Manchester United legend Eric Cantona believes Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group can bring the glory days back at Old Trafford.
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Cantona backs Ratcliffe to restore glory daysINEOS upgrading Man Utd squad this summerRed Devils set to visit the US for pre-seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
The former United captain drew comparisons between his time at the club to the time under the Glazers when they saw an epic downfall. He pointed out that the feeling of being part of one big family played an important role in the success that Sir Alex Ferguson's sides achieved in over two decades.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group took charge of the club as minority stakeholders, they have brought several changes to the day-to-day functioning of the organisation. One such reform was ending the work-from-home culture that prevailed at the club since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns. As per Cantona, employees coming back to the club will help establish the old family feeling that was lacking till now.
WHAT ERIC CANTONA SAID
Speaking to The Athletic, the 58-year-old said: "I believe in energy moving between people and they want to take that back at Manchester United, which is very important. When you meet the people, you see someone, you meet another woman and you say: ‘Hello, good morning’. It’s like family. I remember my time (at the club), we say hello to everybody. It was a big family, and the energy was all between us. Not only the players, not only the manager, not only the chairman but all the people who work at the club.
"Things changed since the Glazers arrived. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left. And it’s important to take that back. To have this energy. To have this feeling of: ‘We are part of the family, and we are here, I can speak to you, look in your eyes, I can shake your hand, looking in your eyes, I can feel you, I can get a sense of why you don’t really feel good, or why you did this or why you feel great today’. It’s important. It’s very important."
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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?
After playing two pre-season friendlies in Norway and Scotland, the Red Devils are all set to visit the United States where they will play three friendly matches against Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Betis.
Wes Agar picked eight wickets while Henry Nielsen put on a century stand with William Bosisto as George Bailey’s final Shield game ended in a loss for Tasmania
The Report by Daniel Brettig10-Dec-2019An unbeaten sixth-wicket stand of 136 between Harry Nielsen and William Bosisto delivered South Australia their first Sheffield Shield victory after a drought of 18 matches over 659 days, in what was also the 161st – and last – first-class game for the Australian selector-in-waiting George Bailey.The Redbacks, as may have been expected given their run of defeats, made life hard for themselves by slipping to 4 for 34 in pursuit of 170 to beat Tasmania by six wickets at Bellerive Oval, as Gabe Bell and Riley Meredith found swing and bounce respectively with the new ball.However Nielsen – with only one half century from his previous 15 innings for SA – and the former West Australian Bosisto fought their way through the difficult period and did not offer a chance as they glided home, doing so on the stroke of tea in Hobart.Resuming at 6 for 241 on the final morning, the Tigers could add only 20 runs to their overnight total, as Chadd Sayers and Wes Agar combined potently for the visitors. Agar’s eight wickets for the game were to earn him Player-of-the-Match honours, while SA also had reason to thank Jake Weatherald, the captain Alex Carey, Joe Mennie and Nick Winter for their first innings batting contributions.Nevertheless, victory looked a long way off when Bell swerved the newish ball into Henry Hunt’s back pad and then Callum Ferguson’s off stump, while at the other end Meredith drew edges from Weatherald and Carey. An older ball meant that conditions eased for Nielsen and Bosisto, but they showed a remarkable level of composure in knocking off the runs with minimal fuss.Bailey was left to bowl the final over of the match, clad in his state cap, before accepting congratulations from both sides for a long and fruitful red-ball career that featured five Test match appearances in the 2013-14 Ashes and a leading hand in all three of Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield-winning seasons.
As Aston Villa battle to maintain their place in the Premier League's top four, they could use their new status as a potential Champions League club to land one of the bargains of the summer transfer window.
Aston Villa transfer news
Aston Villa don't waste any time in the transfer market these days, with the pulling power to sign the likes of Moussa Diaby, Leon Bailey and Pau Torres on show for all to see in the past. And that was before the prospect of Champions League football. If the Villans qualify for Europe's elite competition, they should be better placed than ever to sign some top players.
Aston Villa make first move for "incredible" new Zaniolo upgrade for Emery
He’s impressed this season.
