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Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been tipped to pursue a deal for a new Hoops midfielder from one of the club’s Premiership rivals…

What’s the talk?

The Herald journalist James Cairney has urged Celtic to make a move for St Mirren midfielder Jamie McGrath in the January transfer window.

His contract at St Mirren expires at the end of the season and Cairney believes that the Hoops could benefit from snapping him up on a cut-price deal in the winter market to improve their options in the middle of the park.

Armstrong 2.0

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou could land Stuart Armstrong 2.0 by completing a deal to sign McGrath in the January window.

Mo Elyounoussi was the only midfielder or wide player to hit double figures for goals in the Premiership for Celtic last term, with David Turnbull’s eight the next most by a player from those positions.

Coincidently, Elyounoussi has now returned to Southampton to play alongside another player who knows a thing or two about scoring goals for Celtic – Armstrong. In his last two seasons in Scotland, Armstrong produced 22 goals and 13 assists in all competitions for the Hoops, including 18 goals in the league, and was then sold to the Saints in 2018 for £7.16m.

McGrath showed last season for St Mirren that he has the quality to come in and be Celtic’s next goalscoring attacking midfielder, just like Armstrong was during his time at the club. He scored 17 goals and provided six assists in all competitions last term, including ten goals in the Premiership.

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin previously lauded the player and claimed that his bravery in possession of the ball is second to none, saying:

“He had been pigeonholed as a No 10 at Dundalk and people looked at him as a luxury player, but I had a very good conversation with Jamie and his representatives and explained that I saw there was more to him than that.

“My belief was that he could become a No 8 and be a box-to-box player and I think he’s shown he can do that.

“He’s not one to fly into tackles, but he gets close to opponents, he’s fit, he’s quick and his composure on the ball is incredible. His creativity and bravery when in possession is second to none.”

This highlights the level of quality he could bring to Postecoglou’s side and why they should act upon Cairney’s advice and make a swoop for him in January. The Australian head coach could unearth the next goalscoring central midfield sensation, Armstrong 2.0 if you will, by snapping McGrath up from St Mirren.

AND in other news, Ange must ruthlessly axe 26 y/o dud who left Celtic “livid”, he’s not good enough…

West Brom shared images of controlling shareholder Guochuan Lai at the club’s training ground on Wednesday afternoon.

And, as to be expected, a number of Baggies fans were quick to flock to social media to give their thoughts to the club’s official Twitter post.

Lai hasn’t been present in the Midlands over the past three years, leaving the day-to-day running of the club to chief executive Xu Ke and chairman Li Piyue.

However, he made a shock appearance on Wednesday to meet the first-team squad and hold meetings with head coach Valerien Ismael and other staff members on his plans to take the club forward.

It is reported that he spoke with Ismael for 45 minutes, with the January transfer window one topic that was discussed. Lai isn’t expected to be present for the Baggies’ trip to Barnsley on Friday evening, though, and his appearance at the club’s training ground left many surprised.

Baggies fans react

This is what these West Brom supporters had to say in reply to the four images of Lai, with one ‘shocked’ and another labelling it as ‘interesting’.

“He makes me want to cry”

Credit: @jordanebanks_

“Surely not?”

Credit: @CameronHarris07

“I’m shocked”

Credit: @LukeyP_wba

“Interesting”

Credit: @JoeTalbotWBA

“he still knows we exist?????”

Credit: @Adam_WBAFC

“Well, would you look at this? I for one, cannot believe my eyes.”

Credit: @alio2525

In other news: ‘Shameful’ – Lots of West Brom fans fume as club share ‘ridiculous’ news. 

Journalist Ronan Murphy has been left reacting to some exciting Newcastle United transfer news which has now emerged.

The Lowdown: Ndicka interest from Newcastle

As per Bild, the St. James’ Park outfit are now interested in signing Evan Ndicka from Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer window.

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His contract at the Bundesliga club expires in 2023, so he could be available on the cheap with just a year left on that deal.

The Latest: Murphy reacts to Ndicka transfer latest

Taking to Twitter, journalist and Bundesliga pundit Murphy has now given his reaction to the news, claiming that Ndicka is an ‘upgrade’ on Ciaran Clark as he said:

“Newcastle are interested in Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan N’Dicka, according to Bild. Definitely an upgrade on Ciaran Clark.”

