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      Sir Alex Ferguson named David O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill as Man Utd successors in 2000 if he had quit

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have had Martin O’Neill, Alan Curbishley or David O’Leary as their manager in the year 2000.
      The trio were Sir Alex Ferguson’s picks if he had decided to leave Old Trafford at the turn of the century.

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      Martin O’Neill (left) was reportedly identified as one of three possible replacements for Sir Alex Ferguson Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      Celtic chief Dermot Desmond revealed the trio had been eyed as replacements for the legend.
      At the time O’Leary, 62, was managing Premier League new boys Leeds while Curbishley and O’Neill were head coaches at Charlton and Leicester. 
      And Desmond told The Athletic he offered to increase Ferguson’s salary by 50 per cent with Scottish giants Celtic in 1997. 
      However the Red Devils boss’ wish to win the Champions League saw him remain with the Manchester giants. 

      And the Old Trafford side went on to capture the trophy two years later. 
      Desmond, 70, reportedly went back to Ferguson a few years later to enquire as to who the Glasgow-born manager would choose to replace him at United. 

      He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill
      Dermot Desmond

      And Ferguson, 78, told the Irish tycoon he had identified O’Leary, Curbishley and O’Neill.
      The latter would eventually land the Celtic manager’s job thanks to a meeting with the club’s then directors – Brian Quinn and Pat Sheehy – which came about through Ferguson’s input. 

      Desmond said: “In 2000, I went back and asked him if he was to pick his replacement at that time who would it be. 

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      Alan Curbishley was also eyed as a possible Manchester United coach and Ferguson replacementCredit: Back Page Images
      “He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill. 
      “I said the one I’m interested in is Martin O’Neill. 
      “I had previously asked a prominent broadcaster if Martin would be interested in the job and I got a response in the negative. 
      “I then asked Alex if he would speak with Martin, to see if he would meet with me, and the response was that he would be very interested in meeting. 
      “So I met Martin for dinner and we got on very well. I introduced him to Pat and Brian and they also felt he was a remarkable individual, so we hired Martin.” 
      Having captured two League Cups with Leicester in 1997 and 2000, O’Neill went on to win three trophies in just over 11 months following his arrival at Celtic.
      And the 68-year-old and his team won three Scottish Premiership titles with a team boasting stars including Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton. 

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      David O’Leary led Leeds United to a Champions League semis after being eyed as a potential Old Trafford managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But neither he nor O’Leary or Curbishley, 62, were able to match Ferguson’s trophy-winning record. 
      However the Northern Irishman proved to be the most successful of the three. 
      He went on to manage Sunderland and Aston Villa as well as doing a five-year international management spell with the Republic of Ireland. 
      His most recent managerial post was with Nottingham Forest with the Championship club sacking the coach just five months into the job. 
      Elsewhere, O’Leary’s tenure with Leeds came to an end in 2002 with the former Gunners player helping the Elland Road club to reach the semis of the Champions League. 
      And Curbishley’s 15-year stint at Charlton finished 2006 after he helped the club secure promotion in 1998. 

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      It’s reported the managerial trio were identified prior to the eventual succession plan put in place for Ferguson with David Moyes landing the job as his United replacement. 
      However the former Everton boss, 57, who is now in charge of West Ham, lasted just eight months in the Old Trafford hotseat before being sacked in 2014. 
      United finished seventh in the league in the 2013-14 season.

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      Anthony Stokes leaves Livingston after just THREE WEEKS due to problems with Astro Turf training pitch

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      ANTHONY STOKES has left Livingston after just three weeks – due to the club’s Astro Turf training pitch.
      SunSport exclusively revealed that the Irish striker, 32, was set to leave the West Lothian side.

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      Anthony Stokes has quit Livingston after just three weeks due to the club’s Astro Turf training pitchCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

      And the Lions have now explained why they have agreed a mutual termination of Stokes’ contract in a statement on their website.
      Livingston’s head of football operations David Martindale said: “Stokesy has been in training for approximately four weeks now and it’s fair to say that we both knew that there was going to be a lot of work to be done to get Anthony into top shape to play Premiership football.
      “In all honesty, it’s not quite worked out in terms of the on-field ball work and intense training schedule we had put in place.
      “He is struggling to adapt to training two-three hours per day on the Astro Turf surface – we all know it doesn’t and won’t suit everyone.

