Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

Jack Wilshere in trouble

ARSENE WENGER has revealed how Jack Wilshere struggled to come to terms with his 14-month KO.

The Arsenal midfielder missed the whole of last season and Euro 2012 after ankle and knee injuries.

And Wenger says the England star — who only turned 20 in January — showed great mental strength to see off the demons during a difficult time.

The Emirates chief said: “When you are so young and are out for 14 months it is a good test for your mental strength and on that front he has been absolutely brilliant.

“Not only did he have ankle surgery but when he thought that was over he had knee surgery and handled that very well also.

“But he had his ups and downs — and many downs because he had a few setbacks.

"It never crossed my mind (that he would never play again). Has it crossed his mind? Only he can answer that — yes, I think so.

“But I refused to give up, because he is a 19-year-old boy, so I always thought he would come back.

“He dealt with it very well and especially in the last three months he was highly focused.

“Every day he came in very early and worked all day through and he is rewarded now with a good condition.

“I believe what he has gone through will make him even stronger.”

Wilshere returned to full training for the first time yesterday. But Wenger says the club will not rush his return to the first team.

The Frenchman said: “We’ll have to be a bit patient with Jack and manage him well.

“I want to give him 10 days training before he plays his first game. He will need a few games in the reserves.

“It will take a few weeks but we will see how responds in the first two games in the reserves and see how he comes out of that.

Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

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Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

MARIO Balotelli has gone from blue to red — by dying his trademark mohican.

The madcap Italian striker showed off his new do earlier today as he nipped out for petrol in Alderley Edge.

The Manchester City player usually leaves the trademark mohican naturally brown and occasionally highlights it peroxide blonde, but this ginger look is new.

Mario, 22, took his £140,000 Bentley for a top up of petrol and looked like he decided to match his outfit with the bright white car.

Earlier in the day his teammate and captain Vincent Kompany said Mario was unlucky at always being caught out in the public eye.

In the past he has been at the centre of a number of training ground bust-ups and pranks.

The Belgian defender said: "He’s a great guy. I guess he’s the unluckiest when it comes to being in the public eye.

Article Source:- www.thesun.co.uk

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Peyton Manning made a successful NFL return from a year's sabbatical, leading the Broncos past the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-19 in his Denver debut Sunday night.

The four-time MVP coming off four neck surgeries completed 19 of 26 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

He got a big assist from another free agent, cornerback Tracy Porter, whose 43-yard interception return of Ben Roethlisberger's pass with 2 minutes left sealed the win.

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TENNIS star Andy Murray netted a mighty £6.4million in off-court earnings last year.

The 25-year-old Scot aced big-money deals with kit makers Adidas and Head, Swiss watchmaker Rado and RBS bank.

And he’s tipped to make even more next year after battling Tomas Berdych in last night’s US Open semi-final, scooping Olympic gold and becoming the first Brit in the Wimbledon men’s singles final in 74 years.

A source said: “Andy’s had an incredible 12 months and you’d expect to see that reflected in his earnings.

“Winning tournaments can earn a player millions — but it’s worth far more than that in commercial terms.Companies will be lining up to have his face attached to their products — and they’ll be prepared to pay big bucks.

“If he continues to improve the way he has, there’s no telling how much he could make.”

Accounts for his company Parched Investments show he made £5.4million in merchandising and £940,000 in appearance fees for the year ending November 2011.

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It is very Amazing news which is not noticed by anyone even camera view was not see that. The news is that pakistani Politician and the leader of political party  Tahreeq-e-Insaaf Imran Khan was between the crowed in the 2nd t-20 which was held on September,7,2012 in Dubai.

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ANDY MURRAY is bang on track to win a Grand Slam but lose a friend.

The Brit ace takes on Tomas Berdych today for a place in the US Open final, while old mate Novak Djokovic clashes with David Ferrer.

If the world rankings ring true, it will be the Scottish No 4 and the Serb No 2 who will contest the final Major of the year tomorrow.

Murray and Djokovic, born just a week apart in May 1987, go way back to the time when they were just two skinny teenagers dreaming of making the big-time.

But the reigning Flushing Meadows champion Djokovic has dramatically called an end to their old pals’ act.

In the build-up to epic clashes at the Aussie Open over the last couple of years both have openly talked about their closeness. They played football together and shared a joke. But no more.

