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Pundit and former Parkhead star Andy Walker has dropped a huge claim on Celtic in relation to the proposed European Super League, saying the Hoops would gladly jump at the chance to join if they could.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has recently talked about the need for a club like Celtic to be involved in UEFA competitions, but Scottish football pundit Walker has slammed the Hoops’ ‘hypocrisy’ over the proposed European Super League, saying that as much as fans have made their displeasure clear, those at board level for both Glasgow clubs would love to be involved.

‘Absolute hypocrisy’ from Celtic board

Walker was recently talking live on air for Sky Sports Scotland and he gave his views about Celtic’s perception of the Super League and their wishes to potentially support it or join it. He made it clear that while Celtic supporters would also react in the same, negative way as the Manchester United and Liverpool fans, senior people at Parkhead would want a slice of it.

The pundit claimed: “I think you’ll hear supports say ‘We don’t want to be a part of this‘, we’ve heard from Gary Neville with regards to Man United supporters, we’ve heard that from Jamie Carragher with regards to Liverpool supporters.

“I think it would be absolute hypocrisy if you were to speak to any senior person at Celtic or at Rangers, and they did not want a slice of this.

“How often have they tried to get involved into English football? How often have they discussed the idea of an Atlantic League? All of that was to generate more money. This European Super League as far as Celtic and Rangers are concerned is just another way to generate more money.”

Jean-Pierre Papin has also spoken about Celtic’s value to European football, saying that the clubs like the Hoops could disappear from the European stage because of the Super League.

Old Firm clubs have threatened to break away in the past

Breaking away from the Scottish Premiership isn’t a completely alien concept to Celtic (and the Gers). There have been rumblings of them moving to the Premier League or creating a new Atlantic League as well. Having said that, it is believed that Peter Lawwell is well against the ESL breakaway, despite the financial gap between Celtic and the other Premiership clubs.

Walker’s claim is massive as it goes against everything that fans of both Glasgow clubs stand for – in fact it may be the one thing that could unite both sets of supporters.

For all the fan desire to be on a level playing field with England’s big guns, this is certainly not how they’d like to do it, and if Celtic do follow Walker’s suspicion and jump in, the fan backlash could be enormous.

In other news, Pundit delivers new info on Hoops manager hunt, shares what ‘Celtic want’ – read more here.

Celtic are getting ready to witness considerable change at Parkhead this summer. The Bhoys have already seen Neil Lennon leave and thus, they’ll need to find a replacement from somewhere.

Peter Lawwell is set to retire at the end of the season with Dominic McKay succeeding him as CEO.

A further appointment could be a new director of football where Fergal Harkin has long been touted to join Celtic. He is set to come into the fray over Nick Hammond.

The 53-year-old left his role as Head of Football Operations on Wednesday evening, departing a role he’s held since 2019.

Hammond has done his job at Celtic with varying degrees of success. In charge of the club’s transfer strategy, he’s concluded some rather abject deals.

He was the man to fork out £4.5m on Vasilis Barkas, a goalkeeper who has been rather error-prone since moving from AEK Athens.

Hammond also spent £5m on Albian Ajeti. The Swiss forward has scored just six times since his arrival at Paradise from West Ham United last summer.

You also have to question moves for players like Patryk Klimala and Shane Duffy. The former has only three goals all season while Duffy has been rather inconsistent after arriving on loan.

Hammond has had some triumphs though; mainly with a deal to bring David Turnbull to Paradise.

The former Motherwell midfielder has been a breath of fresh air, proving to be one of the very few positives from an arduous season where they lost their grasp on the Scottish Premiership.

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Alongside Ismaila Soro, they have provided reasons to be positive about the future of the Celtic squad. However, despite the Ivorian’s combative displays in the middle of the park, it’s Turnbull who should go down as Hammond’s best parting gift.

The Scot has had an outstanding campaign playing either out wide or just behind the striker. Amazingly, he wasn’t called up to the Scotland squad for the latest round of fixtures but it only feels like a matter of time before he’s in the national side.

After all, Turnbull has registered eight goals and six assists this term, an eye-catching number for someone who hasn’t exactly played in a team that’s thriving this season.

Lennon was able to extract the very best from him and in a campaign where not a lot has gone right, he’s been a shining light. His numbers eclipse many of those at Parkhead too.

The 21-year-old has made 90 key passes this term at a rate of 2.7 per game, a tally that surpasses every player in the squad. Turnbull’s 2.2 shots per game, meanwhile, are only fewer than Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie.

