All posts by h716a5.icu

An update has emerged on Rangers and their transfer plans to find a new winger to add to their squad… 

What’s the talk?

According to Bulgarian news outlet Tema Sport, the Gers are interested in a deal to sign Ludogorets right-forward Kiril Despodov this month.

The report claims that he is one of a number of options the Scottish giants are looking at, whilst Galatasaray and Olympiacos are also keen on the attacker.

Laudrup 2.0

Gio van Bronckhorst could find the club’s next Brian Laudrup by securing a deal to sign Despodov in the coming weeks. The winger could be a fantastic signing for the Gers and the Dutchman must work hard with Ross Wilson to ensure that a move can be completed before the end of the window.

Laudrup enjoyed a sublime spell in Scotland as he played 147 games for the club and scored 44 goals across four seasons in Glasgow. The retired Dane also played as a right-winger and managed 11 goals and 15 assists in 63 matches for German giants Bayern Munich in his career, showing off his ability to score and create goals.

In Despodov, van Bronckhorst could find another player in that position who could come in and take the Premiership by storm with his exciting play in the final third, much like Laudrup.

The Bulgarian phenomenon has been in sensational form for Ludogorets this season, with nine goals and 12 assists in all competitions. This comes after he produced six goals and 14 assists last term for his current club, which suggests that he has the ability to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.

He previously played for CSKA Sofia and popped up with 25 goals and 26 assists in 80 matches for the Bulgarian outfit. This means that he has been regularly scoring and assisting goals for two separate clubs, indicating that he could have the potential to do the same at Rangers.

Whilst it is difficult to gauge the difference in quality between the divisions, he has been able to perform in Europe for his side. Despodov has racked up three goals and two assists in the Champions League and Europa Lague this term, showing that he can be a difference-maker in competitions the Gers are familiar with – which is why he could be an excellent signing.

AND in other news, Forget Kent: Rangers dud who lost 11 duels let Gvb down badly, he’s “not happy”…

Newcastle have offered Manchester United £10m to take Jesse Lingard on loan until the end of the season.

That’s according to 90min’s Graeme Bailey, and as to be expected, it has had a number of United fans talking on social media.

Lingard is currently in Dubai alongside Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford and Diogo Dalot, with his future still up in the air with days remaining in the January transfer window.

The attacking midfielder, who has started just two games all season, is into the final six months of his Old Trafford contract, and according to 90min, Newcastle have offered the Red Devils a £10m loan fee.

The Magpies will also hand Lingard a huge bonus if he helps them to avoid relegation, and they expect United to accept their latest offer.

United fans react

@utdreport relayed Bailey’s claim regarding Lingard on Twitter. Here is what these supporters had to say in reply, with one labelling United as ‘crazy’ if they reject the offer.

“Crazy if we turn this down”

Credit: @UtdXtra18

“Too good to be true..”

Credit: @ShaneOhhh_

“That’d be an unreal bit of business…we probably won’t do it”

Credit: @_MUFCFrank

“TAKE THE MONEY”

Credit: @ThashkinG

“£10M? For a loan? And CDMs available for £10M? United can’t be this stupid right? Only Jesse saying no can stop this, right? Right?”

Credit: @UnitedAJ7

“For a loan?!! Take it right now!!!”

Credit: @KingCantona21

In other news: ‘Wow’ – Lots of Man United fans erupt as ‘ridiculous’ transfer news emerges

Pakistan’s former captain, Ramiz Raja, and the former coach, Geoff Lawson, have both spoken out in defence of Mohammad Amir

