The Rumour Mill: Rangers’ Juventus welcome | Pirlo worry | ‘Embarrassing’ cup exit

Published on 09/02/2013 08:51

Rangers to allow Juventus to train at Murray Park ahead of their Champions League tie with Celtic; Andrea Pirlo a fitness doubt for Tuesday’s European tie; Andrew Little ‘embarrased and humiliated’ by Rangers Scottish Cup exit

Rangers to welcome Juventus to Murray Park

Rangers have offered training facilities to Juventus ahead of a vital last-16 Champions League clash against Celtic on Tuesday. The Italian giants have been given the unprecedented gift from Celtic’s Old Firm rivals as they seek to gain a first-leg advantage away from home at Parkhead.

While Rangers say a deal has already been struck to allow the Turin club to train at Murray Park, Juventus have yet to accept the offer, saying “some options have been considered from the technical staff but nothing is confirmed.” (Daily Record, The Sun)

Andrea Pirlo a doubt for Celtic tie

Juventus face lining up against Celtic without midfielder Andrea Pirlo after the Italian picked up a thigh injury on international duty. Pirlo was substituted at half-time against the Netherlands in mid-week and has not trained since. Pirlo will undergo a fitness test before today’s game against Fiorentina. Fellow midfielders Claudio Marchisio and Kwadwo Asamoah are also doubts for the Italian side. (The Sun)

Rangers’ Andy Little says Dundee United cup exit is ‘embarrassing’

Rangers striker Andy Little has admitted that his side’s Scottish Cup exit has left him feeling “embarrassed and humiliated.” The Northern Ireland forward also said the result has left the club feeling as low as they’ve felt all season.

“Speaking for myself, I felt embarrassed and humiliated during the game, especially in the last five or ten minutes. It was really disappointing,” Little said.

“We have talked about it ourselves and we have talked about it with the manager.

“We now maybe realise that we are not as good as people said we were or we thought we were.

“I’ve never felt as embarrassed in a game — and in a game we were so up for, which meant so much to the club. We let ourselves down.” (The Daily Record)