Mehtab Hossain happy to train in Scotland

Indian international and East Bengal Club midfielder Mehtab Hossain arrived in Scotland a few days ago to fulfil his dream of training with professional football clubs in the United Kingdom. Though Mehtab himself has spoken to the media about these training sessions being trials, it is more about training with these professional football clubs in the UK and if something more develops, then he would welcome it.

But the chances are bleak then Mehtab would not get a work permit in the United Kingdom due to the tough regulations there which require the nation of a footballer to be amongst the Top 75 of the FIFA world rankings and the players would have to have played 75% of his countries international matches over the last 12 months.

Mehtab sadly fulfils none of the two points, but still he is in Scotland through the help of former East Bengal team mate Alan Gow to train and learn for the future.

Speaking from Scotland Mehtab said, "I have gone for the experience and so far I am happy with my performance."

During his stay Mehtab has trained with Scottish Second Division (third tier) club Airdrie United FC and Scottish Premier League side Motherwell FC. He is looking forward to train with some other clubs in the next week.

Three Indian boys selected for Celtic FC visit

Three Under-14 boys have been selected by the youth coaches from Scottish giants Celtic Glasgow FC to fly to Glasgow for 10 to 14 days to see Celtic in action, their facilities, train with the Celtic Academy and more.

In total 22 boys had been selected from the 2012 Mahindra Youth Football Challenge inter-city finals for a special three day camp with the Celtic coaches and they would then decide to invite two to four boys to Glasgow. In the end three were selected in Premananda Singha and Mangal Murmu, who both are from Kolkata's Pandua S.B.S. High School, Kolkata; and Mukesh Kumar from Central Reserve Police Force High School, Delhi.

For the three young footballers it is a once in a life-time opportunity, who can follow-up on the things they have learned over the duration of the Mahindra Youth Football Challenge tournament and now in the camp under the Celtic coaches.

"We are extremely happy today as we identify the boys who will be sent to Celtic FC in Scotland for further training. The Mahindra Youth Football Challenge has grown significantly in the last two years and I am proud to say that we are achieving the objectives that we set ourselves, which is to promote football at the grass roots level," said Mahindras' S.P. Shukla.

Terming the tournament a great success, Mark Reid, the Celtic FC Youth Academy coach, said that the initiative would be fruitful to the young boys in pursuing their career in football.

"This year, we have again been part of a fantastic Mahindra Youth Football Challenge and it has been a great success. We hope this also gives the selected players a pathway to again progress and improve, when they come and visit the Celtic Academy for the ten day coaching period in Scotland," Mark Reid said.

Glasgow Rangers to track Chhetri & Jeje progress

India strikers Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua have left Scotland for home to get ready for the SAFF Cup, while Glasgow Rangers will continue to track the duos progress. The strikers have spent the last six days working in Scotland with the Scottish Premier League champions after arriving in Glasgow last Friday.

Chhetri and Jeje took part in a bounce game amongst squad members yesterday at Murray Park as the manager Ally McCoist and his assistant Kenny McDowall took the opportunity to see them in action. This was the only chance to see the duo in action as the trip to Hamburg was not possible due to visa problems.

McCoist told The Ibrox Edition, "Sunil and Jeje did fine and showed up well in training. They showed some lovely touches and adapted to the different surroundings they experienced.

"They are away back home today but we will keep monitoring their situations and keep monitoring their performances back home.

"They will continue to play for their sides in India and it was great to have them both working with us as they are talented boys."

"It was a good experience for them and I think they certainly enjoyed it. We enjoyed having them here too."

"Kenny and I watched them playing in the match yesterday and it was a really enjoyable game. They did absolutely fine."

Ally McCoist is ready to keep a close eye on how they progress and one will have to wait and see, if further opportunities with Rangers will arise for Chhetri and Jeje.

Chhetri & Jeje arrive in Glasgow for Rangers FC trials

The Indian international strike duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua arrived on Friday in Glasgow for a trial with Scottish Premier League giants Glasgow Rangers FC, which if successful could see both or one of them sign for the Scottish club in the winter transfer window depending on their release of their respective Indian clubs.

