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After Celtic beat Real Betis 3-2 in their previous Europa League outing, the Hoops are back in SPFL action this afternoon with a home clash against Motherwell.

With the Bhoys having the likes of Albian Ajeti, Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis out injured as well as Christopher Jullien and Karamoko Dembele, here’s how Ange Postecoglou could line up his team this afternoon with as many as ten changes.

In goal, we think Joe Hart will return to the starting XI with Scott Bain dropping out after scoring an own goal against Betis. 

At left-back, we can see Greg Taylor coming back in for Liam Scales with Josip Juranovic coming in for Osaze Urhoghide in the right-back position. 

For the centre-back positions, we think Postecoglou will bring Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt back in with Nir Bitton, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport, and Stephen Welsh dropping out after their appearances in midweek.

In the two central-midfield positions, we think Postecoglou will opt for club captain Callum McGregor and David Turnbull ahead of James McCarthy and Ismaila Soro who both started in the win over Betis.

Ahead of those two, we think Postecoglou will bring Tom Rogic and Michael Johnston back into the frame with Ewan Henderson also starting after coming on as a substitute against Betis and scoring a goal.

To make up for the severe injury issues Celtic have at the top of the pitch with the likes of Furuhashi, Giakoumakis and Ajeti out, we can see Liel Abada being given a shot to lead the team through the middle. He’s been an offensive threat this term, registering a tally of seven goals and eight assists across all competitions so far this season and could deliver the Hoops another league win. 

Whether Postecoglou goes with this exact starting XI that we have suggested or not, this will still be a big test for the Bhoys in their latest push for the title against a side that have won three of their five previous league games. 

With so many key attacking players out injured, Postecoglou and everyone else at the club will be hoping that the team will be able to keep racking up points while they are out of action so they don’t drop out of the title race.

In other news: “No estimated return date”: Devlin drops big Celtic injury update, Ange will be fuming

It appears increasingly likely that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager, with Brendan Rodgers reportedly the frontrunner to replace him.

According to Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst, “key figures at United have privately accepted a change of manager is required” following their dismal start to the campaign.

Crushing defeats to local rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are believed to have played a key role in the Red Devils’ hierarchy’s thinking, although Solskjaer could see out the season while they line up a replacement.

Luckhurst claims that Rodgers is at the top of the Old Trafford outfit’s wishlist, while Ajax boss Erik ten Hag and Spain’s Luis Enrique are also greatly admired.

However, it’s hard to imagine Rodgers turning down the opportunity to take control one of British football’s biggest clubs once again.

With that in mind, here’s how Football FanCast expects the Northern Irishman to lineup should he take charge of the Red Devils in the coming months…

In goal, David de Gea’s recent return to form should be enough to maintain his place between the sticks ahead of Dean Henderson, although the Englishman certainly has the potential to reclaim the No.1 spot.

Ahead of the 31-year-old would likely be a familiar back four, but with one major addition at right-back in the shape of Max Aarons.

The highly-rated youngster has been linked with a £35m move to United and would offer a far more attacking alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane would complete the defensive unit.

But it’s in midfield where Rodgers would likely wring the changes. Paul Pogba’s future is far from certain, and the opportunity to sign Franck Kessie on a free transfer could be too good to turn down.

West Ham United’s Declan Rice is believed to be a top target for the Red Devils despite his £100m price tag, and the defensive-minded duo could switch between the No.6 and No.8 roles, providing a solid foundation for Bruno Fernandes.

And the forward line may also encounter some surprising decisions. Rodgers’ preference for a pressing style means Cristiano Ronaldo could find his game time limited, allowing a mobile trio of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho to thrive.

And, in other news…Journo shares what MUFC “figures” have “privately accepted” on OGS, fans surely elated 

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left blasting the display of Alfredo Morelos in their 1-1 draw in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening.

It was a game in which the Ibrox faithful did not take enough of their chances on the night, as Ianis Hagi managed to score the only goal for them after Leon Balogun had headed the ball into his own net in the first half.

Morelos was no exception to being guilty of missing good opportunities, with three shots missed by the Colombia international in total, as he was hauled off after just 56 minutes for Kemar Roofe with the score still at 1-0 to Brondby (SofaScore).

He also lost out on four of his duels, and failed to record a single dribble or key pass, losing possession nine times in the match, the fifth-most out of any of his teammates (SofaScore).

Rangers fans on Morelos display

These Light Blues blasted his performance on Twitter, with one Teddy Bears supporter even going as far as to claim that the striker was a ‘waste of a jersey’:

“True but if Roofe contributed more to the team with dropping deep and doing the hard graft then he would be the starter. But he doesn’t. However I’d like to see him through the middle with Hagi, Aribo and Kent on the pitch more. Morelos pathetic tonight.”

