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Celtic midfielder Ciaran Dickson has continued his fine start to life at Lennoxtown with a second goal in as many games for the club’s B team, The Scottish Sun report.

The Lowdown: Under-the-radar move

The 19-year-old was released by the Hoops’ crosstown rivals in the summer despite signing a new contract at Ibrox at the beginning of the year.

He was pictured holding up a Celtic shirt at Parkhead at the end of August, although the Hoops never officially unveiled Dickson as a Hoops player.

The midfielder netted against Morton on the weekend, with Celtic B’s Twitter account describing the midfielder as a ‘new signing’.

The Latest: Second goal

Celtic development team coach Tommy McIntyre described Dickson as a ‘top player’ who has ‘made an impact’ already.

Dickson followed up his debut goal for the Hoops’ development side by opening the scoring in a 2-0 win over Gala Fairydean Rovers in recent days.

The Verdict: Positive signs

Dickson has clearly impressed in his opening weeks at Lennoxtown, which can only be a good sign for all associated with the green and white side of Glasgow.

CEO Dominic McKay may have been the man to seal a deal for the free agent recently, and hopefully over time he will progress into Ange Postecoglou’s first-team fold, especially as Celtic only made two senior midfield additions despite losing three in that area during the summer transfer window.

In other news: Pundit reacts as Anthony Joseph shares specific Celtic transfer details. 

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has made an exciting Leeds United claim about Raphinha and Marcelo Bielsa.

What’s the story?

The Whites made a late move to sign Manchester United’s Dan James on transfer deadline day, and Hay has now suggested there could be a very intriguing tactical tweak on the cards for Bielsa.

He said: “He (James) probably starts on the bench, doesn’t he, behind Raphinha (and) behind Jack Harrison – they seem pretty well-established. But we’ll wait to see whether or not there’s any effort made to convert somebody like Raphinha into a 10.

“From what I can gather, that is on Bielsa’s mind, but I think it would take a heck of a lot of coaching and I think it would be a longer-term process. Raphinha doesn’t instantly look to me like a Bielsa player in that two behind Patrick Bamford.

“It always feels like a little bit closer to an 8 than it is to an out-and-out number 10, who plays solely as a 10, but perhaps it can be done, and I mean, Raphinha, his range of skills are exceptional.”

Could be Bielsa’s game-changer

Having seen Raphinha enjoy a superb debut campaign at Elland Road by playing out wide, it feels slightly silly to suggest that Leeds should already think about changing up his position.

However, the Brazilian’s ability to beat players one-on-one, and also have the end product to either deliver a pass or land a shot on goal, makes him a rather interesting fit for that number ten role.

Rodrigo has struggled to nail down that position or even convince in that role behind Patrick Bamford, but Raphinha’s explosiveness and willingness to carry the ball could be a game-changer for Bielsa.

As per WhoScored, out of players who have featured in more than one Premier League game this season for Leeds, the 24-year-old ranks top for shots per game, fourth for key passes and second for dribbles.

The former Rennes man can do it all, and by playing him in that number ten role, Bielsa can then fit both Jack Harrison and James into his team out wide and give Leeds an incredibly pacey and exciting attack.

It’s exactly why Hay’s claim that Bielsa is considering moving Raphinha infield could well be a masterstroke from the Argentine tactician.

Meanwhile, this Leeds ace has seen his value diminish dramatically…

Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting produced contrasting half-centuries on a day when Australia continued to control the second Test

