Mail on Sunday

I Wouldn't Swap My Ibrox Toil for Glory with Coyle

AS his team-mates of only a few months ago basked in the adulation of the giant-killing act of the season at Stamford Bridge, Kyle Lafferty was feeling the blues on Wednesday night at the lowest ebb of his Rangers career. Lafferty looked not one inch a [pounds]3million player as he endured a trying 76 minutes at Fir Park, with Rangers flopping once again to concede further title momentum to Celtic.

Plenty Pride but No Prized Scalp

Scotland 10 South Africa 14 CLOSE, so very close. But no cigar. Scotland led the world champions 10-0 at half-time and laid siege to their opponents' line for 15 gripping minutes at the end of this match, but a 25-minute spell just after the break, when the irresistible force of the Springbok machine ground out 14 valuable points, proved to be decisive.

Haddens Heroes Let Boks Off the Hook

Scotland 10 South Africa 14 SCOTLAND blew a golden chance to crush one of rugbys superpowers yesterday when a serious lack of discipline and composure let the world champions off the hook.

Father of Tragic John Urges Tough Sentence

THE father of a little boy battered to death by his wife's lover is urging the judge in the Baby P case to impose the maximum sentence of 14 years on the child's abusers. Dean Gray, 37, a taxi-driver from Dunfermline, Fife, lost his 21- month-old son John in 2003.

Fien Kicks Smiths Dream Into Touch

ENGLAND finally crashed out of the World Cup with a succession of schoolboy howlers against a New Zealand team who, in all honesty, were not much better. When New Zealands coach Stephen Kearney was asked how much the Kiwis would have to improve to win the trophy for the first time in their history next week, he said: How big is your notepad?

All Dressed Up for a Jolly Day Out Haringeys Head of Child Services Yesterday

HIDING under a snazzy brolly even though there was no sign of rain this yesterday was Haringeys Head of Child Services Sharon Shoesmith, who is refusing to quit over the death of Baby P. Weeks after the 17-month-old was left to die in a bloodstained cot in August last year, Mrs Shoesmith enjoyed a free corporate day out at Ascot races.

Boy, You Got That One Wrong, Dave ; Black Dog

TORY aides panicked when David Cameron bungled a TV interview on Baby P on Friday, accidentally calling the little boy a baby girl. They frantically tried to cover up the gaffe. It followed a similar howler in his passionate Commons outburst when he referred to the tots 17-year-old mother. Wrong. She is 27. If Dave wants to get all emotional, he had better get his facts straight.

Doctor Doctor

DOCTOR DOCTOR Q. I have bad heel pain. Are my shoes to blame?

Jk to Hand [Pounds]20million Profits From New Book to Charity

HER tales about an orphaned boy wizard have captivated millions of readers worldwide. Now author JK Rowling is planning to transform Harry Potters popularity into a massive [pounds]20 million donation for a charity which helps neglected orphans in Eastern Europe.

Burns Night but Agony for Mcintyre

SCOTTISH boxing has a new star in the shape of super- featherweight Ricky Burns but it may be the end for another of the countrys fighters. Welterweight Kevin McIntyre suffered a humiliating defeat at the Kelvin Hall on Friday night when he was stopped after two minutes by British champion Kell Brook.

Smith: Edu Can Help Plug the Gap

WALTER SMITH has nominated Maurice Edu as the central midfield solution to the problem he faces replacing the effectiveness of knee injury victim Kevin Thomson. Rangers will be without Thomson for the rest of this season after he suffered cruciate ligament damage during last Sundays 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Semple Comeback ; Shockwaves As Perratt Is Axed After Less Than Ayearincharge at Carluke Base

IAN SEMPLE will make a permanent return to the training ranks following a seismic sequence of events earlier this week which saw Linda Perratt axed as head trainer at Belstane Stables. The 60-year-old has been placed in interim charge following yard owner Gordon McDowalls decision on Wednesday to show Perratt the door after less than 12 months in the job.

Football League One

HEREFORD 3 CHELTENHAM 0 STRIKER Steve Guinan ended Herefords goal famine with two sharp shots in the first half against his former club. Hereford had failed to score in their previous four games but Guinans first-half brace lifted them off the bottom of the table.

A Show Stopper ; (1) Mcculloch Slots Into a New Defensive Role with the Help of an Old Head (2) Stop-Gap Mcculloch Earns His Boss Praise

FOR the first 80 minutes of his debut at the heart of the Rangers defence, Lee McCulloch thought this lark at the back was easy. For the remainder of yesterdays 2-1 victory over St Mirren, however, he must have been cursing Walter Smith for asking him during a close season conversation: Have you ever played at centre- half?

League Two ; Football

LUTON 2 DAG & REDBRIDGE 1 PAUL MCVEIGHs first goal of the season helped Luton ignite their League Two relegation fight. The former Norwich mans stunning volley in the 41st minute proved decisive as Luton secured just a second home win of the season.

Forte On Fire with Hat-Trick On His Debut

BARNET 0 NOTTS COUNTY 4 JONATHAN FORTE marked his debut with a first-half hat-trick as County ran riot against a dreadful Barnet. The Scunthorpe striker (above), starting a one-month loan, gave a devastating show of finishing in a 30 minute burst after Richard Butchers spectacular left-foot volley had put County ahead in the seventh minute.

A Landmark Day for Boyd ; in-Form Kris Joins the 150 Club...But Rangers Indebted to Hero Mcgregor

RANGERS....2 ST MIRREN...1

Smith: I Owe It All to Sir David

WALTER SMITH has spoken of the career debt he owes Sir David Murray, ahead of a week that will culminate in the 20th anniversary of his stewardship of the club. Murray bought Rangers on November 23, 1988, for [pounds]6million from Lawrence Marlborough, while Smith was assistant to Graeme Souness. Two-and-a-half years later, when Souness revealed he was leaving to take charge of Liverpool, Murray appointed Smith as manager and he went on to lead Rangers on the title streak that reached Nine-In...

Higdons Masterclass in the Art of Finishing

FALKIRK Higdon (37)....1 MOTHERWELL .0

Scott Keen to See Real Deal at Hampden

SCOTT ROBERTSON admits he is excited about starring at a packed Hampden against Celtic in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final after first experiencing the national stadium virtually empty. The Dundee United midfielder made his Hampden debut when he faced Queens Park during a loan spell from Dundee to Peterhead in 2004 and enjoyed a 1-0 victory. His other day out in Mount Florida was not a happy one, however, as Dundee lost to Gretna in the Scottish Cup semifinal three seasons ago. So R...