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Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, February 16, 2025, 7.30pm IST

What to expect: Teams with inexperienced Indians

Even a total of 201 wasn’t enough to defend for Gujarat Giants in their last game. The six-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru exposed their reliance on their four overseas players. Captain Ash Gardner did most of the heavy lifting, both with bat and ball, while Beth Mooney chimed in with a fifty. A familiar issue that has been ailing them for the last two seasons has not been addressed yet: the inexperience in bowling attack. Giants will want their Indian players to step up if they don’t want their campaign to derail from here.Deepti Sharma’s UP Warriorz, on the other hand, will open their campaign on Sunday and will come in with specific plans to exploit Giants’ weaknesses. But do Warriorz also have a similar problem to Giants? Deepti aside, the rest of the Indian players in the side are inexperienced.

Team news and likely XIs: Athapaththu to open for UPW?

In the absence of Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, who played just four games last season, is expected to be their opener alongside Vrinda Dinesh. They do have Alana King, who has been in terrific form with the ball recently, in the mix but Sophie Ecclestone, who has been excellent for Warriorz over the last two seasons, will likely start ahead of King.UP Warriorz (probable): 1 Chamari Athapaththu, 2 Vrinda Dinesh, 3 Kiran Navgire, 4 Grace Harris, 5 Tahlia McGrath, 6 Deepti Sharma (capt), 7 Uma Chetry (wk), 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Anjali Sarvani/Kranti Goud, 10 Saima Thakor, 11 Rajeshwari Gayakwad/Gouher SultanaGiants handed West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin a maiden cap on Friday. The likes of legspinner Priya Mishra, batter Simran Shaikh and seamer Sayali Satghare also made their debuts in the WPL 2025 opener. Giants are unlikely to make changes and will want to give the younger players a longer run.Gujarat Giants (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt, 2 Beth Mooney (wk), 3 Dayalan Hemalatha, 4 Ashleigh Gardner (capt), 5 Deandra Dottin, 6 Harleen Deol, 7 Simran Shaikh, 8 Tanuja Kanwar, 9 Sayali Satghare, 10 Priya Mishra, 11 Kashvee Gautam

Players to watch: Simran Shaikh and Sophie Ecclestone

Simran Shaikh was the biggest buy in the auction with Giants spending INR 1.9 crore on her, with head coach Michael Klinger saying she was brought in to “hit sixes straightaway”. She did exactly that, showing a glimpse of her capabilities in the middle order in the match against RCB. She hit a four followed by an audacious six over extra-cover, during her five-ball stay, in the 19th over off Georgia Wareham.Sophie Ecclestone is the top wicket-taker in the WPL so far with 27 wickets in 17 innings. She’s also fresh off some good performances in the Women’s Ashes despite England going winless throughout the series. She impressed in both games against Giants last year, but specifically in the first game in Bengaluru, where she dismissed Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt and Gardner to finish with 3 for 20.

Key stats

• Giants have been on the receiving end of the three of the top-six highest-successful chases in Women’s T20s and each of the top-four successful chases in the WPL.
• Gardner’s unbeaten 79 on Friday was the second-highest individual score for the Giants in the WPL.

The ICC has denied Usman Khawaja’s latest attempt to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by knocking back his application to display the image of a dove and an olive branch on his bat and shoes.Khawaja displayed the logo on his right shoe and the back of his bat during Australia’s main training session on Sunday at the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan starting on Tuesday.The logo is a reference to article one of the Universal declaration of Human Rights which reads, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”Related

• Australia Prime Minister praises Khawaja's courage amid ICC saga

• Cummins curious on ICC not allowing Khawaja's dove logo

• Messaging on shoes: Khawaja accepts ICC decision but will 'fight it'

