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Celtic’s dream of winning another domestic treble took another step closer to becoming a reality when they beat Hibernian 2-0 at Parkhead in the SFA Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops are 16 points clear in the Scottish Premiership table, and they beat Rangers to win the League Cup earlier this season, which means that winning the SFA Cup will likely clinch a treble.

Brendan Rodgers’ side secured the win over Hibs thanks to a first-half strike from Daizen Maeda and a stoppage-time finish by substitute Adam Idah, but they were not the only strong performers on the day.

January signing Jeffrey Schlupp, who is on loan from Premier League side Crystal Palace, put in an impressive performance at left-back for the Scottish giants.

Jeffrey Schlupp's strong Celtic impression

The Ghana international caught the eye with a strong showing on the left flank against Hibs, earning a player rating of 8/10 from 67HailHail and an 8/10 rating from GlasgowWorld, who wrote that he was a ‘real threat’ with his attacking play.

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Schlupp started for the third match in succession in all competitions and has continued to catch the eye with his fantastic performances for his temporary club.

The Eagles loanee had just come off the back of a sensational showing against St Mirren in Celtic’s last Premiership match, as he produced a goal and an assist in the 5-2 win, and this latest masterclass may have just sealed Greg Taylor’s fate.

Why Greg Taylor's fate may be sealed

The Scotland international was an unused substitute and played zero minutes in the quarter-final win over Hibernian, with Rodgers opting for Schlupp ahead of him for the entire 90 minutes.

That came off the back of him being an unused substitute in two of the previous three games, making it three of the last four, and he was hauled off at half-time against Hibs in the league in the match he did play.

This suggests that Schlupp is firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, given that the 32-year-old star has been keeping him on the bench, and that spells bad news for his long-term future at Parkhead.

Taylor’s current contract is due to expire at the end of this season and his place in the starting line-up being taken by a new signing does not suggest that he is likely to earn a new one before the summer.

Top ten earners

Celtic squad

Weekly wage

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£37k

Callum McGregor

£37k

James Forrest

£19k

Daizen Maeda

£18k

Alistair Johnston

£16k

Reo Hatate

£16k

Arne Engels

£16k

Adam Idah

£16k

Luis Palma

£16k

Greg Taylor

£15k

Wages via Salary Sport

As you can see in the table above, the former Kilmarnock man is among the highest earners at the club – earning even more than exciting forward Nicolas Kuhn, on £12k-per-week.

When you consider that Kuhn has racked up 18 goals and 13 assists this season, the Hoops are not getting much value for their money if Taylor is an unused substitute more often than not.

Celtic may not want to keep a player who is now deemed a back-up option by Rodgers on an extended deal when his wages do not reflect his current status at the club.

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Therefore, Schlupp’s impressive performances and his grasp on the starting jersey suggest that Taylor’s time at Glasgow may well be coming to an end later this year, unless there is a dramatic twist in the final weeks of the campaign.

Arsenal now hold a strong interest in a “lethal” £50m striker, who is seen as an ideal solution to their attacking issues, according to a report.

Doubt over Havertz's Arsenal future

Although the Gunners are still in the Premier League title race, currently sitting six points behind Liverpool, there is a feeling they could have done with bringing in some extra attacking firepower during the January transfer window.

In a recent interview with Football Insider, former scout Mick Brown revealed Mikel Arteta is set to pursue a new striker in the summer, casting doubt over Havertz’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

“I don’t think their position has changed since they first started looking at options. Arteta wasn’t happy that they didn’t strengthen in January, because they needed to.

“So if Arsenal can get a top-quality replacement, I expect them to do that in the summer.”

Arsenal keen on "special" £25m ace who's now available to sign this summer

The Gunners have set their sights on a hot prospect, who is being targeted by some of Europe’s top clubs.

ByDominic Lund Feb 9, 2025

Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are among the main strikers to be linked with a move to north London in the summer, but reports from Spain have now revealed there is another name on the list of targets.

