Karpin takes over at Spartak

FORMER Russia international Valery Karpin will be in charge of Spartak Moscow for their visit to Celtic next Wednesday as he begins his second coaching spell at the club after being named caretaker manager.

“Karpin has been appointed Spartak’s caretaker coach until the end of the year,” said the club’s spokesman, Alexei Matveyev.

The club will then search for a new coach during the Russian winter break. Karpin, 43, replaces Spaniard Unai Emery, who was sacked following a 5-1 home thrashing by bitter city rivals Dynamo in a Russian Premier League derby on Sunday. He faces a stern test in his first game back behind the Spartak bench on Friday, when his team host champions Zenit St Petersburg. Spartak are certain to finish bottom of Champions League Group G with a game to spare and will arrive at Parkhead with only pride to play for.