Rangers manager Ally McCoist has told his players they must quickly learn to adapt to life in football’s bottom tier following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Berwick.
The Ibrox side are still waiting for their first away win in the Third Division, having also shared the points against Brechin on the opening day of the league.
McCoist said: “It’s a fact, every away game is going to be a cup tie. That’s the way it is, that’s what we are going to be faced with.
“Teams will be up for it, they will be aggressive, they will be in your face. That’s the way we would expect it but, at this moment in time, we are not reacting to it too well.”
Buffon’s new deal
Gianluigi Buffon is ready to sign a new contract with Juventus.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper was sidelined through injury as Juve began their title defence with a 2-0 victory over Parma last weekend, and the Italy international, whose current deal runs until the end of the season, remains eager to commit his long-term future to the Bianconeri.
When asked if he was prepared to sign a new contract Buffon said: “I’m ready. I’ve talked about it with president (Andrea) Agnelli, when Juve are ready, I will be ready to renew.”
Milan losing their interest in Kaka
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani is prepared to abandon the club’s pursuit of Kaka if Real Madrid continue to hold out for a permanent transfer.
The Brazilian has been the subject of frequent meetings between the Rossoneri and Real over the summer. But coach Jose Mourinho insists the 30-year-old will only be permitted to leave Real on a permanent deal.
Galliani said: “The deal depends on Real. They only want to sell Kaka whereas we want him on loan. If they change their minds I’m ready to deal, otherwise nothing will happen.
“We have five central midfielders and five wingers and I would say we’re totally covered.”
Marseille’s Baup keeping calm
Marseille coach Elie Baup was not getting carried away after his side continued their 100% start to the season with a 1-0 win over champions Montpellier.
Andre-Pierre Gignac struck the game’s only goal to lift OM two points clear at the top of the table with three wins from three under new boss Baup.
But Baup was remaining calm despite the promising start to the campaign.
“Nine points in three games – this is obviously a good thing,” he said.
“But all this is temporary. You need a few more games than that. Let’s see where we are after 10 games to assess our potential.
“It is important to take points to work on and improve.”
Barton hoping to leave QPR
Joey Barton will look to press home his protracted move to Marseille this week.
The 29-year-old midfielder is currently without a squad number at Loftus Road having been served with a 12-match suspension following his sending off at Manchester City last season.
Barton was initially coy about the Marseille link, but took to Twitter yesterday to plead with his current employers to make a move to the Stade Velodrome happen.
“I am hopeful that things will be sorted out soon. Other clubs are in but I only want to play in Marseille.
“This is the place for me,” he told his 1.6 million followers on the social network site.
“Hopefully, QPR and Mar-seille can finalise the deal in the next few days.”
Puyol fractures his cheekbone
Barcelona captain Carles Puyol was having further tests yesterday to determine the extent of the fractured right cheekbone he suffered during Sunday night’s 2-1 Primera Division win at Osasuna.
The 34-year-old defender sustained the injury in a late collision with Osasuna forward Roland Lamah.
A club statement read: “Medical tests confirmed that Carles Puyol has fractured his right cheekbone.
“The player will undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury. Puyol broke his cheekbone when he collided with Lamah in one of the last plays of the match.”
FIFA to look at winning bids
Michael Garcia, the newly-appointed joint chief investigator of FIFA’s ethics committee, has said the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively will come under scrutiny.
Garcia and Hans-Joachim Eckert were appointed joint chairmen of the Ethics Committee during FIFA’s extraordinary meeting in Zurich in July.
The awarding of the 2006 World Cup to Germany will also come under scrutiny as Garcia revealed one of their many tasks is also to look into the relationship between FIFA and defunct marketing company ISL, who sold FIFA’s World Cup TV rights.