A New York Yankees fan who likely paid thousands of dollars for a front-row seat at Game 4 of the World Series has been ushered out of the ballpark after just three outs.
In the bottom of the first inning, Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres hit a foul ball down the right-field line. Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts chased it down and caught it at the wall in foul territory.
After Betts caught the ball, a fan in the front row grabbed his glove with two hands and ripped the ball out of his possession. Fan interference was called, Torres was ruled out, and that fan was quickly ushered out of Yankee Stadium.
That will go down as one of the strangest player-fan moments in World Series history.
The New York faithful haven't had much to cheer for in the 2024 World Series, as Los Angeles won the first three games and took a 2–0 lead in Game 4 on Freddie Freeman's first-inning home run.
Liverpool ended their torrid losing streak as Mohamed Salah scored his 250th goal for the club and Ryan Gravenberch netted on his return from injury in a comfortable 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield. The Reds were well worth the three points but had a slice of luck to thank as Emiliano Martinez presented Salah with an open goal to break the deadlock, before Gravenberch's deflected strike sealed the points for a Arne Slot's dominant side.
After six defeats in seven matches and four in a row in the league, nothing but their best was demanded of Liverpool and they showed great strides towards rediscovering just that. It was Villa who looked the more threatening in the opening quarter of an hour, though, as Morgan Rogers struck the base of the post with a fifth-minute curling drive before Giorgi Mamardashvili diverted a deflected Matty Cash cross onto the crossbar before thwarting Rogers from range.
Liverpool put the visitors under significant pressure at the other end, pressing Villa's defence effectively and forcing mistakes, and Dominik Szoboszlai should have opened the scoring after Boubacar Kamara lost possession, but his tame strike was straight at Martinez. This would be a warning sign which Villa did not learn from, as Martinez himself presented Salah with the ball and the Egyptian accepted his gift.
Another piece of luck would see Liverpool double their lead in the second half, as Gravenberch drove into space on the edge of the box and saw his low strike deflected beyond Martinez and into the net. When the visitors did look to attack at the other end, they found a well-organised defensive unit in their way and often resorted to wayward finishing from outside the box. Unai Emery's side were also fortunate to end the match with all 11 men after Amadou Onana appeared to grab Alexis Mac Allister by the neck during an altercation at a corner.
GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Giorgi Mamardashvili (7/10):
His saves at 0-0 should not be underestimated, particularly the one from Cash's deflected cross. Showed why he is believed to be the perfect long-term successor to Alisson.
Conor Bradley (8/10):
His energy and ambition in the final third was exactly what was needed, while the Northern Ireland international barely put a foot wrong in defence and limited Villa to very little down his side.
Ibrahima Konate (7/10):
Has struggled at times so far this season, but was far more solid and imposing at the back as Watkins went missing.
Virgil van Dijk (7/10):
Marshalled the defence well as the Reds' struggling back-line returned to somewhere near its best. Made key blocks when he was needed.
Andy Robertson (7/10):
Justified his selection over Kerkez with some lung-busting play at both ends. He at times found himself in the striking position alongside Ekitike, though also made an important tackle to deny Guessand in his own box.
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Midfield
Alexis Mac Allister (7/10):
Showed an improvement from recent weeks with a composed performance in midfield. Could have scored late in the first half had it not been for a brilliant block by Konsa, while the Argentine spotted the run of Gravenberch to assist the second goal.
Ryan Gravenberch (8/10):
The Dutchman was a big miss in three matches out with an ankle injury, and showed exactly why as he was dominant in midfield, continuing to add a goal-scoring touch to his game with his deflected second-half strike after breaking into space.
Dominik Szoboszlai (8/10):
Another stand-out performance by the Hungarian, who played a key role in Liverpool's highly-effective press and continued to be the Reds' chief creator. His inch-perfect delivery was headed home by a marginally-offside Ekitike, while the Reds' No.8 won the ball off Villa's defence on several occasions.
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Attack
Mohamed Salah (8/10):
Put his name up in lights with his 250th Reds goal, in what was a relatively simple finish but an important one. Created chances for Gakpo and Ekitike and looked closer to his determined best, causing Digne a torrid time for periods of the match.
