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Glasgow Rangers have been tipped to sell George Edmundson after his latest snub by Steven Gerrard.

What’s the word?

Derby County secured the Rangers central defender on loan for the remainder of the campaign after he fell out of favour with Gerrard after being banned by the SFA for breaching COVID-19 rules with Jordan Jones.

Edmundson, whose contract with the Scottish giants is set to expire in 2023, has featured just once for the Gers in the 2020/21 campaign, having made 16 appearances across all competitions for the club in the previous season.

New signing Jack Simpson has been given the squad number previously worn by Edmundson, which has cast doubts about his future at the club.

Despite Gerrard hinting he has left the door open for Edmundson to resurrect his Rangers career, he has since been shipped out on loan to Pride Park for the rest of the season and pundit Frank McAvennie believes that the centre-back is out of the picture because he’s lost the belief of the manager.

“I would think so,” he told Football Insider when asked if Edmundson will be concerned that Simpson has been handed the number 4 shirt.

“You never keep your squad number anyway when you go out on loan so I wouldn’t look too much into that.

“I don’t think he’ll get back in, to be honest, they’ll be moving him on and especially after winning the league, they’ll be looking for a bit more quality.”

Long road back to Ibrox

Connor Goldson is currently the undisputed first-choice centre-back at Ibrox, with Leon Balogun and Filip Helander the other two battling to bag a spot alongside the Englishman, which has left Edmundson as the odd man out.

The 23-year-old was signed by Rangers for around £700,000 from Oldham Athletic on a four-year deal in 2019. Since then, he has shown flashes of brilliance, including an impressive league debut against Hamilton at Ibrox but has struggled to put together a string of decent performances. His latest show of indiscipline has hardly helped his case, either.

Unfortunately, his numbers also pale in comparison to those of his more experienced teammates. A lowly WhoScored rating of 5.52 sees him ranked the worst player out of the entire Rangers squad, although this can also be partly attributed to his lack of game time.

Edmundson had long been billed as one to watch for the future, with his old coach Nicky Law senior previously singing the praises of his former charge.

However, whether Rangers will decide to retain his services in the summer is another matter entirely and it’s looking like they will move him on.

AND in other Rangers news, Cedric Itten didn’t make the most of Alfredo Morelos’ absence against Kilmarnock…

When it comes to Scott Brown, what do you think of?

Natural aggression is certainly one attribute. The Scot is a titanic midfielder, someone capable of upsetting players and throwing in the tackle. He is also a leader of men, a stalwart who has taken Celtic to ridiculous heights in recent years.

However, his best years are now arguably behind him. At the age of 35, that’s certainly not a bad thing, but in terms of the club’s aspirations for the future, they must start looking for replacements.

In Ismaila Soro, they have finally found a midfielder capable of dislodging him. A big reason for their six-game unbeaten streak in the last month was because of the Ivorian, but that hasn’t dissuaded Nick Hammond considering external options.

One such target in the transfer window is Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson. According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, the Hoops are trying to sign him on a pre-contract.

Initial contact has been made to land the 25-year-old and he could arrive on a free transfer in the summer when his contract in England expires.

A defensive midfielder by trade, there isn’t a player in world football who would be more perfect to succeed Brown at Celtic.

Like the skipper, Pearson has relentless aggression and isn’t afraid to get stuck in. Unfortunately, it’s a reputation that’s earned him the tag of “brainless” from some PNE supporters.

That may sound harsh, but when you consider his disciplinary record you have to question his mentality. He’s picked up 80 yellow cards in his career, amassing 14 cautions in three successive seasons for Preston.

It’s an absurd record, but fortunately, he is attempting to work on that tally. He’s reiterated his desire in the past, saying: “I don’t like missing games and when you miss them and the team does well it is frustrating and from my own personal point when you miss three games it takes you a while to get going again and you never get that consistent of a run of games. I have probably played 10 games in a row once and we went on a good run so I want to stay on the pitch.”

Clearly, he has been improving things. Pearson has only picked up one yellow card so far this term and if he can iron out that side of his game, he’d be an astute capture for the Bhoys.

If he can’t, then Neil Lennon’s side could be in further bother.

AND in other news, Forget Laxalt: Celtic must swoop for 21 y/o who makes defenders do “very silly things”…

At one point, it seemed destined for Burnley to go down this season. However, Sean Dyche’s side’s resurgence following Christmas has been palpable. After being pitted at the bottom for a prolonged period, Burnley now find themselves two points clear of the relegation zone.