      “Of course, Anthony knew the surface we had in place but each player adapts to that differently and you can’t know how your body will feel adapting to it until you’ve been out there and played or trained on it frequently.
      “We know it isn’t for everyone and sadly, that’s been the case for Anthony.
      “Whilst trying to get the player in shape, it’s been extremely frustrating for all of us, staff and player alike, that we can’t seem to get the intense training needed into the player.

      “To be fair to Anthony, he has noticed this himself and he approached us with the option to terminate.

      “This allows both the player and the club to explore other opportunities.
      “It’s a real shame that the Livingston FC fans didn’t get to see Anthony wear the number nine shirt for Livingston on the field.
      “In the short spells we did get a chance to work with him, you could certainly see the quality he possesses.”

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      Livingston boss Gary Holt explained Anthony Stokes offered to quit over issues in trainingCredit: Andy Barr – The Sun Glasgow

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      Rangers legend Brian Laudrup given cancer all-clear after ten years of treatment

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      RANGERS legend Brian Laudrup has revealed he has been given the all-clear from his cancer.
      The former Light Blues star, 51, was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma ten years ago.

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      Rangers legend Brian Laudrup has been given the all-clear from cancerCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      But in a great piece of news, the former Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Ajax forward has now revealed that he has finally been given the all-clear.
      Posting a picture on Instagram with his doctor and nurse, Laudrup said: “Today, after ten years of treatment and check-ups, I finally got the all-clear for my follicular lymphoma cancer diagnosis!
      “A huge thank you to this amazing and wonderful medical staff at the Rigshospitalet.”
      Former Rangers star Shota Arveladze sent Laudrup his best wishes, responding to the post: “Brian, thanks to god.”

      Laudrup, who helped Denmark shock the world to win Euro 1992, became a fan favourite among Rangers fans during his four years at the club between 1994 and 1998.
      The Dane made 147 appearances in all competitions, scoring 41 goals in the process.
      And he helped the Ibrox club win three league titles, a Scottish Cup and a League Cup.

      After his time at Rangers came to an end, Laudrup had a brief spell at Stamford Bridge, then with Copenhagen and Ajax before retiring in 2000 at the age of 31.

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      Laudrup had a brief spell at Chelsea but barely playedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Meanwhile, Jim Duffy has revealed how Rangers icon Paul Gascogine nearly ended up playing for Dundee.
      The former Dens Park boss said: “What happened was, we had a director at the time, Giovanni Di Stefano… he wanted a celebrity signing.
      “He kept at me, so we tried to get Gazza, so I arranged to meet Gazza.
      “He missed the opportunity, he came up on the train one day… and it didn’t work out.
      “Then there was a couple of other players. He then said to me that he’d agreed to get Edgar Davids, the Dutch international.

      “He said to me: ‘We’ve got it all agreed – all you have to do is go to Turin and convince him to come to Dundee.’
      “I was laughing: ‘Edgar Davids to Dundee? He’s on £90,000-a-week. He’s got a penthouse apartment outside of Turin.
      “‘You’re wanting him to come and play against Brechin in the Forfarshire cup? With a beautiful big hedge in the background?
      “That’ll really entice him.”

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      Fresh confusion over Monday’s Czech Republic vs Scotland tie as Uefa insist the match will GO ahead

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      CONFUSION reigns over Monday night’s scheduled clash between the Czech Republic and Scotland after Uefa said the match GOES ahead.
      That will come as news to the Czechs, who decided in the wake of their 3-1 win against near neighbours Slovakia last night, that they wouldn’t be playing and had instructed their players to return to their clubs.

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      Steve Clarke’s side are due in Olomouc on MondayCredit: PA:Press Association
      They were already without West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and RB Leipzig striker Patrik Schick after the pair were told to self-isolate in midweek.
      Then they lost the services of another squad member shortly before the match – only to play and win the Nations League tie in any case.
      Czech FA bosses rejected accusations they did not strictly adhere to guidelines designed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
      With a statement on their official Twitter account reading: “The national team will not play against Scotland on Monday due to representatives decision and the current situation with the COVID-19.

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      The Czechs were shocked to hear that the Scotland match was off.
      “The national team ends current preparations with the immediate effect straight after the win against Slovakia.”
      But a Uefa spokesperson told the Scottish Sun today: “The match is going ahead as scheduled.”

      Steve Clarke’s Scotland find themselves in the middle of this row – with their players being advised to train as normal in the likelihood that the match will go ahead as planned.
      They are due to train at Oriam in Edinburgh at 12.30pm – but further communication from the SFA is expected this afternoon.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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      Car deliberately torched at home of Rangers ace Allan McGregor with flames 6ft in air outside plush pad in wealthy area

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      COPS are probing a deliberate car blaze attack at the home of Rangers star Allan McGregor.
      Emergency services were called to the goalkeeper’s plush pad on the outskirts of Glasgow on Thursday after a 999 alert was raised.