Hugo Ekitike (7/10):
Scored in the first half with a well-taken header but had just gone too early to have the goal disallowed for offside. With Isak out injured, the France international continues to stake his claim to being the Reds' best striking option.
Cody Gakpo (6/10):
At times appeared too predictable cutting in onto his right foot, while he mis-controlled a Salah cross with the goal at his mercy and will have been relieved to see the offside flag go up.
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Subs & Manager
Florian Wirtz (6/10):
Replaced Ekitike as a make-shift striker and had little impact in his late cameo, as the only substitute Slot introduced in the match.
Arne Slot (8/10):
Made the right selection choices in dropping Wirtz and Kerkez to the bench, and his side's high press was a key factor in a crucial victory. Players stepped up across all areas of the pitch, and fan chants of Slot's name in the second half indicated a warm appreciation of the performance.
Seven games, four wins, two draws and just a solitary defeat. Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the 2025/26 Premier League season has been a far cry from last term, with Thomas Frank certainly getting a tune out of this talented crop of players.
Having slipped to 22 top-flight defeats last season under Ange Postecoglou, the Europa League winners look like a different prospect this time around, with Saturday’s trip to Elland Road once again highlighting their newfound resilience this season.
With Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven holding the fort defensively in that 2-1 win over Leeds United, the Lilywhites can also now rely on the likes of Mohammed Kudus to make the difference in attack, with the Ghanaian notching a goal and assist to maintain his red-hot form this term.
Eyebrows may have been raised following his £55m switch from London rivals West Ham United, although Kudus is quickly proving value for money, having fired home from just outside the box to secure the win in Yorkshire.
Elegant and electric down that right flank, the 25-year-old is swiftly taking on talismanic status in his new surroundings, carrying the mantle even when those around him aren’t exactly at their free-flowing best.
Kudus' game in numbers vs Leeds
Having teed up Mathys Tel for the game’s opener, before getting in on the act with his first goal for the club, Kudus now has six goals and assists to his name in just seven league outings in 2025/26.
Up against Daniel Farke’s stubborn side, the one-time Ajax man was a constant menace from his right wing berth, having also popped up centrally to convert what proved to be the decisive goal on the day.
The man of the moment could and should well have netted earlier following impressive work from Xavi Simons down the left, albeit with Kudus unable to direct his attempt goalwards after lashing over the bar from the Dutchman’s pullback.
That was a rare blot on the copybook on anotherwise eye-catching day for Spurs’ number 20, a fact that was also evidenced as he successfully completed all six of his attempted dribbles at Elland Road, as per Sofascore.
With an 88% pass accuracy rate to boot, the 51-touch playmaker also chipped in defensively for his side, winning ten duels in total – the most of any player for either side on the day.
Kudus vs Leeds
Stat
Record
Minutes played
89
Touches
51
Pass accuracy
88%
Goals
1
Assists
1
Dribbles completed
6/6
Duels won
10/19
Stats via Sofascore
That influence both in and out of possession was crucial in clinching the away side’s fourth league win of the campaign, with such a showing perhaps helping to mask the struggles of the man behind.
Why Frank may need to bench errant Spurs star
Battling. Hard-fought. Resilient. All words that could describe the visitors’ performance amid stormy conditions away in Yorkshire.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
This wasn’t vintage Spurs, but a resolute defence – combined with fleeting moments of quality in attack – ultimately proved enough up against their newly-promoted hosts.
When reflecting back on Saturday’s win, Frank may also need to consider how his side can truly begin to kick on and thrive in the weeks ahead, with questions likely to be asked regarding Pedro Porro’s regular role at right-back.
With Destiny Udogie returning to his rightful place at left-back, there is now a straight fight between Porro and Djed Spence on the opposite flank, ensuring Frank could well make that change next time around following the international break.
While the typically influential Porro wasn’t a notable villain on Saturday afternoon, he was also far from his best, having been rather erratic in possession after losing the ball on 26 occasions – more than any player for either side.
That may have come amid his desire to create for his side, having teed up Kudus for the winner with a dinked pass in behind, although his 62% pass accuracy rate does make for grim reading.
