McCoist Hoping Sectarianism Won't Drive Lafferty Away

Ally McCoist is hoping sectarianism which remains a problem in Scottish football will not drive Kyle Lafferty away from the club. The player had been targeted after his car window had been smashed in a petrol station last week.

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes also had been targeted recently, where previously Neil Lennon was sent an explosive device earlier in the year and Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt  were sent bullets in the post.

Speaking about the sectarian attacks, McCoist said; "I think we are all sick of it (sectarian attacks). So Kyle's no different from the rest of us," he said.

"Anthony Stokes' window gets panned in, and Kyle gets his car done. It's a sad reflection on society but I still think we are getting better.

"But I don't think what has happened would stand in the way of Kyle signing a new deal. I would certainly hope not anyway."

Kyle Lafferty aired his frustration at being targeted by thugs during in what should be a special moment in his life.

"I'm doing okay, but I'm sick of all this nonsense - there's no need for it," he said.

"All I want to do is concentrate on my football with Rangers  and my relationship with Nicola, and I can't wait for the birth of our baby in three weeks' time.

"These are exciting times for me and I don't need them ruined by incidents like this."

Vitali Klitschko Offers To Fight David Haye In March

It had been rumoured that David Haye could be coming out of retirement to fight Vitali Kiltschko in March, it was thought that Haye’s management team had been in negotiations with Vitali’s team to make the fight happen between the two.

Vitali Klitschko’s management team has today confirmed that they have made David Haye an offer to fight and have insisted that the ball is now in Haye’s court.

"Team Klitschko is in negotiations with Haye and has made him an offer," a management official for the Ukrainian brothers told Reuters on Tuesday. "Now the ball is in Haye's court."

David Haye lost a points decision to Vitali’s brother Wladimir in July, citing a broken toe the reason he could not perform on the day.

The Londoner tried to get Wladimir to agree to a rematch, but the calls fell on deaf ears.
The Hayemaker officially retired from boxing on his 31st birthday in October, something the fighter always suggested he would do.

Haye has claimed after retiring that he merely retired from fighting anyone without the Klitschko name, Vitali has always said that he would like the opportunity to fight Haye and do what his brother failed to do, which was knock the Hayemaker out.

Joey Barton Reveals Why Newcastle Forced Him Out

Joey Barton has revealed why the Newcastle board forced him out of the club. The former Newcastle man was bombed out of the club during the transfer window to Queens Park Rangers.

Barton moved to West London in August after being placed on the transfer list by Newcastle following a Twitter rant in which he criticised the club's board and how club was being run.

The midfielder has always publicly spoken out against owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias. The 29-year-old has now claimed that other big-name players left the North East club after a bonus dispute.

Barton claimed he is not bitter after leaving the club and is happy see Newcastle performing well on the pitch this season.

Speaking on QPR’s podcast Open All R's, he added; "Newcastle, as a playing squad, were the only club in Premier League history not to sign a bonus sheet. It was unprecedented,"

"We refused as a playing staff (to sign) as they tried to railroad the players into signing a bonus sheet.

"In their opinion we were a paid workforce. They thought we were Sports Direct and we should do what the subordinates at Sports Direct do, forgetting they were dealing with 20-odd egos, probably 10 self-sufficient men in a position to make a number of different judgements.

"Myself and the bigger-name players at the time advised the playing staff because we were head of the playing committee not to sign the bonus sheet and that filtered back to boardroom level.

"It's no coincidence that I was given away.

"It's all about power and control. They are running the football club and it's going really well for them at the minute but that's more a testament to the players and the fans, and also the manager (Alan Pardew ). The manager has been different class."

Alan Shearer Shocked and Numb At Speed's Death

Alan Shearer has spoken for the first time about the death of his close friend Gary Speed, the former Newcastle and England striker has been left feeling numb since the news that his former team-mate had committed suicide while at home yesterday morning with various news sources revealing the player hung himself.

Alan Shearer was with Gary Speed on Saturday on television before he headed off to Old Trafford to watch Manchester United play Newcastle, which is now the last time he saw Gary Speed.

Shearer said: "We were arranging next weekend. He was coming up to stay at my house with his wife and we were going up to various charity dinners on Friday and Saturday.

"We left the studio at half past two and I walked over to Old Trafford  to go and watch Newcastle.  I shook his hand and said, 'see you next weekend' - and unfortunately I won't.

"It's incredible. I'm still numb and still shocked like everyone else. You read things in the newspaper and it doesn't happen to one of your best mates.

"I'm just so sad and shocked and feel for (Speed's wife) Louise and his two boys and mum and dad."

