Lanning, Healy among those expected to stay in UK after Commonwealth Games

Matt Roller21-Feb-2022Australia’s leading female players look set to take part in the Hundred in 2022 after pulling out of the competition’s first season.Eleven Australia Women’s internationals withdrew from their contracts for the inaugural edition of the Hundred in 2021 after confirmation that a strict two-week quarantine would be required on their return home, eating into preparations for their series against India in September.While strong contingents of Indian and South African internationals featured in the competition, the majority of the Australia players who withdrew were replaced by compatriots who were not part of the national set-up, meaning the Hundred’s star power took a hit.However, ESPNcricinfo understands that several leading players – including Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning and Tahlia McGrath, the breakout star of the Ashes – have signed up for the 2022 season. Australia players are significantly more likely to honour their contracts this year after salaries were doubled and most quarantine requirements on returning home were either dropped or eased.Related

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The women’s Hundred starts on August 11, four days after the final of the T20 competition at the Commonwealth Games at Edgbaston, and the ECB are hopeful that the world’s best players will stay in the country for the following few weeks, with the Hundred running until September 3.Beth Barrett-Wild, the head of the women’s Hundred, has previously outlined the ECB’s hopes that the schedule would help attract top overseas talent. “We didn’t quite end up with the original line-up of overseas stars we thought we were going to have, especially in the women’s competition,” she told the podcast last year.”We were due to have Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney and co. Hopefully, we’ll see them back next year. I think with the Commonwealth Games happening immediately prior to the Hundred, we’re optimistic that we’ll get into a good place with that.”With India due to tour for three T20Is and three ODIs from September 10-24, some of their players may also stay in the UK after the Commonwealth Games. Five India players were involved in the first season of the Hundred: Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.Meanwhile, a handful of England players are expected to leave the teams they represented in the competition’s inaugural season, with Welsh Fire – who lacked a marquee England international in 2021 – expected to make at least one major signing. Women’s teams are now able to recruit through an open-market system following a retention window that ran until the end of January.Only three Australian players were involved in the men’s Hundred last year – Josh Inglis, D’Arcy Short and Tim David (who has represented Singapore in T20Is) – but their availability is likely to be better for 2022. The men’s team’s only commitment during the Hundred’s window in the most recent version of the Future Tours Programme is a white-ball series against Zimbabwe at the end of August and there is a possibility that some first-choice players will not be required.Southern Brave have retained David and Marcus Stoinis, who withdrew from his contract last year, while Dan Christian, Ben McDermott and James Pattinson are among the players who have already signed contracts for the Vitality Blast and could stay on for the Hundred if they are signed in March’s draft.The ECB are due to announce which players have been retained by both men’s and women’s teams on Tuesday.

Irish batter available under updated Covid protocols following negative test

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2022

Paul Stirling goes on the attack•PSL

Paul Stirling is set to become Islamabad United’s second high-profile surprise return in two days, this time for Friday’s eliminator against Lahore Qalandars. If Islamabad win tonight, they will have brought back the opening pair that lit up the opening stages of the season, for the PSL final on Sunday. Multan Sultans will be awaiting the winner of tonight’s game.A tweak in the PCB’s Covid-19 policy for the tournament that allowed Alex Hales to return for Thursday’s win over Peshawar Zalmi will see Stirling immediately eligible to compete. The franchise confirmed in a tweet on Friday that he had returned a negative PCR test. Before the amendment to the protocols, agreed upon by all franchises, anyone arriving from outside Pakistan would have had to quarantine for three days before being allowed to play.Stirling played the first five games of the PSL for United before leaving for international duty with Ireland. He took part in a T20 quadrangular series in Oman and then in the T20 World Cup qualifiers in which, though Ireland lost in the final to the UAE, they qualified for the World Cup in Australia. Stirling’s performances in Oman were not spectacular – he averaged just over 23 with a strike rate of 111 across five games. In the five games he did play for Islamabad, however, he was averaging 37.40 with a strike rate of 181.55. With Hales in tow, the pair were the most destructive opening pair during that first leg, especially in the Powerplay.Hales had also departed the season early, though in his case he cited the mental fatigue of bio-bubbles as his reason for doing so. But he returned for Thursday’s eliminator against Peshawar, with his 49-ball 62 – his third fifty of the season – helping set up United’s successful chase. The innings earned him the player of the match award.As with Hales, Stirling is expected to follow the same distancing protocols and will be kept apart from the team as much as possible, including not having access to the team’s dressing room, staying in a separate area of the hotel and traveling in a separate car to the stadium.

