All posts by n8rngtd.top

There is plenty to criticise about Celtic’s wretched season.

Whether it’s the Bhoys’ woeful defensive record or a disrupted boardroom, those at Parkhead have witnessed a troublesome year.

On the chalkboard

Another area to criticise is Celtic’s production line. They have plenty of promising players coming through the reserves but unfortunately, they haven’t been getting first-team opportunities.

Cameron Harper has left as a result, heading to the New York Red Bulls, while Armstrong Oko Flex nearly joined Huddersfield in January.

A number of players have had to go on loan. Midfielder Luca Connell is a Queen’s Park while talented defender Leo Hjelde is seeing out the term at Ross County.

Though, rather worryingly, their crown jewel and most precious gem could follow Harper and leave. That happens to be Karamoko Dembele.

So often the darling of Celtic’s academy, he’s still only played five times for the Hoops and is now in danger of leaving.

It’s unlikely the 18-year-old sees a pathway to the first team and who could blame him? His contract expires at the end of the season and there doesn’t appear to be a resolution in place.

Who is his replacement?

Celtic have made an effort to bring in a plethora of young talents this summer. They’ve acquired the signature of Liam Shaw while they’re also in the hunt for Wigan forward Kyle Joseph and Rochdale’s Kwadwo Baah.

They are also hoping to dip their toes into the Scottish market to sign Thomas Robert.

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The Frenchman is currently an Airdrie player but spent a few weeks on trial with Celtic earlier in the year. He was unable to train with the senior side due to the pandemic but he clearly relished his time at Lennoxtown.

Teammate Leon McCann said: “Thomas is quite a quiet boy but he said it was a fantastic experience and that Celtic looked after him very well.

“He got kitted out in all the Celtic gear and they let him keep it.”

Robert embodied a child at Christmas when he donned their training jerseys and after catching the eye, a permanent switch could be on the cards.

With Dembele leaving, he’d be the perfect replacement. The Hoops teenager is known for creating havoc down the flanks, beating opponents with sublime trickery and pace. Those are qualities that caught the eye of Ruud Gullit a few years ago.

“I saw Dembele on YouTube. What a player,” he exclaimed. “He is exceptionally good and left-footed as well,” Gullit continued.

What sets Robert apart from others are similar qualities. The 20-year-old winger dazzles down the flanks and looks set for a bright future.

Airdrie full-back, McCann added: “Thomas is technically brilliant. He’s just so comfortable on the ball, he has amazing feet and it’s so easy for him to just glide past players which is why he gets fouled a lot.”

With that in mind, he’d be an ideal signing for Celtic, a player who could have the Green Brigade forgetting Dembele even existed.

AND in other news, £42k-p/w Celtic flop has been through hell since leaving, he’s not played for 608 days…

Matt Ritchie stole the show for Newcastle United with a standout box-to-box performance to help Steve Bruce’s men defeat West Ham 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers’ visit to St James’ Park offered the Magpies a great chance to cement their survival hopes after beating Burnley last week and relegation rivals Fulham not returning to action until a trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

An own goal from Issa Diop and a tap-in from Joelinton seemed set to give Newcastle three valuable points until a second half comeback saw 10-man West Ham draw level, only for Joe Willock to come off the bench and head a late winner for the home side.

Willock’s third goal since a deadline day move to St James’ Park on loan from Arsenal in February sealed the rewards of an impressive team performance from Newcastle, who reaped the rewards of a lively display from Allan Saint-Maximin throughout the first half.

The Frenchman, making his first start in six games after returning from a groin injury at Burnley, created chances galore with every venture forward into Irons territory, dancing his way between opposing defenders and testing Lukasz Fabianski.

No player was able to turn home one of the 24-year-old’s game-high five key passes before being replaced by Callum Wilson early in the second period, but Saint-Maximin made his presence count by creating the opener.

Saint-Maximin latched onto possession near the halfway line as referee Kevin Friend played advantage after Craig Dawson fouled Joelinton for his second yellow card, accelerating into the box before drilling a low effort goal bound.

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Fabianski made the initial save but a lack of communication from Diop saw the French centre-half ricochet the ball in-off his Polish teammate.

