Kenny Miller has a part to play against Celtic this weekend

Writing in his column for The Evening Times, former Rangers hero Lee McCulloch believes Graeme Murty should select Kenny Miller for this weekend’s massive Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic.

What’s the story?

Sunday’s fixture represents Rangers’ last chance to win silverware this season and an opportunity to show progress has been made against Celtic this season.

Having failed to beat the Hoops since Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club, it’s an enormous task for Graeme Murty and his men but Lee McCulloch reckons that selecting Miller will go a long way towards securing a result.

Writing for The Evening Times, the former Gers captain said:

On an occasion like this, you need to use your experience and there is nobody more experienced than Kenny Miller. I know it is only one game and one goal, but he came in and his confidence will be high. He would be in my side.

The way Celtic play, you are all but guaranteed that they will score. So Rangers need to score at least twice if they are going to win.

Having Miller and Morelos in there gives you a real threat. You need to turn up with a belief that you are going to win the game and you need to set out to win it.

Can Kenny Miller be the difference in what will be a high tempo, high pressure match?

[ad_pod ]

Derby hero

Miller has one of the greatest scoring records against Celtic of any Rangers player, scoring 10 goals in 18 matches including one in a Scottish Cup semi-final which the Light Blues went on to win on penalties.

Although he’s been a less important figure at the club this term, he has scored five goals and created five assists, demonstrating he still has what it takes to produce for the club.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It’d be a big ask for him to start Sunday’s match but perhaps a role from the bench would be more suitable if the game is tight in the second half.

There aren’t many other players you’d fancy more to bag a goal on the big stage against the Hoops than the former Scotland international.

Shaqiri would be ideal signing for West Ham

According to a number of reports, West Ham United are considering a move for Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri in this summer’s transfer window.

The 26-year-old has scored seven times and registered six assists in 32 Premier League appearances for the Potters this season, and will surely move on if Paul Lambert’s side are relegated to the Championship for the 2018-19 campaign.

Shaqiri’s talent has never been in doubt, but there are suggestions that the Swiss lacks the work-rate and indeed desire to be a player at the top level.

West Ham boss David Moyes was able to have a closer look at Shaqiri on Monday night when Stoke visited the London Stadium in the Premier League.

It was the attacker’s strike that Joe Hart spilled to allow Peter Crouch to send Stoke ahead, and there is no question that the former Bayern Munich winger, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, was the away side’s player of the night.

Boasting three dribbles and two shots, Shaqiri was regularly involved in the final third of the field, whilst a passing accuracy of 90% shows just how well he used the ball.

Statistics of 54 touches and three key passes also demonstrate his effectiveness on the night, and there is no question that he has the ability to slot into one of West Ham’s attacking positions.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

There are occasions where Shaqiri frustrates, but he has been Stoke’s standout player this season, and the possibility of the former Bayern Munich attacker linking with Marko Arnautovic in the final third of the field is an exciting thought for the West Ham fans.

There is every reason to believe that Shaqiri would continue to improve alongside the likes of Manuel Lanzini, and the pair could cause havoc together next season.

Leeds fans fume at Victor Orta update

Leeds fans are absolutely furious despite Saturday’s huge win, after news broke that Victor Orta will stay at the club this summer.

It’s been an up and down season for Leeds fans. “Up and down” in this instance literally meaning up then down, down and further down.

After a good run of form before Christmas, fans have watched on in despair as their side’s playoff push has completely evaporated.

With pressure mounting on manager Paul Heckingbottom, his side did him proud on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Barnsley.

Heckingbottom moved to Elland Road from Barnsley in February, so he would have certainly enjoyed the win that came courtesy of goals from Tom Pearce and Ezgjan Alioski.

It’s fair to say fans might not have enjoyed today so much though if they saw the news about Victor Orta.

Orta has taken plenty of stick for his awful recruitment since coming to Elland Road, and Phil Hay of the Yorkshire Evening Post reported before the match that reports linking Orta with a move to Deportivo are wide of the mark.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

[ad_pod ]

‘Merci Arsene’ – Arsenal fans get emotional as Wenger signs off in style

Arsene Wenger took charge of his final home game as Arsenal manager against Burnley on Sunday.

The Frenchmen walked out to a rapturous reception and guard of honour before his players paid tribute by convincingly thrashing Burnley 5-0.

Goals from Alecandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, Alex Iwobi and a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured Wenger’s 22-year reign as Gunners boss ended in style on home soil.

Wenger brought in free-flowing attacking football to Arsenal and this game summed up his footballing philosophy.

Club legends watched on, while many fans will be left wondering where this type of performance has been all season.

Addressing the crowd at the end of the game Wenger wished Sir Alex Ferguson a swift recovery before saying: “Thank you for having me for such a long time. Above all, I am like you an Arsenal fan.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“I would like to finish with one simple phrase – I will miss you. Thank you for being such an important part of my life and I hope to see you soon.”

Football fans reflected on Wenger’s time as manager via Twitter afterwards…

Manchester United fans are losing patience with Mourinho after West Ham draw

Manchester United ensured they will finish second in the English Premier League this season with a 0-0 draw away to West Ham United on Thursday evening.

Although challenging for the title is clearly what they want, the point earned at least ensures they will finish ahead of Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal, who all share similar ambitions to the Red Devils.

The performance wasn’t the most exciting from Jose Mourinho’s side against the Hammers, setting up with three centre-backs and two defensive wing-backs, leading to criticism from supporters who are rapidly losing patience with his negative tactics.

