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On the 6th of November 1999, the Barkatullah Khan Stadium at Jodhpurhosted a match between the visiting New Zealanders and the BoardPresident’s XI

Anand Vasu23-Mar-2001On the 6th of November 1999, the Barkatullah Khan Stadium at Jodhpurhosted a match between the visiting New Zealanders and the BoardPresident’s XI. Late in the day, when Board President’s XI were on thefield, a rather unusual incident occurred. Halfway through an over,Harbhajan Singh, fielding at square leg threw his arms up in the air,pumped his fists and celebrated wildly. He had not taken a catch, nowicket had fallen, nothing on the field was worth celebrating. Then itbecame clear. The public address system had just let everyone knowthat Harbhajan Singh had been included in the Indian squad for theseries against New Zealand. Speaking to this correspondent at the endof the day’s play, the young man was excited as was to be expected.However, he was not altogether swept off his feet “I expected thecall. I’m a regular bowler for my state side and have been doing wellin recent matches. The first Test match is at Mohali, my home groundand I hope to do well there,” said the young man.As it turned out, Harbhajan Singh picked up just six wickets at 38apiece in the two Tests he played. A far cry from the series that hasjust ended. Peddling his wares against Australia, probably thestrongest team in the world at the moment, Harbhajan Singh scalped 32wickets at an average of just over 17. But then again, Harbhajan Singhis a different man now.The Punjab offspinner has gone through so much in his personal lifethat his success is a tribute to his resilience. After being pickedfor India and failing to live upto expectations, Harbhajan Singh wasrelegated to the cricketing wilderness for a time to come. When he didmake his comeback to the Indian side, doubts were raised about thelegality of his action. Dropped from the side, the young offspinnerhad to undergo the ignominy of several tests. The last one of thosecame in the form of a trip to England where former England offspinning allrounder Fred Titmus had a look at Harbhajan’s action.Without a second thought Harbhajan Singh was cleared.When he was back in action in the domestic circuit, Harbhajan Singhwas a changed man. No bowler likes to have his action questioned,justified or otherwise. On a relaxed evening, after a hard day out inthe field for Punjab, his state side, Harbhajan spoke about hisexperience in England. There was no fuss, no elaborate suspicion,nothing. Harbhajan Singh was asked to bowl a few balls, was clearedand that was that.Just when it looked like things were going well for Harbhajan, apersonal setback put him down again. Not six months ago, Harbhajanlost his father a big blow for a young man just 20 years of age. Eversince that happened, Harbhajan has changed the way he approaches thegame. Following this, the way he went about managing himself underwenta change. After almost being dropped by Indian Airlines, his corporateside, Harbhajan Singh’s cup of woe spilled over.And yet, Harbhajan Singh responded by spinning India to victoryagainst the Aussies. While he took 32 wickets, the remaining tenbowlers used in the series could manage just 17 between them. Thatsurely is as much as you can expect of someone. In his manner anddeeds, Harbhajan Singh has silenced critics across the board.

Queens Park Rangers winger Albert Adomah is considering his future at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that the 33-year-old is considering his options ahead of the upcoming transfer window after a disappointing campaign in west London.

The report goes on to state that a number of Championship sides, including the likes of Bristol City, Derby County, Luton Town and Birmingham City, are keeping a close eye on the situation of the Ghana international ahead of a potential summer move.

Adomah must go

While there was a great deal of fanfare surrounding Adomah’s move from Nottingham Forest to QPR back in October, due to the £900k-rated forward’s obvious affection for the club, it would be a difficult argument to make that the 33-year-old had a good season for Mark Warburton’s side.

Although Adomah went on to feature 34 times in the Championship this term, it quickly became apparent that the former Aston Villa man was not a part of Warburton’s regular starting XI, with only seven of his league appearances coming as starts.