Credit: @Rfc1872I

“An in-form striker scores a hat-trick tonight. Roofe, Morelos and Sakala way off it tonight”

Credit: @OldcoNewcoRFC

“Morelos needs a stint on the bench. He’s offering nothing in front of goal at the moment and it’s killing us.”

Credit: @MattG95

“Morelos been awful all season, I’m sticking with what I said about Sakala.”

Credit: @WilliamRFC1

“Morelos waste of a jersey tonight”

Credit: @EveryOtherSatu1

“Morelos is so far off the pace its frightening”

Credit: @AlanC_69

In other news, find out who else was slammed by Gers against Brondby here!

Apart from a brief passage of play when Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott batted with something approaching fluency, this was South Africa’s match from start to finish

Dileep Premachandran in Centurion24-Sep-2009Daniel Vettori could have been forgiven for thinking that he was still marooned in Sri Lanka, but the relatively sluggish pitch was still no excuse for another listless New Zealand performance with the bat. Having reached the semi-finals of the last two ICC 50-over events, it will take an almighty effort for them to now repeat that feat. Apart from a brief passage of play when Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott batted with something approaching fluency, this was South Africa’s match from start to finish, and just the kind of outing they needed after being thrashed by the Sri Lankans.New Zealand’s batting woes were put into perspective later on by AB de Villiers. The very best batsmen somehow manage to look as though the conditions aren’t a factor, and de Villiers did that today, stroking the ball with panache on his way to an unbeaten 70. On a spin-friendly pitch at Trent Bridge in the ICC World Twenty20, he had been a class apart as India were overwhelmed in a low-scoring game. Here too, he batted with as though free of the restrictions that the surface imposed on other batsmen.”The first prize is always to win the game,” Graeme Smith said later, when asked if there had been one eye on the scoring-rate as well. “Compared to Tuesday night, the wicket was a touch slow, and you had to work harder. But we got it to a point where we could have a good go.”The game changed dramatically towards the end of the New Zealand innings. With Taylor and Elliott in tandem, even 250 appeared to be a possibility. But with Wayne Parnell showing a Botham-esque knack for taking wickets without bowling especially well, the last five wickets fell for just 11 runs. And having erred by not picking a second specialist spinner, defending 214 was never going to be easy.Vettori defended the selection by citing team balance, but that was an odd argument considering that he came in at No.9. If Kyle Mills and Gareth Hopkins are better batsmen than their captain, then the world has yet to see evidence of it. “We would have [played Jeetan Patel] if Jacob Oram was fit,” said Vettori. “Jake offers us that balance. Without him, we felt we needed an extra batsman. It [the top-order batting] is an area where we haven’t been performing as we wanted to.”South Africa too had their alarms while batting, but Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher all chipped in with crucial contributions, while de Villiers seized the initiative in mid-innings. Kallis, in particular, seems determined to shed the dour tag, and there were some magnificent drives and clips off the pads before he had a flail at a delivery from Shane Bond.”Today was more of the level we expect of each other,” said Smith. “Wayne and Dale [Steyn] bowled with intensity and in the right areas. Wayne’s proved that he’s got the skill. Today, he showed that he could bounce back.” Parnell himself was brutally honest about a patchy spell. “Compared to Tuesday, I felt better, but I still went for a lot of runs,” he said. “But to pick up five wickets is pretty good.”Steyn and de Villiers apart, South Africa’s real star was Roelof van der Merwe, who bowled a tidy spell after taking a stunning catch to start New Zealand’s slide. Those that know him say that he has the temperament of a fast bowler, and his captain was full of appreciation for the role he played in the win. “He’s one of the most competitive guys you’ll see,” said Smith. “He always plays at a 100% and his skills are right up there. He gives it a lot of revs and gets turn as well. His consistency’s very good. Both he and [Johan] Botha add value in different ways.”Smith again gambled at the toss, but this time there was no disaster to send a holiday crowd home with sullen faces. “I blamed our lack of skills for the loss [against Sri Lanka],” said Smith. “We all did. If we hadn’t bowled well today, it wouldn’t have turned out the way it did.”Vettori said, tongue firmly in cheek, that six weeks in Sri Lanka was perfect preparation for their next game at the seam-friendly Wanderers, and it’ll need a herculean effort from his pace bowlers to get their side back on track in this competition. South Africa have an English obstacle – hardly Becher’s Brook, given recent results – to overcome before a semi-final place can be confirmed. That opening-day loss, which put expectations into some perspective, could yet be a blessing in disguise.

