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Na semana em que o Vasco finaliza sua participação na Série B, o zagueiro Leandro Castan concedeu uma entrevista do canal “Cara a Tapa”, do jornalista Rica Perrone. O capitão cruz-malino falou sobre as vaias e o seu futuro. Ele também relembrou a repercussão de uma opinião sobre a campanha feita pelo clube em apoio ao movimento LGBTQIA+ (série de ações e camisa com a faixa arco-íris).

RelacionadasVascoVasco promove clínica solidária de tênis visando projeto de iniciação esportiva para crianças da BarreiraVasco22/11/2021VascoDo sucesso à frustração: Vasco sofre mudanças estruturais e termina temporada sem títulos no Sub-20Vasco21/11/2021VascoSub-15: Vasco vence o Boavista e sai na frente pela semifinal da Taça RioVasco21/11/2021

– Tenho contrato até o final do ano (final de 2022). Depende de quem vai chegar (diretor e treinador). Eu não sou aquele cara que vai dizer que tenho que ficar aqui. Se disserem que acabou, eu saio. Estava na Roma com contrato até 2020, ganhando em euro, e falaram que não dava mais. Fui lá, rescindi meu contrato e é assim a vida. Gosto muito do clube e tenho uma gratidão enorme pelo Vasco – todo mundo que está do meu lado sabe, amigos, família – disse, e emendou:

+ Confira e simule a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

– É o clube que me fez sonhar em jogar futebol de novo, para muitos eu não iria mais jogar. Joguei muitos jogos. Sei do que fiz aqui. Fica aquele sentimento de não conquistar um título importante, eu sonhava com isso, mas, infelizmente, nunca tive um time competitivo para alcançar esse objetivo. Quem sabe ano que vem, depende de quem chegar – completou.

Ao longo da entrevista, o defensor relembrou o polêmico episódio em que postou um versículo bíblico durante a campanha do Vasco em prol das pautasLGBTQIA+. Além disso, ele afirmou que vestiu a camisa com a faixa em diagonal nas cores do arco-íris porrespeitar a instituição e o torcedor, mas que foi “meio que obrigado a vestir”. Castan afirmou que o caso é passado, mas que muita gente usou para massacrá-lo.

+Ela mudou a forma como o Brasil vê Barbosa. Ao L!, diz: ‘Quero muito mais, mas estou muito realizada’

– Todo mundo me apoiou e sabe aquilo que eu fiz. Usaram isso para me massacrar, para me chamarem de homofóbico. Mas quem está comigo no dia a dia, família, amigos, sabe que eu não sou isso. Fizeram até matéria me massacrando. As pessoas esquecem que a gente tem família. O que eles me acusam fizeram comigo, de tentar massacrar, de ser preconceituoso. Mas, para mim, isso é assunto encerrado. Com ele (Maurício, do vôlei), foi pior, pois misturou política. Tenho minha consciência tranquila, pois sou cristão. A única coisa que eu fiz foi colocar um versículo da bíblia. Muitos advogados vieram me procurar para processar quem fez as matérias. Mas um dia vão prestar contas com Deus, eu estou tranquilo – explicou.

Por fim, o zagueiro analisou seu momento no clube, quando foi muito vaiado e xingado pela torcida, no empate por 2 a 2 com o Remo. De acordo com o atleta, o torcedor tem o direito de demonstrar a sua insatisfação, mas ele garante que sempre deu o seu máximo para ajudar o Cruz-Maltino.

+Vasco venceu apenas 9 jogos na Série B em São Januário; relembre os jogos

– Sempre tento fazer minha parte em campo. Tive várias oportunidades de ir embora, sempre fiquei para ajudar, tentar ser o herói. Mas tem aquela frase do filme do Batman: ‘Ou você se torna herói ou fica o tempo suficiente para se tornar vilão’. Eu fiquei e hoje sou o vilão da parada. Dentro de campo, tenho minha consciência tranquila, que sempre dou meu máximo – pontuou, e acrescentou:

– Como sou zagueiro, não consigo fazer um gol para esconder meu erro. Quando erro, está lá. Sempre dei meu máximo e qualquer pessoa que trabalhou comigo no Vasco pode falar isso. Qualquer funcionário do Vasco que trabalhou comigo sabe disso. Esse é o legado que eu vou deixar aqui quando for embora. Quando perguntarem que foi o Castan, falarão sobre meu caráter, que ficará comigo para sempre. Ninguém pode falar nada sobre isso – salientou:

+Do sucesso à frustração: Vasco sofre mudanças estruturais e termina temporada sem títulos no Sub-20

– Neste último jogo, que estavam vaiando, a bola vinha, eu errava. Se errasse, pedia de novo. Cada um tem o direito de julgar da maneira que quiser. Eu não fico chateado com o torcedor que vaia. Ele está lá no estádio, pagou, é um direito dele. O negócio não pode colocar a mão, agressão. No estádio, ele tem o direito de vaiar, xingar. Eu não respondo, engulo seco e vamos para frente – finalizou.

