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West Ham United have endured somewhat of a dilemma at centre-back in recent days, with Graham Potter yet to have an established partnership at the heart of his defence.

Max Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos started the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday – subsequently keeping their first clean sheet of the new Premier League season.

However, Nayef Aguerd looks set to depart the Hammers after refusing to travel with the squad for the trip to the East Midlands – with Marseille expected to land the Moroccan before the transfer deadline.

As a result, the manager and the hierarchy have been tirelessly targeting other options in the market to try and bolster the depth in such a department.

Numerous names have been mentioned throughout deadline day, with multiple players being frequently mentioned over a switch to the London Stadium.

West Ham’s hunt for a centre-back on deadline day

Earlier today, Braga star Bright Arrey-Mbi was seen as a viable option for West Ham – with a deal seemingly heading in the right direction before the 7pm deadline.

However, a deal has since gone quiet, which has seen the Hammers’ hierarchy pursue moves for various other targets – mainly in the Premier League.

The latest name mentioned is Chelsea’s Axel Disasi, with the Frenchman currently not part of Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans for the 2025/26 campaign.

It’s been reported by journalist Fabrice Hawkins that Potter’s side have made a late approach to the Blues to try and sign the 27-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa.

It’s unclear if the deal is a permanent or temporary one, but the Hammers are making a last-ditch attempt to secure his signature before the window slams shut.

Why West Ham’s latest is better than Igor

Deadline day always springs up a surprise or two, with this year’s instalment being no different – with West Ham being involved in a saga to land Brighton star Igor Julio.

The Brazilian centre-back has been allowed to depart by manager Fabian Hürzeler, after dropping down the pecking order in recent months at the AMEX.

He looked set to complete a loan move to Crystal Palace, but Oliver Glasner’s side pulled the plug on the transfer – resulting in Potter’s men taking advantage in recent hours.

It’s been reported that the 27-year-old has since travelled to East London to complete a move to join the Irons – but the hierarchy face a race against time to complete the transfer.

However, despite the move for the Brazilian, they could still complete a transfer for Disasi in the closing stages of the window – further adding needed depth to the backline.

When comparing their respective stats from the Premier League last season, the Chelsea man managed to outperform him in key areas – subsequently making him a better addition for Potter and Co.

Disasi, who’s been dubbed “incredible” by one content creator, managed to win more tackles and came out on top in more aerial battles – offering a needed defensive presence given the Hammers’ tally of eight goals conceded in three league games.

Games played

13

13

Goals & assists

1

0

Tackles won

1.1

0.4

% of tackles won

50%

40%

Interceptions made

0.8

0.3

Clearances made

3.7

3.1

Progressive carries

1.7

0.8

Aerials won

1.4

0.7

Aerial success rate

62%

57%

His dominance over Igor defensively is further highlighted in his tally of clearances and interceptions made per 90 – further handing Frank the added quality he craves at the back.

In possession, the Frenchman has been just as impressive, completing more progressive carries per 90 – arguably being a great ball-playing option should the side want to play out from the back.

While both players could make the move to the London Stadium, it’s clear that Disasi would provide the side with the added quality they desperately crave in the defensive third.

The signings could play a huge part in the club’s future in the Premier League, with Potter’s side desperately needing to build on their recent triumph at the City Ground.

Shades of Isak: West Ham consider last-gasp move for "monster" £29m striker

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 1, 2025

Former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has finished ahead of big names such as Arsenal's Declan Rice, Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings. The Scotland international is ranked in 18th place after a stellar season that saw him score 12 Serie A goals and help deliver the Scudetto for Napoli.

Ballon d'Or rankings revealed

The 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings are being revealed ahead of Monday night's glitzy ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris where the winner of the Golden Ball will be announced. McTominay's stellar season with Napoli has been acknowledged as the former Manchester United star has finished inside the top 20 after a dream first year with Napoli in Italy.

AdvertisementAFPMcTominay ahead of Haaland & Bellingham

McTominay's 18th place finish puts him ahead of Rice (27th), Haaland (26th) and Bellingham (23rd). He is the first Scottish men’s player to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or since Ally McCoist in 1987 and finishes just behind Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski in 17th and Vinicius Jr in 16th spot. Denis Law remains the only Scottish player to win the prestigious award.