Manchester United confirmed the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday morning, after over three years in charge at Old Trafford.

In a statement, the Manchester United board thanked Ole and outlined their intentions moving forward;

“Ole will always be a legend at Manchester United and it is with regret that we have reached this difficult decision.

“Michael Carrick will now take charge of the team for forthcoming games, while the club looks to appoint an interim manager to the end of the season.”

The dismissal follows an embarrassing result for the Red Devils that saw them lose 4-1 to Watford on Saturday afternoon, which was seemingly the final nail in the coffin for the Norwegian manager, after an emergency meeting was held in the hours following the game, eventually leading to the club’s announcement.

Many names have been thrown into the mix for the highly speculated Manchester United manager job, and although the initial position to be filled is for an interim manager to take over for the next six months, moves are being made to find the right long term manager to lead them into the 2022/23 season.

One journalist has dropped a huge development on one particular popular candidate for the long term position next summer.

Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed;

“It’s my information that Ajax simply wouldn’t entertain releasing a manager mid-season. However, I’ve been told that Erik ten Hag would 100% be interested in the Manchester United job in the summer. His contract runs out in the summer of 2023.”

Fans will surely be buzzing with this revelation, as Erik Ten Hag is said to be one of the ‘most promising’ managers in world football right now.

The 51-year-old Ajax boss has led the Dutch side to two league titles and to their first Champions League semi-final since 1997 beating Real Madrid and Juventus on their way.

He also has connections to a Manchester United player who, ironically, scored the final goal for the side against Watford.

Ten Hag developed Donny Van De Beek into the player that scored 41 goals and 34 assists for Ajax, before making his move to Manchester United.

The 24-year-old midfielder would clearly welcome Ten Hag with open arms after having a turbulent time so far at Old Trafford with not being able to get into the team and would hope that his presence could boost his game time, and ultimately make him more of a key player in the starting team.

With that in mind, everyone associated with the 20-time English champions would surely be elated to see him arrive at the club next summer.

Manchester United are set to face Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday with Michael Carrick leading the team in their must-win in Spain.

AND in other news, “Sources close to Sir Alex Ferguson say” – MUFC manager update will have fans buzzing…

Antonio Conte is expected to be in the dugout for his first-ever match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, having been appointed as their new manager on Tuesday afternoon.

And he’s been thrown straight into the deep end as Spurs welcome Vitesse to north London in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they occupy third place with only three games remaining.

The Lilywhites’ second-string were defeated 1-0 by the Dutch outfit two weeks ago and you’d imagine that the 52-year-old won’t be making the same mistake that Nuno Santo made by leaving the bulk of his starting lineup at home.

Instead, the Italian coach will want to kickstart his reign with a convincing result, so we should expect a pretty strong starting XI at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Their defeat to United on Sunday ultimately cost Nuno his job but it highlighted another massive concern as the struggles in the final third continued – Spurs have not registered a shot on goal in the league or in Europe since the first half against West Ham.

Conte won’t have had time to implement his ideas and tactics at all yet but he can certainly help himself by picking the right players and as such, he must call upon Tanguy Ndombele this evening.

The £34m-rated midfielder has been quite the enigma throughout his time at the club, having cost a club record of £55m, so he’s always going to come under scrutiny for his performances.

Not only can he take a game by storm on his day, but Spurs also play a lot better when he’s starting.

In terms of carrying the ball forward, only Lucas Moura (3.6) is averaging more dribbles per game than Ndombele (1.8) in the Premier League, whilst the Brazilian, Heung-min Son and Harry Kane are the only ones ahead of shots per game (1.5) too, as per WhoScored.

“I said to Joe, how good is he?,” revealed BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand during Spurs’ FA Cup clash with Wycombe Wanderers last season. “And he said ‘this kid is a world-beater, he can do anything.’ He just turned around during the game and said ‘this kid is unplayable’.”

On that evidence, Conte will surely want to start the Frenchman this evening, whatever the system is. He could be a game-changer and his influence may help steer the Italian to an impressive debut victory.

AND in other news, Conte demands Paratici to sign £45m-rated “monster”, he’d solve a major Spurs problem…

Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate Oliver Skipp is in line for a new contract after his impressive breakthrough into Nuno Santo’s first-team this season…

What’s the word?

That’s according to football.london’s Alasdair Gold, who dropped an intriguing claim during a recent online Q&A with supporters.

When asked about the 21-year-old’s long-term future amid speculation he was in line to receive a bumper new deal, the ever-reliable reporter seemingly confirmed such news.