Murray has become too dangerous since bagging Olympic gold last month — beating top seed and world No 1 Roger Federer in straight sets in the final.

He is pushing for that first Slam like never before and is desperate to go further than last year in New York when he lost the semi-final to Rafa Nadal.

Djokovic, 25, said: “Anybody who has played Andy knows how good he is. The question never was could he beat me, Roger and Rafa? It was just if he could in a final.

“So much of tennis is mental strength and I believe the Olympic win has brought Andy that.

“When I won Wimbledon in 2011, no player apart from Roger or Rafa had won the tournament since 2002. After that I got this self belief and things changed for me.

“The gold in London was great for Andy. I think he will use it as a springboard to now go and win majors.

“I can’t be friends with Andy, though. I really like the guy — but how can you go and be best friends with a guy who you know you are going to be doing battle with?

“It is true for myself, Roger, Rafa and now Andy. We like each other and there is mutual respect but common sense tells you we can’t be best friends and hang out.

“When we are all retired the four of us will go to a bar, drink too much beer and look back on all the great matches we’ve had.

“But, for now, we must keep a professional distance.

“I see us being very good friends in the future but the reason I can’t be friends with him now is a compliment. It means I now see him as a very real threat for this Grand Slam and many to come.”

For that, Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl must take some of the praise. Murray said: “When we first met in Florida at the pizza restaurant, we spoke about how to play against the top guys.

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KEVIN PIETERSEN has NOT been offered an England central contract.

The ECB tonight named the 10 players to be given 12-month deals which run until September 30, 2013.

But Pietersen’s name was not among the list — just as SunSport exclusively revealed last night.

It means the Surrey star’s chances of being chosen for England’s four-Test tour to India in November have taken another hit.

And his county future at the Oval is now also in doubt as the ECB will no longer pay his wages.

Pietersen has not played for England since sending derogatory texts to the South African team about ex-Test skipper Andrew Strauss.

An ECB statement said: “In respect to Kevin Pietersen discussions are ongoing and they remain private.”

The 10 players awarded contracts are James Anderson, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann and Jonathan Trott.

In addition, Jonny Bairstow, Ravi Bopara, Craig Kieswetter and Graham Onions have been handed incremental contracts.

National selector Geoff Miller said: “Congratulations to Graham Onions who is the one addition to the list of players who have been awarded increment contracts.

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STUART BROAD says England are already planning a future in Twenty20 cricket WITHOUT Kevin Pietersen.

The skipper is looking to young stars such as Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler to shine while Pietersen remains in the cold.

As SunSport revealed, controversial batsman KP was last night omitted from the list of players awarded central contracts.

Broad is convinced England can retain their World Twenty20 crown — which they defend in Sri Lanka later this month — in Pietersen’s absence.

England’s T20 captain did not echo the words of Ravi Bopara and Eoin Morgan and say he wants KP back in the side.

Instead, he insisted Pietersen’s possible return is a matter entirely for the ECB.

Broad said: “Of course we can win the World Twenty20 without him.

“Our planning began against West Indies at Trent Bridge earlier this summer, Kevin had made himself unavailable by then.

“Alex Hales came in and got 99, the highest score by an England batsman in T20s. We still have eight of the World T20 winners and the others have a lot of domestic experience.” England today start the three-match NatWest T20 series against South Africa at Chester-le-Street.

Pietersen’s exclusion from the contract list means he is unlikely to make the four-Test tour to India in November. The squad is to be announced next Thursday.

KP could be offered a late deal if he convinces coach Andy Flower, director Hugh Morris and Test captain Alastair Cook in ongoing talks that he can be less divisive

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/4526732/Stuart-Broad-planning-for-life-after-Kevin-Pietersen.html#ixzz25sLil1l7

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THE Ashes are coming next summer — ‘hooray!’ we hear you shout.

We here at SunSport are getting ridiculously excited about the prospect of England smashing the Aussies for a third time in a row.

Alastair Cook’s side will take on Michael Clarke’s hopefuls over five action-packed Investec Ashes Tests click here for the fixtures.

So wound up are we, in fact, that we’ve teamed up with TwelfthMan — the official fan community of England Cricket — to give away THREE pairs of tickets to one of the days.

