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Despite starting every single game for Celtic this season, it’s been a rather disappointing campaign for Callum McGregor.The Scotland international has played 29 times in all competitions, and scored just four goals and provided three assists, and whilst he helped set one up against Dundee United on Wednesday afternoon, Neil Lennon has got a major call to make.With a potentially title-defining clash against Rangers coming up at the weekend, the Celtic boss has got to get his team selection absolutely spot-on.And one man whose performances are putting him in danger of getting dropped for that titanic game, is McGregor.Despite a rather routine 3-0 victory over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership, McGregor was one of the more disappointing performers on the day.As per Sofascore, he had the most touches and passes of any Celtic player on the pitch, with 116 and 94 respectively. But whilst he saw a lot of the ball, a lot of the time, he just didn’t do or create anything with it.He also lost possession 15 times, with only two Hoops players conceding the ball more times, whilst both of his shots on goal failed to find the target.One Celtic fan even suggested that he “could probably do with a rest”, and perhaps a game on the side-lines might just do the trick to light a fire under the midfielder.

It would definitely be a bold call from Lennon to drop a player who has been a consistent figure in his side for a long time now. But it could be the kind of change that sparks a little bit extra energy and freshness as they look to close the gap to Rangers at the weekend.

Marcel Brands can right his summer wrongs by targeting LOSC Lille full-back and rumoured Everton target Zeki Celik in the January transfer window.

What’s the word?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Toffees have been in contact with Celik’s representatives in recent weeks to discuss a potential move to Goodison Park.

AS Roma are currently negotiating a deal for the 23-year-old after a potential move to sign FC Dallas’ teen talent Bryan Reynolds stalled, and could face further competition from Serie A rivals Juventus and Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge.

No side is believed to have yet lodged a formal bid for Celik, who has started 12 of his 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season after an ankle injury forced the 18-cap Turkey defender to sit out three fixtures following the November international break.

Celik returned to action last month and recorded his second assist of the campaign in a 2-0 win over Dijon FCO, while scoring once in the French top-flight and once in the Europa League during a 2-2 draw at home to Celtic earlier in the season.

Everton had contested for Celik’s signature in the summer amid rival intrigue from Tottenham Hotspur, but refused to match Lille’s €20m (£18m) valuation for their specialist full-back who has proven to be powerful in defensive duels and a solid provider of crosses.

January U-turn

Brands must U-turn on his mistake in refusing to meet Lille’s asking price for Celik and strive to strike a deal with a revived raid this winter, with Carlo Ancelotti now said to be on the lookout for his long-term option to succeed Seamus Coleman at Goodison Park.

Celik could be Ancelotti’s perfect option to fill the void Coleman is currently due to leave when his contract expires in 2022, as the Turkey international has continued to shine in France as Lille contend for top-honours with goal difference all that separates Christophe Galtier’s side from table-toppers Olympique Lyonnais.

Both Lyon and Lille have won 10 and lost only one of their opening 17 fixtures but are separated by a single goal, with Galtier’s men proving themselves to be one of Ligue 1’s best defensive unit with a division-low 9.1 shots allowed per game.

Celik has contributed heavily to their efforts with a mammoth 3.2 successful tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.5 clearances a game while winning 5.0 duels (4.4 ground, 0.6 aerial), and hits on the break with the relentless gem offering 0.8 key passes, 0.5 shots and 0.2 accurate crosses, per SofaScore.

Lille may demand more for Celik in January than they requested last summer, but Brands can right his £18m mistake by securing a deal in the mid-season market and solving Ancelotti’s full-back concerns.

AND in other news, Everton are showing a determination to sign a £13.5m titan for free…

Both Celtic and their Old Firm rivals have been linked with a move for Airdrieonians forward Thomas Robert in recent weeks but the Bhoys will have to act fast if they want to sign him, with Dundee United reportedly having already made a bid for him.

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Tangerines have submitted a bid for the 20-year-old as they attempt to steal the march on Celtic, following the opening of the winter transfer window earlier this week.

It is suggested that Robert’s performances are attracting the interest of sides across Scotland and England, after a superb start to the campaign with the Scottish League One side.

Would he be a good signing for Celtic?

