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This week has been a crazy rollercoaster of affairs when it comes to Celtic’s new manager. The Bhoys have been in discussions with plenty of coaches and it would appear we’re finally on the verge of an announcement.

The Hoops were targeting Roy Keane last week but a U-turn has been taken in their hunt for a new boss.

What’s the word?

News emerged on Thursday evening that Celtic were in advanced talks to bring Eddie Howe to Parkhead. However, according to GIVEMESPORT, the Hoops are still considering hiring John Kennedy on a permanent basis.

After Neil Lennon left his job behind, the coach was placed in temporary charge of the team, and it is now thought that there is still very much a possibility that the 37-year-old could become their new manager full-time.

Kennedy has been in the frame for a few weeks now but it may come as a surprise to see that he’s still on their radar given the links to Keane, Howe and Lucien Favre over the last seven days.

Bad news for Celtic

This is news which is unlikely to be welcomed too much by the Green Brigade. Kennedy has done a lot for Celtic as assistant manager but he’s too much like Lennon. Since being made interim manager, he hasn’t exactly set the world alight.

Celtic’s shoddy form has continued and Rangers have now ultimately won the league. The Bhoys did win their first match with Kennedy at the helm but their display against Dundee United was lacking in inspiration and fight.

Their 0-0 draw at Tannadice a few weeks ago allowed the Gers to win the title and, try as they might, Celtic couldn’t score.

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Lennon may no longer be in the dugout but many of the issues which plagued his final season at Paradise have been a problem with Kennedy, too.

Their 1-1 draw with their fierce rivals a fortnight ago was also far from inspiring. Defensive issues were evident again as Jonjoe Kenny played a lacklustre backpass which led to Alfredo Morelos’ first Old Firm goal.

In that match and against Dundee United, his substitutions lacked a cutting edge. He rather ludicrously dragged David Turnbull off after the hour mark in that clash and he has given James Forrest just 12 minutes of action in both games.

Many fans will likely be crying out for a little bit more. In someone like Howe, they’d have a fresh voice on the training pitch, and the Celtic hierarchy need to move on from the likes of Kennedy.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Edouard: Celtic must sign 16-goal gem who plays “in the style of Robben” – opinion…

Many Liverpool fans have been left to laud an enquiry made about the possibility of signing Emi Buendia from Norwich City in the summer transfer window.

As per Anfield Central, Jurgen Klopp’s team have approached the Canaries about the 24-year-old, as they could be convinced to sell to reinforce their squad if they get promoted back up to the Premier League.

Buendia has been a big reason why Daniel Farke’s side are currently top of the EFL Championship table at the moment, scoring no fewer than 12 goals and making a further 16 assists in 35 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, the Argentinian maestro could fill in the void left by Philippe Coutinho when he left the Merseyside club to join FC Barcelona – the Reds have never really signed a playmaker of a similar ilk since his departure.

Liverpool fans on Buendia enquiry

These Kopites lauded the enquiry made about Buendia on Twitter, with one LFC supporter even going as far as to claim that the midfielder is ‘insane’:

“A very good player. Would be a great addition.”

Credit: @LFCAnfieldRd

“About time”

Credit: @Jurgen69969482

“Class player”

Credit: @nomad56060053

“This guy in the Coutinho role”Credit: @TheRobboRoleV7″This guy is a baller. Pay the fee”Credit: @tylfc1″Insane player”Credit: @srrfarIn other news, find out what key update on four Liverpool stars Paul Joyce has dropped here!

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has told Football FanCast that the club are not the second best team in the Premier League despite their league position, and has some doubts over whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the right man for the job.

United are Manchester City’s closest challengers and sit second with 60 points from their 30 games.

They are currently 14 points behind Pep Guardiola’s men, though they do have two games in hand, and with eight games of their season remaining, it still seems nigh-on impossible they will be crowned champions.

