All posts by h716a5.icu

Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with comments from journalist Peter Martin, who said the Gers were able to win the Premiership title last term because of their rivals’ complacency.

The Gers were, by far, the best team in Scotland last term. The won the league title with 102 points, 25 ahead of their nearest rivals Celtic, and they went through the whole competition without losing a single game (thefishy.co.uk).

Not only that, they set a new British record of just 13 goals conceded in a top flight campaign (thehindu.com) – it was as comprehensive a victory as possible.

However, it appears not everybody sees it that way. Writing for PLZ, Martin believes Celtic’s complacency allowed the the Gers to capture their 55th top-tier title – a rather insulting claim given how good Rangers actually were.

An extract from the article was shared on Twitter by @KerryFail, and it attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the the fans had to say about the Martin article below

“Peter – said when rangers got late penalty at hearts years ago that there was a stench of cheating … he can’t help himself”

Credit: @boxing_rugby

“Peter is a bitter boy that’s just embarrassing!!”

Credit: @glasgowgolfer77

“Sounds bitter”

Credit: @KennyRo72222630

“Tears”

Credit: @SC55RFC

“First Rangers team in a long time to bring not only a very dominant performance across the season but an actual bit of flair on the park. Some cracking individual and team performances. To label them this way to get readers is mediocre journalism”

Credit: @MarkDoc8458445

“He’s the type that’s stuck in the past that thinks every Xmas in the 80s was a white Xmas. The truth is this Rangers side would compete with any other team from any season you could mention”

Credit: @AlfieBoy78

In other news, Rangers fans were livid at this club update.

Kenya have announced a 13-man squad for the first four-day match against the visiting Pakistan Academy, with brothers Collins and David Obuya along with Ragheb Aga being excluded from the side that toured Europe

Cricinfo staff12-Sep-2008Kenya have announced a 13-man squad for the first four-day match against the visiting Pakistan Academy, with brothers Collins and David Obuya along with Ragheb Aga excluded from the side that had toured Europe.Collins and David are among the more experienced Kenyan cricketers, but they did not have a happy time in their previous series – Collins played a solitary Twenty20 match while David failed to make use of the limited opportunities presented to him. Aga’s exclusion means that he is yet to play domestic cricket in Kenya since 2004, which was a point of contention when he joined the team in Europe. In 2007, Aga, who had initially gone to the UK to study, gained a British passport and was offered a one-year contract with Sussex.The side has been named even while Cricket Kenya is planning to launch an inquiry into their European tour, after there were reports of disciplinary problems to go along with a run of poor results. Kenya’s match against the Pakistan Academy begins on Saturday at the Nairobi Gymkhana.Squad: Steve Tikolo (capt), Thomas Odoyo (vice-captain), Kennedy Otieno (wk), Alex Obanda, Rakep Patel, Maurice Ouma (wk), Jimmy Kamande, Hiren Varaiya, Peter Ongondo, Elijah Otieno, Alfred Luseno, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Tony Suji.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Manchester United centre-back Axel Tuanzebe… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa are ready to pursue a permanent deal for Manchester United centre-back Axel Tuanzebe. The defender has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford and Villa would like to snap him up this month.

This comes after reports earlier this week that the Red Devils were demanding a £5m loan fee for the England under-21 international, with Villa and Newcastle keen to take him.

Fans will be delighted

Aston Villa fans will be delighted by the club’s decision to pursue Tuanzebe on a permanent basis. The reports of United wanting a £5m loan fee were concerning as that would have been a huge chunk of change for the Villans to throw at a loan signing.

They would essentially be paying £5m to develop another team’s player for a year, when they could have put that money towards a signing of their own, one who they could keep for the long term.

Hopefully, that is what they are now doing with Tuanzebe by looking to get him from United on a multi-year contract, although there is no specific figure mentioned in terms of a transfer fee.

He could be a solid addition to Villa’s squad. He has already shown glimpses of his quality in Manchester, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lavishing praise on the defender and hailing him as a great leader, following his display against PSG in the Champions League last year.

The Norwegian said: “Axel’s a tremendous defender, a great leader. He’s come through the academy and we’ve known for years that he’s going to be a top player for us and he’s got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have.

Solskjaer added: “Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender.”

If Villa can land the £38k-per-week enforcer on a permanent deal, they could aid his long-term development and increase his value. This means that they would be adding a solid player to the squad now, whilst also having the potential for him to improve and potentially be worth selling on for a healthy profit in the future.

Therefore, Villa supporters will be happy that the club are opting against a loan move for Tuanzebe at the quoted figure and that they are now trying for a permanent deal. Hopefully, Johan Lange can get it over the line and Dean Smith will be able to work with the young defender once again.