Leeds United were left frustrated at the weekend after their 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park pushed out them outside of the automatic promotion places.

The Whites went into the gameweek in first place but Sheffield United’s 1-0 win over Sunderland on Friday meant that they travelled to Lancashire in second.

A win would have moved them back to the top of the table but, instead, a penalty from Todd Cantwell was enough to seal all three points for the home side.

Burnley’s win later that day then meant that the West Yorkshire outfit ended the weekend in third place, outside of the top two and back inside the play-off places.

Daniel Farke will be hoping that his side can avoid the play-offs this time around, after losing to Southampton in the final last season, and the German head coach could use the January transfer window next month to bolster his squad.

Adding an attacking threat from a midfield position could be one of the items on his agenda, as the Whites have struggled to provide much in the way of quality from that area of the pitch.

Leeds United's attacking contributions from midfield

In the 2024/25 campaign, Ao Tanaka, Joe Rothwell, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev have combined for zero goals and one assist in the Championship, with Rothwell providing it.

This shows that Farke does not have a regular source of goals or creativity from his options in the middle of the park, which has hindered the team when the attacking players have not been at their best.

That was also an issue for the German boss during the 2023/24 season, as the likes of Ampadu, Gruev, Archie Gray, despite playing at right-back as well, and Glen Kamara all failed to offer much in the final third.

Ethan Ampadu

49

0

1

Glen Kamara

36

0

3

Ilia Gruev

23

1

1

Archie Gray

43

0

2

As you can see in the table above, those four players combined for just one league goal in the entire campaign, which was Gruev’s free-kick against Norwich in the second-leg of the play-off semi-finals.

In his two title-winning seasons with Norwich in the Championship, Farke had central midfield players with the quality to provide goals and assists to help out the attack.

Kenny McLean and Mario Vrancic combined for five goals and 11 assists in the 2020/21 campaign. Vrancic, McLean, Tom Trybull, and Moritz Leitner also combined for 16 goals and 14 assists in the 2018/19 season.

These statistics show that the German tactician always had midfield players who could step up with goals and assists to help his team to promotion in both of those seasons, whilst he – simply – does not have that level of attacking quality in that area of the pitch at Elland Road.

However, Farke could bring in a player with the potential to improve that side of the team’s performance during the January transfer window.

Leeds United's interest in Scottish starlet

The Boot Room recently reported that Leeds United are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Motherwell central midfielder Lennon Miller ahead of the second half of the season.

It was claimed that the Whites have sent scouts to watch the Scotland U21 international in action in the Scottish Premiership, but they are far from alone in that respect.

A host of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Brighton, have also been sending scouts to keep tabs on his performances north of the border.

The Boot Room added that Rangers and Celtic are also interested in keeping him in Scotland, whilst Atalanta and Bologna pose a threat from the Serie A.

This shows that Leeds face plenty of competition from some huge clubs across the United Kingdom and Europe, which means that it could be a difficult deal to get over the line in January.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It was also claimed that Motherwell are set to demand a fee of around £5m for their impressive academy graduate, who the Whites must now push to win the race for as he could be a dream signing for Tanaka and Farke.

Why Lennon Miller would be a dream signing for Ao Tanaka

The Scottish sensation has been in impressive form for Motherwell in the Premiership this season and his performances suggest that the potential is there for him to come in and offer the Whites what they currently lack in the middle of the park.

Tanaka has been a fantastic performer in midfield since his move from Fortuna Dusseldorf, with a 92% pass completion rate and 3.5 tackles and interceptions per game across 15 outings in the Championship.

He has provided a metronomic and combative presence for the West Yorkshire outfit, with his ability to retain possession at an impressive rate, whilst also being able to consistently make defensive interventions to win the ball back for his side and cut out attacks for the opposition.

