Rangers have had a torrid start to life under Russell Martin as they currently sit one place above the bottom of the table on four points. Their winless run in the Scottish Premiership has given way to many questions about Martin’s decisions and capabilities.
One of the biggest questions that Rangers fans have been asking surrounds the treatment of Nicolas Raskin. Last season, Raskin was one of Rangers’ standout players, contributing five goals and 11 assists from midfield. However, this year his appearances have been few and far between.
In the league, Raskin has only played 197 minutes, the 12th most in the squad, after playing the 5th most league minutes last season. Raskin has featured more prominently in the Scottish League Cup and in their failed push for Champions League qualification, but has been notably absent in the league, where they desperately need points.
With no clear answer from Martin as to why he is handling Raskin in this way, some have taken to speculation as to what may have led to Raskin falling out of favour. However, in a recent interview, Keith Jackson rubbished one of the rumours.
Jackson dispels Raskin leaks rumour
This weekend saw Raskin receive a rare start as he scored the opener in Rangers’ 2-0 win over Hibernian in the cup. Following the game, Keith Jackson spoke to Hotline Live about the Raskin/Martin situation: “And you’ve seen this rumour, and I don’t believe it for a second about Raskin leaking team news to the Brugge manager. That doesn’t fit with what I’m told about Raskin as a person.”
Part of what led to the speculation about Raskin leaking the team news is that, following the 6-0 defeat, he was absent from the entirety of the next two match days. However, with the result leading to Rangers missing out on Champions League qualification, and in turn millions of pounds that could have gone towards improving the team and the squad, it is almost certain his punishment would have been far more severe if the rumour was true.
A more likely reason for Raskin’s absence is a tactical decision from Martin. At points this season, Raskin has had to play out of position as Martin has utilised the Bournemouth loanee Max Aarons centrally. Jackson didn’t mince his words when he expressed his dissatisfaction with this strategy from Martin.
Raskin may be key to Martin's survival
Raskin’s performance after being left out in the cold has demonstrated he’s worthy of coming back into the first team. He’s popped up with two goals and an assist in all competitions this season, and Martin needs to get his team scoring if he wants to remain in the job.
The experimentation with Aarons drifting inside hasn’t been paying off, and adapting his style of play to incorporate the aspects of the team that worked under Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson may be the only way Martin can turn things around.
The weather had disrupted Rahul’s practice session on Tuesday and could also affect the game on Wednesday
S Sudarshanan20-May-20255:26
Jayawardene backs MI to hit the ground running after break
The IPL 2025 match between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) could be hit by rain after the met department issued a yellow alert for Mumbai on Tuesday evening for the next four days.As per the met department, the city is expected to receive thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and heavy rainfall. There was rain forecast for Tuesday, too, but it did not arrive until about 8pm IST. By then MI had completed their practice but KL Rahul’s batting session in the DC nets was cut short. For most of the evening, dark clouds hovered over the Wankhede Stadium before it became windy and was followed by a downpour. The suburbs of the city experienced heavy rainfall and thunderstorm on Tuesday evening too.If the MI-DC contest gets washed out, the teams will split the points. And a lot would hinge on their last league games – against Punjab Kings (PBKS) for both of them. MI’s last game at the Wankhede – against Gujarat Titans (GT) on May 6 – was also affected by rain. There were multiple short stoppages, with MI eventually losing by the DLS method.Related
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The drainage system at the Wankhede Stadium prevents waterlogging on the field. But the outfield is sand-based, because of which it often remain soggy even if there are no puddles. Covers are used only for the pitches and the square at the venue.The BCCI had announced on Tuesday that the remaining league games of this IPL would have an extra 120 minutes added to boost the chances of having a full 40-over game even with rain interruptions.This will be the last IPL 2025 game at the Wankhede Stadium, which is also set to host the T20 Mumbai tournament, Mumbai Cricket Association’s T20 league, from June 4 to 12.
New West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo has wasted no time making his mark at Rush Green, and he’s now being tipped to take action against another star player after his controversial James Ward-Prowse decision.
Nuno assessing West Ham squad after James Ward-Prowse axe
Almost immediately after replacing Graham Potter last Saturday, Nuno axed Ward-Prowse from the matchday squad for his debut game in the dugout at Everton, despite the player being a mainstay for his predecessor.
West Ham players were allegedly left shocked by Nuno’s decision to drop the 30-year-old (GiveMeSport), and it has since been reported that Ward-Prowse has no future at the London Stadium under Potter’s heir.
