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The unthinkable Celtic scenario that could prove final straw for Rodgers as Hotline see familiar Rangers story

The unthinkable Celtic scenario that could prove final straw for Rodgers as Hotline see familiar Rangers story

Daily Recorda day ago
Alan Galindo manned the phones as the fallout from the weekend and Tony Bloom's Hearts comments spark debate on the lines.
A potential Champions League scenario could play out that one caller reckons would be the final straw for Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic fans have been craving transfers as much as their boss, and after discovering they could potentially come up against Slovan Bratislava and one-time target David Strelec, the unthinkable has come into question.

Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said:"It's turned out Celtic have landed a favourable draw by the possibility of playing old foes Slovan Bratislava. I just hope that a nightmare scenario doesn't unfold if that's who we get. That being one time target David Sterlec puts us to the sword over the two legs. That would be the final straw for Rodgers with Celtic not prepared to pay the asking price, and his exit would all be rubber-stamped."

Russell Martin grabbed the headlines over the weekend after his astonishing TV blast at his Rangers stars. As the Light Blues conceded in the final minutes, the Hoops did the opposite to find a way to win 24 hours later.
It means it is another opening weekend without maximum points at Ibrox with the men from Govan already playing catch up after just one game.
Martin's filleting has been debated by punters, radio shows and in the TV studio and it has now reached the Hotline.

John Spence, South Ayrshire, said:"With minutes to go in the weekend games, Celtic scored a winner whilst we conceded an equaliser. That basically says it all, over the last four seasons, whilst they grind it out, we've become so used to failing to win league games it's now become second nature.
"With new owners we expect a new mentality. What Saturday showed is that playing the same old serial losers will change nothing. And patience amongst the fans is now at an all-time low.
"So give the new guys their head, let's attack, concentrate on scoring goals rather than attempting to defend slender leads. Give us something to get excited about, after years of disappointment, it's the least we deserve."

Gazza Hall, Corby said:"Russell Martin stated this is happening season after season with certain players. Well, why are you sticking by them when you already know this? Why are the new board so slow to hire and fire? Nothing changes then nothing changes!"
Peter Cooperwhite emailed:"I'm all for managers calling out players. but Russell Martin in this case you need to call yourself out as the team selection against Panathinaikos in the first leg we rode our luck then in the second leg the same team and same tactics and rode our luck.
"Long season ahead if every game is going to pan out like these ones. And playing Nico Raskin out of position is crazy; he was running that midfield last season. "

Bud Hay, Dumfries said:"Rangers got what they deserved. Another couple of games like that and they will be hunting another manager. Also, the champions did not play well, but we got three points, and that's what it's all about, playing catch-up after one game. Bring it on, champions are waiting for you."
One man who sparked chat was Tony Bloom after he sent a bullish warning to Celtic and Rangers.

The Hearts after ploughing £10million into the Tynecastle club.
Cameron Hall, Edinburgh: "While Tony Bloom didn't actually say that the Old Firm's domination was over, I very much hope he turns out to be correct in suggesting this might be possible. And, to be fair, this is no longer the challenge it would previously have been. After all, Rangers' domination of Scottish football is already over, and has been for quite some time now."
Davy Cook, Edinburgh said:"Good to see the big Edinburgh team back where they belong, I'm sure things are going to start to BLOOM over the course of the season."
The last word goes to Neil Renton, Leith, who cracked: "It's a pity the Edinburgh Festival has stopped running its funniest joke told during The Fringe contest as this year there would be only one victor. Tony Bloom saying Hearts will win the league within the next 10 years had me in stitches. I suppose he didn't say it was The Championship, did he?"
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Premier League 2025-26 preview No 7: Chelsea
Premier League 2025-26 preview No 7: Chelsea

