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Pep Guardiola insists he could never be a pundit like Gary Neville, as he is not willing to "hurt" any of his rivals.

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City face Neville's Salford City in FA Cup third roundNeville a pundit with Sky Sports Guardiola insists he will not follow his leadFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Guardiola's City face Neville's Salford in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend. The former Manchester United right-back has carved out a successful career in punditry, working with Sky Sports, as well as the BBC and ITV during major tournaments. But Guardiola insists he could never pass judgement on his peers.

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Neville joked that Guardiola could be sacked if City lose to Salford amid a terrible run of form that has seen them drop into sixth in the Premier League. They are currently 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, and the Catalan has already conceded the title.

WHAT GUARDIOLA SAID

Guardiola was asked if he could go into punditry and replied: "I don't think I'm going to do that. I am cautious. I couldn't make a comment that could hurt my colleagues. I know how difficult this job is, how difficult it is, and I don’t want to pretend sitting there.

"It's so unpredictable and many things happen. I (could) hurt someone sometimes with the delivery. We can agree and disagree. My job is here, their job is there.

"I wanted to defend my club, it's not personal. I know how difficult it is. I was a football player before, now a manager and our business is so complicated and so unpredictable, I don’t want to hurt my colleagues in a position to do it. Maybe it will happen in the future – but honestly I don't think so."

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AFPWHAT NEXT?

After facing Salford, Guardiola's side take on Brentford on Tuesday in the Premier League hoping to continue their improved form.

Leeds United are looking to build on their win over Cardiff City as they prepare to play host to Coventry City at Elland Road in the Championship on Saturday.

The Whites are currently sixth in the division after their 2-0 win over the Welsh side last time out, and have only lost one of their first six matches.

Daniel Farke’s side are looking to secure promotion from the league at the second time of asking, after they lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final last season, and three points against Mark Robins’ side will be another step in the right direction.

Largie Ramazani and Joel Piroe scored the goals for Leeds last time out against Cardiff, after the hosts were reduced to ten men through Joe Bagan’s red card for fouling Wilfried Gnonto on the edge of the box as the last man.

Farke may still look to make some changes to his starting XI from that match, with one potentially forced, and here is our predicted Leeds line-up to take to the field on Saturday.

1 GK – Illan Meslier

Between the sticks, French stopper Illan Meslier should keep his place after keeping another clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Cardiff last time out.

The left-footed only made two saves against the Welsh side but did provide a reliable outlet on the ball for Leeds, completing 89% of his attempted passes.

2 RB – Jayden Bogle

At right-back, summer signing Jayden Bogle deserves to retain his position in the team after an impressive performance against Cardiff last weekend.

The English defender won eight of his 12 duels and created two chances for his teammates, which shows that he made an impact in and out of possession.

3 CB – Joe Rodon

The former Swansea man, Joe Rodon, had little to do against the rivals of his former club, as Leeds dominated the ball and kept attacks away from their centre-backs.

He did not win a single duel, or make any clearances, blocks, or tackles, in his 90 minutes on the pitch, but did complete 95% of his attempted passes.

4 CB – James Debayo

The first change to the starting XI could come at the heart of the defence for Leeds. Pascal Struijk could miss out with an adductor injury, with his availability said to be a last-minute call.

With Max Wober also out with a knee injury, Farke’s options are to move Ampadu back into a centre-back role – as he did last season – or call upon academy talent James Debayo.

In his pre-match press conference, the German boss revealed that he has been “very impressed” by Debayo in training and starting him next to Rodon would allow Ampadu to continue in midfield, which is why that is the route the manager could go down on Saturday.

5 LB – Junior Firpo

At left-back, Junior Firpo should retain his place in the side after the former Barcelona man produced a strong showing last time out against Cardiff.

He won five of his eight duels, making three tackles and two interceptions, and created three chances for his teammates, which shows that the defender offered quality at both ends of the pitch.

6 CM – Ethan Ampadu

Ampadu should captain the team in the middle of the park and will not play at centre-back to replace Struijk, with Debayo boldly unleashed at the back instead.

The Wales international won eight of his 11 duels in midfield against Cardiff and will look to offer a combative presence for Leeds against Coventry.