Napoli star is Serie A's finest

McTominay's heroics last season saw him pick up Serie A's MVP award as well as the league title. It's perhaps no surprise therefore to see McTominay become the highest-ranking Serie A player at the 2025 Ballon d'Or awards. Inter star Denzel Dumfries ranked in 25th place and Lautaro Martinez in 20th.

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Getty Images SportMcTominay in action on Ballon d'Or night

The winners of the Ballon d'Or will be announced on Monday, but McTominay will not be at the ceremony as he will be in Serie A action for Napoli against Pisa.

Inter Miami returned to MLS action with a heavy 3-0 defeat away at Charlotte FC, as Lionel Messi missed a Panenka-style penalty with the score still at 0-0. Dean Smith’s side celebrated their ninth straight win, climbing to third place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points, while Miami sits eighth with 46.

Mascherano takes responsibility

Javier Mascherano came to Messi’s defense after the Argentine missed a crucial penalty during Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC on Saturday night. With the match still scoreless, Messi attempted a Panenka from the spot, only to see it denied by the goalkeeper.

“We can’t just focus on the penalty. If there’s anyone who has carried us through this season, it’s Leo,” Mascherano said. 

The Inter Miami head coach put the responsibility on himself, saying, “If you’re expecting me to come here and judge my players, that’s not going to happen. The one most responsible for our poor results is me."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTeam fell short in Charlotte

On the performance as a whole, Mascherano admitted his team fell short.

“The players showed attitude and tried to compete," he said, "but it wasn’t one of our best nights. They struck us at the right moments and we just couldn’t recover.”

Getty Images SportNext up, rematch against Seattle Sounders

The defeat leaves Inter Miami further adrift from the top spots in the East, though with games still in hand they remain in playoff contention. Currently eighth with 46 points, the Herons will try to bounce back quickly when they host Seattle Sounders on Tuesday in a Leagues Cup rematch.

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Getty Images SportCharlotte on a big-time roll

Dean Smith’s side extended their winning streak to nine in MLS, cementing their status as title contenders. They now sit third in the Eastern Conference with 53 points.

Not much can often be taken away from pre-season friendlies, but Sunderland’s winless streak continued this summer against Hull City last time out.

The Tigers hosting the pre-season affair would come away from the contest as slim 2-1 victors, with Simon Adingra’s opener for the Black Cats not enough to sway the tie in their favour.

The alarm bells aren’t being sounded just yet, however, as it’s to be expected that Regis Le Bris’ troops will look somewhat disjointed, especially as the barrage of new signings through the door attempt to become more and more used to each other on the pitch.

More fresh buys will soon be chucked into the mix, as well, as Sunderland’s flash summer spending shows no sign of stopping.

Sunderland consider deal for £26m star

Reports are now even suggesting that the Premier League newcomers are closing in on an Anthony Patterson replacement in goal.

Indeed, NEC Nijmegen goalkeeper Robin Roefs is set to leave the Netherlands behind for pastures new on Wearside, following in the footsteps of Granit Xhaka, who has finally sealed a switch from Bayer Leverkusen to Le Bris and Co. after tonnes of rampant speculation.

Sunderland could soon make it a hat-trick of exciting purchases by landing Galatasaray star Barış Alper Yılmaz, with a development by Turkish outlet Sabah Spor via X revealing that the Black Cats have made contact regarding a move, having been knocking on the Super Lig outfit’s door over a potential £26m deal.

Gabriel Sara is also allegedly on the Premier League side’s radar from the Turkish giants, but if Sunderland were to press on and snap up Yilmaz’s signature, they might well be about to pick up their next version of Amad Diallo, as another direct and entertaining attacker, like the Ivorian, calls the Stadium of Light home.

Why Yilmaz can be Sunderland's next Amad

Of course, Sunderland would be able to win Yilmaz outright, with Amad slipping through their fingers, unfortunately, after a breakneck loan stint at the club.

In total for the Black Cats, during the 2022/23 season, the now Manchester United first-teamer would collect a sublime 14 goals and four assists from 42 appearances, as his short-term heroics nearly saw promotion to the Premier League become a reality.

Often, the goals put away by Amad during his loan spell on Wearside were audacious, with Yilmaz also prone to an eye-catching strike himself, if this link-up play above with the aforementioned Sara is anything to go by, alongside the skilful effort being hammered home.

