Round-up
It seems City’s long reported pursuit of exciting Malaga midfielder Isco is over.
With so many stories and quotes around this morning suggesting the 21-year-old has opted for Real Madrid instead of the Blues, it seems certain the player will remain in La Liga.
If it’s true it is a pity because City seemed ready to make the box-of-tricks talent a crowd idol and whether he will receive the same adulation at the Bernabeu remains to be seen.
The reliable Ian Herbert of The Independent is 99.9% certain the Blues will not be adding a fourth La Roja star to their ranks this summer in his report where he states: “Manchester City were resigned last night to their new manager Manuel Pellegrini failing in his first task as manager – persuading his protégé Isco to sign for the club.
“The club are phlegmatic about the 21-year-old's apparent decision to opt for Real Madrid, despite the relationship he had developed with Pellegrini – his "footballing father"– who officially began work as Roberto Mancini's successor yesterday.
Manchester City: The Way It Was 1999 - 2012
Newbie, or plastic Manchester City supporters won't know what life was about prior to the investment, therefore, in an effort to bring some of you up to speed here's a glimpse of what you may have missed.
http://vimeo.com/68890060
GOLDEN BOLLOX: 25 June 1986
Jim Tolmie is released by City and joins Swedish side Markaryd IF. The diminutive Scot cost City just £30,000 from Belgian club Lokeren and went on to score 19 goals in 67 appearances for the Blues over a three-year period.
SNUB COUNT: 97
Manchester City give up on tempting Isco from Real Madrid move
Manchester City were resigned last night to their new manager Manuel Pellegrini failing in his first task as manager – persuading his protégé Isco to sign for the club.
The club are phlegmatic about the 21-year-old's apparent decision to opt for Real Madrid, despite the relationship he had developed with Pellegrini – his "footballing father"– who officially began work as Roberto Mancini's successor yesterday.
Since the pursuit of Isco was a by-product of the club turning to 59-year-old Pellegrini as manager, it is understood that director of football Txiki Begiristain will not go back into the market for an alternative purchase. Pellegrini has new signings Jesus Navas and Fernandinho at his disposal and it has been indicated that the latter was signed at the new manager's behest. If the club's post-season tour of the United States was anything to go by, Samir Nasri may also become a new player with Mancini out of the club.
Isco left little to the imagination when the Malaga midfielder said yesterday that "Madrid excite me. They are one of the best teams in the world," with a possible £25m deal imminent. City also appear to have all but given up on signing Napoli's Edinson Cavani, but because he was very much a Mancini target over a number of seasons, that is not seen as a disaster. Pellegrini is understood to be less convinced about signing the Uruguayan. Sergio Aguero put his signature to a new contract earlier this month and with some prospect that Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko will stay into the new era, City appear to feel relaxed about their strikeforce.
Pellegrini publicly discussed Navas and Fernandinho for the first time yesterday, telling the club's in-house media: "Jesus is a player I know well from La Liga. He is quick, has excellent technique and City fans will enjoy watching him. He will provide a variety of attacking options for us and can also score goals as well as create them."
He said he had made Fernandinho one of his top priorities. "He has impressed me on a number of occasions over the past few years and is another player I've taken a keen interest in. He is an experienced international who will further strengthen our midfield and I think he will be well suited to the Premier League. He is a superb athlete with a wide range of passing, can score goals and most importantly, can quickly turn defence into attack."
New City boss Pellegrini ready to give Dzeko a second chance after failing to land Isco and Cavani
Manuel Pellegrini has suffered a setback on his first day officially in charge of Manchester City after he conceded defeat to Real Madrid in the chase for Spain Under-21 star Isco.
It was hoped that Pellegrini's relationship with Isco at Malaga over the last two years could sway the player towards City, but the opportunity to stay in Spain proved decisive in Real clinching a £24million deal.
Pellegrini is also ready to call off City's pursuit of Napoli's £54m-rated striker Edinson Cavani, a long-term target for predecessor Roberto Mancini, and give Edin Dzeko a second chance at the Etihad.
