Archive for May, 2015

Wenger – The areas we have improved in

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Arsène Wenger believes Arsenal have become a mentally and tactically stronger side this season.

The Gunners lifted a record 12th FA Cup by beating Aston Villa 4-0 on Saturday after securing third place in the Premier League, their best finish since 2012.

Wenger’s side have only lost four times in 2015, and Wenger was pleased with his side’s climax to the campaign.

We still have some things to do, I am conscious of that, but I am conscious as well that mentally and tactically we are stronger

Arsène Wenger

“We think we have made progress,” the manager said. “We were in a bad position in January. We were seventh and there were not many people predicting we would finish the season like that.

“But we have made progress. We still have some things to do, I am conscious of that, but I am conscious as well that mentally and tactically we are stronger. And the technical quality is not bad.

“We have to show that next season and we want to do it. I feel that we have moved forward and people think always it’s about buying but it’s also about cohesion and cohesion is a very important factor that is a bit underrated usually by people.

“We have to keep that cohesion and maybe add quality. But the quality we have to add is in short numbers. But the other teams – how good will Chelsea be? Who will they buy? I don’t know.

“Chelsea surprised everybody this season with the start they had. They had a very balanced team with quality everywhere. I think we have made some ground up at the end of the season. Now it’s about the start.”

Arsène Wenger

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McCall wants to remain at Rangers

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Rangers manager Stuart McCall (centre) conceded Motherwell were the better team over two legs

31 May 2015
Last updated at
19:25

Stuart McCall wants to stay on as Rangers manager following a

6-1 aggregate defeat to Motherwell

in the Premiership play-off final.

The 50-year-old took over from Kenny McDowall in March on a contract which is soon to expire.

“It’s been tougher than probably most people could have imagined,” he told BBC Scotland.

“To keep everyone together and galvanise everyone I think we’ve done a decent job.”

Two losses to the club he resigned from in November has consigned Rangers to a second season in the Championship and takes McCall’s record to seven wins, six draws and four defeats.

Rangers were chasing a two-goal deficit after

Thursday’s 3-1 loss at Ibrox,

but second-half strikes from Marvin Johnson, Lionel Ainsworth and John Sutton gave Motherwell a comfortable win.

“Everyone will remember the final 30 minutes,” McCall said. “The first goal is the all important goal.

“I don’t think there was anything in the first half, at half-time we’re still in it, we need to get the first goal.

“We’ve had a couple of chances but Motherwell were the better team over the two legs without a doubt, but three of the goals are deflections and sometimes you need a bit of lady luck, and if we’d have got the first goal with a deflection it’d have been a completely different game.

“We wanted to take it into the last 20-30 minutes, but the goal kills us.”

Rangers reached the play-off final after finishing third in the Championship

The Rangers board now have to decide whether to keep McCall, who won six titles as a player at Ibrox, or seek a new manager.

“I would say my three strengths as a manager is recruiting, improving people and getting the best out of them,” added McCall.

“And that’s what Rangers will need next season, whoever the manager is, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for anyone.

“I’m disappointed what’s happened in the last two games. I’m proud we got there. It’s a great club to work for, they’ve still got good players here, good young ones coming through, and the recruitment’s going to be key.

“My past record will show that I can recruit players and my past record will show that I can improve them and my past record will show that I can get the best out of people.

“The club can do a Hearts [runaway Championship winners] next season, with the right recruitment and the right coaching. Twelve months today Rangers can be back in the top flight I’ve no doubt about that.”

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Police to investigate Fir Park brawl

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Bilel Mohsni and Lee Erwin clashed after the final whistle

31 May 2015
Last updated at
19:05

Police Scotland say they will review the fight that marred the conclusion of

Motherwell’s Premiership play-off final victory over Rangers.

Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni was at the centre of an ugly brawl on the final whistle at Fir Park.

The Tunisian was pushed by Lee Erwin and responded by aiming a kick and punch at the Motherwell striker, before tussling with Fraser Kerr.

All three players were shown red cards by Craig Thomson after the match.

Assistant chief constable Bernard Higgins said: “Police Scotland will conduct a full review of the circumstances and liaise with the appropriate partners, and decide how best to take the matter forward over the coming days.”

Rangers manager Stuart McCall said he missed the incident, but acknowledged such behaviour was “unacceptable”.

Bilel Mohsni and Fraser Kerr had to be separated by coaches and team-mates

Speaking after his side’s 3-0 loss at Fir Park, he said: “If he has thrown a punch that’s disgraceful.

“But it’s safe to say he won’t be at the club next season. He’s out of contract.”

Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough said the scenes detracted from a great day for the Lanarkshire club, who triumphed 6-1 on aggregate to retain their top-flight status.

“There’s been an outpouring of emotions, shall we say, and it’s gone too far,” he told BBC Scotland.

“Scottish football doesn’t need it. There were two teams battling it out over 180 minutes, they gave it absolutely everything.

“For one or two individuals to ruin it, tarnish it, is a shame.”

Erwin appeared to shove Mohsni after the defender refused his offer of a handshake and describe his opponent’s reaction as “embarrassing” in a television interview, given with blood on his face.

Motherwell fans spilled on to the pitch while the fight was going on and had to be ushered away by police and stewards as they goaded Rangers supporters.

Mohsni and Kerr became involved after the Rangers defender clashed with Erwin

Both Mohsni and Kerr were subsequently sent off by Craig Thomson

Mohsni and Kerr were separated before the Tunisian was escorted up the tunnel

An ugly fight marred a good result for Motherwell, who stay in the Premiership

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'Good week for the team' – Jan

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

More than 71,500 fans packed into the ANZ Stadium as Harry Kane followed up on his match-winning performance in Malaysia earlier in the week by netting the decisive goal against the A-League side.

