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Celtic’s search for a new manager has gathered frantic pace in the last few days, with Eddie Howe looking like the man to enter the Bhoys dugout.

That being said, when the Hoops face Falkirk in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, they will do so with John Kennedy in charge again.

On the chalkboard

It will be interesting to see how Celtic and Kennedy approach the cup. They are yet to win any silverware this season and this remains their sole chance of scooping a major honour. Therefore, you’d imaging they plan on taking it pretty seriously.

That being said, when they face third-tier Falkirk today, they can probably afford to make a few changes here and there.

With that in mind, this feels like the perfect time to finally unleash James Forrest.

The winger had been missing since September due to a lengthy ankle injury until he came off the bench against Dundee United last month. He has played just 23 minutes under Kennedy, though, struggling to make a proper breakthrough with the interim coach in charge.

Of course, it’s been useful to hand drips and drabs to Forrest as he returns to the fold, but with this game being a simpler challenge on paper, it’s an ideal time to hand him his first start since returning from his layoff.

Who misses out?

If Forrest does come back into the side this weekend, it’s likely to be Ryan Christie who will miss out. David Turnbull is too impressive to drop, while Mo Elyounoussi returned to form with a vibrant goalscoring performance against Rangers in the Old Firm a fortnight ago.

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Christie has been particularly abject this term. He set up a goal for Scotland on international duty last week but, in recent months, he’s had had a tough time for the Hoops. He has scored just twice in his last 26 outings and he only has one goal to his name in the whole of 2021 so far.

With that in mind, the return of Forrest feels timely. He scored 16 times last season while registering 22 assists. To lose a player like that for such a large period of time, therefore, has been nothing short of disastrous for Celtic.

In 2019/20, only Christie completed more dribbles per game than Forrest in continental competition, so clearly he has been a huge absentee.

The Scotland international is nothing short of a cult hero at Parkhead. He has played 407 times for the Hoops, putting in some majestic performances along the way, and you only need to look at appraisals throughout the years to understand the extra dimension he can give Celtic on Saturday.

Speaking in April 2019, former Bhoys manager Neil Lennon commented: “He’s a beautifully balanced footballer”, adding : “He’s having a great three or four years, but the potential was always there when he was a kid. He’s one of the best players in Britain now.”

Thus, it’s unfortunate that Forrest has had to miss such a large part of the 2020/21 campaign. He could have been the difference maker in Celtic’s pursuit of ten titles in a row.

After easing the £15k-per-week earner back gently last month, Kennedy must now finally unleash him in the starting XI.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Edouard: Celtic must sign 16-goal gem who plays “in the style of Robben”…

For those in the Celtic reserve side, their chances of securing regular first-team action seems difficult to envisage.

That was certainly the case under a stubborn Neil Lennon. Very rarely did the northern Irishman change his methods and it eventually led to his downfall.

An underlying problem at Parkhead has been the lack of opportunities for their young players. Cameron Harper has headed back to America as a result, while the likes of Armstrong Oko-Flex and Karamoko Dembele look set to depart when their contracts expire in the summer.

With that in mind, they have to start handing more minutes out. Adam Montgomery has been on the bench since John Kennedy was put in interim charge but someone who must join him is Luca Connell.

The 19-year-old joined in 2019 from Bolton Wanderers but has, rather bizarrely, never been given a chance in the senior side.

The teenager arrived with 12 appearances for Bolton in the EFL to his name, something which makes his lack of football in Glasgow even stranger.

When he put pen to paper two years ago, he surely wasn’t expecting to sit in the reserves. With the Bhoys signing Liam Shaw in a few months time, another with a similar level of experience under his belt as Connell, he will be hoping his career doesn’t follow in a similar path.

The Hoops have little to play for between now and the end of the season so throwing in players like Connell wouldn’t be a bad idea. By giving him minutes, it could help Kennedy and co. prepare for Scott Brown’s potential exit.

