Tottenham have been repeatedly and often linked with a move to sign Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, but alternative options are also appearing all of the time.
Spurs eyeing Conor Gallagher move
Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou, according to reports, is said to be a personal admirer of the 23-year-old (Fabrizio Romano).
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The Lilywhites face competition from PSG.
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Homegrown and with a contract expiring next year, Spurs could also theoretically land Gallagher on the cheap despite his excellent form under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.
Gallagher has started 24 league games for Chelsea as one of their best-performing players, and this is really enticing Spurs who were widely reported to hold a serious interest last summer.
"He’s a terrific player. I’m not sold on the idea that it would be impossible for him to come to Spurs and here’s why," said Mirror journalist Darren Lewis last month to the Last Word on Spurs podcast (via FFC).
Crystal Palace
March 2nd
Aston Villa
March 10th
Luton
March 16th
West Ham
April 2nd
"I didn’t think Chelsea would sell Mason Mount to a rival, and they sold him to Man Utd for £60m. He was a poster boy for the academy, I just think as far as Gallagher is concerned there is that problem with PSR with Chelsea. I think he would be an excellent fit for Spurs, and working for a manager like Postecoglou who puts his arm around a player, I think Gallagher could really settle down.
“This is a Spurs podcast so we won’t dwell too much on Chelsea, but I think there is a possibility that Gallagher could come, yes.”
While Gallagher to north London is indeed a possibility, the club still have their eyes on potential alternatives if a deal can't come to fruition. The former Palace star could end up signing a new deal, and that would all but end Spurs' hopes of signing the player.
Tottenham could sign "interesting" Gallagher alternative James Garner
Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Dean Jones suggests Tottenham could sign an "interesting" alternative to Gallagher in Everton midfielder James Garner. Indeed, Garner apparently fits the Spurs profile and is one to look out for this summer, if a deal for Gallagher is off the table.
"Garner is probably a Gallagher alternative that Tottenham might look at," said Jones.
"Obviously, it's very early days to be analysing the summer transfer window. We know that Tottenham are still waiting to see if Conor Gallagher does become available because there is a feeling still that he might and the longer that contract situation goes on, the longer they will believe that something might be able to happen. But if Conor Gallagher does end up signing a contract extension, they need to have a list of names they immediately turn to. And I guess James Garner kind of fits the profile somewhat so yeah, an interesting one to look out for."
UEFA are set to up their security at Euro 2024 after a number of fans entered the pitch in an effort to take pictures with Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Ronaldo played in win against TurkeyGame halted due to pitch invadersSecurity to be increased at matchesWHAT HAPPENED?
Ronaldo was left visibly furious after six separate pitch invaders made it onto the pitch and tried to take selfies with him during Portugal's 3-0 win over Turkey at Euro 2024. The match was halted several times as spectators sprinted towards the five-time Ballon d'Or winner. As a result, UEFA have announced security at stadiums for the remainder of the tournament will be increased.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT UEFA SAID
A UEFA spokesperson said: "Safety and security in the stadium, on the pitch and at team facilities are the ultimate priority for UEFA, DFB and EURO 2024 GmbH. To this end, additional safety measures will be deployed in the stadiums to further meet the requirements of the tournament, and to prevent such incidents.
"For reasons of security, we cannot comment further on specific measures. As a reminder, any incursion onto the pitch constitutes a breach of the stadium rules and will result in expulsion from the stadium, a ban from all tournament matches and the filing of a formal criminal complaint for trespass."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Fans should not be able to get anywhere near to the players on the pitch during a game but it has been a common problem in football for years. Such is Ronaldo's character, he posed for a selfie with the first invader but looked increasingly agitated as more and more spectators headed his way.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?
The Al-Nassr striker is yet to get off the mark at Euro 2024 but seems more focused on helping his team get the results they need to advance. He unselfishly squared a one-on-one to Bruno Fernandes against Turkey but will be hoping to get on the scoresheet against Georgia in the final group stage game, with Portugal already safely through to the round of 16.
