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One of the biggest priorities this summer for new Celtic manager, Ange Postecoglou, should be fixing the club’s ropey defence.

The Hoops were awful in that department last season, shipping 16 more goals than the league’s eventual winners and conceding 19 strikes throughout their Europa League group stage campaign.

Individual mistakes plagued their campaign, particularly at full-back where Jonjoe Kenny and Diego Laxalt were made to look distinctly average.

They were tormented in the Old Firm derby and it looks as though they’ve played their last matches for the Bhoys following the climax of their loan spells.

With the threat of Kristoffer Ajer heading for pastures new, it only heightens the need to improve their defence. The Norwegian colossus has been linked with Norwich and Newcastle but Bundesliga sides Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig are also chasing his signature.

If he departs then it’ll leave a considerable void in the Celtic backline, one Postecoglou will need to patch quickly.

New arrival Liam Shaw is capable of playing in that position while the Hoops have also been touted with a move for one of their former employers; Erik Sviatchenko.

The Denmark international has Celtic coursing through his veins but with a lack of pace, his arrival would be met with a sense of scepticism.

There is no doubting his leadership skills; he led FC Midtjylland to the league title last term after they earned a rare appearance in the Champions League group stages.

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However, there could be better options that lie elsewhere.

One player the Bhoys may look to bring to Paradise is Ben Davies. The centre-back was on the verge of agreeing a pre-contract deal with Celtic in January but a move fell through at the 11th hour as he departed Preston North End for Liverpool instead.

It was a move that left the Glaswegian side shell-shocked as they were beaten at the last moment for his services.

Davies has had a particularly tough time since moving to Anfield. He’s not played a single minute under Jurgen Klopp, struggling with injury.

Liverpool have since signed Ibrahima Konate and will have Virgil van Dijk back before too long. With that in mind, a place in the side feels far away for Davies.

He was tipped to head to Celtic again a few months ago and that would be a sensible move for all parties.

Postecoglou needs to bolster his defensive ranks and he fits the bill for what they need.

Speaking about the £60k-per-week earner after his move to the Reds, former teammate at York, Calvin Andrew, commented: “He’s robust. He can play. He’s naturally a left-back, I would say. He has that ability on the ball, he can play and see passes. But he’s not afraid of the dirty part of the game and puts his head where it hurts; a really brave and talented young man.”

Davies proved during his time at Preston what an influence he can be in the backline. The 25-year-old won 3.1 aerial duels per match in the Championship last term, producing four interceptions a game and completing 74.1% of his passes.

Like Ajer, he is a brute in the air but is graceful in carrying possession forward.

Postecoglou must forget about Sviatchenko and bring the Liverpool defender to Glasgow instead.

AND in other news, Celtic can rectify Toney howler by signing 41-goal gem who’s like “ice in the box”…

As explained in the Athletic’s scout report for Euro 2020, West Ham United are now one of the teams interested in signing VFL Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst this summer.

The Lowdown: West Ham in the striker hunt…

Manager David Moyes reportedly has three priorities for West Ham this summer in a new central defender, permanent deal for Jesse Lingard and a fresh centre-forward (Claret & Hugh).

Striker Michail Antonio suffered his fair share of injury problems over 2020/2021 and the Hammers are on the look out for fresh additions to their forward line.

West Ham have been linked with a host of attackers as another name now enters the fray.

The Latest: West Ham want Weghorst…

As explained by the Athletic in their scouting guide for Euro 2020, Weghorst is now attracting interest from West Ham.

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There is also an understanding that he will be allowed to leave if ‘certain conditions’ are met, namely his €30 million (£25.9m) price tag.

Wolfsburg are expecting concrete offers for their talismanic striker this summer, and with such a reasonable price tag, a move to the Premier League could beckon, as explained in the report.

The Verdict: A must…

Scoring a fantastic 25 goals in all competitions last season for the Bundesliga side, all while assisting nine of his teammates, it’s safe to say Weghorst is a monster up front.

Austrian tactician Oliver Glasner, who coached the 28-year-old last season, lauded him as the ‘most dangerous player in front of goal’ he has ever coached (Bundesliga).

Meanwhile, in an interview with FootballFanCast, Get German Football News editor-in-chief Daniel Pinder explained how he is ‘similar’ to legendary Premier League forward Ruud van Nistelrooy.

At around £25m, he could be a real steal for the Hammers.