Arsenal are said to hold a strong interest in Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui, having been impressed by his performances this season, which has attracted the attention of a number of big clubs.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also ‘bidding strongly’ for Retegui, so there may be stiff competition for his signature, with Atalanta set to try and hold out for up to €60m (£50m).

With the Gunners still lacking a reliable striker, the Atalanta star is viewed as an ideal solution, but they are yet to make any concrete moves towards getting a deal done.

Retegui on fire in the Serie A

It is no surprise the Italian has attracted Arsenal’s attention, as he has been prolific in the Serie A this season, scoring 20 goals in 22 games, most recently bagging four in his side’s 5-0 victory against Hellas Verona.

Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was full of praise for the 25-year-old earlier this season, saying: “Inside the box, he is lethal. And now he has learned how to connect with the team better. He’s going to become a top player.”

If the Gunners are keen on an out-and-out striker, Retegui could be their man, given that he ranks in the 96th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

As you’d expect, Havertz outperforms the Atalanta forward on a number of key defensive metrics, while he has also provided far more assists during the same timeframe.

However, the most important thing for any striker is to find the back of the net, and the Argentina-born marksman certainly knows how to do that, so it is promising news the Gunners are considering a summer move.

A new transfer update suggests that West Brom are eyeing a loan move for a “phenomenal” Premier League youngster in the January transfer window.

Latest West Brom news

The Baggies return to Championship action on Saturday lunchtime, making the trip to struggling Plymouth Argyle, looking to kick on under Tony Mowbray after the excellent 5-1 win at home to Portsmouth last time around.

The new boss would love new signings to arrive in the remaining days of the window, in order to give side the best possible chance of promotion this season, and they have been linked with a move for Chelsea striker Marc Guiu. A loan switch for the 19-year-old has been mooted.

Meanwhile, the Baggies have reportedly been pushing to complete the signing of Stuart Armstrong from Vancouver Whitecaps, but the 32-year-old now looks set to join Sheffield Wednesday instead, acting as a blow.

St. Gallen striker Willem Geubbels has also emerged as a rumoured transfer target for West Brom, but rivals Sunderland are also believed to be in the race to snap up the Frenchman.

West Brom eyeing "phenomenal" ace on loan

West Brom are also interested in signing Tottenham youngster Will Lankshear on loan before the end of the current window. The 19-year-old is “set to head out on loan now” and the Baggies are right in the mix to sign a new target for them, along with Championship rivals Burnley, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Luton Town. Foreign clubs are keen, too, but a move to an English team is seen as more preferable by Spurs.

Signing a Premier League player always has an element of excitement about it for any Championship club, so Lankshear could be an intriguing temporary addition to Mowbray’s squad.

The Englishman has scored once in the Europa League this season, coming in a 3-2 defeat away to Galatasaray that also saw him receive a red card, and Spurs pundit John Wenham has lauded his ability.

“If in time we can see him improve his passing levels then maybe we can look at him as a Harry Kane-lite or something like that. At the moment though, he looks like a complete out-and-out finisher and he had made a phenomenal start to his life at Tottenham.”

That is high praise for Lankshear, outlining why West Brom signing him on loan could be a masterstroke for the second half of the season.

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The Spurs youngster has been capped for both England’s Under-19s and Under-20s, and the fact that his current club may like the idea of giving him more minutes elsewhere makes it an ideal situation for all parties.

Liverpool have been riding the crest of a wave this season but supporters fear that it will all come crashing down at some point.

While, in football, it’s important not to look too far into the future, the Anfield supporters are aware that Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah could sign a pre-contract agreement with a club from overseas at any given moment.

While FSG remain sanguine in the face of a staggering quandary, losing any of these players would be a detrimental blow.

Salah, for example, is one of the greatest forwards that Merseyside has ever seen, posting 22 goals and 17 assists so far this season. Saudi suitors are growing in confidence, and Liverpool are beginning to look at a success plan.

Liverpool looking at Salah replacement in Spain

As per Spanish reports, Liverpool are growing increasingly confident of signing Takefusa Kubo at the end of the season as Slot begins to prepare for a potential future without Salah at the club.