Recalling his last moment with his close friend Shearer added: "I was with him and he was happy and joking and we were having a normal mickey-take like we do out of each other, and having a laugh and a joke about our golf trips and holidays that we went on together last year, and planning our next holiday in Portugal next summer with our families and kids."

Shearer became close friends with Gary Speed when Kenny Dalglish signed the Welshman at Newcastle, with Shearer describing his team-mate as "a great footballer and a model pro".

Shearer added: "You're bound to have arguments along the way in football, but no-one ever did with Gary - no-one had a bad word for him.

"He was an incredible guy who you could rely and depend on. Everyone loved him... he was loved because that's the type of guy that he was - he got on with everyone and everyone respected him."

Family Of Gary Speed Overwhelmed By The Support

The family of Gary Speed has today released their first statement through his agent Hayden Evans, who was also the best man at the 42-year-old's wedding where the family stated they are “overwhelmed by the support“ by the received following the death of the former Welsh manager.

Gary Speed committed suicide at his home in Huntingdon yesterday morning leaving it a mystery as to why the 42-year-old felt that he needed to take his own life, tributes have been flooding in for the former Wales, Leeds, Everton,  Newcastle,  Bolton and Sheffield United  midfielder from across the world.

Hayden Evans said: "Gary's family would sincerely like to thank all the people that have sent messages of condolence and tributes in what is a very difficult time.

"We have been overwhelmed by the support and it really has helped.

"We would ask that the family are now given the respect of some privacy to just grieve on their own."

Earlier Gary McAllister who is deeply shocked by the death of Speed, insisted after they appeared on television together at the weekend that "there were no signs” that Speed had troubles.

"Alan Shearer  broke the news to me (yesterday) and it turned me to jelly," said the Scotsman on Monday.
"I couldn't believe what he was saying. It shook me to the bones; I was in shock for most of the day.

"Twenty minutes before we went on air on Saturday, he was the normal Gary Speed to me.

"He was very excited about the prospects of the Welsh national team and was upbeat, looking class, immaculately presented. He was a movie star in my eyes.

"With no competitive Wales games until February, we were talking about getting some golf organised.

"There were no signs, nothing to suggest he was troubled. He looked well and things are going well for him at the moment. I could never have thought that 10-12 hours after I saw him I'd be getting that news. It's a nightmare."

"I couldn't see anything in Gary that suggested he was depressed or had any feeling of anxiety. He was just the Gary Speed that I know."

Why Rick Neuheisel Must Be Fired

By Paul Amico
Were they even trying? After last night's 50-0 stomping by cross town rival USC, UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel's time in Los Angeles is numbered. Last night’s annihilation marks Neuheisel's 4th loss to USC in 4 years of being coach, and its biggest margin of defeat by USC since 1932.

Even though UCLA will be playing in the first ever PAC-12 championship against Oregon on Friday since USC is ineligible due to past violations, most if not all expect the same result next week: an uninspired team led by a coach who looks lost and confused about how to be competitive in a game.

You can defend Neuheisel as much as you want, but the fact of the matter is, when you’re the head coach of a prestigious team like UCLA, your expected to do two things: win and beat USC. Neuheisel has done neither while being in charge since the end of 2007.

UCLA is 21-28 under Neuheisel and has had a winning record only one year while he's been there (7-6), and has a 3-25 record against teams with a winning record at the end of the year. Plus, when it comes to playing their biggest rival USC, Neuheisel hasn't even been close in defeating them, losing by 21+ in 3 of the 4 years.

In years past, the UCLA-USC game was a cherished rivalry where people would be full of anxious anitcipation weeks before the game. Now, you’re lucky not to be asleep by the end of the first quarter. It may take 3, maybe even 4 or 5 more years until UCLA can take a step forward and be prominent again, but until they fire their mediocre coach, they will forever live in mediocrity.

Gary Speed Dies Aged 42

The Welsh FA has today confirmed the sad news that Gary Speed has passed away.  No official details have been released regarding the cause of death and the Welsh FA has called on respect to be shown to Speed’s family at this sad time.

Initial reports claim that the former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle star was found hanged at his home, according to a statement from Cheshire Police.

"At 7.08am this morning, Sunday 27 November, police were informed of an incident at Aldford Road, Huntington. Officers went to the scene where a 42-year-old man was found dead. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and next of kin have been informed," the statement added. It looks very much as if the cause of death may be determined as suicide.

Speed helped guide Wales to three successive victories in his short spell as manager. Initial reports claim that the former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle star was found hanged at his home, according to a statement from Cheshire Police.

The FA of Wales confirmed the news in a statement.

"We extend our sympathies and condolences to the family. We ask that everyone respects the family's privacy at this very sad time."

