Fletcher says it's Celtic's turn to feel our force
STEVEN FLETCHER has little doubt Celtic players and fans alike celebrated as they watched Hibs dent Rangers' hopes of wrestling the SPL title away from their arch-rivals.
But, while the goalless draw at Easter Road ensured Gordon Strachan's side emerged from the weekend with a seven-point advantage, one which was narrowed to four as Rangers defeated Motherwell in midweek, Fletcher insisted Celtic shouldn't look on Sunday's events as a favour having been delivered. For, with Hibs heading to Celtic Park on Sunday, Fletcher warned that he and his team-mates are determined to produce a repeat performance as they seek to keep their own aspirations of a place in next season's UEFA Cup alive. While admitting Mixu Paatelainen's team could well have stoked up trouble for themselves by giving Celtic further hope of retaining a title which only a few weeks ago looked like slipping from their grasp, Fletcher believes you need only look at Hibs' record against the Old Firm this season for proof that the outcome of this weekend's match is far from the foregone conclusion those in Glasgow might think.
The Scotland striker said: "I suppose in a way we'll have helped fire Celtic up even more, if that is possible, by stopping Rangers winning. I'm sure Celtic would have been delighted with that result, it's certainly helped ensure the title race will, it seems, go all the way.
"But, to be honest, I don't really care which team wins the title. I'm only concerned about what happens at Hibs and we have our own target of wanting to finish third and take that last UEFA Cup place, so we're not worried about what anyone else does. It's to Celtic's credit that they've done so well recently to really open up the title race again when it looked as if it was slipping away from them. We know it is tough going to Celtic Park at any time, never mind when the title itself is at stake. However, we beat Celtic at Easter Road earlier in the season and drew at Celtic Park back in December when no-one really fancied us to do anything. We've also beaten Rangers at Ibrox and now drawn with them in Edinburgh, so we don't fear playing either side of the Old Firm home or away. We know that, on our day, we are capable of beating any team in this league as we have already shown this season."
Like Celtic, Hibs have found fresh legs in the race for their own particular prize, with even Paatelainen admitting he thought third place was beyond his team when he took over in January following his predecessor John Collin's shock resignation. Then Hibs, having briefly topped the pile when David Murphy scored that winner at Ibrox at the beginning of October, had fallen alarmingly to eighth place with even a top six finish apparently outwith their grasp. Since then, however, the big Finn has worked a remarkable transformation with Hibs refusing to concede third spot to Motherwell, who remain in pole position with a point advantage over both the Edinburgh club and Dundee United. Although, following Wednesday night's defeat by Rangers they now only have one game in hand.
Fletcher and his team-mates are well aware Motherwell face a tricky trip to Easter Road on the final day of this extended season and are determined to test the Steelmen's mettle with a winner-takes-all encounter on May 22. Hibs do, of course, have the comfort of knowing they'll be looking out their passports no matter what happens, with the club having taken the precaution of putting its name forward for the InterToto Cup. The Easter Road outfit already know they'll be heading to either the Faroe Islands or Sweden if that proves to be the case, but Fletcher insisted that their sights are set a touch higher.
He said: "We know we'll be going into the InterToto Cup if we don't get third but we aren't thinking about that at the moment. We want to get third. Matters may be out of our hands to an extent but we are focusing on ourselves. We are aiming to take as many points as possible from these last two games and then see where we end up. But we still believe we can take third."
Hibs will be strengthened with the return of striker Colin Nish, influential midfield star Guillaume Beuzelin and defender Thierry Gathuessi after they missed the Rangers clash through suspension, while centre-half Chris Hogg has a chance of a first appearance since damaging knee ligaments against St Mirren at the start of last month. Add in the fact Brian Kerr and Alan O'Brien, who played a cameo role as a late substitute against Rangers, were on the bench last weekend after long-term injuries and it is clear boss Paatelainen will have many more options to consider than this time last week, although Moroccan playmaker Merouane Zemmama's broken foot has ensured a premature end to his season.
Fletcher, however, insisted his manager faces a headache after the performances turned in against Rangers by 20-year-olds Kevin McCann, in his first appearance after a 13-match absence, Ross Campbell, in his first start of the season, and Ross Chisholm, who has found it difficult to hold down a regular midfield berth. Fletcher, who only turned 21 himself a couple of months ago, said: "People maybe thought we looked a bit understrength for the Rangers game given the number of players who were missing. But we have got bags of young talent at this club just desperate to play.
