All posts by n8rngtd.top

Some Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with comments from former SNP councillor Christopher McEleny.

The past week has been a mixed one for the Gers. Last weekend, they completed their unbeaten Premiership season thanks to a 4-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox (BBC), after which they received the league trophy. It was a day of celebration for Rangers players and supporters after 10 years without a major honour.

Unfortunately, there has been some controversy in the meantime. Twenty Rangers fans were arrested in George Square after scuffles broke out (firstpost.com), while the Gers players were ludicrously accused of singing sectarian songs during their own post-match celebrations. Police Scotland have cleared them of any wrongdoing (Daily Record), but McEleny still believes they are guilty of the charge being levelled against them.

The comments were shared on his official Twitter account and they attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These Gers fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on McEleny’s comments, which one irate fan described as “ludicrous”.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about the comments from McEleny

“My other half is a club employee & was there so genuine question… If those in attendance know it didn’t happen, where are you getting your info from? Surely not TikTok? These accusations are wrong & just pathetic.”

Credit: @WeeVK80

“Lost the plot mate.”

Credit: @The_JazzyB

“Claims to be a Morton fan yet tweets this out during their most important game of the season. Absolutely rent free.”

Credit: @Stu_1872_

“Many of the Rangers 1st team are Catholic and openly cross themselves when they enter or leave the field or score a goal. It’s simply ludicrous to suggest they would then happily sing FTP.”

Credit: @missteeray

“I hope the club lawyers are looking at this too”

Credit: @GraemeGames

“Chris if you are that sure players of a football club done that then why not name that club? Is it because if you name the club you’ll find yourself receiving a lawyer’s letter”

Credit: @kev84mc

In other news, some Rangers fans were livid at this article in The Times.

With Liverpool starting to flounder in the title race, they need something new to light up their momentum. Their current system is being found out by Premier League sides and Jurgen Klopp needs to try new things. With that in mind, introducing wonderkid Rhian Brewster into the fray can be a wise decision.

Brewster has been suffering from persistent injuries since his heroics at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot, helping the Three Lions lift the trophy. However, he is recovering pretty well and wishes to be a genuine option for Klopp. With not many sides knowing Brewster’s strengths, the German coach can find something different in him.

While the youngster is still a few weeks away from attaining match-fitness, when he does become available, Klopp should utilize him. Be it as only a substitute, Brewster’s pace and a fantastic eye for goal makes him a dangerous player for the Reds. He scored eight goals in the U-17 World Cup and has been prolific in the youth level competition for the Reds.

While not the biggest in frame, Brewster’s unpredictable movement and clinical striking ability make him an assured option for goals. He doesn’t miss much in front of goal and the way Liverpool create chances, he can blend into their system in no time.

The Reds need goals to overtake Manchester City’s superior goal difference. Brewster brings many goals with him and if utilized well, can be Klopp’s trump card into prevailing in this tight championship race. Perhaps this season is too soon, but if Liverpool are going to compete in the years going forward, Brewster can be a wild card.

A reliable journalist has named five players that Newcastle United may sign in the summer transfer window as an alternative to Joe Willock.

The Lowdown: Willock may not join Newcastle permanently

As well as Willock has done in the North East since arriving at St. James’ Park from Arsenal on loan in January, there is no guarantee that the deal could be made into a permanent one, and so Steve Bruce’s team may have to look at alternative targets to find someone to add end product from midfield.

As money could well be tight due to the financial impact of the global pandemic, players who will become free agents in the summer could be a fruitful market to go to.

The Latest: Five players Newcastle could target

Writing in his latest piece for The Chronicle, journalist Sean McCormick has named five players that the Tyneside club could target in the summer if they run their respective contracts down.

The Toon Army will be familiar with the names of John Lundstram and James McCarthy, who both currently play in the Premier League for Sheffield United and Crystal Palace respectively, while Alex Mowatt has been captain of a Barnsley side who have taken up an unlikely position in the EFL Championship play-off places.

