Category Uncategorized

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were left slamming referee Kevin Clancy after their 1-1 draw away at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday night.

It was a frustrating game for the Ibrox faithful as they dropped two points in their race for the SPFL title, as Ianis Hagi’s opener was cancelled out by a penalty from Lewis Ferguson after Alfredo Morelos handled the ball inside his own penalty box.

Clancy decided to give the Colombia international a yellow card for the incident too, which seemed harsh as he could not really get his hand out of the way of the line of the shot.

This was one of five yellow cards in total given to Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team, including two to Ryan Kent which resulted in a red, again the second seemingly harsh for a minimal clip on former Celtic midfield player Scott Brown.

Nonetheless, a lot of Teddy Bears were left very unhappy with Clancy’s performance on the night.

Rangers fans slam Clancy

These Light Blues slammed Clancy on Twitter, with one Gers supporter even going as far as to call him ’embarrassing’:

“This referee is ridiculous a complaint should be made”

Credit: @linden1974

“Clancy gets paid for this? Absolute farce. Shouldn’t even be on a yellow, never mind a red”

Credit: @D_Boag

“Never a red ref tonight is shocking”

Credit: @gers_fan55

“Does Clancy have a pair of eyes?”

Credit: @_Ryan56

“Ref has lost the plot”

Credit: @real_god69

“Clancy is embarrassing as is Brown. Standard of refereeing is absolutely abysmal beyond belief how bad they are.”

Credit: @Kirky_8

In other news, find out who RFC are now targeting here!

Everton will be going into the upcoming transfer window with the opportunity to patch over the injury crisis they have been suffering throughout the first half of the season, with Rafa Benitez expected to make additions that will help the Toffees climb up the Premier League table and find better consistency in the league.

What’s the word?

According to reports from Italian news outlet, Calciomercato, Everton are in pole position to sign Inter Milan midfielder, Matias Vecino, in the January transfer window.

With the Uruguay international’s contract ending in June 2022, the Toffees could get the player in a cut price deal if Inter should feel that they are interested in cashing in on him mid-season.

For Inter, Vecino has made 119 appearances, scoring thirteen goals and bagging seven assists from his central midfielder role in the side since he joined from Fiorentina in 2017.

The 30 year old was previously praised by former Inter assistant boss Cristian Stellini, who simply said; “Matias Vecino always delivers.”

Everton have some competition in securing the Serie A star’s signature as both Leicester and Betis Sevilla are also both named as clubs interested in the report from Calciomercato.

Solving problems at Everton

The signing of Vecino could be the perfect opportunity for Benitez to inject some experience and reliability into the midfield, with the latter in particular being a huge priority for the Everton side that has been struggling with finding consistency with their first team due to a large number of injuries.

One area that has been decimated in recent weeks and months has been in that midfield position, with the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, Tom Davies and Andre Gomes all facing spells out among others.

Despite suffering with a horrific knee injury that side-lined the £4.5M-rated Vecino for eight months and missing 37 games for Inter, since coming back in January 2021, the player has found his form and this season has made 15 appearances for Inter, scoring one goal so far.

The Merseyside club have struggled to establish a run of form in the Premier League this season, with only five wins and a shocking eight defeats from their first 17 games only picking up 19 points out of a possible 51 so far, that has, as a result, now left them in a vulnerable position in 15th.

Benitez can capitalise on the troubling availability of players in his current squad by adding some quality players to his injury ridden team when the transfer window opens in a few days.

In other news, Rafa must axe Cenk Tosun in the transfer window

Merry Christmas, Celtic fans!

Ange Postecoglou’s Christmas came early after he won his first piece of silverware as Celtic manager last weekend following a 2-1 win over Hibernian at Hampden Park in the Scottish League Cup final.

Kyogo Furuhashi, their number eight and record signing under Postecoglou, scored twice as the Hoops won for the first time under Postecoglou after conceding first.

We’ve prepared a Celtic-related quiz for you which will give you the chance to break up your day.

Are you good with player numbers? If so, take today’s quiz and try and see if you can get a full house regarding these former Hoops heroes.

We’ve given you four options for each player – all you have to do is select what number they wore during their time at Parkhead.