The Englishman could even re-join former club Southampton after being told that he’s surplus to requirements behind-the-scenes (Dean Jones), but Nuno has attempted to quell reports about Ward-Prowse by suggesting that the midfielder still has a chance to play his way into the squad.
However, despite Nuno’s attempts to silence the noise, respected journalist Fabrizio Romano is among the media sources to claim that Ward-Prowse’s January exit is a very real possibility.
For other members of the squad, Nuno is set to assess them over the coming months.
Ward-Prowse is actually just one free-kick goal away from equalling David Beckham’s all-time Premier League record of 18, but all the signs suggest that he won’t be reaching that milestone in East London.
James Ward-Prowse’s career at West Ham
Stats
Appearances
73
Goals
8
Assists
12
Bookings/Red Cards
8
Minutes played
5,630
via Transfermarkt
In terms of other players who could meet Nuno’s wrath, former Brentford boss Martin Allen has claimed that the 51-year-old could take action against star midfielder Lucas Paqueta after an incident in the 1-1 draw at Everton.
Nuno tipped to take action against Lucas Paqueta after West Ham incident
Speaking to West Ham Zone, Allen tipped Nuno to pull Paqueta aside for talks in the West Ham offices.
This is due to the Brazil international’s playacting on Merseyside, with Paqueta going down and clutching his face after a challenge from Vitali Mykolenko in a possible attempt to get the defender sent off.
The 28-year-old sent a clear message of loyalty to West Ham after his goal against Nottingham Forest, kissing the badge amid reports at the time that he could join Aston Villa, with Paqueta ultimately deciding to stay with Nuno’s side.
West Ham stuck by the former Lyon star during his spot-fixing scandal, and he could now be looking to repay the Irons’ faith by making an excellent start under Nuno.
A 2022/2023-esque performance against Arsenal wouldn’t go amiss this weekend, with Nuno up against the Premier League’s set-piece specialists and potential title favourites, before West Ham take a fortnight off for the international break.
O Corinthians divulgou o seu balancete semestral até o mês de junho de 2023. No documento, o Timão anunciou que terminou o primeiro semestre de 2023 com deficit financeiro de R$ 39,581 milhões.
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A expectativa dentro da diretoria era que o deficit apresentado fosse na casa de R$ 70 milhões, tendo em vista que as principais receitas (premiações da televisão e patrocínios) vem no segundo semestre. Seguindo protocolo, os números foram aprovados pelo Conselho Fiscal corintiano e pelo Conselho de Orientação (Cori).
As despesas com o clube social do Corinthians puxaram as finanças do Timão no primeiro semestre para trás. Apenas neste departamento o Alvinegro apresentou déficit de 58,4 milhões.
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O futebol acabou “salvando” os números corintianos na primeira metade de 2023, já que a área registrou superávit de R$ 18,8 milhões, contando a dedução de impostos. A receita bruta no primeiro semestre foi de R$ 342,8 milhões, enquanto as despesas representaram R$ 306 milhões.
+ Veja tabela e simule os jogos do Timão no Brasileirão
A principal fonte de receita foram os direitos de transmissão de TV (R$ 164,7 milhões). Logo atrás, o clube faturou R$ 73,2 milhões com repasse de direitos federativos (vendas, empréstimos e mecanismo de solidariedade).
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O número em relação ao repasse de direitos federativos ainda não conta com as vendas de Róger Guedes e Adson, como também a transferência de Carlos Augusto do Monza à Inter de Milão.
أكد مصدر داخل بتروجيت، أن النادي تلقى العديد من العروض المغرية لحامد حمدان مدافع الفريق البترولي، مشيرا إلى أن رغبته والمقابل المادي سيكونان حاسمان في مسألة رحيله.
وكان بتروجيت قد تعادل مع نظيره الأهلي بالأمس، بهدف لكل فريق، في المباراة التي أقيمت ضمن منافسات الجولة الـ12 من الدوري المصري الممتاز.
طالع.. بتروجيت يوضح.. هل ينتقل حامد حمدان إلى الزمالك في يناير؟
وقال مصدر مسؤول داخل بتروجيت لـ بطولات: “حامد حمدان تلقى العديد من العروض المغرية خلال الساعات الماضية على رأسها بيراميدز”.
وأضاف: “لم نحسم مسألة انتقال حامد حمدان إلى الزمالك، على الرغم من أن الأبيض يسعى لضم اللاعب وكانت هناك مفاوضات بالفعل قبل بداية الموسم لضم اللاعب”.