7 CM – Ilia Gruev

Next to the skipper, Ilia Gruev could be named in the starting XI once again, having started all six of the club’s Championship matches so far this season.

The former Werder Bremen star has yet to register a goal or an assist in the division this term and should be aiming to rectify that in the coming games.

8 RW – Wilfried Gnonto

On the right side of the attack, Wilfried Gnonto should keep his place in the team after he played an important role in the win over Cardiff last weekend.

It was the Italy U21 international’s surging run that forced Bagan to haul him to the floor, albeit momentarily, and take the red card for his side in the first half, which allowed the Whites to go on and control the game with ease against ten men.

9 AM – Joel Piroe

The second change to the starting XI could come in the number ten position as Joel Piroe could be rewarded with a start ahead of Brenden Aaronson.

In the last three matches, the Dutch forward has come off the bench and scored two goals – against Hull and Cardiff – and Farke may look to reward his impressive cameos with a start.

It would be harsh on Aaronson, who has produced two goals and one assist in the Championship this season, but rotation is important when there are 46 games to play in the campaign and he will get plenty of other opportunities to shine.

For this match, Piroe, who was once hailed as “dangerous” by journalist Josh Bunting, should be given a chance to show what he can do from the start after his impressive goalscoring exploits off the bench in recent weeks.

10 LW – Largie Ramazani

On the left side of the attack, Largie Ramazani should make his full debut at Elland Road after his first start in Wales against Cardiff last Saturday.

Manor Solomon remains out with a back injury but the Belgian whiz deserves to start, irrespective of whoever else is available, after a fine finish to open his account for the club in the first half last weekend.

Notts go from 66 for 1 to 123 all out as defending champions are scuppered on worn pitch