Wasteful and erratic in possession, the Spaniard was also found wanting defensively at times, having struggled to contain the lively Noah Okafor down the Leeds left.
Indeed, the former Sporting CP defender ultimately won just four of his ten ground duels, while being dribbled past one two occasions, with football.london’s Alasdair Gold noting that it ‘wasn’t one of his best games’, despite showcasing his usual endeavour and commitment.
While Frank may be wary of changing a winning side, the presence of Spence waiting in the wings ensures that the Dane could make the change against Aston Villa in two weeks time.
There’s certainly no harm in keeping Porro on his toes.
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Atalanta head coach Ivan Juric couldn’t hide his frustration after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by AC Milan, insisting his team “were three times better" than their opponents. Ademola Lookman’s first goal since his summer transfer standoff rescued a point for La Dea, with Juric hailing the Nigerian as “a spectacle” following a strong display in Bergamo.
Lookman strikes back as Atalanta hold Milan
Nigerian international Lookman ended his goal drought with the crucial equaliser in the Serie A clash, a result that extended La Dea’s unbeaten run but left head coach Ivan Juric lamenting missed opportunities.
Milan took the lead inside five minutes through Samuele Ricci’s deflected strike, leaving Atalanta chasing the game despite controlling possession. The equaliser arrived in the 35th minute, when Mario Pasalic’s intelligent through ball found Lookman, who hammered a left-footed effort into the roof of the net beyond Mike Maignan.
The goal marked Lookman’s first since May and his first since returning from a turbulent summer, during which a potential move to Inter fell apart amid reports of a €45 million offer. The Nigerian’s performance, full of direct running and confidence, suggested he’s rediscovered his rhythm after long turmoil.
Atalanta dominated the second half but were left frustrated as they failed to convert several late chances. Despite the draw, the result highlighted Lookman’s renewed importance to Juric’s attacking setup, especially as the club pushes for a European qualification spot.
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'Atalanta were three times better' – Juric
After the final whistle, boss Juric voiced both pride and frustration over his team’s performance – their fifth consecutive draw. Speaking to , the Croatian coach said: “Atalanta were three times better than Milan. We dominated throughout, they had one shot and scored. Another great game from the lads and it's a real shame because this team deserves more.”
Juric praised his squad’s overall effort, noting how the result didn’t reflect their superiority. “I think we did very well in both phases. We created several scoring opportunities. It’s disappointing that we’re not getting more points, but I’m confident we will,” he added. His comments reflect Atalanta’s ongoing pattern this season, plenty of control and creative energy, but a lack of composure in the final third.
Lookman wins back trust after transfer feud
Lookman’s goal came as a personal breakthrough following a tense summer marked by his attempted exit. The forward had been frozen out of training after pushing for a move to Inter, even deleting Atalanta-related posts from his social media before eventually being reintegrated into the squad.
Juric’s public praise after the match was glowing, as he said: “He's a spectacle on the training pitch and in matches . He has incredible energy. Today he played a great game and scored a great goal. I think that now that we've all recovered, we're very competitive. We've dominated many matches. Let's hope we become more clinical up front.”
The 27-year-old has now scored 53 goals in 123 appearances for Atalanta since joining from RB Leipzig and remains one of the most influential African players in Europe. His return to form comes at a crucial time, both for club and country, with AFCON 2025 on the horizon. By delivering a key performance in one of Atalanta’s biggest domestic fixtures, Lookman may have finally put his transfer feud behind him, regaining the trust of Juric and supporters alike.
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Milan escape more challenges ahead
Atalanta sit sixth place with 13 points in Serie A after the draw but continue to boast the league’s only unbeaten record, albeit with too many stalemates limiting progress. Juric’s men now turn their focus to a crucial clash against Udinese at the weekend, a fixture that could determine whether their momentum translates into a challenge which could elevate them on table. Afterwards, they will travel to France to meet Marseille in their fourth Champions League game of the campaign.
For Lookman, this goal could be the turning point, as after months of off-field uncertainty, the Nigerian appears revitalised, and Juric’s faith in him is clearly growing.
Following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Genk in the Europa League, Fabrizio Romano has shared what he’s now heard from Glasgow Rangers on the future of Ibrox boss Russell Martin.
