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Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has lauded the team spirit that Ange Postecoglou has created at Celtic this season.

The Lowdown: Ange’s superb first season at Celtic

The 56-year-old took charge at Parkhead last summer and has been an immediate hit for the Hoops, impressing with his all-round management at the club.

Celtic already have a Scottish League Cup to their name and the Premiership title is now within touching distance with three matches remaining.

It has been a wonderful season after the disappointment of last term, and it is now a case of getting the job done to round off a tremendous campaign for the manager and the club.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-4/” title=”Key latest Celtic updates!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Latest: Campbell praises Celtic’s team spirit

Celtic’s team spirit has shone through since August, with Kyogo Furuhashi speaking out about the support that he received while he was injured.

Campbell waxed lyrical over that intangible quality to Football Insider as he gushed:

“They clearly have a great dressing room mentality. The team spirit is there. When a player is injured he often feels left out.

“It sounds like the players at Celtic have the right attitude under Postecoglou. The manager has done an excellent job there. Kyogo embodies that. He is a brilliant player and character by the sounds of it.

“The dressing room culture is right at Celtic and that is so important if you want to achieve success.”

The Verdict: Good times for Celtic

It certainly feels as though something potentially special is building at Parkhead, with Postecoglou transforming matters after Neil Lennon’s ill-fated second reign as manager.

The hope is that this is only the beginning, with a likely return to the Champions League next season hugely exciting, not to mention the possibility of new signings that it could attract.

Celtic’s team spirit has increasingly stood out as the season has gone on, as illustrated by the Furuhashi example above, and it is clear that this is a group of players all pulling the same direction. As Campbell has hinted, success can only be achieved if you have that harmony within your group.

In other news, one pundit has dropped a worrying Celtic transfer claim. Read more here.

Frenkie de Jong’s long-running contract saga at Barcelona looks set to end after the midfielder appointed a new agent, clearing path for an extension.

De Jong parts ways with long-time agentBarca and midfielder already agreed new termsWill sign new deal until 2028 with option for extra yearFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 28-year-old midfielder has been locked in a stalemate with Barcelona over his renewal for months, having entered the final year of his contract. While he and the club had already reached an agreement to extend his stay months ago, the deal stalled because of problems with his former agent, Ali Dursun. According to , De Jong has now cut ties with Dursun and hired a new Dutch representative. The agent has already introduced himself to the club and held initial contact with sporting director Deco to move discussions forward.

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Barcelona had hoped to close De Jong’s extension by June 30 to match the 1:1 spending under La Liga rules, but the standoff with his agent delayed everything. Now, with that issue resolved, the Catalans are confident of tying him down.

The club reportedly offered a two-year extension on top of his current deal, keeping him at Camp Nou until 2028, with an option to extend for another year until 2029. As part of the agreement, De Jong has reportedly agreed to reduce his wages despite being one of La Liga’s top earners. He currently pockets a gross annual salary of €19 million (£16m/$22m), second only to Robert Lewandowski’s €33m (£28m/$38m) package.

TELL ME MORE

After being sidelined for around six months due to an ankle injury last season, De Jong delivered an impressive second half of the season under Hansi Flick, becoming a key pivot in midfield. Despite competition from Gavi, Marc Casado and Marc Bernal, he is seen as a vital piece of Barca’s rebuild and part of the leadership group. While Barca’s immediate focus has also been on managing registrations and exits, including the futures of Oriol Romeu, Inaki Pena and Hector Fort, the resolution of De Jong’s case now gives the club stability in midfield heading into the new campaign.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FRENKIE DE JONG?

Barcelona kicked off their La Liga season with a 3-0 win over Mallorca on Friday. De Jong started for Hansi Flick’s side and played the full 90 minutes. With his new deal set to run until at least 2028, the Dutch midfielder can now focus fully on leading Barca’s midfield, knowing his long-term future at Camp Nou is finally secure.

The rebuild at Manchester United is well and truly underway, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe attempting to fix the way the club functions.

However, on-the-field additions are yet to occur in what has been a quiet January for the Red Devils who are yet to welcome any new faces to the club.