Liverpool have the sweet smell of victory in their nose, having closed the first chapter of the 2024/25 campaign with a perfect Premier League record under new boss Arne Slot, the latest of which was a 3-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester United.

Yes, yes, Slot inherited a first-class squad from Jurgen Klopp, but the seamless switch to a more controlled and cultured style of football has been something to behold. Liverpool 2.0 is truly here, and the world is taking note.

There was plenty of noise around the Anfield side's lack of transfer activity this summer, only signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus for an initial £10m fee to complete a fearsome frontline, but Liverpool look a real unit, boasting first-class quality of different shapes and sizes across the park.

There are six established options for the three attacking spots in the starting line-up, but so far, Slot has yet to make any changes. Diogo Jota has enjoyed a goal and an assist across the three victories, but he wasn't at his best at Old Trafford and might be the first to relinquish his spot.

Diogo Jota's performance vs Man Utd

Jota is one of Liverpool's best goalscorers, one of their most reliable ball-strikers, but he isn't undroppable, and his display at the Theatre of Dreams underscored that strength in depth and ability to rotate such a talent out.

As you can see above, it was not the Portuguese's most efficient evening, failing with all five of his attempted dribbles and losing each of his ten ground duels. What's more, the "deadly" forward, as he has been described by analyst Raj Chohan, took fewer touches than his goalkeeper, with Alisson taking 42.

The 27-year-old was actually handed a 7/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle, who acknowledged that he 'did a lot of running and chasing down to little personal reward, although vital for the team.'

Statistics often paint a colourless picture in a footballing landscape, and Jota was indeed an engine of sorts, causing all sorts of problems and keeping the hosts guessing, allowing Ryan Gravenberch to thrust forward into space and allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to wreak mayhem down the wings.

But the Portugal international shouldn't start at no. 9 across each of the 38 Premier League matchweeks, even if he does maintain a high level of fitness. Cody Gakpo, for one, is desperate to earn his first shot from the outset under Slot's leadership.

Why Cody Gakpo deserves to start

Of course, if Jota could have his way, he would start every week, for any footballer worth their salt targets a starring role above all of their peers.

But it's not up to him, and a poor injury record across almost every campaign as a Redman will see his workload tempered. Slot, moreover, demonstrated on his debut against Ipswich Town a ruthless streak, hooking Jarell Quansah at half-time – with Champions League and Carabao Cup commitments on the horizon, it's time for some rotation.

Gakpo, Slot's Dutch countryman, returned to Merseyside off the back of some excellent form at Euro 2024, scoring three goals and claiming an assist over five matches and was hailed as "maybe the most important player" for Oranje by his manager, Ronald Koeman. Lest we forget, this is a team containing the steel and security of Virgil van Dijk.

Hailed for his "special skill set" by Klopp's former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, Gakpo will be desperate to earn a role of significance this season, though he has been consigned to three cameos totalling 53 minutes across the opening fixtures of the campaign.

A sharpshooter and a dynamic presence, Gakpo was ostensibly purchased in January 2023 to replace Roberto Firmino, who concluded his iconic Liverpool career that coming summer.

As per FBref, the Netherlands star ranks among the top 6% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90, so it's clear to see his skillset aligns – to a degree – with that of the silky-smooth Brazilian.

From a more simplistic outlook, you can see that Gakpo has actually produced a promising level of prolificness across his opening seasons at the club, scoring 23 goals and claiming nine assists across just 43 starting roles.

However, Gakpo's not the only one hoping to earn their first start. Indeed, the mercurial Darwin Nunez has only made two fleeting appearances so far, totalling little over half an hour of action.

Why Darwin Nunez deserves to start

Liverpool signed Nunez from SL Benfica in 2022 for a £64m initial figure that could rise to a club-record £85m fee. Football supporters in general are divided on the Uruguayan's quality, but Liverpool fans hold a deep adoration for their maniacal talisman.

Last season, he scored 18 goals and added 13 assists across all competitions, despite only starting 33 matches. Nunez clearly has a superabundance of quality, and he could be perfect for Slot.

Take Jota's role at Old Trafford, for example. The marksman was clearly tasked with working hard to frustrate the hosts and keep them on their toes, allowing his peers to overlap and exploit wide areas, ergo creating an overload and wrench spaces in danger areas, evidenced perfectly by Diaz's opening goal.

Nunez can perform that role. He's fleet-footed and tireless, carrying an electric kind of energy that could be perfect. Moreover, he's been lauded by journalist Theo Squires as an “agent of chaos”, such is his knack to stir up mayhem.

