SOCCER SHORTS

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Platini wants debt clubs restricted

UEFA PRESIDENT Michel Platini has warned the governing body will "fight very seriously" to restrict entry into the Champions League and Uefa Cup by clubs in debt.

Platini again expressed his concern at the amount of rising debt even the top clubs are getting into.

Platini claimed that in future Uefa would come down hard on clubs that owed hefty sums - which would have seen European champions Manchester United and final opponents Chelsea banned from the Champions League last season.

Platini spoke about the issue earlier this month and said "it is the ones who cheat who win".

And he added yesterday: "Uefa are going to fight very seriously to restrict entry to its competitions from clubs that are in debt.

"I'm not only talking about English teams such as Chelsea or Manchester United, who reached the Champions League final with a huge debt, I'm talking in general.

"It's a problem that grabs my heart. Four or five years from now we have to have sorted the situation out, with co-operation from clubs and national associations."

Finnan doesn't fear Degen challenge

STEVE FINNAN is happy to have extra competition at Liverpool following the arrival of Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund.

Manager Rafael Benitez moved quickly to secure Degen's services at the end of last season, the Swiss international heading to Anfield on a free transfer.

In theory, Degen's signing should be bad news for Finnan.

But, after facing similar competition for the right-back slot from Jan Kromkamp and Alvaro Arbeloa, Finnan only sees the threat posed by Degen as positive.

"If the manager wants to add more players, I have no problem with that," the Republic of Ireland international told LFC magazine.

"You look at our squad now and you can see we have two top players in nearly every position."

"You have to add new faces to improve your squad," Finnan said.

Liverpool expect to complete the signing of Italian left back Andrea Dossena next week.

Chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed a deal to take the 26-year-old Udinese player to Anfield is close to being finalised.

Parry told the club's website, liverpoolfc.tv: "The deal should go through next week after finalising the paperwork."

Dossena has been capped once for Italy.

Hoolahan off  to Norwich

NORWICH HAVE signed Blackpool's Irish midfielder Wes Hoolahan for an undisclosed fee, with goalkeeper Matt Gilks moving in the opposite direction.

Hoolahan scored six goals for Blackpool last season and made his Republic of Ireland debut in the recent friendly win over Colombia. The 26-year-old former Livingston player has signed a three-year deal.

McCourt's Celtic move a 'good shock'

NEW CELTIC recruit Pat McCourt admits he was shocked to be invited to join his boyhood heroes. The 24-year-old winger last week agreed to move from Derry City on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

McCourt, who was unveiled at Celtic Park yesterday morning, said: "It's fantastic.

"It's something that I've always dreamt about my whole life and to get the opportunity to come play for this club was unbelievable.

"It was a shock but a good shock. To be honest, I was nervous when I heard that Celtic's interest was serious. I wanted the medical and everything to go okay and it was a relief to sign."

Suchy keen to go

SLAVIA PRAGUE'S Marek Suchy has admitted he is "attracted" by playing abroad as Scottish outfit Rangers continue to keep close tabs on the central defender.

The 20-year-old was one of the stars of last year's Under-20 World Cup in Canada, where the Czech Republic finished as runners-up, and continued that form in Europe as an ever-present in Slavia's maiden Champions League campaign.

Slavia are again set for an assault on Europe's premier club competition next term after winning last season's Gambrinus Liga, but Suchy concedes his future could lie elsewhere.

"I have to admit I am attracted by playing abroad," Suchy said. "I would like to try football also in another country, and if it happens, I would be happy to go to Scotland."

Suchy confirmed Rangers' interest in his services, but revealed that a deal was some way from conclusion.

"I do not know anything concrete, I do not know details, but I do not want to pretend I have not heard anything," he said.

 Little wants pal Shorey to move

GLEN LITTLE has urged Nicky Shorey to follow him to Portsmouth from Reading. Winger Little joined Pompey after turning down a new deal at Reading, where last season he made just two substitute appearances due to Achilles trouble.

Redknapp is believed to be considering a €3.8 million bid and Little said: "Nicky is my best mate so of course I am going to say good things about him. But I would love to see him sign for Portsmouth. Reading have already got the hump with me for leaving. So I am not going to try to upset people by saying he should sign for so and so. But at the end of the day, I want what's best for him and he should follow me down here."