The Guardian

time3 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

Premier League 2025-26 preview No 7: Chelsea

Guardian writers' predicted position: 4th (NB: this is not necessarily Michael Butler's prediction but the average of our writers' tips) Last season's position: 4th Securing Champions League qualification on the last day of the Premier League season and an unlikely Club World Cup triumph have transformed the club, their finances and ambitions for 2025-26. Chelsea stayed relatively under the radar for much of the Club World Cup – in part because of their relatively kind route to the later stages – but their commanding 3-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the final means they are again regarded as a potentially dominant European force and perhaps even as contenders for the Premier League title. That is if Chelsea are ready – mentally, physically and tactically – for the new season. By the time Chelsea played the Club World Cup final on 13 July, nearly every other Premier League side had started their pre-season. Since then, while Liverpool, Arsenal and co have been hard at work, the players have had three weeks off and returned on Monday, with two friendly matches, two days apart, scheduled before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on 17 August. To say Chelsea are playing catch-up is a severe understatement. That said, this is probably the most exciting period for Chelsea since the Champions League triumph in 2021. With the exception of goalkeeper and possibly centre-back, Enzo Maresca has a claim to having two elite players in every position and he could yet add further depth with Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho heavily linked. Departures will be needed to trim the fat and balance the books – Chelsea were given a €31m (£27m) fine last month by Uefa for breaking financial rules – but few would argue against them having the deepest squad in the league and one of Maresca's biggest challenges will be maintaining harmony and continuity, on and off the pitch. Last season, the Conference League was a useful chance to rest and rotate players. The Champions League will not be so accommodating. As recently as April, Maresca was at odds with the Chelsea fans and appeared to blame a negative environment at Stamford Bridge for a 2-2 home draw with Ipswich that left top-five hopes fading fast. But five wins from the final six league games secured fourth place, saving Chelsea's season and possibly Maresca's job. 'They were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough,' he said. 'Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong. So in English, how do you say? Eff-off to all of them.' Chelsea's Club World Cup triumph – and the tactical masterclass by Maresca in the final to neutralise PSG's front three and create pockets of space for Cole Palmer – means he will get a very different reception at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea's league opener. Chelsea's much-maligned financial gymnastics of recent years – the eight-year contract amortisation (a loophole closed by Uefa), the sale of their hugely successful women's team (to their own parent company) and their rampant use of multiclub ownership and the loan system – have infuriated rivals and allowed them to assemble one of the deepest, youngest, most talented squads around. In the Todd Boehly era, Chelsea have spent more than £1.5bn and the club face an additional €60m fine from Uefa if they fail to comply with regulations over the next four years. A bigger stadium would help, but what Chelsea do with Stamford Bridge remains unclear; the 40,044-capacity ground is not easily developed given challenges ranging from the freehold to a nearby railway line. A move to Earl's Court has been mooted. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Estêvão was courted by PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich and is widely regarded as the biggest talent to come out of Brazil since Vinícius Júnior. The 18-year-old's performances at the Club World Cup – including a brilliant strike for Palmeiras against Chelsea in the quarter-final – suggests that the summer arrival is already world class. Players swooned over the teenager at the final whistle in Philadelphia – 'I told Estêvão: 'We are excited for you to join' but he didn't understand a single word I said,' Palmer said after swapping shirts with the £52m signing. Capable off both wings or as a No 10, the slender Estêvão will want to impress the former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, now of Brazil, before the World Cup next summer. 'He potentially can be a top defender for this club,' Maresca said of Josh Acheampong after the defender's performances at the Club World Cup prompted whispers that several clubs in England and Europe were tracking the teenager. How the 19-year-old fits into Maresca's plans remains to be seen, but his versatility, 6ft 3in stature and composure enabled him to enjoy a breakthrough year with 13 first-team appearances. Naturally a right-back or a centre-back but capable of playing anywhere across the backline, Acheampong joined Chelsea as an under-eight and signed a new five-year contract in 2024. 'The clubs that were mentioned, they like Josh, but we also like Josh,' Maresca said. 'The best plan for Josh is to be with us.' Roméo Lavia. The 21-year-old's quality is not in question. Chelsea are a better side with Lavia, more fluid and press-resistant, and he was sensational in a 3-1 win against Liverpool in May when he completed 100% of his passes. Maresca even moved Moisés Caicedo to right-back to accommodate Lavia alongside Enzo Fernández at the back end of last season, but concerns remain over the Belgian's fitness. After a first year when he managed 32 minutes in 2023-24, another injury-hit campaign followed, starting 11 league games. Another year on the sidelines could spell trouble, particularly as Chelsea have Caicedo, Fernández, Dário Essugo, the impressive Andrey Santos and perhaps Reece James competing for two spots in defensive midfield in Maresca's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Son Heung-min admits Los Angeles FC move was not his first choice
Son Heung-min admits Los Angeles FC move was not his first choice

