Rodgers reaches 800 games in management milestone
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South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Fresh energy the key for Wales at Rugby World Cup, says Neumann
Neumann's side face a decisive clash in their opener at the Salford Community Stadium, with the winner set to be well-placed to progress from Pool B, which also contains Fiji and Canada. Scotland ran out 24-21 winners in a tense encounter during the Six Nations last March, and Neumann expects another closely fought match in the white-hot heat of a World Cup. Defeat in Edinburgh five months ago was Wales' first match under the leadership of head coach Sean Lynn, who Neumann is enjoying working with. "He's just brought a different energy completely,' she said. 'We really respect him as a coach, you really want to go to war with him, you want to put out an 80-minute performance. 'I think the most important thing is physicality for us not just for the first 10 but for the 80 minutes. It's been very exciting to have him as a coach. 'Everyone's enjoying their rugby again. It is just an amazing feeling, it's the best the environment has ever been. It's an exciting place to be. "We're going into the game to win it. As you saw in our warm-up games in Australia, there's a lot of new talent. Lynnie has shown various combinations that could play. 'People are coming through, they've got a lot of flair, so it'll be exciting to see what we can bring. 'We're going to take each game step by step, tackle the first game then go onto the next.' Wales face Pool B favourites Canada following their match-up with Scotland, before rounding off against Fiji in Exeter. The Scotland side will be very familiar to most of the Wales squad, with the majority of both camps playing in Premiership Women's Rugby. It means there will likely be few surprises on Saturday, as both sides know exactly just how good their opponent can be. "Scotland and Wales has always been a close encounter, the last couple of games are really tight, so it's going to be down to fine margins,' added Neumann. 'It's going to be down to the team that is on form on the day. It's going to be a battle for sure. It's going to be competitive, no one can go into that complacent. "You have exciting players in the Scotland team, we have the same, so it's a massive battle, challenging. 'Even if you're winning, 10 points ahead you just can't take your foot off the gas, it's an absolute battle to the 80th [minute].' Neumann will bring up her 50th cap for Wales against Scotland, and the wing reflected on her long journey to get to this point in her career. "It's amazing to be here at the World Cup but to be able to play and get your 50th is just extra special,' she said. 'To be at a World Cup and to be with all your friends is amazing so it feels a bit surreal, but even all of my friends are wondering how you have managed this, your next game could be your 50th. "I never thought I'd get to 50 with all the miles, when I lived in Manchester and travelled down to Cardiff, and equally I'm in London now so I still do that time in the car. 'It's been a massive challenge and there's been highs and lows but I'm in an environment now where everyone gets on so well. "The biggest thing that has helped in all of that is how close and connected we are as a group. "We've all been through it but to have your friends by your side through it and keep you going really does make a difference.' With more than 330,000 tickets already sold, and prices starting at just £5 for children and £10 for adults, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets now via
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Celtic left with plenty to do after goalless stalemate with Kairat Almaty
In Brendan Rodgers' 800th match as a manager, there was no traditional early onslaught by the Hoops as the accomplished Kazakh side more than matched their hosts. However, with Yang Hyun-jun on for Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda moving to centre forward at the start of the second half, Celtic stepped up the pace and piled on the pressure in the later stages but could not find a way through despite 10 added minutes. All to play for in Kazakhstan.#CelticKairat | #UCL | #CelticFC🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 20, 2025 After Saturday's home William Hill Premiership game against Livingston, Celtic will get ready for the return leg in Kazakhstan next Tuesday night which involves a 7,000-mile round trip knowing qualification requires perhaps more work than many anticipated. Much of the build-up to the game was centred on if and when Rodgers would add to his squad for the European campaign. There were no late signings, but Rodgers made six changes to his side, with Kasper Schmeichel, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren and Idah returning and Viljami Sinisalo, Dane Murray, Auston Trusty, Arne Engels, Luke McCowan and Johnny Kenny dropping out. Rafael Urazbakhtin stressed his side were playing for the glory of Kazakhstan and the Kairat head coach was pinning a lot of hopes on 17-year-old Chelsea-bound Dastan Satpayev. The visitors settled early and in the 11th minute captain Aleksandr Martynovich had the ball in the Hoops net from close range but was offside. With Satpayev influential, Kairat attacked fluidly and at pace on the counter, dampening the mood of the expectant home support. In the 32nd minute, Celtic defender Alastair Johnston pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury as he backtracked and was taken from the field on a stretcher, replaced by Anthony Ralston. Moments later, Kairat goalkeeper Alexandr Zarutskiy saved from Maeda when Celtic at last got through, but at the other end Ofri Arad's powerful drive flew just wide of Schmeichel's post. Yang for Idah for the start of the second period and Maeda moving central was no surprise and within a minute Yang set up James Forrest, whose shot was touched onto a post and then gathered by Zarutskiy. In the 58th minute, after some sloppiness by Carter-Vickers in the Hoops defence, Brazilian striker Edmilson tried a speculative shot from 40 yards and it landed on the roof of Schmeichel's goal. Celtic's corner count mounted but to no avail and Hoops fans – perhaps also frustrated by a lack of transfer activity – began singing 'sack the board' as the game moved into the final quarter. In the 75th minute, after sustaining an injury defending a corner, Zarutskiy had to be replaced by understudy Temirlan Anarbekov and he had his head bandaged and covered by a protective cap after taking a knock. The visitors, though, were wasting time at every opportunity and 10 added minutes gave Celtic scope, but Maeda spurned a gift when he ran through alone and could only manage a tame shot which was easily saved by Anarbekov and there were boos at the end from irate supporters.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers: ‘Sack the board' normally means ‘sack the manager'
Much of the build-up to the game at Parkhead was centred on if and when Rodgers would further bolster his squad for the European campaign, but there were no late signings. It was a frustrating night for the Hoops and in the second half fans, also frustrated by a lack of transfer activity, chanted 'sack the board' and aimed their ire at chief executive Michael Nicholson and chairman Peter Lawwell, while there were further chants and boos after the game. Rodgers said: 'I think it was pretty clear. You didn't need to look into the future too far. 'You know these games are tough games and you want to have your best players in and have players in as quick as you can to tackle these sorts of situations. 'But listen, it is what it is and I just have to accept where it's at and we'll now get ready for Saturday and then the long haul on Sunday. 'Then we'll try and get through on Tuesday.' Asked about the fans' reaction, the Northern Irishman said: 'I do know that, over many years, 'sack the board' normally means 'sack the manager'. 'It's normally the manager that goes when that starts to be sung. 'I can only really look at the players we have here, and the performance. 'We've known for a long time what we've needed as a squad, so I don't want to go into that. 'Of course, at the end of the game, we're having to shuffle things about to try and make it work. 'The players are out of position, but the players' endeavour in the second half was really good. 'But at this level, it's more than that. So hopefully we can show that. 'The boys are a great bunch of lads, they're really honest. They've started the season well. 'Defensively, they've been strong. But tonight, offensively, we just couldn't show those moments of quality to break through. 'We need to improve the squad. There was clarity around that for a long time. 'So we see that. I think supporters see that. We certainly do in football. We need to improve. 'This is a performance club. This is a club that has to perform. And that starts on the field. You do that with getting the very best players you possibly can to allow you to perform.'