Arsenal given boost in Gonzalo Higuain chase as Milan clear Juventus’ path to Carlos Tevez
AC Milan have cleared the way for Juventus to move for Carlos Tevez, which in turn edges Gonzalo Higuain closer towards Arsenal.
The Rossoneri have long been linked with a bid for the Manchester City striker, but vice-president Adriano Galliani has ruled out the possibility of the Argentinean arriving at the San Siro.
‘Tevez is not a transfer target for us. Before we will try to bring in new players, we will have to sell some of our own players first,’ Galliani told reporters.
‘It’s not a financial problem, but has to do with the amount of attackers we already have. At the moment, we already have seven players for just three positions.
Higuain scored 18 goals for Real this term despite spending much of the season on the bench (Picture: AFP/Getty)
‘Our big transfer coup came in January when we signed Mario Balotelli from City. We will see if anything else happens.’
Galliani’s admission will be music to the ears of rivals Juventus, who are still in the hunt for Tevez, as well as Gunners target Higuain.
Juve are highly unlikely to sign both strikers, and with Real Madrid demanding in excess of £25million for Higuain, the Italians may choose to focus on Tevez, who would represent the cheaper option.
The 29-year-old only has a year left to run on his City deal and would be available for little over £10m.
Manchester City bemused by Micah contract story
Manchester City officials are bemused at reports appearing in the media which say that City defender Micah Richards has refused the offer of a new contract.
The refusal is said to have sparked a race for the player’s signature between Chelsea, Arsenal and Inter Milan.
Richards, who has two years left on his existing contract, has been out for much of the year injured, but while Manchester City acknowledge that a meeting has taken place between officials and Richards’ agents it is said that such talks were “exploratory”.
The club is keen to extend Richards’ contract but no formal offer has yet been made. It follows that if no offer was made it could not be rejected.
The story appears to have emanated from radio station TalkShite and was quickly picked up by Fleet Street (along with Cheshire Today who wrote this and previous bollox on this!)
DSSC jizz off again
Juventus ramp up Tevez interest as officials fly into Manchester for showdown talks
Juventus representatives are flying in to England to hasten talks with Manchester City over a move for striker Carlos Tevez.
The Argentine forward has agitated for a move twice in the past and could be lining up for the Italian champions come next season.
DSSC's understands Tevez, 29, would consider staying in the North West, but realises he may not feature heavily in new manager Manuel Pellegrini's plans.
Tevez's contract runs out next summer and the 2012 Premier League champions could be willing to part company with the former West Ham and Manchester United hitman, in the knowledge that he could walk away for nothing next summer.
Tevez's stay at the Etihad has been volatile since joining from Manchester United in 2009.
He had a public fallout with Roberto Mancini after the pair clashed on the bench during a Champions League match at Bayern Munich and didn't feature again for five months.
City have been keen to splash the cash this summer in an attempt to overhaul rivals United and regain the Premier League title. They have already brought in Fernandinho and Jesus Navas in big-money moves with new manager Pellegrini eyeing up more signings.
GOLDEN BOLLOX 25 June 2010
Berts bollox
Manchester City legend Bert Traumann hopeful Wayne Rooney won't fire England past Germany
Ex-Blues goalkeeper on 'nightmare draw'...
Manchester City legend Bert Trautmann has fingers crossed that Wayne Rooney doesn't re-discover his goalscoring touch for England against Germany.
The 24-year-old has cut a frustrated figure at World Cup 2010, with his anger boiling over against the Three Lions fans in the 0-0 draw with Algeria. Signs of recover were present in the 1-0 win against Slovenia on Wednesday, and this return to form is perfectly timed with the heavyweight second round clash against Joachim Loew's side on Sunday.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Trautmann was eager to see Rooney to continue to flop in South Africa.
“Rooney has not had a good tournament but that can change - hopefully not on Sunday. We know all about what he is capable of doing," Trautmann said.