In other news: Barry Fry makes claim on potentially ‘great news for West Ham fans’…find out more here.

تقدم أحمد ناصر رئيس اتحاد الترايثلون بطلب انسحاب من خوض الانتخابات على منصب الرئيس باللجنة الأولمبية المصرية في الانتخابات المقرر إقامتها يوم 23 إبريل القادم لانتخاب مجلس إدارة جديد.

طالع | انسحاب أحمد ناصر من انتخابات الأولمبية وتزكية حطب رئيسًا للجنة قائمة المرشحين لانتخابات مجلس إدارة اللجنة الأولمبية

 منصب الرئيس: المهندس هشام حطب رئيس اتحاد الفروسية ورئيس اللجنة الأولمبية.

منصب نائب الرئيس: المهندس ياسر إدريس ومنصب نائب الرئيس الأول الدكتور علاء جبر .

وفي منصب أمين الصندوق: الدكتور عبدالعزيز غنيم.

وفي منصب الأمين العام المهندس شريف العريان وفي منصب الأمين العام المساعد المهندس محمد عبدالمطلب.

وفي منصب عضوية مجلس إدارة اللجنة الأولمبية ترشح كل من ، الأستاذ عبدالمنعم الحسيني والدكتور الباسل عبدالله والأستاذ معتز عاشور والأستاذ شريف كمال والأستاذ شريف القماطي واللواء أيمن شويطه والأستاذ تيمور أبوالخير والأستاذ محمد عبدالمقصود والأستاذ هشام مصباح والأستاذ حسن العروسي والأستاذ مرزوق علي والأستاذ عاصم السعدني والأستاذ هشام التهامي واللواء حازم حسني لاختيار ثمانية أعضاء من بينهم.

طالع | وزير الرياضة يشهد اجتماع اتحاد اللجان الأولمبية الوطنية الإفريقية

ويضم المجلس عقب انتخابه النائبه أية مدني رئيس لجنة اللاعبين الأولمبين المصريين باللجنة الاولمبية المصرية وعضو لجنة اللاعبين الاولمبيين باللجنة الاولمبية الدولية .

A major update has emerged regarding the future of one of Charlton’s transfer targets; central midfielder Andy Cannon.

What’s the talk?

Championship side Hull City have officially confirmed the signing of Andy Cannon on a free transfer. The 25-year-old will leave Portsmouth as a free agent at the end of the month and then join Hull on a two-year deal, with the option to extend it by a further 12 months.

The Telegraph reported last month that Charlton and Hull were battling it out to land Cannon’s signature. Hull have now won the race and Charlton will need to look elsewhere in the market to bolster their midfield ranks ahead of next season.

Hull manager Grant McCann has offered his thoughts on the midfielder upon his arrival at the KCOM. McCann has labelled Cannon as an “all-action” midfielder, praising his winning mentality and character off the pitch. He told Hull’s official website:

“Andy is an all-action midfielder who likes to get on the ball and make things happen.

“We like the energy and aggression that he will bring and we’re looking forward to seeing him compete with the likes of Greg Docherty, George Honeyman and Richie Smallwood.

“He is a really good character with a strong winning mentality, and he will fit the dynamics of our changing room nicely whilst also being eager to continue to learn and develop as a player. There was a lot of competition for Andy’s signature so we’re delighted that he has chosen to come here and we can’t wait to work with him.”

Adkins will be gutted

Charlton manager Nigel Adkins will be gutted by this news as he has just missed out on what could have been a terrific addition to his squad. Adkins’ midfield is in an intriguing position for a variety of reasons. For starters, Ben Watson, 35, and Darren Pratley, 36, both played in excess of 25 League One games in central midfield for Charlton last season, suggesting that an overhaul is needed in that area.

Jake Forster-Caskey was exceptional for the club in midfield last term, with an average WhoScored rating of 7.19 across 34 League One appearances. He provided six goals and two assists from the middle of the park, establishing himself as one of Adkins’ key players. However, he is out of contract at the end of the month and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be extending his stay at The Valley.

This emphasises the need for Charlton to bring in a central midfielder and highlights why missing out on Cannon is a major blow for Adkins and why he will be gutted.

The £1.5k-per-week beast, Cannon, averaged a WhoScored rating of 6.83 in central midfield for Portsmouth in League One, showing that he is a solid performer at this level. He also has room to improve at the age of 25, which means he could have been the long-term successor to the ageing Watson.

