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تحدث مدحت عبد الهادي نجم الزمالك السابق، عن تصريحات حسام حسن المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الأخيرة والتي أثارت جدلًا واسعًا عقب فوز الفراعنة على الرأس الأخضر. 

وقال مدحت عبد الهادي في تصريحات على قناة “إم بي سي مصر2”: “رسالة أريد أود أن أقولها لحسام حسن، الأشخاص أو (البهوات) أو المجموعة التي تجلس في الاستوديوهات أو تتحدث ووجهت الكلام لهم، هم المجموعة الذين قالوا إنك تأهلت لكأس العالم ولم تخسر وقدمت مباريات جيدة”. 

طالع.. محمد بركات ينتقد حسام حسن بعد تصريحاته الأخيرة: حسن شحاتة لم يفعل ذلك.. وهناك متربصون

وأضاف: “حسام حسن خالفه الصواب وتصريحاته عن المحترفين اثنين وربع وكل ما قاله، هي نفس المجموعة من تأهلت بهم لكأس العالم، وهي من ستتواجد معك في كأس أمم إفريقيا، كلنا في ظهرك وندعمك”.

وتابع: “يجب أن نوصل رسائل أنك حققت وكسبت، يجب أن نقول إن هناك أخطاء في التشكيل والتبديلات واللاعبين، نحن فنيين وكنا لاعبين كبار واحترفنا ولعبنا في منتخب مصر، أتمنى أن تقبل الكلام من الناس”.

واختتم: “حسام حسن قيمة وقامة ورمز من رموز الكرة المصرية، والتصريحات قبل أن تكون للناس أو الجماهير أو الاستديوهات يجب أن تكون للاعبيك أولاً”.   

The great rivalry of the early 2000s was Arsenal vs Manchester United. It was Arsene Wenger against Sir Alex Ferguson. They loved to hate each other.

That’s understandable too. Before Chelsea arrived on the scene with Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich, the two red-draped teams traded blows, re-claiming the Premier League title from each other on countless occasions.

So, in the modern era, you can forgive certain pundits for having an element of bias about Manchester United and Arsenal.

Gary Neville is one who has been particularly scathing of the Gunners in recent years. Arsenal have been set-piece kings but the former defender slated them for being too “rigid” and “obsessed” with scoring from set-play scenarios.

Well, while they are still brilliant from those phases, their now larger squad means they look better set up to take advantage of other goalscoring opportunities.

He’s not been afraid to criticise players either. He claimed David Raya was a “nervous wreck” during his debut season at the club but he is now one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Rio Ferdinand, of course, has also fallen victim to getting things wrong.

When Ferdinand slated Arsenal's big-money star

Let’s set the scene for you. The year is 2022/23. Arsenal are playing arguably the best football of the Arteta era. They should win the title.

Yet, a draw in April 2023 was perhaps where things started to go wrong. The Gunners took on Declan Rice’s West Ham at the London Stadium and really should have walked away with all three points.

Arsenal raced into a 2-0 lead courtesy of strikes from Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard but they were pegged back and eventually drew the game 2-2.

A penalty was conceded by Gabriel Magalhaes who slid in on Said Benrahma and the match, and perhaps Arsenal’s season changed from there. It wasn’t the first time the big Brazilian had given away a penalty either, notably giving one away against Manchester City earlier in the campaign.

Bemoaning that moment against the Hammers, Ferdinand was very vocal about what he thought about the central defender.

“They had the game in a stranglehold, they had West Ham where they wanted them, going into half time 2-0 up, you coast that game. But rash… and I’ve said this about Gabriel a few times. He’s rash, he makes mad, wild decisions. As a defender, you’ve got to be calm. There’s no need for him to do what he did. It was a rush of blood, he needs to eradicate that, get that out of his game quick.”

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Ferdinand continued: “As a manager you don’t want to see that. Because those types of things ruin the head too many times, it starts becoming part of their make-up, and you’re going, ‘hold on, can I rely on this guy?’. I think he’s had a fabulous season, Gabriel. But those types of decisions can be very costly, he’s in the run-in now. That will hurt, the way they dropped points.”

Why Gabriel is now the best in the Premier League

Well, it’s safe to say that Gabriel has certainly eradicated those mistakes in recent years.

It’s true that during the embryonic stages of his career at the Emirates Stadium he was rash and wild with some of his play. Yet, over the last few seasons, the £65m-rated defender has become a genuine monster at the back.

