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Nicky Butt has warned a manager who Gary Neville called “incredible” not to take the Manchester United job, saying “it could ruin him.”

Respite for Amorim after Sunderland victory

The 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Sunderland prior to the international break provided Ruben Amorim with a little respite, but there will be much tougher tests to come in the coming weeks, with a daunting trip to Anfield this Sunday up first.

There has been plenty of speculation about Amorim’s future already this season, with Jamie Carragher suggesting the writing may already be on the wall, given that the 40-year-old simply isn’t a good fit for Man United.

Carragher said: “What he did at Sporting Lisbon was fantastic. But bringing a manager like that in with the system he plays I don’t think ever suited a club like Manchester United with the traditions at Manchester United.

“We are just waiting for the inevitable, unfortunately, because you don’t want people to lose their jobs. But this [Amorim’s time in charge] has to end as quickly as possible.”

It appears as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is very committed to the Amorim project, however, having recently insisted he wants to give the Portuguese coach three years to prove himself.

That said, if there is not a major improvement in performances and results, it is very difficult to envisage the United boss lasting that long, and the rumour mill about potential replacements is already in full swing.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Paddy McGuinness recently asked Paul Scholes and Butt whether they’d like to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to Old Trafford, but the latter was emphatic in his response, stating his former teammate shouldn’t consider the move.

The former Man United midfielder said: “The hard thing for Ole would be, if you come back the second time – it could ruin him. It won’t because of his legacy at the football club, but you could bring prime Sir Alex or Jose in at the minute and they wouldn’t be able to do anything with that squad. So for me, I hope it wouldn’t happen.”

Appointing "incredible" Ole would be step backwards

It is undeniable that Ole is one of the Red Devils’ best managers post Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Norwegian leading them to a second-placed finish in the 2020-21 campaign, but it would be a step backwards to bring him back to Old Trafford.

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United sacked the 52-year-old back in November 2021, after failing to win a trophy in nearly three years as manager, and he has since failed to make an impact at Besiktas, with the Turkish club dismissing the former striker back in August.

As such, despite being lauded as “incredible” by Neville for the job he did at Man United last time around, Ole shouldn’t be considered as a replacement for Amorim, who rakes in £6.5m-per-year.

South Africa contemplated the need for captain Temba Bavuma to retire hurt on the third day at Lord’s after he suffered a hamstring injury early in his second innings. But with the urging of Aiden Markram, they opted not to disrupt a partnership that went on to carry them to the brink of the World Test Championship title.Bavuma was on 6, two overs before tea, when he pulled up with the hamstring injury which initially required lengthy treatment on the outfield before he made it through to the interval. He was clearly hampered when running between the wickets – which was one of the key factors the South Africa hierarchy discussed – but in the end, there were few alarms with the running, which even raised the question of whether Australia had pressurised Bavuma enough.”We had to make a big call whether he continues to bat and how it will affect his strokeplay, how that might affect Aiden’s rhythm,” Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s batting coach, said. “If twos are being turned into one [or] they can’t run the twos or the threes. Both of them were adamant that Temba was going to continue. He wanted to continue.Related

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“Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key. Obviously, had [Tristan] Stubbs gone in, we would have still had Temba’s wicket intact, but you start a new partnership. They were feeling pretty good and they wanted to continue.”Aiden was well aware that he’ll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it.”By the close, the two were still unbeaten together with a stand of 143, with Markram having brought up a masterful century, although there was a question mark over how Bavuma would pull up after the night’s sleep and the body having cooled down. It was hard to see, however, a situation where South Africa’s captain wouldn’t emerge on the fourth morning.”Temba is tough,” Prince said. “Aiden has great respect for Temba. In fact, I think this team’s greatest strength is the unity that they have in this camp… they are well aware that South Africa have had much greater individual players, but they’ve got something special going on in that dressing room, and that sort of helps them to drag each other along.”But with the task not quite finished, Prince was reluctant to be drawn into discussing the wider narrative of what could unfold for Bavuma on Saturday. “He’s had to fight throughout his career, and this could be a defining moment for his career,” he said. “I believe it’s the biggest stage of in terms of Test cricket. Maybe I should answer the question after the game.”

