Category Uncategorized

The home side were facing the prospect of a third defeat before Cartwright and Ashton Agar iced the chase

AAP13-Oct-2024

Western Australia’s One-Day Cup title defence is back on track after Hilton Cartwright’s late heroics lifted them to a four-wicket victory over Queensland at the WACA Ground.Chasing 301, WA were looking shaky after stumbling to 349 for 6 in the 41st over of Sunday’s match But Cartwright’s unbeaten 66 off 49 balls, which featured five fours and three sixes, helped get WA over the line with six deliveries to spare.Ashton Agar (21* off 27) produced an important cameo in what turned out to be a match-winning 62-run partnership with Cartwright.WA’s bid for a fourth consecutive one-day title was on thin ice following losses to South Australia and NSW. Given each team plays only seven regular-season matches, a loss to Queensland could have ended WA’s hopes of reaching the March 1 final.But Cartwright’s knock has kept WA’s hopes of a four-peat alive, with Queensland (two losses, one no-result) facing an uphill battle to reach the decider.WA paceman Jhye Richardson was named player of the match after taking 3-36 in 9.3 overs in Queensland’s total of 300.Queensland were in all sorts of trouble at 51 for 4 in the 12th over following the departures of Ben McDermott, Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Jack Clayton.Usman Khawaja struck eight fours and a six as he combined with Lachlan Hearne to steady the ship.Bowling all-rounder Michael Neser then provided the late fireworks, cracking six fours and two sixes to give Queensland’s total a significant boost.Richardson was the pick of WA’s attack, bowling McDermott in the third over with a delivery that swung back in wildly. His dismissal of the dangerous Neser later in the innings ensured Queensland’s score wasn’t bigger.Cameron Bancroft entered the match desperate for runs after posting twin ducks in the recent Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland. Neser claimed Bancroft’s wicket in both Shield innings, but the WA opener managed to get through the early stages on Sunday before being trapped lbw by Labuschagne for 33.Sam Whiteman’s half-century ensured WA got off to a solid start, and Cooper Connolly’s 39 off 42 balls lifted WA closer to victory, before Cartwright and Agar finished the job.

Nottingham Forest’s sublime season in the Premier League might well have run out of steam towards the back-end – with only one league victory coming their way in May – but Nuno Espirito Santo’s men still have the Conference League to look forward to next campaign after finishing in a fantastic seventh spot.

Espirito Santo’s Tricky Trees won’t just be content with one unbelievable season in isolation, however, with an ambitious approach during this summer transfer window perhaps allowing Forest to upgrade all over the pitch ahead of European football coming to the City Ground.

Already, Forest are flexing their muscles as they aim to finalise a deal for Botafogo attacking sensation Igor Jesus, but they might not be done there when adding in some exciting options up top.

Forest's search for a striker

As per a report by the Athletic, Forest remain keen on a deal for Brentford ace Yoane Wissa, having previously been interested in the Bees sharpshooter back in January.

At that time, the Premier League high-flyers were put off by the 28-year-old’s steep £40m valuation, resulting in a £22m bid for his services falling flat.

Now, a move could be back on the cards, even as Forest edge closer to landing the aforementioned Jesus from Brazil.

Worryingly so for the South American hotshot, Wissa’s arrival in through the door could see Espirito Santo and Co. win themselves an instant upgrade on the one-time Arsenal target, with the Congolese international very much a revered marksman in the Premier League.

Why Wissa would be an upgrade on Jesus

Wissa could soon go down as a fan’s favourite at City Ground, even though the long-standing Brentford servant would score this delightful effort only last month versus Forest to seal a 2-0 away success.

Still, they won’t be turning their noses up at adding Wissa to their attacking arsenal alongside Chris Wood, with that breakaway effort just one of 20 strikes the 28-year-old would fire home last season for Thomas Frank’s regular overachievers – 19 of which came in the top-flight.

To add context, the much-talked-about New Zealand powerhouse would tally up that exact amount last season in all competitions, meaning the pair working together in unison could be a dynamite duo.

But, away from any potential partnerships forming, the electric Bees number 11’s dependable record in the Premier League means he would instantly get the first-team nod over Jesus, with the experienced top-flight presence never looking back after entering the level in 2021.

