Jordi Cruyff is relishing a “special” Europa League tie between Barcelona and Manchester United but thinks it is a shame they will not meet later in the competition.
Barca finished behind Bayern Munich and Inter in Champions League Group C, plunging them into the Europa League for a second consecutive season.
Monday's knockout round play-off draw handed the Catalan giants a heavyweight clash with United, which Xavi lamented as the "most difficult" assignment possible.
Blaugrana sporting director Cruyff, who represented both clubs during his playing days, would like such a mouthwatering tie to have taken place in the latter stages of the Europa League.
"I think it's a draw that both teams would have preferred to have further down the line, not so quick, but that's the beauty of football, you never know what's going to come," Cruyff said.
"It came now, and it's probably going to be a tough match for both, but also very special as these are two historic football clubs.
"Barcelona is a club where the pressure is always at the max, everything you start, you always need to win. That's the pressure that these sorts of clubs have, the same that United will have.
"For us, it's a motivation and the fact that we get a team like this so quickly means that this competition isn't easy at all. It's difficult, but you know that we're motivated."
Barca have fond memories of their recent fixtures against United, having beaten the Red Devils in four successive meetings – including Champions League final triumphs in 2009 and 2011.
St Johnstone win a fitting ending for Murray Davidson – Steven MacLean
Steven MacLean insists St Johnstone’s 2-0 win over Livingston was the fitting ending for departing chairman Steve Brown and club legend Murray Davidson.
Drey Wright opened the scoring after 17 minutes when he capitalised on some poor defending from the visitors to rifle home from close range, before Chris Kane climbed off the bench to bag his first goal in 16 months after being sidelined with a long-term injury.
MacLean, who was handed the manager’s job on a permanent basis on Saturday after a successful spell as caretaker, admits plans are already in place for next season and is aiming to take the McDiarmid Park side to the next level.
He said: “It was excellent. Before the game you’re a bit apprehensive as there is nothing on the game but with the chairman leaving and it being Murray’s (Davidson) last game, I’m just absolutely delighted for everyone concerned with the football club that we managed to send them off with a win.
“I am always planning and trying to get better as a coach and manager. We set standards every day and I’m very proud of the players as they’ve given me absolutely everything, but we will be looking to improve.
“I won’t be resting on three wins and two draws, I want to keep pushing on and win every game going forward. I want to play attacking, front-foot football and want to enjoy football.
“I’ve already sat down with the new board already, so we have got plans in place ready to go and also have ideas as you’ve always got to look to improve. There’s players in contract and also out of contract so there’s a lot of work to be done and it’s going to be busy but I’m looking forward to it.
“I’ll speak to players who are in and out of contract. There will be tough decisions to make but they will be ones that I feel are right to try and make the football club better.”
Livingston boss David Martindale said: “Our away form, I am not going to sugar-coat it, has been wretched.
“Our away form has been absolutely horrible.
“I have tried different formations and different personnel. There were a lot of personnel missing today but it was an opportunity for others to go in and show they can come in and play for me.
“There are a few leaving but the budget still needs to be cut.
“I have found ways to cut that, but something will need to come off the squad budget.
“I am probably looking at another four or five players that I feel can come and play with me every week. Three or four probably need to move on.
“They have been told who they are, and their game time is going to be limited next season. They probably won’t be in training with the group, and it is best for them and the group if they move on. I will be looking at four or potentially five, but finances play a huge part in that.”
Paul Simpson plans ‘really good night’ on the beers after Carlisle win promotion
Overjoyed Carlisle boss Paul Simpson was happy for his players to head out and enjoy a beer following their dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Stockport in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final.
After the Wembley showdown ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, the Cumbrians held their nerve to score five faultless spot-kicks to seal promotion and return to League One after nine years away.
“I’m delighted for all the players,” said Simpson. “They’ve shown the desire to really dig in during that second half, because we had to earn the right to take it all the way.
“We had to hang in there a little bit, but I’m so pleased we’ve stuck at it and taken the game all the way.
“We’ve done that all season, and to be honest that began on June 22 last year when we started pre-season.
“Someone has said we were eighth favourites to go down but, after this, I’m just so unbelievably proud of the group, the whole football club, and of course the supporters.
“I’ve lost all my previous games at Wembley so I felt that run couldn’t continue too much longer, but this day is going to be right up there.
