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Celtic’s approach to the summer transfer window appears to be a case of luring the best young talents to Parkhead from south of the border.
The Bhoys have already wrapped up a move for promising young midfielder Liam Shaw but further England-based talents could arrive in the coming months.

On the chalkboard

The outlook at Paradise could look infinitely different next season. The likes of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are repeatedly linked with the exit door, which means their future in Scotland is uncertain.
One man whose exit prospects are looking brighter by the day is Patryk Klimala. The Polish forward has had a rough time of it since moving to Glasgow and, just a year and a half on from arriving, it looks as though he’ll be leaving.
Klimala entered the club in January 2020 but failed to start a single game in the back half of that season. He has rarely started in 2020/21 either, finding the net on just three occasions in the famous green and white.
It’s quite amazing that Celtic are set to receive a fee of £3.5m for his services, with news emerging in recent days that he’s on the verge of sealing a move to New York Red Bulls in the MLS.

The replacement

Celtic’s frontline could look completely different next season if a number of departures occur. Klimala is heading for the exit door, while it would be surprising if Edouard sticks around. Club stalwart Leigh Griffiths could also be offered an escape route by Aberdeen.
Thus, they will need to find new recruits from somewhere. One player who could come in and immediately replace Klimala in the squad is Kyle Joseph.
The Wigan forward is out of contract at the climax of the season and it doesn’t look as though he will pen new terms. Consequently, Celtic are chasing him and can sign the attacker on a free transfer.
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The 19-year-old isn’t particularly experienced but he has made some strong impressions during what has been a breakthrough season in English football. He has played 16 times for Wigan this season and has found the net on five occasions along the way, including an eye-catching hat-trick against Burton Albion back in December.
A player blessed with quick feet and an eye for goal, a move to Celtic would be a fine reward for his impressive start to life in senior football. He has attracted plenty of acclaim along the way, being described as “dangerous” for his display against Oxford United by journalist Sanny Rudravajhala.
Another reporter in Jay Whittle took to Twitter to wax lyrical about the teenager, saying: “Outstanding footwork, has the heart of a lion, and plays with a level of maturity and intelligence beyond his years.”
Whittle continued: “Also got a great knack of being able to turn lost causes into half chances by never giving up. Huge prospect.”
With that in mind, it certainly looks as though Joseph would bring a lot more energy to his performances than Klimala ever did in Glasgow.
The Pole was a huge disappointment; Joseph could quickly usurp him.

AND in other news, £42k-p/w Celtic flop has been through hell since leaving, he’s not played for 608 days…

Manchester United have been handed a hugely disappointing update over the future of striker Edinson Cavani.

Out of contract at the end of the season, there were suggestions that the Uruguayan was not all that convinced of staying in Manchester, with Boca Juniors reportedly interested in signing him on a free transfer.

That certainly seems to have come to fruition, with reports from Argentinian outlet Depo suggesting that the striker has requested to leave the Red Devils in the summer, news which will hugely disappoint Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Since arriving at Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain, Cavani has been one of the Red Devils’ most productive players. He has struck ten goals in all competitions, bettered only by Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford in the United squad this term.

The majority of those have come in the Premier League with Cavani having found the net in each of his last two games against Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley.

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His performances have also drawn plenty of praise, with United boss Solskjaer labelling Cavani as “top-class” in his short time with the club so far.

It goes without saying that the Norwegian will be disappointed to lose a player of such quality, especially with the Red Devils all but set to return to the Champions League next season – a competition in which the Uruguayan is hugely experienced.

His departure could also have huge impacts on Manchester United in the transfer market.

Should Cavani have stayed, it would have allayed their need to recruit a striker in the window. However, to compensate for his loss, the Red Devils are surely going to have to fork out a considerable amount to find an equal replacement for the 34-year-old unless they once again turn to the free agent market.

His request to leave the club will surely be a crushing blow for Solskjaer and Manchester United fans alike.

AND in more news, read about the huge boost that Manchester United have received regarding the European Super League…

With Helder Costa continuing to disappoint week-in and week-out at Leeds, Andrea Radrizzani must take matters into his own hands this summer and look to sell the winger.

Costa has endured a nightmare campaign in the Premier League this season for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, scoring just twice and providing only three assists in 22 games in the competition.

That has led to former Leeds players like Noel Whelan to simply brandish him a “massive flop”, and it’s hard to argue against that.

Given that in recent weeks Raphinha has been out injured, Costa has had the perfect opportunity to stamp his authority games and prove to Bielsa that he’s someone who the manager can rely upon.