Darwin Nunez: PL Stats Comparison

Stat (*per game)

22/23

23/24

Matches played

29 (19)

36 (22)

Goals

9

11

Assists

3

8

Big chances missed

20

27

Pass completion

67%

72%

Big chances created

11

11

Key passes*

1.0

0.9

Dribbles*

0.6 (49%)

0.4 (43%)

Duels won*

2.8 (38%)

2.4 (38%)

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see above, Nunez failed to make any significant gains in the Premier League last season, despite his impressive tally across all competitions. Now though, aged 25, he is surely ready to take the division by storm, perhaps finding the scope of his skillset unlocked by a managerial change.

Therefore, Liverpool should drop Jota for the upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The Portuguese is a spectacular player but he's not the only sharp tool in Slot's kit, and Nunez and Gakpo are both ravenous to make their mark at this exciting start to the new era.

Related Forget Salah: Liverpool have a new hero in 9/10 star who "destroyed" United

Gary Neville had to praise this talent after Liverpool’s Old Trafford victory.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 2, 2024

An agent is in talks with Chelsea over signing his £25 million client who's been compared to ex-Arsenal and Man United star Robin van Persie.

Chelsea expected to make senior attacking signing before August 30

The west Londoners have made nine signings in total already this summer, and it could be 10 soon, as it is believed Chelsea are on the verge of competing a deal for KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders.

Chelsea agree deal to sell £98m player with Gallagher but key issue arises

The Blues have shook hands with an unexpected club.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 2, 2024

Indeed, Tosin Adarabioyo (Fulham), Estevao Willian (Palmeiras), Omari Kellyman (Aston Villa), Renato Veiga (FC Basel), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Leicester City), Marc Guiu (Barcelona), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United) and Filip Jorgensen (Villarreal) have all joined, with Aaron Anselmino set to sign for Chelsea from Boca Juniors as well.

Cole Palmer

7.48

Conor Gallagher

7.13

Nicolas Jackson

7.07

Moises Caicedo

6.85

Noni Madueke

6.84

However, while they've been busy on paper, a lot of the aforementioned players are young and could be viewed as investments for the future, rather than upgrades for Enzo Maresca's squad right now.

Therefore, Chelsea co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley remain in the market for senior stars. Talks have been ongoing over a Chelsea move for Victor Osimhen, with Romelu Lukaku heading the other way. Meanwhile, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed they're still on the lookout for a right-winger after missing out on Michael Olise.

"Chelsea are also in the market for a right winger, having failed to secure Michael Olise," wrote Jacobs this week.

"The 22-year-old decided to join Bayern Munich with Chelsea pulling out due to the overall cost of the deal. Oscar Bobb is one name appreciated, but the 21-year-old is understood to be content to stay and fight for more minutes at Manchester City.

"At this stage, it is looking unlikely that Chelsea will add a senior left-winger, despite links with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Dortmund's Karim Adeyemi, who is now a Juventus target. Raheem Sterling wants to stay at Chelsea and is viewed as a profile that fits Enzo Maresca's style."

While the search for a left-winger has concluded, a very astute option they've been linked with recently, and one who can play on both flanks, as well as at centre-forward, is Juventus winger Federico Chiesa.

The 51-cap Italy international has played on the right more times over his career than the left (Transfermarkt), and his contract expires next year, making him a potentially cheaper £25 million option.

Fali Ramadani in talks over Chelsea signing Federico Chiesa

According to newspaper La Stampa, via Tutto Juve, Chiesa's agent Fali Ramadani is in talks with Chelsea over the Blues signing him, but he's also in direct "negotiations" with Man United, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Ramadani appears to be trying to mediate a move to the Premier League for his client who scored 10 goals and bagged a further three assists in all competitions last season, not to mention 66 goals and 49 assists in total since making his professional senior debut for Fiorentina in 2016.

Chiesa's contract situation and experience make him a very viable target, and not one to be dismissed. The 26-year-old, who can play as a centre-forward and second striker, has even been compared to Arsenal legends van Persie and Thierry Henry.

Sheffield Wednesday are showing no signs of slowing down whatsoever in the transfer market, as even more new recruits are being touted to join Danny Rohl's ever-expanding group.

Scott Wright could well enter in through the door at Hillsborough at some point this summer from Ibrox, whilst Owls fans far and wide will have their fingers crossed that Ike Ugbo will rejoin the building too, with rumours circulating that he's keen on a South Yorkshire reunion.

It does look unlikely, however, that Ian Poveda will be returning to Wednesday this off-season, but that blow could be significantly softened if another mercurial attacker joins in his place instead.

Wednesday plotting move for Poveda alternative

It looks all but confirmed now that the dynamic Colombian attacker will opt to line up for Sunderland next season over Rohl's men, so Wednesday could set their sights back on attempting to get a deal for former Blackpool man Karamoko Dembele over the line.

Dembele, who first exploded onto the footballing scene with Celtic as a wonderkid, has been told he can leave his current employers Brest this summer, leading to an onslaught of EFL clubs now sniffing around for his services.

Football journalist Darren Witcoop revealed recently that Wednesday have even put forward a bid for the diminutive forward to join the exciting ranks in South Yorkshire, whilst the likes of Derby County also now in the second tier remain interested.

