O'Neill challenges Gray: make your mark

Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has challenged new boy Mickey Gray to impress him enough to want to sign the defender permanently.

Gray, 29, narrowly missed out on a move to Marseille and instead today started a four month loan deal at Parkhead with a view to signing permanently, and O'Neill says the ball is in Gray's court - so to speak!

"It is really up to him to go and see if he can get into the side and he faces a bit of competition to do that", O'Neill told Celtic's official website.

"He knows what is in front of him - good luck to him. He needs to get his own career up and running again. It’s not that long ago since Michael was capped for England. He can play in a number of positions down the left hand side and at this minute he gives us that bit of extra cover defensively.

"We have him until Christmas with a view to a permanent deal. It gives us a chance to have a look at him and him the chance to have a look at us and the set up and see if he can get some games. It’s a chance for him to get going again."

It seems to have been a busy time lately for our former skipper; his wife had a baby at the end of August, and negotiations with both Celtic and Marseilles have been ongoing for several weeks. The possibility of a move to Marseilles fell through this weekend, and the deal that took him to Parkhead today was only finalised on Sunday afternoon. "I’d had a few phonecalls over the last couple of weeks, although nothing was really cemented down. But yesterday I got a call to come down to the Sunderland Academy and I stayed there for about five or six hours just negotiating how long I was going to be here. I also got the chance to speak to Martin O'Neill to tell him my intentions and, as soon as I’d done that, I just wanted to sign as quickly as I possibly could."

Mickey has been given squad no 2 at Celtic, but with international fixtures looming he was one of only a handful of players being put through their paces at Celtic's Barrowfield training ground this morning. "Training went really well," he said. "I know there are a lot of players away on international duty, but I enjoyed it because I know Alan Thompson pretty well and Stan Varga came in to see me.

Does he feel he can secure a permanent deal? "That’s obviously in the back of my mind. If I can enjoy my training and the matches go as well as I’m sure they will do, you never know."

Happy Days Are Here Again?

Kilbane, sold!

Kevin Kilbane is now an Everton player and while many wish him well, many are glad to see the back of him. An earlier article was condemned because of its overtures, its controversial tone - something RTG has done and wrote time and time again in its 7 years of existance.

However I'll speak out personally and say I'm quite happy he's been sold. I agree with the previous article that we played with ten men when he was in the squad.

Regardless of what he was paid or where he played, some liked him, some didn't, some silently spoke out against him, others booed him - and I will say I once did boo the player, but I'm only human and that was my decision at that time right or wrong!

For those offended by the previous article apologies - however the author will remain unknown - there is no need for a witch hunt against someone who had an opinion.

I thank you.

Pabs.

Two Departures and an England Match

SAFCSA USA Will be meeting in New York this Saturday to celebrate three wins on the trot, a bare minimum of goals let in... and the departure of skillbane and "Stright into the bar" Gray, a player known to have Hit the bar several times last season.

Yes that's right, two players who have been high on the supportrers hit list for the past two seasons finally left Sunderland this week after failing to win the long running battle for the Fans hearts and minds. (Admittedly Gray is still on loan, but hey it's a step in the right direction and takes the heat off us a Little more financially).

The moves come after Sunderland manager McMcarthy had publically stated that he would "not change a winning side" and seems to leave more questions then we have answers. For instance. although I would admittedly like to say good (temporary where Gray is concerened) riddence to the pair, it comes only after we have started winning! (nice one Mic) and I have serious doubts over the lack of cover in the teams midfield that results from such a move. For instance, the sudden arrival of the transfer deadline means that should any cracks form in our already shaky league situation (three short term wins does not mean anything in the long run if we finish last or even mid-table) we will be completely unable to do anything about it; but that's a rather pessemistic view I know

So our future still remains a little uncertain. But, on the bright side, two of the least popular players in the team (possibly ever), who, in my oppinion, had a great deal to contribute to our debiacle last season (our defence from the midfield was definitely one of our biggest problems when we were in the premiership) have finally left for adventures unknown elsewhere. And at the very least a loan is something of a failsafe where we can bring Gray if need be.

Lets hope we can say confidently say good riddance after our next league match!

If you are in the New York area and would like to come and talk to SAFCSA USA and meet up for a pint Next weekend, we finally have something to watch in the form of the England Match. It may not be Sunderland but its the next best thing.

The Game will be shown live at Nevada Smiths on 11th and 3rd and will take place at midday on saturday the 6th. There will be a cover charge and the Ireland game will be on beforehand so get there (very) early if you want a seat. I will be the six foot four lad chanting Sunderland songs.

See you at the pub!!

Killa signs £1m, 2 year Toffees deal

Kevin Kilbane has secured a move back to the Premiership by joining Everton in a £1m deal.

