Former players

[2mas]

Besart Berisha wins the title for Brisbane

[2mas]

[Erik] Tonne, renowned for his powerful shot, struck on 75 minutes to sink ten-man Braintree, sparing top scorer Jason Walker’s blushes after he had squandered a simple first-half chance.

But Saturday’s marksman was quick to praise Walker for the pass that led to his first City goal, adding: “Jason told me he thought he had over-hit the pass but I felt it was a fantastic ball.

"It dragged their ’keeper out of goal and it was perfect for me to place it under his arm. It always feels good to score goals, especially when you come on and can change a game."

Read more: York City loan star Erik Tonne stakes claim for run-in role

[2mas]

Rangers visit Celtic Park on Sunday in the final Glasgow derby of the season and Lustig says everyone at the club will be giving their all to secure victory.

"You always want to play in the derby and I would love to play this weekend but it is up to the gaffer," he told the Celtic View.

"We still have a lot to play for even though we have the league title now, we don't just play for ourselves.

"This is a really big game for the fans as well so we will be giving 100%."

Read more: Mikael Lustig promises Celtic will continue to give their all

[2mas]

Wolves were today closing in on a swoop for £1m-rated Real Sociedad central defender Vadim Demidov.

Sources say the two clubs have agreed a fee for the 25-year-old, and although Wolves confirmed their interest in the 15-capped Norway international, they say they haven’t reached agreement yet.

Eintracht Frankfurt are said to be the other team in the bidding for the former Rosenborg stopper, who has also been linked with a return to the Trondheim club where he won back-to-back titles in Norway in 2009 and 2010.

Read more: Wolves closing in on defender Vadim Demidov

[2mas]

Eintracht Frankfurt have completed the signing of Norway centre-back Vadim Demidov from Spanish club Real Sociedad for an undisclosed fee.

Read more: Demidov signs for Frankfurt

[2mas]

Anderlecht are in talks with Schalke 04 to sign Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan, MTNFootball can exclusively reveal.

The Jupiler Pro League champions have officially tabled an offer worth US$ 3.5 million to sign the diminutive midfield workhorse.

Read more: Anderlecht offer US$ 3.5m to sign Annan

Aston Villa have been put on red-alert after Schalke told Anthony Annan to look for a new club.

The 26-year-old has not featured in any pre-season games for the Bundesliga club and a summer switch looks inevitable.

Read more: Villa eye Schalke star

[2mas]

Annan is going on loan to Spain:

Während Annans Abwesenheit meldete sich der spanische Verein CA Osasuna, der Annan bis zum Ende der Saison ausleihen will.

„Da gibt es ein offizielles Angebot, das wir akzeptiert haben“, erklärte Heldt.

„Das wird der Berater heute mit Tony besprechen.“

Eine Entscheidung bis zum Wochenende ist auch bei Annan nicht ausgeschlossen.

Mehr lesen: Schalkes Baumjohann und Annan vor Wechsel?

[2mas]

Norway City can confirm the signing of Norwegian International Alexander Tettey from French side Rennes on a two-year deal, with the Club having an option for a further year.

(...)

Tettey made a total of 82 appearances in all competitions for 'Les Rouges et Noirs' including 10 appearances in the UEFA Europa League last season.

Read more: City sign Norwegian International Tettey from Rennes

The transfer fee is somewhat €1.25-1.5m.

[Bakklandia]

Hah, Norway City!
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Det er bedre å stupe ut i smørøyet enn å gå rundt grøten!

[2mas]

Shouldn't be thinking on something else while writing, I guess. Thought I should put something in front of "City".

[2mas]

Tettey:

“It’s different, even the training is different. I’ve been telling everybody I have to get used to it, to adapt really fast,” he said. “In Rennes, the team is more possession-orientated. We do quite a lot of stuff that since I’ve been here we haven’t done, so it’s different. It’s the style of football.

“In France, when you keep the ball down, you try to start at the back and get it forward to the wings to players that can dribble. But here it can be possession, it can be quick in the air, it can be everything. I just have to think really fast.

Read more: New Norwich City signing Alexander Tettey ready to make his mark in Premier League

Lustig scored twice against Hibs yesterday.

[2mas]

Jim Larsen wordt vandaag geopereerd

[2mas]

Lustig arrived from Rosenborg with injury concerns and as a consequence was unable to get a run of games.

However, he’s now finally looking the part — with two excellent displays against Motherwell and Spartak Moscow.

The right back reckons the future can be shaped however his team-mates want it.

He said: “The last month I’ve been feeling in good shape, playing a lot and it’s going well.

“It wasn’t too difficult to settle but obviously it was hard being injured when I arrived, then this season playing a few different positions.

“Sometimes it can be hard to find the rhythm of your game but the last couple of games it’s been nice to play at right back.

“The Benfica game I played at centre half, that was fun as well though."

Read more: Lust laugh

[2mas]

Midfielder Alex Tettey has just six full Premier League games under his belt for Norwich City – but is learning fast about the English game.

Since appearing as a late substitute in the 5-2 home defeat by Liverpool, the Norway international has been an ever-present in the Canaries’ top-flight line-up and has played a key role in their climb out of the relegation zone.

The 26-year-old is keen to deflect the praise for City’s unbeaten run of five league games, however.

“I have adapted faster than I thought, of course. I thought it was going to be much harder, the game, but it has been good,” he said. “I feel good but it’s not about me, it’s about the whole team, the whole squad actually. It has been a great atmosphere for the whole group because things are going well.

Read more: Fast learner Alex Tettey is quick to praise Norwich City boss Chris Hughton

[Troilonge]

Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan has admitted to his difficulty in adjusting to the Spanish top flight.

The 26-year-old joined Osasuna at the beginning of the season in a bid to resurrect his dwindling club fortunes while with German club Schalke.

“I don’t understand a word he (Mendilibar) says. I only look at his face and try to understand through what I see from his facial expressions and actions,” Annan disclosed.

Annan reveals difficulty in adjusting to Spanish league
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Følg kjekk norsk ungdom på Twitter!

[2mas]

In Norway and Sweden, Lustig was accustomed to celebrating winning trophies at this time of the year as seasons came to an end. But here, he knows the hard work must continue if the glory is to be enjoyed.

And, even though the Hoops are five points clear in the SPL, he understands the need to push on.

"We don't look too much at the table, just at the next game," said Lustig.

Read more: Hip parade at a halt for Lustig soon

Lustig welcomes the traditional aspect of the holiday programme, but he has been troubled by a hip problem and missed the 4-0 victory over Ross County on Saturday.

Therefore, the two weekends off from Clydesdale Bank Premier League duty after the 2 January visit of Motherwell will allow the former Rosenborg player to recharge his batteries as Celtic challenge in four 
competitions.

“It’s coming at the right time,” Lustig said. “Most players need it. It’s been a lot of games and there are some important games in February and the whole of next year. So it’s perfect timing. I prefer to get some days off. It’s a lot of games in the UK and it’s probably one thing that people who watch football like, especially on Boxing Day. It’s tradition and I think they should keep it.”

Read more: Mikael Lustig targets points for Celtic – then a break

[2mas]

Celtic defender Mikael Lustig says the SPL’s two-week winter break will allow him to maintain the standards he has set this season.

(...)

“I think the two-week break can make a big difference, especially mentally. I can go home and not focus on football. I can focus on family and friends. Going back to Sweden will allow me to meet up with friends I haven’t seen for a long while.”

Read more: Celtic defender hopes winter break will allow him to maintain standards