The veteran is out of contract in the summer and thus, there will be a vacancy in the middle of the park to fill. Ismaila Soro will be at the front of the queue but following behind should be Connell.

He is strong in the tackle and assured with his passing, earning numerous positive reviews in his short career to date.

Connell was given a chance to train with Ireland a few years ago and earned the following appraisal from Mick McCarthy, someone linked with the Celtic manager’s seat: “He’s a breath of fresh air around the place,” he began.

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“He’s left-footed and he can certainly find a pass. He hits it with a bit of authority and lets people have the ball. He doesn’t mind putting his foot in either so he’s fitted in pretty well,” McCarthy concluded.

That final passage is what should excite Celtic supporters. As Brown and Soro have shown, you can’t play in this Hoops midfield without having a bit of bite about you. Despite his tender age, Connell possesses plenty of that.

With the Hoops skipper potentially on his way out, it is surely now or never in terms of the teenager’s Celtic career. Kennedy needs to give him a chance.

AND in other news, 109 dribbles: Celtic could seal huge Ryan Christie upgrade by signing 18-goal wizard…

According to reports, Leeds are still interested in Reading’s Michael Olise ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports back in January suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side were very much interested in bringing the 19-year-old to the Premier League, and now Football Insider have delivered a major update on the situation.

The report claims that the Whites are still closely monitoring Olise, but are facing strong competition from a number of Premier League clubs, including the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool.

Game-changer for Bielsa

With five goals and ten assists, Olise has been an absolute revelation in the Championship for Reading this season, and it’s no surprise that so many of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are keen on seeing him play at a higher level.

His teammate at Reading, Sam Baldock, said early last year: “Michael is a real talent, he’ll get on the ball in any situation. He’s fearless, if you ask him today I’ll guarantee that he had no nerves. He’s a lively character and one who I’ve noticed a real change in the last couple of months.”

Hailed as “super talented” by Reading boss Veljko Paunović, the 19-year-old has already earned rave reviews for his ability, with his former manager at the Royals, Jose Gomes, adding: “Michael is really special. He can see, even before receiving the ball, more options than regular players. His technical ability and speed, decision capacity is really, really good.”

His tally of ten assists is significantly higher than anything that any of Leeds’ players have produced this season, and given his ability to play as a number ten or even out wide, could be a real game-changer for Bielsa.

Not only would he offer support for the likes of Raphinha and Jack Harrison, but he could really give Rodrigo a run for his money for that attacking midfield role.

As those who know him well have attested to, Olise has got that ability to take players on and create a moment of magic. And that’s exactly the kind of match-winning quality Bielsa would surely love to have in his side.

Meanwhile, Bielsa should unleash this Leeds starlet next season…

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their views on an update regarding young midfielder Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.

According to the Daily Mail, the 18-year-old looks set to move to Germany and join either Borussia Monchengladbach or Schalke after turning down a two-year professional contract at Selhurst Park.

Celtic, Everton and West Ham also hold a strong interest in Rak-Sakyi, however, it seems as if he is likely to become the latest young Englishman to move to the Bundesliga.

Rak-Sakyi best Palace youngster since Wan-Bissaka?

Palace will reportedly be in line to receive just £150,000 in training compensation for Rak-Sakyi, who has scored seven goals and registered three assists in his last eight fixtures for Palace’s U18 and U23 sides.

The Daily Mail claim that Rak-Sakyi is regarded as one of the brightest talents to emerge from Palace’s academy since Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so it appears as if it could be a big loss for the Eagles.

The news was shared on Twitter by @cpfc_xtra on Tuesday afternoon.

This is what these Palace supporters had to say, with one describing the teenager as a ‘high ceiling’ player.

Palace fans react

“Well done Hodgson”

Credit: @D_Shootz

“Oh. Please, no”

Credit: @cpfcjude

“Cat 1 and we still can’t keep our best talents”

Credit: @joelcpfc_

“Need to keep him for sure. High ceiling player. Gotta keep the best youngster to prep for the first team.”