However, Tanaka has yet to score his first goal for Leeds and has not provided any assists from midfield, which suggests that he could thrive alongside a midfielder who can offer more quality at the top end of the pitch.

Appearances

15

13

Goals

0

2

Big chances created

0

6

Assists

0

4

Key passes per game

0.8

2.0

Pass accuracy

92%

74%

As you can see in the table above, Miller has provided regular quality from a midfield position for Motherwell, with eight goals and ‘big chances’ combined in 13 games.

The 18-year-old star, who was described as a “ridiculous” talent by pundit James McFadden, still has plenty of years left ahead of him to take his game to another level and offer even more in the final third.

Therefore, Miller could come in as a dream midfield partner for Tanaka, as the Japanese maestro can provide defensive strength and passing quality, whilst the Scottish ace can offer a big threat as a scorer and a creator to add another side to the team’s attacking play.

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ByDan Emery Dec 2, 2024

Aston Villa are in desperate to turn around their horrendous run of form. The Villans are without a win in seven games, and it is having a detrimental effect on their season.

They are eighth in the Premier League, although are just three points off the top four, and have slipped to ninth in the Champions League, having been in the top eight at one stage.

Unai Emery’s side last won over a month ago, on the 22nd of October away to Italian side Bologna. This poor run of form by the Villans is incredibly frustrating, but their underlying Premier League numbers do not suggest they should be in such a rut.

The underlying stats for Villa this season

Firstly, it is important to look at the Villan’s overall record in the Premier League. They have played 12 games, winning five times, including a fantastic late comeback against Everton, drawing four games and losing three.

With 19 points to their name, the campaign is far from a disaster, although given their form, it could easily end up that way if they don’t win some games.

They are slightly underachieving their points tally this term. According to Understat, Emery’s side have an expected points total of 20.43xPTS, a gap of 1.43 compared to their actual points. That is the fifth-highest expected points total in the Premier League.

Another stat to look at is their expected goals tally compared to their actual goals scored. Villa this season have 23.97xG, a sizeable underachievement from their 19 goals scored in reality, although it has been a common occurrence this year for top-half sides to have a lower expected goals.

The same thing can be applied to goals against versus the actual number of goals against. The metric has Villa 18.01xGA, the sixth best in the top flight. It is almost spot on, given they have conceded 19 times in reality.

So, the numbers suggest they should not be playing as badly as they are. This weekend, Emery’s men travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, which would be a good time to get three points, as they can leapfrog them with a win.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

They will need someone to stop Cole Palmer, Chelsea’s star man, and the perfect player to do so could be Cobham academy graduate Ian Maatsen.

Ian Maatsen’s importance vs. Chelsea

Maatsen was a major summer signing for the Villans. He cost £37.5m from Chelsea, although has struggled to properly break into the side under Emery this term. The Dutchman has 16 games in all competitions to his name so far.

However, Villa’s Spanish boss might well decide to unleash him on Sunday afternoon at his former home ground, to help stop the incredibly dangerous Palmer.

He has made a flying start to the 2024/25 campaign already, scoring seven goals and registering five assists in 12 games in the top flight.

Although the Dutchman is more prominently known for his attacking prowess, he is certainly a good player without the ball, and is very much a “complete” player, as football talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him.

One of his best assets is his speed, which helps to make him a fantastic recovery defender, ensuring he could be the man to help shackled Palmer in that right channel.

This is certainly backed up by the stats on FBref. Over the course of the last 365 days across Europe’s big five leagues, the 22-year-old has made 5.73 ball recoveries, which ranks him in the 88th percentile (top 12%) and has won 1.55 tackles, ranking him in the 78th percentile (top 22%).

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Tackles won

1.55

78th

Ball recoveries

5.73

88th

Blocks

1.44

78th

Clearances

2.85

76th

The former Borussia Dortmund loanee will surely have a point to prove at the Bridge on Sunday. He had limited opportunities at the club, but locking up their star man would certainly prove exactly why the Blues should have kept him.

It would be a bold move for Emery to start Maatsen over Digne, his first-choice left-back for much of the season. However, given the player has extra motivation for Sunday, it could be an inspired change as they look to break this poor run of form and get a much-needed win.

