Soccer: Celtic hit treble after 32 long years

Two more goals from the prolific Henrik Larsson helped Celtic to beat Hibernian 3-0 in the final of the Scottish Cup in Glasgow yesterday.

Celtic, who had already won the League Cup and Scottish premier league, were always in control and went ahead in the 39th minute when Jackie McNamara, on as an 18th-minute replacement for Lubo Moravcik, slotted home.

Larsson blasted in the second shortly after halftime and completed the win with a penalty 10 minutes from time - his 53rd goal of an incredible season.

It was Celtic's first domestic treble since 1969.

Hibs, who have not won the cup since 1902 and have been runners-up eight time since, were never able to mount a serious threat and had to be content with their third-place league finish and a place in the Uefa Cup.

* Sven Goran Eriksson played down becoming the first England manager to win his first four games since Walter Winterbottom half-a-century ago after seeing his side beat Mexico 4-0 on Saturday.

Their comprehensive thrashing of Mexico at Derby County's Pride Park headquarters followed victories over Spain, Finland and Albania.

"I'm very happy with my record in charge, but it's more important that we go on from here and qualify for the World Cup finals," Eriksson said. "That's what we're aiming for."

The outcome was effectively settled inside the opening half-hour as England romped into a 3-0 lead through Paul Scholes, Robbie Fowler and David Beckham, before Eriksson made wholesale changes in the second half with 10 substitutions.

Eriksson praised Beckham and Teddy Sheringham for their spectacular goals from free-kicks.

He also said he was delighted with the understanding shown between Liverpool team-mates Fowler and Michael Owen, who were a constant threat in the first half.

* Sheringham rejoined Tottenham Hotspur from Manchester United on a free transfer yesterday.

Sheringham, who spent five years at White Hart Lane before joining United in June 1997 for £3.5 million ($11.81million), is the first major signing of new Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle and has agreed a two-year contract.

Sheringham, 35, failed to agree a new contract with United and so was able to leave for nothing under the Bosman ruling.

He has enjoyed a great season, winning the journalists' and players' footballer of the year awards after scoring 22 goals.

* Tottenham have announced that England defender Sol Campbell will leave the club in the close season.

Campbell will start talking to other clubs after rejecting Tottenham's latest offer to stay. His contract runs out on July 1.

Campbell has been linked with possible moves to Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Earlier, Hoddle had said he was optimistic that Campbell would stay at White Hart Lane despite a reported offer of £100,000 ($337,500) a week to move to Barcelona.

Tottenham's latest offer was £80,000 ($254,800) a week.

* Blackpool returned to the English second division a year after being relegated by beating Orient 4-2 in the third division playoff final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff yesterday.

They gave away a goal in the first minute and twice came from behind, but were eventually well worth their win.

Blackpool, managed by former Liverpool and England midfielder Steve McMahon, were 21st in the league in October.

But they put together a great run to climb the table and finish in seventh place - the last to earn a berth in the playoffs and two behind Orient.

Yesterday's victory was their sixth in a row.

* Frenchman Eric Cantona is set to make a return to Manchester United next season by taking a job on the coaching staff.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Cantona, who made a huge impact as a player after joining United in 1992, will take on a part-time role looking after United's youngsters in manager Alex Ferguson's last season in charge of the club.

Cantona left United four years ago when he retired from the game.

* Real Madrid celebrated their first Spanish league title for four years with champagne, smiles and even a spot of bullfighting yesterday.

A 5-0 win at home to Alaves gave Vicente del Bosque's side a decisive nine-point lead at the top of the table and a record 28th championship trophy.

As the 75,000 full house at the Bernabeu roared with approval the players took several laps of honour.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who had to be content with a place on the bench yestetrday, livened up the celebrations still further by driving the players on the stretcher cart up and down the field.

And Raul, who took his tally for the season to 22 with two goals, struck the pose of the "torero" as he paraded with a bullfighter's cape in the centre of the pitch.

For England midfielder Steve McManaman, a first championship win of his career was a moment to savour.

"It's my first league title anywhere," McManaman said. "I never managed to win it with Liverpool and now in two years I've won the European Cup and the league.

"This country has been fantastic to me and I hope to win even more next year."

Del Bosque said he was happy to let his players take centre stage.

"They're the ones who've played their hearts out," he said.

"We've had some difficult moments this season, but the players have coped tremendously and we've been solid throughout.

"With their strength and quality, the players have managed to add a page to the glorious history of this club.

"We were champions of Europe last season and now we're champions of Spain. I hope it continues for a long time."

- AGENCIES