All posts by z3u9t.icu

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left erupting as some comments emerged from Steven Gerrard.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match at home to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon, the English manager has now claimed that the club need to ‘spend big money’ in transfer windows in order to be able to compete, citing that in the last two windows they ‘haven’t spent a penny’.

This comes after the Light Blues lost 1-0 away at Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, after losing their opening game 2-0 at home to Lyon in the competition (BBC Sport).

They have also drawn and lost a match in the SPFL already as well, and so question marks have been raised over their performances this season compared to last.

Nonetheless, several Light Blues seemed to be taken back by his subtle dig at the board.

Rangers fans on Gerrard comments

These Gers supporters erupted as the comments were shared on Twitter:

“That’s a statement and a half”

Credit: @TobyJamieson4

“First time we’ve heard him express his disappointment at the transfer business we have done. Sounded like a wee dig at the board.”

Credit: @FacelessRanger

“Is that a dig at the board for us not spending any money?”

Credit: @CarrieCummings4

“The board won’t be too happy with that last comment, but he’s correct.”

Credit: @Motor_Ted

“Steven Gerrard making it clear to EVERYONE you need to spend money to improve and challenge in European competitions. Money he hasn’t been given in the last 2 transfer windows so why should we expect this team to keep doing it, year after year?”

Credit: @CF3Loyal

“2 poor transfer windows. Not spent a penny. Manager having a dig at the board here?”

Credit: @TheFamousRFC

In other news, find out whose display against Prague left RFC fans fuming here!

From a defensive point of view, Celtic haven’t had much luck with injuries throughout 2021.

He who must not be named – Shane Duffy – was sent away from his loan spell with the Hoops early due to fitness-related issues while Christopher Jullien won’t return until the final few months of the year.

Greg Taylor has had several problems, particularly over the last few weeks but Anthony Ralston is the latest to hit the treatment table.

Josip Juranovic started Celtic’s game with Ross County at right-back over the Scot who was left out of the entire squad due to injury last Saturday.

It was a huge game for the new signing to stake his claim, something he did efficiently over the international break with three clean sheets in as many games for Croatia.

You sense that Juranovic will become the number one choice in that third of the pitch as the season goes on but a huge statement could be made on Thursday.

That’s because in a huge boost to Celtic, he is set to return from injury.

According to the Scottish Sun, Ralston should be available when the Bhoys begin their Europa League group stage campaign with Real Betis.

Although Juranovic is the most experienced option in a game of this magnitude, particularly with international know-how in his locker, Ralston has shown he’s more than capable already in Europe this term.

He has been ever-present throughout their qualification phase and has become a sudden fan favourite during what’s been a breakthrough season.

Consequently, they will be delighted to see him back in action.

The 22-year-old has been incredibly consistent, rampaging forward and scoring two goals from full-back. His defensive work has also been reliable; the complete opposite of how Jonjoe Kenny performed last term.

Ralston has made more tackles per game (3.5) than any other Celtic player this season while his two dribbles a match are also a team-high. As for chance creation, only Liel Abada in the current squad has achieved more key passes an outing.

Based on that, it will be a welcome sight for fans to see him return. That being said, Ange Postecoglou does now have a selection dilemma between him and Juranovic.

AND in other news, Ange could discover Celtic’s new Christie by signing £6.3m-rated “top player” in Jan…

Following their disappointing Champions League exit earlier this week, it seems as if Rangers will have to sell some key players this summer, and Borna Barisic could be one of the first to leave Ibrox, with Roma being tipped to sign the Croatian.

What’s the word?

After missing out on the reported £40m bonus of reaching the Champions League group stages, Rangers no longer look to be in the best financial position, especially when you consider Steven Gerrard’s net spend during his time at the club.

Therefore, it was always likely that some of the top performers in his squad would be linked with moves away, and it seems as if Roma could test Rangers’ resolve with a bid for starting left-back Barisic before the transfer window shuts.

According to Italian journalist Gabriel Antoniazzi on PLZ Soccer, Roma have been keen on the 28-year-old in the past 12 months, and Rangers could sell him this summer as they look to make a profit on the £2.2m they paid to sign him from NK Osijek in 2018.

Could Barisic leave Rangers?

Considering that Barisic’s contract at Ibrox is set to run until 2024, and he is currently valued at £5.4m by Transfermarkt, Rangers are in a strong position when it comes to selling him and would almost certainly make a profit on the left-back should he join a club such as Roma this summer.

Gerrard also has two youngsters in Calvin Bassey and Nathan Patterson who could potentially fill in for the Croatian if he were to leave Ibrox, and that could go some way towards solving the problem of fitting Patterson and James Tavernier in the same starting side.

However, Barisic has proven himself to be a top-quality left-back during his time at Ibrox, with former Rangers ace Alex Rae labelling him “terrific” in 2020 amid links with Tottenham Hotspur.

