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Loads of Rangers fans have been reacting to some positive news from the club, as the reserve side came from two goals down to beat a strong Hibernian XI on Monday.

Rangers have fallen behind in the title race since the beginning of March, as Steven Gerrard’s side have struggled to turn dominance of the ball into goals and wins.

Still though, there is a real feeling that Gerrard’s reign is a work in progress, a work that is going to bring success eventually.

Former Wigan & Fulham man, Jimmy Bullard recently showed that he’s still got it! Check out the video below…

The gaffer will look to trim and reshape his squad again this summer after a busy transfer window last year, but could he have some gems in the youth set-up that will save him some money?

The young Gers played a Hibs side with several first team players in it on Monday, and Glenn Middleton’s first half brace levelled things up after Hibs had shot out to an early 2-0 lead.

Stephen Kelly then decided the game with an inch-perfect free kick, and fans are heaping praise on their youngsters.

Could the likes of Middleton, Kelly and Cameron Palmer, who captained the side, make an impact in the first team next year? The Twitter reactions down below are impressed…

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BBC pundit Garth Crooks has, as always, written his ‘Team of the Week’ column, and he has thrown up some interesting points yet again.

Crooks discussed all things from the title race down to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s impact at Southampton, but one statement on Jordan Henderson’s current situation at Liverpool hit home harder than any other points.

The Reds beat Chelsea 2-0, returning to the top of the table in doing so, with Henderson putting in a ‘Man of the Match’ performance to help his side earn all three points.

What did Crooks say?

Henderson has only recently been reinstated into the starting line-up on a more regular basis after a chat with Klopp over his position in the team, and he has put his money where his mouth is with some inspirational displays.

Are the media letting Jurgen Klopp off lightly for his lack of silverware? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have their say in the video below…

After his showing against the Blues, in which he set up Sadio Mane’s opener, Crooks wrote: “If Liverpool do happen to win the title, the return to form of Jordan Henderson will have had a lot to do with it.

“How much credit Jurgen Klopp will take for that remains to be seen. It was Klopp who dropped Henderson – harshly in my view – but the reaction of the Liverpool captain has been quite remarkable.”

How much credit does Klopp deserve?

None. It was Henderson who walked into the German’s office, told Klopp that he felt he performs better as a No.8 – pointing to his recent displays with England as proof – and forced his boss’ hand.

Now Henderson has put in three excellent performances in the role against Southampton, Porto and Chelsea, meaning there is no way that Klopp can have even a shred of the acclaim for the England international’s upturn in form.

The former Borussia Dortmund manager even apologised for playing Henderson as a No.6 for the past couple of years, but revealed that he ‘had to’ as no other player could.

Fabinho has been at the club for nearly a year however, so if Klopp was waiting for a No.6 to arrive before restoring Henderson to his favoured role why has he delayed such a switch until the final month of the campaign?

Henderson deserves 100% of the credit for speaking up, and even more credit for delivering the performances to match his belief in his own ability.

تحدث بيدرو مارتينيز مدرب أولمبياكوس عن هزيمتهم مساء أمس أمام مانشستر سيتي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

واستضاف ملعب الاتحاد مباراة الفريقين في الجولة الثالثة من دور المجموعات، حيث خسر أولمبياكوس بثلاثة أهداف دون رد. أهداف مانشستر سيتي وأولمبياكوس

وقال بيدرو مارتينيز في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي لليويفا: “شعرت بخيبة أمل كبيرة من ما قدمناه في الشوط الأول، لقد ظهرنا خائفين، لم نلاحق الكرة، احترمنا منافسينا كثيرًا”.

وأضاف: “لكن في الشوط الثاني كنا نلعب بطريقتنا المعهودة، كنا أفضل، واستحوذنا بشكل أكبر، ووجدنا أنفسنا”.

وواصل: “في غضون ثلاثة أسابيع في بيرايوس (معقل أولمبياكوس) إذا استطعنا اللعب كما فعلنا اليوم في الشوط الثاني، فسنكون قادرين على تحقيق شيء أكثر في المباراة”.

وتابع: “عندما نلعب حسب قدراتنا، يمكننا تحقيق نتائج جيدة، ولكن ليس إذا لعبنا كما فعلنا في الشوط الأول”.

