SOCCER
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill has urged his players to finish the year on a high note as they play host to Tottenham in the Europa League.
O’Neill will take charge of the hopes for the last time this evening at the Tallaght Stadium after the club confirmed yesterday that talks over his contract extension had broken down.
Spurs go into this evening’s game in third place in the Group A – three points behind second-placed, Rubin Kazan, who travel to face leaders PAOK (pr: pack) Salonika.
Spurs have to win the six o’clock kick-off at the Tallaght Stadium AND hope that Rubin lose AND that there’s a six-goal swing in order to be sure of progressing.
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Elsewhere tonight, Celtic have to win in Italy against Udinese in order to reach the knock-out stages.
There is some reports that the Italian side will field a weakened side for the game, but the Old Firm side will still have to overturn their miserable away record in Europe, which has only seen them win once in their last 32 games on the road.
And Birmingham will play host to Maribor at St Andrews tonight – but know that even a win may not be enough for them to reach the next round.
– Kick-off in both of those games is at five past eight.
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At the FIFA Club World Cup semi final, Barcelona beat All Sadd 4-0 in Japan, Adriano with a double while Keita and Maxwell both added second half goals.
It’s not all good news for the Catalan club however, as Spanish international David Villa suffered a suspected broken leg during the game.
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Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas says striker Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price.
The ex -Liverpool and Athletico Madrid forward has scored only three goals since his move last January.
Reports yesterday suggested that Chelsea would let the 27 year old go for 25 million euro, but the Blues deny that he’s for sale.