Redknapp has the final say...

Pompey Chairman, MILAN MANDARIC had promised Harry Redknapp he would have the final say on whether Pompey buy Polish striker Emmanuel Olisadebe.

The Nigerian-born powerhouse arrives at Fratton Park for a trial this week as Pompey look to strengthen their front-line options.Mandaric has been tracking the progress of the Panathinaikos striker since Alain Perrin was at the helm.

Now Redknapp will be able to see Olisadebe himself at close hand and decide whether he should be the Blues' first transfer-window recruit.

The 26-year-old has already been involved in Champions League football this season, while on the international stage he has bagged 11 goals in 25 appearances.

But Mandaric has vowed to leave the final decision on his Fratton Park future with Redknapp.He said: 'We have an interest in the player, but first Harry needs to see him.'He is a strong, powerful player – somebody who could probably play in the Premier division, and we are talking to the player and his club.A fee of 1.2m euros – around £800,000 – has been discussed for Olisadebe, whose annual salary in Greece is about £460,000.

The Nigerian-born hitman – given Polish citizenship by presidential decree – sprung to international prominence when he banged in eight goals in Poland's 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Days without Vieira

(Adpated from World SoccerNews.com)

Arsenal took so long to adjust to life without Patrick Vieira that by the time they "woke up" any chance of winning the Premiership had all but disappeared, Gilberto has admitted.

Arsenal go into the holiday period a huge 20 points behind leaders and reigning champions Chelsea.

Before the season began they saw former skipper Vieira leave in a 13.7 million pounds move to Juventus after several attempts by Real Madrid to lure him to Spain from Highbury had proved unsuccessful.

In the France World Cup-winner's absence Arsenal dropped 10 points in their first four away games, Vieira's power and experience badly missed in midfield.

Gilberto, who played alongside Vieira, said Friday: "We struggled a bit at the start of the season with injuries, suspensions and Patrick's departure had a big impact on us.

"We worried a bit too much about his departure and when we woke up we had lost some games and it was very difficult for us.

"Patrick was a fantastic leader for us and, when he left, it was difficult for us to accept his decision at the beginning.

"Of course, we respected it but it was still very difficult when we came to the training ground and Patrick was not here. It was different."

Gilberto's Brazilian international team-mate Edu also left at the end of last season, leaving inexperienced duo Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini to bolster midfield.

Asked what Arsenal missed without Vieira and Edu, Gilberto said Friday: "The experience of both players in the middle of the park because you need to be really strong in this particular part of the pitch.

"Sometimes it can decide a game. They were also important for the team because they brought good things to the dressing room that made the atmosphere good and, when someone was down, they lifted us.

"It was not just about football."

Arsenal, who travel to London rivals Charlton on Monday, have lost their last three Premiership matches and Gilberto said it was time for the senior players to lead from the front.

"Certain things happen in football that you have to accept. It's life. We need to carry on, play without Patrick and support the young players and ourselves and be together all the time," he insisted.

Gilberto put his words into action during the recent League Cup quarter-final win over Doncaster where his last-minute equaliser in extra-time led to the Gunners' penalty shoot-out victory.

But ahead of the trip to The Valley, he stressed: "The experienced players need to lift the team. We need to get our confidence back.

"It's been quite frustrating for us because in a couple of games, it didn't work like we had practised. When it doesn't come, it's more psychological than technical.

"But we just have to work harder than before. These results get you a little bit down. You need to do something more to what you normally do.

"These are anxious moments but the team is strong, there is a mixture of youth and experience and, above all, we need to believe in ourselves."

And while the Premiership title may be out of sight, Gilberto said Arsenal still had plenty to aim for in the second-half of the season.

"Everyone knows the Premiership is very difficult for us but we will not give up. We will try to improve and we still have the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and, of course, the Champions League."

Roy Keane final decision

Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane has decided to join Celtic.

Keane, 34, has agreed an 18-month deal after leaving Manchester United last month, the Scottish club announced Thursday.

Real Madrid's was linked with the midfielder earlier on, but was deny by Keane.

The salary package for Keane was just around 45,000 pounds, half what he earned at
Manchester United.

It is believed that a portion of Keane's salary will be paid directly by Celtic's major shareholder, Dermot Desmond.

However, Keane hardly needs the money. Moreover, he was still being paid under the terms of his departure from United, when his final contract was due to expire.

Keane's time at Manchester United came to an end last month after a falling out with Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

McLeish to stay

Some news from Scotland Soccer scence. (adapted from soccerway.com)

Rangers have confirmed that manager Alex McLeish will remain with the club, despite lying 17 points behind arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish title race.

Rangers chairman David Murray stated that the side’s efforts in making the last 16 in the UEFA Champions League had helped sway the decision in McLeish’s favour.

“I can confirm that Alex McLeish will continue as manager of Rangers Football Club,” said Murray.

“Although we recognise that results in our domestic league are not of the standard that all at Rangers expect, we should not minimalise one of our greatest achievements in European history.

“We have qualified for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League with limited resources, and we are confident that when normal league business resumes, our squad, who are fully behind our manager, can improve on our current league position.

“I would personally like to thank the Rangers family for their massive support in recent weeks and I am sure when further success returns, we will enjoy it even more.”

ShownDown : Fiorentina vs Juventus

A showdown between 2 strong team in ISA…

Fiorentina 13Games, 9W 2D 2L, still unbeaten at home ground. 6Games 6W.

Juventus 13Games, 12W 0D 1L, the only game they lost was during their away game to AC Milan, on the 29th Oct.

Juventus is the leader of ISA so far, while Fiorentina lies on the 3rd, 7points away from Juventus.

This match will be played under a big pressure for both teams, the home crowd is waiting eagerly for a long time for this match. It is no doubt that Fiorentina has shown to be very competitive in this season. Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli’s reliance on attacking football and the signing of Luca Toni from Palermo, who had already netted 16 out of Fiorentina’s 28 goals, is a clear warning sign to the Juve coach Fabio Capello’s side, that they are a difficult team to be beaten.

A win for the home side will also see them maintain their unbeaten home record, as well as giving AC Milan a helping hand, as they are looking to close the five-point gap between them and Juventus.

On the other hand, Juventus, impressive record has shown to others ISA team, especially those in the middle zone of the table that they are a very hard team to hold. Forwards Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic are both in great forms, plus the return of Patrick Vieira and Lilian Thuram, who both missed last weekend's 3-1 win over Treviso through suspension. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon might be playing for his 1st match, since injury, but still up to the decision of the Juve Coach as Juve had been doing well so far with his absence.

I don’t see any reason for the visitors to lose on this match, as a better discipline and well balanced team, plus a strong reserve line. Fiorentina might be a strong team at home, but that does not meant they can’t be beaten, especially facing a strong opponent like Juventus. A draw is a most possible outcome between these 2 teams. But I would rather take the risk of giving away -1/4 ball here, as I believed that, if any team is to win in this match, it would be Juventus.

Probable line-up for Fiorentina: Frey; Di Loreto, Ujfalusi, Dainelli, Pasqual; Donadel, Brocchi, Fiore, Montolivo, Jorgensen; Toni. Probable line-up for Juventus: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Chiellini, Thuram, Cannavaro; Emerson, Vieira, Camoranesi, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet.