All posts by n8rngtd.top

Perhaps one criticism you could make of Steven Gerrard’s title-winning campaign as Rangers manager was the lack of opportunities for young players, but he can put that right by promoting Chris McKee to his first-team at Ibrox next season.

The 18-year-old, who joined Rangers from Linfield in 2018, has been scoring goals for fun in the academy in recent seasons and was rewarded with a new contract with the club in 2020, one which will see him stay with Gerrard’s side until 2022 at least.

He also earned his first call-up to the Northern Ireland U’21s earlier this season as a result of his performances for the Rangers B team, with whom he had scored eight goals by November, which was double the amount scored by any other player, which certainly suggests that he is one of the stars in the academy.

Earlier this month, McKee was sent on loan to Brechin City in League Two, having scored twice and assisted another in a friendly match between Brechin and Rangers’ B team back in November.

Although games have been postponed for all of this year so far as a result of the pandemic, the season resumes this weekend, so it will be interesting to see how McKee performs for Michael Paton’s side.

If he can impress in lower league football then perhaps he will earn a chance to make his debut for Rangers next season, although opportunities for young players in Gerrard’s side have been hard to come by this season.

Other than first-team regular Ianis Hagi, who is 22, we have seen just Calvin Bassey (21) make seven appearances in the league this season, whilst Nathan Patterson (19), has made four league appearances – which is arguably only due to the injury suffered by the influential James Tavernier.

Earlier in the year, Noel Whelan was full of praise for McKee in an interview with Football Insider, saying:

“Rangers have barely paid anything for McKee. He is a young player who knows where the back of the net is so he is worth his weight in gold, he really is.”

Therefore, whilst it may be tough for McKee to force his way into Gerrard’s plans, this loan move to Brechin City represents a real opportunity for him to find his feet in ‘men’s football’ before returning to Rangers ahead of next season, where he can hopefully make a real impression.

And, in other news… Wilson must not rush transfer decision on Rangers ace who Gerrard dubbed a “real threat”

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who made 267 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United, is not surprised by the lack of urgency on Tyneside as he believes Mike Ashley is simply not bothered as long as Newcastle stay in the Premier League.

The Magpies have experienced two relegations during the Ashley era and they are currently staring another one in the face, however, there is no sign of Steve Bruce being replaced as manager despite the dismal 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the club still outside of the bottom three.

Lee has criticised Ashley’s unwillingness to invest in the squad and believes that is the main reason why Newcastle find themselves constantly fighting at the foot of the table.

Speaking on Ashley’s continued neglect of the Magpies and not being surprised that Bruce is still the Magpies’ manager, Lee told FFC:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think the remit of whatever manager comes in is basically to keep Newcastle up.

“Other clubs are spending £100 million every year and we’re spending about £20 million. So, the only remit any manager can have is to keep us in the division.

“I think if someone’s not going to invest in the team, and is looking to sell the club as he has for a long time then that’s all he’ll want. Ashley will be happy for Newcastle to just remain in the Premier League so the price stays the same and he still has a chance of selling it.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/rob-lee-exclusive-newcastle-united-premier-league-steve-bruce” title=”Exclusive! Rob Lee’s thoughts on Newcastle”]

“Regardless of who’s in charge and who replaces Steve, if someone replaces Steve, who do the fans expect to come in and work under Mike Ashley?”

Steve Bruce is adamant that he is the right man to guide Newcastle United to safety despite all the teams around them being in better form than the Magpies.

Newcastle United’s two biggest games of the season are arguably their final two. They welcome Sheffield United to St James’ Park before travelling to Craven Cottage on the last day of the season.

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!

In recent comments made on the West Ham Way Podcast (Patreon), ExWHUemployee claimed West Ham United are interested in a summer swoop for Tammy Abraham.

According to the West Ham insider, Abraham has emerged as a target for the Hammers this summer, with the 23-year-old said to have ‘fallen out of favour’ at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.

ExWHUemployee also revealed, following recent contract discussions between the club and the £58k per week England international, Chelsea are not prepared to match the centre-forward’s wage demands in the negotiations that could see a renewal to his current deal, which expires in the summer of 2023 – potentially opening the door to the sale of the player this summer.

The Hammers insider claims Abraham is on a list of five or so forwards who Moyes ‘likes’ as we begin to look forward to the summer window.

Transfer Tavern Take

Having enjoyed an impressive start to the season, scoring six goals and providing one assist over his first 14 Premier League appearances this term, the £36 million-rated Abraham has seen his playing time become more limited in recent weeks, as well as his goals drying up – having not scored in the league since the turn of the year.

And, with the sale of Sebastien Haller in January leaving David Moyes with just one recognised centre-forward in his first-team squad, as well as the fact that ExWHUemployee claims Abraham ‘fits the criteria’ of striker that the West Ham boss likes, it would indeed appear that all signs point to the Hammers making a move for the Chelsea man this summer.

In other West Ham United news, many fans wanted this Premier League ace after a contract claim – find out more here!