The Verdict: Exciting

As Newcastle have all but guaranteed their safety in the Premier League, they can now start to look towards the summer in terms of upgrading their squad.

At 22 years of age, Ndicka is a rising star in football and is enjoying a fine season at Frankfurt, helping them to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Described as a ‘towering’ central defender, journalist Jacque Talbot has recently noted the Frenchman’s dominating presence, as the 6 foot 4 colossus has won a mammoth 3.8 of his aerial duels per match in the Bundesliga, notching an impressive four goals and four assists in the process.

Compared t0 Clark, who is now on the fringes at Tyneside, it is simply not a contest. Ndicka has averaged more tackles, interceptions, clearances, shots, key passes, dribbles and long balls per game than the Irishman in their respective domestic leagues this season (WhoScored).

Selling the 32-year-old and bringing in Ndicka would seem to be a smart piece of business from the Magpies, with Murphy’s statement a fair one based on the above metrics.

In other news, find out who could now be first to leave NUFC this summer

Leeds United are interested in signing Torino right-back Ola Aina in the January transfer window, according to a new transfer rumour that has emerged.

The Lowdown: Aina impresses in Italy

The 25-year-old has become an established player for Torino since joining in 2019, making 13 Serie A starts already this season.

He can play anywhere across the defence or on either wing, per Whoscored, and ranks highly amongst his teammates in both interceptions and successful take-ons, showing his ability on both sides of the ball.

Aina also has 21 caps to his name for Nigeria, having initially represented England during his youth team years, making four appearances for the Under-20s.

It could be that a return to England appeals for the defender, however – he was originally at Chelsea between 2015 and 2019 – and Leeds appear to be contenders to snap him up.

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The Latest: Leeds eye up move

According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], ‘there is Leeds’ when it comes to those clubs showing an interest, with Torino willing to sell him if the ‘right proposal’ comes along.

Aina’s current deal expires in the summer of 2023, essentially giving the Italian side two more transfer windows to sell him for a decent fee, should they want to.

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The Verdict: Strong Ayling replacement

With Luke Ayling turning 31 later this year, it is important that Leeds plan for the long-term and bring in someone who can be his eventual replacement.

Aina could be that man, having already picked up plenty of experience in Italy but also being at an age where he can improve further as a player. Torino manager Ivan Juric has hailed his crossing ability, highlighting what he could bring to the side.

He has averaged one tackle and 1.4 interceptions per game in the league this season – Ayling has averaged 1.6 and 0.9, respectively – and he shouldn’t cost a large amount, with Transfermarkt valuing him at £4.95million.

With his contract expiring in 2023 and Leeds currently boasting plenty of depth on the right flank, perhaps this is a move we could see later in the year or next January, when Ayling will have one more season on the legs while the Italian outfit will have little choice but to offer up a bargain for Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani.

In other news, Leeds have been linked with another player – find out who it is here.

A number of Everton fans have flocked to reports that the club are interested in appointing Tim Cahill to a senior executive role at Goodison Park.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, the Toffees legend could return to Merseyside in a senior executive role, as following Rafael Benitez’s sacking on Sunday, the board are keen on re-integrating former players who know the club well.

Cahill is currently chief sports officer at the Aspire Academy in the United Arab Emirates and is on the board at Belgian club KAS Eupen. The 42-year-old has also completed his coaching badges in a bid to return to the highest echelons of European football in a new role.

The Australian had an illustrious career with Everton; in 278 appearances for the club, the attacking midfielder scored 68 goals and produced 29 assists over an eight-year spell on Merseyside, firmly establishing himself as a hero among the Goodison Park faithful.

Everton fans gleeful over possible Cahill return

After Twitter fan feed Everton Blue Army shared the Daily Mail’s report, many supporters flocked to the comments to voice their delight at the prospective return of Cahill to the club.

Here’s what these fans said about this “great” news:

“Would love to see Everton playing football in the style this guy played the game. If he came in and stamped it on the club I’d be very happy.”

Credit: @nismoneil

“That would be great”

Credit: @LizaDurkin

“Does he still play”

Credit: @dave_rylett

“I’d have no problem with this.”

Credit: @seanrostron

“top professional in everything he has ever done.”