Hakan Calhanoglu and Alan Dzagoev have both featured prominently on both the European and international stage, and while the Magpies are very unlikely to sign up all five, one or two may be smart buys if they do not have to pay any transfer fees.

The Verdict: Little risk with free signings

There is little risk involved with signing players on a free transfer, as they are sure to have some resale value.

Taking the Transfermarkt values of each of the five players mentioned above currently, Calhanoglu (£31.5m), Lundstram (£6.3m), Mowatt (£3.6m), McCarthy (£3.15m) and Dzagoev (£3.15m) could save NUFC nearly £50m in potential transfer fees if they signed up all of them.

Of course, that is not going to happen, but even signing one or two of these players as free agents would certainly count as shrewd business if they can prove effective long-term or even for a short period before being sold for profit.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover here!

Mel Morris is in talks with a number of interested parties regarding the sale of Derby County.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon, who claimed in a recent post on Twitter that there are a number of live bidders for the Rams, while also suggesting that the club’s impending points deduction may not be as bad as first feared – if new owners are in place upon Derby’s appeal.

Nixon said: “Derby County. Live bidders plural. Top insiders also hinting that points penalty could be less on appeal if new ownership in place down the line.”

Fans will be buzzing

Considering just how much their club has been through this season, having to endure the heartbreak of two failed takeover attempts and seeing their side barely scrape Championship survival after a number of catastrophic performances on the pitch, Nixon’s latest update provides Derby fans with a figurative light at the end of the tunnel.

With Morris appearing to be absolutely desperate to sell the club, the Rams cannot truly begin to move forward under Wayne Rooney with an owner who is not committed, either financially or emotionally.

Furthermore, with Nixon claiming that Derby’s pending points deduction for breaking the EFL’s Financial Fair Play rules will likely be reduced on appeal after the change of owners, there is even more incentive for a sale of the club to be completed as rapidly as possible.

And, it goes without saying that the chances of the Rams’ sale actually going through are dramatically increased by more than one interested party bidding for the club.

As such, the journalist’s update is something that is likely to leave fans of the club buzzing, as once their side have sorted matters off the pitch out, they can begin to plan for next season under Rooney, with the aim of putting on a much more respectable showing in the Championship than last time out.

In other news: Imagine him & Mengi: Rooney must seal Derby deal for £1.8m-rated “leader” this summer – opinion

West Ham United could make their third signing from Slavia Prague in the space of 18 months.

According to a report from insiders Claret & Hugh, Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal ‘could easily be joined’ by striker Abdallah Sima this summer.

19-year-old Sima has scored 19 goals in all competitions this season. Four of those goals came during Slavia’s run to the last eight of the Europa League, in which he scored at the King Power as they stunned Leicester at the end of February.

‘Clubs notice’ talents like Sima

Premier League legend Petr Cech claims ‘there aren’t many players like’ Sima in Europe.

“When a player appears who, at such a young age, succeeds in senior football, starts scoring goals and produces in Europe, clubs notice,” he said, speaking to iSport.

The Senegalese international is valued at £9.9million by Transfermarkt, and Manchester United are also said to be monitoring him.

Transfer Tavern verdict

It’s clear that West Ham are looking to repeat the trick here – Soucek and Coufal have both been revelations since they moved to the London Stadium.

The former made his move permanent in the summer for a fee of £15million and he’s impressively netted 12 goals from defensive midfield in 49 appearances for the club (via Transfermarkt).

Coufal joined at the end of the window for just £4.5million and the right-back has been almost an ever-present, playing 90 minutes in all but one match, and has contributed five assists (via Transfermarkt).

Breaking The Lines’ James Lloyd wrote that the right-back could be considered ‘the bargain of the summer’.

The Irons may just have hit on a hugely effective recruitment strategy.

In other news, West Ham have made an enquiry for this ‘keeper.

