Changing room chat

Published on Wednesday 23 July 2008 23:36

Idowu hoping to paint town red

WHEN we think of sporting redheads, the likes of Paul Scholes, Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish spring to mind.

Of course, strictly speaking they are ginger, whereas Phillips Idowu, the British triple jumper, has dyed his hair red and intends to keep it that way until at least the Beijing Olympics in an attempt to bring good fortune his way.

"In China, red is a lucky colour," said the 29-year-old world indoor champion. "I didn't realise that – my hair was red all through the season but someone told me that and Beijing was coming up and I thought let me keep it that way."

China has long seen red as a lucky colour that wards off evil spirits – hence the red walls of the Forbidden City, gifts of cash in red envelopes and red paper cut-outs in Chinese homes.

Idowu, known for sporting an array of hair colours and facial piercings, will be competing at his third Olympics next month having failed to win a medal in Sydney and Athens. Idowu's hair was dyed red for the latter Games – it should really have been blue, seen as a lucky colour in Greece.

Airport chaos awaits in Brazil

BRAZIL are world-renowned for their fluency on the football pitch, and they even took that into the airport departure lounge for a famous TV advert before the 1998 World Cup. But don't expect such happy-go-lucky findings when they host the 2014 World Cup.

Adalberto Febeliano, executive vice president of the Brazil Association of General Aviation, has warned the country lacks the airport infrastructure needed to accommodate up to half a million tourists during the competition.

Ladies Night perk for Reid

HAMILTON Accies will parade the First Division trophy at Hamilton Park Racecourse during Ladies Night on Saturday 2 August, just nine days before they make their debut in the Scottish Premier League.

Billy Reid might also enjoy one of the perks of the night – the Hamilton manager will team up with Clyde 1's Suzie McGuire and No 1 Magazine's Nadine Hawkins in judging the Best Dressed Lady.

The first-team squad will also be in attendance, and will probably have their own views on Best Dressed Lady...

TALES FROM THE TABS

BASA MAKES HIS MARKO

CELTIC are looking to switch their attention to Serbian defender Marko Basa if their move for Romania international Gabriel Tamas stalls, according to The Sun. And, while the Parkhead club consider their defensive options, Norwich City are preparing to offer John Kennedy a loan period at Carrow Road – despite a similar offer from Motherwell recently.

On the other side of the Old Firm divide, Rangers have been warned they will have to offer big money to prise Glenn Loovens away from FA Cup finalists Cardiff City, says the Daily Mail. After losing patience in Danny Shittu, Walter Smith is hoping to land Loovens from the Welsh club. "If Walter wants him, make a bid but . . . he won't come cheap," said City manager Dave Jones.

The will-he, won't-he-leave affair between James McFadden and Birmingham City continues apace down south with Alex McLeish adamant the Scotland international is staying at St Andrews where he is set to be joined by Stephen Pearson.