Credit: @_Bluran_

“Speaks a lot of sense about what the club need so it’s not as bad as what everyone makes it out to be.”

Credit: @Jay____177

In other news: These reports of another ex-Everton employee coming back to Goodison Park were not so warmly received

As per the club’s official website, Championship side Stoke City completed a Deadline Day move to sign striker Sam Vokes. The 29-year-old had been playing his football at Premier League outfit Burnley and had done so since leaving Wolves back in 2012, although struggles for regular football under Clarets manager Sean Dyche earlier this season called his future at Turf Moor into question.

And it was Nathan Jones’ Stoke who officially sealed a deal for the Wales international on Deadline Day, with Peter Crouch going the other way, and given the Potters’ struggles for goals this term, the £5.4 million-rated ace (as per Transfermarkt) could prove to be the man to help fire Stoke into promotion contention.

The Breakdown

Ultimately, it has proven to be a tough return to the Championship for the Staffordshire-based outfit this season given they sit 15th in the table after 29 matches, and eight points adrift of the play-off positions.

And their stuttering start ultimately cost Gary Rowett his job earlier this month to be replaced by Jones, and while the former Luton Town manager masterminded an impressive victory over Leeds United earlier this month, their familiar woes in front of goal were again evident last time out in losing 2-0 at home to Preston North End at the weekend – their fourth game in their last six in the league in which they have failed to score.

And with only 33 goals from their 29 Championship matches this term, only one side in Middlesbrough have scored fewer of those above the Potters in the table, it’s pretty clear just how much they were crying out for a striker in the last knockings of the January window.

And in Burnley’s Vokes, they may well have the man who can fire them into promotion contention in the second half of the season.

The Welshman may well have found regular starts hard to come by at Burnley in the first half of the season, starting only ten times in the Premier League, but one mustn’t forget the great level of service he gave the Clarets in his six-and-a-half year stay in Lancashire.

The 29-year-old netted 56 goals in 230 games for Dyche’s men to help establish them in the top-flight, with ten of those goals coming in their Premier League season of 2016/17 as they staved off relegation – the season before had seen Vokes bag 15 times in the Championship to help them win promotion.

Add in 20 goals in 39 league appearances in the 2013/14 season, another in which Burnley were promoted, and it’s clear just how effective the Wales international has been at second tier level over the years – he would be an asset to the vast majority of teams in the Championship.

And that seems none-more-so clearer than in a Stoke side struggling to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis – but at just eight points adrift of the top six, and the recent win over Leeds showing their credentials, promotion isn’t out of the question just yet.

In fact, with a striker like Vokes leading the line, the 29-year-old could well prove to be the man to help fire Jones’ men up the second tier table as the season wears on.

Stoke fans… what do you think? Let us know!

Rangers should be ‘on the phone’ to Chelsea in January if Billy Gilmour continues to struggle for game time at Norwich City, Kris Commons says. 

The lowdown

Gilmour was part of Rangers’ youth set-up before he left for Chelsea in July 2017.

The European champions have loaned him out to the newly-promoted Canaries for the 2021/22 season.

But the midfielder has only started four of Norwich City’s first nine Premier League matches and last made an appearance over a month ago in an EFL Cup defeat against Liverpool.

In fact, he’s actually clocked up more minutes for Scotland this term than he has for Daniel Farke’s side.

And according to international team-mate John McGinn, Gilmour is ‘frustrated’ with his current situation at Carrow Road.

The latest

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Commons floated the possibility of a temporary return to Ibrox.

He dismissed any suggestions it would be a ‘backwards step’ and argued that he would represent an upgrade on the veteran Steven Davis.

“If Gilmour is still twiddling his thumbs in January, Rangers should get on the phone to Chelsea and at least ask the question,” he wrote, as quoted by The Daily Record.

“Some people might think it would be a backward step to return to his old club. But Rangers are a different animal now compared to when Gilmour left in 2017.

“I’m a big fan of Steven Davis and he’s been brilliant for Rangers. But I would have Gilmour ahead of him all day.

“That’s how good the boy is.

“He could transform the Ibrox midfield and offer a whole new dynamic as the deep-lying playmaker.”

The verdict

According to The Athletic, Rangers were among the teams who wanted Gilmour in the summer but, along with the likes of Newcastle United and Southampton, they lost out to Norwich.

