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Celtic have been urged to sign former Dundee United defender Harry Souttar… 

What’s the talk?

Celtic reporter Anthony Haggerty has urged the club to pursue a deal for Stoke central defender Harry Souttar this summer. He has said that the centre-back has “flourished” since moving down to England from Dundee United and believes that he would be a great fit in Ange Postecoglou’s team next season.         

He told This is Futbol:

“Harry Souttar would be a person of interest, especially since they know him from his time with Dundee United.

“He’s gone down south and flourished. If I’m doing my scouting right, Harry Souttar’s on the list. We need defenders and you can scout Europe, Far East Asian markets and Australian markets, but you have to know what’s under your nose.

“I think Harry Souttar could be a fit for Celtic.”

Forget Ajer

Kristoffer Ajer joined Premier League side Brentford earlier this week on a five-year deal and it is now time for Celtic fans to forget about him and start thinking about the player who could be bossing their defence next season. That player could be Souttar if the Hoops are able to prize him away from Championship side Stoke in the coming weeks left of the transfer window.

Postecoglou must ensure that Celtic are looking at the 22-year-old as a target as he could be a fantastic addition to the squad and help improve the defence. The defender enjoyed a sublime 2020/21 campaign with the Potters, averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.07 across 38 starts.

What makes his statistics all the more impressive is the fact that Stoke finished 14th in the Championship, which means that he was able to consistently produce top-drawer displays despite his team as a whole underperforming and being nowhere near the promotion race. He was able to stand out ahead of his teammates, showing off his quality as a defender.

The £5.2k-per-week powerhouse won an eye-catching 5.4 aerial battles per game last season, more than the 3.2 Ajer won. Souttar also made more clearances and blocks per game than the Norweigan, whilst their tackle and interception numbers were very similar. This suggests that he could be an apt replacement for the defender and that is why Celtic must pursue a deal for him to bolster their squad ahead of next season in order to give themselves the best chance of competing with Rangers for the title.

AND in other news, Frimpong 2.0: Celtic lodge bid for “instrumental” £3m beast, Ange would love him…

Canterbury joined Northern Districts as the only New Zealand cricket associations unable to record a surplus over the last year.Canterbury’s loss was $54,231, an increase of $21,077 on last year.This was achieved with less total operating revenue from last year. This year the amount was $1,947,621, down $143,751 from last year.Administration costs were up by $20,368 to $379,044 while, in line with other associations, coaching and development costs were up by $41,376 to $230,468.Accumulated funds reflected the deficit and stand at $372,981.Canterbury Cricket’s board chairman David Shackleton commented in the annual report, to be presented to tomorrow night’s annual meeting, that the board was very disappointed with the result.”Unfortunately most of the costs of operating Canterbury Cricket are fixed or determined by outside influences, particularly the playing schedules for national competitions.”To improve the financial position of the CCA it will be necessary to significantly increase revenue from all sources. The board and management have developed a strategic plan which focuses on all aspects of cricket in Canterbury, but with a significant focus on revenue improvement.”This will be a key driver for the next and subsequent years,” he said.Canterbury’s new chief executive, Richard Reid said the Association’s strategic plan was now complete and continuous improvement should be seen as a result in all aspects of cricket administration in Canterbury.”The districts have a special and unique place within cricket in Canterbury. I feel we have not taken advantage of this as much as we could have. I have spent considerable time with them since I have been here and I am committed to an inclusive philosophy so that all cricketers in Canterbury feel part of that process,” he said.On the playing side operations manager Trudy Anderson said the season of 2002/03 would be one to look forward as the result of plans put in place during the winter.”The involvement of past players in think tanks in order to produce a unique Canterbury playing philosophy has been just one innovation to make the pathway consistent for players through representative grade.”The women’s high performance plan which resulted from a well-attended forum also highlights the direction for growth in the women’s area. There is an intention to expand the Community Cricket Programme into more areas and the shift to Iversen Terrace will provide a long overdue indoor training facility for all of Canterbury,” he said.Meanwhile, as many sports lose the support of their volunteer core, Reid was impressed with Canterbury’s volunteers.”I have enjoyed meeting with the wide variety of stakeholders that make up the cricket fraternity in Canterbury and I am constantly amazed at the depth of the volunteer base and their willingness and ability to keep a myriad of ‘balls in the air’ at any given time,” he said.

