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Ryan Jack has hailed the strengthening of Rangers’ first-team squad ahead of next season, speaking to the club’s official website.

Joe Aribo became the club’s seventh signing of the summer so far on Thursday, adding even more competition to a packed midfield area at Ibrox.

Jack then may have reason to be concerned about his future in Steven Gerrard’s starting eleven, but he is in fact delighted by the way the squad has been strengthened.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

As quoted by the official Rangers website, he said:

“I am optimistic ahead of the new season, we have a great squad of boys and we have kept the core of the team from last season so far, hopefully that continues.

“I think we have added real quality and there could be a couple more to come.

“So I think, no disrespect to last season, but I think the squad we are building is getting stronger and stronger, hopefully come the start of this season that shows.”

The Gers missed out on trophies again last season but after a year of progress under Gerrard, there is clearly optimism within the Ibrox camp that they can launch a sustained assault on treble champions Celtic next season.

With the club’s transfer business not likely to be over quite yet, there could be more new faces added to the squad too.

Rangers fans have reacted well to Jack’s comments, taking to Twitter to share their thoughts on Friday…

أوصت أندية الدوري الممتاز في اجتماعها اليوم مع الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم على قواعد الموسم المقبل بتحديد عدد اللاعبين الأجانب وحل أزمات الفار وغيرها من الأمور.

واتفقت الأندية في توصياتها،  أن يكون عدد الأجانب في كل فريق بالموسم الجديد، خمسة لاعبين دون تصنيف أو تحديد مراكزهم، وتثبيت فترة القيد الشتوية في شهر يناير والمشاركة في مسابقات الناشئين الرئيسية في القسم نفسه الذي يشارك فيه الفريق الأول للنادي.

وحضر طارق قنديل عضو مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي كممثل عن القلعة الحمراء في اجتماع اتحاد الكرة، فيما حضر منصر الرملاوي إداري الزمالك ممثلا عن القلعة البيضاء قبل انتهاء الاجتماع بدقائق.

كما أوصت أندية القسم الأول بتأجيل تشكيل رابطة المحترفين للموسم المقبل، وطلبت من اتحاد الكرة العمل على إيجاد بديل فيما لو تعرضت تقنية VAR للتوقف لأسباب خارجة عن إرادة الجميع، وذلك لضمان استمرار تطبيق التقنية بالملاعب.

وكانت اللجنة المكلفة بإدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم برئاسة أحمد مجاهد قد اجتمعت اليوم برؤساء ومسئولي أندية القسم الممتاز، حيث استمعوا لشرح واف عن أوضاع المسابقة التي تهم الأندية المشاركة في المسابقة.

وأكد أحمد مجاهد أن اتحاد الكرة يتمنى لو ينتهي الموسم في منتصف يوليو ، إلا أن عدم وجود سوى 4 سيارات للفار أجبرتنا على إقامة مباريات كل جولة على ثلاثة أيام، فيما أشار إلى القرار الخاص بعدد المصابين بفيروس كورونا من كل ناد يهدف إلى إتاحة الفرصة أمام الأندية التي فوجئت بوجود إصابات بين صفوف فريقها أن تعيد ترتيب أوضاعها حسب الظروف الجديدة ، وليس استمرار تأجيل مبارياتها،  حيث إن اللاعب المصاب يحتاج إلى أكثر من شهر للعودة إلى الملاعب.

وأضاف رئيس الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم أنه بصدد الإرسال رسميا للأندية بمقترح جديد لتعديل بند الجدارة الرياضية في لائحة المسابقات ، بعد أن لمس أن هناك ظلما قد يقع على بعض الأندية في حالة تطبيقه بالصياغة الحالية.

وفيما يتعلق بمسابقات الناشئين قال رئيس الاتحاد إن الاتحاد في انتظار قرار لجنة الأزمات بهذا الخصوص بعد رفع أمر كيفية الحفاظ على أبنائنا لوزارة الشباب والرياضة.

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Some Southampton fans on Twitter have reacted to the news that there has been a board reshuffle at the club.

Jisheng Gao, who is the majority shareholder of the club, has taken the position of chairman of the club and of the St Mary’s Football Group.

