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Glasgow Rangers turn their attention to the Europa League this evening as they prepare to travel away to Turkey to take on Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side.

The Light Blues are fighting for a place in the last eight of the competition and will take on the Turkish giants, away and at home, in their next two matches, with a weekend off this week due to their loss to Queen’s Park in the SFA Cup.

Rangers come into this game off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend, and interim head coach Barry Ferguson may look to make some changes to the starting line-up.

One player who could be taken out of the XI is Dutch central defender Robin Propper, who was hauled off at half-time in last weekend’s loss.

Why Robin Propper should be dropped

The former FC Twente star lost 100% (2/2) of his ground duels in the first half against Motherwell, before Leon Balogun came on to win three of his five as Propper’s replacement in the second half.

Ex-Gers defender Craig Moore said the Dutchman “is not a real physical player” and claimed that opposition forwards find it too easy to get the better of him in physical battles, which is backed up by his form in the Europa League.

The 31-year-old flop has lost 54% of his ground duels and 56% of his aerial contests in Europe this season, whilst Balogun has won 73% of his battles on the deck and 100% of his aerial duels across three appearances.

With this in mind, Ferguson should – as he did at half-time on Saturday – switch Propper for Balogun from the start for this clash with Fenerbahce to improve the physicality of the Rangers defence.

Chalkboard

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The former Eredivisie defender is not the only player who should be taken out of the XI, however, as Cyriel Dessers should also be dropped to the bench.

Why Cyriel Dessers should be dropped

The Nigeria international, who journalist Josh Bunting claimed can be “awkward” to play against, did score in the defeat to Motherwell at the weekend, but he also missed a ‘big chance’ and lost all seven of his duels with opposition defenders.

That, more or less, sums up the Dessers experience for Rangers. He has the ability to step up with a goal but his general play, duelling with defenders, leaves a lot to be desired, and the forward is far too wasteful with the chances that do come his way.

24/25 Europa League

Cyriel Dessers

Appearances (starts)

8 (5)

xG

5.13

Goals

2

xG differential

-3.13

Big chances missed

9

Duel success rate

37%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the former Cremonese striker has been particularly wasteful in the Europa League this season, underperforming his xG by more than three goals.

Dessers, who also scored one goal in seven matches in the Europa League last term, has proven himself to be unreliable in Europe and that is why Ferguson must ditch him from the XI for this big clash with Fenerbahce, playing Hamza Igamane in his place.

Football FanCast recently published an article explaining why the club’s prospective new owners, the 49ers, must part ways with the striker in the summer transfer window, and his lack of consistency as a finisher was the biggest reason.

Dessers, as shown by his aforementioned statistics, has not provided a physical presence to make the ball stick for Rangers in European matches, nor has he offered a clinical touch in front of goal, and Ferguson must drop him to the bench to ensure that his wastefulness does not cost the team this evening.

Related 49ers must bin "sloppy" Rangers dud who earns more than Igamane

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Posts ByDan Emery Mar 4, 2025

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O Botafogo volta a campo nesta quinta-feira, às 19h, para medir forças com o América-MG, na Arena Independência. O duelo é válido pela ida das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, enquanto a volta está marcada para o dia 14 de julho, no Rio de Janeiro.

+Textor responde a pergunta sobre Neymar no Botafogo: ‘2% de probabilidade? Por que não?’

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O técnico Luís Castro não poderá contar com quatro jogadores importantes. O atacante Erison não foi relacionado por apresentar dores nas costas, enquanto o meio-campista Lucas Piazon segue com dores no ombro.

+ Confira e simule a tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro

Além deles, Victor Cuesta e Luís Oyama também não estarão em campo. Ambos já disputaram a atual edição da Copa do Brasil por outros clubes: Internacional e Mirassol, respectivamente.

Por outro lado, a dupla de volantes Patrick de Paula e Kayque estará de volta. Os jogadores cumpriram suspensão em virtude do terceiro cartão amarelo e ficaram de fora no clássico contra o Fluminense, pelo Brasileirão.