Somerset Under 16’s recently travelled to Billericay CC to play against Essex in the seven counties two day competition.After winning the toss, Somerset scored 222 in their first innings with David Bingham top scoring with 44, and in reply Essex scored 303.Against Kent at Bath CC Somerset batted first and scored 349, with Sam Spurway making 157 and Robin Lett 67, including a partnership of 142 between the two.In reply Kent reached their target for the loss of six wickets, with David Bingham taking 3 for 73.

Tottenham Hotspur were made aware ‘weeks ago’ that Gareth Bale was not planning to extend his loan spell for a second season, a report from The Athletic has revealed.

The lowdown

The Welshman temporarily returned to north London for the 2020/21 season, seven years on from his then-world record £85m move to Real Madrid.

Bale scored 11 goals and added another two assists in just 10 Premier League starts (via WhoScored). He netted a further five times in the cup competitions, finishing as Tottenham’s third highest-scorer behind Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

There have been changes in management at both clubs involved in the loan deal, however. Spurs sacked Jose Mourinho in April, while Real Madrid have brought back Carlo Ancelotti after the departure of Zinedine Zidane.

The latest

Bale was left frustrated by the lack of starting opportunities afforded to him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Sources close to the player feel he was ‘badly mismanaged’, in particular during Mourinho’s tenure. [The Athletic]

He doesn’t intend to come back to Spurs for the 2021/22 season and is said to have ruled out another loan move away from Madrid. MLS clubs are apparently ‘investigating their prospects’ of a blockbuster transfer. [The Athletic]

The verdict

The £16.2m-rated Bale scored or assisted every 87 minutes for Spurs last season, which does suggest that he was under-utilised by Mourinho.

He once again underlined his class at the Euros, with a pair of assists in Wales’ vital 2-0 win over Turkey which effectively put them into the last 16.

The 31-year-old certainly seems to still have plenty to offer in European football and he may harbour hopes of resurrecting his Real Madrid career, but remaining at Spurs could have been an attractive and mutually beneficial option had he been given the game-time he felt he deserved.

In other news, a new name has emerged in Spurs’ manager hunt.

MatériaMais Notícias

Além de quebrar o jejum de nove jogos sem vitória sobre o Vasco, o jogo deste sábado marcou o reencontro do volante Rômulo contra o ex-clube. Agora no rubro-negro, o camisa 27 exaltou a vaga conquistada na final e a postura do elenco contra o cruz-maltino.

– É um jogo bom de jogar, é um clássico e é diferente. Era minha última equipe, mas graças a Deus a equipe foi guerreira, foi batalhadora dentro de campo e isso fez a diferença. Bom sair na vitória e agora vamos pensar na final.

Rômulo falou sobre as suas chegadas ao ataque, elogiando parceria com Willian Arão, que vem dando certo. Volante ainda lamentou o gol não ter saído contra o Vasco, mas vai buscar balançar as redes o mais breve possível.

– É uma característica que a equipe tem, o Zé nos da a total liberdade para apoiar no ataque, mas aí tem que ficar um. Ou eu ou o Arão, independente de quem fique, temos essa liberdade. Hoje não saiu o gol, faltou detalhe, mas vou trabalhar mais para a próxima entrar.

MatériaMais Notícias

No retorno de Rogério Ceni ao Morumbi, quem chamou a atenção foi o atacante Gilberto, autor de três gols na goleada sobre a Ponte Preta. Confira as atuações do Tricolor e da Macaca na partida disputada pelo Paulistão.