Contenders For The 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year

There are many sceptics who question the integrity of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year after many unlikely winners have walked away with the award when you look at past winners from down the years. Greg Rusedski for instance won in 1997 after losing in the US Open Men’s Tennis final, Zara Phillips and her mother Princess Anne for that matter, winners in 2006 and 1971 respectively for winning Olympic Gold Medals in the not too well known sport of Eventing – anyone believe that there may have been some bias here?

The reasons behind David Beckham’s win in 2001 remains a mystery, Or was that the year he played the starring role in England’s 2-2 draw against Greece? Michael Owen’s win in 1998 is even more questionable, given it seems for a scoring a wonder goal against Argentina in a World Cup last 16 match that England were to lose on penalties.

Staying with football, there would be very few that would argue against Ryan Giggs achievements but when he won the SPOTY in 2009, it was on the back of a mass social media campaign from Man Utd fans which seemed to focus on his services to football rather than any outstanding feat achieved that year.

It is difficult to argue that there is more than a little cynicism contained in some of the past winners but when an award is given on annual basis, shouldn’t it be received by somebody who has accomplished something of great note?

In many ways, it is great to competitors of less popular Olympic sports be rewarded. In recent years, the Olympic sportsmen and women who have won the award include, Sir Chris Hoy in 2008, Dame Kelly Holmes in 2004 and Sir Steven Redgrave in 2000 being the last three. The trend of Olympians is almost certain to continue in 2012 with the London Olympics taking place next summer but the question is which sportsman or women has achieved anything of note befitting of the award over the past 12 months.

The favourite to win this year is Mark Cavendish, the first ever British "Green Jersey" winner in the Tour De France, a feat he achieved after winning four stages of the world’s most gruelling race. He is also became the World Road Race Champion in 2011 and although he will be seen in the Olympics next year.

His achievements this year have been outstanding and he is the justified leader at this stage and could even be on course to win back-to-back awards if he adds Olympic Golds to his honours at the London Olympics next year and as the latest Sports Personality of the year odds would suggest, at 5/4, Cavendish is firmly the one to beat.

Golfers, Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy are also in contention to win after the two men from Northern Ireland each won Major Golf Tournaments earlier this year. McIlroy won the US Open in June, breaking almost every conceivable record for the tournament in the process whilst Clarke meanwhile came back from almost total obscurity to win the 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George's.

Clarke lost his wife to breast cancer in 2006 and clearly affected his form and his come back, finished off by his first win in a Major tournament made the achievement that bit more special and endeared him to the public in the process.

There is a very strong argument for a third British golfer to be in the running this year and that is the current world number one Luke Donald. The Englishman will become the first man in golf history to top the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, after an incredibly consistent season, which has seen him win four tournaments and finish in the top ten a further 14 times.

Included in those wins was the WGC World Match-Play at the beginning of the year, which will go a long way to seeing Luke become the first non-American to win the US Tour’s Player of the Year. Donald too has been hit with a major personal bereavement earlier this month, when his Dad, Colin died suddenly, just four days before Luke’s second daughter was born.

However, if the Sports Personality of the Year award is about acknowledging major wins then McIlroy and  Clarke must be fancied ahead of him but should Donald end his wait for a first major in 2012 then you can rest assured that this popular personality will be amongst the front runners in twelve months time.

Written by Rod Crowley

Boxing News: Pacquiao-Marquez, Andre Berto, James Kirkland and more

By Peter Wells

Image Credit Flickr User audiovisualjunkie

Juan Manuel Marquez was once again left to leave the ring after a bout with Manny Pacquiao with nothing to show for his performance. In parts 1 and 2 of the trilogy the fights were close and ultimately decided on knockdowns. This time though there were no knockdowns and in most people's eyes, Marquez was the winner.

Manny Pacquiao again got the nod by majority decision, by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 while the final judge couldn't separate the two scoring 114-114. It was a relatively close fight and many rounds were hard to score, but as the fight dragged on it seemed as though Marquez was taking command and he was even starting to force the exchanges. It could come down to Pacquiao's sublime speed which worked quite effectively in the first half of the fight.

I watched the fight on YouTube the next morning and can't give you my exact score, though I definitely said to myself while watching the fight, "That was Marquez's round", more than I said "That was Manny's round". I will have to watch the fight again to be able to give my exact scorecard.

For many it was a surprise that it was so close but I believed that the fight would be close as both styles will always make for a close fight. It was another super fight that has ended on a bad note, but it wasn't exactly a robbery, just a controversial decision.

Berto vacates title to get revenge on Ortiz

Something that was less of a surprise is that Andre Berto has vacated his IBF Welterweight title that he'd just won off Jan Zaveck. Andre would have been forced into a pointless defence against fading tough man Randall Bailey. Andre though isn't interested in titles if he can't get revenge on rival Victor Ortiz. The fight will likely happen early next year and the fans are hoping for more fireworks, while Berto hopes for a different result.

