All posts by z3u9t.icu

This has been a disastrous season for Celtic and, when the Bhoys face their fiercest rivals this weekend, it will be a match with little riding on it.

It’s not often you can say that about an Old Firm derby but the Hoops have been so abject that the title never stood a chance of coming back to Parkhead

Celtic could finally put a stop to their competitors’ unbeaten campaign but that feels like an uphill task when you consider what happened in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

John Kennedy’s men were made to bemoan a set of catastrophic defensive mistakes as they lost 2-0 to Rangers and were knocked out.

However, the Green Brigade will surely have a better chance of celebrating a win this team after they were handed a positive injury boost on Friday afternoon.

James Forrest has been missing for a few weeks now with an injury and failed a late fitness test to face Rangers last time out.

However, he is completely fit this time, with the winger now back in training. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, interim boss Kennedy said: “James has trained all week. He’s been good. Mikey’s trained this week so we’ve got a better squad in terms of options going into the game.”

This will represent a massive boost to Celtic’s chances and, despite Rangers’ dominance in 2020/21, it should leave Steven Gerrard a tad wary.

That’s because Forrest is a player who can make magic happen. The Scotland international scored 16 times last season and racked up 22 assists, proving to be a constant thorn in opposition defences.

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Forrest has been described as a “big game player” by Frank McAvennie and it’s easy to see why. He has two goals and six assists against the Gers in his career. For context, he has only registered more assists against Motherwell, Aberdeen, Inverness and St Mirren in Scottish football.

He has been a menace against Rangers down the years, and to welcome him back on Sunday will be welcome news for Celtic.

They have lacked a threat like Forrest’s for a considerable period of time. Ryan Christie has only scored one goal in his last 19 league games, for instance, so that would be the most obvious change for Kennedy to make this weekend.

It feels like the long-serving attacker holds the keys to preventing an unbeaten league season for the Gers.

AND in other news, Celtic move closer to landmark appointment after big twist, Desmond will be elated…

Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t officially start his new role as the manager of Rangers at Ibrox until Monday but the Gers have already filled the Dutchman with pure rage.

The former Rangers man watched on from the stands and was left with his head in his hands on plenty of occasions as a number of gasps came from his mouth too.

You can hardly blame him either as the club’s post-Steven Gerrard era began in the worst possible way.

Armed with the likes of Jermain Defoe, David McCallum, Brian Gilmour, and goalkeeping coach Colin Stewart in the dug-out, they watched on as the Glaswegian side were tormented by Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.

This was the perfect opportunity for the Gers to make a huge statement to their new manager but they were carved open at will as they lost 3-1.

Rather than being handed some healthy selection dilemmas, van Bronckhorst will now be reeling with who to axe from the side.

There were plenty of culprits in the defeat on Sunday as Ryan Kent looked a shadow of his former self and Alfredo Morelos put in an anonymous showing.

However, unsurprisingly, it was the defence who deserved the most grief from supporters at full-time. Connor Goldson missed an absolute sitter late on in the clash, firing over the bar from just a matter of yards out.

Yet, it was his colleague at centre-half, Leon Balogun who was arguably even worse. His passing was rash and he looked wildly uncomfortable in being asked to play out from the back.

BBC Scotland’s chief writer, Tom English, said during the game: “Martin Boyle and Kevin Nisbet have just been toying with Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun. Balogun is having a shocker. On that form he would struggle to get a game for the local pub team. He has been absolutely ripped apart and Goldson is not much better. He’s gone from this incredible leader they had last season to looking very vulnerable.”

Those sentiments were summed up by plenty at full-time, with Glasgow Times writer James Cairney writing the following about Balogun: “Often panicked in the face of pressure, hoofing the ball into the stands or aimlessly up the park.”

Meanwhile, the Daily Record’s Gordon Parks noted this about the £14k-per-week defender’s display: “Turned far too easily by Nisbet at Hibs second goal. Headed an effort just wide of target before the interval. Ropey and indecisive, vulnerable to anything played in behind him.”

On that evidence, it would be surprising if the 33-year-old was in van Bronckhorst’s first official line-up in Europe in midweek.

His first performance for the new head coach won’t have gone well with him at all. It was an incredibly shoddy showing, one that leaves him as the first villain from Rangers’ new era.