Gillespie is unsure about whether Solskjaer can really be the man for United in the coming months and years.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he was asked if the Norwegian was the man for the job he said: “I hope so. There’s times where you think he is, it’s strange, because there’s times you think he is and there’s times, you think, I’m not too sure about that.”

Gillespie has also hit out at United’s squad, insisting that a number of players in the squad simply aren’t good enough.

And he has made the claim that there are a number of clubs within the league who are significantly better than the Red Devils, such is their reliance on attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

He added: “And for me when Fernandes doesn’t play, there’s nobody else who’s going to give them that creativity. Especially Rashford, he has a spark at times, he’s out, and then you’ve got players, you’re thinking are they good enough for Man United? And for me, there are half a dozen probably that aren’t and it’s incredible to think that Man United are second in the league, so effectively the second best team in the league.

“For me, there’s no way they are, there is a lot of teams that are better, that play better football. It just shows how far Man City are ahead.”

A source has reportedly shared some insight on the potential takeover of Newcastle United involving an expert in the Middle East.

As per the Daily Mail, Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked Middle East expert and Downing Street strategist Lord Eddie Lister back in September if there was any news on the proposed deal between Mike Ashley and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) group, to which he replied that a call was being set up and that the deal would hopefully be signed that week.

Mr Johnson then responded ‘brilliant’ when receiving the news in what is some very interesting insight into what may have been for the St. James’ Park faithful.

What might have been for Newcastle

The exchanges between Lord Lister and the PM suggests that the takeover deal was close, although the Premier League eventually decided to fail the bid.

Nonetheless, the KSA’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and their bottomless pits of money would seemingly bring more wealth to the North East if the takeover were eventually to go through, perhaps why Johnson was seemingly so gleeful at the prospect of a deal.

The pending arbitration case between the North East club and the top flight should give a much clearer indication over the direction in which the potential takeover is heading, and a positive result there could lead to its possible resurrection.

In other news, find out what big claim has been dropped on the potential takeover involving the EPL here!

Many Manchester United fans have been left to fume as some early team news before their game versus Granada in the UEFA Europa League has emerged.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against the La Liga side, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed that Eric Bailly will not be available to play and has thus travelled back to England.

With Harry Maguire suspended for the second leg after picking up a yellow card in the first, it only really leaves the Red Devils with Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe at the heart of the defence.

Bailly has never been able to run away from his constant injury problems while at Old Trafford, and this is yet another setback for the Ivory Coast international in what could have been a match to really stamp his authority with Maguire out.

The update has left several MUFC supporters frustrated and growing impatient with his continued absence.

Manchester United fans on Bailly update

These Man Utd fans fumed upon reading the update on the 27-year-old central defender on Twitter:

“Oh God why ???…please buy a CB. That contract isn’t getting extended”

Credit: @ahnnyjekyll

“PAIN. #38 gonna play”

Credit: @MarwanM__

“Hahah this guy is truly made of glass”

Credit: @rahulprem7

“What at all is wrong with Bailly’s legs?”

Credit: @d_essuman

“Smh.”

Credit: @MrFemiOwoeye

“Definitely not good news”

Credit: @kent_shot_it

In other news, find out what update about the Burnley clash has left United fans fuming here!

David Sullivan could atone for the horror show that was Sebastien Haller’s West Ham United career by signing David Moyes a second Michail Antonio type player in Besiktas forward Cyle Larin.

What’s the word?

According to FotoMac, Larin is likely to be made available for a move away from Vodafone Park at the end of the season for just €9m (£8m).

That will be considered a huge boost for club figures at the London Stadium, after West Ham were tipped to pursue signing the Canadian international in the off-season having seen a €10m (£8.5m) bid knocked back in January.

The Irons were denied the chance to sign Larin in the winter as he wished to remain in the Super Lig for the remainder of the campaign as Sergen Yalcin’s side compete for the title, but is expected to consider a move away this summer.

Besiktas will be vulnerable to parting with Larin at the end of the term, as well, as he will enter the final 12-months of his current contract in June, which has made the Black Eagles hierarchy warm to entertaining reasonable offers.

