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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dundee United learn Conference League draw fate as potential Rapid Vienna blockbuster lies in wait
United learned who they will face in the next round, should they advance, after today's draw in Nyon Dundee United will face either Decic from Montenegro or Austrian giants Rapid Vienna if they advance past UNA Strassen to reach the Conference League third qualifying round. Jim Goodwin 's team are back at the European table after their fourth-placed finish last term and face the Luxembourg minnows at Tannadice this Thursday before the return leg away from home next week. They are heavy favourites to advance and, if they do so, they have learned who lies in wait in the next round of qualifying. After today's draw in Nyon, United learned they will face either Montenegro minnows Decic or, more likely, Rapid if they make it through. It sets up a potential blockbuster draw for the Tangerines should they make it – and boss Goodwin is certainly confident of a win to take them through to the next round. He says his players are as fit as he's seen them after a pre-season camp in the Netherlands. He said: "It's a really important time in the season for us to bring the boys away, where we can spend some real quality time together, not just on the training pitch. "An opportunity like this to go abroad and for the players to be mingling all the time throughout the day, it's a good chance for them all to get to know each other really. "It's been double and triple sessions for the players, lots of fitness work but also a really good opportunity for me to get the message across to the players in terms of how we want to play. "The players are all desperate to get started now. Fitness wise they look fantastic, "I don't remember in the ten years of being a manager, working with a group of players so physically fit so early on. "There was a big emphasis on trying to reduce the age of the team but also to bring better athleticism to the squad, better mobility, better pace, all of these things really important to be able to handle the demands of our busy schedule. "I think we've put ourselves in a really strong position at this time." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers handed Luuk de Jong transfer hope as PSV fate 'sealed' while interest in wonderkid 'target' ramps up
The veteran striker is now a free agent and has been linked with a move to Ibrox Luuk de Jong appears to have played his final game for PSV Eindhoven after having the number nine shirt taken away from him. Netherlands international de Jong is out of contract with the Eredivisie title winners and has been touted as a potential target for Rangers. de Jong - once of Barcelona and Newcastle - had been training with PSV earlier this month on their return to pre-season training but did not travel with Peter Bosz squad for a camp in Germany. Ex Ajax boss Bosz is now resigned to losing his captain and has moved quickly to bring in a replacement for the 34-year-old in the form of Borussia Mochengladbach's. And de Jong's departure from the Eindhoven club has been all but confirmed with fellow striker Ricardo Pepi handed the number nine jersey by Bosz ahead of the coming season. The USA star missed the final four months of last season with injury but is relishing the responsibly that comes with the shirt number. Pepi also hopes that de Jong will make the 'best choice' as regards to his next move. Speaking to ESPN, he said: "It's a privilege. Many legends have worn this number at PSV. I'm taking on the challenge of writing my own history. "Yes, [Plea] is a great player, of course. But I'm a great player too. I think [him coming in] is a good thing. "There should always be competition. It keeps you sharp and that makes you a better player. "I don't want to bother him [De Jong] at the moment, because I know he's figuring out what career path he wants to take. "I'm sure the club has discussed it with him. I trust he'll make the best choice for himself. We've always had good conversations. We have a good relationship." Meanwhile, interest in reported Gers target Pierce Charles has been ramped up. Ibrox boss Russell Martin has hinted that he may look to bring in additional competition between the sticks for Jack Butland and Sheffield Wednesday star Charles is said to be on his radar. However, The Star report that the Light Blues will face competition from down south and in Europe for the 19-year-old's signature. Charles - who still has two years remaining on his contract with the Owls - made 13 appearances for Wednesday last season and has already won nine caps for Northern Ireland at senior level. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Louis Munteanu breaks Celtic transfer silence as striker names exactly when 'necessary' change will happen
Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is keen to add more goals to his side in the summer window In-demand Louis Munteanu insists he is happy at Cluj amid a reported £6.9million bid from Celtic. Brendan Rodgers has admitted he is keen to add more firepower to this summer despite the incoming arrival of Shin Yamada. And reports in Romania claim that the the Hoops have seen an offer of just under £6.9million booted out by the Transylvania based club - with the club holding out for a £15.5million. Having netted 25 goals last season, the Romania international got his season off to a scoring start in the Europa League qualifiers on Thursday night. The 23-year-old scored late on in the 3-0 first leg win over Paks, and said after the game: "I'm glad I came back in style, I'm happy for the team's victory, for the three goals scored and, most importantly, that we didn't concede a goal. "It was clear in the first half that they also have quality, but I don't think they are above us. I'm glad we managed to qualify, we had to do it, because we were the better team." Pressed on interest this summer with Lille and Nice also said to have expressed an interest, he said: "I don't know, you have to ask the team owner. "I don't know anything. Until there's something concrete, I'm not interested in words. I was behind in training, I'm fine now, I'm back and I think it was a little obvious that I'm not doing well. "I want to play in the Romanian championship, for the moment. When it will be necessary for me to go, we will see. "These things are beyond me. I feel very good here, I was appreciated from the first minute. I am a happy player here" As it stands, it appears a change in Cluj's stance would be the only thing that changes Munteanu's exit stance this summer. But Cluj owner Nelutu Varga is bullish about the chances of keeping the player in the Romania press. He said amid reports of a bid from Celtic: "I have clearly said that Louis Munteanu will only leave if someone pays €18million (£15.5million.) I am not discussing anything else." And boss Dan Petrescu is also desperate to keep the talisman at the club for next season. He said after the Europa League win: "Louis Munteanu will be almost irreplaceable. If we get a player who scores that many goals, it means we won the lottery." You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
There's a Celtic transfer theory that might just be proven wrong and I'm starting to get worried
Brendan Rodgers has been quick to cool expectations on some of Celtic's signings and Keith Jackson wonders why It's been taken as a given so far that Brendan Rodgers will eventually get his way in this transfer window. But the fact the boss has been so quick to distance himself from some of the signings Celtic have made is an early warning sign that might just not be the case. That's the view of Keith Jackson on tonight's Hotline Live who reckons the presumed 'two-tier' summer transfer strategy might not be everything it once seemed. The Hoops' rapid start to the window excited fans with the return of Kieran Tierney and the quickfire arrival of Benjamin Nygren, but it's since given way to a slate of project players – and Rodgers has been quick to cool expectations on some of them. He suggested Hayato Inamura, just in the door, would be a B-team player initially, and said this week he'd need to assess incoming striker Shin Yamada on the spot before deciding if he's first-team ready. There's been talk of a two-tier strategy all window – one slate of handpicked Rodgers signings who are first team ready, and another crew of project players to develop in the years ahead. But what if that's not going to be the case? That was the question posed by Jackson on tonight's live show as he said: "Do you know what's worrying me? It hasn't worried me up until this point, but it's starting to eat away at me... "You're always trying to think logically, because Brendan Rodgers is a deep thinker. He never says anything without thinking about it. Words don't jump out his mouth unless they've been vetted, processed and ticked off – everything is said for a reason. "If I'm Brendan Rodgers, and that's the way I conduct myself, I don't think I'd be needing to put so much distance between myself and the signings that have been made. "Because I'm perfectly relaxed. I know what's happening on the other side, I know that before the end of the window, I'm getting my way. I probably know exactly who the players are that I'm going to be bringing in; I actually don't need to publicly manoeuvre myself away from any responsibility from what's gone on in this transfer market. "That is why I'm starting to wonder, were we wrong to just assume that he'd get his way, and there would be a two-tiered signing strategy? What if it's a one-tier? "One size won't fit all on this one..."
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shayden Morris bids 'rejected' by Aberdeen as Dons stand firm despite £600,000 transfer offer from England
Luton Town are keen to sign the wnger but will have to stump up more cash tot empt the Scottish Cup winners into selling Luton have reportedly had two bids for Shayden Morris booted out by Aberdeen. The Hatters are targeting the wide man as they look to recover from back to back relegations, having dropped down from the Premier League then immediately into League One from the Championship. Sky Sports claim that they have twice been rebuffed in their pursuit of Morris, with the latest offer of £600,000 plus add-ons not enough to tempt the Scottish Cup winners into selling. Morris is entering the final year of his Dons contract and boss Jimmy Thelin admitted towards the end of last season that tentative discussions over a new deal had taken place and were positive. He said: 'We have a good dialogue with Shayden and he looks happy when he's here. 'That's the most important thing for me, that the players want to be here and believe in our journey. 'And we believe in the players. 'He's playing with a smile on his face which is good.' Morris himself had previously said he would like to stay with the club beyond next summer. 'Hopefully, yeah," he admitted. "I'm enjoying my time there. We'll see what happens. Yes, I'd be happy to speak, definitely.' You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