Andrew Miller30-Aug-2010Former Pakistan captain, Ramiz Raja, and the former coach, Geoff Lawson, have both spoken out in defence of Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s 18-year-old fast bowler whose alleged involvement in the Lord’s spot-fixing scandal is threatening to destroy his burgeoning career.Amir was a revelation during the recent four-Test series against England, in which he collected 19 wickets at 18.36 and proved unplayable at times in helpful swinging conditions. He picked up consecutive five-wicket hauls in the final two Tests, including a career-best 6 for 84 in England’s only innings at Lord’s.However, on the eve of the final day of the series, he was one of four players – along with his captain Salman Butt and fellow new-ball bowler Mohammad Asif – to be named by The News of the World in an alleged scam involving bowling no-balls to order, a situation that has led many commentators, including England’s former captain, Michael Vaughan, to call for a life ban.However, Ramiz and Lawson both expressed sympathy for Amir, and believed the greater blame lay with the men who had led him astray so early in his career. “To see an 18-year old boy being dragged into the controversy is the worse part,” Ramiz told Cricinfo. “He had the world, everyone was raving about the talent and praising him. It is such a sad moment in cricket.”Amir comes from a humble background,” Ramiz said. “He is 18, with an impressionable mind, and if he has been keeping bad company, it’s possible he could have been drawn [into wrongdoing]. But if that’s the case, then the guys who got him in should be put behind bars because they’ve spoilt a grand career. They’ve infiltrated and spoilt a young mind, and it’s such a shocking state of affairs.”Lawson, who coached Pakistan for 15 months between July 2007 and October 2008, said: “For me, it would be a great tragedy if a young man such as Amir, a shining light of hope, has been led astray.” But he also added that Pakistan’s socio-economic situation needed to be taken into account before rushing in to judge the alleged actions of its cricketers.”We must remember that we are judging these guys by the standards of our own country, when their situations are vastly different,” Lawson told The Age in Melbourne. “The first time I met Mohammad Amir was when he was 16, coming to an Under-19s camp. He comes from a small village near the Swat valley and was delayed by three hours because the Taliban had closed the highway. That doesn’t happen in this country.””One thing that struck me about Amir was his constant smile, his zest for the game,” he said. “That has not changed. I will never condone any form of fixing, but we should consider that a cricketer might not be thinking of personal gain but of getting money to buy a generator for his village because they don’t have electricity.”I don’t think Pakistan should be banished, we have seen it survive some incredible on and off-field turmoil,” Lawson said. “But I will say that the present Pakistan administration cannot escape some of the blame for this. What they need right now is positive leadership and they don’t have it.”When I was there the board did not have people with vested interests, they were business people who treated people fairly, remunerated the players well. The first-class players were looked after and paid well and it made a difference.The [current] Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt is not a leader, he should not have the job, he is incapable.”