AND in other news, Gio handed first big Rangers boost as news emerges that’ll surely leave fans delighted…

Crystal Palace view Will Hughes as a long-term successor to James McArthur, The Athletic’s Matt Woosnam writes. 

Palace paid £6.3million to sign Hughes from Watford in the final days of the summer transfer window.

He penned a three-year, £36,000-per-week contract on his arrival at Selhurst Park.

But the 26-year-old is yet to play a single minute for his new club, in any competition.

Perhaps most frustratingly, he’s featured in the matchday squad for seven Premier League games, but Patrick Vieira hasn’t given him a run-out.

McArthur ever-present… until now

By contrast, 34-year-old McArthur had started every PL match prior to the weekend’s draw with Burnley.

Scans have revealed that he tore his hamstring in the victory over Wolves prior to the international break, and he now faces a spell on the sidelines that could last until January.

This might present Hughes with an opportunity to impress in the short-term.

Fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed Woosnam’s report, and here’s what supporters had to say in response.

These Crystal Palace fans want Hughes to be given a chance

“I think most people agree. But when even Jaïro has gotten minutes, the question is why hasn’t will?”

Credit: @JA9Baller

“Then put him on for the next game, not really overwhelmed by Lukas’ performance against Burnley.”

Credit: @VestinJesper

“Not played a single minute yet has he? Annoying”

Credit: @sxp55555

“About time, would be good to see him get some game time”

Credit: @cpfc_joe

“Nice to hear at least”

Credit: @amancpfc

“Yes please”

Credit: @cpfc_sean

In other news, fans react to this blow revealed on Monday.

According to a report by Football Insider, it is looking increasingly likely that Tottenham Hotspur will be forced into a ‘crazy’ schedule in the New Year.

The Lowdown: Tottenham fixtures piling up

Tottenham have been heavily affected by the increased spread of the global pandemic. After Spurs stated that eight players had tested positive for the virus, the club’s Europa Conference League match against Rennes was called off. This was followed by the postponement of the Lilywhites’ away fixture to Brighton on Sunday.

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This has meant that Spurs’ fixtures are starting to pile up, and fans will surely wonder when they’re going to be played. This was exacerbated by the postponement of Spurs’ match against Burnley, which was set to take place at Turf Moor towards the end of November, which was called off due to heavy snowfall.

The Latest: Spurs could play heavy fixture list in 2022

As the outbreak at Hotspur Way led to the Premier League calling off Spurs’ fixture against Brighton, Antonio Conte’s men now have two games in hand on the majority of the league.

Speaking to Football Insider, Spurs insider John Wenham has claimed that playing out the heavy fixture list out in 2022 is the only way forward.

He said: “It’s a really difficult one, all of this is such a blow. I think we will end up playing three games in a week on a few occasions.

“You are looking at a Tuesday, Thursday then Sunday game all in the same week. That’s just to get rid of the backlog we already have before you think about other games that might be called off.

“Other clubs are having… issues so it’s not out of the question other teams might have games called off that will affect us.

“We are so busy already but I don’t see another way around it. It will be a crazy schedule.

“It will be a challenge but hopefully it will be after January so we may have a stronger squad to deal with that congestion.”

The Verdict: Conte needs additions in January

With the current schedule already looking hectic, it does not seem possible that Spurs will be able to fit in these fixtures anywhere else, besides in the New Year. This means that it will be crucial for Conte and Paratici to bring in a few signings in the January transfer window in order to bolster the playing squad.

Spurs have been linked with a plethora of players this season, with much of the attention centered around Fiorentina striker Dušan Vlahović. However, fans may want to see a greater number of fresh faces in January, especially if the squad continues to decimated with injuries, illness or a fixture backlog.

In other news: “Top, top player” – Paul Robinson delighted as Spurs eye ‘underrated’ beast; Conte is a big fan too

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes Celtic will need to sack the Head of Football Operations Nick Hammond to recruit a Director of Football.

Hammond out?

Reports back in January suggested that the transfer chief’s position is on the line as huge changes are due to take place next summer.

Neil Lennon resigned as manager after the Hoops fell further behind arch-rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premiership table, with any hopes of winning 10-in-a-row almost certainly gone.

