All posts by z3u9t.icu

Celtic’s hunt for a new manager at Parkhead has really gathered pace over the last week or so. After suffering setbacks in their quest to appoint Chris Wilder and Jesse Marsch, they have identified a new man to lead the Bhoys forward.

That happens to be one of their former employers; Roy Keane.

The Manchester United legend finished his playing career in Glasgow and is now being viewed by Dermot Desmond as the man to lead Celtic’s new era.

According to reports, discussions have taken place over the role with an interview even occurring.

If he does indeed come to Scotland, how could his starting XI look next season?

This could be a significant summer of change for Celtic, both among the football hierarchy and with the playing squad.

Part of that could see Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard leave. The former has been linked with a move to AC Milan while the latter continues to be touted with a switch to the English Premier League.

Liverpool have recently been linked with his services in a deal that could see Divock Origi go in the opposite direction. As a result, he is the first notable inclusion in Keane’s starting XI.

As many as seven new signings come into the team with another difference in the Celtic attack. Ryan Christie is axed from the starting XI after his disappointing campaign, scoring just five goals. Thus, Siriki Dembele starts on the wing. He has recently been touted with a move from Peterborough on a free transfer.

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Liam Shaw, who has agreed a pre-contract, replaces Scott Brown in the middle of the park alongside Callum McGregor.

The majority of changes come in defence, an area where Celtic have often been found wanting this term. They’ve shipped 14 more goals than Rangers in the league while there’s the threat Ajer could leave.

With that in mind, Declan Gallagher comes in at centre-back. He’s regularly been tipped to make a switch to Parkhead from Motherwell.

There is no permanent move for Jonjoe Kenny at right-back so Dutch target Milan van Ewijk starts at right-back. There is a further change on the opposite side too.

Diego Laxalt is due to head back to Milan following the conclusion of his loan spell, so Romain Perraud could be signed from Brest. He nearly joined Celtic in 2019 and is now being eyed up by the Hoops hierarchy once again.

The final change is in goal where David Marshall returns to Glasgow. He is another to be tipped with a move in recent weeks.

AND in other news, Celtic could finally axe Christie by signing “outstanding” beast with 28 assists…

Newcastle will likely have to shell out more than £20million to sign Joe Willock permanently this summer, according to a report from Chronicle Live, with the Magpies hoping for the cheaper option of another loan deal.

On-loan Arsenal midfielder Willock netted what could prove to be a vital late equaliser against Spurs on Sunday.

The Englishman had started the game on the bench, the first time he’s missed out on a start since making the temporary switch to the North East.

Willock is only 21 years old and has two years remaining on the long-term Arsenal deal he signed in 2019.

Even in a ‘depressed market’, the report says, he would command a very high fee.

The club’s technical director Edu said after the move was agreed in February that Willock remained an ‘important member’ of the Gunners’ squad.

Another option for Newcastle is to arrange another season-long loan. That’s understood to be the Magpies’ preference at this stage – that would, of course, be contingent upon them remaining in the Premier League.

Transfer Tavern verdict

This move made sense in January, and there’s no reason to believe the picture will be any different in the summer.

Willock is still going to be on the periphery if he stays at the Emirates, and he is certainly in with a shout of becoming the Magpies go-to man in the middle of the park.

From Arsenal’s point of view, there would be little sense in refusing to sanction another loan to Tyneside, or even a permanent move if Newcastle stump up the cash.

In other news, Lee Ryder slammed this player’s performance in the draw with Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt has told Football FanCast that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been one of the club’s best signings in recent memory, and thinks he is keeping Harry Winks out of the team.

The Denmark international arrived from Southampton in the summer and has gone on to become a key member of Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.

Hojbjerg has played in every minute of every Premier League game, and that has seen Winks drop out of the team.

That was underlined last week as Gareth Southgate named his England squad and left Winks out.

The 25-year-old has made just seven starts in the Premier League this season, playing in just one of Spurs’ last 11 games, and was not even included in the squad for the win over Aston Villa.