The Bulletin by Peter English29-Nov-2008Australia 3 for 241 (Ponting 79, Hussey 69*) trail New Zealand 270 (Redmond 83, Lee 4-66) by 29 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Ricky Ponting was in excellent touch during a smooth 79, but he fell to a loose shot with a big score looming © AFP
Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting produced contrasting half-centuries on a day when Australia continued to control the second Test but could not bury New Zealand in perfect batting conditions. At stumps the hosts were 3 for 241, 29 behind New Zealand’s below-par 270, and had lost a couple of opportunities to ensure they were the only ones capable of winning the game.There were times when the Australians seemed to be racing away, particularly in the middle session, but the visitors were able to hang on, although they will need early wickets on the third day if they harbour visions of levelling the series. Hussey grafted to an unbeaten 69 from 178 deliveries after Ponting shone with a classy 79 to lift the side after both openers departed before lunch.The pair’s 106-run third-wicket stand settled Australia as Ponting, who rattled 13 fours in his 124-ball stay, showed everyone how to bat on the placid pitch. However, he donated his wicket when aiming a pull to the two-metre Peter Fulton at midwicket without adding to his tea score. As he left, following a brief exchange with the bowler Iain O’Brien, he knew a big score had been handed in that would have pushed New Zealand out of the game.”I felt almost every ball was hit in the middle but I pulled up the innings a bit earlier than I would have liked,” Ponting said. “I got it about an inch from the middle but it just happened to go to the world’s tallest man.”Ponting brought up his fifty with two offside fours in an O’Brien over and at that stage 44 of his 53 runs had come from finding the rope. A pull off O’Brien stood out while he also looked comfortable against the impressive spin of Daniel Vettori, who gave up less than two runs an over in 28 of them. It was a hard day for New Zealand’s cloned fast-bowling attack and O’Brien was the only one to experience success.No batsman in this game has matched the ease with which Ponting has played and the performance had the indirect effect of making Hussey stand out. While Ponting purred, Hussey struggled and fought, defended and scrambled. There were occasional breakthroughs, when he was allowed to drive or pull, but until Ponting’s dismissal he was batting with constraints.After Ponting left Hussey became the senior partner and relaxed, playing a couple of strong pulls from Vettori to bring up his half-century from 146 balls. Even during Hussey’s struggles there was no concern and he achieved his aim of reaching stumps. He will hope for more freedom on the third day and will start with Michael Clarke, who eased to 43, for company.Matthew Hayden started the innings in an intimidating manner in his 100th Test, but his hopes of a long stay were upset when he was run-out for 24 in a mix-up with Simon Katich. After struggling for consistency since returning from a heel injury in India, Hayden was untroubled until he pushed Vettori to mid-on, called for a single and turned around too late when Katich wasn’t interested.It was Hayden’s second run-out in the past three Tests. Katich quickly joined his partner when squirting a bat-pad catch to Jesse Ryder off Vettori, who found a bit of rough, and departed with 23.New Zealand, who started the second morning at 6 for 262, added only eight runs and lasted another 8.3 overs, with Brett Lee picking up four wickets. Any hope of a long partnership between McCullum and Vettori was ended in the third over when McCullum pushed away from his body on 30 and edged to Brad Haddin, who took a smart catch low to the ground.Johnson’s bouncer forced Tim Southee (2) into a fend to Katich at leg gully before Lee added his second and third wickets of the morning. Lee’s figures of 4 for 66 were his best since May and it was a timely haul following his struggles in India. Johnson finished with 2 for 56 from 25 overs to follow Nathan Hauritz’s two wickets on the opening day.

Some Everton fans have been left buzzing as a transfer update emerged on Matthew Hoppe.

As per Bild, the Goodison Park faithful could sign the striker for as little as €4.5m (£3.8m) before the summer window ends, with FC Schalke in need of raising funds following their relegation from the Bundesliga in the 2020/21 season.

Despite his team’s relegation, Hoppe had a fine individual campaign, scoring six goals and adding one assist in 22 games in the German top flight (Transfermarkt), and was described as a player with ‘real quality’ by manager Dimitrios Grammozis back in March.

The USA international could turn out to be a very decent back-up striker to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and at just £3.8m in today’s market, would seemingly be a bit of a steal.

