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Celtic-linked Josh Doig has said that his current club Hibernian is a ‘great pathway to go to higher places’ but insisted that he ‘absolutely adores’ being at Easter Road.

The lowdown

Sky Sports reported in January that Celtic, along with Arsenal and Chelsea, were monitoring the young left-back, who this weekend has been named the Scottish Football Writers’ Young Player of the Year award, seeing off David Turnbull and Nathan Patterson.

Hibs team-mate Joe Newell was among those to congratulate the 18-year-old on an ‘amazing achievement’ in his breakthrough season.

Doig, who is valued at just £450,000 by Transfermarkt, has made 26 league appearances for Hibs this season, scoring once and providing four assists. He has averaged 1.7 tackles, 1.3 clearances, 0.7 interceptions and 1.3 successful aerial duels per game (via WhoScored).

The latest

Doig was asked about outside interest in an interview with The Scotsman. Whilst he did hint at a desire to ascend the footballing ladder, he insists that Hibernian is an ideal setting for his development.

The youngster namechecked John McGinn, who moved from Hibs to Aston Villa in 2018 and is now a Premier League regular.

He said: “It’s crazy because I’ve grown up watching all these clubs and for any of them even to show an interest…

“Whatever happens happens. But as long as I’m playing football, whether it’s here, at Barcelona, or back at Queen’s Park, that’s what I want.

“I absolutely adore it here at Hibs.

“You can see with the likes of John McGinn, I know Hibs is a great pathway to go to higher places but it still a massive club in itself.

“We could finish third this season.

“I don’t think there’s a better place than Hibs to develop as a player.”

The verdict

It does sound as if Doig would like to remain in Edinburgh for the time being. He really has spoken of his club in glowing terms, although the use of phrases like ‘whatever happens happens’ and ‘great pathway’ could leave the door somewhat open for a future move elsewhere.

Having already caught the eye of Arsenal and Chelsea, though, perhaps he’s looking to go straight from Easter Road to the English game just as McGinn did.

In other news, Celtic are said to be keen on this English League One starlet.

After tasting defeat to Arsenal last time out in the Premier League, Newcastle will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they take on Leicester on Friday night.

Steve Bruce’s side fell to a timid 2-0 defeat to the Gunners, registering just one shot on target in the entire 90 minutes.

With a trip to the high-flying Foxes tonight, there will certainly be no margin for error, and Bruce may feel that he needs to shake things up slightly to try and provoke a reaction.

With that in mind, below is a look at how the Magpies might line up when they face Leicester at the King Power Stadium.

In goal, Martin Dubravka will continue in between the sticks, while the back four should also remain unchanged, with Fabian Schar – who may have started tonight – missing through suspension after picking up a red card upon his return from injury last week.

The midfield is where Bruce might be keen on freshening things up. Here on Football FanCast, there have been calls for him to drop Jonjo Shelvey from the starting line-up, and if the manager does make the call to leave out the struggling former Liverpool man, then that could well see a rare opportunity for Matty Longstaff.

The 21-year-old hasn’t started for the Magpies in a number of months and has even failed to make the matchday squad on numerous occasions.

However, with the Premier League now winding down, Bruce may feel this might be the perfect opportunity to give the local lad a chance, especially with news that Elliot Anderson – who the manager confirmed would be in his plans – suffered a late injury setback to rule him out of contention.

The two Longstaff brothers are likely to be joined by Arsenal loanee Joe Willock, who missed the game against his parent club last week due to the terms of his loan agreement.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/newcastle-steve-bruce-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-st-james-park-joelinton-shelvey-max-aarons” title=”Read the latest Newcastle transfer rumours and news!”]

In attack, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin should be the main sources of inspiration for a Magpies side seeking to pick things up again.

Predicted XI: Dubravka; Murphy, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie; S. Longstaff, M. Longstaff, Willock; Wilson, Saint-Maximin.

Meanwhile, Bruce must drop this “liability” tonight…

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that he would not sign Theo Walcott if he had the opportunity to.

This comes after reports claimed that Walcott is set to sign for the Saints permanently after initially joining the club on loan from Everton last October.