Martin calls for "perspective" after Rangers defeat
Last weekend’s victory over Hibernian handed Martin hope, but just that. His side were returned to the reality of their situation in brutal fashion as former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu raced in behind before firing home Genk’s winning goal at Ibrox in midweek. Down to 10 men and beaten, it was yet another evening to forget for the Gers.
Martin was once again forced to come out in defence of his side and his tenure at the club, calling for “perspective” after Mohamed Diomande’s red card left Genk with a man advantage.
Truth be told, after just four wins in 14 games, it may be too late for anyone to hand the former Southampton boss the benefit of the doubt. There’s been more than one example of such a performance taking place when Rangers have kept all 11 players on the pitch.
Just where the Gers go from here is the big question. Reports before the Hibs victory last week mentioned the likes of Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti as candidates to replace Martin, only for other headlines to suggest that he still has the full backing of the 49ers.
"Whether you like it or not" – Martin demands "perspective" after Rangers defeat
It was another night to forget.
By
Tom Cunningham
Sep 26, 2025
Now, after yet another defeat, Romano has provided an update about what he’s hearing from Ibrox on Martin’s future.
Romano provides Russell Martin sack update
According to Romano, Martin’s position at Rangers is now being assessed and those above the manager are contemplating whether to bring his Ibrox spell to an end. The reporter told GiveMeSport:
With that said, another defeat at Livingston this weekend may well make Martin’s position simply untenable and force the 49ers into another managerial search so soon after hiring the 39-year-old.
Having his say on the matter, Rangers legend Ally McCoist told TNT Sport: “I just felt, coming into the stadium tonight, it kind of blew me away. It was nothing like a normal atmosphere of any game, never mind a European game, here at Ibrox.
“There was an apathy, there was no life about the place actually on or off the pitch, which is really, really concerning. Listen, the manager’s in trouble, the manager’s in big trouble because something has to change, and something has to change dramatically.”
The clock is certainly ticking on Martin’s tenure. Some are even suggesting that time is up, but the ball remains in the 49ers’ court as they continue to deliberate their options.
After a travel day on Monday, Major League Baseball is back in a big way with a loaded Tuesday night slate featuring plenty of pitchers to bet on.
When betting on the prop market in baseball, I love targeting starting pitching matchups that I believe to be favorable, and there are a few starters that are worth a look on June 11.
New York Yankees righty Marcus Stroman, Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler and San Francisco Giants righty Jordan Hicks are among the top players to target, but maybe not in the way you’d expect.
Let’s dive into these plays for Tuesday’s 15-game slate.
Best MLB Prop Bets for Tuesday, June 11
Marcus Stroman OVER 16.5 Outs Recorded (-125)
Zack Wheeler OVER 1.5 Walks Allowed (-145)
Jordan Hicks UNDER 16.5 Outs Recorded (-125)
Marcus Stroman OVER 16.5 Outs Recorded (-125)
Marcus Stroman lasted just 4.2 innings in his last start for New York, but he had cleared 16.5 outs recorded in five straight starts prior to that outing.
Stroman has been solid for this season, posting a 3.04 ERA and 4.82 Fielding Independent Pitching, and he was elite in May, posting a 1.67 ERA and a .191 opponent batting average that month.
I think this could be a bounce-back spot for Stroman, even though the Kansas City Royals have been a solid offense this season. We’re not asking Stroman to even get through six innings to clear this prop, and he’s done it in more than half of his starts in 2024.
Zack Wheeler OVER 1.5 Walks Allowed (-145)
Zack Wheeler has been elite for the Phillies this season, but I’m actually fading him against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday.
In 13 starts, Wheeler has walked two or more batters in eight games, tallying 26 total walks.
Boston doesn’t draw a ton of walks (16th in the league), but Wheeler has cleared this prop in five straight games. He usually pitches pretty deep into games – 10 starts with at least 6.0 innings pitched – which gives him more chances to rack up the free passes.
Even at this price, Wheeler is a solid fade candidate tonight.
Jordan Hicks UNDER 16.5 Outs Recorded (-125)
The last time Giants righty Jordan Hicks started, I faded him in this prop, and I’m going back to the well tonight.