David Hopps25-Aug-2021No side has ever successfully defended the domestic T20 title and so it proved once more as Notts Outlaws fell two runs short in an extraordinary low-scoring match before more than 14,000 stunned supporters at Trent Bridge.Notts, all-powerful, strutting Notts, masters of all they survey at Trent Bridge, playing their 10th home quarter-final in 12 years, failed to chase down a target of 126 despite being more than halfway there with only one wicket down. It was a well-used surface – by necessity not design, such is the demand on international squares these days – but even allowing for that Hampshire’s escape act was quite spectacular.The most pressing question in this Blast quarter-final was which Hampshire would turn up? The one that foundered at the bottom of South Group for much of the summer or the side that won their last five matches – finishing by chasing a target of 185 in 14.1 overs – to squeeze into the last eight on run rate?The answer appeared to be eminently clear: it was the lame version. Presented with a gripping, fortnight-old surface, which was far removed from the run-fest pitches that have been an established feature of Trent Bridge T20 nights over the years, they were awash with doubt. This appeared to be the Hampshire which became used to defeat until James Vince, their one English batter of true quality, ran into a rich vein of form.Okay, so Tom Prest, an 18-year-old in his first season, had assembled a cogent response with 44 from 34 balls, and James Fuller had also offered up some lusty blows in his 30. But Hampshire’s 125 for 9 felt impoverished, especially when Notts raced to 66 for 1 by the eighth over with Joe Clarke producing the most elegant innings of the night.How wrong that proved to be. Hampshire’s resilience came to the fore yet again as Notts batters were unable to adapt to the demands of a holding pitch and the left-arm spin of Liam Dawson, in particular, became a tough proposition. The final over came down to three needed with the final pair at the crease. Matt Carter had bulldozed two sixes off the penultimate over, from Chris Wood, to put Notts one blow away from victory, but the last man, Dane Paterson, was on strike against Brad Wheal. Paterson failed to find a single from the first three balls – Vince fumbled a chance to run out Carter at the non-striker’s end when he was sent back on the second ball of the over – and then Paterson nicked a drive to the keeper to spark Hampshire celebrations.Notts have lost only three of those home quarter-finals – and Hampshire, the victors on each occasion, can now add 2021 to 2012 and 2014.Steven Mullaney, Notts captain, has stood in gamely for the Australian Dan Christian all season, and he knew this had got away. “It was a total we should definitely have chased down,” he said. “We knew the pitch was used. There has been a lot of cricket here this year, whether it be the Hundred or internationally, but that was well under par. I thought this was a 150-160 pitch.”Vince, his opposite number, said: “After seven or eight overs it was looking a mile off, but all season we have found a way to come back and this was no different. It was an immense effort.”Tom Prest top-scored with 44 from 34 balls•Getty ImagesNotts’ start showed few inhibitions. Alex Hales plonked Dawson’s slow left-arm to long-on, but even when Ben Duckett was run out – beaten by Fuller’s direct hit from mid-off as he failed to negotiate a way round the bowler, Scott Currie, approaching him like a learner driver to a roundabout – it did not raise alarms. But Tom Moores, a most unsubtle of batters, was lbw swinging to leg as Mason Crane turned a legspinner, and then Dawson struck twice in two balls to leave Notts 85 for 5: Clarke falling for 42 to a leading edge, Samit Patel creeping out of his crease to be stumped down the leg side.After Joe Weatherley snapped up an excellent catch at backward square to remove Ben Slater, Notts again lost two in two, this time to Currie, as Calvin Harrison and Mullaney both lacked the muscle to clear the leg-side boundary. When you’re in a pickle, call for a couple of big fellas, piano moving, ditch digging and baling out innings a speciality, and Notts were down to that in the shape of Carter and Luke Fletcher. But Fletcher lost his leg stump and Carter lost the strike which turned out to be just as costly.A nerve-jangling finish disguised the fact that after the glitz of the Hundred, for much of the night, for all the growing tension, this was not the sort of contest the Blast needed if it is to catch the wave.”The innocence has been exhausted. I think we’ve lost the ability to be blown away by music.” So said Brian Wilson, the American singer-songwriter and record producer, co-founder of the Beach Boys.The warning holds not just for music, but for cricket, where the innocence is not exhausted, just the pitches, as the output grows ever larger. Squares at the major grounds are under considerable strain, especially from TV which demands central pitches that are in line with the camera gantry.As they have all season, Notts’ trio of spinners – Harrison, Carter and Patel – held sway, their return of 5 for 70 in 12 overs continuing the dominance that sees them finish with a collective 54 wickets this season.Vince made 9, top-edging a sweep against Patel to short fine leg, his first stroke of intent. D’Arcy Short, his opening partner, and also potentially destructive, perished to his first attacking shot, too, a loose ball from Dane Paterson which he clouted to short midwicket.Joe Weatherley was another batter to fall to a top-edged sweep, this time against Carter. When Hampshire finally did get some pace on the ball, it turned out to be Harrison’s quicker ball, which rocketed into Lewis McManus’ stumps; he might have been lbw to the ball before. Dawson patted back a return catch to Harrison, first ball. The match looked as good as over.Fuller awoke Hampshire’s innings, using his feet to drive Harrison and slog-sweeping Steven Mullaney for six. Prest, who had worked the ball around with a maturity that belied his years, departed in a burst of activity: a splay-legged straight six against Paterson, a simple drop by Hales at long on, and a catch by Harrison as he struck a full toss to deep square. It appeared to be a young player making his mark in a losing cause. Nobody imagined that he had just played a match-defining innings. He should now get chance to play another – because it is Hampshire who are going to Finals Day.

Tottenham chiefs have been told exactly why they should recall a loanee back to the club in January, as he seriously impresses with some “incredible” form away from north London.

How Spurs players are faring out on loan

The Lilywhites currently have a host of players out on temporary spells right now, with Bryan Gil (Girona), Alejo Veliz (Espanyol), Alfie Devine (Westerlo), Manor Solomon (Leeds United), Dane Scarlett (Oxford United) and Ashley Phillips (Stoke City) standing out as the senior bunch.

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Veliz has been a fixture for his new team this season, starting the majority of league games, but the Argentine’s run of five consecutive starts came to an end when Espanyol were recently thumped 4-1 by Real Madrid.

Devine made his first start for Westerlo on Saturday, clashing with Toby Alderweireld’s Royal Antwerp in the Jupiler Pro League, where he contributed with five attempts on goal and one key pass in the final third – so the Englishman will be hoping that he can build upon an eventful display.

Gil has been having a tough time at Girona, though, having lost to Barcelona, PSG and Valencia in the space of just seven days. Solomon has been praised for his Leeds performances since arriving at Elland Road from Spurs, but missed their last clash against Coventry with a back injury.

Player

Goals scored

Son Heung-min

17

Richarlison

12

Dejan Kulusevski

8

Brennan Johnson

5

Cristian Romero

5

James Maddison

4

Unfortunately for Scarlett, after José Mourinho once compared him to Marcus Rashford, the young forward hasn’t exactly been setting the world alight at Oxford – failing to gain consistent opportunities in the first team.

Phillips is a regular for Stoke but was forced to sit out their last game against Hull City due to concussion protocol, so it’s been quite a mixed bag for Spurs’ loan crop, but one youngster who is really impressing on loan at Notts County is versatile right-back George Abbott.

Tottenham urged to bring George Abbott back in January

The Spurs Under-21s captain has been praised by both his County manager and pundit John Wenham, with Tottenham told to recall Abbott in January by the latter.

“I’m pleased that Abbott has joined Notts County,” Wenham said. “He’s a special player who can play a couple of positions, and he seems to be bossing it at the age of 19. I’ve seen that they’ve been comparing him to some of their most promising loan players. Therefore, if by January time he is continuing to excel, then we will need to reevaluate the loan.

“He is already 19, so it might be wise to move him up a division to continue his positive trajectory.”

Notts County boss Stuart Maynard, speaking after Abbott made his first senior start, also called the teenager “incredible”.

“He’s got a very bright future. If you see his energy… his game understanding on the ball to come and play here today in front of probably just under 11,000 as your home debut, as a young lad, and to perform… he played like a mature player,” said Maynard.

“The way he handled the ball, the way he passed the ball, the way he presses and the way he understands the positions to pick up to go and press. It’s incredible for such a young lad and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Sibley dropped after passing 35 just once in his last 15 innings as Malan prepares for first Test in three years

George Dobell18-Aug-2021Dawid Malan has been recalled to England’s squad for the third LV= Insurance Test against India at Leeds and looks set to return to the side for the first time in three years.While Malan has only played one first-class match this season – he scored 199 in his only innings – he has shown an ability to thrive on the international stage over the last couple of years, notably rising to become the top-ranked T20 batter in the world. He last played Test cricket in August 2018.He replaces Dom Sibley in the Test squad. Sibley has been dropped having managed to pass 35 just once in his last 15 Test innings. He is averaging 19.77 in 10 Tests this year. Like Zak Crawley, who is also omitted, he will return to county cricket though there is no Championship action until August 30.Related

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Malan is expected to bat at No. 3, with Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns expected to open. Ollie Pope is also named in the squad and could return in the middle order.Despite suffering a shoulder injury during the second Test, Mark Wood is named in the squad. The England medical team will continue to work with him and say they “expect” he will be fit to play. Chris Woakes, who has a heel injury, is not yet fit for a recall. Saqib Mahmood, therefore, has a decent chance of making a Test debut.With Moeen Ali having returned to the side at Lord’s, there is no place for either Jack Leach or Dominic Bess in the squad. Leach, however, remains on standby for Moeen.England 3rd Test squad•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”The Test series is beautifully poised and we are relishing the prospect of aiming to bounce back at Emerald Headingley next week,” Chris Silverwood, England men’s head coach, said. “Dawid Malan deserves his opportunity in the Test arena.”He has a lot of experience across all formats and, if called upon, I am confident that he can come and do well on his home ground. In the limited time he has played first-class cricket this season, he has shown what he is capable of, scoring a highly accomplished 199 for Yorkshire against Sussex at Headingley in June.”Zak Crawley will return to Kent to galvanise the excellent work he did last week in the nets at Lord’s with assistant coach Graham Thorpe. Zak is still a massive part of our plans moving forward, but we feel he would benefit from time outside the pressure of international competition to get some time working on his skills. He has a bright future and I do not doubt that his time will come again in the Test arena.”Dom Sibley needs some time away to regain his confidence after a challenging period. He will return to Warwickshire to spend time in the middle without the scrutiny and find some rhythm and confidence. Dom offers a lot of value to the Test environment and some time away should help him. However, he remains part of our plans.England pace injuries•ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Jack Leach will return to Somerset to get some game time. I have been impressed with his patience and it’s not easy living under the Covid protocols, especially when you’re not playing. However, he has regained his confidence and spark, and it has been a considerable asset having him around. He will be on standby should we need his services, but we want what is best for him and playing cricket and getting overs into him is the way to go.”We are hopeful that Mark Wood will be fit after injuring his right shoulder in the first Test. Our medical team will be working with him each day. We will monitor where he is at when we get to Leeds.”We also have the services of Saqib Mahmood, who has been brilliant across all formats this summer. He is confident, highly skilled and will not be overawed if he is to make his Test debut. His temperament and attitude are suited to the international arena.”

