Aiden McGeady launched Martin O’Neill’s competitive reign as Republic of Ireland boss in style with a match-winning Euro 2016 qualifier double in Georgia.

Temuri Ketsbaia got his wish as former Newcastle team-mate Shay Given was named only among the substitutes for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2016 opener in Georgia.

Marco Tardelli has ordered the Republic of Ireland’s players to forget about the euphoria of their performances against England and Georgia as they prepare to return to World Cup battle.

Wes Hoolahan was handed a rare start as Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni ran the rule over his squad players in evening’s friendly clash with Georgia.

Sandwiched between England at Wembley and a World Cup qualifier, it’s fair to say that not too many people have had Georgia on their mind.

Germany extended their lead at the top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group A to move closer to the finals in Poland and Ukraine next year with a comfortable 4-0 win over Kazakhstan tonight.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC and Samuel Eto’o were both kept under wraps by their former team-mates as Inter Milan held Champions League holders Barcelona to a goalless draw at the San Siro last night.

Zico has been appointed as new Olympiacos coach, days after being sacked from CSKA Moscow.

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC hopes to make a winning return to the San Siro to face his former club Inter Milan tonight when FC Barcelona begin their Champions League title defence.

ATLETICO MADRID kept pace with Liverpool at the top of Champions League Group D thanks to a 2-1 win over Marseille in the Spanish capital last night.

Tottenham 6 Anorthosis Famagusta 1

MARTIN JOL is unlikely to make radical changes to his starting side as he looks for UEFA Cup victory against Anorthosis Famagusta to kick-start Tottenham’s season.

Newcastle claimed a fine 1-0 win in Palermo to move to within touching distance of a place in the third round of the UEFA Cup.

Anorthosis Famagusta player-coach Temuri Ketsbaia has hit out at Rangers, claiming the side is not worth the money it cost to put together.

ANORTHOSIS Famagusta player-coach Temuri Ketsbaia has criticised the Cyprus Football Association after his team were forced to play a Super Cup game against Omonia ahead of this week’s Champions League qualifying clash with Rangers.

Rangers chairman David Murray has welcomed the prospect of a more competitive Bank of Scotland Premier League.

NEWCASTLE and Chelsea have avoided the biggest threats to their Champions League qualification dreams after being seeded for today’s draw.

Brian Kerr has promised to make changes to the Republic of Ireland team he will send out to face Georgia at Lansdowne Road tomorrow night.

The Republic of Ireland could find themselves joint bottom of Euro 2004 qualifying Group 10 if Georgia can overcome Russia in Tbilisi tomorrow.

MANCHESTER UNITED and Newcastle are odds-on to join Liverpool and Arsenal in the Champions League after both clubs received favourable draws in the third qualifying round.

St Mirren have signed Coventry City striker Stephen McPhee until the end of the season.