By David Hennessy

“It’s a great opportunity,” Caleb Folan enthuses about his return to English football with Birmingham City. “The team are flying high. We’re fighting to make the play- offs so it’s good to be part of something exciting again, something intense. There’s a mix of experienced lads who have been there and done it and youth. It’s a good mix.  It’s quite a calming environment while at the same time the players are very motivated, their mind is on the job in hand. It’s good to be back.”

Birmingham City may have fallen out of the top flight last season before losing their  manager Alex McLeish to their biggest rivals, but Chris Hughton’s men have been focused on one thing: re-establishing their Premiership status.

Like Folan, Hughton was a Republic of Ireland international in his day and the striker with seven caps has nothing but good things to say about his inspirational new boss: “I’ve heard many good things about him from various players. He’s always worked well and I look forward to playing under him now. He’s a really humble guy and a great motivator.”

There could be no better man than Chris Hughton to lead a promotion charge. Anyone who remembers his exploits at Newcastle can testify to that, but Caleb also knows what it takes to secure top flight football as he was instrumental in exciting times at one of his former clubs: “It brings back memories of when I was at Hull. We were in the same position in the league towards the end of the season and it’s so intense.”

The Blues currently occupy a play- off spot as they lie in fourth place, but can afford few slip ups as Blackpool, Brighton, Middlesbrough and League Cup Finalists Cardiff City are all breathing down their neck. “It’s the kind of division where anyone can beat anyone on their day,” Caleb says. “It gets so tight up in those positions so every point counts, every single game is a big game. It’s quite exciting to be here at this moment in time.”

Caleb has spent the last year in America with MLS side Colorado Rapids, becoming a part of the footballing revolution that is taking place out there after Beckham and now our Robbie making the move stateside. And after joining the MLS Champions, Caleb soon found out just how fast the league is progressing out there.

“It was a nice energy joining a Championship winning team,” Caleb remembers. “You realise when you get over there it’s growing pretty quickly and it’s quite an exciting league to play in. It’s very competitive out there and home grown players are serious competitors. Bringing in players like Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane adds to that and makes it a nice mix. It’s definitely a football environment and that was immediately apparent.”

Was it an enjoyable experience? “I liked it a lot,” he shares. “It’s hard to explain how great it was. It was something I needed at the time personally and something different, I wanted to enjoy playing again.”

Injuries, loss of form and a stormy relationship with his Hull City manager, Phil Brown all contributed to Caleb’s need for a move. This proved to be the right decision as Folan rediscovered his flair and goal scoring touch, becoming a popular figure with Colorado fans. 

For the full story, pick up this week's Irish World...

By David Hennessy

Birmingham manager Chris Hughton was left disappointed with his team drawing a game they had led 3-1 at half- time. Birmingham were in control from the very start against West Ham but an 88th minute penalty for Chris Burke's handball rescued a dramatic point for them.

The referee had waved away previous appeals for a West Ham penalty but awarded the harsh kick, to leave Hughton, Burke and Birmingham ruing a missed chance to move closer to a play- off.

"Sometimes you get them in the momentum of the game," said Hughton.

"They had appealed on a number of occasions for a penalty, they had thrown a  lot of bodies into the box and once you do that there's always going to be  contact.

"From where I was, I can't think of a genuine one that should have been a  penalty.

"But the way it was going, with the crowd, as soon as he struck it and as  soon as it hit the hand, I knew instantly the referee would give it."

"The lad was a few yards away [from Burke] and he's hit it with such force  that it's certainly difficult to move your hands out of the way."

By David Hennessy

Neil Lennon has vented his frustration at being sent to the stands during Celtic's 3-2 defeat to Glasgow rivals Rangers.

The Celtic manager waited in the tunnel at half time to let referee Calum Murray know how unimpressed he was with his decisions, particularly the red card of Celtic defender Cha Du-ri.

"I would have sat in the directors' box but I was told for my own safety that it wasn't a good idea," said an angry Lennon.

"I watched the second half in here (the media room). I can't sit in the stand for my own safety, that sums things up in this country."

Lennon added: "I had Stevie Woods at the door and he was running up and down the tunnel for me. I might as well have sat in the house and watched the second half.

"When you are down to nine men, it is an uphill task.

"This is not the first time we have come to Ibrox and had players sent off for little or nothing.

"I congratulate Rangers on their win, I haven't got a problem with that but there is mitigating circumstances in why they won."

Carlos Bocanegra was also sent off near the end of the game.

"The first one is not a sending-off and the second is borderline probably, you can't tackle like that," he said.

"My sending off is a joke. I don't think I deserved to be sent off. I spoke quite quietly and coldly to the referee in the tunnel. I didn't swear and didn't point any fingers.

"I told him I wasn't happy with his first-half performance.

"I was speaking to the match delegate after the game and their version of events are different from mine but I've got witnesses to back me up.

"Alan Thompson (coach) and our PR person was there, a couple of other members of staff and players.

"I have been deprived of doing my job properly when my team needed me. I am very angry about that."

By David Hennessy

Owen Coyle admits it will be difficult for his players to step back into action this weekend after Fabrice Muamba's collapse last week, and the Bolton manager says any player that does not feel up to it may be excused.

"Will it be difficult? Absolutely. The thoughts are with Fabrice to make sure he continues that recovery," he said.

Midfielder Muamba, 23, remains in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest in the FA Cup tie at Tottenham last Saturday.

The match will be Bolton's first since the Spurs game was abandoned.

"I wouldn't ask anybody to play who felt they couldn't," Coyle said.

"So far, no-one has told me they don't want to be involved.

"There comes a point that we have to play our games and move forward."

"I spoke to them for over an hour and they were adamant - Bolton had to play their games," said Coyle.

"Everything does pale into insignificance alongside Fabrice's recovery. But we will go out there and do our best."

Coyle said he had not slept on Sunday night as Muamba faced a crucial part of his recovery.

"Monday was an unbelievable day. We are all astonished with how far he has come," said the Scot.

"But we have to stress he is still in intensive care and he is still seriously ill. He has a long way to go."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has called Muamba's recovery "a miracle" which had deeply affected him as it brought back memories of Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe, who died in similar circumstances in 2003.

"I had a phone call from Phil Gartside, the chairman of Bolton, and I have to say it was a very emotional call. As he said, from time to time there are forces somewhere that have nothing to do with reality," said Blatter.

"He spoke about the players who stood all around him. He was very emotional, and I was emotional as well because I told him the story of how I brought Foe back to Cameroon, his homeland, how I accompanied him until his funeral."