Instead, he’s been his usual disappointing self, and the last couple of games in the Premier League against Liverpool and Manchester United have even seen Bielsa turn to Ian Poveda from off the bench.

And in a response to a fan question from his Q&A for the Manchester United game, The Athletic’s Phil Hay said: “Poveda consistently makes a good impact off the bench – but I’m still not sure if he looks ready to be starting. He’s very good at unsettling defences with his pace and his direct running later in a game – unbalancing defences, as Bielsa would say – and I suspect we’ll see Costa start again.

“I still think the jury is very much out on Costa though. Roberts has had a stronger second half of the season. Costa still needs to shine consistently.”

With Football Insider having recently claimed that Leeds are open to offers for the £70k-a-week earning flop this summer, Radrizzani must surely take a proactive approach in looking to offload him.

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The report added that the Whites do not expect to make back the £15m they paid to sign him, and usually that might see clubs trying to haggle in negotiations to get the best deal possible.

In Costa’s case, Radrizzani might be wise not to push things too much and risk a potential deal falling apart and leaving the Portuguese ace stuck at Elland Road next season.

Getting some sort of fee for him this summer that can then be reinvested in the playing squad would be the smart call to make from Radrizzani.

Meanwhile, Leeds must unleash this star who’s “got it all”…

Think of a word to criticise something and it will have been applied to Celtic this season.

The Bhoys have been a complete and utter mess from the top of the club right to the very bottom; surrendering their dominance of Scottish football and enduring a trophyless campaign.

It will mark the first time in a decade that the Hoops haven’t taken home any silverware and they have several people to blame.

Neil Lennon’s coaching left plenty to be desired, with Celtic 18 points adrift in the league when he left in February. The hierarchy have also been questioned on a regular basis, with protests emerging outside Parkhead.

Fail to appoint the right successor to Lennon and there could be more protests next season. The 49-year-old hasn’t been at the club for two months now but Dermot Desmond and co are still struggling to find their next manager.

John Kennedy is in interim charge, while Roy Keane and Eddie Howe have also been in discussions about the job. However, Desmond should forget about waiting for someone like Howe and look elsewhere.

The 43-year-old has mucked Celtic around in recent months, with his representatives explaining he wouldn’t take up a new post until at least the summer. He has had requests relating to backroom staff knocked back and is now fielding interest from Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Truth be told, if Howe really wanted to come to Glasgow, he’d already be here.

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Instead, the board should turn to a certain Portuguese manager; Jose Mourinho. This would be a far-fetched move and one we’re prepared to admit is unlikely to happen, but he has been linked with the role in the last few days.

The 58-year-old was sacked by Tottenham earlier this week and his days at the top of the sport look numbered. He is a spent force, a manager who cuts a lonely, dejected and rather depressed-looking figure.

He has now lost his job at three consecutive clubs and everything which made him arrogantly profess that he was the “Special One” has been lost. However, as a multiple Champions League winner, Mourinho is still recognised across the globe as one of the best in his field.

During his days at Manchester United, Nemanja Matic said: “Mourinho is a brand, and the best coach I’ve ever worked with,”

The Serbia midfielder continued: “Sometimes it isn’t easy to work with him, because he always demands more. Even when you play the best match in your career, he considers that you can play better in the next match.”

With those quotes, it nicely explains why he’d be such a good fit at Paradise. These Celtic players have had an easy ride over the last few years in winning trophy after trophy, before watching everything crumble beneath them this season.

Lennon didn’t seem like the man to get stuck into them and evidently their methods on the training ground weren’t good enough.

However, Mourinho knows what it takes to get to the very top and stay there. He won FIFA’s Manager of the Year award in 2010 and has eight top-flight titles to his name; this isn’t a man to whom you can really say no.

Described as “world-class” by former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, it was the Portuguese icon from whom he gained so many of his coaching ideas. After all, the 48-year-old was a student of the game under Mourinho at Chelsea and thrived at Celtic as a consequence, winning seven trophies.

If the apprentice can succeed at Parkhead, then surely the master can as well? Money may well be an issue but it’s worth forking out for someone who has achieved so much.

That alone should be enough to convince supporters that he’s the right choice but his attributes are very desirable as well. He has become a defensive coach in recent years, becoming synonymous with the phrase ‘park the bus’. However, that could be truly beneficial for Celtic.

They shipped 19 goals in six Europa League matches earlier this season and have been made to bemoan shambolic defending across the entire campaign. Perhaps Mourinho is the man to correct those mistakes and revive Celtic.

