Soccer Blog|Football News, Reviews, Quizzes

Rangers have announced the signing of defensive midfielder Maurice Edu from MLS side Toronto FC for a fee of £2.6m ( $5m). The American international 22, has signed a five year contract, and the move will be completed as soon as the player receives a work permit.

Edu becomes Walter Smith’s third signing in the last seven days, the other two being Aaron Niguez Esclapez from Valencia ( on loan with an option to buy) and Portuguese midfielder Pedro Mendes. Fans of Rangers made their displeasure felt at Carlos Cuellar’s departure, but the new signings will give them something to cheer about.

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Lyon defeated Toulouse 3-0 in their first game of the 2008-09 French Ligue 1 season. Karim Benzema netted twice and new signing Jean II Makoun scored once, but the French giants suffered a blow as rightback Francois Clerc ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the first half. Medical tests have revealed that Clerc can be expected to be out of action for the next six months.

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Lithuanian striker Andrius Velicka scored the only goal of the game as Rangers beat Falkirk 1-0 in the opening game of the 2008-09 SPL season. Velicka, who was disappointing in his debut in the second leg of Rangers second round qualifying game against old club Kaunas, converted in the 64th minute from Kyle Lafferty’s cross.

Velicka scored the opening goal of the 2008-09 season for Rangers

Velicka’s goal came 10 minutes after Michael Higdon had his penalty saved by Allan McGregor. Steven Whittaker, one of the three Rangers players to be booked in the game, had brought down McBride in the box, but McGregor saved Rangers by pushing Higdon’s shot wide.

Other results from the SPL- Aug 9 2008

Hearts 3-2 Motherwell ( Michael Stewart 25′ , Audrius Ksanavicius 40′ , Saulius Mikoliunas 82′ / David Clarkson 33′, 81′)

Kilmarnock 1-0 Hibernian ( Jamie Hamill 80′)

Aberdeen 0-2 Inverness ( Andrew Borrowman 27′, Roy McBain 90′)
This is Inverness’ first ever win over Aberdeen.

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Pep Guardiola started his reign as Barcelona manager in style as they thrashed Hibernian and Dundee United 6-0 and 5-1 in their two pre season friendlies.

At Murrayfield, Hibs would have had their confidence severely dented after being trampled upon by a strong Barcelona outfit.

Barcelona 6-0 Hibernian ( Gudjohnsen*2, Messi, Bojan, Yaya Toure, Pedro)

Date- July 24
Venue- Murrayfield

Barcelona 5-1 Dundee United ( Lionel Messi*3, Thierry Henry, Samuel E’too/Prince Buaben)

Date- July 26
Venue- Tannadice

A happy return to Scotland for Thierry Henry. The former Arsenal striker scored against Dundee on his Barcelona debut last year, as Riijkard’s team won 1-0. This time the margin was more emphatic.

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List of summer soccer transfers ( 2008) in the Scottish Premier League.

Does not include Inward loan returns.

Aberdeen transfers summer 2008 :-

In : Gary McDonald ( Oldham), Bertrand Bossu ( Walsall-free), Sammy Stewart ( Glenavon-£15,000), Mark Kerr ( Dundee United), Charlie Mulgrew ( Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tommy Wright ( Darlington-£100,000)

Out : Jackie McNamara ( Falkirk-free), Barry Nicholson ( Preston North End-free), Steve Lovell (free-Falkirk), Dave Bus ( De Graafschap- loan return), Richie Byrne ( Free), Derek Soutar ( free- but is on trial with Hartlepool, saved a penalty against Falkirk), Dan Smith ( free), Martin Skinner ( free- Peterhead), Davie Ross ( free- Peterhead), Neil McVitie ( free- Peterhead), Karim Touzani ( free-Sparta Rotterdam)

Celtic transfers summer 2008 :-

In : Pat McCourt ( Derry City-£200,000), Georgios Samaras ( Manchester City- 3 year contract-fee rumoured to be around the 1m mark), Marc Crosas ( Barcelona-£415,000 could rise to £1.6m depending on appearances. Barcelona can buy him back for two million euros in two years. Should they not exercise the option, Barcelona will be given 25% of the transfer fee if Crosas is sold to any other club), Glenn Loovens ( Cardiff City- £3m)

Out :- Michael McGovern ( Dundee United), Diarmuid O’Carroll ( Morecambe), John Kennedy ( Norwich City- loan till Jan 1, 2009), Jim O’Brien ( Motherwell), Scott Cuthbert ( St.Mirren-loan)

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The 10th season of the Scottish Premier League, the first to be sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, ended on May 22, 2008 with Celtic winning their third consecutive title. Tied on points going into the final round of games, the Bhoys beat Dundee United thanks to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink’s header but Walter Smith’s Rangers lost 0-2 at Aberdeen, ensuring that the title stayed at Celtic Park.

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In light of the recent tragic death of Motherwell skipper Phil O’ Donnell, the Scottish Premier League has decided to postpone the game between Celtic and Rangers. The keenly anticipated clash was originally to be played on January 2, but no future date has been fixed for the match. O’ Donnell, who died after collapsing on the field in Motherwell’s 5-2 victory over Dundee United, played for the Bhoys between 1994 and 1999.

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Rangers have signed Senegal midfielder Amdy Moustapha Faye on a season long loan from Championship side Charlton Athletic. Faye scored one goal in 28 appearances for the Addicks. Newly promoted Birmingham City were also reportedly interested in securing his signature, but were beaten to it by the Scottish club.

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West Bromwich Albion midfielder James Morrison will miss Scotland’s international friendly against South Africa on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. The 21 year old Darlington born player was due to make his debut for Scotland against the Bafana Bafana. Morrison has played for England at every youth level, but chose to play for Scotland’s senior side.

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Like many others, Thierry Henry moving to Barcelona was one of the biggest transfers of the summer to me. This post is a short one which details Henry’s debut as a Barcelona player. The game was against Dundee United at Tannadice in Scotland. Henry came as on a second half substitute for Cameroon international Samuel Etoo. His goal, which came from a  penalty kick rebound in the last seconds of the match, was the goal which divided both the sides as they headed out of the game. The last four games that Barcelona had played against Dundee  always came out  in favour of the Scottish side.
Speaking of debuts, David Beckham had the stadium packed for his debut, with friends and worshippers alike filling the 27,000 capacity stadium to the brim as the Galaxy faced off against Chelsea in a friendly . Becks came on as a second half substitute as the Galaxy lost 1-0. The sole goal of the game came from England skipper John Terry. There were lots of celebrities in attendance too.

French legend Michel Platini has been elected as the new UEFA President. Platini defeated rival Lennart Johansson, who has held the post since 1990, in an election in Dusseldorf.

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Scotland boss Walter Smith has been appointed by Rangers as their new boss after the exit of Paul Le Guen.

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Scottish giants Rangers have parted company with their manager Paul Le Guen. Rangers David Murray reportedly said that both the parties agreed that it was in the best interests of the club that Le Guen leave Ibrox.

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Scottish midfielder Barry Ferguson’s agent has reportedly said that his client could stay at Ibrox despite having a bust up with manager Paul Le Guen.

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