"Kevin and the two Rosses have had to be patient but they all came in against Rangers and were superb. Kevin was rock-solid at the back as our defence hardly gave Rangers a sniff of goal, Ross Chisholm is a wee terrier in the middle of the park, always snapping away at ankles, I don't think Barry Ferguson appreciates his presence any time he has played against him and Ross Campbell's work-rate throughout the match was phenomenal. It's good to have virtually a full squad available again. The gaffer's got some thinking to do when he chooses the team but, whoever plays, we'll be going to Glasgow in a positive frame of mind, determined to do our best and, if we play to our capabilities, then we'll be quietly confident of getting something. If that does any damage to Celtic's title hopes then, as last week against Rangers, that's none of our concern. We are only looking out for ourselves."
2008 Johnston Press Digital Publishing
MILITO BRACED FOR CRUCIAL CLASH
Real Zaragoza striker Diego Milito admits his struggling side cannot afford any more slip-ups as they welcome red-hot Deportivo La Coruna to La Romareda this weekend. Zaragoza may be unbeaten in their last three matches but they still find themselves in the bottom three and two points behind 17th-placed Osasuna with only four games to go.
To make matters worse for Manuel Villanova's side, the first of those four matches is against a Depor side who are the form team in the second half of the Primera Liga season with a stunning run of 10 wins in their last 14 outings. After this weekend's fixture, Zaragoza face Valencia, Real Madrid and Real Mallorca in what promises to be a testing end to the season, and Milito knows any defeats now could prove costly.
"We must all make a huge effort because we are playing for a lot and we need to fight to the end," Milito said. "There is little margin for error. We cannot allow ourselves any more stumbles because the match against Deportivo will be crucial."
Milito, who is Zaragoza's leading scorer this season with 15 goals, has missed the last two matches against Recreativo Huelva and Espanyol through injury, but the Argentina ace assures that he is now ready and willing to return.
"I still have some discomfort but that will be the case for a while and it not going to stop me playing," he said. "It has been bad (not being able to play) because you want to help the team and you can't. I am eager to return."
Zaragoza coach Villanova will be equally keen for his star striker to be available against a Depor side that have climbed out of the bottom two and up to seventh on the back of their recent winning steak. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Espanyol and Racing Santander have all been defeated by Depor in the last few months, and Milito admits it is going to be tough for his side.
"Depor have become very solid with their new system of play. They have picked up many points and will come here to play their game, to wait for us and to play on the counter-attack," he said. "We are going into the match having had three positive results, having not lost and this gives confidence and desire. It is positive and we all hope to get the win (against Depor)."
Miguel Angel Lotina's Depor side are now only six points off the Champions League places, but considering they were one of the favourites for the drop not so long ago, defender Fabricio Coloccini has dismissed talk of a possible top-four finish.
"We struggled to avoid relegation and to talk of the Champions League now is crazy," he said.
However, Depor midfielder Juan Rodriguez does believe they can get into the UEFA Cup, saying: "We are convinced we can get into Europe. We are going to try with all our strength. Right now we are in the Intertoto Cup places but the UEFA Cup is only three points away."
Antonio Barragan is sidelined with a serious injury and Angel Lafita is suspended for Depor, while Gabi is banned for Zaragoza.
2007 Sporting Life UK Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Friedel eyes triple success
Brad Friedel says Blackburn need to win their three remaining games to have any chance of securing the Intertoto Cup place on offer.
Rovers' veteran American shot-stopper is preparing to face FA Cup finalists and seventh-placed Portsmouth on Sunday knowing three points are vital in their quest to finish ahead of teams like Manchester City and Aston Villa, who are also looking at the Intertoto Cup as a path into the Uefa Cup next season. Friedel told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "It looks like we need to win all three but we'll just have to wait and see.
"You just never know in football. We've got Portsmouth coming up, who can qualify for Europe by winning the FA Cup. And Aston Villa and Manchester City still have some tough games left. So it's still all to play for."
Rovers' hopes of victory this weekend will rest on the shoulders of striker Roque Santa Cruz and Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that the Paraguayan hitman was on his shopping list last summer. He said: "I was interested in Santa Cruz last summer but then he went to Blackburn. I'd been following him when he was at Bayern Munich, where he was unlucky with injuries, though I didn't get to speak to him. Now he's managed to have a good run of games at Blackburn, where he's proved himself to be a good all-round striker."
Copyright Eatsleepsport.com 2007
Hearts end Intertoto Cup interest
Hearts have decided against entering the Intertoto Cup, leaving Hibs and Falkirk fighting it out for a place in the Uefa Cup qualifying tournament.