وتابع: “هناك تواصل حدث من جون إدوارد المدير الرياضي لنادي الزمالك عقب لقاء الأهلي بالأمس، وأشاد بأداء حامد حمدان، وأكد أن الزمالك سيجدد حديثه عن ضمه خلال الأيام الجارية”.
واختتم: “حامد حمدان لم يوقع أي عقود مع الزمالك حتى هذه اللحظة كما يتردد، وإدارة بتروجيت منفتحة على بيعه في يناير”.
Celtic are back in action in the Scottish Premiership on the other side of the international break at the end of this week when they face Dundee away from home.
The Hoops will be aiming to move back to the top of the table if Hearts slip up in their match, as they currently sit two points off the top of the division as it stands.
Despite a 3-2 win over Motherwell in the last game at Parkhead before the international break, Brendan Rodgers must find ways to make his Celtic team more effective in the final third.
The Scottish giants have failed to find the back of the net in five separate matches in all competitions so far this season, which shows that they have been blunt in front of goal far too often.
It is, therefore, a concern that Daizen Maeda had to withdraw from international duty with Japan due to a foot injury, sparking doubt over his availability for the clash with Dundee this weekend.
The 27-year-old star scored the winning goal against Motherwell last time out in the Premiership, and Rodgers may have to find an alternative option on the right wing.
Ranking Celtic's first-team right wing options
Maeda is currently the number one option for the Hoops on the right flank. Sebastian Tounekti’s arrival has forced the Japanese star to move to the right wing, and he has delivered two goals and two assists in the Premiership.
The Celtic star, who scored 33 goals in all competitions last season (Transfermarkt), has shown that he can impact games with goals and assists on a regular basis, which is why he is currently the best option out wide on the right.
If Maeda is unavailable for selection this weekend against Dundee, Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest would be two potential replacements as natural right wingers.
Premiership (24/25 + 25/26)
James Forrest
Hyun-jun Yang
Appearances
30
26
Goals
1
5
Big chances missed
4
6
Key passes per game
0.9
0.7
Big chances created
5
4
Assists
5
2
Stats via Sofascore
However, as you can see in the table above, both Yang and Forrest have failed to provide consistent quality in the final third in the Premiership since the start of last season, which is why they rank third and fourth out of the four first-team right wing options.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who is a left-winger typically, started on the right wing in the 2-1 win over Kilmarnock last month, and was subbed off with no shots on goal and no ‘big chances’ created, yet should still be considered the second-best senior right winger.
The Belgian forward, who provided a fantastic assist for Maeda from the left wing against Motherwell, looked uncomfortable and passive on the right flank, which is not his usual role.
Balikwisha, as he is the only winger other than Maeda with a goal contribution in the Premiership this season, may be the best first-team option available on the right wing, though, if the Japan international is injured, as Yang and Forrest have not shown enough quality.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Because the former Royal Antwerp man looks to be the best senior right winger fit and available ahead of Dundee, Rodgers should look to the academy to unleash a young star on the flank.
Balikwisha, Forrest, and Yang do not look set to be future stars for Celtic on the right wing, but B team starlet Rhys Dargie may have the potential to be a key player for the Hoops moving forward.
Why Celtic should unleash Rhys Dargie against Dundee
The extent of Maeda’s injury remains to be seen, but it was bad enough for him not to play a single minute for Japan during the international break.
Even if it is not a serious injury that will completely rule him out for games, Celtic have a Europa League clash with Sturm Graz next week that they may want to save the attacker for if he is not at 100% fitness.
Therefore, Rodgers should unleash B team star Dargie on the right wing against Dundee this weekend in a bold move, because of how underwhelming his other options in that position have performed this season.
Output from Celtic RWs (B team + first-team)
25/26 season
Appearances
Goals + assists
Rhys Dargie (B team)
10
4 + 3
Daizen Maeda (first-team)
13
3 + 2
Michel-Ange Balikwisha (first-team)
6
0 + 2
Hyun-jun Yang (first-team)
8
1 + 0
James Forrest (first-team)
12
0 + 0
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the 18-year-old attacker has the most goals and the most assists of any Celtic right wing option at B team or first-team level in the 2025/26 campaign so far.
What makes his return of four goals and three assists all the more impressive is that they all came in six appearances as a right winger, as the other four were in central midfield or on the left flank.
Dargie, who was described as “some talent” by reporter Stu Mclellan, also scored an eye-catching nine goals in 11 outings in the Lowland League in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt.
The Scottish sensation has scored 13 goals and assisted three in 21 appearances for Celtic B to date, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he is a winger who can offer a consistent threat in the final third, particularly as a goalscorer.
Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not Dargie can translate those performances over to the first-team, the alternatives at the manager’s disposal have shown that they cannot be relied upon to deliver quality when needed.
That is why Rodgers should take a risk, although it is not much of a risk given the alternatives, and plunge the teenage talent into the Premiership clash with Dundee at the weekend to see if he has what it takes to influence games at senior level.
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This Celtic star made a lightning-fast start to his career at Parkhead, but has failed to kick on this season.
ByDan Emery Oct 13, 2025
An injury to Maeda is a blow on the face of it, particularly if he is out for a significant period of time, but it could be a blessing in disguise if it provides Dargie with an opportunity to shine in the first-team, as was the case with Colby Donovan after Alistair Johnston’s injury.
Allrounder takes 2 for 11 as Essex stutter to 104 all out before unbeaten fifty seals chase
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Jun-2025
Kathryn Bryce claimed the big wicket of Lauren Winfield-Hill•ECB via Getty Images
Kathryn Bryce starred with bat and ball as The Blaze beat Essex Women by seven wickets in the Vitality Blast match at the Central Co-op County Ground Derby.Despite losing opening bowler Grace Ballinger after one ball of the game, The Blaze delivered a disciplined display in the field with Bryce taking 2 for 11 and Cassidy McCarthy 2 for 22.Essex were bowled out for 104, Jo Gardner making 22, but that proved inadequate with Bryce scoring a run a ball unbeaten 51 to seal a bonus point win with 35 balls to spare.The Blaze suffered a setback at the start when Ballinger pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and had to leave the field. But it was Essex who had problems to solve when they lost three wickets in the powerplay.Kathryn Bryce took over from Ballinger and with her fourth delivery, had Lauren Winfield-Hill lbw playing across the line.Essex then lost two wickets in the fourth over. A brilliant piece of fielding by Ella Claridige at gully ran out Lissy Macleod before Cordelia Griffith top edged a pull to mid on.Grace Scrivens and Maddie Penna were beginning to repair the damage when they both fell in quick succession. Scrivens top-edged a reverse sweep at Josie Groves and was caught at point before Penna missed a conventional sweep at Kirstie Gordon to leave Essex on 44 for 5.Gardner and Sophia Smale added 42 from 37 balls but the pair were parted in the 17th over when Smale was bowled trying to sweep Maddy Green. Gardner went in the next over, caught at deep midwicket off McCarthy and Bryce returned to bowl Eva Gray in the 19th.Essex passed 100 but they needed early wickets to have a chance of defending a small total and Kate Coppack struck in the first over of the Blaze chase. She found enough movement to have Georgia Elwiss caught behind without scoring but she lost control in her next over which cost 17.Esmae MacGregor replaced her and had Marie Kelly caught at mid off but at the end of the powerplay, The Blaze were well on course at 45 for 2.MacGregor beat Sarah Bryce’s drive but sister Kathryn moved through the gears and won the game in style with a straight six off Smale which also took her to a richly deserved 50.
O Palmeiras foi derrotado pelo Grêmio por 1 a 0, na quinta-feira (22), pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. Mas o pós-jogo ficou marcado por mais um elogio de Abel Ferreira em relação ao trabalho de Renato Gaúcho.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Em entrevista coletiva, o técnico português classificou o comandante gremista como um dos melhores do país e explicou como é a forma de jogar do Tricolor gaúcho, sistema esse que ele mesmo utilizava quando treino o Braga.
– Em relação ao Renato Gaúcho, é claramente um dos melhores treinadores brasileiros, tem uma forma de jogar muito específica, joga com oito jogadores por dentro e dois por fora. São dois, mais dois, mais dois, mais dois (explicando com as mãos as duplas pelo meio) e os dois por fora.
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– Joguei com esse sistema quando era treinador da equipe A e da equipe B do Braga, é um sistema que eu gosto, que eu conheço. Ele tem jogadores com essa características, não tem pontas declarados, são jogadores mais interiores do que pontas para dar ultrapassagens para os laterais, com dois centroavantes muito móveis – completou.
Abel também falou do que funcionou no jogo do Grêmio e do que não funcionou no jogo Palmeiras, inclusive o lance do belo gol de João Pedro, que um tipo de jogada que o português curte.
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– Sabíamos o que tínhamos que fazer, fizeram um gol muito bonito numa situação de “toca e romper”. Uma das coisas que eu gosto no futebol é tocar e quebrar linhas para receber na frente. Foram extremamente eficiente, o Grêmio entrou muito forte no jogo, ao contrário do Palmeiras.
