Papac to make summer exit
May 4th, 2012 | 
Author: Rangers defender Sasa Papac has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
The Bosnian has played a key role at Ibrox for the last six years after joining from Austria Vienna in 2006.
The 32-year-old, who has notched up 226 appearances for the Scottish Premier League side, is likely to have made his last appearance for administration-hit Gers, having been sidelined since April 7th with a groin injury.
The club said on Friday he is yet to find a new club after Papac confirmed his exit in a statement.
He told Rangers’ official website: “After six seasons of playing for Rangers, the time has come for me to leave my place for someone younger who will be able to contribute to new successes at the club with passion and zest.
“I would like to use this opportunity to say thank you to all the staff at Murray Park, as well as all the club’s staff who I had excellent rapport with.
Thanks
“I would also like to say thanks to all the players and trainers I have worked with in the last six seasons, when I achieved the biggest successes of my career.
“Special thanks go to (former manager) Walter Smith, without whom all those achievements would not have been possible.
“Last but by no means least, I want to say a big thanks to the fans who have always provided the biggest support and made this club one of the greatest in the world.
“I wish them lots of luck and all the very best to the manager Coisty (Ally McCoist) and the team in years to come. We are the people!”
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Premier League preview
Champions League final tickets and Football Tickets, Man City go to Wolves; United play Everton; Arsenal host Chelsea
The first team could be relegated from the Premier League this season on a weekend where matters at the top and bottom of the table will move closer to a denouement.
Click below for individual match previews and stats:
Saturday
Arsenal v Chelsea (12.45pm)
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Blackburn v Norwich
Bolton v Swansea
Fulham v Wigan
Newcastle v Stoke
QPR v Tottenham
Sunday
Man Utd v Everton (12.30pm)
Liverpool v West Brom (4pm)
Wolves v Man City (4pm)
Wolves are currently rock bottom and eight points adrift of safety going into Sunday’s game with Manchester City, who themselves are looking to close the gap on Manchester United who host Everton earlier in the afternoon.
If Wolves lose or draw then their fate will depend on QPR’s result against Tottenham and the outcome of Bolton’s home tie with Swansea. Either way, Terry Connor needs a miracle if his side are to avoid dropping into the Championship – be it on Sunday or in the coming weeks.
As the race for the title continues, so does the chase for a top-four finish with Chelsea, buoyed by their victory over Barcelona in midweek, taking on Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Everything has turned from gold to dust for Wolves as they head into a daunting fixture with Manchester City on Sunday. Connor remains defiant that his side can avoid relegation but defeat at home to City would almost certainly be the end of a dismal campaign at Molineux. QPR and Bolton both have home fixtures on Saturday and if they get points from their respective games then Wolves would head into their match knowing a result is imperative. This may certainly spice things up but you would be a brave soul to back them against Roberto Mancini’s City following their demolition of Norwich. The Blues are still five points behind Manchester United but will be desperate to not see that margin increase ahead of the crucial upcoming derby at Eastlands.
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Arsenal v Chelsea
April 21, 2012 12:00pm
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Manchester United will have other ideas about that gap at the top, however, and the champions host Everton on Sunday before City take to the field. United demolished Aston Villa last time out but were perhaps given a helping hand by the decision to award a penalty after Ashley Young went down in the box with relative ease. Everton could still be licking their wounds after a bitter defeat in the FA Cup semi-final to rivals Liverpool at Wembley. With little else to play for, that result may well have signalled the end of the campaign for David Moyes’s side. Wayne Rooney has been in fine form of late and will be keen to get on the scoresheet against his boyhood club as United close in on another league title. Watch this one live on Sky Sports 1 and 1HD from 12.30pm.
London derby
The first match of a busy weekend sees London rivals Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates. It was a fantastic result for Roberto Di Matteo and co on Wednesday following their 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League, giving them a fighting chance of progression ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou. There may be some heavy legs in the squad, though, as they make the short trip North for a game that could decide if they will be playing in Europe’s elite club competition next season. Of course, if Chelsea win the Champions League they will qualify next year, but they are still in with a shout of fourth spot in the league. Tottenham only hold a two-point lead over Chelsea and if the Blues can win at Arsenal then they will trail Arsene Wenger’s outfit by just four points with a game in hand. Wenger watched his side fall to Wigan at home on Monday night and will want a much-improved performance, live on Sky Sports 2 and 2HD from 12.45pm.
