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Former Premier League midfielder Carlton Palmer has warned Celtic about moving for David Moyes in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

According to GiveMeSport, the former SPFL champions have sounded out the 57-year-old West Ham manager as they look to replace Neil Lennon following his exit last month.

Moyes has done a sublime job at the Hammers this season, guiding them to fifth in the Premier League and just three points behind a Champions League spot with a game in hand. Bearing that in mind, Palmer is not too convinced by the idea of Moyes switching the London Stadium for Celtic Park, believing he has found his place in east London.

Speaking on Moyes and Celtic, the retired England international told FFC:

“Celtic is a massive club, a massive club. But I just say sometimes you’ve got to be careful. David Moyes did a fantastic job at Everton then ended up going to Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson, which was always going to be a tough gig, and then for a while he lost his way. He’s a very, very good manager, but he lost his way.

“He seems to have found his niche at West Ham. I think he’s found his little spot there and they’re doing exceptionally well.”

Moyes’ contract at West Ham expires at the end of the season, which could bode well for Celtic. However, with their former player doing so well with the Hammers this term, you would expect the club’s board to get him tied down to a new deal, meaning Celtic are probably going to have to look elsewhere.

That could come in the form of Roy Keane, who is one of the latest names to be linked with the job in the Celtic Park dugout.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, former Newcastle United midfielder Steve Howey has been discussing some of Manchester City’s transfer targets ahead of the summer, including Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian striker first caught the eye with his performances with RB Salzburg, particularly in the Champions League where he scored eight goals in just six appearances in the 2019/20 season.

He would earn a move to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 where his sensational form has continued; with the 20-year-old having contributed an extraordinary 39 goals and nine assists in just 41 appearances for the Bundesliga side.

Manchester City have been linked with a move for the prolific forward recently, as they look to bring in a replacement for Sergio Aguero; who could depart in the summer when his contract with the Citizens expires.

Here’s what Howey had to say about Haaland when speaking exclusively to FFC:

“It wouldn’t surprise me. You hear rumours that Man City are going to go all out to get Erling Haaland. Given the connection with his dad, I played with Alfie, there’s a very good chance that something could be brokered there.”

Howey certainly seems to think the fact that Haaland’s father Alf-Inge played for Manchester City could be a factor as the 20-year-old decides on who to join next.

Considering his goal record in the past few seasons, there is no doubt that the £99-milion rated striker would be a superb addition to Man City’s side, but it remains to be seen whether Pep Guardiola’s side can fend off the competition for his signature.

And, in other news… Bye-bye Fernandinho: Txiki must swoop for £36m-rated beast this summer 

David Moyes can land an important part of his West Ham United squad with a summer swoop to sign Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, Abraham features on a three-man shortlist of homegrown talents who Moyes is considering bringing to the London Stadium at the end of the season.

The Irons boss is keen to land the services of a young and hungry option to fill the void created by Sebastien Haller’s £20m January transfer to AFC Ajax, as he chases competition for Michail Antonio.

Moyes also has his eyes on Brentford sensation Ivan Toney, who has more goals (25) in the Championship this season than any other player, as well as Arsenal outcast Eddie Nketiah.

Abraham is presently Chelsea’s top-scorer across all competitions with 12 goals in 30 games, including finding the back of the net six times in 20 Premier League appearances this term.

But the £36m-rated talent was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s last squad as the Blues drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Sunday due to tactical reasons, and he is yet to hold discussions with the Stamford Bridge natives over a new contract.

The 23-year-old is waiting to see if Chelsea formalise their interest in Borussia Dortmund start Erling Braut Haaland, while the south west London outfit are yet to make clear their intentions over Abraham’s long-term future, with his £58,000-per-week deal running to 2023.

Aston Villa are also among what is expected to be a long list of admirers should Abraham hit the transfer market this summer, with the striker having scored 26 goals in 40 games with the Birmingham-based outfit during a season-long loan spell in 2018/19.

Should West Ham sign Abraham?

West Ham will certainly need to sign a striker in the summer transfer window after they opted to keep the £20m made from Haller’s departure, and they could do far worse than using those funds to invest in a move to take Abraham from Chelsea.

Owen Hargreaves had no doubt that Abraham would fall from the Blues first-string earlier in the season while Frank Lampard was still at the helm, and his comments still ring true today.

Yet the ex-Manchester United midfielder’s opinion shared following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Newcastle in November, in which the six-cap England international scored, offer Moyes reason to pursue a deal for Abraham if a deal is there to be had.

“I think he’s making himself a really good squad player,” Hargreaves said, via quotes by the Metro. “I think he got 15 [goals] last season, I don’t think he gets enough credit for his overall game.

“I love the fact of his size, technically I think he’s better than people give him credit for. Tammy is going to be really important as a squad player.”

