utrecht at Celtic Park if manager Neil Lennon adds him to his registered 25-man squad.
Arsenal step up bid for Schwarzer
ARSENAL will increase their bid for the Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer in an attempt to smooth the Australia international’s transfer across the capital.
An offer of around €2.4 million has been rejected with an improved bid of nearer €3 million due this week, although much will depend on whether Mark Hughes is successful in his pursuit of a replacement.
Schwarzer has made it clear to the manager the time has come to move on, with his representatives confident the deal will happen.
Arsène Wenger is to offer the 37-year-old a two-year contract at the Emirates with Schwarzer expected to replace Manuel Almunia as the club’s number one.
Arsenal had explored the possibility of bidding for the Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given, who was dropped to the bench in favour of Joe Hart on Saturday.
However, City would not countenance selling to a club with whom they will be challenging for a Champions League place.
Indian close to Blackburn bid
PROSPECTIVE Blackburn owner Indian Ahsan Ali Syed has invited sceptics to carry out their own “due diligence” on him as he closes in on a takeover of the club.
Syed’s representatives were at Ewood Park yesterday to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the club’s trustees, securing an exclusive four-week period to inspect Blackburn’s accounts.
Western Gulf Advisory, the company owned by the 36-year-old, recently acquired a 50 per cent stake in Irish construction company McCabe and claims it has at least €9 billion in assets under its control.
Thomson suffers a broken leg
MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed Scotland midfielder Kevin Thomson suffered a broken leg during Saturday’s goalless draw at Leicester.
Thomson faces two months on the sidelines and will miss Scotland’s opening four Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic and Spain.
The 26-year-old €2.4 million summer signing from Rangers, who endured two ruptured cruciate ligaments early in his career, fractured the fibula in his right leg in his second competitive appearance for Boro.
Tonight's soccer
Champions League Play-off First Leg: D Kiev v Ajax; Rosenborg v FC Copenhagen; Sparta Prague v MSK Zilina; Young Boys v Tottenham; Zenit St Petersburg v Auxerre.
Europa League Play-off Round first Leg – Besiktas v HJK Helsinki; Aris Salonika v FK Austria Vienna.
League of Ireland Premier Division: Bohemians v Bray Wanderers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
EA SPORTS: Semi-final – Monaghan Utd v Dundalk, Gortakeegan, 8pm; Sligo v Shamrock Rovers, the Showgrounds, 7.45pm.
Irish League – Premiership: Portadown v Cliftonville.