Just think of the players and coaches he may be able to lure to Parkhead, too. It’s a dream worth playing out in your mind.

AND in other news, “I’m told” – Intriguing Celtic manager update emerges, Desmond is making a big mistake…

Alan Hutton has suggested that Danilho Doekhi could replace Filip Helander at Glasgow Rangers.

Hutton makes Doekhi claim

The Gers have been linked with a move for the Vitesse Arnhem defender (The Telegraph), while Leicester City and Aston Villa have both been linked with moves for Helander (Aftonbladet).

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton has suggested that Doekhi could be a replacement for the Swede. He said:

“They obviously do their work on the scouting side.

“They look into the potential these players have. If they can, they’ll sell the likes of Helander and replace them with someone who fits the bill. 

“Someone they can mould into their type of player, that’s how Rangers are working now. 

“Bringing in youth players who are hungry to do well and then get them in the Premier League for a fee. 

“This guy sounds talented and the scouts will have watched him for a long time, he obviously fits the bill.”

Planning for the future

At 21, Doekhi has almost his whole career ahead of him. With him at the heart of the defence, Vitesse have also enjoyed a positive season – only champions Ajax have conceded fewer than their 29 goals in the Eredivisie (Sky Sports). Potentially available at £1.5m, he could be a bargain signing for the Gers.

Meanwhile, the Gers are said to be demanding £6m for Helander. The Sweden international has been an important player for the Ibrox outfit – they are yet to lose a league game with him in the side – but he has managed just 29 Premiership appearances in the two seasons he has spent in Glasgow (Transfermarkt), and he is already 28 years of age. Replacing him with Doekhi could well be an astute decision from Ross Wilson and co.

In other news, some Rangers fans slam this man’s performance against Celtic.

Many Manchester United fans have been slamming the performance of Victor Lindelof in the first half of their game at Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

The defender was guilty of being too weak against Bertrand Traore as the Villa man slotted into the top corner to give Dean Smith’s team the lead.

It was not the first time in the match that he struggled defensively, as he seemed to keep losing track of runners and was often caught out due to his lack of pace.

The Sweden international will be hoping that he can put in a much better performance in the second half as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side look to put more points on the board in the Premier League table.

Manchester United fans on Lindelof display

These United fans on Twitter slammed Lindelof’s performance in the first half, with one going as far as to call the 26-year-old “useless”.

“If you rate Lindelof you don’t know ball. Very useless defender”

Credit: @N__Kayy

“Lindelof is too weak man”

Credit: @kingotote

“Lindelof can’t be a Man Utd player next season #AVLMUN”

Credit: @BohnKyzee

“Fred, McTominay and Lindelof. Clowning about.”

Credit: @simple_slan

“LINDELOF ABSOLUTELY SUCKS”

Credit: @TheProdigalSean

“Lindelof. Every game. Shambles of a player.”

Credit: @LiamK0910

In other news, find out whose display was slammed against Roma here!

Former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer has told Football FanCast in an exclusive interview that Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri will not listen to the cries of supporters.

Following Wednesday’s relegation to League One, the supporters trust board wrote a letter to the club calling for Chansiri to take a “clear step back”.

For them, that entails a new chairman and CEO coming in to manage the team. A demand for non-executive board members to share some of that responsibility has also been made.

Palmer, though, cannot see that happening and has warned fans that their cries are likely to fall on deaf ears.

Speaking exclusively to FFC on the matter, the ex-Wednesday player said:

“He’s the money man, so you can’t tell the money man to step down. He either steps down because he wants to or he sells the club because he wants to, but he’s not going to do anything they’re telling him to do.

“Bottom line is he’s the money man; he puts the money into the club. The only thing I’d say to the chairman is look where we are now. We are in League One.

“For me, it’s quite simple. He knows nothing about football; he knows nothing about the running of a football club.”

Chansiri has been a very controversial figure at Hillsborough this season after sacking both Garry Monk and Tony Pulis in the same campaign.

Ultimately, it is not hard to understand the frustrations of supporters and those who have an affinity with the club.

Football Insider pundit Danny Mills doesn’t believe that interim Celtic boss John Kennedy will land the manager’s role on a full-time basis.

The Lowdown: Kennedy in the dark

Reports last month hinted that Kennedy was still in the running to take over from Neil Lennon on a long-term basis. The 37-year-old has been in temporary charge following Lennon’s resignation back in February, however, a Celtic source has recently revealed that he is in the dark over his future in Glasgow.

Kennedy is unsure whether he’ll be at the club next season, with the Hoops hierarchy remaining tight-lipped when it comes to their managerial move.