• Khawaja to contest ICC armband charge, says it was for a bereavement

Khawaja had checked with Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association before displaying the logo on his gear and was granted approval but his application to the ICC to display the logos during the Test match was denied.”The ICC, after giving due consideration to Usman Khawaja’s request for a personal message logo on his bat for the remainder of the Test series against Pakistan, did not approve the application,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. “Personal messages of this nature are not allowed as per Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page.”The ICC is supportive of players using their platforms outside of the playing arena to promote human rights, peace and equality and would encourage him to continue to use alternative platforms.”Khawaja was charged by the ICC with breaching the same Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations after wearing a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. He said he would challenge the charge having told the governing body it was for a “personal bereavement” but added that he won’t continue to wear one in the MCG Test.Khawaja wore the armband having initially planned to take the field with writing on his shoes which he had worn in training stating “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.Speaking at the MCG on Friday, Khawaja said that he did not believe ICC were implementing their own regulations consistently.”They asked me on day two [in Perth] what it was for and told them it was for a personal bereavement,” he said of the armband. “I never ever stated it was for anything else. The shoes were a different matter, I’m happy to say that. The armband makes no sense to me. I followed all the regulations, past precedents, guys that put stickers on their bats, names on their shoes, done all sorts of things in the past without ICC approval and never been reprimanded.”I respect the ICC and the rules and regulations they have. I will be asking them and contesting they make it fair and equitable for everyone and they have consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn’t been done yet. I was very open and honest with that. I’ll deal with that with the ICC.”There was no official statement when Khawaja wore the armband on the first day in Perth, but at the time it was understood to be in relation to the video he had posted on social media after being told he could not show the messages on his shoes.The ICC’s decision to bar Khawaja’s gesture ahead of the first Test in Perth came in for scathing criticism from Michael Holding. The former West Indies fast bowling great, a prominent voice on racism during the Black Lives Matter movement and author of the prizewinning book on racism in sports ” told the he was not surprised by the ICC’s stance.”If it had been most other organisations that showed some semblance of consistency with their attitude and behaviour on issues I could claim surprise, but not them,” Holding said. “Once again they show their hypocrisy and lack of moral standing as an organisation.”

قدمت ماري أليكس كانو برنارد، محامية النجم الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، مهاجم ريال مدريد، تحديثات ومزيد من التفاصيل بشأن فتح التحقيق حول شكوى اغتصاب مقدمة ضد اللاعب.

وتواجد مبابي في السويد خلال الأسبوع الماضي، وأمضى لاعب ريال مدريد عطلة قصيرة في ستوكهولم وظهر بأحد الملاهي الليلة.

وعقب ذلك تداولت وسائل الإعلام أنباء عن قيام الشرطة بالتحقيق في واقعة اغتصاب جنسي ضد امرأة، تمت داخل الفندق الذي تواجد به كيليان مبابي وحاشيته يوم 10 أكتوبر الماضي.

وبحسب وسائل إعلام سويدية من شأن التحقيقات أن تورط كيليان مبابي، على الرغم من أن حاشية اللاعب نفت ذلك، وأكدت أنه سيتخذ إجراءات قانونية ضد وسائل الإعلام التي ربطته بهذا الأمر.

وتوجهت محامية مبابي هذا الصباح إلى البرنامج الصباحي على قناة BFMTV لتقديم المزيد من التفاصيل. بمناسبة فتح التحقيق في ستوكهولم بشأن شكوى الاغتصاب.

ونشرت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية تصريحات ماري وقالت: “هناك حالة موجودة لحمايتك من المخاطر الكامنة في شهرتك، نحن نتحدث عن شاب يبلغ من العمر 25 عامًا، ربما يتمتع بنضج غير عادي وقوة عقلية، وأنا معجبة بذلك كثيرًا”.

وأضافت: “ولكن هل يمكنك أن تتخيل الهيجان الإعلامي ونوعية تدفق الأنباء الذي يمس بشرفه تمامًا؟”.

وواصلت: “إنه يقول بوضوح شديد ليس لدي ما ألوم نفسي عليه، من الواضح أنه يعيش بطريقة مختلفة عنا، يوجد طوق صحي حوله، وهو نوع من الفقاعة، إنه في سياق لا يُسمح له فيه بالمخاطرة”.

وأردفت: “إنه مكشوف للغاية، ودائرته المقربة تعرف ذلك ويعرف ذلك، وكما يمكنك أن تتخيل، كل شيء جاهز حتى لا يحدث هذا النوع من المواقف”.

