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Celtic recorded an eleventh straight victory over Motherwell to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were in rampant form as they found the net four times to make it 19 games unbeaten, putting the pressure on their arch-rivals.

Liel Abada and Daizen Maeda scored either side of a Tom Rogic brace on what was his return to the starting XI and he announced his comeback in stunning fashion as he nonchalantly rifled home an effort from long range.

The Australian midfielder stayed on for the whole game and recorded the highest rating of any Bhoys player (8.7), as per SofaScore.

However, in a quickfire first half it was the presence of Israeli winger that caused all sorts of trouble for the home side.

“Celtic are creating so many opportunities through Abada – and that’s a huge problem from Motherwell. Total composure from the Hatate with the pass,” claimed former Hoops goalkeeper Pat Bonner to BBC Sportsround after the 20-year-old’s opener.

He may have lasted only 45 minutes but Postecoglou obviously wants him rested before their trip to Aberdeen in midweek and that goes to show just how important he is for this side.

From 36 touches, Abada laid on three key passes which resulted in the two goals after he had banged in the first effort. He also made 82% of his 17 passing attempts, via SofaScore.

It’s awfully telling that Celtic’s free-scoring nature quietened down when he was withdrawn at the break.

The Scottish Daily Express ranked Abada amongst the Hoops’ highest-performers, grading him a joint-best 10/10.

‘Looked lively again from the beginning and took up dangerous positions in the box, eventually making a darting run to knock in the opener from a Hatate pass. Influential in the third goal too teeing up Rogic perfectly,’ they wrote.

On that evidence, the £4.05m-rated dynamo absolutely ran the show in the short time he was on the pitch and the Australian head coach will be hoping that he can repeat such exploits on Wednesday evening.

AND in other news, Nicholson continuing Ange’s revolution as Celtic make bid for “graceful” 111 G/A beast…

Newcastle United are willing to offer Marcelo Brozovic ‘crazy money’ to lure him to Tyneside, according to The Athletic. 

The lowdown

The 28-year-old is thought to be earning £106,000 per week under his current deal at Inter Milan. For context, Newcastle’s highest-paid player at present is reportedly £86.5k-per-week frontman Joelinton.

Crucially, Brozovic’s contract is up at the end of the current season, so if Inter can’t agree fresh terms, they’ll either have to cash in during January or allow him to walk away for free next summer.

The Croatian showed his class with a strong performance against Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage in September. SofaScore rated him as the Nerazzurri’s best player after he played 99 accurate passes (including seven out of nine long balls), won three out of his five ground duels and chipped in with four clearances and two tackles.

The latest

Newcastle appear to be desperate to sign Brozovic, with The Athletic’s report suggesting that a ‘crazy’ contract may be tabled.

However, that interest isn’t reciprocated by the player, who is especially hesitant to join the Magpies midway through the season given the looming spectre of a relegation battle.

The verdict

Herein lies the problem for Newcastle United. They may be one of the wealthiest clubs in the world now, but they could struggle to attract top talent for as long as they remain in the lower reaches of the Premier League.

Brozovic has started every single Serie A match for reigning champions Inter this season and helped the Nerazzurri to book their place in the Champions League round of 16. Why would he want to swap those circumstances for a relegation battle?

What’s more, if he does end up leaving in the summer, you’d imagine that this World Cup finalist and seasoned Champions League operator would be able to pick a club who have already established themselves in European competition.

In other news, Lee Ryder talks up Newcastle links with this Premier League ace

New interim manager Ralf Rangnick will take charge of his first Manchester United game over the weekend when they welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils steadied the ship under former temporary boss Michael Carrick in recent weeks, stringing together a three-game unbeaten run in all competitions thanks to some battling performances.

An entertaining 3-2 victory over Arsenal last time out saw United jump up to seventh place in the Premier League table and to within three points of West Ham United, who occupy the final Champions League qualification spot.

However, a new era is set to begin on Sunday when Rangnick takes over the reins, potentially sparking a raft of changes in the style of play and team selection.

The 63-year-old is widely regarding as the Godfather of German coaching after popularising his Gegenpressing style of play, either directory or indirectly influencing a host of elite-level coaches.

Rangnick’s philosophy is based around pressing the opposition high up the pitch, attacking vertically and taking a shot within 10 seconds of regaining possession.

As a result, players who fit the profile of Rangnick’s specific system are likely to be preferred by the highly regarded tactician as he looks to transform United’s fortunes over the coming months.

And that could be very good news for Jesse Lingard. The £75k-per-week gem has found himself watching on from the sidelines for the majority of the campaign but could find himself back in the starting XI in the weeks ahead.