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FLORENT MALOUDA has been thrown a career lifeline by former club Lyon.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has banished the France winger, 32, to train with the Blues’ youth team after leaving him out of their Champions League squad.

Malouda, a £13million buy from Lyon in 2007, has now approached the French club about a return.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said: “Our door is always open to former players.

“Malouda has been in contact with our coaching team recently.

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ALAN HUTTON admits he is training alone after being frozen out at Aston Villa by boss Paul Lambert.

Villa want the former Spurs defender off the wage bill and had hoped to offload him before the transfer window shut but there were no offers.

However Hutton, 27, hopes to force his way back into first-team contention despite being told to train with the kids.

Hutton, signed by former manager Alex McLeish a year ago, was still named in Villa’s 25-man Premier League squad.

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CLINT DEMPSEY has revealed the transfer window left him a blubbing emotional wreck.

The American’s late-night switch to Tottenham last Friday was one of the biggest shocks of deadline day.

The Fulham star had been tipped to join Liverpool, with Kop boss Brendan Rodgers a big fan.

But after that deal collapsed, he sealed a £6million move to Spurs — which was rubberstamped just TWO MINUTES before the 11pm deadline.

He said: “I remember calling my wife and mom and almost wanting to break down in tears because it was a tough time.

“Going into that last day and night there were still a lot of question marks.

“It wasn’t clear-cut this was going to happen.

“Some other things came up and you’re going through that struggle, which was not fun for anybody.

“It was difficult for Fulham and for me, not knowing how it’s going to end.

“It’s just about having that faith, holding on to hope that something was going to happen that both parties were going to be happy with.

“In the end that was accomplished, but the deal didn’t get done until 9pm and that was when a fee was agreed.

“But then you had to look at all the logistics, trying to get to Tottenham’s training ground, trying to make sure all the paperwork was through, doing the medical, signing the contract and having everything sent back before the deadline at 11pm.

“Everything was sent through at 10.58pm, so you’re there but you’re like, ‘Is this official yet?’”

Dempsey cannot wait to get back playing in the Prem again after being left out of Fulham’s opening two games of the season, with manager Martin Jol claiming the player told him he did not want to play for the club again.

But Dempsey flatly denies he went on strike, insisting: “I did not refuse to play. There were some things that were said that were not true.”

He was branded “an arrogant twerp” by chat show host Piers Morgan for openly admitting that he wanted to leave Fulham for a bigger club.

But Dempsey said: “For me, it’s always been about being able to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You tried your best. You challenged yourself. And you’ll be able to die a happy man in the sense of your career, knowing that you were able to see if you could do it or not’.”

Dempsey, who bagged 23 goals for the Cottagers last season, is likely to start on the bench for Tottenham at Reading next Sunday.

He does not know what position he will play under Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas.

He said: “It will be interesting to see where I’ll fit in, because I don’t know what his plans are in that sense.

“I have to show him where I’m at, obviously, and he’ll see what the best fit will be.

“Any position that I can get into the attack and get goals is what I enjoy.

“I think a strength of mine is late runs into the box and being able to get on the end of things. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

France captain Hugo Lloris was another signed by Spurs ahead of the deadline, joining on an £8m deal from Lyon.

But Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps indicated Lloris’ position as France No 1 would be under threat if he was not able to dislodge American veteran Brad Friedel, 41, between the posts at White Hart Lane.

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BRENDAN RODGERS has told his stars to ‘man up’ after admitting they may have to play the entire season with ONE striker.

The Liverpool manager says his team will have to go through the pain barrier until he can get new faces in.

But Rodgers warned that may not happen in January because clubs are reluctant to let their best players go.

Liverpool’s failure to bring in extra bodies during the transfer window has left them with a chronic shortage — especially up front, where Luis Suarez is the Reds’ only recognised striker.

Fabio Borini, 21, is the only other senior player who could step into the Suarez role.

But after allowing England hitman Andy Carroll to join West Ham on loan without landing a replacement, Rodgers says his team will have to bite the bullet. He explained: “We’re in a position where we’ve got 25 games minimum between now and January, so we’re going to be stretched to the limit.

“I’ve spoken to the players and if they get little niggles, they have to man up. We have to come together and be strong.

“January is a difficult month to do business.

