All posts by z3u9t.icu

Glasgow Rangers fans are livid at Michael Stewart following the BBC pundit’s take on Glen Kamara’s allegations of racist abuse from Ondrej Kudela.

Slavia Prague defeated Rangers 3-1 on aggregate to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. However, in the aftermath of Thursday’s clash at Ibrox, the situation involving Kamara and Kudela has dominated the headlines. Kamara has released a statement backing up his claim, while Slavia themselves have moved to vehemently deny the allegations (slavia.cz).

Stewart was speaking on BBC Sportsound (via The Daily Record), and he was asked about the Kamara situation. However, instead of standing with the Finland international, he suggested there is a chance the former Dundee man may have misheard Kudela and has asked for there to be caution in judging the situation.

The comments were shared on Twitter by @thisisibrox, and they attracted plenty of attention from the Rangers supporters. They took to the social media platform to shared their anger with Stewart.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Stewart below

“He should be sacked immediately @BBCSportsound Utterly deplorable description of events of the last 24 hours. How @mstewart_23 can come out with this is beyond belief. An embarrassment to his colleagues and fellow professionals.”

Credit: @JohnGirvan2

“That’s what Scottish sports journalism amounts to sadly. Some never was given so much air time. Tragic”

Credit: @JohnAnd53999512

“Would be sacked for less. Shocking comments to make.”

Credit: @SteveGSmith_

“The BBC wish to bulld bridges with the club. It now ends.”

Credit: @ferguslie_james

“Lost for words with that statement from Michael Stewart. I think the reaction from everyone at Glasgow Rangers tells you exactly that there was racial abuse. Once again just trying to be controversial but, comes over as someone who deserves no respect.”

Credit: @Shunksy62

“he should be sacked. Simple, the player went with his mouth covered, said x & ran off. If polite he wouldn’t have. He said exactly what has been suggested, reactions followed. Forget what is said after. Fact he had is hands in an unnatural position, he is guilty.”

Credit: @iamdbali

In other news, Alan Hutton has suggested this Rangers ace could leave the club this summer.

According to a report by Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb [via Sport Witness], Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has made some sort of approach to sign Juventus and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey – possibly enquiring over financial details.

Indeed, as per the Italian outlet, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool have all made ‘some sort of contact’ over his potential signing, with Juventus aiming to offload the £18m-rated ace this summer along with Adrien Rabiot.

Tottenham make Ramsey approach

Another report by Calciomercato claimed that the Serie A champions wish to sell Ramsey and Rabiot to free up wages and fund potential summer acquistions, with Tutto now throwing Tottenham into the mix as an interested party.

A former Arsenal player, it is believed that the Lilywhites have now joined the race for his signing as the 30-year-old attracts plenty of suitors. He has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season, but has rarely completed a full 90 minutes and is currently out with injury again.

Transfer Tavern take

Ramsey’s quality as a player is evident, especially considering that Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo hailed him as ‘very intelligent’ and a ‘great player’ in an interview with the press (The Athletic).

Based on his past form in the Premier League, he has also attracted praise from Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle, who labelled him an ‘excellent player’ in 2018 on BT Sport [via Daily Express].

Time will tell what comes of this update, but Spurs are now mentioned as possible suitors for Ramsey and have even made contact over a potentially sensational return to north London.

In other news: Alasdair Gold has dropped a claim on this talent, find out more here.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Marlon Harewood, who scored 45 goals for Nottingham Forest, has backed Chris Hughton to guide his former club to promotion next season.

Nottingham Forest have not been in the Premier League since 1999, but they have Hughton as manager who has experience taking both Brighton and Newcastle from the Championship into the top flight.

Hughton has been able to steer Forest away from the relegation zone as they currently sit 15th and a comfortable 10 points above the drop zone with just five games left to play.

Speaking on his hopes for Nottingham Forest next season and what Chris Hughton must do to get them back pushing for the playoffs like they were last season, Harewood told FFC:

“I would love for Chris to take Forest up because they need to be back there and I think next season is their time.

“After what they’ve been through this year I think they just need to rebuild and try to get back to where they used to be.”

