Derek Adams continuing life in Dingwall despite Aberdeen interest
ROSS County manager Derek Adams has guided his club to a remarkable set of results this season.
The Staggies have surprised everyone by finishing in the top six and they are still in the running for European qualification.
Adam’s achievements in Dingwall have not gone unnoticed and plenty of
other clubs have looked at him. Aberdeen made no secret of the fact they were big fans of their ex-player and made their move a few weeks ago.
Ross County rejected the advances of the Dons board though, and instead the Pittodrie club appointed Derek McInnes.
Speaking exclusively to The Away End, he said: “We had a bid from Aberdeen but that was knocked
back. It’s good that I was able to stay here from a Ross County point of
view.”
Ross County went the season unbeaten against Aberdeen
It wasn't the first time his name has been mentioned with a bigger club, and he had a brief spell at Hibs as assistant to Colin Calderwood. The stay at Easter Road was short though and Adams soon moved back to the Highlands.
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Darnell Fisher hails Celtic's history makers
CELTIC's under-20’s side celebrated a League and Cup double with their 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the SFA Youth Cup final at Hampden.
Jamie Lindsay and Bahrudin Atajic looked to have sealed the win for the Hoops, and although Dunfermline clawed a goal back late on for a hope of extra-time, substitute Denny Johnstone scored with his first touch to ensure Celtic’s name remained on the cup.
However it was one man who didn’t get on the score sheet, Darnell Fisher, who shone brightest for Celtic throughout, being named Man of the Match by The Away End writers, with the full-back producing a glittering display on the right flank.
And Fisher believes the youth side have created their own little piece of Celtic club folklore with yet another double.
Jamie Lindsay and Bahrudin Atajic looked to have sealed the win for the Hoops, and although Dunfermline clawed a goal back late on for a hope of extra-time, substitute Denny Johnstone scored with his first touch to ensure Celtic’s name remained on the cup.
However it was one man who didn’t get on the score sheet, Darnell Fisher, who shone brightest for Celtic throughout, being named Man of the Match by The Away End writers, with the full-back producing a glittering display on the right flank.
And Fisher believes the youth side have created their own little piece of Celtic club folklore with yet another double.
He said: “We’ve made history; I don’t think many teams will be able to achieve what we’ve just done. I thought I played alright but more importantly we got the cup win and made history.
"After they pulled the goal back, it was always going to be backs against the wall, but Denny [Johnstone] got another goal to make it 3-1 and that settled the game down again."
"Mental" says Michael McGovern as Hibs and Celtic progress to final
MICHAEL McGovern has been in professional football for 10 years and admits he has never seen anything like Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final.
The Northern Irish goalkeeper pulled off a string of saves in the second half – including a penalty by Leigh Griffiths – and still conceded four goals.
It truly was, as the Bairns ace said himself “mental", with live sports betting going crazy during the game as Hibs fought from 3-0 down to win 4-3.
McGovern said: “After saving the penalty I thought it was our day. Even in extra time I thought we could do it. We only needed to hold on a little bit longer but that’s football though and that’s just the way it goes.
“The likes of myself and Darren Dods have been in the game a long time and we’ve never seen anything like that.”
The 28 year old was keen to turn the focus away from the two oldest players in the side and, instead, heap praise on the youngsters.
Ryan Gauld upbeat for future after Celtic 4-3 Dundee United
A FEW weeks ago Ryan Gauld was playing for Dundee United under-20s, dreaming of one day making it big.
On Sunday, the 17 year old was taking on Celtic at Hampden in a Scottish Cup semi-final thriller.
After 120 thrill-a-minute football the Tannadice men fell agonisingly short as Celtic netted a place in the final, but the Arabs deserved to walk out of the national stadium with their heads held high after the 4-3 cracker.
"We're disappointed to go all the way to extra-time and lose obviously, but I thought we played really well," said Gauld.
"First half, second half and in extra-time we played well, but we just couldn't get that goal to get us through.
"I thought it was quite even but we did really well, put up a great fight, and were just really unlucky not to get through."
On Sunday, the 17 year old was taking on Celtic at Hampden in a Scottish Cup semi-final thriller.
After 120 thrill-a-minute football the Tannadice men fell agonisingly short as Celtic netted a place in the final, but the Arabs deserved to walk out of the national stadium with their heads held high after the 4-3 cracker.
"We're disappointed to go all the way to extra-time and lose obviously, but I thought we played really well," said Gauld.
"First half, second half and in extra-time we played well, but we just couldn't get that goal to get us through.