Hicks is a converted reliever, and the Giants have played things safe with him this season when it comes to his pitch count and innings pitched.
Hicks has gone under 16.5 outs recorded in 10 of his 13 starts and each of his seven starts since the beginning of May.
While Hicks has thrown over 90 pitches on several occasions, he’s also been pulled through five innings in games where he’s failed to reach 80 pitches.
Until we see Hicks reach the sixth inning in a game, he’s a must fade at anything above 14.5 outs.
After Pep Guardiola revealed the news that Kyle Walker will not be at the Club World Cup as he prepares to leave the club this summer, Manchester City have reportedly made one particular target their no.1 priority.
Kyle Walker set to leave Man City
Following a loan spell at Milan, Walker is set to leave Manchester City on a permanent basis this summer. The veteran defender looks set to bow out as one of the best defenders to play for the Citizens and will forever have his part cemented in their history books. After eight successful years, however, he’s set to bring his Manchester City career to an end.
Guardiola confirmed the news that the defender will not be at the Club World Cup, with Fabrizio Romano then revealing that he is on course to depart Manchester City in the coming months.
Man City now eyeing shock chance to sign £84 million Arsenal contract rebel
This would certainly steal headlines…
By
Tom Cunningham
May 23, 2025
Walker’s exit should come as little shock. For all of his impressive work in Manchester, the England international was beginning to fall away from his best form before his loan spell away at AC Milan. Often at the centre of moments to forget for Guardiola’s side, a departure always seemed inevitable.
By the time his exit is confirmed, however, fans around The Etihad won’t remember Walker for this season’s defensive blunders. Instead, they will remember a right-back who became a mainstay in one of, if not the most successful side in Premier League history.
Replacing such a player should be among City’s priorities this summer in a task that certainly won’t be easy. Without Walker, Guardiola has been forced to turn towards some surprising options at right-back, including the likes of Matheus Nunes and the impressive Nico O’Reilly.
If the Spaniard wants to take his side back to Premier League glory after a season away, he will know more than anyone how important it is that City welcome a right-back this summer.
Man City prioritising Livramento move
According to Romano, Manchester City are now prioritising a move to sign Tino Livramento from Newcastle United this summer and have made the right-back their No 1 target.
The former Chelsea youngster has impressed at St James’ Park ever since arriving, but nailed his place down in Eddie Howe’s side ahead of Kieran Trippier once and for all this season. Now, he could be on his way to The Etihad if City get their way.
At 22 years old, Livarmento’s best years are yet to come and may well come under Guardiola as has been the case for several stars over the years. As Walker prepares to leave, the Newcastle man, who Howe described as “excellent” in April, should be seen as the perfect heir to his Manchester City throne.
Clearing £75,000 a week from their wage bill whilst welcoming a player who could spearhead a new era at The Etihad would, in many ways, represent an ideal way for Manchester City to commence their summer spending.
Glasgow Rangers will be on the lookout for a new manager this summer after Barry Ferguson’s time as the interim head coach comes to an end.
The Scottish boss came in to replace Philippe Clement on a short-term basis and has the job until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, when a decision will be made on the holder of the position on a long-term basis.
Ferguson has not done too much to further his claim to take the job on permanently after a fairly unimpressive collection of results in the Europa League and the Scottish Premiership so far.
His side failed to score in three of their four Europa League outings, eventually getting knocked out by Athletic Bilbao, and the Scottish manager has only won three of his seven top-flight games in charge, most recently drawing 2-2 with St Mirren.
The Light Blues may, therefore, have to look further afield to find their manager for next season and beyond, because Ferguson does not look up to the task of returning Rangers to their former glory on the evidence of his interim period in charge.
In fact, a fresh report on the club’s search for a new head coach suggests that the club are looking at other options to come in and replace the former Scotland international in the Ibrox dugout.
Rangers considering moves for two managerial candidates
According to TEAMtalk, the Scottish giants have whittled their shortlist of managerial candidates down to two in their search for a new tactician.
The report claims that former RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose has emerged as a contender for the job, as the Gers hierarchy are said to be thinking about him for the job.