Joelinton would soon tap in his second goal in three games before West Ham mounted a second half comeback, only to be denied a point when Willock met Ritchie’s sublime cross to send his header into the back of the net.

Ritchie’s delivery capped off a super Saturday for the £3.5m-rated dynamo, who offered Newcastle plenty of width and support at both ends of the field to move up to 15th and open a nine-point lead over the Premier League’s bottom three.

Only Saint-Maximin (five) – who Bruce has previously lauded for being the Toon’s “most creative player” – and Miguel Almiron (three) created more goalscoring chances for Newcastle than Ritchie (two key passes), who additionally delivered a team-high four crosses, per SofaScore.

His willingness to push forward failed to prevent Ritchie from helping to thwart the Champions League-chasing West Ham, with the 31-year-old additionally offering three clearances – only Ciaran Clark (10) and Federico Fernandez (seven) made more for the Magpies.

Bruce’s decision to recall Ritchie to the starting line-up for the first time since January when United hosted Tottenham earlier this month now appears a stroke of genius, with the St James’ Park natives claiming seven of a possible nine points since.

The Toon boss will hope to see that run of form continue after claiming Newcastle’s first back-to-back Premier League wins since December and for only the second time this season, with much of the credit going to Ritchie after his hard-working, steely determination stole the show against West Ham.

AND in other news, Newcastle undecided on St. James’ future of £25,000-per-week star Steve Bruce wants to keep…

Former Hull City striker Dean Windass has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ryan Mason has got a difficult job on his hands dealing with some “big egos” in the Tottenham dressing room.

The former Spurs midfielder, who was forced to retire after fracturing his skull against Chelsea in 2017, has been placed in interim charge following the sacking of Jose Mourinho on Monday.

Tottenham confirmed 24 hours later than the 29-year-old will be in the dugout for their remaining six Premier League games and Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

Mason has no managerial experience, but has been part of Spurs’ coaching staff for three years as an academy coach and head of player development.

But Mason played together at Tottenham with no less than 10 of the current first-team squad, including Gareth Bale, Heung Min Son, Dele Alli and Harry Kane.

And Windass, who knows Mason personally through his time with Hull City, believes that he faces some tough challenges in the weeks ahead.

He told Football FanCast:

“I know Ryan, an ex-Hull City player. It’s a tough one for Ryan, he’s a quiet lad, and Ledley King is there as an ambassador.

“But there’s some big egos, big earners, but Ryan Mason will be pals with all of them because he’s been at the club.

“But it’s going to be a tough job for them, but they will be looking forward to it, but it will be interesting to see what team he plays on Wednesday.”

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has told Football FanCast Liverpool only need three additions to challenge at the top end of the Premier League next season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled immensely at times this season.

The Reds drew 1-1 with Newcastle United at the weekend, as Joe Willock scored a last-gasp equaliser to snatch a point for Steve Bruce’s side.

The result has left the club sixth in the Premier League table, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who beat top-four rivals West Ham United on Saturday.

They are 23 points behind leaders Manchester City, a staggering climbdown from last season, when the Reds dropped points in just six games.

The result versus Newcastle means Liverpool have dropped points in 18 games, drawing nine and losing nine.

But Fry believes that the club only have to be active in the transfer window to climb back to where they were last term.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think all Liverpool players have played below the standards they’ve set themselves over the last two years but they’ve had two unbelievable, outstanding years, so they’ve all fallen short of that but I still feel with three or four additions they’ll be challenging for all the things next season.”

Liverpool will not be winning a trophy this season, having been eliminated from the Champions League and the FA Cup, while City won the League Cup over the weekend.

Speaking to Juventus News 24, via Sport Witness, Italian journalist and commentator Francesco Repice has hinted that Tottenham Hotspur could swoop for Massimiliano Allegri and pleaded for supporters to ‘watch out’.

Allegri, who is currently out of work, has won 13 major honours in Italy and guided AC Milan to their last Serie A title in 2011, with reports recently linking the 53-year-old to Tottenham.

