Celtic suffered a humiliating 3-0 loss at home to AS Roma in the Europa League on Thursday night. The result has only added more fuel to the fire of those sceptical of new manager Wilfried Nancy, as the Frenchman became the first manager of the Bhoys in history to lose his opening two matches.
Celtic went into the changing room at half-time exhausted, having been cut apart by Roma’s precision and clinical play. The home side created few cohesive attacks and looked confused by Nancy’s system. Arne Engels’ missed penalty was a sure sign that everything was going wrong for Celtic.
Although 3-0 down, Celtic started the second half brighter. One player who will have gained Nancy’s trust is Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate.
Hatate One of the Few Positives for Celtic
If there were any positives Nancy could take from a dismal night, it was the first 20 minutes of the second half. Celtic came out fighting and finally showed some attacking intent. Hatate – described as ‘outstanding’ by Brendan Rodgers earlier this year – was at the heart of things, winning his battles in midfield and combining well with substitute Kelechi Iheanacho.
Having missed a chance of his own in the first half – a high shot wide of the mark after showing good close control in the box – Hatate moved elegantly through midfield, holding off Roma players before slipping a perfect pass through to Engels, who set up Iheanacho for a close-range finish – but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Hatate retained the ball well against a fast and physical Roma side. A criticism often levelled at the Japanese player is his hot and cold nature. When he is in the mood, he looks a special talent that would improve most sides in Europe. But when he has an off night, he surrenders possession too easily and is a liability for Celtic.
Hatate showed the best version of himself, picking out key passes and giving Celtic fans some hope that a goal would come.
Will Hatate Be At Celtic for Much Longer?
Given his excellent technique, passing ability and eye for a spectacular goal, Hatate has been continuously linked with moves to bigger leagues throughout his time at Celtic.
During the summer, there was further transfer speculation, but Hatate remained at Celtic and spoke about how much he valued winning trophies. As reported by the Daily Record, he said: “I remember some golden words from Zico that former player Atsuto Uchida once said. They were, ‘When you retire as a player, all that remains is the number of titles you have won’.
“Hearing that, I’m proud to have added another league title to my career this season.
“Winning cups and leagues is a cumulative effort. We play in a team and environment that allows us to aim for the title and we achieved it.”
There still remains the opportunity for Hatate and Celtic to win trophies this season, starting on Sunday in the Scottish League Cup Final against St Mirren.
If Celtic fail to reignite their season with a cup final win, then Hatate might consider if now is the time to fight for trophies in a new team, and Nancy could lose one of the most talented players in Scotland.
Newcastle United have lined up a deal to sign a midfielder this summer, as the Magpies face the possibility of losing some key players in the coming weeks.
A deal for the former seems the most likely, meaning Newcastle are on the market for replacements, and one target is now seemingly in the club’s sights.
Newcastle Add Felix Nmecha To Shortlist
According to a report from journalist Craig Hope, Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha is on Newcastle’s shortlist as a transfer target for this summer.
The Magpies are described as “long-term admirers” of the 25-year-old, who has impressed in the Bundesliga as well as in the World Cup with Germany in recent weeks.
Nmecha has a release clause in his deal worth £73.5 million, though that doesn’t come into effect until next summer. That said, the report claims that there is hope a move can be negotiated for lower than that price.
There is likely to be some competition for Nmecha’s signature, as Manchester United have been linked with a transfer, along with fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool.
It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get an agreement with both Dortmund and the Germany international over a potential transfer in the coming weeks as a result.
Newcastle are facing a tough summer transfer window, with Anthony Gordon’s exit set to be just the first of a few key moves away from the club.
Given the struggles in the Premier League last season, the Magpies will be keen to not be in a weaker position next campaign when it comes to the options available.
However, it may be the sales that help ensure that is the case. Selling some important players in favour of huge transfer fees could allow it to be reinvested in a way that will add a better balance of quality across the whole squad.
Newcastle United are in the market for a striker, as one star looks set to leave the club this summer.
That, in theory, should allow the team to become stronger. But that will only happen if the right transfer replacements are found for the right price.
That was the theory in practice last summer, with Alexander Isak’s sale generating a club-record fee, but resulting in the wrong options being signed to take his place.
Newcastle cannot allow a repeat of that, especially in the midfield engine room, which has been among the key areas of strength under Howe.
Yan Diomande’s early coach Faissal Chehade explains why Liverpool could be the perfect fit, and why his ceiling may be Ballon d’Or level.
Chehade, who worked with Diomande at Leganés, reveals on Market Madness what stood out from the very beginning: the confidence, the one-v-one ability, the training-ground moments that made coaches take notice, and the mentality behind his rise from rejection across Europe to becoming one of the most talked-about young players in world football.
He also breaks down why Leipzig was the right step, why Liverpool could give Diomande the platform to become “the main man,” and why he believes the winger has the potential to reach the very top of the game.
Chapters:
0:09 — Yan Diomande’s First Coach Reveals the Talent
2:07 — The Training Goal That Made Everyone Stop
3:36 — Why Yan Diomande Was Rejected Across Europe
4:21 — Why Leipzig Was the Perfect Move for Diomande
4:55 — Why Liverpool Could Be Yan Diomande’s Perfect Fit
8:02 — Yan Diomande’s Ballon d’Or Ceiling Explained
It looks as though a banned European nation is set for a return to FIFA competition, with reports suggesting they’ll be allowed to compete at an international tournament as soon as October.
The ban, which has run for more than four years, has kept senior, youth and women’s sides out of competitive matches, including the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as the 2024 Euros.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously hinted at softening his stance, and it now appears children’s football could provide the route back into the fold, starting with a new under-15 competition this autumn.
Gianni Infantino Pushes For Russia’s Reintroduction
Infantino has been vocal about wanting Russia back involved, arguing the suspension has done more harm than good. Speaking earlier this year, he said:
“We have to, because this ban has not achieved anything, it has just created more frustration and hatred. Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help.”
That stance appears to be translating into action, with reports indicating Russia and Belarus are among the nations set to feature at FIFA’s inaugural under-15 World Cup and Festival, running from October 22nd to the 31st, in Azerbaijan.
FIFA confirmed all 211 member associations have been invited, stating: “The first edition will be open to boys’ teams from all FIFA member associations; the second installment in 2027 will feature girls’ teams only. From 2028 onwards, all member associations will be invited to participate with both their boys’ and girls’ U-15 teams in two separate competitions.”
A Symbolic Tournament for Gianni Infantino
The event has taken on added significance for Infantino, who’s also pushed for Israel and Palestine to meet in a symbolic opening fixture. After an attempted handshake between officials from both nations fell flat in April, Infantino referenced the same tournament while appealing for unity:
“We have a beautiful under-15 tournament coming up, where we will invite all 211 countries to participate, all the children of the world, let’s do it for that. Let’s work together. You have my commitment, you have the support of the whole room.”
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Whether Russia’s inclusion goes further than football at junior level is something that hasn’t yet been addressed, but the door appears to be opening.