England’s top three need to dig in to give their middle order the chance to ‘do as much damage as possible’, says Root
Daniel Brettig in Manchester03-Sep-2019Far from pretty and at times bordering on the masochistic, the often torturous platform laid by Joe Root, Joe Denly and the early phase of Ben Stokes’ masterpiece in the second innings at Headingley has set the template for how England believe they can outlast Australia’s three-man pace attack at Old Trafford and the Oval.In a marked contrast between the two teams, England have opted to retain a struggling Jason Roy by shuffling from an opening spot to No. 4, while pushing Denly up to open alongside Rory Burns. Root made no secret of his desire to see the openers and himself at No. 3 work assiduously to grind down Australia’s three pace bowlers, given that they do not possess an allrounder of the quality of Stokes to provide additional bowling support.”It was a good template that second innings and I know the wicket was probably at its best on that third evening but I just felt [against] a three-man seam attack if you keep on putting overs in [their legs] and everything,” Root said. “As well as Australia bowled – and they were fantastic, very patient, didn’t give us much, and it was a real grind – but if you look at how that second new ball unfolded the following day, more scoring opportunities came.ALSO READ: Second innings a ‘better template’ for England – Root”That partnership between Ben and Jonny [Bairstow] started to speed up quite quickly didn’t it? We look at the guys who could potentially take advantage of that now, at four, five, six and seven – it’s a very exciting lower order. It’s about maximising the chance for them to do as much damage as possible. We’ve thought long and hard about it and we feel like we’ve got the right players, but maybe reshuffling it is going to be what really works for us and get us off to a strong start.”You look at someone like Jason coming in lower down and the ability to play in his manner, a little bit more freely when it’s not doing as much might give him a better chance. I thought the way Joe [Denly] handled day three, the way he played, if he can harness that and take that into this week, he’ll have a really good chance of being successful at the top. As I said, I think we’ve got the right players and it’s just about getting them in the right places.”Australia, meanwhile, have elected to drop the highly experienced Usman Khawaja in favour of Marcus Harris and/or Matthew Wade, demonstrating that England’s plans for the touring team’s left-handers have hit home. Root said that while Headingley had given England an enormous lift and opened up the series, it was critical that the hosts do not come to Manchester thinking the rest will follow the same exhilarating path.”We’re very much in the series now. I think the most important thing for us is we don’t try and walk into this game with anything granted to us,” he said. “If anything you expect a big response from someone like Australia and we don’t want this series to be remembered for that one game alone and that last hour. We want it to be because we’ve won the series.”We’re going to have to work extremely hard again this week. Of course it might work in our favour, having that in the back of their minds but ultimately we’ve got to look after ourselves and make sure we start a lot better with the bat than we did in the last game and continue to keep doing the right thing with the ball.”Joe Root and Joe Denly dug in during England’s second innings at Headingley•Getty ImagesA decent example of that attitude is provided by DRS, something England and Root have used far better than Tim Paine and Australia – the tourists are yet to successfully overturn a single decision in the field all series. “When I started I was quite emotional with it,” Root said. “If Cooky was captain and I’m stood as slip – ‘it’s out, it’s out! It’s got to be out’ – and it’ll be missing by two sets of stumps. Gradually the more you get used to it, the more logic you put into the decision-making.”You also have to try and read the bowlers, read the keeper, see how emotional and confident they are. Use the guys at point and short leg for height. But you have to put trust in your teammates. There has to be an element of honesty and you have to trust that they’re making that decision which is best going to help England win a Test match, not to try and hopefully get a wicket or buy a wicket. It’s either out or it’s not. It’s not going to change by just hoping it’s going to go on and clip the stumps.”Stripping it back and understanding it’s there for a mistake rather than to try and steal a wicket… but I’m sure I’ll get two or three wrong now. Just try and take the emotion out of it more than anything.”There were signs, too, at Leeds that the Australians are getting more vocal than they have been since Newlands last year, with numerous instances of verbal back and forth captured by broadcasters. In one instance, Root responded to Josh Hazlewood’s bluster with a grin, in a signal moment during the aforementioned batting grind on day three. “There was a little bit of niggle but you expect that in a close contest,” Root said.”Generally the series is played in a really good spirit. I think there’s been a few conversations out there in the last game. It’ll be interesting to see if that carries on throughout, but it’s Ashes cricket. You expect people to get emotional, you expect a bit of rivalry and you expect guys wanting to win for their country. I can only go on what I heard out there and it wasn’t too bad. A few handbags and petty comments, but you get that whoever you play against. It’s part of Test cricket.”