The Clarets are unbeaten in six, having taken full points against West Ham United as well as relegation rivals Fulham and Huddersfield Town. The courageous draw at Old Trafford, in which they displayed some exemplary stubborn defending, proved Burnley had regained last season’s form, exemplified in them having kept two clean sheets and conceded only five in last six games.

With defenders Ben Mee, James Tarkowski and captain Tom Heaton in inspired form and striking duo Wood and Barnes scoring again, Burnley’s survival hopes have been strengthened. Dyche’s brilliant turnaround might’ve earned him a Premier League manager of the month nomination, but he needs to keep strengthening his side’s resolve.

In this final stretch, Burnley host top six sides in Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal while travelling to Merseyside twice. While the victories against relegation rivals were vital, the Clarets need to keep gaining maximum points to assure safety. In a league like the Premier League, this unpredictable relegation battle could soon turn on their heads.

The Clarets have to dig their heels in and bully opponents into surrendering points. While tough times lay await, Burnley’s recent resurgence indicates that they should live to fight another season in the English top-flight.

Dyche has largely turned it around but he’ll know more than anyone not to get too comfortable if those at Turf Moor are going to stay in the Premier League, considering the run in they have.

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that West Ham should be all over Sam Johnstone this summer.

The former Manchester United youngster has been one of the standout goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, although his excellent form is unlikely to save West Brom from relegation.

Providing the Baggies don’t make a great escape in the coming weeks, the £32,500-a-week England shotstopper, who was recently rewarded with his first call-up by Gareth Southgate, is likely to leave the club.

Reports believe that Johnstone will be available for just £10million, although the Hammers could face stiff competition from London rivals Tottenham, who might also need a new goalkeeper.

Number one Lukasz Fabianski recently extended his deal with the Hammers, but mistakes have been creeping into the Pole’s game this term, none more so than in the defeat at Newcastle earlier this month.

And McAvennie told Football FanCast that Johnstone would be an ideal replacement:

“I think it would be really good business.

“When you’re playing for West Brom you’re not short of action, he’s probably made more saves than most of the keepers put together, and that’s no disrespect to them but without him they wouldn’t have as many points as they have got.

“For £10million, I can’t believe I’m saying it, but it’s nothing in this game. That’s the nature of the beast now, and it’s right up West Ham’s street that kind of money.”

Steve Bruce should allow Norwich City to sign Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, after Daniel Farke’s Premier League-bound Canaries joined the emerging race for Newcastle United’s summer target.

What’s the word?

According to CaughtOffside, Norwich have informed Celtic of their desire to secure a deal for Ajer as the Premiership giants prepare to cash in.

The Hoops have warmed to allowing the Norway international to leave Parkhead at the end of the season as he will enter the final year of his current Hoops contract in June.

His situation is thought to also be of interest to Newcastle, after the Toon approached Celtic to discuss Ajer’s situation recently.

Both Newcastle and Norwich are claimed to have a keen interest in securing Ajer’s signature in the off-season, with the 23-year-old able to operate in central defence as well as at right-back and in a holding midfield role.

The Magpies were previously linked with preparing an £8m assault on Glasgow for Ajer, who Celtic believe is worth closer to £35m but are in a weakened position due to the limited time remaining on his £14,000-per-week terms.

Newcastle anticipated competition would arrive for Ajer and are aware that having Premier League status will be key in any negotiations, which Norwich secured last week and will now contend with Watford for the Championship title.

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A clutch of unnamed clubs are also said to have approached Celtic to enquire over Ajer’s availability, and it remains to be seen if AC Milan revisit the 21-cap defender’s situation after Technical Director Paolo Maldini confirmed the Serie A side’s interest last summer.

Should Newcastle sign Celtic’s Ajer?

Newcastle may struggle to secure Ajer’s services for the previously reported fee that Bruce’s side were preparing to submit if Norwich and fellow suitors arrive on the scene, especially with interest from Italy noted and prior links with Arsenal and Leicester City.

But United missing out on the 6 ft 5 man mountain may not be the end of the world for Bruce, as Ajer has been highly criticised for his efforts in Celtic’s ill-fated attempt at winning a 10th Premiership title in a row.

Ajer has been a fixture of the Hoops backline this season, with the 23-year-old starting 30 of his 31 appearances and only missing two fixtures after being forced to go into quarantine, but was unable to prevent results going astray and Rangers winning the title.

Even still, the Daily Record quoted Ajer as claiming last month: “If I am only to look at my performances, it may have been my best season at the club.”

His comment left former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie irate, telling Football Insider: “He flung his teammates under the bus.”

