Former Liverpool manager had the courage to join a one-horse race at Parkhead and after wrapping up the Scottish Premiership title has a rare Treble in his sightsThat retaining the Scottish title was a given for Brendan Rodgers when he took control at Celtic should not detract from the manner of that accomplishment. The fans will cherish a sixth title in a row – and well they might. The approach of the Celtic players from the first minute of this season, added to memory of the 1990s when those supporters looked on as Rangers lorded it over all and sundry, will contribute to worthwhile celebration. Related: Five-star Celtic dispatch Hearts to secure Scottish Premiership title Continue reading...
Millwall and Lincoln are in the mood for further upsets, José Mourinho has a tactical teaser at Chelsea and Rangers at risk of Old Firm derby embarrassmentThe FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday is a fitting way for Neil Harris to celebrate two years in charge of the club he loves. Regardless of the result, the club have been upwardly mobile under Harris, the club’s all-time record goalscorer. Harris initially took caretaker charge on 10 March 2015 before assuming the full-time position a month later. Their start to this season was tricky – at the end of September they had 12 points from 10 games – but now Harris’s side are only six points off the automatic promotion...
Celtic do not need to sell and the striker is not agitating for a move but the money being demanded from Chelsea may not reflect reality – even for a blue-chip assetIf only the valuation of players was an exact science. Instead, issues of fitness, form, the desperation of either the buying or selling club plus contractual status play a part. Sometimes they combine. In a fluctuating player-club power struggle salaries don’t multiply to the extent of desired transfer fee in the case of a meteoric rise. Where Celtic and Moussa Dembélé are concerned, a high price tag links to great debate; should Scottish football’s lowly status negatively impact on the value of a player when pursued from England?What a...
Today’s fluff glows white on the mountain tonightWest Ham have given the world license to gossip after printing an anonymous article on their website, bylined “The Insider”, which reveals that “the board … have allocated significant funds to bolstering the squad. To that end, a bid of £20m was submitted for a player from Scotland. Meanwhile, an £8m bid was made for a player who currently plies his trade in the Championship, and a £6m bid for a current Premier League player. It is my understanding that the board will do their best to bring their selected targets to London Stadium, if at all possible.” Related: Mikel John Obi announces he is joining Chinese Super League from Chelsea Related: Transfer...
Since being persuaded to move to Glasgow at a meeting in London, the young French striker has created a real buzz with his goalscoring exploitsHad things worked out differently, Moussa Dembélé would have worn the white of Tottenham Hotspur and be preparing for the club’s Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow at Wembley on Wednesday night. There would also have been the thing about the name clash.How would he and Mousa Dembélé have been differentiated? “I will go to another club, then,” the Tottenham and Belgium midfielder with the single S had joked in April. “Or, they’ll need to find a nickname for him. We’ll see …” Related: Celtic end Manchester City’s winning run with thrilling Champions League draw Continue...