Forest’s problem this season has been in the final third as only Derby County, Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers have scored fewer than the 34 they have managed.

Next season will be a different one for Hughton as the club will lose the six players they currently have on loan, which will force a squad overhaul in the summer.

Many Aston Villa fans have flooded to Twitter in reaction to reports around sporting director Johan Lange and the plans he has in the summer.

It was tweeted by @AVFC_News, that Lange is preparing for a massive clearout in the summer, referring to reports from the Birmingham Mail.

It is very interesting to see how Villa execute this reported exodus as only two permanent playing contracts expire at the end of this season. Ahmed Elmohamady and Neil Taylor, who are barely seen on the pitch these days unless there is an injury or suspension, are the duo currently set to leave in the summer.

Ross Barkley’s loan will expire and he would return to Chelsea, but Villa might want to keep him and Dean Smith has a big decision to make on what happens to the 27-year-old as he has lost his place in the starting XI lately.

There are other players in the squad who could be sold and it will be intriguing to see how the summer transfer window goes, especially if Dean Smith’s side manage a top-half finish this season.

These Villa fans on Twitter outlined their wishes in response to the reports about Lange:

Here is how Villa fans reacted to this news:

“We have shown that if we aspirations next season to get into Europe then we need to bring in quality. Get the business done as early as possible so we can hit the ground running.”

Credit: @mickstan63

“Crucial we keep JG, Martinez, Konsa, Mings, Sanson, Cash, Targett and McGinn. Wesley and Hause we should hope to keep along with AEG. The rest, in my view we should sell and seek upgrades if there is. Build on our spine and seek to improve again”

Credit: @strongarm710

“We’ve got some real quality on our books now which means the club has to show ambition to keep them. Exciting times UTV”

 Credit: @MauricioRock666

“No surprises there”

Credit: @denniswhite1114

“What’s important is that every signing Villa make this coming summer, has to be better than a current starter, I envisage 4 or 5 signings again, with a new striker a priority once again.”

Credit: @1966wall

“I hope we keep Dominic Reven. He was outstanding against Liverpool. Big potential.”

Credit: @DarkHorseRex

In other news, Gregg Evans provided an injury update on this Villa ace!

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for a Serie A winger this week…

What’s the word?

According to Club Doria, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is keen on signing Sampdoria sensation Mikkel Damsgaard with the north London outfit expected to bid ‘at any moment.’

It comes after mooted interest from Premier League rivals West Ham United, who are said to have held a meeting with the 20-year-old attacker.

There are also claims that his impressive performances this season has attracted Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus.

Earlier in the month, it was reported by Gazzetta dello Sport that his value had tripled to around €20m (£18m).

Another Bergwijn?

Indeed, the young Dane has been one of the Claudio Rainieri’s star performers since his 50m kroner (£4.5m) move from FC Nordsjælland in the summer as he ranks fifth for average rating (6.78) of any player to start at least ten times.

Damsgaard has contributed two goals and three assists in 18 appearances, per WhoScored.

Whilst no other player in the I Blucerchiati squad is averaging more than his three dribbles per 90 minutes. He successfully pulls these off at a rate of 62.5%, which means more often than not, he beats his man.

Another interesting attribute of the industrious wide man is his defensive and off-the-ball capabilities, which may well point towards why Mourinho may be so keen to sign him.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-and-rumours” title=”Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, injury latest and more!”]

He’s averaged the sixth-most tackles in this Sampdoria team, managing 2.4 per game, making him quite a hard man to bypass on the flank. A tackle success-rate of just over 50% highlights the sort of graft he’s able to put in to deny the opposition, via WhoScored.

We’ve seen this sort of player over in north London already with Steven Bergwijn. Whilst his goal returns have been poor – contributing only two assists in the Premier League all season – he offers Mourinho a lot defensively.

For example, no other Spurs winger is averaging more than the Dutchman’s 0.8 tackles per game, whilst his seasonal heat map shows he’s having more of an influence in his own half, meaning he’s tracking back and helping whoever is starting between Serge Aurier or Matt Doherty.