Aston Villa fans must feel like they’re dreaming right now as their side are currently on an unbelievable run in the Championship. Although, their recent rise in form won’t mean anything if they fail to go one better than last season. 

The Villans have relished having Jack Grealish back in the side as he’s spearheaded the Midlands club’s push for a play-off place and they now look like achieving it.

However, fans will be rather anxious in the summer transfer window, especially if they fail to secure promotion, as according to The Mirror, Spurs, West Ham and Bournemouth are all interested in Jack Grealish.

Indeed, losing the midfielder really would be the end of the world as he’s the heart and soul of the club and fans have grown to adore him at Villa Park. It’s safe to say that Grealish is a once in a lifetime player in the eyes of many Aston Villa fans and he’s not even reached his full potential yet.

It would take something special to replace him.

Interestingly, Dean Smith may already have Villa’s next Jack Grealish at his fingertips.

Callum O’Hare is from the same town as Grealish and they share many of the same traits. Both players love to get forward and make things happen, as well as being able to chip in with a goal every now and again. Also, the 20-year-old loves to keep the ball close to his body to commit players and he uses his turn of pace to get past them.

Of course, the youngster is a long way off becoming the player Grealish is but he certainly has the potential to follow in his footsteps and he’s shown he can score and create this season by producing four goals and three assists in all competitions for both Carlisle and Aston Villa’s Under-23 side.

Aston Villa fans, do you think O’Hare has what it takes to become the next Jack Grealish? Join the discussion by commenting down below!

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A few weeks ago Leeds United looked to be favourites to finish in second in the Championship table.

However, heading into the final game of the season finishing in fourth is a real possibility for the Whites, but that may not be the end of the world.

On the chalkboard

With Derby County drawing against Swansea on Wednesday night their spot in the playoffs is now up in the air as they travel to the Hawthorns on the final day of the season.

For Leeds to finish fourth they would have to lose against Ipswich and West Brom would need to beat Derby. Which would leave the door open for Boro to sneak into the playoffs as they travel to already relegated Rotherham.

The Whites come up against Ipswich Town on Sunday, and they will have to lose that game if they are to finish fourth, but that may be the preferable route if West Brom and Middlesbrough both win.

Avoid Middlesbrough at all costs

Playing Tony Pulis’ side over two legs would be the worst outcome possible for Marcelo Bielsa.

Of all the teams in the running for the playoffs, Boro are the only side the Whites have been unable to beat all season, their systems clash in a way that favours the north-east club.

Middlesbrough’s defensive resilience can frustrate Leeds no end. Patrick Bamford will be missing for the first leg so their attacking threat will already be reduced and on top of this, they have been the most wasteful team in the league in recent weeks.

If the Whites are to win in the playoffs, they will have to create chance after chance and against Boro that will be almost impossible.

Finishing fourth would set up a semi-final clash with Aston Villa, a team who Leeds have extra motivation to beat after their last meeting.

On top of this Bielsa knows how to nullify the Midlands club’s main threat. Jack Grealish had an incredibly quiet game the last time the two sides met as Kalvin Phillips didn’t allow him to play his own game.

The likely scenario is that Leeds finish third and if Derby end up in the playoffs on Sunday that would be their preferred matchup.

Though if this weekend plays out in a way that leaves the Whites in fourth it may be favourable if it means avoiding Middlesbrough.

There cannot be too many players in Middlesbrough’s illustrious history who can rival the impact that Stewart Downing has made during his 12-year association with the club.

The former England international burst onto the footballing scene as a teenager with the Smoggies and went on to help his side win their first ever major trophy in 2004 as they defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-1 in the League Cup before eventually leaving the Riverside Stadium five years later to join Aston Villa.

After spells at Liverpool and West Ham United, Downing moved back to North Yorkshire in 2015 and has since made over 150 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club.

However, despite being worshipped by the club’s supporters for his contributions over the years, it may be time for Tony Pulis to bring in a replacement for the 34-year-old in the summer as he has been relatively ineffective this season.

With Boro being linked with a swoop for Celtic winger Scott Sinclair, (according to The Sun), it could be worth bringing in him, especially when you consider that he will be available for a cut-price fee in the summer despite the reigning Scottish champions opting to trigger a one year extension to his current deal on Thursday (via the Scottish Sun).