The Sunderland winger has agreed a two-year contract in a beat-the-deadline switch to Goodison Park.

Kilbane completed personal terms and passed a medical this afternoon before jetting off to join the Republic of Ireland squad for their key Euro 2004 game against Russia on Saturday.

The 26-year-old's Stadium of Light deal was due to expire next summer and the former West Brom man had failed to agree a fresh terms.

Kilbane's departure will be a blow to boss Mick McCarthy, as the winger has played in every one of Sunderland's First Division games this season.

Everton manager David Moyes worked with Kilbane at Preston and moved to sign the winger after letting Mark Pembridge, another left-sided midfielder, go to Fulham earlier today.

Kilbane signed on at the Stadium of Light in December 1999 in a £2.2m deal from West Brom. He has played more than 100 games for the Black Cats. The Everton deal was tied up with just before the transfer window shut at 5.00pm today.

Kilbane became the second Sunderland player to leave Wearside today, joining Michael Gray who signed for Celtic on loan this morning

Gray in Celtic loan move

Michael Gray has this morning started a 4-month loan, which will see him move north of the border to SPL side Celtic.

The former Sunderland skipper, has signed a loan deal with Martin O'Neill's side, which will keep him at Parkhead until December 31.

Gray, the Black Cats' longest-serving player, has made more than 400 appearances for his hometown club since signing 11 years ago. He made his first team debut at Derby County and his first full appearance against Barnsley in December 1992 where he scored in the first minute of the game.

And Mickey said today that he hopes the move will become a permanent one. "I now have four months and I will give it the best I can. It gives me something to push for - if something comes after that then it happens.

"A longer deal is obviously what can come from this. I have got to get myself in the team first which is going to be difficult. I am hoping to last longer than four months which is something to push for.”

Left-back Gray said he'd turned down a move to Marseilles in favour of Parkhead, and joked "I was told it’s warmer here so I jumped at the chance to come here!

"I have been up here a few times to watch Rangers and Celtic games and I just fell in love with it."

Gray will join his former Sunderland team-mate Stanislav Varga in Glasgow, and the Slovakian said of Mickey's loan deal "When I first went (to Sunderland) he was the captain and he really helped me to settle in. It’ll be nice to return the favour here. He has been capped for England and he is an experienced player. With the Champions League coming up it is important to have players like that at the club and I’m sure that he’ll do well at Celtic."

Mickey Gray
Position: Defender
Age: 29
International caps: 3
Sunderland apps: 410
Sunderland goals: 17

4-0 win at Bradford

This winning lark is git easy isn’t it? We should have tried it earlier I reckon.

What is it about Bradford that makes us score four goals there so regularly? We’ve now done it four times out of the last five visits – or something like that. It is not as though we do it at so many grounds that Bradford just happens to be in our four-goal firing line from time to time. Still we’re happy to take it when it comes. This time the goals came in four completely different ways from four completely different players.

Mick Mac stuck with the side that had beaten Watford, which was fine for me. The non-inclusion of fit-again Trigger wasn’t much of a talking point beforehand – we were already well covered in central midfield. I am not sure our captain is actually going to get many games this season. Slightly more bemusing, to me at least, was that there was no room for Piper even on the bench. Is he not fit again? Something is wrong about Piper and it is starting to worry me. I think he’s a canny player – certainly better than Oster (who had a great game against Watford mind, so deserved his place).

The first goal came after 9 minutes but to be honest when I saw that in the official reports I was a bit surprised. We already seemed to have been dominating the game for quite some time and the goal when it came was inevitable. Considering we were away, it was astonishing how far up the pitch we were playing. Poom was not only a spectator; he was so far from the action that he wouldn’t have had much of a view of it. The goal came from a Thornton free kick on the left, beautifully weighted to the far post. Breen had pulled away from the Bradford defence and placed a perfect header, giving the goalkeeper no chance (I got that last bit from my “Big Boys’ Book of Things to say in Football Reports”). It is so nice to see us able to take dead balls again – although Thornton is the main dead ball taker, there are quite a few others in the team who are fairly handy. In the second half we even had Julio trying to do a Hutch by catching the wall out before it was ready. I don’t want to detract from Breen doing so well but where the hell were the defenders? Big centre half at back post from free kick? Not exactly the most original play is it? Unfortunately, cos I’ve got nowt against Bradford, they were pretty poor almost all game.