Spurs claim emerges on Allegri

Indeed, reliable outlets like the Evening Standard have said that he would even consider an approach from Tottenham, while Alasdair Gold believes that he is an attractive proposition for Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

Famous Italian reporter Repice has now dropped his own claim on the possibility of Allegri going to Spurs and says to ‘watch out for Tottenham’ when speaking of the manager’s future.

“Any sensible club would bet on him,” he told Juventus News 24 (via Sport Witness).

“Watch out for Tottenham, both for him and for Sarri, but a big club that wants to revive the team has only one name that can be used: Massimiliano Allegri.”

Transfer Tavern take

While Allegri’s CV is an impressive one, the Italian may not fit into the mould of an exciting, attack-minded manager, with the 53-year-old instead being known for his pragmatism and favouring a counter-attack style (90min).

Of all the coaches linked with Spurs, it’s clear that Allegri is one of the more star-studded names and has even drawn huge praise from legendary Premier League manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the past.

Indeed, the Scotsman heralded Allegri as an ‘extraordinary technician’ (La Gazzetta via Daily Mail), but Tottenham are said to be on the lookout for a coach more in the Mauricio Pochettino mould (Evening Standard).

For this reason, we believe the former Juventus coach is an unlikely fit for the north Londoners.

In other news: Report makes big new contract claim at Spurs, find out more here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Sheffield United striker Brian Deane has expressed his doubts over Paul Heckingbottom’s suitability for the Bramall Lane dugout.

This comes after the Yorkshire club revealed that they have narrowed down their shortlist of managers to replace Chris Wilder down to five.

That shortlist includes Heckingbottom, who has been captaining the sinking ship in a caretaker role following Wilder’s departure back in March.

It is the 43-year-old’s first managerial role in England since his short spell with Leeds United in 2018.

Ultimately, Heckingbottom is not the most experienced of managers, which is a concern for Deane.

On the Sheffield United caretaker boss potentially getting the job full-time, Deane told FFC:

“I think that they need to get somebody in who has a track record. I think they need somebody with some presence. You know, if they don’t go down that route, then it will say a lot about their aspirations.

“If you consider the fact that if they put him in charge, they might look at it as a safe pair of hands. But you’d have to question what they want to achieve.”

Sheffield United have seen little improvement under Heckingbottom, so it may come as a surprise to some that the former Leeds boss is a strong contender for the position permanently.

Having managed both the Whites and Barnsley in the Championship, though, he is not a complete novice when it comes to English football’s second division.

A number of Liverpool fans have been left unhappy at the refereeing appointments for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton, after the officials were announced on the top flight’s website.

It feels like a lifetime since the Reds were last in action, following the postponement of last Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

It has been almost two weeks since Jurgen Klopp’s side played, on what was a woeful afternoon at home to Newcastle United, ending in a dramatic 1-1 draw.

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Liverpool are back in action on Saturday night, however, with Southampton making the trip to Anfield, looking to dent the Reds’ top-four hopes even more.

It is a must-win game for Klopp’s men, whose chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are hanging by a thread.

It has been confirmed that Kevin Friend will take charge of Saturday’s match, with Andre Marriner on VAR duty at Anfield.

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Liverpool fans bemoan officials for Saints clash

Some Liverpool fans have been venting their anger at the appointments on Twitter, as they hope to avoid another disappointing outing from the Reds.

“May as well forfeit the game and let the team have the weekend off”

Credit: @URBANCHIMPY1969

“Well that absolutely stinks of underdog syndrome and a horrible 0-0 draw”

Credit: @DeanCoombes

“Kevin Friend, the man with a total number of 0 friends”

Credit: @toni_minguez

“Hahahahahhahahahhahahahahahhahahahahaahahhahahaha”

Credit: @andcouldheplay7

“Another chance to ambush us lol”

Credit: @Thebuzzman76

“Kevin Enemy”

Credit: @up_the_reds_

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been in positive spirits after an update on two key players. Read more here.

Celtic are thought to be monitoring MK Dons youngster Matthew Sorinola ahead of a possible cut-price move.

The Lowdown: Sorinola’s breakthrough season

Sorinola, 20, has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under Russell Martin this season.

Predominantly a left-back, capable of playing centre-back, Sorinola has made 43 senior appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, scoring twice and registering six assists in all competitions.

