Sotirios Kyrgiakos
Encyclopedia
Sotirios Kyrgiakos (born 23 July 1979) is a Greek
international footballer who plays for Wolfsburg
as a centre back. He is known for his powerful heading.
football academy.He is well known as alani. He lived and played football at the Paiania athletic complex, the club’s training ground. In the wake of the 1999–2000 season he became a member of Agios Nikolaos, a second division club and won the respect of president Lampros Maris whom Sotirios considers as his second father. He stayed with Agios Nikolaos for two years and in 2001 he took part in the pre-season camp at OFI Crete
.
The centre-back injuries at his parent club, Panathinaikos, just before the 3rd Qualifying round matches with Slavia Prague
for the 2000–01 Champions League meant that he had to return to Paiania and become a regular member of the starting line-up.
In the season 2003/2004 Sotirios Kyrgiakos won with Panathinaikos
the Greek League
and Greek Cup
against the eternal rival Olympiakos.
with a view to a permanent deal. With his new club he won a second consecutive championship and also the Scottish League Cup
scoring two goals in the 5–1 win against Motherwell
in the final. He initially failed to agree terms with Rangers and held talks with Everton
, Portsmouth
and Schalke
and the Italian club Genoa
before finally agreeing a one-year deal with Rangers
. He scored a famous winning goal against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League
that year, and ended the season with three goals after also scoring against Peterhead in the Scottish Cup
and Dunfermline in the league. He left the club by mutual consent in May 2006 after his contract ran out.
. In his first season, he proved to be a fan favourite with some great performances and crucial goals which helped the team avoid relegation. In his second season with the club with more excellent performances he helped the team finish in 9th position. On 1 July 2008, after his 2 year deal expired, Kyrgiakos decided not to renew his contract with the German club, and so was released.
On 21 August 2009 it was announced that he had signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year for Liverpool
. The Greek international was handed the number 16 shirt. Kyrgiakos scored his first goal for the club against Stoke City F.C.
on 16 January 2010, in the 57th minute and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw alongside Martin Skrtel
at the Britannia Stadium
and was later named "man of the match" by various British sport sites for his performance in that match. On 17 January 2010, former Liverpool striker and football pundit/journalist Stan Collymore
wrote an article acknowledging Kyrgiakos' ability, stating that "Kyrgiakos may be keeping Rafa (Benitez) in a job...". Collymore argued that "Sotirios Kyrgiakos could become an unlikely poster boy for the ’new Liverpool’." He stated, "The big pony-tailed Greek put in a sterling performance at The Britannia and may typify the less football, more grit of the new Reds... And it is no-nonsense men such as Kyrgiakos who like to roll up their sleeves which can keep Rafa in a job right now." Liverpool's very next game was a crunch-match against Tottenham Hotspur who were perceived as one of the clubs rivalling Liverpool for that all-important 4th position Premier League spot. Liverpool won 2–0 and Kyrgiakos put in another phenomenal performance and was described by Sky Sports as "magnificent". Kyrgiakos' fine form continued in the very next game as Liverpool kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 26 January 2010. An esteemed British sports site rated him as Liverpool's best player that night, he was also voted man of the match in this game by the Liverpool fans on the clubs official website. Meanwhile the legendary Liverpool striker Ian Rush
also praised Kyrgiakos, stating that he's ready to fill the void left behind by Sami Hyypia
. Kyrgiakos' performances had been so impressive that the British sports journalist, Steven Saunders, identified Kyrgiakos as "One To Watch" in the preview to Liverpool's home game against Bolton on 30 January 2010. Saunders stated, Kyrgiakos' "physical presence in the heart of the defence has been key to a spirited resolve in recent matches. Teams are having to work hard to score against Liverpool, which hadn't always been the case before Kyrgiakos' sustained run in the side". In the build-up to that match the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
also took time to praise Kyrgiakos and make comparisons between Kyrgiakos' role for the club and Sami Hyypia's role when he was at the club, suggesting that Kyrgiakos had established himself as an integral part of the Liverpool squad.
Kyrgiakos was voted "Man Of The Match" against Bolton on 30 January 2010, by the Liverpool fans for the third time in four games (as well as against Stoke and Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Kyrgiakos' brilliant performances during January 2010 saw him voted as Liverpool's official "Player of the Month" by the clubs fans. Kyrgiakos was sent off for a two-footed dive into Marouane Fellaini
in the 213th Merseyside Derby between Liverpool FC and Everton FC on 6 February 2010 which eventually ended 1–0 in Liverpool's favour. Fellaini suffered an ankle injury which kept him out until August 2010.
