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Reliable reporter Alan Nixon has answered a Celtic fan’s concern on the Hoops’ ongoing pursuit of Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Howe waiting for Bournemouth’s season to finish?

It appears as if the 43-year-old has agreed to take over at Parkhead, becoming Neil Lennon’s long-term successor in Glasgow.

That’s what reports suggested last week, with one of the reasons for the delay down to Bournemouth’s participation in the Championship playoffs.

Howe wants to take some staff members from the Cherries to Celtic, however, Bournemouth could well book their spot in the playoff final this weekend, with the Wembley showdown set for May 29.

The Latest: Nixon addresses backroom staff question

Nixon, who writes for The Sun, was asked by a Celtic fan on Twitter about the backroom staff situation.

He was quizzed if Howe couldn’t get his staff, if a deal would fall through, or if it was more a financial standpoint.

Nixon replied, confirming Howe wants his own backroom team. However, he seemingly stated that the Cherries backroom staff aren’t a dealbreaker.

“Howe wants a backroom team. He’s got these guys he prefers. If they don’t come he will have to get others. It can only go on so long though…”

The Verdict: Good news for McKay?

Nixon’s claim should be good news for new CEO Dominic McKay.

If Howe cannot bring members from the south coast to Bournemouth, he will have to look elsewhere. Nixon doesn’t suggest a deal would be off if he can’t take them with him, which can only be a positive.

With a potential squad rebuild on the cards, the last thing McKay needs in his new role is to wait until May 29 for the playoff final and then the deal for Howe fall through due to disputes about his staff.

However, as Nixon mentions, talks can only go on so long, so we feel the next few weeks are crucial in regards to getting a deal officially over the line.

In other news: Odsonne Edouard closing in on Celtic exit, find out more here. 

Lots of Manchester City fans are delighted after it was revealed that the Citizens could offer Gabriel Jesus in part-exchange for Harry Kane.

The Tottenham striker dropped a bombshell on Monday as he revealed to Spurs his intention to leave the club this summer (Sky Sports). The England international has had a wonderful career at Tottenham from a personal point of view, scoring 220 goals in 334 games for them (Transfermarkt), but he is yet to win a single trophy. As such, the Citizens have been linked with a move for his services.

It has been reported that they could offer Jesus plus cash to take Kane to the Etihad Stadium (Daily Mail). The Brazil international has 81 goals in 192 matches for City, but he has come in for criticism from some supporters due to his performances this season.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, imploring director of football Txiki Begiristain to do all he can to pull off the swap deal.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Jesus news below

“Wow! deal of the decade! Win-win for City to be honest!”

Credit: @ancvalu

“YES PLS”

Credit: @mcfcbalz

“Txiki must make this happen!”

Credit: @MogaleMokoena

“What a move….What a move I’m loving this news”

Credit: @Trishent44

“Yeeeeees! We take the Kane, they the Jesus, the Torres at 9, and the Grealish wing, Perfect plan for us”

Credit: @Dred17738856

“ON MY KNEES”

Credit: @mcfcbyron

In other news, a number of Man City fans loved this man’s comments.

Glasgow Rangers are back in action later today, facing the same opposition for the second time in the same week as they look to keep their trophy hunt on the right tracks at Ibrox.

Rangers face St Johnstone for the second time in a matter of days, with the Saints travelling to Ibrox for a Scottish Cup tie against Steven Gerrard’s side.

The Light Blues slipped to a 1-1 draw against Callum Davidson’s side at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday, with the hosts grabbing a deserved late equaliser from the penalty spot.

Gerrard will be looking to avoid a repeat of that scoreline at Ibrox on Sunday as they are looking to win the Scottish Cup for the first time since 2009.

In order to give his side the best chance of progressing to the semi-finals, the 40-year-old manager should axe Jack Simpson after his less than impressive performance in midweek.

The 24-year-old centre-back, who joined from Bournemouth in February, made his first start for the club at McDiarmid Park in midweek but struggled throughout and earned a shocking 5.98/10 rating for his performance from WhoScored.

The Englishman was regularly beaten by St Johnstone’s strikers in the air, struggling to cope with the aerial threat they possess, and Gerrard’s side should expect a similar bombardment at Ibrox on Sunday.

Simpson’s rash challenge inside the area also gifted the hosts a penalty in stoppage time, which Liam Craig duly tucked away to earn Davidson’s side a point, and perhaps emphasised that St Johnstone were right to target him throughout the match.

