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With a potential 12-man exodus on the cards at Celtic this summer, it could be all change at Parkhead.

The likes of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are regularly linked with the exit door and thus, the new manager will likely have his work cut out in the transfer market.

On the chalkboard

Another player who could depart Parkhead in a few months time is Ryan Christie. The Scot has scored just twice in his last 25 outings and has been regularly tipped to leave by Frank McAvennie.

That comes after substantial interest in the winger throughout the winter. Leeds United were linked with making a move for Christie, while it was also reported that Arsenal were interested in his services.

It would be a timely departure when you consider his significant downfall in recent months.

Last term, Christie was one of the stars of the Celtic side. He scored 20 goals and supplied 16 assists in the process. However, in 2020/21, he has been nothing short of abysmal.

The Scotland international has netted five times and has regularly struggled to beat the goalkeeper. The nadir of his season was undoubtedly when Celtic lost 1-0 to Ross County.

Christie was selected up front on that occasion but spurned four chances and even blasted the ball over the bar from a matter of yards out. It was a moment that perfectly summed up his timid season.

The solution

With Moi Elyounoussi set to head back to Southampton at the conclusion of his loan spell, the Hoops will likely have to search for internal solutions.

One such option could be James Forrest. The attacker has only played once since September after a very lengthy injury lay-off. Though, there is a controversial figure in their midst who could just be given a second chance to prove himself; that’s especially if Christie does leave.

That happens to divisive winger Marian Shved. The Ukrainian has only played for the Bhoys on three occasions and has had a rather difficult few years in Scotland.

Shved admitted over the winter that he has an ounce of regret about his move to Celtic and you can understand why based on the limited opportunities he’s received.

The 23-year-old’s loan spell at Mechelen in Belgium was hardly going to plan either. He was turning up late for training and showing a diabolical attitude. For many players, there would be no way back from that.

Mechelen boss Wouter Vrancken initially said: “Let’s be honest here, Marian Shved is an outstanding talent who would not normally choose to play for a club like Mechelen. We are very lucky to have him.”

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That was before he unleashed a rather remarkable assault on Shved: “The players and staff have done everything they can to include Shved in the squad, but he puts himself above the group.”

“Well, it stops now,” he added. “If he wants to be a loner, he can. Go play billiards for the rest of his life or something.”

Fortunately, Shved has since turned his season around. The Ukraine international has worked to get back in the side and has provided promising results in recent months.

He assisted Mechelen’s goal in an impressive 1-1 draw with Anderlecht last weekend, taking his tally of goal involvements for the season to seven in 16 games.

Before Vrancken’s brutal assessment of Shved, he had not scored all season. It would appear that the penny has finally dropped with the hot-headed winger.

If he applies the same attitude on his return to Celtic, there’s no reason why he can’t work himself back into their long-term plans. With the club in disarray and players potentially leaving, there will be openings for him to exploit.

AND in other news, Soro should be fuming if Celtic sign £50k-p/w brute this summer, he’s a “class player”…

Marcel Brands would be making a major mistake by awarding Everton prospect Kyle John a new contract.

What’s the word?

According to David Unsworth, while speaking with the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees are hopeful of retaining John’s services.

The 20-year-old is due to be out of contract this June and was considered to be one of 13 senior and Under 23 players facing uncertain futures.

But the club intend to present John with a new deal before securing a suitable loan transfer for next season, after he was promoted to Carlo Ancelotti’s first-team fold.

“Hopefully, we want to keep him,” Unsworth said. “He’s a great kid with great pace and I’m sure at some point next season we will look to give him the experience of going out on loan.”

John is currently training with Everton’s first-team and has been named in four matchday squads by Ancelotti this season, having impressed with his form at junior level and due to a mounting injury crisis.

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The Englishman has started 12 of Everton’s Premier League 2 ties this term, including Monday’s 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers, but is yet to make his senior debut.

Should Everton retain John?