The young right-winger has had no problem adapting to life in Scotland since he joined Airdrieonians from French side Montpellier during the summer, having contributed four goals and two assists in 13 appearances for his new side.

The Hoops are arguably lacking in terms of quality wingers at the club, with just James Forrest available as a natural right-winger, whilst Mohamed Elyounoussi could depart at the end of the season when his loan from Southampton expires.

Therefore, whilst Robert may well prove to be a signing for the future, it would be a mistake by Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell to miss out on him.

Back in December, Airdrie boss Ian Murray admitted that he was anticipating a bid from Celtic for Robert and was full of praise for the Frenchman, saying:

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we have a fight to keep him. Thomas has done really, really well.

“He showed his class again against Clyde with the corner kick, but it wasn’t just that, in the first half he was excellent, his touches on the ball, his movement, his timing in the releasing of the ball, the way he picked up space, was excellent.

“We’ve had loads of clubs looking at him, a few of them were pretty impressed.”

Therefore, it seems clear that Robert won’t be with the League One side for much longer based on his performances this season and the interest being shown in him, so Celtic should flex their financial muscles and ensure that they are the ones to sign the winger this month, as it looks as if he could be a great player in the future for the Bhoys.

And, in other news… Lawwell disaster: Celtic will surely rue not signing gem with 43 goal contributions in 2020

After arriving on a free transfer from Juventus back in August 2017, it’s incredible to think that Ouasim Bouy has still yet to make a competitive appearance for Leeds United.

The 27-year-old Dutchman, described as having a “golden left foot”, has spent a couple of seasons out on loan, and some time side-lined with the Whites’ U23s.

Bouy’s signing has been a perplexing one for the Premier League giants, and that has seen desperately try to get rid of him on numerous occasions – in fact, reports as recently as October suggested that Leeds were planning talks with the midfielder about offering him a pay-off to leave.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay revealed that after Bielsa took over from Paul Heckingbottom in the summer of 2018, the Leeds boss “wrote off” Bouy and left him without a squad number.

And writing back in February of last year, Hay said: “Profit and sustainability (PnS) limits have made it difficult for the club to sever his deal. They are understood to have discussed potential settlements without reaching an agreement.

“Bouy is likely to remain on the books until at least the end of this season and possibly longer if he holds out for all the money he is owed. In terms of PnS, it is easier for Leeds to keep him on the wage bill at present than it is to pay him off with a lump sum.”

With his contract now finally set to come to an end in the summer, it’s time for Leeds to make one last attempt to try and get at least something in terms of a transfer fee before he leaves as a free agent.

It would allow the Whites to salvage something from what has undeniably been an unmitigated transfer disaster.

Meanwhile, Leeds boss Bielsa must give this Klich successor an opportunity…

Leeds United may be risking Marcelo Bielsa’s wrath amid a major transfer update on Gjanni Alioski’s future at Elland Road.

What’s the story?

The 28-year-old’s long-term future at the Premier League side is uncertain, given that his contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

Now, Fotospor claim that Alioski could in fact be on his way to Super Lig side Galatasaray. The Macedonian press (Ekipa) have further backed up those claims by suggesting that Leeds are still deliberating over whether to offer the versatile left-back a new contract, and that if they don’t, the Turkish giants could step in.

Despite The Athletic’s Phil Hay claiming that Leeds are still speaking to the full-back over a new deal, the fact it hasn’t gone through and that he is already available to talk to foreign clubs to join on a pre-contract deal has put the Whites in a precarious position.

Bielsa’s lynch-pin

At just 28, Alioski is by no means a player who is over the hill or heading on a downward slope in his career, and he seems to have the kind of personality and character that is crucial for any dressing room.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Phillips said earlier this season: “From what I gather, his attitude is good and every club needs a player like that. He is a player who can unlock the door and he has a brilliant work rate.

“When he comes off the bench he can change the game and if you start with him he might be able to produce a bit of magic. Either way he does not moan and every squad needs a player like that. He is a player that they would like to keep. Leeds will want to get him on a new contract.”

Writing in The Athletic, Hay said: “Opinion about him can be divided between those who see merit in Alioski’s engine and flashes of class and those who question his ability to consistently impact on games. Bielsa’s own assessment of him is clear enough. Only the disciplined survive under Bielsa. When the Argentinian took over at Leeds, Alioski was one of those who comfortably made the cut.”