So far this season, Lingard has recorded 30 pressures per 90 and 8.18 successful pressures, bettering his teammates in both metrics, as per FBref.com, highlighting his suitability for Rangnick’s style.

With Marcus Rashford currently on a six-game drought since he scored his last goal and struggling for form, now could be the time for the 28-year-old to shine.

Following his return to form last season, England manager Gareth Southgate described the 32-cap gem as “immense”, and now Rangnick must unleash Lingard at club level, providing him with the opportunity to showcase his true quality.

Starting the versatile attacker from the off could prove to be pivotal in Rangnick’s quest for a fast start at United, with Lingard likely needing less time to adapt to his pressing demands than most.

And, in other news…Ralf can get MUFC firing with “intelligent” £42.3m-rated gem, he has “no weaknesses”

According to a report by AS, translated and relayed by Sport Witness, an update has emerged on the future of Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier and it involves Newcastle United.

The Lowdown: Magpies keen…

As per numerous sources, the Magpies have been heavily linked with a move for the England international recently as the January transfer window fast approaches.

Mundo Deportivo reported (via Sport Witness) that PIF and Eddie Howe are willing to table an eight-figure bid of €30m (£25.3m) to get a deal done next month. Meanwhile, reliable reporter Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Trippier is indeed a target for the Tyneside club.

Sharing the latest, AS (via Sport Witness) have come out with an intriguing update.

The Latest: Trippier handling Newcastle offer…

According to their information, Trippier is handling an ‘important offer’ from the Magpies, prompting Atletico to sweat over his future and meet with the player to express his importance to the La Liga champions.

After the summit, Diego Simeone’s side now hope that the 31-year-old will be focused on the task at hand and ‘forget about’ offers from England.

The Verdict: Crunch time?

These next few weeks of the looming transfer window could prove crucial to Newcastle’s Premier League survival, and it’s safe to say that Trippier’s signing would boost Howe in this regard.

Described as a ‘world class’ right-back by former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell (Football Insider), the 31-year-old has a wealth of experience on the biggest stages in football at both international and club level.

Part of the Three Lions’ 2018 World Cup semi-final squad, he has also won a La Liga title with Atletico and has featured three times in the Champions League this season. Players of this calibre could be needed at St James’ Park if Howe is to maintain Newcastle’s Premier League status.

In other news: Newcastle now willing to table eight-figure bid to sign ‘sensational’ ace for Howe, he wants to move…find out more here.

Leeds United are reportedly still interested in signing Torino centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou this summer, with talks becoming more ‘intense’.

Marcelo Bielsa could be on the lookout for new addition in the next transfer window as he aims to bolster his squad and establish the Whites as a solid Premier League outfit again.

One area where Leeds appear to be relatively well-stocked is at centre-back, but that hasn’t stopped one rumour from doing the rounds.

Bielsa has been linked with bringing Nkoulou to Elland Road in the past and it is now claimed that they are still eyeing up the 72-cap Cameroon international.

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Leeds still keen on Nkoulou move

According to Calciomercato [via Leeds All Over], talks over a move for the 30-year-old have become ‘increasingly intense’, with his contract at Torino expiring at the end of the season.

Nkoulou has been at the Serie A club since 2017 and may believe that a fresh challenge is required.

Transfer Tavern take

As mentioned, there is no great need to sign a centre-back this summer, although Nkoulou’s vast experience could prove to be a shrewd addition. Also, his 88.7% passing success rate is better than any of Leeds’ senior centre-backs, while nobody at Elland Road can match his average of 2.4 interceptions per game – Liam Cooper comes closest at 2.3.

Bringing him in for free may not affect the club’s transfer budget, either, which is another reason why taking a punt on him could be worth it.

It feels like a win-win scenario, with Leeds already possessing strong options in that area should Bielsa opt against a move for Nkoulou.

In other news, Leeds have received a boost in their quest to sign a world-famous star this summer. Find out who it is here.

Despite Wales succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium on Wednesday night, some sections of the media were very impressed by the performance of Tottenham Hotspur defender Joe Rodon – with the 23-year-old earning considerable praise from the press.

Rodon, regardless of being part of a defence which ended up shipping three goals against Roberto Martinez’ side, managed to put in a fairly solid outing according to SofaScore.

Rodon earns media praise after Wales defeat

Indeed, the 2020 Tottenham summer signing managed a remarkable 12 clearances and two blocked shots whilst completing 30/35 passes out from the back for Wales (SofaScore).

He was also the highest-rated player of their back three, and it’s safe to say that his performance against Belgium hasn’t gone unnoticed by the media.

BBC Wales Football Correspondent Rob Phillips hailed Rodon’s ‘colossal display’ as one of the most notable signs of promise despite Ryan Giggs’ men starting their World Cup qualifying campaign with a defeat.

