The talk in football
The manager of the Premiership club whose players, it is claimed, are at the centre of the rape allegations that are the talk of football, is said to be "extremely depressed" that his team are implicated. The revered boss feels let down by his stars, even if they are cleared, for putting the club's name in jeopardy following a boozy night out in London. He is now considering whether to put two of the players allegedly involved up for sale in the January transfer window. The incident is also said to have involved players from two teams outside the Premiership.
Spurs facing long wait for '£3million O'Neill'
News on Martin O'Neill and Tottenham. It is believed the Celtic boss is on £2million a year in Glasgow and would not move for anything less than a substantial rise to around £3m. But should O'Neill move, it looks increasingly likely he will only do so in the summer, especially as he has given his word that he won't leave Celtic Park until the club are knocked out of the Champions League. With victory over Lyon on Tuesday, qualification for the knockout phase next year is a real possibility.
Irons keep Lions at bay
Word has it that following internet pictures of Millwall fans wrapping scarves around the Bobby Moore statue near Upton Park and threats on various forums, a well known former leader of the ICF (West Ham's notorious hooligan firm) parked his car next to the statue and guarded it for the whole of Saturday night before the Irons' first game against Millwall in 10 years.
QPR in rage at Ridsdale
Queens Park Rangers have become embroiled in a row with Barnsley following Standard Sport's interview with Peter Ridsdale this week. Rangers chief-executive David Davies is "hopping mad" at Ridsdale's suggestion that the club rejected his offer of investment because he wanted to be too heavily involved and Davies would like to make it known that he would have stood down to make way for the former Leeds chairman. Rangers had the last laugh on Tuesday as Barnsley were thrashed 4-0 at Loftus Road.
Tate the mane attraction
And finally ... Leyton Orient are looking for a new manager and the latest to throw his hat in the ring is ex-Spurs captain, now Exeter City's director of football, Steve Perryman. But we simply have to congratulate striker Chris Tate on the finest mullet currently in football. Whoever the new manager is, let's hope he keeps him at Brisbane Road.
Contact us at: talkinfootball@standard.co.uk