Words from Owen Coyle last month typify exactly the impression he’s made since signing.

He told The Scottish Mail on Sunday (14/03, pg 152): “His physical attributes are there. He’s got an unbelievable engine, he goes box-to-box, covers the ground. He’s a team player who works his socks off. I think he’s a manager’s dream.”

The phrase manager’s dream explains exactly why he’s been such a hit in Glasgow. Turnbull should go down as one of Hammond’s finest investments.

AND in other news, Celtic could now be on the verge of a landmark appointment, the deal is 90% done…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Bull who moved from West Bromwich Albion to Wolves in 1986, admits he can’t see Chris Wilder taking the job at the Hawthorns if they decide to not stick with Sam Allardyce next season.

Wilder parted ways with Sheffield United through mutual consent last week after guiding them to a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, before The Daily Star reported that the Baggies could look to bring him to The Hawthorns as a replacement for Allardyce.

The former Blades player took over when they were in League One and in three seasons they had made it to the top flight despite operating on a relatively small budget. However, both parties saw it fit for Wilder to leave his boyhood club.

Speaking on whether Chris Wilder could make an immediate return back into management at West Brom and what might be holding him back from doing so, Bull told FFC:

“Chris Wilder probably could but I think it would be the same situation as at Sheffield United because they’ve got no resources and no money. Would the chairman back him? I don’t think so.

“I think Chris Wilder has been in management now so he probably wants to have a six-month rest and charge his batteries up.

“He’ll want to get the zest back in him and then Chris Wilder will be out there again soon.”

Sheffield United were pushing for a place in Europe last season before the season was paused for Covid-19 and they haven’t been able to cope playing without any fans.

The Blades have won just seven league games since football returned last June, with three of them coming at the end of last season.

Some Everton fans have been left to buzz following a transfer update reported over the weekend by the Daily Star, which was shared after the social media boycott by @Everton News Feed.

As per the news outlet, the Goodison Park faithful have entered the race to sign the Manchester City striker, which has since got a lot of Evertonians talking.

Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan are also in the hunt for him, and now the Merseyside club have put their name on that growing list of admirers.

However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side would not be able to offer the Argentina international the same wages that he is currently on at the Etihad Stadium, but have informed his advisors that they can make up for that with a significant signing-on fee.

Even at 32 years of age now, Aguero is still one of the deadliest forwards in world football, and given his past exploits in the Premier League, he could be a great short-term option for the Toffees up top – he boasts the best minutes-per-goal ratio in the league’s history.

Everton fans on Aguero transfer update

These Blues buzzed as the transfer update was shared on Twitter, with one EFC supporter even going as far as to claim that he would be an ‘amazing’ signing:

“Get in would be a amazing addition”

Credit: @Ian_Nicho

“You’d be mad not to want Aguero”

Credit: @Joe43212525

“I would love this, shame it’s another transfer got from throwing darts”

Credit: @RhysIW

“Imagine haha”

Credit: @ftbldom

“Imagine.”

Credit: @tayotv_

“Give him £20 mil signing on fee with a year contract. I’ll take him for a year happily”

Credit: @__GS2__

In other news, find out whose display was blasted versus Aston Villa here!

Manchester City fans want to sign Raphinha after they were linked with a move for the winger.

The Citizens are on the verge of wrapping up the Premier League title and are still in with a chance of lifting their first ever Champions League trophy. However, that has not stopped the club’s board from planning for next season and beyond. As such, City are said to have joined the race for the £22.5m-valued 24-year-old (Transfermarkt), with both Liverpool and Manchester United also interested (Gianluigi Longari).

The Brazilian has impressed during his first campaign with Leeds United. In 26 Premier League matches, he has managed six goals and six assists (Transfermarkt), and has done well as part of Marcelo Bielsa’s system. However, Pep Guardiola already has a plethora of attacking options at his disposal – does he really need another one?

The news of City’s interest was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Raphinha news below

“He’d look like Messi in this team…”

Credit: @mcfcalfie

“Better than sterling”

Credit: @BLACKEDHART

“Yesssssssssssss”

Credit: @Kelvi_nnn

“We Need Him As soon as Yesterday… Amazing player(@Raphinha).. Great skill.. Would also be a great addition and investment for the team not to mention He’s Man City material let’s Get him please”

Credit: @forrest76768660

“Would love him at the club for sure”

Credit: @FerociousFerran

“hes saucy would take him 100%”

Credit: @alex_hodgkiss

In other news, Manchester City fans are unhappy with news on this 22-year-old.

