Scottish Sports News | Herald Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport Scottish Sports News | Herald Scotland Copyright 2012 Herald & Times Group all rights reserved 2012-02-10T07:35:02Z Miloslav Mecir, the Big Cat with the cream of Slovakian tennis at his disposal http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/tennis/miloslav-mecir-the-big-cat-with-the-cream-of-slovakian-tennis-at-his-disposal.1328843057 TO a child of the 1980s, there was always something impossibly cool and charismatic about the way Miloslav Mecir conducted himself on a tennis court. Local hero: Brian McDougall's Olympic role proves he got big calls right http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/local-hero-brian-mcdougalls-olympic-role-proves-he-got-big-calls-right.16717673 DARKNESS is settling over a July evening as a shadowy figure surreptitiously stalks the corridors of a London hotel. Never a dull moment in desert http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/golf/never-a-dull-moment-in-desert.16718599 The Scottish contingent experienced an eventful opening day in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic over the Emirates course. Scottish clubs braced for £3m goal-line technology burden http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/scottish-clubs-braced-for-3m-goal-line-technology-burden.16718013 THE price tag on introducing goal-line technology may be £3m for Scottish Premier League clubs. Glasgow Warriors 19 Scarlets 9: Hard work overcomes familiar flaws http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/glasgow-warriors-19-scarlets-9-hard-work-overcomes-familiar-flaws.16718605 A Warriors team assembled at just 48 hours' notice battled hard at Firhill last night for what could prove to be a crucial victory in their bid to reach the RaboDirect Pro12 play-offs. Dan dares to dream of breakthrough http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/tennis/dan-dares-to-dream-of-breakthrough.1328843056 COMETH the hour, cometh the man. UK Athletics chief seeking excellence over mediocrity for Olympics http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/uk-athletics-chief-seeking-excellence-over-mediocrity-for-olympics.16718162 Charles van Commenee will not shirk the difficult decisions that will undoubtedly present themselves when he sits down in late June and decides on the composition of the UK's track and field team for the Olympic Games. From double-bogey 6 to eagle 2: It's all in a day's work for Ian Redford http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/golf/from-double-bogey-6-to-eagle-2-its-all-in-a-days-work-for-ian-redford.16718582 It may have been far removed from the roaring and bawling of a jam-packed Ibrox but, for Ian Redford, stepping on to the first tee in the tranquil surroundings of the Hacienda del Alamo Golf Club proved to be just as exhilarating. Scotland captain Ross Ford eager to put a lid on the Welsh http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/scotland-captain-ross-ford-eager-to-put-a-lid-on-the-welsh.16718022 Player power has held sway in helping bring about a change of policy for Scotland's trip to Cardiff this weekend as the visitors have asked for the Millennium Stadium roof to be closed. His Rangers squad may be short of numbers, but Ally McCoist does not want for players with substance http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/his-rangers-squad-may-be-short-of-numbers-but-ally-mccoist-does-not-want-for-players-with-substance.16718221 ALLY McCoist does not have enough money, he doesn't have enough players, and he doesn't have enough time to get all of his best men fit again when he needs them most. Daniel Cousin agrees £7500-per-week deal with Rangers http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/daniel-cousin-agrees-7500-per-week-deal-with-rangers.16718614 DANIEL Cousin is expected to fly into Scotland today after agreeing to join Rangers for the rest of the season. Home advantage can be difference for Great Britain http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/tennis/home-advantage-can-be-difference-for-great-britain.1328843057 THE scoreline tells the story. Musings on the 'if'' word (with apologies to Rudyard Kipling) http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/musings-on-the-if-word-with-apologies-to-rudyard-kipling.16718349 If David Kipling Denton can continue to keep his head when all about him are losing theirs. Smith has ensured players' study sessions have continued after graduation http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/tennis/smith-has-ensured-players-study-sessions-have-continued-after-graduation.1328843057 Leon Smith has had four wins in four ties as the AEGON Great Britain team captain but is aware that his toughest test yet will come today when his team contest the Davis Cup Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 campaign against Slovak Republic. Celtic halfway to paradise but emulating side of 2003-04 would be overshadowed by title triumph http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/celtic-halfway-to-paradise-but-emulating-side-of-2003-04-would-be-overshadowed-by-title-triumph.16713156 WINNING