“Sometimes it’s very difficult to get the best players in. If a team is doing well, they are not so keen to lose a squad player and they want to keep all their good players.

“There’s no point spending millions if they can’t fit the profile of my players.

“Hopefully our scouting team will find the targets that will fit into the way we are going to play going forward.

“Between now and then we have to be creative because of the limited number of players we have up front. I’m going to have to find different solutions.”

Rodgers, who has started 17-year-old winger Raheem Sterling in the last three games, admitted he will need to lean on a few more youngsters.

He added: “I’ve an inherent belief in young players.

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WAYNE ROONEY last night told Manchester United he will stay for as long as he is wanted at Old Trafford.

The England striker has had a difficult start to the season with question marks hanging over his working relationship with manager Alex Ferguson.

He is currently sidelined by a deep cut to his right thigh and faces a battle to regain his starting spot when he returns.

But Rooney, 26, says he would be happy to finish his career at United and is targeting another decade with the Red Devils.

The former Everton hero said: “Could I be here another 10 years? I hope so.

“As long as I’m wanted here then I will be a Manchester United player.

“Obviously I had that situation a couple of years ago but made it clear very quickly that I had made a mistake.

“As long as people want me to be a United player, then that is what I’ll be.

“Hopefully that will be for a long time.

“It’s a great club and, let’s be honest, where else can you go from this club? It’s the biggest team in the world.”

Rooney only needs to look around the United dressing room to see how he can extend his career with United for as long as possible.

He said: “You just look at Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and how successful they’ve been — they’re an example to us all.

“That’s the idea of the plan and hopefully that will be the case.”

Rooney’s terrible day against Fulham last month started with him being left on the bench — and then ended with him in hospital with stitches in his leg.

Although there were fears that he could be out for a long period after suffering a horror cut just above his right knee, Rooney could be back later THIS MONTH.

But with the arrival of Robin van Persie, Rooney accepts he will no longer be an automatic selection if Ferguson has all four of his strikers fit.

But he is ready for the battle with RVP, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as United aim to win back the title from neighbours City.

He said: “You can’t assume you are going to play.

“But I’ve always worked very hard to make sure the manager has got to play me.

“I’ve had this injury setback but I am working hard in the gym to make sure that when I’m told it’s OK to return, then I’ll be back.

“Competition is great for us all. We’re all fighting to get into the team and score goals.

“It’s great for the manager and we all must make sure we give the manager the headache he wants in one way but doesn’t in another.”

With tension between Ferguson and Rooney, some fans were concerned there may be a repeat of October 2010 on the cards.

Back then, the striker sensationally asked to leave Old Trafford before withdrawing his request and signing a new deal.

He was also dropped from United’s squad for the New Year’s Day clash with Blackburn last season and fined £200,000 for going out for a Boxing Day meal with wife Coleen, joining team-mates Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson and their partners too.

Rooney hopes the goals he has scored since have gone some way to repairing his relationship with club, manager and fans.

He said: “It’s an episode I’m not proud of but it has helped me because it has given me great desire and hunger to be more successful at this club.

“I realised quite quickly and told them I had made a mistake and wanted to put it right and within 12 hours I had signed the new contract.

“They brought me back into the team and the club and, from then on, I knew I had to repay the faith they had shown me.

“I think since then I have scored a lot of goals for the club and the fans.

“I know they must have been disappointed with what happened — but they have been fantastic with me since.

“Just watching and working with someone like the boss, who has done it so many times and continues to do it, with that
desire and winning mentality, is incredible to be part of.”

Once Rooney is fit again he can set about trying to reclaim the Premier League crown from City — and erase the memory of that final-day title heartache last season.

The United star admits he is still haunted by the sight of Sergio Aguero scoring the decisive goal deep into stoppage-time against QPR at the Etihad.

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ENGLAND made a carnival start to their World Cup campaign last night as they set off on the long road to Brazil.

Frank Lampard stunned Moldova with an early double before Jermain Defoe, James Milner and Leighton Baines completed the rout with the only worry an injury to John Terry.

Boss Roy Hodgson said: “I’m very pleased, it’s a great result because the first match in a qualifying group is a nervous occasion.

“You are always concerned you will not produce the performance you want, or the result, but we got off to the best possible start, controlled the game throughout and the scoreline flattered us.

