Week in, week out

Following in the footsteps of Simon Cowell and Kris Boyd, last year's Grand National hero Liam Treadwell has been showing off a brand new set of teeth.

Few will forget the moments that followed Treadwell's victory on 100-1 outsider Mon Mome at Aintree in April 2009 – when BBC presenter Clare Balding ruined the jockey's proudest moment by demanding he show his crooked teeth to the television cameras.

Balding's comments sparked outrage and she was forced into a public apology after angry viewers called for her to be sacked. Now, a couple of weeks ahead of this year's Grand National, Treadwell has plenty to smile about.

While Rangers striker Boyd was reported to have spent 9,000 to get a new set of gnashers, cosmetic dentists UltraSmile in London gave the 24-year-old jockey 30,000 worth of treatment for free.

"My new teeth are amazing," said Treadwell. "I'm absolutely delighted. It's taken the best part of 11 months. It was heavy duty treatment but it was virtually painless. The transformation has been unbelievable. The hardest thing about it has been learning how to smile properly for the first time. I used to keep my mouth closed all the time.

"When Clare made those comments people were upset but it went straight over my head. It was probably the best thing she could have said. It's worked out brilliantly."

ALBION ROVERS THROW-IN THE GAUNTLET

Albion Rovers manager Paul Martin has invited Stoke City's long-throw expert Rory Delap to Cliftonhill for a 'throw-off' with Jamie Gilmartin.

Martin has been stunned by the throw-ins Gilmartin has produced since making his debut for the Coatbridge side against East Stirling last Tuesday, and he says the youngster could even teach Delap a thing or two.

"Jamie is a full-back and he took a shy on the halfway line and it flew in like a cross and had their goalkeeper under pressure," explained Martin. "He did it again and we were all left wondering why we did not know he had this in his armoury before. I would love Delap to come here and see who has the longest throw. My money would be on Jamie."

At the weekend, West Ham United copied Burnley and decided to move their advertising hoardings closer to the pitch ahead of the visit of Stoke to try to stifle Delap. Will we soon see similar tactics in the Scottish Third Division?

JUVE EGGED ON TO VICTORY

Football supporters in Italy certainly know how to make their feelings known. Just ask the players at Juventus, who were yesterday attacked as they boarded the bus before their Serie A match with Atalanta.

With 11 losses this season, Juve have matched their worst previous performance in the 1956-57 campaign and the fans are none too happy about it.

They threw eggs and bottles at the bus as the players prepared to make their way to Turin's Stadio Olimpico for the clash with Atalanta. One fan even managed to approach the bus and slap defender Jonathan Zebina on the back of his neck.

The attack at least had the desired effect, with Juventus ending a four-game winless streak with a 2-1 victory.