AND in other news, Adkins handed major boost with sought-after £5.1k-p/w ace, Charlton fans will love it…

Peter Lawwell’s ‘big mistake’ at Celtic was failing to secure the signings of Ivan Toney and John McGinn.

That’s according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie, speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

It was confirmed in January that chief executive Lawwell would retire this month after 17 years at Celtic.

Celtic looked to sign McGinn from Hibernian back in 2018 but saw three bids rejected before he ultimately joined Aston Villa, then in the Championship (via Daily Record).

Three years on, the Scottish international is now valued at £27million by Transfermarkt.

Toney, meanwhile, visited Celtic’s training ground last summer, but the club decided not to make a formal move for the striker.

And he showed them what they were missing with a starring role in Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Toney scored a total of 33 league goals in 48 appearances for the Bees and is now rated at £16.2million.

The latest

McAvennie has been left to rue the failure to do these two deals, pointing out that Celtic could have generated an immense profit.

He did, however, say he was satisfied with Lawwell’s approach overall.

“The big ones for me are Ivan Toney and John McGinn,” he said. “He had the chance to sign both of them, they are worth £70million or something now, easy.

“That’s Lawwell’s big mistake. I wanted him to spend the money, we all did. Sometimes you have balance the books.

“Whether it’s right or wrong, I’m happy with what he’s done. Celtic were making money, there’s not many clubs doing that.”

The verdict

In the case of McGinn, ultimately the player made the decision to go to Villa Park rather than wait for Celtic. Perhaps he saw a clear route to the Premier League, and that was where he truly wanted to be.

But they should really be kicking themselves over Toney. To invite him to Lennoxtown and then opt against pursuing a move was a glaring misstep.

Celtic would have had a ready-made successor for Odsonne Edouard on their hands, someone more than capable of putting up numbers in his bracket.

And, as McAvennie notes, they could have eventually cashed in when offers arrived from the Premier League.

In other news, Celtic have been linked with a move for this EPL goalkeeper.  

كشفت تقارير هولندية عن إمكانية عودة المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم السابق بنادي برشلونة، رونالد كومان، لقيادة منتخب هولندا بعد نهاية بطولة كأس العالم 2022.

ورحل كومان عن منتخب هولندا في أغسطس 2020 من أجل تحقيق حلمه بتدريب برشلونة، لكنه رحل في نهاية العام الماضي بسبب سوء النتائج مع العملاق الكتالوني.

وبحسب شبكة “NOS” الهولندية، هناك تفاوض بين كومان واتحاد الكرة في بلده من أجل قيادة الطواحين مرة أخرى بعد بطولة كأس العالم 2022 في قطر.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كلوب عن وقوع ليفربول أمام بنفيكا: الفريق الوحيد الذي لم أرغب في مواجهته من إنجلترا

يدرب منتخب هولندا في الوقت الحالي، لويس فان خال، ولكن من المتوقع أن يتم إعفاءه عن المهمة بعد المونديال للإعداد من أجل التأهل إلى يورو 2024.

وكان كومان هو من قاد منتخب هولندا إلى التأهل لكأس أمم أوروبا 2020 ولكن خرجت الطواحين من دور الـ 16 على يد التشيك تحت قيادة خليفته، فرانك دي بور، الذي تمت إقالته بعد ذلك حتى وصل، لويس فان خال.

وكان لويس فان خال قد أكد قبل 3 أشهر أنه لن يستمر في تدريب هولندا بعد مونديال 2022 في قطر، بغض النظر عن نتائج كأس العالم.

David Norris has exclusively told Football FanCast that he doesn’t expect Tyler Roberts to leave Leeds this summer.

The 22-year-old was used as a bit-part player in the early parts of the season, but has worked his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans, starting Leeds’ previous 12 Premier League matches, although he was hooked off early in the second half against Spurs last weekend.

Having been mainly restricted to appearances for the Under-23s pre-Christmas, Roberts was linked with a loan move away from Elland Road in January, but ended up staying in Yorkshire and has improved, even though he’s been unable to register a goal or assist in the league.

Roberts was then sent home early from international duty with Wales after breaking a curfew in March, which threatened to put his Leeds career at risk.

But the attacker has started all six games since that incident, and former Whites midfielder Norris believes that Roberts has earned Bielsa’s trust and doesn’t see him being sold.

He told Football FanCast:

“He’s 22 and has had some really good games in terms of more recently. I’ve heard he’s been a bit unlucky, but in terms of the amount of games he has played, I’d be surprised if he does end up going elsewhere.

