All posts by n8rngtd.top

Glasgow Rangers crushed Celtic in a comprehensive 2-0 win at Parkhead to take all three points in the first Old Firm derby of the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership season.

For the first time since taking charge of the Ibrox outfit, it’s safe to say that Steven Gerrard isn’t exactly short of options. Glen Kamara, Scott Arfield and Steven Davis bullied their biggest rivals on the pitch, whilst Ryan Jack was a surprise substitute as Bongani Zungu was ruled out of the top of the table clash after being forced to quarantine upon his arrival in Scotland.

Competition for places isn’t exactly a bad thing, but it can cause a few headaches here and there, and it looks like there is a growing problem that could cause Gerrard a few sleepless nights.

Brandon Barker stakes his claim!

Rangers are absolutely stacked on the right wing, that’s for sure, after the addition of Ianis Hagi in the summer and the re-emergence of Jordan Jones in recent weeks but Brandon Barker gave a good account of himself after earning a rare start on Saturday, so you can see the problem that Gerrard faces. Both full-backs Borna Barisic and James Tavernier ran riot on the flanks, combining with Barker and Ryan Kent whenever they wanted to.

Per SofaScore, the 24-year-old, who earns wages of around £10,000-per-week, received a pass accuracy rating of 85%, won four out of seven ground duels, completed one successful dribble attempt, and made two tackles, which shows that the right winger put in a defensive shift too.

The Daily Record gave him a solid 6/10, whilst The Sun went one higher and awarded him a 7/10 for his efforts.

Tough choice

He is clearly highly rated by Gerrard as he was given the chance to show what he can do against Celtic instead of Hagi and Jones, but it’ll be hard to justify spending £4m on the 13-cap Romania international if he stays on the bench.

Jones could also be in with a shout. He received praise from Gareth McAuley after fighting back from the brink of an Ibrox exit, but was benched for the trip to Celtic Park. One thing’s for sure, with all three players competing for a space in the starting XI, one unlucky contender is almost always guaranteed to miss out on the matchday squad, as it is highly unlikely that there will be two spots on the bench for one position.

The ever-reliable Kent has started every game he has played this season so far, so that rules out any of them starting on the opposite wing anytime soon. Either way, we wouldn’t want to choose between the trio, so we’re glad it’s Gerrard’s decision at the end of the day!

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers show they are early favourites for the title but must avoid a repeat of 2019…

A number of Everton fans have welcomed a transfer link to Isco as the Daily Mirror have reported that the Real Madrid star wants to work with Carlo Ancelotti.

As per the news outlet, Isco is keen to link up with the Italian as well as his former Bernabeu teammate James Rodriguez.

The Spain international is reportedly not in Zinedine Zidane’s plans and Los Blancos will apparently put him up for sale in the January transfer window. The Spanish giants plan to initially send him out on loan for the rest of the 2020/21 season, with an obligation to buy set at £18m plus add-ons.

Real Madrid have also spoken with representatives of Isco in the hope that they can sound out possible buyers both in Italy and England. However, the idea of moving to the Premier League is appealing to the attacking midfielder, with the Goodison Park outfit reportedly the most likely candidate.

A four-time winner of the Champions League, and with a combined tally of 105 goals and assists for Real Madrid (Transfermarkt), Isco would seem a shrewd signing indeed by the Merseyside club.

Everton fan reaction to Isco transfer links

These Everton supporters on Twitter were excited by the links to Isco, with one fan labelling the 28-year old as an ‘absolute baller’:

In other news, find out which Toffees outcast Ancelotti has confirmed will stay next season here!

Former Glasgow Rangers player Andy Halliday put a fan in his place on Clyde’s Superscoreboard phone-in on Wednesday.

Halliday grew up as a Rangers fan and he managed to live the dream by playing for his club as a professional. He ended up making 152 appearances in all competitions for the Ibrox outfit, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists during that time. He was unfortunately released during the summer, but his passion for the club meant he left as a cult hero.