Moutaineers beat Mashonaland Eagles by 14 runs

John Ward17-Sep-2010
Scorecard
A rollicking partnership of 102 for the second wicket between Prince Masvaure and Peter Moor set up Mashonaland Eagles to chase down 220 but their dismissals, in quick succession, saw the Eagles fade away to a 14-run defeat in an exciting three-day finish. The Mountaineers were deserving victors, although the win was spoilt by some excessive appealing.Play began as it did on the first two days – with quick wickets followed by a recovery. Mountaineers began the day on 86 for four and Timycen Maruma, the overnight batsman, was the first to fall, caught in the slips for 27. Nightwatchman Silent Mujaji and Benjamin Katsande soon followed and, at 95 for seven, Mountaineers were looking in trouble. But then Prosper Utseya and Shingirai Masakadza, the heroes of the Faithwear Metbank final in 2009, stepped in. Utseya in particular counter-attacked well, and their partnership of 49 was worth far more on this particular pitch than it would under normal circumstances.After Masakadza fell for 18, Natsai Mushangwe gave Utseya good support, hitting the bad ball well on his way to an unbeaten 16. Utseya was finally dismissed for 38 off 53 balls, an invaluable innings given the difficulties of batting fourth on this pitch. The innings closed on the stroke of lunch for 178, leaving Eagles to get 220 for victory. All six wickets that fell in the morning were caught either by the wicketkeeper or at slips. Innocent Chinyoka, who picked up four of those six wickets, bowled a brisk medium pace, just outside the off stump, cutting the ball predominantly away from the right-hander, and the pitch and poor batting technique did the rest.There was much tension on the field when Eagles began their innings, which increased when the umpire disagreed with the Mountaineers who believed they had Ishmael Senzere caught at slip off the very first ball. It wasn’t to be a costly lapse: Senzere was yet to score when he was well run-out by Shingirai Masakadza as he called for a quick single to midwicket, only to be sent back by his partner. Then came the key wicket of Forste Mutizwa, who was superbly caught by the same fielder at extra cover for four. The Eagles were 17 for two, despite the Mountaineers’ bowling a bit too short.Then came what could have been the game’s turning point. Moor was yet to get off the mark when he got a leading edge and lobbed a high but simple return catch to Tendai Chatara, who lost sight of the ball and failed to get a hand to it. After this reprieve, Moor and Masvaure decided to go for their strokes, perhaps a wise gamble on an untrustworthy pitch. They took some risks, and Moor raced ahead with a straight-driven six and some powerful hooks as the bowlers tried to bounce him. It was heady stuff and quite unpredictable but, all things considered, he did the right job for his team. Despite some technical flaws his 53 off only 35 balls, with four sixes and four fours, showed the raw material was of high quality. He and Masvaure shared the game’s only century stand, the latter soon following Moor back to the pavilion with 51 off 73 balls to his credit.With Eagles on 119 for four, the match was again in the balance. Cephas Zhuwao did what he does best and swung two sixes in an over from Prosper Utseya over the midwicket boundary to take his team to 135 for four at tea. However, Zhuwawo did not last long after the break, skying a catch to deep midwicket for 18. After this, the batsmen fell back on the defensive, probably a mistake considering the earlier successes had come through attack. Regis Chakabva made 21 without his usual sparkle, and the bowlers worked their way through the lower order. The ninth wicket fell at 199 and the last pair managed only six runs, before Mbofana was adjudged lbw to Shingi Masakadza. Masakadza and Maruma took three wickets each. It was a closely-fought match with an exciting finish, but that still did not justify what was a poor cricket pitch.

Writing on social media, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has explained why Tottenham Hotspur didn’t sign Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat.

The Lowdown: Spurs reach ‘agreement’…

As per reports, it appeared at one stage that the Lilywhites were all but certain to sign the Morocco international.

Indeed, claims from Italy suggested that Spurs had reached an ‘agreement’ to sign Amrabat with manager Antonio Conte personally ‘waiting’ for his arrival in north London (Corriere Fiorentino via Sport Witness).

Romano also stated that the player himself was ‘waiting for Tottenham’ and ‘wanted’ to join (YouTube via The Boot Room), with the reporter now explaining why the transfer didn’t materialise.

The Latest: Romano explains ‘collapsed’ 11th hour move…

Taking to Twitter, he claimed a potential move to Spurs ‘collapsed’ in the 11th hour.

“Sofyan Amrabat will not be allowed to leave Fiorentina in the last hours of the window,” he stated on deadline day.

“Erick Pulgar leaves to join Galatasaray, done deal – so Fiorentina need Amrabat to stay.

“Tottenham potential move has collapsed.”

The Verdict: Big miss?

The 27-cap midfield dynamo, called a ‘bargain’ player by ex-Palermo sporting director Rino Foschi, won’t exactly be a big miss for Spurs despite that plaudit.

Tottenham instead landed a 2018 World Cup gem in Rodrigo Bentancur and one who can add real steal to Conte’s midfield, as evident by his impressive average of 2.8 tackles per 90 in the Champions League this season (WhoScored).

That’s the joint most of any Juve player and it’s safe to say that his signing will boost Spurs in their hunt for a top four place.

In other news: Tottenham held deadline day talks in last gasp Paratici swoop for 176-goal attacker, find out more here.

