The Sport Matrix: Monday 22 December 2014

 

Monday 22 December 2014 01:00 GMT
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McCoist secures Rangers departure

Rangers last night confirmed the departure of Ally McCoist, a week after announcing he would be leaving. The club said McCoist “will serve out his 12-month notice on gardening leave”. McCoist resigned last Monday but was set to see out his notice period. McCoist’s assistant Kenny McDowall takes charge for the rest of the season, with Billy Davies an early favourite to become long-term replacement.

Pietersen given no hope of comeback

The ECB has insisted Kevin Pietersen will not be recalled to the England one-day side in the wake of Alastair Cook’s sacking. “We parted company in January because it was felt that it was the right decision to go in a different direction,” managing director Paul Downton said. “If anything, more bridges have been burnt by Kevin’s book. There is no interest from our point of view in going backwards.”

Ronaldo unveils statue... of himself

It is usually the Portuguese leaving defenders statuesque but yesterday Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled a sculpture of himself on his home island of Madeira in Portugal. Ronaldo calls the larger-than-life bronze statue, part of his museum, “prettier than me,” a Spanish news agency says. “I never expected to have a statue,” the 29-year-old, who helped his side win the Club World Cup on Saturday, said.

Vonn’s wait for record after crash

Lindsey Vonn will have to wait until the new year for a record-equalling women’s World Cup victory after she crashed in a Super-G won by Austria’s Elisabeth Görgl yesterday.

The race in Val d’Isère was the American’s first chance of matching the record of 62 wins set by Austrian Annemarie Moser-Pröll in 1980.

Vonn had dominated Saturday’s downhill on the same course but yesterday took a turn wide, crashed into a gate and was unable to complete her last race of the year.

“Yesterday was a great day, but a very long day,” she said after the spill. “I missed a little bit of elevation and I wasn’t able to make the gate. The positive thing is that my knees are good and I’m still going home for Christmas with a big smile.”

The American, who returned this month from a year out of action after two knee operations.

Williams sorry over Bony picture

Wales international Liam Williams has apologised after he dressed up as Swansea’s Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony. Scarlets full-back Williams was pictured in a Swansea kit, wearing face paint. “I am very sorry for any offence caused,” he said. “I’m not a racist and there was no malice.”

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