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A Glasgow Rangers blogger was left fuming over a decision made by Don Robertson in the first half of their game in the Premiership this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Fast start

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team made a fast start at Ibrox, with two goals from Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala midway through the first half.

They looked energised after seeing Celtic draw 0-0 away at Hibernian in the earlier kick-off and were determined to get all three points on the board in order to close the gap at the top on their bitter rivals.

However, they let that two-goal lead slip in the second half and duly failed to capitalise on the Hoops’ slip-up earlier in the day.

The Latest: Robertson slammed

Taking to Twitter, renowned Rangers blogger Four Lads And A Dream was left fuming at the decision made by referee Robertson to only give Motherwell striker Joseph Efford a yellow card for a bad challenge on Connor Goldson.

They fumed: “Quite ridiculous challenge on Goldson, even this far away you can see it’s studs showing and catches Goldson. Yellow card not near enough.”

They continued after seeing another controversial decision: “That’s handball as well! Two big decisions both questionable from Robertson.”

The Verdict: Lucky boy

In a challenge which was described as ‘dangerous’ by Rangers’ official Twitter channel, Efford was a lucky boy not to walk.

The fact that his manager decided to take him off at half-time as well suggests that he thought the player was guilty and perhaps feared that he would get another yellow card.

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Having blown their two-goal lead, which they held at the time the challenge was made, the Light Blues may well wonder whether things would have turned out differently had Motherwell been reduced to 10 men for Efford’s challenge rather than seeing him get yellow.

In other news, Rangers are set to enjoy a big financial boost

Newcastle United have been handed a major boost over the availability of the versatile Matt Ritchie…

What’s the latest?

The Athletic’s Chris Waugh has relayed Eddie Howe’s injury update and stated that the Scottish full-back is set to be back in training for the club “next week”.

Meanwhile, Allan Saint-Maximin is a doubt for today’s clash against Brighton, while Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson remain the two long-term injury absentees for the Magpies.

Speaking about Ritchie’s situation previously, Howe said: “It was a strange injury with Matt. He was just striking a ball and felt something in his knee.

“He’s had a period where he had to back right off and have minimal activity but he’s running again in a straight line and he’s stepping up closer to being back full-time with the group.” Buzzing

The Newcastle manager will surely be buzzing with Ritchie’s return, as the full-back has not played a Premier League match since the defeat to Manchester City in December. His only appearance of 2022 so far came in the 1-0 defeat to Cambridge in the FA Cup in early January and he now looks set to be available for the final stretch of the campaign.

Whilst he may not be a guaranteed starter now that Matt Targett has arrived on loan from Aston Villa, the 32-year-old can still provide value to the squad for the rest of the season. The ex-Bournemouth man has shown that he can play in a multitude of roles across the pitch and Howe will be able to call upon him in a variety of situations which may arise in the coming months.

Ritchie can play at left-back, left wing-back, left-midfield, right-midfield and right-wing. This means that he can slot in if any wide players – in defence or attack – sustain an injury or pick up a suspension, and that makes him a valuable player to have available, even if he is not a starter when everyone is fit.

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He played 16 Premier League matches in the first half of the campaign and averaged an unspectacular but solid SofaScore rating of 6.66 for the Magpies. However, the Scot has impressed in the final third, averaging 1.8 key passes per match, and this shows that he has the quality to create chances from left-back, which Howe could be keen to utilise from the substitutes’ bench if Newcastle find themselves chasing a game.

Therefore, the former Bournemouth head coach will be buzzing, as it will be a big boost to have Ritchie back and available for selection from next week onwards. His versatility and his ability on the ball can be useful for the Toon boss and it is better for the 44-year-old to have a wealth of options instead of looking in the treatment room and seeing five or six of his first-team players unable to contribute.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Burn: NUFC must land “complete” tank who has “everything you’d want”…

According to Goal, there has been an exit update out of Tottenham Hotspur as some news emerges on loanee goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini.

The Lowdown: Gollini will ‘almost certainly leave’…

Reports in the last week heavily tip Tottenham’s second-choice to depart north London and head back to Serie A at the end of this season.

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Fabio Paratici and co apparently have a €13 million (£11m) option to buy Gollini but Corriere della Sera’s print edition (via Sport Witness) say this isn’t an option for Spurs due to his lack of playing time.

As such, they now claim he will ‘almost certainly’ leave N17 and return to parent his club Atalanta in June.

Backing this update and sharing news of their own, Goal have brought a development.

The Latest: Gollini talks held…

According to their information, Serie A giants Lazio have already moved for Gollini ahead of the summer – meeting with the player’s agents and the club holding talks in ‘recent days’.

It is believed they are focused ‘above all’ on signing Tottenham’s current shot stopper who Goal also back looks certain to leave.

They claim Gollini is highly unlikely to reach the 20 appearances needed to trigger an obligation-to-buy clause in his deal and add that Spurs aren’t willing to exercise another option to buy him outright.

The Verdict: Unfortunate…

While Spurs supporters won’t be losing sleep over Gollini’s exit due to his lack of playing time, it is unfortunate that the Italian has spent so much of this season on fringes.

The former Aston Villa man hasn’t been handed many opportunities to prove himself by Antonio Conte despite his terrific form at Atalanta over the past few seasons.

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Serie A football journalist Carlo Garganese lauded Gollini as a ‘big’ and ‘imposing’ shot stopper at the Gewiss Stadium but Tottenham’s faithful have hardly got to capture a glimpse of those labels.

Tottenham defender Eric Dier also called the 26-year-old ‘amazing’ whilst praising his energy in Hotspur Way training, leaving some to maybe wonder why Conte has never given his compatriot the opportunity to impress more regularly.

In other news: Tottenham official sent to club as Conte now eyes ‘monster’ player who wanted to join in 2020, find out more here.

The warning signs that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is preparing for a crisis unlike any other he has had to face so far as manager of the club are building.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all have their contracts up at the end of next season, and as of today, there has been no progress in negotiations.

Striker Divock Origi’s departure will be a little more imminent too – with his own contract expiring at the end of this campaign, while there could be interest in back-up winger Takumi Minamino who has impressed in the limited cameos he has been given.

With Liverpool potentially heading into next season and beyond a little light in the attacking department compared to now, the club have been linked with a number of names ahead of the transfer window – with the latest being Leeds winger Raphinha.

What’s the news?

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the Reds’ interest via Twitter yesterday, also claiming that other clubs are also interested, saying: “Barcelona are interested in Raphinha alongside Premier League clubs, including Liverpool – Chelsea wanted him, now in stand-by. Barça already discussed about Raphinha with Deco. 

“No talks yet with Leeds – as price depends on their PL future and potential buy out clauses.”

He can become a potential superstar

At just 25-years-old, Leeds have seemingly pinned a lot of their Premier League survival hopes on the Brazilian – which while puts huge pressure and responsibility on his shoulders, it is also a big compliment to him and his ability.

Despite sitting 16th in the table right now, Raphinha has once again impressed greatly, scoring nine goals in 27 league appearances, as well as creating three more – but having missed five key chances and created nine big chances, his totals for the season should be more.

A technically gifted “magician” according to teammate Dan James, the former Rennes star guarantees excitement.

That’s evident by the fact he ranks in the top 5% among players in his position across Europe’s top five leagues and continental competitions for dribbles attempted per 90 (5.35), top 3% for nutmegs per 90 (0.48) and top 11% for progressive passes per 90 (5.16).

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While it’s difficult to replace any of Salah, Mane or Firmino, Raphinha would definitely be able to get the Kop on their feet regularly and being valued at just £36m by Transfermarkt, he could potentially represent good value for money.

Keeping in mind his dazzling qualities on the ball, he could forge quite the partnership alongside the likes of January signing Diaz and 17-goal Diogo Jota – as Klopp prepares Liverpool for the future.

In other news: Fewer touches than Alisson: LFC lightweight who completed 0 dribbles let Klopp down

Newcastle United are reportedly ‘interested’ in what would be a club-record move for Moussa Diaby once the summer transfer window opens.

The Lowdown: Great season

The 22-year-old is having a great season at Bayer Leverkusen, already amassing 16 goals and nine assists across all competitions as a winger (Transfermarkt).

At the start of the campaign, he was praised by German media for his ‘amazing’ dribbling, ‘irresistible’ pace and ‘astonishing’ speed of thought, while he was also hailed as ‘unstoppable’ after scoring one goal and setting up another in a crushing 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga).

The Latest: Newcastle interested in Diaby

As per journalist Patrick Berger, Newcastle are now ‘interested’ in signing Diaby in the summer, along with both Manchester United and Arsenal.

He has no release clause, but his price tag is a whopping €60m (£50.3m), which would be a club-record move for the Magpies.

The Verdict: Worth it

Even though his price is steep, Diaby would be well worth it.

It is amazing to think that he is still only 22 years of age; and already capped by France, he has the potential to become one of the best forwards in the world.