Some are fairly recent, while others will test your knowledge dating way back. Good luck, and remember to share your score once completed!

Match facts

Tuesday, October 27
Start time 14.30 local (07.30 GMT)
Shakib Al Hasan will continue to lead Bangladesh in the absence of Mashrafe Mortaza•Getty Images

Big Picture

The third bilateral series between the two teams this year in 2009 illustrates just how the game is suffering from overkill, with ODIs being the preferred format. That won’t matter much to Bangladesh – with three series wins on the trot, they are ready for five more ODIs at home to Zimbabwe – whom they have beaten in six of their nine ODIs this year.Though that makes poor reading for the visitors, the recent return of former players to key coaching and administrative roles, a restructured domestic format and the prospect of increased international commitments – they have an ODI series against South Africa next month – bodes well. Heath Streak has joined the support staff and Alistair Campbell has come out of the cold and has been appointed chairman of selectors. Their ultimate goal is to get Zimbabwe playing Tests again, and continued success in ODIs is certainly a step in the right direction.The signs were evident in their 4-1 walloping of Kenya, but it will need a bigger step-up when they take on opposition against whom they have won just four of their previous 20 matches. Captain Prosper Utseya will look to avoid a repeat of the last tour when they got off to a winning start but ended up on the losing side. He hopes for an improved showing this time around, not just from the batsmen who will bank on their experience of playing the Bangladesh spinners but also the bowlers who would have benefitted from Streak’s presence.Watch out for:Picked in the ICC Test Team of the Year as well as being named international player of the year by Wisden Cricketer Magazine, Shakib Al Hasan, has been one of the consistent performers for Bangladesh in ODIs as well. He was handed the captaincy in the West Indies after Mashrafe Mortaza’s injury and, in the latter’s prolonged absence, has retained it for this series. It has not appeared to be a burden for him – his bowling has remained impressive and he seems to have improved his batting.The Bangladesh spinners proved to be the difference in the series in August and they would be even more of a threat in home conditions. Zimbabwe’s batsmen will need all the experience they have picked up in recent encounters to tackle the slow bowlers led by Abdur Razzaq, who returns after a hamstring injury.Brendan Taylor, who missed out during Zimbabwe’s last trip to Bangladesh, has been in top form for Zimbabwe. Having finished the third-highest scorer in the series in Zimbabwe with 193 from five matches at 38.60, he announced himself in Bangladesh with a superb 139 in the last tour game against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI.All eyes will be on former captain Tatenda Taibu, who will look to put behind him all the off-the-field troubles that kept him away from international cricket albeit for a brief period. Taibu and Zimbabwe have another opportunity, and what better way to turn the corner than being up against a familiar foe.

Team News”

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique, 3 Mohammad Ashraful, 4 Raqibul Hasan, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Rubel Hossain, 10 Abdur Razzak 11 Nazmul Hossain/Mahbubul Alam.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Chamu Chibhabha, 3 Forster Mutizwa, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 7 Charles Coventry, 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Prosper Utseya (capt), 10 Ray Price, 11 Kyle Jarvis

Stats

• The highest-ever individual ODI score was equalled when these two teams met in August. Charles Coventry carted the Bangladesh bowlers to all parts of the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on his way to an unbeaten 194. Surprisingly, he still ended on the losing side as another statistic played its part: his knock was the sixth-highest in the terms of percentage of the team total in a completed innings.
• Tamim Iqbal has been Bangladesh’s highest run-getter since January 2008 with 974 at 27.83, but has struggled in nine innings this year.
• Shakib Al Hasan is 96 adrift of reaching the 2000-run mark in ODIs.
• With an average of 31.50 against Bangladesh, Brendan Taylor goes into this series statistically as Zimbabwe’s best batsman.

Quotes

“Our strengths are almost equal. A mistake could prove very costly.”
Shakib Al Hasan believes Bangladesh cannot afford to let their guard slip“Playing any home team is tough and we will probably start as the underdogs.”

Everton have been going through a rough patch with injuries recently, with star striker Dominic Calvert Lewin side-lined since the beginning of the season.