One of the defender’s former coaches Tim Davis was full of praise for Simpson after he earned an England U’21 call-up back in 2018, saying:

“He was a natural-born leader. As a kid, he wasn’t blessed with the most natural talent, like some are, but he had an amazing drive and determination.”

However, there was little evidence of that leadership in midweek, and whilst this was only his third appearance in a Rangers shirt, he has done little to win over fans so far and looked a bit of a liability at McDiarmid Park.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

Therefore, Gerrard should relegate him to the bench and bring back either Filip Helander or Leon Balogun, who have both excelled alongside Conor Goldson at centre-back.

And, in other news… Rangers handed huge boost in hopes of signing “powerful” gem, Wilson must deliver

Tottenham Hotspur’s season has very much repeated the same story.

The north London outfit have led 21 of their 30 league outings so far this term but have dropped a whopping 15 points from those winning positions.

Had they picked up those points, then Spurs would be sitting pretty in second place, four points ahead of today’s opposition, Manchester United.

For the most part, Jose Mourinho has absolutely rued individual errors and defensive mistakes, and that’s ultimately something he can ill afford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon.

On the Chalkboard

Indeed, despite having the third-best defensive record in the Premier League, their blunders at the back have been the defining theme of 2020/21.

It was only in October that Spurs thrashed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men 6-1 and two months later, they were sat top of the league.

Mourinho watched Davinson Sanchez make the latest in a long list of mistakes at Newcastle United last weekend.

Spurs looked to be heading for three points until five minutes from time when the Colombian clattered into his centre-back partner Joe Rodon, which allowed Joe Willock to ghost into the box and score an easy equaliser.

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Following the match, former Ireland captain-turned-pundit Kenny Cunningham blasted the £31.5m-rated star on the OTB Football podcast. He said:

“When he’s not at his best, when he’s having one of those looser moments, then he’s a real liability to his team. And that was the case today. Had an awful first half, to be honest with you.”

Whilst the 24-year-old colossus started the 6-1 win, he was not part of the Spurs side that skyrocketed to top spot, as in the subsequent game, West Ham launched a stunning three-goal comeback to earn a point.

Sanchez was then axed from the starting XI in ten of their next 11 games.

He’s since worked his way back into the lineup, starting nine successive outings, but now it’s time to drop him once again after the latest error.

In February, ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara implored the club to sell him as he’s part of one of the worst centre-back partnerships in the division, whilst Mourinho himself has even noted that Sanchez was the “weak link” when at Ajax.

United’s frontline of Marcus Rashford and Edinson Cavani and Bruno Fernandes is one to be feared – the trio have scored 55% of their league goals this term, and all three have either scored or assisted 52 of their 58 strikes, as per WhoScored.

Having someone who is prone to calamity is a recipe for disaster, so Sanchez really ought to be named on the bench today. When you have Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld waiting in the wings, there’s really no need to risk starting someone who has held Spurs back all season.

It’s not a coincidence that Mourinho enjoyed his best run in the league without him.

AND in other news, Daniel Levy played a blinder over 31 y/o’s exit…

Sheffield Wednesday are set to lose one of their key stars this summer, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Football League World claim the Owls have given up hope of keeping hold of Adam Reach, with him out of contract at the end of the season and many of their Championship rivals circling with interest.

Promotion favourites Watford are admirers of the versatile 28-year-old, whilst it’s thought Cardiff City are another club that could tempt Reach out of South Yorkshire.

With Wednesday sitting seven points adrift of safety, it’s no wonder the club are resigned to losing out on some of their biggest stars.

Bad news for Moore

Reach has emerged as one of Darren Moore’s most-trusted starters, especially as he’s able to play in a wide variety of positions but in the absence of a true out-and-out left-sided defender, he has stepped up to the plate.

Despite “inconsistent” claims from Hillsborough legend Carlton Palmer, the former Boro ace has been a major source of goals in what has been a poor season across the board.

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Only one other Owls player has managed to contribute more than eight goals this season (Callum Paterson, ten), so evidently, he’s crucial to Moore’s fortunes in the attack.

Reach is just two goals behind the trio of top goalscorers, whilst Barry Bannan is the one player ahead for assists, which is understandable.