Kubo has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract but according to the report, Liverpool are prepared to offer €50m (£42m) plus Federico Chiesa – a bid they believe will be accepted.

While sporting director Richard Hughes will still be pushing to tie the Egyptian king down to a bumper new deal at Liverpool, it feels like time is running out for a harmonic conclusion, and Kubo could be the answer to the problem.

Why Takefusa Kubo could replace Mo Salah

Kubo is only 23 but he’s emerged as a major player on the Spanish scene over the past few years, notching 38 goal contributions across 112 appearances for Real Sociedad.

As per FBref, the fleet-footed winger ranks among the top 2% of positional peers in La Liga this season for progressive carries, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90.

The Japan international would bring far fleeter athleticism to Slot’s team than the 32-year-old Salah, who is one of the most potent attacking forces in world football but less mobile than he once was.

Matches (starts)

20 (14)

21 (21)

Goals

4

18

Assists

0

13

Shots taken*

1.4 (.)

4.0 (2.0)

Big chances missed

0

14

Pass completion

77%

73%

Big chances created

3

17

Key passes*

1.2

2.3

Ball recoveries*

3.2

2.5

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

0.7

Dribbles*

1.9

1.6

Total duels (won)*

4.8 (49%)

3.4 (43%)

No winger in Europe (barring maybe Barcelona’s Raphinha) can hold a candle to Salah this season, and there’s no doubt that Kubo has much to work on before he is performing at a satisfactory level for a team like Liverpool, but the ingredients for success are there.

He’s combative and creative, sure, but perhaps most curiously, Kubo hasn’t missed a single big chance in La Liga this season, suggesting that his ball-striking ability is good, but he just isn’t getting into enough goalscoring positions.

Spanish-based journalist Kiyan Sobhani has echoed this argument, saying last year: “Kubo is dusting defenders this season and has been an unrelenting offensive menace. Constantly in attack mode.”

In Liverpool’s system, this can be improved, especially when taught to apply some of Salah’s tricks to his craft, which Liverpool coaches will no doubt be able to implement into his game.

The left-footer does need to hone his sharpness in front of goal but there’s no doubting the quality. With a complete skillset and a ferocious energy about him, Kubo could be the perfect Salah heir.

Look, Liverpool would be foolish to try and replace Salah with a winger of striking likeness – they just wouldn’t live up to the plate. Instead, Kubo can add his own flair to the role, and make it his own.

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O Palmeiras anunciou, na última quarta-feira (18), a contratação do centroavante Miguel Merentiel, vindo do Defensa y Justicia, da Argentina. Com o novo reforço e a promoção de Endrick para o time profissional, Abel ganha duas novas opções no setor a partir de julho.

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O uruguaio recém-contratado pelo Alviverde só pode estrear pela equipe no dia 18 de julho, data de abertura da janela de transferências internacionais.

Já Endrick completa 16 anos no dia 21 do mês em questão e, portanto, poderá jogar pelo profissional somente a partir desta data. Além disso, o contrato de três anos com a principal joia da base do clube já está apalavrado com uma multa rescisória de 60 milhões de euros para o exterior.

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TABELA: Clique e confira a tabela completa e simulador do Brasileirão!

Vale lembrar que, segundo apurou a reportagem do LANCE!, o departamento de futebol quer mais um atacante para brigar pela “9” do Verdão. O nome, porém, é tratado com sigilo.

Rafael Navarro é o único jogador atuando pela posição atualmente, já que Deyverson, em fim de contrato, sequer é relacionado para os jogos do clube. Além disso, Rony é um ponta de origem e só joga como centroavante em caso de improviso de Abel.

MatériaMais Notícias

O estatuto para a criação da Libra (Liga de Futebol Brasileiro) foi assinado por oito clubes – seis da Série A e dois da Série B. Neste primeiro momento, 14 equipes da primeira divisão não fecharam questão. Na noite desta terça, o grupo publicou carta para explicar as razões disso.