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أجريت اليوم الجمعة، بمقر النادي الأهلي بالجزيرة، قرعة بطولة إفريقيا للأندية أبطال الكؤوس رقم 41 لكرة اليد، التي تقام خلال شهر مايو المقبل “رجال” و”سيدات”.

وأسفرت القرعة عن وقوع الفريق الأول لكرة اليد رجال بالنادي الأهلي في المجموعة الثانية مع الترجي التونسي، وريد ستار الإيفواري، وفانز الكاميروني، وإيتوال الكونغولي، والجيش الملكي المغربي.

فيما تضم المجموعة الأولى فرق الزمالك المصري، ومنتدى المغربي، ووداد سمارة المغربي، وفاب الكاميروني، والأهلي الليبي.

وبالنسبة للسيدات، أسفرت القرعة عن وقوع الفريق الأول لكرة اليد سيدات بالنادي الأهلي في المجموعة الثانية مع كارا الكونغولي وتي كي سي الكاميروني وأبيدجان الإيفواري وأول أغسطس الأنجولي

فيما تضم المجموعة الأولى فرق البنك الأهلي المصري وفاب الكاميروني والجمعية الرياضية النسائية التونسي وبترو أتليتكو الأنجولي وأوتوهو الكونغولي.

طالع | الزمالك يُحقق فوزًا شرفيًا على الأهلي في ليلة تتويج الأحمر بدوري المحترفين لكرة اليد

وشهدت القرعة، حضور طارق قنديل، عضو مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، رئيس اللجنة العليا المنظمة، والكابتن حسن مصطفى، رئيس الاتحاد الدولي لكرة اليد، ومنصورو أريمو، رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي، ومدحت البلتاجي، نائب رئيس الاتحاد الإفريقي، ونويل اسيميان، المدير الرياضي للاتحاد الإفريقي، ويزيد سعدي، رئيس لجنة المسابقات في الاتحاد الإفريقي، وخالد فتحي، رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة اليد، والكابتن خالد العوضي، مدير النشاط الرياضي، مدير البطولة.

Veteran Azhar Ali hit a brilliant 185 as an unwavering Pakistan batted a weary Australia further into the ground during a dominant second day to gain a firm stranglehold of the first Test in Rawalpindi.Azhar’s marathon 361-ball vigil ended midway through the final session when he fell seeking quick runs as Pakistan declared on 476 for 4 about an hour before stumps. Under the floodlights amid gloomy skies, Pakistan had to resort to spin to keep playing but only a solitary over from Sajid Khan was bowled before players left the field and stumps were called shortly after with Australia at 5 for 0.Pakistan might have been wiser to declare a little earlier considering the deteriorating light, which ultimately reprieved Australia openers Usman Khawaja and David Warner, but they should remain well satisfied after another commanding performance.After winning a crucial toss and electing to bat, Pakistan had three big partnerships at the top as their meticulous approach never gave Australia a sniff in the favourable batting conditions. It was a slow burn but they turned the screws in similar fashion to their success over Australia in the UAE in 2014 and 2018.In contrast, Australia toiled for 162 overs without little reward on a flat pitch and have almost been batted out of the contest during a sombre day, as the spectre of cricket legend Shane Warne’s shock passing overshadowed proceedings.A minute’s silence was observed before play in memory of Warne and victims of the terror attacks in Peshawar as players from both teams wore black armbands.The weary tourists, in their first overseas Test tour since 2019, face the daunting prospect of having to summon a rousing batting effort to stay afloat in the series opener. They will hope the pitch doesn’t start to wear after sole specialist spinner Nathan Lyon was unable to conjure rampant turn on day two that he produced early on day one. But Marnus Labuschagne found a bit of spin late on to whet the appetite of Pakistan’s spin heavy attack.It was a disciplined batting effort from Pakistan led by centurions Azhar and opener Imam-ul-Haq who combined for a second-wicket partnership of 208. Thwarting menacing short-pitched bowling from Pat Cummins, who was unsurprisingly the pick of Australia’s bowlers and the only quick to take a wicket, they stonewalled during a sedate first session yielding just 57 runs in 25 overs.After unwavering patience, as he crawled towards his 19th Test ton after lunch, Azhar went for broke on 97 and skipped down the pitch only to miscue Lyon over the leg side but safely into the boundary to trigger jubilation in the terraces, which filled towards capacity later in the day after only a smattering of spectators early, some of whom were holding placards honouring Warne.Pat Cummins was the only quick bowler to take a wicket•AFP/Getty Images