Over these appearances, the £13k-per-week winger hardly set the world alight, scoring two goals, registering five assists and creating seven big chances for his teammates, seeing him earn a rather disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.74 – ranking him as QPR’s joint 11th-worst performer in the second tier this season.

As such, considering the fact that Adomah is the Rs’ joint highest-paid player at present, his returns do not justify his rather hefty weekly wage, leading us to believe that it would be a very wise move for Amit Bhatia to move the player whom Dean Smith claimed gives full-backs “real trouble” onto pastures new this summer.

Furthermore, with exciting youth prospects such as Ilias Chair and Chris Willock coming through at QPR – both of whom are comfortable operating from the wing – regularly playing a 33-year-old Adomah ahead of the youngsters could stunt their growth in Warburton’s side.

So, despite the romance of the winger playing for the club that he so clearly loves, a move away from the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium this summer may be the best option for all parties.

In other news: Get it done: Bhatia must sanction QPR swoop for “unplayable” 17 G/A beast this summer

Some Everton fans have been left to speculate as Moise Kean modelled the new Paris Saint-Germain home kit for the 2021/22 season.

As shared on the French club’s official Twitter page, the Italy international can be seen wearing the new shirt along with Neymar and Julian Draxler.

Kean is only on loan at PSG and is due to return to Goodison Park at the end of the season.

It is therefore odd to see him modelling the new kit unless he is playing for them and not the Merseyside club next term.

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There have been some recent reports of him leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s team on a permanent deal, and some Toffees supporters have duly been wondering whether PSG have reached an agreement to sign him.

Everton fans on Kean update

These Everton fans speculated as the image was shared on Twitter by PSG, with one fan claiming that it was an ‘interesting’ sight:

“What’s he doing advertising their kit for next season when he’s not officially left us yet? Bit dodgy isn’t it”

Credit: @joshhodge81

“Loan players market team kits now? That’s new to me…”

Credit: @Twotonedred

“Interesting”

Credit: @MacdoonJnr

“That’s him gone then, 100%”

Credit: @zodoz9

“Moise Kean gone then. Sad really. Can’t help but fee we let him down. Hopefully get a big fee for a talented youngster. All the best.”

Credit: @TheDanMox

“See ya”

Credit: @steefcGT4

In other news, some Everton fans blasted this man’s performance against Aston Villa.

Crystal Palace could be left sweating over the fitness of Wilfried Zaha for the remainder of the campaign.

According to Roy Hodgson, the Ivorian winger “felt” something in his groin ahead of the Premier League clash with Manchester City – a game in which the Eagles fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Zaha managed to take to the field despite the potential problem, completing the full 90 minutes, but it will nevertheless be a worry for Hodgson in the final few matches of the campaign.

Should the injury be more serious than first thought and the £130k per week winger is ruled out, this would see Palace lose their talisman.

The 28-year-old has once again been at the forefront of Crystal Palace’s season during 2020/21, netting ten goals in all competitions.

Those strikes alone have been worth six points to the Eagles in the Premier League and without them, they would still be firmly embroiled in the battle to avoid relegation.

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Indeed, in the eight games that Palace have played without Zaha this season, they have only one won – a terrible rate.

Whilst the Eagles are under zero threat of dropping into the Championship this season, any injury to Zaha would certainly be a sour note to end the campaign on if he is ruled out and that terrible run continues.

Even if he is not restricted to the sidelines though, Hodgson will certainly be hoping for better from Zaha going forwards if the injury is only minor.

The winger turned in a disastrous performance against Manchester City on Saturday – a display that, on reflection, could potentially have been explained by his apparent groin problem.

Palace will certainly hope he is fully fit and firing for next weekend’s clash against already relegated Sheffield United as the Eagles aim to halt their three-match losing run.

AND in more news, take a closer look at the winger’s awful showing against Manchester City…

Newcastle United travel to Anfield on Saturday afternoon riding a wave of their best form all season, to play guest to Liverpool after a rough week for the reigning Premier League champions.

