By Brendan O'Brien

Robbie Keane is hoping history repeats itself as he goes head-to-head with Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa once again.

0 — Croatia have never conceded a goal in their opening match at a Euro finals (1-0 v Turkey, 1996; 0-0 v Switzerland, 2004; 1-0 v Austria, 2008).

Slaven Bilic overshadowed the announcement of Croatia’s preliminary 27-man squad for Euro 2012 by confirming that he would be standing down after the tournament.

Slaven Bilic has announced he will step down as coach of Croatia’s national team after Euro 2012.

CROATIA all but guaranteed themselves a place at Euro 2012 after hammering hosts Turkey in the first leg of their play-off at the Ataturk Stadium last night.

Turkey 0 Croatia 3

THERE may have been very little to capture the imagination last night but neither Giovanni Trapattoni nor Slaven Bilic will be complaining too much.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is to bring in Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa on trial.

Tottenham have confirmed injury-plagued defender Jonathan Woodgate has left the club.

TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has reiterated his stance that none of the club’s top players will be sold this summer.

Tottenham goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has signed a new one-year contract, the Barclays Premier League club have announced.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has claimed no club could bid enough money to convince him to part with Luka Modric.

WHILE FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia made the front and back pages off the pitch, England’s top tier teams were making headlines on it, with another weekend of unpredictable results meaning we are no closer to deciding who will lift the trophy come May.

Arsene Wenger has named a strong side for tonight’s Carling Cup third-round tie at north London rivals Tottenham, where he will serve a one-match touchline ban.

HARRY REDKNAPP is ready to hand William Gallas and Rafael van der Vaart their Tottenham debuts in today’s Barclays Premier League game at West Brom as he prepares to rotate his squad for their maiden Champions League campaign.

New signings Rafael van der Vaart, William Gallas, Sandro and Stipe Pletikosa could all make their Tottenham debuts in tomorrow’s Premier League game at West Brom.

Rafael van der Vaart maintains he was no “failure” at Real Madrid – but will not take a place in the Tottenham team for granted.

Rafael van der Vaart described Tottenham as “a beautiful club” after completing his £8m move from Real Madrid yesterday.

Jonathan Woodgate today failed to make Tottenham's 25-man squad for the first half of the Premier League season.

Tottenham today confirmed the £8m signing of Rafael van der Vaart from Real Madrid after the Premier League gave them the green light to add the Holland midfielder to their squad.

There was still no official word from Tottenham or Real Madrid last night on whether Harry Redknapp had managed to pull off the biggest coup of transfer deadline day by signing Rafael van der Vaart.

Tottenham were tonight sweating on clearance to make the signing of Rafael van der Vaart the biggest coup of transfer deadline day as the window closed in unexpected drama.

Robinho’s final exit from Manchester City and Sunderland’s club-record signing of Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan were the biggest deals completed on a quiet transfer deadline day.

Tottenham have signed Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa from Spartak Moscow on a season-long loan, the club have confirmed.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has revealed he could be set to sign Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa.

Croatia 2 Wales 0

TOTTENHAM boss Harry Redknapp will target a striker next month as his priority after illness to Darren Bent exposed a lack of attacking options in his squad ahead of tonight’s UEFA Cup clash against Spartak Moscow.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will target a striker next month as his priority after illness to Darren Bent exposed a lack of attacking options in his squad ahead of the UEFA Cup clash against Spartak Moscow.

Croatia 1 England 4

Croatia 1 Turkey 1 (Turkey won 3-1 on penalties)

Croatia 2 Germany 1

ENGLAND boss Fabio Capello was given a glimpse of what to expect next season as Luka Modric got Croatia’s Euro 2008 campaign off to a winning start against Austria.

Scotland 1 Croatia 1

FYR Macedonia 2 Croatia 0

Celtic 1 Spartak Moscow 1 (After extra-time, Celtic win 4-3 after penalties)

CELTIC manager Gordon Strachan hailed his side for the way they handled a heavily-watered artificial pitch to claim an impressive Champions League draw at Spartak Moscow.

Celtic’s mission to Moscow yielded a valuable draw and an away goal as they put themselves in a healthy position in the tricky Champions League qualifier.

IN CHELSEA’S Group A, Werder Bremen kept their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive at the expense of holders Barcelona with a 2-0 win over Levski Sofia.

Croatia 2 Australia 2

Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi put in an inspired performance between the posts for Japan as the Asian champions kept their slim World Cup hopes alive with a 0-0 draw with Croatia in Nuremberg on Sunday.

Brazil 1 Croatia 0

Southampton goalkeeper Antti Niemi insists he would be happy to join Celtic.

Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr made sweeping changes to his side for tonight’s friendly visit of Croatia to Lansdowne Road.