The Sun reported last month that Spurs were preparing to hand the young midfielder a new deal worth £40k-per-week, an increase from around £25k-per-week.

Gold said: “I think it’s just a matter of time.

“He’s a key starter now and he’s only going to get better. He loves it at the club and is a far more developed player than the one who signed a four-year deal 15 months ago, so I think that will be sorted sooner rather than later.”

Fans will be delighted

This would be just desserts for his fine form and emergence in the starting XI in 2021/22.

He has started six of their eight league games, as well as both their UEFA Europa Conference League group matches and the win over Wolves in the Carabao Cup, via Transfermarkt.

In that time, he has seen his value soar to £13.5m, having been £9m less than two-and-a-half years ago, just a few months after making his first-ever start in the Premier League in a 1-0 win over Burnley.

His presence at the base of midfield has been crucial in recent weeks.

He has averaged 2.4 tackles per game, a feat only bettered by the more senior Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Emerson Royal, whilst no player who has started two games or more has done better with the ball at his feet, having averaged a 90.5% passing accuracy, as per WhoScored.

Skipp is widely thought to be a leader in the making after former manager Jose Mourinho tipped him to one day become the team’s captain. He told reporters, via the Evening Standard: “I think he’s genuinely Tottenham’s future”, before later adding: “I see this kid being one day a future captain here by his character, by his personality.”

More recently, England U21 head coach Lee Carsley dubbed him “underrated”, also claiming:

“He’s one of those players that when they are not in the team you notice them. He goes about his business really well. Works on his game. I think he’s still got a lot of development to do.

“He’s going to get better, he’s going to get stronger. Physically he’ll improve the older he gets. He has outstanding ability and I’m sure Tottenham see that as we have as well over the years.”

Much of the Lilywhites faithful have also been left impressed by the young midfield terrier, as seen by their reactions in games against Newcastle United this weekend and during the aforementioned Carabao Cup clash.

They will therefore be absolutely delighted by this exciting development.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold has also dropped an exciting Spurs transfer claim ahead of January…

Glenn McGrath has expressed his disappointment at not being given a chance by the Delhi Daredevils to prove his fitness during this season’s IPL

Cricinfo staff22-May-2009Glenn McGrath has expressed his disappointment at not being given a chance by the Delhi Daredevils to prove his fitness during this season’s IPL. He is contracted with Delhi next year as well, but McGrath hinted that he may not return for the 2010 season.The 39-year-old McGrath, who retired after the 2007 World Cup, played almost every game for Delhi in the inaugural IPL and was among the stand-out bowlers in that tournament. However, with Victoria fast bowler Dirk Nannes being outstanding this season, and the Indian pace contingent of Ashish Nehra, Pradeep Sangwan and Aavishkar Salvi performing consistently, McGrath has been on the sidelines this year.”It has been hard to be a part of the bench, and I was hoping for a game during the league stage,” he wrote in his column in the . “I have asked a couple of people about why I was not being played, and I get the sense that they were worried about my fitness. I feel fitter than I did last year, but I guess I will not get a chance to prove that now.”McGrath, who was signed by Delhi for US$350,000, went on to suggest that he may not be back for the next season. “I am contracted for another year with Delhi, but that is a long way away. Right now, I would not bet on myself returning.”However, at a press conference on Friday before the semi-final between Delhi and Deccan Chargers, McGrath clarified that he had not ruled out returning next year. “I have read somewhere myself,” he said. “But I don’t remember saying anything like that.”