The £3.6m-rated man has been a Bielsa lynch-pin since the Argentine’s arrival as Leeds boss, with only Mateusz Klich playing more than him in the 2018/2019 campaign, whilst only six players featured more last season.

Whilst there’s no stopping the Whites from going out and potentially getting better, he remains a valuable part of the squad at Elland Road.

Letting him go on a free transfer would surely get Bielsa worked up, especially given the kind of service Alioski has provided him over the past couple of seasons.

Meanwhile, this pundit has delivered his exclusive verdict on this Leeds United transfer target…

Just when you think the hourglass is about to reach its end, Neil Lennon plucks something from the abyss.

When supporters first gathered outside Parkhead to protest in November, the manager eventually engineered a seven-game unbeaten run.

Of course, the Hoops are still a long way behind Rangers in their quest to win the title but after tasting defeat against St Mirren, bounced back in perfect fashion. A 4-0 win over Kilmarnock was a timely reminder of their qualities – particularly in the final third.

Though, this cannot paper over the cracks. The fact of the matter is that Lennon is doing a terrible job. They are 20 points behind the Gers and have shipped 13 more goals than their fierce rivals.

If Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell do decide to pull the plug on Lennon’s time at Parkhead then they’d do far worse than appointing Frank Lampard as his successor. The 42-year-old was sacked by Chelsea a few weeks ago and has been touted as the next Hoops boss.

Speaking about Lampard potentially coming to Glasgow, Pat Nevin said last week: “One thing I would say that Frank would bring to wherever he goes to: his connections are amazing.”

Nevin added: “The way he’s liked in the game is amazing. The players he could get, particularly at a Scottish club… I’ve ran a Scottish club myself before. One of the biggest things you can get is to tap into other markets, and get players you otherwise wouldn’t get. Frank’s pretty special on that level.”

Not only would his appointment at Celtic be game-changing for the entire club, but it has the potential to be terrific for midfielder David Turnbull.

The £3m summer signing has been a breath of fresh air for the Bhoys and has been particularly good in the last few weeks. He registered two assists against Killie on Tuesday evening, taking his tally to the campaign for 11 goal involvements.

Though, why would Lampard be good for Turnbull? Well, you only need to look at his influence on Mason Mount at Chelsea.

The Celtic dynamo is just one year Mount’s junior but critically, they’re very similar players. Both of them can play through the middle or out on the flanks, and both possess enormous levels of creativity.

Lampard first took Mount under his wing at Derby County where the England international scored 11 times and registered six assists. After that, the 22-year-old netted on 11 occasions and claimed 12 assists under the same manager at Chelsea.

Mount became an England regular courtesy of his work for Lampard and if we assess the statistics, we can see he’s very similar to Turnbull. The former has performed two shots per game this season and made 2.6 key passes per match in the Premier League. The latter, meanwhile, has managed a tally of 1.9 shots and 2.6 key passes. With that in mind, they are near identical.

Lampard clearly likes a player of Turnbull’s skill set and given his age, he still has plenty of room to grow. By arriving in Scotland, the ex-Chelsea midfielder could take the former Motherwell gem to a new level.

He is already showcasing tremendous abilities under Lennon but there is more to be extracted.

AND in other news, Never mind Kenny: Celtic could have found dream Frimpong heir in 62-cap speed demon…

David Sullivan may have just pulled off a masterstroke at West Ham by demanding more than £100m to sell rumoured Manchester United target Declan Rice this summer.

What’s the word?

According to talkSPORT host Jim White, the Irons co-owner and Chairman will demand nine-figure offers to sell Rice at the end of the season or will refuse to entertain any negotiations.

The claims followed former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan questioning how long West Ham can retain their England international, given his performances under David Moyes.

Rice has started and played the full 90 minutes in all 25 of the Hammers’ Premier League fixtures thus far this term, while often captaining his side in the absence of Mark Noble.

Rice’s efforts dictate the flow of proceedings at the London Stadium with the 22-year-old a metronomic presence in the engine room beside top-scorer Tomas Soucek, and is thought to be a target for both Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Premier League big-hitters are claimed to have contacted Rice’s agent to request that they are kept informed of any updates regarding his future, after Chelsea’s interest was halted by the sacking of Frank Lampard.

