Boruc Faces Disciplinary Action After Old Firm Derby

Caldwell Calls Out Scottish Mockers After Macedonia Loss

By Tony Quinn

Artur Boruc will face a disciplinary hearing on September 16 in relation to a gesture the Polish goalkeeper is alleged to have made to Rangers fans during last month's Glasgow derby. Boruc is up before a SFA disciplinary committee on a charge of improper conduct after photographs published in Scottish newspapers appeared to show him making a one-fingered salute during Celtic's 4-2 loss to Rangers at Parkhead on August 31. A statement on the SFA's website said: "Press photographs showing the player making a one-fingered gesture were considered by the review panel. The player has been called to appear before the disciplinary committee at its next meeting on September 16."

Gary Caldwell has come out against critics who mocked the Scotland national team after last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Macedonia. The 26-year-old is fuming that George Burley's side have already been written off in terms of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after just one defeat. "To judge it over one game is incredible, to say we are out this early," Caldwell said. "We know we have got a team that is capable of winning games and qualifying. The reaction is a bit embarrassing to be honest - that people can judge people so early and jump on it as much as they do. They need to take a look at themselves really and get behind the country because we are all trying to do something that has not been done for a long time. A little bit of help would come in handy."

Emile Heskey has been linked with a move away from Wigan in the next transfer window. The in-demand England forward was the subject of deadline-day bids from Aston Villa and Tottenham but Latics manager Steve Bruce rejected the advances as he felt he would be unable to replace him that late. According to reports Heskey is not keen to renew his contract, which expires next summer, and that would spark a scramble for his services in January. Martin O'Neill's Villa and Celtic are expected to lead the chase while Tottenham could still mount a bid for the forward despite signing Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow and getting Manchester United's Frazier Campbell on a season-long loan.

Evander Sno has revealed that he learned a lot while at Celtic but could not turn down the move to Ajax. The Dutch Under-21 midfielder returned to Amsterdam in August after two seasons at Parkhead. He jumped at the chance to rejoin the Dutch giants but revealed it was not a straightforward decision to quit Glasgow. "I first heard of Ajax's interest when I was in China with the Olympic team," the 21-year-old said.

"There are so many good players at Ajax that if they want you, you feel flattered. It feels right to me that I should return to be closer to my family and friends. I learned a lot in Scotland. The ball moves so quickly and you don't have much time. As a midfielder you have to look around you there and use your space well. I gained a lot of experience and I got to play in the UEFA Champions League, Old Firm games and in the SPL too. I had a nice time."

Aalborg defender Kasper Bogelund has ruled himself out of the Champions League clash with Celtic. The Denmark international is likely to be out for almost another month with a thigh strain but is hoping to return in time for the game with Manchester United. Lasse Nielsen is expected to step up to the mark in Bogelund's absence but the experienced stopper will be sorely missed.

Shunsuke Nakamura's Japan beat Bahrain 3-2 in a great opening match of the fourth and final Asian qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup on Saturday. Celtic star Nakamura, Yasuhito Endo and Kengo Nakamura scored for the winners while Salman Isa pulled one back for the hosts late in the match.

After an encouraging start to the new season by Aston Villa and Bulgarian midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, Aston Villa's manager Martin O'Neill has said that he could be in line for a new three year deal. O'Neill signed the midfielder two years ago from his former club Celtic for 6.5 million pounds.