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By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 5:49 PM on 2nd February 2011

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has leaped to the defence of his under-fire skipper Cesc Fabregas, claiming he is a great captain and a role model for the younger players at the club.

The Spaniard has been criticised over his conduct by opponents in the Gunners' two most recent games against Everton and Huddersfield.

But after a radio show brought the 23-year-old's captaincy into question, Wilshere backed Fabregas' role at the club.

He said on Twitter: 'Listening to talkSPORT and they questioning Cesc's captaincy, he is a brilliant leader and protects his team mates always,very passionate guy.'

Followed later by: 'Adrian and Darren, love the show but just to let you know Cesc is a great captain and helps me a lot. A great role model for all young players!'

Toffees boss David Moyes said Fabregas deserved to be sent off after a rant at the referee and the fourth official in Arsenal's 2-1 win on Tuesday.

While Terriers defender Anthony Pilikington accused the midfielder of a four-letter rant at two of his team mates who wanted his shirt as a souvenir on Sunday.

Despite Moyes' accusations, the FA will take no further action after the referee for the Premier League clash Lee Mason did not include the supposed incident at half-time in his match report.

Labels: Arsenalaposs, captaincy, Daily, defends, Fabregas, Wilshere

MISSION accomplished for Celtic as they went eight points clear of Rangers at the top of the table ... and how Aberdeen players must hate the sight of Neil Lennon's side.

They've now lost a remarkable 17 goals to the Hoops in their last four meetings and having to face them with 10 men for all but 80 seconds after Andrew Considine's dismissal proved too much.

A first-half strike by Gary Hooper was followed up by goals from Mark Wilson and Anthony Stokes as Neil Lennon's men rampaged through the defence after a second-half lull.

The manager could even afford to blood 18-year-old defender Lewis Toshney before the end.

The partnership of Wilson and Charlie Mulgrew in central defence is makeshift but has yet to experience a stern test of their capabilities.

Rivals Rangers will surely ask more questions in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox on Sunday.

But Lennon would be content that a night that yielded such high reward included no mishaps as the season reaches boiling point.

The Hoops' season of conflict with officialdom has led to them hiring a QC to represent their interests but they went north with another kind of legal matter in mind. Sod's Law.

Three league and cup wins over Aberdeen this season tempted fate to deliver them a losing blow when they least needed it. And three players, Wilson, Beram Kayal and skipper Scott Brown, were one booking away from a suspension that would put them out of the league clash with Rangers on February 20.

Another unwanted complication for Lennon. What the manager could not have anticipated was a missed penalty from his side and Aberdeen being reduced to 10 men after just 80 seconds.

Hooper's astute pass picked out Brown and his run in on keeper Jamie Langfield's goal was interrupted by a challenge from Andrew Considine.

The referee considered the home player to be the last defender and sent him off before Stokes hit his penalty too close to Langfield and allowed the Dons No.1 a save.

Intensity

Aberdeen were a man down and a break up while the game was still in its infancy but they couldn't take advantage of the situation and fell a goal behind after 12 minutes.

Kris Commons fed the ball to Hooper and he set off on a run towards goal that involved a one-two with Stokes and a lethal finish as the Englishman slipped the ball beyond the advancing Langfield.

Commons' growing influence on the match was enough to see his youthful marker, Ryan Jack, removed after only 16 minutes. Derek Young took his place in a tactical switch to bolster the defence.

David McNamee was then replaced by new signing from Norwich, Steven Smith, as the Dons' back four lost half of its original personnel before a quarter of the game had elapsed.

The early setbacks saw a depleted Aberdeen defending increasingly higher up the pitch and inviting their rivals on to them.

Young was booked for a foul on Commons 14 minutes after getting on as a sub to illustrate the intensity of the pressure his side was under.

Then midfielder Rob Milsom was forced to clear the ball off the line from Stokes following a scramble that had arisen from a corner.

When Kayal struck the post with an angular drive that had beaten Langfield after 40 minutes it was visual proof of the first half having been a one-sided affair.

The meagre margin of Celtic's lead was one of a few surprises contained within an eventful opening period, even if visiting keeper Fraser Forster was forced to make belated stops from Chris Maguire and Scott Vernon in a spirited finale from Craig Brown's boys.

