All posts by n8rngtd.top

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were delighted with the display of Ryan Kent during the first half of their Scottish Cup fourth round tie on Sunday.

The Gers are in action at Ibrox against Celtic as they aim to progress to the next round. With the Premiership title already sewn up, the 55-time Scottish champions have the chance to do the domestic double if they can get past the Bhoys – St Johnstone await the winners in the quarter-finals.

The home side took the lead through Steven Davis, but Kent was instrumental in the build-up. It was his turn past Scott Brown which started the move, although he was then taken out by Stephen Welsh.

The former Liverpool winger then played a huge part in doubling the home side’s lead on the 34th minute, his pressure on Jonjoe Kenny forcing an own goal from the Hoops defender, to put Steven Gerrard’s men in a commanding position towards the end of the first half.

These Gers supporters were absolutely delighted with what they have seen from the 24-year-old, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Kent

“Ryan Kent what a spin”

Credit: @dave_daveframe

“That turn from Kent on Brown was filthy”

Credit: @PaulLinfield

“Kent was electric there.”

Credit: @d6mo

“Fantastic by Kent and what a finish”

Credit: @miltonfox6141

“Kent should be knighted for destroying Brown in the lead up to the goal”

Credit: @garrymoore18

“Ryan Kent despises this mob”

Credit: @davlorn73

“He’s the man”

Credit: @Kirky_8

In other news, many Rangers fans are gutted by news on this 29-year-old.

Southampton are continuing to be linked with a move for Manchester United full-back Brandon Williams ahead of the summer transfer window, and if he were to make the move to St Mary’s, it would perhaps spell the end for Ryan Bertrand on the south coast.

According to The Athletic, the Saints remain keen on the 20-year-old Old Trafford academy graduate, despite seeing a January move for the defender break down.

It is suggested that Williams was keen on a loan move at the start of the season but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to keep him at the Manchester club, which hasn’t done much for the youngster’s development as he has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier Leauge so far this season.

The Saints are clearly in the market for a left-back ahead of next term, with Bertrand’s contract with the club set to expire at the end of the current campaign, whilst both Arsenal and Leicester City are reportedly keen on signing him.

Therefore, it would not be a surprise to see the 31-year-old depart this summer, especially if someone such as Williams is brought in, as it could see the former Chelsea man drop behind the youngster in the pecking order in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side.

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Truthfully, Bertrand’s performances have declined in recent seasons and his poor average WhoScored rating of 6.44/10 in the Premier League this season speaks for itself, so perhaps the Saints should start looking towards the future by bringing in a replacement for the former England international.

We have already seen Southampton enjoy success in loaning a young defender from a ‘big six’ club, as they initially brought in Kyle Walker-Peters on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in January of last year before making his move permanent in the summer after some impressive performances.

That deal turned into something of a masterclass by the Saints, as he has quickly established himself as a key player this season, so there seems no reason why they couldn’t target a similar ‘try before you buy’ deal for Williams this summer.

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Hopefully, after the move broke down in January, we see Southampton return for the £9m-rated Williams ahead of next season, as his ability to play as both a left-back and a right-back immediately marks him out as someone who would fit in well at the south coast club, where Hasenhuttl appreciates versatile operators.

In other news… Southampton could sign a Diallo upgrade in £4.05m-rated “class act”

The Southampton revival under Ralph Hasenhuttl continues with the south coast club managing to gain a point from their 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor last Saturday in a game where they came extremely close to winning. 

A stoppage-time penalty converted by Ashley Barnes ensured the points were shared after Nathan Redmond, who is at the top of his game right now, had given the visitors the lead.

And the 24-year-old has since come in for praise from one of his team-mates as he continues to impress under his new boss.

The Breakdown

Speaking about the form of Redmond, midfielder Stuart Armstrong told the Daily Echo: “I think everyone can see how talented a player he is in training and in games of late. His goal [against Burnley] was fantastic.

“The way he moved the ball and then a quick shot into the corner of the net with so much power, with so little back-lift. He is a very good player to have in our team.”

As mentioned by Armstrong, Redmond is undoubtedly a talented individual, something which has been clear since his days in the Championship with Birmingham City.

However, for whatever reason, it has not quite worked out for the England international at St. Mary’s despite a strong start to life in a Southampton shirt.

At 24, though, there is still plenty of time for Redmond to get things right, which he has been doing in recent weeks, and evolve that talent into something further.