Plenty of his outings have actually come as a left midfielder, too, with manager Martin describing the versatile youngster as ‘brilliant’ back in January.

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The Latest: Hoops not the only side interested

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Sorinola has rejected the chance to extend his stay with The Dons, and Celtic are one of a number of sides name-checked with an interest.

Rangers are also thought to be keen, whereas sides from Belgium, France and Spain have made approaches for the youngster.

Should the Hoops seal a deal, they would only have to pay a minimal compensation fee.

The Verdict: A possible long-term Laxalt replacement?

Sorinola could be brought in to provide competition for Greg Taylor, with Diego Laxalt set to return to AC Milan over the coming weeks.

The Uruguayan hasn’t exactly made the starting left-back spot his own over Taylor this season, so it may make sense to stay clear of a permanent deal for the pricey £57,000-a-week international.

Sorinola would also give the new Celtic manager an option further forward, as he has showcased this season.

He appears to fit one of two Celtic transfer policies of being a UK-based prospect with high potential available for a nominal fee – now all the Hoops have to do is pip clubs from all over Europe to his services.

In other news: ‘Told from very reliable sources’ – Bournemouth reporter drops huge Eddie Howe to Celtic claim, find out more here. 

Dean Windass has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he thinks Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United future is hanging in the balance.

Bielsa’s Elland Road contract expires at the end of the season, and whilst reports believe the popular Argentine will extend his stay in Yorkshire, he hasn’t yet signed fresh terms.

Leeds’ 2-0 victory at Southampton on Tuesday evening, their third Premier League win on the bounce, guaranteed a top-half finish on an impressive return to the top-flight.

In fact, beating West Brom on the final-day could see Bielsa guide the club to an eighth-place finish, which would mark their best at this level since 2001-2002, although they’d need both Everton and Arsenal drop points.

Regardless of where they end up, Bielsa has certainly left his mark on the Premier League, with his energetic Leeds outfit quickly becoming one of the most watchable teams at this level.

But whilst there are still fears the 65-year-old could quit Leeds this summer, he only put pen to paper on a new deal on the eve of the Premier League season back in September.

But how does Yorkshireman Windass assess the situation? He told The Transfer Tavern:

“He obviously wants to get to the end of the season. I’m sure the club will know what the situation is because if he’s said behind closed doors ‘I’m leaving’ then they’ll need to get a replacement as quickly as possible.

“It’s 50/50 for me, I’m not sure if he’ll stay or go. That’s only because he’s not said ‘yes, I want to stay, I enjoy living in Yorkshire’.

“He’s a manager that can pick and choose what he wants to do, and I hope he stays for Leeds United fans.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have been bemoaning the Reds’ new kit, with resounding negativity the order of the day on social media.

Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up a huge win on Wednesday night, making the awkward trip to Burnley and coming away with a 3-0 victory.

Roberto Firmino opened the scoring, burying a finish after numerous other chances had come and gone, before the excellent Nathaniel Phillips made it 2-0 in the second half.

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the win late in the day, as Liverpool jumped to fourth in the Premier League table with one game to play.

Away from on-pitch matters, the Reds have unveiled their official home kit for the 2021/22 season, with fans no doubt initially excited to see what their heroes will be wearing next year.

It’s fair to say that the new strip hasn’t been received well on the whole, however, with many admitting they are not admirers of it after the club released images on their official Twitter account.

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Liverpool fans loathe new Reds kit

These Liverpool supporters took to Twitter to provide their thoughts on the kit, which has an orange lining around the neck and sleeves.

“That’s probably our worst home kit ever. Maybe just about being saved by the Warrior ones”

Credit: @BackseatsmanLFC

“Genuinely shocking. Yeah I’m an adult I’m not meant to like football kits or something but Holy god it’s so so bad”

Credit: @KevDublin

“The orange sleeves are a disgrace”

Credit: @_Tom_Cross

“When did we turn into Roma?”

Credit: @Divinalves

“This thing reeks”

Credit: @the_goat12

“Let down by this kit, that orange doesn’t belong there and the lines on the kit look ugly. 5/10”

Credit: @noplasticinsea

In other news, some Liverpool fans love a gesture that one legendary figure made to a current Reds hero. Read more here.