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For Celtic, this has already been a long arduous season. We’re only in December but it’s been full of immense drama.

The Hoops were dumped out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages and then conceded 19 in just six matches following their entrance to the Europa League. Being knocked out of that competition was a huge disappointment but the biggest frustration has come domestically.

Although the Bhoys have won the Scottish Cup, they are considerably off the pace in the SPFL and are in danger of losing their grip on the league crown.

It would now be a great surprise if it went any other way but Rangers’. Fortunately, they have a January transfer window to try and solve their woes. Naturally, the position they’ll look to strengthen in is defensively.

Celtic have shipped nine more goals than their arch-rivals despite playing three fewer games but one of the players linked with the club has been Philadelphia Union centre-back Mark McKenzie.

He’s one of the rising stars in MLS but Nick Hammond and Lennon could save themselves millions with one simple trick in the immediate future.

That’s to play Nir Bitton on a more regular basis. The Israeli has received vast waves of criticism during his stay at Parkhead, something that Brendan Rodgers described as “incredible” when he was still in Glasgow.

Yet, in a season where the likes of Shane Duffy and Christopher Jullien have provided drama at every corner, Bitton was safe as houses against Hamilton on Boxing Day.

He won a colossal seven aerial duels, taking his tally for the season to a massive 33 from just ten outings. It’s an almighty statistic but where he stood out above others a few days ago was in terms of reading the play.

Jullien and Duffy were at sixes and sevens throughout the Scottish Cup final but Bitton registered four interceptions versus Hamilton, producing the type of solid performance that Lennon needs to see more of.

If the Israel international manages more displays like this, it may just dissuade Hammond from entering the transfer market for a new defender.

All eyes are on Lennon and the hierarchy now.

AND in other news, Celtic must swoop for “extraordinary” colossus, he’s BETTER than Barkas…

Celtic may have unearthed a new Virgil van Dijk at Parkhead but this could spell trouble sooner rather than later.

Back in the summer of 2013, Neil Lennon secured the emerging Dutch prospect in a £2.6m move from Groningen with the Hoops chief claiming: “Delighted that we have acquired Virgil van Dijk… a highly talented young player.”

And boy did they sign a good’un. He went onto feature 115 times for the Scottish giants before earning a £13m switch to the Premier League.

Van Dijk soon continued his meteoric rise, becoming the most expensive defender ever when Liverpool splashed out £75m for his signature in late 2017.

This scenario could soon be repeated with the January transfer window soon on the horizon.

Kristoffer Ajer has enjoyed an impressive start to the season at Celtic Park, the 22-year-old has averaged 3.2 aerials won, 2.9 clearances and 1.5 tackles per game, via WhoScored.

His teammate Christopher Jullien believes he’s a “unique talent” who’s “on the rise” whilst assistant manager John Kennedy once dubbed him a “warrior”.

Lennon can count his lucky stars that they managed to keep hold of him despite their exit from the Champions League and amid interest from the Premier League and across Europe.

Ajer was mooted with a move away constantly throughout the summer window with AC Milan a name that frequently popped up. The likes of West Brom, Spurs and even the Premier League champions themselves were also linked with interest.

It certainly feels like another van Dijk situation is brewing here, perhaps even more so after well-earned comparisons between the two.

Speaking to Football Insider, Alex McLeish said: “He’s been an influential player for them. Running from defence, augment the attack and then it leads to a goal – these are inspirational moments and he is an inspirational, influential player for Celtic. He mentions [interest] he’s getting from top Italian teams then it tells you how far Ajer has progressed in the game. Like Virgil van Dijk, he came to Celtic and we all know what happened next.”

Whilst the similarities between van Dijk and Ajer’s playing style has previously been noted by the Herald too.

It’s surely a matter of time before the 6 foot 6 colossus earns a move to bigger and better things, and that should worry Peter Lawwell and co immensely as they’re going to have to open the chequebook to find a viable successor sooner rather than later.

AND in other news, Lennon cost Celtic dearly with key decision during Old Firm embarrassment…

أعلن الجنوب إفريقي بيتسو موسيماني، المدير الفني لـ الأهلي، بدلاء فريقه الذين سيتواجدون على دكة البدلاء خلال مباراة فريقه أمام الإسماعيلي، في الدوري المصري.