24/25

39

19

5

23/24

34

12

4

22/23

38

7

3

21/22

30

7

1

Looking at the table above, Wissa has gradually improved by season by season at the daunting level, with that tally of 19 league strikes last season his most lethal return in the top-flight to date.

On the contrary, whilst Jesus is an entertaining watch with a hefty 3.5 total shots averaged on goal in Brazilian top-flight action this year, he doesn’t possess that same potency Wissa has in abundance, with a weaker output of seven goals coming his way from 24 Brasileirão Betano contests.

He does have an additional eight goals next to his name playing for Botafogo from 55 total appearances, but the concern will be that the four-time Brazil international could struggle to immediately make an impact in the English game.

Wissa wouldn’t have any of these issues to contend with, with the clinical number 11 once even labelled as “unbelievable” by his Brentford boss for his blistering goalscoring prowess.

Adding in both strikers could well be the dream scenario here, with Jesus able to bounce off a Premier League-recognised striker to up his standards.

After all, Forest might as well aim to strike up as many golden deals as possible whilst the club is on an all-time high.

Wow: Nottingham Forest could now sign £100m star in Gibbs-White swap deal

The Tricky Trees could look to bring in a forward, as part of a swap deal for Morgan Gibbs-White.

2 ByDominic Lund Jun 1, 2025

Sheffield United are going to need a huge end to the season, as well as a bit of help from other teams, to secure automatic promotion from the Championship.

The Blades are currently five points adrift of Burnley, who they still have to play, and Leeds United with just four matches left to play before the end of the campaign.

Chris Wilder’s side have lost their last three Championship games and scored just one goal in that time, which must be particularly frustrating after they splashed the cash on a new centre-forward in the January transfer window.

How much Sheffield United paid for Tom Cannon

The Athletic reported that Sheffield United agreed a fee of £10m to sign Tom Cannon from Leicester City earlier this year to bolster their attacking options.

They made that move off the back of his return of nine goals in 22 Championship matches on loan at Stoke City in the first half of the season.

Unfortunately, though, Cannon has failed to hit the ground running at Bramall Lane and has not been the boost to their promotion chances that supporters may have hoped that he would be at the time of his big-money move.

The 22-year-old attacker has failed to score in 12 league matches for the Blades to date, registering just one assist in that time, and it is fair to say that the striker has flopped due to his complete lack of goals.

£10m was a big outlay for a centre-forward at Championship level, which is why more should be expected from him, and this is illustrated by the fact that United once sold Che Adams, who is now miles better than Cannon, for just £2m.

Why Che Adams is miles better than Tom Cannon

The Blades sold Adams to Birmingham for a reported fee of £2m in the summer of 2016 after he had scored 15 goals in 55 first-team matches for the club.

After scoring 38 goals in 123 games for the Blues, the English-born centre-forward signed for Southampton for a fee of £15m in the summer of 2019.

Following several seasons in the Premier League with the Saints, Adams went back down to the Championship last season and thrived in the second tier, before his move to Torino in the Serie A last summer.

As you can see in the table above, the Scotland international was prolific for Southampton last season and has carried his impressive finishing over to Italy, outperforming his xG by almost two goals in the Serie A.

These statistics show that Adams is a clinical forward who is reliable in front of goal in one of Europe’s major leagues, whilst Cannon is currently goalless in 12 games for Sheffield United.

The Torino frontman is, therefore, currently significantly more effective than the Blades number nine, as he is thriving in a top European league, whilst the Ireland international cannot score in the Championship.

Sheffield United eyeing move to sign 23 y/o assist machine ahead of Leeds

He could add real quality in the final third for the Blades.

By
Henry Jackson

Apr 13, 2025

Sheffield United once sold the attacker for a fee of just £2m and it currently remains to be seen if their £10m signing will ever reach the heights that the Scottish dynamo has hit in his career.

da heads bet： Already planning ahead for life without loanee Marcus Rashford, Monchi is now battling to sign an alternative option for Aston Villa in a deal that could be worth just £35m this summer.