Getting the entertaining 21-year-old in through the door would be the best possible medicine to get over Poveda rejecting the chance to return to Wednesday, with Dembele having the potential to even be the Championship club's next Fernando Forestieri if everything goes right.

Why Dembele can be Wednesday's next Forestieri

Dembele has a screamer in his back pocket ready to unleash in a similar manner to many of the outrageous strikes Forestieri could hit from out of nowhere for the Owls, with both players operating as dangerous and explosive mavericks when venturing forward.

For Blackpool last season, the unpredictable 21-year-old would bag eight league goals, with three of those strikes coming from outside the box, as the ex-Seasiders man regularly got punters at Bloomfield Road out of their seats with thrilling individual displays.

Stat – per 90 mins*

Dembele

Games played

39

Goals scored

8

Assists

13

Shots*

1.3

Scoring frequency

330 mins

Big chances created

15

A menace bombing forward when creating chances for his eager teammates to put away too, with 15 big chances created in total last season for Neil Critchley's Tangerines, Dembele could offer Wednesday even more flair going forward alongside the likes of Josh Windass and Anthony Musaba.

Those 21 goal contributions last season playing in League One nearly eclipses Forestieri's best-ever campaign haul for the Owls, the former Watford man helped himself to two more overall during the 2015/16 campaign in the Championship, which saw Wednesday narrowly miss out on promotion up to the top-flight.

Forestieri would then go on to make himself an established performer in the tough division, with Dembele now having to prove himself capable of making the step up in a similar way, if the Owls are successful in snapping up the enigmatic character.

Described as being "beautiful to watch" by Critchley when still on the books at the Lancashire club, Dembele has wowed many an onlooker throughout his fledging career, beginning with some audacious strikes he mustered up regularly at youth level for Celtic.

Away from this spellbinding ability to bamboozle defenders, Dembele will also be viewed as an upgrade on Poveda on merely output alone, with the South American failing to score a single strike when on loan at Wednesday last campaign.

Therefore, if Rohl wants to add more talents to his roster who will play with the same tenacity and trickery as Forestieri in the here and now, Dembele could be his man.

Imagine him & Ugbo: Sheffield Wednesday enter talks for new signing

Sheffield Wednesday’s attack will be further boosted by this new signing potentially coming in.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 23, 2024

“We were all satisfied with how we went about our planning. It just comes down to an execution thing”

Alex Malcolm23-Feb-2021Jhye Richardson said Australia’s bowlers will be looking to improve their execution in the death overs after missing their lengths in the heavy defeat to New Zealand at Hagley Oval in the first T20I of the five-match series.New Zealand had slumped to 19 for 3 in the Powerplay after being sent in to bat, with Daniel Sams and Richardson bowling superbly upfront.However, Australia’s bowlers conceded 76 runs in the last six overs of the innings and 33 off the last two, as Devon Conway produced a stunning 99 not out to lift New Zealand to a winning total of 184 for 5.Richardson was the pick of Australia’s quicks claiming 2 for 31 on his return to the T20I side. He only bowled one over in the last four, picking up the wicket of James Neesham, but he did admit he didn’t quite hit his lengths, conceding a six each to Conway and Glenn Phillips in his four overs.”I think from a personal point of view I certainly missed my length,” Richardson said. “I think they batted really well. The outfield was exceptionally fast. It got a little bit dewy at the end so we found the ball was probably skidding on a little bit more at the end as to the start of the innings which probably helped them a little bit, just in terms of slower balls not sticking into the wicket as much as they were earlier.”If we missed our length we got punished. I think the planning and everything from that aspect was fine. We were all satisfied with how we went about our planning and the decisions made out there. It just comes down to an execution thing.”Australia were then surprised that the ball swung as prodigiously as it did for New Zealand under lights after the dew had settled in with Trent Boult and Tim Southee ripping through the top order to leave them 19 for 4.”They just kept it really simple, didn’t they?” Richardson said. “How often do you see three slips in a T20? We probably didn’t expect the ball to swing for that long and that much, to be honest. [It] didn’t really swing too much in our innings.”It was a little bit of a surprise but knowing that now, it’s something we’ll keep in the back of our mind going into the next game. [Boult and Southee are] two class bowlers and we saw them keep it really simple while the ball was swinging, just bowling a really nice line and length and making us make mistakes.”Richardson was pleased to be back playing at the international level. It was just his second appearance for Australia since his shoulder injury in 2019, and his first in 12 months after missing Australia’s tour to England and the ODI and T20I series against India before Christmas.He spoke in the build-up about trying to take some pressure off himself after struggling with the weight of his own expectations at the end of the BBL.”I think I had plenty of time between the end of the Big Bash and now to think about how I was going about my last few Big Bash games, putting myself under a lot of pressure,” Richardson said.”I had a lot of time to think and reflect on that and went into the game really wanting to enjoy myself and not put myself under so much pressure because I know what I’ve done to get to this point. I can trust that.”I just went out there yesterday with the sole focus of just trying to enjoy myself and certainly did.”

