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Scots Cup 5th Rond Draw

These fixtures were drawn in Order:

1) Dunfermline Athletic VS Morton Or Celtic
2) Forfar or ST Johnstone VS Dundee UTD
3)Hibernian                      VS Edinburgh City or Montorse
4)Livingston or Dundee VS Ayr UTD Or Brechian
5)Raith Rovers or Airdrie VS Aberdeen
6)Kilmarnock or Falikrik VS Inverness or Motherwell
7)ST Mirren                        VS Hamilton or Rangers
8)Ross County or Inverurie VS Albion Rovers or Stirling Rovers

Ties to be played on 7/8 Febuary

Marc-RFC-Marc

Rangers win First Old Firm of the season

Rangers retained their seven-point lead in the Scottish Premier League after a controversial backs-to-the-wall draw against second-top city rivals Celtic.

Celtic were left angered when Marc-Antoine Fortune had a goal chopped off for a foul on keeper Allan McGregor.

And Rangers' Kyle Lafferty was fortunate not to be sent off for a lunging challenge on Andreas Hinkel.

Scott McDonald headed Celtic into a deserved lead after 79 minutes, but Lee McCulloch matched that seconds later.

It had been Rangers' first effort on target but secured a draw that will leave the blue half of Glasgow the happier, retaining a cushion over a Celtic side who have a game in hand.

Celtic manager Tony Mowbray had sprung a surprise ahead of kick-off by dropping striker McDonald and starting Fortune up front along with Georgios Samaras.

Stephen McManus was the man to lose out in central defence following the return from suspension of Gary Caldwell.

Nacho Novo is helped from the pitch
Novo was forced off after 11 minutes at Celtic Park

While Mowbray obviously thought those changes strengthened his side, Rangers counterpart Walter Smith's changes were required to cover for two of his top performers of recent weeks.

Rangers manager Walter Smith showed faith in 18-year-old Danny Wilson, who started in central defence in place of Madjid Bougherra, who had joined Algeria's African Cup of Nations squad.

Steven Whittaker came into midfield in the absence of the suspended Kenny Miller, with Lafferty moving up front to partner Kris Boyd.

Re-jigged Rangers started on the front foot, but Celtic's defence stood firm as the visitors played pinball with a series of attempted efforts that were blocked outside the penalty box.

Rangers' hopes suffered a blow after 11 minutes, when Nacho Novo picked up an injury and was replaced with the more defensively-minded Maurice Edu.

And, as the game settled, it was the home side who were controlling possession, with the Rangers defence increasingly stretched and their challenges becoming increasingly desperate.

It seemed only a matter of time before Celtic made the breakthrough and it looked like they had done just that after 19 minutes when Fortune headed home from five yards.

However, referee Steve Conroy ruled that the striker had led with the arm as he challenged McGregor to a miss-hit McGeady volley that flew high into the air.

Conroy appeared to have got that call right despite the resulting anger from the home support, but he was too lenient 11 minutes later when only producing a yellow card when Lafferty lunged dangerously, studs-first into the shins of Andreas Hinkel.

Celtic's speed and movement was a delight to watch, but Rangers' doggedness was denying them threats on goal until a fine Hinkel cross was met by the head of Barry Robson and looped from 15 yards off the face of the crossbar.

Samaras ought to have given Celtic the lead two minutes before half-time, breaking through the challenge of Wilson but steering his drive from the edge of the box wide of the far post.

The Greek striker and McGeady both squandered chances early in the second half despite Rangers showing more attacking intention.

Fortune pounced on an Edu mistake to tee up McGeady in the clear on the edge of the box, but the winger fired high over the crossbar.

A 16-yard snap shot on the turn from Celtic substitute McDonald almost squirmed under McGregor.

However, the Australian striker did make the breakthrough after 79 minutes, stealing in behind his marker to head home from five yards after a cross from McGeady, who had teased his way past two defenders.

The lead only lasted a two minutes, McCulloch rising above Caldwell 10 yards out to powerfully head home a Steven Davis corner.

McGregor prevented Celtic retaking the lead after 84 minutes, turning a curling 20-yard drive from Samaras brilliantly over the crossbar with his outstretched hand.


Match Stats


Celtic

  • 01 Boruc
  • 02 Hinkel
  • 05 Caldwell
  • 11 Fox
  • 22 Loovens
  • 06 N'Guemo
  • 17 Crosas (McDonald 71)
  • 19 Robson
  • 46 McGeady
  • 09 Samaras
  • 10 Fortune

Substitutes

  • 24 Zaluska,
  • 04 McManus,
  • 38 Thompson,
  • 52 Caddis,
  • 14 McGinn,
  • 27 Zhi,
  • 07 McDonald

Rangers

  • 01 McGregor
  • 03 Weiryellow card
  • 05 Papac
  • 16 Whittakeryellow card
  • 21 Broadfoot
  • 66 Wilson
  • 06 McCulloch
  • 07 Davis
  • 09 Boydyellow card
  • 10 Novo (Edu 13)
  • 27 Laffertyyellow card

Substitutes

  • 25 Alexander,
  • 26 Smith,
  • 69 Wylde,
  • 02 Edu,
  • 67 Ness,
  • 29 Fleck,
  • 48 Little
Ref: ConroyAtt: 58,300
CELTIC
RANGERS

Possession

 
 
  • Celtic 55%
  • Rangers 45%

Attempts on target

 
 
  • Celtic 9
  • Rangers 3

Attempts off target

 
 
  • Celtic 9
  • Rangers 1

Corners

 
 
  • Celtic 9
  • Rangers 6

Fouls

 
 
  • Celtic 5
  • Rangers 21
..................................................................


Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina
Liverpool's disgraceful Champions League campaign ended dreadfully, with Liverpool losing another game.

Liverpool were already out of the competition but everybody was expecting a much better performance than they gave tonight. Yossi Benayoun put the Reds in front with a neat header from an ambitious Steven Gerrard cross.

After the break, Martin Jorgensen equalised with a powerful shot and Alberto Gilardino tapped in a Jaun Vargos cross in injury time. This was the third time Liverpool have conceded a late goal in Europe this season.

It wasn't all bad news though, Alberto Aquilani made his first start for the club and Fernando Torres returned to action after a month out with a groin injury. The duo will undoubtedly play a big part for Liverpool for the rest of the season.

Understandably, Rafael Benitez obviously had one eye on the game against Arsenal at the weekend. Liverpool had most of the possession, but weren't creative enough in the final third.

The official man of the match was Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino.

dfren93

Wembley Arena to host 2012 Olympic events!


Rhythmic gymnastics and badminton are set to be held in Wembley Arena in 2012 after approval from the International Olympic Committee.
As for the recession, the temporary £40m venue in Greenwich will not be needed to be built.

However, the badminton's governing body wanted to be more closer to the Olympic Park in Stratford - although athletes are most probably to be offered nearby accommodation and training facilities to cut travel times.

"It still has to be finalised but we have no doubt this situation will be finally resolved in the coming few weeks."

Harrie

Scots stun the kangaroo loving aussies!


Scotland end the Aussies 27 year reign on them as a strong defensive team set up a victory over the Wallabies at Murrayfield. During the first half it looked like the Wallabies would strike again and beat Scotland for a 28th consecutive year, but as the break approached Scotland fly-half Phil Godman cancelled out a Matt Giteau penalty.

The last time Scotland pulled one over on the Wallabies' colours was way back in 1982 when they beat them 12-7 in Brisbane.

Recently, Scotland have struggled majorly to make an impression within the Six Nations, let alone the global stage. After several years however the appointment of Andy Robinson as coach has proved a wise move.

Harrie
 
Button joins Hamilton at McLaren
The world champion's move was announced on Wednesday following news that former world champion Kimi Raikkonen will not race in F1 next year. This comes after Brawn GP (Button's Previous Team) is being taken over my Mercedes.

Button described leaving the Brawn team for whom he won the title as a "difficult decision".

But the 29-year-old added: "Life is about challenges. Most important of all, it's about challenging yourself."

And while the move leaves McLaren with one of the most exciting driver line-ups, Button is facing arguably the toughest challenge of his career. It is also reported that over the 3 year contract Button has with McLaren, he is set to get a nice £5million pound salary at the of the 3 years. (Lucky for some!)

But Former Formula 1 drivers Sir Jackie Stewart told BBC Sport ""It's a mistake and will be like walking into the lion's den for Jenson."

How will Jenson cope next season with a new car and a new team? Only time will tell...

Farmering
 
Henry Wants Ireland Replay
Thierry Henry has issued a statement in reply to claims he handled the ball to earn France a World Cup final place at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

Henry handled the ball twice in the build-up to creating William Gallas' goal in extra-time on Wednesday night which earned France a 2-1 win after two legs.

The Republic of Ireland FA have issued a report to FIFA and they are hoping to get a replay after Henry admitted to handling the football.

In a Statement to SkySports Henry said;
I have said at the time and I will say again that yes I handled the ball.

I am not a cheat and never have been. It was an instinctive reaction to a ball that was coming extremely fast in a crowded penalty area.

What are your thoughts on this? And If you were in charge of Football, would you give Ireland a replay? Chat on out forum now!

Farmering
 
Premier League round-up!
As Chelsea continue their ruthless storm to the top of the table, Arsenal lose to Sunderland and Manchester City draw with Liverpool.

Hull City and West Ham share points in a six goal thriller, whilst Aston Villa snatched a late equaliser against Burnley. Birmingham also won against Fullham.

Liverpool 2 Man City 2
Birmingham 1 Fullham 0
Burnley 1 Aston Villa 1
Chelsea 4 Wolves 0
Hull City 3 West Ham 3
Sunderland 1 Aresnal 0
Man Utd L Everton L

Harrie
 
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