This comes following Ralph Krueger stepping down from the position after six years in the role.

The 59-year-old was originally employed by former owner Katharina Liebherr, who has re-joined the St Mary’s Football Group, but it is thought his influence on key decisions was limited when Gao took over.

Krueger guided the club through to the Premier League despite troubles back in 2014 when the former executive chairman Nicola Cortese and ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino both left.

Southampton’s new man Moussa Djenepo divides opinion amongst fans in the video below…

Vice chairman Martin Semmens is expected to conduct the day-to-day running of the club following the Canadian’s departure.

It was Semmens and Ross Wilson, who is the director of football at St Mary’s, who made the decision to replace Mark Hughes with Ralph Hasenhuttl last season.

Here is just a selection of the reaction from Saints supporters…

Summer is now upon us, the silly season is in its early days but the transfer rumour mill is already spinning. In the Northeast, this is no different, and the midfield picture at Newcastle could be set for vast change. Don’t fret too much Newcastle fans, as Rafa Benitez, whilst still at the club, has you in safe hands, even if there are rumours of Sean Longstaff’s exit.

There have been plenty of talks that Jonjo Shelvey won’t be sticking around for long, but losing the former Liverpool man would be nothing in comparison to having Sean Longstaff poached by Manchester United. The young North Shields-born midfielder was the heartbeat of the St James Park side up until his season-ending knee injury, and losing him would be the worst outcome of the summer.

Rafa Benitez obviously rates Longstaff very highly. The Newcastle academy man was given a contract extension at St James Park back in December to reward the 21-year-old for breaking into the first-team picture, and there are talks, which are mentioned in the Sky Sports News story reporting of Manchester United’s interests, that claim he’ll be set for a new contract this summer to give him a wage increase.

It will come as no shock to anyone, though, that Manchester United can afford to pay a lot more money than Newcastle United can. Rafa Benitez will be a major reason for Longstaff to sign a new deal and stay in the Northeast, but should Mike Ashley fail to get a new deal on the table for his gaffer, he could be set to lose out twice, as Longstaff could easily have his turned by United should Benitez depart.

If the young midfielder plays his cards right, he has the talents to be the man to lead the Geordies into a golden era, but should Mike Ashley sniff out a hefty profit on the academy man that has come through for nothing then it could be a very different story. All that the Magpies know is that £2.25 million man, as valued by Transfermarkt, is much better off at St James Park than anywhere else for now.

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Tottenham Hotspur fans have been left concerned by the future of left-back Danny Rose, who has confirmed that his final game for the club could come in the Champions League final, per The Guardian.

The full-back faces an uncertain summer, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino set to revamp his squad in the summer transfer window.

The former Leeds United star says that he has continually seen his own name linked with an exit and that he is desperate to go out with a bang if he is to depart.

He said: “I keep seeing my name that I’m being sold, so if that’s the case and it’s going to be my last game for Tottenham against Liverpool, I’m hoping to go out with a bang and lift a trophy.

“It’s a Champions League final so individual situations have to take a back seat and you have to put the club first. We are going to do that. We do realise we have a chance to make history.”

Spurs face Liverpool in the final in Madrid on June 1, having overcome Ajax in the most dramatic of circumstances on Wednesday evening. Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick, with his third goal coming in the final minute of injury-time.

The Reds, meanwhile, beat Barcelona 4-3 on aggregate and Spurs fans are clearly concerned about the prospect of the England international leaving this summer.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

أعلن الاتحاد الأيرلندي لكرة القدم، إصابة أحد لاعبيه بـ فيروس كورونا “كوفيد – 19″، وذلك بعد مُشاركته في مباراة إنجلترا الودية، مساء أمس الخميس.

وكان المنتخب الإنجليزي قد فاز على نظيره الأيرلندي وديًا بثلاثية نظيفة، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء أمس، الخميس على ملعب “ويمبلي” وديًا، ضمن استعدادات منتخب الأسود الثلاثة لدوري الأمم الأوروبية.

