Sports
Martin O’Neill Must Start Johnny Kenny Over Daizen Maeda
Celtic collide with Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final today and Martin O’Neill faces a big decision to either stick with Johnny Kenny to lead the line or bring Daizen Maeda back into the starting lineup.
O’Neill’s biggest test since returning as caretaker manager comes at home to the Hoops’ fierce rivals, who similarly have a new boss in their dugout at Hampden Park in Danny Rohl. A win over the Gers will book a place in the Scottish Cup final but also further lift spirits after an unceremonious end to Brendan Rodgers’ second spell.
There perhaps isn’t a player with more confidence at the moment than Kenny, who starred in a 4-0 win over Falkirk midweek. The Irish youngster started just his second league game of the season and took his chance with aplomb.
Celtic vs Rangers – O’Neill Must Carry on with Kenny
Kenny will feel he’s done enough to continue as a starter for the crunch clash against Rangers on Sunday. He has shown improvement with each passing game and will be riding the wave of momentum after an excellent showing against Falkirk.
Maeda is available for the semi-final after coming off the bench in the win midweek following a spell out with a hamstring injury. But there’s no need for O’Neill to rush the Japanese forward back into his XI.
Instead, he should continue to place his faith in Kenny, dubbed “absolutely brilliant”, who will relish being the hero in the Old Firm Derby and do so from the off. Maeda could come into the Bhoys’ frontline on the right but that means he displaces James Forrest and the Scot is more effective from this position.
The 28-year-old could be introduced in the second half to give O’Neil more energy, depending on how the game has panned out up until that point. There’s no doubt he’ll have a say at Hampden Park given his impressive record against the Gers, managing five goals and as many assists in 21 games.
O’Neil explained ahead of the semi-final that the Japan international remained his side’s “talisman” without question. He explained his cameo against Falkirk was to get him back up to speed following his time on the sidelines.
Celtic’s caretaker boss does have a happy headache choosing who should be his starting number nine between an in-form Kenny and a proven Maeda. It bodes well for the rest of the season if the mood continues to improve and that starts with results such as a big derby win at Hampden Park.
Sports
Celtic Receive Approach For ‘Outstanding’ €25m Star
Celtic may be forced to cash in on star player Arne Engels this summer as clubs across the Premier League and Europe circle for the Belgian midfielder’s signature.
The Scottish giants will be hoping for a less chaotic season this campaign after last term saw two permanent managers depart with Martin O’Neill signing a permanent deal following two interim spells in charge.
O’Neill did lead the Parkhead club to the Premiership title on the final day, edging Hearts in a dramatic 3-1 win, as well as the Scottish FA Cup, beating Dunfermline in the final, also by a 3-1 scoreline.
Alongside their league campaign, Celtic once again competed in Europe, reaching the first knockout stage before losing to Stuttgart.
Now, with numerous high profile clubs targeting a move for Engels, the 22-year-old is likely to seek a new challenge this summer. Although Premier League clubs have been linked with a move, an Italian side are the latest to have approached Celtic.
Roma targeting Engels
According to Il Messaggero, via Sport Witness, Italian outfit AS Roma have made ‘initial contact’ with Engels’ representatives in ‘recent days’.
Roma are prepared to lose France midfielder Manu Kone this summer and are seeking potential alternatives. The report adds that Celtic value Engels at around €20-25million, a fee the Italian side could afford.
Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are two of the English clubs that have been named as other potential destinations for the 22-year-old.
Forest are set to receive a major windfall from selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City in a deal worth in excess of £116million while Palace have Europa League football on offer this season after the Europa Conference League triumph.
Engels is ready for the next step
Since his move to Celtic from Augsburg in 2024, Engels has comfortably been one of the Hoops’ best players and now seems to have outgrown the Scottish Premiership.
The midfielder made 46 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists, scoring vital goals in title-clinching victories against Hearts and Dunfermline.
⚽
World Cup History Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Labelled “outstanding” by former manager Brendan Rodgers, Engels still has two years left on his current Celtic deal and is also a senior Belgium international with four caps to his name. Therefore, the Hoops could demand more than the €20million to 25million quoted, especially if selling to an English club.
A number of Celtic players of the past have made the move from Parkhead to the Premier League and done well, but Roma could also be an attractive proposition with the Italian side qualifying for the Champions League after their third-place finish in Serie A.
Nottingham Forest Submit First Offer to Sign Celtic Star in Late January Move
Nottingham Forest are keen on conducting business in the January window and a scouting trip north could open a move up
Sports
Man Utd Could Save £100m by Reintegrating Marcus Rashford
Manchester United could save themselves over £100m in the summer transfer window after an update emerged from Fabrizio Romano.