Watching the way Redmond can take the ball past a defender with his pace and dribbling skill, he really should be on course to becoming a serious winger in the Premier League, yet without the numbers to go with it, that did not look like the path the former Norwich City man was heading down.

Rejuvenated under Hasenhuttl, though, Redmond now appears to be going in the right direction again.

Many Southampton fans are far from happy after the club confirmed that they will be boycotting social media next weekend.

This season has been a turbulent one for a number of reasons. Of course, the absence of fans from stadia has been felt up and down the country, but racism has unfortunately reared its ugly head on a number of occasions. Players have regularly spoken out about the abuse they have received, while Rangers player Glen Kamara was racially abused on the pitch by Slavia Prague’s Ondrej Kudela (Sky Sports).

Throughout the season, we have seen players take the knee as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Southampton have now confirmed they will be taking part in a nationwide initiative among football clubs to boycott social media next weekend as they continue to raise awareness.

The news was shared on the club’s official Twitter account, and it attracted plenty of attention from supporters – many of whom seemed generally unhappy with the decision as they feel it is a waste of time. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on what one branded a “useless” gesture.

Let’s see what these Southampton fans had to say

“I don’t really get what clubs boycotting social media is gonna do. If someone is hateful then football teams going off Twitter isn’t gonna change them. I get that it’s better than nothing, but just wondering that’s all”

Credit: @newington13

“Like this will do anything….. It’s less affective than boycotting certain products, it legit effects nobody. In fact, all it does is stops actual fans getting info because of a small percentile of people.”

Credit: @Hyper_SFC

“Grow up”

Credit: @Eliassfc2

“What a pointless gesture. The world will survive the absence of your posts.”

Credit: @Andrews47Andy

“for a weekend? seems useless”

Credit: @EntirelyBen

“4 days is not going to make a difference? Come off for the rest of the season”

Credit: @waterman1270

In other news, many Southampton fans have been reacting to this transfer rumour.

Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia.

And, the latest transfer link has had plenty of Eagles fans talking on social media.

According to Foot Mercato, Palace, Aston Villa and West Ham are all keen on the Argentine, who played a key role in helping the Canaries back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Buendia has scored 14 goals and registered a quite remarkable 17 assists in 38 Championship games this season and was named Championship Player of the Season as a result – that is a goal involvement in over 80% of his appearances, on average.

The report suggests that Norwich don’t intend to part ways with Buendia for anything under €40m (£34.5m).

That figure required could make him Palace’s club-record signing, with that accolade currently standing at £28.08m for Christian Benteke.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Foot Mercato’s claim on social media on Tuesday evening.

It’s safe to say these Palace supporters were stunned at the links, with one describing it as a ‘dream’.

“Would be amazing but won’t happen”

Credit: @CPFCMax03

“PLEASE”

Credit: @joe_cpfc_01

“Absolutely no chance surely, but my god I’d love it. Should have gone for him last summer”

Credit: @Phillyconcarne

“Not a chance this happens but it’s good to be linked to these sort of players”

Credit: @Callum_CPFC_

“Can only dream”

Credit: @CPFCH10

“the things I’d do”

Credit: @CPFC_Ollie_

In other news: Palace monitoring West Brom man, plenty of Eagles fans not happy, find out more here. 

According to a West Ham United source, speaking to Football Insider, GSB have made contact over a potential summer deal for exciting Dinamo Zagreb forward Mislav Orsic – coming over a week after he put Tottenham to the sword in a memorable Europa League tie.

Orsic, who has bagged an impressive 19 goals in all competitions this season for the Croatian giants (Transfermarkt), has entered West Ham’s radar as the club continue to seek attackers.

West Ham make contact for Orsic

A left winger, the forward player appears to have a prolific eye for goal – as evident by his statistics this season and his masterclass against London rivals Spurs.

The 28-year-old, currently in his prime, bagged a stellar hat-trick to dump Spurs out of Europe and heap pressure on manager Jose Mourinho across the capital.

Now, in a surprising turn of events, a West Ham source has revealed to Football Insider that GSB have made contact to potentially sign him in the summer window.

Arsenal have also enquired about Orsic, with the Irons now entering what seems to be a transfer battle.

Transfer Tavern take

A versatile star, he can play on both flanks and through the middle whilst being valued at a bargain £6.75 million by Transfermarkt.

