Sproule one of Hibs’ few bright sparks in Edinbugh derby

Hibs lost 4-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle. From the Edinburgh Evening News:
“On the occasions that Hibs did look dangerous, Northern Ireland internationalist Ivan Sproule was invariably involved.
The former Institute player may no longer be the surprise package that first burst onto the Scottish football scene, but that doesn’t mean he is any easier to deal with.
The winger possesses blistering pace and it was when the ball was at his feet that the visitors looked most likely to do something.
Unfortunately for the Leith outfit’s supporters though, he rarely received the support he needed and when he was able to get in behind the visitors’ defence there was seldom anybody there.
In once incident in the second half he was able to run 30 yards down the wing and then almost across the entire width of the pitch beating Hearts players on the way without a single one of his team-mates making themselves available for a pass. When he was finally dispossessed a rueful shake of the head made his feelings on his team-mates’ efforts clear to everyone inside Tynecastle.
Sproule, who won his first cap for his country in that historic victory over England, came close to getting his name on the scoresheet when a similarly mazy run midway through the second half ended with a powerful 20-yard drive that Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon did well to beat away.
Sproule chased lost causes for Hibs all afternoon and one occasion actually got to a ball before Christophe Berra despite the defender having a 15-yard head start on him. However, just like it wasn’t to be Hibs’ day it wasn’t Sproule’s and despite his best efforts he was unable to help his side take anything from the Capital clash.”

Sproule one of Hibs’ few bright sparks in Edinbugh derby

Hibs lost 4-1 to Hearts at Tynecastle. From the Edinburgh Evening News:
“On the occasions that Hibs did look dangerous, Northern Ireland internationalist Ivan Sproule was invariably involved.
The former Institute player may no longer be the surprise package that first burst onto the Scottish football scene, but that doesn’t mean he is any easier to deal with.
The winger possesses blistering pace and it was when the ball was at his feet that the visitors looked most likely to do something.
Unfortunately for the Leith outfit’s supporters though, he rarely received the support he needed and when he was able to get in behind the visitors’ defence there was seldom anybody there.
In once incident in the second half he was able to run 30 yards down the wing and then almost across the entire width of the pitch beating Hearts players on the way without a single one of his team-mates making themselves available for a pass. When he was finally dispossessed a rueful shake of the head made his feelings on his team-mates’ efforts clear to everyone inside Tynecastle.
Sproule, who won his first cap for his country in that historic victory over England, came close to getting his name on the scoresheet when a similarly mazy run midway through the second half ended with a powerful 20-yard drive that Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon did well to beat away.
Sproule chased lost causes for Hibs all afternoon and one occasion actually got to a ball before Christophe Berra despite the defender having a 15-yard head start on him. However, just like it wasn’t to be Hibs’ day it wasn’t Sproule’s and despite his best efforts he was unable to help his side take anything from the Capital clash.”

Aaron and Aragones on the draw

Captain Aaron:

“We have to aim high and set our sights on qualification.
“Why shouldn’t we qualify for the European Championships? Look at Greece. Who would have thought that when we played them in the qualifying stages they would have gone on and won the tournament. There always has to be a surprise team and hopefully it will be us this time.
“We have to be optimistic because the draw could have been a lot worse for us. Travel-wise it’s excellent because there will be no long haul flights. There were a number of teams we wanted to avoid for that very reason. It makes it that much tougher an assignment when you have to travel a long distance.”
“While I’m happy with the draw it doesn’t mean I don’t think it’s tough. Sweden will be a very hard team to beat – they weren’t placed in Pot One for no reason. They have some excellent players, players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrik Larsson and Freddie Ljungberg, and made it though to the World Cup. They’ll make it very difficult but we need to and are capable of causing an upset.
“We might be a young team but we also have players with plenty of experience and they’ll be able to handle any situation that comes their way. The first couple of games will set the pattern for the campaign. We must get off to a good start and make sure we build on it.
“Overall it’s a group we would have wanted before the draw and I honestly believe we have a great chance of qualifying. We believed against England that night at Windsor Park and we must believe again right throughout the qualifying campaign.”
Spain coach Luis Aragones:
“We’re all friends when it comes to matches between Spain and Northern Ireland. It will be an absolute pleasure to play them again.
“We’ve enjoyed quite a few games with Northern Ireland over the years and they have given us plenty of problems. We’ll have to be on top of our game when we play them. We’ll show them the respect they deserve.
“Of course I remember what happened when we hosted the World Cup in 1982. I don’t think any football loving Spaniard will ever forget it.I’m glad to see Gerry Armstrong is now part of the Northern Ireland set-up and still in good health. That’s the important thing. But hopefully this time we will manage to beat Northern Ireland.”