Abraham ended last season as Chelsea’s top-scorer across all competitions with 18 goals in 47 games, including hitting home 15 in 34 Premier League games – the only one of Lampard’s players to score double-digits in the top-flight.

And when the goals are not there to be had at first, Abraham still puts in a performance of merit to earn West Ham product and ex-Blues midfielder Joe Cole’s praise.

“Tammy has given Frank something to think about. He kept at it and his movement was good. He didn’t do it in the first half, but his goal was not easy to take,” Cole said, via quotes by Goal, following a 3-0 Champions League win over Stade Rennais in November.

Moyes would surely love to have the headache of deciding between an in-form Abraham and Antonio at the London Stadium, and as such, he should push to land the England international.

AND in other news, West Ham have been slapped with a £20m asking price to sign an “outstanding” talent this summer…

Some Manchester United fans have been left slamming the display of Scott McTominay despite their 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The defensive midfield player did not have the best of games for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team despite his side clinching a crucial three points at Old Trafford that moved them level with the reigning champions and current league leaders in Liverpool at the top of the table.

The Scotland international was deemed the worst player on the pitch by Sofascore with a 6.1 overall rating, as he lost out on no fewer than 11 0f his duels in the clash, and also failed to make a single tackle, all while losing possession of the ball 13 times (Sofascore).

Manchester United fan reaction to McTominay display

These Red Devils slammed his performance on Twitter, with a couple of supporters even going as far to say as the 24 year-old was ‘awful’:

“McTominay 2 … Was he even on the pitch?”

Credit: @iamMichael_Iyke

“Glory Glory Man United! Bailly was super, Rashford was selfish, Pogba was magnificent and McTominay was abysmal. To the glory of God, @ManUtd is levelled at the summit. #MUNAVL”

Credit: @MajGenMoshood

#Fred & #McTominay have been awful today. #mufc_family #MUFC #GGMU #MUNAVL @ManUtd

Credit: @SkeemMC

“Fred and McTominay have not been great today one was subbed wouldn’t mind the other being subbed off as well we NEED BALL RETENTION!! #MUNAVL #MUFC”

Credit: @RocBoiJJ

“Also, it was a stupid foul from McTominay. Fred was coming over and the Villa player was going to be crowded out #MUNAVL”

Credit: @johnjbarry

“A sensible substitution. McTominay was absolutely awful today #MUFC #MUNAVL”

Credit: @UtdVira

In other news, find out which Fabrizio Romano transfer update has got these Man Utd fans excited here!

In a rapid turn of events, Celtic find themselves linked to a new face at the hilt of the club. Despite being in desperate need of some new playing personnel, Peter Lawwell could well be looking to replace treble-winning Neil Lennon as his first port of call.

According to The Mirror, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez looks set to usurp the Irishman in Celtic’s hierarchy. The Spaniard has made the decision to close his chapter in China and return to the UK to embark on his next journey. He is heavily tipped to be the next Hoops boss and bringing him to Parkhead would be a stroke of genius from the board.

What can Benitez do for Celtic?

Celtic have endured a turbulent 2020/21 season due to battling injury issues, unexplained dips in form and their inability to keep up with their Glaswegian neighbours. Rangers have one hand on this campaign’s title after wedging a gargantuan 23-point gap between themselves and the reigning Premiership champions.

This will be the first season in ten years that Celtic will not lift the trophy. They have also bowed out of their Europa League run after being humiliated in the group stages. The Bhoys managed to accumulate just four points out of a possible 18 and they conceded the joint most goals of the competition at that stage (19).

Key players have also been linked to moves away from Celtic Park, which will only add to the club’s inconsistent form. Kristoffer Ajer is someone who is being heavily monitored by rival clubs and teammate Odsonne Edouard has also been identified by the likes of Arsenal and West Ham as a potential new signing, via the Express.

Should Celtic appoint Benitez, it could be enough to convince the prolific £19,000 per week striker to remain in Scotland. According to Transfermarkt, Edouard has scored just seven times in the league this season, heavily contrasting his unstoppable 21 goal, 12 assist run last term.

Lennon has made his feelings about the Frenchman clear – constantly waxing lyrical over his influential displays. He recently lauded him as a “special talent” after Edouard scored a hat-trick on the opening day of the season.

The passion may have gone from the 23-year-old’s performances, which would explain his recent goal drought. Knowing Celtic won’t be winning their tenth consecutive Premiership title will have dampened spirits and a player like Edouard will be hungry for silverware.

Benitez has found success at many clubs, from winning La Liga with Valencia, the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool to his Championship and promotion-winning season with Newcastle. His natural flair for getting results could be enough for Edouard to at least give Celtic one more season before moving onto pastures new.