Again, the 28-year-old wing-back rates out impressively for attacking returns, managing 1.2 shots and 0.8 key passes each outing in the league this campaign, via WhoScored.

It means he’s firing more shots at goal than centre-forward Jordan Rhodes and is a more creative influence than Josh Windass and Kadeem Harris.

Reach also offers leadership qualities, according to teammate Chey Dunkley, who told the official website earlier this season: “To me, Adam Reach is a leader when he comes up with something special.”

Whilst ex-caretaker Lee Bullen believes he has a major influence at either end of the pitch. “[Reach is] “so, so effective in the jobs he does because he does both attacking and the defensive roles brilliantly for the team.”

The £20k-per-week dynamo will be a big loss to Moore, and this update should worry him going into next season, regardless of if they go down to the third tier or stay up.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Iorfa: Sheffield Wednesday eye League One gem…

MatériaMais Notícias

O treino do Cruzeiro sofreu um atraso por um motivo especial nesta sexta-feira. Geralmente marcada para às 10h, as atividades na Toca da Raposa só começaram a partir das 11h. Isso porque o técnico Mano Menezes tirou o início da manhã para acompanhar o sorteio da Copa do Brasil. Porém, a atenção especial para o próximo adversário do Cruzeiro não significa que o treinador já esteja pensando no Corinthians. Em sua entrevista coletiva, Mano evitou falar sobre o assunto.

– Acompanhamos o sorteio como todo mundo. Mas só vamos falar da Copa do Brasil depois do jogo contra o Flamengo. Não dá para colocar a carroça na frente dos bois. Vamos pensar no Flamengo, que será um jogo importante e difícil. Estamos nos preparando para fazer um grande jogo, pois será complicado – comentou o treinador.

O duelo contra o Flamengo será às 16h deste domingo, em Cariacica, no Espírito Santo. O treinador celeste embarca para a cidade já com a escalação em mente, mas não poderá estar em campo durante a partida. Expulso no clássico contra o Atlético-MG, Mano acompanhará seus comandados de longe, enquanto o assistente Sidnei Lobo ficará à beira do campo.

– Será um jogo grande. E nós temos que estar à altura desse jogo grande. Sempre quando vou preparar a equipe para isso, falo com os atletas que você não pode ir para um jogo desses pensando em apenas esperar. Se você deixar o adversário conduzir o jogo, fica muito mais difícil. Eles podem conduzir, mas nós também teremos de propor o jogo e ter méritos para isso – disse.

Só depois da partida contra o Flamengo, o Cruzeiro passa a pensar no Corinthians. O primeiro duelo das quartas de final acontecerá no Itaquerão, no dia 28 às 21h45. O jogo de volta acontecerá no mesmo horário do dia 19 de outubro.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em 8 de setembro, a comédia “O Roubo da Taça” vai estrear nas salas de cinema do Brasil. O longa conta, com humor, a história do roubo do troféu na sede da CBF, em 1983. Entre no clima do filme e veja acima dez curiosidades do futebol em 1983. Você sabe quem ganhou o Brasileirão naquele ano? E a Liga dos Campeões? Veja na galeria!

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Celtic are currently linked with a number of names to potentially come in and replace the recently departed Neil Lennon. The Irishman left the club amid talks of his sacking after the Hoops have suffered a lacklustre season in both the Premiership and Europa League.

One name that has been heavily flirted with the idea of stepping in is Rafael Benitez. Before Lennon left the club, The Mirror reported that he was heavily in the picture to take over as head coach following his decision to leave his position in China. Whilst talks may have gone a little quiet since, bookmakers are still including him in the running to take the job.

Benitez himself has since come out with a rather interesting statement about his next career move. Speaking to the Daily Record, the Spaniard admitted he has had “so many offers” since he became available again “from South America to the Emirates”, however he isn’t looking to pursue any of these options.

“I want to stay in Europe and I want to do so to be competitive at a high level,” Benitez continued. “I’m looking for a project that will allow me to be competitive and with time and space to grow.”

This is definitely something to prick up the ears of fans and professionals alike. Due to their disappointing 2020/21 season, Celtic are very much in need of a squad revamp and a new set of managerial tactics. Benitez found success with Liverpool and boasts a Champions League trophy and FA Cup. He also won the Europa League with Chelsea and the Club World Cup with Inter Milan, just to name a few of his accolades.