Apologetic Italy hope to come in the next 12 months

Italy’s Head of International Team Affairs Sergio Di Cesare, speaking at the European Championship draw, said: “Unfortunately our coach Marcello Lippi only wants to play friendlies against teams who are playing in the World Cup.
“The Italian FA would have been more than happy to fulfil the fixture but we must respect the wishes of our coach. He is concerned that his players could pick up injuries by playing a team not involved in Germany.
“We’re sorry the game can’t go ahead but we hope to come and play a match in Belfast at the next available opportunity, probably within 12 months.”
The IFA have other options for friendly matches at the end of May but boss Lawrie Sanchez isn’t keen on playing a game – unless it brings in major financial revenue to the Association and is of benefit to his players. It is therefore highly unlikely a friendly match will be arranged for the end of May. President Boyce has left that decision entirely up to the manager.
Sanchez would like a friendly with the Republic in the next 2 years, having failed to get them in the Euro draw:
“A friendly would be nice at Croke Park but that’s entirely down to Jim Boyce and the two associations.”

Apologetic Italy hope to come in the next 12 months

Italy’s Head of International Team Affairs Sergio Di Cesare, speaking at the European Championship draw, said: “Unfortunately our coach Marcello Lippi only wants to play friendlies against teams who are playing in the World Cup.
“The Italian FA would have been more than happy to fulfil the fixture but we must respect the wishes of our coach. He is concerned that his players could pick up injuries by playing a team not involved in Germany.
“We’re sorry the game can’t go ahead but we hope to come and play a match in Belfast at the next available opportunity, probably within 12 months.”
The IFA have other options for friendly matches at the end of May but boss Lawrie Sanchez isn’t keen on playing a game – unless it brings in major financial revenue to the Association and is of benefit to his players. It is therefore highly unlikely a friendly match will be arranged for the end of May. President Boyce has left that decision entirely up to the manager.
Sanchez would like a friendly with the Republic in the next 2 years, having failed to get them in the Euro draw:
“A friendly would be nice at Croke Park but that’s entirely down to Jim Boyce and the two associations.”

“Teenage prodigy” can’t stop scoring

Kyle Lafferty scored his 3rd goal in 5 appearances for Darlington today, taking just 6 minutes to get on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win over Mansfield Town. The young striker got a standing ovation when he was substituted after an hour, and according to the Darlington match report, “he simply does not look like missing”. They said:
“One person who has concreted his name into the affections of the Darloid intelligencia is Kyle Lafferty – deserved of his rapturous standing ovation as he was replaced by Hopkins just before the hour mark. He bares all the trademarks of the old fashioned centre forward, his bulliant, never say die workmanlike approach to the game making somewhat of a temporary heroine – hopefully this won’t be the last we see of the teenage prodigy, his loan expires after today.”

Steve Davis scored a diving header in Villa’s 3-1 win over Port Vale, his 7th goal of the season and their top scorer.

Andy Kirk forced an own goal and then scored one himself in Northampton’s 2-0 win over Bury.
Chris Baird was back on FA Cup duty with Southampton as they beat Leicester 1-0 to book their place in the 5th round.
Over here, Linfield have rejected a bid from QPR for Peter Thompson (believed to be £100,000 including clauses such as another £100k if QPR are promoted) but talks are likely to continue up till the transfer window shuts.

