Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is ready to buy a stake in fallen Scottish giants Rangers, according to Ibrox chief executive Charles Green.
Rangers already have a retail agreement with Ashley’s Sports Direct firm, who sell sports equipment and clothes, and the London-based tycoon has now been given the green light to take a shareholding in the Scottish Third Division club.
Green, who fronted a consortium that bought Rangers after their liquidation earlier this year, last week launched a £20 million share issue scheme for fans and is also looking to attract institutional investors.
Rio’s ‘Kick it Out’ protest angers Fergie
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson accused Rio Ferdinand of embarrassing him yesterday after his defender failed to wear a T-shirt in support of an anti-racism campaign.
On Friday, Ferguson said his players would be wearing the shirts in their warm-up to lend support to an awareness week for the Kick it Out anti-racism organisation despite some black players threatening to boycott it.
“At the press conference on Friday I spoke to the press about it.
“It is embarrassing for me. He will be dealt with, no doubt about that,” Ferguson told Sky Sports in reference to Rio.
“We’re all wearing the badges and he goes and lets us all down.
“We’ll deal with it, don’t worry.”
Trap committed to Ireland project
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni signalled his intention to carry on with his masterplan.
The 73-year-old Italian held talks with FA of Ireland chief executive John Delaney late Friday to discuss matters raised at Wednesday’s Board meeting, at which Trapattoni was given the association’s continued backing following a difficult few days.
The meeting between the pair was described as “workmanlike and professional” by a spokes-man, and the manager later confirmed his satisfaction with what was said.
Trapattoni said: “John and I met to clarify the thoughts of the board and these were agreed and confirmed by me. It was a useful and professional conversation.”
Taylor sacked as Bahrain coach
Former England interim coach Peter Taylor was sacked by Bahrain yesterday after spending 15 months in charge.
“It’s the federation that have decided to change because recent results have not been good,” said the former Leicester City boss who led England for one game against Italy in 2000.
Taylor said that recent defeats were the result of the players not being match fit because of the lack of league matches.
He denied that political strife in Bahrain had affected the team’s performance.
Viola linked with Hernandez move
Fiorentina are preparing to table a bid, worth almost £8 million, for Mexico and Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, reports in the UK said yesterday.
Hernandez has a five-year contract with United but dropped down the pecking order behind Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck and it seems he is looking to move elsewhere in January in search of more regular football.
Fiorentina failed in their bid to sign Dimitar Berbatov from United in summer, as he opted for Fulham after a controversial switch in allegiance to Juve.
Terry remains as Chelsea captain
John Terry will remain as captain of European champions Chelsea on a permanent basis, the Premier League club’s chairman Bruce Buck said yesterday.
Terry, 31, was fined £220,000 and banned for four domestic matches for racially insulting QPR defender Anton Ferdinand a year ago this weekend.
Buck said: “John will continue to be captain. We are not going to suspend him for any additional matches but we have taken disciplinary action appropriate to the circumstances.”
Asked if Chelsea would try and sell the long-serving Terry in the January transfer window, Buck said they would not.
Davids inspires Barnet on debut
Dutch legend Edgar Davids inspired Barnet to a 4-0 victory over Northampton on his debut for the English League Two club late Friday.
Davids had been working with Sunday league amateur footballers in England before accepting the offer to work alongside Mark Robson as joint Barnet manager.
His arrival at the club initially failed to spark a revival of fortunes for the Bees but Davids was able to work his magic on the pitch at Underhill on Friday.
Driven on by Davids, who played 90 minutes and also earned a ref’s booking, Barnet secured their first league win of the season with four second-half goals.