Mabbutt believes that Winks remains an accomplished option in central midfield, but he has hailed Hojbjerg, and thinks that the competition for places is the reason behind the Englishman’s exile.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think Harry’s an excellent player. I think he’s an excellent character as well. I think there’s a lot of competition. In that area, you’re talking about Pierre who’s done so well for Spurs this season.

“I think he has been one of our best signings for a long time. You can  see what he’s doing and what he’s bringing to the side, and he’s exactly what the side needed.”

There are numerous options for Mourinho and that will be bolstered this summer when Oliver Skipp returns from his impressive loan spell at Norwich City.

Mabbutt added: “But Pierre has got strong competition from the likes of Harry Winks. Oliver Skipp will return from Norwich, where he’s having an exceedingly good season.

“I’m sure he’s wanting to help them to get promotion back to the Premier League. Sissoko, so there’s a lot of competition.

“You’re talking about maybe one or two places and you’ve got three or four players who are top players fighting for that place. That’s what you want as a manager.”

Some Wolves fans have been left to bemoan an injury update on Raul Jimenez as the Daily Mail have reported that he may not play again this season.

As per the news outlet, the Midlands club remain determined to remain prudent over the Mexico international’s return to the team.

He returned to training with his teammates in March, although he is still not able to participate in contact sessions, and must have further assessments before being cleared to head the ball.

Jimenez has clearly been a big miss for the Molineux outfit, as his goal record speaks for itself, scoring no fewer than 47 times in 118 games in total over all competitions across three consecutive terms for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side (Transfermarkt).

Wolves fans on Jimenez injury update

These WWFC supporters bemoaned the injury update on Jimenez after it was shared on Twitter, with one fan going as far as to claim that they were ‘gutted’ while another branded it as ‘disappointing’:

“Disappointing but it’s better to be safe considering what happened with Jonny :(“

Credit: @sophiaeclayton

“Shame but better playing safe then sorry”Credit: @EdgeOwyn”For the best but I’m still gutted”Credit: @ZakHughes_WWFC”Pain.”Credit: @wwfcjoe_”Relegation battle incoming”Credit: @georgiaa_sophie”Obviously it’s good that we’re not taking any risks or else something could go horribly wrong, but I just miss Raul so much and this isn’t helping”Credit: @WWFC_Sam1877In other news, find out what Fosun update has been slammed by Wanderers here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Keith Gillespie believes that selling Adam Armstrong and Ivan Toney are part of the reason why Newcastle are struggling in the Premier League at present.

The pair, who both came through the ranks at St James’ Park, made just 25 appearances between them for the Magpies, and were eventually sold following a number of loan spells in the EFL.

Since their respective departures, Armstrong has become one of the most feared strikers in the Championship, and is approaching 60 goals in a Blackburn shirt following his move from Newcastle back in 2018.

Meanwhile, Toney has worked his way through the leagues, and after two outstanding seasons in League One with Peterborough is now the top scorer in the Championship with Brentford.

They both left St James’ Park in the same window, when Newcastle had the likes of Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez at their disposal.

But whilst summer signing Callum Wilson has impressed since his arrival from Bournemouth, the likes of Dwight Gayle, Joelinton and Andy Carroll have continued to struggle on Tyneside.

And Gillespie believes that perhaps the duo weren’t given a fair crack at Newcastle. He told Football FanCast:

“He [Adam Armstrong] has scored a lot of goals. I was reading about him being linked with Newcastle again, which is ironic when you’re a club that get rid of him and then want to bring him back.

“When a player scores a lot of goals in the Championship, Premier League clubs are going to take notice. You only have to see last season with Ollie Watkins, he’s gone into that Aston Villa team and has been a regular all season and been fantastic.

“I’m sure there’s probably people looking at Toney at Brentford, another ex-Newcastle player. The top-two goalscorers in the league, and Newcastle have got rid of both of them. That shows why Newcastle are in the position they are.

“Armstrong is one that when he did have a few chances at Newcastle you could see the potential there, but he never got that consistent run and was farmed out on loan.”

Whether Newcastle end up staying in the Premier League or not this season, either one of Armstrong or Toney would be solid additions for the St James’ Park outfit this summer.