ByTom Cunningham Mar 20, 2024
With that said, the Midlands club have already been linked with the likes of Maximilian Beier and Nico Williams in two deals that would instantly make an impact at Villa Park. Under Unai Emery, the only way has been up, both on and off the pitch, and that may be on show more than ever this summer.
nico-williams-athletic-bilbao
Williams, in particular, would be a standout signing, given his place as one of La Liga's best young players and potential to become one of Europe's most exciting stars. But it's not the emerging talent stealing the headlines this week. Instead, it's someone who has enjoyed a ressurgent spell in Paulo Dybala.
According to Il Messaggero via Siamo La Roma, Aston Villa are above all in the race to sign Dybala this summer alongside Bayer Leverkusen and some Saudi Arabia clubs. The Argentine star has enjoyed an impressive revival since joining AS Roma and could now be on the move again as a result.
What's more, according to Fabrizio Romano, Dybala has a release clause of just €12m (£10m) between July 1 and July 31 with the decsion over a move up to the forward if an offer comes in from outside of Italy.
"Important" Dybala can form Watkins partnership
Ollie Watkins is enjoying an incredible season as it is, with only Erling Haaland scoring more than his 16 Premier League goals and no player assisting more than his 10 goal creations in England's top flight in the current campaign so far. But amid the transfer rumours, it's difficult not to wonder just how good he could then be with Dybala turning provider in an attacking midfield role. Villa's attack would undoubtedly reach a new level entirely with the Argentine involved.
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29
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16
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10
It's no surprise that former Roma boss Jose Mourinho was so full of praise for Dybala during his tenure, including when he said via Football Italia: “He is doing a very good job. He knows his players perfectly and he knows that from the midfield onwards, Argentina has a lot of options but for me Dybala is one of the best players in the world.
“Dybala has taken this responsibility to be an important player for Roma. He has the tranquillity of great players and I think that with the 60,000 at the stadium, he will be at the top.”
Let's cast our minds back to the conclusion of the summer transfer window last year. Arsenal had just spent a seismic sum of money, notably to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
For a brief moment, Rice became a British record transfer, signing on for a grand total of £105m. Also welcomed with open arms to north London was £65m Kai Havertz and David Raya on loan. Jurrien Timber arrived too, captured for £38m.
However, besides the ever-impressive Rice, Arsenal's summer signings suddenly looked like poor business after the opening months of the campaign.
Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice
Timber sustained a devastating ACL injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and hasn't been seen since. Raya's first few weeks after replacing Aaron Ramsdale looked nervy and it took until November for Havertz to find a goal from open play.
Yet, as has often been the case since he became Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta got it right.
Raya has stood out the more he plays and was the penalty hero in the Champions League against Porto while Havertz's fortunes have changed considerably.
Kai Havertz's season in numbers
£65m on Havertz, you say? Yeah, it's a pretty outrageous sum of money for a player who struggled to stand out for the right reasons at Chelsea.
There was that famous night when he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final but beyond that the German never really got going, scoring just 32 goals across 139 appearances for the Blues.
A move was required and Arsenal came calling. However, the opening few months were riddled with criticism. His only goal for the Gunners across the first 12 league outings was a penalty against Bournemouth.
Fortunately, he's now revived his fortunes and become one of the most important members of Arteta's side.
2024 has been the year of Havertz who has scored in each of his last four league matches, also providing two assists in that time. The £280k-per-week man – who takes home the highest salary of any Arsenal player – is emphatically proving his doubters wrong.
He's impressed many, including former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon who has been delighted with his recent appearances in the red and white.
What Lee Dixon has said about Kai Havertz
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of BetVictor Casino Dixon swooned over the 24-year-old's displays in recent times, admitting that while he always believed there was a player in there at Chelsea, he was initially on the fence about his move across London.
"Firstly, yeah, he's done really well," Dixon began. "I was one of those – and it's easy to say after the event – but I was one of those who sat on the fence and said, ‘look let's give him a little chance’. You know, people will go ’why have you spent that money on him? He's rubbish.’
"Some of the commentators and people were set on their opinion and that's absolutely what they should do if that's what they believe, but I just thought, we've all seen stuff in him when he was at Chelsea and there is a player in there, it's just a case of finding a home and it looks like he's really comfortable now."
"I think when you've got a player who seems to be a confidence player – not everybody is – but we all like to play with confidence in the place where we think nothing's going to go wrong. Some players can play through that and he looks like that player."