Hibs lead the Bairns by five points but the Edinburgh side could yet claim Uefa Cup entry via a third place finish. Hearts will miss out on the top-six unless they beat Kilmarnock and Falkirk fail to win at Aberdeen. Hearts, who hosted Barcelona last year, have also shelved plans to arrange another high-profile home friendly.
Managing director Campbell Ogilvie told the club website: "Before anything else the number one priority for Hearts pre-season is ensuring the most effective preparation. In future years we might consider the opportunity to participate in a tournament such as the Intertoto Cup, as it offers an excellent route to the Uefa Cup, or another major international friendly such as last year's game against Barcelona which was attended by 58,000 supporters.
"However, our strong feeling was that our pre-season had to offer the best opportunity to be ready for the start of the new campaign. My colleagues in the football department have led the way in these recommendations, and as a club Hearts is entirely behind the rationale involved. 2008-09 is a very important season in the history of Hearts, and everything we do must be right."
Copyright BBC MMVIII
Eriksson eager to secure place in Europe
After a superb start to the campaign, City have slipped to eighth in the Premier League after winning just two of their eight games in 2008.
That has left them eight points behind fifth-placed Everton and possibly hoping either Manchester United or Chelsea win the FA Cup to extend the UEFA Cup qualification places to sixth. Yet even so, they would still need to see off the likes of Aston Villa, Blackburn and Portsmouth, with whom they are in a tight battle, although the Intertoto Cup could also be an option.
Eriksson said: "Of course there is a lot to play for, there are 30 points to play for.
"We have the chance to play in Europe next season and I have told the players we have to do everything to try to be involved. That should be a big target for us. It is quite possible but it depends on us, we have to take points."
Eriksson is boosted for tomorrow's trip to Reading by the availability of playmaker Elano. The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder hobbled off with a knee injury in the goalless draw with Wigan last weekend and missed a day's training. Eriksson accepts, however, that his GBP 8million star signing is now a marked man and he is struggling to make the same impression he did earlier in the campaign.
Eriksson said: "Of course, physically, he is not the strongest player in the Premier League. Opponents have discovered that and that makes life much more difficult for him. It is something he has to learn and cope with because that is the Premier League. I am not worried about it. He is a great player and has not lost that overnight. He will come back and be important for us, hopefully for the rest of the season and the seasons to come."
Elano, who also served a suspension recently, remains City's top goalscorer this season with seven. Defender Nedum Onuoha will miss the game at the Madejski Stadium with a hamstring injury and midfielder Martin Petrov is suspended. England defender Micah Richards is sidelined after a knee operation last week but Eriksson expects him back before the end of the season.
The Swede said: "The surgeon that operated said six weeks and we think he will be ready in six weeks."
Copyright 2008 ESPN Internet Ventures.
Everton seek Intertoto Cup safety net
'It would be remiss of us not to put our name forward'
Everton have applied to enter the Intertoto Cup next season, despite lying fourth in the Premier League, three points clear of rivals Liverpool.The club claim that the decision is a safety net following Tottenham's success in the Carling Cup, and does not indicate a lack of belief that David Moyes's team will continue their strong run of form in the league, the Merseyside club have not lost since the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal on December 29.
Spurs's Cup win means that one of the Premier League's Uefa Cup places has been filled, leaving only two European spots available dependent on league position at the end of the season.
"Clearly European qualification through our league position or via the Uefa Cup is our main priority," the Everton chief executive Kieth Wyness told the club's website. "However, because of the deadline for Intertoto Cup applications, it would be remiss of us not to put our name forward." The Toffees are in the last 16 of the Uefa Cup and believe they have a realistic chance of winning the competition if they can overcome their next opponents, Fiorentina.
Some fans will worry that the move is a sign that the team have exceeded their own expectations this season, but as only six points separate Everton from Manchester City in eighth place, the club argues that it is a sensible precaution. Sven-Goran Eriksson's club, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers have all said they are willing to enter the competition, while Liverpool have rejected the Intertoto route into Europe. Blackburn used the Intertoto route last season to qualify for the first round of the Uefa Cup but were knocked out by Greek side Larissa.
Guardian News and Media Limited 2008
Hibs express Intertoto interest
Hibernian have declared an interest in entering next season's Inter-Toto Cup if they fail to qualify for Europe.
The Easter Road side can still qualify automatically for the Uefa Cup if they win the Scottish Cup or finish runners-up to a side already qualified.
"Our ambition is to qualify every year for Europe and the Inter-Toto cup is a pathway to the Uefa cup," Easter Road boss Mixu Paatalainnen told BBC Sport.
"So if that is the only way through we should explore it."
Hearts and Falkirk have also expressed an interest in entering the competition which gets underway in July 2008.
Copyright BBC MMVIII
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