Hammond brought in Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and Shane Duffy on loan last summer – all of which have been heavily criticised during their stay in Glasgow after a series of abject performances.

Speaking with Football Insider, Maguire insists that Hammond needs to step aside to implement the changes that the Hoops want.

“I think there would be issues because you’d end up with duplication of responsibilities,”

“That doesn’t necessarily sound good because you’ve got two people thinking they should each be making a decision.

“Equally, there will be some areas that they want the other person to take care of.

“So you either expand his role so he becomes director of football or I’m not quite sure what the alternative would be.

“Too many chefs spoil the broth and you can have too many people at one level in an organisation.”

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Hammond’s exit is something that large segments of the Parkhead faithful will welcome, especially if it results in the implementation of a Director of Football at the club.

There is no getting away from the fact the recruitment during the 2020/21 campaign has been nowhere near good enough – and has played a huge part in the Bhoys’ failures domestically.

Time will tell whether Hammond will be released by the club or be merged into the new role to take Celtic forward.

In other news, More upheaval at Celtic as fresh sacking claim emerges behind-the-scenes.

Carlo Ancelotti can still urge Everton to launch a summer swoop for Tariq Lamptey as the Brighton and Hove Albion defender’s season-ending injury should not stop a move.

That’s the view of former England international Kevin Phillips, who has told Football Insider that the right-back may still be on the move at the end of the current campaign.

The Seagulls have confirmed that Lamptey’s campaign is done and dusted, as club staff feel the 20-year-old’s hamstring has not responded to treatment as well as they would have liked and will now need an operation.

Lamptey had visited a specialist at the start of the month after suffering a setback in his recovery, having been expected to be in contention for his first Premier League minutes since December when Brighton hosted Leicester City.

Being ruled out for the remainder of the season could have thrown a spanner into the works for any side wishing to sign Lamptey after The Athletic claimed in January that Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City were not discouraged by the right-back’s new contract.

Phillips does not believe those clubs will see the right-back’s hamstring problems as reason to walk away, as his performances on the south coast rightly attracted their interest.

“He’s a fantastic young player, it’s no surprise that he’s being linked with some big clubs,” the 47-year-old said. “At the end of the day, it’s not dead. Years and years ago it probably would’ve been but nowadays with the medical side of it, you wouldn’t say so.

“The way they bring these players back so quick and the professionalism of those players who want to get back and do things right. I don’t see it as a major issue, if a club wants him now, I don’t think being injured for the rest of the season will damage it at all.

“Not just Everton, he’s been linked with other clubs. I still think he could move on in the summer, injured or not, because he’s a quality player.”

Brighton had been expected to listen to offers for Lamptey at the end of the season despite his new £40,000-per-week contract, providing Albion receive a suitable offer having not upped their asking price from before he penned the deal.

The Liverpool Echo claimed that the fee is in the region of £30m and that Everton staff consider the electric wing-back to be a ‘great talent’, having established himself as one of the Premier League’s in-form right-backs before his crushing injury problems.

Lamptey’s issues not being expected to block a move away from the Amex Stadium should now be seen as a positive for the Toffees, as Ancelotti can persist with bringing the defender to Goodison Park as his Seamus Coleman successor.

Some clubs may baulk at a deal with Lamptey not featuring since mid-December, but that may just free the path for Ancelotti and Marcel Brands to sign a target who had taken the top flight by storm.

In his 11 outings this term, Lamptey provided three assists and scored once – only Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Fulham’s Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Tottenham’s Serge Aurier and Leeds’ Stuart Dallas (two each) have scored more from right-back.

Lamptey also ranks sixth in his position, among those who have played five or more times, for accurate crosses per game (0.9), while Coleman and Mason Holgate both offer just 0.3, per WhoScored. The Brighton youngster has also recorded some of the fastest sprints in the top flight this season, clocking 22.8mph at one stage against Newcastle earlier in the campaign.

Accurate crosses from the right-hand side is considered to be a growing concern for Ancelotti as Everton have become heavily lopsided with their efforts, making a swoop for Lamptey evidently worthwhile despite his injury setback.