. On 16 September, he partnered Daniel Agger
at centre-back for the red's first Europa League group game against Steaua Bucaresti at Anfield, Liverpool cruising to a 4-1 win. On 22 September, he captained the team that lost to League Two side Northampton Town on penalties in the 3rd round of Carling Cup.
Kyrgiakos scored his second goal in Premier League against Blackpool FC, where Liverpool lost 1-2 at home, giving hope to reds.
As instructed by the manager, Kyrgiakos has recently been played up front as a target man at times when Liverpool has been down in the final minutes and has needed a goal.
He also scored an important goal against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League in a 2-1 win at Anfield
on 24 October 2010 to end Liverpool
's run of six games without a win.
In June 2011 it was announced that Kyrgiakos would get a 12-month contract extension at Anfield after his initial two year contract expired.
After 49 appearances and 3 goals for the Reds he left the club for Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg
on 22 August 2011.
, the Greek stopper was quoted as saying "I am very happy to be joining Wolfsburg. I want to help Vfl finish the season in as high a position as is possible." Magath is hoping Kyrgiakos makes an immediate impact in German football; "Kyrgiakos is a player who will step in straight away to help. He is experienced, knows the Bundesliga and does not need time to adapt. With his commitment, we are able to strengthen defensively." It was later confirmed that he switched on a free transfer after speculation regarding a transfer fee.
, and scored his first goal against Norway
1 year later on 13 February 2003. Kyrgiakos missed Greece
's Euro 2004 victory through a knee injury sustained against future Rangers
team-mate Stefan Klos
. He scored three goals during Euro 2008 qualifiers and was selected in the final squad to represent Greece
in the final tournament. Sotirios Kyrgiakos also contributed to the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. In a surprising decision, he announced his retirement from the Greek National Team on 13 August 2010. Kyrgiakos ended his international career prematurely with 61 caps and 4 goals for Greece because of in-fighting within the Greek national team squad.
Rangers
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
international footballer who plays for Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
as a centre back. He is known for his powerful heading.
Panathinaikos
Sotirios Kyrgiakos made his first football steps with a local team, Thyella Megalochoriou. It did not take long for him to be recognized. At the start of the 1996–97 season he became a member of the PanathinaikosPanathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
football academy.He is well known as alani. He lived and played football at the Paiania athletic complex, the club’s training ground. In the wake of the 1999–2000 season he became a member of Agios Nikolaos, a second division club and won the respect of president Lampros Maris whom Sotirios considers as his second father. He stayed with Agios Nikolaos for two years and in 2001 he took part in the pre-season camp at OFI Crete
OFI Crete
OFI , the Sportfriends Association Heraklion, is a Greek association football club based in Heraklion, on the island of Crete. Outside Greece, the club is generally known as OFI Crete F.C., however, the name Crete is not actually part of the club's official title.OFI is the club with most...
.
The centre-back injuries at his parent club, Panathinaikos, just before the 3rd Qualifying round matches with Slavia Prague
SK Slavia Praha
Sportovní Klub Slavia Praha is a Czech professional football club founded in 1892 in the city of Prague.They play in the Gambrinus liga—the highest competition in the Czech Republic. Alongside Sparta Prague, they are considered one of the top Czech clubs and the rivalry between the two clubs is...
for the 2000–01 Champions League meant that he had to return to Paiania and become a regular member of the starting line-up.
In the season 2003/2004 Sotirios Kyrgiakos won with Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
the Greek League
Super League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
and Greek Cup
Greek football Cup
The Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
against the eternal rival Olympiakos.
Rangers
The following January, he joined Rangers during the 2004–05 season2004-05 in Scottish football
The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman...
with a view to a permanent deal. With his new club he won a second consecutive championship and also the Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
scoring two goals in the 5–1 win against Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
in the final. He initially failed to agree terms with Rangers and held talks with Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
and Schalke
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
and the Italian club Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
before finally agreeing a one-year deal with Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. He scored a famous winning goal against FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
that year, and ended the season with three goals after also scoring against Peterhead in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
and Dunfermline in the league. He left the club by mutual consent in May 2006 after his contract ran out.