وأكملت ماري: “لديه طوق صحي من حوله، دائمًا هناك بموضوعية، هذا يستبعد الكثير من الأشياء، عندما يقول ليس لدي ما ألوم نفسي عليه (طالع التفاصيل)، أعلم أن لدينا ما يلزم من دلائل إذا اضطر يومًا ما إلى تقديم توضيحات لقسم التحقيق”.

وشددت: “حسنا أفضل بما أنه لم يحدث شيء وإذا كان الأمر يتعلق به حقًا لأنه كان هناك العديد من الكاميرات في ستوكهولم، وبقدر وجود 10000 كاميرا في فندق، فهذا أفضل”.

وتابعت: “كما رأينا في قصص أخرى حديثة لرياضيين في الخارج، بفضل الكاميرات وممرات الفندق، يمكننا أن نعرف بالضبط ما حدث أو ما لم يحدث”.

واسترسلت محامية مبابي: “في مرحلة ما، إذا استمر هذا الهيجان الإعلامي وهذه الاتهامات المبطنة ولم يتم إلقاء الضوء عليها بسرعة، فمن المؤكد أن أجهزة التحقيق ستسمعها”.

وأوضحت: “لهذا السبب لم يتم تقديم أدلة حتى الآن، لأننا ما زلنا لا نعرف ما إذا كانت الشكوى ضده، ولن أقدم شيئًا من فراغ، إذا تأكد أن هذه الشكوى كانت موجهة ضده بطريقة أو بأخرى، ففي نهاية المطاف، يمكن اعتباره شاهدًا أيضًا، فمن الواضح أننا نستعد لشكوى للإدانة التشهيرية، لأنه ليس لديه ما يلوم نفسه بسببه”.

وأصرت: “إنه هادئ للغاية لأنه يعرف ما لم يفعله، وهو يتابع هذا الهجوم من مسافة بعيدة، رغم أنه محمي منه إلى حد ما، أكيد يؤثر عليك وأكرر أنه يبلغ من العمر 25 عامًا، اتهام كهذا، رغم أننا لا نعرف إذا كان موجها إليه”.

وأتمت: “لن يتردد الإعلام في القول إنه موجه ضده، من المؤكد أنه من الصعب التعايش معه، حتى لو لم يكن في رأسك، أتمنى أن يتمكن من تسجيل أكبر عدد ممكن من الأهداف في المباراة المقبلة”.

MatériaMais Notícias

da imperador bet： Precisando da vitória na noite desta terça-feira para seguir na Conmebol Sul-Americana, o Red Bull Bragantino não dependia apenas de suas próprias forças para avançar. Entretanto, a equipe brasileira viu as coisas mudarem radicalmente, já que o Emelec, que liderava o Grupo D no começo da rodada, acabou perdendo seu jogo e, de virada, derrotouo Tolima por 2 a 1 garantindo o clube nas oitavas.

Com o resultado, o time de Maurício Barbieri encerrou sua participação na fase de grupos na 1ª colocação com 12 pontos, porém terá que aguardar o sorteio que definirá seu adversário na próxima fase. Já os colombianos, com o revés sofrido, fecharam sua participação na lanterna da chave com apenas 3 pontos.

da winzada777： PRESSÃO DO RED BULL LOGO NO INÍCIO

Precisando do resultado para carimbar sua vaga rumo ao mata-mata, o Red Bull Bragantino, desde os primeiros minutos, montou uma verdadeira blitz próximo a grande área adversária. Entretanto, não conseguia criar chances reais de gols, assustando apenas uma vez com Helinho, em uma cobrança de falta que passou perto da trave de Montero.

TOLIMA MELHORA E PASSA A OFERECER PERIGO

Mesmo sem chances de classificação, a equipe colombiana não estava disposta a sair de campo com mais uma derrota na chave. Sendo assim, com o relógio correndo, passou a dar mais trabalho ao sistema defensivo do Massa Bruta.

Em algumas chegadas, a que causou mais perigo aconteceu aos 17 minutos. Depois de armar um rápido contra-ataque, os mandantes acabaram perdendo a chance de abrir a contagem numa trama de Orozco e Riasco, que acabou não sendo finalizada contra o gol do camisa 18 do Red Bull.