Since moving to the Hoops in 2016, the 30-year-old has arguably enjoyed the best spell of his career to date and has been extremely impressive this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions whilst also providing six assists for his team-mates.

Having been part of a Celtic side who have dominated football in Scotland in recent years, the £3.6m-rated ace (via Transfermarkt) may be seeking a new challenge.

Therefore, regardless of what division they find themselves in next season, Boro should do all they can to convince him to move south of the border as he could provide the attacking threat that they have been missing this year.

What do you think Smoggies fans? Should Pulis try to secure the services of Sinclair in the summer? Or should he steer clear of the 30-year-old? Let us know below.

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According to The Sun, Roy Hodgson is keen on making Jordan Ayew’s loan move at Crystal Palace permanent this summer having surely been impressed with his utility – a deal which will set the Eagles back just £4m.

With top flight status for the 19/20 season all but confirmed, Hodgson is looking forward to next term and plans to make the Ghanaian his first signing. It’s a move that’s been met with mostly negative reaction from the Selhurst Park faithful, although perhaps they’re looking at this the wrong way.

What’s the word?

Well, The Sun reports that Palace believe the striker, who has netted just once for them in the league, would make a solid squad player – his current role in the team is as much.

The former Aston Villa man might not have got the goals he and his Palace colleagues would have been hoping for, but he has impressed with his tireless work-rate. These Eagles fans are all too familiar with misfiring strikers though, and would be opposed to the 27-year-old remaining at SE25 beyond the summer:

Why it’s a smart move

With Christian Benteke getting further away from the goals and Michy Batshuayi set to return to Chelsea after his loan deal expires, Palace will undoubtedly be on the hunt for a striker once again this summer, although the fans mustn’t be fooled into thinking that Hodgson sees Ayew as the solution.

If The Sun is correct, the number 14 will be nothing more than a back-up, perhaps even third or fourth string, and for just £4m he could be a real bargain. He has proved in previous spells with Swansea and Villa that he can score goals in the top flight and if Palace are to spend frugally once again this summer, then he’s a smart buy for the price.

There’s some exciting changes happening at Crystal Palace next summer. Find out what in the video below…

What do you think, Palace fans? Would you be happy signing Ayew for £4m? Let us know in the comments below…

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April 27th 2014 is a date that has gone down in Premier League folklore. Its events are burned into our retinas. Its highlights – should you not be of a Liverpool persuasion – has since been memed more times than a piano-playing cat.

It was on this sunny afternoon that Jose Mourinho brought his Chelsea team up to Merseyside with the devout intention of spoiling a party while much more significantly – and an aspect so often over-looked with the passage of time – putting themselves firmly back into that year’s title race.

At the start of that memorable day Liverpool were on 80 points with Chelsea chasing on 75. Manchester City trailed on 74 but had a game in hand on both. After a frenetically competed fight at the top there were but a handful of games left.

At lunchtime, ahead of the 2.05pm kick-off the Liverpool supporters welcomed their team coach with a sea of red and fire. A victory here and they were surely champions in waiting. Two weeks earlier, following a highly dramatic see-saw win over Manchester City, their captain had spoken: “We don’t let this slip. We go again at Norwich”.

We all know what happened next. We all know how the Liverpool captain’s words became cruelly portentous.

What we perhaps don’t remember so sharply – again another aspect lost to time – is that later that day Manchester City then had to travel to Selhurst Park to fully capitalise on the Reds’ (sorry) slip. They did so by winning 2-0 with an early Edin Dzeko strike calming the nerves.

It is a strange quirk of fate indeed that has brought these two exact fixtures to the fore again this weekend with Liverpool once more ahead of Manchester City with mere games to spare. And considering what happened last time it is a legitimate question to ponder whether the heightened and dramatic events of 2013/14 have any relevance to the present-day title scrap?

Does the ghost of Demba Ba still haunt the fans, if not the team who are a completely different composition now to then, bar Jordan Henderson? Undoubtedly so. Liverpool fans truly believed that was going to be ‘their year’ and invested a great deal of heart and soul into the contest, particularly as the finish line neared. To have it snatched from them in such bizarre circumstances must have been gut-wrenching.

