Latest news with #Under-21
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Mathias Kvistgaarden waves Brondby farewell but Celtic hit with transfer blow as boss throws spanner in works
The striker appears to have played his last game for the Danish club, who finished third in the Superliga Mathias Kvistgaarden appeared to bid an emotional farewell to Brondby fans as the curtain fell on the Danish Superliga on Sunday night. The in-demand striker has been a long-term target for Brendan Rodgers and Celtic are expected to reignite their interest this summer. But the Scottish champions could face intense interest from other European clubs, with Kvistgaarden all but confirming he'll be leaving his beloved Brondby. The Denmark Under-21 international was given an incredible send off on Sunday night as Brondby ran out 3-2 winners away to AGF. Footage shared online captured supporters singing the homegrown star's name and unveiling a massive banner of the 23-year-old as Kvistgaarden showed his appreciation at full-time. And it could be the £11million-rated attacker's final appearance for the club as he looks set to take the next step in his career. However, in a bitter blow to Celtic, boss Benjamin Schmedes believes the 23-goal hitman is destined to play in one of Europe's top five leagues. Schmedes also confirmed that there are currently no offers on the table for Kvistgaarden as he opened the door on a big-money summer exit. He said: "We will look at it when there is something on the table that we can talk about. "We don't have that right now, so we are not saying goodbye to him yet. "We will sit down and look at the season, and then we will see what the transfer window brings. "That applies to Mathias and all the other players. "He is an interesting player for the five major leagues. It is not without reason that he was named player of the year, and there are many things that bigger clubs in the five major leagues could be interested in. "I will answer the phone when they call, and then we will see."
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clarke 'always had eye on' Hibs striker Bowie
Head coach Steve Clarke says he has "always had an eye on" Kieron Bowie after handing the Hibernian striker his first Scotland call-up. The 22-year-old forward has six goals in 22 appearances in all competitions for the Easter Road club this season after battling back from a hamstring injury he picked up on Under-21 duty. "He's had a good season, Kieron is one I've always had my eye on from the Under-21s," Clarke said after naming his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. "Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out. He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game. "Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players. "I keep talking about trying to get an overall bigger pool of players that we can select from and these games are a chance to look at one or two. "You're looking for somebody to catch your eye. You want competition between them. "That's why sometimes when you bring in some of the younger boys, the older boys are suddenly looking over their shoulder and thinking, 'aye, aye, he's thinking of something different'. It keeps them on their toes as well."
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Young Tigers headed for Liaoning and Chennai
KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior hockey team have received two invitations — to play against the Liaoning Province in China next month and in the All India Murugappa MCC Invitational in Chennai in July. Nor Saiful Zaini, who was appointed national junior coach last week, said Young Tigers need to play at least 50 matches in preparation for the Junior World Cup in India from Nov 28 to Dec 10. "We are happy to receive an invitation from Liaoning to play at least five matches and also to play a few more matches in a tournament in India. "We will also play one or two friendly matches with the teams that will feature in the Nations Cup in Bukit Jalil in June. We are also planning for a playing tour of Australia." Young Tigers will also play in the Under-21 Sultan of Johor Cup at Taman Daya Stadium from Oct 19-26. A total of 37 players have been selected for training under Nor Saiful. They started training on May 14. The training squad: Nor Syakir Saini, Irfan Abd Nasir, Hafiezuddin Ali, Nabil Irfan Yusof, Nor Daniel Nor Effendy, Azimuddin Shakir Kamaruddin, Shafiq Ammar Fahmi Suzaini, Aqil Danial Mat Ruslee, Danish Haikal Saufi, Ammar Qusyairi Abdul Halim, Atif Aqil Zubir, Shafy Shahymm Huzzeini Shahrul Azran, T. Naaveennash Paniker, Danish Irfan Saufi, Haziq Zunnurain Azhary, Alief Adha Akhbar, Shafiq Adam Harris Suzaini, Danish Aiman Khairul Anuar, Handzalah Abdul Hadi, Muaz Bashir Shabri, Khairul Norizam, Wan Arif Faizuddin Wan Ameer Ruzman, Aiman Safwan Hisham, Eswaran George, Amandeep Singh, S. Yashvindraa, Khairil Hakimi Zainol, Nischal Singh, Ghirejdish Singh, Amanraj Singh, Yadiy Saifuddin, Addy Jazmi Jamlus, Khairul Amirin Kamarul Azlan, Haziq Muizuddin Hairul Mizan, Safwan Salihe, Shazwan Shamsul, S. Karthikesan.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Ewood hero David Dunn on son Isaac's impressive season at Rovers