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      A car was deliberately torched at Allan McGregor’s home

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      Police are probing the fireball attack at the Rangers ace’s plush padCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun
      The fireball incident was caught on video that showed flames leaping 6ft into the air.
      A source said: “It was incredible, one of the cars sitting in the drive was fully alight, it was causing a huge commotion in what is normally a very quiet road.
      “The homes around here are very expensive and it’s scary to think what could have happened, the flames were very close to the house.
      “It’s terrifying to think that someone caused this deliberately, why would someone set fire to a car like that?”

      The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said they were alerted to the blaze and sent three appliances to tackle the inferno.
      In January a man was charged in connection with an incident involving Rangers player Alfredo Morelos’ car.
      Police arrested and charged the 29-year-old with an alleged breach of the peace.
      This followed the vehicle being removed for examination after “reports of a man allegedly tampering” with it in a secured car park in Glasgow.

      A report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

      A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We were made aware of a vehicle fire outside a property  around 10.40pm on Thursday, September 3.
      “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended, nobody was injured and the fire is being treated as wilful.
      “Enquiries are ongoing.
      “Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3735 of September 3.”
      Rangers have been approached for a comment.

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      Celtic on verge of securing Duffy loan deal from Brighton after beating West Brom and West Ham to transfer

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      BRIGHTON have given the green light for Shane Duffy’s dream move to Celtic.
      And the Hoops are on on the verge of sealing a one-year loan for the 28-year-old Irish defender.

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      Shane Duffy, pictured celebrating after scoring for Brighton, is on the verge of joining CelticCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Duffy is a lifelong Celtic fan and Seagulls supremo Paul Barber admits they can’t stand in his way.
      He said: “Shane has been absolutely magnificent for us, literally from the day he joined.
      “He is a massive character on the pitch, but an even bigger character off it. He is loved by everyone at the club.
      “We will be disappointed if we do lose him, but we also understand he wants to play football.

      “It is a difficult decision for the manager because there are only so many centre-backs you can accommodate in one line-up.
      “We will be talking about Shane’s future imminently, but he has been a fantastic servant for the club.”
      West Brom and West Ham were both chasing Republic of Ireland stopper Duffy this summer but he made it clear he wanted to join Celtic.
      Brighton were initially looking for a £2million loan fee and the majority of Duffy’s wages paid.

      But Celtic are locked in talks to thrash out a deal after gaffer Neil Lennon made him a priority signing.
      Duffy is due to head to Bulgaria with Ireland but hopes to complete the switch within days.
      The former Everton and Blackburn star recently fell out of Graham Potter’s team at Brighton.
      But Potter said: “You can understand the speculation because he is an important player. He is a big character and he wants to play football.”

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      Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli hit with FIVE-MATCH ban after breaking coronavirus quarantine rules

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      CELTIC outcast Boli Bolingoli has been hit with a FIVE-GAME ban after breaking coronavirus quarantine rules.
      The Hoops defender caused uproar after travelling to Spain during his time off despite being told to remain in Glasgow.

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      Boli Bolingoli has been banned for FIVE games for Covid-19 breachesCredit: PA:Press Association
      Neil Lennon gave his players two days off following the opening day league win over Hamilton but warned players they were not to leave Glasgow under no circumstances.
      Bolingoli then travelled to Marbella to meet a mystery woman before returning to Glasgow.
      And he then failed to self isolate for 14 days before featuring in the Hoops’ 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock.
      It led to the postponement of Celtic’s scheduled matches against St Mirren and Aberdeen with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warning football was on a yellow card.

      The SFA and SPFL launched a disciplinary case against Bolingoli with a hearing set for today.
      And the defender has finally learned his fate after the governing body hit him with a five-game ban with two of those suspended.
      The Belgian’s Hoops future remains uncertain after boss Lennon claimed he found it difficult to see him welcomed back into the dressing room.

      He said: “We made it on no uncertain terms that no one could travel. Certainly not leave the country anyway.

      “And he’s blatantly disregarded my instructions, my medical team’s instructions, the club’s instructions and put everything in jeopardy.
      “It will be very difficult to imagine him being welcomed back into the dressing room in the future.
      “This is a rogue who has gone off tangent and has done something very very selfish. We have been completely oblivious to this. I’m absolutely livid it’s a total betrayal of our trust.”

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