Celtic must Forget Incidents for Champions League Second Leg

Celtic’s Champions League second leg with Juventus next week pits a wounded team desperate to overturn the wrongs they felt at Celtic Park against the smooth, sophisticated champions of Italy.

The TV cameras did their best to show how Juve defenders wrestled Hoops players to the ground during corners in the first leg, with referee, Alberto Mallenco, unfazed by the accused infringements.

So ‘bad’ was the apparent problem that Celtic even sent a DVD dossier to UEFA after the game, highlighting incidents they felt should have resulted in penalties being awarded in their favour.

Well, a week later, and UEFA have not yet acted upon the evidence and are unlikely to do so. This is the correct stance, for the European football governing body has more often than not stood by the decision of referees during matches – it creates consistency in the game and prevents every team retrospectively complaining each week.

Celtic will feel hard done by but they must forget these supposed injustices if they are to overturn their long odds on Betfair and avoid humiliation at the San Siro next week.

With Juve taking a 3-0 lead into the second leg this tie is all but over but Celtic will want to show pride in their performance and test the Serie A leaders to their limit. Scott Brown will show not lack of determination alongside Victor Wanyama, while Gary Hooper must be craving to get back at Juve’s man-marking defenders.

Unfortunately, Celtic, who are 19/2 to overcome the Old Lady with betting.betfair, will be frustrated by the Italians’ competitiveness but must not rise to it, for there is only one winner in a contest between a raging bull and the matador.

Hopefully, the tie goes by without a red card and Celtic can earn a goal for their travelling fans to cheer, but they must forget about the previous leg to do so.

Bob’s Grabs last-Gasp Success but Doesn’t Please Everyone

Willie Mullins’ talented stayer, Boston Bob, came back from an unpromising position at the final fence to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat as he finished fast and late to beat Texas Jack by just a nose in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 1 Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on February 9.

Sent off the 6/4 market leader for the two-mile-five-furlong contest, Boston Bob appeared to be perfectly placed under Paul Townend for the majority of the contest, racing close to the pace until looking tapped for toe when the tempo rose approaching the third from home. 

In the soft to heavy ground, the leaders began to waiver going to the final fence and Townend, sensing all was not yet lost, conjured a tremendous late effort out of his mount. Bob responded in the most willing of fashions to run on strongly to pip the luckless Texas Jack in the very last stride to score by the minimum distance.

Mullins was quick to suggest that his winner will be better served by a sounder surface and appeared keen to let his Boston Bob take his chance in the Grade 2 Jewson Novices Chase at Cheltenham next month over a similar trip.

However, betting firms were divided on the merit of the win and the suitability of the nominated target, offering a range of odds between 8/1 and 14/1. 

It is a similar story for Boston Bob’s alternative, the three-mile Grade 1 RSA Chase, for which the gelded son of Bob Back is again available at widely differing odds, ranging from as short as 4/1 second-favourite, to 7/1. 

Clearly a horse who divides opinion, Mullins’ charge must let his racecourse performance do the talking and answer his critics in the best possible fashion at the showcase fixture.

Double your chances of winning at the Cheltenham Festival by engaging in some Champion Hurdle betting or Queen Mother Champion Chase betting with Betfair.

Chargers weigh up Vasquez deal

The San Diego Chargers are weighing up whether or not to burst the bank in order to keep right-guard, Louis Vasquez, from entering the free-agency.

While keeping the 25-year old at the franchise would appear to be a no-brainer, there are huge question marks as to whether Vasquez will be able to fit into the new-look offensive line that the Chargers have adapted.

After an injury-hit three years, Vasquez finished his first full season in the team as the Chargers’ best offensive lineman. 2012 may, however, be Vasquez’s last season in San Diego.

The appointment of Hal Hunter as offensive line coach has prompted the NFL betting odds writers to predict the Chargers will switch from the man-blocking scheme to a zone blocking one.

At 6ft 5in and 335 pounds, the youngster does many things well but covering ground quickly isn’t one of them. Zonal blocking doesn’t suit Vasquez’ game and that may force the Chargers to alternative options.

Rather than pay out a sizable figure to tie Vasquez to a new deal, that money may well be used to bring in players capable of fitting into the new system. 

It would be tough for Chargers’ fans who bet on NFL to see another young, exciting player leave, especially since Vincent Jackson, Michael Turner, and Darren Sproles have all gone on to star in the NFL after leaving San Diego.

But that shouldn’t mean the franchise pay over the odds to keep a player who isn’t going to fit into the new way of things.

Another year without being in the play-offs showed that the Chargers need to make some changes, and losing a player like Vasquez may be one of those changes that needs to be made for the better good.