All posts by n8rngtd.top

One area stands out above any other in terms of defensive recruitment at Celtic this summer.

The Hoops shipped 16 more goals than the league winners last term so Ange Postecoglou desperately needs to add to his ranks.

What’s the word?

Celtic have already wrapped up a deal to sign the defensively versatile Osaze Urhoghide but they will need more bodies than that.

A bizarre situation is ongoing with Kristoffer Ajer and he could still yet stay at Parkhead next season if the Bhoys hold firm over their £20m asking price.

That, however, means that Carl Starfelt is unlikely to become a Celtic player.

One man who could become a Bhoy is Brandon Soppy. The Glaswegian side were interested in signing the teenager last March and have seemingly renewed their pursuit.

That’s according to Fabrizio Romano who said on Saturday: “Celtic are interested in signing Brandon Soppy from Rennes [19, huge talent] as new left back. Talks opened – but there are also French clubs in the race.”

The right-back is currently valued at £6.3m via Transfermarkt.

Postecoglou needs him

Heading into the new campaign Celtic are incredibly strapped for options on the right-hand side of defence.

Jeremie Frimpong left last January and Jonjoe Kenny has headed back to his parent club.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-news-doig-nketiah-mccann” title= “Read the latest Celtic transfer news!”]

Consequently, Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor are their sole representatives in that third of the pitch.

This is rather bad news as they move towards their opening Champions League qualifying match in just over a week’s time.

The addition of Soppy, therefore, cannot come quick enough.

Heading into the November international break last season, he was ranked as the third-highest 18-year-old in the entire of Europe’s top five leagues.

Now 19 years of age, the Frenchman only played ten times in Ligue 1 for Rennes last term but impressed despite being inexperienced.

He was measured with his passing, completing 81.5% and was incredibly assured in the tackle.

Soppy completed 2.1 successful challenges per game in the French top-flight which for context is a higher number than any player at Celtic. Their best tackler was Ismaila Soro on 1.9 per match.

Crucially for the new manager, the defender also offers plenty in the final third. Described as “extremely dangerous” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the youngster recorded 0.9 dribbles per outing in 2020/21.

The only defenders who managed more at Parkhead were the aforementioned Frimpong and Diego Laxalt.

With that in mind, Soppy could bring a new dimension to the right-back role at Celtic. Postecoglou must get this deal across the line swiftly.

AND in other news, Celtic may unearth another Leigh Griffiths by signing “wonderful” 18-goal gem…

Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland are among the list of nominees for prestigious prizes at the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Argentine icon took Sportsman of the Year prize in 2023
• Looking to defend that crown 12 months on
• Superstars of sport in the running for several awards

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Inter Miami superstar Messi, who has added to his collection of Ballons d’Or and FIFA Best Awards over the course of the last 12 months, is in contention for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year – an honour previously bestowed upon him in 2023.

Advertisement

• WHAT HAALAND SAID

  Treble-winning Manchester City striker Haaland – who has already been pipped to a Golden Ball and FIFA gong by Argentine icon Messi – is also in the running for the Sportsman award and has said of that nod: "Last year was a very special year for me and the whole team. I couldn’t have scored the number of goals I did without my incredible teammates, the coaches and staff at the club, without them the success would not be possible. I am really proud to be nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award alongside so many other incredible athletes."

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  City – who claimed Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles last season – are up for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, with head coach Pep Guardiola saying: “We are really proud for our club to have been nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award. Of course we are nominated because we won so much last season and the credit must go to all our players and all our staff who worked so hard throughout the season to compete in England and across Europe. It is an honour to be included in such an illustrious list of teams who also achieved success at the elite level of sport last year.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Elsewhere, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is among the nominees for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, with the 20-year-old England international – who already has Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy wins to his name – joined on that list by Scottish middle distance runner Josh Kerr, teenage tennis sensation Coco Gauff, Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang and fellow footballers Linda Caicedo and Salma Paralluelo, who caught the eye at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

Police Scotland have released more photos as they continue their fight to bring troublemakers during Glasgow Rangers’ 55 celebrations to justice.

The Lowdown: Controversial scenes

On May 15th, thousands of Gers fans took to the streets to celebrate their side being given the Premiership trophy after beating Aberdeen 4-0 at Ibrox.