Glasgow Rangers are on a spectacular run right now which has seen them recently return to the summit of the Premiership table for the first time since August 2022.
While the players have been excellent, Philippe Clement is the catalyst behind such an impressive few months. The Belgian arrived last October with the Ibrox side engulfed in a crisis, but fast-forward five months, and he has the club in a title race, secured his first trophy while even setting up a Europa League last 16 clash against Benfica.
There will be bumps in the road, no doubt about it, but the transformation has shown that the club are ready to fight for every trophy.
One key element that the 49-year-old will be keen to develop at Ibrox is the establishment of a successful player trading model.
Previously, the Gers have paid money for players, only for their value to decrease or for them to run down their contracts and leave for free.
Over the previous decade, only three players have generated the club a major profit: Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo.
The former two are performing well for their new clubs, yet Aribo has largely struggled since leaving Glasgow, indicating that perhaps selling him in 2022 was the correct thing to do.
How much Rangers signed Joe Aribo for
Following an underwhelming debut season in charge of Rangers, Steven Gerrard sought to bolster his side prior to the 2019/20 campaign.
The likes of Ryan Kent, Filip Helander and Greg Stewart joined the Light Blues, but it was the signing of Aribo which looked the most exciting.
Player
Club signed from
Ryan Kent
Liverpool
Filip Helander
Bologna
George Edmundson
Oldham
Joe Aribo
Charlton
Greg Stewart
Birmingham
Steven Davis
Southampton
Jake Hastie
Motherwell
Jordan Jones
Kilmarnock
Sheyi Ojo
Liverpool
Brandon Barker
Manchester City
The attacking midfielder had shone for Charlton Athletic in the season prior, scoring ten times and grabbing five assists as he helped the side secure promotion back to the Championship.
He signed for the club on a four-year contract, costing the Gers just £300k because of cross-border transfer rules and Gerrard hailed his new arrival.
"We have a good midfield but currently we don’t have a player with Joe’s characteristics.
“He is tall, athletic and quick. He’s a box-to-box player and is not afraid to open the door when he gets around the box and he can unlock defences.”
High praise indeed for the youngster, and he was clearly ready to turn heads during his spell in Scotland, as it was evident Aribo was destined for bigger things in the future.
Joe Aribo’s statistics at Rangers
Aribo started off encouragingly at Rangers, scoring nine goals and chipping in with eight assists, although the club failed to lift any silverware during a season which was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was the 2020/21 campaign in which the former Charlton midfielder began to really showcase his talents, however, as the Light Blues steamrolled all opposition as they won their first title for a decade.
The Nigerian international registered 15 goal contributions – eight goals and seven assists – in all competitions and ranked sixth among his teammates for goals and assists (11) in the top flight, along with ranking fourth for big chances created (seven), fourth for key passes per game (1.2) and first for successful dribbles per game (1.9), displaying his full repertoire of skills during the season.
Aribo was fast becoming a crowd favourite at Ibrox due to his mesmerising displays and the 2021/22 season would be his most productive yet.
Nine goals were scored in all competitions, but it was his effort in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt which will be remembered most fondly, despite the club losing the game on penalties.