Sendo assim, o jovem Matheus Nascimento será titular nesta quinta, assim como Chay no meio de campo. Na defesa, Philipe Sampaio ocupará a posição de Victor Cuesta. Por fim, no lado direito, Daniel Borges fará a ala, enquanto Saravia ficará como opçõ no banco de reservas.

+Seedorf no Botafogo: há exatos dez anos, o craque holandês era anunciado pelo Glorioso

O Botafogo entrará em campo com a seguinte escalação: Gatito Fernández; Kanu, Carli e Philipe Sampaio; Daniel Borges, Kayque, Patrick de Paula, Chay e Hugo; Vinícius Lopes e Matheus Nascimento. Técnico: Luís Castro.

Onde assistir: SporTV, Premiere e em tempo real no LANCE!

FOGÃO ESCALADO! 🔥

Confira os 11 iniciais do Botafogo para o jogo contra o América-MG, pela Copa do Brasil. ⚽️ #TimeToSetFire pic.twitter.com/MLoXncURr4

— Botafogo F.R. (@Botafogo) June 30, 2022

Joao Palhinha is determined to make his Bayern Munich career work after Fulham were linked with re-signing the midfielder this summer.

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Palhinha wants to stay at BayernHappy in Munich, despite strugglesLinked with return to FulhamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Bild report that the Cottagers and West Ham hold an interest in Palhinha, who has not found his best form since switching England for Germany last summer, but also state that he is keen to stay in Munich.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT BAYERN SAID

Bild also run a quote from Bayern sporting director, Christoph Freund, who said: "It's not our plan at all to let him go in the summer."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palhinha is said to feel at home in Munich and enjoys living in the city, despite making just 15 Bundesliga appearances this season and struggling to get into the team ahead of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR PALHINHA?

Palhinha will be hoping to play a role as Bayern look to seal the Bundesliga title this weekend. Vincent Kompany's side will be champions if they beat RB Leipzig on Saturday.

Celtic look set to lose one of the top performers before the end of the January transfer window as Kyogo Furuhashi closes in on a £10m exit from Parkhead.

Rennes are reportedly in advanced talks to sign the Japan international on a permanent deal, after three-and-a-half years for the striker in Glasgow.

Kyogo is set to end his Hoops career with an excellent return of 85 goals and 19 assists in 165 appearances and Brendan Rodgers is going to lose a reliable source of goals.

The January transfer window slams shut next week and that means that there is still time for the club to source a replacement for Kyogo, with Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden reportedly in their sight.

The asking price for Mathias Kvistgaarden

Football Insider have reported that the Danish side are looking for a fee of around £10m to sanction a transfer for their star forward midway through the season.

The outlet claimed that Celtic are plotting a late swoop for the Denmark U21 international before the deadline to come in and replace Kyogo, alongside a move to bring Rennes winger Jota back to Parkhead for a second spell.

Kvistgaarden has struck ten times and registered four assists in 15 appearances in the Superliga so far this season for Brondby, which suggests that the 22-year-old ace could come in to replace the goal threat that they are set to lose with Kyogo’s exit.

£10m is a hefty sum of money to spend on one player for Celtic, but they have already proven that they can hit the mark with big-money additions by hitting the jackpot with Arne Engels.

Celtic have struck gold with Arne Engels

The Scottish Premiership champions bolstered their squad last summer by smashing their club-record transfer record with the £11m signing of the Belgium international from Augsburg.

It was a big gamble to sign a 20-year-old, at the time, for such a huge fee but it is one that already looks to be paying off, as he has been instrumental in the club’s success in the Champions League.

The Hoops have qualified for the play-off round of the competition, after being knocked out in the group stage last season, and his form has been key to that.

As you can see in the table above, Engels, who has produced seven goals and nine assists in all competitions, has offered a big threat in the final third whilst holding his own in physical duels in the middle of the park.