Defender Jan, who played the first half in both our tour friendlies, believes the enjoyable nature of the trip means the players will go away for the summer with smiles on their faces.

“It was a good game on Saturday against good opposition,” he said. “We played well and didn’t give away many chances.

“I’ve enjoyed Sydney a lot, it’s a beautiful city. We’ve had a great time here and it’s brilliant to see so many supporters. You don’t actually think about it when you play football that so many people around the world are watching you.

“That’s football – it’s the biggest sport in the world and Tottenham are one of the biggest teams so it’s great.

“The tour is also good for team bonding – we’re always with each in the team hotel and coming to different countries together is brilliant. It’s been a good week for the team.”

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Motherwell 3-0 Rangers (agg 6-1)

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Motherwell v Rangers

Motherwell 3

Johnson 52′ Ainsworth 70′ Sutton 90′ (pen)

Rangers 0

FT 90 +4
HT 0-0
(agg 6 – 1)

31 May 2015
Last updated at
16:56

By Richard Wilson
BBC Scotland at Fir Park

Motherwell stay up after finishing 11th
Johnson, Ainsworth & Sutton on target
Game ends in ugly brawl, three red cards and fans on pitch

Motherwell preserved their Premiership status with a second comfortable win over Rangers in four days.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg of the play-off final, the Fir Park side stretched their advantage through a deflected shot from Marvin Johnson.

Another ricochet from a Lionel Ainsworth’s strike doubled the lead and John Sutton added a late penalty.

A brawl on the final whistle resulted in red cards for Bilel Mohsni and home duo Lee Erwin and Fraser Kerr.

Rangers defender Mohsni was pushed in the back by Erwin, and responded by kicking the Motherwell striker and then punching him, with Kerr then becoming involved with the Tunisian amid a melee.

Meanwhile, Motherwell fans streamed onto the pitch and ran towards the away fans to goad them.

The stewards and police eventually ushered them away, with mounted police also involved in shepherding supporters back into the stand.

The outcome of the tie was a blunt reflection of the fact that Rangers did not have the wherewithal to overcome the side that finished second bottom of the Premiership.

There was aggressive intent to the visitors’ early play but ultimately they fell short of the task and remain in the second tier for a second season.

The game ended in an ugly brawl centred round Rangers substitute Bilel Mohsni

Motherwell, again, were well served by their experienced players. Stephen McManus held the defence together when it was under pressure and grew more commanding, while Keith Lasley and Scott McDonald covered ground in midfield relentlessly.

Even a hamstring injury could not curtail Stephen Pearson, who stretched throughout the game but did not let up in his running or harrying.

Motherwell needed a survival instinct, with Rangers initially trying to apply pressure. Kris Boyd sent one header straight at goalkeeper George Long and Steven Hammell had to hook the ball away from inside the six-yard box with Kenny Miller waiting to pounce.

The home side eventually found their application, with Ainsworth almost picking out McDonald with a ball across the box, then Erwin shot just wide. Johnson also just missed the target.

Rangers’ lack of composure in the first-half was summed up with Marius Zaliukas lifting a shot over at the back post from a corner kick.

The home side retained their momentum after the break, and Johnson’s direct running brought its reward.

The winger stepped away from Richard Foster and hit a shot that deflected off Zaliukas and looped over Bell, who failed in an apparently straightfoward attempt to punch the ball clear.

Another Johnson break brought the second goal, when he slipped the ball to Ainsworth and his effort also took a deflection via Zaliukas on its way past Bell.

The outcome was sealed when Erwin was brought down by Lee Wallace inside the area and Sutton converted the penalty.

Rangers goalkeeper Cammy Bell was badly at fault for the first Motherwell goal

Lionel Ainsworth (right) fires in the second goal for Motherwell

Police and stewards had to usher Motherwell fans off the pitch after the game

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)

Motherwell

01 Long
18 Law
45 Laing
06 McManus
03 Hammell
07 Ainsworth (Sutton – 76′ )
14 Lasley
48 Pearson (Grant – 74′ )
24 Johnson (Ramsden – 84′ )
77 McDonald Booked
19 Erwin

Substitutes

05 Ramsden
09 Sutton
12 Twardzik
20 Kerr
22 Moore
38 Watt
47 Grant

Rangers

01 Bell
23 Foster Booked
06 McCulloch Booked
26 Zaliukas (Mohsni – 72′ )
05 Wallace
10 Vuckic Booked
34 Murdoch Booked
07 Law
29 Ferguson (Walsh – 55′ )
18 Miller
15 Boyd (Clark – 59′ )

Substitutes

02 Smith
03 Mohsni
14 Clark
21 Crawford
22 Shiels
31 Simonsen
48 Walsh

Ref: Craig Thomson

Att: 9,220

Match Stats

Possession

43

57

Shots

9

14

On target

4

5

Corners

5

7

Fouls

15

19

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Motherwell 3, Rangers 0.

90:00 +3:18 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Motherwell 3, Rangers 0.

90:00 +2:28 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Motherwell 3, Rangers 0. John Sutton (Motherwell) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

90:00 +2:00

Penalty Motherwell. Lee Erwin draws a foul in the penalty area.

90:00 +1:53

Penalty conceded by Lee Wallace (Rangers) after a foul in the penalty area.

90:00 +1:03

Corner, Rangers. Conceded by Josh Law.

90:00 +0:43

Attempt saved. Andy Murdoch (Rangers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.