All posts by n8rngtd.top

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Rangers may have recorded a morale-boosting victory in the Old Firm derby on Sunday afternoon but that has not managed to eliminate negativity from the club this week.

As expected, the game was fiercely contested and there were incidents for the referee to deal with, one of which has been dealt with retrospectively.

That was, of course, the incident involving Jon Flanagan and Scott Brown, with the former booked for elbowing the Celtic man in the face.

But he has since been banned after a three-man panel decided it was a red card offence. Jozo Simunovic, however, has managed to escape retrospective punishment for a similar offence.

According to Press Association journalist Andy Newport, Simunovic was referred to the same three-man panel of ex-referees as the Flanagan incident but there was not a unanimous agreement that it was also worthy of a red card.

Naturally, that revelation was met with widespread fury and disdain amongst the Gers faithful, as accusations of blatant bias and corruption ran rife on Twitter.

And it’s easy to sympathise with their frustration given what happened at Ibrox on Sunday.

Here’s what the infuriated Rangers fans had to say in response to Newport’s tweet…

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Liverpool are just over a week away from facing Tottenham inside the Wanda Metropolitano, where they will be bidding to win their sixth European title.

They will be keen to put the demons of Kiev behind them after suffering defeat to Real Madrid in the final last term, the rivals of Atletico whose stadium will play host to this showpiece event.

Jurgen Klopp will be praying that he isn’t on the end of yet another loss in a cup final with this Liverpool side, after already losing the Europa League final, Carabao Cup final and that aforementioned tie against Los Blancos.

Luis Suarez certainly had no qualms about celebrating against his former employers in the video below…

But how will he avoid such a heart-wrenching experience? He can’t just pray alone, so the German must get his tactics spot on and plot out how he can hurt Mauricio Pochettino’s men.

Spurs have shown unbelievable resilience to get to the final having looked dead and buried numerous times throughout their European campaign; they barely made it out of the group, and we all know how their semi-final tie against Ajax ended.

So, how can Klopp exploit the north Londoners? Resident Football FanCast writer and Spurs supporter Harry Sherlock gives us the lowdown on where his team are at their weakest…

“We’re at our weakest wherever Kieran Trippier is on the field! In all seriousness, we hate pace down the flanks which is something that Liverpool have in abundance, so they’re basically our worst enemy. 

“Our best bet is to keep it tight early doors and hope the game opens up for us, just like it did at Anfield; the game plan would’ve worked perfectly that day were it not for Moussa Sissoko’s glaring miss.”

Liverpool looked raring to go against Real Madrid last year before Mohamed Salah’s untimely injury – from that moment on they were simply flat.

Perhaps Pochettino will need to be the one praying that something similar happens to the Egyptian again…

Celtic fans haven’t seen as much from Tom Rogic as they’d have liked to this season. The 26-year-old has managed just five goals and six assists in his 34 games and with those stats, seeing another #10 linked is no surprise, as Voetbal international have claimed, via Ninety Minutes Online, that the Bhoys want Mark Diemers this summer.

The chances are, you won’t have heard of Mark Diemers, so let us help you fill in the blanks. The Dutch midfielder is currently plying his trade in the Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard. The midfielder is one year younger than Rogic yet his numbers have been much more impressive. Having started every single game for the Eredivisie club in the domestic league he’s returned seven goals and seven assists.

Those numbers are impressive in themselves, but considering this is the Diemers debut season for Fortuna Sittard having moved to Sittard from De Graafschap last summer it makes his minutes and goal involvement all the more incredible. Just 12 months on from his move to Sittard, though, he could be on the move again, this time potentially swapping The Netherlands for Scotland.

Rogic may have had a tough season as both injuries and spells away with the Australian national team have held him back, but in truth, it looks like his time at the club may be coming to an end soon. Despite contributing 11 goals and assists this season, he just hasn’t looked himself, and if you were to remove his influence on the Bhoys season they would sacrifice just two points and still complete the treble.

With Diemers, it’s been very different. The Dutchman has helped to earn his side a number of valuable points in a season where they narrowly avoided having to partake in a relegation play-off by just one point. It looks like Diemar could be ready to trade relegation scrapping to title-winning, though, and what better place to do it than at Parkhead with the serial winners Celtic?

Do you want to sign Mark Diemers, Celtic fans? Let us know, comment below!

Replacing Aaron Ramsey is going to be long and drawn out process for Arsenal this summer, and it will likely be the most important signing the club make this window.

The Welshman leaves an important void in the Gunners XI, being the link between midfield and attack as well as leadership qualities that will take years for Arsenal to replace, and already a handful of names have been linked.