Havertz has played in a number of roles since signing for Arsenal. Arteta initially thought the German could act as a replacement for Granit Xhaka in the no.8 role but his best displays have actually come as a false 9.
With Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah not preferred, the former Chelsea man has been entrusted as the focal point of the attack and delivered some truly impressive displays.
That's thanks to what Dixon thinks is an incredibly 'unique' profile. Discussing Havertz's best qualities and play style, the former England international commented: "He's showing that he feels at home and the positions that he's taken up and his ability to be dangerous around the box gives Arsenal just a little bit of an extra dynamic."
"So, instead of players looking at him going ‘oh, Kai Havertz? He's not going to cause much trouble’, now all of a sudden he is a problem. He changes how teams play against you. He’s got a very unique style to his play in that he is quite languid at times. And then other times he’s really athletic. So he's quite different to a lot of players that Arsenal have which is a good thing."
So, the mega-money signing has turned his career around at just the right time. Arsenal face a massive test in the title race when they face Manchester City on Sunday. They then have to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League. If they are to come through those ties with victories in hand, they will need Havertz at his best.
Lee Dixon delivers verdict on Ben White's England snub
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Lee Dixon delivered his verdict on Ben White.
Chelsea have announced the signing of USMNT left-back Caleb Wiley from MLS side Atlanta United.
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Wiley joins from Atlanta UnitedTransfer worth £8.5mDefender signs six-year dealWHAT HAPPENED?
Wiley has joined Chelsea in an £8.5 million ($11m) deal, signing a long-term contract until 2030, with the option of a further season. The 19-year-old had been with Atlanta since the age of 11 and made his MLS debut in 2022.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Wiley stands to provide left-back depth in Enzo Maresca's new look Chelsea squad. Marc Cucurella is likely to be the starter after a cracking Euro 2024, but it could be a problem for vice-captain Ben Chilwell, whose injury record has limited him to 106 Chelsea appearances in four years at the club.
WHAT ATLANTA SAID
"Caleb epitomises the pathway that we envisioned when we started this club," Atlanta Vice President and Technical Director Carlos Bocanegra said, via the team's website. "Born and raised in Atlanta, he joined our Academy at 11 years old, played for ATL UTD 2 and went on to earn every step in his path up to signing as a Homegrown. Over that time, he debuted for the U.S. Men's National Team and was chosen to represent our country at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now he can continue his career at a top club in Europe. We wish Caleb the best in this next challenge of his career and look forward to following his journey. For our club moving forward, we're continuing our efforts to immediately reinvest in the team during the Summer Transfer Window."
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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR WILEY
Before he gets going in Chelsea colours, Wiley will spend up to the next three weeks in France with the United States' Under-23 squad, having been selected for the Olympics. The American team kicks off on July 24 against the hosts, before further group games against New Zealand and Guinea on July 27 and 30 respectively.
The case reportedly revolves around an unsuccessful attempt by Morris to procure a loan
ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2019Robin Morris, the former Mumbai first-class cricketer, has been arrested along with four others in Mumbai over an alleged kidnapping, the reported. The case revolves around an unsuccessful attempt by Morris to obtain a loan, as per the newspaper’s report.The quoted a police officer from the Mumbai suburb of Kurla as saying: “Morris wanted a loan of Rs 3 crore [USD 410,000 approx] a few years ago. He got in touch with the complainant [a loan agent] through a mutual friend.” As things unfolded, the newspaper reported, “the complainant took a commission but failed to provide Rs 3 crore loan sanction to Morris”. Subsequently, “Morris along with his four accomplices decided to call him to a restaurant in Kurla and forcefully took him to [Morris’ residence in] Versova”, before calling the loan agent’s family members and demanding the remainder of the commission be returned. “The family instead approached us and we registered a case.”Morris was in the news last year after being named by news channel Al Jazeera, following the channel’s alleged sting operation into fixing in cricket. Former Pakistan batsman Hasan Raza was filmed on camera by Al Jazeera, sitting adjacent to Morris as Morris speaks to an undercover reporter about facilitating spot-fixing in T20 tournaments. Morris denied any wrongdoing, saying that the channel invited him “to audition for, and act in, a commercial movie for public entertainment”.Morris, who played 42 first-class matches and 51 List A games in a career running from 1995 to 2007, was part of the now-defunct Indian Cricket League, where he played for Mumbai Champs. He was offered amnesty by the BCCI in 2009, along with several others who were part of the unsanctioned T20 league.