“Sometimes 5-0 victories do but not today. Now we have a couple of days to prepare for the next one.

“Tuesday is against Ukraine, who could be one of the favourites to win the group. I hope the recovery time is sufficient and the players can muster their strength again to give a good performance.”

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SERBIA defender Neven Subotic has dismissed Scotland as all guts and no guile.

The Borussia Dortmund star, 24, believes Craig Levein’s side is inferior technically to the Serbs.

And to win at Hampden, all they have to do is match our power and heart.

He said: “For success in qualifying it is necessary not to slip up against the lower-ranked teams.

“We believe teams like Scotland, who play on heart and strength, suit us.

“Technical quality is on our side. You only have to compete with their most powerful weapon, and that’s power and desire.

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4521100/Youre-all-heart-but-dont-hurt.html#ixzz25a6hhI2s

On 01:20 | 0 comments

SCOTT BROWN is facing more Scotland World Cup heartache next month.

A hip injury ruled the Celtic skipper out of the opening Group A qualifiers against Serbia and Macedonia.

Hoops boss Neil Lennon last night revealed Brown might need surgery and admitted he’s a doubt for the October double-header with Wales and Belgium.

He said: “Scott’s not training at the minute. It’s just light stuff and rest.

“Will it be the same for the next Scotland double-header? I hope not, but we have to see.

“This isn’t a club v country thing — he wants to play for Scotland. Scott’s disappointed to miss out, but if he could have played the Serbia game, there’s no way he could have got through the Macedonia game. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE. That’s where we are just now with him.

“I’d imagine two or three games a week would be a problem. Does he need surgery? Possibly. If so, when does he need it and when do we do it?

“It’s a degenerative problem so he might need to go in, get it cleaned up and then shut down for a spell.”

The news will come as a hammer blow to Craig Levein.

The Scotland boss is not helped by the fact the next double-header comes in the middle of Celtic’s Champions League campaign.

The Hoops travel to Russia to play Spartak Moscow on October 2 — and then go to Barcelona on October 23.

Scotland visit Wales on October 12 and then jet out to Belgium four days later.

Lennon said: “We’ve seven games in 23 days when we’re back which is a helluva lot and obviously Scott would want to play in the majority.

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/4521165/Scott-fears-4-match-KO.html#ixzz25a5MjNC9

On 01:17 | 0 comments

SCOTLAND legend Denis Law believes Jordan Rhodes can be the striker who finally beats his national scoring record.

Law, who like Rhodes started his career at Huddersfield, scored 30 times in 55 appearances for Scotland between 1958 and 1974.

Kenny Dalglish equalled Law’s record ten years later, but no other player has scored more than 20 goals for Scotland since the Lawman hung up his boots.

However, Law, 72, reckons new £8million Blackburn striker Rhodes can change that.

He said: “Jordan is an extremely good player and he scored a phenomenal amount of goals for my old club Huddersfield Town.

“Now he has gone to Blackburn and that is another step up for him.

“I wasn’t surprised when he was given a start for Scotland against Australia.

“He scored a very good goal in that match, and that answered some of the questions about him having played most of his football in a lower league.

“The boy has also scored regularly for the Under-21s, so he has done it at every level he has played at.

“Eventually my record will be beaten — and Jordan can definitely be the one if he keeps improving the way he has.

“The big thing for a striker is to keep clear of injuries.

“But he’s a big, strong lad with a huge future ahead of him.”

Law though, admits he doesn’t expect Rhodes to start ahead of Kenny Miller against Serbia on Saturday.

He said: “It’s a difficult one for the manager. At some stage you have to give young players an opportunity, but Kenny Miller is very experienced.

“You never know with young players. Some can come into a huge game like a World Cup qualifier and slot in as if they’ve been playing at that level for years. Others just can’t do it.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/feeds/smartphone/scotland/4521084/Rhodes-to-break-Law.html#ixzz25a4ylmD5

On 01:12 | 0 comments

GARY CALDWELL has warned Scotland’s World Cup rivals: This is OUR time.

The Wigan star insists the Group A qualifiers hold no fears for Craig Levein’s squad.

As he prepared to lead his country out for Saturday’s crunch opener with Serbia at Hampden, Caldwell, left, told SunSport: “We believe this is our time.