His impressive performances for Celtic, domestically and in Europe, have also seen his transfer value soar. At the time of writing (27/01/2025), FootballTransfers have his Expected Transfer Value at a whopping €16.9m (£14.2m), which is over £3m more than what the Hoops paid for him last summer.

This shows that the Scottish giants have hit gold with a developing talent who can provide quality on the pitch in the here and now whilst still having the potential to grow in value throughout his time at Parkhead, which may also be the case with Kvistgaarden if they can strike a deal for his signature in the coming days.

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By
Dan Emery

Jan 24, 2025

Hopefully, Engels, who was described as “fantastic” by captain Callum McGregor, can continue to shine for the rest of the season and beyond.

MatériaMais Notícias

Após o início ruim na Série B, a diretoria do Guarani resolveu desligar o técnico Daniel Paulista e aguarda a reação no clássico diante da Ponte Preta.

Como o tempo para escolher o novo treinador está apertado, o jeito será apostar no auxiliar fixo do clube Ben-Hur Moreira.

Na coletiva de imprensa, o presidente Ricardo Moisés falou sobre a sua escolha para o comando da equipe.

‘A gente avalia a situação, confia muito no trabalho do Ben-Hur. O Guarani vem lançando auxiliares com capacidade no mercado nos últimos anos. Foi assim com Umberto, com o Carpini. E a gente torce para que consiga uma sequência positiva com o Ben-Hur. Vamos dar total apoio, confiamos no trabalho dele, e no dérbi a gente vai com o Ben-Hur no banco de reservas’.

Com 5 pontos conquistados, o Guarani encara a Ponte Preta na 16ª colocação, uma acima da zona de rebaixamento.

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Kylian Mbappe has been handed a one-match suspension following his red card during Real Madrid's 1-0 win against Alaves on Sunday.

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Mbappe sent off for terrible challengeHas been handed a one-game banCan feature against Barca in Copa finalFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The French forward was shown a red card inside the first 40 minutes of the weekend's clash in La Liga for his high challenge on Antonio Blanco.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

It was thought Mbappe would be handed a lengthy suspension, dealing a significant blow to the Spanish giants in their bid to retain the league title, but the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee has issued a one-match suspension. That means he will be available for their Copa del Rey final clash with Barcelona on April 26.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mbappe avoided a longer suspension because referee Cesar Soto Grado wrote in his report that the forward was attempting to win the ball when he made the challenge.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?

The 26-year-old is available for Madrid's Champions League clash against Arsenal this week, with the Spanish giants trailing 3-0 from the first leg of the quarter-final tie. He will, however, miss the league match against Athletic Club four days later.

يخوض فريق برشلونة، بقيادة المدرب هانز فليك، مباراة مصيرية في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا أمام إنتر ميلان، بقيادة سيموني إنزاجي، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء.

برشلونة سيحل ضيفًا على إنتر ميلان في ملعب سان سيرو (جوزيبي مياتزا)، في إطار منافسات إياب دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

طالع | فيديو | سحر فليك لا يكفي.. إنتر ميلان يتأهل إلى نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا برباعية مثيرة أمام برشلونة

كانت مباراة الذهاب بين الفريقين على ملعب “مونتجويك”، انتهت بتعادل إيجابي بثلاثة أهداف لمثلهم.

ويلتقي المتأهل من مواجهة برشلونة وإنتر ميلان مع المتأهل من مباراة باريس سان جيرمان وآرسنال، في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحقق برشلونة فوزًا في مباراته السابقة بالدوري الإسباني على بلد الوليد بهدفين مقابل هدف، وإنتر ميلان فاز على هيلاس فيرونا بهدف دون رد في الدوري الإيطالي. موعد مباراة برشلونة وإنتر ميلان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة برشلونة وإنتر ميلان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

تُذاع المباراة عبر قناة beIN Sports HD 1. معلق مباراة برشلونة وإنتر ميلان اليوم في دوري أبطال أوروبا

سيعلق حفيظ دراجي، على أحداث مباراة الليلة.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا.