And whilst hindsight is a wonderful thing in football, perhaps they should have given the two academy graduates more of a chance to prove themselves before cashing in.

Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has urged the Hoops to make contact with Rafael Benitez after taking a hit in their attempts to land Eddie Howe.

The Hoops are now doubting Howe’s interest in the vacant Parkhead role after initially verbally agreeing on a move with the former Bournemouth manager.

Howe has spoken to Crystal Palace ahead of potentially replacing Roy Hodgson, with the Englishman’s representatives convincing him he can still get a job in the Premier League this summer.

Talking to Football Insider, McAvennie urged his former club to go and get Benitez, describing a potential deal as ‘huge’, as he said:

“There was talk in the press about Rafa coming up here.

“He’s another man who wants to run things his own way, it’s why he was run out of Newcastle, [Mike] Ashley wanted to control everything.

“But he’s out of the job so why don’t Celtic just go and get him? He’d be a great manager at Parkhead and he could come now.

“I hope we’ve gone and asked him because if Newcastle can get him, then so can Celtic. It would be huge.”

Transfer Tavern take

McAvennie is correct when citing talk about Benitez moving to Glasgow in the press. Reports way back in January, when Neil Lennon was still in charge, suggested that the former Newcastle manager was set to be appointed.

Of course, a move never materialised, and we don’t think it would be possible this time around, either. Benitez confirmed that he would like to return to management in the Premier League, while was also on a whopping £12m salary at Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.

Lennon was on £2.4m per year, so financially you wouldn’t expect the Hoops to be able to compete for the Spaniard.

In other news: Premier League club having second thoughts on deal for Celtic star, find out more here. 

Leeds transfer target Nicolas Tagliafico could be a perfect for Bielsa-ball amid Paddy Kenny’s comments on the left-back.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have their eye on the Ajax star, and now Kenny has thrown his backing behind a potential move, saying he would be a seamless fit at Elland Road under his fellow Argentine.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: “He’d definitely fit right in with the way Leeds play. It’s an area they’re looking to strengthen in. He’s an Argentina and Ajax player which tells you all you need to know.

“He’s an absolutely unbelievable footballer. I’d like to think he’d fit right into the style that Bielsa plays. Any signing like that will be a huge boost to the fans and the whole club.”

Perfect for Bielsa-ball

With his experience of shining in the Champions League – he was a key part of the Ajax side that reached the semi-finals a couple of seasons ago – Tagliafico would arrive at Elland Road with arguably the most European top-level experience outside of Rodrigo perhaps.

And when you look at his style of play, it’s clear that he would really suit the kind of play Bielsa has built up over the years at Leeds. Dubbed as someone who’s “fierce” and “works hard”, the Argentine flier might be a left-back by trade, but has always been one of those modern full-backs who does most of his damage going forward.

As per Whoscored, his average of 1.5 shots per game in the Eredivisie this season would actually rank him fourth among all of Leeds’ squad, while his 0.9 key passes would leave him just outside of the top five, and comfortably above any of the Whites’ current full-backs.

Defensively, he’s someone who looks to play on the front foot and stop opposition wingers from having the time and space to run at him, with his 2.1 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per game this campaign ranking him in top five and top three respectively compared to everyone at Leeds.

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Tagliafico looks equally adept at offering a real attacking outlet going forward, as he is holding his own defensively and helping the Whites win the ball back as quickly as possible through their pressing.

If there is a player who looks like he fits the mould of Bielsa-ball to a tee, then the £20k-a-week earning Argentine looks to be exactly that.

Meanwhile, Leeds must make a ruthless call on this “massive flop”…

Ralph Hasenhuttl has recently delivered the devastating news that Southampton defender Sam McQueen might never play football again due to his injury concerns.

The 26-year-old left-back has been sidelined since before the Austrian even arrived at the club, as he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament whilst on loan at Middlesbrough back in 2018.

The initial injury was expected to keep him out for a year but the screws which were used in his knee reconstruction process became infected, which has led to him being on the treatment table for nearly three years now.