He added: “The manager will want rid of him; he hasn’t done anything. Ajer doesn’t even want to head the ball, so he has to go and play in Italy or Germany where they play with it at the back. Celtic need someone who can go and win the ball and he’s not the man to do that.”

Newcastle will likely need to sign a defender capable of winning the ball frequently in the summer, with Bruce’s side ranking 18th of the 20 Premier League clubs for the least shots allowed per game (14.6) and 15th for successful tackles (13.8) this season, per WhoScored.

Clearly, it remains to be seen if Ajer is that man, meaning Bruce can avoid a summer swoop and allow Norwich to seal a deal if the newly promoted Canaries persist with their interest.

AND in other news, Newcastle have been backed to bring a £2.5m-rated beast who “really impressed” back to St. James this summer…

The contract talks of Sheffield Wednesday star Adam Reach have been put on hold until the end of the season.

What’s the word?

That’s according to Yorkshire Live’s Sheffield Wednesday correspondent Dom Howson, who revealed in a recent Q&A that Dejphon Chansiri has put the contract talks of Reach – as well as every other Owls player – on hold until the end of the season, despite the fact that these talks reportedly began back in December.

When asked for an update on the progression of Reach’s new deal, Howson said: “From what I have been told, all contract talks have been put on the back-burner until the end of the season.”

A risk not worth taking

Despite Wednesday’s diabolical Championship campaign this season, Reach has been one of the few shining lights coming out of Hillsborough.

Over the 28-year-old’s 42 league appearances this term, he has scored five goals, provided three assists and created five big chances, as well as making an average of 0.8 key passes and taking 1.2 shots per game, culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.83 – ranking him as the Owls’ fifth-best performer in the second tier.

In addition to this, following the appointment of Darren Moore as the Wednesday boss back in March, the £23,000-per-week midfielder appears to have taken his game to a new level, scoring two goals and registering one assist over his 11 appearances under the 47-year-old manager, as well as averaging a SofaScore match rating of 6.99 in the same period.

As such, regardless of which league the Owls are playing their football in next season, the tying of Reach down to a new deal is an absolute priority for Wednesday this summer.

Thus, Chansiri’s risk of waiting until the end of the season to finalise a contract is certainly not one worth taking when it comes to the midfielder Chey Dunkley dubbed a “leader” in the team, as other Championship clubs will undoubtedly be keeping a very close eye on the situation of Reach in the coming weeks.

In other news: Howson drops big transfer claim on SWFC’s “constant threat”, Moore will be gutted – opinion

As is often the case for Tottenham Hotspur this season, it was another game in which they dropped points from a winning position.

Jose Mourinho has seen his Spurs side now drop a whopping 18 points having led in 21 of their 31 Premier League outings after they were defeated 3-1 by Manchester United in north London.

In an attempt to put a stop to the frequent mistakes in his backline, the Portuguese turned to Eric Dier, in what was his first appearance in the top-flight for six outings.

The England international came in for Davinson Sanchez, who was at fault for Newcastle’s late equaliser a week ago.

Dier simply failed to repay the faith put in him by his manager, and as a result, he badly let Mourinho – and Spurs – down with a shocking performance.

He was awfully lucky that Edinson Cavani’s first strike was ruled out through VAR as the lethal United striker had beaten him all ends up with sublime movement.

That was a recurring theme for the 27-year-old midfielder-turned-defender as he never really knew where the opposition was – he was again caught napping for the second, leaving the Uruguayan once again, and for the third goal, he was far too static as Mason Greenwood rounded off a calamitous afternoon.

The warning signs were there pre-game, too, as Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane told supporters in the build-up to kick-off that Dier is “not good enough” to play centre-back.

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His subsequent figures would back that up.

Alasdair Gold was particularly scathing in his post-match ratings for football.london, ranking Dier amongst Spurs’ worst performers with a 5/10. No other home defender was given worse.

Whilst, as per SofaScore, the £22.5m-rated disaster has a big influence on how this side plays, managing the third-highest number of touches with 67 throughout the 90 minutes but from that, he lost possession 16 times, the second-most of any Spurs player.

It means Dier effectively gifted possession back to a rampant United side once every four touches, and once every five-and-a-half minutes.

Similarly, he was equally wasteful with the ball at his feet, making just 74% of his 53 passing attempts, which is below his season average of 82%. Not only is that underwhelming but instead of playing it out from the back to good effect, he made just four of 14 long balls (28.5%).

It’s no wonder the Red Devils dominated possession (54%), particularly in the second half (59%).

There is a reason Dier was axed from Mourinho’s starting XI for six straight league games and now the Spurs boss will be thinking again before trusting him.