COLOMBIANOS ABREM O PLACAR, PORÉM SOFREM O EMPATE EM SEGUIDA

Após conseguir chegar com mais frequência ao seu campo de ataque, aos 36 minutos a equipe de Hernán Oliveros marcou seu primeiro tento. Em um lançamento para a área do Red Bull, Cleiton e Caicedo chegaram a disputar a bola, que sobrou para o atacante marcar de frente para o gol.

Tentando manter a calma mesmo em desvantagem, a equipe brasileira partiu pra cima em busca de igualar o marcador novamente. E deu certo. Aos 41 minutos, Ytalo, após receber bom passe de Lucas Evangelista, chutou sem chances para o arqueiro rival, com a bola batendo na trave antes de entrar.

BRAGANTINO APERTA A SAÍDA DE BOLA

Com ambos os times voltando para a etapa final, os comandados de Maurício Barbieri estavam dispostos a conseguir a virada no placar. Nos primeiros movimentos o Braga chegou a apertar a saída de bola dos colombianos, fazendo com que o adversário ficasse preso em seu campo de defesa.

MANDANTES PASSAM A DAR MAIS TRABALHO

Ainda na busca de encontrar outro gol, os times seguiam na expectativa de conseguir espaços em campo visando as finalizações. Com isso, o Tolima, após realizar uma troca colocando Campaz no lugar de Cataño, percebeu erros de marcação por parte do Massa Bruta, e deu trabalho a Cleiton, como no chute de Caicedo, que parou nas luvas do arqueiro.

TOLIMA TEM JOGADOR EXPULSO, E BRAGANTINO APROVEITA

Vendo o relógio caminhar de forma rápida, o Red Bull ainda mantinha as esperanças em alta. Aos 28 minutos, Celis acabou recebendo o segundo amarelo e, consequentemente, o vermelho em seguida, desfalcando seu time em campo.

Percebendo que o rival não iria se expor muito, a equipe de Bragança Paulista não deixou barato e tratou de ir pra cima. Em duas tentativas quase que na sequência, Claudinho e Artur até que tentaram surpreender Montero, porém foi aos 35 minutos que Lucas Evangelista resolveu a situação e colocou os visitantes em vantagem no jogo. Red Bull 2 a 1.

Na reta final, apenas administrando o resultado, Maurício promoveu mais algumas trocas até os acréscimos, dando a deixa para a arbitragem colocar um ponto final no duelo realizado no estádio Nuevo Pueblo, garantindo a equipe nas oitavas da Sul-Americana.

FICHA TÉCNICA
TOLIMA x RED BULL BRAGANTINO – FASE DE GRUPOS DA SUL-AMERICANA
Estádio: Pueblo Nuevo, em San Critóbal (VEN)
Data: 25 de maio de 2021, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistentes: Tulio Moreno (VEN) e Yackson Diaz (VEN)
Cartões amarelos: Guillermo Celis, Juan Nieto, John Naváez, Jeison Angulo (TOL) / Helinho e Léo Ortiz (RBB)
Cartões vermelhos: Guillermo Celis (TOL)

GOL: Juan Caicedo, aos 36’/1ºT; Ytalo, aos 41’/1ºT; Lucas Evangelista, 36’/2ºT

TOLIMA (Técnico: Hernán Oliveros)
Álvaro Montero, Leider Riascos, John Narváez, Anderson Angulo e Jeison Angulo; Guillermo Celis, William Parra e Juan Nieto (Junior Hernández, aos 35’/2ºT); Daniel Cataño (Campaz, aos 19’/2ºT),Yohandry Orozco (Ríos, aos 29’/2ºT) e Juan Caicedo.

RED BULL BRAGANTINO (Técnico: Maurício Barbieri)
Cleiton; Aderlan, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Ortiz e Edimar; Ramires (Jan Hurtado, aos 33’/2ºT), Lucas Evangelista e Claudinho; Artur, Ytalo e Helinho (Ricardo Ryller, aos 36’/2ºT).

Former Manchester United coach Eric Ramsay has revealed what it's like to work with Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

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Eric Ramsay worked with Ten Hag until MLS moveReveals he learned a lot from the DutchmanBut could not turn down U.S. offerWHAT HAPPENED?