England’s No.3 has come through a tricky start to his Test career and is beginning to know his game
George Dobell10-Jan-2020If there is one man who embodies the character of this new England side, it is, perhaps, Joe Denly.A year or two ago, Denly’s occupation of the crease – his resilience, his determination, his resistance – may have been used against him. It would have been characterised as demonstrating his limitations. Of failing to put the pressure back on the bowler. Of lacking positivity. It’s not so long ago (May 2013) that a crushing victory over New Zealand achieved in four days (the first day of the Leeds Test was lost to rain) resulted in a torrent of criticism after the perception that England had, for a while, batted too slowly.Times have changed. There has been, among other things, a realisation of England’s limitations and a weariness at being bowled out as a team for the sort of scores that Steve Smith, as an individual, would be disappointed to achieve in each of his own visits to the crease.Denly has been part of that change. He has not, as yet, gone on to register the major personal score that would win accolades, but he has worn down bowlers, worn off the shine and helped build a foundation for those that follow. Since his Test debut, only three men in the world have faced more deliveries – they’re quite a trio – although everyone in the top dozen of that list has a higher average. He is, at this stage, more ‘best supporting actor’ than ‘actor in a leading role’.
There have been times, not least in his first Test in Antigua last year, when Denly has looked somewhat out of his depth. But for a dropped catch and marginal umpiring decision, he would have suffered a pair on debut. And but for another dropped catch, his highest Test score – the 94 he made against Australa at The Oval – would have ended on 0. After 11 Test innings, he had passed 30 just once. He owes a great deal to the faith of national selector, Ed Smith, who has fought hard for his retention.But he is improving. His final five innings against Australia – the period in which he put away the flash strokes and started to concentrate far more on occupation of the crease – included three half-centuries. He averaged 28.00 at the end of the series in the Caribbean and 28.56 at the end of the Ashes. That increased to 30.00 at the end of the series in New Zealand, and now to 31.30 at the halfway of the series against South Africa.By comparison to some other Test No.3s it is a modest figure: Marnus Labuschagne, for example, is averaging 63.43 for Australia; Cheteshwar Pujara 49.48 for India and Kane Williamson 51.44 for New Zealand. But it has to be recognised that Denly has played half his Test career in England. While there are exceptions – notably Labuschagne – some fine top-order players have experienced horror runs in England in recent times. David Warner, for example, averaged 9.50 from his five Tests in 2019 and Murali Vijay 6.50 from his two Tests in 2018. Batting against the new Dukes ball on contemporary England Test pitches is desperately tough.Maybe it’s also worth comparing Denly’s record with some well-known players of the past. That career average is, for example, very similar to that of Graeme Hick (who averaged 31.32) and Chris Tavare (32.50, at a strike-rate of 30.60) and not so far behind the likes of John Crawley (34.61), Mike Gatting (35.55) and Allan Lamb (36.09).ALSO READ: The end of the Anderson overseas debate? It should beThere is a pretty clear distinction between the two phases of Denly’s career to date. Ahead of the Leeds Test, starting on August 22, Denly was averaging 23.00 in Test cricket (he had played five Tests) and scored at a strike-rate of 49.67 per 100 balls with one half-century. Since then, he has averaged 37.68, with five half-centuries in seven Tests, and – crucially – he has scored at a strike-rate of 36.43. In short, since slowing down and taking a longer-term approach, his run-scoring has improved markedly.There is a lesson here. And that lesson is that the old-fashioned skills – patience and the ability to leave the ball – still have a place in Test cricket.”Batting big in the first innings is a plan of ours,” Denly says. “We want to be solid up front, build partnerships and then allow the guys in the middle-order to come in and play the way they can.”And as a top-order batter you want to bat time. But it is a case of understanding the game situation: there may have been times in the Cape Town Test when I maybe could have got on with it a bit more. I think it is just having that game sense, trying to understand what the bowlers are doing, trying to get the bowlers back for more and more spells in their legs, which allows our long batting line-up to take advantage when they are tired.”I am becoming more confident with each game I play and each knock I have. It is frustrating that I haven’t kicked on to that really big score, but I really believe it is just a matter of time if I keep doing the things I’ve been doing. Hopefully, it is not too far away.”In the grand scheme of things, this might all be considered bonus time for Denly. Less than a year ago he became, at 32, the oldest specialist batsman to make a Test debut for England in nearly 25-years. Since then he has played in an Ashes series, toured South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. And while there is still the suspicion he is keeping the place warm for a younger man who can average in the 40s, the fact is England have tried many in the No. 3 position and most have been found wanting.Denly isn’t about to win many awards but, in at a time when England are blessed with plenty of middle-order stroke-makers and very few blockers, he is fulfilling a valuable role.