Meanwhile, Wales Online journalist Ian Mitchelmore claimed ‘he was flawless’ and labelled him a ‘special player’ following his exploits against the Red Devils (Twitter).

Sky Sports, dropping their player ratings, appeared to be in agreement – giving Rodon a solid 7/10 alongside goalscorer Harry Wilson as Wales’ best players from the encounter.

Transfer Tavern take

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho hasn’t utilised Rodon much in the Premier League, starting him in just five matches all season, but this latest performance may be prompting him to take note.

If, come next season, the spot is up for grabs in the heart of the Lilywhites’ defence, Rodon could seize it with both hands.

In other news: Tottenham are eyeing a move for this starlet, find out more here.

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster is now ‘in a strong position’ to earn himself a new contract with the club after a run of impressive performances, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

The Lowdown: Forster’s contract at Southampton

The England international is set to be out of contract this summer upon the expiry of his latest extension, which he signed in 2017.

Somewhat surprisingly, the 34-year-old is Southampton’s second-highest earner, currently taking home a staggering £70,000 per week. This significantly trumps some of the club’s star players, including the likes of James Ward-Prowse, who earns a reported £45,000 per week.

As a result, the vast figures involved in his current contract have raised question marks over whether the former Celtic stopper will be offered a fresh deal by Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side when it comes to the end of the season.

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The Latest: Barclay’s claim on Forster

Barclay believes that Forster’s recent performances and fine form has been able to convince Hasenhuttl that the veteran goalkeeper deserves to remain with the club next season.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the reporter claimed: “I think he’s put himself in a really good position. It’s quite a turnaround given the situation he was in earlier this season. He was very much expected to leave given he is on big wages.

“He has definitely put himself in a strong position. I don’t think talks have begun yet on that front, so it’s not a done deal so to speak, but it could be quite likely that he will be given a new contract now.”

The Verdict: Deserves to stay

Following the long-term injury sustained by Alex McCarthy in December, Forster has subsequently played every Premier League game for which he has been available.

During this time, he has strung together a number of fantastic performances which even saw him receive a call-up to the England national team. Indeed, Hasenhuttl singled the goalkeeper out recently after his acrobatic saves earnt Southampton three points against a Champions League-chasing Arsenal side.

Therefore, having made a resurgence back in the first XI, Forster deserves to keep his place in this Saints team next season and will have earned any new deal potentially awarded to him.

In other news: Christian Falk reveals Southampton interest in one Bundesliga star

David Moyes should urge West Ham United to complete a January transfer for AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko to solve his search for Sebastien Haller’s replacement.

What’s the word?

According to Corriere dello Sport, an intermediary has put forward Dzeko’s services as a potential option for the Irons to explore in the mid-season market after selling Haller to AFC Ajax.

Dzeko has endured a seismic falling out with Giallorossi boss Paulo Fonseca and been stripped of the captain’s armband, much to the frustrations of corners to the Stadio Olimpico dressing room.

Fonseca and Dzeko’s relationship is considered to be difficult to heal after he was exiled from the squad to face Spezia Calcio this weekend, but even more difficult to separate with the Bosnia and Herzegovina international due to him earning €7m-a-year (£120k-p/w).

Inter Milan and Juventus are also no longer thought to be keen on exploring the 34-year-old’s availability, though Everton and Manchester City have been linked with potential interest in the £7.2m-rated star by Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness.

Reports by Sky Italia also claim Dzeko is liked by Wolverhampton Wanderers, but that he would not look fondly on a move to Molineux or the London Stadium this month.

Dzeko had scored seven goals in 15 Serie A appearances this season before his omission from Saturday’s 4-3 win over Spezia, that saw Roma close the gap to Serie A leaders AC Milan to six points after the Rossoneri’s 3-0 loss at home to Atalanta.

Should West Ham target Dzeko?

West Ham have to sign a striker in the January transfer window after selling Haller to Ajax, with the decision leaving Michail Antonio as Moyes’ only recognised senior striker fresh off the 30-year-old returning from a second hamstring injury of the season.

Andriy Yarmolenko led the line and scored against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday, but likely cannot be relied on to carry the burden for the remainder of the campaign after scoring just seven goals in 43 Premier League games to date.

Yet whether David Sullivan spends the cash needed to land a new centre-forward remains to be seen, as Claret & Hugh recently claimed that it is increasingly unlikely that a permanent option is acquired after missing out on some of the club’s top targets.

Dzeko would serve as an ideal stop-gap until the summer when other targets can be explored, though, and Moyes must urge not only West Ham to make a swoop but also convince the Bosnian that life at the London Stadium would not be as bad as he may think.