While the scenes across the city of Glasgow were generally peaceful, there were some problems in George square – 20 arrests were made on the day (firstpost.com).

The Latest: More photos released

It seems Police Scotland are still looking for those who broke the law.

They have released 12 new images showing the faces of people they are looking to bring in – there are 13 people they wish to speak to (via The Daily Record).

The Verdict: Ugly scenes

Some of the scenes in George Square were particularly ugly. There were several scuffles that broke out and some damage to public property.

On what should have been a day of pure joy for the Gers supporters after ten long years without a major trophy to celebrate, a small few let down the rest of the fanbase, and the Ibrox outfit will surely be hoping these issues are resolved as quickly as possible so they can move on and focus on the new season.

However, on the whole, it must be pointed out the celebrations were peaceful. Unfortunately, no matter the event, there always seems to be a minority who ruin things for the majority. Hopefully, the Police can bring in who they need to speak to as soon as possible so the Gers can get back to the excitement of pressing on from their incredible season to go again next term.

In other news, Rangers fans lauded this man’s Euro 2020 performance.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean slammed Kalvin Phillips as 'stupid' as the midfielder's horrendous start to his West Ham loan spell continued.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Phillips sent off in dismal Forest loss
• Dismissal compounds nightmare start to loan
• West Ham still winless in 2024

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 28-year-old was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession as the Hammers slid to a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday. And Dean was scathing in his new role as a pundit on ' Soccer Saturday when describing the incident.

Advertisement

• WHAT MIKE DEAN SAID

  An exasperated Dean said: "He's just been cautioned for getting involved with [Nicolas] Dominguez for no reason whatsoever. Then two minutes later he's just flicked the ball over him has [Morgan] Gibbs-White and he's just caught him on top of the foot. Stupid, your second yellow card. And he's just wasting his time playing, he doesn't even look interested for me."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Hammers fans vented their frustrations on social media, with one irate supporter asking if Phillips' loan move could be cancelled mid-game.

  It's been a troubled start to life in east London for the England midfielder who most observers deemed to be a useful winter signing for David Moyes' side when he left Manchester City to pick up regular game time. But errors in his first two appearances, last weekend's mauling at the hands of Arsenal and now a costly sending off means Phillips' hopes of recreating the form that made him a regular for England is shaping up to be a lot more complicated than anticipated.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• (C)Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR KALVIN PHILLIPS AND WEST HAM?

  A suspended Phillips will have to sit things out when West Ham attempt to end their winless start to the year when they cross the capital to take on Brentford on Monday February 26. Events at the City Ground on Saturday are sure to ramp up fans' dissatisfaction with Moyes, who has never quite won over the West Ham faithful.

A sensational report claims that Manchester United are still keen on Harry Kane and could target the Bayern striker in a £250m ($315m) spending spree.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Red Devils wanted England captain in 2023
• Willing to rekindle interest 12 months on
• Lavish recruitment drive being lined up

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils expressed interest in England captain Kane during the summer of 2023, but were unable to afford Tottenham’s asking price and saw him head for Munich as the prolific frontman attempts to bring a bid for elusive major silverware to a close. That may, however, not be the end of a long-running saga.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  According to , United are willing to rekindle their interest in Kane amid questions of Thomas Tuchel’s future at the Allianz Arena and the uncertainty that will bring heading towards another summer transfer window in which Bayern could sanction sales.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  It is claimed that Kane will be approached if he expresses willingness to return to the Premier League – despite being tied to a contract in Germany through to 2027. FootballTransfers claim that Sir Jim Ratcliffe – following his acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in United – is ready to make up to £250 million available for a lavish recruitment drive at Old Trafford in 2024.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Another long-standing target, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, is also said to be back on the Red Devils’ radar – although the Dutch star’s camp would need to make the first move there as United have wasted considerable time and effort on that pursuit in the past. Sporting star Marcus Edwards, Crystal Palace playmaker Michael Olise and Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite are among the others reported to be in United’s sights.

