Partick Thistle will seek compensation if young Rangers striker Jukka Santala moves on from Ibrox after a bizarre ruling by Fifa opened up the possibility of loan clubs claiming a share of future fees. Clubs signing Bosman free agents under the age of 23 are required to pay compensation to the player’s previous club, but last week Fifa told Thistle to pay £24,000 toAC Pistoiese, who insisted they helped the development of defender Adrian Madaschi despite him playing only two games for the Serie C club on loan from Atalanta before moving to Firhill in August 2002. Now Partick chairman Brown McMaster is prepared to use the ruling in his club’s favour, with Santala a prime candidate after scoring 11 goals in 23 games during his loan spell in the first half of this season. ‘If he moves on then we will be looking for a share of compensation from any club he signs for, because of the part we played in his development,’ said McMaster
New allegations in Sven saga
England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson told the News of the World that three unnamed English Premiership clubs are riddled with corruption. The alleged corruption is connected to illegal payments in transfer deals. The Swede and his agent Athole Still are reported to have named the clubs in a meeting with an undercover journalist for the newspaper
McDonald attracts interest from Hearts
Dundee’s teenage striker Kevin McDonald did his hopes of winning a move to Hearts no harm by opening the scoring in the 3-0 victory at Brechin yesterday. The Tynecastle club were represented in the stands as McDonald swept home a rebound from Garry Brady’s shot on 19 minutes, with Paul Dixon and Simon Lynch adding further strikes in the second half. Brechin remain bottom of the table, a point behind Queen of the South
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Butcher warns weakened Celtic
Motherwell manager Terry Butcher, right, claims the Old Firm do not scare the rest of the SPL any more, and believes his side can replicate the attitude shown in the 4-4 draw with Celtic at the start of the season when Gordon Strachan’s team return to Fir Park today. ‘The Old Firm were stronger than they are now,’ says Butcher. ‘A certain Mr Larsson’s not there any more for Celtic, and Rangers have had injury problems. It’s a lot to do with our younger players saying, “Let’s just go for it”’
Gretna hit Thistle for six
Two goals each for Steve Tosh and David Graham helped Second Division leaders Gretna demolish third-placed Partick Thistle 6-1 at Raydale Park. Rowan Alexander’s side maintain their five-point advantage over Morton, who won 4-1 at home to Alloa
Lambert hits out at Alloa
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Paul Lambert, the Livingston player-manager, has accused Alloa of gloating in the aftermath of the Second Division club’s shock Scottish Cup third-round replay win at Almondvale earlier this month. Alloa assistant boss John Ward claimed the Livingston players were substandard, but Lambert hit back: ‘Allan Maitland (the Alloa manager) phoned me and apologised. Win something first, then you can have your say, but they only won one game’
Win VIP tickets for the Tennent’s Scottish Cup
The Tennent’s Scottish Cup has been filled with shocks this season and enters the fourth-round stage next weekend. The Sunday Times has teamed up with sponsors Tennent’s Lager to offer VIP tickets to Rangers v Hibs and Hearts v Aberdeen on Saturday. One lucky home supporter will be selected for both of these ties, and they can take a friend to watch the game in style, with pre-match drinks, half-time refreshments and a post-match complimentary bar. For a chance to win, answer the following question: Which First Division side knocked holders Celtic out of this season’s Tennent’s Scottish Cup? Send your answer to Tennent’s Scottish Cup Competition, The Sunday Times, 124 Portman Street, Glasgow, G41 1EJ, by Tuesday, January 24. Please include your name, address, daytime telephone number, and which team you support. This competition is open to Rangers and Hearts fans only and all entrants must be 18 years of age or over