While John has been given a seat on the bench for three Premier League games and last month’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City, his promotion came out of necessity more than form with Ancelotti seeing his squad ravished by injuries.

The Toffees boss was down to only one natural central midfield option in Tom Davies at Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday with Abdoulaye Doucoure (foot), Jean-Philippe Gbamin (knee), Fabian Delph (tendon), Allan and Andre Gomes (hamstring) all missing.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (abductor), Jordan Pickford (abdominal) and Bernard were also out, forcing Ancelotti to name several youngsters on the bench – including John, Harry Tyrer, Reece Welch and Isaac Price, who are yet to make their senior debuts – and have Alex Iwobi as his only proven senior impact player.

Had the injury crisis not been so severe at Goodison Park, John would likely still be waiting for his first-team promotion, and it would be a major mistake by Brands to now retain the youngster with Everton on the search for Seamus Coleman’s long-term successor.

John has proven unable to break into Ancelotti’s plans ahead of Coleman or Mason Holgate, and reports continue to link Everton with a summer swoop for Norwich City’s £30m right-back Max Aarons – who is said to be keen on a move.

Spending that sort of money on a 21-year-old Aarons would raise serious question marks over John being considered a long-term option on Merseyside, even if Unsworth has previously claimed “we expect a lot from him”.

Instead, Brands would be delaying the inevitable by locking down John’s services for at least another season, when the 20-year-old could be getting a head start on his inevitable search for a permanent home for the future.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands could hand Carlo Ancelotti his own Dayot Upamecano with £7m Everton transfer…

Bayern Munich will not sack Thomas Tuchel in the wake of their 3-2 loss to Bochum, but CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen refused to offer the board's support.

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Article continues below

• Bayern beaten for third time in a row
• Tuchel under fire after another loss
• CEO says he will be in charge next week

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Bayern found themselves 3-1 down at Bochum in a match that was interrupted on two occasions because of fan protests. Kane managed to pull a goal back late on for the German giants, but he could not prevent his team from losing a third consecutive match. Coach Tuchel has come under pressure amid the reigning Bundesliga champions' miserable run, and reports he is not considering resigning and has been assured that he will not be fired.

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  WHAT DREESEN SAID

  Asked by if Tuchel will be sacked, Dreesen said: "It was clear that this question was coming, it had been looming for some time. I don't believe in these monstrous statements of support for coaches. I've already said something about this, but it's not a question that arises for us today. We have to concentrate on the next games.

  "I know how you want to hear it. I can say it that way too. But these vows of loyalty are usually over after a week, so I say it in my own way. I've said before – and I'll even repeat myself – that's not an issue we're currently dealing with."

  When he was asked if Tuchel will still be in charge next week, Dreesen said: "Of course!"

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Bayern's misery began when the Bavarian side were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen – in which they failed to have a shot on target – last week. They followed that up with another disappointing performance in the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Lazio in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The loss at Bochum now leaves Bayern eight points behind Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

  Bayern have another difficult test coming up as they take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on February 24. Leipzig put up a good fight when they came up against Real Madrid in the Champions League during the week, though they ended up losing 1-0, and followed that up with a 2-0 win against Borussia Monchengladbach to keep them fifth in the league.

Celtic are without a permanent manager after Neil Lennon decided to leave them behind on Wednesday morning.

It’s a decision that leaves Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell with some decision making to do, both in the way of finding a new manager and reshaping the squad.

On the chalkboard

One of the biggest tasks either Dominic McKay or a new manager will have is keeping hold of Odsonne Edouard.

The Frenchman has been sensational for Celtic in recent years and won their Player of the Season award last term after bagging 28 goals. He is their talisman in attack again this term and unsurprisingly, he’s attracted the eyes of the Premier League.

It feels inevitable that in much the same way the likes of Victor Wanyama and Virgil Van Dijk left Celtic behind, Edouard will do the same in a few months’ time.