Last season in Super Lig action, the Galatasaray number 53 would chip in with similar numbers to Amad’s Sunderland stay down the Ivorian’s trusty right flank, with 12 goals and three assists registered just in the league, as well as showing off his class in the Europa League with a further goal and two assists tallied up.

Shots

3.70

2.34

Shot-creating actions

4.86

4.61

Progressive passes

2.43

2.81

Progressive carries

5.09

5.44

Successful take-ons

1.50

1.98

Touches in attacking penalty area

6.71

6.16

Progressive passes received

14.11

10.31

This blistering form in Turkey means he’s on the same pedestal as Amad in the here and now, too, with more shots and shot-creating actions managed by Yilmaz over the last year, when weighed up next to his Red Devils counterpart.

Moreover, it’s clear from the table above that both players get a buzz out of being gung-ho attackers, with progressive carries a particular standout aspect of both of their enthusiastic games.

His impressive skillset when marauding forward has even seen Turkish journalist Uğur Karakullukçu label the 25-year-old as an “animal”, alongside being donned as a “very special” talent ready for the Premier League by ex-coach Selçuk İnan.

There is a risk involved, considering £26m is a lot to fork out on an attacker not used to the Premier League. But, Sunderland’s gamble on Amad once upon a time paid off tremendously, with the hope that this deal is similarly golden in helping the Black Cats comfortably avoid relegation.

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ByKelan Sarson Jul 30, 2025

Bangladesh went to stumps four down and 357 adrift of their mammoth target on a dominant day for the hosts

Sidharth Monga21-Sep-20241:39

Pant’s return to form the best news for India from this Test

Rishabh Pant brought up an emotional sixth Test century, Shubman Gill a serene fifth, and the Indian bowlers and fielders responded well to demanding conditions by taking four second-innings wicket on day three in Chennai. Bangladesh were 357 adrift of the 515 target set them by an aggressive declaration with two-and-a-half days left in the Test.With the pitch not yet breaking up and the average seam movement dying down from 1.3 degrees on day one to 0.4 degrees on day three, these were the best batting conditions of the match. Despite India’s attacking approach to set up the declaration, they only played 16 false shots in 41 overs on day three, while scoring 206 runs. The conditions remained flat when Bangladesh batted, but a marathon spell from R Ashwin maintained India’s ascendency in the match. The bowlers had the fielders to thank for three low catches of varying difficulty.Related

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Given the conditions, Gill and Pant, both aggressive batters given to counterattacking, acknowledged that only they could get themselves out, and put their heads down for big knocks. They kept respecting good balls, and once in they jumped out of the crease to hit sixes. Gill hit Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who bowled 25 out of India’s 64 second-innings overs, for four of them to reach 28 sixes in his 26th Test. Pant fancied the left-arm spin of Shakib Al Hasan and hit four sixes of his own to go up to 59, the seventh-highest for India, in just 34 Tests. India have now hit 85 sixes in 2024, which leaves them only five short of breaking the record for most sixes by a team in a calendar year.What the duo did outside the sixes was more impressive. Unlike Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, who on the second evening just tried to impose themselves on the bowling, these two began the day respecting the bowling and they were content to defend for a while without worrying about edges and close-in fielders. Only in the seventh over of the day did someone try to force the issue, and Gill did that beautifully with the two sixes over wide long-on.Pant, extra conscious to not give it away after a soft dismissal in the first innings, took even more time before he went manufacturing shots – none better than the ramp-sweep off Hasan Mahmud for a six over fine leg ten minutes before lunch. Gill joined in the acceleration before lunch, suggesting the declaration might come sooner rather than later. With that push for quicker runs came a skier from Pant seven minutes before the break, but captain Najmul Hossain Shanto put it down. Pant still hit two fours in the final over before the break, throwing down the gauntlet for the race to the hundred.1:49