The attacking department is what Erik ten Hag is keen to address, with his side struggling in the final third.

Man Utd's search for a new attacker

According to reports from Spain, Man United are in the race to sign Brighton sensation Kaoru Mitoma.

That said, they face plenty of competition for his signature with Arsenal said to be favourites to sign the winger after Mikel Arteta personally ordered a move was made. Treble-winners Manchester City also interested in the Japanese forward.

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Erik ten Hag could have a new look United team come the summer.

ByTom Lever Jan 22, 2024

Mitoma's estimated value as per CIES Football Observatory is £68m, which likely rules out a move occurring this month due to FFP restrictions.

How Mitoma compares to Rashford

Last season, Marcus Rashford was unstoppable, scoring goals, and full of confidence, as he netted 17 times in the Premier League.

However, he has been a shadow of his former self this campaign, scoring just four in 26 total appearances, and the last thing he needs at this current moment is the attention of the media for his off-the-field activities, snapped in a Belfast night club a few days ago.

Nevertheless, consistency is what United have missed the most this season, and Ten Hag will want his players to perform to a certain standard for the most part. Having said that, Mitoma could just be the player to provide a continuous threat in the United attack, and that serves as bad news to Rashford.

The Japanese attacker entertained the Premier League for the first time last season when he scored seven goals and registered five assists in 24 starts.

This campaign, he's on track to match his previous numbers, as he's currently netted three times and provided four assists in 13 starts, with an ankle injury reducing his matches played.

Nonetheless, let's look at Mitoma's statistics from this season, which prove he would be an excellent signing for United.

Goals

0.20

Bottom 58%

Assists

0.27

Top 25%

Touches (Att pen)

8.04

Top 9%

Take-ons attempted

5.93

Top 9%

Successful take-ons

2.38

Top 13%

Carries into penalty area

3.82

Top 4%

Progressive passes received

14.38

Top 6%

There's nothing that Mitoma cannot do when the ball is at his feet, and based on the statistics, it is no surprise that he did his university thesis on the art of dribbling.

The 26-year-old dazzles opponents with his feints, which enable him to breeze past opponents and carry the ball into dangerous areas.

Ten Hag's side lacks players who can take people on, with only two players in the squad boasting over one successful dribble per game, which often makes United far too easy to face.

Although his goal output is low, that direct dribble into the box often provides him with an opportunity to work half a yard of space to either set up a teammate or slot the ball into the corner with finesse, which has caused Mitoma's former teammate Christian Burgess to say he "finishes like [Thierry] Henry."

However, the main problem for Mitoma is that he is often being marked by two, sometimes three players at times, because there is only going to be one winner in a 1v1 scenario. That said, it has huge benefits for the rest of the team because it allows a numerical advantage to occur elsewhere.

There's not a player in the United squad that can impact a game in the same way that Mitoma can, and therefore, signing the Japan international could be a great piece of business, even if it banishes Rashford from the first-team picture.

CBS Sports, rights-holders for Champions League and Serie A, add U.S Open Cup to their roster of soccer content

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U.S. Open Cup to be broadcast on CBS SportsWill come with accompanying studio programmingStarts with third round, running through entire 2026 competition Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. Soccer and CBS Sports reached an agreement on a two-year deal to broadcast the U.S. Open Cup on Paramount+, they announced Wednesday.

The network will make every game available for streaming starting with the third round, which commences on April 15. Select matches with also be broadcast on CBS Sports. CBS Golazo Network will offer supplementary content with studio personalities and analysts.

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The Open Cup has come under scrutiny in recent years after MLS reduced its participation in the tournament, with just 16 teams sending their first-team sides – although MLS Next Pro clubs for those that aren't involved are in the mix.

Still, it has remained a strong competition, and an important point of reference for USL and amateur clubs.

WHAT U.S. SOCCER AND CBS SAID

U.S. Soccer chief commercial officer David Wright expressed his excitement on the deal in statement:

"This is an incredible step forward in our service to soccer strategy and to further growing the game which highlights the longest-running and most inclusive soccer tournament in the United States. CBS Sports has shown a tremendous commitment to offer accessibility for all soccer fans and to grow the sport domestically and globally, and we’re excited to have the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup featured among the world’s most exciting soccer competitions."