Chelsea were given assurances that Gilmour would ‘feature regularly’, so if the current situation continues, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him recalled.

And if that happens, Rangers may well be in the conversation again.

In other news, fans were unhappy with this player’s conduct.

Newcastle failed to build on any momentum a 1-0 win over Burnley gave them as they were hammered 4-0 by Leicester on Sunday.

The Magpies were torn to shreds by the Foxes in the second half as they conceded three goals from the 56th minute onwards, having gone 1-0 down in the first-half after Jamaal Lascelles was adjudged to have fouled James Maddison in the box.

Eddie Howe’s team are 19th in the Premier League table after 16 games and have only won one match all campaign, whilst they have also conceded the most goals (34) in the division.

Axe him

One player who struggled against Leicester was central defender Fabian Schar, who has had a difficult season at St. James’ Park.

He failed to make a single block, interception or tackle in the 90 minutes, whilst losing two of his three duels on the ground. The centre-back only completed 67% of his attempted passes and lost possession of the ball a whopping 24 times in total.

This came after he struggled badly in the win over Burnley. As per SofaScore, he lost 11 of his 13 duels and only completed 42% of his attempted passes. He also gave the ball away 20 times and made one block, whilst failing to make a tackle or interception.

Over the course of the season so far, he has lost the ball 110 times in seven Premier League appearances, whilst averaging just 1.7 tackles and interceptions per game. He has found a teammate with an abysmal 66% of his passes overall, showing that he has been dreadful with the ball at his feet this season with his failure to find the right colour shirt with his passing.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe recently admitted that he has been a fan of Schar from afar and claimed that he is a ‘fantastic’ player.

He said: “I have been an admirer of Fabian from afar for a long, long time. I think he’s a fantastic footballer.

“He has also shown his defensive resilience and mentality to not want to concede.”

This suggests that he believes there is a good player in there and axing him from the team for a few matches could benefit him. It could give him time to get back to 100% and be ready to come back into the XI and start showing why Howe thinks he is a ‘fantastic’ defender.

In the 2018/19 campaign, Schar averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.14 and made 5.3 tackles and interceptions per game at centre-back for the Magpies. This level of form may be what Howe is referring to with his comments, but his form this season is a far cry from this and that is why he should be brutally axed from the team, for now.

AND in other news, Forget Joelinton: NUFC must seal record-breaking swoop for “world-class” £42.7m beast…

Wolverhampton Wanderers are battling for the signature of highly-rated teenage goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

What’s the story?

Wolves are amongst several Premier League clubs interested in the 17-year-old according to reports, via Inside Futbol. He is currently playing in the MLS at Chicago Fire and is rated at £2.7m by Transfermarkt.

Wanderers are battling with both Southampton and Chelsea for his signature but with sanctions against the latter, it is slowly becoming a two-horse race.

The American youngster made his MLS debut in August last year where he became the youngest goalkeeper to start and keep a clean sheet in the division.

He’s been compared to Buffon and Neuer

Slonina is thought of so highly that he’s been compared to goalkeeping greats Gianluigi Buffon and Manuel Neuer. If he’s to reach those levels then he’ll have to work hard, but he’s already attracting interest from Europe at his age so it’s a good sign.

When asked about whether or not he could reach the levels of Buffon and Neuer he said “I use it as a motivation” and that he grew up “idolising” them both.

Signing his first professional deal at 14-years of age he has since excelled to become the number one at his club.

Speaking of his qualities, manager Ezra Hendrickson commented: “He’s a young player, but this kid has talent.”

His overall record for the Fire is impressive with 17 appearances and four clean sheets to his name. He plays at U20 level for his country and has even been called up to the senior national team but still hasn’t made an appearance.

Reports state that any deal done could rise to £10m which would make it the highest sale for a goalkeeper in MLS history.

Slonina’s clean sheet and save percentage so far this season is in the top 4% in his league. It’s unlikely he would compete with Wolves’ number one José Sá just yet but he is one for the future and could potentially compete for the reserve spot currently held by John Ruddy.

It’s bold to compare him to legends who are as good as Buffon and Neuer, but 17 is extremely young for a goalkeeper so this is one we will certainly be keeping an eye on for years to come.

IN other news: Wolves targeting “breathtaking” £32m-rated gem, he’s miles better than Traore – opinion…