The Herald

Mcdonald Will Learn His Fate Tomorrow

Dougie McDonald's handling of the controversial Tannadice penalty incident will be judged by a committee including his former refereeing colleagues tomorrow. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan last night completed his investigation into why McDonald gave Celtic a spot kick only to change his mind in their 2-1 win at Dundee United 11 days ago. But an SFA chief executive does not have the power to impose sanctions against referees for disciplinary issues and the matter has now been forwarded to ...

Lennon Concerned by 'Wishy-Washy' Defence As Smith Praises Youngsters

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon insisted he was thrilled to have reached the semi-final of the Co-operative Insurance Cup last night, although it worried him that his team was conceding too many goals. Lennon's defence has let in eight goals in the five games and St Johnstone's Sam Parkin and Murray Davidson scored past them last night to eat into Celtic's early 3-0 lead and almost force extra- time. "I'm thrilled to be in the semi-final and thrilled with the reaction we got after Sunday," said Le...

Mcdonald Will Learn His Fate Tomorrow

Dougie McDonald's handling of the controversial Tannadice penalty incident will be judged by a committee including his former refereeing colleagues tomorrow. SFA chief executive Stewart Regan last night completed his investigation into why McDonald gave Celtic a spot kick only to change his mind in their 2-1 win at Dundee United 11 days ago. But an SFA chief executive does not have the power to impose sanctions against referees for disciplinary issues and the matter has now been forwarded to ...

Nikica Jelavic Last Night Gave Rangers Welcome News Last Night... [Derived Headline]

NIKICA JELAVIC last night gave Rangers welcome news last night by insisting he is on course to return from injury before the end of the year. The Croatian internationalist had an impressive start to his Ibrox career after arriving from Rapid Vienna for pound(s)4m in August. However, he suffered ankle ligament damage after a tackle by Hearts midfielder Ian Black in a match at Tynecastle earlier this month.

Jos Hooiveld, Who has Not Played for Celtic Since The... [Derived Headline]

JOS HOOIVELD, who has not played for Celtic since the 4-0 Euro defeat to Utrecht two months ago, is adamant he was not completely fit and will prove his worth when given a chance. "I messed up against Utrecht but I was not at peak fitness and then got injured not long after. Neil Lennon told me he regrets the rule forcing him to put two under-21 players on the bench, so I am not needed. But it is good to be at a club like Celtic and I will fight for my place."

Tyne & Cheer

Arsene Wenger believes Theo Walcott is ready to "go to another level" after his double helped Arsenal to a 4-0 win in their Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Newcastle last night. The England winger struck his first goals since returning from injury as the Londoners ran riot after half-time at St James' Park.

Last Night * Sfl. Co-Operative Insurance Cup Quarter-Finals Kilmarnock0rangers2 Att:... [Derived Headline]

LAST NIGHT * SFL. Co-operative Insurance Cup

Mclean Left Dazed by Aberdeen's Team Spirit

Steven Pressley has revealed how Brian McLean hid the fact he didn't even know what the score was during the second half of Tuesday's tie at Aberdeen after suffering concussion. The Falkirk defender sustained a head knock minutes after the restart but disguised the extent of it so he would not have to be substituted. Far from being angry, though, Pressley praised McLean for battling on as his side exited the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Did Drugs Fuel 1954 'Miracle'?

West Germany's 1954 World Cup-winning team, feted as the men who helped put a nation back on its feet after World War Two, may have been boosted by doping. Germany upstaged hot favourites Hungary 3-2 in a victory that became known as the "Miracle of Berne".

Players Make Mistakes Too, Says Robertson

Scott Robertson has refused to join the current chorus of criticism against referees, even though the Dundee United midfielder is convinced Willie Collum should have awarded him a penalty kick. Robertson believes he was fouled by Steve Jennings in Tuesday evening's defeat to Motherwell but Collum disagreed. Rather than slating the official, though, he instead highlighted the fact players regularly make mistakes as a reason to cut the officials some slack.

Well-Travelled Gow Ready to Grow Roots

Alan Gow is a player in search of contentment. The Motherwell forward is playing for his sixth club in three years and the itinerant nature of his career has become a source of frustration. After being released by Plymouth last summer, Gow signed a six- month contract at Fir Park, but already he is keen to make a longer- term commitment. Having failed to establish himself at Rangers following his move from Falkirk in 2007, he spent loan spells at Blackpool and Norwich, while after joining Ply...

Substitutes Prove the Heroes for Villains

Stewart Downing's extra-time goal sealed a Carling Cup quarter- final spot for 10-man Aston Villa and ended the challenge of brave Burnley at Villa Park. The England winger came off the bench to settle the fourth-round tie with his powerful shot after 96 minutes. The Burnley defender Clark Carlisle had cancelled out the opener by Emile Heskey, another Villa substitute, with just a minute of normal time remaining. Villa then had winger Marc Albrighton sent off four minutes after Downing had sc...

Russia Sorry for England Jibes

Russia's 2018 World Cup bid chief has sent a letter to England's bid team hoping to put to rest "any misunderstanding" between the two rivals. On Tuesday, England's bid team lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against Alexei Sorokin, accusing him of making critical comments. "It's no secret that London has the highest crime rate when compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people," Sorokin had been quoted as saying.

Duffy Set for Earlier Than Expected Hibs Comeback

Darryl Duffy last night handed Colin Calderwood a boost by revealing that he is on course to return to the Hibernian first team ahead of schedule next month. The 26-year-old was signed on a season-long loan from Bristol Rovers to fill the void left by Anthony Stokes but instead has yet to make an appearance after breaking his right foot in training within days of arriving.

* Vladimir Romanov, Hearts' Owner, Appears Unaware of Plans By... [Derived Headline]

No Surgery for Wilkinson

Martin Johnson has confirmed that Jonny Wilkinson will not require shoulder surgery but he remains doubtful for England's match with New Zealand on November 6. Wilkinson underwent a scan yesterday after reporting to England's training camp with a shoulder problem sustained in Toulon's defeat to Stade Francais on Saturday night.

Morrison: Win Shows We Can Mix It with Best

One of the senior figures at Glasgow Warriors has predicted that they are poised to rock European rugby if they can sustain the form that rattled the Magners League champions last Sunday. Graeme Morrison will make his 100th Magners League appearance against the Scarlets at Llanelli tomorrow and like John Barclay, the team's current captain, he believes the second-half performance against the Ospreys was among the best the team has produced in his time with them. "If we manage to stick togethe...

Henson Will Join Saracens

Gavin Henson has been given the green light to relaunch his rugby union career with Aviva Premiership club Saracens. The Ospreys have reached an agreement with Saracens regarding Henson's release. He has not played for 18 months after going on unpaid leave.

Urquhart Aims for Shield Glory

Stuart Urquhart insists his Scotland side can end a 12-year drought and win the Victory Shield. The young Scots have not won the Sky Sports home nations tournament outright since 1998 but began their 2010 bid in impressive style with a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland at Livingston. Now Ross Mathie's Under-16s host Wales, surprise 4-0 winners over England, in a make-or-break meeting at Falkirk tomorrow night.

Chapman Shift at Dumbarton

Dumbarton have confirmed that manager Jim Chapman has stepped away from first team affairs, but he will remain at the club in a new role as director of community and football development. Chapman's assistant Alan Adamson will now take over first-team affairs on an interim basis.