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He has consistently procured goals and assists at the highest level throughout his career despite playing out wide, doing so for Paris Saint-Germain as well as Leverkusen, and the prospect of him playing with Allan Saint-Maximin on either flank is simply mouth-watering for the Toon Army.

In other news, find out what ‘massive’ NUFC claim has now been dropped

West Ham United appear to have an edge in the race to sign Nottingham Forest defender Joe Worrall, according to club insiders Claret & Hugh.

The Lowdown: Worrall’s season

The 25-year-old has played an instrumental part in Forest’s recent defensive success. Having played in 29 Championship games this season, missing the other seven matches due to a fractured rib and a calf problem, the Reds have kept 12 clean sheets to date – an average of one every three games.

The defender leads his team in interceptions, averaging two per game, and also in the number of passes he makes, with 55.1 per league match (via WhoScored).

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The Latest: Claret & Hugh’s update

According to West Ham insiders Claret & Hugh, the Irons have a small edge in the race to sign Worrall, with the chase now heating up.

It is understood that Forest are yet to open contract talks with the player, despite his current deal expiring in just over two years’ time.

Favourably for the Hammers, Forest manager Steve Cooper remains keen on Irons academy left-back Emmanuel Longelo, who can thus be used to negotiate a potential deal between the two clubs.

The Verdict: Defenders needed

West Ham have been left extremely short at centre-back at times this season. With the season-ending blow sustained by Angelo Ogbonna and the hamstring injury which sidelined Kurt Zouma for six weeks, David Moyes was left with just Craig Dawson and Issa Diop for a period of time.

Therefore, it is imperative that the Irons rectify this issue in the summer.

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During Worrall’s loan stay at Rangers in 2018/19, then-Ibrox manager Steven Gerrard tipped the defender to “be a captain of whatever team he plays for”. More recently, England centre-back legend John Terry praised the 25-year-old’s performance against Liverpool in the FA Cup last week.

As a result, it seems clear that the Forest colossus can play at the highest level, and he could be a very good option for Moyes’ squad in a position which badly needs addressing.

In other news: Danny Mills has been discussing another West Ham transfer target

West Ham United are once again interested in a deal to bring Hugo Ekitike to the London Stadium in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), who claim that, after failing with a bid for the Stade Reims centre-forward in January, West Ham remain interested in a move for the 19-year-old at the end of the current campaign.

The report goes on to state that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Arsenal are also keeping a close eye on the situation of the France U21 international – for whom the Ligue 1 side are believed to be demanding a figure in the region of €20m (£17m) in order to part with this summer.

“The next Mbappe”

Considering just how much potential Ekitike quite clearly possesses, in addition to the fact that David Moyes is in rather desperate need of a new centre-forward this summer, the argument that the teenager would be something of a dream signing for West Ham is a rather easy one to make.

Indeed, over his 21 Ligue 1 appearances this season, the £18m-rated forward has been in sensational form for Reims, bagging nine goals, registering three assists and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.6 key passes per game.

These returns have seen the striker who Graeme Bailey dubbed an “outstanding talent” – as well as claiming that “many in France believe he could be the next Mbappe” – average an incredibly impressive SofaScore match rating of 6.88, ranking him as Oscar Garcia’s 10th-best player in the top flight of French football.

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As such, with Moyes currently only having the option of the 32-year-old Michail Antonio up top – a player who has suffered terribly with injuries in recent years – it would indeed appear an extremely wise move for the West Ham board to finally provide the Jamacia international with adequate backup and competition in leading the Hammers line, with Ekitike very much looking to be an extremely exciting prospect for the Irons.

AND in other news: Sold at £37m, now worth £58.5m: Moyes had a WHU nightmare on “unplayable” £56k-p/w ace

With Gareth Bale set to become a free agent at the end of the season, the 32-year-old has been linked with a number of clubs in recent weeks – with one of the more surprising stories suggesting there is a ‘whisper’ of a move to Celtic.

Indeed, whether or not Ange Postecoglou’s side could offer the Wales international anywhere near the amount of money he would more than likely demand following the conclusion of his £528k-per-week contract at Real Madrid is very much up for debate.

However, while it is true that the forward has not exactly been at his breathtaking best over the last few years in Spain, he would still be a quite extraordinary signing for the Hoops to get over the line this summer.

Celtic’s next Hartson

As previously mentioned, with Bale having made just five first-team appearances for Madrid over the last two seasons, it is clear that the 32-year-old would require a significant amount of work in pre-season in order to get him back up to speed for 2022/23.