Eintracht Frankfurt
In June 2006 Sotirios signed a 2 year deal with Eintracht FrankfurtEintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
. In his first season, he proved to be a fan favourite with some great performances and crucial goals which helped the team avoid relegation. In his second season with the club with more excellent performances he helped the team finish in 9th position. On 1 July 2008, after his 2 year deal expired, Kyrgiakos decided not to renew his contract with the German club, and so was released.
AEK Athens
On 1 August 2008, Kyrgiakos agreed to sign for AEK Athens on a five year deal. Due to a number of injuries, Kyrgiakos only made 20 league appearances for AEK but he still established himself as one of the league's best defenders. He played in the Greek Cup Final in 2009 as AEK played Olympiakos in one of the most thrilling games in the history of Greek football. Kygiakos was on the losing side as Olympiakos F.C. won 15–14 on penalties following a 4–4 draw after extra time. Kyrgiakos did not manage to complete the match though having picked up an injury in the 2nd half of the match. AEK were winning 2–1 at the time.2009-10 season
On 21 August 2009 it was announced that he had signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. The Greek international was handed the number 16 shirt. Kyrgiakos scored his first goal for the club against Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 16 January 2010, in the 57th minute and also completed the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw alongside Martin Skrtel
Martin Škrtel
Martin Škrtel is a Slovak footballer who plays in defence for Liverpool and the Slovakia national football team.-Biography:Škrtel was born in Handlová and raised in Ráztočno and began playing football at the age of six...
at the Britannia Stadium
Britannia Stadium
The Britannia Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England and the home of Premier League club Stoke City Football Club. With space for 27,598 spectators . The name is taken from the sponsors of the Stadium the Britannia Co-operative Bank...
and was later named "man of the match" by various British sport sites for his performance in that match. On 17 January 2010, former Liverpool striker and football pundit/journalist Stan Collymore
Stan Collymore
Stanley Victor "Stan" Collymore is an English football pundit and former footballer, who played from 1990 until 2001. He held the British transfer record when he moved from Nottingham Forest to Liverpool for £8.5 million in 1995 and was capped three times at senior level by the England...
wrote an article acknowledging Kyrgiakos' ability, stating that "Kyrgiakos may be keeping Rafa (Benitez) in a job...". Collymore argued that "Sotirios Kyrgiakos could become an unlikely poster boy for the ’new Liverpool’." He stated, "The big pony-tailed Greek put in a sterling performance at The Britannia and may typify the less football, more grit of the new Reds... And it is no-nonsense men such as Kyrgiakos who like to roll up their sleeves which can keep Rafa in a job right now." Liverpool's very next game was a crunch-match against Tottenham Hotspur who were perceived as one of the clubs rivalling Liverpool for that all-important 4th position Premier League spot. Liverpool won 2–0 and Kyrgiakos put in another phenomenal performance and was described by Sky Sports as "magnificent". Kyrgiakos' fine form continued in the very next game as Liverpool kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on 26 January 2010. An esteemed British sports site rated him as Liverpool's best player that night, he was also voted man of the match in this game by the Liverpool fans on the clubs official website. Meanwhile the legendary Liverpool striker Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
also praised Kyrgiakos, stating that he's ready to fill the void left behind by Sami Hyypia
Sami Hyypiä
Sami Tuomas Hyypiä is a retired European Cup winning Finnish footballer who played in the centre back position. He last played for German Bundesliga side Bayer 04 Leverkusen and was the captain of the Finland national football team. He joined Leverkusen in summer 2009, ending a ten year spell at...
. Kyrgiakos' performances had been so impressive that the British sports journalist, Steven Saunders, identified Kyrgiakos as "One To Watch" in the preview to Liverpool's home game against Bolton on 30 January 2010. Saunders stated, Kyrgiakos' "physical presence in the heart of the defence has been key to a spirited resolve in recent matches. Teams are having to work hard to score against Liverpool, which hadn't always been the case before Kyrgiakos' sustained run in the side". In the build-up to that match the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
also took time to praise Kyrgiakos and make comparisons between Kyrgiakos' role for the club and Sami Hyypia's role when he was at the club, suggesting that Kyrgiakos had established himself as an integral part of the Liverpool squad.
Kyrgiakos was voted "Man Of The Match" against Bolton on 30 January 2010, by the Liverpool fans for the third time in four games (as well as against Stoke and Wolverhampton Wanderers).