Aston Villa keep pressure on Champions League places

da cassino online： With just three Premier League games remaining, Aston Villa ensured that they kept hold of a glimmer of hope in the race to secure Champions League qualification by defeating Fulham 1-0. Coming courtesy of Youri Tielemans’ header, those in the Midlands have kept the pressure on Chelsea and Nottingham Forest as they desperately await a crucial slip.

Manager Unai Emery had his say on what was a narrow but all-important victory at Villa Park, telling reporters: “Today we wanted to be closer to qualifying for European football so it is fantastic. If we had not won, forget it (Champions League) completely.

“The best gift we can achieve is the Champions League and we are not the favourites to get it, but we will fight for it. We must now focus on Bournemouth next weekend which is so, so difficult. Villa Park is very important and we feel so strong here. The supporters are fantastic and we can feel that it is our fortress.”

Related Aston Villa now prioritising move to sign "fantastic" Real Madrid player

The Villans could make their move…

Posts ByTom Cunningham May 3, 2025

There remains plenty of questions to be answered away from the action as well as on the pitch in the Midlands and one of those centres around Rashford. Following an impressive loan spell at the club, Aston Villa could look to land the winger’s signature on a permanent basis. It remains to be seen whether Rashford feels the same way about Villa Park, however, leaving the club to find an alternative option.

Monchi battling to sign Hutchinson for Aston Villa

According to Caught Offside, Monchi and Aston Villa have now joined the battle to sign Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town this summer in a move that would see Villa welcome their Rashford alternative. The deal could yet be a routine one to seal too, given that the winger reportedly has a release clause of just £35m after Ipswich suffered Premier League relegation.

In a difficult campaign, the 21-year-old has only been able to show glimpses of his quality – scoring three goals and creating another two – but will be desperate to stay put in the top flight.

Despite a disappointing output, Hutchinson still found himself at the centre of praise from manager Kieran McKenna, who told reporters earlier this season: “I think its enjoyable seeing a hungry, talented, young player getting to grips with the league and trying to make his impact – discovering the things that are different, the things that are an increasing challenge for him. And also finding the things that work for him and where he can have his impact.”

A player who Aston Villa’s recruitment team ‘rate Hutchinson highly and consider him a smart investment for the future’, so he could be one to watch if the Villans fail to sign Rashford this summer.

Half-centuries from Procter and Nair not enough to prevent visitors claiming victory

ECB Reporters Network13-May-2024

Gloucestershire pace bowler Marchant de Lange led the charge with three wickets to set up Gloucestershire’s first Vitality County Championship victory since September 2022 on the final day of this clash against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Northamptonshire resumed on 144 for 2, needing 414 more runs to win, or more realistically to bat out the whole day to secure a draw. For a while that looked a possibility as India international Karun Nair and George Bartlett shared a fluent stand of 83 in 24 overs. But the second new ball proved decisive as Josh Shaw and de Lange, bowling a feisty spell, removed both set batters as Northamptonshire lost three wickets for nine runs in 5.4 overs.With Ajeet Singh Dale mopping up the tail, the end came quickly as Northamptonshire’s final five wickets fell for just 35 runs, and while they passed 300, they ultimately lost heavily by 256 runs.Northamptonshire started the day by adding 81 during the morning session for the loss of two wickets. Nightwatchman George Scrimshaw survived for the first half an hour before he played an expansive drive outside off stump to one from Shaw and edged behind to wicketkeeper James Bracey.Luke Procter reached his fifth half-century of the season with a glorious cover drive off Shaw, but his gritty knock came to an end in less elegant fashion. The Northamptonshire skipper tried to work a full toss to leg, only to get a leading edge off the back of the bat, the ball looping up to give Tom Price the easiest of caught-and-bowled chances.Bartlett, fresh from an unbeaten century at Leicester, endured a nervy start. Almost stumped off the second ball he faced thanks to some sharp glovework from Bracey, he then narrowly avoided playing on to Tom Price, instead picking up a streaky boundary off the inside edge.Nair played some sumptuous cover drives before lunch and came down the pitch to dispatch Zafar Gohar over long-on as well as putting pressure on the fielders by running some sharp singles. He endured one nasty moment shortly before the interval when he was struck on the helmet as he attempted to duck under a short ball from de Lange which failed to get up.Bartlett looked more settled after lunch and started to score freely, while Nair brought up his half-century off 80 balls with his eighth boundary. But despite Zafar finding plenty of turn with his slow left-armers, Gloucestershire’s decision to take the new ball proved key.First Shaw made the much-needed breakthrough when Bartlett fell to a fine diving catch down the leg side by Bracey, away to his left.Meanwhile the tussle between a fiery de Lange and Nair continued to provide drama. The India batter was in the wars once more when he was struck on the glove by de Lange, but finished the over with a big smile after he leant back and purposefully uppercut the South African over the slips for four.De Lange though had the last laugh when Nair was caught in two minds between a pull shot and an upper cut, the ball ballooning up to Shaw running in from mid-on. De Lange, bowling his second consecutive wicket maiden, then picked up Saif Zaib who prodded at one just outside off stump and was caught behind – the fast bowler’s eighth wicket in the match.Liam Patterson-White looked positive, cutting Zafar crisply for four before taking a brace of boundaries off de Lange, but his stay ended soon after when he went to cut Singh Dale and was bowled.Siddharth Kaul was next to go, bowled by Zafar, before Singh Dale had Ben Sanderson caught behind to give Bracey his fourth catch of the innings and spark celebrations in the Gloucestershire dressing room.