However, once he regained his match fitness, the £2.7m-rated forward who scored 106 goals and registered 67 assists over 256 appearances for Los Blancos, in addition to bagging 72 goals and providing 61 assists over 237 outings for Tottenham Hotspur, would undoubtedly be a huge weapon in Postecoglou’s attacking arsenal.

Indeed, the Welshman proved over his 20 Premier League fixtures – only ten of which came as starts – during his temporary return to Spurs last season that he still has what it takes to impress at the highest level of the English game, scoring 11 goals, registering two assists and creating two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the player who Dean Saunders dubbed a “freak of nature” and Ian Darke labelled “frightening” average a quite extraordinary SofaScore match rating of 7.48, not only ranking him as Tottenham’s second-best performer in the league but also the fifth-best player in the division as a whole.

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As such, should Postecoglou manage to get a deal over the line for Bale this summer, the 56-year-old could well have landed Celtic their next John Hartson – the Welsh striker who scored 110 goals in 202 appearances for the Hoops – as, despite his advancing years, the 32-year-old quite clearly still possesses the ability to tear the Premiership up.

AND in other news: Huge boost: Ange reveals major Lennoxtown development, it’s brilliant news for Celtic

Tottenham Hotspur are now among the clubs most keen on signing a “spectacular” Champions League forward, but it could take a huge bid to tempt his club into a sale.

Spurs eyeing new forward with Semenyo set to join Man City

Tottenham are looking to sign a new forward in the upcoming transfer window, with AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo being identified as a target, but it now appears as though the Ghanaian could be heading to a rival Premier League club.

Indeed, Manchester City have seemingly won the race for Semenyo, as a move to the Etihad Stadium would provide him with the platform to compete for major trophies.

Consequently, Spurs will presumably have to move on to alternative targets, and it was recently revealed that Man City ace Savinho has now emerged as a serious option.

However, the Lilywhites are also considering options from further afield, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they are now among the clubs most keen on signing Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, alongside Chelsea, while Arsenal have also expressed an interest.

Yildiz is Tottenham’s ‘dream’ attacking target, having emerged as one of football’s ‘most exciting breakout talents’, but it could take a huge bid to tempt the Italian club into sanctioning a sale, with a £88m price tag recently being touted.

The report also provides an update on the Turk’s future at Juventus, with it stating the Serie A side’s new sporting director, Marco Ottolini, is expected to open talks over a new contract, and there is an awareness the 20-year-old would prefer to remain in Turin.

"Spectacular" Yildiz could be solid Semenyo alternative

It is disappointing that Tottenham have seemingly missed out on Semenyo, as the Ghana international has already proven himself in England, scoring eight goals in 16 Premier League outings this term, while also providing three assists.

However, the Juventus star has proven that he could be a solid alternative, having put in some top performances this season, weighing in with five goals and four assists in 15 Serie A matches.

Related Tottenham officials sent to club as Spurs eye Hazard-like 'magician' after Semenyo snub

Spurs are craving a new left-winger.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Scout Jacek Kulig has also waxed lyrical about the Germany-born starlet, lauding him for his ability to make “spectacular solo runs”, which have been on display since making his breakthrough at Juventus.

Yildiz would be Tottenham’s record signing at £88m, but there is every indication he could be an exciting long-term addition to Thomas Frank’s squad.

Spain Manager Vicente Del Bosque has compared  Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye favourably to Xavi Hernandez.

The former Lille ace has seen a dramatic increase in his form and reputation since his £4.6 million move to the Tyne-side  club at the beginning of the last season, but the Spanish manager believes he is now France’s best player.

Spain are due to take on France tonight in a World Cup qualifying game in Madrid in a game which will definitely set the tone for who will be group favourites from now to the end of the  group fixtures.

The  Ex Real Madrid boss is all too aware of how crucial it is to win the midfield battle but was not quick to lose sight of the Toon player’s star quality.

In his press conference yesterday Del Bosque went on to state “He is probably the most talented player the France have in their midfield”.

He further went on to praise Cabaye adding “He takes set pieces, he controls the game.

He is a bit like their Xavi”.

Newcastle fans certainly hope they have a ‘French Xavi’ on their books but for now will settle for the midfielder escaping the fixture unscathed.

The French playmaker had suffered a stomach injury in training last week prior to France’s 1-0 friendly loss to Japan.

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But it is believed the player has recovered fully to take his place in the starting line-up for tonight’s international clash with Spain.

Cabaye is set to next feature domestically this Sunday in the Tyne-Wear Derby in a 13.30 kick off in front of the Sky cameras.