runs are a lot like unblemished reputations; difficult to maintain but so quickly destroyed. Keeping the peace: Barry Cook has gone from goalkeeper to referee http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/keeping-the-peace-barry-cook-has-gone-from-goalkeeper-to-referee.16717779 TWO former international team-mates meet in a tunnel with a professional match only minutes away. The BBC not fulfilling its role as a national broadcaster http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/the-bbc-not-fulfilling-its-role-as-a-national-broadcaster.16705998 Why are Glasgow Warriors playing a crucial RaboDirect Pro12 match on an evening that has minimised their preparation time and is utterly inconvenient for their valued supporters? Mitchell targets meeting with Burns if he overcomes challenge of Lora boxing http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/mitchell-targets-meeting-with-burns-if-he-overcomes-challenge-of-lora-boxing.16706261 KEVIN MITCHELL is keen to lock horns with Ricky Burns if the reigning World Boxing Organisation lightweight champion from Coatbridge can deal with the threat posed by the Namibian, Paulus Moses, at Braehead Arena on March 10. Headhunter Henry goes in search of second Ninja victim http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/other-sports/headhunter-henry-goes-in-search-of-second-ninja-victim.16702176 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: LEITH lightweight Danny Henry gives his opponent at On Top 4 less than the obligatory two chances of victory – instead he gives Kieran Malone just one. Andy Robinson taking a calculated risk with Laidlaw http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/andy-robinson-taking-a-calculated-risk-with-laidlaw.16706590 So it was all Dan Parks' fault then as Scotland lost to England at Murrayfield on Saturday? British Davis Cup squad facing tough task without Andy Murray http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/tennis/british-davis-cup-squad-facing-tough-task-without-andy-murray.1328756775 THE build-up to this weekend's Davis Cup encounter between Great Britain and Slovakia at the Braehead Arena continues to be dominated by the one man who won't be there. Interview: Teenager ready to go the whole Hogg with Scotland . . . http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/interview-teenager-ready-to-go-the-whole-hogg-with-scotland.16706661 Isaac Newton might have been helped by standing on the shoulders of giants, but we should maybe be wary of using the phrase in relation to the rise of Stuart Hogg. FA may seek Scot for England job http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/fa-may-seek-scot-for-england-job.1328792748 Football Association chairman David Bernstein today said the next England manager will ideally be English or British but must above all be "the best person" available. Greig Laidlaw calls for composure to cure trying time for Scotland http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/greig-laidlaw-calls-for-composure-to-cure-trying-time-for-scotland.16709865 As he prepares to take the tiller for Sunday's trip to Wales, Greig Laidlaw has told his Scotland team-mates to calm down when the try line looms. Neil Lennon hails Celtic's 'best' performance http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/neil-lennon-hails-celtics-best-performance-but-hearts-paulo-sergio-angered-by-goalline-controversy.16709917 Neil Lennon described last night's 4-0 rout of Hearts at Tynecastle as Celtic's finest victory and performance since he became manager 23 months ago. Brotherly pride will overcome difficult day . . . http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/rugby/brotherly-pride-will-overcome-difficult-day.16709703 Max Evans is confident he will be able to cope with the emotions of returning to the ground where his brother Thom almost lost his life two years ago. Hearts 0 Celtic 4: Over the line but not out of sight yet? http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/hearts-0-celtic-4-over-the-line-but-not-out-of-sight-yet.16709808 CELTIC are in danger of forgetting what it feels like to be unhappy. Daniel Cousin answers the call as striker returns to Rangers http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/daniel-cousin-answers-the-call-as-striker-returns-to-rangers.16706371 EVEN the good news coming out of Ibrox had the potential to turn to disappointment. Seconds out, but knockout blow arrives swiftly as Celtic pummel Hearts into submission http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/seconds-out-but-knockout-blow-arrives-swiftly-as-celtic-pummel-hearts-into-submission.16709826 GONE in 33 seconds. Margot Wells on a mission to make Thom Evans' athletics dream come true http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/opinion/margot-wells-on-a-mission-to-make-thom-evans-athletics-dream-come-true.16698221 ONLY alert first aid by the SRU doctor and physiotherapist saved Thom Evans' life when the Scotland centre suffered a neck injury at Cardiff two years ago, and it was the skill of surgeons who gave his spine a metal superstructure which ensured he would not spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.