يلتقي الأهلي والإسماعيلي، في الثامنة من مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز، التي ستقام على استاد برج العرب. بدلاء الأهلي أمام الإسماعيلي

مصطفى شوبير حارس مرمى، ياسر إبراهيم، محمود كهربا، حسام حسن، محمد شريف، حسين الشحات، محمد هاني، أحممد عبد القادر، عمار حمدي.

According to the Daily Star, Tottenham Hotspur’s bid to move their Europa League tie with Lokomotiv Plovdiv to north London has been rejected, and the Bulgarian club’s owner has blasted their official ‘offer’ to rearrange the qualifier. 

Spurs gear up for a busy fixture calendar ahead of the 2020/21 season, including a Europa League qualifying round tie with Plovdiv in just under two weeks’ time – a match which the Lilywhites are due to play only four days after their opening Premier League game against Everton.

The tie is due to be held in Bulgaria, with Plovdiv given home advantage at their Lokomotiv Stadium, prompting Tottenham to try and rearrange the location for England due to a heavy run of fixtures.

As a result of Spurs’ attempts to move the game to London, Plovdiv owner Hristo Krucharski has slammed the English club ahead of the clash in mid-September, insisting that the match will be played in Bulgaria as scheduled and backing his team to overturn Mourinho’s side.

“There was an offer from Tottenham to play there. But I told them quickly that we don’t play for money but for pleasure,” Krucharski said, as per quotes from the Daily Star.

“We are Bulgarians. We have the chance to host this match here and the match will be played on Bulgarian soil.

“The miracle is clear. That we will beat them. We will beat them. The question is by how much.”

This could come as a blow for manager Mourinho and the Spurs squad, especially considering the flight path and travel time for a mid-week match before Tottenham are required to be action again the following weekend.

It’s likely that the Portuguese boss will heavily rotate his squad for the tie, potentially giving the likes of Jack Clarke, Cameron Carter-Vickers and fellow youngsters a chance to shine.

Club record signing Tanguy Ndombele, if he hasn’t been sold by then, could also be tested out as Spurs aim to overcome the Bulgarian minnows, whose owner is full of bombast ahead of the match.

Spurs fans, what are your score predictions for the Europa League clash? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below…

سلطت وسائل الإعلام التركية، الضوء على الهدفين اللذين سجلهما مصطفى محمد، مُهاجم منتخب مصر، والفريق الأول بنادي جالطة سراي، في شباك ريزة سبور بالدوري التركي.

واستعاد مصطفى محمد ذاكرة التهديف من جديد مع جالطة سراي، وسجل هدفين ساهم من خلالهما في فوز فريقه على ريزة سبور بنتيجة 3-2، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين مساء الأحد، بالجولة التاسعة من السوبر ليج. شاهد ملخص لمسات مصطفي محمد في مباراة جالطة سراي وريزة

ثنائية مصطفى محمد هي الأولى لمهاجمنا المصري، مُنذ 5 أشهر، حيث لم يسجل مصطفى أي أهداف رسمية مع جالطة سراي، مُنذ 11 مايو الماضي.

“بطولات” رصد أبرز ما جاء في الصحف التركية في السطور التالية…

البداية مع صحفية “الصباح” والتي قالت في عنوانها عن ثنائية مصطفى.. “مصطفى محمد يكسر صيامه بسرعة!، بعد أسابيع.. يسجل هدفًا”.

وقالت الصحيفة في تقريرها: “مصطفى محمد الذي كان له تأثير وأصبح محبوب الجماهير بأهدافه في الموسم الماضي، لم يتمكن من إحراز أي هدف في 13 مباراة هذا الموسم حتى مباراة ريزة سبور”.

وأضافت الصحيفة: “كسر مهاجم جالطة سراي، مصطفى محمد صيامه بهدفين في ريزة سبور، المهاجم الذي انتقل بين نصف الموسم الماضي أصبح أول مهاجم للفريق بأهدافه”.

وتابعت: “مصطفى سجل هدفه العاشر بقميص الأصفر والأحمر، وعاد للتسجيل من جديد، وأنقذ جالطة سراي، بإحراز هدفه التعادل”.

فيما جاء عنوان صحيفة “فاناتيك”.. “مصطفى محمد يعود مع جالطة سراي”.

وأضافت في تقريرها عن هدفي مصطفى: “مصطفى محمد عاد للتسجيل مرة أخرى، بعد أن بحث عن أول هدف له، وسجل هدفين في شباك فريق البحر الأسود”.

وواصلت: “مصطفى محمد بعد صيام لـ13 مباراة سجل هدفين، وأنهى صيامه للأهداف، لأول مرة مُنذ 11 مايو الماضي”.