Arsenal’s main focus for now is securing Champions League qualification alongside their run in the latter stages of the competition, but Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are already eyeing potential summer arrivals.

Arsenal's summer search for attacking reinforcements

Despite their best efforts, the Gunners look set to come up short in their hunt for a first Premier League title since 2004 after a frustrating campaign that hasn’t lived up to expectation.

Mikel Arteta has a right to bemoan Arsenal’s lengthy list of injury problems, which have left key men such as Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the last few months. This has led the Spaniard to cultivate makeshift solutions in certain positions, including Mikel Merino’s emergence as an auxiliary striker.

The former Real Sociedad man has had his moments through the middle. Still, attacking reinforcements across the front four positions are necesarry if the north Londoners are to become long-term title contenders moving forward.

Finding the right blend of youth and experience has to be the priority – Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane has become an Arsenal target to help bolster competition within the ranks come the summer.

Financially, they will also need to adhere to FFP regulations like everyone else. The Germany international could be available on a free transfer, though his track record will likely attract plenty of interest from other clubs should his contract at the Allianz Arena run down without renewal.

On a positive note, Ethan Nwaneri has become a shining light on the right-hand side. However, strength in depth is the aim for Arsenal to overcome their shortcomings, so it will come as no surprise that Arteta and company have set their sights on another winger.

Arsenal set sights on summer move for Lyon star Malick Fofana

According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal have set their sights on Lyon’s Malick Fofana as Arteta looks to spruce up the wide areas despite competition from Liverpool for the Belgium international, with scouts returning positive reports after watching him in action.

Reportedly open to taking on a new challenge, the report says ‘it’s hard to imagine him staying at Lyon for much longer’, but the Gunners may need to pay a fee in the region of £42 million to sanction his arrival. Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are also receptive to his form.

He's playing like Harry Kane: Arsenal must rue losing "goal machine" for £0

The incredible striker would solve Arsenal’s current problems.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Mar 15, 2025

Labelled an “energetic dynamo” by French journalist Walid Acherchour, the 19-year-old has registered nine goals and five assists in 34 appearances this campaign.

Likely to be one for the future, Fofana’s engenuity has allowed for 18 successful dribbles and 12 crosses delivered across the season alongside his 74 touches in the opposition area.

Arsenal will have faith in their ability to nurture his talent, but will need to decide whether they want to spend a large chunk of their budget on an upcoming star as opposed to someone in their peak years.

أعلنت قناة مفتوحة عن إذاعة مباراة منتخب مصر الأول أمام بوركينا فاسو والتي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.

وتقام مباراة مصر ضد بوركينا فاسو، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الثامنة من التصفيات المؤهلة إلى مونديال 2026، على أرضية استاد 4 أغسطس.

ويخوض منتخب مصر اللقاء تحت قيادة المدير الفني حسام حسن، الذي يأمل في قيادة الفريق للفوز على حساب بوركينا فاسو ومواصلة تصدر جدول ترتيب المجموعة، وحسم بطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم.