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has rubbished reports suggesting that Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could leave Old Trafford on loan in January.

Van de Beek has been out of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side for the vast majority of the season despite a much-heralded arrival in a £40m deal from Ajax last summer.

The 23-year-old has had to endure a stop-start campaign to life at Old Trafford, having started just two of United’s 21 Premier League games this season, with just one goal and an assist in 23 appearances across all competitions.

The Dutchman was reportedly subject to loan enquiries from unnamed clubs but the Red Devils turned those down and opted to ensure that Van de Beek will spend the rest of the season at the Theatre of Dreams.

Inter Milan are one such potential suitor who have previously considered a loan move for the Dutch international but Palmer dismissed the recent claims and believes he will have to be patient.

He told FFC:

“He needs to be playing but I can’t see United letting him out on loan, not in the position they’re in. They’re going for the league title, they’re going for the FA Cup, he’s got to bide his time, the team is playing well now.

“His time will come. It’s simple, they’re going to need the players over the course of this season, so he’s just got to bide his time.

“If he’s a top player, he will get in the team, but the way they’re playing at the moment, he’s just got to be patient.”

With Inter Milan among the interested parties, there are still questions over whether they would be able to afford his colossal wages as Van de Beek, who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, currently earns more than the likes of Ashley Young and Milan Skriniar.

Indeed, according to reports, the Dutchman currently earns around £120,000-per-week at Old Trafford. However, if Inter are serious about their title ambitions, signing a player of Van de Beek’s calibre would be a step in the right direction.

But to all intents and purposes, it seems the Red Devils are reluctant to sanction such a move, particularly as a lack of depth has cost Solskjaer’s side in the past.

Most importantly, however, it appears that Van de Beek doesn’t seem to be too keen on a potential move himself. Therefore, it’s hard to imagine a move being completed before the transfer window closes tomorrow.

AND in other news, Manchester United ace Edinson Cavani let Solskjaer down in Arsenal draw…

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Carlton Palmer has said that Christian Benteke could be a fantastic signing for West Bromwich Albion.

Benteke could be useful

The Baggies have been linked with a move for the Belgium international (The Express and Star), who has scored three times in 11 matches for Crystal Palace in the Premier League so far this campaign (Transfermarkt).

Palmer believes that Sam Allardyce is right to target the 30-year-old. He said:

“Benteke is one of those strikers, he’s only scored three goals this season but he brings a lot more to the table and maybe in West Brom’s situation, where they’re battling, he can put in a shift up front, he is good at holding the ball up and he’s good at heading the ball at both ends of the pitch. Benteke might be a player who could be useful to West Brom, to help them stay in the league.”

Interesting option

While Benteke has not had the best time of it in recent years – he has just ten Premier League goals since the 2016/2017 campaign – he is still a striker with a fantastic pedigree. He has 75 goals in the top flight to his name despite that disappointing run, and his record this term has shown flashes of the ability that once saw him earn a £32.5m to Liverpool (BBC).

Currently valued at £8.1m (Transfermarkt), Allardyce has confirmed that Benteke is on his radar (Sky Sports). He actually managed the striker during his time at Selhurst Park, so he is someone he is at least familiar with. As West Brom look to stay among the elite, Benteke could provide a boost to the side’s attacking options.

In other news, West Brom fans were delighted by this Champions League giants’ struggles.

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”…

Perhaps the time is really up for Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur…

What’s been said?

The 24-year-old continues to be snubbed by Jose Mourinho – for the ninth time in the Premier League this season, the two-time former PFA Young Player of the Year was completely omitted from their matchday squad as Spurs defeated arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday.

Indeed, Alli has only played 66 minutes in the English top-flight this term, and just 333 minutes in all competitions. Even despite his two goals and one assist in the Europa League, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that he isn’t in their plans anymore.

Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer alluded to this during an exclusive interview with Football FanCast last week, he said:

“If [Mourinho] can’t get him to do what he wants him to do, he’ll let him go. He will let him go. He’s not afraid to do that.”

Time to go?

It’s strange to believe that even Tanguy Ndombele, who was frequently in and out of the side last season under the Portuguese, is actually ahead of Alli in the pecking order.

The £46.8m-rated dynamo, who earns around £150k-per-week in N17, has seen a meteoric drop in his career as he also finds himself out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the summer’s European Championships.

Once lauded as a “freak of a talent” who could one day eclipse the likes of Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes, it is really no surprise to see that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy wants to keep hold of him at all costs.

But if the tough negotiator wants to make any money on him in the near future, then the January transfer window may be the only good opportunity to cash in on him, so he ought to consider a U-turn this month.

As each game passes by, it’s just becoming clearer and clearer that there is no future for Alli under Mourinho; it would certainly be a waste to continue to let him burn a hole in Levy’s own pocket.

The funds generated could well help bolster their backline having missed out on Milan Skriniar during the summer.

AND in other news, Spurs swoop for “extraordinary” £45m beast like Dembele could complete Mourinho’s midfield…