In other news, Hammond set for masterstroke sale of this forgotten Celtic player…

Whilst Southampton have enjoyed a superb start to the Premier League season, currently occupying fifth place in the top-flight ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, Moussa Djenepo’s performances may be a cause for concern for Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The 22-year-old winger has been a regular in the Austrian’s side in the absence of Nathan Redmond but has just one goal and no assists in his eight appearances in the top-flight so far this season (per WhoScored).

Since joining from Standard Liege in the summer of 2019, the tricky winger has made 29 appearances for the Saints, contributing just three goals and two assists (per Transfermarkt).

Although this is not the most impressive record, the youngster has shown that he is capable of winning games for Southampton all by himself, with his two individually superb goals against Sheffield United and Brighton earning Hasenhuttl’s side wins last season.

His goal against the Blades earned him a lot of praise from Redmond, with his teammate saying:

“He is a super-talented boy who is so open-minded and eager to learn every single day. He gets on well with everybody and has fitted in so well. I think that’s allowed to be free and almost naïve when he gets the ball because he wants to go and show people what he’s got which helps us out as a team.” (per Daily Echo)

However, with Redmond having returned from injury in the Saints’ recent win against Brighton, Djenepo could soon find himself out of Hasenhutt’s first team, unless his performances improve.

During the game against Graham Potter’s side, the Mali international showed his inexperience at times, as he was booked early on but made some risky challenges after the caution, before being taken off at half-time.

He also struggled to offer much from both an attacking and a defensive point of view, which makes you wonder how long the Austrian manager will keep faith in Djenepo to be a starter in his team.

The winger has certainly shown that he can beat a man with his excellent trickery and dribbling ability, but he needs to work on doing that more consistently, as well as producing a better end product if he wants to keep his place in the Southampton first-team.

And, in other news… Southampton can sign their next Mane in “explosive” speed-demon

Manchester United beat Everton in a 2-0 win at Goodison Park to set up a semi-final with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.

Edinson Cavani opened the scoring in the 88th minute shortly before Anthony Martial doubled their advantage with just seconds to spare, with the two strikers working in tandem to break the deadlock.

Cavani will take the plaudits for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and rightly so but it was Martial who proved to be the difference between the two sides as he finished the game with a tally of one goal and an assist.

However, not everyone in the famous Red Devils jersey were at the races against the Toffees, in particular Donny van de Beek, who badly let Solskjaer down during his 67′ minutes before he was replaced by Martial.

His substitution was likely a reflection of his poor performance overall rather than a tactical decision ahead of the Premier League clash with Leicester City on Boxing Day.

The 23-year-old Dutch international, who earns around £108,000-per-week at Old Trafford, was a complete passenger playing out-of-position on the left wing, as he won just three out of his six duels overall (50%), and was dribbled past twice, as per SofaScore.

It’s fair to say that he struggled to get a foothold in the game, only completing a meagre 23 passes out of 29, which is a rather dismal total, especially when you consider the fact that Paul Pogba himself provided 46 out of his 57 passes at Goodison Park.

This was backed up by The Manchester Evening News’ Dominic Booth, who claimed he was ‘much quieter after the break and replaced.’

Van de Beek, who cost United £35m in the summer, failed to record a single shot on target or register a single assist, via SofaScore.

Having not started in any of United’s past three Premier League fixtures, the stage was arguably set for the Dutchman to make his mark, but now he’s going to find it even harder to break into the starting XI after he let the manager down immensely with his lacklustre display last night.

It’s no wonder Van de Beek was hauled off after half-time and he ought to be wary with both Pogba and Bruno Fernandes impressing in recent weeks whilst Martial and Marcus Rashford featured off the bench.

His seventh start of the season could be his last for some time after that showing, with a tough trip to Leicester City next on the agenda.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Former Hull City striker Dean Smith says Jadon Sancho shouldn’t join Manchester United…

West Bromwich Albion are finally back in Premier League action this evening as they welcome fellow strugglers Burnley to the Hawthorns.

The Baggies have picked up just one solitary point from their opening four matches, so it’s not been a great start to life in the big time just yet.

It means Slaven Bilic has plenty to think about in terms of team selection – just who should he start? How does he turn things around?

Here’s the lineup we think the Croatian could select later tonight…

There could be as many as five changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Southampton last time out.

Before the weekend, Albion possessed the joint-worst defensive record across England’s top four professional leagues, so surely there will be some alterations afoot defensively?

Sam Johnstone will surely remain between the sticks being Bilic’s first-choice goalkeeper but a new-look back four could be named.

The Baggies boss is able to call upon veteran left-back Kieran Gibbs once again having served a lengthy suspension. It means Darnell Furlong could be welcomed back on the other flank too as Bilic clearly likes the balance those two bring together.