وتضم المجموعة الأولى كلًا من مصر، بوركينا فاسو، سيراليون، جيبوتي، إثيوبيا وغينيا بيساو، ويأمل الفراعنة في تعزيز صدارتهم والتأهل رسميًا إلى نهائيات كأس العالم.

طالع | حازم إمام يُدافع عن تريزيجيه: كان أفضل من محمد صلاح.. والهجوم ضده مبالغ فيه

ويتصدر منتخب مصر ترتيب المجموعة الأولى برصيد 19 نقطة من 7 مباريات، متفوقًا على بوركينا فاسو صاحب المركز الثاني بـ14 نقطة. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

ومن المقرر أن تذاع المباراة عبر قناة 2 mbc masr، وكذلك قناة ssc

ويسبق اللقاء بساعة استديو تحليلي موحّد على القناتين يقوم بإدارته: ابراهيم فايق، ويتواجد كل من: محمود عبدالرازق (شيكابالا) ومحمد بركات وأحمد عز ومحمود فايز. معلقو مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم 2026

وسيعلق على المباراة كل من فارس عوض على  2 mbc masr وعصام عبده على ssc.

It was a massive win, with Maxwell scoring the fastest century in World Cups, and Bas de Leede delivering the most expensive over in men’s ODI history

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Oct-20233:11

Pujara: ‘Once Maxwell gets going nobody can stop him’

