Holland 2 Denmark 0

THE two Italian coaches new to the Premier League must be baffled by how much attention can be focused on a handshake that might never happen but that’s how it is in English football at the moment.

PORTUGAL defender Ricardo Carvalho believes the carrot of reaching the World Cup finals will force Hungary to come out fighting in their crucial qualifier tonight.

A goal from substitute Martin Vingaard on his debut left Manchester City cursing their luck in the UEFA Cup.

YOU can say what you like about Giovanni Trapattoni — but you can’t argue with his record as a club manager.

Denmark 0 Republic of Ireland 4

Celtic defender Mark Wilson tried manfully to take some positives from an exacting return to first-team action in the 3-1 mauling by FC Copenhagen last night.

CELTIC completed their Champions League Group F fixtures with a disappointing 3-1 defeat by FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadium.

Celtic completed their Champions League Group F fixtures with a disappointing 3-1 defeat by FC Copenhagen at the Parken Stadium.

Celtic 1 Copenhagen 0

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren once again left leading scorer Aiyegbeni Yakubu out of his European starting line-up as his side looked to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.

Stuttgart 1 Middlesbrough 2

Stuttgart 1 Middlesbrough 2

Stuttgart coach Giovanni Trapattoni has added a second Danish player to his squad after finalising a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Jesper Gronkjaer.

David Gold claims Jesper Gronkjaer was forced out of Birmingham by Blues fans’ negative response to the former Chelsea winger.

Blackburn Rovers and Republic of Ireland midfielder Steven Reid has been fined £1,000 (€1,426) and warned to his future conduct by the Football Association after being charged with improper conduct following an incident with Jesper Gronkjaer, then of Birmingham, during the 3-3 draw at Ewood Park.

Mark Bradley

Birmingham today announced club record pre-tax profits despite their summer spending spree.

Atletico Madrid have announced the signing of Birmingham winger Jesper Gronkjaer.

Birmingham winger Jesper Gronkjaer will complete his move to Primera Liga side Atletico Madrid on Thursday, according to reports in Spain.

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has insisted he does not want to sell midfielder Robbie Savage during the January transfer window.

Birmingham have recalled midfielder Darren Carter from his loan spell at Sunderland for Sunday’s derby at Aston Villa.

Birmingham winger Jesper Gronkjaer is poised to join Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £1.5million, according to reports in Spain.

Arsenal 3 Birmingham 0

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is prepared to offload winger Jesper Gronkjaer to Spain providing the club can recoup most of the £2.2m (€3.1m) paid to Chelsea last summer.

Steve Bruce has dismissed speculation linking central defender Matthew Upson with a move to either Newcastle or Barcelona.

BLACKBURN’S Steven Reid has been charged with improper conduct by the FA following a clash with Birmingham’s Jesper Gronkjaer.

Blackburn 3 Birmingham 3

Steve Bruce believes that Mario Melchiot’s return to the Dutch squad is a testament to the successful way he has adapted to life at Birmingham City after his summer move from Chelsea.

Andy Johnson stunned his former club Birmingham by giving Crystal Palace the lead against the run of play at St Andrews.

Southampton’s striker crisis hit desperation point as Brett Ormerod, who ended a month’s loan with Leeds by playing in their game at Brighton yesterday, was given a place on the Saints substitutes’ bench against a Birmingham side who have also found goals at a premium.

Darren Anderton is poised to make his first Premiership start for Birmingham in Sunday’s clash at Southampton.

Birmingham City 0 Manchester United 0

Nicky Butt preserved Newcastle’s unbeaten record under new manager Graeme Souness with a stunning equaliser in a pulsating Premiership clash at St Andrews.

Bolton 1 Birmingham 1

Manchester City and Jon Macken went on a scoring spree, winning 7-1 against League One Barnsley in the Carling Cup second round tonight.

Birmingham 1 Manchester City 0

James Beattie scored a injury-time penalty against Blackburn today to ease the pressure on manager Paul Sturrock in the Barclays Premiership.

CHELSEA’S unsmiling new Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has demanded respect because he believes he is already producing miracles at Stamford Bridge.

Portsmouth 1 Birmingham 1

Birmingham have signed former Tottenham and England midfielder Darren Anderton on a one-year deal.

Denmark winger Jesper Gronkjaer has joined Birmingham from Chelsea for £2.2m (€3.3m).

Maik Taylor believes Birmingham City now have the experience and quality in their squad to sustain a push for a European spot – and avoid a repeat of last season’s fade-out.