AND in other news, Villa must seal deal for “outstanding” £75k-p/w beast, he’s better than Luiz…

An unbeaten 79 by Mehrab Hossain jnr has seen the spoils shared on the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Chittagong

The Bulletin by Peter Burdon17-Oct-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

A record fifth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh between Mehrab Hossain jnr and Mushfiqur Rahim helped them to 183 for 4 on the first day in Chittagong © AFP
An unbeaten 79 by Mehrab Hossain jnr helped square the honours on the first day of the first Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand in Chittagong. With Bangladesh down to 44 for 4 soon after lunch, New Zealand looked set to dismiss the hosts for another low score before a 139-run stand between Mehrab and Mushfiqur Rahim resurrected the innings.Both teams came into the Test with a few jitters; Bangladesh have had just one win in their Test history, while New Zealand had lost four of their last five Tests – all against England. Bangladesh’s batsmen and New Zealand’s fielders showed nerves early on but, just when the visiting bowlers put their team on top, they let their opponents back into the game. Mehrab finished the day unbeaten on 79, while Mushfiqur will resume tomorrow on 59.The day started with the New Zealanders missing opportunities. After dismissing Junaid Siddique without a run on the board, three simple chances were grassed over the next few overs. Rajin Saleh was put down by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, while Aaron Redmond dropped a straightforward chance at second slip to give Tamim Iqbal his first life. Both chances came before the hosts had a run on the board. Soon after, Tamim was dropped again at short leg to deny offspinner Jeetan Patel a deserved wicket. Luckily for the New Zealanders, both men were dismissed early after lunch for 20 and 18 respectively, joining Siddique and captain Mohammad Ashraful back in the pavilion.Before Mehrab and Mushfiqur came to the wicket, the run-rate had barely moved past one run an over – when Ashraful fell, Bangladesh were 44 for 4 after 43 overs, the top-order batsmen more concerned with survival than scoring. The new pair began in similar slow fashion but then began to dominate the bowling, looking to score runs rather than keep their wickets in hand. The ploy worked, with their unbroken 139-run stand a record fifth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh.New Zealand’s bowlers must also get credit for stifling the scoring in the first half of the day. They bowled on the spot most of the day and gave their opposition little chance to dominate. The pick of the bowlers were Iain O’Brien and captain Daniel Vettori. O’Brien finished the day with 2 for 25 off 17 overs, while Vettori also claimed two giving away just 50 runs from his 28 overs. Debutant Jesse Ryder was unlucky not to claim his first Test wicket in his first over; a yorker thundered into Saleh’s back foot, which seemed dead in front of middle stump, but it was not given out.Instead, the fielding let them down, surprising since it’s something the team focuses hard on during training. Today was a reflection of how important it is; the visitors could have easily had Bangladesh at 0 for 3. Bangladesh, though, managed to claw back. Mehrab showed those that went before him that runs could be made on this pitch, if scoring, not survival, was the intention.The game is well set up heading into the second day. New Zealand can wrap up the Bangladesh innings tomorrow but will want to build a substantial innings lead over the next few days. With the pitch likely to break up over the coming sessions, they will not want to be chasing many runs on the fourth or fifth days.

Having made his ODI debut in the recently-concluded three-match series against the same opposition, Naeem Islam will become the 51st Test player for Bangladesh

Cricinfo staff16-Oct-2008
Naeem Islam is set to become Bangladesh’s 51st Test player © AFP
Naeem Islam is set to earn his first Test cap for Bangladesh in the first Test against New Zealand starting Friday at Chittagong. Having made his ODI debut in the recently-concluded three-match series against the same opposition, he will become the 51st Test player for Bangladesh.”Once I heard that I would be in the Test team, I was very happy. It is like a dream for me,” Naeem said. “There are no personal goals for me but to bat for a long time. Although I like batting between four and six, I would stick to whatever the team tells me to do.”Primarily a middle-order batsman, his useful offspin will give Bangladesh the option of an additional allrounder as they look for their first series win against New Zealand. “I am used to bowling 15-20 overs so and if the captain asks me to bowl more than that, I must try to do that,” said Naeem.Though run out without facing a single ball in his very first innings in the second ODI at Dhaka, Naeem put up a much better show with an unbeaten 46 in the next match at Chittagong. He also contributed with the ball picking up three wickets at 34.66.This apart, the 21-year-old who plays for Rajshahi in Bangladesh’s domestic circuit, has been in good form for the last two seasons and his time in the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy and the Bangladesh A team has admittedly helped his chances of staking a claim in the Test team.”I have been playing with the Academy and A team in foreign conditions so probably I felt much calmer because of that,” said Naeem, who captained the Academy team in their 2-1 ODI series victory against the Sri Lanka Academy XI last month.Rajshahi captain Khaled Mashud backed Naeem’s inclusion and felt the player deserved his chance. “He has the quality of playing in the longer version and he deserves to play for Bangladesh given his domestic performance. I think he is a rare breed among offspinners because he can read a batsman and not just bowl offbreak for the sake of bowling.”

West Bromwich Albion are interested in a deal to bring Liam Delap to The Hawthorns this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Express & Star, who claim that the Manchester City centre-forward is on the radar of Valerien Ismael, with the 45-year-old keen to add an out and out centre-forward to his Albion squad before the transfer window closes.

The report continues by stating that West Brom’s lack of depth up front could help the club convince the 18-year-old of a move to The Hawthorns, as the lack of competition could see the striker afforded more game time than he could get at another Championship side.