Rafa Benitez’s side currently sit 11th in the Premier League after a bad run of form winning just four games so far this season.

There is no doubt that the large list of injuries has had an adverse effect on the Toffees, but Rafa Benitez will be thrilled that they seem to be on the other side of their crisis, with Richarlison and Yerry Mina already back in training ahead of the return of the Premier League.

Everton have been suffering defensive frustrations, leaking cheap goals, and at the other end of the pitch, not scoring enough to edge the three points needed, both Richarlison and Mina will be the perfect solutions for those issues going forward, but face huge competition in a number of difficult fixtures before Christmas.

The Blues will face Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City in the next few weeks and will be hoping to pick up points to tackle their tight top half of the table challenge.

One highly anticipated, long-awaited return that Rafa will be hoping to revive Everton’s season by unleashing £40.5m rated, Dominic Calvert Lewin.

The Everton frontman is renowned for his passion and performances in big games, of which Everton have plenty to come, there is no doubt the return of the forward would be a massive boost for the side, reigniting the confident attacking threat and dominance that the side are crying out for.

The 24-year-old striker was only tipped to be out of action for 2 or 3 weeks when he sustained an injury in August and has missed ten games so far following a setback in his rehabilitation.

Calvert Lewin spoke on Sky Sport’s Monday Night Football recently and discussed his injury woes.

He said: “It’s been so frustrating to start the season with three goals in three games and be sidelined.

“The hardest part is the mental part, to see the lads play and not have an impact. I love scoring goals and that’s what keeps me going in my rehab. It’s difficult.

“Being a player I want to play every game. To watch it, it’s difficult when results don’t go your way and you can’t help.”

However, the target man who was once dubbed a “nightmare” by teammate Richarlison, is supposed to be back in action over the next few weeks and even made comments over the weekend suggesting he could possibly be back for the upcoming Merseyside derby on the 1st of December, which will be a huge relief to Everton fans.

Rafa Benitez will be looking forward to implementing his best players back into his side and hopefully establishing a good run of form to climb the table with the Toffees before the turn of the year. The player who bagged 21 times last term will undoubtedly help revive their fortunes.

In other news: Everton given a boost with return of Yerry Mina

Not only did Worcestershire break the golden rule of never inserting at Edgbaston, but they then produced a bowling performance so full of juicy half-volleys and succulent long-hops that Warwickshire were able to gorge themselves with gratitude

George Dobell at Edgbaston02-Sep-2009
ScorecardIan Westwood has all but sealed his place in the side with an unbeaten 101•Getty Images

While it may be customary to offer gifts when visiting neighbours, Worcestershire may reflect they were generous to a fault on the first day of their visit to Birmingham. Not only did they break the golden rule of never inserting at Edgbaston, but they then produced a bowling performance so full of juicy half-volleys and succulent long-hops, that Warwickshire were able to gorge themselves with gratitude.In defence of Vikram Solanki’s decision, the pitch was so unusually green it was barely distinguishable from the rest of the square. Had his bowlers maintained anything like a decent line and length, batting might have proved hard work.But they didn’t. Though Matt Mason was tidy enough, Gareth Andrew and Imran Arif both conceded over five per over, with Richard Jones’ undermining the odd threatening delivery by delivering too many poor balls. It was not hard to see why the team are adrift at the foot of the Division One table without a win all year.”We didn’t bowl as well as we could,” admitted Steve Rhodes, Worcestershire’s director of cricket “and the pitch didn’t do as much as we thought it would.”Ian Westwood was the biggest beneficiary of Worcestershire’s largesse. The Warwickshire captain, who was averaging just 21 in first-class cricket this season before this match, compiled the seventh first-class century of his career and his first in 15 months.Very nicely he played, too. His chanceless innings has, so far, contained 18 boundaries, the majority of them driven through the covers with some panache. Though there were periods of playing and missing, Westwood maintained his concentration and looked far more compact than previously this season. Having taken 89 balls over his first half-century, his second took just 57 deliveries.It was a timely innings from Warwickshire’s captain. Not only are his side desperate to claim a win that would shore-up their first division survival hopes, but Westwood was in dire need of such a performance to silence those who question his place in the side. This century might just have saved his position.He has so far added 100 for Warwickshire’s second wicket with Ian Bell. Looking hungry for a long innings, Bell adopted a safety first approach, but received enough poor balls to ensure he was never bogged down. Jonathan Trott, who returned from England duty only the night before the game, was not required but came into the side in place of Rikki Clarke, who has a minor knee injury.The only moment of joy for the visitors came when Ant Botha played around a fine delivery that nipped back through his gate from Jones.Warwickshire may still struggle to squeeze out a result this week, however. Rain cut 48 overs from the day and there was no play after 3.15pm. It was hard to escape the impression that Worcestershire had given up some time earlier.Warwickshire are winning the battle off the pitch, too. The clubs are vying for the services of a number of players, but Warwickshire have drawn first blood after Naqaash Tahir, the subject of an approach from Worcestershire, verbally agreed a new two-year contract to remain at Edgbaston. He will sign within the next few days.Both clubs are also interested in Yorkshire seamer Ajmal Shahzad and Devon left-arm spinner Chris Metters. Warwickshire are also considering an approach for former England seamer Matthew Hoggard, possibly as a player-coach to succeed the departing Allan Donald.There is a possibility of further transfers as counties seek to plunder Worcestershire. Warwickshire, like most counties, would be interested in Stephen Moore and Kabir Ali if they became available. Moore has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to other counties if Worcestershire are relegated, while Kabir is contracted until the end of 2010.