Whether or not West Ham prioritise him over fellow targets remains to be seen, but he has emerged as an arguably brilliant option.

In other news: West Ham fans flocked to links with this ‘superb signing’, find out more here.

As France manager Didier Deschamps confirms his 26-man squad for their upcoming international matches, plenty of Manchester City supporters have erupted as Aymeric Laporte misses out on another call-up – with one Sky Blue blasting the decision as ‘disgraceful’ whilst others have their say.

Laporte, who has been utilised more often by Pep Guardiola in recent weeks, rotating consistently in place of strong City partnership Ruben Dias and John Stones, has still not done enough to earn the Deschamps nod.

Instead, the likes of Presnel Kimpembe, Clement Lenglet, Raphael Varane and Kurt Zouma are cherry picked by Les Bleus for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Bosnia.

The 26-year-old, who Guardiola has started to use slightly more regularly, has averaged the most aerial duels won per 90 (3.1) in the Premier League out of any City player with more than 10 appearances (WhoScored).

Flocking to this news that he won’t be joining up with his France teammates, it’s safe to say many supporters don’t agree with the decision to omit Laporte once again – branding it a ‘joke’ and ’embarrassing’ as well as ‘disgraceful’.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans disgusted by Laporte omission

“This is personal, he will not get a chance until Didier leave.”

Credit: @jgedeon1717

“Laporte being so disrespected as usual.”

Credit: @carla_kmg

“As usual. Smh.”

Credit: @thelordkeepyou

“Agenda”

Credit: @MoNasereldin

“Absolutely disgraceful once again.”

Credit: @mxnciteh

“I feel so sad for Aymeric. First his injuries, then John and Ruben being on top form”

Credit: @Naimaajay

“This is a joke”

Credit: @mcfcmoee

“Imagine putting out laporte instead of lenglet. Its more embarrassing than Goldbridges tweet about city”

Credit: @adityasaivp12

In other news: Man City fans want this star signed as Txiki enters pole position, find out more here.

Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti a second Richarlison-type player by signing rumoured Everton target Cyle Larin from Besiktas this summer.

What’s the word?

According to FotoMac, the Black Eagles have slapped a €9m (£8m) price tag on Larin ahead of the summer market, having doubled his value in less than a year.

The Turkish giants considered the Canadian international to be worth €4m (£3.5m) at the start of the season after an impressive campaign on loan with SV Zulte Waregem saw Larin score nine goals and offer 11 assists across all competitions for the Belgian side.

He has since carried that form with him back to Istanbul, with Larin offering Sergen Yalcin 19 goals and four assists – including a role in 19 Super Lig goals (15 scored) in 33 games to help the Vodafone Park side sit atop the table.

But Besiktas are vulnerable to losing Yalcin as the 26-year-old will enter the final 12-months of his contract in June, so intend to entertain approaches if reasonable offers are made.

That will come as a huge boost for Everton after FotoMac credited the Goodison Park outfit with an interest in Larin earlier this month, but claimed the Premier League’s side proposed player-plus-cash swap deal involving Cenk Tosun failed to appeal to the Black Eagles.

Tosun had re-joined the Istanbul powerhouse on loan in January, three years after being sold to the Toffees for £27m, but only featured four times before rupturing his patella tendon and requiring surgery.

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The more recent claims coming out of Turkey offer Brands an additional boost, as well, as it was thought Besiktas valued Larin at €15m (£13m) just a season after Zulte Waregem passed on a €2.5m (£2m) option to buy the forward.

Should Everton sign Besiktas’ Larin?

Given the contrasting valuations by the same publication, the precise fee Everton may have to pay Besiktas for Larin remains to be seen but that should not prevent their Director of Football Brands from launching a pursuit.

Everton are likely to be in the market for a new centre-forward this summer if Moise Kean is sold, and are also on the hunt for additional wide options with the Blues keen to acquire a player aged between 20-25/6.

Larin could solve both those problems in one, potentially £8m, swoop, by seeing Brands acquire Ancelotti a second Richarlison type capable of playing across the front line and provide a goal threat in each position.

Of Larin’s 19 goals across all competitions this term, eight have come from the left-wing, six on the right-flank and five through the centre while offering each of his four assists from wide positions.

Richarlison has similarly spread his goal contributions across left-wing and striker roles this season, with eight strikes and two assists from the side and four goals through the centre, along with one assist as an inside forward.