A number of Liverpool fans have been calling for Loris Karius to remain at Anfield this summer, replacing Adrian as Alisson’s deputy in goal.

Karius famously experienced a shocking night back in 2018 as the Reds lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final. The German made two huge errors which ultimately proved fatal to his side’s chances of European glory and it was hard to see how he would come back from that nightmare.

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In truth, Karius hasn’t recovered, with the 27-year-old not making a single Liverpool first team appearance in the three years since, undergoing loan spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin.

With the 2020/21 campaign reaching its conclusion, however, Karius is expected to return to Merseyside for pre-season, at which point a decision will be made over his future.

While it appears unlikely that he will be retained by Jurgen Klopp, some supporters would like to see him stay instead of Adrian, who has also been unconvincing for the Reds on the domestic and European stage.

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Liverpool fans call for Karius to stay

These Liverpool fans took to Twitter to provide their thoughts, reacting to a social media post shared by @LFCTransferRoom.

“Keep him as number 2 and get rid of Adrian”

Credit: @CathalRobinson

“I’m over it, get him in the squad”

Credit: @paracuellos_12

“Would rather him over Adrian”

Credit: @Cconnor82

“Much better than Adrian in my book”

Credit: @fahmeeeeeeeeee

“Better number 2 than Adrian! People forget he was decent before the EL”

Credit: @JediNabber

“Bring him back. He’s miles better that Adrian”

Credit: @I_Am_Artanis

In other news, Liverpool have received a huge boost in their quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to sign a new central defender as a top priority this summer…

What’s the word?

That’s according to reliable football.london reporter Alasdair Gold, who has named Fulham loan sensation Joachim Andersen as a potential target.

The 24-year-old Dane has been courted with interest by Spurs in the past, and is among the centre-back options they are considering making a move for ahead of next season.

Scott Parker’s side have no option-to-buy the player, which means the Cottagers are at no advantage when the window re-opens, whilst Daniel Levy has previously negotiated with Andersen’s parent club, Lyon, and their president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Bye-bye Alderweireld?

Spurs may well have the third-best defensive record in the Premier League as it stands, but it’s clear to see that Jose Mourinho is concerned by the lack of leadership across his back four, having lost former vice-captain Jan Vertonghen in the summer.

Eric Dier is perhaps the most vocal of all his current central options, but his absence from the starting XI from the last five league games is cause for concern for the foreseeable future, as are his inconsistencies.

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In contrast, Joe Rodon, 23, and Davinson Sanchez, 24, are nowhere near hitting their peak in the role and need considerable guidance, which is something they do not appear to be getting from Toby Alderwerield, who is a quieter influence in the dressing room.

The Belgian has also been linked with an exit this summer too. According to Voetbal24, the 32-year-old is a wanted man back in his home country, with Club Brugge keen to sign him.

Spurs’ biggest problem in signing a new ‘leader’ for Mourinho’s defensive line is finances, so the sale of Alderweireld could well help aid that, especially as Andersen’s impressive displays in the English top-flight – on top of the three years remaining on his Lyon contract – will surely see him become a coveted man in the summer.

Despite it being his first campaign in England, the Denmark international has worn the armband in 54% of his 24 league appearances. Only two players have performed better for Fulham as per average WhoScored ratings, who have graded Andersen at 6.86. A figure that neither Dier, Sanchez or Rodon can match.

Andersen, who is currently valued at just €20m (£18m) by the CIES Football Observatory, has been dubbed Fulham’s equivalent of Ruben Dias by Martin Keown and drew high praise following his performance against defending champions, Liverpool.

The Mirror’s chief football writer John Cross lauded the 6 foot 4 leader as “magnificent” whilst Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher was audibly left in awe during his commentary.

An Alderweireld would be a hard exit to sanction, but Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge believes Andersen is exactly in the same mould as the long-serving Spurs man.

“Joachim Andersen reminds me of Alderweireld,” he wrote on Twitter.

On that basis, Levy should pull out all the stops for the Fulham loanee this summer. He can be the colossal presence Mourinho desperately requires in that backline for the foreseeable future.

AND in other news, Levy must strike dream Mourinho deal for £49.5m-rated “leader”…

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Rob Lee, who scored 46 goals for Newcastle United, believes that fans are expecting too much from Sean Longstaff after the midfielder set his own bar too high during the 2018/19 season.

Longstaff was rarely part of the matchday from January onwards until the Magpies suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat against relegation rivals Brighton just before the international break.