+ Abel Ferreira, técnico do Palmeiras, é denunciado pela Associação Brasileira de Árbitros
Foi a primeira vez que Renato Gaúcho venceu Abel Ferreira defendendo o Grêmio. Na outra vitória, ele treinava o Flamengo. Ao todo, são sete confrontos, quatro vitórias para o português, um empate e duas derrotas de Portaluppi.
تحدث النجم الأرجنتيني ليونيل ميسي، قائد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميامي عن فوزه بكأس العالم قطر 2022 رفقة منتخب الأرجنتين.
وتوج ميسي بالبطولة على حساب منتخب فرنسا بركلات الترجيح بعدما انتهى الوقت الأصلي والإضافي بالتعادل بثلاثة أهداف لكل فريق.
وحضر ليونيل ميسي يوم الأربعاء منتدى الأعمال الأمريكي في ميامي، وهو حدث جمع شخصيات بارزة من عالم الرياضة والسياسة وريادة الأعمال، من بينهم الرئيس الأمريكي دونالد ترامب، ورئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم “فيفا” جياني إنفانتينو، ونجمة التنس السابقة سيرينا ويليامز، والممثل ويل سميث.
وقال ميسي، في تصريحات عبر صحيفة “أوليه”: “مع اعترافي باختلاف التشبيه الذي سأقوله لكن عندما فزت بكأس العالم شعرت بنفس الشعور الذي جاءني عندما وُلد أطفالي الصغار، شعور يصعب وصفه، إنه شعور خاص وعظيم لدرجة أن أي شيء أقوله لا يستطيع وصف ما بداخلي بدقة”.
اقرأ أيضًا | فودين يعلق على هدفيه أمام بوروسيا دورتموند.. ويصرح: لا يهمنا تجاهل الناس لنا
وأضاف: “بصراحة، من الصعب وصف مشاعر تلك اللحظة، من الصعب إيجاد كلمات تصف ما مثّله ذلك اللقب على المستوى الشخصي لعائلتي وزملائي في الفريق وللبلاد، كان واضحًا كيف احتفل الناس ورغبتنا ورغبتنا في تكرار ذلك بعد كل هذا الغياب”.
وتابع: “بالنسبة لي، كان الأمر مميزًا، أولًا لأن الفوز بكأس العالم هو الإنجاز الأكبر والأعظم، بعد كأس العالم لا يمكنك طلب المزيد، وفوق ذلك كنت محظوظًا بما يكفي لتحقيق كل شيء من قبل على مستوى النادي وعلى المستوى الفردي”.
وأتم ميسي: “كان هذا هو الشيء الوحيد الذي افتقدته لاختم مسيرتي المهنية بتلك الكأس”.
In an early blow for Rangers as they prepare to start a new era with a returning face in the dugout, one player has already admitted that he dreams of leaving Ibrox.
Gerrard already has Rangers ambition in mind
Just one week on from sacking Russell Martin after just 123 days in charge – making him the manager with the shortest reign in the club’s history – Rangers are set to turn to a familiar face. As per a number of reports, Steven Gerrard is now closing in on a move to the Gers to take charge for a second time and the first time since leaving for Aston Villa in 2021.
The Liverpool legend has the tough task of reviving a Rangers side that sit as many as nine points behind rivals Celtic and 11 points behind shock leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. But that won’t stand in the way of his lofty ambitions, according to ex-Rangers ace Kyle Lafferty.
Lafferty, who played under Gerrard at Rangers during his brief second spell at the club, told reporters earlier this week:
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets them up there challenging again and fighting for the title this season. Seriously, I wouldn’t be shocked if he won it. He’ll come in expecting to win it. He won’t settle for second place.
“He won’t be thinking, let’s close the gap on Celtic and Hearts and maybe finish a few points off. I know him and I’ve played under him. He’ll literally come in and think he can win the league this season.”
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That said, it’s certainly easier said than done to transform this current side, and the recent transfer admission of one star man certainly won’t help Gerrard’s project.
Antman has already admitted he dreams of Spain return
As reported by Dutch football expert and Voetbal International journalist Sander Janssen with Ibrox News, Oliver Antman has already admitted that he dreams of a return to Spain after enjoying past success at Cornella and CF Damm’s youth sides whilst also going on trial at Barcelona in 2012.
Following reports that Besiktas are ready to rescue Nicolas Raskin as soon as January, the last thing that Rangers need is for summer arrival Antman to set his sights on a swift exit of his own.
For now, Gerrard must hope that the winger’s Spain dream remains exactly that.