It is why the former PSV star regularly starts (eight times) over Lucas Moura (four starts) and Gareth Bale (one start) in the Premier League.

As seen above, via SofaScore, one of Bergwijn’s most intense positions is just before the halfway line.

As a further example, the following is his heatmap against Arsenal – he failed to score or assist, but was imperious towards them keeping a clean sheet as he was almost acting as a wing-back.

Indeed, SofaScore graded him an abysmal 6.4 but you bet Mourinho was still happy with his display as he managed two tackles, two clearances and one successful dribble – all similar characteristics to Damsgaard.

The versatile Sampdoria winger has also caught the eye of former Spurs midfielder Christian Eriksen – he told TV2 Sport earlier in the campaign:

“We talked together after the match. He praised me for the situation around my assist. He is a really nice person and really sweet to talk to. It was just nice that he wanted to talk to me after the match.”

That day, Damsgaard ghosted past two Inter Milan defenders before slotting Keita Balde’s second-half winner and again proved he could contribute at either end of the pitch as he won five duels and made one clearance, per SofaScore.

It’s no wonder that PL-winning boss Rainieri tipped him to have a “big future.”

As we’ve seen with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Bergwijn, Mourinho loves a relentless workhorse and the Danish starlet would bring that as well as an extra creative influence in the attack, as evident throughout this piece.

For just £18m, Daniel Levy could well secure Spurs another Bergwijn-like beast.

AND in other news, £27m-rated passenger who made ONLY eight passes badly let Mourinho down on Monday…

Steven Gerrard has given an injury update on Kemar Roofe, following Glasgow Rangers’ 4-3 win over Royal Antwerp.

What’s the word?

A rather eventful evening in the Europa League was only worsened by the Jamaican being forced off shortly before the break, which resulted in him being replaced by Ryan Kent.

Rangers skipper James Tavernier also appeared to pick up a problem with the Ibrox boss admitting their issues are concerning.

Speaking after the game, Gerrard confirmed the versatile forward had an issue with his calf, and he is now set for a scan to determine the full extent of the problem, ruling him out of the Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee United on Sunday.

He said: “Kemar has got another calf [problem] so that’s a concern for us. He’s getting too many of those calves [problems] at the moment so we’re going to have to look into that and maybe get him to see the right people. He’s a bit down and frustrated at the moment so that’s a concern for us.”

Worrying news for Gerrard?

Whilst Gerrard tried to play down the impact this fresh injury setback will have on the overall squad, there’s no doubting the fact it’s a frustrating end to February.

While much has been made of Alfredo Morelos’s future at Ibrox this season, Roofe has quietly gone about his business, scoring 12 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, while his goal against Standard Liege in the Europa League was described as one of the best goals he has ever seen by the Ibrox boss.

With an average WhoScored rating of 7.13 this season, Roofe ranks seventh among his Rangers teammates in the Scottish Premiership this season, with Ryan Kent the only other attacking option to score higher.

By the numbers, his 2 shots per game (the highest in the Europa League), 1.2 tackles per game and one dribble per game show his menace and the threat he offers Gerrard’s side going forwards.

Roofe has largely fulfilled his role upfront, on the right and on the left for Rangers so far this season, and it’ll be hard for Rangers to try and find a like-for-like replacement within their ranks, especially because he is the club’s second-highest top scorer this season, bettered only none other than a certain Tavernier himself.

The Rangers boss will now be privately rather concerned about his side’s chances on the flanks ahead of the Premiership fixture with Dundee on Sunday without one of his star men.

AND in other news, Rangers must prioritise Leon Balogun’s new contract…

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to a clip on social media regarding star man Wilfried Zaha.

The 28-year-old, who stood tall rather than taking the knee prior to kick-off, dazzled fans with one piece of skill against the Baggies.

Roy Hodgson’s side ran out 1-0 winners at Selhurst Park, with Zaha’s first half cross resulting in a penalty after Darnell Furlong was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box. Luka Milivojevic converted from the spot, taking the Eagles into 11th position as a result.