Credit: @TtimeSTL

“Let’s build a Cat A academy and then make our players not want to sign progressional contracts peak Parish that”

Credit: @Northyy001

“Nothing much can be done about things like this unfortunately”

Credit: @CPFCRonnie2

In other news: Many Crystal Palace fans shudder as club confirm news, find out more here.

Many Liverpool fans reacted in delight regarding news concerning Reds’ youngster Harvey Blair.

The club announced on Wednesday morning that the 17-year-old has put pen to paper on a new contract extension after just one season with the U18s squad.

Blair has scored twice from just four U18 Premier League appearances and is currently working his way through the club’s academy setup at the AXA Training Centre.

The English youngster is a versatile attacker that typically plays as a winger, but can also play through the middle with his pace and technical ability.

With this in mind, supporters were overjoyed with the announcement and are looking forward to seeing what he can do in the future with this abundance of potential, as one fan hailed the starlet as a ‘baller’ and others joked his deal means they will win the league.

Fans celebrate Blair’s new deal

“Baller”

Credit: @lfcfamz

“WE’RE WINNING THE LEAGUE”

Credit: @Daniel04139099

“What a player”

Credit: @GerrardThings

“YNWA Harvey lad”

Credit: @KLigaf

“Nice what a player”

Credit: @lfcthursto

“Way to go young lad YNWA”

Credit: @kunmisconsult

“Wow What a player”

Credit: @fenday27

In other news, Liverpool fans in their droves to Premier League appointment for Chelsea crunch clash.

Everton must surely rue their decision to reject the chance to sign Erling Braut Haaland during his youth given the progression of the Borussia Dortmund star in the years since.

What’s the word?

While speaking with the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees’ former Head of European Recruitment, Ian Atkins, has revealed that the Goodison Park outfit snubbed the chance to sign Haaland as a teen.

The club’s then-Scandinavia-based talent spotter Brian King had spotted the emerging skills of the striker whilst he built a name for himself at Bryne FK, while contacts across Norway were already buzzing with talk of the country’s up-and-coming sensation.

Haaland would travel to Merseyside for a trial and a chance to prove himself at a Premier League club with a record for promoting their academy talents, but the views of those in control did not share King’s excitement.

“King was really excited about this kid,” Atkins said. “He’d watched Haaland a lot and rated him really highly. He gets on to the club and manages to get him in for four days with the academy, so that the coaches can have a look at him and see what they think.

“This is when Haaland is at Bryne, before the Molde move, so he’s raw but he’s got all these great attributes you don’t often see in someone so young.

“He comes in for four days and the academy decided he wasn’t good enough, something that Brian King didn’t agree with. He thought there was a real talent in there, but they didn’t agree. He was one that got away for Everton, but you get that in football. I think Haaland would have suited the English game.”

It is noted that it was not long after his failed trial spell that Haaland agreed to join a then-Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed Molde FK, where his efforts would lead to a move to RB Salzburg and later Borussia Dortmund.

One that got away

Like Atkins told the Liverpool Echo, Haaland is certainly one that got away from Everton with the 20-year-old now one of Europe’s hottest properties and thought to be a target for Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Any side wishing to land the striker faces having to pay a king’s ransom, with his €75m (£65m) Dortmund buy-out clause not active until 2022 and claims that his agent, Mino Raiola, will push for a £78m, five-year contract with a basic wage of £300,000-per-week.

Raiola and BVB can both stake their claim to mammoth fees for Haaland to move this summer as few strikes in Europe offer as much as the Norwegian, or on such a regular basis.

Only Robert Lewandowski (26) and Andre Silva (18) have netted more goals than Haaland (17) in the Bundesliga this term, though no one has scored more often in the Champions League than the Leeds-born attacker – with a TransferMarkt valuation of £99m – who has struck home eight times in five games so far.

Haaland is far from the finished product, either, with Jesse Marsch – his former coach at RB Salzburg – only able to wax lyrical over the seven-cap striker.