ATUAÇÕES SÃO PAULO – FELLIPE LUCENA

5,5 -Sidão
Se fosse com a mão mais firme, poderia ter espalmado o chute de Jesus. Recuperou-se com grande defesa que impediu Lucca de fazer 2 a 0.

6,0 -Bruno
Foi muito acionado no primeiro tempo e tomou a decisão errada na maioria das vezes. Melhorou no segundo e fez boa jogada no terceiro gol.

5,0 -Maicon
Ficou vendido nos dois gols da Ponte Preta, principalmente no segundo. No restante do jogo, segurança e tranquilidade na saída de bola.

5,0 -Rodrigo Caio
Atuação abaixo de sua média, com momentos de insegurança e falhas que não costuma cometer. Mas também fez bons cortes.

6,5 -Júnior Tavares
Mostrou para Ceni que não há necessidade de improvisar Buffarini na esquerda. Jovem mostrou personalidade e muita força ofensiva.

5,0 -João Schmidt
Destoou. Jogou em intensidade reduzida no primeiro tempo, com erros bobos. Melhorou na etapa final, mas vacilou no segundo da Macaca.

6,5 -Thiago Mendes
Perdeu a bola que originou o primeiro gol da Ponte, mas foi crescendo. Já havia deixado Araújo na cara do gol quando fez seu golaço.

6,0 -Cícero
Menos brilhante e incisivo do que Cueva, mas também importante na armação. Passes bem feitos e inteligentes.

7,5 -Cueva
Tem grande facilidade para furar a defesa adversária. Grande atuação foi premiada com um gol e uma assistência. É o cérebro do time.

6,5 -Luiz Araújo
Perdeu chance incrível, mas movimentou-se bem o tempo todo. Grande jogada e assistência no quarto gol. Bateu o escanteio do quinto.

8,0 -Gilberto
Chutou a bola que Aranha soltou nos pés de Cueva no primeiro gol e depois deu um show, com três gols marcados. Tarde para recordar.

5,0 -Lugano
Compôs um trio de zagueiros com Maicon e Rodrigo e posicionou-se na sobra, como nos velhos tempos. Ficou para trás no segundo gol da Ponte.

5,0 -Araruna
Entrou com o jogo decidido e não teve muito o que mostrar.

5,0 -Shaylon
Entrou com o jogo decidido e não teve muito o que mostrar.

7,5 -Rogério Ceni
Time monopolizou a bola, marcou firme desde ataque, criou chances de várias formas, com jogadas ensaiadas… Defesa ainda deixou a desejar.

RelacionadasSão PauloGilberto festeja fim de ‘jejum’de gols no Morumbi: ‘Bom começar assim’São Paulo12/02/2017Futebol NacionalNúmeros da Bola: Estatísticas de São Paulo 5×2 Ponte PretaFutebol Nacional12/02/2017São PauloGilberto faz três e comanda as atuações do São Paulo em goleadaSão Paulo12/02/2017

ATUAÇÕES PONTE PRETA – GABRIELA CHABATURA

4,5 – Aranha
Falhou em de três dos cinco gols. Teve até bola entre as pernas.

5,0 – Nino Paraíba
Salvou a bola na linha do gol. Mas foi ficou perdido com o drible sofrido no lance do gol Gilberto.

4,5 – Kadu
Deixou a defesa aberta e levou sufoco dos atacante do São Paulo.

4,0 – Fábio Ferreira
Falhou em três dos quatro gols. Atuação desastrosa.

5,0 – Naldo
Ganhou a vaga de Ravanelli, mas desarmou pouco e errado.

5,5 – Jeferson
Fez falta dura no Gilberto e, momentos depois, pediu para sair.

5,0 – Jadson
Errou passes e desarmes.

7,0 – Matheus Jesus
Acertou um chute forte de longe e marcou um golaço.

6,0 – William Pottker
Deu assistência para o gol. Perdeu a bola deu no ataque no lance que culminou no segundo gol do Tricolor.

7,0 – Lucca
Iniciou a jogada do lance do gol e marcou o segundo gol da Macaca.

