SPL

Rangers confirm Edu capture

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 3-0 Toulouse first game of Ligue 1 2008-09 season

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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SPL 2008-09 Falkirk 0-1 Rangers

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 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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