The Herald

Rangers Game Is Victim of Weather

The Scottish Premier League have been forced to postpone tomorrow's scheduled game between Rangers and St Mirren amid "significant water damage" at Ibrox. Numerous SPL matches have been postponed in recent weeks amid snow and ice but the subsequent thaw has put paid to the game.

Sfa's Modus Operandi 'Decades Out of Date' As Mcleish Outlines Overhaul

THE Scottish Football Association's way of working is "decades out of date" and the governing body has major issues with trust, transparency, respect and lack of confidence, according to an excoriating review by Henry McLeish published yesterday. The former first minister added his weight to calls for two top divisions of 10 in Scottish football and said that the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League should merge into a single body. Yet it was his merciless critique of the SFA ...

'This Is a Wake Up Call to Everybody'

its first national performance director. "I remain hopeful that the recommendations will be taken on board and pursued with some vigour," McLeish said. "The game is not in a good condition and we need change. I am confident that these proposals have struck a chord with the powers that be in the game. The timing is right.

Sfastructure

* Scotland should have one league structure: the SPL and the SFL should combine. * The SPL and SPL 2 should each consist of 10 teams. There should be a winter break and play-offs.

Consensus Politics

PHEW. That'll be the SFA put in its place, then. To say Henry McLeish didn't miss the target would be putting it mildly. The damning critique which poured out of him was the equivalent of taking a pair of scissors to the cherished blazers, a flamethrower to the committees, a shredder to those "Articles of Association" so old they were written with a quill pen. This was Hampden turned upside down and shaken until it was under a cloud of dust. McLeish would have enjoyed his fair share of jollie...

Hearts On the Radar As Butcher Targets an Even Better New Year

TERRY BUTCHER has challenged his Caley Thistle players to bring a memorable 2010 to a close by closing in on third-placed Hearts - before surging past them in the New Year. The two sides go head to head at Tynecastle tomorrow and victory for Butcher's side would take them to within three points of Jim Jefferies' men and make it 18 away league ties unbeaten for the year.

Brown: Templeton Can Become Tynecastle Hero

Billy Brown, Hearts' assistant manager, last night urged winger David Templeton to reject overtures from England and become a hero at Tynecastle. Templeton is the talk of the Scottish game after helping Hearts to six straight wins and within striking distance of the Old Firm at the Clydesdale Bank Premier League summit.

Forget the Number of Teams, Says Hegarty - Money Is Real Factor

PAUL HEGARTY captained Dundee United to the Premier League title in a 10-team league in 1983 but the Tannadice legend does not believe switching back to the tried-and-tested format from the past will break the Old Firm's dominance. It has been argued such a format would encourage clubs to challenge and many have pointed to the success of United and Aberdeen almost 30 years ago as proof that the system works but Hegarty, back at Tannadice as a coach alongside boss Peter Houston, believes the f...

Softer Landing Would Benefit Relegated Clubs, Claims Craig

George Craig, Falkirk's managing director, insists he supports the idea of the SPL forming two leagues, as long the second tier is not left behind when it comes to financial handouts. Top-flight chiefs are hoping to persuade the current 12 leading teams to vote for change by vowing to address the cash gulf between Scottish football's top two leagues.

Cameron: Jefferies' Men On Course

Colin Cameron was part of Jim Jefferies' Hearts side that almost split the Old Firm in 1998 and insists the current squad can go one better. A sixth consecutive victory at Motherwell moved the Tynecastle side within three points of Celtic on Tuesday and Cameron - now player/coach at Cowdenbeath - sees no reason why Jefferies' crop can't break the Glasgow clubs' dominance.

Optimism On the Pitch, Too

CRAIG LEVEIN will complete his first year as Scotland manager next Thursday. He approaches the anniversary imbued with optimism. The past 12 months have not been all plain sailing but Levein is buoyed by the prospect of entering his second year in charge with a number of players coming to prominence. There is a Caledonian flavour to the Barclays Premier League nowadays, a far cry from the days when Darren Fletcher was the lone standard bearer at Manchester United. Scots accents are now everyw...

Changing the Face of Football

C RAIG LEVEIN has always come across as too blunt and honest to have ever made it as a politician but the Scotland manager yesterday revealed himself to be on the same wavelength as Henry McLeish as the former First Minister unveiled the second part of his Scottish football review. Levein has been more than just an interested bystander, though, as McLeish compiled his long-awaited report. The pair met regularly to discuss various aspects of the game, most notably the imminent appointment of a...

Nish Vows to Silence His Easter Road Critics

Colin Nish, the Hibernian striker, last night hit back at the Easter Road boo-boys but insisted they will not be allowed to prevent him living the dream of playing for his boyhood heroes. Nish was subjected to a barrage of abuse from a seemingly large section of the home support during the 0-0 draw with St Johnstone in Hibs' last run out nearly three weeks ago.

Caulker Reports Dismissed

* Bristol City have insisted they are mystified by reports that defender Steven Caulker, the on-loan Tottenham defender, will be leaving to join Celtic on a similar agreement. The 18-year-old is on a season-long deal at Ashton Gate and manager Keith Millen is confident that the England Under-21 internationalist will fulfil that agreement. "I don't see how Celtic can possibly take Steven on loan if he is already on loan to us," Millen said. "I'm not sure where these stories have come from, but...

Celtic Miss Out On Gent Striker

CELTIC target Yassine El Ghanassy last night insisted a move to Scotland holds little appeal and that he is, instead, targeting a move to France. The Gent striker has claimed the Parkhead club have spoken to him but, when asked if he was interested in a move, he replied: "They were serious. They wanted me in January, but my club did not want me to leave. But anyway, for me Scotland is secondary and it interests me much less than the French League.

Pound(S)1m Price Tag Dents Kilmarnock's Hopes of Holding On to Eremenko

FC METALIST have put a pound(s)1m price on Alexei Eremenko, the Finnish playmaker who has been outstanding for Kilmarnock since joining on loan from the Ukrainian side in August. Eremenko has attracted plenty of interest from other clubs and Mixu Paatelainen, the Kilmarnock manager, has admitted he is doubtful he can keep the player once the January transfer window opens.

Kayal Back Training and in Pursuit of Celtic Success

CELTIC have been given a selection boost after Beram Kayal revealed he's now back in full training and on course to return to the first team The Israeli midfielder has been out of action for three months with a groin injury after making an impressive start to his Celtic career but he insists he is now ready to supplement Neil Lennon's options and become part of his squad for the vital forthcoming period.

Elliott Says Celtic Fans' Patience Will Be Rewarded

It still draws a sharp reaction from Paul Elliott, even 21 years on. His first season at Celtic was a trial, of his patience, his determination and, most urgently, his ability to change and become more forthright. He collected so many bookings that each one might have come to feel like an admonishment, but the raggedness of his play was part of the impulse to fit in.

Dundee Kid Snubs Old Firm

DUNDEE youngster Leighton McIntosh has rejected moves to both Rangers and Celtic. Both clubs were willing to part with five-figure sums in order to sign the 17-year-old striker but, after speaking to either half of the Old Firm, the Dundee-born forward has decided to remain at Dens Park.

Ancelotti Insists He's at Chelsea for the Long Run

Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed claims he is set to quit Chelsea at the end of the season. His future has been the subject of fevered speculation, with reports linking him with a return to Italy with Roma.