After Fraser Forster’s midweek mistakes left Tottenham Hotspur clinging onto a 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Ange Postecoglou has reportedly been given the green light to sign a £20m star in January.

Tottenham transfer news

A side capable of defeating Manchester City and Manchester United but also the first side that Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace took three points from in the current campaign, Spurs have become impossible to predict, and in no positive way. Postecoglou – sticking to his ways in what could be construed as honourable or far too stubborn – has a guessing game on his hands almost every week as to which version of his side will be on display.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini Dec 21, 2024

In midweek, it was a mix of the very vest version and the version which has become prone to switching off and making room for shock results as the Lilywhites defeated Manchester United 4-3 in the Carabao Cup. Having raced into an impressive 3-0 lead, Forster’s two mistakes followed to allow United back into the game, before Spurs found a fourth and the Red Devils could only net a late consolation.

The goalkeeper’s mistakes have seemingly forced the Lilywhites to turn their attention back towards the transfer market too. According to The Mirror, Postecoglou has now been given the green light to sign a goalkeeper from the EFL, with James Trafford, who Burnley value at £20m ahead of 2025, a target.

The England international stayed put at the Clarets despite several exit rumours last summer and could now earn a reward for his patience in the form of a January move to North London. More than capable with the ball at his feet, Trafford could be an instant upgrade on Forster in the role of number two behind Guglielmo Vicario.

"Athletic" Trafford could replace Forster

Whilst Vicario is the undisputed number one at Spurs, his recent injury suggests that Trafford would get ample opportunity to impress and offer Postecoglou an instant upgrade on the struggling Forster. At just 22 years old too, it’s not absurd to suggest that the England international could one day take over from 28-year-old Vicario and become a starting shot-stopper within a top-six side.

It’s a rise that Bolton goalkeeper coach Matt Gilks saw coming during Trafford’s loan spell at the club, telling Sky Sports in 2023: “When you’ve been in the game for 25 years, like I have, you come across hundreds of goalkeepers and there are very few that really stand out, but James is definitely one of them.

“His athletic profile, the power he produces when he takes off, his reflexes. All the little details we look at are up there.”

League stats P90 24/25 (via FBref)

James Trafford

Fraser Forster

Starts

20

4

Save Percentage

83.7%

84%

Saves

2.05

4.75

Passes Attempted

36.6

22.3

Crucially, Trafford has maintained an impressive save percentage similar to Forster but stands out when asked to play with the ball at his feet in a trait that Postecoglou desperately needs his goalkeepers to have in abundance.