The Reds’ involvement in the proposed European Super League lasted less than 48 hours, before a public apology from owner John Henry and manager Jurgen Klopp pleading for supporters to show their forgiveness.

Steve Bruce will hope he can add to the misery with his side’s first top-flight win at Anfield since April 1994, as the Toon look to claim a third straight league victory for the first time this term and continue a season-high run of results after wins over Burnley and West Ham.

Newcastle are yet to go unbeaten in four successive Premier League fixtures this season but can do so on Saturday. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up that Bruce may field with two changes from the XI that beat the Irons…

Newcastle travel to Liverpool with a near fully fit squad available for Bruce to select from, with the Toon boss confirming on Friday that Allan Saint-Maximin will be on hand after overcoming a knock taken to his ankle in last week’s 3-2 win over West Ham.

The Frenchman was forced to limp off following a kick to his ankle, but should open the action at Anfield beside Callum Wilson with the Magpies’ 10-goal top-scorer also fit to feature for potentially his first start since sustaining a hamstring injury on February 6.

Bruce will be without Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Ryan Fraser on Merseyside as the trio continue their recoveries from respective knee, foot and groin injuries, while Karl Darlow will be replaced on the bench by Mark Gillespie after a small operation on his knee.

Schar returned to training earlier this week but is unlikely to feature against Liverpool, leaving Bruce to name an unchanged back-line from the Irons affair with Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett, Ciaran Clark, Federico Fernandez and Jacob Murphy protecting goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

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Sean Longstaff has started each of Newcastle’s last three games as they held Tottenham to a draw before wins over Burnley and West Ham, but is likely to fall to the bench in place of last Saturday’s match-winner Joe Willock.

The £20,000-per-week Arsenal loanee made the telling contribution within seconds of his introduction in place of Longstaff, who had played just 12 accurate passes before his exit in the 80th minute – fewer than Magpies shot-stopper Dubravka (15), per WhoScored.

Bruce opting to start Wilson in attack with Saint-Maximin would be expected to come at the expense of Joelinton, despite the Brazilian enjoying his best run of form in front of the net since joining Newcastle in a club-record £40m deal with TSG Hoffenheim in 2019.

The forward struck his second goal in three games against West Ham after finding the back of Tottenham’s net, after which Ian Wright lauded Joelinton for his “nuisance value” having been involved “in everything”, to now boast five goals in 64 career Premier League games.

AND in other news, Newcastle United hold keen interest in £35m titan who “flung his teammates under the bus”…

When Neil Lennon decided to step down from his position as the manager of Celtic two months ago, it would have been a surprise to the Parkhead hierarchy.

Despite the Bhoys sitting 18 points adrift of top spot, they were still full of backing for the Northern Irishman. They weren’t ready to see him go and that’s been apparent in the fact that we’re still no closer to an announcement from the Hoops’ boardroom as to his long-term successor.

Nick Hammond has left the club in the meantime, while Dominic McKay has already started putting plans in place for next season. That said, the biggest capture of them all still escapes them.

With a number of issues to address before the summer window opens, Celtic need to get someone in place as soon as possible.

A number of coaches have been in the frame for the manager’s job, from Eddie Howe and Lucien Favre to Roy Keane.

If anyone is to finally be appointed, it shouldn’t be John Kennedy, someone the club are thinking of considering. He was given the keys to Celtic on an interim basis when Lennon left but, despite only losing one of his matches in charge – their defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup – he hasn’t covered himself in glory.

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The Glaswegian outfit have only scored 12 goals in seven games, six of which came in one match against Livingston. Beyond that, they have been terrible in front of goal and have continued to be lacklustre at the back, somehow drawing 0-0 with Dundee United in the game which handed their crosstown rivals the Premiership title.

On that day, goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist made an eye-catching haul of 12 saves. A similar eventuality befell Celtic last weekend.