He has since moved on to Hearts, whilst he has also appeared on the Open Goal podcast regularly. On Wednesday, he was on Clyde’s Superscoreboard phone-in when a Celtic fan called in to take on Halliday, but the 28-year-old held his own. In the end, he actually got the last word in and arguably came out of the argument in the superior position.

As you can imagine, these Rangers fans were delighted with the interaction, and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these Rangers fans said about Halliday below

‘Gers fans, what did you make of Halliday as a player at Ibrox? Let us know what you think by commenting below!

Aston Villa continue to be linked to new left-backs during this summer transfer window but there’s an emerging name that they must simply avoid…

What’s the word?

According to Le10 Sport, the Midlands outfit hold interest in out-of-favour Spurs left-back Danny Rose, who is also wanted by Serie A outfit Genoa along with West Ham.

They claim that Jose Mourinho no longer sees a place for the 30-year-old and he’s free to find a new club before next month’s deadline.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have also entered the race following the injury to Juan Bernat. He could be available for just £5m.

Must avoid

Despite the relatively low price on offer here, it’s a move that Johan Lange and co must absolutely swerve at all costs.

The long-serving Lilywhites defender had to go out on loan to Newcastle back in January, but he failed to truly put himself on the market with a string of poor performances.

Per WhoScored, Rose averaged 1.9 tackles, one foul, 0.3 key passes and just 0.2 crosses per game at St James’ Park, which is hardly inspiring for any keen party.

Dean Smith’s first-choice Matt Targett managed the same amount of tackles but produced more clearances (2.4), interceptions (2) and key passes (1) per match last term.

Rose is also quite the outspoken figure having publically criticised ‘Project Restart’ as well as questioning his manager Jose Mourinho, which was broadcast during the ‘All or Nothing’ documentary.

In the past, Gary Neville has described the Englishman as “unprofessional” and this isn’t something Smith will want ruining his dressing room this season.

It also goes against their plans to recruit young homegrown talent. Lange shouldn’t even consider this even at £5m. It could become a nightmare to deal with.

AND in other news, Aston Villa must clinch “fearless” Dean Smith favourite before deadline day…

The 2020/21 Premier League season is only a month away as it plans to start on the 12th September, and fans of Sheffield United will be keeping a close eye on the club over the summer to see what signings they make.

However, one thing they now know is what the kits the club will be wearing next season. Indeed, following the release of the home kit last week, supporters of the club have now been shown the away strip.

One of the players who has shown Blades fans the new kit is defender John Egan. The centre-back played 36 games in the league last term, scoring two goals, but more importantly he was involved in all 13 clean sheets that the Blades have kept in the division, per Transfermarkt.

He has clearly been a vital player for the club this season and his new Instagram

/CDt2HykljBx/”>post of himself in the new pink away kit has gone down very well with fans, who clearly love the design judging by the comments on his post.

The Irishman clearly loves it as well as he supported the picture with the caption: ‘New away kit is 🔥’. Hopefully the club can perform just as well next season in the new kits as they did in the 2019/20 campaign, as they finished ninth and only five points away from a European spot.

Blades fans, what are your thoughts on the kit? Let us know down below!

According to The Express, Liverpool are ready to reignite their interest in Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly this summer.

What’s the word?

Jurgen Klopp’s side were reported to be interested in the ace last year, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the transfer window.

Now however, the Cherries’ relegation from the Premier League has opened up the team to a raid from some of the big-hitters in the top-flight, with Liverpool eyeing up a move for Kelly in particular.

Can you spot your Xabi Alonso from your Bruno Cheyrou? This Liverpool quiz will have you questioning your knowledge…

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

The report claims that following Dejan Lovren’s departure to Zenit St Petersburg in recent days, Klopp is interested in bringing in a new centre-back to the club, with Kelly also being able to play at left-back too.