Zaha skill

Zaha was making his first start following a thigh injury which ruled him out of five successive Premier League fixtures.

He had the beating of three Baggies defenders with some fancy footwork in the second half, with Palace fan @DrizzyCPFC sharing Steve Brookstein’s clip on social media.

Here is what these supporters had to say in response to the footage, which has been viewed more than 10,000 times, with many in awe of the Palace star.

Palace fans react

“This was disgracefully overlooked in a game devoid of any art at all. Masterful.”

Credit: @rickerz61

“This bit of skill didn’t even make the MOTD cut….”

Credit: @jkeltgv

“Just playing with them”

Credit: @hodderhoff

“Unreal.”

Credit: @CPFCH10

“Robert Snodgrass in the mud”

Credit: @cpfc_fpage_se25

“Top 5 dribbler in world football”

Credit: @RodriguesJayJay

In other news: Palace star linked with move to Premier League rivals, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers extended their lead over Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership after beating Aberdeen in their own back yard on Sunday afternoon.

Steven Gerrard named a largely unchanged team from the Old Firm clash for the trip to take on Derek McInnes’ side at Pittodrie, with Ianis Hagi coming in for the injured Kemar Roofe.

And his change almost paid off almost immediately after the Romania international lashed a shot over the bar from 25 yards out.

Ryan Kent turned up the heat in the second half, but it would be remiss to ignore Alfredo Morelos, as the striker was back to his very best against Aberdeen.

The Dons were reduced to ten men after Morelos was fouled by right winger Ryan Hedges inside the box but it was his overall work rate which will have impressed the Ibrox boss the most.

After some early pressure from Rangers, Aberdeen’s resolve finally crumbled when Morelos fired home past helpless goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

As former Hearts and Rangers winger Neil McCann said at the time on BBC Sportsound, “It was a great, great finish from Alfredo Morelos.”

The Colombian striker combined again with Kent to double their advantage shortly after half-time as he took a touch to fire low past Lewis again.

As per SofaScore, the £13m-rated 24-year-old received a rating of 8.7 out of ten for his efforts, which was the highest out of every player on the pitch, including his teammate Kent.

Gerrard will have been most pleased to see him take two shots on target after he fired a blank against Celtic at Ibrox, whilst he also contributed two key passes as he opened up spaces and brought others into play more often.

Whilst Morelos lost possession 11 times, he was lively throughout the full 90′ minutes as he kept on trying to make something happen.

Having failed to find the back of the net in the Old Firm derby, you would’ve perhaps been forgiven for feeling a little sceptical, but he silenced any lingering doubts about his ability to find the back of the net after he bagged a brace against the Dons.

Given his remarkable record in front of goal, fans may have been expecting to see him feature more regularly for the first team this season, but he has had to compete with new arrivals in the form of Roofe and Cedric Itten for a place in the starting line-up.

However, his latest showing should have done more than enough to justify his position as the club’s first-choice striker, so he should keep his place for the trip to Motherwell next weekend.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Steve Howey urges Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier to stay at Ibrox…

West Ham United must bite the bullet and look to sell Ryan Fredericks after reports emerged suggesting the right-back is facing an uncertain future following his omission from the matchday squad at Sheffield United.

What’s the word?

According to Claret & Hugh, Irons boss David Moyes opted to name young full-back Ben Johnson among his substitutes for last Sunday’s 1-0 win at Bramall Lane after Fredericks developed a slight knock that prevented his involvement.

Moyes has not called on Fredericks to play a single minute in any competition since September’s 4-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where the 28-year-old was forced to be replaced early in the second-half after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The blow swung the door wide open for summer signing Vladimir Coufal to start at Leicester City and Moyes has never looked back since, with the £5.4million man now considered the firm first-choice.

Fredericks is only expected to be offered a recall should Coufal sustain an injury, but may also be sold in January or the summer to avoid losing the former Fulham ace for free with his £40,000-per-week contract expiring in 2022.

Time to bite the bullet

With Fredericks’ future at the London Stadium far from certain as Moyes edges in favour of Coufal, who has started all six available Premier League games, it is time for West Ham to bite the bullet and look to offload the Manuel Pellegrini signing as soon as possible.

