Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Bale's agent has leapt to the defence of his client this morning after the Real Madrid winger was criticised for his performance in their 2-1 Champions League defeat at Juventus.

"Why should we take any notice of comments from people who don't know what they are talking about - and from people who have failed in management," Jonathan Barnett tells BBC Sport.

"This is only an issue in England. Gareth is at the biggest club in the world. He is one of the best players in the world. He is fine.

"He only listens to relevant comments. He is 100% focussed on Real Madrid."

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was amongst those to condemn Bale's performance, telling ITV: "You can't win a game with 10 men. Gareth Bale gave Real Madrid nothing tonight. He took the easy option every time."

Sheffield United are "expected" to win promotion to the Championship, says Swindon Town manager Mark Cooper.

The two clubs will meet in the first leg of their League One play-off semi-final at Bramall Lane on Thursday.

"The pressure on them is the expectancy," Cooper told BBC Wiltshire.

Image source, Twitter

Barker has been sidelined for three years after dislocating his knee and rupturing ligaments in March 2012. He made a comeback a few months ago but has not played for Derby this season.

Former South Africa international and Champions League winner Benni McCarthy has been robbed at gunpoint at a barber's shop in South Africa, according to the AP news agency.

The agent of McCarthy - who played for Blackburn and West Ham in the Premier league - said the 2004 Champions League-winner with Porto was targeted in the Johannesburg shop, where armed men stole jewellery from him.

Image source, Getty Images

A man reportedly pointed a gun at McCarthy's face and demanded his watch, earrings and wedding ring, but the footballer - who called time on his career in 2013 after a spell at South African club Orlando Pirates - was not hurt in the incident.

Spare a thought for Tiger Woods.

The former world number one says the end of his relationship with US Olympic skiing champion Lindsay Vonn has been "brutal".

Image source, Getty Images

The break-up was announced on Sunday, the ninth anniversary of the death of Woods's father, Earl.

"These three days have been brutal on me. It's tough," said Woods, 39. "Obviously it does affect me. On top of that, this three-day window from 3-5 May is always really hard. I haven't slept."

Image source, BBC Sport

Harry Jones:, external Both Toulon and Clermont would absolutely decimate the French rugby team.

Max Baggins-Craig:, external Any of the top 7 will ease past England, Rotherham Utd may give them a tough draw even. Game on ding ding.

What clubs would beat their corresponding country? Tweet #clubvcountry.

Image source, Scottish Daily Mail

But making the news north of the border today is this - good news for Celtic fans, as the Scottish Daily Mail says Stefan Johansen, the PFA Scotland Player of the Year, will not be leaving the club in the summer.

Lost a bit amidst the Champions League action, there was a big game in Scotland last night.

And it was a good evening for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who strengthened their grip on third place as they came from behind to beat Dundee United.

Image source, SNS

Inverness now lead both United and St Johnstone by seven points with three games remaining.

A win for John Hughes' side away to Dundee on Saturday would seal qualification for next season's Europa League for the first time.

Big Brenny:, external Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Man U and Spurs would all beat England, comfortably, Bournemouth would give them a good game too.

Would your club beat your country? Send us your views to #clubvcountry.

This year's Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in London will feature eight of the world's top 13 players.

British number one Andy Murray will join Rafael Nadal, Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka, Marin Cilic, Grigor Dimitrov, Feliciano Lopez and Gilles Simon.

Image source, Getty Images

American number one John Isner and Australian Nick Kyrgios will also compete in the grasscourt event, which takes place from 15-21 June.

Four-time winner Lleyton Hewitt will make his 16th and final appearance - the 34-year-old is due to retire after next year's Australian Open.

It's tea at the cricket, where Azhar Ali and Younis Khan have hit half-centuries, powering Pakistan to 196-2 against an undermanned Bangladesh attack at tea on the first day of the second Test.

Azhar (successfully scrambling home in the pic below to avoid being run out) is 85 not out, and Younis 77, having scored more than four an over in the middle session.

Image source, Getty Images

Their unbeaten 138 runs for the third wicket was a Pakistan record against Bangladesh, after the hosts produced a disciplined opening session to reduce them to 58-2.

