Football news

Celtic manager Neil Lennon confirmed yesterday that striker Gary Hooper has completed his move from Scunthorpe.

The 22-year-old has joined the squad for the Champions League tie against Portuguese side Sporting Braga today.

Hooper, who scored 50 goals for Scunthorpe last season, is the sixth summer signing of Celtic's new manager Neil Lennon.

On turning up at Glasgow airport, Hooper said: "I'm a little bit nervous, it's the first time I've travelled abroad for a game. But I am looking forward to it and ready to meet my team-mates."

Rangers target Bafana pair

Rangers manager Walter Smith revealed yesterday his interest in signing two of South Africa's World Cup stars Bongani Khumalo and Katlego Mphela.

Talks have already taken place between Ibrox chief executive Martin Bain and representatives of striker Mphela and defender Khumalo, at the behest of the Rangers boss.

"We are seriously considering both these players," Smith told the Scottish Sun. "I believe they could fit in well for us."

Khumalo, 23, and Mphela, 24, who both scored in South Africa's group win over France in the World Cup, are rated at £1.5 million each.

Woodgate nowhere near fit - Redknapp

Harry Redknapp has raised fears over Jonathan Woodgate's career after all but confirming the defender would not be in his 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season.

Spurs boss Redknapp revealed Woodgate was "nowhere near" recovering from the groin problem that has plagued him since November. The 30-year-old has undergone operations and injections, visiting specialists in Australia and the US.

"Woody's nowhere near at the moment, nowhere near," Redknapp said. "It must be really hard for him because he's nowhere near kicking a ball. He's been out for nearly a year, been in America and Australia but he's still nowhere near."

Riera asks Reds fans to forget past

Former Liverpool winger Albert Riera has written a personal letter thanking the club and fans, whom he urged to forget the past.

The Spaniard, who has joined Olympiakos, spent the final three months of last season effectively suspended after falling out with ex-Reds manager Rafael Benitez and then describing the club as a "sinking ship".

"I would like to say goodbye and thank you for the opportunity to play in this fantastic club," Riera, whose form faded badly after a promising first season, wrote in his letter.

"I would like to thank the fans for their support; you're unbelievable. I want the fans to remember me as a player who tried to give his best.

"In football it's important to look forward and forget the past."

Blanc will sort out France - Deschamps

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has backed former France team-mate Laurent Blanc to get Les Bleus back on track.

Blanc left his post as Bordeaux boss earlier this summer to take over the national-team reins from Raymond Domenech following what turned out to be a shambolic World Cup campaign.

"I am convinced that Laurent Blanc has the human and professional qualities to do a good job," Deschamps told France Football.

"The situation is dire. It is a construction site. Laurent Blanc is not David Copperfield. He will have the advantage with his name, to command the respect and credibility.

"He is the man for the job. But he cannot do it alone."

Marchetti upsets Cagliari boss

Cagliari president Massimo Cellino has effectively put goalkeeper Federico Marchetti on the transfer list after the latter voiced his frustration not to get a move this summer.

Marchetti told La Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month that he wanted to join Sampdoria and play in the Champions League but Cagliari asked for a hefty transfer fee.

"I understood from his words that he doesn't want to stay with us," Cellino said.

"I would have preferred it if he had said so to me and not to the newspapers, but there aren't offers for him. And there is full confidence in Michael Agazzi."

Marchetti was linked with Milan in the past but the Rossoneri have increased their goalkeeping options with the loan signing of Marco Amelia from Genoa.

Arsenal standing firm on Fabregas

Barcelona board spokesman Toni Freixa says the Catalan club are doing all they can to sign Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas, but revealed the Gunners are simply unwilling to negotiate the sale of their midfielder.

Since having a €35 million bid turned down earlier this summer, Barca have made several attempts to speak to Arsenal, but Freixa says the Londoners are unwilling to budge.

"Arsenal don't want to sit down and negotiate with us. It's not a problem with the wishes of Cesc or of Barca - they simply don't want to negotiate," he told reporters.

Fabregas still has five years to run on his Arsenal contract.