Rickoza

We are going to have the best pitch in the league next season. Aye it perhaps should have been done long before now, but it's getting done and will look great. And the fact we can play football will do the biz.

Personally, Malcolm I felt added nothing. Two stunning free kicks I'll give you, but that apart, took a very good wage for doing, on the most part, picking splinters oot his arse on the bench. Most would never forget the Said Chiba incident, or the pathetic signature nonsense. We've lost substantially better players in the past and moved on. And still we will.

Evening Times continues to stir..... Mark McGhee not No.1 choice at Celtic Mark McGhee by Ronnie Cully CELTIC today denied reports that approaches had been made to Mark McGhee's agent as they search for the man to succeed Gordon Strachan. The Motherwell boss was the outgoing man's recommendation, and is one of the names on the list of possible candidates being considered for the vacancy. But club sources were quick to deny McGhee's agent had been contacted or that he had shot to the top of their wanted list. Aberdeen are expected to approach Motherwell with a view to discussing the manager's position at Pittodrie with the former Dons, Celtic and Hamburg striker. do_dp_ad();But this will not spook Celtic into making any sudden move for McGhee. Following Owen Coyle's decision to remain at Burnley - where he is expected to sign a lucrative new contract - the Parkhead club are revisiting the entire list of possible targets rather than focusing on just one man. Tony Mowbray remains high on the list. But, as yet, no approach has been made to the Hawthorns club who would demand around £1.6million to release their manager and his assistant, Mark Venus and Peter Grant, from their contracts. The Baggies boss is understood to be unhappy about heading back into the Championship with a squad which he has been told to slash by up to a third. But it is not clear if the former Hibs manager believes a return to Scotland would be the best move for him at this stage in his career. And, with the possibility the Middlesbrough job may become vacant soon as Gareth Southgate comes under pressure following relegation, a move back to his native North East may be more attractive to Mowbray. What has become clear is that Celtic have adopted a measured approach to finding the right man. And chairman John Reid has sent out a Trust Us' message to the Hoops fans desperate to find out who will be the new boss at the club. He has assured them they are attempting to get the very best man for the job, though this promise must be qualified by the word available.' Reid said: "It's better to get this right rather than be rushed. "As the board has done in recent years, through the appointment of Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan, we aim to appoint a manager who will bring continued success to the club. "Clearly, Celtic's priority is to appoint the very best candidate. "We'll aim to do this as soon as we possibly can, but we will also do so in a professional, considered manner and ensure we appoint the correct individual for the club and its supporters." Publication date 29/05/09

Reira's been released by Sunderland so is up for grabs I'd have thought. Hard to believe he was Messi's captain at one point! Decent enough player, a possible punt? Arnau Riera takes great pride in the success of Barcelona Manchester United may have been unable to control Lionel Messi in the Champions League final on Wednesday evening, but Arnau Riera used to do it all on his own. The Falkirk midfield player was Messi's captain when the gifted Argentinian was learning his trade in Barcelona's B team. Riera spent six seasons at the Nou Camp without making it to the first team but that did not dilute his pride at Barcelona's success. "I watched the game on television and celebrated with a few Spanish friends," he said. "I feel very happy for them. I had six years there and I know the culture and football in Barcelona and it never changes. You have to keep the ball. "I played with some of the players who beat Manchester United and that made me proud. I can say that I was playing with such wonderful players, even if it was only in the Barcelona B team in the Spanish second division. "Youngsters like Messi and Andrés Iniesta were so talented. Victor Valdés also played with me. You could see Messi was something special and was confident. Barcelona's youth system is like Arsenal in that every single player at that stage is gifted. There are so many good players that you don't know who's going to make the biggest step to the first team. Xavi was another who was special at an early age." Sadly, the 27-year-old Riera will have to make do with a watching role in the Homecoming Scottish Cup final tomorrow as well. He was shown a yellow card in the semi-final against Dunfermline and is suspended for the final. He also learned yesterday that he has been released by Sunderland, the club who loaned him to Falkirk.

Loving the updates, following it intently each day! Should get a power of work done in the next few days with the forecast being so good. Looks set for a topper of a day tomorrow incidentally!