Some Everton fans have been left buzzing as some international news emerged involving Richarlison.

As per The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland, the former Watford ace has not been named in Brazil’s latest squad for their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as he is not considered 100 per cent fit.

There is a desire to manage his fitness carefully, so that he can return to the squad fully firing in the continued absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Richarlison only just returned to the team in their 5-2 loss to Watford at Goodison Park (Transfermarkt).

Unfortunately for the Merseyside club, the games that he has missed have been detrimental ones, as they have lost two and drawn one of the four matches that he has missed in the Premier League, and went out of the Carabao Cup to EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers (Transfermarkt).

It is clear just how important he is to Rafa Benitez, and him not going away on international duty allows him to work on his fitness, getting back to his very best for the Toffees while also avoiding any quarantining difficulties upon his return.

Everton fans on Richarlison international news

These Blues buzzed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it is ‘great’:

“Great news”

Credit: @THT1878

“Well done Rafa”

Credit: @FactsRafa

“A good sign that we can concentrate to getting him back to full fitness.”

Credit: @MacdoonJnr

“<taps noise> well in RB”

Credit: @NubiBlue

“We need him more than ever to save us from Rondon”

Credit: @richythepigeon

“Fantastic news, really glad the Eve/Brazil bond is so strong.”

Credit: @Ianfindmybrew

In other news, find out what team news before Wolves has Evertonians fuming here!

Considering India’s dismal record in one-day games against SouthAfrica in that country, a win and a defeat against them after twomatches in the current competition would seem to be a minor triumph.In 1992-93, India lost the seven-game one-day series by five matchesto two. In the Standard Bank triangular series five seasons ago, theIndians were beaten by South Africa in all three group matches andthen went down to the hosts in the final. Wednesday’s result was thusthe first Indian victory over South Africa in that country sinceDecember 19, 1992, when they had the consolation prize of winning thelast match of that series in East London.