Aribo became just the fourth Rangers player to score in a major European final and the first since Willie Johnston in the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup final.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.
He won a Scottish Cup winners medal a few days later, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst accepted an offer of £6m from Premier League side Southampton for the midfielder during the 2022 summer transfer window.
It marked the end of a successful three-year stint north of the border and while the Gers did not want to lose a player of his quality, the offer was clearly too good to turn down.
Safe to say, the 27-year-old has not enjoyed the most fruitful of spells at Southampton since joining nearly two years ago.
How Joe Aribo is doing at Southampton
There was no doubting Aribo’s Premier League credentials, as his spell at Rangers, especially with his displays in Europe, proved he could cut it in the English top flight.
He only started 13 league matches last season, however, scoring just two goals and his talents were wasted as the Saints suffered their first relegation from the top flight since 2005.
Despite their relegation to the second tier, Aribo has failed to secure a consistent run in the starting XI, making just eight starts in the Championship all season.
Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo.
The former Gers star has netted just three times, and it looks as though his move down south has turned south, even if the Saints may secure promotion at the first time of asking.
Aribo currently ranks in a lowly 18th position among the squad for key passes per game (0.5) in the Championship, while also ranking 13th for successful dribbles per game (0.6) and these numbers are a fry cry for his displays at Rangers, especially in the season they won the league.
His recent struggles suggest the Light Blues made the correct call, cashing in on the player, even if it meant weakening the side, as he clearly wanted a dream move to the Premier League.
Scoring just five goals in 18 months since departing Scotland is not the form the Saints, or even Aribo himself anticipated, and he needs to work hard to earn more minutes between now and May.
Clement must know the right time to sell some of his prized assets, as the money generated could allow him to sign even more talented youngsters, who will then make the club a big profit.
It may well be the circle of life, but this model could help the Gers reestablish themselves as the best club in Scotland.
Harper says his target is to make the selection process as transparent as possible
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2019Darren Bravo might have been left out of the West Indies squad for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, but lead selector Roger Harper backed the batsman to strike form in domestic cricket and return to the side.Bravo scored a mere 47 runs in four innings at an average of 15.66 in the Test series against India. His form hardly improved in the CPL, where he managed 128 runs in seven innings, striking at 103.22, and only one half-century.”Firstly I don’t want to term it as dropping a player like Darren Bravo,” Harper said in a press conference at the Queen’s Park Oval on Wednesday. “We all know the quality of a player like Darren Bravo, with the sort of Test and one-day record he has representing West Indies.”We recognised Darren has not been at his best as we have seen over the years. Therefore, we wanted to give him the opportunity to go away, maybe play club cricket, but definitely our regional cricket, get his game right and come back to being the best he can be, so that he can make a real positive impact for our West Indies team and be the force we know he can be in world cricket.”The new selection panel of Harper, Miles Bascombe and coach Phil Simmons also gave maiden call-ups to legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr and opener Brandon King for the white-ball squads. Walsh Jr topped the bowling charts in the 2019 CPL with 22 wickets from nine games. But more than the wickets, it was his wicket-taking ability – an astonishing strike rate of 9.1 – that impressed the selectors. King was the leading run-scorer with 496 runs at an average of 55.11 and a strike rate of 148.94.ALSO READ: Hayden Walsh Jr’s moment of truth, at 36,000 feet”During the CPL, he [Walsh Jr] excited everyone with his performances and given the direction white-ball cricket has gone, we realize the need for bowlers capable of taking wickets,” Harper said. “Walsh has proven he is a wicket-taker and I think he will have a great impact on the team, especially in middle overs so that we won’t be drifting through but can keep control of games.”He [King] had an outstanding season, made runs in our domestic four-day competition and followed it up with an outstanding CPL that