Bangladesh are one bowler short - paceman Shahadat Hossain hobbled off the field following his second delivery in the first over of the morning.

Match scorecard here.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has had "successful" surgery on a hip injury in the United States.

The 25-year-old England international has played just twice since he picked up the injury in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United on 22 March.

Image source, DanielSturridge

"Just want to let the world know I've had a successful operation on my hip and I want to thank God for allowing that to be possible," Sturridge said.

"Onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the support."

Anything Usain Bolt can do, Sir Bradley Wiggins can do too.

Image source, Bradley Wiggins Instagram

The 2012 Tour de France winner is going to attempt to break Alex Dowsett's hour record on 7 June.

Dowsett rattled out 52.937km, external in 60 minutes over the weekend and Wiggins will at least look the part when he has a go if he wears the shoes he showed the world on Instagram this morning., external

Chairman Jeff Mostyn says Bournemouth will prioritise investment in the playing squad over stadium expansion for their debut Premier League season.

"We need to make sure that we put the majority of our investment into the team, so that we can retain our Premier League position," Mostyn told the BBC.

Right, we've done loads of work so far so it's only right that you take over for a bit.

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott has claimed Yorkshire would beat the country's current crop of players.

But what other clubs would be good enough to beat their respective country? Would Real Madrid turn Spain over? Could Swansea City prove too much for Wales? Northampton Saints too powerful for England?

Tweet us your thoughts on #clubvcountry.

"With the advice of his doctors, Manny still decided to proceed with the fight. His shoulder wasn't perfect but it had improved in training camp.

"However, as Manny has said multiple times, he makes no excuses. Manny gave it his best."

So, make of that what you will, but with lawsuits flying about and Mayweather saying losers have excuses, this is clearly Pacquiao's response.

The statement continues: "A few hours before he was expected to step in the ring, when Manny's doctors began the process, the Nevada Commission stopped the treatment because it said it was unaware of Manny's shoulder injury.

Image source, Getty Images

"This was disappointing to Team Pacquiao since they had disclosed the injury and treatment to Usada, Usada approved the treatments, and Manny had listed the medication on his pre-fight medical form.

"Also, Usada had provided a copy of its contract with the fighters to the commission. An hour before the fight, Manny's advisors asked the Commission to reconsider and the director of Usada advised the commission that Usada had approved the fight-night treatment, but the commission denied the request."

And while we're on the subject, Manny Pacquiao's team have released a statement, which goes into detail about the Filipino's shoulder injury.

It says after suffering the injury in training, Pacquiao went to see several "world-class doctors" and was told he was fit - after a short rest and treatment - to continue training and to step into the ring with Mayweather.

It adds: "Manny continued to train and his shoulder improved, though not 100%. This is boxing, injuries happen, and Manny is a warrior.

"Again, in consultation with his doctors, promoter and advisors, Manny decided to proceed with the fight, anticipating that he could receive his pre-fight treatment. That specific treatment had been approved by Usada in writing at least 5 days before the fight.

"On his pre-fight medical form filled out earlier in the week, Manny's advisors listed the medications that Manny used in training and the medications that might be used on fight night."

Nice line from Floyd Mayweather overnight, the winner of the weekend's "fight of the century" (that really wasn't the fight of the century in any way whatsoever).

In a pithy response to opponent Manny Pacquiao blaming a shoulder injury for his defeat, the American said "winners win and losers have excuses".

Image source, Getty Images

But Pacquiao has more to worry about that Mayweather's verbal shots - the Filipino is being sued in Nevada after he was accused of lying about the injury suffered before the bout.

Others from the sporting world celebrating a birthday today...

Graeme Souness (football, 62) - former Rangers, Liverpool, Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle manager, who as a player was an international for Scotland and won three European Cups and five league titles with Liverpool. Here's a pic of him getting escorted off the pitch after winning the title with Rangers in 1990.

Image source, Getty Images

Jim Magilton (football, 46) - former Ipswich and QPR manager and ex-Northern Ireland international.

Chris Adams (cricket, 45) - Former Sussex, Derbyshire and England batsman.

Dominika Cibulkova (tennis, 26) - Australian Open finalist in 2014.