Daniel Vettori, at the receiving end of an unprecedented whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh, was critical of New Zealand’s batting which failed once again in a series the hosts won 4-0

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2010Daniel Vettori, at the receiving end of an unprecedented whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh, was critical of New Zealand’s batting which failed yet again as the hosts took the series 4-0. New Zealand had been reduced to 20 for 5 in their chase of 174 in the final ODI in Mirpur before Vettori stepped up to lead a recovery with Grant Elliott that proved inadequate.”The [batting] was symptomatic of our performances all the way through – we’ve been five down quite early on. We bowled so well and we let ourselves down with the bat again,” Vettori said after the match. “We have had a dreadful series and we are obviously extremely disappointed. The focus should be on how well Bangladesh played, particularly their captain Shakib Al Hasan who was outstanding throughout the series.”Shakib topped the runs and wickets charts, and had sealed the historic series win in the previous game with a century and three wickets. He top-scored for his team again today, with 36, and picked up two wickets in the three-run win. “We played really good cricket this series. We didn’t bat well the way we wanted, we need to improve on that. But our boys showed character and came hard at the New Zealand team,” Shakib said.The reversal has dealt New Zealand a major setback in their preparations for the 2011 World Cup, and a tougher series awaits in India next month. “India are arguably the best team in the world in their own conditions, they have just come off beating Australia,” Vettori said. “So, it’s going to be a mammoth test for us. If we can regroup and play well there, then hopefully some people can forgive us back home.”

Tottenham are confident of securing a deal to bring Sam Johnstone to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football League World, who claim that sources have revealed Fabio Paratici and his Tottenham transfer team are now “very confident” of landing the England international, who is set to become available on a free transfer upon the expiry of his current deal with West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season.

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A further report by Sky Sports suggested that both Manchester United and Southampton, along with a host of other clubs, are also interested in a move for the 29-year-old shot-stopper this summer, while Johnstone himself is reportedly desperate to secure a move back to the Premier League.

Paratici’s next Pirlo

Considering that Antonio Conte’s current first-choice number one Hugo Lloris will turn 36 later this year, and with it being reported that Tottenham are not planning to activate their £13m purchase option for Atalanta loanee Pierluigi Gollini this summer, it is not difficult to see why Paratici would be interested in a move for Johnstone.

While it is true that West Brom have struggled following their return to the second tier of English football after their relegation from the top flight last season – currently sitting in 12th place, eight points behind Sheffield United in sixth – Johnstone nevertheless proved his quality during the Baggies’ latest Premier League jaunt.

Indeed, over his 37 league outings last term, the £7.2m-rated stopper – who Steve Bruce dubbed a “diamond” – was one of West Brom’s standout performers, keeping six clean sheets and making 4.5 saves per match, the most of any goalkeeper in the top flight. These returns saw the £32.5k-per-week stopper average a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Albion’s second-best player in the division.

As such, it is clear to see that Paratici’s capture of Johnstone on a free transfer would be something of a masterclass by the Spurs managing director. In terms of its impact on the club, it could even go on to top his Bosman signing of Andrea Pirlo for Juventus back in 2011.

AND in other news: “I can say…”: Italian journo drops huge Spurs transfer claim, Conte will be fuming

Gabby Agbonlahor has now given his reaction to some Glasgow Rangers injury news that has emerged involving Aaron Ramsey.

The Lowdown: Hamstring

Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed earlier this week that Ramsey suffered a hamstring injury after being forced off in their 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Celtic over the weekend, but it is not clear how long he will be out for.

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There are now fears that his season could be over, but the Dutch manager is sure to give an update before they play Motherwell away from home in the Scottish Premiership at Saturday lunchtime.

The Latest: Agbonlahor reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Aston Villa and England striker Agbonlahor, who is also a pundit for Sky Sports and talkSPORT, has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that it is a ‘shame’, while also adding that his season ‘could be over’:

“That could be his season over.

“Sometimes those tears can take a month, five weeks. He hasn’t got that luxury and that amount of time to get back.