Everton fans on Hoppe transfer update

These supporters of the Merseyside club buzzed as the transfer update on Hoppe was shared by The Everton End on their Twitter page:

“Would love him as a backup y’know”

Credit: @MitchellOtherSm

“#GetHoppe”

Credit: @rvaevertonians

“If Rafa Benitez and Marcel Brands think he can foot it in the Premier League and they want him let’s sign the lad.”

Credit: @PeterPapadopo11

“He’d be good value. A bulldog that would play like Richarlison. And only 20 too! He would give 100% every game.”

Credit: @djfsnow

“Sound him”

Credit: @DayOwens84

“I’ve watched a couple dozen games of his and he has it. Would absolutely THRIVE in Everton blue”

Credit: @HowNeilFeels

In other news, find out what early team news versus Leeds United has Toffees fuming here!

Intikhab Alam was only offered the job as Pakistan coach after Javed Miandad turned down an offer of a fourth stint in the position. Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, said Miandad had been Pakistan’s first choice to replace Geoff Lawson, who was sacked as the coach on Friday.”Intikhab was our second choice after we first went for Javd Miandad,” Butt told . “But it was very good of Javed to tell us that he was not interested in the position and that he would rather help us in other ways in an advisory capacity.”Intikhab will first take charge of the team in Abu Dhabi but I hope that he will remain in the post for two years but this needs to be cleared by the board first. I know that Intikhab has an excellent rapport with the players and I am keen for him to take Pakistan cricket back to where it belongs, and to give us the success we should be having.”Miandad most recently held the coaching role from 2003 to 2004, when he was eventually replaced by Bob Woolmer. He had also been coach in 1998-99 and 2000-01. Intikhab has also had a previous spell as the team’s coach, from 1999 to 2000.

A lingering heel injury has forced Matthew Hayden to consider his limited-overs future, but he says he still has the desire to continue in the format despite having to pull out of the series against Bangladesh. Hayden, who picked up the problem in April, said he was keen to keep appearing in coloured clothes – “at least for this summer”.”I really enjoy it so providing I can hold my spot I will definitely be playing more one-day cricket,” he told the Australian. “It’s not like I’ve played 300 games. I came late to one-day cricket and have played about 150 [161] games.”Hayden was the player of the 2007 World Cup and is the ICC’s one-day player of the year, but he will turn 37 in October and knows time is running out. “I want to finish off the desire I have to play one-day cricket without being selfish because it’s important the team has plenty of time to prepare for the next World Cup,” he said. “That’s still a long way off, but I won’t be ruthless about trying to push on. I don’t want to hang on too long.”Australia will have another look at the future during the three matches against Bangladesh in Darwin, starting from Saturday. Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin are contenders for the opening spots while David Hussey and Cameron White may also receive significant game time. The cancellation of the Champions Trophy has disrupted Australia’s pre-season, but given Hayden a greater opportunity to recover from the Achilles problem.”In the short term it’s disappointing, but in the longer term it’s really good because it gives me extra time to get right for India,” Hayden said. “India is a hugely challenging and iconic series. There have been a lot of distractions lately with the rise of Twenty20 cricket but the premium product is still Test cricket and one of the premium events is playing India.”

Southampton fans are not happy with comments on Moussa Djenepo from Ralph Hasenhuttl, who suggested the 23-year-old will play at left-back this coming campaign.

Southampton are preparing for the new season as Hasenhuttl and co aim to improve on last season’s 15th-place Premier League finish. One of their two signings this term has been left-back Romain Perraud, who joined from Stade Brestois (southamptonfc.com), but the Saints are still light on that side of the back four.

The St. Mary’s Stadium outfit have been linked with a move for Brandon Williams, but they appear to have hit a stumbling block in that respect (The Telegraph). Now, Hasenhuttl has suggested Djenepo could play the term at left-back (Goal.com), a position he did take up at times last season.

These comments were shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and they attracted plenty of attention from the Gers supporters – they appear to believe £11.7m-valued Djenepo (Transfermarkt) is a disaster waiting to happen in that role. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments on Djenepo

“Mad stubborn Ralph at work, absolute liability..”

