Celtic Ready for Rangers Clash

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Irish Voice Sport

Celtic Ready for Rangers Clash

March 26, 2008

By Cathal Dervan

GREEK striker Georgios Samaras wants the chance to fire Celtic to the top of the Scottish Premier League table against Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday after scoring as a sub in Sunday’s 3-0 win over basement club Gretna.

Scott McDonald and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink were also on target before Samaras scored the third Celtic goal with just two minutes remaining at Fir Park and now the on loan star wants to start against Rangers and score.

Samaras said, “It doesn’t matter if I play against Gretna, Rangers or Barcelona, I think I can score in all games. I am not afraid of the games and I don’t feel under any pressure. I will just enjoy it.

“But it is not up to me, it is up to the gaffer, he will decide if I play against Rangers. We will see what happens. I am happy to be helping Celtic but I always try and push myself to score more goals.

“I am always asking more from myself. I feel okay at the moment but in the future I want a bit more.”

Celtic will have to improve on their recent performances if they are to beat Rangers, having suffered a shock Cup exit at the hands of Aberdeen on Wednesday night of last week then easing to victory against a poor Gretna side.

“It wasn’t a very good game but we deserved to win against Gretna,” added Samaras. “We cannot play like that against Rangers but we are ready, mentally and physically, to go to Ibrox and win.

“Rangers are not favorites. It is a 50-50 game like all games. The Gretna game was 50-50 and the game next Saturday is 50-50. We have the character to go and win the game.”

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits he has a selection headache on his hands for the Rangers game.

“All three strikers have earned the right to play at Ibrox and Samaras could start,” said Strachan. “Scott McDonald has played in big games and scored against teams like AC Milan.

“Jan has made and scored goals wherever he has been and Georgios has been smashing. He did well for us at Gretna. He is a threat and he has a lot in his armory.

“If I could find a formation to play all three of them, that would be lovely but I would need to leave out Aiden McGeady and play without a winger. So you have to get your best players in to a formation that is going to win.”

Long Fined

READING boss Steve Coppell has fined Ireland striker Shane Long one week’s wages after he threw his shirt to the ground when he was substituted against Liverpool last week.

Coppell told the Reading Evening Post, “It was unacceptable behavior. In football now you need a 20-odd-man game and it is going to get bigger next year with seven substitutes.

“It is very much a squad game and people have just got to accept the decisions. Nobody is ever happy about being brought off, but they have to accept the decisions that I make. It won’t happen again - I can guarantee that. He will learn from it.”

Soccer Shorts

THE Irish under-17 team are through to the UEFA finals in Turkey in May after a stunning 2-0 win over Portugal in their final elite group qualifier last week. Manager Sean McCaffrey said afterwards, “This is a brilliant night for everybody involved in Irish football. We are one of only eight nations participating in the UEFA finals and qualification is a brilliant feat for these young boys.” . . .

SUNDERLAND secured a vital 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday in their bid to avoid relegation, with Irish midfielder Andy Reid the star of the show. Manager Roy Keane said, “Andy is getting stronger every day and he’s going to be a very important player for us over the next seven matches.” . . .

PROPERTY magnate Anthony McMullen is to take a stake in English League Two side Rotherham United after pulling out of a deal to invest in Longford Town. Roddy Collins is to work with Rotherham as director of football as part of McMullen’s investment . . .

EIRCOM League leaders St Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers have been fined *1,000 each for the recent color clash in the opening game of the season at Richmond Park . . .

IRELAND captain Robbie Keane is one of only five Tottenham players who won’t be put up for sale this summer by new boss Juande Ramos . . .

DUNDALK ‘keeper Chris Bennion has been hit with a two game ban for his recent red card against Monaghan . . .

BOHS captain Kevin Hunt faces six weeks on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot in training.

Horgan’s Deal

SHANE Horgan has agreed a new deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) which will tie him to Leinster until the end of the 2010 season.

“Leinster has been a happy home for me throughout my career,” said Horgan. “The decision of Michael Cheika to remain with Leinster for another two years and the return of Alan Gaffney to the coaching staff along with Kurt McQuilkin, is an indication of how Leinster wants to continue to build for the future and I am delighted to remain a part of that.”

Meanwhile, Leinster flanker Keith Gleeson and Connacht winger Matt Mostyn have both announced their retirements from professional rugby at the end of the season.

Sports Shorts

CRICKET: Ireland captain Trent Johnson has announced his decision to retire from international cricket in the wake of Sunday’s defeat to Bangladesh in Dhaka, the third defeat of a three game tour . . .

ATHLETICS: Irish 800-meter runner James McIlroy has announced his retirement from international athletics due to financial constraints . . .

RACING: Hear the Echo won the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse for trainer Mouse Morris and jockey Paddy Flood on Monday. Joint favorite Royal County Star was second.

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