demanded a place in the team. We were impressed not just by his stroke play, but his maturity and wish him all the best.”Apart from King and Walsh Jr, experienced batsman Lendl Simmons also reaped rewards of a strong show in the CPL and made a comeback to the T20I side. His 430 runs at an average of 39.09 and a strike rate of 150.34 were second only to King’s tally. Meanwhile, Denesh Ramdin, who last played a T20I in November 2018 when West Indies toured India, also found a place in the 20-over side as the selectors went for a back-up wicketkeeper in each format.”Similar to Brandon King, his [Simmons’] weight of runs in the CPL prior to the squad selection made us had to consider him,” Harper said. “When we looked at the balance of the team, we needed a player like him because he is a versatile batsman.”One of the things we tried to carefully do in all three squads is to have a wicketkeeper as cover. Denesh brings with him a lot of experience and as a batsman can contribute in the middle if required and I think he will add a good blend to the team as well.”Talking about his own appointment, Harper said his target was to make the selection process as transparent as possible.”If the West Indies team is to move forward it’s an area we have to get right. I look forward to working with coach Simmons, fellow selector Bascombe, taking the advice of captain Holder and Pollard so that we make this process as transparent as possible, so that every player who is performing and meeting the criteria, will feel they have a fair chance at being selected. Once we do that I believe players will give their best and we will see a positive effect of that on the field.”
Chelsea are looking to begin the Enzo Maresca era with a bang and have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Basel youngster Renato Veiga.
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Chelsea close to signing Renato VeigaTransfer will be worth around €14m/15mWill be Chelsea's fifth signing of the summerWHAT HAPPENED?
Over the last few years, Chelsea have prioritised the signings of young players and they are close to signing yet another wonderkid in the form of the 20-year-old defender from Basel. As per Fabrizio Romano, Veiga will be signed for a reported fee of around €14-15m (£12m-13m/$15m-16m).
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Veiga reportedly has a medical scheduled in London with the 20-year-old Portugal youth international expected to sign a contract until 2032 with the Stamford Bridge club following a successful season with Basel despite the Swiss club's struggles domestically as they finished eighth.
(C)Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Veiga is anticipated to be deployed as an inverted full-back and is thought to be an ideal fit for Enzo Maresca's system despite having played for Basel as a left-sided centre-back, left-back, or a number six. Last season, he made 26 appearances for the Swiss team, scoring twice and providing one assist.
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WHAT NEXT FOR VEIGA?
The Portugal international is set to join Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu and Omari Kellyman as the first signings of the Maresca era.
It’s not quite the IPL, but ‘there is some quality’, says Steyn of the T20 league
Firdose Moonda28-Oct-2019South African cricket is searching for a silver lining after the dark clouds of a disappointing World Cup, a humbling tour of India, and, back home, an administration facing multiple legal battles and millions of rands of debt. Dale Steyn and JP Duminy might have spotted one such bright spot: next month’s Mzansi Super League (MSL), which, they believe, could prompt a revival for the flagging domestic game and mine the depths of what looks like a shallow talent pool to prop up the national side.”It’s huge for domestic cricket in South Africa. If you look back two, three or maybe even five years, domestic cricket was on a downward spiral,” Duminy, who will play for Paarl Rocks, said at a launch event for the second edition of the MSL in Cape Town. “The revival of the T20 game and the model of the MSL is something I am quite excited about. You have international cricketers moulded with young talent and that’s going only going to leave us in good stead.”While Cape Town Blitz’s Steyn acknowledged that the MSL cannot be compared to its bigger and more established brothers, especially the IPL, he said it is gaining ground. “The IPL is one of those untouchable leagues because it seems like in every IPL team, they have got at least five international Indian players as well as four overseas (stars), so there’s a lot of high-quality international experience in the IPL teams. In the MSL, you maybe get three or four (internationals), but it’s still good. From last year when we played, it didn’t feel easy so that means there is some quality,” he said.