Cummins was rewarded for his persistence when he had the indefatigable Imam trapped lbw to end his brilliant maiden Test century of 157 from 358 balls. In a breakout performance, after a modest previous 11 Test output over four years, Imam reviewed in vain and trudged off but his superb knock provided Pakistan with the perfect platform to switch gears.Pakistan’s bid to accelerate suffered a setback after tea when skipper Babar Azam, who had shared a brisk 101-partnership with Azhar, was spectacularly run out by a direct throw from a pumped-up Labuschagne, who sought to lift Australia’s sagging spirit.Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhkar Ahmed were promoted up the order in a clear sign of Pakistan’s intentions after it had seemed the hosts were intent on extending Australia’s misery in the field into a third day.After eye-catching captaincy on the opening day, where he deployed eight bowlers and tapped deep into his bag of tactics, Cummins mostly stuck with his frontline bowlers although occasionally unveiled inventive fielding placings, including two fielders either side of square leg and a short mid-on to combat Azhar late in the first session.He finally turned to Labuschagne, who bowled four overs on day one, and his nice spell after tea was rewarded with the wicket of Azhar. His handy bowling further shone the spotlight on Cummins’ baffling decision to use the docile offspin of Travis Head early on day one, which sparked a slow-starting Imam into action.With the quicks being rebuffed by Pakistan’s stout batters, there was a heavy burden on Lyon who finished with 1 for 161 off 52 overs.After enduring criticism during the Ashes, wicketkeeper Alex Carey’s struggles behind the stumps continued throughout the innings marred by two dropped catches, including reprieving Rizwan on naught off Lyon in the final session.A flagging Australia will have to shrug off their tough start to the tour, their first in Pakistan in almost 24 years and with no warm-up matches, otherwise they are staring down the barrel of falling behind in the three-match series.

Whilst turning their attention towards improving Eddie Howe’s side, Newcastle United could also reportedly sign one of Scotland’s brightest sparks ahead of both Celtic and Rangers in 2025.

Newcastle transfer news

The rumours are already coming thick and fast ahead of the January transfer window and there’s no doubt that the Magpies are one of the major sides in desperate need of getting things right. Sporting director Paul Mitchell endured a tumultuous summer transfer window, failing to lure the likes of Marc Guehi to St James’ Park and then failing to turn towards alternatives. With plenty of making up to do, 2025 seems crucial.

On that front, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and even Paul Pogba have already been mentioned as targets. The latter would instantly steal the headlines given his free-agent status following a suspension that would have lasted around a year when it ends in March. Potentially out for Premier League redemption, Pogba will be one to watch.

Mbuemo, meanwhile, would end any question marks over the Magpies’ right-hand side, perhaps allowing those at St James’ Park to turn their attention towards an in-demand future star.

According to Graeme Bailey for The Boot Room, Newcastle could now sign Lennon Miller ahead of both Celtic and Rangers as well as the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in 2025. One of Scotland’s biggest sensations, Motherwell are reportedly hoping to receive at least £5m for their 18-year-old midfielder.

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It’s no real surprise that the teenager is attracting such attention, having broken into Motherwell’s senior side and taken it by storm in the current campaign – scoring four goals and assisting a further four from midfield.

With an important decision to make about his future, Miller could yet follow in the footsteps of Lewis Miley into Howe’s Newcastle midfield for years to come at St James’ Park.

"Exciting" Miller can partner Miley for years to come

As of right now, Newcastle may be stuck in a period of inconsistency in their battle to match their European ambitions, but the future could yet be far more successful. Howe already has Miley at his disposal in the middle of the park, but building on the academy graduate alongside other young players such as Anthony Gordon by signing the likes of Miller should be the way forward.

Miller isn’t just a player who’d be sucked in by academy football and potentially lost in Newcastle’s set-up, either. He’s proven at Motherwell this season that he’s ready for first-team football, wherever that may be in 2025.