A masterstroke from Michael Edwards

Standing at 6 foot 3 and being left-footed, Kelly does inspire comparisons with former Liverpool centre-back Daniel Agger, who played for the Reds 232 times.

The Cherries defender is comfortable with the ball at his feet – he averaged an 80.1% pass accuracy in the Premier League this season – and has the kind of mobility that marks him out as a potentially elite centre-back in the modern game.

After completing a deal to sign him for Bournemouth, Eddie Howe said: “Lloyd is an exciting talent and a player of real potential, while at the same time already possessing good experience for someone so young. He is athletic, versatile, physically excellent and has a very bright future ahead of him.”

Still only 21, and earning only a reported £30k-per-week, Kelly would slot in seamlessly as a rotation option in the Liverpool back-line, and as a left-footer, offers the Reds something completely different in the centre of their defence. Michael Edwards could pull off a masterstroke by finally landing him for the Merseyside club this summer.

With Leeds United on the verge of promotion, there’s bound to be a lot of intrigue around who they’re going to sign this summer.

The Whites may have plenty of money to spend upon their ascension to the Premier League, and with promotion looking likely, some fans have started to look towards the summer.

What’s the story then?

Unsurprisingly, Alan Nixon has been repeatedly asked about Leeds news on Twitter, and on Sunday morning he provided an update on Leeds.

Aside from the fact that Leeds will start getting serious in the window once their promotion is confirmed, we also learnt that they are one of the clubs in the race to sign Wigan’s Joe Gelhardt.

Potentially brilliant

Gelhardt isn’t going to be the answer to Leeds United’s striker woes, at least not right away.

The 18-year-old has only scored once this season, but if you look at his stats per 90 minutes, you’ll see that he could be a very exciting addition to Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

He averages 6.6 dribble attempts per 90, with 3.5 of those being successful, and while his finishing seems to leave a lot to be desired, he’s often in the right spot to get a chance, averaging 3.1 shots per 90.

Creativity doesn’t seem to be a problem for the forward either, with 1.5 key passes per 90 to his name, and at just 18 years old, one would imagine he’s only going to get better.

United will need more than Gelhardt through the door if they want to be competitive in the Premier League next season, but the Whites could be pulling off something of a coup if they land an attacker who has previously caught the eye of Liverpool.

Ever since news first emerged that Newcastle could be undergoing a takeover, fans of the Tyneside club have no doubt been waiting anxiously to see whether it would actually come to fruition.

Now, The Chronicle’s Mark Douglas has revealed just why things aren’t progressing as quick as many of them would have hoped for. He said: “This is the sixth week of checks and despite surges of excitement that an announcement could be soon, the situation remains that Premier League confirmation and transfer of funds are required to complete the buy out.

“It’s understood that this deal has been one of the most complex the Premier League has ever dealt with. The process has required lawyers and outside investigators to look into stacks of sensitive information and interrogate objections from several parties. But buyers’ side sources insist there have been no red flags raised and remain hopeful of an announcement soon.”

And after hearing about Douglas’ insight into the takeover process, Newcastle fans took to Twitter to voice their thoughts on the situation.

Two brilliant football teams playing each other at Anfield. It is a sight that can’t really be bettered.

And, in 1997, Newcastle United visited Merseyside to take on Liverpool in a high-scoring thriller.

It sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

After a pulsating ding-dong affair, the home side triumphed 4-3 courtesy of a Robbie Fowler double and a highly dramatic last minute winner, a death-blow that sent a former Liverpool legend to his knees in utter despair in the away dug-out.

If that all sounds extremely familiar that’s hardly surprising: after all, the goal-fest of 1996 – complete with the iconic image of Kevin Keegan slumped onto an advertising hoarding unable to comprehend what he was witnessing – is often voted the greatest game in the modern era.

Only here’s the thing: a year later both teams did it all again, and arguably the sequel was even better.