Not forgetting his astute defending, he is the best goalscoring defender in the Premier League.

After scoring that header against Newcastle United in the dying embers a few weeks ago, it meant that he has scored 18 Premier League goals, at least six more than any other defender since he made his English top-flight debut back in September 2020

Meanwhile, in the last three seasons, Gabriel has scored eight goals in the Premier League. No centre back has managed more.

But, let us remember that he is indeed a defender. First and foremost, he will be judged on that and he’s pretty damn good in that department too.

In fact, he may well have become more important than William Saliba to the cause. The Frenchman has been earning considerable hype for a number of years now but Gabriel – a man who has now captained Arsenal on a few occasions – looks like the glue that binds things together.

1. Bukayo Saka

250

2. Gabriel Magalhaes

219

3. Gabriel Martinelli

216

4. Martin Odegaard

204

5. Thomas Partey

166

6. Ben White

162

7. Eddie Nketiah

149

8. Granit Xhaka

147

9. William Saliba

142

10. Kieran Tierney

132

Jamie Carragher outlined that last season when the former Lille man was out injured with a severe hamstring injury.

“I think he [Saliba] is one of the top centre-backs in European football. As a partnership, him and Gabriel is as good as anything in the Premier League. I think Saliba is the better player but Gabriel is the better leader, and Saliba needs to bring that to his game if he wants to get to the levels we talk about with Virgil van Dijk.”

A leader of men, a dogged competitor, a true fighter and a player who now makes very few rash mistakes, he is right up there with Saliba and Van Dijk as the best centre-back in the English top-flight.

Arsenal have found a new Saka-type player & he's Arteta's "future captain"

Arsenal’s “future captain” has enjoyed a similar rise to Bukayo Saka.

ByMatt Dawson Oct 13, 2025

Nicky Butt has warned a manager who Gary Neville called “incredible” not to take the Manchester United job, saying “it could ruin him.”

Respite for Amorim after Sunderland victory

The 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Sunderland prior to the international break provided Ruben Amorim with a little respite, but there will be much tougher tests to come in the coming weeks, with a daunting trip to Anfield this Sunday up first.

There has been plenty of speculation about Amorim’s future already this season, with Jamie Carragher suggesting the writing may already be on the wall, given that the 40-year-old simply isn’t a good fit for Man United.

Carragher said: “What he did at Sporting Lisbon was fantastic. But bringing a manager like that in with the system he plays I don’t think ever suited a club like Manchester United with the traditions at Manchester United.

“We are just waiting for the inevitable, unfortunately, because you don’t want people to lose their jobs. But this [Amorim’s time in charge] has to end as quickly as possible.”

It appears as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is very committed to the Amorim project, however, having recently insisted he wants to give the Portuguese coach three years to prove himself.

That said, if there is not a major improvement in performances and results, it is very difficult to envisage the United boss lasting that long, and the rumour mill about potential replacements is already in full swing.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Paddy McGuinness recently asked Paul Scholes and Butt whether they’d like to see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to Old Trafford, but the latter was emphatic in his response, stating his former teammate shouldn’t consider the move.

The former Man United midfielder said: “The hard thing for Ole would be, if you come back the second time – it could ruin him. It won’t because of his legacy at the football club, but you could bring prime Sir Alex or Jose in at the minute and they wouldn’t be able to do anything with that squad. So for me, I hope it wouldn’t happen.”

Appointing "incredible" Ole would be step backwards

It is undeniable that Ole is one of the Red Devils’ best managers post Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Norwegian leading them to a second-placed finish in the 2020-21 campaign, but it would be a step backwards to bring him back to Old Trafford.

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United sacked the 52-year-old back in November 2021, after failing to win a trophy in nearly three years as manager, and he has since failed to make an impact at Besiktas, with the Turkish club dismissing the former striker back in August.

As such, despite being lauded as “incredible” by Neville for the job he did at Man United last time around, Ole shouldn’t be considered as a replacement for Amorim, who rakes in £6.5m-per-year.

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could be set to return to English football after being considered for the vacant role at a Premier League club. Ten Hag is a free agent after being sacked by Bayer Leverkusen in September, becoming the first manager in Bundesliga history to lose his job after two games. He was fired by United in October 2024, four months after signing a new contract.

