Sunday Herald

Devil in the Detail of the Sfa's Report

It is rare these days for the Scottish FA to strike a PR victory. After all, what are "the blazers" there for but to be kicked and lampooned? Well, no more. Friday's extraordinary skewering of Rangers by Scottish football's ruling body set a new benchmark for governing mandarins fighting back. The SFA's 100 pages of judicial notes on the recent Rangers tribunal set out in excoriating detail just why they doled out the punishments they did to the Ibrox club. Against a backdrop of wailing and b...

Mccoist Anxious to Learn Plans of New Consortium's Front Man, Writes Stewart Fisher ; Calling Mr Green

ALLY McCoist plans to sit down with Charles Green and his consortium in the next 48 hours to find out what their plans are for Rangers. The former Sheffield United chief executive, who fronts a group which is also thought to include controversial former Newcastle United chairman Freddie Shepherd, has bid pound(s)8.5m for the club and is poised to be named preferred bidder. Supporters have already expressed reservations about the deal, not least because Green reportedly had dealings with a fir...

The Tale of Another Fallen Blue Giant Carries a Sobering Message for Rangers Supporters, Writes Phil Gordon ; Plenty Reason to Take Heed of the Worst of Times in Strasbourg

IMAGINE how it feels when your heroes in blue are in such deep trouble that the only choices are going down, or going under. A club taken to the brink by the misrule of an owner who claimed to be one of you, but spent so much time in London that he could never be trusted. This is the story of a once-proud football name, which enjoyed European glory nights and title triumphs, being dumped into a backwater of the game by the football authorities after it went bankrupt and the nouveau-riche owne...

Fenlon's Big Gang Theory Fails with Huge Event On the Horizon

TAKING residence in salubrious Dublin surroundings from today until later in the week may well give Hibernian breathing space ahead of their great date with destiny. That's the theory at least. Theoretically, though, ringing the changes with eight replacements for the trip to Inverness should have brought about a desired injection of urgency and sense of opportunity for a team roundly beaten yesterday. It was lame stuff from Hibs, though clearly that will matter little if they end a 110-year ...

Green Set to Move Closer to Buying Rangers As Blue Knights Make Last- Ditch Plea

ADMINISTRATORS at Rangers were last night poised to grant preferred-bidder status to the consortium fronted by Charles Green, as Brian Kennedy's Blue Knights group made a last-ditch plea for a deal. Despite publicly appearing to withdraw from the process on Friday afternoon, Kennedy told the Sunday Herald last night he was prepared to keep his offer on the table until Monday but feared administrators Paul Clark and David Whitehouse, of Duff & Phelps, were set to agree a deal worth around poun...

It Was, Perhaps, Only Right It Ended This Way. After... [Derived Headline]

IT was, perhaps, only right it ended this way. After a campaign in which late concessions, sloppy defending and a lack of edge in attack have undermined Dunfermline Athletic's efforts to remain in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, two goals in the final four minutes of their closing contest deprived them of a consolatory victory. Despite the briefness of his tenure as manager, Jim Jefferies has already tired of bemoaning the momentary lapses of concentration that have cost the club their to...

Heightened Emotions

A DRAW may have been the anticipated outcome of a match between two sides that have produced 30 stalemates between them this season, but while there was no final-day win for either set of fans to cheer, Danny Lennon left the Granite City in celebratory mood. The St Mirren manager was full of praise for both his team and their supporters as he basked in the achievement of leading the Paisley club to their best league finish for 20 years.

Visitors Are the a-Team

Defeat brought a traumatic end to a turbulent season for Brian Reid's now-relegated side, but for their Second Division opponents, who progressed to meet Dumbarton in the play-off final, it was a day to savour. Despite admirable form in cup competitions, Ayr have shown little of the same spark throughout their league campaign, in which they won just nine of their matches in the First Division.

Opportunity Knox

STRANRAER eased into the Irn-Bru Second Division play-off final with a 5-1 aggregate win over Queen's Park. Keith Knox's side took a 3-1 first leg lead into the Hampden fixture and quickly ensured there would be no shock at the National Stadium, scoring twice inside the opening 20 minutes to set up a finale with Albion Rovers. The defeat was a sore one for Gardner Speirs and his Queen's players who, after finishing a highly impressive second to runaway champions Alloa in the Third Division th...

Keeper's Saving Policy Pays Off

Arbroath came up short in their bid to reach the First Division play-off final as Dumbarton kept the necessary clean sheet to set up a clash with Airdrie United. The home side had their chance to at least take the tie to extra- time, but were thwarted by in-form goalkeeper in Stephen Grindlay

Turnaround Experts

A dramatic late goal over-turned Albion Rovers' first-leg deficit and sent them into the play-off final after a thrilling encounter at Cliftonhill. Leading from the first leg, Elgin had looked capable of holding out until John Gemmell's strike after the hour mark, following a kind break of the ball, levelled the tie.

