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Ange Postetcoglou’s Celtic side head into Sunday’s Premiership fixture off the back of arguably their best performance of the season, with the Bhoys comfortably seeing off their Glasgow rivals 3-0 in Wednesday’s Old Firm clash.

As such, spirits will undoubtedly have been high within the Hoops squad at Lennoxtown this week, with the match against Graham Alexander’s Motherwell, coupled with the Gers’ challenging test against third-placed Hearts, very much bringing with it the potential of Celtic moving clear at the top of the Premiership standings.

With Postecoglou recently revealing that the returning Tom Rogic – as well as Daizen Maeda – will be available for selection on Sunday, despite suggestions that the Australian might require a rest after his involvement with his national team, it would seem a wise move for the Bhoys boss to unleash the 29-year-old from the off at Fir Park, as the sight of the attacking midfielder will give Motherwell nightmares.

Postecoglou must unleash Rogic

Indeed, the £1.35m-rated Rogic has always been something of a thorn in the side of Motherwell, with the Aussie having scored five goals and provided his teammates with five assists over his 18 appearances against the Steelmen, including an extremely well-taken winner in Celtic’s 1-0 victory over today’s opponents back in December.

Furthermore, the £15k-per-week midfielder has also been in impressive form over his further 17 Premiership fixtures so far this season, scoring three goals, registering six assists and creating nine big chances for his teammates. These metrics have seen the 29-year-old average a SofaScore match rating of 7.00.

As such, considering that the player who Postecoglou dubbed “important” has something of a penchant for making his mark against Motherwell, in addition to his fine form thus far in the current campaign, the Celtic coach simply must unleash the attacking midfielder today, as he could well be a game-changer for the Bhoys.

In other news – Forget Dembele: Postecoglou must now unleash “generational” Celtic prodigy who has “no fear”

Liverpool will ‘shut down’ any possibility of Divock Origi joining Newcastle United on loan, according to The Northern Echo’s Scott Wilson. 

There was a belief at St James’ Park that Origi would be open to the move in a bid to ‘kickstart his career’.

The forward also fit Eddie Howe’s January criteria, with the new boss pushing for players who have proven themselves in the Premier League.

However, the Reds have ‘no intention’ of sanctioning a temporary move for Origi midway through the season.

Why Liverpool won’t let Origi go

Two of their attackers, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, are set to jet off to the Africa Cup of Nations at the turn of the year, which could see them miss up to eight matches (via The Athletic).

Thus, opportunity knocks for Origi, who’s been limited to just 16 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.

The 20/21 season was a poor one for the Belgian, who only managed to score against League One Lincoln City.

But he’s shown signs of recovering form this term, netting three goals and assisting two more in seven outings.

Fan feed Anfield Watch relayed Wilson’s report, and the reaction among supporters was decidedly mixed.

Liverpool fans split on club’s Origi stance

“FSG are finished”

Credit: @LFCMurrall

“Man let Origi go”

Credit: @_Nkazi_mulo

“They should snatch their hands off”

Credit: @silverrich39

“One day we will be released from the shackles of fsg”

Credit: @kadrihatesjack

“Good. Some depth”

Credit: @TheSalahEra_

“An amazing example of a brilliant professional”

Credit: @shugyoung

“Div can’t leave in Jan. Mane and Salah could return from 2022 Afcon in February as Senegal and Egypt are strong enough to reach the knockout stages even the final.”

Credit: @A_B_Ditlhobolo

In other news, fans are excited by this transfer rumour.

Manchester United will be aiming to stay within touching distance of the top four when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford for their intriguing Premier League clash this evening.

The Red Devils are currently five points behind today’s visitors and six behind West Ham United, who are currently occupying the final Champions League qualification spot.

Things have improved for United in recent weeks, though, following Ole Gunnar Solsjaer’s dismissal.

A hard-fought victory over Villarreal in the Champions League was followed up by a respectable draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out, and interim manager Michael Carrick will be hoping to build of those positive performances.

The 40-year-old tactician will once again be without Luke Shaw, Paul Poagba, Edinson Cavani and Raphael Varane through injury, but he will be able to call upon the services of Harry Maguire once more following his suspension.