Aiden Markram kicked a stuttering Lucknow Super Giants innings into high gears, helping them recover from 54 for 3 in the eighth over to post 180 after opting to bat against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.Markram top-scored with 66, combining superbly with Ayush Badoni, who made a 33-ball half-century. Having not started in the bat-first XI, Badoni was pressed into action as an Impact Sub for Mitchell Marsh when LSG felt they needed some stability, before David Miller and Abdul Samad were unleashed the death.Badoni’s entry in the ninth over meant LSG couldn’t unveil pace sensation Mayank Yadav for his first game. Yadav, who broke through last year after clocking speeds regularly in excess of 150 clicks, had just returned from an extensive rehab for multiple injuries.Badoni, though, didn’t disappoint. Having earned a lbw reprieve through an umpire’s call in the 10th over on 7, he picked up pace in the 11th over when he hit Sandeep Sharma for back-to-back fours. At the other end, Markram sensationally countered Wanindu Hasaranga first, hitting him for back-to-back sixes, and then taking the attack to Maheesh Theekshana.The pair put on 76 off just 49 balls when Markram holed out to long-off, having hit five fours and three sixes in his 45-ball knock. Hasaranga ended the evening with figures of 4-0-31-2.His first wicket was arguably his biggest, of Rishabh Pant after he struggled to manoeuver the ball, eventually put out of his misery when he was caught behind trying to reverse-sweep a googly. Pant made 3 off 9.LSG’s start was scratchy as Jofra Archer, bowling full-tilt and hitting the deck with venom, had Mitchell Marsh top edge a pull to Shimron Hetmyer in the 3rd over. Nicholas Pooran was reprieved on 6 when Shubham Dubey put down a skier at square leg off Archer, but fell after adding just 5 when he was completely flummoxed by Sandeep Sharma’s slower ball.Sandeep’s finish would be as eventful, except he was at the receiving end of Samad’s sensational final-overs onslaught (he made 30 off 10). Samad showed why he was held back, pummelling four sixes in a final over that went for 27 to give LSG momentum at the break.

Celtic moved back to the top of the Scottish Premiership table on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock in the first game after the international break.

Goals from Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho sealed all three points for the Hoops, who had found themselves drawing 1-1 heading into stoppage time.

Iheanacho, who came off the bench to make his debut for the club, scored from the penalty spot in the 96th minute to secure the victory for Brendan Rodgers.

Despite the fact that Celtic won the match, there were a few worrying performances across the board for Celtic, who have scored one goal from open play in their last three games in all competitions.

Rodgers has plenty of options to choose in most positions, perhaps apart from centre-forward, and players know that they need to step up and deliver consistent displays to keep their spot in the side.

With this in mind, Reo Hatate is one of the players who needs to up his game in the coming weeks to retain his position in the starting line-up moving forward.

Why Reo Hatate needs to improve his performances

The Japan international failed to impress against Kilmarnock after being selected to start alongside Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren in the middle of the park.

Hatate is in the team to be a threat at the top end of the pitch by scoring and creating goals, as a dynamic midfielder who is not the type to sit back and defend.

Unfortunately, the 27-year-old star was fairly anonymous at the top end of the pitch throughout his 70 minutes of game time, with no shots on target and no ‘big chances’ created for his team, per Sofascore.

Since his exceptional goal against Aberdeen, shown in the clip above, near the start of August, Hatate has failed to produce a goal or an assist for the Scottish giants in the middle of the park.

His performances across the two legs against Kairat, in which Celtic failed to score a single goal, were particularly disappointing for a player of his quality in midfield.