Former Somerset team-mates poised to play together in the first Test against Sri Lanka

George Dobell08-Jan-2021The phrase “can’t wait,” comes up frequently when talking to Dom Bess. At least six times in a 20-minute conversation.He “can’t wait” for the Test series in Sri Lanka to start; he “can’t wait” to bowl on more responsive wickets and, most of all he “can’t wait” to renew his spin-bowling partnership with former Somerset teammate, Jack Leach.That’s understandable. After a summer spent playing a supporting role on England’s green and pleasant land – well, pleasant if you’re a seam bowler – he is now facing the prospect of six successive Tests in Asia. The understudy is about to promoted to top billing. Well, top-billing alongside the man who has been competing for a place with him for club and country over much of the last three or four years.ALSO READ: Leach admits Covid concerns meant he feared for Test futureIt’s not hard to see what the England management see in Bess. He is an excellent fielder, he is a good enough batsman to have made a half-century on Test debut and he gives every impression of being an irrepressible character. There’s a lot to like.Some young players, knowing the starring role into which they are about to be thrust, would become anxious about the responsibility. Especially after an underwhelming first day of action on tour; Bess claimed 1-59 in 16 overs in Hambantota learning, at first hand, that Joe Root is a very accomplished player of spin bowling.But he laughs off the experience. Reasoning, quite rightly, that conditions in Hambantota – where the pitch was oddly green and provided copious assistance to the seamers – would be nothing like those expected in Galle, he dismisses both his own modest figures and the fact that Team Buttler were reduced, at one stage, to 48-6. “You shouldn’t stress,” he says. “We’re not. It was very good bowling. It’s quite clever from the Sri Lankans in terms of the pitch. I won’t be thinking too much about it.”Dom Bess is poised to bowl alongside good mate Jack Leach in Galle•Getty Images

The only reservation about Bess is whether his bowling is ready. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s just that he is, very clearly, still learning his trade. And, right now, it’s not entirely clear what his weapons are. Most of all, his stock ball doesn’t generally cause the batsmen to adjust as much as you might expect with a Test spinner. There’s little of the drift and dip of Moeen Ali or Graeme Swann; there’s not the spin or the control of Nathan Lyon.Remember when Shan Masood hit Bess’s stock ball over mid-wicket and back over his head? It’s hard to imagine such a limited batsman even attempting such a stroke against those other off-spinners. In an ideal world, Bess would probably have another couple of years playing lots of first-class cricket before he was asked to keep England’s slim hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final alive.But we’re not in an ideal world. Adil Rashid is nursing his shoulder back to health; Moeen’s career, even before Covid-19, has been in decline and Leach has been struggling with his health. With English cricket no longer providing much of a breeding ground for young spinners, England have been persuaded to invest in Bess in the hope he will learn on the job and graduate into the real thing.Maybe if there was an absolutely outstanding specialist spin candidate, the England management would pick them. But as there isn’t and given how many days England spinners are resigned to playing peripheral roles, it probably makes sense to pick a player who can find a way to contribute even when not taking wickets.This is not entirely new territory for Bess. When he was called into Somerset’s Championship team, he had a modest record in the Second XI Championship with just 24 wickets in 20 matches at an average of 48. But, playing on turning wickets at Taunton, he soon gained confidence and benefited from a volume of overs that would be the envy of young spinners around the rest of the country.It’s not impossible that history could repeat itself at a higher level. The signs from South Africa, where he provided a vital holding role in Cape Town and claimed a maiden five-wicket haul in Port Elizabeth, is promising.And that’s why they like him. They know he’s going to have some tough days. And they believe he will react phlegmatically, learn from them and be that much better the next day.If, as expected, Bess and Leach play in Galle, it will be the first time they have played a Test together. For two men who have competed for a place at both England and Somerset level without ever losing intensity or falling out, it will be a special occasion. Not so long ago, they were dreaming of this day.”I remember rooming with Leachy in the Somerset second team,” Bess says. “It must have been in 2016 and we were playing down at Kent. We were chatting for ages, joking about one day playing for England. Hopefully that could be next week.”We have always had a battle between each other. But to get back on the park with him hopefully, and bowl at either end, is something I am certainly going to cherish.”Myself and Leachy has been a really interesting one. The situation has only made us both grow as spinners and people because being good mates as well, getting dropped or getting picked, and vice versa… it is very tough.”It’s taken its toll. In those few seconds when I have been picked and ecstatic, and then when he got injured and I made my debut. It was such a strange situation. I don’t think a lot of people will have gone through that kind of thing with a very close mate.”I only think it’s going to be good for us. We will relish the challenge of being on the pitch together, hopefully in conditions that suit us. And it takes away about wanting to be number one because it’s all about the team first.”It’s going to be a really exciting prospect but I don’t think anything changes in what we do as a pair. We have a great partnership. It’s really exciting. The main goal is winning as a collective. I can’t wait.”