Longstaff has started the previous four games, in which Newcastle have taken eight points, and as a result, they are now nine points ahead of Fulham, who had a chance to put the Magpies into the bottom three just two weeks ago.

Speaking on how Longstaff set his own bar too high at Newcastle and why he could have been experiencing a natural low in his career, Lee told FFC:

“He was outstanding when he first came into the team. Personally, I think he set his own bar so high when he got into the first team and everyone looked at him and thought ‘wow’, because he came in and was Man of the Match most games.

“I think most youngsters have that bit of a low period after their debut and I think he was in that, but he’s come back in and he’s been excellent.”

The £1,000-per-week midfielder was given his chance under Rafa Benitez and was thought to be a bright prospect coming out of Newcastle’s academy, something which has been severely lacking.

Steve Bruce will be hoping the partnership of Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey can continue to perform during the run-in period which could prove to be tricky for Newcastle.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has called for the support of the club’s hierarchy to help reunite the Spurs dressing room.

Following a humiliating 3-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League last Thursday, Tottenham quickly returned to winning ways at the weekend, seeing off Aston Villa 2-0 on Sunday evening.

However, speaking to Sky Sports (via Evening Standard) after the victory, the 58-year-old discussed the current state of his dressing room, something which club captain Hugo Lloris had suggested was divided in a candid post-match interview following the loss in Zagreb.

Regarding the atmosphere in his dressing room, Mourinho said: “Football nowadays is not easy in relation to that. The selfishness is around, the individual interests are around, the agents are around, the connections between agents and press are around.

“And instead of developing a feeling of a team, empathy, ‘I do for you, you do for me’, ‘I win if I play 90 minutes, I win if I am in the stands’. This is something that you need time to develop in a group. I want to be proud of my players, it does not matter the result. I was not proud last Thursday or at the Emirates.

“For me, more than thinking about what position we are going to finish, whether we are going to win the [Carabao Cup] Final, is to try to develop this spirit that we need. But I cannot do it alone. I have to do it with my club. I have to do it with my players in the dressing room.”

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering just how much Mourinho has blamed the players at his disposal for Tottenham’s poor results so far this season, questioning their attitude, their self-confidence as well as simply throwing them under the bus on a number of occasions, it is not overly surprising to learn that the dressing room is divided.

Yes, the Spurs players may not be fulfilling their potential this season, but the dressing room atmosphere is very much part of the manager’s remit.

As such, if players are indeed doubting their abilities as footballers, their manager coming out and slating them to the press after every loss, as well as dubbing a number of them as selfish, is hardly going to inspire them to improve performances and should also raise questions with ENIC as to whether Mourinho is the man they should be awarding with more time at the club.

In other news: Tottenham have identified a potentially ‘perfect’ heir to Mourinho – find out more here!

Crystal Palace have been dealt with a huge blow relating to the future of one of their first-team stars.

According to Sky Sports, Turkish giants Galatasaray have offered a contract to left-back Patrick van Aanholt as his current Selhurst Park deal continues to tick down at the end of the season.

Should the Dutchman end up departing Palace, he will be a considerable miss.

Ever since arriving from Sunderland in 2017, van Aanholt has been all-but constant in the Crystal Palace team.

He has played 132 times for the Eagles in all competitions, scoring a fantastic 14 goals from left-back.

His reliability can also not be called into question with the 30-year-old having missed just 19 Premier League matches through injury in his four years at Selhurst Park.

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Previously linked with a transfer to Arsenal, current Eagles boss Roy Hodgson suggested that he was ‘good enough’ to play for the Gunners.

So, whilst losing their first-choice left-back would of course be a bitter pill for Palace to swallow, it could also have destructive consequences on not only the current squad but also the club’s future transfer plans.

Much like van Aanholt, fellow left-back Tyrick Mitchell is also out of contract at the end of the season. Should the two of them depart, this would leave the club without a recognised left-sided defender in the squad.

Joel Ward is capable of deputising but it would be thought that they would not want to head into the 2021/22 campaign with such limited options.

This would cause the club to thus dip into the transfer market. Considering van Aanholt is rated at £7.2m, with Mitchell slightly lower at £4.5m, it could be suggested that it would take a fee similar to that of their combined valuations to recruit a Premier League ready left-back unless any arrival is a free transfer.

The potential departure of van Aanholt then is certainly a blow for Crystal Palace.

AND in more news, have a look at how a former Chelsea boss could provide a clue on Palace’s next manager…