Mikel Arteta admits that Arsenal “have to be in the conversation” for players like Kylian Mbappe, but accepts that he appears to be heading elsewhere.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• World Cup winner heading towards free agency
• Linked with a move to the Premier League
• Appears destined to head for Santiago Bernabeu

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The France international forward is preparing to hit free agency in 2024. With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain running down, Mbappe has been free to enter into talks with teams outside of Ligue 1 since January.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  He has stopped short of making a public declaration on his future, but reports suggest that a deal has been agreed with La Liga giants Real Madrid. If Mbappe is to become another ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu, then Premier League suitors will be left disappointed.

• WHAT ARTETA SAID ABOUT MBAPPE

  Arsenal fall into that category, amid talk of Mbappe being “willing” to join the Gunners in order to emulate Thierry Henry’s legacy in north London, but Arteta concedes that no move to Emirates Stadium will be made. The Spaniard has said when asked about links to the 2018 World Cup winner: “When there is a player of that calibre we always have to be in the conversation. But as you said it looks in a different way.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

  The Gunners are considered to be in the market for more firepower, after seeing the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah fail to convince as a leading No.9, but attention will shift to alternative striker targets heading towards the summer transfer window.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith could build a formidable strike duo by unleashing Ollie Watkins alongside Chris Wood amid a major transfer claim on the Burnley striker.

What’s the story?

Football Insider have recently claimed that the Clarets marksman is being targeted as someone who could add more firepower to Villa, adding that the Midlands club are “one of three top-12 Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Wood”.

Imagine him and Watkins

While Smith has been predominantly using Watkins as his lone striker up front, the former Brentford man does have the ability to play out wide on the left, while the Villa boss could even go with both him and Wood up top as a duo.

The £50,000-a-week striker has been described as a “natural goalscorer” by former Leeds boss Garry Monk, while Scott Malone, his former teammate at Millwall, called him “frightening” to play against.

Villa fans must love seeing the way Watkins presses from the front, and in Wood they would have someone who is equally a nightmare to defend against, with his physicality and ability to bring others into the game a real strength.

Indeed, Premier League legend Alan Shearer said: “I like him, I like what he does for the team and he is the focal point for them. He is very good at occupying two centre halves. He is a get out for Burnley if they want because they are not afraid to knock it long.

“He can keep hold of it and bring other players into the game. He is horrible to play against and he won’t give defenders a moment’s peace.”

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/aston-villa-dean-smith-transfer-window-premier-league-villa-park-emi-buendia-gregg-evans-gossip-rumours-update-news” title=”Read the latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news!”]

Having the two of Watkins and Wood chasing down opposition defenders, and harrying them on the ground and in the air, would give Villa a two-man strike force which teams would find incredibly menacing and real hard work to stop.

Meanwhile, a journo has dropped a major update on Villa’s pursuit of Emi Buendia…

Trent Alexander-Arnold is taking inspiration from a fellow Manchester City rival to learn the tricks following positional change at club and country.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Alexander-Arnold studies Stones' midfield success
• Southgate eyes Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder
• Liverpool's hybrid role propels him to follow the same

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The England full-back has been deployed as a defensive midfielder by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield which has forced him to watch and learn closely from John Stones who has also adapted to playing in an advanced role from being a centre back.

  Gareth Southgate believes in the potential of Alexander-Arnold and envisions the Liverpool star's future in midfield amid stiff competition in the right-back position from Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James.

  Getty Images

Advertisement

• WHAT TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD SAID

  Alexander-Arnold revealed that he keenly follows the game of Stones, is an admirer of Rodri and watches legends from the past like Steven Gerrard to get a grip on his position.

  "I think as someone who plays the inverted role, or whatever people want to call it, then obviously John Stones is the example of who to watch," he said.

  "He is exceptional and I’ve admired his game for a long time. I look at a lot of his clips and even when I’m watching City play, I will sit and focus on him. I admire Rodri. He is pivotal to City and massively underrated. They are not the same without him. l’ll also watch midfielders from the past to learn from; Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo, Stevie G. They are players I have always enjoyed."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Alexander-Arnold was labelled a midfielder by The FA and the player revealed he has held extensive talks with the team management about his new role and the classification isn't just for show.

  "The conversations I’ve had with the England manager and staff, I go there as a midfielder," he said.

  "That is where I train and where I try and play on the pitch, barring the last Australia game. It helps me because I’m not playing midfield every week with Liverpool. Being in midfield is a lot different to at the side of the pitch. I am learning how to receive the ball in central areas."