'Hassle' Is Over for Pars Chief

John Yorkston says he is proud to have fought the corner of Dunfermline fans, as the outspoken chairman prepares to give up his seat at Scottish football's top table. The relegated East End Park club officially cease to be a member of the SPL tomorrow, meaning Yorkston will no longer have a say on possible sanctions against any newco Rangers and their potential re- admission into the top tier next season. That will now fall to Roy MacGregor of promoted Ross County.

While Craig Levein Is in Charge, Steven Fletcher Will Not Play for Scotland Again, Hears Michael Grant ; Farewell to All This

CRAIG Levein brought closure to the Steven Fletcher controversy last night by revealing he will never consider the striker for Scotland again. The Wolves forward and Levein have at been at odds for more than a year, since Fletcher refused select- ion for a Carling Nations Cup tie against Northern Ireland. Fletcher had not been used in the three games leading up to that and sent SFA official Frank Reilly a text which said "tell him I don't want to play".

Manager to Look Elsewhere After Medical Examination of Polish Target, Writes Phil Gordon ; Injury Scuppers Move for Fojut

CELTIC have had to abandon plans to bring in Pavel Fojut because of the knee injury suffered by the Polish defender. Parkhead manager Neil Lennon confirmed yesterday that the deal for the Slask Wroclaw player is now off and he is looking for new options at centre-back. Fojut signed a pre-contract with Celtic in January and was due to arrive in Glasgow in July but the cruciate ligament damage sustained by the 24-year-old playing in one of his last games for Slask has wrecked the move.

French Fancy for Lennon ; the Parkhead Manager Isn't Resting On His Laurels and Is Off to Lille to Study Coaching and Managerial Innovations, Writes Phil Gordon

GORDON Strachan admitted that the joy of success lasted for all of 10 minutes, before he started to think about what to do next. Neil Lennon might allow himself a few extra moments today at Celtic Park to appreciate what he has done this season, but his mind is already one step ahead of the game. The Celtic manager's bags are packed and his flight is booked. The club's supporters, though, can rest easy. This will not be a repeat of Wim Jansen's departure just hours after his side became champ...

Niall Mcginn has Signalled His Intention to Quit Celtic Even... [Derived Headline]

NIALL McGinn has signalled his intention to quit Celtic even if the Parkhead side table a new contract offer, writes David Rinaldi. The Northern Irish international spent last term at League One Brentford and shone for the Griffin Park men as they narrowly missed out on a play-off place.

Final Countdown to Heaven or Hell

EVERYBODY is looking forward to Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup final. Everybody, that is, apart from the supporters of both clubs. I know a lot of Hearts fans while some of my best pals who I go golfing with are Hibs fans and both sets of supporters are utterly dreading it because they both know they will never get over it if they get beaten. Which is why this showpiece is so fascinating to the neutral. Hearts and Hibs fans would always say the first Edinburgh derby final since 1896 is ...

Winger Hopes for Last Chance to Impress Before His Manager Picks Side to Face Hibs, Writes Iain Collin ; Templeton in Need of a Lift On Road to Hampden

David Templeton has already enjoyed the adulation that goes with putting Hibs to the sword. His coruscating run and cool finish that lit up a Hearts victory in an Edinburgh derby in 2010 remains a vibrant memory for those of a maroon persuasion. Scoring for a winning Hearts team when the old foes meet in the Scottish Cup final for the first time in an incredible 116 years on Saturday would bring him hero worship that is off the scale in comparison. But if the 23-year-old is to be afforded the...

As They Had Been All Season, Glasgow Warriors Were Showed... [Derived Headline]

As they had been all season, Glasgow Warriors were showed a steely, competitive spirit in their final match under Sean Lineen last night and even won the try count, but double-chasing European champions Leinster were ultimately just too good on their own turf at The RDS. In perfect conditions on a balmy Dublin evening, a sea of waving blue flags greeted Leinster after Glasgow had taken to the field in near silence before gathering in a huddle which they maintained while their hosts emerged.

Smith Off to Lyon

Edinburgh Rugby will this week start the hunt for a forwards coach to replace Tom Smith, who is leaving after three seasons to take up a similar position at French outfit Lyon, where he will assist Xavier Sadourny. French media said yesterday the 41-year-old had signed a two-year contract. Lyon have been relegated from the top flight this season, but have taken steps to ensure a speedy return by securing the services of French internationals Sebastien Chebal and Lionel Nallet, as well as Wels...