As they were knocked out of the cup, Odsonne Edouard uncharacteristically missed from a few yards out before Moi Elyounoussi spurned a golden chance from inside the area as well. Edouard also missed a penalty with a rather poor effort from 12 yards out.

Kennedy has been unable to revive Celtic, and his substitutions and team selection leave plenty to be desired.

He is playing a number of first teamers who won’t even be at the club next season. Aberdeen-bound Scott Brown is still earning minutes while Diego Laxalt, Jonjoe Kenny and Elyounoussi – all on loan – have been regulars.

The 37-year-old has been devoid of inspiration and is failing to blood those who have a future at the club; you only need to look at Ismaila Soro’s lack of minutes for evidence in that department.

He has also been making some peculiar comments to the media, something the hot-headed Chris Sutton commented upon last week.

Speaking on the Record Celtic podcast after Kennedy claimed Celtic were still the best team in the country, Sutton said: “He could still say that Celtic have a good team that they can perform extremely well. But he said they are the best team in the country, that is a completely different thing to say, it’s a ridiculous thing to say.

“First of all it’s absolutely not true, everyone can see that and it’s slightly delusional to say that. It was just a really daft comment to make that Celtic are still the best team in the country when they have been annihilated this season.”

Kennedy has looked a forlorn figure on the sidelines in recent weeks and has nothing to show why he should be given the job. At least Keane has accomplished something in his managerial career; he was promoted to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2007.

At the moment, Dermot Desmond should pick anyone but their interim manager; it would only create an ever bigger mess.

AND in other news, Forget Harkin: Celtic could find their new Van Dijk by appointing title-winning 39 y/o…

Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after the club confirmed Leon Balogun has signed a contract extension to keep him at Ibrox until the end of next season.

Balogun made the move to Glasgow last summer from Brighton and has proven to be an astute signing from Steven Gerrard and co. Despite a couple of injuries, he has still managed 28 appearances in all competitions, and the Gers have shipped just 20 goals during that time (Transfermarkt).

Now, he has signed a new contract to keep him in Glasgow for another 12 months. Clearly, Gerrard still sees him as a part of the club’s future and trusts him to continue to perform even as the 55-time Scottish champions aim to qualify for the Champions League group stages.

The news was shared on Twitter by the Gers’ official account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts, with one fan hailing it as ‘fantastic news’.

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

“Tremendous scenes”

Credit: @afgavinstan

“Fantastic news!”

Credit: @thisisibrox

“Outstanding news Don’t let a shaky performance at right back against Slavia cloud your judgement of what has been a ridiculously good season from an absolutely cracking free transfer.”

Credit: @Rangers_View

“Great business once again by Rangers”

Credit: @the_bluenose1

“That’s just won us the league, so it has.”

Credit: @deecee1872

“Might be unpopular but delighted with this. Never seen anything but fight from the boy.”

Credit: @paddyjaque

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this journalist’s comments.

Numerous fans of West Ham United have been reacting to a post on Twitter in which the Hammers shared an image of Declan Rice in action for England with the caption of “classy” and two hand-clap emojis.

So far this season, Rice has highly impressed over his 29 Premier League appearances for David Moyes’ side, with the defensive midfielder scoring one goal and providing one assist, as well as making an average of two interceptions, 1.9 tackles and 1.2 clearances per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 7.09. That ranks him as the Hammers’ fourth-best performer in the top flight.

The 22-year-old has also impressed while on international duty with England, most recently during the 2-0 win over Albania in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, a game in which Rice made five interceptions, two tackles and three clearances, earning a SofaScore match rating of 7.8.

After West Ham shared an image of Rice in action for England on Twitter, many fans of the Hammers flocked to have their say on the matter, with plenty heaping a considerable amount of praise on the midfielder. One Irons fan even dubbed the 22-year-old a “Rolls Royce of a footballer”.

So, what exactly did these West Ham United fans have to say in reaction to the image of Declan Rice?

“England’s best player plays for West Ham. What a world.”