Nerves therefore will be even more spiked this Sunday, with a clear need to exorcise a dark day and very public failing. It is nerves that will manifest itself as fervour and tremendous noise. But what about if the stalemate is not broken as half-time approaches? Might the memories then come flooding back?

As for City – who incidentally have three remaining players from that time in Kompany, Silva and Aguero – any positive learned behaviour from that day is lost due to them playing first this time out. The seasoned pros might well think back and smile but more so for the squad as a whole the memory of last season’s tight 0-0 draw will be much more prominent.

قرر ربيع ياسين المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الشباب تحت 20 عامًا، ضم الثنائي محمود صابر لاعب خط وسط فريق النجم الساحلي التونسي، وبلال مظهر لاعب الرديف في نادي باناثانيكوس اليوناني، لقائمة شباب الفراعنة التي تستعد لخوض فعاليات بطولة شمال إفريقيا، المقرر لها الشهر المقبل في تونس، والمؤهلة إلى كأس الأمم الإفريقية بموريتانيا.

ووصل بلال مظهر إلى مصر فجر اليوم للانضمام لصفوف شباب الفراعنة، على أن يخوض مرانه الأول بقميص المنتخب غدًا الأحد على الملعب الفرعي لاستاد القاهرة، وسيبقى اللاعب في معسكر منتخب الشباب حتي موعد عودته للفريق اليوناني.

طالع | قائمة منتخب مصر الأولمبي لمباراتي كوريا والبرازيل.. ضم ناصر ماهر وصلاح محسن

ويخوض بلال وديتين بقميص منتخب الشباب للوقوف علي مستواه الفني والبدني مع منتخب شباب الفراعنة، بينما يصل محمود صابر إلى مصر نهاية الأسبوع الجاري عقب موافقة ناديه التونسي على الانضمام لصفوف شباب الفراعنة، استعدادًا لخوض فعاليات بطولة شمال إفريقيا.

ويرسل مسؤولو المنتخب خطابًا إلى مسؤولي النجم الساحلي غدًا الأحد لطلب انضمام اللاعب لصفوف الفراعنة وحجز تذكرة الطيران في أقرب موعد ممكن، ويخوض محمود صابر وديتين بقميص شباب الفراعنة خلال فترة انضمامه لصفوف منتخب الشباب، للانسجام مع باقي اللاعبين قبل خوض فعاليات البطولة الهامة.

علّق وليد العطار المدير التنفيذي للاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، على إمكانية تأجيل مباراة نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا المقررة بين الأهلي والزمالك في نهاية الشهر الجاري.

ويواجه الأهلي منافسه الزمالك في المباراة النهائية من البطولة القارية مساء يوم 27 من نوفمبر الجاري.

وقال وليد العطار في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا سيكون في برج العرب، ولو هناك أي تغيرات جوية شديدة تمنع لعب المباراة أو تأجيلها سيكون الأمر في يد لجنة المسابقات بالاتحاد الإفريقي”.

طالع | مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا مهددة بالتأجيل

وتابع: “نحاول أن نتيح حضور الجماهير للمباراة ولكن لا يوجد قرار حتى الآن”.

وبسؤاله هل الأهلي والزمالك طلبا تأجيل القيد إلى بعد مباراة النهائي؟، أجاب: “نحن نحاول بقدر الإمكان مساعدة الأندية المصرية كما فعلنا في تأجيل القيد الأول، لأن هذا أمر داخلي، أما القيد الخاص بالموسم الجديد أبلغنا به فيفا وصعب تغييره”.

وكان اتحاد الكرة قد أعلن عن تمديد فترة القيد الأولى الخاصة بالموسم الجديد للأندية إلى يوم 11 نوفمبر الجاري.

وأردف: “تم تحديد مواعيد مباريات الكأس المتبقية، ونأخذ الموافقات الأمنية وسنخطر الأندية، وستنتهي مبارايات الكأس بحد أقصى أول أسبوع في شهر ديسمبر”.

هل الأندية ستشارك بالصفقات الجديدة في الكأس؟، أجاب: ” نعم الأندية تستطيع أن تشارك بلاعبيها الجدد”.