Celtic's need was to translate their dominance into a winning margin and they might have done so five minutes after the restart when Hooper strong-armed his way through and laid the ball on a plate for Commons.

But he blasted the ball over the bar from a tight angle after dwelling too long on his opportunity.

The longer the game went on in that vein the better for Aberdeen as they searched for a chance to punish Celtic while making light of their numerical disadvantage.

Anguish

Vernon was booked for a foul on Hooper and Maguire cautioned for a block on Wilson while the search for equality went on and Milsom tried his luck with a long-range shot struck more in hope than expectation.

It was remarkable that Celtic had been playing 10 men for all but the first minute of the game and yet had grown less of a threat.

Twenty minutes into the second period Lennon decided it was time for a fresh approach. Paddy McCourt went on in place of Kayal but before the fans' cult hero could touch the ball Commons had the miss that denied Celtic relief from their worries of a sucker-punch.

He rounded Langfield and had only to slip the ball into the empty net but his attempt from a tight angle hit the upright and went behind.

It was anguish for the Celtic player and the cue for derision from the Aberdeen fans who were starting to believe there might be respite from their run of bad luck against their bogey team.

Their dreams were dashed when Wilson got the simplest of goals to put Celtic two in front 15 minutes from time. Commons' corner was inch perfect and the defender rose unchallenged at the front post to bury a powerful header into net.

Stokes put the outcome beyond any doubt with a shot that beat the Dons keeper low at the same corner three minutes later.

Labels: Aberdeen, Celtic, Daily, Record, Scottish

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 7:23 PM on 16th February 2011

Hull defender Paul McShane , 25, has joined Barnsley on a two-month loan.

The 6ft Republic of Ireland international has arrived as cover for injured centre back Stephen Foster. 

Labels: Barnsley, cover, Daily, draft, Foster, Hullaposs, injured, McShane, Stephen

By Ivan Speck Last updated at 7:29 PM on 16th February 2011

Barry Hearn has warned Prime Minister David Cameron not to rubber-stamp West Ham’s proposed takeover of the Olympic Stadium or he will be risking a protracted legal battle.

The Leyton Orient chairman is also threatening proceedings against the Premier League if they sanction the move which he believes is against Premier League rules. He will meet its chief executive Richard Scudamore tomorrow to discuss his club’s position.

Hearn said: ‘I do not blame West Ham. They are only looking after their own interests. The culprits are the Government and the Premier League.

‘To have a giant of West Ham’s stature on our doorstep offering discounted and free tickets would seriously bring into question the survival of Leyton Orient.’

Labels: Barry, battle, Cameron, Daily, David, Hearn, legal, threatens

By Peter Jardine
Last updated at 1:48 AM on 2nd February 2011

El Hadji Diouf last night claimed he revels in his bad-boy image - and will welcome the jeers of opposition fans.

The controversial Senegal international is set to make his Rangers debut on Werdneday against Hearts amid public outcry at his Ibrox arrival.

But Diouf, who has never been forgiven by Celtic fans for spitting at a supporter at Parkhead during the striker's Liverpool days, said: 'I know everywhere I go people are going to boo me, but I love that.

'I expect a tough time from Celtic fans. But people never boo a bad player. The more you boo me, the more I've got power and the more I'll show you who I am. I don't want people to love me, just respect me.

'A lot of things happened in the past between me and Celtic. I regret that. I was young and used to do stupid things.

'I apologise to the Celtic fans again. I joined Rangers to win the title, win a lot of trophies, and enjoy my life and enjoy the football,' he told talkSPORT.

Diouf will undoubtedly be targeted by Celtic fans during Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox, but manager Walter Smith last night insisted he doesn't see the 30-year-old's signing on loan from Blackburn as a risk - and urged him to let his football do the talking in Glasgow.

With Nikica Jelavic a major doubt for this evening with a groin strain, Diouf should start against Hearts following a blaze of negative publicity which culminated in bookmakers William Hill taking bets on whether he will be sent off against Celtic and how many yellow and red cards he will land in Scotland.

Yet a defiant Smith said: 'I don't see him as a risk. He maybe comes with a reputation that even the player himself might want to tidy up a bit. But that has been the case with a fair number of players and we'll just have to handle that. He has to handle that, too. I am sure he will.