The youngster has earned plenty of praise over the last year or so, including from Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell, who said via The National back in May: “I just think he is a really exciting talent. If he was playing at one of the other clubs I would be waxing lyrical about him as well because I do get excited when you see really good footballers in Scotland.

“It’s brilliant for us all to market and sell the product and the brand in this country. I am absolutely delighted that I feel we have got one of the top guys at his age and somebody that I believe can go on and have a real, real good future in the game.”

With the January transfer window now fast approaching, Glasgow Rangers are now being linked with a potential Ibrox free transfer in 2025.

Philippe Clement’s side have been struggling for goals this season, finding the net just 16 times in 11 Scottish Premiership games, which is almost half as many as league leaders Celtic have scored and eight less than second-placed Aberdeen.

Among those thought to be catching the eye of the Bhoys are Peterborough United forward Kwame Poku, who has been described as “unplayable” by Posh manager Darren Ferguson, as well as Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.

Ryan Kent has also been linked with a return to Ibrox, having had his contract with Turkish side Fenerbahce terminated by mutual consent last month.

Rangers eyeing free Brownhill move in 2025

Not every player Rangers are keen on is a forward, however. According to TBR Football, the 55-time Scottish champions are also interested in signing Burnley captain Josh Brownhill.

The English midfielder, who is Burnley’s top scorer this season in the Championship with five goals, is in the final year of his contract at Turf Moor and free to start negotiating with new clubs in January.

Celtic are also interested in the 28-year-old too but TBR Football claims that they and Rangers will struggle to compete financially with the long list of other clubs also eyeing a move for the Burnley skipper.

The publication reports that West Ham United, Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion are all in contention to sign Brownhill, while clubs in Italy, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are circling as well.

According to TBR Football, Serie A trio Torino, Fiorentina, and Lazio are all ready to offer Brownhill a contract, and the former Manchester United academy player is now “giving serious consideration to a fresh start outside of the UK.”

Brownhill shares update on Burnley future

Last month, Brownhill spoke about his Burnley future with BBC Radio Lancashire. Asked if he’d like to stay at Turf Moor, he said, as relayed by the Burnley Express: “Yeah of course. It’s one of them where my contract is coming to an end, is it in the club’s best interests to sort me out or is it mine?

“I’ve got a year left and I just want to keep focusing on performing very well, winning games and scoring goals.”

Despite initially claiming he wants to stay at Burnley, however, the midfielder, who joined the Clarets in a £9 million deal from Bristol City in 2020, went on to suggest that he could in fact leave the club come the end of the campaign.

“When it comes to the end of the year the decision has to be made. Is it the right thing for me to stay? Is it the right thing for the club to want me to stay? A lot can change in that time.

“While I’m playing well, enjoying my football and scoring goals I want to focus on that and see where it takes me until the end of the year.”

Celtic fans are calling for "absolute clown" Wilfried Nancy to be sacked after Sunday's surprise Scottish League Cup final defeat to St. Mirren. The Frenchman has only overseen three matches since taking over as Brendan Rodgers' permanent replacement earlier this month, but supporters have already seen enough of the former Columbus Crew boss to demand his exit.

Getty Images SportCeltic have lost all three games under Nancy

Rodgers left his role as Celtic boss following their 3-1 loss to Hearts back in October, with Martin O'Neill returning as interim manager. O'Neill, with Shaun Maloney as his assistant, oversaw seven wins from eight matches, including a 3-1 Old Firm win over Rangers and a 3-1 victory at Feyenoord last month.

After a lengthy search, Nancy was named as Rodgers' permanent successor following the culmination of the MLS 2025 season. The 48-year-old departed the Columbus Crew for the Scottish giants, but his start to life in Glasgow has been disappointing to say the least.

Nancy has overseen three successive losses to kick off his spell as Celtic boss as the Bhoys fell to defeat to Hearts, Roma and, most recently, St. Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup final on Sunday afternoon. Marcus Fraser put the Buddies ahead with just two minutes on the clock, before Reo Hatate had drawn Celtic level.

Jonah Ayunga then bagged twice in the space of 12 second-half minutes, however, to compound Celtic to a shock loss at Hampden.