Considering just how important he is to the Bhoys, it would be devastating if he was to leave. That’s especially when you consider the difficulties Celtic have had this season. Without him, it’s safe to say they’d be even further behind Rangers.

How can they keep him?

One way of keeping him would be to get their next managerial appointment absolutely spot on. A whole plethora of names have been mentioned in the same breath as Celtic from Frank Lampard and John Terry to Eddie Howe.

Though, one name has been Ralf Rangnick. Hoops supporters want it to happen but as revealed by commentator Derek Rae, he would have to be enthralled by the project on offer to move to Glasgow.

If it did happen, it has the potential to be game-changing for Edouard. One reason is because of the style of football he likes to play and the second is due to his approach to European football.

Described as “very demanding” by former RB Salzburg CEO Jochen Sauer, Rangnick is one of the pioneers behind the Gegenpress but importantly for Edouard, he likes his teams to play intense attacking football.

ESPN detailed how this pressing style of football, combined by attacking with positional fluidity went away from the rigid nature of previous German football.

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For further context, his teams have scored 1.7 goals per game during his managerial career and he’s got the most from players of a similar age to Edouard. You only need to look at Timo Werner’s record under the 62-year-old.

He bagged 19 in 37 during the 2018/19 campaign, registering ten assists too. Coincidentally, Yussuf Poulsen also registered 19 strikes, something that demonstrates how attacking the style of football was that Rangnick played with.

With that in mind, he could be the coach to extract even more from Edouard. Couple that together with the way he led a revolution at Leipzig and the French striker would surely be appealed by working under such a manager.

Keeping him in Scotland still feels unlikely but appointing Rangnick would show ambition that’s previously been lacking at Parkhead.

AND in other news, Christie could be in trouble if Celtic hire 57 y/o coach “reminiscent to Craig Brown”…

The veteran striker was anonymous for most of the clash, but his ex-Manchester United team-mate was on hand to lift the Seleccao to victory

Portugal had to dig deep to claim a 2-0 win over Iceland on Sunday, in a game that was essentially attack versus defence.

Bruno Fernandes finally broke Iceland's stubborn resistance with a superb goal, as he drove an effort into the bottom corner from the top of the box after a clever flick from Bernardo Silva.

Ricardo Horta emerged from the bench to score the second, all but ending the game as a contest, as he tapped home after a Joao Felix shot was spilled. Cristiano Ronaldo attempted to fire the ball home initially, but only found the goalkeeper's face, and Horta tapped home the second rebound.

Iceland had a late rally, and hit the crossbar, but this was a comfortable evening's work for the hosts. The result ensures that Portugal finish their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with ten wins from ten, and they will surely be among the favourites at the tournament in Germany next summer.

GOAL rates Portugal's players from Estadio Jose Alvalade.

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Diogo Costa (6/10):

  Barely had anything to do all night until Iceland hit the bar in injury time.

  Joao Mario (6/10):

  Enjoyed a fair bit of the ball as he routinely drove forward. Wasn't quite able to impact the game in the final third but a strong showing nonetheless. Subbed for Guerreiro.

  Ruben Dias (6/10):

  A simple night. Dias is simply elite and Iceland had no way past him.

  Goncalo Inacio (6/10):

  Headed wide from six yards out in the first half but his defensive work could not be faulted.

  Joao Cancelo (7/10):

  Some superb dribbles down the left flank, switched to the right, and then had some superb dribbles down the right. A class act, who delivered some excellent crosses.

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  Midfield

  Otavio (6/10):

  A mishit cross looped onto the post early on. Dribbled well but couldn't really impact the play as much as he would have liked.

  Joao Palhinha (6/10):

  A composed operator in midfield, mopping up whenever needed. Not his most difficult night.

  Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

  Scored a stunning goal, driving a brilliant effort into the bottom corner from the top of the penalty area. Some exceptional passes, as he ran the show at times.