Reo Hatate vs Kairat

1st leg

2nd leg

Minutes

90

105

Shots on target

1

0

Pass accuracy

84%

68%

Big chances created

0

1

Duels won

0/8

3/15

Fouls committed

3

4

Possession lost

16x

25x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Hatate did not do enough to help the team offensively or defensively, as he was dominated in duels whilst being incredibly wasteful with the ball at his feet.

It is frustrating to see the Japan international turn in consistently underwhelming performances because he has the quality to do better. Last season, he scored ten goals and created 14 ‘big chances’ for Celtic in 27 starts in the Premiership, per Sofascore.

This shows that he is capable of producing more quality in the final third, which is why Rodgers should expect him to do more if he wants to keep his place in the side.

Thankfully, for Celtic, the Northern Irish head coach has been brewing the club’s next Hatate over the last 13 months or so in the form of Luke McCowan.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

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The Scottish midfielder was signed from Dundee for a fee of £1m in the summer of 2024 and he has proven himself to be a useful squad member, whose value has soared during his time at Parkhead.

Celtic are brewing their next Reo Hatate

As aforementioned, Hatate is in the Hoops team to deliver quality in the final third by scoring and assisting goals, which is exactly what McCowan was born to do.

The left-footed midfield star has been a bit-part player for the most part throughout his career in Glasgow to date, but his performances when called upon suggest that Rodgers is brewing a talent who could take Hatate’s place as a regular starter.

Per Transfermarkt, McCowan’s value has soared to £2.2m, more than double what the club paid for him. That is higher than new signing Sebastian Tounekti, who is valued at £1m, despite the Tunisia international’s impressive debut with five completed dribbles against Kilmarnock.

The Scottish midfielder has proven his worth by delivering quality performances on the pitch in the Premiership when called upon by the Scottish giants since the start of last season.

His value soaring above Tounekti’s, who is an exciting new signing for the Hoops this season, is a testament to the quality he has shown for the club to date.

McCowan has already scored one goal in one start in the league so far this term for the Hoops, with his strike against St Mirren on the opening day to claim all three points for the team.

The former Dundee star, who was described as “tenacious” by writer Kai Watson, ended the 2024/25 campaign with eight goals and eight assists in 16 starts in the Premiership for Dundee and Celtic combined.

24/25 Premiership

Luke McCowan per 90

Percentile rank vs CMs

xG

0.31

Top 3%

Goals

0.46

Top 4%

Shots on target

1.26

Top 3%

xA

0.40

Top 3%

Assists

0.46

Top 5%

Chances created

2.51

Top 5%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, McCowan racked up 0.92 goals and assists per 90 in the top-flight last season, which shows that he consistently delivered when called upon in the final third.

This suggests that he has the potential to overtake Hatate as the starter in that midfield slot, because the Japanese flop has only scored one goal and failed to provide any assists in six starts in all competitions this season, per Sofascore.

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Therefore, Rodgers may be brewing the successor to Hatate’s place in the XI in McCowan, who could become a regular if the Japan international does not improve his performances.

The visitors were in deep trouble at 39 for 5 before their captain put together a rescue act

AAP09-Feb-2025A patient Sam Konstas was dismissed for just three before his New South Wales captain Jack Edwards launched a stirring fightback in the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba.Queensland started day two well placed at 307 for 5, but lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 387.NSW were in all sorts of trouble at 39 for 5 in reply, but big knocks from Edwards (104 not out) and Matthew Gilkes (66) ensured the visitors went to stumps at a more respectable 237 for 7.Related

