Rob Roy raring to go for final
SAM ALLARDYCE has quit his role as England manager in dis grace after jus t 67 days and one match.
It follows an inves tigation in the Daily Telegraph which appeared to s how him offer undercover reporters , pos ing as bus ines s men repres enting a Far Eas t fi rm, how to “get around” rules on player trans fers and that it was “not a problem” to bypas s rules on thirdparty player owners hip, claiming he knew of agents who were “doing it all the time.”
Allardyce, 61, is als o alleged to have us ed his role to negotiate a deal worth £400,000 to repres ent the fi rm, on top ofhis £3m-a-year s alary plus bonus es granted to him by the Englis h FA in July.
Allardyce was s ummoned to Wembley early on Tues day morning and it is believed felt he could s ave his job becaus e in the video he does s ay that he would have run everything pas t the FA. It has not been s ugges ted that he broke any law. But in a s tatement the FA des cribed his conduct as “inappropriate” and a “s erious error of judgment” .
STEWART Maxwell says he will not hesitate to mix and match his Rob Roy side if he feels it is necessary to keep their bandwagon rolling along.
After the Kirkintilloch outfit’s magnificent start to the season – 10 wins in 10 competitive starts – Rabs boss Maxi has lavished praise on the spirit and togetherness of his playing squad ahead of Sunday’s headto-head with Shettleston in the Exsel Group Sectional League Cup Final.
And this regard for the contribution he believes is likely to be needed from all his playing
Gareth Southgate will be put in temporary charge for the next four matches which includes Scotland’s trip to Wembley in November.
In their full s tatement the FA s aid: “The FA can confi rm that Sam Allardyce has left his pos ition as England manager.
“Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate ofthe England manager. He accepts he made a s ignifi cant error of judgment and has apologis ed. However, due to the s erious nature ofhis actions , the FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
“This is not a decis ion that was taken lightly but The FA’s priority is to protect the wider interes ts ofthe game and maintain the highes t s tandards of conduct in football. The manager ofthe England men’s s enior team is a pos ition which mus t demons trate s trong leaders hip and s how res pect for the integrity ofthe game at all times .
“The FA wis hes Sam well in the future.’
Allardyce, who had des cribed becoming the England manager as “a dream come true” is s ued a s tatement which s aid: “Further to recent events , The FA and I have mutually agreed to part company.
“It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply dis appointed at this outcome.
“This afternoon, I met with Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a s incere and wholehearted apology for my actions .
“Although it was made clear during the recorded convers ations that any propos ed arrangements would need the FA’s full approval, I recognis e I made s ome comments which have caus ed embarras s ment.
“I als o regret my comments with regard to other individuals .”
During the taped convers ation with the reporters , Allardyce als o mocked predeces s or Roy Hodgs on’s s peech impediment, calling him “Woy” , and criticis ed his pers onality.
Former England coach Gary Neville was als o mentioned in a derogatory terms , as were his bos s es at the FA and even his own players regarding why he felt they los t to Iceland in the European Champions hips . charges, including that of latest addition, striker Amadou Kassarate, signed on a loan deal from Dumbarton last night, has led to Maxi arranging a friendly match against Cumbernauld United tonight.
He said: “Hopefully the game being played on the wide open spaces at the Shyberry Excelsior Stadium will prevent things getting too exuberant because the plan is to give everyone at least 45 minutes and allow Amadou to make his debut in the process.
“He’s a strong and very quick forward type, capable of playing through the centre or out wide and he brings something different to the table, so we’ve high hopes of him making an impact.
“The team has been on a winning streak and the temptation is to leave well alone but we have a number of players who are hungry for game time and the opportunity to show what they can offer.
“Giving these guys the lion’s share of the action is a nobrainer, however our so-called regulars haven’t played competitively for two weeks so it’s important they keep themselves ticking over.”
Rob Roy not having a holiday weekend fixture enabled Maxi and No 2 Gordon Moffat to run the rule over Shettleston in their 1-0 Super First Division victory over Clydebank and he came away impressed by their organisation and attacking qualities.
He said: “I’ve had several reports on them from other managers but it was good to get a first-hand sighting of what they are about.
“A draw was probably the right result on the day but you have to applaud the determined way in which Shettleston defended an early1-0 lead earned by a Peter Weatherson goal.
“But the entire Shettleston line-up is packed with experience and I cannot see nerves affecting any of their players.”
Maxi has revealed there will be one enforced change to his winning line-up with outstanding goalkeeping prospect Jordan Brown replacing seasoned No.1 Michael McKinven who has dropped out because of a pre-arranged holiday.
His sympathetic gaffer added: “Michael has been in superb form and is unlucky the cup final date has coincided with his holiday but it should be pointed out he only got into the team after Jordan picked up an injury.
“Now comes the chance for Jordan, a top-notch keeper in his own right to lay down his marker and if he plays to his abilities then he will take some shifting.”