@AndrewKane221

“My captain.”

@notorious1324

“Always is and always will be.”

@bazza123whu

“England’s best DM, no debate.”

@mattw00druf

“Rolls Royce of a footballer.”

@joehalford1990

“We are so lucky man.”

@_ghzst

“I don’t want him to leave West Ham but if I’m Man City, I’m getting him in as a long term replacement for Fernandinho. He is outstanding. Such a class act.”

@Jayoconnor8

In other news: This West Ham summer target dropped a big hint on his future – find out more here!

It is fair to say that Kelechi Iheanacho’s renaissance at Leicester City has been a remarkable one.

Previously just an under-study to Jamie Vardy at the King Power Stadium, the Nigerian has burst into life in recent months, netting a remarkable nine goals in as many games in all competitions since the start of February.

His form is certainly all the more surprising considering that as recently as August 2020, the striker was being linked with a move away from the East Midlands, with Fenerbahce interested in his services, according to Fotospor.

Rodgers’ decision not to sell the £13.5m-rated striker and instead put faith in him appears to be one that is reaping rewards for not only Iheanacho but also The Foxes.

Now on 12 goals for the campaign following his brace against Manchester United in the FA Cup, the Nigerian is in the midst of his second-most productive season of his career. He only needs a further two strikes to match his 14-goal haul of his breakout season at Manchester City.

His record this season is all the more eye-catching considering that during the two seasons following his move to the East Midlands from the Etihad Stadium, he only notched 11 strikes.

Iheanacho’s hot form though is once again down to Rodgers’ renewed faith in the striker.

Having made just 16 starts in all competitions for The Foxes last season, he now looks sure to surpass that figure this time around having started four consecutive Premier League matches for the first time this year.

In that time, he has scored five league goals alone.

Rodgers’ gamble on Iheanacho has plenty of praise too.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass labelled the Northern-Irishman’s show of faith as “unbelievable” and also said of the player that “his attitude has been spot on”.

Rodgers’ decision to not only keep the striker but also play him regularly has been rewarded with his stunning recent run and has justified his choice to keep him back when he could have moved to Turkey.

AND in more news, take a closer look at the Nigerian’s fantastic performance against Man Utd in the FA Cup…

Celtic’s search for a new manager has really gathered pace over the last few days but unfortunately for majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, he still no closer to uncovering Neil Lennon’s successor.

Roy Keane has been the favourite in the last week but fresh claims have quashed those rumours.

What’s the word?

Last week, it quickly became apparent that Keane was leading the race to become the new manager of Celtic.

Football Insider revealed that discussions and an interview had even taken place. However, in a remarkable twist, it now looks like the Irishman is unlikely to head back to Parkhead.

The Times have sources close to Keane in Ireland who have revealed that a Celtic reunion is doubtful.

Keane turned down the Hoops job in 2014 and he looks set to miss out on the hot seat once again.

Amazing news for supporters

When it emerged that Keane was in the running to become the new manager of Celtic, it was not very well received by plenty of the club’s supporters.

Well followed Bhoys podcaster Paul John Dykes admitted that news of the Manchester United legend’s potential arrival had gone down like a led balloon with fans.

You can see why, too. Keane hasn’t managed for the best part of ten years and he didn’t exactly achieve a great deal during his time with Sunderland and then Ipswich.

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He got the Mackems promoted but his win percentage during the course of his managerial career speaks volumes. The 49-year-old has a pretty disastrous win rate of just 38.7%.

The television pundit has taken guidance from Martin O’Neill during his three spells as assistant manager under him. However, with that in mind, it feels like Keane is more equipped to be a number two.

News that the former midfielder is now less likely to be given the reins at Paradise should be music to the ears of supporters.

Desmond can now turn to alternatives. Chris Wilder has been linked, a manager we’ve suggested is a better option for the Bhoys.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic must swoop for 28-goal “sensation” who’ll “go to the very top”…