>> Investimento faz emergentes pedirem fatia maior na liga

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No texto, os clubes ressaltam a importância de criar a liga, mas consideram insuficiente a redução na diferença de receitas na proposta inicial – liderada pela empresa Codajas com o banco BTG Pontual. Segundo o documento, a diminuição na disparidade apresentada está “aquém do ideal, o que pode ser facilmente atingido por meio do diálogo”.

Os oito clubes que assinaram o estatuto da liga são: Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo, Red Bull Bragantino, Flamengo (Série A), Cruzeiro e Ponte Preta (Série B).

Confira abaixo a íntegra da carta:

“Os clubes signatários receberam, na última sexta-feira, a convocação para a reunião realizada nesta terça-feira (03/05/2022) em São Paulo, com o objetivo de discutir os termos da criação da Liga de futebol profissional brasileira.

Os clubes prontamente se dispuseram a comparecer ao encontro, a despeito da convocação emergencial, demonstrando, com isso, que estão absolutamente cientes e engajados na formalização da entidade, com ampla adesão das Séries A e B.

Entre as muitas razões para a formação da liga está a premente necessidade de se elevar o nível de qualidade do futebol brasileiro, resgatando seu protagonismo no cenário mundial. O caminho para alcançar este objetivo é, sim, a construção de um campeonato forte, com clubes revitalizados e um padrão de equanimidade nas condições de disputa.

A ideia da liga tem o mérito de prever maiores receitas para os clubes, que poderiam conviver em um ambiente mais equilibrado financeiramente. Porém, as condições apresentadas para a incorporação das agremiações à Liga ainda não permitem exatamente o cumprimento do objetivo principal, que é a busca de uma equanimidade entre os clubes.

O documento apresentado e por ora assinado apenas por alguns Clubes apresenta regras de distribuição de receitas que pouco reduzem a atual disparidade de divisão de receitas. Há sim ali uma redução da diferença, mas ainda aquém do ideal, o que pode ser facilmente atingido por meio do diálogo.

Entre as várias questões a serem discutidas, os aspectos principais são o percentual previamente definido para a distribuição de receita igualitária, o limite a ser estabelecido como diferença de receita entre o primeiro e o último clube da competição. Há, ainda, outros pontos a serem debatidos, sobretudo no que tange ao critério de engajamento, mas que podem ser objeto de aprofundamento após o efetivo ingresso dos Clubes signatários na Liga.

Os clubes signatários desta carta se dispõem a assinar a formação da Liga tão logo seja possível uma análise aprofundada sobre os critérios mencionados, além de outros, de menor impacto e que podem ser analisados no momento oportuno, mas igualmente importantes, razão pela qual confiam que, até a próxima reunião, com possíveis avanços no entendimento de solucionar tais pontos será possível chegarmos a uma adesão de Clubes em maior número e com isso a formalização da Liga com muita força e unidade.

América-MG, Atlético-MG, Athletico-PR, Atletico-GO, Avai, Botafogo, Ceará, Coritiba, Cuiabá, Fluminense, Fortaleza, Goiás, Internacional, Juventude”.

Glasgow Rangers manager Philippe Clement may have been offered plenty of backing by new CEO Patrick Stewart, but the Ibrox faithful know that he isn’t the right choice to lead the club into the future.

Indeed, during the 3-1 victory over St Johnstone in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon, the Union Bears departed in the 55th minute as a sign of protest against the board and their decision to back the manager.

With the January transfer window in full swing, the only thing that might save Clement will be a deep run in Europe and winning the Scottish Cup.

The Premiership title race is all but over, as Celtic currently top the standings by a staggering 15 points.

The only positives from recent weeks have been the performances of certain individuals. Nico Raskin has impressed in recent weeks, even captaining the Gers to a memorable 3-0 win over Celtic at the start of the year.

Hamza Igamane has been the other big positive in the previous few months, emerging as someone who shouldn’t be dropped from the starting XI.