Roy Keane has admitted Dan Ashworth once interviewed him for the West Brom manager job while firing a warning to Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
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Keane once interviewed for West Brom jobTurned down by now Man Utd sporting director AshworthIrishman fires warning to Ten Hag ahead of new seasonWHAT HAPPENED?
Keane has lifted the lid on the time he was interviewed by Ashworth for the Baggies managerial role when the Englishman was their technical and sporting director between 2007-2012. Despite thinking the interview went well, the United legend didn't get the role, with Ashworth now the Red Devils' sporting director. The Irishman also gave his take on United's decision to extend manager Ten Hag's contract until 2026, while insisting that a bad start to the new season could see the ex-Ajax boss sacked within months.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT ROY KEANE SAID
On the latest episode of Sky Bet's Stick to Football, Keane said on applying for the West Brom job: “[On Dan Ashworth] I don’t know if he’s that clever because he interviewed me for a job a few years ago and didn’t give it to me. It was the West Brom job. The interview was good, just a bit of chit-chat about football and my plans. It’s always strange for any manager, what is a good or bad interview? It’s hard to gauge. Sometimes you get a feeling for somebody, and you respect who they go with. I sat with him, and it wasn’t meant to be obviously.”
On Ten Hag's United contract extension, he added: “He only had one year left on his contract and they didn’t want the uncertainty going into the new season. The clauses will still be the same and it’s not to mean that they won’t get rid of him in October or November, it’s just a message to give him a backing.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
This upcoming season may be the last chance for Ten Hag. After impressing in his first campaign in charge, which yielded Champions League qualification and a Carabao Cup triumph, last term they were not nearly as successful. Although they did win the FA Cup, an eighth-place finish in the Premier League nearly cost him his job – with the club's hefty injury list a mitigating factor. The United hierarchy, who have spent £88 million ($113m) on signing Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee so far this transfer window – may not be as patient if he fails to deliver this term, however.
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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT?
While Ten Hag works behind the scenes to get his team ready for the new season, and Ashworth helps facilitate more possible transfer arrivals and exits; United take on Real Betis in their next pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
Nottingham Forest are looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Premier League after a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Fulham at the City Ground on Tuesday night.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White were all on the scoresheet as the Reds claimed their first win in the league since the 2-0 win over West Ham United back in February.
Nuno Espírito Santo's side travel to face Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur side looking to pull further clear of the relegation zone after picking up four points from their last two games, moving three points clear of Luton Town, who occupy the final drop zone position.
Former Wolves boss Nuno Santo.
The Reds boss has some key decisions to make ahead of the trip to the capital, with the likes of Gio Reyna and Harry Toffolo pushing for starts after appearances off the bench in Tuesday's victory.
That being said, here's a look at our predicted Forest lineup to face Spurs on Sunday evening…
1 GK – Matz Sels
Goalkeeper Matz Sels has enjoyed a solid start to life in Nottingham, starting all the Reds' Premier League games since his arrival in the January transfer window.
He's started every Premier League game under Nuno, with the Belgian shot-stopper nominated for the Premier League's Save of the Month for his reaction stop against Liverpool a few weeks ago.
2 RB – Neco Williams
A player who has certainly benefitted from consistent game time under boss Nuno is Neco Williams.
The right-back, who has made the most tackles of any Forest player this season, has started the last ten Premier League games, with the Welshman cementing his position as a starter despite being rumoured to leave the City Ground just a couple of months ago.