“The way it has worked out is a nightmare for both countries. We know all about Rooney and all the English players. He will be marked and given no space.
“Neither the English nor the Germans have been convincing so far. It will be a very tight game on Sunday. England should have scored four or five goals against Slovenia, and Ghana were technically superior than Germany in their group game.
“Both countries have dreams but, for me, Argentina, Spain, Brazil and the Dutch have been playing better than both of us."
Weiss flattered by the Toon's Bollox
Magpies linked with loan move for Eastlands youngster
..Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss would be flattered by reported interest from Newcastle, according to his agent Juraj Venglos.
The St James' Park have been linked with move for the 20-year-old Slovakia international, who has helped his side reach the last 16 of the World Cup in South Africa.
In January, Weiss joined Bolton on loan, making 13 appearances and contributed to Owen Coyle's side avoiding relegation from the top flight.
Venglos told TASR: "Vladimir would surely be flattered by the chance to play regularly at a club as big as Newcastle United.
"I know of Newcastle's interest only from the media. In any case, Vladmimir naturally wants to play at a good club, but he will have to make a decision himself.
"Whether there is any truth in it or not, one thing is for sure - any possible negotiations will begin only after the World Cup."
Weiss moved to Manchester City in 2006 and proved to be an instant hit at Eastlands, winning the FA Youth Cup in 2007.
The youngster had to wait until 2009 before scoring his first senior goal against Arsenal in the Carling Cup.
In the same year, the promising Slovakian signed a new contract at City, keeping him at the club until 2012.
Manchester City target €10m Argentine stopper
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is being linked with a move for Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
Reports in Argentine newspaper Ole claims the new Citizens chief will look to bring the 31-year-old to the Etihad Stadium this summer, and provide strong competition for Joe Hart between the sticks next season.
Caballero was in top form for the La Liga outfit last term, helping the club to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and a sixth-place finish domestically.
The former Argentine youth international moved to La Rosaleda in 2010 – six-years after swapping his homeland for Spain with a move to Elche from Boca Juniors.
And, after flourishing under Pellegrini, he could be on the move again as the 59-year-old looks to make his mark on the Manchester City squad.
His arrival would put pressure on England international Hart however, after the 26-year-old made a number of high-profile errors under old boss Roberto Mancini last season.
TalkShite claims City must pay the €10million minimum fee release clause to land the player.
Aston Villa Plot Surprise Move to Re-Sign Man City Midfielder Gareth Barry Return
Lambert wants former ace to guide young stars.
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is reportedly running the rule over bringing former club stalwart Gareth Barry back to the Midlands as a guide for the club’s younger stars, according to the Mirror.
The England international is now entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad and has apparently been told that he can leave by new boss Manuel Pellegrini as he doesn’t fit into his future plans.
City are already well stocked in the midfield department with Yaya Toure, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Jack Rodwell and James Milner already there, and that’s not including new signings Fernandinho and Jesus Navas either, meaning competition for places is fierce.
Barry made over 400 appearances for Villa between 1998 and his £12m move to Manchester in 2009, and is prepared to see out his £100,000 a week contract at City, but does not want to spend the season on the fringes of the squad.
Lambert is thought to be considering making an exception in his transfer policy of signing young and hungry players to bring the former Villa hero back to the club to act as a wiser older head, though he will face competition in the shape of Cardiff City and Stoke who both want to take the pass master off of City’s hands.
Craig Bellamy’s Best Moments – The Fans Choice
Football fans were asked for their favourite Craig Bellamy moments to win a signed copy of his autobiography, GoodFella. Here’s the best of the responses, including memories from supporters of Man City and Cardiff too. There were three ‘stand out’ moments from his Liverpool career; the golf club “nutter with the putter” incident at the Nou Camp; scoring against City in the League Cup semi-final; and his performance against Chelsea shortly after the death of friend Gary Speed.