Jordan is adamant that suitors will be assessing the potential of a move for Rice in the off-season, a year after the Stamford Bridge natives refused to pay £80m for the 13-cap Three Lions star.

“It would be interesting to see what happens with Declan Rice at the end of the season,” Jordan said. “His performances have been so good that there will be suitors.

“There will be suitors with money. Then you’ll see how much David Gold and David Sullivan come under pressure if someone is prepared to write a cheque out for £80m, £90m for this player.”

A masterstroke by Sullivan?

Sullivan allegedly demanding offers in excess of £100m for Rice may prove to be a masterstroke by the West Ham chief, as it remains to be seen if any side is willing to pay what could be a British transfer record for the 22-year-old.

Liverpool hold the current record with Philippe Coutinho’s £142m move to FC Barcelona that featured an upfront £105m, while Manchester United lay claim to the most expensive signing in Paul Pogba’s return to Old Trafford when they paid Juventus a then world-record £89m for the Frenchman.

Whether either side is willing to place Rice in that category is up for debate, as is the potential for Liverpool or Manchester United to spend so highly on the £60,000-per-week West Ham star who Jamie Redknapp lauds highly.

“The defending by Declan Rice is unbelievable, putting his body on the line,” the former Anfield resident told Sky Sports (21/2, 13:56) while breaking down the Hammers’ 2-1 win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with Jurgen Klopp forced to shop in the discount aisle during the January window and strike buy-now, pay-later deals last summer when Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara arrived for minimal initial fees.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are expected to prioritise the signing of a new centre-half and forward in the summer, with those deals likely to all but take up the Red Devils’ war chest.

So, the money may not be there for Liverpool or Manchester United to sign Rice if Sullivan sticks to his guns, while Chelsea are no longer thought to be keen since Lampard departed the helm. All in, then, a masterstroke in the making from the West Ham chief.

AND in other news, West Ham express interest in £40m star ‘frustrated’ at his current club…

Nuno Santo finally appears to have cracked the code. After a minor thought of relegation, Wolves have now tasted defeat just once in their last six Premier League outings.With this season being somewhat of a write-off, though, they can already start preparing for next term.

What’s the word?

Part of the preparation for next season will be considering who they should and shouldn’t sign in the transfer market during the summer.

One name that’s been linked in the last few days is young defender Odilon Kossounou. The Club Brugge centre-back has been attracting the eyes of Wolves but it’s thought that Inter and AC Milan are also chasing his signature.

The youngster is supposedly rated at around £20m so would be fairly costly for a player of his stature in the game. That being said, Jeff Shi isn’t afraid to spend money on potential. After all, Wolves shelled out £35.6m on teenager Fabio Silva last summer.

Upgrade for Wolves

One of the Old Gold’s biggest problems this season has been in defence. As of the beginning of February, they had kept just a solitary clean sheet in the league since October.

However, they have finally begun to find some sort of remedy, keeping three shut outs in their last four outings. That being said, with Nuno tinkering with a three-man and four-man defensive shape, there is still work to be done in improving what has been a shaky backline.

Perhaps the addition of Kossounou in the summer window would help. Standing at 6 foot 2, he’s a sizeable object to get past and consequently, is a defensive brute. For instance, he is one of the best tacklers of the ball in the Jupiler Pro League.

In Belgium’s top tier this season, the 20-year-old has a tackle success rate of 87%. For context, that betters Romain Saiss, who has managed to succeed with only 55% of his tackles in comparison.

Kossounou is also better in the air than Wolves’ Moroccan centre-half, winning 57% of his aerial battles compared to Saiss’ 46%.

Although the Brugge defender is impressive on the ground, he’s also technically adept – just look at the assist he claimed last month against Cercle Brugge.

Clearly, he’s got excellent vision and for a Premier League defender, Kossounou’s link-up passing would rank at an impressive 81 out of 99 according to Smarterscout’s ratings. They have a video-game-like ratings system where they accumulate a host of stats to work out player abilities.

Possessing a success rate of 85% in terms of his passing, he’s adept at bringing the ball out from the back and with that in mind, he’d certainly suit the style of play Nuno likes to operate with.

