Ryan Jack s first Rangers goal proved enough to earn a 1-0 victory and end Celtic s recent dominance of the Old Firm derby.
Rangers had not beaten their arch rivals since April 2016, losing 10 of the 12 meetings since Brendan Rodgers took charge of the Hoops.
But Steven Gerrard ended the run in his first home derby on Saturday, as Jack s first-half goal earned a deserved win that moves them level on points with the Scottish Premiership champions, having played a game more.
Rangers made a bright start and forced two excellent Craig Gordon saves, the goalkeeper denying Daniel Candeias – whose effort deflected off Callum McGregor s arm before producing a fingertip stop to keep out Connor Goldson s header.
The hosts came even closer when Celtic captain …
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino has stressed Lionel Messi agreed with the decision to leave him out of the squad for the Olympics as it would have been too much for the Barcelona star to play at both the Copa America and the Games in Rio.
Messi guided Argentina to the gold medal in 2008, but there will be no repeat of that successful campaign come August as he will play at the Copa in the United States instead.
I always felt that it would be an exaggeration to have Leo play at the Olympics again, especially if you bear in mind there s the Copa America first, Martino told reporters.
It would have been a different matter had there not been a Copa before the Olympics. I discussed it with Leo and he agreed with me.
It s a bit like what has happened to Ney…
Best odds: 2/5
Bookmaker:
Liverpool are set to welcome West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday, for what should be a contest far more exciting than one would have thought by just looking at the names of the two teams involved. The game will be played within the seventh round of this season s Premier League campaign.
Liverpool
Much has been said recently about the champions and the crisis currently hitting their back line hard, but when all things are considered, Jurgen Klopp s men have still done very well. The only game they ll want to forget as quickly as possible in terms of result was the one away to Aston Villa prior to the last international break, when they lost by 7-2. Apart from that, they ve beaten Leeds United at home, Chelsea away, Arsenal at home an…
Real Madrid have sacked Rafael Benitez as head coach and replaced him with club icon Zinedine Zidane.
The former Napoli boss time in charge was marred by fan discontent, rumours of dressing room unrest and a 4-0 home defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.
Following his dismissal, we look at the key Opta stats on Benitez s reign and compare his La Liga record to that of Madrid s previous five managers.
Rafael Benitez
Benitez lasted only half a season at the helm, seeing his side expelled from the Copa del Rey, though they are through to the last 16 of the Champions League and sit third in La Liga.
La Liga record:
Games – 18
Wins – 11
Draws – 4
Losses – 3
Win percentage – 61.1 per cent
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti spe…
Antonio Conte’s men are in for a revenge as Azzurri still remember that 4-0 loss in the Euro 2012 final. Italy have defied the odds to put in confident and quality performances in the group stage and will be keen to make their way into the quarterfinals.
In addition to 2012, Spain knocked Italy out on penalties in the 2008 quarterfinals and La Roja do know their way around against Azzurri. The holders have had their 15-match unbeaten run in the finals snapped by Croatia last time our and they are eager to get back to winning ways.
Betfair has prepared a double enhanced offer for new customers who can claim 12/1 on Italy or 6/1 on Spain if they using promo code ZFBCHD. You will get your money back if you lose, while there are also €100 worth in free bets for the taki…
Market: Cardiff win
Odds: 1/1 @
Hoping to break their way into the play-off places on Saturday afternoon, Cardiff will welcome Norwich to south Wales.
Starting with the hosts, while Cardiff might have only just about clung to their Championship status last season, the Bluebirds are in the midst of a remarkable flurry this time around. Although Erol Bulut’s side might have been forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Stoke, the one-time Fenerbahce boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat just a single point adrift of breaking into the play-off places, Cardiff have collected seven points from their previous three Championship contests. Signing off October with a routine 2-0 victory against Bristol City, …