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been warned why life at the club may become "more challenging" by Gary Lineker.

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Wrexham owners dreaming of Premier LeagueBut duo have many other interestsLineker has warning for two starsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham have enjoyed a sensational rise under the Hollywood duo, going from National League football into League One. Another promotion is potentially on the cards this season, with the Welsh side battling with Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers at the top of League One. Yet Wrexham is not the only club that Reynolds and McElhenney are invested in currently. The pair have also bought into Liga MX team Club Necaxa, while Reynolds is set to become an investor in Colombian side Club Deportivo La Equidad.

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Lineker has been asked if Wrexham have a "ceiling" for the current project, which has been boosted by the popular 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary, and has suggested the owners' other interests may influence their plans for the Welsh side. The former England striker also warned that life would become much more difficult and expensive for Reynolds and McElhenney if they achieve their dream of taking Wrexham into the Premier League.

WHAT LINEKER SAID

Lineker said on the podcast: "Obviously the higher you go, probably to compete with the top teams in the league, the more you need to invest. It's worked so far and it depends on what their desires are, what their ambitions are, I think they are already taking other clubs on in different parts of the world in a similar sort of TV project. I think once you get right to the upper echelons Premier League football then it really does become more challenging. But it has been fascinating to watch and given a lot of people an interest and the TV side of it has certainly worked, it's been a good series to watch. I think Wrexham have probably, because of that, got a global fanbase I would imagine. Really good for them as a football club."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM

Wrexham's next game is against League One strugglers Shrewsbury before Phil Parkinson's side take on league leaders Birmingham in what promises to be a huge clash at the SToK Racecourse, with NFL legend Tom Brady now part of the Blues' boardroom team.

PCB chairman says Pakistan felt “used and binned” by the ECB’s decision to not tour the country

Osman Samiuddin21-Sep-2021Pakistan will start planning for back-up options for the home Test and ODI series against England in 2022 in case the touring party decides not to tour again, the PCB chairman Ramiz Raja confirmed. England are scheduled to tour Pakistan for three Tests and five ODIs in November-December 2022. Ever since the ECB announced their withdrawal from their tour to Pakistan this October on Monday, PCB officials have spoken of the possibility of even cancelling England’s series so that they are not left dealing with a last-minute pull out once again.Ramiz did not go quite that far in a press conference on Tuesday, but did say that he had brought that very question up with Ian Watmore, his ECB counterpart, and said that the PCB felt they had been “used and then binned” throughout the last week, which began with New Zealand abruptly abandoning their tour citing a security threat.”I spoke to Ian [Watmore] about this and I said what is the guarantee of England coming back in 2022 and playing because a month before that tour you can easily quote tiredness, players being spooked, or sick of living in a bubble, or a threat perception not being shared with us,” Ramiz said. “He clearly had no answer to that, so we’ll have a back-up plan for sure.”Related