Larin earns £28,000-per-week in Istanbul on his current deal, and has been involved in 19 goals (15 scored, 4 assisted) in 33 Super Lig games this season to help Besiktas top the table to rivals Fenerbahce.

The Vodafone Park natives would be eight points worse off without Larin’s goals, enough to slip behind Galatasaray in third for what would be a Europa League play-off position rather than direct qualification to the Champions League.

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West Ham could face competition for Larin’s signature from Everton after the Goodison Park natives were claimed to have offered Besiktas the chance to sign Cenk Tosun in a player-plus-cash exchange, while West Bromwich Albion lodged an important bid in January.

Should West Ham sign Besiktas’ Larin?

Sullivan is certain to have the chequebook at the ready to improve Moyes’ attacking options at the end of the season, after West Ham opted against replacing Haller when the Ivorian joined AFC Ajax for £20m in January.

The decision left Antonio as Moyes’ only natural senior centre-forward option and be forced to rely on Jarrod Bowen playing out of position while the Englishman has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Antonio sustaining three hamstring injuries this season will also raise concerns over the 31-year-old’s suitability as Moyes’ leading striker long-term, with European football potentially coming to east London for next season.

Larin could solve that issue by being a second Antonio type for Moyes to interchange at his will, while seeing Sullivan atone for Haller’s horrific Hammers career that featured just 10 goals in 48 Premier League games following a club-record £45m transfer in 2019.

Haller flopped heavily following Moyes’ arrival to replace Manuel Pellegrini as he lacked the work ethic of Antonio, who the Scottish coach established as a striker after a career spent predominantly on the wings.

Larin would offer a similar player for Moyes to mould, with the 26-year-old offering seven of his 15 Super Lig goals and three of his four assists from 21 games on the left-wing, six goals and one assist from five outings on the right and two goals from seven central appearances.

The Besiktas striker has also been praised by the Black Eagles’ captain Atiba Hutchinson, who told Sporx: “There is serious development in Cyle’s game. Not only the goals he has scored, but also his work ethic, his understanding of the game, his approach to the game has changed. He is now a more complete player.”

And with Besiktas expected to sell Larin for less than what West Ham offered in January – and less than half of the fee paid by Ajax for Haller – Sullivan could restore a lot of credit with the Canadian lining up in claret and blue next season.

AND in other news, West Ham have been rocked by a double injury blow ahead of hosting Chelsea…

Manchester United will be aiming to take another step towards a UEFA Champions League return on Sunday as they face off with Leeds United.

The Red Devils head to Elland Road knowing four points will guarantee them a place in the top four come the end of the season so a win against Leeds will all but secure a place in the Champions League xext season.

How many changes could Solskjaer be tempted to make then?

We are expecting the Norwegian to switch things around with three alterations for the trip to Yorkshire.

None of those aforementioned changes will take place in defence where Dean Henderson will continue to be No.1 instead of David de Gea. The likes of Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will keep their regular positions.

However, there could be a couple of alterations in the centre of the park. Against a Leeds side who somewhat struggle to defend, Solskjaer could be tempted to bring in the more creative Donny van de Beek instead of Fred.

The £19.8m-rated Brazilian was withdrawn at half-time against Burnley last time out so could well have to settle for a place on the bench.

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Meanwhile, whilst Paul Pogba is in great from at the current time, he could be somewhat restricted for space against a Leeds side who deploy a combative 4-1-4-1 system. It might make sense then for a further winger to be played which would give Daniel James the opportunity to start against a side that he almost joined in January 2019.

Mason Greenwood should remain on the opposite flank whilst one final change will occur in attack.

Marcus Rashford is still managing an injury so might not start the game. If that is indeed the case, he will be replaced by Edinson Cavani, who has scored in each of his last two Premier League apperanaces.

AND in more news, find out why signing a current Barcelona star would be an awful mistake from Solskjaer…

Danny Mills has dropped a big transfer claim on Joe Willock and whether he can see the 21-year-old staying at Newcastle United beyond his loan spell.

