Champions League: Rangers Crash Out Early

The fortunes of Glasgow Rangers have taken a terrible tumble since the start of May. Three months ago, the Ibrox side were eyeing a historic quadruple, but in the end settled for only two trophies- the Scottish FA and League Cups. Unable to capture the UEFA Cup, and with the reputation of their supporters sullied by ugly behavior in Manchester during the match, Rangers also saw the Scottish Premier League title slip away to crosstown rivals Celtic on the final day of the season. That loss meant Rangers had to face two rounds of Champions League qualifying, rather than enjoy direct passage to the group stages.

Shockingly, Rangers couldn't even pass the first hurdle as they fell 2-1 today to Lithuanian champs FBK Kaunas to lose on aggregate by the same score. The defensive mindset that worked so well for Walter Smith's men in last season's UEFA Cup run was in play again as Rangers protected a 1-0 lead. Even tied 1-1 late, Rangers were still headed through on away goals. But a shocking tally by Linas Pilibaitis (you know him, right?) three minutes from time sent the hosts on to round three.

The loss carries disastrous consequences for Rangers. Not only do they miss out on the lucrative Champions League, but by losing in round two, they don't even get a consolation UEFA Cup berth. That means no European football in 2008-09 for one of Scotland's top two sides, and the resulting lack of financial gain could tip the balance even further to Celtic. However, a full schedule of games down the stretch was one of the reasons Rangers coughed up last year's domestic league title. Now, with no obligations outside of Scotland this season, Rangers may benefit from increased rest and focus.

Scotland: Back to the Bottom for Gretna

Last week I shared the Cinderella story gone wrong of Scottish side Gretna FC, promoted from the Scottish Third Division to the Scottish Premier League in just three seasons. With the club's survival still in doubt, Gretna were relegated all the way back down to the third division today. They've been given a deadline of next week to get a buyer lined up or else they'll be expelled all together from the SFL.

Scotland: Title Hat Trick for Celtic

Celtic captured the Scottish Premier League title today in a race that went down to the final 30 minutes. Even on points and trailing by four on goal differential, Rangers needed to better the result of their crosstown rivals. With Rangers visiting Aberdeen and Celtic at Dundee United, both matches were scoreless into the 60th minute.

Aberdeen struck first with a 63rd minute goal from Lee Miller. Nine minutes later, Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink put the title away with his 20th goal of the season. Rangers Nacho Novo was sent off after Aberdeen had taken a 2-0 lead, adding a cruel ending to Rangers end-of-season tumble.

Celtic won their last seven to capture their third-straight SPL title, two of those wins coming against Rangers. Vennegoor of Hesselink's 90th minute goal on April 16 gave Celtic a 2-1 win against their Old Firm rivals, a goal that proved to be the turning point in the title race.

The strain of chasing the League, Scottish Cup and UEFA Cup proved to be too much for Rangers. They won only three of their last eight league games, dropping the UEFA Cup along the way. Their last chance to add a trophy to their League Cup comes in Saturday's Scottish Cup Final against Division One Queen of the South.

The league title earns Celtic a ticket to the group stages of next year's Champions League. Rangers will have to navigate the last two rounds of qualifying if they are to return there as well.

Scotland: The Fairytale Ends for Gretna

For the little guy who dreams of an opportunity to play with the big boys, the story of Scottish squad Gretna FC should serve as a cautionary tale. This week the 40 remaining players and staff of the Scottish Premier League's last-place side were laid off in what may be the final chapter of a storybook run turned sour.

After spending its first 56 seasons in the non-league levels of English football, Gretna, located on the England-Scotland border, joined the Scottish Football League's Third Division in 2002. Once multimillionaire Brooks Mileson took charge in 2003, Gretna's miracle ascent was underway. The squad earned promotions in three consecutive seasons from 2005-2007, moving from the Third Division to the Scottish Premier League. In 2006, they were a shootout loss in the final away from the Scottish Cup, earning a UEFA Cup berth in the process. Their rapid rise became the topic of heartwarming books, but the good vibes came to a halt this season.

The club's infrastructure was by no means ready for Premier League football and Gretna's maiden voyage at the top level of Scottish football was a disaster. Gretna managed only 13 points this season, 27 back of their nearest competitor. But the action on the field was the least of the team's problems. Since their home field did not meet SPL standards, Gretna made a 150-mile round trip to Motherwell's home ground, Fir Park, for each "home" game. That resulted in crowds as small as a league-record low 431 fans against Inverness.

In March, Mileson took ill, withdrawing his financial support in the process, and things really started to unravel. Unable to pay player salaries, the league had to bail Gretna out and the resulting 10-point penalty for entering administration sealed the club's already-inevitable relegation.

Now with debts of roughly four million pounds, Gretna are hoping a buyer will emerge and save the squad. Even if a savior does arrive, there are no guarantees Gretna will be welcomed back into the First Division next season. In the end, Gretna fans may be living unhappily every after.

Scotland: Down to the Final Day

The Old Firm will head to Thursday's final day of play tied atop the Scottish Premier League. Thanks to a 3-0 win over St. Mirren, Rangers drew level with Celtic at 86 points. Walter Smith went with an attacking lineup in the hopes of running up the score and cutting into Celtic's seven-goal lead in goal differential. Still up four after today's play, Celtic should be safe if the tiebreaker comes into play.