Manjrekar: Mushfiqur could bat up in left-hand heavy line-up

Post lunch, Pant brought out his trademark flick behind square both off the quicks and the spinners to get to his hundred in just 118 balls. Gill went there more calmly, in 161 balls, and KL Rahul played a few classy inside-out drives before the declaration left Bangladesh an hour to bat till tea.Zakir Hasan came out full of intent, driving both off the front and the back foot and also dismissing Mohammed Siraj for a flicked six. With the ball not doing much, he and Shadman Islam stayed on the lookout for runs, punishing every error in length.Once Ashwin came on, though, he started to create some mischief, hitting the sticker of the bat here, taking the inside edge there. Post tea, he and Jasprit Bumrah created three tight overs. In the fourth, Zakar played an ambitious drive to a ball not nearly full enough, and Jaiswal ended his innings with a sensational catch low to his left and behind him at gully.The conditions made Ashwin work hard for his wickets. He was even taken for four sixes; the most he has ever conceded in an innings is five. He kept plugging away, though, often slowing his pace down to draw assistance from the surface. His first wicket didn’t come as he would have envisaged as Shadman went back looking to play a length ball behind square. It wasn’t short enough, and it took his leading edge for a low catch for Gill at short midwicket.Ashwin then produced a beauty to get rid of Mominul Haque, who never looked at home. The drift made him play the line, and the turn was just enough to miss the edge but not the off stump. Mushfiqur Rahim was a cat on a hit tin roof, slog-sweeping Ashwin for a six before hitting one low to Rahul at mid-on. Shakib Al Hasan was even less settled, but was rescued by bad light that ended the play early. Amid all this, captain Najmul batted calmly yet quickly to end the day batting on 51 off 60.

Stand-in skipper Clark makes half-century, Crocombe impresses with four wickets for Sussex

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2024

Shan Masood punches through the covers•Getty Images

Yorkshire Vikings won a highly competitive and enthralling Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash with Sussex Sharks at York – by 49 runs – with a number of valuable contributions led by captain Shan Masood and spin-bowling all-rounder Dom Bess.Both sides contributed significantly to this sun-kissed Group B fixture played out in front of a 3,417 crowd at the Minster City’s Clifton Park.Masood underpinned Yorkshire’s 261 all out with a measured 63 off 79 balls, while seamer Henry Crocombe impressed for the Sharks with four for 47 from 9.4 overs.The Vikings then sealed their second win in three matches as Bess, who earlier hit 37 with the bat, struck twice with his off-spinners in Sussex’s 212 all out in 44 overs.Their stand-in captain Tom Clark top-scored with 55 off 66 balls, but he couldn’t prevent a third straight defeat.The Vikings looked well set at various points on a pitch offering something for everyone having been inserted, only to lose wickets when acceleration looked likely.New ball seamer Ari Karvelas struck after only six balls when he bowled Will Luxton, who played around one angled into the him – two for one.Masood and Fin Bean shared a steadying 51 for the second wicket, while the captain later added 60 for the third with James Wharton, who contributed 38.But the cases of Bean and Masood best summed up Yorkshire’s progress.Bean was dropped on nought at deep backward point in the second over, but he couldn’t take full advantage – caught behind off Karvelas for 37, leaving the score at 53 for two in the ninth over.Masood, having reached a 68-ball fifty, was later run out coming back for two to deep backward square-leg – 170 for five in the 36th.Harry Duke and Bess both batted positively for 38 and 37, taking their side up to 250 with a seventh-wicket 61.While Karvelas struck twice, fellow seamer Danial Ibrahim was excellent for one for 29 from his 10 overs. But Crocombe was the pick.He had Matthew Revis caught at deep midwicket in the 40th over before adding his other three in the 48th and 50th, bowling Duke and getting Dan Moriarty and Ben Coad caught. Bess was also run out as one of three final-over wickets.Yorkshire started their defence with two wickets in the opening seven overs – 23 for two.Tom Haines was run out at the striker’s end by a direct hit from backward point having initially turned for a single before aborting mission, and talismanic seamer Coad bowled Henry Rogers for a duck.But Sussex hit back, and with gusto as Clark and wicketkeeper-batter Charlie Tear added a dynamic 95 stand inside 17 overs for the third wicket.Both were strong through the off-side, and Clark reached his fifty off 58 balls with a six over deep square-leg off Bess on his competitive captaincy debut in place of rested John Simpson.However, Bess would gain revenge not too long afterwards.In successive overs from the City End, he had a sweeping Tear caught at deep backward square-leg for 43 and then Clark caught at cover as Sussex slipped to 123 for four in the 25th over.From there, Yorkshire put the squeeze on an inexperienced Sussex middle and lower order.Coad had Zach Lion-Cachet caught behind and left-arm spinner Dan Moriarty trapped Ibrahim lbw in successive overs – 161 for six after 33.Oli Carter played nicely for 43, but he couldn’t provide the dynamism the Sharks required. And when he tried, he holed out to deep square-leg off Moriarty, leaving the score at 198 for seven in the 42nd.Revis, Hill and another run out followed as Yorkshire triumphed.