"I thought it was quite even but we did really well, put up a great fight, and were just really unlucky not to get through."
Gauld revealed manager Jackie McNamara had told his men not to be scared of the champions elect, because they had the players to light up the big occasion.
Eoin Doyle: Even at 3-0 down I knew Hibs would win
EOIN Doyle walked on to the pitch at Hampden at half time on Saturday with his side 3-0 down – yet insists he always knew Hibs would win.
Falkirk were 3-0 up and the Easter Road men were on the verge of cup humiliation, but Doyle scored the vital equaliser in a stunning second half comeback.
A Leigh Griffiths wonder strike put the seal on a Scottish Cup cracker, and sent Hibs into the cup final and Europe.
The 25 year old striker said after the game: “I went on believing we could do it and if I didn’t I would have told them to keep me on the bench!
“I didn’t hit it [the goal] as well as I would have liked to. To be honest I completely sclaffed it."
The former Sligo Rovers striker has struggled to break in to the Hibernian side as of late with Pat Fenlon preferring to play a lone striker up top. Unfortunately for Doyle, the man Fenlon has chosen to be that striker is Leigh Griffiths.
Yet the forward remains optimistic.
Clark Robertson: Aberdeen players now under microscope
ABERDEEN defender Clark Robertson says the players know they will be under the microscope for the next fortnight.Derek McInnes was unveiled as Craig Brown's successor on Monday, after the former Scotland boss announced his retirement.
McInnes doesn't officially take over until 8 April, but the young left back is aware they have to impress in Craig Brown's final two games in charge.
"He'll definitely be in the stands
watching the last two games," said Robertson. "Everyone has got a point to prove and for
us as individuals it is a clean slate to work from.
"He'll no doubt be
analysing the performances, and see what improvements he needs to
make over the summer, but hopefully we can push on with our new manager."
Robertson broke into the team initially under Mark McGhee, but has become a regular fixture in the team under Craig Brown, and the 19 year old feels he owes a debt of gratitude for the impact the veteran manager has made on his career.
He said: "I'm grateful for the fact that he has picked me to play week in week
out for Aberdeen. I'll always be happy for that chance they have
given me.
"From where we were when they first came in, we were bottom of
the league, and both Archie and Craig came in and steadied the ship."
Joe Ledley tips Victor Wanyama or Gary Hooper to take prize
JOE Ledley’s Wales side secured six from six points against Scotland at a snow struck Hampden on Friday night, continuing arguably his best season to date.With fantastic displays for Celtic both domestically and on the European stage many are tipping him for player of the year.
However the Welshman reckons honour is more likely to go to one of his teammates.
“No I doubt it," said Ledley. "I think if you look at our team there are so many people that can win it. Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper, there’s a lot of them.
"But if I do pick it up I’ll be very proud and very happy, but I can’t see it."
Wanyama and Hooper have been under constant transfer speculation since the start of the season with the likes of Arsenal and Norwich respectively sniffing around the SPL stars.
With Wanyama’s contract tied down until at least 2015 a hefty transfer fee will be required to prize him from the grips of Neil Lennon and the Celtic support.
Hooper on the other hand - whose contract expires during the summer of 2014 - looks more likely to make the move this summer. However Ledley is hopeful that his team mates are here to stay.
Joe Ledley: Wales proved critics wrong against Scotland
CELTIC midfielder Joe Ledley says Wales have proved a point after Friday's World Cup qualifying win at Hampden against Scotland.
An Aaron Ramsey penalty and Hal Robson-Kanu's header sealed a second win over Scotland in five months, despite Grant Hanley's first half opener.
Wales were expected to be Group A's whipping boys, but now, sat in third place in the group, Ledley says they've proven their critics wrong.
He said: "I think if you look at the squad we've got fantastic young players and
great talent. We just want to prove everyone wrong and I thought we
done that twice against Scotland.
"I thought we completely dominated the whole of the game. Obviously
Scotland had a couple of chances but for me I thought that was one of
the best games we've played.
"In the first half we dominated for the first 30-35
minutes, we were a bit unlucky with the goal, and we shouldn't have been
one down at half-time.
"Bale wasn't 100% fit I don't think, he didn't really train all week, but
obviously as a professional you want to try and play all the games. I
think everyone knows we're not just a one man team though and the people who
came on did a fantastic job."
Wales had the bulk of possession in the first half but couldn't make it count, and Grant Hanley's header just before half-time had the Welsh trailing.
However Ledley says his side didn't panic, and were inspired by the previous game between the two in Cardiff when two late Gareth Bale goals saw them come from behind the take the points.
