SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013 Stokes out to maintain form; Celtic face Hearts

GLASGOW: Celtic striker Anthony Stokes the first couple of games and I just need to try tional duty with Sweden. every week. “I don’t know what Neil is think- admits he needs to keep producing quality and maintain it now. “We have some other It’s a huge week for the Glasgow giants as ing with regards to his plans for their performances on the pitch to keep his place players coming in and have competition up they face Hearts before travelling to Italy to Champions League game. He might make a in the Parkhead club’s starting line-up. The front, so everyone needs to be on top form to open their Champions League campaign couple of changes, he might play his full- Hoops hitman has started the season in fine keep their place in the side. against Seria A cracks AC Milan. However, strength side and that’s certainly what I think form, netting three goals in the opening four “At a club like this there is always that bit even with a crucial European clash on the will happen. league games including a late winner in of pressure as there are always four or five horizon Hearts manager Gary Locke doesn’t “He will admit that Tynecastle is a tough Celtic’s last run-out against Dundee United. players competing, especially up front, for expect Celtic’s concentration levels to drop. “I place to come to and I’m sure he will come However, Finnish striker Teemu Pukki has two places. Since I have come here, it’s been don’t think they will have their guard down in here wanting to take three points, but we feel since arrived at the Glasgow giants on trans- the same. “Competition is always there and any way,” said Locke, whose side sit bottom we can cause them one or two problems.” fer deadline day from Schalke 04 to increase you just forget about it and play your own of the Premiership as they try to eat into a 15- Elsewhere today, league leaders Inverness the attacking options at Celtic Park and game. “New lads have come into the squad point deduction handed down for going into Caledonian Thistle make the long trip to take Stokes knows that he must maintain high and hopefully they can contribute. “We’ve administration. on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, while Partick standards to preserve his place in Lennon’s started well, we have qualified for the “We’re playing against the champions Thistle will try and continue their good start starting 11, starting with today’s trip to Champions League and we are doing well at who have a team full of international stars. It to the season as they host Aberdeen at Firhill. Tynecastle to take on Hearts. home in the Premiership so we want to con- is a great test for our young players. “There is St Johnstone welcome Hibernian to “Normally I have done alright at the start tinue that and improve.” Celtic will be with- more pressure on their players but that’s the McDiarmid Park as Motherwell travel to St of the season,” the Irish international said. “In out Mikael Lustig for the trip to Tynecastle thing about playing for a club the size of Mirren. And, on Sunday, Ross County take on the last couple of years I have done well in after he picked up an injury when on interna- Celtic, there are demands on them to win Dundee United at Victoria Park. — AFP Terry: Mourinho Kaka raring to go makes Chelsea ‘whole again’ ahead of debut

LIVERPOOL: Chelsea captain John Terry believes manager MILAN: Brazilian forward Kaka will make his Jose Mourinho has instilled a unity in the dressing room that debut for AC Milan yesterday when the will drive the club’s Premier League title challenge. Rossoneri visit Torino hoping to make Mourinho’s side face Everton at Goodison Park today as they attempt to extend an impressive start that has delivered two amends after losing their first game of the home victories and a valuable point at Manchester United. season. Kaka spent six highly successful sea- Victory over Roberto Martinez’s side will move the Blues sons with Milan from 2003-2009, winning to the head of the early league table, one point above the Champions League and Ballon d’Or tro- Liverpool, who travel to Swansea City 48 hours later. And it phy for the world’s best player before sign- already seems clear that the atmosphere around the club has ing for Real Madrid. But, unsettled at the been transformed from last season, when interim coach Santiago Bernabeu and with one eye on Rafael Benitez failed to appease sections of fans despite guid- next year’s World Cup, he returned to the ing Chelsea to success in the Europa League.”We are looking San Siro amid much fanfare two weeks ago, fit and very much together and Jose brings that,” Terry said. when he signed a two-year deal following a “It is us against everyone else, and I think that is what free transfer from Real. made us when he was here before and we are very much the Despite lacking full match fitness, Milan same again. “His man-management is excellent and he makes coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that people want to play for him. He