Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is to spend the next couple of days under the wing of Cleveland Browns head coach Pat Shurmur.

Aston Villa have defended full-back Alan Hutton after the strong criticism of him by West Brom boss Roy Hodgson.

Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton is struggling to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland because of the facial injury suffered during the home setback against West Brom.

Aston Villa have reached agreement with Birmingham over the compensation paid to the Carling Cup holders following manager Alex McLeish’s move across the city.

ACTING chairman Peter Pannu insists Birmingham are in a sound financial position after flying to Hong Kong for talks with owner Carson Yeung who has been charged with five counts of money-laundering involving £59 million (€65 million).

Birmingham are stepping up their attempts to appoint a quickfire replacement for Alex McLeish, who will be unveiled as Aston Villa’s new manager today.

Aston Villa were meeting managerial target Alex McLeish at a secret location in London today, as their bitter battle with the Scot’s former club Birmingham continued.

Birmingham are keen to know sooner or later whether they can sign Robbie Keane to give them time to pursue other targets if their bid to sign the Tottenham striker falls through.

BIRMINGHAM first-team coach Peter Grant admits there “are a lot of bridges to be crossed” before any possible deal for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is completed.

Birmingham first team coach Peter Grant admits there “are a lot of bridges to be crossed” before any possible deal for Tottenham striker Robbie Keane is completed.

Bulls 25 Stormers 17

Celtic are delaying reaching a settlement with Tony Mowbray and his staff following their sacking, according to the League Managers’ Association.

Neil Lennon admits he might have left Celtic in the summer.

Neil Lennon was today beginning the process of trying to salvage something from Celtic’s miserable season after Tony Mowbray’s ill-fated nine-month reign came to an end.

TONY MOWBRAY’S troubled nine-month reign as Celtic boss was at an end yesterday after the club announced his departure.

Celtic have confirmed the departure of manager Tony Mowbray, assistant manager Mark Venus and first-team coach Peter Grant.

It has been reported that Tony Mowbray has left the manager's job at Celtic.

REPUBLIC of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will deliver a firm and strong rebuttal today of “arrogance” claims made recently against him by Stephen Ireland after a meeting between the pair last year.

NIALL McGINN and Peter Grant last night lavished praise on the mercurial Paddy McCourt, who thrilled Celtic fans with his first goal for the club in this week’s CIS Cup win at Falkirk.

Celtic coach Peter Grant revealed the Parkhead club are still looking to augment their squad ahead of their crucial Champions League qualifier against Dinamo Moscow in Glasgow next Wednesday.

Celtic coach Peter Grant has admitted Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune is one of new manager Tony Mowbray’s main transfer targets.

NEW Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has assured Bhoys players he will not be taking a “big axe” to the Parkhead squad.

New Celtic boss Tony Mowbray has assured Hoops players he will not be taking a “big axe” to the Parkhead squad.

Tony Mowbray revealed his emotional time at Celtic as a player encouraged him to return as the club's new manager.

TONY MOWBRAY has ended weeks of speculation surrounding Gordon Strachan’s successor as Celtic manager by signing a rolling 12-month contract with his former club.

Tony Mowbray has been officially appointed Celtic manager, the club have confirmed.

Celtic will aim to confirm Tony Mowbray as their new manager today after being given permission to speak to the West Brom manager.

West Brom have given Celtic permission to talk to manager Tony Mowbray about the Parkhead vacancy after agreeing a compensation package, the English club have confirmed.

The most controversial player in South Africa Luk Watson will captain Western Province from number eight gainst The Lions at Newlands on Saturday.

West Brom were today still waiting to discover whether Celtic will meet their compensation demands for manager Tony Mowbray.

Peter de Villiers has named three uncapped players in his South African XV to face a Namibian Invitational XV in Windhoek on Friday.

Famous faces from the world of football were joined by ordinary fans to say farewell to Celtic legend Tommy Burns at his funeral today.

Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller is the most successful British music manager of all time, according to a major US magazine.

Famous faces from the world of football were joined by ordinary fans today to say farewell to Motherwell captain Phil O’Donnell, who died after collapsing during a match.

Man City 1 Norwich City 0

Norwich manager Peter Grant has insisted two-time player of the year Darren Huckerby “won’t be going anywhere”.

Norwich have completed the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder Jimmy Smith, who will stay at Carrow Road until the end of December.

Norwich signing David Marshall turned down a plea from Celtic manager Gordon Strachan to stay at Parkhead because he was disillusioned with life on the bench.

Jannie du Plessis will make his South Africa debut against Australia on Saturday in the Tri-Nations encounter in Sydney.

Maceo Rigters’ agent is hoping to fly into Glasgow today to tie up a move to Celtic from NAC Breda.

Dion Dublin has ended speculation about his future by signing a new one-year contract with Norwich.

Norwich 1 Ipswich 1

Norwich 1 Coventry 1

Norwich have released midfielder Carl Robinson and he is set to sign for Canadian outfit Toronto FC.