It seems the Republic of Ireland fans have finally got their wish after manager Giovanni Trapattoni called James McClean into the squad to face the Czech Rep on February 29, Trapattoni had originally left the in-form Sunderland winger out of the squad but with another great performance against Arsenal to his name McClean was a must for the squad.

McClean’s rise to stardom has being nothing short of amazing having only signed for the Black Cats from Derry City in August for a mere £350,000 on a three year deal something Sunderland have former manager Steve Bruce to thank for seen his quality.

McClean made his debut for the Black Cats in Martin O’Neill’s first game in charge following the sacking of Steve Bruce and the midfielder has never looked back scoring 4 goals since making his debut in a 2-1 win over Blackburn on 11 December.

Get the Rep. of Ireland’s Euro 2012 jersey Here!

While most of the soccer world were talking and cascading about Liverpool striker Luis Suarez’s snub to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a season marred by racism not only in the EPL but across Europe, there was something magical about to happen in Gabon as rank outsiders Zambia took on the might of Ivory Coast in the African Nations Cup final.

Almost 20 years ago 18 Zambian national players on a flight to Senegal for a World Cup qualifier refuelled in Gabon but upon take-off the plane went up in flames killing all 18 team players.

And last night Zambia payed a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in 1993, beating Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in Gabon.

Kalusha Bwala who was not on the tragic flight, but was to meet up with the squad in Senegal via Holland was the person who symbolised the rebuilding of the Zambian squad and in a poignant moment which would melt even the coldest of hearts Zambian coach Herve Renard could be seen putting his medal around the former forwards head befitting this great teams strenght and togetherness.

Renard stated:
“They found the strength, I don’t know where,” he said fighting back the tears. “There is something written somewhere.

It just felt right but it was not because of me, I don’t know where it came from.

“We were talking about it right from the time we started our preparations on December 28.

“I told them if we got to the final we would play in Gabon where the plane crashed and our first match was against Senegal, where the team was headed to play. There was a special significance in that.”

Zambia had gone into the game as underdogs but won over the 40,000 crowd in the Friendship Stadium in the Gabon capital with their positive play against a surprisingly timid Ivorian side.

“My players were magnificent,” said Renard. “We were not the best but we had a force that has made us African champions.

“They might make some tactical mistakes here and there but you can see the talent.”

Manchester United and Liverpool will again battle it out for the third time this season with United still reeling from their FA Cup exit to the Red’s last month 2-1 at Anfield, however United have only lost twice in 33 home games as you can read below in our match facts for todays Battle of Britain. And there is the small little matter of Luis Suarez coming face to face with a certain Patrice Evra to contend with, let’s hope they let bygones be bygones I say.

MATCH FACTS

Dirk Kuyt has scored four goals in his last three appearances against Manchester United in all competitions.

Javier Hernandez has scored in the final 10 minutes of the last two Premier League games between Liverpool and Man Utd.

Steven Gerrard has scored four goals in his last five Premier League appearances against Man Utd.

Only Chelsea (5 times) have won at Old Trafford more often than Liverpool in the Premier League (4).

Man Utd enjoyed just 44% of possession against Liverpool in the reverse fixture in October, lower than in any other match this season.

Liverpool have won four of the last seven Premier League games against Manchester United overall and also beat the Red Devils two weeks ago in the FA Cup.

There were hat-tricks scored in both meetings in the Premier League last season; Dimitar Berbatov for United at Old Trafford and Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool at Anfield.

There have been four penalties awarded in the last six Premier League meetings between Man Utd and Liverpool.

Liverpool have converted the lowest proportion of their shots in the 2011-12 Premier League so far (8.5%).

Manchester United have won 29 and lost just two of their last 33 Premier League home games.

Former Rep of Ireland u-21 striker Eamon Zayed (28) became a hero for his new Iranian club Persepolis Tehran after he scored a late,late hat-trick to secure a 3-2 win in the Tehran derby last night.

Persepolis trailed 2-0 with just nine minutes remaining on the clock before Zayed found his scoring boots to fire a hat-trick in just over 10 minutes.

Zayed who spent all his senior career in the Irish League only signed for the club in late December on a 6 month deal which will surely be extended after his hat-trick, Zayed is no stranger to scoring goals having notched over 100 goals in the FAI run Irish League, he was also named PFAI Player of the Year last season having helped Derry City into Europe.

However Rep of Ireland Giovanni Trapattoni won’t be able to select him for the Euro Finals given Zayed’s decision to declare for Libya in 2010.

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Following John Terry’s stripping of the England captaincy for the second and probably final time the man who briefly stepped into Terry’s shoe’s following his affair with Wayne Bridge’s girl-friend has also ruled himself out of the running to replace the serial cheat.

Rio tweeted: “I don’t want to be England captain after the last episode.

“Just want to concentrate on playing for Man Utd and if I make the squad then as ever I’ll be delighted.”

While many believe Ferdinand’s England career is on the slide anyway it say’s alot about the England captaincy when a player of his stature refuses to be considered to lead his Country in a Major Tournament!

Tory MP Damian Collins who has campaigned for FIFA reform hit out saying:
“He is in a public position as England captain.

“Anyone else in a public position faced with such a criminal charge would stand aside from their position and then if cleared be able to return to that position. This has gone beyond being an allegation. He has been charged and has to appear in court and I don’t think under those circumstances he can fulfil his duties. It is also what it means for communities across the country if people just close their eyes to the situation until after the court case.”

It seems to me the FA’s stunt of waiting till after the Euro Finals has backfired dramatically, as it was seen the English authorities were hoping to keep Terry as captain and for him not to miss out on International’s through a ban for his alleged racism towards Anton Ferdinand.

The six week run tournament, seen each team bid for an “Icon” player and a foreign coach set up in the same style as the Indian one day cricket format currently used to great effect.

Five franchises together spent £4.5 million each buying an “icon” player, two oversea’s players and a coach.

The five “icon” players were former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo who went for £536,000 to Barasat who also payed £135,000 on Iceland’s Teitur Thordson as their foreign coach.

Next to go was former Italian World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro who went to Siliguri for £530,000 who also spent £128,000 on former Bolivian striker Marco Etcheverry as their foreign coach.

Robert Pires went to Howrah for £511,000 and will link up with Portugal’s former captain Fernando Couto £135,000.

Durgapur spent £351,000 on Jay-Jay Okocha who will link up with Samson Siasia of Nigeria who wentr for the sum of £118,000.

The fifth and final team Kolkata went for an English connection paying £338,000 on former Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler who will probably get another bookout of, and he’ll be coached by former Everton hard-man Peter Reid who cost £118,000 as Kolkata’s foreign coach.

It will be interesting to see how this novelty idea takes off, however I could imagine this type of auction working on any other European League.

Blackburn’s Junior Hoilett does his best Scuba-Diving impression against Newcastle last night and not only does he get away scot free, his opponent Ryan Taylor is given a yellow card for venting his anger. It’s time the FA stood up and banned this type of behaviour once and for all!

Clint Dempsey scored after receiving a wonderful reverse pass from David Ruiz to give Fulham the lead before Somen Tchohi equalised late on.

Djibril Cisse scored the opener just 12 minutes into his QPR debut before Stephen Warnock put the ball into the back of his own net to give the away side a 2-0 lead at Villa Park, however goals from Darren Bent his 100th and Charles N’Zogbia ensured the points were shared.