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Ramiz had already spoken on Monday evening of his anger at the decision in a PCB video – in fact, he began on Tuesday by saying he wished he was a YouTuber rather than a board chairman because it would have allowed him to vent his frustrations better. Asked on Tuesday how he felt given that Pakistan had toured England twice during the pandemic, the first trip in a more precarious environment, on which depended a large part of England’s summer, Ramiz said: “It’s a feeling of being used and binned. That is the feeling. A little bit of handholding, a little bit of caring was needed after New Zealand pulled out and we didn’t get that from the ECB.”In going out of our way to accommodate, to adjust to international demands, to being a responsible part of the fraternity and in return we get a response from the ECB that the players were spooked by NZ withdrawal – what does that mean? We offered them housing just next door to the stadium in Lahore in the NHPC (National High Performance Centre). It was about helping a member of the cricket fraternity when they needed you most and we didn’t get that from the ECB.”Ramiz said that he felt from his discussions with Watmore that the final decision had not been in the board’s hands as much as the players’. The fact that a number of them are currently playing in the IPL and would have had to leave to tour Pakistan was not lost on Ramiz either. There was no discussion to the idea of sending a reserve team either, the idea of touring at all considered a no-go.Babar Azam and Tom Latham pose with the series trophy that was never played for•AFP via Getty Images”It seemed as if the decision was out of Watmore’s hands, that there were other influencers who made the call on his behalf,” Ramiz said. “But the fact is when you travel to subcontinent, you have to have that mindset that there will be bumps along the way. You’re not traveling to a Western nation. You come here with that emotional spirit, that we are here, against the odds, trying to stretch our comfort zones, to play out matches to make sure we are behind Pakistan. We didn’t see that from New Zealand or England.”It’s a fantastic dichotomy, you’re quoting mental tensions, player fatigue, players being spooked and what, Dubai is about an hour and half from here and so before the World Cup, they’re quite happy to be caged in a bubble environment and carry on with that tournament. One feels slighted. Humiliated. Withdrawal doesn’t have an answer, frankly speaking.”The PCB has written to NZC and raised the question of financial compensation and is not ruling out doing likewise with the ECB. The full extent of the losses so far this season is not yet clear, though it is believed it could range – ultimately – around USD$15-25 million if other inward bound tours are affected. Though Australia’s tour is several months away, Ramiz said he was expecting them to pull out as well, because of the domino effect of New Zealand pulling out, based on intelligence shared by the Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance (of which the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are all a part).Though Ramiz had initially spoken of taking these complaints to the ICC, here he acknowledged that there is little the PCB can do other than regenerate itself from within. He painted an especially bleak view of the way the world game is currently, calling all the talk of fraternity and community among cricket’s members purely “cosmetic”.”We get together as a group and talk a lot but don’t address elephants in the room, for example security, or pulling out of tours, or why is there a bloc of two to three countries running the show. It’s cosmetic more than anything else. We’ve tried to create a bond, tried to make sure we play by the book, made sure we go out and play in New Zealand, in quarantine times, to England and elsewhere. We’ve been a very responsible member of this fraternity and in return we get nothing. So obviously we think it is cosmetic, it is self-interest.”Asked whether he had any confidence that the ICC might be able to do anything, he said: “Nothing will come out of this. We need to grow our own cricket economy. We have a lot of potential in Pakistan. We have to have the best team in the world. Not give excuses to teams not to come. We get our economics covered and our cricket covered through performances. That is the best we can do. But to seek help and advice and guidance and knock some sense at that level, it’s going to be extremely tough.”

Celtic’s board backed Brendan Rodgers in the summer transfer window by smashing the club’s transfer record to sign central midfielder Arne Engels.

The Hoops reportedly splashed out a fee of £11m to sign the Belgium international from German side Augsburg to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

Engels has produced two goals and three assists in seven appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, as he has hit the ground running in Glasgow.

He is not the only star midfielder within the squad, though, as captain Callum McGregor continues to go from strength to strength at Parkhead.

Callum McGregor's soaring market value

The former Scotland international, who retired from national team duty earlier this year, joined the club’s academy in 2001 at the age of eight, meaning that he did not cost the Hoops a penny.

He came up through the ranks in the youth system and made his breakthrough at first-team level in the 2014/15 campaign, after scoring 12 goals in 37 games for Notts County in League One in the previous season.

At the start of the 2014/15 term, McGregor was valued at just €750k (£628k) and he has since gone on to become club captain and played 475 competitive matches for the Bhoys.

At the time of writing (15/10/2024), Transfermarkt has his current market value at a whopping €8.5m (£7.1m), which shows that his value has soared throughout his time with the Hoops.

Market Movers

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

Celtic have hit the jackpot with the midfield maestro, given that he has emerged as the club’s captain and racked up almost 500 appearances after coming through the academy.