It’s been a busy summer transfer window for the Red Devils as they look to improve their squad in order to prepare for a season in the Champions League.
The main focus has been on looking to bring in new midfielders, but there’s no doubt they could also be aiming to strengthen in other areas of the pitch.
Competing in the Champions League is a huge boost for the Red Devils, but it also means they need a bigger and more competitive squad.
United were without the distraction of European football last season, which undoubtedly helped Michael Carrick to turn things back in the right direction.
Alongside Ederson: Midfielder Travels to Complete Man Utd Medical
Man Utd are in the market for midfielders this summer.
Man Utd Could Save £100m+
Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers in the summer transfer window, with the Midlands club demanding over £100m to allow him to depart.
The Red Devils are clearly looking to strengthen in the forward line, not just in midfield, with Rogers one of the reported targets.
Despite that, United could save themselves over £100m after a recent claim by Italian journalist Romano.
The respected reporter has suggested that United have held talks with Marcus Rashford, and they are now open to welcoming him back to training to start pre-season with Carrick.
There’s no guarantee that he will remain at the club, but it appears the doors have been opened for him to reintegrate back into the senior squad.
This could save United millions if they bring Rashford back into the fold as an option on the left-hand side of attack rather than splashing out on Rogers.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Rashford Could Explode Under Carrick
With the style that Carrick has looked to implement at Old Trafford, Rashford could be an ideal player for his system.
The England international is deadly in transition, and United have looked to play counter-attacking football under Carrick in his short period in charge.
United already have Matheus Cunha, who plays on the left-hand side, so there’s no need for them to splash out on someone like Rogers, especially when they can reintegrate Rashford.
The former Barcelona loanee could explode under Carrick, and if they are struggling to offload him this summer, it makes sense to give him another opportunity under the new manager.
Sports
Tottenham’s Decision on Mikey Moore Amid Rangers Interest
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has made a decision on the future of young winger Mikey Moore amid interest from Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
Moore spent the 25-26 season on loan at Rangers, playing 47 times across all competitions, even winning the Scottish Premiership Young Player of the Season award.
The 18-year-old scored seven times and created four goals for the Scottish club, making a real impact at a young age.
Understandably, Rangers have been showing an interest in signing him once again, with a report suggesting that they’d hoped to secure his signature on loan for another season.
Mikey Moore will return to Tottenham ahead of pre-season, when Spurs will then have a decision to make on his next steps in his development.
Tottenham Make New Move To Complete Statement Sandro Tonali Signing
Tottenham are getting closer to making a statement signing
Tottenham: Mikey Moore Decision Made
According to a report from Football London writer Alasdair Gold, Tottenham manager De Zerbi wants to take a close look at Moore during pre-season. The club have no interest in letting him leave permanently this summer.
A number of clubs from the United Kingdom and across Europe are taking a look at Moore, keen on either signing him permanently or on loan in the summer transfer window.
De Zerbi will later make a decision on the future of Moore. He’ll decide whether to send him out on loan for at least the first half of the campaign, with Tottenham having a lack of fixtures due to no European football.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Tottenham Must Put Mikey Moore First
When making a decision on the future of Moore, Tottenham need to ensure they have his best interests at heart.
Keeping the young winger around as a squad player would likely be beneficial to De Zerbi, giving him an additional option in attack.
His development might be best served elsewhere, allowing him to play regular minutes at a senior level.
If Moore stays at Spurs heading into the new season, he is unlikely to be a guaranteed starter, which could hinder his development going forward.
Moore already has a taste of regular senior football with Rangers, and it could be tempting for him to go elsewhere and play football on loan for the season.
-
Sports10 hours agoVirgil van Dijk Slammed For Comments After Netherlands’ World Cup Exit v Morocco
-
Sports12 hours agoZlatan Ibrahimovic Blames Netherlands’ Shock World Cup Exit on Ronald Koeman
-
Sports10 hours agoKevin Pietersen Causes Stir With Tweet About His International Cricket Retirement
-
Sports9 hours agoCarlo Ancelotti Explains Why He Didn’t Celebrate Brazil’s Winner v Japan
-
Sports2 days agoJesse Marsch’s Full Speech After Canada vs South Africa
-
Sports1 day agoHow Much Emma Raducanu Will Earn Despite Withdrawing Through Injury
-
Sports1 day agoRoger Federer Names His Top 5 Tennis Players of All Time
-
Sports4 hours agoLeon Goretzka Slammed For Not Taking Penalty in Germany vs Paraguay