A Manchester United star who regrets moving to Old Trafford is in advanced talks to quit this summer, according to a new update.

Players who could leave Man Utd this summer

After an early deal for Matheus Cunha, plenty of talk has been on who INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe will sign next for Ruben Amorim ahead of his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo could well be the next to arrive for the Red Devils, however, when it comes to departures, the club may have plenty of work to do.

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A number of big Man Utd earners have been linked with exits, including goalkeeper Andre Onana, with Amorim and co looking to bring in a new first-choice shot-stopper.

Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jason Sancho may all be on the search for new clubs after returning from their loan spells at Aston Villa, Real Betis and Chelsea respectively.

Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce could be the next destination for Sancho, with claims that the winger has accepted a £160,000-a-week offer to move to Turkey and work under the former United manager.

Earlier in the window, AI actually predicted nine players Man Utd could sell for a combined £320m this summer, one of which was midfielder Casemiro.

AI’s predicted Man Utd sales

Fee

Marcus Rashford

£50m

Alejandro Garnacho

£60m

Rasmus Hojlund

£50m

Jadon Sancho

£35m

Antony

£30m

Casemiro

£20m

Andre Onana

£40m

Luke Shaw

£20m

Tyrell Malacia

£15m

The Brazilian reportedly regrets his move to Old Trafford from Real Madrid, despite picking up more than £18m per season and being the club’s highest earner, and a new exit update has emerged.

Advanced talks for Casemiro to leave Man Utd and join Al-Nassr

According to reports from Saudi outlet Sport Jazirah, relayed by Man Utd News, a move to the Saudi Pro League for Casemiro is at an advanced stage.

Negotiations appear to be progressing for the midfielder to join Al-Nassr and play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 33-year-old has just 12 months remaining of his £350,000-a-week Old Trafford deal, and it remains to be seen what sort of fee United could bring in for Casemiro, should he seal a move to link up with Ronaldo once more.

After signing back in 2022, Casemiro has made a total of 125 appearances for Man Utd, contributing to 29 goals and winning the FA Cup and League Cup under Erik ten Hag.

He played a key role in United’s route to the Europa League final last season with five goal contributions in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, however, his days at Old Trafford appear to be numbered.

If he does leave, Amorim could look to bring in a new midfielder, and there have been suggestions that Juventus’ Douglas Luiz is of interest to Man Utd. Richard Rios of Palmeiras is another rumoured target, so Casemiro’s exit may be the starting point of a new midfield addition at Old Trafford.

This season has been a long one for Arsenal fans.

Instead of finally getting over the line in the Premier League, they were out of the title race months ago, and in the domestic cups, they were even worse.

Granted, the North Londoners have had to deal with a mountain of injuries, but even then, when fit, most of the attackers in the squad have been subpar at best.

Perhaps the worst of the lot, and one of the worst signings made in the team’s recent history, was Raheem Sterling, and if recent reports are to be believed, the board has been in contact with a player who could prove to be just as disastrous a signing this summer.

Arsenal could sign Premier League winger

Before we get to the worrying links in question, it is worth looking at some of the more exciting transfer rumours for players like Benjamin Sesko and Rayan Cherki.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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The former enjoyed another fine season with RB Leipzig this year, racking up a tally of 21 goals and six assists in 45 games, and could be available for just £75m.

On the other hand, the Lyon star could be available for even less at £30m and has enjoyed an even better campaign with the French giants, racking up a sensational haul of 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 games.

However, while both of these players would undoubtedly add something positive to the Gunners squad, we aren’t sure we can say the same about Alejandro Garnacho.

Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal have been in contact with the player’s representatives.

Now, even though it has been widely reported that the Argentine winger has been told to find himself a new club this summer, Manchester United still want a sizable fee for the winger, a fee of around £51m per Bailey.