Kyrgiakos' brilliant performances during January 2010 saw him voted as Liverpool's official "Player of the Month" by the clubs fans. Kyrgiakos was sent off for a two-footed dive into Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini-Bakkioui is a Belgian footballer who plays for Everton and the Belgium national football team. Fellaini is of Moroccan descent.-Early career:...
in the 213th Merseyside Derby between Liverpool FC and Everton FC on 6 February 2010 which eventually ended 1–0 in Liverpool's favour. Fellaini suffered an ankle injury which kept him out until August 2010.
2010-11 season
On 29 July, Kyrgiakos started in Liverpool's UEFA Europa League tie against Rabotnicki Skopje and also featured in both play-off ties against TrabzonsporTrabzonspor
Trabzonspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Trabzon, Turkey. Formed in 1967 through a merger of several local clubs, Trabzonspor won six championships in Turkish Super League. The Club won their first Championship title in 1975 which is also the Club's initiation year...
. On 16 September, he partnered Daniel Agger
Daniel Agger
Daniel Munthe Agger is a Danish footballer who plays for Liverpool and the Denmark national football team. He started his senior career at Danish club Brøndby IF in July 2004, with whom he won the 2005 Danish Superliga championship. The Liverpool fans have created a song for him to the tune of...
at centre-back for the red's first Europa League group game against Steaua Bucaresti at Anfield, Liverpool cruising to a 4-1 win. On 22 September, he captained the team that lost to League Two side Northampton Town on penalties in the 3rd round of Carling Cup.
Kyrgiakos scored his second goal in Premier League against Blackpool FC, where Liverpool lost 1-2 at home, giving hope to reds.
As instructed by the manager, Kyrgiakos has recently been played up front as a target man at times when Liverpool has been down in the final minutes and has needed a goal.
He also scored an important goal against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League in a 2-1 win at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
on 24 October 2010 to end Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
's run of six games without a win.
In June 2011 it was announced that Kyrgiakos would get a 12-month contract extension at Anfield after his initial two year contract expired.
After 49 appearances and 3 goals for the Reds he left the club for Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
on 22 August 2011.
VfL Wolfsburg
After discussions with Wolfsburg manager Felix MagathFelix Magath
Wolfgang-Felix Magath is a former German football central midfielder and current manager of VfL Wolfsburg.-Playing career:...
, the Greek stopper was quoted as saying "I am very happy to be joining Wolfsburg. I want to help Vfl finish the season in as high a position as is possible." Magath is hoping Kyrgiakos makes an immediate impact in German football; "Kyrgiakos is a player who will step in straight away to help. He is experienced, knows the Bundesliga and does not need time to adapt. With his commitment, we are able to strengthen defensively." It was later confirmed that he switched on a free transfer after speculation regarding a transfer fee.
International career
Kyrgiakos made his senior international debut on 13 February 2002 against SwedenSweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
, and scored his first goal against Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
1 year later on 13 February 2003. Kyrgiakos missed Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
's Euro 2004 victory through a knee injury sustained against future Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
team-mate Stefan Klos
Stefan Klos
Stefan Klos is a retired German football goalkeeper who played for Borussia Dortmund and Rangers during his career.He played for Borussia Dortmund from 1991, until he moved to Glasgow on 24 December 1998....
. He scored three goals during Euro 2008 qualifiers and was selected in the final squad to represent Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in the final tournament. Sotirios Kyrgiakos also contributed to the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. In a surprising decision, he announced his retirement from the Greek National Team on 13 August 2010. Kyrgiakos ended his international career prematurely with 61 caps and 4 goals for Greece because of in-fighting within the Greek national team squad.
Club
PanathinaikosPanathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
-
- Greek LeagueSuper League GreeceThe Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
: 2004Alpha Ethniki 2003-04-League Standings:-Promotion/Relegation Play-Off:Played at a neutral venue , between the 14th-place team in the Alpha Ethniki and the 3rd-place team in the Beta Ethniki.Ergotelis replace Akratitos in Alpha Ethniki... - Greek CupGreek football CupThe Greek Football Cup , commonly known as the Greek Cup or for sponsorship reasons the Football Cup OPAP, is a Greek football competition, run by the Hellenic Football Federation....
: 2004
- Greek League
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
-
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 2005Scottish Premier League 2004-05The 2004–05 Scottish Premier League was won by Rangers.As league champions, Rangers qualified for the UEFA Champions League, with runners-up Celtic also qualifying... - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 2005Scottish League Cup 2004-05The 2004–05 Scottish League Cup was the 59th staging of the Scotland's second most prestigious football knockout competition, also known for sponsorship reasons as the CIS Insurance Cup....
- Scottish Premier League