واختتمت الصحيفة قائلة: “إذا سجل المزيد من الأهداف، سيقوم جالطة سراي بشراء مصطفى محمد من الزمالك”.

بينما علقت شبكة “دنيام سبور” على المباراة وجاء عنوانها: “3 نقاط لـ جالطة سراي في مباراة لا تُنسي”.

وقالت الصحيفة: “جالطة سراي لعب خارج أرضه مع ريزة سبور، ومصطفى محمد عاد للتهديف وسجل هدفين ليساعد فريقه على تحقيق الفوز”.

اقرأ أيضًا – جماهير جالطة سراي بعد هدفي مصطفى محمد أمام ريزة سبور: الأسد أخرج السهم ولن يُعيده

وأضافت: “أهداف مصطفى كانت هامة ليحصل جالطة سراي على 3 نقاط هامة، في مباراة كانت هامة لفاتح تريم قبل فترة الاستراحة الدولية”.

ونختتم بصحيفة “حرييت” والتي جاء عنوانها.. “جالطة سراي ينتصر 3-2 على ريزة سبور”.

وقالت الصحيفة في تقريرها عن المباراة: “يدين جالطة سراي في انتصاره لمصطفى محمد وموروتان الذي أنقذ فريقه في الوقت القاتل”.

وأضافت : “مصطفى محمد سجل هدفًا في الدقيقة الخامسة، ثم بوهيانبالو سجل هدفين لـ ريزة سبور، لكن مصطفى عاد وجعل النتيجة 2-2 للفريق الأصفر والأحمر بهدف رائع”.

Tottenham Hotspur are ‘confident’ of completing a deal for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, even though Southampton have accepted a bid from Everton for the midfielder.  

Hojbjerg has made it clear he wants to move to Spurs, where Jose Mourinho is willing to play him in front of the back four. Mourinho has identified the Dane as the signing he needs to rebuild Spurs’ midfield.

According to The Guardian, as per @Daily_Hotspur, Tottenham are confident that they can sign Hojbjerg from Southampton. Dave Hytner, the newspaper’s chief football correspondent, claims that Spurs will look to conclude negotiations with the Saints, despite falling short of their asking price so far.

Southampton plan to use Everton’s £25m bid as a benchmark, while Daniel Levy will look to lower their valuation.

Hojbjerg has told the Saints that he will not be signing a new deal at St Mary’s and he was removed from the captaincy by Ralph Hasenhuttl as a result.

The ex-Bayern Munich ace has lost his place in the starting line-up since the Premier League restart, although he played the full 90 minutes against Brighton at right-back.

Hojbjerg has played 33 games in the Premier League this season, supplying one assist, taking 1.4 shots, winning 2.4 tackles and completing 1.5 clearances per game on average (via WhoScored).

Although it looks like the Lilywhites are the favourites to sign him at the moment, a deal seems far from done.

While he will not be available for a cut-price fee as the club had initially hoped, in reality he should be more than affordable, as Levy spent £53.8m on Tanguy Ndombele last year.

Spurs could be set for a reshuffle if Hojbjerg arrives in the summer, as former Pochettino favourite Harry Winks may be forced to make way, while questions remain over Ndombele’s future in north London.

Tottenham fans, do you think Daniel Levy should sign Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the summer? Let us know in the comments below!

MatériaMais Notícias

A goleada do Verdão sobre o River Plate (URU), por 4 a 0, não deu a classificação ao time, mas serviu para encher alguns jogadores de moral. Entre eles, o lateral Egídio, que vem crescendo com Cuca. Allione, com dois gols, e Alecsandro, que fez um e participou de outros dois, também foram destaque. Confira as notas:

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras faz sua parte, goleia o River, mas está fora da LibertadoresPalmeiras14/04/2016PalmeirasRobinho renova contrato com o Palmeiras até o fim de 2019Palmeiras14/04/2016

PALMEIRAS

6,0
Fernando Prass
Foi pouco exigido. Fez uma boa defesa no primeiro tempo e esteve sempre atento para sair com os pés.

5,5
Jean
Não foi tão presente no ataque e teve pouco trabalho na defesa. Insistiu nos cruzamentos da intermediária.

5,5
Thiago Martins
Inseguro no início do jogo, cometeu um vacilo que quase acabou em gol. Na frente, por pouco não fez de cabeça.