Former England striker Darren Bent was urging Tottenham Hotspur to sign Dzeko not that long ago, as well, as he felt the two-time Premier League winner would be the ideal foil for Harry Kane.

“He’d be a very good signing,” Bent told Football Insider. “He was great at Man City, as his goals to game ratio was crazy and up there with the very best.”

Dzeko scored 50 goals and provided 24 assists in 130 Premier League games, of which he only started 74, during a four-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

It would also be a long-time coming for Dzeko to line up in east London, with the Irons heavily linked with the ex-Manchester City striker over the past few years after hiring his former coach Manuel Pellegrini between Moyes’ tenures.

AND in other news, West Ham consider January bid for “phenomenal” striker boasting 15 goals in 19 games.

David Moyes has been handed a fresh injury blow ahead of West Ham’s final game of the 2020/21 campaign…

What’s the latest?

The Hammers will likely be without first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski after he suffered a knee injury during the warm-up against West Brom on Wednesday evening. It’s thought that the 36-year-old suffered a knee issue and had to be withdrawn from the starting XI at the 11th hour, with Darren Randolph featuring in his place.

“He felt his knee go from under him. I don’t know if he’s done anything bad. We’ll have to see. Obviously, it’s a blow because he’s been very good for us,” revealed Moyes after the victory.

The ever-reliable ExWHUemployee told fans on Twitter that he would “extremely doubt” Fabianski’s involvement against Southampton on Sunday afternoon.

Moyes has since delivered a fresh update on the situation, and it isn’t looking very good. Speaking in his pre-game press conference, the West Ham manager told reporters, via football.london: “Don’t know about Fabianski, [I] don’t think it is quite as bad at the time but it will be a last-minute call on Sunday.”

Huge blow

Given the endless list of injury problems with which Moyes has had to deal throughout the season, particularly since the turn of the year, it would be a surprise to see him risk the Poland shot-stopper.

Fabianski must surely have the European Championships in the back of his mind, so surely he won’t want to risk aggravating the injury, especially as it’s a knee concern.

Ultimately, this will come as a major blow to Moyes as it makes the Irons a much weaker side defensively. Randolph looked a little shaky from crosses and set pieces against the Baggies in midweek.

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He will now be coming up against a pair of better forwards in Danny Ings (12 goals) and Che Adams (nine goals), both of whom average 1.5 or more shots per league game this term, as per WhoScored.

The 34-year-old will be in for a busy afternoon if he’s not at the top of his game, while it remains to be seen how the defence will feel without their usual and trusted number one behind them.

Fabianski has started 34 of their league outings this term, keeping nine clean sheets and letting in only 1.2 goals per game, via Transfermarkt.

West Ham need just one point from the match to seal a place in the Europa League, or else they’ll be competing in the lesser and inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League, which will be far less appealing to any of their mooted summer transfer targets.

Therefore, Moyes may well feel a little worried about their prospects going into such a crucial encounter this weekend. He’ll be hoping that Randolph can fit in seamlessly, but he’ll have to improve from midweek.

AND in other news, GSB could boost West Ham’s Europe ambitions by securing “complete” £15m “technician”…

Sheffield Wednesday confirmed their player retention list on Thursday afternoon, and it could be of interest to Celtic.

The Lowdown: Celtic were keen on Reach

Winger Adam Reach was strongly linked with a move to Celtic Park back in January.

The Hoops, along with rivals Rangers, were thought to be monitoring his situation ahead of a possible pre-contract agreement.

As we now know, Celtic’s only pre-contract agreement with a Sheffield Wednesday player was with Liam Shaw, with the teenager moving to Scotland this summer.

However, Celtic now have another chance to land Reach for nothing.

The Latest: Reach released

The Owls, who were relegated to League One earlier this month, confirmed that 10 players will be released when their deals expire this summer.

One of those is Reach, with the 28-year-old set to end his five-year association with the club.

He’s made 230 appearances at Hillsborough, with 49 of those coming in the 2020/21 campaign.

The Verdict: A good utility addition?

In our opinion, Reach could be a shrewd signing by the Hoops, should the new Celtic manager want him.

He was described as ‘creative’ by journalist George Elek just last month, mainly turning out on the left-hand side of midfield.

However, Reach also played in six other positions in recent months, so could be a handy acquisition in Glasgow who can add depth in multiple positions.

His Wednesday deal is thought to be worth £20,000-a-week, so that could prove to be a stumbling block, especially as Celtic’s top earner now being Callum McGregor on the same salary, which may make him one of the club’s top earners.

In other news: Premier League club weigh up move for Celtic midfielder, find out more here.