“It’s been a long time without qualifying and we desperately want to get to this World Cup. We believe we can do it.”

Caldwell will proudly take the skipper’s armband when he wins his 50th cap against the Serbs — and he knows a good start in Group A is a MUST.

He said: “We need to stand up and be counted and when the games come around we need to produce the goods by going out and getting the wins.”

Scotland haven’t qualified for a major tournament since 1998.

But Caldwell insists that boss Levein and his squad are driven on by the bitter experience of the failed Euro 2012 campaign.

He added: “We had a strong finish to the last campaign.

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/4521202/Our-time-has-come.html#ixzz25a4ifHQx

On 01:10 | 0 comments

Now Gary Caldwell is set to join his ultimate Hampden hero in Scotland’s gallery of greats.

Caldwell was given his first pro contract as a 16-year-old kid by King Kenny at Newcastle.

On Saturday the Wigan defender will stride proudly into the SFA’s Hall of Fame and take his place alongside him.

Caldwell, 30, will earn his 50th cap in the World Cup qualifier with Serbia.

The landmark occasion will see his portrait painted and hung at the home of the Scottish game — where his hero awaits.

Caldwell told SunSport: “It’s always meant a lot to me, playing for Scotland. To reach the 50-cap mark will be special.

“When you pull on the jersey once it’s a fantastic feeling and from then on you want more and more.

“As I’ve got nearer the number I’ve found myself thinking about what it would mean. I’ve looked at the list of players in the Hall of Fame and I’ve looked at the ones who aren’t there.

“It then hits home the kind of achievement it is.

“To put my name amongst such great players will be absolutely amazing. It will be the highlight of my career and something I’ll look back on in the years to come with tremendous pride.

“I’m talking about people like Kenny Dalglish. He signed me for Newcastle and when you think of Scotland players he is the one.

“But there are others like Gordon Strachan — my manager at Celtic — and Alex McLeish and Willie Miller. To have my picture up on the wall beside proper, genuine legends like that will be a really special feeling. It’s something no one would ever be able to take away.

“Football is all about opinions, but when you achieve things like this it goes beyond that.

“People can have any opinion they want, but they can’t alter the fact you’ve achieved something.”

Caldwell’s Scotland team-mates Kenny Miller and Darren Fletcher already have their portraits hanging at Hampden.

But joining King Kenny will have special meaning for Caldwell, given he was the first top boss to show faith in him.

He added: “Dalglish was the manager at Newcastle and he signed me at 16. He got sacked about three months later, right enough, although I don’t think I was to blame!

“Because of that I didn’t get to work with him closely, but he’s someone I have great respect for and still look up to.

“It was funny, actually, because he tried to sign me and my brother Steven for Blackburn when he was there years earlier. He came up to Scotland a few times with Alan Irvine to talk to us. They had meals with us, and my mum and dad, but we didn’t go.

“Steven had his heart set on Newcastle and went there. It was a few years later — when Kenny was in charge at St James’ Park — that I joined as well.

“But he’s a great man. The man you see on TV isn’t the way he is. My dad has seen him a few times down the years and he always remembers him and stops to have a chat.”

Like a lot of players who reach the top, Caldwell also knows how it feels to hit rock bottom.

He said: “I have played for Scotland at every level, but I never played for Newcastle and was released. They told me I wasn’t good enough for that level.

“The late Sir Bobby Robson was the manager at the time and I got on the bench a few times. I was nearly there.

“I was sent on loan a few times and eventually the day came when he pulled me into his office and told me it wasn’t going to happen for me at Newcastle.

“I was obviously disappointed at the time, but looking back, he was definitely right.

“He was a great man, someone I really looked up to and respected.

“Every player has ups and downs. It’s about being strong and handling that.

“Everyone wants to be a footballer, but it’s a difficult career, especially when you suffer some set-backs.

“You just need to believe in yourself and push on.

“It took me a long time to get back to the level I wanted to play at, but I got there.”

Caldwell is now one of the first names on Craig Levein’s team-sheet — the only question is where.

He was given the midfield holding role against Australia in last month’s Easter Road friendly, with Levein set to hand him the same job for the Serbia clash.

Caldwell added: “I enjoy that role, yeah, but if I keep playing in there I don’t think I’ll have many more games left in me!

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk...

On 01:08 | 0 comments