وقال الاتحاد في بيانه: “نستطيع أنّ نؤكد أنّ الاختبارات للاعب الوسط آلان براون، لـ كوفيد – 19 جاءت إيجابية”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ضربة مزدوجة.. راشفورد وكوادي يغيبان عن مباراتي إنجلترا أمام بلجيكا وأيسلندا

وأوضح الاتحاد أنّ براون سيغيب عن مباراتي أيرلندا القادمتين في دوري الأمم الأوروبية، حيث سيتم وضع صاحب الـ25 عامًا في الحجر الصحي.

براون شارك في مباراة الأمس ولعب لمدة 90 دقيقة، وربما يكون نقل العدوى للاعبي منتخب إنجلترا، الذين من المتوقع أنّ يخضعوا لفحوصات للكشف عن كورونا، خلال الساعات القادمة.

تحدث أسامة جلال مدافع نادي إنبي عن رغبته في تواجد محمد صلاح نجم ليفربول ضمن صفوف المنتخب الأولمبي في أولمبياد طوكيو.

وقال أسامة جلال أثناء استضافته ببرنامج جمهور “التالتة” المذاع على قناة “أون تايم سبورت 2: “أتمنى تواجد نجمنا محمد صلاح معنا في أولمبياد طوكيو، هو فخر لنا جميعًا وفي مكانة مختلفة”.

وأضاف: “أحبه وأشاهد مبارياته كأني أشاهد مباراة لمنتخب مصر، وأشعر أن المنتخب الوطني هو الذي يلعب، مع أني لا أحب ليفربول وأشجع مانشستر يونايتد ولكن أشاهد مواجهاتهم بسبب محمد صلاح فقط، وفي حالة عدم تسجيله للأهداف أشعر بالاستياء”.

وتابع كاشفًا عن مثله الأعلى في الدفاع محليًا وعالميًا قائلًا: “إبراهيم سعيد ووائل جمعة في مصر ونيمانيا فيديتش لاعب مانشستر يونايتد، والمدافع الذي يعجبني في الدوري المصري بالفترة الأخيرة هو محمود حمدي الونش لاعب الزمالك”.

وعن أصعب مهاجم ولا يفضل مواجهته، اختتم: “مصطفى محمد لاعب الزمالك لأنه يرتقي عاليًا بنسبة كبيرة، وأحب أن ألعب معه لأنه متمكن جدًا”.

Newcastle vs Southampton is BT Sport’s televised clash today, with the two bottom half clubs meeting at St James Park as they aim to climb the table. The two clubs have some very impressive players kicking about, and here we’ll be comparing two English midfielders in Sean Longstaff and James Ward-Prowse as they both have huge futures.

Before we get into it, Sean Longstaff is injured and has been for the last few weeks. He will miss this clash and the rest of the season, but should he make it back to fitness for next season and get back to form it will be a matter of time before he’s giving Gareth Southgate selection headaches. One of the players he’ll be battling against for an England spot will be Saints’ James Ward-Prowse, though, who will certainly feature later today.

SEAN LONGSTAFF

Sean Longstaff has shown everyone what he can do in his very short time as a Newcastle United senior player. Before he suffered his injury, there were fans calling for him to be an England player, and who can blame them? The 21-year-old former Blackpool loanee is an incredible youngster with plenty of fight, passion and energy in the middle of the park, with some stellar displays to go with his potential.

If you want to see the best of the young Geordie, just look back to Newcastle’s home clash with Manchester City. Between them, Isaac Hayden and Longstaff shone as they outclassed a Pep Guardiola midfield of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho. That says all you need to know, and all the Newcastle fans want is to see Longstaff return as soon as possible and get back to form next season as he continues to convince England fans he deserves to be in Southgate’s squad.

TT GRADE: A

JAMES WARD-PROWSE

At the age of 24-years-old, James Ward-Prowse is one of the oldest players to still be considered as a young prospect, and he has been considered so for a long time. However, the Southampton man has got bags of talent that he’s started to utilise under the tutelage of Ralph Hasenhuttl and if he keeps going the way he is then maybe a big money move and a chance with the Three Lions could present itself.