The 32-year-old has had his problems with injury this season, but he has been able to make a bit of an impact when fit. Earlier in the campaign, he managed to grab a goal for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men against former side Arsenal and provide an assist in an exciting 3-3 draw with Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Palmer has been left feeling underwhelmed by talk of Walcott extending his stay at St. Mary’s.

“I’m not a fan of Theo Walcott. I’m not a fan of him,” the retired England international told FFC.

“I think Theo is one of those players that burst on the scene with enormous talent and he’s still in that mode now. He’s coming into his early 30s; he’s still in that same boat – don’t know whether he’s a winger or a centre-forward.

“You’ll get a good game out of him. You know, he’s got blistering pace and always had blistering pace, doesn’t really know how to play the wide game, hence why he left Arsenal, hence why he’s had to leave Everton under [Carlo] Ancelotti. For me, he’s a player I wouldn’t be signing.”

While Southampton look like they could be bringing in Walcott permanently, the Saints may have to watch Danny Ings leave this summer.

The English striker, whose contract expires at the end of next season, continues to be linked with a move away from St. Mary’s.

يأمل المدير الفني لفريق تشيلسي توماس توخيل اللحاق ببعثة البلوز المتواجدة حاليًا في دولة الإمارات، للمشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية.

ويخوض تشيلسي منافسات مونديال الأندية، باعتباره بطلًا لدوري أبطال أوروبا، الموسم الماضي.

ويلتقي تشيلسي مساء الأربعاء المقبل مع خصمه فريق الهلال السعودي في نصف نهائي البطولة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مدرب الهلال عن مواجهة تشيلسي في نصف نهائي كأس العالم للأندية: كل شيء وارد

ولم يسافر توماس توخيل رفقة بعثة تشيلسي، أمس، التي توجهت إلى الإمارات بسبب إصابته بفيروس كورونا.

وذكرت صحيفة “ميرور” الإنجليزية إنه بالرغم من ذلك، فإن توخيل ما زال يأمل التواجد في الإمارات رفقة فريق تشيلسي حال التأهل إلى النهائي.

وأوضحت أن توخيل سيغيب بالتأكيد عن مباراة الأربعاء أمام الهلال، ولكنه يأمل أن يأتي فحصه يوم الخميس سلبيًا حتى يتسنى له الحصول على تصريح السفر للتواجد في النهائي حال التأهل إلى تلك المرحلة.

وحال فوز تشيلسي أمام الهلال بعد غد، سيلتقي في نهائي السبت مع الفائز من مباراة الأهلي المصري وبالميراس البرازيلي المقرر لها غدًا.

Glasgow Rangers midfielder Ianis Hagi has suggested his career may not be on a good trajectory despite helping the Gers win their 55th Premiership title.

Hagi makes worrying comments

£5.4m-valued Hagi (Transfermarkt) is currently on international duty with Romania after helping the Gers confirm their status as league champions.

Speaking to the Romania national team’s media department (via Ibrox News), he suggested his career is not on the correct trajectory. He explained:

“Not necessarily that I won the title in Scotland means that I entered a good trajectory. The career has its pros and cons, it matters to know how to get over them, to learn from them.

“After all, everyone has their own way. I see it as a goal I wanted. I want to win more trophies, I liked the feeling, the emotion I experienced.”

Worrying?

Given recent speculation surrounding the 22-year-old’s future, this may not be the best news for Steven Gerrard and co. Serie A outfit Lazio have been linked with a move for the former Genk man recently, with him reportedly available for a fee of about £8.5m (Gazzetta Dello Sport).

All in all, this has been a solid first full campaign for Hagi at Ibrox. In 38 matches in all competitions, he has seven goals and 12 assists (Transfermarkt), and has improved as the season has progressed. With Champions League potentially football on offer next season, he may be tempted to stay in Glasgow, but he clearly has bigger ambitions than that. While these comments neither confirm nor deny his desire to seek pastures new, his future remains far from certain.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this injury news.

A number of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the news that Sergio Ramos will miss the Champions League quarter-final through injury.

The Reds are finally back in action this weekend, following almost three weeks without a match, having beaten Wolves 1-0 at Molineux last month.

While focus is on that game for the time being, there is also a huge meeting with Madrid to look forward to, as the pair lock horns in the last eight.