Speaking to Football Insider, the former Leeds United and Manchester City defender has claimed that there is a chance that the midfielder could stay at St James’ Park if Arsenal are not able to qualify for the Champions League next term by winning the Europa League this season. Mills said:

“He’s loving life in Newcastle and he’s not even been on a night out yet. Wait until the nightlife re-opens then he’ll really love Newcastle.

“I guess it just depends on what happens at Arsenal. They’re sort of on a knife-edge at the moment. 

“They’re very close to having a successful season in the Europa League if they win it. Suddenly you’re looking at the Champions League and it’s a whole different ball game.

“If not, you’d have to say Arteta’s job is under pressure and then actually a mid-table side this season, could Willock force his way into that? Possibly.

“If Arsenal make the Champions League he’d probably be surplus to requirements. But if they don’t, there’s every chance he could be back at Newcastle United.”

Willock future at Newcastle uncertain

The future of Willock seems uncertain, and a lot may well hinder on whether or not Arsenal qualify for the Champions League.

If Mikel Arteta’s team qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, the 21-year-old may then struggle to find a place in their squad again, but the manager may find a place for him at the Emirates Stadium if they miss out on Champions League football.

Willock has put in some very good performances in the northeast so far, with Alan Shearer hailing his display as ‘magnificent’ in the 3-2 win over Southampton back in February.

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That was the first of four important goals he has scored for Steve Bruce’s side so far, and his ability to score from midfield is just one asset which should give the Magpies the incentive to go out and sign the 21-year-old on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.

In other news, find out which ‘phenomenal’ Premier League star Newcastle are interested in signing!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 157 appearances for Newcastle United, has claimed that Sunderland winger Aiden McGeady was not given an opportunity to put himself in the shopping window to leave Sunderland.

The Republic of Ireland international has been with the Black Cats since 2017 when he joined Simon Grayson’s side in the Championship, and he has managed to score 33 goals in 129 appearances.

He saw himself out of the first-team picture for the first half of the season under former boss Phil Parkinson, however under current manager Lee Johnson, McGeady had been in fine form before Sunderland’s current poor run of form.

Speaking on why McGeady must play better if he is to get a transfer away from Sunderland and how it didn’t make sense for him to not play under Parkinson, Howey told FFC:

“He’s a very good player, and I think under the last manager it never really worked but for me, if he didn’t like him then that’s fine, but why would you tell a very good player to train with the kids?

“If he wants to be away then the manager could have played him and basically said ‘if you want to be away, then I’m going to play you and then it’s up to you to perform and get your move away. If you don’t, then you’re stuck here’.”

Sunderland can now only go up from League One automatically if Peterborough fail to pick up another point this season after their dreadful run of one win in their last seven games so they will have to once again, try and go up via the playoffs.

McGeady’s current contract at the Stadium of Light is set to expire this summer as the club decided whether or not to offer the 35-year old a new contract.

As methods of engendering a sense of belonging in a unique family go, New Zealand Cricket hit on a winner when deciding to award presentation black caps to all New Zealand’s Test players or their families