has it spot-on. If there was a Kaka can’t wait to take to the field in what managerial manual, he would tick every box. We are delight- should be an emotional return for the 31- ed to have him back. He has come home and all the players year-old. “Kaka is in good shape physically feel the same.” Terry shares his manager’s belief that there and has trained well and enthusiastically,” are no outstanding favorites to win the championship but said Allegri yesterday. “I think he’ll be a bit believes Mourinho’s track record of clinching back-to-back emotional ahead of his debut tomorrow and Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 will tip the balance in that’s normal as he’s lacking a bit of match CARNAGO: AC Milan’s Brazilian forward Kaka trains at the team’s Milanello Chelsea’s favour. fitness. That will come with time.” Milan are training center in Carnago. — AFP Between the four or five big teams, it probably will go to the only expected title contenders in Serie A Juventus also have six points each. With think about the starting line-up, whether it’s the wire,” Terry said. “But hopefully what we know about Jose to have dropped points in their opening two Milan hosting Celtic Wednesday in their first Balotelli, or Matri or one of the others,” said and what Jose knows about the Premier League will make league games, following an opening day Champions League group match of the sea- the Italian. “Robinho is ready and he’s on the difference.”Since their last outing at Old Trafford, reverse away to promoted Verona. son, Allegri hinted that he may rest Mario good form. He’s scoring too. We’re in good Mourinho has added former Anzhi Makhachkala pair Willian Napoli sit top ahead of Inter on goal dif- Balotelli and give Alessandro Matri, recently shape up front. I just have to choose who’ll and Samuel Eto’o to his squad, although Terry suggests nei- ference, while Roma, Fiorentina and signed from Juventus, a run out. “I have to start.”— AFP ther is likely to be involved against Everton. The Chelsea cap- tain said: “Samuel’s looked really sharp in training so far, and RUSSIAN LEAGUE PREVIEW so has Willian. “You speak to them and they talk about how the intensity of their training (in Russia) is a lot different to how it is here, so for sure it will take them a few weeks to get CSKA’s mettle to be tested their full fitness, but once they do, they’ll both look very good.” Chelsea will face an Everton side including midfielder by surprise package Rostov Ross Barkley, who made his England debut in the 4-0 victory over Moldova in World Cup qualifying last week at the age of MOSCOW: Reigning champions and current Russian Premier qualifier between Russia and Slovenia turned the field into an just 19. But Everton manager Martinez is confident the League table-toppers CSKA Moscow will have to pass a tough unplayable quagmire. “The pitch conditions are of deep con- youngster will not allow his rapid elevation to the national test of their title ambitions this weekend as they take on sur- cern and even a panic for me,” the Red Army club’s manager side to deflect his focus. “Ross is really satisfied and excited prise challengers Rostov. CSKA, with 17 points from seven Leonid Slutsky said in a recent interview after inspecting the about what’s happened,” said Martinez. “The good thing matches, are three points clear of the trio of chasers: city rivals state of the ground. about Ross is that he never gets carried away, nothing fazes Spartak, Zenit St Petersburg and Rostov. The champions play “There have been too many matches played at the arena in him. “In the same way that he was really excited about going away and playing for the England senior team first time, he is today at the Khimki arena without their Ivory Coast sharp- recent days and unfortunately we were unable to change the excited about playing against Chelsea. “He wants to keep shooter Seydou Doumbia, who was sidelined for six weeks situation.” The arena management promised to do their best growing and learning. He’s a terrific listener and that’s quite with a hip injury sustained in CSKA’s last match with Amkar to restore the stadium’s turf as soon as possible but they have rare for a young footballer these days. “You see Ross and Perm. little time to do it before today. Nine-time champions Spartak, what he’s capable of doing in the future. He is a young man Full back Alexei Berezutsky, who has just recovered from a who have recently strengthened their defense by signing with incredible potential and we need to make sure he has a dislocated collarbone, also remains uncertain for the match German international Serdar Tasci, who won bronze medals terrific career.” Everton are still without midfielder Darron with Rostov, who will likely field a full strength line-up. The with German national squad at 2010 World Cup, will try to Gibson and defender Antolin Alcaraz due to injury. — AFP pitch at the Khimki arena is also a matter of serious concern secure three points by beating the hosts Volga at Nizhny for CSKA after heavy rain during Friday’s European under-21 Novgorod. —AFP