From Christopher Nkunku to Mario Gotze, Arsenal seems to be on the right page for the hunt for Ramsey’s replacement, and now a new, unexpected contender has entered the fold.

According to RAC1 presenter Gerard Romero, Arsenal have entered the race for Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, who is returning to the Catalan club after an impressive season out on loan at Everton, and the Portuguese international could be a risk worth taking.

With competition from West Ham and north London rivals Tottenham, Arsenal will have to spend the big bucks to acquire the £30 million-rated Barcelona man this summer, but it could be money well spent if Gomes performs as well as he did for the Toffees.

Although the 25-year-old plays a lot deeper to where Ramsey usually operated in the Arsenal midfield, Gomes could still fill in for the Welshman’s absence and continue to grow as a player under the guidance of Unai Emery.

Replacing Ramsey will be a tall order for any player, but after an impressive season in England, Gomes could be a surprising option to take up the mantle and flourish in the Arsenal midfield.

Arsenal fans, would you take Gomes as a summer signing? Let us know!

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Per a report from MedioTiempo, Wolves have already held discussions with Mexican Edson Alvarez as they bid to bring him to Molineux this summer.

The versatile 21-year-old has been highly impressive for Club America lately and could now join a host of Mexicans currently playing in Europe.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, there was a mixed response from fans of the club but most were keen to see him arrive at Molineux.

One supporter made reference to fellow Mexican Raul Jimenez as they urged the club to sign one of his friends. Another fan joked that he was a good player on the game Football Manager.

Further supporters took a more analytical look at his potential arrival with one fan suggesting he ticked all the boxes. There was also criticism for the defender after an individual made reservations about his height.

Alvarez had a diabolical World Cup for Mexico last summer, featuring in all four of their games. However, he was run ragged by Neymar in the last 16 whilst he also scored an own goal against Sweden.

The central defender was named in WhoScored’s worst rated team of the tournament too.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

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According to The Independent, Danny Rose would like to stay at Tottenham Hotspur and possibly sign a new contract with the Champions League finalists.

Rose ended the 2018-19 campaign having made 37 appearances for Spurs – contributing five assists for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

The 28-year-old only has two years left to run on his current deal.

However, according to The Independent, Rose wants to pen a fresh contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss to Liverpool in Saturday night’s Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Rose was one of his team’s better performers, though, with WhoScored awarding the 5 ft 8 defender the highest rating of any Tottenham player.

Should Spurs sell Kieran Trippier? Check out the for and against in the video below…

The England international has looked back to his best in recent months and it would be fair to say that the Spurs fans are desperate for him to stay at the club.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

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Motherwell announced on Wednesday evening that Celtic have agreed a fee for the transfer of midfielder David Turnbull this summer.

The teenage prospect is set to become the Steelmen’s most expensive export ever after a sensational 2018/19 season that saw him light up the Scottish Premiership with exciting attacking midfield play.

Neil Lennon already has a number of options available in the middle of the park, many of whom are established in the squad as big personalities and guaranteed starters.

Interesting then to consider where Turnbull might fit in next term and how much game time Celtic fans can expect from him.

How can Celtic improve next season? A Hoops fan tells us how in the video below…

On the chalkboard

As noted, it’s the attacking output of Turnbull that has wowed pundits and fans in Scottish football over the last 12 months.

The 19-year-old made his debut for the club in the 2017/18 season but it was last term that he really made the breakthrough, appearing 31 times across the season.

With 15 goals and six assists, not many players delivered that level of direct goal contribution and considering it was effectively his rookie season it was doubly impressive.

Celtic of course rarely lack for goals but his tally even compares favourably to players such as Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor despite both playing in a more attack-minded team surrounded by better players.

Turnbull became the fulcrum around which the Steelmen’s entire attacking game was played – a player not afraid to run beyond the striker and latch onto balls in the box.

Armstrong replacement

Celtic sold Stuart Armstrong to Southampton last summer and failed to really replace him in the transfer market. His goal threat and uncanny ability to drift into dangerous areas off the ball became a key weapon during Brendan Rodgers’ first two seasons.

Ryan Christie performed a similar role when he broke into the team last term but there didn’t seem to be much design about that, the player simply forced his way into contention despite being sidelined consistently by Rodgers.

Turnbull will be expected to perform a similar role to both when he does get chances in the first-team. Direct movement, composure on the ball and a lethal finishing ability in and around the box will be what Lennon is after.

With energy and ambition he has the ability to change games coming off the bench or offer much-needed relief to the likes of Tom Rogic around international breaks and European schedules.