CBS executive vice president, programming Dan Weinberg echoed the sentiment:

"The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a marquee addition to CBS Sports’ premium soccer portfolio with its reach across all levels of the domestic game. We’re expanding our coverage by making the tournament’s exciting competition more accessible to fans than ever before and further solidifying Paramount+ as the premier destination for soccer in this country."

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR THE U.S. OPEN CUP?

The second round of the competition is slated for next week, with fixtures kicking off on April 1. MLS teams will enter in the third round in mid April.

Nottingham Forest are plotting a move in January to sign an in-demand new midfielder worth just shy of £30m. The Reds will be hoping their impressive form in this campaign can continue right until the end, as they could make a surprise challenge for a European spot.

Marinakis planning Nottingham Forest January swoop for £60m striker

Forest are looking to beat a host of Premier League teams to the signing of a young star.

ByBrett Worthington Dec 4, 2024 Nottingham Forest transfer news

Nuno Espirito Santo has so far defied all odds and got Forest away from any threat of relegation and instead competing near the top end of the Premier League table. They have Chris Wood to thank for a lot of this season, but Nuno will not want to keep relying on one player.

Indeed, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on Forest’s radar ahead of January, as the striker is still yet to sign a new deal at Goodison Park, which means he will enter the New Year with only six months on his deal remaining, and this could force the Toffees into selling their forward.

Brighton’s Evan Ferguson has also emerged on the Reds’ radar, as they are looking to make a permanent move for the Irish striker in January. There are several Premier League teams looking into a possible loan deal, but Forest are ready to test Brighton’s resolve by offering a permanent deal. Their January business may not stop there, as Forest are also among the teams keeping a watchful eye on an Italian midfielder.

Nottingham Forest plotting move for Juventus’ Nicolo Fagioli

According to TBR Football, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Nicolo Fagioli from Juventus in January. The Italian international looks set to leave the Serie A giants in the New Year, as he’s fallen out of favour under manager Thiago Motta.

The 23-year-old has featured in 15 games in all competitions this season, with only six coming as starts, as he’s found himself behind Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram in the pecking order.

The report states Fagioli, who is a similar player to Bernardo Silva according to FBref’s comparison metrics, is available for a loan or a permanent switch in January. Teams such as Forest, Man City, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Crystal Palace are interested in signing the midfielder.

Fagioli

Silva

Apps

11

13

Goals

0

0

Assists

0

3

Progressive carries

17

50

Progressive passes

37

59

Shots per 90

1.87

1.77

Tackles (Won)

11 (7)

13 (9)

However, these teams face competition from European sides such as Atalanta, Napoli, Marseille and RB Leipzig. Juventus are open to selling Fagioli as long as they receive a fee of €35 million (£29 million), but a loan with a buy option looks more likely to happen.

They have not played a one-dayer on home soil since November 2020

AAP24-Aug-2022Australia’s immediate sights may be on back-to-back ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand but wicketkeeper Alex Carey says this is where their preparation begins for the 2023 World Cup.Australia face Zimbabwe in three ODIs in Townsville from Sunday, before they meet world No.1 New Zealand for three matches in Cairns from September 6.Sunday’s match marks the first time in almost two years Australia has played a home ODI and will be Zimbabwe’s first bilateral series here since the 2003-2004 summer.Carey says with the World Cup just 12 months away and the squad at almost full strength, it’s time to begin preparations.Related

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“We see it as a great opportunity to continue to evolve our one-day cricket to get some form leading into the next 12 months. So it is a good way to start,” he told reporters in Townsville. “Most players will know their roles coming into the series.”Players have been playing the last couple of weeks as well over in the Hundred in England, so for us it’s preparing the best way we can.”One-day cricket you know how you try to set up, but we’ll obviously sum up the conditions as well and play accordingly.”Zimbabwe named their 15-man squad for the tour on Tuesday after falling 3-0 to India in a series at home. With Craig Ervine still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Regis Chakabva will captain the side again.Their recent series against India and Bangladesh will provide important footage Carey said, with little known of some of their squad.”In this format, I haven’t played them,” he said. “They’ve had some recent form so they’ll be keen to come over here and play some good cricket. They knocked off Bangladesh recently. So we will do our research if guys haven’t already started.”We’ve got some vision of bowlers, batters and we are up here five days early. So, we’re keen to get around, meet and greet and it get stuck into it.”

