Rangers 0 Panathinaikos 0 Rangers' hopes of progressing to the last 16 of the UEFA cup were dented tonight after being held to a goalless draw by Panathinaikos at Ibrox.

Don Givens insisted there had been no pressure or influence exerted by FAI chiefs in the search undertaken by himself, Don Howe and Ray Houghton for a Republic of Ireland soccer boss.

Brann Bergen 0 Everton 2 Everton maintained their march on Europe tonight with their sixth successive victory in this season's increasingly impressive UEFA Cup run.

Tottenham skipper Ledley King travelled with the squad to the Czech Republic for the UEFA Cup clash against Slavia Prague.

Former Italian coach Giovanni Trappatoni has been confirmed as the new Republic of Ireland soccer boss after a protracted recruitment process handled by Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe.

New Ulster coach Matt Williams has ben allowed to include Ireland internationals Paddy Wallace, Neil Best, Rory Best and Tommy Bowe and Scottish International Simon Danielli and Italian lock Carlo Del Fava in a 23-man squad to play The Dragons

Alexander Hleb believes Arsenal's recent form has helped to erase the memory of getting thrashed at Tottenham - and has backed Emmanuel Adebayor to help continue the run on Saturday against Manchester United.

Portsmouth striker Kanu could be off Down Under in the summer, according to his agent.

Bolton's new recruits Gary Cahill and Matt Taylor are set to make their UEFA Cup debuts against Atletico Madrid at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow.

Jockey Dean Mernagh and trainer Stewart Parr will finally have their appeals heard tomorrow against the punishments they received in the Black Oval case over a year ago.

Nine De Sivola, runner-up in the Eider Chase and Irish and Scottish Nationals last term, has been ruled out for the season.

The Football Association of Ireland today confirmed the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni as new Republic of Ireland boss.

An offer bytelecom tycoon man Denis O'Brien to pay half of the new Ireland manager's wages was "pivotal" in the success of landing the Italian Giovanni Trapattoni.

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The Republic of Ireland have slipped one place in the latest FIFA world rankings to 36th place.

Ireland's Gordon D'Arcy could be back in training in six weeks, according to Leinster coach Michael Cheika.

Giovanni Trapattoni told a Salzburg news conference today that the FAI approached him 10 days ago and that a deal become the Republic of Ireland's new manager was agreed yesterday.

Ireland international Jeremy Staunton has today ended his stint on loan at London Irish to return to Wasps for the remainder of the current season.

The Football Association insist they remain neutral over the Premier League's proposal to take top-flight games to cities across the world.

France have brought three new faces into their RBS 6 Nations Championship squad for the clash with England on Saturday week.