John Higgins: Tough one but has to be the day of Gary Speed’s death. He showed so many qualities during that time but that day he played against Chelsea was heartbreaking. The fans sang Garys name and Craig was the star of the show that day. It showed his character, determination and the best way to honour his friend in such difficult circumstances. An anfield legend, pity he was sold the first time!
Hayley Williams: My friend having a row with him in school!!
Mark Shearman: Has to be the golf club celebration in barca! Just one of many I could choose, the blokes a legend, was sad to see him go the first time, even worse the 2nd time, wears his heart on his sleeve, could start an argument on his own, but many people do not realise the hard work he does for his foundation. Totally brilliant player and top bloke!
Billy Quinn: Being in the Nou Camp in Feb 2007 when he scored against Barca and celebrated with the Golf Swing. We partied all nigh in La Ramblers.
James Molloy: My favourite Bellamy moment was pretty much the entire second leg of Liverpool – Man City in the Carling Cup. Against his old club, Craig was absolutely everywhere and in my opinion gave one of the greatest individual performances Anfield has seen in recent years. Every defender was pressured, every through-ball chased, every apparent lost cause not abandoned but revived by the Welsh wonder. How fitting it was that it was Bellamy himself who scored the goal that put us through to a historic final against his hometown club.
Jak Williams: My favourite Craig Bellamy moment has to be the goal against Barcelona at the Nou Camp, followed by the ‘golf club’ celebration. That has to be the highlight of his career!
Jay Gorasia: His performance vs Chelsea following on from Gary Speed’s passing away. He tore Chelsea to shreds in what was a thrilling attacking performance!
Gary Kennedy: Watching Bellamy give the best performance ive seen him have in a reds shirt against chelsea afte the death of his good friend and mentor Gary Speed, seeing the lad reduced to tears pre-match and to follow it up with a man of the match performance is unthinkable,for me bellamy will go down in liverpool history for moments like this not for the golf club incident.
Darren Martin: Scoring the equalizer against Barca in the first leg of champ league knockout stages 2007. And ‘that’ celebration to go with it. Especially as he went on to assist Riise with the winner!
Jonathan Ramm: Liverpool were playing a cup match at Birmingham during Craig’s first spell with Liverpool. We found our seats and found they were next to the tunnel near the corner flag. Just the Craig and Dirk Kuyt ran out to warm up. Me and my friend Tim cheered them as they passed. As the came back to the changing room again we cheered and wished the players well for the match. At that point Craig took off his training top and threw it to me. Unfortunately being 6ft fitting into this top was impossible so I gave it to my 5ft 4 companion who was chering with me. he wears it to this day whenever we go to watch a match and always reflect that it should have been my top haha. I never did get anything else of Craig’s so a book would be nice. Here’s hoping
James Fiveash: Actually not a ‘footballing’ moment. Reading an extract from the book recently, it talked about how Craig used to torture himself / over analyse everything – the examples being not drinking exactly the right amount of water and the traffic lights being right. In my football career (which was semi-pro at my prime), I was exactly the same and it was great reading that Craig, a top pro, had realised it did him no good, just like I did as I got older. On a different note, as a Liverpool fan, I’d just like to say I wish all of our players over the last decade or so had the same will to win as Craig. Signed or not, can’t wait to read the book!
Dave Hendrick: For me, it’s the celebration at the Nou Camp. After all that had been written about the incident with him and Riise, he turned in a brilliant performance, scored one and created one. With the golf swing celebration being the most memorable moment.
Aaron Etheridge: My favourite Bellamy moment is surprisingly not one of his moments at Liverpool FC. It is one from his time at Manchester City, this was when City beat Chelsea 4-2, this was also the first on-pitch meeting between Wayne Bridge and John Terry after Terry slept with Bridge’s girlfriend. After the match Bellamy proceeded to slag Terry off and leave us with one of, in my eyes his best moments.
‘You guys (the media) make a lot more of it you know. I know what JT is like and nothing surprises me about it, so I’m not going to comment on that. I think everybody in football knows what the guy is like, but that’s off the field.”
