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General Sport - 08 June 2006
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
Kelvin in the firing line
Dundee goalkeeper Kelvin Jack has been pinpointed as a weak link in the Trinidad and Tobago line up by opening World Cup opponents Sweden (writes Tom Duthie).
The pair, who are in England’s group, clash in Dortmund in Saturday’s tea-time kick-off and, with training now focusing specifically on the game, veteran Swedish coach Lars Lagerback has altered shooting practice.

He has instructed a strikeforce that includes ex-Celt Henrik Larsson, Arsenal’s Freddie Ljungberg and Juventus ace Zlatan Ibrahimovic to concentrate on hitting low efforts just inside the near posts.

The move is apparently based on the belief that Jack, as he often has been since Dutchman Leo Beenhakker took over as T&T coach, will be preferred to the more experienced West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.

“Yesterday, training was interrupted and the strikers were told to fire the ball in low. We believe Jack has a weakness with those type of shots and it is something that can be exploited,” said an insider from the Swedes’ training camp.

“We are surprised that Hilsop will not play, but our understanding is that Beenhakker has faith in Jack and will go with him — that might be good news for Sweden.”

The Scandinavians have been doing their homework and their predicted Trinidad line-up also includes Dundee United striker Collin Samuel being used wide on the left — no big surprise as it is the position in which he has been used most by Beenhakker.

St Johnstone’s Jason Scotland and former Dundee man Brent Sancho are expected to be on the bench.

D4L team up with shirt sponsor
 

George Knight (left) and Scott Glenday (right), both of Dee 4 Life, with Signatures4U directors Ben Stevens (centre left) and Craig Stewart at today’s launch of a new fund-raising initiative.

 
Dundee FC supporters trust Dee 4 Life have teamed up with club shirt sponsors Signatures4U and Dundee Direct in an initiative to generate funds for the trust’s “It’s URE Dundee” campaign (writes John Brown).
Signatures4U was formed by directors Ben Stevens and Craig Stewart, and the company supplies all manner of sports memorabilia, with a particular focus on the football industry. The company is in its first year of trading, but has already gained a large market share of the memorabilia industry, with targets of becoming the largest in the UK within the next year.

Ben and Craig — the latter a lifelong fan who still attends every game with his dad Gordon — are hugely excited about the forthcoming sponsorship of Dundee FC and wanted to be actively involved in the Dee 4 Life campaign for all of the fans (including themselves).

From now until July 31, Signatures4U will make available their full range of footballing merchandise at the Dundee club shop, with 40 per cent of any sale (RRP) being passed on to D4L.

Not only that, any online sales during this period will also return a similar percentage.

Trust board member Scott Glenday is delighted with this new initiative, the latest in a long line of ventures as the trust builds up funds to further enhance their shares stake in the Dens Park club.

“He said, “George Knight and I recently visited the company’s premises to discuss the possibility of assisting us in our efforts. We were astounded at the quality and variety of the merchandise.

“What they have on offer really is up there with the best — Pele, Maradona, George Best, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry give you a flavour of what’s available. It’s a real ‘who’s who’ of world football.

“Not only that, they offer signed mementoes from the wider sporting and movie world.

“Their very generous offer provides us with a great opportunity over the next couple of months.”

Some of the merchandise available can be viewed on www.signatures4u.com

On the playing front at Dens, meanwhile, new boss Alex Rae has confirmed his interest in former Dundee United attacker Andy McLaren.

The 33-year-old, who made 229 appearances for the Tangerines during two spells at the club, was recently with Morton.

United boss may move for Rankin
Having failed in his bid to lure Inverness Caley pair Ian Black and David Proctor to Tannadice, Dundee United boss Craig Brewster may turn his attention to another midfielder who was plying his trade up north last season (writes Graeme Finnan).
Craig is a known admirer of Ross County’s John Rankin, who recently picked up the SFL First Division Player-of- the-Year award.

The former Manchester United youngster bagged 13 goals last season and was actually offered to the Tannadice boss when he was in charge at Caley, after County got into financial problems.

But, with the likes of Black and Proctor in the ICT midfield at the time, Craig decided he had adequate cover in that area.

However, Rankin’s name is definitely among the United gaffer’s list of possible targets, with St Mirren also said to be interested in the 22-year-old.

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