Passionate Greek no stranger to seeing Red - Liverpool FC Latest

22 August 2009 06:00
IT'S fair to say new Liverpool centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos is no shrinking violet. The 30-year-old Greek international is known for his combative style and that has led to more than his fair share of controversies. In last season's Greek Cup final thriller between his AEK Athens side and rivals Olympiakos he saw red - when he wasn't even on the pitch. Injury had earlier forced the skipper off but his part in the manic celebrations which followed a late AEK goal led to him being dismissed. His mood wasn't helped by the fact that rivals Olympiakos hit back to draw 4-4 and won a remarkable match 15-14 on penalties. Youtube boasts a number of eventful clips showing what happens when a striker crosses the giant 6ft 4ins defender with Olympiakos duo Avraam Papadopoulos and Giovanni among those to come off second best. Kyrgiakos, who has 49 international caps, had a chequered disciplinary record during his 18-month stay at Rangers. He arrived in Glasgow on loan in January 2005 but only after three agents, a masseur and exclusive use of chairman David Murray's private jet had convinced him to join. Kyrgiakos went on to help the Gers clinch the Scottish Premier League crown and scored twice in the League Cup final victory over Motherwell. He initially turned down a permanent contract but after failing to find another club he returned on a one-year deal and scored three times in 40 appearances in 2005/06. Kyrgiakos was criticised for costing his side a crucial win over Dunfermline when he conceded a last-gasp penalty which led to him receiving an astonishing third red card in the space of 13 games.

Source: Liverpool_Echo