The duo will train with Rangers FC in the coming days under the watchful eyes of coach Ally McCoist and they will join the Rangers squad in training tomorrow. Chhetri and Jeje were met at Glasgow Airport by the Club's Director of Football Gordon Smith and were taken for a tour of the training ground, Murray Park.

Sunil Chhetri currently plays for Mohun Bagan AC, while Jeje Lalpekhlua is contracted to Pune FC. For Sunil Chhetri it wouldn't be the first trial abroad, while for talented Jeje it would be the first foreign trial experience.

In 2010 Chhetri was contracted a few months with MLS side Kansas City Wizards, before that he had been on trial with English Championship side Coventry City while also been linked in the past with Queens Park Ranger FC and Celtic Glasgow but he couldn't sign for them for different reasons.

Chhetri & Jeje set for Glasgow Rangers trials

The Indian international strike duo of Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua could be on their way to Scottish Premier League giants Glasgow Rangers FC later this month for a trial, which if successful could see both or one of them sign for the Scottish club in the winter transfer window.

Talks about the trial have been ongoing for quite a while and players agent Yogesh Joshee, who manages both players, was able to convince Rangers to offer the duo a trial with Glasgow Rangers looking for new talent and also understanding the lucrative Indian market.

Sunil Chhetri currently plays for Mohun Bagan AC, while Jeje Lalpekhlua is contracted to Pune FC. If the two I-League clubs will release their players during the season will have to be seen. The trial could take place between India's friendlies against Malaysia in the coming days and the game against Zambia later this month.

For Sunil Chhetri it wouldn't be the first trial abroad. In 2010 he was contracted a few months with MLS side Kansas City Wizards, before that he had been on trial with English Championship side Coventry City while also having been linked in the past with Queens Park Ranger FC and Celtic Glasgow but he couldn't sign for them for different reasons.

For talented Jeje it would be the first foreign trial experience.

East Bengal to have Scottish striker on trial

Kolkata giants East Bengal Club are set to have 28 year old Alan Gow from Scotland on trial next week. Gow can play as a striker as well as an attacking midfielder.

The Clydebank born footballer is 1,83 meters (6'1'') tall, left footed and started his football with his local club Clydebank FC before playing for other Scottish sides Airdrie FC, Falkirk FC, Glasgow Rangers, Hibernian FC and Motherwell FC. In-between he played for English league sides FC Blackpool, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle.

The last six months Gow spend at English League One (Division 3 from the top) side Notts Country in England after having started the season with Scottish side Motherwell FC.

Gow is currently a free agent and East Bengal coach Trevor Morgan wants to have a look at the player before deciding if to sign him or not as his fourth and final foreign player who could compliment Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey

AsiaEurope's OneCulture Football Festivals in the UK

AsiaEurope Football has launched the biggest ever United Kingdom wide search for a professional footballer. From May onwards there will be seven regional qualifiers until the finals in December to find the best talent amongst Asians in the UK. Up to 10,000 playser are set to take part.

AsiaEurope Football's Majid Lavji said, "OneCulture Football Festival is a showcase for football bodies to join together and support Ethnic minorities in the UK to break down the stereotypical barriers."

AsiaEurope became the first National football festival for Asians and Ethnic minorities in 2003 when it launched in Liverpool, with leading football organisations - the festival has grown over the years and visited many cities and is now known as 'OneCulture Football Festival'.

AsiaEurope adheres to all FA's policies on openness in football and the OneCulture football festival is open to all but highlights Asian Football in the UK.


The 'OneCulture Football Festival' will be held at the following Powerleague Venues

May 28/29: Manchester (North West England)
June 25/26: Leeds/Bradford (North East & Yorkshire)
July 30/31: Glasgow (Scotland)
September 3/4: Birmingham (West Midlands)
September 17/18: Derby (East Midlands)
October 30/31: Cardiff (Wales)
November 26/27: London (South England)
December 17/18: UK Finals


AsiaEurope Football invites football clubs, football authorities and government organisations to embrace the festival which is taking place around UK. We are urging our peers to stop paying lip service, and open their doors to the immense football talent in the UK.