Ellyse Perry made another half-century before the England spinner showed her value

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Oct-2022Sydney Sixers made it two from two early in their WBBL campaign after an all-round display led by Suzie Bates’ sizeable contribution with the bat, another half century for Ellyse Perry and a superb performance from Sophie Ecclestone.After Alyssa Healy fell in the fourth over, charging a slower ball from Darcie Brown having not found her rhythm, Bates and Perry added 131 for the second wicket in a stand that lasted until the penultimate ball of the innings.The pair never quite fully cut loose, but after Sixers ended the powerplay on 1 for 24 there was a steady build throughout the innings with the ninth over going for 15 and the 13th 16 runs. Bates had been 23 off 30 balls before latching onto Amanda-Jade Wellington’s second over.Perry’s 58 off 44 followed her 55 off 48 in the opening match against Brisbane Heat while Bates, against her former club, made her first major contribution with Sixers. Darcie Brown’s bowling stood with 1 for 20 from four overs including 14 dots. Ash Gardner faced just one ball and launched it for six.Deandra Dottin gave Adelaide Strikers a rapid start to the chase with 25 off 16 balls with three sixes before being well caught at mid-off against Ecclestone.Ecclestone then produced a direct hit from mid-on to run out the well-set Laura Wolvaardt and in her next over with the ball was rewarded for some nice flight when Tahlia McGrath drove to cover to swing the match decisively Sixers’ way.The asking rate continued to rise and the loss of Bridget Patterson and Mack in the space of three balls left far too much to do for the lower order.

Glasgow Rangers delivered one of their finest away performances in Europe on Thursday evening, thrashing OGC Nice 4-1 in France.

It may not be on the seismic level of Borussia Dortmund in 2022 or Lyon in 2007, but Philippe Clement finely got a wonderful performance from his starting XI, and it came at exactly the right time.

The Light Blues scored three goals in a stunning first half, adding a fourth just after the restart. A consolation by Nice couldn’t take the shine of a truly incredible European display.

Hamza Igamane scored two goals. Could this be the catalyst he needs to cement a place in the starting XI?

Hamza Igamane game in numbers against Nice

The striker had scored just one goal for the Gers before this tricky European tie, netting against FCSB in October.

Perhaps bowing to pressure given Cyriel Dessers’ poor form, the Moroccan centre-forward was unleashed from the start, and it proved to be a wise choice.

Not content with scoring twice, Igamane also provided an assist during the game while making three key passes, attempting six dribbles and winning 80% of his aerial duels.

This was a solid display from the youngster, one that may have Dessers rather worried heading into the next couple of games.

Igamane wasn’t the only player who performed superbly against the French side, as numerous first-team stars could lay claim to being the most impressive in the side.

Goals

2

Key passes

3

Aerial duels won

80%

Touches

43

Dribble attempts (successful)

6 (2)

Possession lost

14

The defence has come in for some stick as of late, but John Souttar was a commanding presence at the heart of the backline during the 4-1 victory.

John Souttar’s game in numbers vs Nice

The Scot has been Clement’s first-choice centre-back this season, but recent performances have been below the level required at Ibrox.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Against Nice, Souttar made seven clearances, made one tackle and won 100% of his contested duels throughout the game, a remarkable stat.

In terms of distribution, Souttar succeeded with 87% of his passes, while delivering six accurate long balls from ten attempts against the Ligue 1 outfit, regularly starting attacks from defence.

His performance even warranted a match rating of 8/10 by Scotsman journalist Mark Atkinson, who said of the defender: ‘This man is a blocking machine. The in-form Scotland defender was sound throughout and marshalled the Rangers back line very well. The centre-half has all the hallmarks of a captain one day’

With James Tavernier dropping to the bench for the second game in a row, could his time be up at the club? Especially after a solid performance by Dujon Sterling.

