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Katie McCabe Decides Not to Wear Poppy on Arsenal Shirt

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Arsenal Women fan favourite Katie McCabe, along with several other Irish footballers, reopened the conversation around the poppy this weekend after refusing to wear it. The left-back started in the Gunners’ 4-1 victory over Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, which was the latter’s dedicated Remembrance fixture.

Clubs have featured poppies on players’ shirts in November since the early 2000s, with the shirts later auctioned off to support the Royal British Legion – an organisation that helps military service members, veterans, and their families. However, McCabe, the Republic of Ireland captain, was among a host of players who chose not to have a poppy on her jersey in the Women’s Super League.

Brighton’s Caitlin Hayes also opted not to wear a poppy, while London City Lionesses midfielder Hayley Nolan and Crystal Palace forward Abbie Larkin, who play in the WSL 2, are understood to have taken the same stance. Although controversial to many, the possible reason behind their decision not to wear the symbol has since come to light.

Why Some Irish Players Don’t Wear a Poppy During Remembrance Fixtures

Katie McCabe

It’s worth mentioning that each player who refused to wear a poppy over the weekend did take part in a minute’s silence ahead of their respective fixtures. However, as one of the Irish Sun’s image captions points out: “Some (Irish) players feel uncomfortable with it since it can be perceived as support for the British Army.”

This aligns with comments made by James McClean last year. The Wrexham midfielder has long been the target of vitriolic criticism after becoming the first player to refuse to wear a poppy. Speaking about his decision, he explained that the symbol carries an entirely different meaning for Irish people than it does for the British. While he said it doesn’t offend him personally, he believes in the right to freedom – including the right not to have the symbol forced upon him. As per the Telegraph, he said:

“The poppy, which originally stood for World War 1 and 2, has now been adopted into honouring and remembering British soldiers that have served in all conflicts throughout the world, including those who opened fire and murdered 14 innocent civilians on Bloody Sunday Jan 1972, in my home city, as well many other brutal crimes throughout Ireland.

“That is why I never have and never will wear a poppy. If the poppy’s sole purpose was to honour world war 1 and 2 then I would have no issue wearing it, but that’s not the case.”

The meaning behind the poppy and its use in football always attracts attention around this time each year, and McCabe has come under fire from a small number of social media users who continue to raise the same old criticisms about respect and the fact that she lives and works in England.

However, everyone has the right to express their beliefs in their own way. While McCabe hasn’t publicly explained why she chose not to wear the poppy this campaign – despite having done so in previous years – it’s likely connected to the strained historical relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom, something McClean has previously tried to educate critics about without much luck.

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Celtic Receive Approach For ‘Outstanding’ €25m Star

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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

AS Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini

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

Celtic caretaker manager Martin O'Neill looks on during win vs Stuttgart

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.

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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.


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Man Utd Could Save £100m by Reintegrating Marcus Rashford

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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.


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Man Utd Could Save £100m+

Morgan Rogers Caean Couto (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

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.

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Rashford Could Explode Under Carrick

Marcus Rashford in action for England Marty Jean-Louis/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect

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.

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Tottenham’s Decision on Mikey Moore Amid Rangers Interest

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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.


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Tottenham: Mikey Moore Decision Made

Mikey Moore in action for Tottenham Hotspur

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.

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Tottenham Must Put Mikey Moore First

Mikey Moore reacts during Rangers' match against AS Roma

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.

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