Ramsay worked alongside Ten Hag at Manchester United before moving on to MLS side Minnesota United in February 2024. He became the youngest-ever coach in MLS at the age of 32 when he made the switch and says he learned a lot from the Dutchman during their time together at Old Trafford.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ten Hag wanted to keep hold of Ramsay and admitted it was "not a good time in the season" for him to leave when he waved farewell to the Red Devils in February. The Dutchman's future at United was uncertain for long periods of last season before he guided the Red Devils to an impressive FA Cup win over Manchester City.

WHAT RAMSAY SAID ABOUT TEN HAG

He told the : "For sure, I took loads from working with Erik. A really impressive guy with a real sense of strength and conviction. Watching Erik from a step removed, dealing with the enormity of what you have at Manchester United when things aren’t going well, that was really helpful. It’s how you deal with these moments that are absolutely decisive in whether you can keep a group going and how far you go as a coach."

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WHY RAMSEY LEFT MAN UTD FOR MLS

Ramsey also also revealed why he had left the Red Devils for a new challenge in the United States: "I just felt that it was one I couldn’t turn down. However it pans out here and when it comes to an end, I know I will be significantly better for having had this experience. It’s been everything I wanted it to be so far. I can say safely that even after five months that I feel twice as capable as I would have done had I stayed there. There’s probably never going to be a point where I look back and say, 'I should perhaps have stayed at Manchester United a touch longer.'

"I had a couple of chances to go during the course of Erik’s time, and I’d always taken them to him first. He was a very good person to talk to in that sense. He’s very honest and has also got that mentoring side to him. When this came up, as much as there was an appetite for me to stay, he could see the value in the opportunity. We had a couple of long conversations about it and I was really thankful that he enabled me to go because it was an awkward time in the season for them. I was really thankful from watching over here that it all panned out as it did because I certainly wouldn’t want to have seen it go any other way."

Gary Lineker has explained how he “got shafted” when it comes to a “sh*t” assessment of England, with the Three Lions now Euro 2024 final-bound.

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Former striker delivered blunt verdictGave honest opinion in role as punditSouthgate's side have shot at gloryWHAT HAPPENED?

The former frontman, who netted 48 goals for his country, courted controversy when offering a rather blunt take on performances from Gareth Southgate’s side during the group stage of another major tournament. His now infamous quip was made on the back of a 1-1 draw with Denmark, with current captain Harry Kane quizzed on the comments as Lineker faced criticism for airing an opinion that was shared by many.

AdvertisementGetty WHAT LINEKER SAID

Lineker has now told of sparking a lively debate that never needed to happen: “I got shafted a bit with that. I never said that either Harry Kane or England were sh*t. I listened back to make sure. I said ‘it’ was sh*t, ‘it’ being the game. But it goes to Harry as ‘Gary Lineker says you were sh*t’, which is a bit naughty. But I think these guys get it. It was the same when I played. They said: ‘Jimmy Greaves says you’re not the same since you had hepatitis.’ It was more that I was getting on a bit and my legs were going. He probably had a point. We’re paid to give our honest opinion; you can’t bullsh*t people. And if it is not very good, then it is not very good. We would love to enthuse about wonderful, expansive England performances but that ain’t easy. We know that.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Kane suggested that former players should watch what they say, as most of those – the 1966 World Cup winners aside – never won anything either. Lineker added when asked if he has been in touch with his fellow former Tottenham striker in the wake of an unfortunate incident: “I don’t have Harry’s number. Actually, have I ever met him? I don’t think I have. I don’t think I’ve ever come face to face with him. Alan [Shearer] has his number and might have messaged him.”

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

England have been able to block out the noise en route to reaching a second successive European Championship final. They are yet to produce their best, with Southgate hoping that has been saved for a showdown with Spain in Berlin that will provide an opportunity to end 58 years of hurt for the Three Lions.

Newcastle United are believed to be interested in signing a "very good" Premier League player who Roy Keane has praised for his ability to dictate games from midfield.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies are eyeing further business ahead of the summer transfer window, at which point Eddie Howe will understandably want to bolster his squad options.

One player who has been linked with a move to Newcastle is Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, who could look to leave this summer after struggling for minutes at the Emirates this season. He is seen as an alternative to Aston Villa ace Jacob Ramsey, who the Magpies made an approach for in January.

