Tap For Menu  
Single word yields best result

Football News: News Round Up As Six In Court Over Rangers Takeover

News Round Up As Six In Court Over Rangers Takeover
Image from: zimbio.com

1. Rooney wins England Player of the Year award, again
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney may not be playing well, but he has still managed to overtake Bobby Charlton's record as the leading England goalscorer of all time. That seems to have been enough to give him the England Player of the Year award for the second successive year, despite his struggles in general on the pitch, for both England and Manchester United. The 29 year old has looked like a player many years older, for most of the last couple of seasons, but has done enough to win the award for two years in a row. I am not sure whether that says something about the way the award is decided or just how poor England actually are.

2. Basel admit Elneny move is close
FC Basel have responded to the speculation regarding Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny's future. With Arsenal expected to complete a move for the defensive midfielder, who is expected to fill the role Francis Coquelin did so well to hold down prior to his injury, the Swiss team have confirmed that Elneny is likely to leave in the next few days. The 23 year old joined Basel from Arab Contractors SC in 2013 and has made 144 appearances for Basel. He has 40 caps for his country, as a crucial part of the international team.

 

3. Andreas Pereira scores direct from a corner
Manchester United youngster Andreas Pereira was playing for the U21 side v Tottenham Hotspur's U21s when he stepped up to take a corner with the score 1-0 to United. Pereira simply curled the ball directly into the net. He added another one later as United ran out 3-1 eventual winners.

4. MK Dons release winger
Cristian Benavente arrived at MK Dons in the summer, joining the Championship side from Real Madrid B, but after just 5 appearances he has now been released from his contract with immediate effect. The Peruvian winger was seen as a symbol of the club's ambition, as the Milton Keynes side approached their first season since promotion from League One. Manager Karl Robinson told the club's website: "Cristian has conducted himself in a highly professional manner since arriving, despite not playing as much first-team football as he would have liked. We've seen how talented he is and he's done things in training which are phenomenal, but we felt he was still quite a way from making a real impact in the first team. He was signed for the future as part of a development process but it's about the here and now. I really believe Cristian has a fantastic career ahead of him and hopefully he will go on and flourish. I wish him all the best, I really do."

 

5. Warnock tells Austin to soar with the Eagles
Former QPR and Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has told QPR's star striker Charlie Austin that he should move to Crystal Palace this month. Despite the two clubs being London rivals, Warnock believes that Austin would benefit from joining the high flying Eagles in the Premier League. QPR are struggling, despite Austin's 10 goals in 16 games, holding a lowly 16th place in the Championship. Austin has just 6 months left on his contract and Warnock feels it would be best for both parties if the burly striker moved now. Warnock said, 'I have said to him [Austin] about Palace. I love Crystal Palace and I love QPR and I have said to him: "for me Charlie, the way you play, you will get opportunities at Palace". He would score goals. I know Palace are better away from home where they break quickly, and as they showed [against Chelsea], without Yannick Bolasie they need another striker definitely. He would fit the bill. Charlie will score goals at any level like he proved in the Premier League last year.'

6. Verratti set to sign new PSG deal
Marco Varratti has agreed a new contract with reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain, according to his agent. The Italian midfielder is close to resolving his future by signing a deal that will take him through to 2020 in the French capital city. "We need to put everything in black and white but we found an agreement," Verratti's agent, Donato Di Campli, told Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport. "He will remain long in Paris, at least until 2020. This is already the fourth renewal, it is now demonstrating that he deserves these commitments." His current deal expires in 2019.

 

7. Rangers defender extends loan deal
Luca Gasporotto has extended his loan deal with Greenock Morton until the end of the season. The 20 year old centre back has been a regular for the Ton in the Scottish Championship this season, making 15 appearances so far. "Papers signed, delighted to be staying on loan at Morton until the end of the season," the Canadian tweeted. "Really enjoying playing and getting experience." He has struggled to break into the Rangers team, all of his appearances coming while they were in League Two.

8. Six in court over Rangers takeover
Former Rangers owners Craig Whyte and Charles Green appeared in court today, along with four other men, on charges related to the takeover of Rangers. Gary Withey, David Grier, David Whitehouse and Paul Clark joined the duo at Edinburgh High Court for a preliminary hearing. Whyte, Withey, Grier, Whitehouse and Clark are charged with conspiring together to acquire and obtain by fraud a majority and controlling stake in the shareholding of the club. Prosecutors claim they did "conspire to and obtain sums amounting... to £28,262,094 by fraud". It is alleged they were then able to acquire "85.3 per cent of the issued capital of the club for £1 by fraud and did thus obtain a majority and controlling stake in the shareholding of the club". Green is facing a variety of allegations, including that he "did agree to do something that (they) knew or suspected or ought reasonably have known or suspected would enable or further the commission of serious organised crime".

 

9. Livvie confirm Hopkin
Livingston caretaker manager David Hopkin has been confirmed in the role until the end of the season. Hopkin took over after former manager Mark Burchill was sacked on 21st December. A club statement read: "David's intimate knowledge of the existing playing squad, awareness of the ongoing need to develop the pipeline of youth talent, combined with his desire to succeed, were all viewed as key factors in appointing him to the role. David understands how important it is for the club and our supporters to retain our Championship status, and work within existing budgets to ensure the ongoing financial stability of the football club."

10. Swansea pair return
Swansea City have recalled a pair of youngsters from their loan spells, as interim manager Alan Curtis seeks a boost for his chances of avoiding relegation. 20 year old Josh Sheehan had been on loan at Yeovil Town, netting two goals in his sixteen appearances. Despite Crewe Alexandra's desire to keep him, Adam King has returned from his loan spell at the League One club. Stephen Kingsley and Jay Fulton have also both recently returned to the Swans from loan spells.

Written by Tris Burke January 05 2016 16:49:49