While Garnacho is a talented young footballer, we can’t see him as a good fit for Arsenal in any way whatsoever, and with the money required to bring him to North London, this could be another Sterling-esque disaster.

Why Garnacho could be another Sterling for Arsenal

Even if we were to completely disregard the transfer fee required to sign Garnacho this summer – we shouldn’t – there would still be a plethora of reasons why bringing him to the club would be a bad idea.

Despite being labelled as a “superstar,” by football creator Liam Canning, much like Sterling this season, he’d almost certainly struggle to make an impact and establish himself in the starting lineup.

For example, while his tally of 11 goals and ten assists certainly looks good at a glance, things become a lot less impressive when we dive into those numbers.

Of those 21 goal involvements, only eight came in the league, while six came in the League Cup and another five in the Europa League, and worse yet, his only goal against a fellow ‘big six’ side was against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

On top of his underwhelming output, the last week or so has shown that, at his worst, the supposedly “special talent”, as dubbed by football statistician Statman Dave, can be a serious problem in the dressing room.

Garnacho’s 24/25

Competiotn

Games

Goals

Assists

G/A per Game

Premier League

36

6

2

0.22

Europa League

15

1

4

0.33

FA Cup

3

0

1

0.33

League Cup

3

3

3

2.00

Community Shield

1

1

0

1.00

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Following the Red Devils defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League Final, the 20-year-old doubled down on his brother’s comments about him not starting.

If there is one thing we know about Arteta, it’s that he does not like troublemakers.

Finally, the Madrid-born ace also has some worrying underlying numbers, with FBref placing him in the bottom 21% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for expected assists, the bottom 12% for goals per shot and the bottom 8% for goals per shot on target, all per 90.

Ultimately, Garnacho may well develop into a brilliant winger, but as things stand, his attitude, output and the money required to make it happen all point towards this being a terrible idea and a transfer that could end up being even more disastrous than Sterling’s last summer.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 26, 2025

Celtic avoided back-to-back-to-back defeats against their city rivals with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon.

A goal from Cyriel Dessers in the first half gave the home side a commanding position heading into the second 45, but a fine goal from Adam Idah secured a point for Brendan Rodgers and his men.

5th May 2025

1-1 draw

16th March 2025

3-2 Rangers win

2nd January 2025

3-0 Rangers win

15th December 2024

Celtic win on penalties

1st September 2024

1-0 Celtic win

It was the final Old Firm clash of the 2025/26 campaign, ending with two wins and one draw apiece, and it may have been the final Old Firm match for left-back Greg Taylor.

Why that may have been Greg Taylor's last Old Firm

The Scotland international is out of contract at the end of this season, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will put pen to paper on an extension at Parkhead.

It was reported by the Daily Record last month that the Hoops are planning to offer him a new three-year deal to stay at the club, but that he also has options from abroad, in the MLS, England, and Dinamo Zagreb.

This means that the 1-1 draw with Rangers on Sunday may have been his last Old Firm match for the Hoops, unless an agreement can be reached in the coming days.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Taylor may not have been the only player to have played his final Old Firm game for the Scottish giants, though, as Anthony Ralston should be moved on this summer.

Why Celtic should move on from Anthony Ralston

The Celtic academy graduate started for the sixth time this season and, perhaps, showed why Rodgers has not relied on him more often, as he produced a disappointing display.

During Sky Sports’ commentary of the game, pundit Chris Sutton described his challenge on Nedim Bajrami as “daft” in the first half, before suggesting that the full-back had “brain freeze” when he watched Nicolas Raskin run past him in the second half.

There were many moments like the two Sutton commented on, including a dive late in the game that almost presented Rangers with a chance to create something in the final seconds of the match.

As you can see in the table below, Ralston lost the majority of his duels, losing seven of the 13, and offered very little in possession, with all four of his crosses failing to find a teammate.

Minutes

90

Tackles

2

Interceptions

1

Error led to shot

1

Ground duels won

4/8

Aerial duels won

2/5

Key passes

0

Crosses completed

0/4

The Scottish defender, therefore, struggled on and off the ball throughout the match and did not prove himself to be a reliable option when called upon by the Celtic boss.