Rap star Snoop Dogg admits to taking inspiration from Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds as he eyes up potential investment opportunities at Celtic.

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Hollywood actors at SToK RacecourseFamous friends have joined them at gamesRap icon open to investment in GlasgowFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 17-time Grammy award nominee is a big sports fan and regularly attends NBA and NFL games in the United States. He was also a torchbearer at the 2024 Olympic Games, becoming an unofficial mascot for Team USA in Paris.

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Snoop has been a Celtic fan for some time and wore a Hoops shirt when performing in Glasgow back in 2023, while offering his “congrats” following a Scottish Premiership title triumph. The 52-year-old, who is said to have a £120 million ($156m) fortune, is now looking to follow Hollywood actor Reynolds into British football.

WHAT SNOOP DOGG SAID

Snoop has told the : “I love what Ryan has done with Wrexham – it’s just a great story. Investing in a sports team has been something I have been looking at for a long time – if the chance came to invest in Celtic, I would be crazy not to take a look at it. I have watched so much soccer in Europe but I have never seen fans like the Celtic fans. There is something so special about them.

“There is a reason why their fans are talked about across Europe – the best players and coaches in the world tell you there is nowhere like Celtic Park and I want to be a part of that. Their mascot is a hound – you couldn’t make that up. Snoop Dogg becomes Hoopy the Hound – that’s gotta be a match made in heaven. The headlines write themselves.”

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Rap icon Snoop Dogg has also revealed that he wants to attend a Celtic game with fellow musician and avid Hoops supporter Sir Rod Stewart. Famous faces have been flocking to watch Wrexham alongside Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, including the likes of Kaitlin Olson, Blake Lively, Hugh Jackman, Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell.

There is a common theme evident when you look at all of the inward business that Glasgow Rangers have completed so far during the summer transfer window.

All of their signings to date are aged 21 or younger as the club seemingly look to restock the squad with promising talents who have the potential to increase in value over the years to come.

Oscar Cortes, Jefte, Clinton Nsiala, and Connor Barron have all been brought in to add freshness to the group, whilst the Ibrox giants are also reportedly in talks to sign Yusuf Kabadayi (20) from Bayern Munich and Hamza Igamane (21) from FAR Rabat to improve their attacking options.

These deals come after the Light Blues offloaded a number of experienced operators from the squad at the end of last month, when the latest round of contracts expired.

Jon McLaughlin, Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram, and Borna Barisic were all released upon the expiry of their contracts earlier this summer, and all of them are above the age of 29.

A balance must now be struck between having young talents and still having senior professionals who can be relied upon and used as mentors for the younger crop of players.

Rangers open talks to sign experienced star

With this in mind, it makes sense that Rangers are now reportedly eyeing up a deal to sign a 32-year-old midfielder to join their ranks this summer.

According to Football Insider, the Scottish giants have made contact with Norwich City to pursue a move for Scotland international Kenny McLean.

The report claims that the Light Blues have opened preliminary talks with the Canaries as they look to bring the left-footed maestro to Ibrox ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

It states that the club are wanting to add an experienced midfielder to the squad, in the mould of ex-Gers star Steven Davis, to compete alongside the younger options in Nicolas Raskin, Mohammed Diomande, and Barron.

Football Insider adds, though, that his salary of over £30k-per-week could prove to be a stumbling block in negotiations as that is considered 'high' by Rangers' standards.

The report does not, however, reveal how much the Championship side are set to demand for the 32-year-old ace, as he is under contract and the Light Blues would need to splash out a fee on the experienced gem.

Johannes Hoff Thorup was recently appointed as their new head coach and Rangers may have to wait until he has had a chance to assess his squad before they have a chance to sign the Scottish dynamo.

If Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement can get a deal over the line for McLean, though, then he could come in as a perfect replacement for Jack in the middle of the park.

Ryan Jack's struggles at Rangers

The 32-year-old midfielder provided an experienced presence on and off the pitch for the Gers but the issue was that he was rarely available to play throughout his time at Ibrox.

In his seven seasons in Glasgow, Jack only had one year – the 2022/23 campaign – where he missed fewer than ten matches for the club through injury, and he was absent for 24 or more games in three of those years.

The Scotland international was on the sidelines for 14 clashes last season and ended the term with just 11 appearances to his name in the Scottish Premiership.

In those 11 outings, Jack did not do enough to suggest to Clement that he deserved more game time as the former Aberdeen man struggled badly out of possession.

23/24 Premiership

Ryan Jack

Appearances

11

Interceptions per game

0.0

Tackles won per game

0.2

Ball recoveries per game

3.0

Duel success rate

46%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the right-footed metronome offered very little off the ball to help his team out from a defensive perspective in games.