Every element of the first classic was repeated, to the point where it stretched plausibility. Once again Newcastle arrived with the scent of a title in their nostrils with Liverpool – just like the previous April – in the hunt too but significantly further back.

Once again kamikaze defending from both sides produced chances in abundance and seven goals that shook the TV camera on the gantry – and once again that included a highly charged late decider for the Reds. Now though it was Kenny Dalglish looking on gob-smacked having taken over the reins in the north-east that January from a spent and drained Keegan.

Isolation Busters: The only quiz you need to cure your boredem

World Class score: 95% | Expert score: 80% | Veteran score: 65% | Intermediate score: 45% | Amateur score: 30% | Try Again: 5%

Even with 20 years distance it is still difficult to accept that this all happened; that lightning struck twice; that a fixture could unleash such mayhem and frolics and PlayStation insanity and then ten months later produce almost an exact carbon copy.

For those involved it must have been traumatic. For neutrals it bordered on the magical.

So why, you may ask, is the second installment of crazy superior to the original? Simply put, because the scoring order is better.

In April 1996 free-scoring Newcastle traded blows with Roy Evans’ Spice Boys and alternated leads. The following March Liverpool got their noses in front and then extended their advantage to three goals to the good at the break. It was, under normal circumstances, game over with Steve McManaman, Patrick Berger and Fowler chipping away at the visitors title credentials and looking to put their own hopes back in contention into the bargain.

Except Newcastle came back, and they did so because David James chose this night of all nights to be at his most calamitous. In the 71st minute he spilled a routine tester from Keith Gillespie to make the game a contest again and then late on, as the contest threatened to die away he charged from his area into no man’s land. There he encountered Faustino Asprilla whose lunge for the ball knocked it sailing past the hapless keeper into an unguarded net.

If anything defined that magnificently flawed Newcastle side it was their steadfast belief in miracles but with minutes becoming seconds surely here it was a sensational proposition too far? Not so; not in this fixture; not when two of the most entertaining but brittle sides collided with not a handbrake to be seen.

In the final moments of a high-octane, rip-roaring encounter the ball popped free in the Liverpool box and Warren Barton poked it home. It took a replay to determine how and considering James’ nightmare second half it should surprise precisely no-one to learn that it squeezed between his legs.

And that was that, everyone agreed so, because another 4-3 would just be plain weird; the fates revealing that they’re not actually in charge of anything at all. Yet here it came with a flat-low cross perfectly pitched for Fowler to nod powerfully past Shaka Hislop. The unbridled carnage that ensued contained more than a whiff of disbelief about it.

At the very least the amazing events that took place at Anfield on March 10th 1997 deserve to be viewed as a companion piece to what went before it. It was inferior in no way other than it occurred second. It should forever be scorched into our memories.

What happened next?

For a consecutive season Newcastle finished second to Manchester United, a position gauged as a disappointment at the time. They would never scale such heights again, however.

Liverpool’s propensity to drop points against lesser fare cost them dearly and they ended the campaign level on points with Newcastle and Arsenal but behind on goal difference.

Leeds United are ever so close to ending a 16-year wait for Premier League football at Elland Road, but reports emerging this week suggest that the current Championship season is now ‘unlikely to be played to completion.’

Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Graham Smyth revealed that the football season outside of the English top-flight is probably not going to resume, meaning the Whites could go up without kicking a ball again this term – depending on how the EFL choose to decide the final outcome.

A true test for any Leeds fan: Can you match these iconic images with the right results?

France’s Ligue 1 ended their season this week with the standings being decided by a points-per-game system, which has caused some controversy as Lyon, who were fifth, ended up finishing seventh – and they could pursue legal action as a result.

Leeds have always maintained that the Championship campaign should be finished when it is safe to do so, but the decision is out of their hands.

Supporters have been reacting to news on social media after Smyth tweeted his article, here’s what some of the United faithful have been saying…

AND in other news, Leeds fans destroy Ouasim Bouy…