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Son Heung-min admits Los Angeles FC move was not his first choice

At an introductory press conference in Los Angeles, the South Korea international admitted he had to be persuaded of the merits of moving to the United States before signing an initial two-year deal. New Beginnings ☀️ Welcome to Los Angeles, Sonny! — LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025 'They've been absolutely working so hard to get me here to join LAFC,' Son said. 'If I'm honest it was not my first choice but John (Thorrington, LAFC general manager) was the first call when the season finished and John changed my mind, he changed my heart. 'I'm so happy to see all the Korean fans, I was at the game and I saw you supporting like crazy and I wanted to run on the pitch and show my performance. I'm here to win and I will perform. 'I will definitely show you something exciting in… are we calling it football or soccer? I will definitely show you some exciting football and we will have success.' Son added that the decision to leave Spurs had left him feeling 'very empty'. 'I felt like I gave it all, but I felt like I needed a new chapter and new challenge and I chose LAFC. I'm old but I still have good physicality, good legs and I still have good quality.' Earlier Son had issued an heartfelt message to Tottenham fans on making the 'hardest decision ever' to leave north London. 'How to find the right words for this? I don't know. I have been thinking for days. It's impossible. But here I go,' Son wrote. 'It's time for me to say goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur. My home for the past decade. When I arrived in 2015, I didn't speak English, I didn't know London, but you welcomed me with open arms, believed in me, and stood by me through every high and low. 'I was just a boy from Korea with big dreams who was supposed to have no chance. And now, 10 years later, North London is in my heart forever. Dear Spurs fans… Sonny's letter to you 🤍 — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) August 6, 2025 'I've made friends for life here, had the honour of becoming a godfather here, and had the privilege of captaining our special club here. I've poured my heart and soul into this club, which makes this the hardest decision ever. 'I thought if I was ever going to leave, it would have to be on my terms, on the best terms, when our mission had been accomplished together. With pride and honour.' Son joined Spurs in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen. Alongside old partner in crime Harry Kane, Son holds the record for the most goal involvements by a duo in the Premier League, with the pair assisting each other on a record 47 occasions in the competition. Son's performance helped turn Tottenham into title contenders when they finished second in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino in 2017, finishing as runners-up in the Champions League two years later. After Kane left for Bayern Munich, Son became Spurs captain under Ange Postecoglou, lifting the Europa League trophy in May – having come off the bench in the final against Manchester United, a 1-0 Spurs win, after an injury-affected campaign. The popular South Korean will renew acquaintances with Hugo Lloris and move to Los Angeles, which boasts one of the largest Korean populations in the world, ahead of next summer's World Cup in the United States.

Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man as Celtic told to 'raise' bid for Serie A star
Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man as Celtic told to 'raise' bid for Serie A star

Scotsman

time2 hours ago

  • Scotsman

Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man as Celtic told to 'raise' bid for Serie A star