Man City top table of fees paid to agents at whopping £10.5m
Football agents raked in a mind-boggling £77million in fees from Premier League clubs last season.
The Mr Ten Percent brigade found Manchester City the most generous of cash cows at £10.5m while Southampton were the tightwads, forking out just £646,000.
Surprisingly, big-spending Chelsea are down in fifth at £6.4m while Arsenal, traditionally reluctant to put hands into pockets for players, are tucked in at sixth on £5.5m.
Good value? Liverpool shelled out £12m for Daniel Sturridge... and over £8m on agents' fees too
Fees paid to agents last season
Man City: £10.5m
Liverpool: £8.6m
QPR: £6.8m
Spurs: £6.5m
Chelsea: £6.4m
Arsenal: £5.5m
West Ham: £4.4m
Man United: £3.6m
Newcastle: £3.4m
Everton: £3m
Aston Villa: £2.7m
Fulham: £2.5m
Sunderland: £2.1m
Reading: £2.1m
Wigan: £1.9m
Stoke City: £1.7m
West Brom: £1.3m
Norwich: £1.2m
Swansea: £1.1m
Southampton: £646k
Liverpool’s continuing unsuccessful quest to mount some kind of top-four challenge saw them pay agents £8.6m, making them second in the wrong sort of table.
Not surprisingly, Queens Park Rangers handed over £6.8m as part of the headless-chicken recruitment policy of successive managers.
Once again Manchester United showed that buying players does not necessarily equate to big bills for the ‘advisers’ who facilitate the deals.
Former manager Sir Alex Ferguson made sure that just £3.6m went on agents’ fees while incoming boss David Moyes’s old club, Everton, splashed out £3m.
Saints chairman Nicola Cortese continues to make a stand against paying agents exorbitant amounts of money for just doing their job.
He is currently refusing to hand over £1m to the representatives of Victor Wanyama after agreeing a £12m deal for the Celtic midfielder.
Then there is a cluster of clubs who have kept the bill down to below £2m. Huw Jenkins at Swansea, Peter Coates at Stoke, Jeremy Peace at West Brom, Wigan’s David Whelan and Alan Bowkett at Norwich are chairman who are hugely reluctant to part unnecessarily with their cash.
The £77m total was £6m up on the previous season and with a summer of spending still to come, it looks like another jackpot year coming up for agents.
[spoiler]Manchester's top model of the hour ... Miss Bouvier
[/spoiler]Balotelli to return home as injury rocks Italy camp before Confederations Cup semi-final
Italy striker Mario Balotelli is out of the Confederations Cup because of a thigh injury and will home return to Milan for treatment.
The 22-year-old AC Milan frontman has been ruled out of not only the semi-final against Spain on Thursday, but now also Sunday's final or third-place play-off.
Enrico Castellacci, the head of Italy's medical staff, said on http://www.figc.it: 'I met with Balotelli this morning. The medical condition is not satisfactory, he cannot recover even for the finals on Sunday.
'To avoid unnecessary risks we decided, in agreement with (coach Cesare) Prandelli and after talking to the medical staff of AC Milan, we decided to send the player back to Milan.'
Balotelli picked up his injury in Saturday's 4-2 defeat by hosts Brazil.
Castellacci said midfielder Andrea Pirlo, who missed the Brazil game with a leg injury, had a chance to be fit for the Spain match.
He said: 'He is continuing to work hard and we are cautiously optimistic. But we have to evaluate his case day by day and if he does play against Spain it will be decided only at the last moment.'
Riccardo Montolivo sat out training on Monday after picking up a head injury in the previous night's game, but Castellacci said he was 'fine and available'.
Chelsea 'agree' £49.3 million deal for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani to see off Manchester City challenge
Chelsea have agreed a £49.3 million fee for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, according to the Italian club's official radio station.
Manchester City and Chelsea have both been linked with the Uruguay striker, although earlier this month Cavani's father said his son would prefer a move to Real Madrid.