Ten Hag in the frame for Wolves job

Ten Hag is among the candidates to succeed Vitor Pereira at Wolves, according to . Pereira was relieved of his duties after Wolves were thrashed 3-0 by Fulham on Saturday, leaving them rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with no wins from 10 games. The Portuguese became Wolves coach last December and steered them away from the relegation zone thanks to a six-game winning streak, their longest ever run of victories in the Premier League. He signed a new, three-year contract in September but was sacked six weeks later.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportO'Neil leading the race to succeed Pereira

Wolves have expressed interest in speaking to Ten Hag, who was discussed internally as a potential candidate. However, reports that Gary O'Neil is the frontrunner to take the vacant post at Molineux after holding advanced talks. It would be a remarkable turn of events if O'Neil accepted the job as he was only sacked by Wolves less than a year ago, being succeeded by Pereira.

Ten Hag's mixed Premier League record

The Dutchman had an excellent first season with United, leading the Red Devils to finish third in the Premier League while winning the Carabao Cup and reaching the FA Cup final (eventually losing to Manchester City) and making it to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Despite further strengthening the squad by signing Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana, he had a hugely disappointing second campaign. United came eighth in the league – their worst finish in the Premier League era at the time – and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stage. 

However, they managed to end on a positive note by winning the FA Cup and avenging their previous defeat by Manchester City at Wembley. The shock result led to United unexpectedly keeping faith in Ten Hag and extending his contract until 2026. However, just four months later he was dismissed following four defeats in the opening nine league games.

United's dismal results under successor Ruben Amorim, however, put Ten Hag's reign into some perspective. Under Amorim, United finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst league finish since being relegated 51 years previously, and failed to qualify for Europe after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.

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Getty Images SportTen Hag eager to move on from nightmare Leverkusen role

Ten Hag was furious with the way he was sacked by Leverkusen following one defeat and one draw in the Bundesliga and a victory against lower league opposition in the cup. He blamed his bad results on the fact Leverkusen had sold a number of top players in the summer, many of whom had won the club's first ever Bundesliga title.

He said in a statement at the time: "To part ways with a coach after just two league matches is unprecedented. This summer, many key players who were part of past successes left the squad. Building a new, cohesive team is a careful process that requires both time and trust. A new coach deserves the space to implement his vision, set the standards, shape the squad and leave his mark on the style of play.

"I started this job with full conviction and energy, but unfortunately the management was not willing to grant me the time and trust I needed, which I deeply regret. I feel this was never a relationship based on mutual trust. Throughout my career, every season I have been able to see through to the end as a coach has brought success. Clubs that placed their trust in me have been rewarded with success and silverware."

Ten Hag will therefore be keen to get back into management as early as possible and put the episode with Leverkusen behind him. And even if Wolves decide against hiring him, he is bound to be linked with more Premier League jobs in the future.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has offered up an update on striker Endrick with the Brazilian linked with a January move. The teenager is yet to make an appearance for the Spanish giants in any competition under Alonso having struggled for regular game time last season following his arrival from Brasileirao giants Palmeiras with a temporary January move rumoured.

Getty Images SportAlonso yet to call upon Endrick

Endrick has made a handful of matchday squads for Real Madrid but is yet to feature for Los Blancos in any competition this season, last pulling on a Real Madrid shirt under Carlo Ancelotti back in May as the Liga giants beat Sevilla on the penultimate weekend of the campaign. Xabi Alonso, though, is yet to use the Brazilian in any capacity with Gonzalo Garcia preferred as Kylian Mbappe's deputy.

Even then, Garcia's game time has been limited. The 21-year-old has registered just 91 minutes of league action despite shining at the Club World Cup, scoring four goals across six appearances up until their 4-0 semi-final defeat at the hands of Champions League winners PSG.

Garcia, like Endrick, has also been linked with a January exit as the two young strikers look to garner regular playing time in the second half of the season. However, Alonso has moved to quash talk that the duo will depart next year.

AdvertisementReal Madrid pair unlikely to leave

Ahead of Real Madrid's game against Getafe on Sunday, Alonso was asked about the possibility of both Endrick and Garcia departing in January, stating: "I'm not thinking about it at the moment, it's not on my mind."

Alonso was also adamant that neither Endrick or Garcia had "asked to leave this winter", adding: "Both are ready to play. It's a position where competition is fierce." Marseille have been linked with a move for Endrick, where he'd link up with Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang under Roberto De Zerbi.