His performances so far this season have been so good, in fact, that FBRef lists Declan Rice as one of the most similar players to him in the Champions League.

Callum McGregor's form this season

In two outings in Europe, McGregor has completed 95% of his attempted passes and made 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game for the Hoops.

Meanwhile, Rice, who joined the Gunners for a fee of £105m from West Ham in 2023, has completed 92% of his passes and made 3.5 tackles and interceptions per match across two games in the Champions League.

This shows that both players have been incredibly efficient in their use of the ball whilst also being combative with their defensive work in the middle of the park.

Appearances

7

Goals

4

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

93%

Dribbles completed per game

1.1

As you can see in the table above, McGregor has enjoyed a stunning start to the 2024/25 campaign with a return of five goals and assists in seven appearances in the Scottish Premiership.

The 31-year-old, who was described as “amazing” by Rodgers, is not showing any sign of aging and remains one of the top players in the squad, as shown by his performances this season and his similarities to a £105m talent in Rice.

Celtic have struck gold with the Scottish maestro and Rodgers will be hoping that his strong form so far this term continues throughout the rest of the season.

Imagine him & Engels: Celtic told they should "definitely" target SPFL star

The Scottish champions have been urged to look at the Scotland U21 international.

ByDan Emery Oct 13, 2024

Ollie Watkins missed out on a golden opportunity to double Aston Villa's lead against Celtic, leaving fans in shock with his bizarre penalty miss.

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Villa beat Celtic 4-2Watkins scores but misses awful penaltyShocker stuns fansFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Celtic pegged Villa back after the English side surged into a 2-0 lead, and it was Watkins' goal on the hour-mark that made the difference, restoring the Villans' lead and helping send them through to the last-16. But the Englishman — who is currently being chased by Arsenal — later baffled fans with a terrible penalty miss, slipping and completely fumbling the shot on 66 minutes.

AdvertisementAFPWHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

@riaztbh reacted to the miss on X, writing: "ARSENAL NUMBER 9!!"

In response, @Johannesenkane wrote: "He ain’t joining".

Another fan, @Liam__whu wrote sarcastically: "World class penalty from Ollie Watkins".

Another user, @_ogybear, wrote: "This and they're selling Duran. Villa future ain't looking good".

@Arsenal_rep1 said: "Ollie Watkins transfer fee has dropped by 20m".

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Ultimately a hat-trick from Morgan Rogers spared Watkins' blushes and fired Villa through to the last-16 with an eighth-place finish in the league phase of the competition. Given his calibre, it's unlikely Watkins will dwell on his penalty miss for too long, particularly considering the crucial matches his team have lined up over the next few weeks.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Watkins' status as Emery's first-choice striker looks set to be strengthened at the end of the January transfer window with Jhon Duran set for a medical on Thursday ahead of a big-money move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr, where he'll link up with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. That shock transfer could leave Arsenal's move for Watkins dead in the water.

The towering centre-back is the second teenager to have left the Gunners for Old Trafford as part of an aggressive youth transfer strategy

Manchester United versus Arsenal has long been one of the Premier League's biggest rivalries, and although the Gunners have come out on top in most of the battles on the pitch in recent years, the Red Devils have lately been winning a different kind of war: the fight to attract the most talented youngsters.

Not content with prising away Robin van Persie in 2012 or Alexis Sanchez in 2018, United are now coming for Arsenal's most prized youth assets. After snaffling striking sensation Chido Obi-Martin in October, they have lured the towering yet highly-cultivated centre-back Ayden Heaven to Old Trafford and hope he will soon be pushing his way into Ruben Amorim's side.

United have long coveted another left-footed central defender to compete with Lisandro Martinez, turning away from a transfer for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite last summer after baulking at the potential cost. And now they have landed on a perfect solution, a very talented 18-year-old with a high ceiling who will cost them next to nothing.

The Red Devils are world-renowned for their development and promotion of young players, having had a homegrown player in their matchday squad for every competitive game since 1937. And now they are becoming even more proactive with recruiting youth, aggressively pursuing the top emerging talents from around Europe with the twin aim of raising their market value for future sales and arming Amorim with youthful, energetic and ambitious personnel who can learn and perfect his style of play.