He managed to drive Newcastle to their promotion from the Championship back in 2016 too, showing he has what it takes to challenge in both league and cup competitions.

His pedigree speaks for itself and his desire to stay in Europa and take on a project that needs some TLC is very telling. Perhaps the Celtic job has been earmarked by the Spaniard as the season in Scotland rounds off.

In other news, Appointing Benitez could hugely improve Stephen Welsh at Celtic…

After seeing him limp off in the closing minutes of Leeds’ 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League last time out, Marcelo Bielsa would have been hoping that Kalvin Phillips’ injury was nothing too long-lasting.

And after Bielsa’s press conference ahead of the game against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, The Athletic’s Phil Hay tweeted that Phillips is a “doubt” but that “no decision on him (has been) made yet”.

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent made it clear just how important Phillips is to this Leeds team, saying: “It is a unique role, and you think who else can they get in that position who can do the job effectively. The answer to that is no one.

“He’s that good of a player that it’s hard to replace him. You don’t just get players like that, it’s not that easy. Who’ve they got to come in there? Klich’s really impressed me this season but he won’t play that role. Shackleton might be able to step in but the drop off would be massive.”

With an average WhoScored match rating of 7.06, Phillips ranks third among his Leeds teammates this season in the Premier League, with only Patrick Bamford and Liam Cooper scoring higher.

And when you look at some of his underlying numbers, it’s easy to see why he’d be such a massive miss for Bielsa if he fails to pass a late fitness check against the Gunners.

He ranks top for tackles made (2.7 per game), fourth for interceptions (1.6), fourth for key passes (1.3), and top for crosses (1.2).

Phillips plays his part in everything in that engine room for Leeds, and like Bent says, it’s almost impossible for Bielsa to try and find a like-for-like replacement, particularly with the squad he’s got on his hands right now.

The Leeds boss will be extremely worried about his side’s chances of clinching victory against Mikel Arteta’s side.

Meanwhile, Leeds could sign Kalvin Phillips’ perfect midfield partner in this starlet…

If the transfer gossip columns are to be believed, Glasgow Rangers want to bolster their midfield options in the January transfer window.

Four names have continued to dominate the Rangers rumour mill in recent months, namely Aberdeen’s Scott Wright, Peterborough’s Siriki Dembele, Preston North End’s Daniel Johnson and former West Ham star-turned-free-agent Jack Wilshere.

Light Blues boss Steven Gerrard has remained tight-lipped over any potential incomings at Ibrox but hinted that there’s still business to be done in the transfer market as he bids to prevent Celtic from winning ‘ten in a row.’

Reports have now emerged over the past week that Rangers have started negotiations with Johnson, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, having rejected a club-record contract offer from the Championship club.

Kingston-born Johnson, 28, has been impressing in the English Championship for Preston with four goals and three assists in 20 appearances across all competitions this season.

He began his career at Crystal Palace before a major move to Aston Villa’s academy. After excelling as a youngster, he signed his first professional contract at Villa Park, where he played under former Rangers manager Alex McLeish, who was effusive in his praise for the “lovely little player.”

Capable of playing in the centre, on the left or on the right of the midfield, he has legitimate claims to not only being one of Preston’s best central midfielders but also one of the best attacking players in the division too, based on the statistics.

Last season, Johnson bagged 12 goals and 7 assists from the midfield in 33 appearances in the Championship, resulting in a 7 average rating, per WhoScored. For context, that’s only four fewer than tenth-placed Swansea City striker Andre Ayew.

In fact, if you take a closer look at the numbers, the Jamaican actually outperformed Ayew in certain areas, producing 1.4 key passes to Ayew’s 0.9, suggesting that he has a well-rounded game and create chances for others whilst scoring himself.

It’s hard to ignore the fact that a fit and in-form Johnson would be a valuable asset to most sides in the Scottish Premiership.

An extremely talented player, the two-time £3.6m-rated Jamaica international has scored 36 goals in 203 Championship appearances for Preston, emphasising the fact he could add a natural goal threat in the middle of the park.

If that isn’t enough to convince you otherwise, former Motherwell player Chris Humphrey played with him at Preston and recently described his former teammate as an “unbelievable” talent.

Having failed to sign him from Deepdale last summer, Ross Wilson must try and sign the midfielder on a pre-contract agreement in January. After all, he may not get another chance.

AND in other news, Rangers should unleash Cedric Itten against Ross County…