“I always say about Erling, if you just talk about his talent, his physical abilities as a footballer, he is right away in the top one per cent of professionals, of the best players in the world, Marsch told Sky Sports. “But when you add his mentality, his joy, his commitment to improve, his work ethic, his fearlessness, right away, it is clear that there is no ceiling for this young man.”

But Everton will likely have to watch on as Haaland continues to take Europe by storm, knowing that they passed up on his potential after a four-day trial against the better judgment of the man who discovered his talent.

AND in other news, Everton eye free transfer of £113k-p/w maestro who “always gives everything”…

Many Liverpool fans reacted with joy after The Athletic journalist James Pearce posted quotes made by Jurgen Klopp during his press conference.

The German tactician told reporters that goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be available for the Reds’ crunch clash against Everton at Anfield on Saturday.

This followed on from potential worries that the Brazil international may not be available for the Merseyside derby after missing Thursday’s training session, with backup shot-stopper Caoimhim Kelleher also not featuring.

Alisson has been in and out of the side during the 2020/21 campaign after picking up a number of injuries, having played a key role in Liverpool’s recent success domestically and in Europe as the club’s number one shot-stopper.

Unsurprisingly, supporters were delighted to discover that the 28-year-old would be available for selection and made their feelings clear towards Pearce on Twitter.

Alisson news sent these fans wild

“Panic over”

Credit: @Dabzee

“Super. That’s all I needed to hear.”

Credit: @A_C0624

“And the news we all wanted!”

Credit: @LFCNewsSheet

“Thank goodness for that”

Credit: @hjkerins

“Tears in my eyes we move”

Credit: @sisenor_9

“GET INNNNNNN”

Credit: @NunlAlhabsy

In other news, Liverpool fans delighted over links with ‘Argentinian Jack Grealish.’

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed fine partnerships over the years, the latest being Harry Kane and Heung-min Son’s telepathic double-act that has seen them consistently deliver goals.

Indeed, they are on the verge of breaking Premier League records this campaign.

Belgian twosome Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen were the defensive wall for Mauricio Pochettino for many seasons, whilst there has to be an honourable mention for Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele.

And who could forget the ‘David and Goliath’ pairing of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe?

Now the door has opened for Daniel Levy to seal the next deadly duo in north London.

According to L’Equipe, Spurs have made contact with veteran winger Angel Di Maria over a potential free transfer in the summer as he remains out of contract in the French capital at the end of the current season.

Whilst Paris Saint-Germain, managed by former favourite Mauricio Pochettino, is hopeful of keeping hold of the 32-year-old, Jose Mourinho is keen to bring his old Real Madrid man to N17.

And Levy ought to do what he can to convince the £220k-per-week Argentina international to join.

He’s formed an exciting partnership with Spurs midfielder Giovani Lo Celso for both club and country over the years. By bringing Di Maria to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Levy could create the second coming of Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa.

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When Keith Burkinshaw secured the two World Cup winners in 1978, it transformed the fortunes of Spurs and sent a stark warning across Europe.

The north London outfit had only just been promoted to the First Division, so the £750k swoop for the Argentinian pair was quite the outstanding coup.

They both struggled to hit the ground running, but soon their influence helped Spurs to two FA Cup final wins.

Levy’s team haven’t secured a piece of silverware since 2008, and the wait goes on, so bringing someone in of Di Maria’s calibre would certainly bolster their prospects of breaking that duck.

He has won La Liga and Ligue 1, and the Champions League too, whilst he was part of the Argentina squad to finish runner-up at the 2014 World Cup.

Di Maria can be Villa, whilst Spurs already have Ardiles 2.0 in Lo Celso.

When playing together, the duo have an impressive 76.5% win-rate and combined, they have delivered a total of 21 goals and 23 assists, per Transfermarkt.

Dubbed “exceptional” by new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and “extraordinary” by PSG enforcer Marco Verratti, Di Maria would be an incredible free transfer signing irrespective of his poor stint at Premier League rivals Manchester United.