A move to PSG has also been mooted, with ESPN Brazil reporting a deal that would see Endrick move to Paris and Fabian Ruiz sign for Real Madrid was in the pipeline. Ruiz was admired by former boss Ancelotti, though a player exchange looks unlikely at this stage.

Getty Images SportEndrick has Premier League suitors

Ligue 1 pair Marseille and PSG aren't the only sides rumoured to be interested in Endrick, with Premier League teams also believed to be keen on the young striker. Manchester United and West Ham have emerged as potential destinations for the 19-year-old as the English pair seek to bolster their forward options.

United are looking to bring in cover and competition for summer signing Benjamin Sesko with Joshua Zirkzee struggling for minutes in his second season at Old Trafford. Nicklas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson, meanwhile, have scored just one league goal between them for the Hammers this season as West Ham look to get their campaign really up and running when they face Brentford on Monday night.

Endrick is looking to garner some minutes in the New Year as he eyes up a 2026 World Cup spot. The young forward has made 14 appearances for Brazil, but has featured just the once for the South American powerhouse in 2025.

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Brazil's mixed form under Ancelotti

Brazil have struggled for form since Ancelotti took over the reins earlier in the year. While the Selecao secured a World Cup 2026 spot, they flattered to deceive in qualifying, finishing 10 points behind rivals Argentina, who they lost 4-1 to in March.

In addition, Ancelotti has overseen just three wins from his six matches so far as Brazil beat Paraguay, Chile and South Korea. However, they also lost to Bolivia and Japan and didn't look wholly convincing in victories over the latter.

Competition is hardly rife for the striker spot for the Brazil national team either, with Ancelotti able to call upon Richarlison, Matheus Cunha and Igor Jesus on the frontline. Endrick, then, feels an increase in game time in the New Year will significantly boost his chances of making the Brazil World Cup squad in North America next summer.

When called upon for Real Madrid last season, however, Endrick struggled for consistency as he scored just once in La Liga and once in the Champions League for the Spanish powerhouse. Los Blancos will look to go back to the top of the table when they face Getafe on Sunday having been leapfrogged into top spot by Barcelona on Saturday afternoon.

Marseille coach Roberto De Zerbi opened up on the hardships that shaped him, revealing how his family was forced to sell their factory during Italy’s economic crisis. Football, he says, has never been just fun- it’s been a path of responsibility, social redemption, and personal growth, shaping both his life and his coaching philosophy.

• De Zerbi reflects on family struggles during economic crisis

  De Zerbi’s journey to Marseille is deeply personal. Between 1992 and 1994, during an economic crisis at home, his family was forced to sell their mat factory, plunging them into very difficult years. For De Zerbi, football became more than a game, it was a means to support his family.

  "It's the first time I've talked about it: there was a specific moment in my life when I started playing football to support my family. I moved from the youth club to Lumezzane and then to AC Milan, between 1992 and 1994, coinciding with the economic crisis at home: we were forced to sell the mat factory and we went through some very difficult years," De Zerbi said in an interview with . "At that point, I wasn't joking anymore. After leaving the Primavera, the day after signing my first five-year contract with AC Milan, I was at the branch signing the mortgage to buy my parents a house. For me, football has never been just fun."

  It was this intense, formative experience that has driven his philosophy as a coach. The hardships, he says, gave him both motivation and perspective, shaping a man who sees football as a form of social redemption.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Football is more than a game; it's a responsibility

  De Zerbi says coaching is inseparable from life’s lessons. He recalls spending long stretches away from his own family while playing in Romania and coaching, missing crucial moments in his children’s lives. This fuels his approach in Marseille: he seeks connection and affection with players, believing that respect and understanding off the pitch create an explosive, productive dynamic on it.

  Asked about his idea to take his squad away on a retreat and make them go on runs at 5 a.m, he said: "It was probably the best thing I've done, the one closest to me as a person: I listened and understood the discontent of the boys, who weren't performing at home. I did something powerful, to help them get to know each other. And then I held three meetings: in one, we brought out the negative feelings we had at the Velodrome; the next day, each player shared the values they identified with, we wrote them down and hung them up; then we showed a video about the fans at the Velodrome, to help them understand who they were dealing with."

• De Zerbi on how he prefers to shape his team

  De Zerbi’s methods reflect both discipline and empathy. Drawing lessons from his AC Milan youth days under legends like Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi, he values ethics, hard work, and mutual respect.

