Football News in Brief 06/03/2012

Iain Brines in charge for Celtic cup tie

The SFA has appointed Iain Brines to handle the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final clash between holders Celtic and Dundee United at Tannadice on Sunday. The game kicks off at 1.15pm and is being shown live on Sky Sports.

Three of the ties are being broadcast live. Hearts take on St Mirren at Tynecastle on Saturday, with Stevie O’Reilly the man in the middle. It kicks off at 12.30pm and is live on BBC Scotland. Ayr United versus Hibs is the only game not televised. Steven McLean takes charge of that fixture, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday. Aberdeen’s match at Motherwell is at 3.45pm on Sunday, with Craig Thomson the man in charge.

Ex-Aberdeen’s Stuart Duff signs for Kazakhstan club

Former Aberdeen player Stuart Duff has signed for Kazakhstan club Kairat Almaty.

The ex-Dundee United, Aberdeen and Inverness Caledonian Thistle utility man was in talks with the club after a spell in Maltese football. And after a spell at their Turkish training camp, 30-year-old Duff has signed for the ambitious side, managed by former Aston Villa manager John Gregory.

“I’m not bound by any family ties and I played football in Scotland for nine years, so this a great opportunity for me,” said Duff. “I knew nothing about Kazakhstan, but I’m learning.”

Lee Cattermole’s costly post-match red card

Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole has been handed a four-match ban in the wake of his side’s ill-tempered derby draw at Newcastle United.

The 23-year-old was booked for the tenth time this season after clattering into Cheick Tiote after just 40 second, incurring a two-match suspension in the process, and his red card for foul and abusive language towards the referee after the final whistle earned him another two.

Black Cats forward Stephane Sessegnon’s 58th-minute dismissal for violent conduct after he elbowed Tiote will cost him three games on the sidelines.

Richard O’Kelly in, Jamie Pitman out at Hereford

Hereford have announced Richard O’Kelly as their new manager after Jamie Pitman was relieved of his duties by the npower League Two club.

O’Kelly, who has left his role as a coach at League One Walsall, is a surprise appointment with 12 matches remaining for the Bulls – who are two points above the drop zone – to preserve their Football League status. O’Kelly, 55, returns to Edgar Street having been assistant to former manager Graham Turner between 2002 and 2004 but he has no senior management experience.