It states that the pending takeover will put the club in a better financial situation, and that they are looking for an exciting managerial appointment to take the team in the right direction.
Rose is said to have been sounded out about the job and that he is open to taking on a new role next season, having left his position at RB Leipzig in March.
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The German head coach, however, is not the only manager on the shortlist. TEAMtalk adds that the Light Blues are seriously considering a swoop for former Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard.
It states that the English manager, who left Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in January, would be interested in a return to Glasgow to manage the team for a second time.
Steven Gerrard
In fact, TEAMtalk reports that many managers see the job as an attractive prospect because of the potential to win domestic trophies, as well as the prospect of Champions League or Europa League football, which Gerrard has not had since his first spell in Scotland.
With all of this in mind, the 49ers and Kevin Thelwell, who is set to take up the position of sporting director this summer, must move to bring the Liverpool legend back to Ibrox ahead of a swoop for Rose.
Why Steven Gerrard would be better for Rangers than Marco Rose
The German boss is, certainly, a strong candidate for the job because he has achieved relative success in both Austria with RB Salzburg and Germany with RB Leipzig.
Rose won two titles in two seasons in the Austrian Bundesliga before making his way to his home country with Borussia Monchengladbach, with whom he finished fourth and eighth before joining Borussia Dortmund and finishing second in the 2021/22 campaign.
The 48-year-old boss then joined Leipzig and finished third and fourth in his first two seasons, before leaving the club in sixth place in the division this season.
This suggests that Rose, despite winning the German Cup in the 2022/23 campaign, regressed during his time at Monchengladbach and Leipzig, as their respective league positions dropped the longer he stayed.
Nathan Patterson, Steven Gerrard
Rangers must, now, swoop for Gerrard instead because he would be an even better appointment than the German head coach, as he is a proven quantity at Ibrox and in Scottish football.
The 4-3-3 boss joined the Light Blues in the summer of 2018 and led the club to second-placed finishes in the Premiership in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, before winning the league title in his third year in Glasgow.
Gerrard’s team, incredibly, went unbeaten in the 2020/21 campaign in the top-flight, winning 32 matches and drawing six, to beat Celtic to the title.
It was a remarkable accomplishment by the manager, whose reputation was described as “amazing” by former England defender Glen Johnson, who won the league title for Rangers for the first time in ten years.
Former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and Philippe Clement have all attempted to replicate the success that Gerrard had at Ibrox, but failed and were all relieved of their duties without winning the league title.
The former Liverpool midfielder’s experience and success at Ibrox are exactly why he would be an even better appointment than Rose, because he knows what it takes to win the Premiership and has proven that he can put together a team to do exactly that.
Steven Gerrard (Premiership)
20/21
21/22
Matches
38
12
Wins
32
8
Draws
6
3
Defeats
0
1
Points
102
27
Points per game
2.68
2.25
League position
1st
1st
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, Gerrard only lost one of his last 50 Premiership matches in charge of Rangers, leaving the club at the top of the table after 12 matches in the 2021/22 campaign when he left to join Aston Villa.
The Gers have lost seven of their 34 games in the league in the current season, which illustrates just how impressive that record across 50 outings was, and they clearly need a manager who can bring a winning mentality back to Glasgow.
Steven Gerrard
Therefore, bringing Gerrard back to Ibrox in the hope that he can recapture the spark that he had in his first spell at the club could be a brilliant move for the 49ers and Thelwell to make.
The out-of-work tactician could bring the feel-good factor back to Ibrox, more so than Rose, who has no experience in Scotland or prior connection with the fanbase, and it is a move that seems to make a lot of sense on paper.
Rangers must axe £3m flop who has missed more games than Lawrence
Kevin Thelwell has a big job on his hands at Rangers
It’s been a rough ride for the Lilywhites this year. The end of the 2024/25 campaign is just one month away, but despite the pain that Tottenham Hotspur have endured, there may yet be light at the end of the tunnel.
Ange Postecoglou made a big claim in the early stage of the season, suggesting silverware may be on the way. Well, even though Spurs are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League with just a few years of the term left to play, they have one foot in the Europa League final.
Despite his polarising time at the helm, Postecoglou may yet leave an unforgettable legacy down N17.