After our goal we went back into dominating the game and still didn’t let Bradford attack. A second was not going to shock anyone but it was another immensely pleasing goal from a team point of view. Regular readers of this column (that’s our lass and me son) will know that I am on constant Killa-watch, looking for effective moments of play from Kevin to share with his many legions of fans. Yet again, he didn’t disappoint. Someone (I think it was Thirlwell) tackled well in midfield and Killa collected the ball, spotting Stew’s run towards the penalty area, he threaded the ball beautifully through the Bradford defenders with just the right weight for Stew to run onto. Stew then fired the ball across the goalkeeper and solidly into the net. After worrying a bit about Stew at the beginning of the season and even suggesting that Proctor should be in in front of him, I am delighted to say that he is looking the lethal striker he once was but now with some real maturity to his game.

And so the domination went on. Then came along a piece of wonder. From the off the large and vociferous SAFC away contingent had got behind Julio and, as he had against Watford, Julio responded by playing with a confidence and flair we don’t see enough of in a red and white shirt. Then half way through the first half Bradford had one of their rare excursions into our half. To the left of the penalty area one of their forwards was on the ball. Julio delivered a crunching tackle, got himself onto his feet and came out with the ball all in one movement. He then started to advance up the pitch. On the telly it looks like no one comes near him (in fact I think the Sky commentator even says that) but that is because he kept feigning, looking to pass and then moving on. I was in the top left of the stand behind the goal and so was in a direct line behind Julio’s run. I had an excellent view of how he used his body to fool defenders while his legs were advancing forward with the ball, I could see defenders move towards him, stop, waiting for his pass and then start running after him in panic as they realised he was no longer there. And then he was at the edge of the box, two defenders had retreated as far as they could and now stood in his way. As though it was the most natural thing in the world, he weighed up the gap between the goalkeeper and the cross bar (the goalie was off his line but not that far), and then lofted the ball over the defenders – over it went and over 3,000 SAFC supporters held their collective breaths, towards the goalkeeper whose hand was suddenly on it, the SAFC supporters groaned in agony, but no he couldn’t get enough of his hand to it and it was still going, we all sucked our breaths in again and then it dropped marvellously into the net – where Julio had intended all along. How unworthy were we to have even doubted him. At moments like this you hope you have something profound to say, something that will complement the majesty of the moment. All I said was “F*cking hell!”, which while not stunningly articulate was perfectly accurate.

After what seems like a long time, we really do seem to have our Julio back. What is more he is looking more at home at left back than he did at left wing. Plus he is actually doing the defensive work that some (well, me) didn’t think he’d do. No one doubted Julio more than me – having one’s words rammed down one’s throat has never been sweeter.

The second half was just what it should be, although not what those of us at the match would have wanted. We showed we could play a good solid holding game. Well done to Mick Mac for getting them to do that. Kylie went off for an age to get yet more stitches – his head must now be more catgut than skin. Those of us on Killa-watch noted a couple of excellent moves to the by-line to get crosses in for Stew to come close. Killa then got injured making a brave tackle and went off to a rousing reception from the vast majority of the SAFC supporters. McCartney tried, from central defence, to do a Julio and bring the ball the length of the pitch – he didn’t manage it but it was nice to see – in a Craddock early 1997 sort of way.

Healy came on and was again impressive. He had a major part in our fourth goal (the only one at our end – boo! Score at our end yer buggas) which said a lot about the new improved SAFC. Stephen Wright played a neat ball to Stewart who spotted Healy making a darting diagonal run from the centre to the left side of the box. In a carbon copy of Killa’s pass to him, Stew threaded the ball through to Healy who went crashing to the floor. And then the new super-strength SAFC took over. Last year if any of our premiership overpaid lazy prima donnas had got into the box and ended up on their arse they would have sat there looking outraged with a “why wasn’t the ball handed on a plate to me to tap in?” look on their surly faces. But not Healy, only half standing, he managed to scramble over and knock the ball off the defenders legs and into the path of Kyle whose first-time shot was superbly saved by the goalie only for Thornton to come steaming in from the right and smash the ball into the net. Not the prettiest goal you’ll ever see but one that speaks volumes about the attitude the team is developing. Let’s keep it up lads eh? There are a lot of good signs. I’ll just mention two. First, when we score anyone within running distance charges over to congratulate the scorer and seems genuinely delighted that they’ve scored. I like to see the team as pleased as we are. Second, the team are now coming over to applaud us at the end (and not just cos we are winning – they did it at Forest as well) – given that we pay their wages and many sacrifice a lot in terms of disposable income and time, it is something I think players should do.

As we were coming out after watching our third successive win after such a long drought, we wondered if there was anything that could cheer us up a little more. Well, what do you know, there was. Apparently a bunch of women-beaters, racist thugs and perpetrators of more heinous crimes, led by a man who has won everything in football (err, well, everything there is to win in the Portuguese and Dutch leagues) had been beaten at home for the third time in a week. There were some titters.