It was the most brutal of one-twos. First came David Warner with the jab, then Glenn Maxwell with the “lights out” uppercut. A 104 from the opener had the Netherlands weary, but it was Maxwell’s astonishing 106 from just 44 deliveries that administered the most devastating of knock-out blows. Australia posted 399 for 8, standing triumphantly at the halfway stage over floored opponents, who were unable to rise off the canvas, eventually succumbing to a chastening 309-run defeat – the largest in margin in men’s ODI World Cup history.Just 18 days after Aiden Markram had seized the record for the fastest century in ODI World Cups, against Sri Lanka at this very ground, Maxwell ripped it off him in nine fewer balls, needing just 40 to pass three figures. It was the culmination of an almighty assault on the Dutch bowlers, most notably Bas de Leede. The talented allrounder now has the ignominy of the most expensive figures in men’s ODIs, returning 2 for 115 – 43 of them coming in his last two (including 28 from the last), all courtesy Maxwell.Beyond saving the blushes of compatriots Mick Lewis and Adam Zampa – previous joint-holders of the most expensive figures in the format – Maxwell’s second World Cup century (and third overall) shifted the complexion of the match against a courageous Netherlands outfit. They had broadly kept Australia in check, even while Warner, coming off the back of 163 against Pakistan in the previous match, marched to a 22nd ODI hundred.ESPNcricinfo LtdWarner’s main allies were Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the more dominant partners in stands of 132 and 84 for the second and third wicket, respectively. Had Max O’Dowd not botched a pick-up at midwicket, Warner might have been run-out on 32 when both he and Smith found themselves at the non-striker’s end. Roelof van der Merwe was then adjudged to have grounded a sharp chance at midwicket when Warner had 73, before completing an equally tough grab at backward point to see off Smith for 71.Labuschagne’s dismissal – de Leede’s first, caught mid-off – was the first of three to fall for just 23 runs, culminating in Warner’s dismissal, paddling Logan van Beek to fine leg, well-taken by Aryan Dutt, two balls after registering a sixth World Cup century off 91. With ten overs to go, Australia were 268 for 5.Maxwell had come in at the end of the 39th over – the latest an ODI centurion has arrived at the crease – but only faced his first ball midway through the 41st. In retrospect, the back-to-back fours off de Leede to get him off the mark were a sign of things to come.He was probably culpable for Cameron Green’s run-out, pushing for two only for the allrounder – drafted in for Marcus Stoinis, who had a sore calf – to be found short of his ground with a direct hit. After Teja Nidamanuru failed to get to a difficult chance running back from mid-off when Maxwell was on 24, the carnage began.Adam Zampa got himself a third successive four-for•AFP/Getty ImagesFrom 35 off 21 – already a brisk start – Maxwell got out his reverse sweep for the first time to get Paul van Meekeren away over point, before smashing the follow-up slower ball over square leg for the first of eight sixes. Another reverse over point – this time all the way – brought the fifty up in 27 deliveries, before going over third two balls later, both off de Leede.A brace of conventional sixes followed in the 48TH over, bowled by van Beek, carted over wide mid-on and then sliced over cover point, sandwiching a pull to midwicket by Pat Cummins, possessor of the best seat in the house. Then came de Leede’s chastening final set; bunted down the ground for fours to start, before being launched into the stands at wide mid-on, over square leg and then further behind square after bowling an above-waist full toss as Maxwell stormed through to three figures.From first six to last, the white-ball phenom struck 66 runs from just 19 deliveries. Maxwell celebrated with a baby-rocking celebration, a nod to his wife and first child, Logan, who was born last month, both of whom arrived in India earlier this week.The free-hit was uncharacteristically scuffed for a single, de Leede getting out of the over with a dot to Cummins. Though Maxwell was able to begin the final over with a fortuitous boundary off van Beek, his innings ended two balls later courtesy of an excellent catch by Sybrand Engelbrecht at long-off. Mitchell Starc came and went for a golden duck – van Beek’s fourth – leaving Cummins, who had contributed just eight to the seventh-wicket stand of 104, to close out the innings with just his second boundary, smeared through midwicket.ESPNcricinfo LtdWith 400 to get, Netherlands opener Vikramjit was never going to die wondering, racing to 21 from 13 courtesy five fours. And though he would survive a run-out opportunity after O’Dowd left him high and dry with a dodgy call, saved by Josh Hazlewood’s awry throw after fielding in his follow-through, he was less fortunate on 25. A well-timed back-foot punch to mid-off found Maxwell, who had started the chase off the field, and, well…. you know what happened next.By then, O’Dowd had chopped Starc on to his own stumps. Colin Ackermann then fell lbw to Halzewood, before de Leede’s grim day was compounded with an appeal against Cummins for a similar dismissal that Hawkeye suggested was trimming leg stump. Engelbrecht’s seemingly perfect pull shot off Mitchell Marsh’s second ball nestled into hands of a leaping Warner just in front of the square-leg sponge, leaving Netherlands 62 for 5 at the first drinks break.The pause on the wickets lasted just 27 deliveries. Nidamanuru was unfortunate enough to glove Marsh down the leg side, then Zampa snared two-in-two, as van Beek cut to Josh Inglis and van der Merwe was trapped in front by a googly. Dutt survived the hat-trick ball – another googly – with a thick inside edge.He had no such luck when struck in front while on the back foot in Zampa’s next over. The legspinner then secured a third four-wicket haul in a row when Inglis managed to shovel the ball back on to the stumps after van Meekeren’s back foot had crept in front of the line following an attempted sweep.With that, Netherlands were 90 all out, their final five batters falling for just six runs. All the while, skipper Scott Edwards cut a forlorn figure at the other end. He will know a defeat of this magnitude will not define his team, though they now occupy an unflattering spot on the wrong side of history.

Will a change of manager signal a change in fortune for Ibrox side Rangers?

On Sunday night, following the weekend home defeat at the hands of St Mirren, it was announced that Philippe Clement had been sacked as manager of the Gers, having been, as Findlay Marks of the Scottish Football Show put it, a “dead man walking” ever since the Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Queen’s Park.

The following morning, the club confirmed that former captain Barry Ferguson, who made 409 appearances for the Gers across two spells, would be in interim charge for the rest of the season, alongside Neil McCann, Billy Dodds and Allan McGregor, all of whom are also ex-players.

The Ferguson-era begins at Rugby Park on Wednesday, a ground at which Rangers have lost six of 12 visits since December 2017, so they certainly cannot take Kilmarnock lightly, and the new caretaker boss’ first big decision should be to drop a stalwart of the starting lineup.

The Rangers star Ferguson must drop

Jack Butland joined Rangers in June 2023, simply looking to reinvigorate his career, having played just 17 matches across the previous three seasons, spending the second half of the previous campaign bench warming at Manchester United.

