Rangers 2 – AC Milan 2
Rangers and Milan drew in their friendly yesterday. For a play-by-play photo essay of AC Milan’s stay in Glasgow with description of match action, check out this BBC Sport page. David played the first 45 minutes of the match.

David Receives Money for UNICEF
As a UNICEF ambassador, David received a £100,000 cheque from Rangers for UNICEF at the match yesterday.
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AC Milan Arriving in Glasgow
Short video of the team & David’s arrival in Glasgow.

Game Highlights
Higher quality highlights from yesterday’s game, including a clip of Becks receiving the UNICEF cheque. (Not in English)

AC Milan Leaving Glasgow
Just a short video of AC Milan and David on their way out of Glasgow.

Rangers vs. AC Milan Goals
This is a slightly poor quality round-up of the goals from yesterday’s match.

Becks: Gers Can Cash in on Support

David Beckham insists passion can help Rangers bridge the financial gap on Europe’s top clubs after the cash-strapped Glasgow club held his AC Milan side to a 2-2 friendly draw.

More than 45,000 fans turned out on a snowy night at Ibrox on Wednesday night, following a month of transfer speculation fuelled by the club’s willingness to sell a leading player. [...]

But Beckham, who wants to make his loan spell at Milan a permanent arrangement, insists money is not everything in the game.

“There is a lot of money in some places in football, and not in others,” the England midfielder said.

“We’ve got some great players but Rangers also have good players.

“It’s not all down to money; it’s about passion.

“That’s why Ricardo (Kaka) wanted to stay at AC Milan; it proves it’s not about money.

“It’s about wanting to play for the team where he has been for a number of years.” [...]

Beckham, who had last played at Ibrox in a pre-season friendly for Manchester United in 1994, received a mostly positive reception from the home support.

The former Real Madrid player said: “I didn’t feel great because I have been in bed for two days with flu.

“So I was close to not travelling but I’m glad I did because I enjoyed it.

“It’s great to get a reception like that as an Englishman in Glasgow.

“For the fans to turn out on a cold night to see both teams is exceptional.

“The crowd was a great credit to them and I hope they enjoyed themselves.”

Beckham added: “It was great to be back and play here again. The last time I was here, I met Sean Connery, so that was a great experience.” Source

Beckham wants Milan stay

David Beckham has told Sky Sports News that he wants to join AC Milan on a permanent basis. [...]

Beckham had previously only hinted that he would be open to staying in Italy if all parties could agree on a deal.

But the 33-year-old has now confirmed he wants to secure a permanent switch to the Rossoneri.

Speaking after Milan’s 2-2 draw with rangers at Ibrox, Beckham said: “At the moment my lawyers are not talking to the Galaxy but I have expressed my desire to stay at AC Milan now and it’s just down to Milan and Galaxy to come to an agreement.

“I have enjoyed my time here. I knew I would enjoy it but I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I have and do as well as I have.” Read more here

Video: David Wants Milan Stay
Here’s the video matching the interview quoted above.

Milan lawyers fear Beckham exit

AC Milan’s bid to keep David Beckham may be in vain according to the club’s lawyer.

Rossoneri have made no secret of their intentions to keep Beckham at the San Siro beyond his current contract which ends in March.

But, although the former England captain’s future is still unclear, representatives for the Italian side believe Beckham will return to Los Angeles.

Although Milan are still in talks with the MLS side, Rossoneri lawyer Leandro Cantamessa admitted that, at this stage, a return to LA Galaxy is likely.

“Should I have to make a forecast, I think Beckham will return to Los Angeles in March,” Cantamessa told Radio 101.

“The details of his contract state that Beckham is bound to LA Galaxy.

“Should Galaxy show intentions of allowing Beckham to leave, it would be a different story. But at this stage, they haven’t.” Source

ESPN Around the Horn: Will Becks Leave LA?
Just a clip of ESPN’s discussion of David’s decision to stay or go from Galaxy. It’s contradictory viewpoints, positive and negative.

Splash News: Becks Wants to Stay
This is just a brief Splash News video blurb about the ongoing saga of “should he stay or should he go”.

Bruno Cirillo Wary Of David Beckham Ahead Of Reggina’s Milan Date
Up next for Milan are Reggina this Saturday. Here’s a few words from Reggina’s Bruno Cirillo.

Saturday night will see Reggina travel north to face Milan at the San Siro. Defender Bruno Cirillo, who will be a member of the visiting squad, does not seem to be relishing the task of having to deal with the likes of David Beckham and Kaka. [...]

The Amaranto man had a special word of praise for David Beckham, but knows that the Englishman is not the only threat.

“People said a lot of things when Beckham arrived, but he plays brilliantly, has an amazing passing ability and he attacks and defends like a superstar,” added the stopper. Source

Blissett: Becks must stay in Milan

Former AC Milan striker Luther Blissett believes the San Siro is the only place for David Beckham to be if he wants to board the plane to the 2010 World Cup.

Beckham, 33, is on loan at Milan and wants to stay in Italy rather than return to play for Los Angeles Galaxy – and Blissett feels that will benefit the midfielder in terms of fitness and the standard of football.

The ex-England striker said: “There is no doubt that the league in America is nowhere near to the level you need to be playing at if you want to play for your country at the highest level.”

He added: “There is a massive tactical and technical side to the game in Serie A. It is a major part of football in Italy and that can only be a benefit to David Beckham if he is able to maintain his position in the England squad.

“There will be a lot he can bring to the squad if he is selected, especially on a tactical level. He’s playing with some of the best players in the world at the moment – he’s going to be tested every week.” Read more here

UEFA president Michel Platini concerned about Beckham’s loan
Platini’s at it again – he can’t seem to stop making waves, even if it means making trouble for himself.

UEFA president Michel Platini is investigating how the loan system works in light of David Beckham’s move to AC Milan.[...]

“My problem is not Beckham, it’s Milan buying a player for three months,” Platini said Thursday. “Why then could they not buy a player for one game, for the final?

“You buy five players for the final. We have to look at it.” Source

Gossip: Gallagher and Beckham ‘catch up’
Not being an Oasis fan, I actually have no idea what Gallagher’s on about. Maybe some of you will.

Noel Gallagher and David Beckham have spent some time together after an Oasis gig in Milan.

The Manchester City-supporting guitarist wrote of the pair’s meeting on the band’s official website.

“Where HAVE we been? I know we were in Milan last night. What a night! A great, great gig was followed – somewhat predictably – by a monumental drink-up,” Gallagher said.

“David Beckham came to the gig. Was good to catch up with him again after that night in Vegas – remember?” Source

Orient buy-out talks with Becks’ advisor fail
For the few of you who were interested in the story about Terry Byrne talking to Leyton Orient allegedly on behalf of Becks:

BUY-OUT talks at Leyton Orient have collapsed.

Chairman Barry Hearn had been in discussions with a consortium led by David Beckham’s advisor Terry Byrne.

But earlier today (Thursday) the club announced that the deal has fallen through.

The failure of talks at board level comes on the day the club unveiled Geraint Williams as the new first team manager.

Mr Hearn’s decision not to sell his shares to the Byrne group could be related to conditions the Orient chairman attached to the sale of his interest.

Mr Hearn stated in this week’s Guardian that he would only sell his shares to a body with the club’s interests at heart.

He said: “If I sell my share I will want to make sure I’m selling to the right people.”

Hearn has stated his desire to continue to seek a buyer.

He said: “If they [the Byrne group] don’t give me the assurances I want, I will still actively pursue new ownership untill I find the kind of people I’m looking to put in place.” Source