O'Dea signs new deal with CelticDarren O'Dea has signed a new three-year contract with Celtic. The 20-year-old Irishman has been rewarded for his outstanding form this season, the deal taking him through until summer 2010. With his future secured, O'Dea has set his sights on establishing himself as an automatic pick. He said: "I'm delighted but I'm in no way satisfied. I want to push on and play in many more games for the club. It's nice the club do value me but I want to push for the first team."
Manager Gordon Strachan predicts O'Dea can play on well into his 30s if he looks after himself: "If Darren goes about his job the right way and is professional he can play like David Weir to 36 or Steven Pressley at 33."
Smith calls for better effort
Rangers manager Walter Smith has warned his side their European adventure will come to an end in Pamplona tonight (Setanta, kick-off 8pm) if they produce a repeat of last week's Ibrox performance. Smith urged Rangers to take Osasuna as seriously as they would any Spanish side as they look to progress to the Uefa Cup quarter-finals. Rangers scraped a 1-1 draw in last week's home leg in Glasgow. Smith said: "We will have to play exceptionally well to achieve a result in a place that is very difficult to come and win."
Gardner ruled out for Spurs
Anthony Gardner has suffered a hairline fracture to a fibula and has been ruled out of Tottenham's Uefa Cup last-16 second-leg clash against SC Braga at White Hart Lane tonight (TV3, kick-off 8.15pm). Jermaine Jenas (groin), Ledley King (feet), Danny Murphy (Achilles), Paul Robinson (thigh) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) remain sidelined. Ricardo Rocha is cup-tied, but Robbie Keane returns. Spurs lead 3-2 from the first leg.
Bruckner plans to play Rosicky
Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner is planning to play Tomas Rosicky in the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers, convinced the Arsenal midfielder is over his recent groin strain. Rosicky has not appeared for Arsenal since the 1-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on February 20th, but the 26-year-old could make his domestic return against Aston Villa tomorrow night and should then line up for his country against Germany on March 24th. "Tomas Rosicky should play in Premier League on Wednesday and he will play against Germany as well," said Bruckner.
Celtic midfielder Jiri Jarosik is missing, but Bruckner is not overly concerned. "In his possible position, we have two better players in the team - Rosicky and (Marek) Matejovsky." Bruckner reckons the key tie in the campaign could be the last one. "It will be a big, important game (against Germany)," he said. "But the other games against Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland will be equally important. It may happen the match of the year for us will the November game away to Cyprus."
Squad:Cech, Blazek, Cech; Grygera, Jankulovski, Kovac, Jiranek, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi; Galasek, Plasil, Polak, Rosicky, Sionko, Pudil, Matejovsky; Koller, Baros, Lafata, Kulic.
Gill confident Ronaldo will stay
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has insisted it is "realistic" Cristiano Ronaldo will remain with the club for another five years. Gill has confirmed a new contract offer is on the table and expects no hitches. "Every fan can be reassured he will be a Manchester United player for a long time . . . It will be realistic to extend his deal by another two years, to 2012, the same time Wayne Rooney is signed for."