Fair to say he made an instant impression in Glasgow, pulling off a string of outstanding saves, instantaneously known colloquially as ‘Super Jack Butland’.

That is because, Christopher Jack of the Rangers Review believeds he ‘has been a huge figure between the sticks’, asserting that Butland is ‘the best keeper in Scotland by some distance’, while Stephen Halliday of the Times simply labelled his performances as ‘outstanding’.

Meantime, Ewan Murray of the Guardian notes the Englishman has been a ‘virtually an ever-present since joining’, while Archie Rhind-Tutt of ESPN & TNT Sports thought his ‘excellent form’ was going to earn him an England recall, having not featured for the Three Lions since September 2018, although this ultimately did not come to pass.

However, in more recent times, as Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review puts it, ‘Butland’s form has suffered’.

Speaking on Sky Sports, new Rangers assistant manager Neil McCann described his performance at Motherwell in December as “unconvincing”, the goalkeeper’s ‘blushes spared’ by the fact the Steelmen had a late winner disallowed by VAR for rather soft foul by Tony Watt.

Butland has made a few high-profile mistakes, gifting Celtic the Scottish Cup back in May with former Rangers striker Ally McCoist describing his own goal at Old Trafford in January as a “howler”, leading to journalist Luke Hatfield labelling him ‘error-prone’.

This led to him being heavily criticised by supporters, so let’s analyse how Butland’s numbers compare this season to last.

As the table outlines, Butland’s statistics are unanimously worse this season than last, with his post-shot xG – goals allowed figure having nosedived from almost +2 to around -1.5, this the biggest indicator of his drop-off in form.

So, should new manager Ferguson unleash Butland’s deputy at Rugby Park on Wednesday night?

Jack Butland's back-up ready and waiting at Rangers

Back in early January Butland missed the New Year’s Old Firm due to internal bleeding, a match in which Rangers demolished fierce rivals Celtic 3-0, putting in, by far, their best performance under Clement.

Deputising for Butland that day was Liam Kelly, who was described as ‘reliable’ and ‘assured with the ball at his feet’, while Laura Brannan of the Scottish Football Show believes the 29-year-old to be a ‘fantastic’ goalkeeper.

As well as a clean sheet in the Glasgow derby, Kelly also enjoyed shutouts against Dundee and Aberdeen leading to, as noted by Aasif Rahman of Football Insider, supporters questioning why Clement has restored Butland after the understudy had ‘proven himself’ during the Englishman’s absence.

Since arriving from Motherwell in the summer, Kelly has made seven appearances in a Rangers jersey, keeping three clean sheet and conceding just six goals, making nine saves, which translates to a save percentage of 69.2%, higher than Butland’s aforementioned season figure of 63%.

Kelly himself stated “I’ve done alright”, adding he is “looking to go under the radar” by doing “whatever I need to do when called upon.”

Thus, with little left to play for in the Premiership, Ferguson should certainly give his backup goalkeeper opportunities to prove what he can do.

5 Rangers youngsters Barry Ferguson can now unleash at Ibrox

With Ferguson replacing Philippe Clement, he could turn to the club’s youth ranks as Rangers look to salvage what they can from their season.

By
Charlie Smith

Feb 26, 2025

سجل عمر الساعي، لاعب النادي المصري، هدف التعادل والثاني لفريقه أمام بيراميدز، في المباراة المقامة بينهما الآن، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

بيراميدز واجه المصري، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثالثة من عمر مواجهات بطولة الدوري المصري، على ملعب استاد هئية قناة السويس.

طالع.. فيديو | إيفرتون داسيلفا يسجل هدف بيراميدز الأول أمام المصري

وسجل الساعي هدف المصري الثاني في الدقيقة 83 من عمر اللقاء، بعد تسديدة من داخل منطقة الجزاء، لتصبح نتيجة اللقاء 2-2. هدف المصري الثاني أمام بيراميدز.. عمر الساعي

وكان بيراميدز تقدم بهدف أول عن طريق البرازيلي إيفرتون داسيلفا، وتعادل للمصري عبد الرحيم دغموم، ثم تقدم لبيراميدز فيستون مايلي.