Busy night ahead for Marshall…Kerr welcomes back Keane…Ruud not interested in Barca…cash boost for Burnley!
Celtic keeper David Marshall is expecting another busy evening as his side try to pull off a victory against Villarreal. The 19-year-old won rave reviews for his performance in the UEFA Cup fourth round clash against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and, with this tie finely balanced at 1-1, is adamant the Hoops can now progress to the last four of the tournament.
"I think I'll be busy, but I am confident we can win it though," he said. "Villarreal are a good side, but we created a lot of chances in the second half at Parkhead. It will be a hard match but I do believe we will be capable of getting to the semi final.
"I know how disappointed everyone was when we lost the final against Porto last season. It would be brilliant to go one further and win it this season, but that's a long way away right now and no one is looking any further than this game against Villarreal. We know what we have to do and hopefully we can do it."
Staying on the international scene, Roy Keane has agreed to make a sensational return to the Republic of Ireland set up. The Manchester United captain met with Republic boss Brian Kerr last week and told him that he would make himself available for selection again.
Keane hasn't played for his country since his highly publicised row with former manager Mick McCarthy before the start of the 2002 World Cup Finals. However, Kerr has kept in contact with Keane since taking over later in the year and the former skipper is expected to go straight into the squad for the friendly against Poland later this month.
"I am glad that one of the greatest players ever to play for Ireland has chosen to represent his country again," said Kerr. "It cannot have been an easy decision for him but his desire to represent his country is immense.
"I am looking forward to working with Roy Keane. He brings quality and experience to a potentially excellent squad of players whose soul focus is the World Cup qualifying matches next autumn."
Keane's Manchester United teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, has dismissed the 'wild rumours' linking him with a summer move to Barcelona.
The prolific striker is a reported target of the Catalan giants and his agent Rodger Rinse suggested that he would not be adverse to leaving Old Trafford for the Nou Camp. However, van Nistelrooy has played down any such notions.
"I am happy at Manchester United," he said. "I recently signed a new contract and I wouldn't have committed my future to the club if I wasn't happy.
"I am enjoying my football, the fans are second to none, and any reports of me leaving are just wild rumours."
Finally, cash-strapped Burnley have received a financial lifeline following the announcement of a record sponsorship deal. Hunters Estate Agents will be the new shirt sponsor's of the Clarets for the next two seasons in a deal worth six figures.
Chief Executive Dave Edmundson said: "This is the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of Burnley football club and we are delighted to welcome Hunters Estate Agents as our official sponsor.
"We are delighted that a company of this size and stature has chosen Burnley as a vehicle for its brand development."