6,0
Vitor Hugo
Mais seguro que o companheiro de zaga, apesar de também ter vacilado em um lance perigoso. Bons desarmes.

7,0
Egídio
Talvez seja o jogador que mais cresceu com Cuca. Confiante, fez gol e foi uma das melhores opções de ataque.

6,0
Matheus Sales
Ficou mais preso que Gabriel e, exceto por um ou outro lance, foi firme na marcação. Bem na saída de bola.

6,0
Gabriel
Lançou-se à frente para ajudar o time a criar e participou de alguns lances perigosos. Iniciou jogadas.

6,0
Robinho
Deu o passe para o gol de Egídio mesmo sentado, mas na maior parte do jogo não teve essa lucidez. Substituído.

7,0
Allione
Movimentou-se bastante e, apesar de tomar a decisão errada em várias jogadas, marcou dois gols.

7,0
Alecsandro
Deu passe para o segundo gol, participou do terceiro e sofreu o pênalti que ele mesmo bateu para marcar o quarto.

5,5
Lucas Barrios
Sempre no pivô, teve um gol anulado por fazer falta e outra boa chance. Saiu para o time ter mais rapidez.

6,5
Cleiton Xavier
Depois de oito meses fora, entrou bem e fez o cruzamento que terminou no terceiro gol. Sua volta serve de consolo.

5,5
Erik
Teve duas chances de marcar assim que entrou e concluiu mal. Ao menos deu mais mobilidade ao time.

5,5
Rafael Marques
No pouco tempo que ficou em campo, distribuiu alguns passes inteligentes.

6,5
Cuca
O time fez o que precisava, ganhou com facilidade e chegou ao quinto jogo invicto. Boa perspectiva para o futuro.

RIVER PLATE (URU)

5,0
Perez
Fez boas defesas, mas não resistiu ao ímpeto do ataque palmeirense.

4,0
Giovanni González
Egídio passou como quis por sua marcação em seu lado.

4,5
Ronaldo Conceição
Cansou de rebater bolas e deixou a desejar na marcação.

4,5
Dario Flores
Travou batalha com a Alecsandro e deixou muitos espaços.

4,0
Cristian Gonzalez
Fechou demais pelo meio e deixou um buraco na lateral.

4,5
Federico Pintos
Bateu muito para tentar roubar a bola do Verdão. Levou amarelo.

4,0
Pablo González
Perdido em campo, não sabia se marcava ou saía para o jogo.

5,0
Diego Vicente
Pouco apareceu para auxiliar na criação de jogadas.

5,0
Montelongo
Tentou puxar alguns contra-ataques sem levar perigo para Prass.

4,5
Alexander Rosso
Outro que não disse a que veio, apagado e sem utilidade no ataque.

5,5
Schiappacasse
O melhor do time, sente a falta de qualidade dos colegas.

4,5
Taján
Mal tocou na bola. Entrou para dar mais velocidade e ficou devendo.

4,0
Ribas
Limitado, errou domínios e não conseguiu manter a bola no ataque.

4,0
Flores
Mais um que entrou em campo apenas para completar o time.

4,5
Juan Carrasco
Tentou armar um time para perder de pouco. Sem sucesso.

continua após a publicidade

Kevin Phillips has said that the money on offer at Newcastle United could be enough to tempt Mauricio Pochettino, in an interview with Football Insider.

What did he say?

According to Sky Sports, the prospective owner of Newcastle have already lined up the former Tottenham Hotspur boss as their number one target to take over as manager.

The Argentine has been out of work since November when he was fired by Spurs, although he remains a sought after coach given what he achieved in North London.

Asked whether the 48-year-old would be tempted, former Sunderland striker Phillips said the money would prove hard to turn down, but that he expected Pochettino to want to challenge for trophies.

“It is no surprise when owners have come in with the sort of wealth that we are talking about,” he told Football Insider.

“Why not aim for the best? Pochettino is a good manager but he never won anything at Tottenham. I think it will take a couple of years, if everything goes right for Newcastle, for them to be challenging.

“Pochettino will be interested, for £19million a year, that can be hard to turn down.

“I am sure it is not all about the money for him though, he will want to win stuff and I think he will want to be challenging straight away at his next club.”

Matching ambition

Pochettino is clearly an ambitious man and he very nearly achieved some of those targets at Spurs, finishing second in the Premier League and reaching a Champions League final.

However, he is yet to win a trophy as a manager and it is likely that will be one of his key aims when considering his next move.

If he is to move to St James’ Park, he would likely need plenty of assurances and it will also depend on what other jobs come available.