Liverpool will be out for revenge after the heartbreak of Kiev in 2018, when Jurgen Klopp’s men were beaten 3-1 in cruel circumstances in the final.

Getting one over on the Spanish giants is far from the most important thing, however, with winning the Champions League potentially the Reds’ most likely avenue back into the competition next season.

Ramos was the villain on that sad night in Kiev, injuring Mohamed Salah, but it has been confirmed that the centre-back will miss both legs because of injury.

It is a big boost for Liverpool, considering the Spanish legend’s vast experience, enhancing their chances of reaching the semi-finals in the process.

Liverpool fans react to Ramos news

These Reds supporters have been providing their thoughts on the news on Twitter.

“Running scared I think!”

Credit: @side0180

“How very, very convenient…”

Credit: @parlaywithpad

“Bottled it?”

Credit: @thisisanfield

“Great news”Credit: @JaneWil94237478″Ramos being out for the two legs is a massive boost”Credit: @FTSideline_”The best news ever”Credit: @demetozdemir262″This is massive, Ramos may be old but he holds their whole defence together”Credit: @Corballyred

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been reacting to an exciting transfer link. Find out who it is here.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Premier League footballer Carlton Palmer has suggested that ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard would accept the Celtic job if offered.

Lampard is out of work following his dismissal from Stamford Bridge at the end of January and had previously been linked with Championship outfit Bournemouth. According to Football Insider, however, it was not something that interested the 42-year-old, making him still available to succeed Neil Lennon.

It remains to be seen whether Celtic would be interested in bringing Lampard to the club but, from the Chelsea legend’s perspective, Palmer believes he would relish the chance to manage in Glasgow.

When asked if he could see Lampard taking the Celtic job, Palmer exclusively told FFC:

“Of course, like I’ve said, it’s a massive job. I mean, a lot will depend on [Frank] as well, for Frank, the next job’s got to be important. So, you know, in terms of what’s available in terms of funds, and realistically, being successful, and so Frank is going to be very careful and very selective for the next job he takes.”

On the same subject, Palmer also added: “I don’t know the situation at Celtic in terms of financially where they are, what type of salaries they could pay and what type of players they could attract, and that will all play a part in the manager that you see being appointed.”

While Lampard was unable to get that star-studded Chelsea side firing this season, leaving them in ninth place before getting the sack, the former England international did enjoy some success in west London and show potential as a coach during his maiden campaign there.

Under Lampard, the Blues managed to secure Champions League football, despite their transfer ban, thanks to a fourth-place finish. They were also able to reach the last-16 of the competition that term and the FA Cup final, losing out to London rivals Arsenal in a tight affair at Wembley.

The integration of the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James, who are both now full England internationals, is something that Lampard can be credited for, too.

أعلن مرتضى منصور رئيس نادي الزمالك، عن قائمته لخوض غمار انتخابات القلعة البيضاء المقبلة.

وكان باب تلقي أوراق المرشحين قد أغلق اليوم الثلاثاء، في انتظار عقد الجمعية العمومية لانتخاب المجلس الجديد.

طالع | قائمة المرشحين في انتخابات مجلس إدارة الزمالك.. 3 أسماء يتنافسون على الرئاسة و60 للعضوية قائمة مرتضى منصور في انتخابات الزمالك

مرتضي منصور- رئيس

نائب الرئيس

اللواء مصطفى هدهود (محافظ البحيرة السابق ونائب رئيس المخابرات الحربية السابق)

أمين الصندوق

كابتن خالد لطيف

طالع | بيان من شيكابالا: حدث تلاعب في عقدي مع الزمالك.. ومصدوم لخيانة الأمانة

الأعضاء فوق السن:-

سليمان وهدان (وكيل مجلس النواب ورئيس الكتله البرلمانيه لحزب الوفد)

كابتن جمال عبد الحميد

أحمد مرتضى منصور

علاء الدين ناجي (أمين عام مجلس النواب)

اللواء علاء مقلد

الدكتورة شريفة الفار

أعضاء تحت السن:-

بسنت سيد جوهر

محمود طه (مستشار بهيئه قضايا الدولة)

مريم نصحي

أحمد دعبس

It appears Glasgow Rangers have been handed yet another transfer blow in their hopes of signing Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph this month after it was revealed that he has suffered an injury and now faces a spell on the sidelines.