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During his three years at Ibrox, the left-back has contributed an impressive seven goals and 32 assists in 115 appearances for the Teddy Bears, so it would undoubtedly be a blow to lose him. Rangers fans will no doubt be frustrated that their side blew such a good chance to reach the Champions League group stage, and that they may have to cash in on key players such as Barisic as a result, thus worsening the mood.

In other news… Wilson can sign Rangers’ next Ryan Kent with swoop for 24 y/o “top player”

Flocking to Twitter, many West Ham United fans have been left fuming over an official announcement regarding star striker Michail Antonio.

The 31-year-old, who has enjoyed a blistering start to the season already under manager David Moyes, will be a crucial talking point for West Ham over 2021/2022.

Antonio’s sensational four goals and three assists in just a trio of Premier League starts highlights just how crucial he will be for the Hammers as they aim to build upon their European qualification last campaign.

His attacking threat and overall importance to West Ham cannot be overstated, with the striker averaging a phenomenal 5.3 shots at goal per 90 so far – more than any other player in England’s top flight (WhoScored).

Now, as an announcement drops, Irons supporters have been left fuming over news that he has been called up by Jamaica for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Panama this Sunday (whufc.com).

Given his extensive injury record over the last few seasons (Transfermarkt), and the fact West Ham failed to sign a back up striker during the summer window, you can understand why there is a real degree of concern for his fitness.

One supporter also lamented the fact he is no longer an option for England.

Find all of their verdicts on Antonio’s call up for the Reggae Boyz, in response to West Ham’s official Twitter account, down below.

West Ham fans fume over Antonio news…

“Absolute joke. How we’ve not selected our man for England is a joke!!!!”

Credit: @RoyalDocks8

“cancel cancel cancel cancel cancel”

Credit: @aidxn_10

“Incoming hamstrings injury”

Credit: @billy_wesson

“Injury crisis this”

Credit: @JackRising3

“Bad news”

Credit: @irons80

“Disaster”

Credit: @DavidPlatt87

“There goes his hamstring”

Credit: @akelly1988

“Injury incoming!”

Credit: @vicsinghb

In other news: ‘Really stupid’, ‘Terrible from us’…Some West Ham fans rage at ‘ridiculous’ club decision, find out more here.

Speaking to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur ‘insider’ and club source John Wenham has made an exciting claim on young talent J’Neil Bennett.

The Lowdown: Barely seen at Spurs…

The 19-year-old, whilst currently shining out on loan at Crewe Alexandra, has only made one senior competitive appearance for Spurs.

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Indeed, Bennett even scored his first goal for The Railwaymen last weekend – marauding down their left hand-side and driving an arrowed shot into the far corner against Burton Albion.

Despite not amassing many chances at Tottenham, it appears the teenage talent is making plenty of impressions elsewhere on his temporary stint away, with Lilywhites insider Wenham now making an exciting claim.

The Latest: Spurs source makes Bennett claim…

Speaking to FI, the club source, who regularly breaks news on his Lilywhites Rose social media page, has been left blown away by Bennett and insists he is ‘very gifted’.

“J’Neil is a really interesting player,” he explained.

“He came onto my radar as a 15 or 16-year-old, he was playing up with the Under-18s. He is very, very gifted.

“I have been really impressed with him. He has a signature move where he runs down the left, cuts in and bends it into the far corner.

“He went on trial to Crewe earlier in the summer and clearly impressed them, which is why he joined. He has such an unpredictability about him.

“I’m really pleased for him, I hope next season he can come back and maybe get another loan into the Championship or maybe challenge in the squad.”

The Verdict: Exciting times for Spurs academy…

By the sounds of Wenham’s exciting claim, Bennett can be added to the long list of talents emerging from Spurs’ academy.

There have been no shortage of them, either, with Oliver Skipp, Dane Scarlett, Nile John, Joshua Oluwayemi all turning heads in recent times.

Given Tottenham’s struggles financially due to COVID, posting losses of around £63.9 million last year alone, they may be more reliant than ever when it comes to their starlets breaking through and saving millions in transfer fees.

In other news:  Spurs now want ‘outstanding’ 29 y/o who Pochettino wanted to make one of his highest earners, find out more here.

An update has emerged on reported Aston Villa transfer target Pape Sarr regarding the interest in his services so far this summer.

What’s the talk?

Metz president Bernard Serin has confirmed that there have been no offers for the 18-year-old so far in this window, stating that Sarr “hasn’t received any serious offer”.

Villa have been touted with an interest in the midfielder in the transfer window, but Serin has made it clear that no club has come in with a concrete move.

When asked about his future, Sarr remained committed to Metz by outlining his aims for the Ligue 1 side next season. He said: “At FC Metz, our first objective is to keep the team in Ligue 1. But winning trophies with them is also part of my ambitions for next season.