That performance saw his faith completely betrayed. Perhaps it’s time to throw the dice to Toby Aldwereireld, who must be wondering what he must to do garner a start in this side.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Gary Mabbutt claims Spurs miss one man after huge transfer decision…

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former West Brom midfielder Carlton Palmer is certain the Baggies’ time in English football’s top flight is coming to an end.

Following the recent 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace, West Brom are 10 points adrift from safety, slipping ever closer to Premier League relegation.

Manager Sam Allardyce is still giving his side a chance, suggesting six wins from their remaining nine fixtures could keep them up. Palmer, however, does not believe the Midlands club have it in them and thinks it is too little, too late.

Discussing Allardyce’s recent comments, Palmer said in an exclusive interview with FFC:

“Unfortunately for Sam he didn’t get the kick-start that he would have liked when he first went in there. The side have been unlucky, they should have at least three wins on the board from [recent] games. Burnley, they went down to 10 men, [yet] they absolutely battered Burnley and even Sean Dyche said they should have won the game.

“I think the squad before they brought Sam in, the squad was lacking quality and, you know, unfortunately, he got the quality in the window but just a little bit too late.”

What complicates West Brom’s chances of staying up even further is the form of Fulham, who currently sit above them in 18th on 26 points.

Scott Parker’s side were on a run they would have been pleased with prior to their defeat against Manchester City, managing to beat Sheffield United, draw against Crystal Palace and claim a famous win at Anfield versus Liverpool, which came shortly after a narrow defeat to Tottenham.

Ultimately, the west London club are an obstacle West Brom must first overcome before they can start thinking about the likes of Newcastle United and Brighton, who are both placed just outside the relegation zone.

Celtic failed to convince former QPR winger Bright Oyasi-Samuel to move to Parkhead in January, according to reports in Turkey.

Bhoys miss out

The 23-year-old had just six months left to run on his Loftus Road deal before eventually opting to join Mesut Ozil at Fenerbahce.

Reports emerged back in December that suggested former manager Neil Lennon had put arrangements in place to bring Oyasi-Samuel to Celtic next summer before he eventually resigned from his position at the club.

The Nigerian forward was touted as a player that was “destined for the Premier League” by his former boss Mark Warburton (cited by West London Sport), but opted not to choose that path.

Fotospor revealed that both Celtic and Rangers were willing to pay £5m to secure his services but failed to reel him in – he scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists in 115 outings before his QPR departure (Transfermarkt).

Transfer Tavern Verdict

While it will be disappointing for the supporters that they missed out on a player with huge potential, he can’t really be blamed for following Ozil to Turkey.

Having signed a five-year contract with the Super Lig club, Osayi-Samuel will inevitably be off the Parkhead radar and Dominic McKay will have to work hard to make the necessary first-team improvements this summer.

With new staff reportedly being put in place in the summer, time will which other attacking players the Hoops have on their wish list.

In other news, Celtic-linked manager responds to Parkhead rumours; Mourinho once dubbed him ‘incredible.’

Many Liverpool fans have been left to flock to a transfer admission from Sasa Kalajdzic.

Speaking to Sport Bild, the Stuttgart striker admitted that he would find it hard to turn down a move to the Anfield faithful should the Merseyside club come in with a bid in the summer window.

Kalajdzic has scored no fewer than 13 goals and made a further four assists in 26 games in total over all competitions so far in the 2020/21 term (Transfermarkt), and has a whopping six-foot-six-inch frame, which would certainly offer Jurgen Klopp’s team something a little bit different in the attacking third of the pitch.

Given that he is so tall, the Austria international should have no problems at all whatsoever coping with the physical demands of the Premier League, and so he may be a player that the Reds should certainly want to keep an eye on.

Liverpool fan reaction to Kalajdzic transfer admission

These Kopites urged LFC to go out and buy the 23-year-old on Twitter after his transfer admission:

“Oh my god this would be a dream move aaaaahhhhh”

Credit: @Bennet24_LFC

“Take him all day to add something to our game.. when things aren’t happening on the floor we can go long an he’d be a threat on corners. Looks like he knows we’re the net is as well”

Credit: @Paul_Dicko_LFC

“Sell Origi and get this guy in”

Credit: @HarrisonLukeW

“If we signed a 6ft7 lad and had Trent whip high balls in we wouldn’t lose a game”

Credit: @ROBSON_THE_RED

“200cm striker get him”

Credit: @DannyZuko03

“Don’t fail me LFC.”
Credit: @salim9081

In other news, find out what Liverpool man is nearing a return from injury here!