However, with the Express & Star finishing the report by revealing that a great many second-tier sides are also interested in a deal for the England U19 international, the Frenchman looks to be facing a real fight to secure the signing of Delap this summer.

Huge coup

While, in normal circumstances, hanging your promotion hopes on an 18-year-old centre-forward who has made just three first-team appearances in his career to date would not appear overly sensible, considering the potential Delap appears to possess, the Manchester City man is very much the exception to this rule.

Indeed, over 20 Premier League 2 appearances for City’s U23s last season, the £5k-per-week youngster bagged 24 goals and provided his teammates with five assists – with his contributions playing a key role in his side securing the league title, as well seeing the forward awarded the league’s Player of the Year trophy.

The man Jacek Kulig dubbed a “phenomenal” player also scored a further five goals and provided one assist over four appearances in the FA Youth Cup and EFL Trophy, taking his total haul for the 2020/21 campaign to 30 goals and six assists in all competitions.

As such, despite his tender age, it would very much seem as if Delap possesses the ability to help fire Albion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season, with his signing – if Ismael can indeed get a deal over the line this summer – being a huge coup for the club.

In other news: Transfer development emerges on £10k-p/w “top player”, West Brom fans will be buzzing

Celtic may have their first win of the Ange Postecoglou reign under their belts but they cannot neglect the need to bring more new faces to Paradise.

Joe Hart and James McCarthy became members of the Hoops family last week but there is still plenty of work to be done.

On the chalkboard

Anthony Ralston has performed admirably this season after coming in for scrutiny that he wasn’t good enough for Celtic.

Those claims made sense considering he played just once for the Bhoys last term. However, he’s been ever-present since Ange Postecoglou took charge and even scored a wonderful goal against Hearts last weekend.

Ralston collected the ball from Odsonne Edouard before dancing beyond several defenders and then planting the ball past Craig Gordon from inside the area.

He also scored against Dundee on Sunday afternoon in their 6-0 thrashing to continue his mightily impressive campaign.

Though, if Celtic are serious about advancing in Europe and contending for the title again, they will need to sign an improvement.

That’s why supporters should be delighted that they are in discussions to sign Royal Antwerp defender Aurelio Buta.

He’s been on Celtic’s radar for a number of weeks now but Sky Sports reported last Friday that a bid of £4.5m was now being prepared.

If they can lure him to Paradise, it would be an almighty upgrade on Ralston.

The Glaswegian side haven’t replaced Jeremie Frimpong since he left for Bayer Leverkusen last January but Buta would help them significantly.

He is a tackling machine and is equally adept in forward phases of play. Dubbed “very gifted” by journalist, Aster Nzeyimana, the 24-year-old completed 1.2 tackles per match in 2020/21.

That’s a tally that would have equalled Frimpong’s success rate in a Celtic shirt from the same season.

Hailed as one of the best full-backs in the Belgian top-flight, Buta would be an exceptional piece of business by Postecoglou and co.

They have needed a permanent full-back for the best part of eight months now and thus, fans should be excited at the idea of signing him.

Ralston has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign but he is still relatively unproven in the Premiership over a prolonged period of time.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Edouard: Celtic can boost title hopes by signing “wonderful” 19-goal beast…

Former Kenya captain Maurice Odumbe has spoken of his desire to return to international cricket when his five-year ban for associating with a known bookmaker ends next year

Cricinfo staff23-Oct-2008
Maurice Odumbe during the 2004 hearing which banned him for five years © Getty Images
Former Kenya captain Maurice Odumbe has spoken of his desire to return to international cricket when his five-year ban for associating with a known bookmaker ends next year.Odumbe was banned after a hearing in 2004. At the time Justice Ahmed Ebrahim said that Odumbe was “dishonest and devious in his behaviour in relation to the game of cricket” and that he had exhibited no remorse. “He has not been found guilty of ‘match-fixing’ but, as I have indicated, his conduct was outrageously reprehensible,” Ebrahim concluded. “In my view, a five-year ban would meet the justice of the case.” Odumbe has attempted to have the ban overturned without success.Speaking to the Nation, Odumbe said he harboured ambitions to play in one more World Cup. “I have no doubts in my mind that Kenya will be in the World Cup,” he said. “I am keeping physically fit in preparation for my rejoining the team once this ban is over.”Locals sources doubted that Odumbe, who will be 40 when his ban ends in July 2009, has much real chance of regaining his place in the side. The selectors are known to be looking to the future, and it will be hard for Odumbe to force his way back into the reckoning.Odumbe also told the Nation that “Ravi Shah should be recalled to the team for the qualifier and I believe he will readily agree to come back and assist to see us through.”Those comments did not go down well with those close to the game who recall that Shah, undoubtedly a class batsman, has consistently refused to help Kenya outside high-profile events. He returned shortly before the 2007 World Cup only to disappear again as soon as the tournament ended. Again, the selectors are likely to see his recall as a desperate measure and a retrograde step.Odumbe, who was one of the stars of Kenya’s World Cup success in 2003, is increasingly seen as a figure from the past, and a discredited one at that, and a link with the dark days that followed the tournament from which Kenyan cricket is still recovering.