The Latest: Mills makes manager claim

Talking to Football Insider regarding the development on Kennedy, Mills (43) said:

“That means Kennedy’s not getting the job.

“It depends on who comes in and what they want to do. Maybe if it’s a foreign manager they’ll want to keep him on to be that go-between.

“It might not be as a first-team coach but just keep him around to help integrate. We saw how much David Moyes struggled with that when he went to Manchester United even though he knew the league very, very well.

“A new manager may just say ‘I want all my own backroom staff, out you go.’

“It will all depend on who comes in and what they want to do and how much trust and faith that the hierarchy put in the new management team.”

The Verdict: Will the new boss have a say?

We feel that the new Celtic manager should have the final say on his backroom staff, but Mills’ fellow Football Insider pundit Gabby Agbonlahor recently declared that any new boss may have to keep Kennedy around.

The ex-Aston Villa striker has been informed that the club won’t give Lennon’s successor the choice on Kennedy’s future and won’t be able to change the entire coaching staff.

Should the new man in the Parkhead dugout turn out to be Eddie Howe, reports suggested last month that he would be happy to work with Kennedy and Gordon Strachan.

That could work for all parties involved, as long as Howe – who has reportedly agreed to become the club’s new manager – is also allowed to bring some members of staff from Bournemouth with him, as reports have suggested.

In other news: Celtic looking at two targets in possible big-money moves, find out more here. 

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were livid at scenes involving some of their supporters during the title celebrations at George Square in Glasgow on Saturday.

This weekend, the Gers completed an unbeaten Premiership season (BBC) with a 4-0 win over Aberdeen. It was also the day that they received the trophy at Ibrox, which was the perfect way to end the campaign. As such, thousands of fans took to the streets outside Rangers’ home ground and across the city of Glasgow to celebrate their 55th league title.

On the whole, the celebrations were peaceful and well-natured, but a minority of fans let the rest down. Twenty arrests were made on the day, while a number of police officers were injured (firstpost.com), and really there is no need for such violence on what should have been an occasion of joy.

It seems that the majority of Rangers supporters were disgusted by those who took to the streets to cause violence. These Ibrox fans took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“What a riddle, honestly disgusting”

Credit: @and_alan

“Disgraceful, unfortunately not surprising”

Credit: @Daniel11Thain

“Totally agree mate, absolutely shocking, obviously can’t handle the drink.”

Credit: @andyb29

“Breaks my heart watching our own scrapping with each other on a day like this. Some unaccustomed to drinking all day and lose all sense of what they are doing”

Credit: @theliftman07

“That’s a showing up!! Never season ticket holders that go week in week out! Embarrassing”

Credit: @AndrewM82406495

“Completely agree. Let the club down. This is not Rangers.”

Credit: @RagingYou

In other news, many Rangers fans lauded this man’s performance against Aberdeen.

A number of Liverpool supporters have been hailing Thiago’s brilliance following a hugely influential end to the season for the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp’s men may have experienced a difficult campaign, but they ended it in strong fashion, sealing a third-placed finish in the Premier League. Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, coupled with Chelsea and Leicester City losing, completed an achievement which looked highly unlikely back in March after they had lost six successive home games.

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The Reds won eight and drew two of their final 10 league matches, with a number of players going up a gear having disappointed earlier in the season. One of those was Thiago, who was arguably the exceptional performer in the latter weeks of 2020/21, playing brilliantly against Palace once again.

The 30-year-old posted a 91% passing accuracy rate and played nine accurate long balls yesterday, along with winning five tackles and 12 duels in a fantastic all-round performance (Sofascore).

The Spaniard posted on his Twitter page after Sunday’s win, admitting that it has been a strange season but one which ultimately ended well.

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Liverpool fans hail Thiago

These Liverpool fans replied to the 30-year-old’s post, showing their love for him in the process as one Kopite labelled him a “world class baller”.

“Love this guy, world class baller, so lucky to have him”

Credit: @1tylerhughes

“It’s been a pleasure watching you play for my favorite team week in week out maestro”

Credit: @Comolli5

“You’ve been absolutely sublime from day 1, took the rest the world a while to realise that. Can’t wait to see you next season”

Credit: @LukeDwyer

“This guy honestly loves Anfield so much”

Credit: @ZuhairAndThere

“He is the definition of a midfield maestro”

Credit: @thebox001

“Can’t believe this guy plays for Liverpool Football Club, what a baller he is “

Credit: @Jacky_P22

In other news, some Liverpool fans are desperate to sign an exciting attacking midfielder this summer. Find out who it is here.