Live on Sky Sports
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Arsenal v Chelsea
April 21, 2012 12:00pm
Remote Record
Tottenham were well beaten at Wembley by Chelsea and know that their season now risks being a huge disappointment if they are unable to finish in the top four. But another capital derby at Queens Park Rangers is not going to be a walk in the park, that’s for sure. Rangers are fighting for their lives and sit two points clear of the bottom three, although they have played two more games than Bolton in 18th. Their home form of late has been much better than away and Mark Hughes will be calling on his side’s supporters to vociferously back the Hoops to a much-needed victory. Their last three matches at Loftus Roads have yielded respective wins over Liverpool, Arsenal and Swansea. Spurs should in no way take them lightly.
Owen Coyle has revealed that Fabrice Muamba may yet play for the club again following his cardiac arrest earlier in the year, which will no doubt boost everyone involved with Bolton Wanderers. Yet Coyle must focus his attention towards Saturday’s encounter with Swansea City at the Reebok Stadium – a must-win as Bolton have fallen to successive league defeats, conceding five and failing to score. With games in hand, though, one feels they have the chance to claw themselves out of trouble, but victories need to come soon. Swansea bounced back from three losses to thrash Blackburn last time out and are a dangerous proposition if they get their passing game going.
Many had written off Wigan’s chances of staying in the Premier League a month ago but some phenomenal results have transformed their fortunes. Victories over Liverpool, Manchester United and most recently Arsenal leave Roberto Martinez’s Latics five points above Bolton, having played two games more. It has been a remarkable transformation and one that looked extremely unlikely not so long ago. This weekend they play Fulham at Craven Cottage knowing a win would edge them closer to the 40-point mark. Martin Jol’s Cottagers have produced some excellent performances at home this season, though, and on their day can beat anyone.
The other side embroiled in the relegation dogfight are Blackburn Rovers and they are in dire straits. Steve Kean had seen an improvement in March but five successive defeats leaves Rovers well and truly stuck in the mire. Anything less than a win at home to Norwich and things are beginning to look desperate. The Canaries will be hoping for a response following their humbling by Manchester City to consolidate their impressive campaign in mid-table.
Majestic Magpies
Who would have predicted at this stage of the campaign that Newcastle would be in with a shout of finishing in the top four? But there they are, level on points with Tottenham with five matches remaining. Alan Pardew has come out to say that Chelsea’s run in Europe may make Arsenal and Spurs nervous, with a Blues triumph in the Champions League meaning only the top three teams in the league would qualify for next year’s competition. Newcastle will hope to capitalise on any stutters in North London when they host Stoke. The Potters may have one eye on their summer vacations, although Tony Pulis will be making sure they fight until the last second of the season.
Aston Villa are not out of the woods just yet and have been in woeful form this year. Alex McLeish was at the helm of Birmingham City when they collapsed last term, and if the same thing happens then he would be advised to never step foot in the second city again. This weekend Villa play Sunderland, having accrued 35 points from 33 games and six points above the drop zone. Sunderland have only managed three points from four games so Villa have a great opportunity to put an end to their sorry run.
Finally, two sides with nothing to play for in the league this year lock horns at Anfield when Liverpool take on West Brom. This game is not meaningless, however, with Roy Hodgson returning to Merseyside after his doomed spell with Liverpool last season. Kenny Dalglish claims Hodgson will receive a ‘warm reception’ despite the bad feeling that lingered during his ill-fated Reds tenure.
Mancini – We will win title
City boss confident of overhauling local rivals United – football tickets – champions league final tickets
Roberto Mancini remains convinced that Manchester City will overhaul local rivals Manchester United to win the Premier League title.
City lost their long-standing position at the head of affairs earlier this month on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Swansea City
at the same time United were beating West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at home.
The reigning champions have subsequently hammered struggling Wolves 5-0 away from home to open up a four-point advantage at the summit.