It’s been Monday to Friday training and trying to stay fit. If you get off that wheel, you lose your fitness, you lose your competitive edge and it’s something that I’ve tried to hold on toDale Steyn
Steyn looked at the MSL as a way for franchise hopefuls to force their way into the national reckoning. He singled out Rassie van der Dussen, the top scorer in the inaugural event and one of the brightest sparks in an otherwise dismal World Cup, as a player who used the tournament to make a case for selection.”I don’t think many people knew who Rassie van der Dussen was before the MSL last year and he ended up becoming player of the tournament,” Steyn said. “He is putting up his hand for Test selection now. Dreams do come true if you take the opportunities. Whoever is young and up and coming, there is a great opportunity.”The tournament is also a chance for some of South Africa’s more established players to rediscover their form and confidence in an environment, which Steyn said didn’t present “as much pressure as international cricket”, but still demanded a high standard. “Some of the senior players are also going to be enjoyable to watch and it’s an opportunity for those guys to show that we are international players and this is why we belong here,” he said.Rassie Van Der Dussen was one of South Africa’s few bright spots at the World Cup•Getty ImagesSteyn put himself firmly in that category of players. Though he retired from red-ball cricket in August and has not played a competitive fixture since May, he remains available for white-ball selection and has his sights set on next year’s T20 World Cup. Steyn was ruled out of the World Cup with a shoulder injury and was not considered for South Africa’s T20s in India after CSA’s medical team deemed him unfit, but after spending the winter working on his fitness, he said he was ready to go.”Everyone looks at you and thinks that the last time they saw you was a certain injury but I’m fine. I’m excited to get back on the park and play cricket again,” he said. “I haven’t played much since the World Cup because there hasn’t been much happening. But there’s no rest. It’s been Monday to Friday training and trying to stay fit. If you get off that wheel, you lose your fitness, you lose your competitive edge and it’s something that I’ve tried to hold on to.”For Steyn, the quality of the quicks are the biggest drawcard the MSL will offer, not just in his squad, which includes recent Test debutant Anrich Nortje and Pakistan international Wahab Riaz, but across the board. Kyle Abbott will play for Durban Heat, Kagiso Rabada for Jozi Stars, Beuran Hendricks for Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, Hardus Viljoen for the Rocks, and Lungi Ngidi and Lutho Sipamla for Tshwane Spartans.”I love fast bowlers. They get me excited. Anrich, last year, bowled rapid and set the tone for how I wanted to play the tournament. You want to outdo your team-mate in some sense. If you’ve got all these quicks in one team, one guy is trying to bowl 140, the next guy is trying to bowl 145, the next guy is trying to bowl 150, it’s good for the team,” Steyn remarked.
One Rangers star is reportedly plotting a summer move away from the club, it has been reported, with the belief that he can play at a higher level than the Scottish Premiership.
Rangers on course for Scottish title
Though it has by no means been a vintage season for Philippe Clement and his side, they remain on course to win the Scottish Premiership provided they avoid any major slip ups. As it stands, they hold the slight advantage over major rivals Celtic, and they play host to the Bhoys next month at Ibrox.
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Should they prove victorious in that clash, they would be well on course for just their second Scottish Premiership title since 2012.
However, it's not all good news for the Gers, as a Rafa Silva strike ensured that they were dumped out of Europe at the last 16 stage of the Europa League on Thursday. Having held Benfica to a 2-2 draw in Lisbon, they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to ensure that their European journey came to an end for another season.
Mohammed Diomande
Worse still, there could be unrest among the camp, with one man reportedly keen on a departure.
Rangers star eyeing higher level
The player in question is none other than shot-stopper Jack Butland. The ex-Crystal Palace man has been born anew at Ibrox after several seasons of inconsistent gametime. Trusted by Clement, he has appeared 29 times for Rangers in the league, keeping 17 clean sheets in the process and ensuring that his side boast the meanest defence in the division.