With Ralf Rangnick finally receiving his work permit ahead of his imminent arrival, this evening’s encounter will be the last of Carrick’s short reign, and he’ll be keen to hand over their reins with three extra points in the bag.

Consequently, this is how Football FanCast expects the retired England midfielder to line up against the Gunners, with two changes from the side that featured from the off over the weekend…

In goal, David de Gea is set to keep his place between the sticks once again, adding to Dean Henderson’s frustrations as he’s forced to watch on from the sidelines.

Ahead of the Spanish shot-stopper is set to be a back four made up of Alex Telles, Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka due to Shaw and Varane’s enforced absences.

However, Carrick will have a tough call to make when it comes to his engine room options, with several players vying for a limited amount of starting berths.

The likes of Donny van de Beek and the £120,000-per-week Nemanja Matic will be eager to feature from the off after receiving game time in recent weeks, but a trio of Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes is the most likely setup.

And the interim manager also faces a selection headache when it comes to his star-studded forward line.

Carrick made the bold decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench against Chelsea, and he may do the same again against Arsenal, lining up with an extremely mobile and pacey front three of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.

And, in other news…Huge boost: Man Utd receive big injury lift ahead of AFC, Carrick will be delighted

Giovanni van Bronckhorst is closing in on his first transfer window at Ibrox in charge of Rangers as January is just around the corner.

The Dutch head coach joined the club in November and has not yet had the opportunity to bring in players of his own to stamp his identity on the playing squad.

Whilst it can be easy to get wrapped up in transfer rumours and get excited about the endless possibilities that come with a new signing, what must be remembered is that with every incoming comes with it the chance of a current player leaving.

Brutally axe

One Rangers dud who may find themselves on the chopping block next month is rotation forward Scott Wright, who has found game time hard to come by this season.

The Gers are reportedly interested in signing Icelandic winger Albert Gudmundsson. According to The Telegraph, the Scottish giants may look to snap him up on a pre-contract deal in January as his contract at AZ Alkmaar expires in the summer, with Celtic also said to be battling for his signature.

This means that Rangers could bring him in for £0 at the end of the campaign and his arrival could spell the end of Wright’s time at Ibrox.

The Scot has played 11 times for the club this term and only started three games in the Premiership, scoring one goal and providing zero assists as an attacker. In the Europa League, he has made three appearances and scored one goal – starting one match – whilst creating one chance in that time.

Gudmundsson, meanwhile, has scored four goals and provided two assists in 12 Eredivisie starts for Alkmaar this season. This comes after he managed seven goals and four assists in 25 league starts in the 2020/21 campaign, showing that he has the ability to both score and create goals.

AZ technical director Max Huiberts previously explained what type of player the beast is. The chief said: “Albert is a creative, technically skilled and fast player who has proven that he can play in different positions in the attack.”

Therefore, the signing of Gudmundsson could leave the £5.6k-per-week dud, Wright, being brutally axed from Rangers by van Bronckhorst. The Scottish youth international has not shown enough this season to prove that he can be an important player for the club and bringing another player in who plays in his position could leave him with no choice but to leave if he wants regular game time.

AND in other news, Big boost: Boxing Day selection update emerges that’ll leave Rangers fans buzzing…

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told Football FanCast that West Ham should go all out and sign Jesse Lingard on a permanent basis this summer.

The on-loan Manchester United attacker has enjoyed an incredible run of form since making the temporary switch from Old Trafford back in January.

Following his brace during West Ham’s victory at Aston Villa on his debut, the England international has been involved in eight goals in seven Premier League outings having started every game since joining the Hammers, bar the two games against United.

Lingard’s most recent contribution saw him open the scoring in impressive fashion against Arsenal on Sunday before setting up Jaren Bowen moments later to double West Ham’s advantage.

Unfortunately for Lingard, his first-team heroics counted for nothing after the Gunners produced a fine comeback from 3-0 down to claim an unlikely draw at the London Stadium.

Despite that disappointing setback, the Hammers remain fifth in the Premier League and are just two points behind the Champions League places heading into the international break.

And McAvennie has been thrilled with Lingard’s contribution both on and off the pitch since his arrival in east London.

He told Football FanCast:

“I would take that in a minute, I think he looks happy. When you find something you love doing, you never work a day in your life. The teams that I played in, we were all such good pals and had a good laugh, and the best piece of business West Ham done this season was getting rid of Haller. Someone forgot to tell him because he was never smiling!