“It’s a shame because he has been in good form recently.

“He’s got a big game in June for Wales in World Cup qualifying so he’ll want to be back in time for that.

“It will be interesting to see what the results of the scans say.”

The Verdict: Anxious wait

It will now be an anxious wait for van Bronckhorst to confirm the extent of Ramsey’s injury, and whether he will still be able to play a part in this campaign.

Not only do the Teddy Bears need to close the gap on Celtic in the SPFL, but they also have a Scottish Cup final to look forward to, and are in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

Ramsey has already shown that he can make an impact, scoring two goals in the league in his loan spell from Juventus, and would no doubt be a useful player to have in the squad for the rest of the run-in.

In other news, find out which 20-year-old weapon Gers are now following here!

Steve Tikolo rolled back the years with a dominant all-round show as Kenya surged to an easy six-wicket win against UAE in the first of four one-dayers in Mombasa

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2010
ScorecardSteve Tikolo and David Obuya hit half-centuries•Thota SreenivasSteve Tikolo rolled back the years with a dominant all-round show as Kenya surged to an easy six-wicket win against UAE in the first of four one-dayers in Mombasa. Tikolo snared 4 for 18 in seven overs of tidy offspin before sealing the victory with an unbeaten 69 off 77 balls after David Obuya set up the chase of 183 with 72.UAE’s decision to make first use of the pitch ran into rough weather early as Arshad Ali was run out by Hiren Varaiya for one. Amjad Ali, the other opener, found the going tough in his 17 off 40 balls before falling to Thomas Odoyo. Swapnil Patil hend the innings together and his fifty-run stand with Saqib Ali, who contributed a quick 33, set UAE up for a good total. The innings, however, ran into a rut in the middle overs as Tikolo took charge.UAE’s listless running was another issue they had to contend with – there were four run-out victims in all – and it was down to Amjad Javed’s late hitting to lift them close to 200. Javed contributed 30 with five fours and a six, before Tikolo had him caught by Nehemiah Odhiambo as the innings folded in the 47th over.Kenya lost Alex Obanda early in the chase, but David and Collins Obuya ensured UAE could not make any further quick inroads with a partnership of 46 for the second wicket. Tikolo, who came in at the fall of Collins’ wicket, then added 83 with David in a productive phase that gradually put the game out of UAE’s reach. David struck eight fours in his innings that came off 98 balls, and though Maurice Ouma departed cheaply after his exit, Tikolo ensured he was there till the end.

Liverpool are planning on offering Sadio Mane a new contract at Anfield after his starring role against Manchester City, according to a fresh rumour.

The Lowdown: Mane stars at Wembley

The Senegalese was arguably the Reds’ star player on Saturday, as they beat City 3-2 at Wembley to book a place in the FA Cup final.

Mane scored twice in the first half to help Liverpool race into a 3-0 lead, closing down Steffen for the first goal and volleying home the second just before the break.

It was arguably one of the 30-year-old’s best displays this season, with Klopp continuing to use him in a central attacking role.

The Latest: Key update emerges

Mane’s current Liverpool deal expires at the end of next season, and according to Football Insider, the club are willing to offer him a new contract.

It is stated that FSG aren’t willing to ‘break the bank’ with their offer but the hope is that he agrees to extend his stay at Anfield beyond 2023. The source in question claims that the forward wants to stay put with the Reds.

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The Verdict: No-brainer for Liverpool

While Mane may no longer be at the absolute peak of his powers, he is still one of the most formidable attacking in the Premier League and should remain that way for a few years to come.

He already has 18 goals to his name in 2021/22 – his 13 Premier League goals have already surpassed last season’s tally of 11 – and he has been hailed as ‘world-class’ by Klopp in the past.

It may be that Mane slowly becomes more of a squad player over time as he ages but keeping him instead of allowing his contract to tick down is an absolute no-brainer, given his ability.

In other news, one Liverpool player was annoyed with his own fans against City. Find out who it is here.