Pellegrini was full of hope for Fredericks when the Chilean unveiled the full-back as his first signing in 2018, claiming the free transfer would provide the Irons with great qualities that would only develop in claret and blue.

“I am very pleased to welcome Ryan to West Ham United as our first signing this summer,” Pellegrini said, via quotes by the club’s official website. “He joins having had a successful season with Fulham and is a player who will bring great qualities to our squad.

“He has good experience, with more than 150 senior appearances already but, at 25, he is still a young player with his best years ahead of him. Ryan has good character, is hungry to succeed, and has shown me that he has great desire to be a West Ham United player.”

But West Ham supporters have struggled to see the qualities Pellegrini lauded, as Fredericks has been relentlessly plagued by injuries with an ankle problem sidelining the 28-year-old for 77 days and 14 matches in his debut season, while hamstring and shoulder issues ruled him out for periods last term.

Added to Fredericks’ constant injuries, Moyes is seemingly confident Johnson is now ready to step up and take on more responsibilities in the senior fold having named the 20-year-old on the bench at Sheffield United.

It was the fourth time this season that Johnson has featured in an 18-man league squad, though failed to enter the action like against Wolves when replacing the injured Fredericks or in West Ham’s three Carabao Cup ties prior to elimination at Everton.

AND in other news, West Ham can ease David Moyes’ fear by signing an “exemplary” gem who may not cost David Sullivan anything.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Dean Windass has tipped Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish to walk into Manchester City’s starting line-up tomorrow.

The former Hull City and Middlesbrough striker believes Pep Guardiola’s Citizens, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur are the only clubs Grealish would leave the Villans for, as Manchester United would refuse to meet the asking price set by Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Villa recently increased their valuation of Grealish to £100m and set a marker for any potential suitor to make the five-cap England international the most expensive British player in history, after he penned a new, five-year contract.

The 25-year-old has endured a troubled week after being banned from driving for nine months and fined more than £80,000 after pleading guilty to two motoring offences.

Windass would not hold the incidents against Grealish, and firmly believes Sawiris and Edens are well within their rights to demand a British record fee for the midfielder.

He told FFC:

“Yeah, in today’s market, forget about what he’s done off the field, we all make mistakes, I’ve been there and worn the t-shirt.

“But he’s a talent, local boy, he loves the club, he’s going to make mistakes he’s a young boy, he’s a young kid, and these young kids just need reminding every now and then.

“They’re on that much money now that the world is their oyster. Yeah, he’s been done drink driving, and now he’s paid the price, does it really hurt players nowadays that they’ve been done drink driving? You can afford to get a driver, it’s not as if they’ve got to get the bus.

“It’s wrong what he did, he’ll pay that price, and you’ve got to learn from it. We’ve all got learn from mistakes. I’ve been there. You learn from mistakes, and Dean [Smith]’s probably good for him, pull him to the side [and say] let your football do the talking and stop doing daft things off the field. But he’ll learn from that.

“But £100m, I think it was £80m before he signed his contract, he had an £80m clause in his contract. So £100m is a fair valuation now without a shadow of a doubt.

“He could go in Man City’s team tomorrow, and he’d be a good player. That’s the only teams he would go to, Liverpool or Man City or Tottenham. Manchester United would sign him tomorrow, but they won’t pay £100m.”

Grealish has been in outstanding form under Smith this season, providing five goals and six assists in 11 Premier League games ahead of the Birmingham-based outfit facing West Bromwich Albion on Sunday night.

Manchester United were linked with a potential move for the midfield maestro in the summer but baulked at Aston Villa’s £80m asking price, with Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward adamant that the figure in question was unrealistic.

Any move by the Red Devils would now likely face competition from their Etihad Stadium neighbours, with Guardiola said to have discussed a move for the 25-year-old with Kevin de Bruyne after marking Grealish as his top target.

AND in other news, Sold for £1.5m, now a PL winner: MCFC made a big mistake selling “world class” leader…