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Konstas set tongues wagging in his Test debut when he unleashed an array of ramps and other audacious strokes on the way to 60 off 65 balls against the Jasprit Bumrah-led India on Boxing Day.The 19-year-old flew back to Australia last week after missing out on a spot in the XI for Australia’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with selectors keen for him to get red-ball experience at the Gabba.Keen to prove he’s not just a one-tricky pony, Konstas put away his ramps and slashes against Queensland in a bid to dig in as wickets tumbled around him.The rising star took 27 deliveries to get off the mark, producing a nice drive through covers to score three runs. But it would prove to be his only joy, with Konstas out for three off 33 balls when he feathered Xavier Bartlett behind.Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Petterson had already fallen by that stage, and Oliver Davies and Josh Philippe were quick to follow as the star-studded NSW line-up crumbled.But a 143-run partnership between Edwards and Gilkes thrust NSW back into the contest. Edwards brought up his century late in the day with a single off Mitchell Swepson to exit the nervous 90s.Earlier, Queensland’s Jack Clayton was only able to add one run to his overnight score before falling at the hands of spinner Chris Green.Allrounder Michael Neser scored 43, but Liam Hatcher was able to clean up the tail before any major damage was inflicted.

After Wolverhampton Wanderers rejected their opening bid to sign Jorgen Strand Larsen, Newcastle United have now reportedly been offered the chance to sign a different Scandinavian star.

Newcastle's striker search rumbles on as Larsen move stalls

From the very start of the transfer window, Newcastle have been on the hunt for a striker. It’s a search that started with Joao Pedro and Bryan Mbeumo, who both chose Chelsea and Manchester United instead. The Magpies then turned to Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sekso, who rejected them in favour of Liverpool and Old Trafford once again.

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Meanwhile, Yoane Wissa is now back in training with Brentford in another blow for the Magpies. The 29-year-old has done everything to force a move out of the West London club, but has not seen an offer arrive that matches his valuation in return. Now, it looks as though those at St James’ Park are turning their focus towards an alternative in Strand Larsen.

On that front, however, it’s so far been a familiar story for Newcastle amid reports that Wolves have rejected their opening offer worth £50m. And whilst they’re expected to submit an improved offer, there’s no denying that time is running out to satisfy Wolves’ demands.

As an alternative to Wissa, Strand Larsen would certainly make sense. The powerful striker enjoyed an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League last time out – scoring 14 goals – and is still a player full of potential.

Once again, however, there remain question marks over Newcastle’s willingness to match the price tag that has been set and there are still other options that they could turn to this week.

Newcastle offered chance to sign Harder

According to The Boot Room’s Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have now been offered the chance to sign Conrad Harder from Sporting CP this month.

The forward has been the subject of interest from AC Milan, who are reportedly working on a deal to secure his signature following the collapse of Victor Boniface’s move. But the door is still seemingly ajar for Newcastle to swoop in after receiving contact from intermediaries about a potential deal.

Bailey told TBR: “Intermediaries have made contact with Newcastle to inform them of the availability of Harder. We understand that Harder is a player that Newcastle have previously scouted. Newcastle are in the market for two new strikers before the window closes.”

League stats 24/25

Harder

Strand Larsen

Minutes

1,368

2,587

Goals

7

14

Assists

8

4

Expected Goals

10.3

3

Dubbed a “complete” forward by scout Jacek Kulig, Harder is full of potential at just 20 years old and coming off the back of a promising season at Sporting. With a deal seemingly there to be done for around £20m and not his £69m release clause too, Newcastle could land an absolute bargain.

Continuing their hunt for reinforcements, Leeds United reportedly submitted an offer to sign a midfield gem before he handed them a swift response in negotiations.

Leeds gearing up for Premier League return

It’s been two seasons in waiting, but Leeds’ Premier League return is almost underway at long last. Daniel Farke’s side will square off against Everton in the first Monday Night Football of the season, in which they’ll hope to make an instant statement.

None of the last six promoted sides have survived at the first time of asking in the Premier League, but Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley will be desperate to bring an end to what is a concerning trend.

The 49ers would have been well aware of that statistic this summer too, and have backed Farke with a number of arrivals as a result. Even after welcoming as many as seven fresh faces, however, the American owners could have more lined up for those at Elland Road.

Among those who could yet arrive is Liverpool’s Ben Doak. The speedy winger looks likely to be on the move this summer, either on loan or in a permanent deal, and Leeds could take full advantage.