Advertisement'Nancy has got Russell Martin posters in his room'

And Celtic fans are already calling for Nancy to be axed just 11 days after the club announced his appointment.

"Right.. hope everyone has seen enough. This Wilfried Nancy is an absolute clown, the pinnacle of a board who have sucked the life out of our club. Get them all out. Sack the Board Sack Nancy," @redoctoberirp posted on X in the wake of Celtic's loss.

"Wilfried Nancy absolutely isn’t the man to manage celtic football club," @_Lennon1967 added.

"Better team won – St Mirren absolutely deserve the win. Celtic were on the upward trajectory under Martin O'Neill. The Celtic board then brought in a man who has done nothing to suggest he should be the manager of Celtic. I would like for Wilfried Nancy to leave Celtic," @Fitzy__07 stated.

User @AndrewJMullen wrote: "Wilfried Nancy – get in a taxi from Hampden & go straight to the airport GTF you absolute clown You con man What a disastrous appointment by the Board Nancy – just FO. Never come back to Celtic Park"

@_DIGB also humorously took a dig at former Rangers boss Russell Martin, who lasted just 123 days at the Ibrox helm, writing: "Wilfried Nancy has got Russell Martin posters in his room"

Getty Images Sport'I feel for Wilfried Nancy'

Nancy does have some support, however, with former Celtic striker Chris Sutton posting on Sunday night that he "feels" for the under-fire manager. "I feel for Wilfried Nancy," Sutton wrote on X.

"He is trying to implement a style but his problem is he has overestimated the level of player at the club right now. To play the way he wants takes tactical intelligence and flexibility and good decision making something this group of players lack."

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Celtic hoping to win first game under Nancy in midweek

Celtic were already enduring a testing campaign by their usually lofty standards. While the Bhoys have two games in hand over league leaders Hearts, they are six points behind the Jam Tarts in the Scottish Premiership title race.

And rivals Rangers can close the gap on Celtic to three points with a win over high-flying Hibernian on Monday night. Both Glasgow giants have now undergone managerial changes this season after the Gers replaced Martin with Danny Rohl in mid-October.

Rangers welcome the capital side to Ibrox on a 10-game unbeaten run, though they have won only six times in that streak.

Celtic, meanwhile, will hope to secure their first positive result under Nancy when they travel to Dundee United on Wednesday night. The Tangerines face the defending champions on a seven-game winless run following their 0-0 draw with Motherwell on Saturday.

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Após levantar a taça da Recopa Sul-Americana diante do Athletico-PR, o paraguaio Gustavo Gómez chegou ao sexto título com a camisa do Palmeiras e se tornou o estrangeiro com mais conquistas na história do clube, superando o compatriota Arce.

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Enquanto o ídolo do Verdão no final dos anos 90 possui cinco títulos, sendo eles a Copa do Brasil e a Mercosul em 1998, a Libertadores de 1999, além dos extintos Rio-São Paulo e Copa dos Campeões no ano de 2000, Gómez acumula um total de seis grandes triunfos.

O zagueiro chegou ao Palmeiras em 2018 e, até o momento, conta com as conquistas do Brasileirão de 2018, do bicampeonato da Libertadores em 2020 e 2021, da Copa do Brasil e do Paulistão de 2020, e da recente Recopa de 2022.

Vale lembrar que Gómez também ocupa uma posição importante na história dos estrangeiros do clube. O atleta é o terceiro que mais atuou com a camisa alviverde, atrás apenas do próprio Arce e de Valdivia, ambos empatados na primeira posição com 241 jogos.

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TABELA

> Clique aqui e simule os resultados do Paulistão 2022!

Vencedor das Bolas de Prata de 2019 e 2020, eleito melhor zagueiro do Brasileirão de 2021 e peça indispensável na seleção ideal das duas edições vitoriosas da Libertadores, o defensor e capitão do time também teve a oportunidade, com a Recopa, de ser o primeiro estrangeiro a erguer sozinho uma taça de campeão pelo Palmeiras.

Nos títulos das últimas temporadas, Gustavo Gómez dividia a faixa com o volante Felipe Melo, hoje no Fluminense.

O paraguaio teve seu contrato renovado e permanecerá na equipe do Verdão até o final de 2024.