A target of 30 games for the player would be reasonable from both the club and Turnbull’s perspective and Lennon shouldn’t be afraid to utilise him in domestic competition.

Despite his young age, he’s already demonstrated he’s good enough.

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Reports from SportBible this week have linked Leeds United with a move for young Fulham right-back Cody Drameh.

The 17-year-old may not come in as a starter for the Whites given he has never made a senior appearance for the Cottagers, but he will allow one of their top talents to feature in his more natural role.

Won’t be a starter

With Drameh, Leeds would be paying for his potential rather than the player he is right now.

The 17-year-old is yet to play for Fulham’s first team, and it is unlikely that he would become the first choice full-back at Elland Road.

Luke Ayling is coming off the back of one of the best seasons of his career as he created six assists and played 40 league games as Leeds finished third and were beaten in the play-offs.

The Fulham teenager’s game isn’t at the level where he could be considered an option to displace the 27-year-old at this time.

Affects Shackleton

One immediate effect that Drameh’s arrival would have is that Jamie Shackleton would be free to play in a midfield role.

The youngster was often used as a backup right-back last season when Ayling was suspended or unable to play due to injury.

The Fulham man would be able to step into that role next season, allowing the 19-year-old to play more in his favoured midfield position.

Shackleton is rated as one of Leeds’ most promising young talents, and he may well be given a key role in the squad next season as the Whites battle for promotion.

Are fans being priced out of the Championship as well as the Premier League? The angry Bolton fan in the video below certainly believes so…

If Bielsa does want to utilise him next season, then he must play him in his favoured role rather than using him as a makeshift defender.

Drameh’s arrival may not have a huge impact on the squad next season, but the depth he brings in the full-back position may allow Shackleton to flourish.

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Celtic fans are not happy with West Brom technical director Luke Dowling after comments criticising Neil Lennon for his handling of Oliver Burke.

Burke spent the second half of last season on loan at Celtic Park, arriving in the January transfer window when Brendan Rodgers was still in charge of the club.

After Lennon took interim charge though the player went on to make just eight more appearances, failing to score once.

How does Neil Lennon turn his doubters into believers? The answer lies in the video below…

West Brom feel the player’s lack of progress is squarely on Lennon’s shoulders.

Dowling told The Express & Star:

“We sent Oli to Celtic in good faith with Brendan Rodgers and Lee Congerton, some really good people up there that wanted to take Oli and wanted to play Oli.

“They wanted to make him a better player than he currently is. We forget how young he still is.

“Once Brendan left to go to Leicester the treatment he got from the manager that’s in place now is something we don’t expect for one of our players. He won’t be going anywhere near Celtic. “

Celtic didn’t take long to defend their manager, with the club releasing a statement claiming that Dowling’s comments were “ridiculous and completely inaccurate.”

Hoops fans too weren’t particularly happy with the comments, with some feeling that the player never showed enough on the pitch to get the opportunities that West Brom were apparently looking for.

Odsonne Edouard netted nine times after the arrival of Lennon, many of them coming in big matches, so it’s not really a surprise that Burke didn’t get the nod in the striking position.

Watch Celtic Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Supporters have taken to to Twitter on Tuesday to share their thoughts on it all…

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

Liverpool rejected the opportunity to sign Marcos Llorente from Real Madrid, according to his agent, and uncle, Julio, per Cadena Ser.

What’s the word?

Llorente completed a move from Los Blancos to Atletico Madrid earlier this month, signing a five-year deal at Wanda Metropolitano.

However, the Reds were offered the opportunity to acquire the 24-year-old beforehand by his representative.

Having been told by Zinedine Zidane that he did not plan to utilise the midfielder next season – he made a total of 39 appearances for Real – Llorente’s uncle attempted to drum up interest in his services.

He said: “I contacted several clubs to let them know what had happened, the conversation that Zidane and Marcos had had, one of which was Liverpool, but Marcos’ (position) was covered and it was not a priority, but Atletico is the one that took the strongest step and convinced us.

“I think we have done the right thing, I hope it’s like that, I hope Marcos is doing very well.”

A flop

Llorente never proved himself at Santiago Bernabeu.

Thus, it would not have made sense for the Reds to have made any sort of investment in the 24-year-old.

Jurgen Klopp’s men already have the likes of Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum and James Milner, with every one of them capable of playing in Llorente’s position.

Agents, of course, do this all the time; attempting to bring bidders to the table in an effort to secure their client the best deal.

But Liverpool were absolutely right to swerve this offer.

Llorente could well become a star at Atleti, but this is a remarkably sensible transfer decision by the Reds, given his lack of pedigree and his disappointing spell at Real.