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  Attack

  Bernardo Silva (7/10):

  Assisted Fernandes' opener with an impudent backheel and was always available for a pass. Finds space so well and Iceland struggled immensely to pick him up before his substitution on 62 minutes.

  Cristiano Ronaldo (4/10):

  Headed an excellent chance over on the half-hour mark. Should have scored after a Felix shot was saved and dropped to him, but his rebound was saved and Horta tapped in instead. Mostly anonymous.

  Joao Felix (7/10):

  Such a clever footballer and continually found space in the tightest of areas on the left wing. Couldn't score himself but did everything but.

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  Subs & Manager

  Ricardo Horta (7/10):

  On for Silva and scored almost immediately, tapping home after a goalmouth scramble.

  Raphael Guerreiro (6/10):

  Replaced Joao Mario for the final stages and deflected an Iceland shot onto the crossbar.

  Bruma (N/A):

  On late on.

  Joao Neves (N/A):

  On as a late sub.

  Roberto Martinez 7/10):

  As comfortable as it gets for the Belgium manager. With a perfect record in qualifying, he will be confident of success in Germany next summer.

Gabriel Jesus has joined Brazil national team for World Cup qualifiers despite carrying a hamstring injury.

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• Jesus joins national team despite hamstring injury
• Got injured against Sevilla a few weeks ago
• Brazil to face Colombia and Argentina in qualifiers

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Despite being sidelined due to a hamstring injury in the last couple of weeks, Jesus travelled to Brazil for international duty, according to .

  The Brazilian star picked up a hamstring injuryduring Arsenal's away Champions League fixture against Sevilla on October 24. Later it was reported that the striker will take at least three to four weeks to completely recover before returning on the pitch.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 26-year-old will reportedly be assessed by the medical team of Brazil and they will take the final call on whether to play him in their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Before he picked up a hamstring injury last month, the striker was troubled with a knee problem at the beginning of the season that forced him to remain out of action for the first three matches of the ongoing season.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BRAZIL?

  The Selecao are scheduled to face Colombia first on November 17 before taking on world champions Argentina five days later.

Yeferson Soteldo, who was previously linked with a move to Everton back in March 2020, has recently made a transfer admission to FIFA’s official website.

Speaking to the website, the Santos ace said when being asked about his future: “Today I can say that I’m ready to take it to the next level, although I feel good here at Santos. We’ll see after the Copa America. I’ve always liked the English league.”

Everton should reignite their interest in Soteldo

The Goodison Park faithful should certainly try and reignite their previous interest in Soteldo, given his previous exploits.

The 23-year-old has scored no fewer than 30 goals and made a further 36 assists in 169 games in total over all competitions across the last seven years of his club career so far (Transfermarkt), showcasing the talent that he has starting at such a young age.

Soteldo is also a full senior international with Venezuela, in where he has been capped 17 times and scored one goal (Transfermarkt), and also has the ability to play in a wide range of different positions across the front line.

His versatility is certainly something that Carlo Ancelotti would admire, especially if the Merseyside club were to get a large number of injuries in their forward areas.

With a lot of potential still left to be fulfilled, Soteldo is definitely a player that the Toffees should at least be keeping an eye on when the upcoming summer transfer window eventually opens.

In other news, find out which Blues man’s subtle Ancelotti dig has been slammed by fans here!

Bukayo Saka continues to nurse an injury at Arsenal, but the England international could still come into contention to face Burnley on Saturday.

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Article continues below

• Forward picked up knock against Sevilla
• Yet to return to training
• Ghanaian midfielder nursing thigh problem

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Gunners forward Saka was forced off towards the end of a Champions League clash with Sevilla on Wednesday. He has been named in the latest Three Lions squad, but questions are being asked of his fitness – having seen an untimely knock prevent him from featuring for his country during the last international break.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Saka’s ailment is not considered to be serious, but Mikel Arteta is yet to rule the 22-year-old in or out of his plans for a home date with Burnley. He told reporters when asked for an update on a talismanic figure at Emirates Stadium: “We want out players to play for their club and national team. B didn’t train yesterday. Let’s see if he can make it tomorrow.”

