While so much has been made of the change in Ireland’s management, Aiden McGeady claims there has also been a change within the new manager himself.

Entente Cordiale, surely? King for a day, or two. No need to pepper the makeshift throne.

Ireland caretaker manager Noel King has revealed he hoped to name Stephen Ireland in his first squad but, having established contact with the player, says he fully understands his reasons for postponing a return to international duty.

Celtic captain Scott Brown immediately set his sights on surpassing this season’s achievements after clinching the double.

Angry Celtic boss Neil Lennon claimed referee Willie Collum had cost his club the chance of a possible treble after a “criminal decision’’ not to award the Bhoys a last-minute penalty in the Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden.

NEIL LENNON praised his side’s character after Saturday’s hard-fought 2-0 win at a blustery St Mirren Park ultimately took Celtic four points clear of Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon felt his team overplayed in the final third before Irishman Anthony Stokes earned them a Clydesdale Bank Premier League victory at Aberdeen yesterday.

Adam Rooney is determined to make the most of his last chance to represent the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level.

NEIL LENNON paid tribute to his side’s character after Celtic ground out a narrow Scottish Premier League victory over Hibernian at Easter Road yesterday.

ROY KEANE reckons the media have whipped up a storm over Andy Reid’s omission from the Republic of Ireland side – because of Giovanni Trapattoni’s impressive start in charge.

THE Sunderland headlines this week might be all about El Hadji Diouf, and perhaps a couple more fetching up on Wearside but, back home for his club’s pre-season friendly against Cobh Ramblers in Turner’s Cross on Monday, Roy Keane was never going to escape without being asked for his view about the big Irish transfer news of the week — his former international team mate Robbie Keane’s move to Liverpool.

IT was a stark warning from one who knows, and Anthony Stokes would do well to take heed.

SUNDERLAND have two new heroes in Anthony Stokes and Jonny Evans, but manager Roy Keane warns that the Irish prodigies won’t win promotion on their own.

ROY’S Gone Soft was one tabloid’s take on Mr Keane’s coup in persuading kid of the hour Anthony Stokes to sign for Sunderland.