The position is his to lose, with Williams having the pace to deal with the threat of Spurs winger Heung-min Son this weekend.
3 CB – Murillo
The Brazilian defender has proven to be a phenomenal signing since arriving from Corinthians during the summer, with the 21-year-old already being linked with a big-money move away from the Reds.
No Forest fan would argue that he is destined for huge things in his career, with the Reds needing to get the most out of him before he departs the club.
However, for the time being, he remains a crucial part of the Forest squad, with the youngster potentially having a huge part to play in the club's survival hopes.
4 CB – Andrew Omobamidele
The duo of Andrew Omobamidele and Murillo complement each other well, with the pair still growing into the roles given their age.
Omobamidele was harshly dropped after the narrow Brighton defeat, with the Irishman returning in Tuesday's win over Fulham and looking back to his best alongside the Brazilian.
Nuno must stick with the fledgling displays given their encouraging displays against a solid outfit, led by Portuguese boss Marco Silva.
5 LB – Ola Aina
Ole Aina
The former Chelsea youngster has excelled in his latest opportunity in England's top flight after a previous spell at Fulham, with the 27-year-old looking to be an excellent bit of business by the Forest hierarchy.
He's slotted straight back into the starting lineup in recent weeks after suffering an injury whilst at AFCON with Nigeria during January.
The full-back looks set to retain his place ahead of the likes of Harry Toffolo, with the Nigerian looking like one of the signings of the season after arriving at the club on a free.
6 DM – Nicolas Dominguez
The Argentinian has enjoyed a brilliant start to life in Nottingham, scoring three times in 24 appearances for the club, with the midfielder impressing with his pressing and ball-winning ability.
However, he's failed to start the last couple of games under Nuno, with the "fantastic" midfielder, as dubbed by TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher, deserving of a recall.
The former Bologna man would be better suited against Spurs than current Reds midfielder Ryan Yates, with the 25-year-old able to win the ball under pressure, find pinpoint passes and create a quick transition into attack.
7 DM – Danilo
With Ibrahim Sangare failing to make a real impression since his arrival and Orel Mangala leaving to join Lyon, Danilo has often been the partner alongside Dominguez at the base of Forest's midfield.
However, he's failed to match the levels he achieved last season, but his display against Fulham in the week was by far his best of the campaign, with the youngster playing a perfectly weighted ball into Gibbs-White, who tucked the ball home with ease.
His performance against Silva's side is more than deserving of a second start in a row against Postecoglou's side on Sunday.
8 LW – Callum Hudson-Odoi
Nottingham Forest player Callum Hudson-Odoi
In recent weeks, Callum Hudson-Odoi has enjoyed a brilliant spell in front of goal which has seen him score four times in the Premier League since the turn of the year.
His pace and direct dribbling could cause the Spurs defence endless trouble, with the former Chelsea winger starting to show glimpses his talent that saw Bayern Munich linked with a £70m move for the youngster.
9 CAM – Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest player Morgan Gibbs-White
The attacking midfielder has been a revelation under Nuno, with his all-round game seeming to have improved from the start of the season.
He produced his best performance of the campaign just a couple of days ago, scoring and grabbing an assist with the attacking midfielder looking like the player the Reds fans saw on a regular basis last season.
His great form isn't going unnoticed, with multiple top-flight sides eyeing him up in the summer. Like Murillo, Forest have to make the most of his ability, with the 24-year-old having the ability to single-handedly secure survival.
10 RW – Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga.
He's scored five and assisted seven so far for the Reds, with his pace and eye for goal developing each week, with Anthony Elanga starting to look like a potential bargain and a player Manchester United might regret selling.
The Swede missed a golden opportunity against Fulham in midweek, but he will be looking to bounce back against Spurs with the attacker hoping to add to his successful goal tally.
Celtic turn their attention away from the Scottish Premiership this afternoon as they prepare to take on Aberdeen at Hampden Park in the SFA Cup.
The Hoops travel across Glasgow to take on the Dons in the semi-finals of the competition, as they look to book a place in the final next month – where they would face either Rangers or Hearts.
Brendan Rodgers' side come into this match off the back of a 3-0 win over St Mirren in the Premiership on Saturday, which extended their lead at the top of the division to four points – cut to three after their rivals picked up a point against Dundee on Wednesday night.