If he maintains this current form, then there will be a host of clubs queuing up to secure his signature this summer.

Hamza Igamane’s amazing season in numbers

Rangers were in need of another striker last summer. Despite Cyriel Dessers scoring 22 goals, he wasn’t the answer for Clement.

The arrival of Igamane for a fee believed to have been £1.7m was certainly a surprise, especially considering the youngster had not played senior football outside of Morocco before.

While seen as a big gamble, if the striker could settle and score goals, there was no doubt the Light Blues might strike gold on the Moroccan starlet.

Struck gold they have. Just seven months after moving to Scotland, Igamane has emerged as a hot prospect, one that has already scored 12 goals in just 21 appearances for the club thus far.

A few weeks ago, it was reported that Everton had sent scouts to watch the striker during the Europa League clash against Tottenham Hotspur. Igamane did his chances of a big move no harm by scoring the opener against the Premier League outfit.

Although the 22-year-old has eventually settled into the rigours of Scottish football, it has been in Europe where he has showcased his true talents and that he belongs at this level.

Across four Europa League games, he has netted four goals, scoring once every 48 minutes, along with having a stunning 67% goal conversion rate in the competition.

Furthermore, averaging 1.3 key passes and 1.3 successful dribbles on the continent indicates that Igamane offers more than just a clinical threat in the final third.

He has already endeared himself to the Ibrox faithful, who see the striker as the ideal heir to Alfredo Morelos, with the pair sharing similar attributes.

The more goals he scores, the higher the interest will be heading into the summer transfer window. If a big-money move comes in, he might just make the Light Blues a significant profit.

Having excellent players operating behind him will allow Igamane to improve as the season progresses. Though, should he stay, he could well be complemented by one of the SPFL’s top young talents.

Rangers eye move for Dundee star

According to the Sun, Rangers are considering making a pre-contract move for Dundee starlet Lyall Cameron, who has enjoyed a wonderful season at Dens Park.

Cameron was briefly linked with a move to Glasgow last summer, but nothing materialised in the end. Celtic were the ones to sign a Dundee star, bringing Luke McCowan to the club, who has settled in well at Parkhead.

Could Cameron perhaps follow in his former teammate’s footsteps by making the switch from Dundee to Glasgow?

The report from the Sun claims that the Gers are leading the chase for Cameron’s signature, although there is plenty of interest from other parties.

Fabio Silva

Wolves (loan)

2024

Mohamed Diomande

FC Nordsjaelland

2024

Oscar Cortes

Lens (loan)

2024

Todd Cantwell

Norwich

2023

Nico Raskin

Standard Liege

2023

The chance to win trophies and compete in Europe on a consistent basis suggests a move to Ibrox could be the perfect one for the player to take his game to the next level.

Why Rangers should sign Lyall Cameron

Earlier this season, following a game against Rangers, analyst John Walker took a look at his performance, saying: “Had a look at him closely v Rangers on Saturday & he was an absolute stand-out.”

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

So, he’s already stood out against Clement’s side but what could he offer if he signs in the summer? Well, in the Premiership this season, the Dundee sensation has already scored five goals and registered four assists. When taking into account all competitions, he has registered a total of 15 goal contributions.

This tally is made even more remarkable considering he has operated either in the centre of the Dundee midfield or at times, as a defensive midfielder.

Should he move to Ibrox, could his future be in a more advanced role? It’s something that would see him linking up directly with Igamane.

Considering Cameron has created four big chances in the top flight throughout 2024/25, along with averaging 1.7 key passes and succeeding with 0.6 dribbles per game, he could be excellent if he moved slightly further forward should he join Rangers.

Averaging 59.7 touches of the ball per game demonstrates his willingness to often get involved during games, not shying away from the challenge of more illustrious teams.

These statistics should be enough for Clement to see that he could add a quality midfielder to his squad for nothing, boosting the homegrown quota in the process.

Aged just 22, Cameron still has plenty of development to do. A move to Ibrox could be fundamental in achieving his dreams while improving as a player.

