Jason McAteer was sent off after a furious spat with former Liverpool teammate Michael Owen as the Star Sixes tournament in Glasgow was enlivened by controversy.

Keano’s superpower might have been football, but he discovered another along the way in his magnetism. And how a nation hangs on every word he utters, or is uttered about him, writes Larry Ryan.

Despite being the youngest member of the Irish team, Nicole Turner certainly didn’t perform like a novice on her Paralympic debut yesterday. The 14-year-old swimmer from Portarlington was reflecting with pride last night after reaching the final of the S6 women’s 50m butterfly final.

Some reflection of the road disability sport has still to travel in Brazil was clearly seen in the Deodora Stadium in Rio yesterday.

Paul Ince’s reign as Blackpool manager has come to an end, according to a report in the Blackpool Gazette.

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson has backed John Brown’s bid to help fans gain control of the Ibrox club.

John Brown has claimed he has the support of former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson in his bid to help supporters gain control of the Ibrox club.

Blackpool 1 Birmingham 0

Blackpool 2 Ipswich 0

Jonathan Spector has become Birmingham’s sixth free transfer signing of the summer.

Midfielder Barry Ferguson has completed a move to Blackpool from fellow npower Championship side Birmingham.

Rangers have appointed former Scottish Football Association chief executive Gordon Smith as their new director of football.

Tottenham 2 Birmingham 1

Alex McLeish will recall Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson for the home weekend clash with Wolves after leaving him out of the drubbing at Liverpool to recharge his batteries.

Birmingham 2 Sunderland 0

Birmingham are hopeful key defender Roger Johnson will be fit for this weekend’s crucial home clash with Sunderland.

Birmingham’s injury crisis has eased ahead of the Premier League relegation battle at Wigan on Saturday.

Birmingham 2 Bolton 3

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish made five changes for the FA Cup quarter-final with Bolton at St Andrew’s today.

DAVID MURPHY is dreaming of playing at Wembley in the FA Cup for Birmingham — a year after fearing his career could be over.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will check on the fitness of a host of players before naming his side for tomorrow's FA Cup quarter-final with Bolton at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham midfielder Barry Ferguson could return to action in Saturday’s home FA Cup quarter-final with Bolton – less then two weeks after suffering a broken rib.

Birmingham are set to gamble on influential midfielder Barry Ferguson playing with a broken rib in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival.

Birmingham defender Martin Jiranek is set to return for the Barclays Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park tomorrow evening.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will let key midfielder Barry Ferguson decide whether to undergo an injection which could allow him to return to action quicker after suffering a broken rib.

ROY HODGSON believes West Brom have the “discipline, organisation and guts” needed alongside their other qualities to survive in the Premier League.

Birmingham’s midfield duo of Barry Ferguson and Craig Gardner are major injury doubts for tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom.

Birmingham midfielder Alex McLeish has revealed midfielder Barry Ferguson played with a broken rib for an hour of the Carling Cup final triumph over Arsenal at Wembley.

ARSENAL midfielder Jack Wilshere has hit out at Birmingham’s Barry Ferguson for allegedly slapping Laurent Koscielny on the head after Obafemi Martins’ late Carling Cup final winner.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has hit out at Birmingham’s Barry Ferguson for allegedly slapping Laurent Koscielny on the head after Obafemi Martins’ late Carling Cup final winner.

NEWCASTLE registered their first victory of the post-Andy Carroll era last night as goals from Peter Lovenkrands and Republic of Ireland international Leon Best ensured a comfortable success against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham 0 Newcastle 2

Birmingham 1 Stoke 0

West Ham 0 Birmingham 1

Winston Reid replaced the injured Danny Gabbidon in defence for West Ham as they looked to climb out of the relegation zone with a vital win over fellow strugglers Birmingham at Upton Park.

Birmingham will check on the fitness of three players before finalising their side for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League relegation clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

FT: Birmingham 2 Manchester City 2

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to make several changes for tomorrow’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry.

Birmingham 3 West Ham 1 (after extra-time; Birmingham win 4-3 on aggregate)

Birmingham’s in-demand winger Sebastian Larsson has emerged as a target for Blackburn, it is understood.

Birmingham 1 Aston Villa 1

BLUNDERING Ben Foster may have saved Avram Grant’s job last night as 10-man West Ham survived a moment of madness from Victor Obinna to beat Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

West Ham 2 Birmingham 1

Matthew Upson and Scott Parker both returned to Avram Grant’s starting XI as the West Ham boss looked to ease the pressure on his shoulders with a win against Birmingham in tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Birmingham will welcome back several key players for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final first-leg clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Birmingham 1 Manchester United 1

NIKOLA ZIGIC put Birmingham through to a Carling Cup semi-final against West Ham, but their derby win over Aston Villa was overshadowed by ugly crowd violence at the end.

Birmingham are concerned about the fitness of key midfielder Craig Gardner ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Chelsea.