“I want to have a better season than in the 2020/21 [campaign] and if possible, score more goals.”

Get it done

Johan Lange must get a deal done for Sarr before the end of the window. Villa have just under a month left to complete their summer business and a swoop for the midfielder could be a shrewd addition in the short- and long-term, which is why they must react to this update from Serin by making their move.

With no other clubs acting on their potential interest in the teenager, Villa could snap him up with little to no competition if they move swiftly. However, if Lange dawdles and waits until the end of the window, that could allow time for other clubs to become desperate and then enter the race for Sarr if they do not get their other targets.

Metz head coach Frédéric Antonetti recently claimed that Sarr “will go far” in the game and praised his hardworking nature on and off the pitch. He stated: “Pape Matar Sarr is elegance in the midfield, it’s talent, it’s making others play.

The club’s general manger Olivier Perrin added: “He will be able to go as far as he wants to go. He must work, be as he is there, modest, regular, hardworking. He must continue to love football and he will do like the great players, he will go far. I think he will go very far.”

This shows that he is highly-rated by his club and has the attitude required to continually improve as he progresses in his career. Therefore, this could be an excellent investment opportunity for Villa if they are able to bring him in for a reasonable price, as they could sign him and develop the midfielder over the course of the next few years, leading to him either being sold on for a profit or becoming a key player for Villa.

The 18-year-old averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.82 in 22 Ligue 1 appearances for Metz last season, scoring three times. This shows that he is already able to consistently perform in the French top flight despite his young age, and he could arrive at Villa Park to provide competition in midfield whilst learning from the likes of John McGinn and Douglas Luiz to continue his development.

AND in other news, Lange must sanction dream Villa deal for £70k-p/w “machine”, he’s an upgrade on Luiz…

Brighton and Hove Albion correspondent Aden-Jay Wood reckons that Dan Ashworth is likely to join Newcastle United as their new Director of Football (DoF). 

The lowdown

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Monday that the Seagulls had given Newcastle permission to speak to Ashworth about fulfilling the position.

Initial contact has been made, and formal talks are ‘likely to happen in due course’. It apparently isn’t the ‘style’ of the south coast club to deprive their employees of appealing opportunities when they arise.

Newcastle have previously been linked with former Chelsea and AS Monaco technical director Michael Emenalo. The Telegraph reported (via Sky Sports) that he had turned down The Magpies, although co-owner Mehrdad Ghodoussi insisted this was not the case.

The latest

Wood took to Twitter to provide the latest on Ashworth being linked with the DoF role at St James’ Park and is resigned to the 50-year-old departing Brighton.

He tweeted: “If Dan Ashworth goes (which I think he will), it will be a huge shame. Ashworth has almost singlehandedly changed Brighton’s approach both on and off the field and would be very, very difficult to replace.”

The verdict

Perhaps in an ideal world, Newcastle would have got their new DoF installed in time for the start of the January transfer window, but that appears very unlikely now.

They have at least managed to appoint Nick Hammond, the former Celtic and Reading director of football, in a temporary consultancy role. He may oversee signings designed to try and keep the Magpies in the Premier League, with Ashworth then taking the reins to guide them forward from thereon.

Ashworth did tell The Athletic in February 2020 that he hoped to be at the Amex Stadium for ‘many years to come’, but perhaps the Newcastle project would simply be too good to turn down given the sheer extent of wealth at their disposal.

In other news, Newcastle have offered this Brazilian beast a contract

Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on the future of Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Harry Kane.

What’s the talk?

In a recent episode of the Here We Go podcast, the transfer insider stated his belief that, should Antonio Conte remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer, the centre-forward also looks likely to continue his career in north London beyond the summer transfer window.

Speaking about the future of the 28-year-old, Romano said: “I want to say again – if Conte will stay at Tottenham, as their manager next season, my feeling is Harry Kane will be there. Harry Kane will be a Tottenham player again.

“Antonio Conte wants this winning mentality, wants this ambition – and ambition means the top player, Harry Kane has to stay. So, if Conte will stay, I see also Harry Kane staying at Tottenham in the summer. And, at the moment, Tottenham are absolutely not planning to sell him.”

Spurs supporters will love Romano’s update

Despite having initially struggled to hit his usual levels of form towards the beginning of the current campaign – scoring just one goal and registering one assist over his first 13 Premier League outings this season – Kane has proven in the time since that he is still very much one of the best centre-forwards in world football.

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Indeed, over his subsequent 16 league fixtures, the £90m-rated striker has bagged a further 11 goals and provided five assists – form which saw the England captain named as the Premier League Player of the Month in March, the record-equalling seventh time the £200k-per-week hitman has picked up the award.