He was dominated by opposition players in physical duels, losing the majority of his battles, and astonishingly only made two tackles and interceptions combined in 11 matches.

McLean could now come in to provide an experienced player for the young midfielders to look up to whilst providing far more quality and reliability on the pitch for the Belgian head coach, making him a perfect replacement for Jack.

Why Rangers should Kenny McLean

The Gers should snap up the Scotland international as he fits the bill in terms of what they are looking for from an experienced and quality midfielder.

Firstly, McLean has only missed five games through injury since the start of the 2019/20 season and he started all 46 of Norwich's regular season matches last term.

This suggests that the left-footed whiz would provide a level of reliability that Jack did not offer when it came to being available week-in-week-out.

The Canaries star is also a vastly experienced talent with over 250 appearances in the Premiership, over 60 games in the Premier League, and over 100 matches in the Championship throughout his career, which suggests that he could use his experience to help the younger players in his position as he has been there and done it many times before.

23/24 season

Ryan Jack (Premiership)

Kenny McLean (Championship)

Appearances

11

46

Tackles per game

0.2

2.0

Interceptions per game

0.0

1.2

Ball recoveries per game

3.0

6.0

Duel success rate

46%

59%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, McLean has the quality out of possession to offer far more to Rangers than Jack did off the ball last season, with his dominant success rate in duels and ability to make tackles, interceptions, and recoveries far more regularly.

In possession, the Norwich star also racked up five assists, seven 'big chances' created, and 0.7 key passes per game in the Championship, whereas the Gers man managed zero assists, two 'big chances' created, and 0.6 key passes per match.

These statistics indicate that the left-footed dynamo could also provide more creativity in possession with his ability to create high-quality chances for his teammates.

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Therefore, McLean could come in as the perfect replacement for Jack due to his experience, availability, and quality, and that is why Clement must push to get a deal done for him this summer.

Jamie Porter and Simon Harmer revive Essex after they gain vital first-innings lead

Paul Edwards26-Sep-2020

Tom Lammonby celebrates a brilliant hundred•Getty Images

Somerset 301 and 227 for 7 (Lammonby 116, Porter 4-51) lead Essex 337 for 8 (Gregory 6-72) by 191 runsThe penultimate morning of the first-class cricket season offered both a familiar elegy and a fresh dynamic. The trees in St John’s Wood Church Grounds were crisping gently into autumn and it seemed fitting that John Sell Cotman, the 19th century landscape painter, has his marked grave in their abundant shadow. The day could have been mistaken for summer’s finest vintage until one stood in the bitter breeze and realised why the track-suited Essex players were muffled up as they strolled down Circus Road towards Lord’s. “The sunlight on the garden / Hardens and grows cold,” Louis MacNeice wrote.Tom Westley’s players could not allow either the weather or the many attractions of St John’s Wood to deter them. Panzers may sell 15 varieties of tomato – is there a finer food emporium in the land? – but Essex have a cup to win and are more concerned with taking the Bob Willis Trophy back to Chelmsford. It would be their fourth domestic triumph in as many seasons and would confirm them in many minds as the best team in the land. Such an achievement, though, rested on their ability to secure a first-innings lead and then avoid losing this match.That first goal was attained with little trouble; the second will depend on their ability to withstand Somerset’s attack on what is effectively a fourth-day Test match pitch. (If they do that they will probably win the game in any case.) Until the last couple of hours on Saturday the wicket had misbehaved as frequently as the most unctuous teacher’s pet but Somerset’s batsmen have given their bowlers a chance. One suspects the last day of this game will hold the interest of those watching around the country on live stream before they bid farewell to the type of cricket they most enjoy. “We cannot cage the minute / Within its nets of gold,” MacNeice continues.There is, though, little doubt that Tom Lammonby is currently making excellent use of almost every hour the gods allow him. When the Somerset opener eased Jamie Porter through midwicket for three runs in the fourth over after tea he completed the third hundred of his first-class career, all his centuries coming in successive matches in the Bob Willis Trophy. Yet so assured had been Lammonby’s strokeplay, particularly through the leg side, that a century had looked likely ever since he had swept Simon Harmer to fine leg, thus reaching his fifty off 73 balls with his ninth boundary.That first landmark was reached during Lammonby’s 105-run opening stand with Ben Green, who made 41 before he nicked Aaron Beard to Alastair Cook. Tom Abell then offered almost trifling assistance as a further 50 runs were added off 47 balls for the second wicket; by contrast most bowlers came alike to his partner. Porter was clipped square off Lammonby’s toes and then punched through midwicket. Harmer, who had been smacked over midwicket for six by Green, was driven against the spin through the leg side, which Lammonby favoured for a dozen of his 17 fours. The 20-year-old’s command appeared absolute until Harmer, as he so often does, had his revenge.Lammonby’s wicket was the second of the three that fell for one run in the ten balls that may be seen as vital in determining the destiny of the trophy. Well-placed to set a decent target when they were 159 for 2 at tea, Somerset had already lost Eddie Byrom, who played on to Porter for 1, before George Bartlett perished at mid-on when trying to muscle the same bowler to the Nursery End. Harmer’s arm ball then hit Lammonby on the back pad to give Russell Warren one of his easier decisions and Essex’s revival was maintained when Alastair Cook, whose enjoyment of cricket remains so obvious, dived to his left to take Lewis Gregory’s sharp edge.And quite suddenly the cricket, and even the day itself, seemed far removed from the first half-hour of the morning in which Essex had gained the lead that ensured they will win the trophy should the game be drawn. That task had been accomplished in almost perfunctory fashion, one that belied the importance of the runs scored.Essex began the session a mere 35 runs behind Somerset but with four wickets in hand. The common expectation was that we would watch a grim and glorious struggle for every run; the reality was that Porter and Adam Wheater knocked off the runs needed for a lead in 7.2 overs and there was roughly as much tension as would normally accompany the washing-up. Two sets of four leg-byes got things moving and Wheater’s boundaries through midwicket and long leg off Overton brought the target down to single figures. It was fitting that a Steve Davies fumble and four byes should provide the anti-climactic moment that was greeted with understandable applause on the away balcony. By the time the innings closed when 120 overs had been bowled, Gregory had taken his fifth and sixth wickets but Essex’s lead was 36 runs.Some seven hours later Somerset had their own lead of 191 but after hoping to set their opponents a target in excess of 250, they had spent the rest of the session after Gregory’s dismissal struggling towards advantage of 200. And by the close they had also lost Davies, caught at slip for 19 by Cook, who seems impervious to both frost and fever. Mortal men – or at least those of us who do not have to brave the climate on a Bedfordshire farm – are not so fortunate. Describing the weather as autumnal when the umpires took the players off seven overs before the close was an act of verbal generosity towards it. One thought of Michael Rosen’s poem, “London Fields”:The wicket falls
High fives all round
Conkers shining in their nests
Mr Softee pulls away.Perhaps they do, perhaps he does, but we have had a fine season, all two months of it. There has been sunlight on our gardens, a brighter sunlight than we thought possible. Let us pray it is a portent.

