Football a privilege for Motherwell ace

By JONNY BOYLE

PLAYING football for a living is a privilege lost on many players throughout football in the UK.

 

However, there are still players who epitomise hard work and when an opportunity presents itself to them, they grab it with both hands.

Motherwell’s Steven Saunders, in his relatively short career, has grasped his very own opportunity and much like Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who Saunders played against as a teenager, they have enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of their domestic games.

It is refreshing speaking with the Motherwell defender when he states "I get paid to play my hobby so that is a good part of being a footballer" – a fact which many football players forget when commenting on their career. It is a hobby for him, something he does for enjoyment first and foremost, but something which he is of such a high standard at that he has managed to forge a career out of it so far and it doesn’t look like stopping despite a lengthy injury lay-off.

Swanson hopeful of Scotland call-up

Exclusive By GARY LINTON

The Away End were fortunate enough to have a chat with Dundee United star Daniel Swanson. The 24 year old attacking midfielder from Edinburgh has recently been tipped for a call up to the Scotland national team.

It's not always been plain sailing for him though, as an illness from an early age could have stopped everything that he has achieved in football so far. At the age of 13 he had a heart bypass operation which to this day he tries not to think about too much.

As one of the most exciting talents in the Scottish Premier League Danny knows how lucky he is to be playing at such a high level.

Rangers goalkeeper will be unnaffected by first half gift

By ALAN POTTS

RANGERS goalkeeping legend Andy Goram says Allan McGregor will already be over his Old Firm howler.

McGregor allowed a soft shot from Celtic new boy El Kaddouri to slip between his legs and gift the Hoops the lead in Sunday's derby.

Rangers bounced back to win 4-2, and the man known as "The Goalie" says McGregor would have wiped the memory of the mistake from his mind long before the 90 minutes were up.

Speaking on The Away End podcast, Goram said: "It happens to all of us. That's his second one this season, probably his second one in about five years.

"You get over it in the same game. It's not a case of waiting a couple of games to get over it.

"He's that kind of character Alan - he's so similar to myself. It's not the mistake you make it's how you get over it, and again after that he was fine, it's just one of those things.

 

Goram was a happy spectator on Sunday as his old club went four points clear at the top of the SPL table, and says the result was a mixture of a good Rangers side and a poor Celtic one.

He said: "Before the game looking at Rangers, they're top of the league, had only conceded one goal, and they were at home, so I didn't see any reason to worry that way.  But the way the game panned out you could never plan for things like that - you go one goal up, but then obviously at half-time with the two goals you have to regroup.

"I said in my column in The Sun, that if there was anyone who could motivate the boys when there was something going wrong it was Ally McCoist.

"I don't know if it was a case of we were that good or if Celtic were that bad. I was disappointed in Celtic, it wasn't a great performance in the second half, something Neil Lennon has admitted. It's certainly not like them.

"Scott Brown was struggling, the full back had a shocker, they looked all over the place in defence, and Samaras had one of those games that you want to forget."

Goram also backed the much criticised Kyle Lafferty who has now made the home support forget about Kris Boyd.

"Kyle's different," continued Goram. "He's one of them guys he's either fantastic or he's rotten. There's no inbetween with Kyle.

"I'll tell you, he'll give everything for you. He's a Rangers man and he knocks his pan in. He's a handful, Coisty said the other week there he scores goals in big games and he's done it again at the weekend."

He added: "Naisy's {Steven Naismith} on a wee run. He struggled at the start of the season, he'll admit himself he wasn't firing on all cylinders, but once he starts he never stops.

"The runs he makes are just fantastic, and you've got to look at the supply we're getting in there, we've got guys there that can supply the ball into the forwards so things are looking good for the Rangers."

Listen to the whole podcast, which also includes the Daily Record's Hugh Keevins and The Sun's Paul Hughes, using the podcast player on the right or find it on iTunes.

Scotland 2-2 Czech Republic: Match reaction from Hampden

By GARY MCDANIEL at Hampden Park

IT is fair to say that referee Kevin Blom was the main topic of discussion in the post match interviews.

There was though a mood of despondency as player after player expressed their disappointment about the result. The much heard phrase that captures the mood of most of Scotland’s qualifying campaigns over the last decade made their appearance. “We will fight on.,” and the ever popular, “we need to pick ourselves up and get a result in our next match.”

Captain Darren Fletcher got the ball rolling with his views on the referee’s performance.

“It’s frustrating as you work hard all week building up to such a massive game only to see the referee decide the match,” Fletcher added.

Liverpool defender Danny Wilson didn’t know whether to apologise or not for the late penalty award after he was adjudged to have fouled Jan Rezek in the last minute of the match.

“I didn’t touch him (Rezek) and after the match I asked him about the penalty and he agreed that I didn’t touch him.

“I got a touch of the ball. I was maybe a little naive to leave my leg there but it was a fair challenge which I wouldn’t hesitate to do again,” Wilson said.

“It’s difficult as you want to apologise to the lads but then again I don’t think I have done anything wrong.

“In history it won’t be the referee’s mistake that will be remembered, it will go down as me giving away a penalty,” the young defender added.

Steven Naismith showed his support for his former Ibrox team mate.

“It’s not Danny’s fault he got a touch on the ball, it’s clear on the TV replays. It’s also clear on the TV that Christophe Berra should have got a penalty.

“We criticise referees in our country but today showed that they are just as bad elsewhere.” Naismith assessed.

The Scotland performance did come under scrutiny in Kenny Miller’s assessment of the match.

“In truth I was just waiting for them to score in the second half as they put us under pressure as we weren't playing well at that stage.

“We fought hard and then got our noses back in front only to see the referee give that type of decision. It was like Italy of a few years ago.” Miller concluded.

The Cardiff City striker was unaware that his yellow card during the game meant he would miss Tuesday’s Lithuania match.

“I’ll stick around and give the lads all the support they need. We’ve got to dig deep and keep on going.” Miller added.

Naismith is also positive that there are better days ahead for the national team.

“We’ve come a long way under the manager and we are all obviously gutted by today’s result.

“I’m positive though for the future you look at the players who didn’t even make it on to the bench today. Snodgrass, he scored in the last match. Graham Dorrans and Stephen Crainey.

“We just need to pick ourselves up from today and review the match tomorrow and look for a better result on Tuesday.

“It might turn out that we need to go to Spain in the final match and get a result to qualify but so be it. We need to keep going and hope the Czech Republic slip-up.” Naismith concluded. 

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