Both sides will be on the road Thursday; Celtic are away to Dundee and Rangers visit Aberdeen. Celtic have yet to surrender a goal to Dundee this year, winning two of their three meetings. Their most recent contest was a 0-0 draw at Celtic Park on March 12. Rangers won both home contests against Aberdeen, but their December 23 trip to Pittodrie Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw.

Scotland: Advantage Celtic

Celtic took a major step towards defending their Scottish Premier League title today without setting foot on the pitch.  Glasgow Rangers drew 1-1 at Motherwell, giving Celtic the opportunity to win the title in their final match.  Rangers trail Celtic by three points, but have only one game at hand with two to play.  If Celtic win their Thursday match away to fourth-placed Dundee United, they should capture the league on goal differential, assuming Rangers win their last two. Celtic currently lead their city rivals by seven in that department.

The strain of Rangers crowded fixture list seems to be catching up with them.  Today's match was the third in a stretch of six matches in 15 days, and came three days after their devastating loss in the UEFA Cup Final.  Christian Dailly's 29th minute tally put Rangers up at the half, but Chris Porter drew the sides level five minutes after the break.    

The Final Countdown

There's plenty at stake this weekend as the league seasons in Italy, France, Germany and Spain come to a close. Here's a preview.

Italy: The scudetto is on the line as Inter Milan looks to hold off Roma. Inter, who hold a one-point lead, are at Parma, while Roma are at Catania Calcio. Those two sides will join third-place Juventus in next year's Champions League, with the fourth spot going to Fiorentina or AC Milan. Fiorentina hold a two-point lead and are away to Torino. AC Milan, who hold the advantage on goal differential, host Udinese. All games kickoff Sunday at 9 AM Eastern.

France: A draw should be enough to give Lyon a record seventh-straight Ligue 1 crown when they travel to Auxerre. Bordeaux will look to erase the two-point gap when they visit Lens. Both games are slated for 2:50 PM Eastern on Saturday.

Germany: Bayern Munich have already won the Bundesliga, but the jockeying continues for European positions. Werder Bremen will look to hold off third-place Schalke for an automatic spot in the Champions League group stages. Even if Schalke can't erase the two-point deficit, they'll still head to Champions League qualifying. Four teams are tied at 51 points for two UEFA Cup slots- Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg currently lead on goal differential over Wolfsburg and Stuttgart. The finales kickoff Saturday at 9:30 AM Eastern.

Spain: Real Madrid clinched the title two weeks ago. Villarreal and Barcelona will join them in next year's Champions League. Atletico Madrid will only need a point against Valencia to top Sevilla for the fourth spot, but if Atletico lose and Sevilla defeat Atheltic Bilbao, Sevilla will earn fourth on goal differential. The final games start Sunday at noon Eastern.

Scotland: Due to a series of scheduling quirks, Glasgow Rangers, trailing rivals Celtic by four points, will play three league games on the road in six days beginning Saturday. With two games in hand on Celtic, Rangers will be at Motherwell on Saturday, at St. Mirren on Monday, and at Aberdeen on Thursday. Celtic finish on Thursday at Dundee United. Two days after the league season ends, Rangers face Queen of South in the Scottish Cup Final.

Sunday Euro Roundup

It was a fairly uneventful Sunday across Europe- Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all won easily today to put themselves in position to wrap up league titles next week. Lyon, which drew yesterday with Caen, can also join the party next week with their seventh-straight French Ligue 1 title.

The issue remains in doubt in Scotland, however, as Celtic rallied past Rangers at Celtic Park, 3-2, to post a secpnd home victory in 12 days over their crosstown rival. Normally Celtic's five-point lead in late April would be cause for celebration, but Rangers are in the unusual position of having three games in hand, so retain the advantage.

A cracking affair with European implications saw Everton draw 2-2 with Aston Villa in a match that saw three goals in the final 10 minutes. Aston Villa twice battled back from a goal down to remain three points behind Everton for fifth in the Premier League, a spot that carries with it a UEFA Cup berth. The draw also meant Liverpool officially clinched fourth and a spot in the Champions League for next year.

Glasgow Derby

Another great chapter today in one of Europe's fiercest rivalries- the Old Firm derby between Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers. Celtic grabbed a much needed 2-1 home win, with two of the goals coming from some of the greatest names in European soccer. Rangers drew level on a 55th minute goal from Nacho Novo, but Celtic netted a 90th minute winner courtesy of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

The win breathes some life into Celtic's bid for a third-straight Scottish Premier League title, but Gordon Strachan's men will undoubtedly need another win when the teams meet again at Celtic Park on April 27. That match is sandwiched between Rangers' UEFA Cup semifinal fixtures against Fiorentina, a schedule that should provide Celtic an advantage. For now, Rangers maintain a one point lead over their rivals, but have two games at hand.

Elsewhere today, Valencia salvaged an otherwise disappointing campaign by capturing the Copa del Rey with a 3-1 win over Getafe.