However, Napoli radio station Radio Marte announced: "We have received news in the office from a very reliable source that Napoli have sealed a deal with Chelsea for Cavani's sale.
"(Manager) Rafa Benitez also gave the all-clear, but before making the move official Napoli want to secure the striker who will replace Il Matador.
"(Napoli president) Aurelio De Laurentiis' club will pick up around €58 million (£49.3 million), a slight discount on the buy-out clause, which is the same situation as Ezequiel Lavezzi to PSG last year.
"The player will earn €8.5 million (£7.2 million) per season plus image rights."
Cavani was the top goalscorer in Serie A last season and the 26-year-old says he wants to hold face-to-face talks with De Laurentiis after the Napoli president spoke of a quick resolution to any transfer.
Speaking to Italian radio station Radio Rai, De Laurentiis said: “I don’t think Cavani will leave on August 10. I’m confident in him because I consider him a real man. He won’t make a joke of me.
“Should Cavani want to leave, he will decide it after a long period of reflection. We will know everything by July 20. If not, I'll smack him!"
or ....
Man United prepare record-breaking £50million Edinson Cavani bid as Wayne Rooney doubts remain
David Moyes will have to battle with Real Madrid and Chelsea for the Napoli striker, but the Glazer family are ready to back the new boss financially
New United boss David Moyes wants to sign the Uruguay striker from Rafa Benitez’s Napoli.
But the Scot faces competition from Real Madrid and Chelsea. And news of the bid will raise even more question marks over Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford.
Cavani’s powerful style looks ideal for the Premier League. Moyes is keen to play two men up front and Cavani would make a perfect partner for Robin van Persie. The South American – strong with an eye for goal – has similar attributes to Rooney, whose relationship with United is still strained.
Napoli are ready to cash in on Cavani, 26, and are now sitting on several mega-bids. No club has matched his £54m release clause, but he could go for slightly less. United’s owners, the Glazer family, are ready to back Moyes, who is also closing in on Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
Andre Villas-Boas believes United have lost their fear factor without Alex Ferguson. The Spurs boss said: “The aura Sir Alex had, David Moyes does not have. This could influence the players.” Daily Mirror
Gareth Bale, 23, will tug on the heart strings of Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in order to clinch his dream move to Real Madrid. Metro
Liverpool are ready to rekindle their long-standing interest in Werder Bremen's Holland winger Eljero Elia, 26. talkShite
Paolo Di Canio has put the 'For Sale' sign up at Sunderland as he looks to sell star 29-year-old striker Stephane Sessegnon for £8m. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are trying to offload 26-year-old Switzerland centre-back Johan Djourou to a club in the Bundesliga with Hamburg and Hanover both interested. Guardian
Liverpool may miss out on Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 24, after the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder rubbished reports linking him to Anfield. Daily Express
Newcastle are chasing £12m-rated Wilfried Bony but face competition from Everton, Swansea and Anzhi Makhachkala for the highly-rated Vitesse Arnhem striker, 24. talkShite
Montpelier president Louis Nicollin has denied any interest in QPR's Djibril Cisse, 31, who is currently on loan at Qatari club Al-Gharafa. Midi Libre
AC Milan have had "offers from Spain" for Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo, 28, but the player is not for sale, according to club CEO Adriano Galliani. Tuttosport
Roma's Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic, 23, has played down rumours of a move to Borussia Dortmund as a replacement for 21-year-old Mario Gotze. Gazzetta
Newcastle United officials met with around 400 fans to discuss recent supporter unrest at the club following Joe Kinnear's appointment as director of football. Newcastle Chronicle
Long-serving Everton defender Tony Hibbert has spoken of fulfilling his life-long dream to buy his own carp fishery. Angling Times
Countdown star and Manchester United fan Rachel Riley was left speechless when Ryan Giggs surprised her on the Channel 4 show - after she racked up a milestone 1,000 appearances.