Latest transfer news and speculation across Scottish football Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here is your Wednesday evening Scottish football transfer bulletin including interest in Scotland midfielder John McGinn, new names linked with Rangers and Celtic, Hibs bidding to sign a Zambian internationalist and Hearts making their ninth signing of the summer. John McGinn wanted Newcastle are reportedly weighing up a move for Aston Villa captain John McGinn. Eddie Howe is keen to bolster his midfield options after Sean Langstaff was sold to Leeds for £12million. And according to the Daily Mail, the Magpies boss has placed McGinn high on his list of targets. The Scotland midfielder, who has two years left on his contract, has already been the subject of interest from Everton. Villa boss Unai Emery does not want to lose his skipper, but Villa need to sell players this window with the report insinuating that McGinn could be ready for a fresh challenge after seven years in Birmingham. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Aston Villa captain John McGinn has emerged as a transfer target for Newcastle. | Getty Images Rangers eye La Liga ace and 39-cap Arsenal man Rangers have been linked with another two transfer targets after making winger Oliver Antman their ninth signing of the window earlier this week as Russell Martin's summer rebuild continues. Reports in Spain have credited the Ibrox side with an interest in Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy. Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell are said to be keen to sign the 20-year-old Frenchman, but a deal is not close as things stand. Mendy, a 6ft 2in left-sided centre-back, joined Betis from Paris FC in 2023 but has featured mostly for the B team, making only five first-team appearances. He was set to join PSV Eindhoven earlier this summer before the move break down to the Dutch side using up their quota for foreign imports. Rangers could still face competition for Mendy though with Rayo Vallecano and Club Brugge also credited with an interest in the defender. The Light Blues have also been linked with a move for 23-year-old Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein. The 36-times capped Estonia international spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid and is also said to be on the radar of La Liga side Sevilla. His only first-team appearance for Arsenal came in a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in the EFL Cup almost three years ago. Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy (left) is a reported transfer target for Rangers. (Photo by) | Getty Images Gunn signs for Forest Nottingham Forest have signed Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn on a one-year deal following his release from Norwich. Gunn, 29, who featured in every game for Scotland at Euro 2024, made 35 appearances for Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship last season and 172 in total during two spells at his hometown club. Forest said: 'Nottingham Forest is pleased to confirm the signing of Angus Gunn, who has signed a one-year-deal. Everyone at the club warmly welcomes Angus to the Forest family.' Gunn signed his first professional contract at Manchester City having started out at Norwich and also had a spell at Southampton before returning to Carrow Road in 2021. He has been capped 16 times by Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad United striker departs Dundee United striker Jort van der Sande has returned to the Netherlands to join second-tier side SC Cambuur on a permanent transfer. The 29-year-old forward failed to score in 35 appearances during his sole season at Tannadice. A club statement read: 'Everyone at Dundee United would like to thank Jort for his professionalism, commitment and contributions during his time in tangerine, as we extend our best wishes for his future endeavours.' Celtic must 'raise' bid for Serie A star Celtic have been credited with an interest in Slovakia international Adam Obert. Sardinian outlet L'Unione Sarda report that the Scottish champions have already made contact with Serie A side Cagliari regarding a potential transfer fee for the 22-year-old defender, with an initial proposal rejected. The report states: "The Slovakian defender, on the other hand, is wanted by Celtic, but even the champions of the last Scottish Premier League failed to reach the right figures to reach an agreement. A raise will be necessary to see them leave." A report in the Daily Record also claims that Celtic remain interested in Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, with a possible return to the Japanese market also mooted following the summer arrivals of Shin Yamada and Hayato Inamura. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adam Obert of Cagliari is a reported transfer target for Celtic. (Photo by) | Getty Images Hibs target Zambian midfielder Hibs are reportedly attempting to sign BSC Young Boys midfielder Miguel Chaiwa. The 21-year-old midfielder, who can also deputise in defence, has 11 caps for the Zambia national team. He has played in the Champions League with the Swiss club, featuring as a substitute against Celtic last season, but looks set to leave after being left out of the matchday squads for his club's opening two league fixtures. According to Hibs Observer, Hibs have entered negotiations with Young Boys over a move for Chaiwa, with French side Montpellier also credited with an interest. Hearts finally land Kabore Derek McInnes is confident Pierre Landry Kabore can build on his prolific stint in Estonia after the Burkina Faso forward was finally able to complete his transfer to Hearts on a three-year contract. The 24-year-old arrived in Edinburgh last month after the Jambos agreed a deal to sign him for an undisclosed fee, but he had to endure a longer wait than envisaged to get his work permit and was unable to feature in Monday's William Hill Premiership opener against Aberdeen. Hearts announced on Wednesday that the signing of Kabore, who made his international debut earlier this year, had now been formalised. McInnes was looking forward to being able to utilise a player who accumulated 33 goals and 10 assists in his 51 matches since moving to Estonian top-flight club JK Narva Trans from SOL FC of Ivory Coast at the start of 2024. 'It's obviously taken a bit longer than we'd have liked to get Landry in but he's here now and I'm pleased to get it done,' the manager told Hearts' website. His stats over the past couple of seasons speak for themselves so we're hoping he'll bring something a bit different to what we've currently got in our forward areas. He's a big, mobile guy and very adaptable in that he can play across the front, so that versatility is a big plus. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad

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