Bayern Munich have finally started to admit they will win the Bundesliga title this season after a 3-2 win over Fortuna Dusseldorf put them 20 points clear at the top of the table.
With nine games of the season remaining, just three more wins are required to seal the title, but they could win it ever sooner if other results go their way.
“There is no question that we are going to win the title this year, we just have to see when that will happen,” said midfielder Toni Kroos.
Only coach Jupp Heynckes was remaining cautious.
“Until it is mathematically certain, we will not be taking congratulations from anybody,” he said.
Lennon angry as Celtic slump
Celtic boss Neil Lennon warned his players they owed him “payback” after accusing some of looking like they were already thinking about a summer move during a shock 3-2 defeat by Ross County.
Lennon, who made five changes following the 2-0 defeat by Juventus, most of them enforced, said: “These players owe me. I have pulled them out of places that no-one had heard of and put them in the shop window.
“And I want payback now. That is simply not good enough. If they want to go they only have to knock on my door and say ‘I want to go’ then I will leave them out.”
Howedes stays
Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes has ended speculation linking him with a move to Bayern Munich by signing a new contract with the Gelsenkirchen club.
The Germany international will be remaining with the Royal Blues until 2017 with the announcement coming at the end of a successful weekend for the club, who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 to move up to fourth in the Bundesliga.
He said: “I had always stressed that I am extremely happy here. The club also made it clear that they wanted to keep me, so that is why we reached an agreement.
“I am looking forward to being able to play for Schalke for another four years.”
Rooney to get new United contract
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will be offered a new contract before his deal ends in 2015, the club’s manager Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying yesterday.
“There is no issue with the contract. When it has to be renegotiated, it will be,” Ferguson said ahead of United’s FA Cup quarter-final at home to Chelsea.
British media went into overdrive last week reporting that Rooney would be offloaded after he was left out of the starting line-up for United’s biggest game of the season against Real Madrid.
However, on Friday Ferguson dismissed speculation that Rooney’s Old Trafford days were numbered, telling reporters: “He will be here next year, you’ve got my word on that.”
Gascoigne returns after US rehab
Paul Gascoigne thought he was going to die during his latest stretch in rehab to beat alcohol addiction, it has been reported.
The ex-England and Newcastle player returned to Britain on Saturday after more than a month at the clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, during which he was treated in intensive care.
Doctors said it was the worst detox they had ever seen when the shock of giving up alcohol sent his body into seizure, Gascoigne said.
He said: “Three doctors didn’t think I would make it. It has got to inspire me to never let this happen again. I’ve come through that – death. I was dead.”
Messi surpasses goal record
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi broke a record from the 1930s on Saturday when he scored for a 17th consecutive La Liga game, a 2-0 victory at home to bottom club Deportivo.
The World Player of the Year came off the bench and struck with a deft chip in the 88th minute at the Nou Camp, his 40th league goal of the campaign and his 27th in 17 games.
Barca said Messi overhauled Polish forward Teodor Pewterek who scored 22 goals in 16 straight outings for Ruch Chorzow at the end of the 1930s.
“Messi’s tally represents a new record in the history of football, something no other player has achieved before,” the Spanish club said.
G. Fuerth chief concedes defeat
Greuther Fuerth president Helmut Hack has admitted defeat in his club’s bid to stay in the Bundesliga. A 3-0 loss at home to Hoffenheim left the Bavarian club 14 points adrift of safety and seven behind the relegation play-off berth.
Considering they have managed to win only two of their 25 games, Hack believes Fuerth must now realistically focus on playing in the second division again next season.
“When you lose 3-0 at home to the second-bottom team, then you know what that means as a consequence,” he said.
“Quite clearly, from Monday (today) we start to prepare an honourable relegation to the second division.”