• WHAT THEY SAID

  One man that definitely will not take part against the Clarets is Thomas Partey, with the midfielder ruled out with a thigh problem. There have been suggestions that he could be missing until 2024, but Arteta said when putting a potential timescale on the 30-year-old’s recovery: “He’s progressing really well. I said hopefully it will be weeks not months. He needs support and hopefully the injury will heal in the right way because he’s a big player for us.”

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Emile Smith Rowe is another being ruled out of Arsenal’s plans at present, with Arteta admitting that “a few more” are carrying knocks, but the Gunners are eager to get another Premier League title challenge back on track after losing their unbeaten record away at Newcastle last weekend.

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Newcastle produced a stunning comeback to upset the champions on Tuesday night, and Fabian Schar once again proved he is one of the best signings of the season.

Newcastle United’s transfer business is always the subject of much controversy and rightly so, as owner Mike Ashley has simply not injected enough cash into a squad bereft of any real pace or quality.

Rafael Benitez has managed to bring in some gems despite the shoestring budget though, and Schar looks to be an absolute steal from the former Real Madrid and Liverpool manager.

Which Man Utd star got fed by Salt Bae this week? Check out the video below to find out…

The 27 year-old defender was highly regarded as one of the best young prospects in Europe when he broke though at FC Basel, but moves to Germany and Spain did not pay off before he eventually landed on Tyneside.

The club paid a measly £3m to secure his services, per BBC, and after a match-winning display against Cardiff he showed the gritty, hungry side to his game on Tuesday night.

Benitez’s side looked set to get absolutely trounced when Sergio Aguero opened the visitors’ tally just 24 seconds into the match, but the organisation, toughness and leadership of Schar, Jamaal Lascelles and Florian Lejeune was truly incredible to witness.

Schar in particular had a superb showing, throwing his body on the line whenever necessary with two aerial duels won and six clearances made.

He also read the game superbly, something he has done to a high level since arriving on Tyneside, making a whopping six tackles as well as three interceptions.

For just £3m the club has managed to sign a versatile, ball-playing centre back with the speed and physicality to thrive in the Premier League, and at 27 the Swiss international still has plenty of room to improve.

He may well be the bargain of the season.

Frank McAvennie has slammed Glasgow Rangers’ lack of common sense from the corner that saw St. Johnstone equalise in their Scottish Cup clash last weekend.

McAvennie slams Rangers defending

The Gers were 1-0 up going into the final minute of extra-time in their quarter-final against the Saints after James Tavernier gave them the lead. However, the scored was levelled when Chris Kane tapped in goalkeeper Zander Clark’s header.

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie has slammed the Ibrox outfit’s lack of common sense. He said:

“The biggest thing I’ve said about Rangers all year is that they’re organised at the back, they’re rigid.

“But sometimes you have to use a bit of common sense and common sense told me you should mark a 6 feet tall goalkeeper at a corner kick. What a huge mistake. 

“Common sense would tell me, mark him. They didn’t get anywhere near him because they were all picking up the men they were told to. 

“Sometimes you have to think on your feet sometimes and adapt. You can’t leave someone unmarked in the box like that.”

Silly

It is hard to argue with McAvennie in this case. While Clark may not be used to being in the opposition penalty area, he stands at 6 foot 5, making him an aerial threat regardless of his actual footballing ability. That proved to be the case in this situation, and the goal eventually led to the Gers being knocked out of the competition.

It will be a blow for Steven Gerrard and co to already be out of the competition given they have already wrapped up the Premiership title. They will have wanted to complete a domestic double and, although the winner of the whole tournament only receives £240,000 (via The Daily Record), every little helps during these difficult financial times. Hopefully, this will be a lesson from which Gerrard and his players can learn.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this club news.