Credit: @hurstshank

“Oh no”

Credit: @JoshW_SFC

“This worries me. If Ralph is resorting to playing players out of position, then we’re in big trouble”

Credit: @Dixon1970Darren

“Very very worrying if this true and Ralph seriously believes that Djenepo is anywhere near good enough … not only as a LB but for our squad .. Championship or SPL standard at best .. send him to Celtic”

Credit: @smorgy13

“Ralph has lost it! first the clown trousers and now this, utterly baffling…”

Credit: @HackedOffStuart

“He is an accident waiting to happen”

Credit: @CallumWilson21

In other news, Southampton fans are livid with this transfer news.

Many Everton fans have been left gushing as the Goodison Park faithful confirmed the signing of Demarai Gray on their official Twitter page.The Merseyside club released an announcement video showing off their new capture from Bayer Leverkusen in the new home kit, with the number 11 on the back.As per their website, Gray has signed for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal, with the option of a further year.The winger has plenty of experience in playing in the Premier League with Leicester City, and at 25 years of age, has not yet reached his peak.Being English as well, Gray helps fill the home-grown quota for Rafa Benitez’s team, and promises to be a good squad player for them. Everton fans on Gray signing

These Toffees supporters gushed as the signing of Gray was confirmed on Twitter, with one Blue even going as far as to claim that they were ‘buzzing’ after the announcement:

“super excited at this one. Bags of talent and pace”Credit: @w_malik786″Absolutely love this signing c’mon Demarai”Credit: @FadeEarly”Loving our business this transfer market!”Credit: @EvanWills13″I’ll be honest, I’m made up with this signing”Credit: @JayJagsBrown”Pin this tweet la but I think this is a great signing and he will do really well for us”Credit: @depuisla”Buzzing”Credit: @jamie_byromIn other news, find out what transfer update has Evertonians raging here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Leeds United midfielder Carlton Palmer believes it was always going to be difficult for his old club to sign Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher.

As per TEAMtalk, Marcelo Bielsa was keen on bringing Gallagher to Elland Road on loan but ended up missing out on him to Crystal Palace.

Leeds were able to acquire another midfielder with Chelsea connections in Lewis Bate, signing the 18-year-old on a three-year deal, but the Whites will still be disappointed that they lost the race for Gallagher’s signature.

From Palmer’s perspective, though, it was always going to be tough to lure the England U21 international to the Yorkshire club.

“It’s a difficult one, isn’t it?” the ex-Leeds player said. “You’ve got to remember, he’s a London boy. His parent club is Chelsea, so if a club comes in for him and he hasn’t got to leave, he can stay in London, then obviously that’s going to be his first choice.

“I think he’s likely to get more first-team football at Crystal Palace because Leeds have a very, very good side. And then obviously with the opportunity to work with Patrick Vieira, who’s a legend of the game, I think it was always going to be difficult for Leeds.”

Since officially joining Palace, Gallagher has spoken about Vieira being influential in his decision to spend the season at Selhurst Park.

As long as he gets game time, it should be a good move, though it would have been interesting to see how he would have developed under a brilliant coach in Bielsa.

MatériaMais Notícias

O último duelo entre Botafogo e Fluminense terminou em 3 a 2, depois de o Glorioso abrir vantagem de 2 a 0. Logo após o jogo, os jogadores assumiram que falhas deles mesmos foram decisivas para o revés. Agora, na semifinal da Taça Rio, Airton quer evitar novos erros para tentar avançar à final do turno.

– O time começou muito bem, fizemos 2 a 0, mas acabamos dando uma relaxada. Eles (Flu) têm jogadores rápidos na frente, mas conversamos. Não vamos cometer mais esses erros – garante o camisa 5, que completou:

– Sabemos que se falharmos, eles serão perigosos, recompõem rapidamente também. O professor Jair vai ver a melhor forma para jogarmos – explica.

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