Bloomfield extends Wycombe stay

Phil Jagielka has called on Everton to ensure that they kick on again this summer once David Moyes heads for Manchester United.

It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for all concerned at Goodison Park, with it announced on Thursday that Moyes is to succeed retiring Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

He has agreed a six-year contract with the Red Devils and will officially take their reins on 1st July.

Moyes will see out the 2012/13 campaign with Everton, with there still two games to come, and it is important for them to end the season as positively as possible.

The challenge facing the Toffees then will be to find a suitable replacement for Moyes and to continue to build on the positive foundations he has put in place over the last 11 years.

Jagielka is convinced they can do just that, telling Everton's official website: "Like the rest of the squad I have nothing but the highest regard for David Moyes.

"He is a first class operator on and off the training ground and on behalf of the players I would like to place on record my thanks for the work he has done improving the team.

"It was as much of a shock to the dressing room as I'm sure it was to Everton and our fans.

"All the lads wish him the very best for the future but we still have two important Premier League games to play and all our attentions will be focused on winning against West Ham and at Chelsea.

"Once the season is over we can collectively look forward in order to ensure we continue to build on the positive work of the past few seasons."

Third-placed Caley Thistle are looking to remain in pole position for a Europa League spot when they host United on Saturday and could wrap up their first European qualification if St Johnstone lose at Celtic Park earlier on.

Butcher has overseen a dramatic change in fortunes for a side which found themselves bottom of the table for a long spell during an injury crisis early last season.

And he believes his players will relish being in such a heady position in the penultimate match of the season, rather than fear the consequences of defeat.

Butcher, whose side edged a seven-goal thriller against Motherwell last weekend, said: "We have only lost three games at home this season - two to Celtic and one to Motherwell and they are the top two teams.

"It's been a remarkable run. If you look at last year we lost the first three home games. It's been a massive turnaround in fortune, style of play and attitude.

"This is not pressure, it's pleasure. It's pleasure being where we are and a pleasure winning, and hopefully we can replicate that on Saturday.

"The key thing for the players is to have no regrets - to go out and enjoy it, and win."

The striker has impressed while on loan at the Edinburgh club and was voted PFA Scotland young player of the year by his fellow professionals on Sunday.

Parent club Wolves ultimately have the final say on his future with a one-year option on his contract at Molineux.

However, former Hibs boss Collins says the best option for the 22-year-old could be an extended stay in the SPL.

The former Scotland midfielder said: "From an international point of view, if he's playing in the SPL and scoring goals every week, then Gordon Strachan is going to be aware of him.

"I don't think it really matters where you are.

"If you are playing well and scoring a lot of exceptional goals, then there is a good chance the Scotland manager will have his eye on you.

"He's a good fit for Hibs. He's the main man, he's very comfortable and relaxed and he knows the team needs him and he knows the fans love him.

"He's in a comfort zone - but a good comfort zone.

"I think if he goes down south he will be outside his comfort zone and I wouldn't bet money on him being a huge success.

"He's got talent, he's a good football player and he's got self-belief, which is so important."

Griffiths made his international debut in a friendly against Luxembourg last November.

The views of Collins were echoed by Strachan's predecessor Craig Levein.

He said: "When you're the Scotland manager, you get advice from a lot of people, as you can imagine.

"You have to use your own judgement and I feel, this season, in my eyes, he has become more of a team member than he'd been previously.

"He's working harder and I think he is getting the rewards for that and Hibs are getting the rewards.

"I've no doubt, if he continues in the vein that he's going, that Gordon will have a look at him and he might get a few games coming up."

The 29-year-old, who left Oxford at the end of the season, made 157 appearances for the Pilgrims between 2001 and 2008.

That spell at Home Park came to an end after he was found guilty of causing the death by dangerous driving of two children.

Following his release from jail in 2008 the shotstopper returned to football with Truro before signing for the U's in January.

"Although Luke made a dreadful mistake with unthinkable consequences, he has served his time and is totally remorseful," said Argyle chairman James Brent.