“They didn’t look happy, but with this guy Lingard coming in all of a sudden the boys are happy. They’re playing guitars like they’re in a pop group. I love seeing that. It means they’re all together.

“If he’s happy, for £20-million, I would take that all day, I’d snap your hand off for him. If he’s happy at West Ham then I don’t see why it won’t be a match made in heaven.”

Leeds must win the race to sign Crystal Palace star Patrick van Aanholt in this summer transfer window amid reports linking him with a move elsewhere.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa’s side have got their eye on signing the Dutchman on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

However, Football Insider now claim that Galatasaray have offered a contract to Van Aanholt as they look to beat the Whites to his signing, with the Turkish giants also the team who have supposedly agreed a deal to land Leeds’ Gjanni Alioski.

Premier League proven

Van Aanholt is battle-hardened in English football, having played 209 times in the Premier League, and would surely be more of a guarantee in terms of hitting the ground running at Elland Road.

His more attacking style of play as a left-back is also right up Bielsa’s wheelhouse, with Gus Poyet, his former manager at Sunderland, saying: “You need to be really on top of him for his defensive duties and maybe have people around who can help him to maintain the mentality you need to defend. He’s a very offensive full back. He has an explosive ability to go forward and help the team to create chances.

“I would say use him as much as you can on the offensive side, and convince him to help with his defensive duties. But that’s his character. It is what it is. We can’t change that and he can’t be a different player than he is.”

The £55,000-a-week earning Dutchman would be a shrewd signing for Leeds given his Premier League experience and the fact he would arrive as a free agent once his contract expires.

It’s a deal which Victor Orta and co should be all over.

Meanwhile, Leeds must surely rue letting this star leave…

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will look to bring in some wide attacking players in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: A summer of change?

Villa have enjoyed a productive season overall, with the new manager slotting in nicely after replacing Dean Smith, even though results haven’t always been impressive.

Gerrard may well be seeking to continuously evolve his squad in terms of quality and depth, and it would be a surprise if some new faces didn’t arrive in the summer.

Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have already been sent out on loan and the 41-year-old may feel that both need to be sold permanently at the end of the season if they have no future under him.

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The Latest: Gerrard eyeing up summer signings

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O’Rourke claimed that signing at least one winger would be a key area of focus for Gerrard in the summer market, especially if they decide to offload El Ghazi and Trezeguet for good. The journalist said:

“Villa are probably going to lose a couple of wingers in the summer with El Ghazi out on loan at Everton and Trezeguet out on loan in Turkey.

“So, that’s two wingers who the club will most likely look to move on. So, it’s going to be an area that Steven Gerrard will be looking to strengthen as well.”

[freshpress-quiz id=“389386″]

The Verdict: Key area to target

The wide attacking positions certainly appear to be among Villa’s weakest areas of the pitch currently, with Gerrard lacking truly top-class options there who can consistently producing match-winning moments.

Leon Bailey and Emiliano Buendia have only scored three goals between them in 46 Premier League appearances combined this term, which simply isn’t a good enough return.

Liverpool and Manchester City are poster boys for having hugely productive wide players (think Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez), and while Gerrard clearly wouldn’t expect signings of that calibre, it would be ideal for Villa to bring in wide options who could be more prolific than the current crop.

In other news, a source has shared a key Villa transfer update. Read more here.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was the name on the lips of many Liverpool fans once again – but for all the wrong reasons.

The form of the 22-year-old has been incredibly up and down during the 2020/21 campaign, with him having averaged a match rating of just 6.77 from 19 Premier League appearances (Whoscored) prior to the Brighton game.

Alexander-Arnold found himself to be at fault for Brighton’s opener, having lost Dan Burn running in at the far post and he knocked the ball down Steven Alzate to fire home for the Seagulls.

This is not the first time that the England international has come under intense scrutiny this season. His performance against Southampton attracted a similar response at the beginning of January.

In what seems like a regular occurrence, supporters once again made their feelings clear towards Alexander-Arnold crystal clear, as you can see below.