Whilst the young Scotland international won’t come cheap, he is the type of player worth splashing out on. After impressing many around Middlesbrough during his loan spell, before injury cut things short, Doak is ready to leave his mark on the Premier League at just 19 years old.

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Meanwhile, as recent reports revealed, in another reality the teenage star could have had the chance to join a former Liverpool teammate in Yorkshire this summer.

Leeds made Bobby Clark offer

As reported by The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Leeds made an offer to sign Bobby Clark from Red Bull Salzburg, only for the former Liverpool man to favour a loan move to Championship side Derby County over a bit-part role with a Premier League side.

Clark is back in England to “prove people wrong” after a frustrating year at Salzburg. The 20-year-old midfielder initially joined the Austrian club and former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders for around £10m last summer, but soon saw Lijnders sacked and his own game time limited – making an exit inevitable just one year on.

Still a player full of potential, nonetheless, it wasn’t so long ago that Clark was earning impressive praise from ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who told reporters after a 6-1 win over Slavia Prague: “Controlling a football game, with all the excitement inside that he definitely still has, is fantastic. Bobby, it’s really nice to see the boys develop and flourish, to be honest.”

It’s a talent that Leeds have ultimately missed out on this time around and they must simply go again in the transfer market. With just under a month remaining until the window slams shut, the Whites still have work to do.

Harry Kane has confirmed that England have a plan if their players are racially abused by fans in Serbia during their World Cup qualifier.

• England travel to Serbia in World Cup qualifier
• Serbian FA plead with fans for good behaviour
• Kane confirms plan if players are racially abused

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Serbian Football Association has pleaded with fans to be well-behaved for Tuesday's clash in Belgrade, which will see 15 per cent of Stadion Rajiko Mitic closed off after a series of problems in recent years. Now, Kane has revealed his England team-mates held a meeting to discuss their response if they are discriminated against.

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  WHAT KANE SAID

  He told reporters, "We're prepared to do what UEFA protocols allow us to do. I thought we handled that situation away in Bulgaria really well. And it'll be no different. These are the things that are hard to talk about now, because we don't know if it's going to happen or not. But ultimately, like I said, we're prepared. We had a discussion as a group so that if in the event does happen, we'll be prepared to do what is necessary."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Serbian FA has been fined £608,000 in the last five years for "various prohibited behaviours, insults, and discrimination directed from the stands during matches of the senior national team and other selections". Kane was captain in 2019 when England suffered racist abuse in Bulgaria, and it seems they have contingency plans again.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  England take on Serbia on Tuesday night, more than a year on from when they met at Euro 2024. After that match, which the Three Lions won 1-0, UEFA investigated allegations of discriminatory chanting by Serbian fans. Many will hope for no controversy this time out.

If you’re a batter, your first Test at one of the most trying venues on the planet tends not to go well for you. Rachin Ravindra, though, is proving across formats, that he’s not your run-of-the-mill batter out of New Zealand.His fourth-innings vanguard, which by the end of day four has brought him 91 not out off 158, and pushed New Zealand into a spot where they still have an outside chance of victory, has been full of bravado.Sri Lanka’s offspinners attacked him outside off stump, figuring that as he likes to play shots out there, there will eventually be an edge that comes off his bat. The edge never materialised but plenty of runs did – 40 of his runs coming in the arc between backward point and cover, Ravindra’s shot-making frequent and consistent even when the pitch was spitting towards the end of the day.Related