"While I respect others who have alternative views, from a moral standpoint, the board and I think Luke is entitled to rehabilitation.

"John Sheridan wanted to sign him and the club is totally supportive of that."

A statement on Argyle's official website revealed that, as part of the deal, McCormick will donate a significant sum of money and give his time to support a local children's charity.

The Bulgarian midfielder, who was diagnosed with the condition in March last year and is now in remission, on Thursday announced he will retire.

Tributes poured in for the fans' favourite, with former Celtic team-mate Lambert describing his friend as a "fantastic player" and "a nice guy with a heart of gold".

Petrov's priority will now be his health and work for his leukaemia charity, but Lambert revealed he is already mulling over a role for the popular captain.

"He'll be missed here but the door will always be open for him," said the Scot.

"I have some things in my head which I'm running over.

"I've something in my head I'm thinking about at the minute and it's not a sentimental thing at all. It's just some things my staff and myself spoken about, they know what I think."

Petrov will lead Villa out for their traditional lap of appreciation after Saturday's final home game against Chelsea.

Villa fans and their opposition counterparts have shown support for Petrov with 60 seconds of applause in the 19th minute of every game since he fell ill, in tribute to his squad number. Lambert knows Saturday's farewell will be particularly poignant.

"For him to lead out the team will be a great occasion," said the Villa boss.

"I think it will be pretty emotional for him when he does it on Saturday."

Lambert added: "Not having him around here during his illness has been huge blow, it can never be underestimated.

"Him not playing has been massive for this club. Having to try to replace someone like that - a footballer who is a fantastic player - has been hard.

"He has a heart of gold, he's nice guy. I knew him since he was 19 years of age and he first came to Glasgow and I had a good friendship with him.

"I played with him for nine years and he was always someone you knew you needed to be in the trenches with you."

In a statement released by Villa, 33-year-old Petrov, who signed for Villa from Celtic in 2006, said: "I've never been a person for making grand statements.

"I've only ever got on with my job, while remaining grateful to have great team-mates, great people around me and, most of all, a fantastic family.

"They have been powerful pillars of support when I have needed them most over the past year.

"To my wife, Paulina, and my sons, Kristiyan and Stiliyan, I love you very much and I will always for your constant love and support.

"Also to my mum and dad, my brother and Paulina's mum and the people who have been closest to me throughout this time - you know who you are and I love you all.

"Each and every day I thank God for giving me the opportunity to still be with my family.

"Football has been the other great love of my life, so it is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement from the game.

"The emotions are overwhelming really, but the continued support of family, friends and the great people I have come to know will make it easier for me to move on from the only life I've ever known."

Supporters had also been planning further tributes at the last game of the season at Wigan.

Fans were planning to wear Villa, Celtic or Bulgaria kits and hold banners displaying 'Petrov 19'.

Petrov said: "I wish to thank the fans of Aston Villa and the Villa chairman, Randy Lerner, chief executive Paul Faulkner and manager Paul Lambert, also the fans of Celtic, the Bulgarian fans and fans of football all over the world who have helped me through the past year with their incredible displays of support and with their personal, moving messages.

"I would also like to thank all of the managers I have worked under and all of the team-mates I have played alongside."

The Blues' longest-serving player has made 289 appearances since joining from Ipswich in 2003 and the new deal entitles the fans' favourite to a testimonial as reward for his loyalty.

The 29-year-old had suffered a frustrating season because of injury but he is targeting a pre-season return.

"Nine-and-a-half years is quite a big chunk of your life to spend at one club so I'm delighted to be offered the opportunity to extend that for another year," he told Chairboys Player.

"I'm proud and honoured to have been able to have spent 10 years at one place, it's a big deal and to have spent it here is an even bigger deal.

"Some of the names that have achieved that and had a testimonial here over the years are big names within the club's history and I'm really proud and honoured to go into my testimonial year.

"I've been in the gym nearly every day and I'm working as hard as I possibly can to get fit as soon as I can."