The festival will incorporate
• Football tournaments up to 5 categories
• Football coaching from professional coaches
• Free style football festival and show
• Product launches
• Player advise from AsiaEurope football agency
• Career advice in sports and football management
• Business networking in sport and football
• Exhibition and trade stands


Tournament History
The One Culture Football festival, originally called the AsiaEurope Football Festival, started in 1999; its mission "to create a tournament which aimed to unite cultures through football, by encouraging people from all backgrounds to play together, we hope to help promote tolerance and understanding in all aspects of life".

The tournament became the largest Ethnic Football Festival in Europe, with the backing of leading football and government organisations.

From 2007 AsiaEurope Football Festival became known as OneCulture Football Festival due to the number of tournaments which were being scheduled outside of Europe including India, Pakistan, China and Africa.

About Powerleague
Is the champion of 5-A-Side, offering 45 state-of-the-art football centres across the UK. With more pitches and centres than any other provider, it's no wonder more 5-A-Side football players trust Powerleague than anyone else! Kick-off day and night with Powerleague and score in one of our super Soccerdomes, whatever the weather.

Draws will be performed by Local County FA or leading local football organisation – one week prior to each regional festival.

Ljungberg back in Europe, signs for Celtic

Former FC Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg is back in Europe with Scottish giants Celtic Glasgow after two years in the North American 'Major League Soccer'. Ljungberg has signed a short term contract until the end of the season and could play his first match tomorrow against Glasgow Rangers in the Old Firm derby.

Long time Swedish international Ljungberg started his career with Halmstads BK as a junior before he moved on to Arsenal FC, where he was one of the stars along with Thierry Henry, Jens Lehmann and others. He left the Gunners in 2007 due to numerous injuries and joined London rivals West Ham United, but also left them after only a season due to persisting injuries.

In summer 2008 it looked his career was over, then in late 2008 he signed a contract with MLS expansion team Seattle Sounders, but last July he was traded to Chicago Fire and at the end of the MLS season Ljungberg said that he would want to return to European football. Celtic Glasgow then offered him a one week trial which worked as manager Neil Lennon liked what he saw and Ljungberg was given a contract.

33 year old Ljungberg told the clubs official website: "I knew a lot about Celtic before I came here. It's a big club and there is great passion for football here. I like the way that Neil (Lennon) spoke to me, and how persistent the club were. I want to feel that passion again."

"I've got the number seven shirt, it's a great honour and I will wear it with pride and hopefully do it justice," Ljungberg added.

One will have to see if Ljungberg can recreate his old magic at Celtic as he is said to be fully injury free and wanting to prove himself in European football.

Scottish Referee's to Strike?

Those of us who follow international football will have heard or read about the strike threat from the Scottish referee's. We have seen footballers going on strike, fans coming late into stadiums to protest against their own clubs, but referee's on strike? They are not highly regarded, but lets be honest without referee's and match officials there could be no football. And surely referee's make mistakes, some more and others less, but match officials are a key ingredient of football.

What has happened in Scotland? Like around the world the referee's in Scotland are regularly criticized for their performances, but that has gone to a whole new level in Scotland with clubs not only questioning the quality of referee's in the Scottish Premier League but also their integrity. Such reactions from clubs and managers has led to the referee's saying that their standing has gone down with players and amongst fans alike. Some referee's have received threatening calls, while other even bigger threats. And the biggest culprit amongst the clubs are Scottish giants Celtic Glasgow, who openly have questioned decisions and the integrity of the referee's.

The referee's had to act themselves as their own security was becoming a problem and the Scottish Football Association didn't react in such a way to cover their backs as one would have expected. This has led to the category one officials (highest level of officials in Scotland) holding a vote and unanimously deciding to refuse to officiate over the weekend November 27/28. And such a strike would not only effect the Scottish Premier League, the Scottish Football League, but also the ALBA Challenge Cup final and three Scottish Cup third-round replays.

The Scottish FA has been looking to solve the issue with the Scottish Senior Football Referees' Association , but so far no solution has been found. And now they are scouting for alternatives in trying to bring in foreign referee's to avoid a total washout. Referee's from England, Ireland, Wales, Iceland or Scandinavia could be invited, but foreign referee's have stated in their local media that they support their Scottish colleagues in their fight.

It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming days in Scottish football...