AND in other news, Carlo Ancelotti is eager for Everton to sign a £32.5m-rated titan who top clubs would sign “without thinking twice”…

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing Bodo/Glimt winger and Norway international Ola Solbakken, according to the Scottish Daily Mail [Print edition, 27/04] (via the Daily Record). 

The lowdown: A familiar foe

The 23-year-old played a major hand in eliminating the Hoops from the UEFA Conference League earlier this season, scoring and assisting across the two legs as the Norwegian side got past Ange Postecoglou’s charges 5-1 on aggregate.

Since then, Celtic have been tentatively linked with the ace whose contract is set to expire at the end of 2022 (Transfermarkt).

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Now it appears that the interest from Celtic Park could be about to ramp up a notch as we approach the winger’s free agency…

The latest: Mail provides an update

As per the Scottish Daily Mail (via the Daily Record), Celtic officials have identified the Norway international as a possible alternative to loan star Jota.

Whilst the club hold an option to make Jota a Bhoy on a permanent basis in the summer, the deal is yet to be finalised and the hierarchy may already be considering other avenues.

One possibility would reportedly be to ‘rekindle’ their interest in the two-cap Norwegian star, who has also been linked with a move to join Jose Mourinho at AS Roma.

The verdict: Smart planning

Most connected with Celtic would want to see Jota arrive on a permanent basis having already proved to be a hit in Scotland with 11 goals and 12 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.

However, should that transfer not be forthcoming, never one to take a backwards step, Postecoglou would no doubt welcome Solbakken into the Lennoxtown ranks with open arms.

Already a fully-fledged senior international and with a stunning seven-goal European campaign under his belt, the talented wide-man would be a superb addition to the Celtic squad.

Predominantly operating as a right-winger, Solbakken has shone in the early season in Norway, averaging a 7.07/10 average match rating (Sofascore) – we feel he would make for a shrewd signing at the right price even regardless of Jota’s situation.

In other news, an ex-Celtic hero has taken a dig at Rangers ahead of Sunday’s game. Read more here.

Southampton face a tough away trip in the Premier League on Saturday evening as they face high-flying Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes currently sit fourth in the t0p-flight, with the Saints in seventh, but three points against Brendan Rodgers’s side could see the South Coast club move above them in the Premier League table.

Whilst Jamie Vardy will be an obvious threat for the Foxes, Hasenhuttl must ensure that his side are wary of Leicester midfielder James Maddison, whose excellent form so far this season marks him out as a danger man in Rodgers’ side.

In 15 top-flight appearances, the former Norwich City man has contributed four goals and two assists, which has seen him average a strong 7.02 rating.

This puts him well on track to surpass his tally from last season when he managed just six goals and three assists in the Premier League across 31 appearances.

Maddison averages 1.9 shots per game in the top-flight this season, which is only slightly less than the 2.4 averaged by Vardy.

The attacking-midfielder has also averaged 1.9 key passes per game so far this campaign, which is more than any Southampton player, with James Ward-Prowse leading the way in Hasenhuttl’s side with 1.6 key passes per game.

A prime example of the threat that Maddison can pose was in Leicester’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United earlier in the season when in added time at the end of the match, the England international robbed John Fleck of possession and played an inch-perfect through ball to Vardy, who scored the winner.

If the Saints are missing Oriol Romeu again on Saturday, then the job of marking Maddison will surely fall on the shoulders of Ibrahima Diallo. Whilst he impressed against Fulham and Liverpool, he will have to be at his best to keep the 24-year-old, who earns £110k per week, quiet at the King Power.

Whereas Southampton’s defence could keep Vardy quiet by sitting deep to prevent counter-attacks and balls over the top, this could leave them vulnerable to Maddison’s long-range shooting, with the midfielder having scored eight goals from outside of the box between the beginning of 2018/19 and January 2020, which was more than any other player.

He also earned the praise of manager Brendan Rodgers last season, with the former Liverpool boss saying:

“If you look at his numbers this season, in terms of the goals he has scored and created, he has shown he is a big-game player.”

He has certainly continued that theme this season, with a superb strike against Manchester City earlier in the season perhaps the pick of the bunch, so Southampton must be wary of the threat he poses on Saturday.