The Magpies are also reportedly the front-runners to sign teenage Sunderland star Chris Rigg, seeing him as a hugely exciting long-term candidate who could develop into a special player over time.

Newcastle now winning the race to sign “wonderful” in-demand gem for Howe

This would be some coup…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 14, 2024

Howe could also look to improve his attack moving forward, not least because Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson struggle to stay fit for long periods, and Lille forward Jonathan David has been backed to seal a move to Newcastle at the end of the season.

Another attacking player who could move to St James' is Albert Gudmundsson, who is currently plying his trade at Genoa, scoring nine goals in Serie A this season.

Newcastle want James Garner

According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Newcastle are keen on signing Everton midfielder James Garner, being joined by a number of other Premier League clubs in showing an interest.

"Garner has emerged on the radar of Spurs and several other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, after catching the eye at Goodison Park over the last 18 months."

Garner may not necessarily be the elite midfielder that some Newcastle fans crave this summer, but he could still be a shrewd addition, boosting Howe's squad depth and acting as a long-term addition who should only improve.

Appearances

23

Starts

22

Goals

1

Assists

1

Tackles per game

2.8

Clearances per game

1.5

Interceptions per game

1.4

The fact that the Englishman spent so many years at Manchester United as a youth team player says a lot about his potential – he also made seven appearances for the Red Devils' first team – and Roy Keane has lauded him in the past during a spell at Nottingham Forest, saying:

"He’s very good technically and he likes to dictate the play, sit a little bit more than Yates. Tough game for him today, but this game is good for those young players to experience playing top teams like Liverpool. It’s a great way to learn."

After Miley: Newcastle have one of world football's most valuable teens

Newcastle have an abundance of teenage talent in their squad that they could use to try turn their fortunes around.

ByZak Anderton Feb 15, 2024

Garner would add to the homegrown quota at Newcastle, which would be an added bonus, and Howe could feel that he could develop an exciting young player into an even more formidable figure as the years pass, ensuring he reaches his potential.

Wolverhampton Wanderers seem to just keep getting better every week, and Gary O'Neil will be extremely pleased with how his team bounced back from their 2-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend.

On Saturday, Wolves picked up an impressive 2-1 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur, where they were unfortunate to only net twice as they missed two big chances.

Luckily, Joao Gomes was on call to score a brace from midfield, his first of the campaign. The 5-foot-9 ace rose highest in the box to nod home unchallenged in the first half, and he gave the visitors the advantage again, starting a counterattack and sprinting the length of the field to score a first-time cutback.

However, there is a young talent in the ranks that could rise through the academy and become the perfect partner for the Brazilian midfielder.

Joao Gomes' performance in numbers

Gomes isn't particularly known for being a goal-scorer or influencing the game in the final third, so he was most definitely an unlikely hero.

Spurs dominated the ball throughout the game, racking up 71% possession, which meant that the 23-year-old had to remain focused throughout the game and attend to his defensive duties with added concentration.

The 23-year-old was relentless from the first whistle to the last, making six tackles, the highest number on the field. James Maddison was relatively quiet for his standards, thanks to Gomes' tenacity in the middle of the park.

Gomes put in a very similar performance to yesterday's in the 4-2 win away to Chelsea recently, where he also made six tackles, with his defensive ability vital to O'Neil's team.

However, his potential future partner could affect the game at the other end of the field.

Wolves' next midfield sensation

Matthew Whittingham is a player that not many Wolves fans will have heard much about previously, but he is certainly one of the most exciting talents in the academy.

The 19-year-old came through Manchester City's youth setup before moving to the Old Gold in the summer, where he was instantly introduced to the U21 squad.

Whittingham is a left-footed midfielder who can play anywhere in the midfield, which makes him perfect for O'Neil's 3-4-2-1 formation that demands versatility and a well-rounded skill set, especially in the midfield two.

Wolves' academy manager Jon Hunter-Barrett was thrilled with his signing, and he described exactly what the gem can offer:

"He's a pretty all-rounded player, but he offers a lot of versatility, in terms of being able to initiate the attack as well as sustain possession, create and score."

