Georgios Samaras insists he would rather stay at Celtic and challenge for silverware than play for a team who are simply making up the numbers.
The Hoops striker was the subject of speculation throughout the summer, and was linked with Palermo, Espanyol, Hercules and Newcastle. But he claims the prospect of quitting Parkhead did not even cross his mind.
Samaras said: “I would love to play and stay at Celtic rather than go to a club in Italy or Germany to fight for 10th or 11th position.
“When you finish the season, you have done nothing apart from winning enough games to stay in the middle of the table. That is the reason why Celtic are a great club, as you can be in the history.”
Woodgate misses out on squad spot
Jonathan Woodgate failed to make Tottenham’s 25-man squad for the first half of the season.
Manager Harry Redknapp decided to omit the injury-plagued defender, who he recently revealed was fighting to save his career.
Redknapp last month expressed his fears the 30-year-old would be forced to retire if one final operation did not cure his groin problem. Woodgate made only three appearances last season and has not played at all since November.
Specialist surgery in America and Australia proved unsuccessful and Redknapp believes the player is close to having to call it quits.
Curbishley in frame for Aston Villa job
Former Aston Villa player Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O’Neill as manager of the Midlands club.
Curbishley, out of football since ending his spell as West Ham boss two years ago, is understood to have been interviewed by Villa on Wednesday. He joins reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald, who formally applied for the job, in being in contention for the post.
Curbishley carved out his managerial reputation in establishing Charlton as a top-flight club.
Villa are to speak to other potential candidates before making an appointment, which they hope will come before the next match at Stoke after the international break.
Ronald Koeman has also made it public that he would be interested in the role.
Van Bommel named Netherlands captain
Bert van Marwijk has named his son-in-law Mark van Bommel as the new Netherlands captain. The 33-year-old succeeds defensive midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who retired after the World Cup final defeat to Spain in South Africa this summer.
“We discussed it with the technical staff for a while before making our decision,” said Van Marwijk.
“Mark is at the correct age and the right position for that. He has done the job in the past for PSV Eindhoven and now for Bayern Munich.”
The Oranje face San Marino today in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier.
Van der Vaart happy to earn his Spurs
Rafael van der Vaart was in as much of a daze as Tottenham fans after the Premier League sanctioned his whirlwind £8m move from Real Madrid with hours to spare in midweek.
Spurs had been sweating on the clearance to bring the Dutch midfielder to White Hart Lane after technical difficulties hampered their efforts to submit the relevant paperwork for the signing before the transfer deadline.
Van der Vaart said: “Four years at Spurs, for €11m, I can hardly believe it myself.
“The interest from Tottenham came very quick and I did not have much time to think. But I want to play football again and if possible every week, with a beautiful club. I’m totally happy.”
Lazio’s Lotito cool over Santa Cruz
Lazio president Claudio Lotito does not consider it a failure the club did not secure the services of Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz.
The Paraguay forward came close to joining the Serie A outfit but the deal fell through earlier this week.
Despite also being linked with Fulham, the 29-year-old Santa Cruz remained at Eastlands.
“It’s not a disappointment,” said Lotito.
“We decided to take some time and wait for the winter transfer market in order to evaluate whether to make that signing, considering that in that role we already have Mauro Zarate, Sergio Floccari, Tommaso Rocchi and Pasquale Foggia.”
Dzeko still a Juventus target
Juventus have confirmed they will try again next year to sign Edin Dzeko having failed to acquire the Bosnian striker this summer.
Dzeko, who is under contract with Wolfsburg until June 2013, has been a target of top European clubs for the past year.
The Bundesliga side avoided entering into negotiations with Juventus last month despite the 24-year-old stating he would relish a move to Serie A.
“Dzeko is one of the strongest players in Europe,” said Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta.
“We did everything we could within our possibilities to acquire him in the summer transfer market. However, Wolfsburg put up a wall. We will try again but something tells me that in the future the Bosnian will end up playing at Bayern Munich.”