5,5 – Clayson
Teve ótima visão pela direita para o Lucca arriscar. Mas foi só.

5,0 – Artur
Apagado, errou cruzamentos.

6,5 – Lins
Arriscou o chute e proporcionou o rebote para o gol anotado por Lucca.

5,5 – Yago
Entrou já com a goleada e em nada pôde mudar o cenário da partida.

4,0 – Felipe Moreira
Mudou tarde e ficou sem uma solução para frear os contra-ataques.

Alec Stewart has been appointed England captain for the second and final npower Test Match against Pakistan at Old Trafford which starts on Thursday week. Stewart took over the captaincy midway through the First Test at Lord’s, when Nasser Hussain sustained a thumb injury which has ruled him out of cricket for the next three to four weeks.Stewart said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to captain England on a temporary basis at Old Trafford. It’s a great honour to lead your country, and I much look forward to the game”.Stewart is unworried by the prospect of adding the responsibilities of captaincy to his existing dual role of England batsman and wicketkeeper. “I had no problem with that when I was England skipper for the first time. I did all three jobs during the 1998 Test series against South Africa, which England won. And when you’re put in charge of a good side that’s been winning, it obviously makes captaincy that much easier.”No decision has yet been made on who will captain England in the NatWest Triangular one-day series between England, Pakistan and Australia in June.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has approved the following squad and team management that was chosen by the National Selection Committee of the BCCSL to represent Sri Lanka in the 3-Test series in England from April to July 2002

BCCSL02-Apr-2002The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has approved the following squad and team management that was chosen by the National Selection Committee of the BCCSL to represent Sri Lanka in the 3-Test series in England from April to July 2002.1. Sanath Jayasuriya (Captain)2. Marvan Atapattu3. Kumar Sangakkara4. Mahela Jayawardena5. Russel Arnold6. Hashan Tillekeratne7. Thilan Samaraweera8. Aravinda De Silva9. Muttiah Muralitharan10. Chaminda Vaas11. Charitha B. Fernando12. Dilhara Fernando13. Nuwan Zoysa14. Ruchira Perera15. Prasanna JayawardenaManager – Chandra SchaffterCoach – Dav WhatmorePhysiotherapist – Alex KontouriOne more player would be chosen by the National Selection Committee to be added to this squad, after the conclusion of the Sharjah Cup 2002 Tournament and the ICC Six Nations’ Challenge Limited Overs Tournament in Namibia. (BCCSL media release)

For sides which possess arguably the strongest two attacks in the competition, Victoria and Queensland failed to really prove the case by the end of a tame Pura Cup match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

John Polack02-Dec-2000For sides which possess arguably the strongest two attacks in the competition, Victoria and Queensland failed to really prove the case by the end of a tame Pura Cup match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Instead of being afforded the sort of finish that might originally have been expected between last year’s finalists, this contest was hung out to dry in wafting afternoon breezes on a cloudless Melbourne day.In fairness, both teams went through this encounter – which ended half an hour early with Queensland 6/380 in its second innings and leading overall by 180 runs – badly depleted. Before it started, the Bulls had surrendered Andy Bichel (to Test commitments), Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Muller and Ashley Noffke (to injury). During it, the Bushrangers lost Damien Fleming (to neck soreness) before he had even been able to bowl a ball. Together with one critical missed catch from each of them, it ensured that both teams were afflicted by the curse of being unable to produce a consistent string of breakthroughs when it really mattered. In hindsight, it was hard to know what all the fuss had been about as Victoria set to the task of reducing the Bulls to 9/147 (in response to 9/384 declared) early on the third morning.The loss of Fleming, in particular, weighed heavily on proceedings on the fourth and final day. Despite the considerable resistance that had been offered by Martin Love (126) and Jimmy Maher (98) in a resolute stand yesterday afternoon, the Victorians had entered the closing six hours of the match with an overall lead of sixty-four runs and, theoretically at least, only a further nine wickets separating them from success. As it transpired, however, they never looked like grasping the Bulls by the horns.The sun shone but the gods never smiled quite as luxuriantly upon the Victorians. Several half-chances came their way through the early part of the day; as Love and Maher stretched their alliance to record-breaking proportions, though, none was taken. Before finally disrupting the 361-minute long partnership, the Bushrangers endured another highly frustrating period. It wasn’t until seven minutes before lunch, when Maher finally dabbed at a Paul Reiffel (2/35) delivery cutting away from him, that their torture through the opening session met an end.Even then, their reward was to watch another vigilant stand – this time of sixty-one between Love and Stuart Law (74*) – unfold before them. By the time that the number three and the captain had come together, Love and Maher had already eaten away the entirety of Victoria’s lead, and then some, with their compilation of a 212 run liaison. During their effort, the experienced pair also erased from the record books the 188 run association between Max Walters and David Ogilvie (in the 1977-78 season) that had previously assumed billing as Queensland’s best ever second wicket partnership on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.Love’s innings, in particular, was a masterpiece of concentration and determination. It has always been hard to believe that he has not warranted more attention in the race for national honours. At twenty-six years of age, he looks every bit as classy as many more heavily promoted top order players around Australia. Anyone who has witnessed his ability to mix measured innings like the one he completed today with others of belligerent intent (such as the remarkable hand that he played to help beat Tasmania in Brisbane five weeks ago) would certainly be hard pressed to dispute the claim.”He played really well,” attested Victorian captain, Reiffel. “He was really disciplined, he left a lot of balls that he could have played. He played within himself and yet held the whole innings together for them.”Love committed one of the few errors in his innings fifteen minutes before tea when he played back to Miller and was struck in front of his middle and off stumps. By that stage, though, much of the respectably-sized crowd that had arrived at the ground this morning in anticipation of the home side’s first win over Queensland in five years had beat its own retreat. Next time they come, they will doubtless be hoping that it is the blight of injury that stays away.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could land a dream Gjanni Alioski successor in Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa.

What’s the story?

With reports in recent weeks suggesting that Alioski is on his way out of Elland Road once his contract expires, it’s no surprise to see the Whites eyeing a new left-back.

And, according to Sosa’s agent, Franjo Vranjkovic, the Yorkshire club have actually submitted a bid to Stuttgart to sign the Croatian in the summer transfer window.

He added: “The most important thing for him is to make a transfer to England because he has an offer from Leeds United.”

Bye-bye Alioski

With Alioski seemingly on his way out, the arrival of Sosa would be the absolute perfect situation for Bielsa, with the left-back well suited to the Leeds boss’ style of play.

Sosa does his best work going forward, being a real attacking outlet for his side, and has registered a remarkable ten assists in the Bundesliga alone – which is more than any Leeds player has managed, and five times that of Alioski (2).

His ability to deliver pin-point crosses into the box has become a real trademark of his, and it’s something that Stuttgart’s sporting director, Sven Mislintat, has raved about.

He said: “Borna’s said himself that David Beckham is his role model, and I think he has the same qualities. He puts in crosses from every angle: sometimes chipped, sometimes drilled, sometimes flat, sometimes in behind, sometimes to the front post, other times to the back post. His left foot is a real weapon.”

And it isn’t just his attacking instincts and technical ability that marks him out as perfect for Bielsa-ball, with the left-back also rugged in the challenge too.

As per Sofascore, he wins exactly 50% of his total duels (just one per cent lower than Alioski), and makes more than double the amount of interceptions and clearances per game than the current Leeds left-back.

And, at only 23, he’s got plenty of time to grow, and his manager at Stuttgart, Pellegrino Matarazzo, has declared that he’s got “huge potential”.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

He said: “Borna has blossomed. We all knew about his huge potential – now he’s delivering over 90 minutes on a consistent basis.”

If Bielsa is looking for a left-back to really nail down a place at Elland Road for the next few years at least, then the £13m-rated Sosa is the man he needs.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is interested in this star who’s side just got relegated…