If there is one immediate lesson that is brought home by the verdictat Centurion, it is that India has to play to its strengths. Even inone dayers, though it may not be as pronounced as it is in Tests, thestrength of the Indian attack lies in its spin bowling. And now thatthe country has two worldclass spinners in Harbhajan Singh and AnilKumble, it would be better to play both, along with two seamers, andleave the remaining 10 overs to the likes of Tendulkar, Sehwag,Ganguly and Yuvraj. Come to think of it, Sehwag did not do too badly,but why was Yuvraj not given the ball, one wonders.It was the combination of Harbhajan and Kumble that had the SouthAfrican batsmen all tied up in knots on Wednesday. However gallant theIndian seam bowlers may be, Srinath, Prasad and Agarkar have theirlimitations. In any case, the South Africans clearly have few problemsplaying them. But as was proved in the second game, they can beshackled while trying to negotiate good spin bowling. Granted thewicket had something in it and was not as flat as the Wanderersstadium pitch was during the first game last week. But on any surface,India must play both their front-line spinners to stand a chance.That said, it must also be stated that, despite Wednesday’s result,consistency does not seem to be the hallmark of this Indian team.Unable to defend a total of 279 then and defending a total of 233 now,one wonders what lies next. Up in the clouds one day and then down inthe dumps just as quickly, this Indian side excites and exasperates.The excitement level was high during the time they batted in the firstgame, and Ganguly and Tendulkar dished out some sterling stuff. Theexasperating part came only in the second half of the game, thanks towayward bowling. But the batsmen too have to cop part of the blame,for, after the kind of dream start given by the openers, a total of300 should have been notched up. Unfortunately, the middle orderbotched it up.I was never happy with Shiv Sundar Das’ selection. I argued that he isthe one specialist Test opener we have and his precious gifts shouldbe preserved for the longer game. His superb technique is bound tosuffer thanks to the exposure to slam-bang cricket. Moreover, the teammanagement just does not know where to fit him in. In the first matchhe went in at No 7, but in the second he was sent in at No 3. It isthis kind of yo-yo treatment that has, over the years, nipped thecareer of many budding batsmen. Reetinder Singh Sodhi, a player ofconsiderable promise, could be played instead; that would also giveGanguly an additional bowling option.Overall, however, the Indians can look back with some satisfaction attheir performance in the tournament so far. But even with Kenya justthere to make up the numbers ­ though one must guard against overconfidence ­ there is still plenty of work to be done. Consistency isthe key word. The team now has three batsmen who have exceeded 5000runs in one-day internationals, two bowlers who have crossed the 200-wicket mark, and exciting young talent in Harbhajan, Yuvraj, Sodhi andSehwag. Agarkar has always been an exemplary one-day cricketer,whatever his lamentable record in Tests, and Deep Dasgupta seems to beshaping well. The nucleus of a really fine side is very much there ­perhaps even one good enough to take the title. Now if only theplayers perform up to potential.

David Sales will miss the remainder of the season after agreeing to undergo reconstructive surgery on his long-standing knee injury

Cricinfo staff12-Jun-2009Northamptonshire’s David Sales will miss the remainder of the season after agreeing to undergo reconstructive surgery on his long-standing knee injury.Sales, 31, has not played this summer and decided to go under the knife now in a bid to be fully fit for the 2010 campaign.”Although I could possibly have played this year the longer-term view was that it could flare up again,” he told the BBC. “That would mean missing yet more cricket and even possibly jeopardising my whole career.”Sales, who in the first season of a four-year deal, had a similar operation in 2001 after sustaining an injury while in the Caribbean with England A.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left fuming as an update emerged regarding their match at home to Hibernian on Sunday afternoon.

As per the club’s official website, supporters must now show a vaccine certificate if they wish to enter Ibrox and must be fully vaccinated and able to show proof of such, unless they are exempt.

While this should produce a safer environment, there are some loopholes that some Light Blues pointed out, as workers or volunteers at the stadium are exempt from these rules and could therefore cause a spread of the pandemic.

Others feel as if it should be their own choice whether or not to get vaccinated, while vaccine certificates or proof may not be easy to obtain for some supporters.

Rangers fans on vaccine news

These Gers supporters fumed as the news was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that it is ‘shameful’:

“What a shambles. The fact Rangers are having to clarify this stuff is beyond a joke.”

Credit: @AlexanderMcQui4

“It’s a farce you have to show proof of vaccination to get in but can’t show proof of a positive Covid test in the last 180 days”

Credit: @runcornbear

“Shameful.”

Credit: @55andcounting55

“Was this the result of your cosy little chat with Keith Brown the justice secretary last week? Full compliance? What’s next Rangers for Indy? Disgraceful.”

Credit: @MundayHugh

“The SNP have completely lost the plot”

Credit: @Stu_man_do

“We now live in a 2 tier society. This is an absolute disgrace and quite frankly enrages me”

Credit: @GregW1983

In other news, find out what news has left these Gers fans buzzing