Mancini’s men can reduce the deficit with victory at home over Chelsea on Wednesday evening, with both clubs then having nine games left to play.
The derby meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Monday 30th April has been pinpointed as the decisive fixture in determining the destination of the title.
And, following last week’s exit from the Europa League which left City with only the Premier League to focus on, Mancini is confident of finishing on top.
Positive
He said: “We will win the title, we will win. We will do everything to win the title. We need to think positive, always.
“Until now we have had a fantastic Premier League, we need to continue like this.
“It is better to stay on the top – always – but I said a month ago it could be that we will go into the second position. This can happen.
“We had difficult fixtures, different from United, but it has not changed. We have everything in our hands.
“There is one game difference – potentially we are one point behind.
“Maybe if we win the next two games we go two points up. We need to go our way, we can’t think about United.”
Gers face SFA sanction
SPL outfit and their owner issued with notices of complaint – football tickets, champions league tickets
The Scottish Football Association has issued Rangers and club chairman Craig Whyte with notices of complaint over alleged breaches of disciplinary rules.
Rangers and owner Whyte will have their disciplinary charges heard on 29th March after the SFA’s compliance officer processed the findings of the independent inquiry into the club.
Whyte has been issued with notices of complaint over breaches of two disciplinary rules, a week after he was ruled unfit to be a club official.
Rangers have been hit with notices of complaint over five alleged breaches of rules, including failing to abide by SFA regulations over the ‘fit and proper person’ test.
Wenger – No Podolski deal
Arsene Wenger has denied Arsenal have already agreed a deal with Cologne to sign Lukas Podolski in the summer. Football tickets
Reports had suggested that the Gunners had agreed a fee of around £10.9million for the 26-year-old Germany international. arsenal football tickets
Bundesliga club Cologne have declined to comment on the speculation, but Wenger admitted to reporters that he is a fan of the striker. european championships
The Arsenal boss said: “I have not a lot to say about that because if we sign a player we will inform you. At the moment we have not signed anybody. Office clearances There is still no agreement. champions league tickets
“The distance to the agreement is not always linked with the signing. six nations tickets “When you are very close you are quickly very far again, champions league final tickets but Podolski is a good player, I wouldn’t deny that.” football tickets
When pressed on the possibility of Houses cleared completing a deal by visiting German media, Wenger suggested there could be some movement House clearances “in the next two or three weeks”, adding: rugby tickets “anything is possible”. Waste disposal
Terry – I’ll be back for run-in
Football Tickets, England Football Tickets, champions league final tickets
Defender reveals knee surgery went well and he is feeling good
John Terry has dismissed any fears he could miss Euro 2012 and is confident he will return from a knee injury to play a part in Chelsea’s Premier League run-in.
The former England captain underwent a knee operation last week after failing to shake off an injury he had initially suffered at the start of January.
The centre-half has missed Chelsea’s last six games due to the problem and will also sit out England’s friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Reports had claimed that the 31-year-old, who was recently stripped of the England captaincy by the Football Association, was facing a battle to be fit for the summer’s European Championship.
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“I’ll definitely be back before the end of the season to help the team in the Premier League run-in and for the Euros.”
John Terry Quotes of the week
However, Terry is not worried about being sidelined for the tournament and expects to be back in action for Chelsea within the next six weeks.
Confident
“The operation went well and I’m feeling really good,” Terry told The Sun.
“The surgeon has shaved off a bit of bone in my right knee that was rubbing and causing a lot of swelling.
“We’re all confident the operation has solved the problem and it is looking good for a quick return.
“The medical staff say four to six weeks before I can play again. But, hopefully, it might be sooner.
“I’ll definitely be back before the end of the season to help the team in the Premier League run-in and for the Euros.”
Edwards hopes for Town stay
Football Tickets, Champions League Tickets News
T&T ace would consider taking pay cut
Carlos Edwards has admitted he would be happy to take a pay cut to win a new deal at Ipswich.
The 33-year-old, who has recently stood in as captain in the absence of the injured Ibrahima Sonko, is out of contract in the summer and has yet to be offered a new deal.