Hasenhuttl confirmed in a recent interview with Prost International: “Since I’m here I’ve never saw him on the pitch. But when you know the infection on his knee and how things are going on then it’s even now a wonder that he’s able to play football or maybe one time will be able to play football again.

“We don’t know if he will ever return back to the pitch but if (he does) then it is a miracle.”

It is terribly sad news for McQueen, who was once considered a bright academy prospect at Southampton, making 29 appearances for the senior side in total between 2013/14 and 2017/18.

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He was heavily praised by former Saints captain Jose Fonte after he made his Premier League debut against Manchester City, with the Portuguese centre-back saying: “He’s surprised me. He’s done really, really well and fully deserves to be in the team now. Well done to him, credit to him for the work he has done. I hope he can keep doing what he is doing. He needs to keep improving, because he’s been a very good surprise.”

Therefore, had he not suffered his injury problems, then you feel that McQueen could definitely have been a regular in Southampton’s first team by now, and it is a real shame that his footballing career looks to be over.

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Unfortunately for the Saints academy graduate, his contract with the club is set to expire at the end of the current season and it is very difficult to see him being offered a new deal in a playing capacity. It is a real shame for McQueen, who could have gone on to have a great footballing career but will now most likely need to look for alternative work.

In other news… Just 7 passes: £75k-p/w Saints disaster proved Hasenuhttl right with a woeful display

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell believes Marcelo Bielsa deserves all the praise he gets because of the job he has done at Leeds United.

Bielsa managed to bring Leeds into the Premier League for the first time in 16 years and he did it with a limited budget compared to a lot of other clubs who had been in that league, such as Aston Villa and Norwich City.

The Argentine has earned rave reviews from fellow managers this season for what he has done for the game and what he’s achieved during his career, especially from Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

Speaking on what Bielsa has managed to do at Leeds and how he deserves all the credit despite not winning anything, Jewell said exclusively to FFC:

“What I like about Bielsa is, and I think he can speak English but he’s pulling our legs, so fair play to him, but what I like about him is that he doesn’t make excuses.

“The difference he’s made to those Leeds players like Dallas, Cooper and Ayling, the list is endless. They were Championship players, and not great ones, but he’s turned them into Premier League players. 

“He deserves unbelievable credit and he won’t have a trophy at the end of the season, but what a manager he is.”

Some thought Leeds would struggle this season after not adding many players to their Championship winning squad, however, Bielsa has been able to squeeze every last drop of talent out of his players.

Bielsa has guided Leeds to what appears to be a top-half finish this season with Patrick Bamford upfront, who many people thought would not be able to cut it in the Premier League.

Some Rangers fans have been left to fume as Ryan Kent was the only Gers player to be named in the Scottish Premiership’s Team Of The Week (TOTW).

As per a tweet from the official page of the SPFL, the former Liverpool youngster was named as the Star Man after a great display in the Light Blues’ 4-1 home win over local rivals Celtic over the weekend, which saw him grab an assist as well as top the charts for duels won, successful dribbles and key passes made (Sofascore).

However, the update ultimately left several members of the Ibrox faithful fuming as Kent was the only RFC player in there, when others such as Kemar Roofe and Steven Davis missed out.

It should be noted that only one player per team is typically allowed in the TOTW, but nonetheless one can understand the supporters’ frustrations given just how well so many of their players performed in the biggest clash in Scottish football.

Rangers fans on SPFL update

These Rangers fans fumed as the update was shared on Twitter:

“Only 1 Rangers player, you’re having a laugh. Easy should be half a dozen Rangers players in this team, try again eh”

Credit: @derekbr99300047

“Roofe robbed”

Credit: @mbrfc72

“HOW IS THERE ONLY 1 RANGERS PLAYER?”

Credit: @BGC1872

“Roofe and Davis would walk on this team. Should’ve been there”

Credit: @roadlee03

“Davis and Roofe absolutely robbed here.”

Credit: @kid_duncan

“?? How does the MOM not even get into that team lol Davis has been robbed”

Credit: @gaz_rfc

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Gers buzzing here!