Both fighters know that defeat is not an option, even though the loser won't exactly be pushed out of contention for titles but super fights with Mayweather, Pacquiao, Marquez or Khan would seem a long way away. Victor Ortiz has already had one chance but knows another win against Berto may put him back in line - and with the way the Mayweather-Ortiz fight ended, not many people would begrudge Ortiz his second shot.

Berto though is extremely bitter as Ortiz took the opportunity that he felt was his and i'm sure the way it ended was as frustrating for him as it was for everyone who payed to watch it. This is his perfect chance at redemption and I believe this time he'll be the one on his way to fight one of the superpowers.

James Kirkland to be rewarded for fine performance

After James Kirkland magnificent brawl with Alfredo Angulo, it looks like the Texan will get his long awaited shot at a world title. Cornelius Bundrage, the IBF Light Middleweight champion has taken notice and is very much up for defending against Kirkland. The fight is not yet official, but it could be a very attractive fight for early next year, to add to the list of potential crackers.

Other Boxing News

Also I was very impressed with Chris Eubank Jr last weekend, he boxed very well in his professional debut, throwing his jab with authority and did well to stop his negative opponent. Eubank Sr gave his son a few tips during rounds, telling his son to go downstairs which he did well, landing some crunching body shots. Eubank clearly has a bright future to add to the ever growing list of British prospects.

Tyson Fury on the same show showed more weaknesses in his defence, getting floored by Canadian Nevan Pajkic. But to his credit he got up to rally home a stoppage in the next round to prove he was still out of his opponents league. His tendency to get caught by the overhand right is becoming increasingly worrying if he's to step up to world level.

Finally Julio Cesar Chavez Jr takes on Peter Manfredo Jr on Saturday night. It won't be the most exciting fight but Manfredo should offer Chavez a decent challenge, but will be on the wrong end of a one sided decision.

Can Murray Make Grand Slam Breakthrough In 2012?

At the conclusion of the Australian Open Tennis Championship Final in January earlier this year, Andy Murray was at an all time low. He had just been defeated in straight sets by Novak Djokovic in one of the most one-sided Grand Slam finals ever witnessed.

It was a final before which, many tennis pundits believed that Murray was destined to win his first "Grand Slam" but instead, he trooped off the court disconsolately knowing that he had once again failed to rise to the occasion.

Worse still, he had for the third time in his career failed to win a set in a Grand Slam final which prompted the inevitable questions as to whether or not the Scot has the ability to win one of the sport's four most prestigious tournaments.

It took Murray several months to get over that defeat, poor performances followed in Rotterdam, Indian Wells and Miami and it was not until April when he reached the semi final in the ATP 1000 Masters in Monte Carlo on clay that he began to rediscover his form again.

By the time of the French Open in May, Murray had come to terms with his game, he recognised that Djokovic, who at that time was 'sweeping all before him' had made a few small adjustments to his game and it was those that had helped the Serb improve so dramatically. Murray knew that he needed to work on his game and became buoyed by the prospect.

As 2011 unfolded, Murray began his comeback, first came a semi final at Roland Garros, followed by a first win of the year at Queens then a third semi final running on the grass again at Wimbledon, which although disappointing by not winning, saw Murray put in a much improved effort.

The return to the hard courts in the summer saw him win in Cincinnati before he reached a third Grand Slam semi final of the year at the US Open which he followed up taking three titles on the trot in Bangkok, Japan and Shanghai.

These tournament wins put him ahead of Roger Federer in the world rankings at number three and although he was beaten in the Quarter Final in Paris last week, his game was back on song and his confidence fully restored.

The 24 year old will now play in ATP World Finals in London next week, where he will be looking to end his year on a high before launching his 2012 Grand Slam challenge in January at the Australian Open.

Given a different generation, Murray would have probably already a "Grand Slam" but he is playing at a time when three of the greatest players of all time are around. Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have won 30 ‘Slams’ between them, the latter two are very much a similar age to Murray while Federer, proved last week by winning in Paris, that he is still a major force to be reckoned with.

However, with a few improvements to his game and ensuring his head's in the right place on the biggest stages, there is absolutely no doubt that Murray has the game to beat any one of these three on a given day; moreover, he has the game to beat them regularly.

He has beaten Nadal five times in the past, Djokovic four times and Federer eight times and although his record against the big three in the Grand Slams leaves a lot to be desired, Murray knows that with a strong mentality and playing at his best, he can make his breakthrough and 2012 could be the year!

Written by Rod Crowley