Seamer scores vital late runs before delivering double-wicket maiden as Bears crumble

ECB Reporters Network01-Sep-2020Nathan Buck’s interventions either side of the interval helped Northamptonshire to a 38-run win over Birmingham Bears and gave them a third straight win in the Vitality Blast to extend their lead at the top of the Central Group.Buck swung 16 in eight balls from the final 10 deliveries of the Northamptonshire innings to lift them to 158 for 7 having been sent in, before his double-wicket maiden in the fourth over of the chase rocked the Bears who never recovered and were bowled out for just 120 in the final over.That Northamptonshire would win so handsomely did not seem likely when they were 135 for 7 in the 19th over. But Buck pulled Henry Brookes over midwicket for six and steered Olly Stone wide of third man for four.He then removed both openers with slower balls as Ian Bell and Ed Pollock swung to Ben Sanderson on the edge of the ring. And when Graeme White bowled Adam Hose, with a beauty that turned just enough, and dismissed Will Rhodes reverse sweeping, the Bears were out of the chase at 38 for 5 after 8.1 overs.Buck’s late runs grabbed the momentum at the halfway stage after Northamptonshire had drifted badly having made 66 for 2 in the Powerplay. But only 57 runs came in the next 11 overs.They were dragged back by left-arm wristspinner Jake Lintott, 27, who began his career in the Somerset age-groups but here was only playing his sixth professional match. He took 2 for 18 from his four overs, the best figures of his short career.Jeetan Patel’s offspin was also typically miserly as he took 2 for 27. Patel removed Paul Stirling for 14 but he and Richard Levi, who made 35 in 28 balls, helped Northamptonshire to a promising start.Levi struck Stone, back on his old home ground, over long-on and cover for two sixes in Stone’s first over. Tim Bresnan was then pulled over midwicket as his first over was taken for 17 before Levi backed away to cut Brookes for six over third man. But he miscued another pull and was taken by Sam Hain running to his left from deep square in the final over of the Powerplay.The hosts then stalled. Josh Cobb lifted Lintott to deep cover for 1 and Alex Wakely pulled at Bresnan, missed and was bowled for 6.Ricardo Vasconcelos captained the side in the absence of Adam Rossington – rested after a blow to the hand on Sunday – and began a rebuilding job. He cut and swept Patel and then drove and cut Lintott for fours on the way to 34 in 29 balls. But advancing at Lintott, was beaten by a flatter delivery and comfortably stumped by Vikai Kelley, an under-17 wicketkeeper from Staffordshire deputising for the ill Michael Burgess. Kelley also stumped Gareth Berg.Vasconcelos’ departure began a slide but Buck’s cameo and a flat six over cover from White brought 23 runs from the final 11 balls of the innings to swing the match decisively Northamptonshire’s way.