'You know those things happen and we take all of that into account when we try to sign a player. Then you hope it is the football he is remembered for.'

Smith was Paul Gascoigne's boss in the 1990s when the England star had a whole series of problems off the pitch and, occasionally, on the field, as well.

No stranger to controversial stars during his two spells at Rangers, including Andy Goram and Allan McGregor, Smith admitted: 'Things have happened with quite a number of players over the period.

'With all your players you just try to make sure they have an awareness of what can happen in games if they don't keep their temper. Diouf is an experienced player and he just needs to handle that and we need to help him.'

Northern Ireland international David Healy is also in contention for a debut tonight, while 20-year-old Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley will feature in Smith's squad following his arrival on loan.

Meanwhile, Hearts midfielder Ian Black says he knows exactly who will be Public Enemy No1 at Ibrox tonight - and it won't be Diouf.

The 25-year-old is readying himself for a barrage of abuse for his challenge which put ?4million star Jelavic out of action for four months.

'I'm sure when I run out I will get a "good" reception from the crowd,' Black said. 'Do I regret making the tackle on Jelavic? No, I don't. There was no intention there to go in and hurt him. There was no malice - I wasn't trying to injure him.'

Labels: booing, Daily, Diouf, forward, looking, people, Rangers, renewing

By Colin Young
Last updated at 11:07 PM on 1st February 2011

The fall-out after Andy Carroll’s departure from Newcastle has descended into a war of words between the ?35million Liverpool forward and Toon boss Alan Pardew.

Carroll maintains he was forced out of St James’ Park by owner Mike Ashley, managing director Derek Llambias and Pardew following Liverpool’s incredible bid for the England striker on Monday.

Pardew claimed the 21-year-old wanted to quit Tyneside after his pleas for a new contract were rejected.

The Newcastle boss said: ‘Some of the things he said, he’s slightly misguided. We certainly didn’t twist his arm to put in the request or get on the helicopter. He had a five-year contract, we said we would renew it in the summer.

‘He wanted to renew it straight away. He indicated to me in my room that he wanted a new deal, and if he couldn’t get that new deal he wanted the option of talking to Liverpool.

‘I said, “You need to put that in writing”, and he did and that’s it. We have not tried to sell Andy Carroll.

‘When I was asked, he was not for sale. But when you get a player who is the commodity that he is, you are going to get the big, big clubs involved with him and his representatives. Unfortunately for us, that has happened.

‘We knocked back so many bids for him and I was adamant he wasn’t going to go until extraordinary circumstances came along.

'When I first heard the bid from Liverpool at 8am, a substantial bid, my advice was to turn it down. But the figure is a record for a British player, a 21-year-old who has done six months in the Premier League.’

Carroll, who Pardew revealed is out for at least a month with a thigh problem, insists he was forced to put in a transfer request and ‘pushed out’.

He said: ‘I was in talks about a new contract with the gaffer. He told me they were now not going to give me a contract. That was as soon as the offer of ?30million came in.

‘I asked why and he said his hands were tied. He said it wasn’t up to him and then I was allowed to talk to Liverpool. The owner made it clear to me that I was not wanted, saying that his own helicopter was waiting for me to go down to talk to them.

‘Derek asked me to hand in a transfer request. I had no choice.

‘I’m gutted that I wasn’t wanted at my home team. I didn’t want to leave at all.’

Pardew reassured Newcastle fans that the ?35m would be re-invested in players.

‘That is Andy’s legacy to the team,’ he said.

‘I told Mike, “Look, if that boy is going, this money has to be reinvested in the team. All of it”. And he assured me of that.

‘It could not be used on Monday night. It would have been paying an inflated price for a lesser product than Andy Carroll.’

Labels: blasts, Carroll, claims, Daily, leave, Pardew, quitter, striker, wanted

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:06 PM on 7th February 2011

Mike Tindall believes Friday night's victory over Wales could go down as one of the seminal moments in England's development towards the World Cup and beyond.

England had not won at the Millennium Stadium since 2003 and ended that barren run with a 26-19 triumph, secured with two tries from Chris Ashton and Toby Flood's faultless kicking display.

