The "Meet Bobbie Goulding" press conference at Spotland yesterday has spawned yet another deluge of news coverage!

The Bobster celebrated his 32nd birthday by charming the press and hoisting the Challenge Cup.

As we trawl the media, harvesting all the juicy bits about Hornets' big adventure, we found a report in the most peculiar of places... the Scotsman!

Goulding Facing Moscow Mystery

By Ian Laybourn, PA Sport

Former Great Britain scrum-half Bobbie Goulding admits his newly-assembled Rochdale Hornets team will be vulnerable against Russian outfit Moscow Dynamo.

Goulding‚’s team have been paired with the Muscovites in the third round of the Powergen Challenge Cup and Sunday‚’s tie at Spotland will mark his first home game as coach.

The former St Helens skipper, who celebrated his 32nd birthday by posing for photographers with the Cup he lifted at Wembley seven years ago, says he knows very little about his side‚’s opponents, who were 22-18 winners over Bradford amateur team West Bowling in the last round.

‘I know nothing about them except they don‚’t mind the cold so this weather will suit them,’ he told a news conference at Spotland.

‘We couldn‚’t get a tape of their win over West Bowling so we‚’re going into the unknown. ‘I’ve heard they‚’ve got a big guy who is 6ft 8in and unstoppable near the line but that‚’s all we‚’ve got to go on. They’ve sent a team for the programme and the only name I could pronounce was Lee Finnerty, who is a good player.’

Finnerty, who played in Super League for Halifax last year, was one of three New Zealanders brought in by coaching advisor Bob Bailey for the last round and, along with Paul Fisiahi and Siali Tufeao, is expected to line up against Hornets.

Rochdale did not have a single player on their books when Goulding took charge two months ago and they got off to a disappointing start when going down 24-8 in the Arriva Trains Cup at Hunslet last Sunday but Goulding remains upbeat.

‘I would say we‚’re very vulnerable at this stage,’ he said.’I know some of the players, I don‚’t know them all and all the players don‚’t know each other. I wish we could have a little bit more time to prepare but the season is upon us now and we‚’ve just to do our best.

‘Sunday‚’s result didn’t reflect how we‚’ve been going in training whatsoever. I’ve had a chat with the lads, who have held their hands up. I know they can give a lot more. I’ve told them it’s no good training like Tarzan and playing like Jane.’

Goulding, who appeared at Wembley five times in a glorious 15-year career, has ruled out playing in this season‚’s competition. He recently underwent ankle surgery and has targeted the start of the National League campaign in April for his comeback.