What’s the word?

With Jermain Defoe and Greg Stewart entering the twilight of their careers, Rangers have been linked with a number of strikers across Europe as Steven Gerrard seeks to breathe new life into his squad in January.

Joseph has been one such name, with reports in recent weeks revealing Rangers have entered the race to sign the teenage striker from Wigan, with Championship club Barnsley and Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur also among the interested parties.

The 19-year-old is out-of-contract at the end of the season and will be available to sign for free once his current deal expires in the summer. However, the League One strugglers find themselves in financial difficulty due to the unprecedented circumstances and could be persuaded to sell the Scotland U21 target man if he agrees a deal with another club.

But the best-laid plans often go awry, as The Sun’s Alan Nixon confirmed he has picked up an injury, which has seemingly ruled him out of a possible move this month.

Ross Wilson will have to wait

A dream move to his home country could’ve been on the cards for a teenager tipped for the very top by Leam Richardson.

It’s fair to say that Joseph has been one of the standout performers for the struggling Latics this season and with less than six months left to run on his current deal, he could’ve been in line to complete a move to the Govan side of Glasgow.

Yet, despite playing 70′ minutes on Tuesday in the 5-0 defeat to Blackpool, Nixon revealed he has sustained a knock which may have put paid to any potential transfer.

From what the journalist suggests, therefore, it sounds like he will be staying put at the DW Stadium as he works his way back to fitness, which will come as a big blow for Ross Wilson, who is making steps to reduce the squad’s average age, which is still high despite the pre-contract signings of Scott Wright and Jack Simpson.

Having a player like Joseph at their disposal could have been a shrewd investment for the future as Stewart seems destined for the Ibrox exit.

The centre-forward, who has scored five times in 16 appearances across all competitions this season, is held in high regard by his Wigan teammates with former Rangers youth prospect Kal Naismith effusive in his praise for Joseph.

He said: “He’ll be a top player, a really, really good player and he works his nuts off not just in the games but all week in training as well, he has a great appetite for the game and a great attitude – I enjoy playing with him, he did a lot of work for me in what was my first game back after not having a lot of training.”

AND in other news, Rangers can sign their Steven Davis successor in Bournemouth’s Nnamdi Ofoborh…

Liverpool have been linked with a move for Sporting Lisbon left-back Nuno Mendes recently and the Portuguese defender could be the perfect long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson.

What’s the word?

According to journalist Bruno Andrade (via Sport Witness), Liverpool remain strongly interested in the 18-year-old, having seen an offer for the youngster rejected during the summer transfer window.

However, with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid also reportedly interested, it seems as if the Reds will face stiff competition for Mendes, who is also currently protected by a €70 million release clause.

Robertson’s heir?

Whilst Konstantinos Tsimikas was signed by Liverpool during the summer transfer window, he has struggled to impress on his few appearances thus far and is already 24-years-old, so was perhaps signed as a back up to Robertson rather than the Scottish international’s long-term replacement.

After all, the former Hull City man is only 26 himself and has been a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s side this season despite the arrival of Tsimikas, starting all 17 games in the Premier League and averaging a solid 6.96 rating.

Therefore, whilst Robertson is likely to be a first-team regular at Liverpool for the next five years at least, signing Mendes as his long-term heir could definitely be a sensible move by the club.

The teenager has averaged a superb 7.26 rating across his 12 appearances for Sporting Lisbon in the Liga NOS so far this season and has also appeared twice in the Europa League, meaning he would bring plenty of experience with him to Anfield despite being so young.

Mendes has also featured regularly as a left-midfielder in his career thus far, suggesting that he loves to get forward and can be a threat in the opposition half, which would certainly suit Liverpool’s style of play, with both Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold having registered excellent attacking returns in recent seasons.

Therefore, Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards should certainly consider a move for the £10.8 million-rated youngster in the near future, before the likes of United or Madrid snap him up.

And, in other news… Forget Thiago: £80k-p/w LFC star was Klopp’s game-changer vs Villa