The tournament is now set up perfectly for England to challenge for the RBS 6 Nations title, with successive home fixtures against Italy, France and Scotland before a trip to Ireland on the last weekend.

But Tindall warned England all their efforts in Cardiff will go to waste if they allow their standards to slip against the Azzurri on Saturday.

'That was a great win. You hope it will be an important win in the team's development - but we mustn't get ahead of ourselves,' said Tindall, who captained England for the first time on Friday.

Dan Lydiate believes 'fingers will be pointed' this week as Wales seek a rapid response to their RBS 6 Nations defeat against England.  Wales flanker Lydiate said: 'We need to get back to winning ways. Once we do that, we will get some momentum and it will give us a boost. There were times we were sloppy against England, and we need to cut out those mistakes. If we do that, we will really be firing. We were a bit rusty, and you cannot be that way at this level. Nobody is hurting more than the players, and we are all disappointed for the fans. We will take a good long hard look at what happened. Fingers will be pointed this week, and we will sort it out for next weekend.' 

'We have to use the win as a stepping stone. Yes, there will be more expectation as we are at home but that comes from ourselves as well.

'Italy won't come to Twickenham and lie down to let us win. We have to demand performances from ourselves.

'We don't want to win ugly and scrape through. We want to win with the brand of rugby we have put out there over the last 6-8 months. If we do that we believe we will beat teams.'

In last year's championship England did scrape an ugly victory over the Italians in Rome - and it proved to be a watershed game.

England's attitude soon changed and their fortunes have been on the rise ever since, helped by the injection of youthful new blood into the team.

The likes of Flood, Ben Youngs, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Courtney Lawes and Tom Palmer have all become key members of the England side.

That new attitude means England's players will gather back at their training base today expecting a 'few rollockings' from manager Martin Johnson, despite their victory.

'You don't get better by patting yourselves on the back too much,' said Johnson.
For those players who were involved in last year's Six Nations, that is a welcome development.

'In the last Six Nations we painted over a few cracks rather than addressed the problems,' said number eight Nick Easter.

'We beat Wales convincingly at home, won in Italy and thought we were there. We didn't win a game after that.

'We realised we weren't really on the right track in certain aspects - and one of those was the honesty calls.

'It's a big shift of approach but that's what you must do. You have to be brutally honest.

'If you want to be the best in the world - and nobody's hiding from the fact that we do - we're going to have to iron out our problems.'

Labels: buildup, Daily, Englandaposs, hails, Tindall, vital, Wales, World

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 6:18 PM on 6th February 2011

Robbie Keane looks to be out of the Republic of Ireland's Carling Nations Cup opener against Wales after picking up a calf injury in West Ham's 1-0 defeat to Birmingham.

Keane, who scored on his Hammers debut at Blackpool on Wednesday, had to come off with 15 minutes of Sunday's match at Upton Park remaining after feeling his calf tighten.

West Ham boss Avram Grant said that he believes the 30-year-old is out of Tuesday's game in Dublin and could miss next weekend's crucial match at West Brom.

Grant said: 'Robbie Keane is injured. His calf has tightened. We will have to wait and see. I hope he will be fit for next weekend but he will not be fit for the international.'

Celtic's Anthony Stokes was placed on standby for a call-up when Giovanni Trapattoni named his squad last week and could replace Keane if he is pulled out.

Bristol City striker Andy Keogh had to be drafted into the Republic squad on Saturday after Newcastle striker Leon Best was injured in his side`s remarkable 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

Labels: after, clash, Daily, injury, Irelandaposs, Keane, picking, Wales

Kansas City Star

'My life has been turned upside down', says victim of Richard Keys' crude ... Daily Mail The woman on the receiving end of a string of crude sexist remarks by former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has spoken of her anger. Louise Glass, 38, said her 'life had been turned upside down' after Keys asked her ex-boyfriend ... Andy Gray and Richard Keys: the changing face of office banterTelegraph.co.uk Forget getting rid of sexism in sport. Let's get rid of sportThe Guardian Jamie girl: Keys is disgustingThe Sun BBC Sport -Mirror.co.uk all 954 news articles »

Labels: aposMy, crude, Daily, downapos, Keysapos, Richard, turned, upside, victim