Fans want to see a more dynamic and expansive United side that brings an attacking style to their opponents, designed to go out and win games.

Some are so fed up that they’re calling for the Portuguese to go this summer.

Mourinho and his team will be hoping they can cheer supporters up by lifting the FA Cup when they meet Chelsea in the final next week.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts after Thursday night’s performance…

[ad_pod ]

Tottenham Hotspur fans convinced Eriksen is on verge of signing new contract

During the summer window, most football fans are desperate to find out who their clubs will scoop up.

Some are also concerned with whether they will lose any of their first-team stars, and that has certainly occupied the minds of Tottenham Hotspur supporters.

The futures of Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele look murky, while Danny Rose’s position at the club is also uncertain.

One man who the fans are desperate to sign a new deal is Christian Eriksen, who had an impressive season with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

[ad_pod ]

The social media buzz is that the midfielder will soon put pen to paper on fresh terms, mainly because he has been spotted dining with manager Mauricio Pochettino.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Football.london journalist Alasdair Gold tweeted a photo of the midfielder, Spurs boss and restaurant staff at an eatery in Denmark.

There are no details behind the restaurant visit, but Tottenham fans have been speculating that it is contract related.

Tottenham fans fume about losing young star

Tottenham fans are furious with the latest transfer news, after young midfielder Keanan Bennetts joined Borussia Mönchengladbach on a permanent deal.

Tottenham have been busy since the season ended, wrapping up young stars like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Davinson Sanchez and Harry Winks to new extended deals.

It seems they’re not having it all their own way though, as Keanan Bennetts has become the third English youngster to join Borussia Mönchengladbach, following Mandela Egbo and Reece Oxford to the German club.

[ad_pod ]

Bennetts has never played for the senior Tottenham team, but has been extremely impressive for the under-23 side this season, grabbing nine goals and eight assists in 32 appearances.

Mauricio Pochettino has a sterling reputation for nurturing young talent, and it doesn’t seem like fans are too happy about letting one slip away.

One would have to assume Pochettino decided against keeping Bennetts, as the club would have surely done more to keep him, but fans are nonetheless furious about losing a potential young star.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

West Ham fans react as club reportedly bids £35m-plus for Felipe Anderson

According to reports in the Daily Mail, West Ham United have launched a £35m-plus bid to sign Lazio attacker Felipe Anderson, who currently earns £70,000-a-week according to the Daily Star, and Irons fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

The Daily Mail says that the east London club have already opened talks with the Serie A club and the Brazilian’s representatives, with the 25-year-old said to be keen to work under new Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini.

Anderson, who would likely be a replacement for Michail Antonio seeing as he primarily plays on the right wing, enjoyed another impressive 2017/18 campaign with Lazio, scoring eight goals and providing a further 10 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions.

[ad_pod ]

West Ham supporters, who have urged their club to splash out £26m on another 25-year-old star, took to social media to give their thoughts on potentially bringing the South American to the London Stadium, and while one said “I’d cry”, another said “Anderson looks like a better player than Antonio”.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Bruce may not be as exciting as Bielsa, but he can be the pragmatic choice that promotes Leeds

As reported by The Telegraph, Leeds United are interested in appointing Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce this summer.

What’s the story?

With Marcelo Bielsa emerging as a manager target last week, many fans were expecting the Elland Road side to go down a non-traditional route in selecting a new boss.

However, a surprising new candidate for the job has emerged.

The Telegraph say that Leeds have made an approach for Villa boss Steve Bruce, capitalising on the uncertainty currently surrounding the Villans in a financial sense.

However, the paper reckon Bruce has yet to give an answer to Leeds, waiting to see how bad things are at Villa this summer before making a decision on his future.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]

Would he be a good appointment?

Bielsa is undoubtedly a more exciting appointment than Steve Bruce for many Leeds United supporters. Having managed Chile, Argentina and a variety of top clubs in Europe, his pedigree is beyond the usual limitations set by playing in the English Championship.

However, Bruce would be a solid and pragmatic choice. There is little risk to his appointment given his in depth knowledge of the division and the players in it, coming so close to getting promoted with Aston Villa just last season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Having been promoted with Birmingham and Hull to the English Premier League previously, he has a proven track record of getting ambitious clubs into the top-flight.

That’s what Leeds are after.

Sunderland fans delighted Steele is leaving

Sunderland fans are praising the heavens about their latest transfer move, as Jason Steele is set to join Premier League Brighton.

Plenty of things have gone wrong at the Stadium of Light in the last couple of years, but the biggest factor in the Sunderland’s downfall has to be their quite simply awful transfer business.

Even when the Black Cats were scraping their way to safety in the top tier, the club has been making poor decisions in the transfer market for quite some time.

One of the biggest issues with the squad last season was the lack of a solid goalkeeper, as the likes of Steele and Lee Camp just could not fill the boots of Jordan Pickford.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”256266″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Three reasons we love to hate… Spain”]

Fans were annoyed when they found out there is no sell-on clause in Pickford’s move to Everton this week, but this latest goalkeeper news has certainly cheered them up.

Steele joined the club in 2017, and did not impress in his 15 Championship starts last season.

Fans are almost in disbelief that he’s earned a move to the Premier League, but they are thankful nonetheless to get rid of an underwhelming player.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.


By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

Game
Register
Service
Bonus