Peter English01-May-2009Australia’s selectors have another week to finalise fitting 34 players into 25 contract spots for the next 12 months. The 2008-09 deals expired on Friday and Andrew Hilditch’s panel is not expected to meet until the team’s limited-overs series concludes in the United Arab Emirates with a Twenty20 on Thursday.While the playing schedule is one reason for the delay – last year’s list was released on April 9 – another issue is the ongoing memorandum of understanding talks between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, which include player payments and responsibilities. The negotiations will determine the amount of money available to the squad.”Once the player payment pool is decided the individual worth of the players will be determined,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said. The 25 contract holders receive confidential rankings and over the past year the top earners, including the captain Ricky Ponting, collected more than $1 million before match payments. At the bottom rung the retainer was $180,000.Throughout the summer an unprecedented 11 players were upgraded to national deals after appearing in the various sides, which suffered regular injury problems while undergoing a major regeneration. Those representatives, including Jason Krejza, Peter Siddle and David Warner, joined at the base rate and earned $15,000 for each full month they were on Cricket Australia’s books. In 15 Tests since last May, 25 players were used, including 11 debutants, while the same number of new faces appeared in the one-day team and another eight were welcomed in the Twenty20 outfit.Over the next week the selectors have to slash the current collection and ensure only 25 men check into the pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast on May 24. Hilditch’s situation could have been even worse without the retirements of Matthew Hayden and Stuart MacGill, who were in last year’s initial intake. Players in danger of missing out following injury-interrupted campaigns include Phil Jaques and Ashley Noffke while Brad Hodge and Beau Casson have been overlooked throughout the summer.The delay in announcing the squad is not an immediate worry for Australia, but it has bigger implications on the domestic scene. “The issue is more relevant to state players as they have the ability to negotiate their contracts,” Paul Marsh, the ACA’s chief executive, said. “Until states know the size of the pool they have from which to pay players, they can’t realistically offer any contracts.”Marsh said the payment issue was the largest piece of the MOU negotiations. “Once this is agreed the rest should move reasonably quickly,” he said. “I can’t predict how much longer it will take.”While agreement on the player payment pool is a critical part of the process, it has not held up the announcement of CA contracts. The CA selectors can select the 25 players independent of determining contract values. Values are not subject to player negotiation, rather a formula based on the ranking of each player and the total amount for distribution to players.”Australia’s initial 2008-09 list Doug Bollinger (NSW), Nathan Bracken (NSW), Beau Casson (NSW), Stuart Clark (NSW), Michael Clarke (NSW), Brad Haddin (NSW), Matthew Hayden (Qld), Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), Brad Hodge (Vic), James Hopes (Qld), David Hussey (Vic), Michael Hussey (WA), Phil Jaques (NSW), Mitchell Johnson (Qld), Simon Katich (NSW), Brett Lee (NSW), Stuart MacGill (NSW), Shaun Marsh (WA), Ashley Noffke (Qld), Ricky Ponting (Tas), Andrew Symonds (Qld), Shaun Tait (SA), Adam Voges (WA), Shane Watson (Qld), Cameron White (Vic).Additional contract holders Jason Krejza (Tas), Peter Siddle (Vic), Nathan Hauritz (NSW), David Warner (NSW), Andrew McDonald (Vic), Phillip Hughes (NSW), Bryce McGain (Vic), Marcus North (WA), Callum Ferguson (SA), Brett Geeves (Tas), Ben Laughlin (Qld).

Brydon Coverdale presents the plays of the day from day two in Durban

Brydon Coverdale in Durban07-Mar-2009
Michael Hussey ducks into a bouncer © AFP
Over rates over-rated
The start of South Africa’s innings was so eventful that in the first22 minutes only 15 balls were bowled. First there was a ridiculouslylong five-minute delay as Steve Bucknor proved that his “slow death”reputation has been transferred to the third umpire’s chair. Hashim Amlawas lbw to Mitchell Johnson and asked for a referral. Although he wasplumb, Bucknor seemed obsessed with detecting if there had been aninside edge and used far too many replays to determine what Hot Spotshowed in one go – there was no bat involved. Then there was anotherlong delay as Graeme Smith was assessed by the physio before he retiredhurt. Ricky Ponting will have a right to complain if there is anyquery over Australia’s slow over rate.Deal or no deal?
Phillip Hughes struck an agreement with his fellow opener Simon Katichbefore the first Test that Hughes would face the first ball of eachinnings if Katich took the short-leg duties. It seems the younger manisn’t keen on getting in harm’s way. But something must have happenedto void the deal. As Mitchell Johnson fired in unplayablebouncers, Hughes was in close under the helmet while Katich kickedback and relaxed at mid-off. Even when Hughes was at leg gully – some15 metres from the bat – he kept his helmet on.Double header
Michael Hussey was a gun squash player as a teenager, as well as beinga star cricketer. If his effort at Kingsmead is anything to go by hemight also have been a handy soccer striker. Hussey ducked into avicious Dale Steyn bouncer and it flew off the top of his helmet andbehind point at such speed that the batsmen were able to run twoleg-byes. It was the kind of header that would have done Ronaldoproud. It also kicked off a fiery Steyn spell that featured some wordsexchanged between him and Hussey.Mamba strikes
The so-called green mamba pitch at Kingsmead has a mysticalreputation. The idea is that because the ground is so close to thesea, at high tide the ball begins to move around so much that itstrikes fear into the batsmen. High tide on the second day was at1.45pm. As that time approached there was such a spate of wickets thatit was hard not to think about the legend. But alas, the exact momentcame and went without a perfectly-timed strike. However, both teamscombined to take 10 for 85 plus two retired-hurts in the first twosessions. The mamba had awoken.