Postecoglou's Spurs legacy
Tottenham have fallen by the wayside this season, of that there is no doubt. However, they could yet pick themselves back up, with Ange’s attacking philosophy looking to dig its claws back in ahead of the penultimate hurdle in the Europa League.
He’s received a lot of stick for his team’s issues across the term, but Postecoglou’s reign has unfortunately been characterised by persistent injuries.
Even so, he’s managed to create a semblance of offensive quality that was vacant in the years preceding his tenure, those post-Mauricio Pochettino years when things went awry and Tottenham regressed away from their staple flair and fearlessness in the final third.
And it’s remarkable that he’s achieved this. Long gone are the days of Harry Kane, who joined Bayern Munich in an £86m deal two years ago. The Three Lions skipper became Tottenham’s record goalscorer when netting against Manchester City in February 2023, scoring 280 goals across 435 appearances.
His partnership with Dele Alli and Heung-min Son was truly a thing to behold, but Son, now skipper, is the only one still kicking around down N17.
Former Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli
Dele might have endured his share of off-field issues in recent years but he will always be remembered for his prodigious start to life in the Premier League, scoring 37 goals and supplying 27 assists across his first three top-flight campaigns alone.
Son, meanwhile, has long been regarded as a “world-class” forward, as has been said here by former boss Jose Mourinho, with his 127 goals in England’s top flight placing him joint 16th in the all-time scoring charts.
Dele and Kane’s brilliance felt irreplaceable, and Son’s influence and longevity in the Englishg capital too, but Postecoglou’s formula appears to have found a new generation of forwards capable of collecting the torch from their Tottenham predecessors.
Postecoglou took on quite a weight when replacing Antonio Conte, but he’s succeeded in restoring Spurs’ attacking quality, their flair. In fact, he’s even moulded the Londoners’ frontline back into top shape, with three current stars looking like the next version of the iconic trio.
Spurs' new attacking superstars
Though this has been a campaign fraught with peril, Postecoglou has still managed to keep his attacking identity somewhat intact, with the 16th-placed Premier League side still among the division’s top goalscorers.
Premier League 24/25 – Highest Goalscorers
Rank
Club
Position
Goals
1
Liverpool
1st
80
2
Man City
3rd
67
3
Newcastle
4th
65
4
Arsenal
2nd
63
5
Tottenham
16th
62
Stats via Premier League
This is largely down to Dejan Kulusevski, whose energy and creativity have been an invaluable source of respite for a sinking ship. However, he’s not done it alone; Brennan Johnson has hit 16 goal contributions in the Premier League alone, despite only starting 23 times throughout an injury-affected year.
Then there’s Dominic Solanke, Kane’s belated replacement as the focal frontman. Injuries have been the crux of Tottenham’s struggle this year, and their club-record signing has very much been a victim of the blows. Even so, he’s been a worthy presence at number nine, notching 22 goal involvements across just 34 starts.
The trio, whose combined wages total some £270k per week, have definitely staked their claim for central roles over the coming years, be that under Postecoglou’s wing or in a different manager’s system.
Having each registered over 20 goal involvements across all competitions, they’ve proven their attacking credentials, with Son and James Maddison also hitting that mark.
But Son is indeed approaching his twilight in the Premier League, and Ange and co will be well aware that Tottenham need a new attacking lifeforce, one which could revive the feeling that the South Korean provided when alongside Dele and Kane.
Of course, these were attacking superstars capable of firing their way to lofty hauls every year, actually becoming the first trio to hit 20 goals each in a campaign back in the 2016/17 year, when the Pochettino era was in its heyday from an attacking standpoint.
Now, Postecoglou has found new players capable of breaking such records, and though there’s been plenty to be desired this year, this certainly bodes well for the years ahead.
Three of Tottenham’s brightest stars of the modern age, they may well be reborn through this new batch of talent, one which might just go one further and end this ceaseless wait for silverware.
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Will Celtic move one step closer to completing the treble?
On Saturday, the Hoops steamrollered Kilmarnock 5-1 at Parkhead, 4-0 up inside 24 minutes; Reo Hatate bagged a brace, Daizen Maeda tapped home from mere picometres out and then Cameron Carter-Vickers launched an absolute rocket in the top corner, before Anthony Ralston completed the rout in injury time.