  While talking about his role at Liverpool he added: "The way I see it and has been explained to me, it is almost when we have the ball I am a midfielder, and when we don’t I am a right-back. Sixty per cent of the game, I am in midfield. It’s about playing with freedom to get on the ball and try and create and make things happen, to progress us up the pitch. And when the ball advances towards us, it becomes more about protection and stopping counter attacks."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR FOR TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD?

  Alexander-Arnold will be eager to put his best foot forward when England host Malta on Friday in a Euro 2024 Qualifier before taking on North Macedonia two days later away from home.

Everton’s Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright would be making an unforgivable mistake by appointing Rafa Benitez as the man to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

What’s the story?

Ancelotti made the decision to return to the Santiago Bernabeu to manage Real Madrid, and that has opened the door for a new manager to come in at Goodison Park.

And, according to The Athletic, one of the surprising names that has now emerged is that of former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, with the Spaniard open to crossing the Merseyside divide to take over the Toffees.

The report revealed: “The Athletic understands that Benitez would be open to talks with Everton’s board and is keen to get back into football after leaving Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional in January.

“The issue with the experienced Spaniard has traditionally been his tenure at Liverpool and the fear that no matter how much he made sense for the Everton job, it would be a move too far for the club’s supporters who would not be able to stomach the prospect of someone associated so closely with their rivals.

“However, if Moshiri were to decide to plough ahead with the profile of a proven winner, he may decide the time has come to make a firm approach to Benitez, who is still based on Merseyside with his wife and daughters. He would be joining a club whose owner has already shown he is prepared to be single-minded in the face of supporter unease when he opted for Sam Allardyce and former Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee in 2017.”

Fans would be livid

Make no mistake about it, given the storied history Benitez enjoyed at Anfield, the Spaniard would arrive on the blue half of Merseyside already battling against the tide.

The fans would already be on edge with the 61-year-old, and that kind of atmosphere and tension isn’t exactly the most conducive to a good working environment.

The first sign of trouble or bad form would carry that much more weight and angst, more so than it would for any other manager who would be arriving with a clean slate.

And, Benitez’s Liverpool ties are just the tip of the iceberg, with his notorious defensive, counter-attacking approach earning him a lot of criticism while he was at Newcastle, with Gary Neville among those to take aim at him.

He said: “To me, I’m not knocking Rafa Benitez – I think he is a brilliant manager – but I think Newcastle, when I go up there, it should just be mad.

“It should be really loud, the games should be mad. There should be incident and excitement. To be fair, some games were always 0-0. Every time I went up there over two years, I was bored. I was bored.”

Goodison Park has a lot of parallels to St James’ Park, in that when the fans are on board, the stadium can be absolutely rocking. It needs a manager at the helm who can embrace that and Benitez simply isn’t that man.

His negative football, and his Red roots, would make him an unforgivable mistake from the Everton board to appoint him.

Toffees fans would be absolutely livid.

Meanwhile, a fresh name has emerged in Everton’s managerial hunt…

Edison Azcona has revealed that, in a bid to protect Lionel Messi from injury, Inter Miami “don’t let him play” in some training matches.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Argentine inspired Leagues Cup triumph
• Missed important games through injury
• Handled with care by those in Florida

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The MLS outfit are delighted to have the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner on board, and saw him inspire them to a historic Leagues Cup triumph within weeks of his arrival in the United States. He has, however, also suffered a knock that prevented him from figuring in the U.S. Open Cup final and a late push for a playoff berth.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Inter Miami are aware of the need to handle Messi with care, with Azcona telling of how the all-time great is treated behind the scenes: “Everyone understands that we are not going to try to hurt him. One tries to defend, but they are a little more careful. We don't let him play in the games we play among ourselves, we defend him, but with caution. Nobody gets into it very hard.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  It is not just in training that Inter Miami stars are changing their ways for Messi, with Dominican Republic international Azcona revealing that a number of players are learning a new language. He added: “I have not heard Leo speak English… Sometimes, he has said 'good morning' when he comes in, but those who speak English and do not know Spanish are learning to speak Spanish.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Messi has hit 11 goals for Inter Miami through 14 appearances and will not be heading out on loan in January – amid talk of a return to Barcelona – as he seeks to ensure that he is in peak condition for the start of the 2024 MLS campaign.