With problems at the back one of the brunt of Wolves’ problems this term, signing someone as stern in the challenge as Kossounou would undoubtedly help their cause.

AND in other news, Forget Jose: Wolves should have signed 18-goal Mendes client instead, he’s an “entertainer”…

According to Eurosport, Manchester United could use attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard in a swap-deal to sign Declan Rice from West Ham United.

What’s the word?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have long been linked with a move for the Englishman but a move has not yet materialised while he last signed a long-term contract extending his stay until 2024 with West Ham having the option to extend his deal by a further year. He is currently valued at £49m via Transfermarkt.

Lingard, meanwhile, left Old Trafford for the London Stadium on an initial loan deal until the end of the season in search of more regular game time and has been one of the star performers for the Hammers this season so far.

The Red Devils are still adamant that the 28-year-old is not for sale and will not leave the club during the summer transfer window.

However, according to Eurosport, after Lingard cast a flirtatious glance in the direction of the London Stadium, the club’s hierarchy have set their sights on Rice in case a swap deal becomes an option.

Ed Woodward masterclass?

If Ed Woodward and co. can somehow pull this off, it could go down as one of the greatest transfer coups in the club’s history.

United are in the market for a defensive-minded midfielder with Nemanja Matic’s long-term future at Old Trafford more uncertain than ever due to his advancing years.

Unfortunately for Lingard, who reportedly earns around £75,000-a-week, Solskjaer has no great need to add another attacking midfielder to his ranks, hence why they sanctioned such a move in the first place.

Bruno Fernandes, the Portugal international, has starred for Solskjaer’s side since his move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020 and under the Norwegian this term he has already scored 15 goals and added a further 15 assists in 25 Premier League appearances.

Signing Rice, however, would be an upgrade on the ageing Matic, who has been at fault for some sub-par performances this season – against Aston Villa, he was rated as one of United’s worst players on the pitch by SofaScore during the Red Devils’ 2-1 victory over the Villans.

By the numbers, the English midfield dynamo’s defensive stats are far greater than the Serbian’s in almost every area this season.

Rice currently averages more clearances (0.8 pg), interceptions (2 pg) and tackles (1.6 pg) per match than the 32-year-old. Although they both commit the same number of fouls, as per WhoScored, United need their players to win the midfield battle.

They have shipped 32 league goals so far this season, which is more than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham just over the halfway point of the campaign.

Solskjaer needs to prioritise signing a new central midfielder, that much is clear, and it’s fair to say that Rice could be the perfect fit for the Red Devils.

AND in other news, Max Aarons would be a major upgrade on Man Utd outcast Diogo Dalot…

Dean Henderson was afforded a rare opportunity in the Premier League on Wednesday evening as Manchester United drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old was selected between the sticks for the Red Devils, with regular stopper David de Gea dropping out due to “personal reasons”, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

With Henderson’s stock still high from his performances on-loan with Sheffield United throughout the past two seasons, he sent a message to manager Solskjaer that he should remain in goal for United for the foreseeable future.

Whilst it is true that he wasn’t called upon too often at Selhurst Park, making just two saves and claiming one high ball throughout the 90 minutes according to WhoScored, it is another clean sheet to add to his impressive tally and he did make a game-saving save late on to deny Patrick van Aanholt.

In his 14 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions, the £18m-rated stopper has managed to accumulate nine shutouts. This means that a huge proportion of 64% of Henderson’s end without him having conceded a goal – an impressive record.

Meanwhile, de Gea only has 10 clean sheets in 29 matches in all competitions – giving him a clean sheet rate of 34%.

It could be implied that Henderson has been coming up against lower quality opposition in cup competitions, but he has still secured clean sheets against fellow Premier League sides in the form of West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton.

Following the match against Crystal Palace, United boss Solskjaer praised Henderson for his performance, saying that he is “growing” into his position at Old Trafford. This was exemplified by the key save late on to deny Van Aanholt, despite it being a relatively quiet night.

As it stands, Henderson deserves a run in the side to prove that he’s the man to count on as he’s not let United down at all.

And in more news, take a look at how Manchester United could potentially offload Phil Jones in the summer…