With Taylor possibly on his way out of Parkhead on a free transfer, the Hoops may look to revitalise their full-back option, and Ralston could be a player on the chopping block if they decide to make changes in those positions, which could make this his last Old Firm match for the club.

Or, if Ralston does stay at Parkhead, Rodgers should look to use other options from the start to avoid the defender from being a liability down the right flank, as he was on Sunday.

Worth more than Maeda: Celtic have struck gold on "immense" star

Celtic have hit the jackpot on this star who is now worth even more than Daizen Maeda.

1 ByDan Emery May 3, 2025

Celtic are often praised for their transfer strategy at Parkhead, actually named the best-run club in Britain by the Fair Game Index last year.

Over the last decade or so, the Hoops have made a massive profit with the likes of Ange Postecoglou, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon selling players such as Matt O’Riley, Jota, Moussa Dembélé, Kristoffer Ajer, Virgil van Dijk and many others.

Kyogo Furuhashi is perhaps the most notable recent example. A scorer of 12 goals in Celtic colours this term, he departed in January to the tune of £10m.

However, there is one striker in particular the Celts must rue missing out on and he’s now outscoring that man Kyogo.

How Celtic are coping with Kyogo's departure

One man chiefly; Daizen Maeda.

The striker’s red-hot form continued at the weekend, bagging a brace against Heart of Midlothian, taking his tally to 30 goals for the campaign, described by former Hibs and Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart as “top class”.

However, Maeda aside, Celtic’s other forwards have not been hitting the heights of late, as the table below outlines.

Celtic’s attackers in 2025

Players

Appearances

Goals

Daizen Maeda

17

17

Jota

12

4

Nicolas Kühn

18

4

Adam Idah

19

6

Yang Hyun-Jun

15

5

James Forrest

1

Zero

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

The form of Nicolas Kühn has been particularly disappointing, considering he scored 14 times during the first half of the campaign, on course to be Celtic’s player of the season, but has now only scored twice since 5 January. That said, he looks well-set to replace Kyogo’s output in time.

Adam Idah meantime, has failed to nail down a regular starting spot, with Maeda often favoured as the centre-forward, despite being signed for a huge £9.5m fee from Norwich last summer.

So, would the Hoops’ centre-forward issue have been solved if they had been able to complete a deal to sign a “world-class” striker a few years ago? He’s now better than Kyogo.

The world-class striker Celtic almost signed

Back in the summer of 2020, Celtic almost signed Ivan Toney from Peterborough United, with then manager Neil Lennon later admitting, “we were close to getting him… I was really interested”.

Toney himself stated, “I went up there… I was actually at the training ground” Lennoxtown, which is how close the move came.

Instead, Toney joined Brentford for £5m, firing the Bees to promotion in his first season, finishing as the EFL Championship’s top-scorer, before netting 36 times in the Premier League for the club.

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Manager Thomas Frank described him as “world-class”, before the England international was sold to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli last summer, costing a reported fee of £40m.

In the Saudi top-flight, only Cristiano Ronaldo, Abderrazak Hamdallah and Marcos Leonardo have scored more goals than Toney this season, so let’s assess his season-by-season statistics since almost signing for Celtic.

Ivan Toney season statistics (2020-present)

Seasons

Division

Appearances

Goals

2020/21

EFL Championship

52

33

2021/22

Premier League

37

14

2022/23

Premier League

35

21

2023/24

Premier League

17

4

2024/25

Saudi Pro League

33

22

All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

In the 2022/23 Premier League season, Ivan Toney was the division’s third-highest scorer, behind only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, although the following campaign was massively hampered by his eight-month ban for breaching FA betting regulations.

Now in Saudi Arabia, Toney has rediscovered his best form, with Middle Eastern football expert Uri Levy describing his performances for Al Ahli as ‘fantastic’, advocating for him to receive an England recall.

His tally of 22 goals so far this season for Matthias Jaissle’s side means he has scored more goals than both Adam Idah (14) and Nicolas Kühn (18) this season, while doing so at a slightly-higher level; Global Football Rankings believes the Saudi Pro League to be the 31st strongest division in the world, with the Scottish Premiership down at 34th.

Thus, despite their continued domestic dominance, it’s hard to argue that Celtic wouldn’t be stronger with Toney spearheading their attack.

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Posts ByDan Emery Apr 3, 2025