And, despite his early-season slump, Kane’s recent returns have seen him average a quite remarkable SofaScore match rating of 7.29 over his 26 Premier League appearances, not only ranking him Spurs’ second-best performer in the league but also as the 18th-best player in the division as a whole.

As such, it is clear for all to see that retaining the services of the 243-goal forward is an absolute must if Tottenham are to become a serious title contender under the management of Conte next season, leading us to believe that Romano’s latest update is sure to be news that Spurs supporters will love.

AND in other news: Conte must ruthlessly axe “pathetic” £25m-rated Spurs passenger, “he is the worst”

An update has emerged in Ibrox chief Ross Wilson’s efforts to bring a new manager to Rangers this week…

What’s the talk?

Go Radio journalist Jo Hendry has claimed that the club’s search for Steven Gerrard is not going to drag on much longer, although they are in no rush to make an immediate appointment.

She has also ruled out the possibility of Ronald Koeman taking over in Glasgow, stating that he has never been in the running.

The Daily Record quote her as saying:

“Talks ongoing today [Tuesday] as Rangers continue the search for a new manager. Former Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman never under consideration. I’m told despite being in no rush to appoint, the process isn’t going to drag on too long.”

Pleasing

Whilst Rangers fans may not be over the moon with Koeman being out of the race to land the hot seat, they will surely be buzzing by the rest of Hendry’s claims.

For starters, talks are evidently still ongoing over a deal for someone to replace Gerrard, which means that Wilson is actively working hard to get a move over the line in the coming days.

He is not twiddling his thumbs and waiting for responses from candidates or for other options to become available. Consequently, this should delight fans who want to see the club being proactive and on the front foot in their pursuit of a new head coach.

They will also be buzzing with the comment ‘the process isn’t going to drag on too long’ as it indicates that Rangers may well have a manager in place sooner rather than later. This is a particularly important point given the club face a semi-final clash with Hibernian in the League Cup on Sunday.

The Gers have an opportunity to reach the final of the competition and Rangers fans would love to see a new head coach achieve that in their first game.

Imagine, for example, Gio van Bronckhorst ending his first match in charge of the club by sending them through to the final with a chance of winning their first trophy of the season. This is why supporters will be ecstatic with the news that the appointment will not drag on in the coming days/weeks. It’s pleasing to see Rangers acting so swiftly with proceedings.

AND in other news, Major twist emerges in Rangers manager hunt that should leave fans elated…

Wolverhampton Wanderers were dealt another blow in their quest for European football as Bruno Lage’s side were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Friday night.

Chris Wood’s 72nd-minute penalty proved the difference between the two teams, with Wolves now three points off sixth with Manchester United playing this lunchtime.

The visitors were by far inferior to their hosts, with Lage’s men recording just five shots all night, two of which were on target, compared to Newcastle’s 12 (four on target). On a personal level, it was another uneventful outing for 19-year-old striker Fabio Silva.

The Portuguese youngster is yet to score this season despite making 23 appearances across all competitions so far. Despite Raul Jimenez’s status as Wolves’ first-choice striker, opportunities certainly haven’t been scarce for Silva.

With the Mexican serving a three-match suspension for a red card picked up against Leeds prior to the international break, another chance for the 19-year-old to start has arisen, but once again it hasn’t been taken.

According to SofaScore, two of Wolves’ five shots came from the Portuguese teenager, with one on target as Wolves’ club-record signing played 90 minutes. Moreover, the youngster had just 27 touches all night, eight fewer than goalkeeper José Sá’s 35, whilst losing possession seven times.

While a 78% passing success rate is satisfactory, the striker attempted just 18 passes in his time on the pitch, completing 14.

There was little defensive contribution either as Silva lost 79% of his duels whilst also failing to make a single clearance, block, interception or tackle and being dribbled past twice.

The Fabio Silva puzzle is certainly one that both Lage and former Old Gold manager Nuno Espirito Santo have struggled to solve since the 19-year-old’s move from Porto in 2020 for a club-record £35.6m, with journalist Liam Keen labelling the striker a “hindrance” earlier this season.

Last season was an adequate maiden campaign in the English top flight as the youngster scored four goals and set up three in 32 league appearances. However, there have been few signs of progress since then.

Jimenez’s return from a nasty skull fracture has reduced opportunities for the 19-year-old but, in what has been a quiet campaign by the Mexican’s standards, Silva has failed to outshine the 30-year-old.

There are no doubts regarding the youngster’s talent and potential, as otherwise Wolves wouldn’t have broken their record transfer fee to lure him to Molineux.

However, there is now a situation developing where the Portuguese marksman can’t be relied upon whenever Jimenez is unavailable. Given this predicament, Lage may well seek to bring in a new striker in the upcoming transfer window.

In other news: Fosun now set for Wolves disaster on “cheeky” £58k-p/w machine, he’d be a “big loss”