  "The AC Milan youth academy was a school. [Paolo] Maldini, [Franco] Baresi, [Mauro] Tassotti, and all those great players taught me the ethics of football, the value of training, the importance of training harder after a win, respect within a group, starting with the schedule. I feel like a son of Milanello, of the real AC Milan," De Zerbi said.

  He further explained how his coaching philosophy prioritises the player: "I've already proven many times that I don't coach for myself, quite the opposite. I love strong players and want them. And I believe the player matters more than the coach when it comes to results. I was a number 10: I could never take away the player's value. I'm not a moral teacher, but I want to convey who I am: as a man, before being a coach. And it's normal to seek mutual understanding, even off the pitch."

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• AFP
  

  Marseille looking good under De Zerbi

  De Zerbi's methods appear to be working amid Marseille's strong start to the season. They sit second in Ligue 1 and just a point behind Paris Saint-Germain and recovered from their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid by overpowering Ajax 4-0 in their second game of the tournament.

Setting their sights on a busy end to the transfer window, Aston Villa have now reportedly agreed a deal to sign a bargain defender ahead of Premier League rivals Everton.

Aston Villa's deadline day plans

Ahead of Monday’s deadline, Villa Park chiefs have suddenly burst into life in the transfer market. Unai Emery could yet welcome a number of reinforcements before the window slams shut as a result and get his wish of two players in every position.

One of those could, of course, be Marco Asensio. The Paris Saint-Germain winger enjoyed a successful loan spell in the Midlands last season and now looks destined to complete a permanent move just in time. And he’s not the only one on Villa’s radar.

As reported by Sacha Tavolieri, the final day of the transfer window could yet see a major goalkeeper saga unfold. The transfer reporter claimed that Manchester United have now turned their focus towards Emiliano Martinez rather than Senne Lammens and, as such, Aston Villa are targeting a move for Porto’s Diogo Costa.

The reporter even went as far as to say that the Villans are in advanced talks to sign the shot-stopper, who would be an instant replacement for Martinez if he heads to Manchester United.

The World Cup winner has been linked with a move away from Villa Park all summer long and now looks set to get his move. Villa, meanwhile, have reportedly agreed a deal to welcome another defensive reinforcement.

Aston Villa set to sign Lindelof

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have now reached an “agreement” to sign Victor Lindelof, whose medical is already “underway” ahead of becoming the latest player to arrive in the Midlands. Joining as a free agent, the Villans are set to welcome an experienced central defender at a bargain price.

Whilst Lindelof’s arrival won’t steal the same headlines as Costa might, he may prove to be just as important. The 31-year-old has played at a very top level and is no stranger to the Premier League after spending eight years at Manchester United.

In a mixed spell, the Swede also still earned plenty of praise. Former United graduate Fraizer Campbell described the defender as “brilliant” in the 2023/24 campaign and there’s still every chance that he can reach those same levels at Villa Park.

Aston Villa now pushing for "incredible" late signing after shock £47m bid

The Villans have made their move…

By
Tom Cunningham

Aug 31, 2025

In what could be the start of a busy final 24 hours for Aston Villa, Lindelof represents a solid piece of business.

Chelsea chiefs could have a unique opportunity to open the door for Enzo Maresca to sign a marquee forward, and for-sale striker Nicolas Jackson holds the key.

The Senegalese was once a key member of Maresca’s first team not so long ago, with pundit Joe Cole even branding him one of the club’s “most important” players in May.

However, the arrival of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro has seemingly pushed Jackson down the pecking order.

BlueCo, by orders of UEFA, also need to trim the squad through player sales before sealing any more incomings, with Chelsea in talks to sign both Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho next.

As a result, Jackson is now up for sale at Chelsea, and the 24-year-old appears ready to quit Stamford Bridge to become a star elsewhere.

The former Villarreal star bagged 13 goals and six assists last season, including a strike in the Conference League final against Real Betis, but he has scored just one Premier League goal since the turn of 2025.

A change of scenery could be exactly what Jackson needs to really go to that next level, with both Newcastle United and Aston Villa heavily linked right now.

Villa’s interest comes amid Chelsea’s serious admiration of their star winger, Morgan Rogers, who’s rumoured to command a lofty £100 million price tag after a stellar 24/25 in the Midlands.

Nicolas Jackson could open door for Chelsea to sign Morgan Rogers

Journalist Graeme Bailey, in an interview with the Chelsea Chronicle, now suggests that the Blues could secure first option on a future deal for Rogers by making it easier for Unai Emery to sign Jackson.