Jack Butland in the SPL 2023/24
Appearances
29
Goals conceded
16
Save %
80%
Clean sheets
17
Shots on target faced
70
As per Football Insider's transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke, the goalkeeper is 'plotting' an exit to the Premier League this summer, despite being 'delighted' with his decision to move to Rangers. This is because, at just 31-years-old, he 'feels that he is still at an age where he can impress in the Premier League' and is 'eager to prove himself again in England'.
It had been rumoured that Butland was to be included in Gareth Southgate's England squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Brazil and Scotland, but the Three Lions boss ultimately opted for Sam Johnstone over the in-form Rangers man.
This could be another factor in his desire to return to the English top flight, with Football Insider adding that 'he feels that a move back to the Premier League could help his chances of a Three Lions call-up'. TNT Sports Pundit Ally McCoist blasted the decision ahead of Rangers' Europa League defeat, admitting he was 'amazed' Southgate had overlooked Butland.
"I'm not in a position to tell Gareth his job, but I’m about to now," he said. "I’m absolutely amazed that he is not in the England squad.
Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland.
"Jack Butland has been playing on a regular basis up here. And in my opinion, has been playing extremely well. I’ve got to say, I'm very, very surprised, and disappointed for Jack that he's not in the squad coming up for the two games."
It would come as a major blow to Rangers were they to lose their undisputed no.1, especially after such an impressive campaign. However, they would stand to gain significantly, with any move likely to come with a decently-sized transfer fee.
Having signed him on a free transfer 12 months ago, it would represent some healthy profit despite being a loss on the pitch.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has joined Manchester United's coaching staff as one of Erik ten Hag's new assistants.
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Dutch former striker back at Old Trafford Hake also on board for new seasonTen Hag changes staff after signing contractWHAT HAPPENED?
The much-loved striker returns to the Red Devils for the first time since departing in 2006. He is part of Ten Hag's restructuring of his coaching staff after signing a new contract until 2026. Van Nistelrooy and fellow Dutchman Rene Hake have signed two-year deals.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT TEN HAG SAID
"I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff," said the United manager. "Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level."
WHAT DAN ASHWORTH SAID
United's sporting director Dan Ashworth added: "I am delighted that Rene and Ruud have agreed to join our project, adding a wealth of experience, knowledge and new energy to the staff. Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level."
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Van Nistelrooy had a successful stint at PSV but left the club last year. He turned down the chance to become head coach of Burnley in order to link up with Ten Hag, who clung on to his role as United boss after the club spoke to alternative candidates including Thomas Tuchel following the team's worst ever Premier League finish. Hake has known Ten Hag for almost two decades, first working together at Twente. His last job was with Eredivisie side Go Ahead Eagles. Steve McLaren and Darren Fletcher will remain a part of Ten Hag's staff although Mitchell van der Gaag has left to resume his career as a head coach and Benni McCarthy has also departed.
Arsenal are reportedly poised to match their biggest ever sale, with Emile Smith Rowe being lined up for a £35 million ($45m) transfer to Fulham.
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Playmaker ready to leave Emirates StadiumInjuries & competition for places held him backCottagers to match Oxlade-Chamberlain feeWHAT HAPPENED?
The Gunners have grown accustomed to making elaborate purchases down the years, but they do not always recoup those funds when moving players on. They are, however, ready to do notable business with London neighbours.
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According to , England international playmaker Smith Rowe is ready to tread a path from north of the capital and head out to the west. There is still plenty to be agreed in order for a switch from Emirates Stadium to Craven Cottage to be put in place.
DID YOU KNOW?
Smith Rowe will have to agree personal terms with Fulham and pass a medical before linking up with the Cottagers. He is, however, seemingly ready to take on a new challenge after seeing injuries and fierce competition for places restrict him to just three Premier League starts since August 2022.
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GettyWHAT ARTETA SAID
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that transfer talks regarding Smith Rowe are underway, telling reporters after a 1-1 friendly draw with Bournemouth: “Yeah, there are things happening in the background at the moment and we decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game.”