Daily Mirror
England Under-21 winger Nathan Redmond looks set to leave Birmingham after the club accepted offers of £2.5m from both Norwich and Swansea. However, A host of other top flight clubs including West Brom, Everton, Crystal Palace and Fulham are also chasing the 19-year-old.
Arsenal hero Tony Adams has had his say on Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney, and has warned the club against making a move.
Wigan striker Arouna Kone has entertained the idea of a move to Liverpool or Everton as he bids to stay in the Premier League next season. Kone, 29, has a £6.5m release clause in his contract at the DW Stadium.
Southampton's hopes of signing Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama are hanging in the balance despite agreeing a £12m fee.
Birmingham manager Lee Clark has said as many as eight top flight sides want Nathan Redmond (centre)
CONFIRMED: Liverpool yesterday announced the signing of Celta Vigo star Iago Aspas, with managing director Ian Ayre revealing that the forward had been on manager Brendan Rodgers' radar for a 'long time'.
Sunderland are contemplating offloading Stephane Sessegnon as manager Paolo Di Canio looks to make wholesale changes to his squad.
Rangers will re-sign Ricky Foster this week, with the full-back in talks to terminate his contract at Bristol City.
Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa has vowed to improve after admitting he was unhappy with his performances during his debut season for Manchester United.
Celtic fans face a massive ticket scramble after Cliftonville chairman Gerard Lawlor vowed to keep the Champions League qualifier at their tiny Solitude stadium.
And Celtic's Adam Matthews has vowed to treat Cliftonville as if they are Barcelona in order to move a step closer to a Champions League jackpot.
The war of words between Gus Poyet and Brighton took another twist yesterday as the club said: "We told you you were going to be sacked".
GOLDEN BOLLOX June 25 2011
Manchester City Role For Former Blackburn Chairman
Manchester City have brought John Williams back into football four months after the Venky's Group takeover led to him ending his long association with Blackburn Rovers.
Williams, who had been chairman at Ewood Park for 13 years, will take a senior position at Eastlands, answering to the football administrator, Brian Marwood, in a number of key roles such as overseeing player contracts and developing the club's academy structure.
The appointment will be confirmed in a statement from Eastlands on Saturday morning, with City taking advantage of the change of ownership at Blackburn to bring in a man with significant experience at a top-flight club. Williams is a respected figure in Premier League circles, identified by the FA Cup winners on the basis of the reputation he has fostered in the 14 years since Jack Walker appointed him to the Blackburn board.
Williams, who has turned down several offers from elsewhere in the game, already has a strong working relationship with City's chief executive, Garry Cook, and had been looking for a return to the game since accepting a severance package from Venky's in February, three months after the poultry giant bought the club from the Walker Family Trust. He had been against the sacking of the manager, Sam Allardyce, and felt he could no longer work under the new regime.
His appointment at City will also free up Marwood and Cook to concentrate on what promises to be an extensive period of transfer business, albeit nothing like as extravagant as previous summers under the ownership of the Abu Dhabi United Group.
City have made an opening £25m bid for Alexis Sánchez, their main transfer target, but have been exasperated at times by the complex nature of the negotiations, with Udinese determined to get the best possible deal and the player's various representatives demonstrating how difficult it can be sometimes to close a deal for South America's top footballers.
There is also the significant presence of Barcelona to be considered and their rival bid for the Chilean. Sánchez would ideally move to Barcelona but that is not to say he is against the idea of moving to Manchester, and City have been bemused by reports that he refused to board a plane to discuss a possible deal with them.
On the contrary City are cautiously optimistic, particularly now Barça may be switching their focus to Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas and Manchester United's interest in the player appears to have been exaggerated. The sums involved are not as high as have been purported and that fits into City's plans of cutting back their spending to fit in with Uefa's financial fair-play guidelines.
The emphasis will then switch to offloading the players who do not fit into Roberto Mancini's plans, with around 10 possible departures as the club take calculated efforts to reduce their squad size.