“We’ve probably overachieved in securing promotion, and I have to say I didn’t really expect this at the end of this season, but again credit to the players for their efforts.
“We’ve always had the belief but wow, we’re in for a really good night now.
“The players and the supporters have earned a beer.”
It proved to be a tightly contested, energy-sapping first half amid summery conditions at Wembley.
Stockport held the advantage at the break thanks to a touch of fortune when Isaac Olaofe’s cross flicked off Jon Mellish’s boot before looping into the far corner.
However, Carlisle substitute Omari Patrick’s drilled finish in the 84th minute sent the tie into extra-time.
After Ryan Rydel’s sole penalty miss in the shootout proved decisive, last season’s Vanarama National League champions Stockport missed out on back-to-back promotions.
Boss Dave Challinor has urged his talented squad to learn from the heartbreaking defeat.
“I wasn’t too surprised that the game was so tight, but obviously it’s a really disappointing way to lose,” he said.
“We’ve gone through all the emotions over the last week – winning on penalties against Salford and then this – but we have to learn from days like today.
“We have to learn from it and take all the positives we can.
“It’s not a nice feeling, but we have to use this feeling to motivate us for what will be a different prospect in League Two next season.”
Challinor felt huge sympathy for youngster Rydel, who has otherwise enjoyed a terrific season at Edgeley Park.
“He’ll just have to learn from the experience,” added the County boss.
“We’re all gutted for him, but anyone can miss a penalty in that situation.
“Better players than Ryan have missed pressure penalties like that, and you have to say that all the other nine were pretty much perfect so that’s just how it goes sometimes.
“Ryan has got to use this as a driving factor for his future career.
“It’s an important experience he has to go through, but he’s a great lad and he’ll get over it.”
Use of Hampden for Scottish Cup final great for women’s game – Claire O’Riordan
Claire O’Riordan believes the use of Hampden Park for Celtic’s Scottish Cup final win over Rangers is another step in the right direction for the women’s game.
The first time the two sides had met in the final of the competition was also the first time the showpiece finale was hosted at the national stadium where second-half goals from Natasha Flint and O’Riordan saw the Hoops retain the trophy with a 2-0 win.
After the game, watched by a crowd of 10,446, Republic of Ireland international O’Riordan said: “Obviously, that shows a stepping stone in the right direction in the women’s game to be able to put it on such a stage, the progression that the SFA have been able to put into the women’s game and the support and exposure that has come with that.
“It can only mean that the game can utilise that and continue to grow and again, it is really important for women’s football here in Scotland and around the world.”
Celtic missed out on the league title last week after Glasgow City’s dramatic last-gasp winner against Rangers at Ibrox rendered the Hoops’ 2-0 win over Hearts at Celtic Park irrelevant.
O’Riordan said: “Obviously, it was difficult finishing off the season the way we did last week but in some ways, we took the positives, another record crowd at Celtic Park (15,822) and another three points to finish off the league season.
“And we just got back into work as we do every day, every week and we reaped the rewards today.
“It was a tough task but the most important thing was we stuck together and grinded out the result.”
Hoops boss Fran Alonso admitted the victory was “the perfect ending” for his side.
He said: “This week was very hard to pick the girls up, which was our dream.
“Credit to Glasgow City, they deserved it but football was cruel to us.
“We transferred this anger and disappointment into aggression and passion and today – against a superb team – we dominated the game.
“We could have scored more. I am extremely proud and it was what the girls deserved. They never give up and never let me down.
“I told them before game even if we don’t win the game that I was proud of them – they have been 10 out of 10 this season. But that is the perfect ending. It is a very special day for me and my family.”
It was Malky Thomson’s last game as Rangers boss before he returns to the club’s academy.
The Light Blues secured the Sky Sports Cup earlier this season but came third in the league before their Scottish Cup final disappointment.
He said: “You get to the latter stages of any competition and you want to try and win it, so there are a lot of emotions.
“We have given a good account of ourselves across a long, hard season.
“There are fine margins. When you create opportunities you have got to take them.
“I have to say that no matter what, we have always been playing for something this season. That is a major positive.
“We won one trophy, we got to the Scottish Cup final and we came close to retaining the title so there are a lot of positives.
“It is a work in progress. That is three years we have been professional.
“There have been massive expectations at this club. The learning experience they have gained will stand them in good stead for next season.”
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