U18 Premier League

32

8

11

Premier League 2

5

1

1

EFL Trophy

3

0

0

UEFA Youth League

3

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The table above certainly supports those claims, with his goal contribution record at Man City being particularly impressive.

Having a midfielder who can score goals reliably is what could take Wolves to the next level and turn them into a team that challenges for Europe, and Gomes' defensive security would allow the boss to field a slightly more attacking player alongside him. The balance that Whittingham and Gomes could bring has the potential to be both frightening and extremely solid once the former is given his debut in the years to come.

After all, O'Neil must trust the youngster enough to call him up to the matchday squad against Arsenal in December, which is a testament to the promising star. Whittingham has all the attributes to become Gomes' partner in the near future.

Celtic are interested in signing young Argentine left-back Francisco Ortega in the summer transfer window, according to a new transfer rumour.

The Lowdown: Summer business expected

Ange Postecoglou may still be basking in the glory of winning the Scottish Premiership title but attention will soon turn to incoming signings if it hasn’t already.

The Australian will know that he has to make Celtic’s squad even more formidable, ahead of what is hopefully a successful title defence and a return to the Champions League in 2022/23.

Left-back could be an area that the Hoops look to strengthen – there have been plenty of links to Iraq international Mohanad Jeahze – and a new update has emerged in that respect.

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The Latest: Celtic eye up Ortega move

According to The Daily Mail‘s Stephen McGowan, sharing his article on Twitter, Celtic are keen on signing Velez Sarsfield defender Orteta this summer:

“Celtic looking at Argentinian U23 left-back Francisco Ortega.”

Expanding in the report, McGowan says the Hoops have compiled impressive scouting reports on the talented young South American, and are also closing in on a permanent deal for Jota.

The Verdict: Great for squad depth

Ortega could be a shrewd signing by Celtic ahead of next season, acting as a strong backup option to Greg Taylor, ahead of Boli Bolingoli’s expected exit.

The 22-year-old is a player who ‘dominates defensively’, according to South American fan site Football FV, as well as being described as a ‘very all-round left-back’, suggesting he would be a strong acquisition.

The fact that Argentinian giants River Plate have reportedly shown an interest in signing Ortega is a sign that he is a big prospect in his homeland, and this could yet prove to be another shrewd snip from Ange in the transfer market.

In other news, Kieran Devlin has dropped a Celtic transfer claim. Read more here.

Celtic were officially announced as SPFL champions last night as they picked up a point away at Dundee United with a 1-1 draw.

With no goals for either side at halftime, Hoops striker Giorgos Giakoumakis opened the scoring with a header after 53 minutes.

Just under 20 minutes later, United midfielder Dylan Levitt scored an equaliser for his side, ultimately ending the match with the points shared.

Despite not winning on this occasion, the Bhoys were still crowned league champions, bringing their Old Firm rivals Rangers’ reign as top dogs to an end.

Even though the night was a successful one for Ange Postecoglou’s side, not every player that featured in the game put in a worthy performance.

One player, in particular, that put in a disappointing display was Hoops winger James Forrest.

Having started his first game in the league since March, the 30-year-old failed to repay the faith that his manager put in him on this occasion.

During his time on the pitch, the attacker racked up just 34 touches of the ball, which is fewer than the 41 touches that Hoops goalkeeper Joe Hart had throughout the game.

With those 34 touches, Forrest failed to have much of an impact on the game in an attacking sense.

The veteran failed to register even one clear shot at goal and also misplaced all of the three crosses he attempted.

In addition to this, out of the two dribbles he attempted, only one of them ended up being successful.

Even from a defensive point of view, the Scotsman was under par, with no tackles, blocks, clearances or interceptions made for his side.

He also got dribbled past on one occasion as well and could only win one of the three duels he was involved in, making him somewhat of a liability before being replaced by Jota just after the hour mark.

This display ultimately earned the winger a rather underwhelming overall match rating of 6.7/10, making him the joint second-lowest rated Hoops player on the night that started the game according to SofaScore.

Despite being praised for his “scary” form in the past by former Celtic star Kieran Tierney, this is the opposite of what he was last night.

In other news: Pirlo 2.0: Celtic “ballet dancer” with 130 touches proved he’s Ange’s greatest success