Brendan Rodgers.
Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Adam Idah all got on the scoresheet during the second half against St Mirren, in what turned out to be a comfortable victory for the Bhoys after a goalless first half.
The Northern Irish head coach could now make some changes for this cup clash, to provide other players with an opportunity to impress, and should finally unleash Luis Palma from the start ahead of Hyun-jun Yang, with Daizen Maeda out injured.
When Daizen Maeda is expected to return
Earlier this month, Rodgers revealed that the Japan international has suffered an injury in the tendon of his hamstring, which ruled him out of the clash with St Mirren.
The Hoops boss added that the right-footed winger will be re-assessed over the coming weeks to see whether or not he will be available to play again before the end of the season.
This suggests that there is no guarantee that Maeda will be fit enough to feature during the run-in, and Celtic supporters may have to wait until the 2024/25 campaign to see him in action again, unless he can recover over the next few weeks.
Appearances
25
Goals
5
Big chances missed
12
Assists
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Key passes per game
0.5
As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old forward has been wasteful with his opportunities in front of goal in the Premiership this season, and has rarely created chances for his teammates to find the back of the net.
However, Rodgers claimed – in September 2023 – that having Maeda on the pitch is like having "two players" due to the "unbelievable" work rate he puts in out wide, which shows that there is far more to his game than just goals and assists.
Celtic will need to find a solution to his absence on the left flank and Yang put in a solid performance against St Mirren, but Palma should also be presented with an opportunity to shine.
Hyun-yun Yang's season in numbers
The South Korean whiz, who was signed from Gangwon FC last summer, has not had the easiest of first seasons in Glasgow as he has battled to adjust to football in Scotland.
Yang is yet to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI and inconsistent numbers in the final third have followed, with four direct goal contributions in 24 appearances and ten starts in the league.
In fact, the 21-year-old attacker has zero goals, zero assists, and one red card in his last four league outings for the Scottish giants, after two assists in the previous two matches – perfectly illustrating his inconsistent season.
Celtic winger Hyun-jun Yang.
Of course, Celtic should not have expected a player to come to Europe for the first time at the age of 21 and hit the ground running with consistently brilliant performances, which is why Yang needs time and should be viewed as a great prospect for the future.
There were promising signs from his display as a starter against St Mirren, with three key passes and one 'big chance' created, but he also lost nine of his 15 duels and only completed three of his seven attempted dribbles.
He ended the match without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts, and this upcoming clash with Aberdeen provides Rodgers with a chance to replace him with Palma, who has the potential to offer more at the top end of the pitch.
Why Luis Palma should start for Celtic
Signed from Greek side Aris on a permanent deal last summer, the talented star has proven himself to be capable of scoring and assisting goals on a regular basis from a wide position.
Earlier this season, former Celtic man Peter Grant lauded Palma as a "real threat" and claimed that the winger "causes havoc" with his ability to send dangerous balls into the box to create chances for his teammates.
The Honduras international, who created one 'big chance' in just 19 minutes against St Mirren, hit the ground running at the start of the campaign, and his numbers back that up.
Appearances
24
Starts
17
Goals
6
Big chances created
13
Assists
9
Key passes per game
2.7
As you can see in the table above, the 5 foot 10 magician has been directly involved in 15 goals in 17 league starts for the Scottish giants this season.
Only Matt O'Riley (11) has assisted more goals in the division for Celtic, and no player has created as many 'big chances' as Palma's 13 so far.
Celtic forward Luis Palma.
This speaks to how influential the 24-year-old wizard has been at times for the Hoops, as there are few players as good as him when it comes to creating chances and assisting goals within Rodgers' squad.
His last start came against Kilmarnock in February and the forward has scored one goal and created one 'big chance' in three substitute appearances since then.
He has provided quality off the bench and the manager must now finally unleash him from the start today in the hope that his quality at the top end of the pitch, as a scorer and a creator of goals, can fire the Hoops to the final of the SFA Cup.
It will be an interesting battle to nail down the left wing spot in the absence of Maeda, and the opportunities will be there for Palma and Yang to both state their case for a regular place in the starting XI between now and the end of the season.