“He is only young, Bielsa does seem to have a bit of trust in him, so I think we might see more of him.”

Daily Record reporter Keith Jackson has provided a major update in regards to Celtic’s pursuit of Eddie Howe.

The Lowdown: Celtic and Howe

Links between Howe and the Hoops first began in April, with the 43-year-old reportedly meeting Dermot Desmond in London for talks.

Howe verbally agreed on a move to Parkhead, however, a deal is still yet to be announced, with the Englishman thought to be having second thoughts.

It seems as if a move is back on the cards, though, with a recent story suggesting Howe is finalising his Celtic Park backroom staff.

The Latest: Howe’s appointment is when, not if

In an in-depth piece on Celtic detailing the stories of both former manager Neil Lennon and Howe, Jackson appeared to drop a hugely positive claim on the situation.

The Daily Record man said:

“The informed word is, it’s only a matter of when Desmond lands his top target as opposed to if.”

Jackson went on to describe the situation as a ‘calculated gamble’ by the Hoops hierarchy, but it appears as if it may well pay off going off his latest comments.

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The Verdict: McKay and Desmond surely delighted

In our opinion, New Celtic CEO Dominic McKay and Desmond will be delighted, should Jackson’s recent claim be accurate.

Celtic only have two league games remaining and the summer window is edging closer, so the board could do with agreeing on a deal for Lennon’s long-term successor relatively soon ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Going into a crucial transfer window without a Director of Football or a permanent manager in place could be a disaster, so the sooner that ‘when’ comes the better.

It seems as if a move for Howe is under control, though, so, hopefully, as well as working on his backroom staff, he is beginning to work out who he wants to remain at the club, as well as potential areas to strengthen, giving new chief McKay a head start on the summer rebuild.

In other news: Raman Bhardwaj drops late-night Celtic post; could be helpful to McKay, find out more here. 

تمكن نادي برشلونة من بلوغ دور الـ16 من مسابقة الدوري الأوروبي، وذلك بعد الفوز على نابولي بأربعة أهداف مقابل هدفين.

النادي الكتالوني كان تعادل في مباراة الذهاب مع نابولي بهدفٍ لمثله، وبالإياب انتصر بنتيجة 4-2، ليتأهل بنتيجة 5-3 في مجموع المباراتين.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تعرف على موعد ونظام قرعة دور الـ16 والفرق المتأهلة في الدوري الاوروبي 2021/2022

وسيواجه برشلونة أحد الفرق التي احتلت المرتبة الأولى في دور مجموعات الدوري الأوروبي هذا الموسم.

وذكر الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم “يويفا” أنه لا توجد أندية من نفس البلدان ستواجه بعضهما البعض، ولا يوجد فريق إسباني تأهل كمتصدر من دور المجموعات. الخصوم المحتملة لـ برشلونة في الدوري الأوروبي

– النجم الأحمر بلجراد (صربيا).

– آينتراخت فرانكفورت (ألمانيا).

– جالطة سراي (تركيا).

– باير ليفركوزن (ألمانيا).

– أولمبيك ليون (فرنسا).

– موناكو (فرنسا).

– سبارتاك موسكو (روسيا).

– وست هام يونايتد (إنجلترا).

Former Everton striker Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Harry Winks would be an excellent signing for the Toffees.

Winks was a regular under Mauricio Pochettino, but has fallen down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho, and has been restricted to just 10 Premier League appearances this season.

The midfielder has also lost his place in the England squad, and was strongly linked with a move to a host of clubs in the January window, including Everton with The Mirror reporting Carlo Ancelotti is an admirer.

But with Tottenham facing a shortage of centre midfielders and still competing in four competitions at the time, Winks understandably wasn’t allowed to leave.

However, he’s has featured once in the Premier League since the window closed, and with Atletico Madrid already keeping tabs on the Spurs Academy graduate, a summer exit would appear likely despite Winks having more than three years left on his deal.

And Bent told Football FanCast that Goodison Park would be a good destination for the midfielder:

“He’s more of a defensive midfielder, but he’s still got the technical ability to move the ball about. I think that would be a great signing for Everton.

“It depends on if Mourinho stays or not and whether he can consolidate his place in the team next year, because he is a good player.

“But he’s not played much football, and when you’re not playing so much football you lose confidence, but he’s still quite young.”