Larin has also been lauded by Canada head coach John Herdman as “an absolute predator,” after the Ontario-born forward added his 11th of 12 international goals with a hat-trick against Bermuda in a World Cup qualifier last month.

So, if Everton are to target a new centre-forward this summer, Larin should certainly be one on Brands’ radar to improve Ancelotti’s options.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti could have Everton’s next Idrissa Gueye on his hands in a “terrific” academy talent…

Former Scotland manager Alex McLeish claims he has heard rumours regarding Frank Lampard taking over at Celtic.

The 42-year-old has been out of work since his sacking at Chelsea back in January. He was immediately linked with becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor at Parkhead following the Northern Irishman’s resignation.

Lampard’s Celtic meeting?

Lampard was reportedly open to a move to Glasgow back in February, however, those rumours appeared to have died down in recent weeks.

That was until McLeish, talking to Football Insider, revealed he’s ‘heard whispers’ that Lampard has met with the Hoops hierarchy.

He also believes fans would be excited at the prospect of the former England international taking over at Celtic Park.

“I’m hearing whispers that Frank Lampard was seen with the Celtic directors. No matter what, the rumour mill will continue to thrive until an appointment is finally made.

“I think the fans would love a big name. There’s no doubt about it, they’ll be looking for that kind of personality.”

Transfer Tavern take

McLeish’s claim is certainly a bit of a bombshell – just imagine the balance of mutual respect and rivalry between Lampard and Steven Gerrard. However, as he mentioned, the rumour mill will more than likely remain in full flow until an appointment is made.

Bringing Lampard to Celtic, to us, would be an interesting move. He impressed with Derby in the Championship, taking them to the play-off final and led the Blues to a FA Cup Final in his only full season at Stamford Bridge.

A Parkhead rebuild is required this summer, so you could argue that a boss with more experience may be a better choice. However, should Lampard succeed Lennon, we would then see him face off against Gerrard in a different setting, a duel that would only serve to bring more eyes to Scottish football.

In other news: Broadcaster’s six-word admission on Jesse Marsch will come as a blow to some Celtic fans, find out more here. 

With reports linking Aston Villa with a summer move for a new centre-back, Dean Smith might be better off looking closer to home and unleashing one of the club’s brightest academy prospects: Mungo Bridge.

Reports in recent days have linked the Premier League side with a swoop for Rangers defender Filip Helander, but in the 20-year-old Bridge, they have someone who has shown in the brief glimpse of first-team football he has enjoyed this season, that he could well be a real answer for Smith.

Despite coming up against a star-stuffed Liverpool attack in the FA Cup third round – a line-up that included the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah – Bridge looked strong physically. He won four of his seven total duels, with only Dominic Revan and Kaine Kesler winning more with seven.

He also made a team-high three tackles and committed no fouls whatsoever, which just goes to show his impressive reading of the game. Even when playing at Premier League level, Bridge won’t be going up against the likes of Mane and Salah week-in and week-out, so for him to be that composed against Liverpool bodes well for how he might fare in the future.

Indeed, writing for The Birmingham Mail early last year, Ashley Preece said: “Mungo Bridge continues to make waves for the under-23s and oozes class. Bridge possesses a fierce left foot, good in the air and loves a stern tackle. Overall, Bridge is a top talent and one to watch. He’d be ideal in a back three, say, while he has played at left-back previously. His technical ability makes him an attractive proposition for Smith, who’ll no doubt see a mini Tyrone Mings in Bridge given their similar playing style.

“Bridge is an exciting proposition and one who always intrigues Smith every time the head coach – a former centre-half don’t forget – watches him.”

And, tweeting ahead of Villa’s U23s clash against West Brom last year, Preece added: “Mungo Bridge, 19, has attracted interest from AC Milan prev. He’s so highly thought-of at #AVFC. Left-footed, technically very assured but still only slight in size. Looks most-likely of U23 lads to break in given Villa’s somewhat CB shortage.”

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Given Helander is predominantly left-footed too, surely Villa would be better off promoting one of their own and watching him succeed rather than spending big-money on a player from elsewhere?

The club’s academy talents have already shown against Liverpool that they can step up when needed, and Smith would do well to unleash the 20-year-old Bridge.

Meanwhille, Villa are interested in this teenage sensation…