In the Englishman’s absence, Dara O’Shea has played on the right. He could move centrally instead with Semi Ajayi making way.

Skipper Jake Livermore is probably the undroppable name in the middle, playing as an anchorman here this evening, but the same can’t be said for Romaine Sawyers, who looks a little out of his depth in the top-flight – despite starting every league game this season, he could be axed.

Bilic could look to loan star Filip Krovinovic to make his second debut for the club whilst fellow temporary arrival Conor Gallagher is surely due to start now he’s fit and available again.

Both Grady Diangana and Matheus Pereira, arguably the two players of the promotion season, keep their place amongst the starting XI with another new signing making his debut in attack.

Signed on the eve of the domestic transfer deadline for £15m, Karlan Grant will surely be thrown straight into the deep end given Kenneth Zohore’s exit, the uncertainty over Callum Robinson and Hal Robson-Kanu’s injury. It’ll be one massive call but he simply has no other option.

It means the likes of Kyle Edwards, Conor Townsend, Sam Field, Rekeem Harper and Branislav Ivanovic all have to settle for a spot on the bench.

AND in other news, West Brom missed out on a MAJOR defensive upgrade in £20m “WARRIOR”…

Glasgow Rangers starlet Ianis Hagis is struggling with his confidence, if recent reports are to be believed…

What’s the story?

According to The Daily Record, there are growing concerns over Hagi’s confidence as he has been dropped by club and country in recent weeks. Romania U21 boss Adrian Mutu has admitted he will hold talks with Hagi to boost his self-esteem.

The 21-year-old has arguably struggled at times this season, although he has still scored one goal and supplied five assists in 11 appearances in the Scottish Premiership so far, which is more than any other player in the league, but he was dropped to the bench before the international break. However, he has been named in Mutu’s U21 squad for the game against Denmark next week.

Mutu said: “Ianis’ confidence has been affected and he has not been starting so much for Rangers in the past few weeks either.

“I will speak to him and I am sure playing for the 21s again will give his confidence a big boost.”

Sort it out, Gerrard!

Forgive me for spelling out the obvious, but Gerrard must give Hagi his full backing to restore his confidence. It really is that simple.

Last season, the 14-cap Romania international made four appearances for the Light Blues in the Europa League, scored twice and supplied one assist, whilst he averaged 1.3 shots, 1.3 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game via WhoScored.

The Gers signed the winger on an initial loan deal from KRC Genk before they triggered the option to buy him for an undisclosed fee in the summer, which is believed to be somewhere in the region of £3.15m, via Transfermarkt, whilst he reportedly earns wages worth £23,000-per-week, making him the fifth-highest paid player at the club in the process.

However, he was left as an unused substitute for three out of the past six games consecutively, with summer signings Cedric Itten and Kemar Roofe preferred in his place for the games against Kilmarnock and Hamilton respectively. When you spend that kind of money on a player, especially one billed with so much promise, managers must open the door for opportunities as their development is crucial.

Once lauded as an “outstanding” talent by the Ibrox boss, Hagi has all of the tools and tricks of the trade at his disposal to bring the Gers fans to their feet, whenever they are actually allowed back at Ibrox.

Granted, the Romanian hasn’t had the best of starts this season, but he has still provided eight assists in all competitions overall, only one fewer than club captain James Tavernier, via Transfermarkt.

Gerrard wasted a golden opportunity to give Hagi a run out during the 8-0 win over Hamilton. He must not make the same mistake again after the international break.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers must give Connor Goldson a bumper new deal in Nikola Katic’s absence…

Liverpool are set to send goalkeeper Loris Karius on loan to Bundesliga side Union Berlin, according to German outlet Kicker.

The 27-year-old, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Besiktas, will be allowed to temporarily leave Anfield once again this term.

Can you spot your Xabi Alonso from your Bruno Cheyrou? This Liverpool quiz will have you questioning your knowledge…

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The stopper, on £25,000-per-week according to Spotrac, will battle with Andreas Luthe to become the Berlin club’s number one goalkeeper.

It is suggested within the report that Karius has already agreed to move to Stadion An der Alten Forsterei for the 2020/21 campaign.

During his two years at Besiktas, Karius was a regular for the Turkish Super Lig side, making a total of 67 appearances, conceding 95 goals and keeping 14 clean sheets. This record includes 10 games in the Europa League.

All of this comes after a tough period in the German international’s career, after his calamity in the Champions League final cost Jurgen Klopp’s side the trophy, when he tried to role the ball out, only for it to go in off Karim Benzema, before letting Gareth Bale’s strike from range slip through his fingers.

Union Berlin lost their opening Bundesliga match 3-1 against Augsburg, before picking up a draw against Borussia Monchangladbach.