Changing room chat

Published on Wednesday 15 October 2008 23:36

Scream if you want a goal faster

AN IMAGE depicting an agonised figure that has become instantly recognisable across the world. We are, of course, talking about Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo and not the expressionist painting by Edvard Munch – but we're sure you'll agree the two striking images look pretty darn similar.

Iwelumo's face will be etched into the minds of millions of Scots after his open-goal howler in last Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Norway. The big striker missed from a few yards out and, whether on the telly, in the papers or on YouTube, we've all seen it over and over again.

The painting by Munch – who, ironically, is a Norwegian! – inspired the Halloween mask that was worn in the 1990s film Scream and, by the look of it, Iwelumo was wearing one when he starred in his own horror movie at Hampden last weekend.

Chinese teams just not worthy

'WE'RE s*** and we know we are.' That was the message coming from football managers in China yesterday after it was decided Beijing's national Bird's Nest stadium will not host Chinese Super League matches.

Officials in China were worried that their diddy teams would sully the iconic Olympic venue's image.

Luo Ning, whose company owns CSL runners-up Beijing Guo'an, said: "We don't want to put any shame on the Bird's Nest. The Bird's Nest is great. But currently, Chinese football does not deserve it."

SPL doing its bit for hunger

THE Scottish Premier League has begun doing its bit for world hunger as part of its role with the Association of the European Professional Football Leagues – a body made up of 28 European professional football leagues. EPFL has joined forces with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations to combat hunger throughout the world.

SPL executive chairman Lex Gold said: "We will join our European colleagues to support this initiative and we will look for ways to play our part at a local level."

TALES FROM THE TABS

STEALING FROM SAINTS

ST MIRREN will perhaps get extra security when they move to the Ferguslie Park area of Paisley in January after the Sun reported that thieves broke into Love Street and stole Gus MacPherson's laptop.

The manager's 400 computer, which was said to contain contact details for players and staff, was taken by yobs following the second raid at the ground in the past month. And they also ran off with "a 1,000 plasma TV and a stash of booze".

St Mirren vice chairman George Campbell said: "I'm disappointed. The thieves took a TV from the boardroom and caused considerable damage. We had some bottles of drink and some other stuff sitting out and they've helped themselves to that as well."

Campbell was not the only one to condemn the burglars – the Sun's Page 3 Girl also had her say in the tabloid's classic 'News in Briefs' section. Vikki, a busty 20-year-old from Essex, perhaps didn't realise that St Mirren beat Rangers in their last match when she quipped: "At least they couldn't steal the team's league points – they need all they can get."