This would leave a vacancy for the captaincy. On his day, Souttar has everything in his locker to be one of the finest defenders in the country. The key for him now is to build on this display against Nice and use it as a platform ahead of the busy festive season.

If so, might he be a candidate for the captaincy? Only time will tell.

Rangers preparing new offer to sign "phenomenal" Dessers upgrade

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Premier League attacker.

ByDan Emery Nov 28, 2024

Frank Lampard is being backed to come into contention for a third spell as Chelsea manager, with Andy Townsend admitting you can “never say never”.

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Lampard returned to management with CoventryLooking to guide Championship side into top flightTipped to return for third Chelsea spellFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱GettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Ex-England international Lampard spent 13 memorable years with the Blues as a player, registering 211 goals while landing three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. He returned to Stamford Bridge as manager in 2019 after cutting his coaching teeth at Derby.

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That reign lasted 18 months, through to January 2021. Lampard answered an SOS call in April 2023 – a matter of weeks after leaving Everton – as he stepped in as caretaker and oversaw 11 games at the helm through to the end of that season, picking up just one win in the process.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Lampard has had to start again, having taken over at Coventry, and has helped to guide them into the Championship play-off places. He is considered to have shown fellow “great” Wayne Rooney how a reputation can be salvaged, with another stint in west London not being ruled out.

WHAT ANDY TOWNSEND SAID

Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend has told : “The way Coventry have been playing lately, Frank Lampard could be in the Premier League next year. Coventry have had some great times in the Premier League.

“I've said it on many occasions, I like to see great ex-players moving on and succeeding in management. I don't like to see what happened to Wayne Rooney down at Plymouth and coming out of Birmingham after such a short period of time.

“He was an unbelievable player. I like to see good players go into management and have an effect. I remember when Frank went into Chelsea when they were under that embargo, he had to turn to some of the younger players, and certainly they developed under his leadership.

“It hasn't always worked for him where he's been, but right now his team look good and they're exciting to watch. I've got some friends locally that go there every week and they're really enjoying what they're seeing. It's not only about the win, and they're winning matches, but people are enjoying what they're witnessing, which is nice. I hope Frank can go and make a success of it.”

Johann Layne, 22, is an uncapped pace-bowling allrounder who was among the wickets in West Indies’ domestic red-ball competition last season

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Sep-2025West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph has been ruled out of the two-Test series against India next month because of an injury. He will be replaced by the uncapped pace-bowling allrounder Johann Layne.A CWI tweet confirmed that Joseph had been ruled out and that he would be re-evaluated before the white-ball tour of Bangladesh, but did not mention the nature of the injury. After the Tests in India finish on October 14, West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs in Bangladesh from October 18, followed by three T20Is from October 27 to November 1.It’s a busy touring season for West Indies across formats as they will then fly to New Zealand for an all-format tour of five T20Is, three ODIs and three Tests. They are currently in the UAE for three T20Is against Nepal starting September 27.Related

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Joseph has played 11 Tests so far for 51 wickets at an average of 21.66, having started his Test career with a five-for on debut against Australia in January 2024.Layne, 22, has played 19 first-class matches for 66 wickets while averaging 22.28 and has scored 495 runs at 19.03. He has four five-wicket hauls and three four-fors in 34 innings in the red-ball format. Layne recently played two four-day matches for West Indies A against the touring South Africa A side in June, where he scored 62 runs in four innings with a best of 34 and took one wicket in each of the three innings he bowled in.But he had a lot more success for West Indies Academy in the last domestic first-class competition, which he ended with a six-for against Windward Islands. Overall, Layne bagged 27 wickets in six matches in that tournament to average an impressive 15.88, with two five-fors and two four-fors.Layne will join Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip in the pace attack, which also has allrounder Justin Greaves, with Jomel Warrican, Khary Pierre and captain Roston Chase as the spin options.Updated West Indies Test squad for India seriesRoston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Johann Layne, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre, Jayden Seales.