The Trinidad & Tobago international insists he is happy with life at Portman Road and that he hopes to sort out his long-term future.
“I would love to stay, I am happy here and most importantly, my family are happy here,” Edwards told the East Anglian Daily Times.
“I am not the only player out of contract in the summer but I think it is a big thing because maybe I am one of the more consistent players.
“People will look at it and might think why doesn’t the club sign him up instead of letting it drag on but I am just concentrating on my football at the moment.
“I would consider a pay cut; maybe not many players would say that, but I would have to weigh up my options because I have a family to look after.
“If they are happy, then the football takes care of itself. If they are not happy, then you might take that into work and not do things the right way.”
Adebayor hopeful over fitness
Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is confident he will be fit for this weekend’s north London derby against former club Arsenal.
Adebayor was regarded as a doubt for the trip to the Emirates on Sunday after picking up a knee injury in training. Football tickets
However, the 27-year-old took part in training on Tuesday and he reported no ill-effects in his rehabilitation as he looks to take his place in Harry Redknapp’s side for the crucial London showdown. arsenal football tickets
Adebayor wrote on Twitter: “Just finished training, really happy with the progress, knee is looking much better. Working on my fitness for Sunday.” champions league tickets
The news will come as a double boost for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp with Rafael van der Vaart also expected to return to training on Wednesday after missing the last three games with a calf problem. european championships
AVB eyes Drogba boost
Andre Villas-Boas is hoping Didier Drogba can shake off international heartache and reinvigorate Chelsea upon his return to Stamford Bridge. Football tickets
The Blues striker arrived back in England on Friday after being granted an extended break on the back of his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations. arsenal football tickets
He was part of an Ivory Coast side that fell at the final hurdle in that tournament, with Zambia having prevailed in a thrilling penalty shoot-out. european championships
Drogba’s disappointment was clear for all to see, but Chelsea are looking for him to take his anger out on Premier League defences champions league tickets
The 33-year-old was in fine form before heading off on international duty and Villas-Boas, who has come under increasing pressure during the striker’s absence, is confident his talismanic frontman can have a major impact during the end of season run-in. european championships
“I think so and ready to help the team,” he said when asked if Drogba can put his international disappointment behind him. House clearances
Impact
“A player of his quality and so much involved with Chelsea in the past will always help.
“In the month of December, he had an extremely good impact.
“He is a major player for us.”
Villas-Boas revealed he spoke to Drogba the day after the final, adding: “It is obviously a major disappointment for him. To what extent personally, I don’t know. Office clearances
“I think there were great prospects for the Ivory Coast to get that trophy for their country. Houses cleared
“It was not possible with the lottery of penalties and, of course, a major disappointment for them for with the dimension of the players that they have.” Houses cleared in Fulham
Fabio blames Suarez
Football Tickets, Champions League Tickets, Uruguayan’s behaviour considered unjustified by United defender
Fabio da Silva has revealed how Luis Suarez’s refusal to shake hands with Patrice Evra increased Manchester United’s determination to defeat Liverpool.
Suarez sparked outrage before kick-off last weekend when he snubbed Evra, who the Uruguayan had been found guilty of racially abusing in October to subsequently receive an eight-match ban.
In the wake of a bad-tempered 2-1 defeat by United, Liverpool and their No.7 apologised for the refusal to shake hands, but the player and his employers have still been widely criticised.
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Evra had been targeted by boos in Liverpool’s FA Cup win over United at Anfield in January, however, he was still willing to make up with Suarez before being ignored last Saturday.
Suarez refuses handshake
Rivalry
And Fabio, who was an unused substitute, therefore thinks Suarez’s behaviour was unacceptable, as he told Globoesporte: “I believe that in life it is always necessary to forgive.
“Patrice wanted to forgive Suarez. In Anfield he was attacked, but atOld Trafford he offered the hand.
“The action of Suarez was not justified. For me, to reject the hand of someone is very serious.
“The action of the Uruguayan before the beginning of the match increased our force to defeat Liverpool.
“In the ground, there was calm and the rivalry. But after the action of Suarez, the tension exploded.”