At the time of writing, the youngster has 12 caps for the Scotland U21 side. Switching to Rangers ahead of next season could see him garner the attention of Steve Clarke, who might find it hard to ignore him.

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Liverpool, nine points clear of Manchester City with a game in hand at the top of the Premier League, could now get one over on the champions in the transfer market, having reportedly set their sights on a La Liga gem.

Liverpool transfer news

The Reds have been almost perfect so far this season. Even after recent draws against Fulham and Newcastle United in the Premier League, they remain in the driving seat in the Premier League title race and a step closer to their first trophy under Arne Slot after defeating Southampton. Advancing into the final four of the Carabao Cup with victory over the Saints, the Reds flexed the full strength of their squad.

Now, with the January transfer window approaching, Anfield chiefs could decide to add to that squad. Just under two weeks away from the winter window, names such as Jeremie Frimpong have been mentioned in a deal that would likely take place in the summer and see the Bayer Leverkusen star replace Trent Alexander-Arnold if he allows his contract to expire.

Regarding January, however, the Premier League leaders have seemingly turned their attention towards La Liga. According to Sport in Spain, Liverpool are now eyeing a move to sign Raul Moro ahead of Manchester City in a deal worth just €10m (£8m) in 2025.

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The left-winger has impressed for Real Valladolid since arriving in the summer and could be set to earn a big move just half a season later in what would mark sensational progress for the 22-year-old. Given Liverpool’s left-wing options, however, it remains to be seen whether they’d make such a move this winter.

"Great" Moro could struggle for game time at Liverpool

With Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo already competing for that left-wing spot in the current Liverpool side, adding one more option on that side would hand Slot a needless headache. At 22 years old too, Moro needs game time more than ever, making a move to Anfield one that he’d arguably be best to avoid for the time being. Of course, resisting Anfield is easier said than done, however.

The young winger has earned plenty of praise throughout his rise into a La Liga gem, including from Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, who described one of his first seasons as “great” during his Lazio Primavera days in 2020.

Kulig was right to highlight Moro’s talent, that’s for sure. Four years later, he is a young player on the rise in La Liga, with three goals and one assist potentially just the beginning of his impact for Real Valladolid. One to keep an eye on, Liverpool or others in the Premier League could yet decide to push on and secure Moro’s signature in 2025.

Al-Hilal boss Jorge Jesus hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as he explained why the Al-Nassr star is 'an example for all players in the world'.

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Jesus hailed Al-Nassr's RonaldoCites Portuguese star to inspire Al-Hilal playersCR7 and Portugal face Denmark on ThursdayFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Despite Ronaldo plying his trade at Al-Hilal's rival club Al-Nassr, Jesus spoke highly of his compatriot as he stressed on the 40-year-old's fitness and work ethic. The manager also revealed that he often cites the Portugal icon as an example to motivate his own players.

AdvertisementWHAT JOGE JESUS SAID

Speaking at the Forum of the National Association of Football Coaches, the 70-year-old said: "I don’t know, but I would like it to happen. Because Ronaldo is an example. Ronaldo is an example at 40 years old. You see some Al Nassr games now, but I am there. He is still a young player, given his performance in the game. And, honestly, I don’t know how long he will continue. Because he is a 100 per cent professional, he takes care of himself like no other player in the world, and that is why he is 40 years old and still going."

He added: "I often give his example to my players. Ronaldo is an example for all players in the world. What makes an athlete’s career last longer is not just the training process, it is the entire development of the player’s recovery. And today, the player’s recovery is fundamental."

Getty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Even at 40, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star continues to dazzle in one of the top leagues in Asia. Ronaldo has scored 28 goals in 33 matches across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, including 19 Saudi Pro League goals. He is once again the front-runner to win the Golden Boot award.

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO?

Ronaldo now shifts his focus to international football as Portugal are all set to face Denmark in a two-legged Nations League quarter-final clash on March 20 and 23.

What are some of the contests that could decide the outcome of the Test series?