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“I’ll be honest, the pitch isn’t easy – but there were periods there when Rachin made it look very easy,” said Ajaz Patel, who partnered Ravindra through the last few overs of the day.”He’s a phenomenal player. I think he’s world class. With his batting out there today, you saw him sticking to a solid plan for long periods, and trusting his skills. He’s got an amazing future in front of him. I’m grateful he’s on our team. He’s a headache to bowl to in first-class cricket.”When Sri Lanka switched to bowling straighter at him, Ravindra was no less proficient through the legside. He was ruthless when the bowlers erred even slightly on length, preferring the pull to the sweep as his main run-scoring option on the legside.In fact, four of his nine fours, and his one six all came through midwicket, with the six coming off a full toss.Opposition left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya had serious praise for Ravindra too.”I mostly tried to bowl into the rough to him and turn it into him. Sometimes he was very good at latching on to the short balls.”There was some little chances that came off him. But he kept his patience and batted nicely. He hit the loose balls away and kept the good ones out. He played like someone who understood his game, and was sticking to a game plan. Sometimes we tried to take his wicket and bowled aggressively, but he turned those into scoring opportunities.”Sri Lanka now need two more wickets to win, while New Zealand need 68 for victory. Ravindra has to score those runs in the company of No. 10 Patel, and No. 11 Will O’Rourke. If he gets through that challenge, it may be the finest moment of his career to date – in Tests, at least.”We can’t make mistakes against him tomorrow,” Jayasuriya said. “We have to take those two wickets.”

Celtic will be in the market to add to their options in the wide department after Nicolas Kuhn officially completed a permanent transfer to Como for a reported fee of £16.5m.

The German forward racked up 13 goals and nine assists from the right flank in the Scottish Premiership last season, which shows the kind of quality that Brendan Rodgers has lost.

On top of that, Portuguese winger Jota may be out until January or February with a knee injury that was sustained against Dundee United back in May.

This means that the Hoops are short out wide, even with the addition of Benjamin Nygren this summer, which is why they are reportedly keen on adding another winger to their squad.

Celtic place star at the top of their wishlist

The Scottish Premiership champions are looking to dip into a rarely-utilised market, for them, as they plot to repeat the masterclass they played with Victor Wanyama by signing another star from the Belgian Pro League.

Transfer Focus

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According to the Daily Record, Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha is at the very top of their wishlist to replace Kuhn during the summer window.

The report adds that the Belgian winger is out of contract at the end of next season and that Antwerp sporting director Marc Overmars has opened the door to sales for players in that situation.

It has previously been claimed that the Hoops have been in talks with the Pro League side to discuss a deal for £5m-rated attacker, and this latest update now suggests that he is a priority target for the Scottish giants.

Why Balikwisha could be a Wanyama repeat

As per the Daily Record, Rami Gershon from Standard Liege in 2013 was the last player the club signed from the Pro League, whilst the last notable signing was the deal to bring Wanyama to Parkhead from Beerschot in 2011.

The Kenya international went on to score 13 goals in 91 appearances for Celtic in all competitions as a central midfielder, before Southampton signed him for a reported fee of £12.5m in the summer of 2013.

Balikwisha could be the first player to become a star at Parkhead after moving from the Pro League since Wanyama made that successful transition between 2011 and 2013, based on his form for Antwerp over the past two seasons.

The 24-year-old forward, who was described as a “creative” talent by analyst Will Glavin, racked up 14 goals and nine assists in 59 games in all competitions between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns combined.

Starts

27

12

xG

6.46

2.65

Goals

7

4

Big chances created

6

7

Key passes per game

1.5

1.6

Assists

5

3

As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha has delivered 11 goals and eight assists in his last 39 games in the Pro League, outperforming his xG as a finisher in both of those seasons.

These statistics show that he is an efficient finisher who could thrive in a dominant Celtic team, which has won the Premiership in each of the last four years, that creates plenty of chances for him from the wing.

His creative numbers, with at least 1.5 key passes per game, also show that he has the potential to create opportunities for his teammates on a regular basis on the flank, if the youngster can translate his form from Belgium over to Scotland, as Wanyama did over a decade ago.

It is fair to say that Celtic hit the jackpot when they signed Wanyama, who was a key player on the pitch and made the club a fortune, and Balikwisha appears to have the qualities to follow in his footsteps next season.

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Therefore, the Belgian whiz could be a shrewd addition from a market the club rarely looks to explore if they can wrap up a deal for him this summer.