GOAL profiles England Under-18 international Heaven, who has had to deal with plenty of rejection on his road to Old Trafford…

GettyWhere it all began

Heaven grew up in Edmonton in north London, honing his skills at local side Edmonton United before taking his first formal steps as a footballer in east London by joining West Ham's academy, a renowned talent factory that produced the likes of Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole in the 1990s and more recently Declan Rice. Heaven, however, did not make the grade and was let go by the Irons when he was aged 12. Being rejected by a Premier League club can be a brutal setback for aspiring footballers but Heaven trusted in his own ability.

"Initially, I was down because I was there for a number of years but in my mind, I knew that I was good enough to get back to academy level – I just needed the right opportunity," he told Arsenal's website. "I had the mentality that this is not the end of my story, there was still more to come."

Heaven took a step down by training with amateur side Levels to keep his fitness up and that led to him getting a trial at Chelsea. He had to deal with more rejection as the Blues decided against taking him on after two months. He was on the verge of joining fellow west Londoners Fulham but his family were not keen due to the lengthy journey from Edmonton. Arsenal were showing interest at the same time and they appealed to Heaven's heart and head. He joined the Gunners's Hale End academy in November 2019, not long after turning 13.

"Luckily at the time, Arsenal were knocking on the door too and that made more sense given that, firstly I’m a fan, but also the location was much more convenient, Hale End was only a 15-minute drive, so everything fell into place perfectly," Heaven said. "When they officially decided to sign me, it was the best feeling ever. Signing for the club I’ve supported and my mum was so happy for me – she even cried."

Heaven played as a box-to-box midfielder during his early days at Hale End, the highlight of which was a tremendous solo goal against Chelsea's U16s, running from his own box through the middle before rounding the goalkeeper to score. He later slotted into central defence, establishing himself as a regular in the U18 side.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe big break

Heaven progressed through Arsenal's ranks and after impressing in the UEFA Youth League campaign he was included in the matchday squad for the Gunners' Champions League last-16 first leg at Porto in 2023-24. He was then named in Mikel Arteta's squad for last summer's pre-season tour of the US.

He was included in the line-up against Man Utd at the SoFi Stadium and got off to a nightmare start when Rasmus Hojlund span away from him to give the Red Devils the lead. But, rather like when rejected by West Ham and Chelsea, Heaven showed mental resilience and put the mistake behind him, delivering a composed performance thereafter as Arsenal came from behind to win 2-1.

Arteta was delighted with the youngster's response. "Very impressive. At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this," he said. "He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen. But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him."

How it's going

Heaven continued to train with the first team when the new season began and he was given his competitive debut when Arsenal visited Preston North End in the Carabao Cup in October, coming on for the final 10 minutes in the 3-0 win, in which his close friend and fellow Hale End graduate Ethan Nwaneri had starred.

The defender decided against following Nwaneri in signing professional terms with Arsenal though, and began to attract interest from other clubs having failed to make his Premier League debut to date. He flew out to Germany to visit Eintracht Frankfurt and looked set to follow the lead of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham, Jamie Gittens and the many other English youngsters who have looked to the Bundesliga to get a taste of regular first-team football.

But United, who have taken a real interest in the recruitment of young players since Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover, have beaten the Germans to the punch. The teenager is set to move to Old Trafford in the January window having rejected Arsenal's last-minute offer as the Gunners pulled out all the stops to try to keep him. It has been reported he is considered a first-team signing.

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Getty Biggest strengths

Heaven's 6'2 In frame gives him a natural advantage over his opponents while he is also physically strong, which gives him an edge attacking and defending set pieces. But he is much more than a physical specimen. He has a flair for passing out and progressing the play, making him adept at baiting the press and sucking opponents towards him.

The defender's mentality and his ability to overcome setbacks, like being schooled by Hojlund, also stands out. Arsenal journalist Charles Watts told : "He got twisted and turned inside out by Hojlund and you're like 'This is going to be a tough afternoon for him', he was 17 then. But he responded and played really well in that game.

"That impressed a lot of people, that he had the mentality to brush off getting pushed aside by Hojlund for that goal. He is highly rated, he's trained an awful lot with Arsenal, they didn't want to lose him."