Andrew McGlashan02-Mar-2022Shaheen Shah Afridi vs everyoneHasan Ali has an injury. Haris Rauf has Covid. Shaheen Shah Afridi was vital to Pakistan’s chances anyway, but that has only increased in recent days. It is remarkable to think he is still only 21. He was the leading quick bowler in Test cricket during 2021 with 47 wickets at 17.06. Australia had a brief taste of his rapid, late swing during the T20 World Cup – albeit with the white ball – when a stunning opening over removed Aaron Finch and very nearly Mitchell Marsh although they, and more specifically, Matthew Wade had the final say. In these Tests, his early duels with David Warner could be key: Afridi averages 18.34 against left handers. Warner has a phenomenal record against Pakistan (he averages 108.40) and was savage on them during the 2019-2020 series in Australia but Afridi has grown over those intervening two years. The issue for Pakistan will be that it can’t be all on Afridi’s shoulders.Related

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Haris Rauf ruled out of first Test against Australia after testing positive for Covid-19

Cameron Green's international education gets first overseas test

Can the short ball work to Smith?The last time Australia played overseas during the 2019 Ashes, Steven Smith produced one of the finest series of all time with 774 runs at 110.57. Since then, however, he has averaged 36.86 from 14 Tests with just a single century against India. Some of that has been attributed to the sickening blow he took from Jofra Archer at Lord’s, although he made a double century on his return from concussion. There has certainly been a concerted approach to bowl short at the body since then – a tactic well-executed by Neil Wagner in 2019-2020 – which has also kept his scoring rate down. Since October 1, 2019, Smith has fallen 10 times to deliveries logged as short-of-a-good-length or short in ESPNcricinfo’s data. However, there have been other plans that have worked well, too, including R Ashwin’s approach and a heavy leg-side field set by India. Afridi has the pace to potentially trouble Smith with the short delivery, but Pakistan will have to be wary of bowling him into the ground and the likelihood of playing three quicks (more on the balance of the side below) may also limit being able to have operate in lengthy short-ball spells.Mohammad Rizwan could be important against Nathan Lyon•Getty Images/AFPBabar Azam vs Josh HazlewoodBabar Azam is a wonderful batter, but few have troubled him like Josh Hazlewood who has claimed him six times (the next most is three dismissals to the same bowler). It does need noting that four of those came early in Babar’s career on the 2016-17 tour of Australia and on the previous tour in 2019-2020 he left a mark with a century in Brisbane and 97 in Adelaide although Hazlewood removed him twice. Australia always target the opposition captain and if Hazlewood can keep a hold over Babar it could be a major factor in the series. Although Babar has remained a consistent run-scorer in recent times, it is 11 Tests since he has scored a century. Hazlewood is not actually an incumbent in the side after missing most of the Ashes with a side strain but it would be a huge surprise if he did not return.The approach against Nathan LyonOne of the big decisions Australia need to make is around the balance of their attack. It would seem likely that Nathan Lyon will be lone the specialist spinner for the first Test at least and how Pakistan go about playing him could be a key feature. Although Australia now have the benefit of a five-strong attack with Cameron Green, there will likely be occasions when Pat Cummins will want to lock Lyon in from one end. Two important figures in Pakistan’s batting order in this regard will be Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan who are both excellent players of spin. Fawad’s Test career is remarkable in many ways with an 11-year gap shortly after a century on debut and now he has five hundreds in just 15 matches. Rizwan, meanwhile, has only been dismissed once by a spinner in Test cricket.Australia’s all-round advantageThe injury to Faheem Ashraf removes one of the key match-ups, at least for the first Test, with Green and leaves Australia with a much stronger all-round option to balance their side. Pakistan have called up Iftikhar Ahmed, who has played three Tests, and the uncapped Mohammad Wasim jnr, but neither have the pedigree of Ashraf who averages 35.11 with the bat and can both chip in with wickets and take pressure off the specialist bowlers. This is Green’s first international series overseas but he comes off an Ashes where his bowling came to the fore and then he found form with the bat in the latter stages.