And, in other news, Southampton handed huge blow with “outstanding” gem ruled out of Leicester clash…

Liverpool are reportedly set to offer Virgil van Dijk a stunning £50million contract, in order to keep him at Anfield for the rest of his career.

The Lowdown: Unrivalled influence at Liverpool

Van Dijk joined the Reds back in January 2018 and he made a huge impact immediately, outlining his status as the world’s best centre-back.

The Dutchman has arguably been the most important signing of the Jurgen Klopp era, with his vast influence making those around him better, helping Liverpool win both the Champions League and Premier League.

Van Dijk’s absence with a cruciate ligament injury this season has played a huge part in his team’s struggles, but he is hopefully nearing a return ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

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The Latest: Van Dijk to be offered huge deal, claims FI source

According to Football Insider, Liverpool sources expect the club will open talks with the 29-year-old over a mammoth deal worth £50million over a long period, earning him more than £200,000 per week.

Check out the latest transfer news on the GMS Live football Transfer hub

The centre-back, who Jordan Henderson has described as ‘unbelievable’ in the past, will sit down and enter discussions at the end of the season, hopefully committing his long-term future to the Reds.

A Liverpool source told FI that the Reds want to keep the Netherlands captain at Anfield ‘for the rest of his career’.

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The Verdict: Sign him up!

Retaining Van Dijk’s services is the definition of a no-brainer for Liverpool, with the 6 foot 4 colossus already one of the best defenders in the club’s history, making 130 appearances and winning UEFA’s Best Player in Europe award in 2019.

Granted, there is a risk that he isn’t quite the same player after such a serious injury, especially given his age, but it’s fair to say he will still be top class even if he is half as good.

This season has shown that Van Dijk is the first name on Klopp’s team-sheet and his return will help the Reds forget all about their current woes, ensuring they are battling towards the top of the Premier League again next year.

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted with an update regarding a Reds summer transfer target. Read more here.

If you thought Celtic were close to the appointment of Eddie Howe then think again.

This has been a tired old saga but the Hoops still aren’t in a place where they can announce his arrival at Parkhead.

That’s despite now being in talks with the 43-year-old for six weeks.

What’s the word?

Howe is still very much at the centre of Celtic’s thoughts with talkSPORT revealing last week that a deal had been agreed.

However, according to the Daily Record, any sign of an announcement in the early stages of this week won’t be forthcoming.

They report there won’t be any news to the London Stock Exchange on Monday with their sources seemingly adamant that he won’t become the new Hoops manager in the first few days of the week.

The newspaper pinpointed Monday 17th May as a landmark day in their chase for Howe with the Premiership season concluding a day before.

Though, for the time being, John Kennedy remains in interim charge.

More setbacks for McKay

The incoming CEO has only been at the club for a matter of weeks but he’s already tasted the rather hopeless atmosphere that’s surrounded Paradise all season.

Howe has kept Celtic waiting now for well over a month, issuing a number of demands to the club’s hierarchy.

First, he didn’t want to return to football until the summer before it was suggested he wasn’t keen on Fergal Harkin becoming their new director of football.

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It’s thought Howe has now loosened his stance on the matter but problems surrounding his backroom staff still lingers.

McKay will be eager to get this move through the door as quick as possible. With Celtic’s season finishing, it means the focus needs to switch from on-field matters to off-field recruitment.

The top brass in Glasgow cannot achieve that without a first-team manager in place, however.

When a deal actually occurs is anyone’s guess but it could be that Howe is waiting on the result of Bournemouth’s play-off charge.

The Cherries are competing for a spot in the Premier League and will face Brentford in the semi-final first leg this on Monday. The second leg takes place on Saturday 22nd before a potential final awaits them on Saturday 29th May.

Howe is keen to bring Simon Weatherstone and Stephen Purches with him from Bournemouth but they need to wait until their season has finished for talks to conclude.

As a result, we are unlikely to receive any formal announcement this week.

The soul-destroying aspect is that Purches and Weatherstone are not guaranteed to come to Glasgow. After all, if the south coast side are promoted, picking up jobs in the top-flight of English football could be more appealing to them,

The frustrating and tiresome wait goes on for McKay and the club’s supporters.

AND in other news, Celtic can axe Griffiths by landing “terrific” 18-goal gem, he once embarrassed Bitton…