
Goalkeeper Liam Kelly says Scotland debut was “the best moment” of his life
Liam Kelly reflected on the “best moment” of his life after eventually making his Scotland debut in the 4-1 defeat by France in Lille on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old Motherwell goalkeeper was first called up to the senior squad four years ago and had to patiently await his chance, which came when Steve Clarke rested number one Angus Gunn and started with Kelly before bringing on Hearts keeper and fellow debutant Zander Clark at the interval. It was a sore night for the Scots however, despite taking an early lead through Billy Gilmour’s first goal in senior football. France defender Benjamin Pavard scored twice with headers as a star-studded home side fought back. Skipper Kylian Mbappe added a third from the spot before the break and substitute Kingsley Coman hammered a fourth past Clark in the 70th minute to seal a convincing friendly win for the superior hosts. “The best moment of your life, isn’t it?” said Kelly when asked about his first appearance for his country. “I played for every age group with Scotland up until now and I have been in a lot of squads along with big Zander so I was just delighted to get that moment eventually. “I’m so grateful to the manager to get that chance and I am delighted for big Zander as well because we have been in this together from the start. “During the game you can’t think about anything else or else you get punished, so maybe now and over the next few days it will start to sink in a wee bit but yes, the best moment of your life playing for your country. “Me and Zander have been in the squad a long time, you take any chance you can get. “As I said I am really grateful to the manager to give me that chance. As a kid you always dream of that moment and it was a great feeling and a special occasion as well Zander Clark “He didn’t have to do it, he could have played big Angus again so I am over the moon and thankful he gave me that opportunity. “I think I done OK in the game so it all went to plan, apart from the scoreline.” Clark, 31, was similarly delighted to make his debut as replacement for long-time buddy Kelly. He said: “As a kid you always dream of that moment and it was a great feeling and a special occasion as well. “I am buzzing for Liam as well, I have known him since we were kids and a lot of hard work has gone into it. “For us to get the first on the same night is a special moment. “It was tough, they had stars all over the place. “But we had good spells and a great finish by Billy and it was unfortunate to come away with such a heavy defeat but pleased with the effort we put in.” Read More South Africa’s Handre Pollard expecting to face ‘ruthless’ England in semi-final Four out of five players want more done to keep them safe on the pitch Leeds sign Salford duo Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers on three-year deals Australian cricketers go into bat for netballers with ‘fighting fund’ Gareth Southgate savours win and says England are ‘capable of winning’ Euro 2024 Michael O’Neill wants Shea Charles to learn from dismissal on frustrating night
2023-10-18 17:57

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Pep Guardiola hails ‘really good’ Man City response in Champions League opener
Pep Guardiola felt his team were given a useful test after coming from behind to begin their Champions League defence with a 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade. The holders were stunned when the Serbian champions claimed a shock lead on the stroke of half-time through Osman Bukari in Tuesday’s Group G clash at the Etihad Stadium. Yet as they did in the Premier League at West Ham last weekend, they hit back to win after the break, this time with two goals from Julian Alvarez and one from Rodri. City manager Guardiola said: “At the end, going in at half-time 1-0, after what we’ve done that’s nice – after winning the treble we need to be the type of champions who prove to ourselves that we are able to make a comeback. “In this situation it’s nice to prove it. In both games we played incredible and immediately at the start of the second half. “We have things to improve in general but that’s really, really good.” Guardiola was particularly impressed with the performance of his goalscorers. Alvarez has benefited from a run in the side this season while Rodri, match-winner in last season’s final, continues to excel. Guardiola said of Alvarez: “His movement was so quick and he’s so young. What a signing the club have done. “He has everything – fighting, goals, assists. Incredible. And he’s a lovely guy. Playing behind Erling (Haaland) he is an incredible threat.” Rodri has developed into one of the best midfielders in the game during his time at City and Guardiola is in no doubt he is now at the top. He said: “Yes, he’s the best – but hopefully he can be better. He has a good mentality and good things to improve. “But we were lucky again that the club has signed these type of players.” The downside for City was the loss of Bernardo Silva shortly before half-time with an unspecified injury. Guardiola said: “I didn’t speak with the doctors but apparently for the next games he will not be able to play.” The Portuguese joins an injury list that includes Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic. Guardiola said: “When we have five important players – really, really important players – injured, to sustain that for a long time will be difficult. But it is what it is. “We cannot have the salaries and budgets for transfers to have 55 players. It would be chaos for the clubs and they would be bankrupt. Sometimes it happens.” Red Star coach Barak Bachar admitted City were the better side. He said: “We tried, we fought, but we conceded an early goal in the second half. They should have scored more. “They are a great team, they have exceptional players. After we conceded it was difficult to maintain the pace, because we never play at this pace in our league. We learned a lot from this match.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Eddie Howe feels Newcastle’s point at AC Milan will ‘look better and better’ Erik ten Hag concerned by Manchester United’s mounting injury problems England’s Rachel Daly believes calendar in women’s game needs a re-think
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John Stones out of Chelsea clash but injury not as bad as feared
Manchester City defender John Stones will miss the champions’ Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed. The England international was forced off at half-time of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Young Boys with a muscular problem. Guardiola has revealed the injury is not as bad as feared but there is no prospect of him travelling to Stamford Bridge. It is also not clear whether Stones will be available for England this month or the November 25 clash with Liverpool. Guardiola said at a press conference: “He is injured. He is not ready (for Sunday) and we will see when we come back from the international break. “The doctor said to me it’s not as bad (as first thought) but I still don’t know when he’s going to be fit.” Guardiola also delivered a positive update on Kevin De Bruyne, who could return before the end of the year, but he will not rush the Belgium playmaker back into action. De Bruyne has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in August. Guardiola said: “I spoke to him two days ago and he said, ‘I feel really good’ but still he is not training with us and not running much. Kevin’s was a tough injury with surgery, so step by step. Pep Guardiola “I don’t know but it is the last time (period) before he comes back to train with us. “I would like to say in two weeks or three weeks, but these type of injuries are better not to put any pressure on. When he feels good, the doctors and physios say go to the next step, then he is coming. Like John Stones, recover without pressure. “Kevin’s was a tough injury with surgery, so step by step.” City head to Chelsea fresh from securing their place in the Champions League knockout stages for an 11th successive year. The holders have hardly been troubled as they have cruised through with two games to spare – an achievement that, compared to last year’s treble success, seems relatively modest. Guardiola, however, insists it is something that should be savoured because – as this week’s opponents Chelsea, the 2021 European champions, have discovered – the good times will not last indefinitely. He said: “I can’t make any comment about Chelsea because I’m not there but always we remind ourselves. Last Tuesday we qualified and I told the players to celebrate because, maybe one day, if we stop doing what we do or the opponents are better than us, we will not be there. “What we have done is the past. If we are not doing well we will go down, and the down may never end. You can go down more. “So, take perspective, be calm and (enjoy) good moments. For every team around the world, not just the fact that we are Man City and the last years have been good, (it does not mean) it will happen in the future. “If you are aware of that, you are closer to still being consistent in Europe for many years.” Read More Mauricio Pochettino learned lessons from famous battle to mature as manager Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl split for a third time Mikel Arteta warns Aaron Ramsdale not to rush decision over Arsenal future Dawid Malan: I want to play on but I don’t know what my England future holds Evan Ferguson signs new Brighton contract until 2029 Football rumours: Tottenham identify Lloyd Kelly as January transfer target
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