Bailey claims that Chelsea are “desperate” to sign the 23-year-old who lit up Villa Park last season, and Jackson could hold the key, even if it may not be in this particular window.

The former Middlesbrough sensation was a pivotal member of Emery’s Champions League quarter-final-reaching side, bagging an incredible 14 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Celtic and a strike against eventual winners PSG.

He also single-handedly dismantled Man City with a goal and assist during Villa’s 2-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s men late last year.

Rogers’ versatility as a playmaker and wide attacker could be yet another reason why Chelsea are so keen, but Villa won’t make it easy for any suitor.

أعلن حلمي طولان، المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر الثاني، التشكيل الأساسي لمواجهة المغرب وديًا بعد قليل، استعدادًا لكأس العرب.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر الثاني، بقيادة حلمي طولان، مع نظيره المغرب ضمن دورة ودية رفقة البحرين، استعدادًا للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العرب.

طالع.. هاني أبو ريدة يرد على أنباء رحيل حسام حسن حال الفشل في كأس أمم إفريقيا

وكان اتحاد الكرة أسند لـ حلمي طولان مهمة تكوين منتخب مصر الثاني للمشاركة في بطولة كأس العرب، المقرر إقامتها في قطر، وتبدأ في 1 ديسمبر وتختتم بالنهائي في 18 ديسمبر 2025.

وأسفرت قرعة بطولة كأس العرب عن تواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الثالثة مع الأردن والإمارات والفائز من (الكويت ضد موريتانيا). تشكيل منتخب مصر الثاني اليوم أمام المغرب

حراسة المرمى: أحمد الشناوي.

الدفاع: أحمد هاني – أحمد سامي – محمود حمدي الونش – كريم حافظ.

الوسط: أكرم توفيق – عمرو السولية – محمد مجدي أفشة.

الهجوم: أحمد عاطف قطة – مصطفى شلبي – مروان حمدي.

Having already seen one bid rejected, Celtic are reportedly expected to submit a second offer to sign a Premier League midfielder ahead of Old Firm rivals Rangers.

Celtic take early advantage over Rangers

After just two games in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic are already four points ahead of Rangers following the Gers’ two frustrating draws. Whilst Russell Martin’s side slipped up, the Bhoys defeated St. Mirren and Aberdeen with new signing Benjamin Nygren even netting his first goal for the club in the latter.

Only Hearts have matched the Scottish champions by winning both of their opening games, but Celtic will be hoping to pull away from any potential title rivals to continue their dominance under Brendan Rodgers this season.

After scoring his first goal for the club, the summer arrival told reporters: “That’s how I want to play. I can run a lot so I want to be involved as much as possible and help the team to win, so I’m very pleased with my performance and the team’s performance today.

“It was amazing (his goal) – a perfect cross from Kieran and a solid finish, and I ran over to celebrate with the fans and the team. I’ve said it many times but, for me, football is nothing without the fans. Celtic is such a big club with lovely fans so they’re a part of the team and part of the club, so I’m so happy to celebrate with everyone.”

Rodgers not happy: Celtic now working to sign 3 new players before Sep 1

It could become four new players if they qualify for Europe.

1 ByCallum Kemp Aug 14, 2025

Even after a solid start to their campaign, however, Celtic are reportedly still on the hunt for reinforcements and are expected to launch a second offer to sign a Premier League midfielder.

Celtic expected to submit second Irving offer

As reported by Claret and Hugh, Celtic are expected to submit another offer to sign Andy Irving from West Ham United after seeing an opening bid worth £2.5m turned down by the Hammers. The London club are reportedly holding out for £3.5m to sell their midfielder amid interest from the Bhoys and their rivals, Rangers.

A source told Claret and Hugh: “There’s a lot of interest but only one bid so far, and that was last month. I think they’ll get another offer soon.”

Despite their £3.5m asking price, it is also believed that West Ham would accept £3m to sell Iriving this summer. In a transfer tussle against their Old Firm rivals, that’s a price tag that Celtic should be able to match before deadline day arrives at the start of September.

Even as he has struggled to match the pace of the Premier League, Irving has still seemingly shown enough to earn the praise of Jarrod Bowen. The West Ham star told reporters in February: “Andy’s worked incredibly hard and been incredibly patient. I get on really well with Andy. I’ve had a lot of chats with him and always told him that I know his time will come because I’ve seen it in training.”