أعلن وحيد خاليلوزيتش المدير الفني لمنتخب المغرب عن قائمة لاعبيه لمواجهتي غانا وبوركينا فاسو الوديتين خلال فترة التوقف الدولي المقبلة.

ويلتقي المغرب أمام منتخبي غانا وبوركينا فاسو يومي 8 و12 من شهر يونيو المقبل.

وشهدت القائمة ضم أشرف بن شرقي لاعب الزمالك، واستبعاد بدر بانون لاعب الأهلي وحميد أحداد مهاجم القلعة البيضاء.

وكان أشرف بن شرقي قد تغيب عن قائمة أسود الأطلس الماضية أمام بوروندي وموريتانيا ضمن تصفيات كأس الأمم الإفريقية. قائمة المغرب لمباراتي غانا وبوركينا فاسو

حراسة المرمى: ياسين بونو (إشبيلية) – منير المحمدي (هاتاي سبور) – أنس الزنيتي (الرجاء) – رضا التكناوتي (الوداد).

خط الدفاع: رومان غانم سايس (وولفرهامبتون) – جواد يميق (بلد الوليد) – أدم ماسينا (واتفورد) – أشرف حكيمي (إنتر  ميلان) – نايف أكرد – (رين)- سفيان شاكلا (خيتافي)- أشرف لزعز – أيوب العملود (الوداد) – سامي مايي (فيرنكفاروس).

خط الوسط: سفيان أمرابط (فيورنتينا) – سليم أملاح (سطانداردولييج) – أيمن برقوق (إينتراخت فرانكفورت) – عادل تاعرابت (بنفيكا) – يحيى جبران (الوداد) – إلياس شاعر (كوينز بارك رينجرز).

الهجوم: يوسف النصيري (إشبيلية) – منير الحدادي (إشبيلية) – سفيان رحيمي (الرجاء) – أيوب الكعبي (الوداد)- أشرف بنشرقي (الزمالك) – حكيم زياش (تشيلسي) – زكرياء أبو خلال (ألكمار).

The team is complete 🇲🇦
Here is the Squad list for the next friendly games against Ghana 🇬🇭 & Burkina Faso 🇧🇫#DimaMaghrib pic.twitter.com/DFmPNTja2Y

— Équipe Nationale du Maroc (@EnMaroc) May 27, 2021

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

Argentina play Brazil on Friday and the game should have some special interest from north London.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso has been called up to La Albiceleste’s squad as they prepare to take on their bitter Samba rivals.

Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not Lo Celso will actually play; he has not got a lot of football under his belt for Spurs this season and only completed his first 90 minutes at the weekend, as they drew 1-1 with Sheffield United.

But if he does, Mauricio Pochettino, his compatriot, really ought to take notes.

In his first start for the club, he played on the right of midfield against Red Star Belgrade as Spurs won 4-0 in the Champions League.

He scored his first goal for the club in that fixture and subsequently retained his place against the Blades.

But he was again played out of position, on the right flank, and endured a troublesome afternoon, as Football FanCast has explored previously.

For Argentina, throughout his international career, he has played primarily in central midfield.

He was playing in that role in the 0-0 draw with Chile, in which he sustained a hip injury, and has done so in 13 of his 19 caps for his country. He has played as an attacking midfielder twice, a right midfielder on four occasions and on the left wing once.

Funnily enough, Argentina have won just once when he has been deployed on the right side of midfield, a 5-1 thrashing of Nicaragua. In the other games, they were beaten 6-1 by Spain, 2-0 by Colombia and 2-0 by Brazil.

It is clear that his country do not see him as a winger and he is likely to return to midfield on Friday.

When he last played in midfield, he was partnered by Leandro Paredes, the PSG midfielder, and Udinese’s Rodrigo de Paul as they drew 0-0 with Chile.

The same goes for the Copa America third-place play-off, also against Chile, and it could be instructive for Pochettino as he bids to cure Spurs’ ailments.

They have not won in the Premier League since September but one feels that placing Lo Celso in a midfield three could bring some success.

It would surely lead to the exclusion of Christian Eriksen, the attacking midfielder, but Lo Celso could play alongside a combination of Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele, Moussa Sissoko and Eric Dier.

It would add energy and dynamism to the middle and also spark a fluidity not seen from Spurs in months.

Pochettino ought to keep an eye on Argentina’s game just to see how Lo Celso performs, and whether those skills could be transferable.