A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Redknapp says Modric will not be leaving Tottenham
HARRY REDKNAPP says Luka Modric won't be leaving Tottenham this summer, but admits it is impossible to prevent his head from being turned by other clubs.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be more than keen on taking the Croatian playmaker, who has refused to rule out a possible departure.
Redknapp, though, maintains Spurs cannot afford to let Modric move on this summer.
“If clubs the size of Manchester United and Chelsea are prepared to offer him Champions League football and massive wages, you would have to be very naive to think it wouldn’t turn Luka’s head,” he said.
“But I have been assured by the chairman that he is not prepared to sell him under any circumstances.
“And it’s fair to say he’s not happy about the unwanted attention and continuing speculation surrounding Luka. I have said on many occasions he is irreplaceable and it would be a massive disaster for the club if he was allowed to leave.”
United's Vidic 'staying put'
NEMANJA VIDIC’S agent has dismissed talk of the Manchester United captain leaving Old Trafford. The 29-year-old Serbia defender has been linked with a move away from England with Juventus reportedly interested. However, his agent Silvano Martina said: I talked to him about a transfer and he replied, I am the captain of Manchester United, earning well, Ive won almost everything... Why should I go to Italy right now’.”
Sneijder opens door for move
INTER MILAN midfielder Wesley Sneijder has left the door open for a possible move away from the San Siro this summer despite pledging his commitment to the club two days ago.
The 27-year-old Holland international said on Friday that he was happy in Milan and saw no reason to leave the Serie A runners-up, but in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport he indicated that his future was not yet set in stone.
He told the Italian newspaper: “The Inter fans have always treated me very well. They were wonderful and I want to simply thank them. Only God will decide where my future lies.
Sneijder, a reported target of Chelsea and both Manchester clubs, is under contract with Inter until June 2015.
O'Neill looking to make some points
HAVING garnered 20 points from the opening round of fixtures, Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill is demanding a repeat as we approach the end of the second quarter ahead of tonight’s rearranged Airtricity League Premier Division home clash with Derry City at Tallaght Stadium.
A win will keep the champions on course for that 40-point mark when bottom side Galway United visit in the final game of the second series on Friday. More importantly in regard to their retaining their title, victory tonight will put Rovers at least five points clear at the top of the table.
“We have an aim of getting 20 points in this second quarter, so we need to keep getting the wins, especially in our home games,” said O’Neill.
“We did very well on Friday night. The team put in a good professional performance,” he added of the 6-1 drubbing of UCD. Left-back Enda Stevens returns from suspension leaving midfielder Chris Turner, who took a knock to his back at the UCD Bowl, O’Neill’s only injury doubt.
With midfielder James McClean back from a one-match ban, third-placed Derry travel with a full panel.
St Patrick’s Athletic continue without defenders Conor Kenna (knee) and Derek Pender (foot) for their trip to Dundalk where a win could see them move up to second in the table.
“We’ve a couple of niggly injuries and due to the fact we are playing on a plastic surface, we’ll have to give some thought to whether we rest players,” said St Patrick’s manager Pete Mahon.
Dundalk are without defenders Michael Hector (knee) and Eoghan Osborne (broken leg), midfielders Stephen Maher (groin) and Stephen McDonnell (knee), along with striker Jason Byrne (hamstring).
To add to manager Ian Foster’s selection headache is the fact central defender Shane Guthrie is ineligible due to the terms of his loan agreement from St Patrick’s while midfielder Dean Bennett is a doubt with an ankle injury.
TONIGHT’S GAMES: (7.45 unless stated)
Dundalk v St Patrick’s Athletic
Home: 17/10. Draw: 11/5 Away: 6/4.
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City (8.0)
Home: 7/10. Draw: 12/5 Away: 4/1.
Welbeck comes to the rescue
DANNY WELBECK scored a dramatic late equaliser to spare England a controversial but deserved defeat in their European Under-21 Championship opener against Spain in Herning, Denmark.
Completely outplayed from almost the first whistle, Stuart Pearce’s Young Lions fell behind to Ander Herrera’s headed 14th-minute goal from close range in last night’s Group B clash.
But Welbeck, who appeared narrowly offside, popped up two minutes from time to slot home and snatch a priceless point.
England’s opponents dominating possession in a way in which has become the hallmark of Spanish sides and the game seemed to be drifting towards an inevitable conclusion until England equalised out of nothing two minutes from time. Spain’s defence went to sleep as England committed more men forward than they had all game and Kyle Walker’s ball found its way to Welbeck, who appeared narrowly offside but was not flagged and slotted home with ease.