On the subject of ex-'Well players who are Dutch, what about the other Big Boab.... MAASKANT READY FOR TOUGH MATCH NAC Breda boss Robert Maaskant expects an incident-filled game when his side face FC Groningen in the first of a three-match series which will decide who advances to the Europa League. Both sides strolled through their play-off semi-final ties, against Feyenoord and FC Utrecht respectively. Maaskant said: "Something always happens in games between NAC and FC Groningen, so in that sense it's an interesting final. Maaskant is proud of what he has already achieved, and would love to lead his side into continental competition. He said: "That would be an awesome achievement for a club like NAC, especially looking at the differences in budgets. "Clearly we don't match up with the top six, certainly not structurally." The KNVB have moved the final game of the series forward from June 3 to June 2, meaning, if needed, it will be played just two days after the second fixture. It is a decision which Maaskant described as "ridiculous" before adding: "I think the winner of Thursday's game has a very good chance on winning the play-offs. "After that the players will get tired and the internationals will have their minds on other games." Matthew Amoah, Tommie van der Leegte, Kurt Elshot and Edwin de Graaf are all out, while Anthony Lurling could again receive painkilling injections to play. For Groningen, Gibril Sankoh is suspended while Nicklas Pedersen and Oluwafemi Ajilore are injured. Coach Ron Jans said: "The danger is that we feel too good after the win over Utrecht. "But NAC are very difficult opponents, they're hard to beat, and they're a team that we don't really like playing against. "When we're good we can beat them. But they can make us play badly."

Having experienced trouble at Airdire and also Hamilton in the past, I think it might be possible that certain elements would be out to make it a nightmare scenario for Motherwell and their fans. Which is why I think Livingston would be the best option. It is sad that the though arises, but it's one which cannot be ignored. It's a definite possibility, especially if it's the Shyberry/Broomfield/Whateveritscalled......

Luvviesville would be the safest choice for the fans attending the game. Airdire would be a nightmare, Accies wouldn't be much safer I think.

I've got loads of pics up on my bebo site, just look for Rickoza. If you need added as a friend i'll be sure to get it done asap, you're more than welcome to take any pics off there.

June 22nd is the next big day on two fronts. The players return from a rather shortened break, and that's the day of the draw for the first two preliminary rounds of the Europa League qualifying in Nyon.

Didn't he just preside over one of THE worst-ever seasons Ajax have had in their history? Great choice, go for it..............!

At the end of the day I guess a Manager is just like a player, they will all move on eventually. I think things like this could be handled better, there are procedures to go through and unless Abersheepymehs have went through the right channels they should b epunished for tapping. If MM goes, we must get the maximum compo to ensure we can afford to get the right man in place. And, with the season ended, there will be plenty of candidates.

Ashington was a fantastic day out. Loads of 'Well fans having a great time, kick about on the park, shite game at 0-0 (and we nearly lost but who was really caring) and getting to grub up with the team afterwards in the rather petite club house! Brilliant day out. Twice we've been to Hartlepool and the first one was the best, the late, great Davie Cooper ripping a new arse out of several 'Pool players and their boss Alan Murray coming onto the bus to say cheerio later that night! Great times! Not the greatest of pics, but.........

Cue a denial by 'Flow at 00:01!

In my experience, it's amazing what a row of ££££s can repair.

I fancy Jeffries would be an extremely unpopular appointment if it were to happen. Aint no-one I've ever talked to thought he was anything other than a complete tit. And that includes Kilmarnock fans.

There will be hardly anyone there this year, especially minus us and also the prices have gone up. Tough titties, they might learn if it survives until next year.

They seem sure...

Owen Coyle. Already one successful stint with the 'Well at the Masters, natural progression surely...........!

Ah wuz fitted up ah tell ye. Didnae mean to slag their pies off............

Free the East End One!!!!

Begs the quesiton with this Europa Fair Play place, can you have points deducted for taking an atmopshere away or denying it from beginning in the first place?!?!

I remember a few years ago at Easter Road we were told to stop singing by the stewards in the then rickety auld Main Stand. I was almost thrown out because i dared to ojbect to this! Some folk really need to go on a course to learn the difference beteween threatening behaviour and simply having a good time.

Saw Kirkie up in the Cooper pre-match on Saturday. There's some kind of strange buzz being in the company of a legend and it was certainly present! Great to see him involved at Fir Park again.

Someone had put the link up to say Fir Park Corner FC, I imagine it's been changed now though!