David Dunn says his son Isaac has had a 'great season' in Rovers' Academy but insists he the youngster must stay grounded through the 'ups and downs' of football. Isaac made his debut for the Under-21 side earlier this season at just 16 years of age and has since been named on the bench for the first team on a handful of occasions. 'He is still only 16, he's a young boy. But for a first-year scholar going into full-time football, I'd say he has had a great season,' his dad told The Football Faithful. 'He is a very technical player but, again, he's still got loads of growth yet. I am looking forward to watching him progress and see where it takes him because we all know that football is a really tough sport. 'There are going to be ups and downs, that is for sure. It is just about how he manages the negatives and hopefully he can have much more positives.' David is happy to leave the football side to Isaac's coaches at Rovers but is keen to pass on his experience off the pitch. 'I just think it's important for me to mentor him off the pitch. Hopefully, I can show him what I did wrong,' he joked. 'You have to be so dedicated now in football and live your life like an elite athlete should. Football will take care of itself. 'You have got to trust the managers and the coaches that they will look after him. You just have to support him and give good advice off the pitch.' Dunn had a spell as a coach at Rovers (Image: PA) Dunn previously coached in Rovers' Academy and was assistant manager of the Under-21 side at one stage, helping win the Premier League 2 Division Two title. He also had a spell working under Tony Mowbray with the first team squad. 'The best job I have ever had on this side of the fence was coaching at Blackburn U21s. It was a brilliant role," he reflected. 'I got so much enjoyment out of it. It is my club where I've been brought through, and watching players develop and take a similar path was extremely rewarding.' The Academy success has continued this season, with several youngsters making their senior debuts. Elsewhere, Adam Wharton could be involved in the FA Cup final this weekend they Crystal Palace take on Manchester City at Wembley. 'I like it when local players are given the opportunity when they come through the ranks,' Dunn added. 'I believe Blackburn have 700 consecutive appearances for having a graduate in the side and I think I was the first of those games. You see lads that have been at the club since eight or nine in the first team, which is brilliant. 'One great thing about the club is that they have always produced players, so hopefully that can continue for many years to come.'
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Brendan Rodgers lauds 'natural goalscorer' Johnny Kenny after finding the net for Celtic
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on Johnny Kenny after the Sligo native scored his first goal for the club in the 5-1 victory over Aberdeen on Wednesday. The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 striker marked his full Hoops debut with a second-half header to score Celtic's fourth at Pittodrie, while senior Boys in Green international Adam Idah also continued his excellent recent run in front of goal with the fifth - the Corkman's 20th in all competitions this season. Kenny, who started his career at Sligo Rovers and has had two productive loan spells at Shamrock Rovers, has now made seven league appearances for Celtic since the latter loan period ended ahead of the January window and manager Rodgers felt the goal was just rewards for his efforts. "Johnny, we're also pleased for because he works so hard, he is a natural goalscorer," Rodgers told Celtic TV. "I think when you see his movement for the goal, it's so, so good and everyone was delighted for him." Meanwhile, Rodgers criticised Aberdeen midfielder Pape Gueye for a "needless challenge" on Reo Hatate during the victory which comes a week and a half before the Scottish Cup final. Gueye's challenge on Hatate, who went off injured and had an ice pack just below his knee, that irked Rodgers. He said: "It was a needless challenge. The free-kick was given and the ball runs away - Reo's just relaxed and stopping it and the guy loses his head and just kicks through and block-tackles him, so hopefully it's not going to be too serious. "It was an outstanding performance. I'm very pleased, naturally. I've always said whatever changes I do make shouldn't affect the structure of the team. We have a way we want to play. The players have clarity on the structure and what we expect. "It all comes from a basis of real hard work and pressing which allows us to play at the tempo we want to." Asked if the result will have an impact when the sides meet again in the Scottish Cup final a week on Saturday, Rodgers added: "That's for Aberdeen. From my side, I'm really happy with the performance. For me this was still a big game for us and we did that."