Alexander-Arnold in the Kop’s bad books

“Trent has zero idea what’s going on behind him yet again. #LFC”

Credit: @AustrainRed

“Trent is so defensively naive”

Credit: @sammorris0_

“Trent seen him and then just left him”

Credit: @Kjones1892

“Shocking defending from Trent. Had a quick look and then decided it wasn’t worth his time to track the man at back post”

Credit: @ObiR07

“Trent a disgrace, so lazy”

Credit: @canuhackettlfc

“Trent is a crab”

Credit: @kj_1310

In other news, Star defender reportedly gutted as dream Anfield move collapsed on Deadline Day.

Watford are interested in a move to bring Josh Doig to Vicarage Road this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by the Watford Observer, who claim that the Hornets have opened talks with Scottish Premiership club Hibernian regarding the transfer of the £450,000-rated 19-year-old.

The report added that, although no price has been agreed between the two clubs as of yet, a figure of around £4m is expected to be enough to get a deal over the line for the Scotland under-19 international, who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Giaretta must move

Following the confirmation that Achraf Lazaar, who only joined up with Xisco Munoz’s side in February, will be leaving Vicarage Road at the end of his contract in the coming weeks, the Hornets appear to be in need of reinforcements at left-back ahead of their upcoming Premier League campaign, with only Adam Masina as an out-and-out option in the position at present.

Considering how impressive Doig was for Hibernian this season, it would very much seem as if the 19-year-old would be a hugely astute signing for Cristiano Giaretta to complete this summer.

Over his 28 Scottish Premiership appearances for Jack Ross’ side this season, the SFWA Young Player of the Year scored one goal, registered three assists and created two big chances, as well as helping his side to keep four clean sheets and averaging 0.8 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 1.1 clearances per game – culminating in an average SofaScore match rating of 6.65.

What makes these returns all the more impressive is just how young Doig still is, with the defender appearing to possesses enormous potential that he looks on course to fulfil in the coming years.

This is something with which Rangers manager Steven Gerrard clearly agrees as, following a fixture between the Gers and Hibs back in April, the 40-year-old stated his belief that Doig has “huge potential,” while his own manager claimed that he is already an “excellent” player.

As such, Giaretta should be doing all he can to get a deal over the line for Doig this summer, as the left-back is a player who could not only play a huge role in Watford’s future, but also in the club’s bid to remain a Premier League side beyond next season.

In other news: Watford gain huge transfer boost over “outstanding” £3k-p/w gem, Xisco will be buzzing – opinion

Leeds United are set to be handed a major boost as news emerges from Thorp Arch about some key work being undergone at the club’s training ground.

What’s the story?

After having to relay the pitch at Elland Road earlier last season due to the awful conditions, the Whites have now begun work on their training ground, with head groundsman at Thorp Arch, Stefan Jones, posting a picture on Twitter of the progress so far.

And in response, former Leeds man Noel Whelan spoke of just how important it is for the pitches at Thorp Arch to be in top condition and saying that it could give Bielsa a real advantage.

He said: “Our pitch is definitely getting dug up. They’re going to spend a lot of money on getting the surface right at Elland Road. I think when you think about the style of play that we like to play, it’s imperative that you get the pitches, training pitches, everything that’s going to give you that extra edge over other teams.

“The surface is a massive part of it, the way we play. We’re on the deck, we’re quick, we’re a very counter-attacking side. It is two or three passes that lead to a goal.

“You get a feel of it and for progression of players, this is what you need to have now. You know you need to have those standards set high on and off the field.

“That’s exactly what Leeds United are doing. They’re not going to leave any money in the bank not to give everyone that added advantage to play the style of football that’s been so attractive to watch.”

Bielsa will be relieved

Given the kind of football that Leeds like to play – fast, counter-attacking and slick on the ground – ensuring that their preparation ahead of the actual game at the weekend is done on surfaces that reflect a top-tier Premier League pitch will be much welcome.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

The state of the pitch at Elland Road came under a lot of scrutiny and there’s no questioning that Bielsa himself would not have been happy at how it turned out.

The fact that work is already being done back at Thorp Arch to ensure the training grounds are up to scratch, will give the Leeds boss a bit of confidence that the club are taking the right steps to ensuring things are much better prepared this time around.

Getting Thorp Arch in prime condition is a great start. Making sure Elland Road is the same will be the next step.

Meanwhile, Graham Smyth has dropped an exciting update…