Schalke's fifth win on trot is ominous

MASSIMO MARZOCCHI

HEARTS’ UEFA Cup opponents Schalke will arrive in Edinburgh tomorrow as history-makers after their 3-2 win over VfB Stuttgart broke a century-long club record.

The result took Schalke to second place in the Bundesliga and made it five wins from five for new boss Ralf Rangnick, the best run in the history of Der Königsblauen (Royal Blues). Schalke’s temperamental Brazilian striker Ailton

grabbed his third goal in three games, the other goals coming from Levan Kobiashvili and another Brazilian, Lincoln.

Shakhtar Donetsk have injury problems ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League Group F clash with Celtic at Parkhead.

The Ukrainians, who beat Kryvbas Krivyi 2-1 on Friday night, flew into Glasgow today and coach Murcea Lucescu faces could be without four key players.

Brandao, who scored against Celtic two weeks ago, has been ruled out while there are concerns over Marica Ciprian, Julius Aghahowa and Rat Razvan Dinca.

Lucescu said: "Marica feels fit but we should allow for a ten-day absence of training. The same is with Aghahowa.

"Brandao won’t be able to play and Rat has

problems."

Feyenoord, also in Hearts’ UEFA Cup group, blew the chance to go top of Holland’s Eredivisie as they lost 4-1 at AZ Alkmaar, the club Rangers will face on 2 December.

Meanwhile, Michael Owen rescued Real Madrid once again as his side struggled to overcome a defiant Getafe at the Bernabeu.

The England striker made it four goals in four games as he broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Ronaldo made sure of the points with 12 minutes left.

Taken from the Scotsman