This leaves Celtic 15 points clear of Rangers with only 15 points left to play for, and with a goal difference that is 42 superior, thereby able to mathematically secure the title at Tannadice against Dundee United next Saturday.
Before then, Brendan Rodgers’ team will take on St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-finals at Hampden on Easter Sunday, certainly not taking the Saints lightly, having been beaten 1-0 by the Premiership’s bottom club at McDiarmid Park just a fortnight ago.
Nevertheless, on course for a sixth domestic treble in nine seasons, having also reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, this Celtic side is clearly strong, but would they be even better had they been able to keep hold of an “immense” fan favourite?
Alistair Johnston: Celtic's unsung hero
Earlier this week, Celtic launched their player of the year voting, with Alistair Johnston front and centre.
Celtic defender Alistair Johnston.
Given that Maeda has scored 31 goals, and counting, across all competitions, the Canadian is unlikely to win the award, but he certainly deserves recognition for his performances.
Johnston is likely to surpass 4,000 club minutes this season, starting 43 of the Hoops’ 50 fixtures to date, including all ten in the Champions League, underlining his importance and consistency too.
Graham Falk of the Scotsman believes he has been one of Celtic’s ‘best performers’ since arriving from Club de Foot Montréal in January 2023, with Jesse Marsch, the Canadian national team manager, claiming the Scottish Premiership is “too much of a breeze” for his star full-back.
Back in November, Johnston was rewarded with a new contract, keeping him in Glasgow until 2029, after which Rodgers praised his “phenomenal work ethic and attitude”.
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to sign the defender – and sell a potential competitor – has certainly proven the correct call for the Hoops…
Celtic's right-back before Alistair Johnston
The reason Johnston arrived straight after the World Cup in Qatar was to replace the outgoing Josip Juranović.
Former Celtic star Josip Juranovic.
The Croatian joined the Celts from Legia Warsaw for a reported fee of £2.5m when Ange Postecoglou first arrived in the summer of 2021, made just 53 appearances in hoops and was then sold to Union Berlin for up to £10m a mere 18 months later.
During his relatively brief time at Parkhead, Juranović quickly became a fan’s favourite, later describing his time at Celtic as “the best of his life”.
Postecoglou praised the defender for performing “really well… against world-class opponents”, and was disappointed when he ultimately chose to leave, with editor Zach Lowy claiming his World Cup performances were “immense on both sides of the ball”.
Since Juranović moved to Union Berlin just over two years ago, it’s been an up-and-down period for die Eisernen.
The club based in East Berlin were promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time ever in 2019, making it an astonishing achievement that they qualified for the Champions League just four years later, shortly after Juranović’s arrival, having been in the Europa League the year before, and the Conference League the season before that.
However, the following campaign, they only avoided relegation on the final day, thanks to Janik Haberer’s 92nd minute winner against Freiburg at Stadion An der Alten Försterei, and with the Union Berlin 13th right now, it’s been tougher for Juranović.
So, let’s assess how he compares to his Celtic replacement Johnston.
Josip Juranović vs Alistair Johnston 23/24 & 24/25 comparison
Statistics
Juranović
Johnston
Appearances
42
86
Minutes
2,849
7,220
Pass completion %
70.5%
80.9%
% of dribblers tackled
48.3%
69.2%
Duels contested per 90
5.54
8.37
Tackles per 90
1.46
2
Clearances per 90
2
2.12
Interceptions per 90
0.68
0.69
Blocks per 90
0.39
0.25
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and Squawka
As outlined in the table, Johnston has outperformed Juranović across the last two seasons, albeit the Croatian’s time in Berlin has been blighted by long-term injuries.
Former Celtic defender Josip Juranovic.
Transfermarkt believe Juranović’s current market value is just £3m, having been as high as £10m when he joined Union, underlining that Celtic were right to cash in and strike while the iron is hot.
Indeed, Johnston, by contrast, is now valued at around £9m, ensuring he is three times as valuable as the man he replaced and has now perhaps comfortably surpassed in a Celtic shirt.
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