Many Everton fans have been left to fume as Patrick Boyland relayed a fixture update for May from the Goodison Park faithful.

As per a tweet from The Athletic journalist, the Merseyside club will play Aston Villa at home on Saturday 1st May at 8pm and West Ham United away on Sunday 9th at 4:30pm, with a home match against Sheffield United just two days later.

It puts a big strain on travel for Carlo Ancelotti’s team, and this is not to mention that their game in hand away at Villa has still not been rescheduled, meaning that the Toffees are going to be suffering a mass fixture pile-up at the end of the 2020/21 term as they look to chase qualification for European competition for next season.

This could have a huge impact on a squad who are already struggling with injuries, so it’s no surprise to see fans flocking to respond on Twitter.

Everton fans on fixture scheduling

These Blues fumed upon reading the update, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘ridiculous’:

“Never knew that, ridiculous. And these 8 o’clock games on a Saturday need sacking off!”

Credit: @AidyDews

“Our last four games have all been Friday and Mondays which is annoying me!!!”

Credit: @SLTjustin

“If we played our last game and our next game on the weekend as it should be then we could’ve had a game today. Scheduling has been pathetic all season.”

Credit: @obs1878

“That’s an absolute joke!”

Credit: @steverhoeven

“I’m sick this Super League failed honestly”

Credit: @donalseancarey

“Our punishment for criticising the sleazy six”
Credit: @blackrodblue

In other news, find out what Paul Joyce update has been lauded by Toffees here!

Jurgen Klopp reportedly sees AZ Alkmaar midfielder Teun Koopmeiners as an ‘ideal candidate’ to replace Gini Wijnaldum at Liverpool.

It look increasingly likely that Wijnaldum will move on at the end of the season, following five exceptional years in a Reds shirt.

While Liverpool are well-stocked in midfield areas, the void that the Dutchman could leave may lead to Klopp delving into the transfer market.

Klopp eyes up Koopmeiners as Wijnaldum replacement

The Reds have been linked with signing Alkmaar star Koopmeiners in the recent past and another report has now emerged regarding the 22-year-old’s future.

According to AS [via Sport Witness], the Dutchman is someone Klopp rates and he sees him as the ‘ideal’ potential replacement for Wijnaldum.

Roma, Inter Milan, Napoli and Sevilla are all mentioned as potential suitors, though, with Koopmeiners excelling this season, scoring 15 goals in 28 Eredivisie appearances with two other strikes coming in European competition.

Transfer Tavern take

The youngster looks an extremely talented prospect, with his goal return this season exceptional, especially as he can often play as a defensive midfielder.

His output in the final third suggests he possesses Wijnaldum’s versatility – the Liverpool star is far more attacking for his country – so he could be a shrewd addition this summer, having averaged 2.8 tackles per game in the league in 2020/21 while still showing an eye for goal.

In other news, some Liverpool fans have been rejoicing about the Reds being linked with a hugely exciting young player. Find out who it is here.

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Roberto Firmino to leave this summer, having been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian has been a wonderful player for the Reds, becoming one of the poster boys of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield and winning both the Champions League and Premier League.

Firmino leads the line in his own unique way, pressing relentlessly off the ball and proving to be selfless on it, dropping deep and allowing Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane space in behind.

The 29-year-old may have contributed a huge amount for Liverpool down the years, but he hasn’t been himself for a sustained period now.

Firmino’s performances have dropped off for around a year, and for the first time, there are now real question marks about his place in the team, especially with Diogo Jota now such an influential member of the squad.

According to El Gol Digital [via TEAMtalk], Atletico are eyeing up a move for the Liverpool star, potentially viewing him as a replacement for Luis Suarez.

Liverpool fans call for Firmino to leave

These Reds supporters took to Twitter to talk up the idea of Firmino leaving, with many now believing it is time for him to move on.