The £25.2m-rated winger could help Lo Celso thrive with the £55m arrival only delivering seven goals and four assists in the 18 months he’s been at the club.

Perhaps the influence of his international and former PSG teammate can be the spark he needs, and in turn, it may well give Spurs another famous duo – one that is certainly shades of Ardiles and Villa mark two.

AND in other news, Mourinho could give Spurs new threat with £36m “exceptional talent” who idolises Ozil…

Leeds United managed to bank an important win on the road last night thanks to goals from Raphinha and Jack Harrison. The Whites narrowly scraped through and kept the spoils for themselves against Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The win will have undoubtedly lifted morale around the Leeds camp after breaking their three-game streak of defeat. However, not everything that came out of that match was a positive.

Elusive summer signing Diego Llorente started just his second match for his new club but was forced off the pitch after ten minutes with an injury. This will be massively frustrating for everyone involved with the club and Marcelo Bielsa, but the Argentinian must take some responsibility upon reflection.

Huge Llorente blow for Leeds

With the Whites currently without Robin Koch, they are struggling for options in defence. Liam Cooper has recently been paired up with Luke Ayling due to their lack of fit centre-backs.

Having Llorente back in action was a huge boost for Leeds, who are still a way away from having Koch back in the squad. However, it seems Bielsa got too eager to bring the former back into the squad and as such, he has now suffered yet another injury setback.

According to Phil Hay, Leeds doubled up on their doses of Bielsa’s trademark Murderball last week and Llorente was involved in these sessions. This in itself is hugely risky given the demanding nature of the training game, never mind when it involves a recently injured player.

The £22,000 per week new signing will have Leeds fans hugely frustrated right now. Llorente has missed a total of eight matches so far this season due to muscle injuries and could now be set to spend even longer on the sidelines, as per Transfermarkt. For an exciting £23million summer signing, not a lot of positives are surrounding him right now.

Starting Llorente was a huge risk from Bielsa given the issues they’ve had in that position, and one that did not need to be taken given they are comfortably sitting in mid-table in the Premier League standings.

Considering the Spaniard played just ten minutes against Newcastle before being forced off, it can’t be said that he played any part in the win either. The manager did not have to risk his fitness at all.

In other news, Signing Julian Draxler could be the end of Hernandez at Leeds…

Liverpool are reportedly one of the Premier League sides who are interested in signing Derby County 16-year-old this month.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, both Liverpool and Manchester United are ‘circling’ the youngster, with the piece suggesting that he is one of the best young footballers to keep an eye on for 2021.

The teenager recently made his first-team debut with the Rams under player-manager Wayne Rooney and is described as a quick and skilful forward.

Liverpool’s next Harvey Elliott?

Liverpool have shown that they can have great success in bringing in young talent in recent years, with Harvey Elliott perhaps the prime example.

The winger was signed as a 16-year-old in the summer of 2019 and has already made nine appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s first-team during his two years with the club.

Earlier this season, he joined Blackburn Rovers on loan and he has performed incredibly well in his time with Tony Mowbray’s side, having contributed four goals and six assists in 18 Championship appearances for the Ewood Park outfit, so clearly seems destined for a big future with the Reds.

Similarly to Elliott, Gordon is already making an impression in the Championship and was handed his first senior appearance as a late substitute in the Rams’ win against Birmingham City recently.

Following the game, Rooney was full of praise for the youngster, saying:

“I brought Kaide up with the first team initially to train with us for a week to see how he reacted to it, and he was one of the best trainers. I kept him with us and he has been training at the same level, if not better, as the others.”

Although Liverpool fans might not be the biggest fan of Rooney’s, there’s no doubting the success he had in England during his playing career and if he has put his faith in Gordon at just 16, then he must certainly be talented.

Therefore, the Reds must act on their reported interest in the Derby County ace and ensure that they are the ones to sign him ahead of Manchester United.

And, in other news, Forget Trent: “World-class” LFC star who made just 11 passes really let Klopp down vs Southampton…