This season has seen the midfield man score six Premier League goals for the Saints, his highest tally since becoming a regular starter back in the 2013/14 season. The only problem is that the midfielder hasn’t got an assist this season and his creative output can be questioned. That could be a key point in whether or not Ward-Prowse gets an international nod, and it will be something that Hasenhuttl will be working on with the impressive midfield maestro.

TT GRADE: C

TT VERDICT

Whilst it could be the case that with so many impressive midfielders coming through with England that neither Ward-Prowse or Longstaff get a look in for the national side, you’d back at least one of them to do so.

Gareth Southgate will have his eye on both, but with age on his side and some bright performances under his belt already, when Longstaff gets back to fitness he will surely be the more likely of the two.

Newcastle and Southampton, who do you think wins this battle? Comment below.

Former Wednesday manager, Gary Megson, has praised the impact Steve Bruce has had at Hillsborough, but questions whether he will be given the tools to take the Owls forward in the months and years ahead.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, the ex-Wednesday boss claimed the club are “still not geared for going forward” and “change has got to happen off the pitch” for the club to be successful.

He said: “There’s got to be a big change. It needed changing when I was here, and there’s no point bringing in a good manager and not letting him manage.

“So the change has not only got to happen on the pitch – that has already happened with Jos [Luhukav] leaving and Steve coming in.

“The change has got to happen off the pitch as well. I’m not on about money, but in terms of getting the structure right for the football club to go forward because it’s not.

This place is still not geared for going forward yet, but Steve will know that because of where he’s worked in the past.

“It needs a real good sweep through and in Steve they’ve got the right person to do it but if they don’t listen to him then there’s no point having him here.”

We think that the job Bruce has done has been nothing short of miraculous, and it would seem naive to assume a manager of his calibre did not have assurances regarding his input on the direction of the club going forward.

Megson’s comments are unhelpful, and at a time of such positivity at Wednesday, it is not likely to go down too well within the walls of the Hillsborough offices and boardroom.

With the club needing the board, manager, players and fans all pulling in the same direction, in light of their unforeseen play-off tilt, Megson’s intervention seems untimely in the extreme.

Although, he does go on to say that they have as good a chance to reach the play-offs as some of their rivals, so his comments regarding the general structure of the club may have been more clumsy than deliberate.

We have had our say Wednesday fans, now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts about Megson’s comments? Does the club need a behind-the-scenes overhaul? Let us know your opinion…

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Crystal Palace were unable to build on a fantastic away performance at Burnley as they were beaten 2-1 by bitter rivals Brighton at Selhurst Park – a defeat which compounded their woeful home form further.

The Seagulls took the lead through Glenn Murray, who, aside from his first-half strike, gave a masterclass in target man play – Roy Hodgson must hope that Christian Benteke was taking notes from the bench.

On the chalkboard

Veteran hitman Murray gave Chris Hughton’s side the lead after making no mistake in capitalising on a James Tomkins error, although there was far more to his excellent performance than that.

Drafted in at the last minute after Florin Andone suffered an injury in the warm up, the former Palace striker looked worthy of a start from the off – he dominated Tomkins and Scott Dann, winning 6 aerial duels.

The 35-year-old was essential to the visitors’ game plan – soaking up pressure and hoofing it to the big man up front – as they gave Palace some of their own medicine.

The Eagles have been successful playing in such a way in previous campaigns although the collapse of Benteke’s confidence in front of goal, combined with Hodgson’s less direct style and the arrival of countryman Michy Batshuayi, has seen the Belgian frozen out of the starting XI.

Lesson for Christian

The former Villa striker established himself as one of the Premier League’s most lethal aerial threats prior to arriving at Selhurst Park and looked to be a great signing in the 2016/17 season – the big number 17 chalked up 17 goals in all competitions.

However, he has been a shadow of that player since and has scored just three times. The 28-year-old may not be clinical in front of goal but at least he used to offer a physical presence up front. However, particularly this season, he has been far less effective in the air and his knock-downs are rarely into the path of a teammate.

Which player with “no potential” has just been named Crystal Palace’s worst ever January signing? Find out in the video below…

Murray, though, did everything Palace fans want from Benteke on Saturday and the Eagles man, who watched most of the tie from the bench, should have been taking tips from his opposite number if he is to ever work his way back into the first team.