His life was remembered and celebrated at the MCG

AAP30-Mar-2022

One of Shane Warne’s former foes Nasser Hussain has described the legendary legspinner as the greatest cricketer who ever lived.Former Australian team-mates and rivals paid tribute to Warne at the MCG in a star-studded state memorial service on Wednesday.Ex-England captain Hussain, who Warne tormented during his 145-Test career, was blown away by his feats on the field.Warne finished his career in 2007 with 708 Test wickets and was named as one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century alongside Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Jack Hobbs and Viv Richards.”The greatest cricketer who has ever played the game,” Hussain told Fox Sports before the service began. “Unbelievable cricketer and bloke.”In a panel discussion in the middle of the MCG with former Australian stars Allan Border, Mark Taylor and Merv Hughes, and West Indies legend Brian Lara, Hussain told a story about Warne getting him out in a tri-series final in 1999.”I sledged him for some apparent reason and I’ve said something ‘like enjoy your last game as captain’,” Hussain said during the service. I’ll be surprised if you haven’t got the footage of me running down the pitch, very next delivery after that slog sweep and getting stumped.”It was a privilege to be on a cricket field with you – you were the greatest bowler I ever saw.”Border believed Warne’s arrival on the international scene helped prolong his own career.”It revitalised my captaincy towards the end of my time,” he said. “I was lucky to have two years with Shane and I just thank him for that.”Lara called Warne the “greatest Australian that I know”.Hughes recounted a story of Warne memorably honouring a promise for a kindergarten auction and praised his generosity.”A very loyal friend, and as good as he was in the cricket field, he was five times better off it. Very loyal, and if he said he was going to do something, he would deliver.”Brett Lee, who played with Warne during a golden era for Australia, said there would never be anyone like him.The greatest Australian cricketers of the last 40 years, including Glenn McGrath and Michael Clarke, were among those in the crowd.Current Australian stars watched the service from home and abroad with the white-ball squad in Pakistan for ODIs and a Twenty20.But Warne’s sporting interests were not just confined to cricket, with AFL club St Kilda one of his great passions. Retired Saints champion Nick Riewoldt was one of Warne’s all-time favourite AFL players.Riewoldt could not believe one of Australia’s greatest sportspeople worshipped him. “He was just a massive fan and enormous mentor to all St Kilda people.”A trumpeter played St Kilda’s theme song, ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ near the conclusion of the service.A number of former AFL stars who did not even play for St Kilda, including Gary Ablett Jnr and Brendan Fevola, were in the audience.The Great Southern Stand at the MCG was formally unveiled as the Shane Warne Stand by his children – Brooke, Summer and Jackson – to close an epic ceremony.

Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou are currently looking at a “top” winger, who’s been compared to Manchester City star Jack Grealish.

Tottenham face Roma in Europa League clash tonight

Spurs will be in very good spirits after their 4-0 win over Man City last weekend, but the excellent result was followed by very bad news that goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is out for a lengthy period after surgery on his fractured ankle.

Tottenham could sign £200k-per-week forward in major U-turn after Ange call

Spurs appear to have had a change of heart.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 27, 2024

The Italy international hasn’t missed a single league game since joining the club from Empoli in 2023, but he’s set to sit out for a long time now.

Postecoglou confirmed that Vicario is set for months on the sidelines at Tottenham, so number two Fraser Forster will be thrust into the spotlight, as Spurs look to build upon their win at City and enjoy a strong festive period.

While Postecoglou also stated that Spurs won’t sign a replacement for Vicario in January, the club are working to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Technical director Johan Lange and Tottenham are looking at signing a new forward, according to various reports, and an exciting, young name has been linked this week.

Tottenham scouting Southampton winger Tyler Dibling

According to former chief scout Mick Brown, who worked at Spurs and Man United, the north Londoners are one of many Premier League sides taking a real interest in Southampton winger Tyler Dibling.

Football Insider, sharing Brown’s comments, write that Tottenham are among the sides interested in Dibling ahead of a potential move for the Englishman, called the “next” Grealish, who’s played in all 12 of Southampton’s league matches this season – starting seven of them.

“He’s attracting a lot of interest,” he told Football Insider.

“Nearly every club in the Premier League have been keeping an eye on his performances this season because he’s a very talented young player.

“They’re assessing just how good they think he is, and many of them have had scouts watching him. After that game against Liverpool, I’m told they like what they see.

“If Southampton go down, chances are they’ll have to sell some players. The way the financial rules are at the moment, relegation can be very costly. I think we saw that with Leeds and Leicester last year. With Dibling attracting interest, he may well be one they look to cash in on if a good offer arrives. Don’t get me wrong, they’ll be keen to keep him at the club, he’s a product of their academy and a very good one at that.

“But with interest building, relegation from the Premier League might force them to sell.”

The teenage sensation at St. Mary’s is fast-growing a reputation for himself, with teammate Yuki Sugawara calling him a “top” player and former Saints coach David Horseman tipping him to be the “next big thing” out of Southampton.

“Tyler could be a top Premier League player, under the current manager and his style he could be a star of the future for sure,” said Horseman (via The Sun).

“He could go all the way, he looks like he’s loving life and he’s found his perfect fit. He looks like he could be the next big thing out of Southampton.”