Ally McCoist has claimed Rangers deserve a greater ticket allocation than Dundee United when the teams meet in next month’s Scottish Cup semi-final.
The boss of the new League One champions believes the backing his club’s faithful have given throughout the season should be rewarded by the Scottish FA.
“I don’t have a problem with Dundee United getting half the tickets,” McCoist said.
“It’s strange the last semi-final they played at Hampden attracted a crowd of 24,000. Against Dunfermline last week we had 44,000 and they’re turning up for every home game.
“Our fans don’t just turn out for big semi-finals.”
Bayern’s Green opts for United States
Bayern Munich winger Julian Green, who has represented both Germany and the US at the youth level, has pledged his international allegiance to America.
A dual citizen, Green was born in the United States and raised in Germany. His father is American and his mother German.
Green represented Germany at youth levels, and the US at U-18s but said he was applying to FIFA for a one-time change of association so he can commit to the United States.
If his application is approved, the 18-year-old could be eligible to play for the United States at this year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Unlucky Jese
Real Madrid forward Jese faces a lengthy period on the sidelines after rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee in Tuesday’s Champions League win over Schalke 04.
The 21-year-old was knocked to the ground and landed awkwardly when he tangled with Schalke defender Sead Kolasinac in the second minute at the Bernabeu and had to be replaced.
“He has had bad luck and everyone at Real Madrid has had bad luck because we will lose a young player who has been doing very well this season,” coach Carlo Ancelotti said.
Warner blasts ‘foolish’ report
Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has called the latest allegations against him “foolishness”.
Warner spoke out following a report the FBI is investigating payments from a company owned by Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam to Warner and his family. Both men left FIFA in disgrace following a 2011 corruption scandal.
Qatar 2022 World Cup chiefs this week insisted they had ad-hered to all FIFA’s rules.
Warner said: “I have no interest in joining in the foolishness that is now passing as news on Qatar and myself.
“Nor do I intend to join those who are on a witch-hunt against the World Cup 2022 venue.
“And do consider this as my final comment on this matter.”
Van Gaal eyes top team in England
Louis van Gaal has confirmed his desire to move to the Premier League after the World Cup. The 62-year-old will leave his post with Holland once the Brazil tournament is over, in order to return to club management.
With Champions League, La Liga and Bundesliga titles high on his resumè, the former Barcelona coach is likely to be in demand and he is hoping there is interest from England.
“My ambition is to coach a top team in the Premier League.
“I have never experienced the atmosphere in England,” he told German newspaper Bild yesterday.
Van Gaal has already been linked with taking over at Tottenham while some reports have gone as far as to say he could replace David Moyes at Manchester United.
Defoe dreams of England recall
Former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe slammed in two goals on his debut for Toronto FC in North America’s Major League Soccer at the weekend, rekindling hopes of an England recall for the 2014 World Cup.
“I’d like to score as many goals as possible for the club and go to the World Cup,” Defoe, 31, said.
“I just need to play and score goals. To get on a World Cup squad you have to be playing.”
The 31-year-old has been capped 55 times by England – overwhelmingly as a substitute – and has scored 19 times for his country.
His two goals for Toronto were numbers 215 and 216 of a lucrative club career.
Van’t Schip takes Heart into City era
Melbourne Heart interim coach John van’t Schip has been rewarded with a three-year contract extension after turning around the Manchester City-backed club in Australia’s do-mestic A-League.
The 50-year-old former Netherlands winger, Heart’s inaugural coach from 2009-12, was invited back for a second stint to replace John Aloisi, who was sacked in December after a terrible start to the 2013-14 season.
Under Van’t Schip, Heart have won six and drawn three of their last 11 matches to keep their slim hopes of qualifying for the play-offs alive.