“Swap deal for Felix + £40M-£65M”

Credit: @Umin01253591

“Yessssssss Suarez is coming home”

Credit: @paulo060802

“Sell him please”

Credit: @kieranfn18

“Swap for Felix”

Credit: @skratzz

“Please I beg”

Credit: @MDHanif_7

“Atletico Madrid interested in Firmino, $71M should be good deal imo”

Credit: @LFCSai7

In other news, Liverpool have been tipped to make a double signing this summer – find out more here.

Leeds are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in signing Barnsley striker Daryl Dike this summer.

What’s the story?

The 20-year-old has been in fine form since joining the Championship side on loan back in the January transfer window, netting five goals in league games.

According to TEAMtalk, Marcelo Bielsa’s side are among the clubs interested in signing the 20-year-old, with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea also said to have been impressed.

The report adds that as it stands, it’s Everton who are the most interested in Dike, and that the only way Barnsley would be able to keep the striker on a more permanent basis, is if they earn promotion – they currently lie in fifth in the Championship table.

Tailor-made for the Premier League

Despite being 20, Dike already looks like a real handful as a striker, standing at an imposing 6 foot 2, and bullying Championship defences already.

A player profile done by SBNation noted: “A physical striker, Dike is more than a bruising finisher. His ‘delicate touch’ and high level of technical ability belie his size, enabling a confidence in possession with both passing and dribbling. That said, he scores a lot of goals in a variety of ways. Headed finishes, short-range placement, and long-range bombs, the 6’2” attacker can do it all.”

His teammate Jordan Williams meanwhile said: “Daryl has got a rocket of a right foot. I think he’s similar to Lukaku. He hasn’t scored as many goals yet, but he can hit a ball just as hard. He’s only 20 years of age. It’s amazing.”

Apart from having surprisingly good technical ability for a player of his size, it’s his temperament that has really got some of his former mentors talking.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Latest Leeds transfer rumours and news”]

His former coach at Virginia, George Gelnovatch, raved: “But one of the things about him that nobody ever talks about is relentlessness. He is a relentless competitor, a ruthless guy on the field. You put that inside a body like his, and it’s pretty impressive.”

Given his natural physical attributes, and the fact he seems to have the perfect mentality, Dike seems tailor-made to succeed in the Premier League.

Bielsa could help Leeds wreak havoc in the top-flight next season by signing the powerful centre-forward this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds must keep this man at all costs this summer…

According to a report by Foot Mercato, former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and Lilywhites defender Serge Aurier have been in contact over the possibility of a move to Paris-Saint Germain – with the Ligue 1 giants keen to strengthen at right-back.

Aurier, who has been a regular for Tottenham this season, starting more matches in the Premier League than summer signing Matt Doherty (WhoScored), has just one year left on his current deal – prompting PSG to take note.

Jose could lose Aurier

Foot Mercato even claim that former Spurs favourite Pochettino has been in contact with Aurier over a potential return to the Ligue 1 giants, coming after the 28-year-old openly admitted he would like to end his career at the Parc des Princes.

Tottenham have now even set his asking price, with Daniel Levy demanding around €12 million (£10.2m) if a deal is to be done.

Jose Mourinho, as a result, faces losing Aurier if these contacts evolve into more concrete negotiations – possibly leaving the Portuguese with few right-back options unless Tottenham take to the transfer market.

Transfer Tavern take

Indeed, Pochettino is allegedly keen on signing Aurier for the Parisiens, but it’s clear that the defender could still do a job for Tottenham when called upon.

During his resurgence earlier this season, the Ivorian received widespread media praise, with pundit Kevin Campbell calling him ‘top class’ and insisting Mourinho will be ‘over the moon’ with his form (Football Insider).

Time will tell what comes of this report, but Aurier has an admirer in Pochettino ahead of the summer window.

In other news: Tottenham have been offered a chance to sign this ‘extraordinary’ star, find out more here.