Healy and Quinn on the draw

Jimmy:
“Apart from last year’s win against England our victory over the host nation at Spain in 1982 has been Northern Ireland’s greatest achievement in world football. It would be amazing if we could reproduce that result in the qualifiers and there is no reason why we can’t.
“On paper we have been handed another tough draw but I can assure you none of the teams in our group will be glad they have drawn Northern Ireland.”
“There are a lot of good teams in our group but we should not fear anyone especially after the way we finished the World Cup qualifiers and of course after that result against England.
“Having said that we are still firm underdogs and in every one of the qualifiers we will have to be at our very best. It will be important to win our home games or at the very least not to lose and then concentrate on picking up some points on our travels.
“No-one will enjoy coming to Windsor Park and with the Green Army behind the team it is like another player for us at times. I still find myself thinking back to the England game and the hairs on the back of my neck still stand up when I remember the atmosphere.
“We have a few friendlies in the pipeline and it will be important we approach them in the right frame of mind in order to carry the momentum forward from the World Cup qualifiers.”

Sir David:
“I won’t give up hope before the group has even started and if can get off to a good start it will at least give us some hope,” said Healy.
“We have to do well in the first few games to have a chance. Since I have been in the squad we’ve finished groups quite well, but haven’t given ourselves a chance because of how we’ve started.
“With two teams to go through it will be tough with the strength of Sweden and Spain in the group too.
“Given our ranking any group is going for us, there are teams in there though that we should be beating. We can’t underestimate teams like Latvia and Iceland though. Latvia qualified for the last European Championships and Iceland beat us before, so we can’t take anything for granted. Even Liechtenstein held us 0-0 in a friendly way back at the start of our goal drought.”
“Playing against Denmark will bring back good memories for me after scoring against them before. My record shows that I have scored goals against the stronger teams and I’m hoping for more in this next campaign.
“We know that Spain won’t be relishing coming to Windsor Park after we held them 0-0 the last time.”

Sanchez’ very happy with draw

Lawrie Sanchez’ has declared himself very happy with our Euro 2008 qualifying draw. Sanchez said that while you can look at some of the other home nations and say they definitely won’t qualify, we do have a chance:

Video Interview (BBC)
“At first I thought it was not what I wanted but the more you look at the draw you realise that it is very good. If we do things right there are a lot of points to be garnished in this qualifying group.”
“I know Spain and Sweden are the top seeds but there are plenty of points to be had. Latvia, Iceland and Liechtenstein – I expect to get points off those teams while Denmark should take points off Sweden.
We can get everywhere in the group in three hours which is good for the team and especially the fans. The countries we have to visit have got beautiful cities and culturally they are great trips. We also know that the facilities will be very good in each country.”
The fixtures will be decided at a meeting in Copenhagen on Valentine’s Day.

Euro 2008 draw

Northern Ireland are in Group F with:
Lichtenstein
Iceland
Latvia
Denmark
Spain
Sweden
Full draw
Cyprus got the ROI and Wales in Group D. Group C sees Greece and Turkey face each other! Scotland got France and Italy – so they won’t be qualifying then! We were only one ball away from getting England again.
Listen to Sammy McIlroy’s reaction on 5live. Nothing from Lawrie yet.

The fixtures will be sorted out in a few weeks. The dates are:
2006:
2nd and 6th September
7th and 11th October
2007:
24th and 28th March
8th and 12th September
13th and 17th October
17th and 21st November
In the U21 draw, NI will play Liechtenstein over 2 legs and then go into a group with Germany and Romania if we win. The Liechtenstein match must be played by 15th July, with us going there for the first leg. The group matches take place in August and September, with each team only playing each other once.

Italy turn down friendly

Italy have decided not to reciprocate the friendly match we played them in 2003 – before the World Cup at any rate. A friendly had been pencilled in for the 24th/27th of May but the Italians don’t think getting stuffed at Windsor Park would be ideal World Cup preparation. We haven’t played them at home since 1958.
The IFA’s attention will now turn to a friendly tournament we have been invited to play in at the start of June.
Northern Ireland fixtures