Lynn McConnell03-May-2001As methods of engendering a sense of belonging in a unique family go, New Zealand Cricket hit on a winner when deciding to award presentation black caps to all New Zealand’s Test players or their families.Mounted in rimu cases, and individually embroidered with the player’s selection number, the caps have proven a hit with former players or, in the case of deceased players, their families, who might have wondered if their memories were to be their main keepsake from their international careers.The idea was mooted by former New South Wales and Australia A cricketer Neil Maxwell during his time as NZC’s marketing manager.One of the early decisions of the new management regime headed by incoming chief executive Christopher Doig back in 1995 was to protect the silver fern, the most notable emblem of national representation.Previously players at all levels of the game in New Zealand were provided with gear on which the silver fern was emblazoned. This was felt to depreciate the value of the silver fern so by the time younger players reached full international status the allure of the silver fern was not what it should have been, and by implication the regard for what it represented was not appreciated by players.A new symbol was designed for the lower graded players and the silver fern became the preserve of the national men’s and women’s teams.To highlight the silver fern’s place in the New Zealand cricket psyche, the presentation caps were instituted.That involved a specific problem for NZC, tracking down all the players.Those from the last 30 years or so were no problem, but the later years took consultation with the likes of Walter Hadlee, Don Neely, Iain Gallaway, Ron Palenski at the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and Warwick Larkins, and Wellington autograph collector David Parsons who had scoured electoral rolls and other research tools at the National Library. The New Zealand Cricket Encyclopedia also provided some hints.As a result, the remaining list of players or families still to get their caps is down to 12: C S ‘Stewie’ Dempster, G R ‘George’ Dickinson, M ‘Matt’ Henderson, J E ‘Jack’ Mills, C F W ‘Cyril’ Allcott, H M ‘Herb’ McGirr, A M ‘Mal’ Matheson, H G ‘Giff’ Vivian, M P ‘Martin’ Donnelly, D A R ‘Sonny’ Moloney, L A ‘Len’ Butterfield and W R ‘Bill’ Playle.McGirr’s cap is to be presented to Nelson College where he went to be groundsman when his playing days are over.Butterfield’s cap is to be presented to the Sydenham Cricket Club.NZC administration manager Tim Murdoch has had the job of attempting to make contact with deceased players’ families or tracking down surviving players.One recent presentation he made was on Australia’s Gold Coast where Don Cleverley, who played two Tests with 14 years and 28 days separating his matches, now lives.The 91-year-old provided Murdoch with some special moments.”It was a thrill to meet him, to present the cap to him and to see the pleasure that receiving the cap gave him. He remembered a lot about his career,” he said.Cleverley played his first Test against South Africa in 1931/32 and his last against Australia in 1945/46. In his first-class career, mainly for Auckland but latterly for Central Districts 23 summers after making his debut, he took 99 wickets with a best of 8-75 for Auckland against Wellington.One Australian club, at South Perth, proved a connecting point for three former players. Globe-trotting Ted Badcock, who was in New Zealand’s first Test team and a notable coach, spent the latter part of his life in Perth and bequeathed his cricket memorabilia to the South Perth Club, which also happens to be the home club of Paul Barton and Rodney Redmond.Another break in finding players came following a radio interview on Canterbury on Air in Christchurch. That provided, within hours, connections to the families of Alby Roberts, Don McRae and Bill Merritt.”We received many nice notes from families who received the caps and were appreciative of the memories they provided of their husbands and fathers,” Murdoch said.A sample of some of the responses follows:Mrs Betty Freeman (the widow of D L ‘Don’ Freeman, who until Daniel Vettori’s selection was New Zealand’s youngest Test player): “I know he would have been honoured to be remembered and that one of his three grandsons or his granddaughter eventually have custody of this cap.”Murray Scott (the son of V J ‘Verdun’ Scott): “I just wanted to say how thrilled my mother, my brother and myself were at New Zealand Cricket’s very kind gesture.”Mrs Joan Overton (the widow of G W F ‘Guy’ Overton): “The Black Cap will remind us of the pleasure Guy derived from cricket and endorse our pride in his achievements.”Mrs Jean Emery (the widow of R W G ‘Ray’ Emery): “It is a wonderful gesture from the Cricket Council to know that these players have not been completely forgotten.”I am now 80 years of age and well remember the happy cricketing years we had and the sacrifices we made with young families.”Bruce McLeod (the son of E G ‘Eddie’ McLeod): “It was magnificently presented in its wooden display box, and I am most proud to possess it. Thank you again for the gift, the memories, and the thought that has gone into the Presentation Black Cap.”So far the Black Caps Test family has extended to include 215 players. NZC’s innovative policy has helped restore meaning to the notion of ‘family’ and has lent a ready made aspect of tradition which was overlooked for too long.