West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo is a planning a serious overhaul of his squad as he makes ‘big plans’, according to a former Hammers employee.

West Ham battling relegation with January crucial

The Hammers find themselves embroiled in a desperate fight for Premier League survival following one of their most turbulent campaigns in recent memory, with the January transfer window representing a potential lifeline for Nuno’s struggling side.

Currently languishing in 18th with just 11 points, they’ve endured a nightmare start that saw Graham Potter dismissed after recording the second-worst win percentage of any West Ham boss in Premier League history.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

Recent form under Nuno has offered some encouragement, but the Portuguese faces an uphill battle to drag his squad away from the relegation zone.

West Ham play Man United in a vital clash tonight, which has been made all the more important by Leeds United and Nottingham Forest’s victories this week, with Nuno desperate not to let the points gap at the bottom grow any further.

Securing a striker has also emerged as the club’s absolute priority ahead of the winter window.

Niclas Füllkrug’s disastrous spell appears destined to end after just 18 months, with the German international managing only three goals since his £27 million arrival from Borussia Dortmund.

His agent publicly admitted a January departure “makes sense,” and West Ham have already begun identifying replacements.

Union Saint-Gilloise forward Promise David is a very solid candidate in this regard.

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The imposing 6 foot 5 striker has notched 34 goals in 63 appearances for the Belgian champions and could be available for just £17.5 million, representing excellent value for the east Londoners, who are reportedly in pole position after making contact.

West Ham also want a new defender and midfielder, according to insiders like ExWHUemployee, and this has been backed up by another former worker of the club.

Nuno making 'big plans' at West Ham in transfer revelation

Speaking to Football Insider, ex-West Ham senior scout Mick Brown has claimed that Nuno is making ‘big plans’ for the transfer market and wants to bolster an array of key positions.

Brown went on to claim that West Ham also have their eyes on a centre-half, midfielder and a top goalscorer, so there is a lot of work for David Sullivan to contemplate if they manage to stay in the top flight.

In terms of the budget for January to pull off this overhaul, West Ham may not have much to play with, as reports suggest they’re set to operate with limited spending power.

For Nuno to realistically get his wish, it’ll likely be over multiple windows, but that will again be dependent on West Ham’s standing come May.

Josko Gvardiol has warned Arsenal that they have no room for error after Manchester City again sliced away at the Gunners' lead at the top of the Premier League. City capitalised on Arsenal's dramatic 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa on Saturday with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sunderland, reducing what was a seven-point deficit two weeks ago to a two-point gap.

City have chased down Arsenal before

City have managed to reel in Arsenal twice in the last three Premier League seasons. In 2022-23 Arsenal spent 248 days at the top of the table and were eight points clear of City at the start of April, albeit having played one game more. While the Gunners began to wobble in April with draws at Liverpool and West Ham after throwing away leads, City came into their own and thrashed Mikel Arteta's side 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium, going on to finish five points clear.

The 2023-24 season was more closely fought but City again outlasted Arsenal, winning the title on the final day of the season by two points. Gvardiol, who scored in the win over Sunderland, revealed that City saw that Villa had snatched their last-gasp win just before going out to warm up. 

The defender was involved in that title win and he reiterated how much pressure will be on both teams at the business end of the season. The Gunners are top on 33 points, City are second on 31 while Villa are just behind in third on 30 points after winning their last five Premier League games.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGvardiol: We're getting closer

"I remember in my first season we were on the top and fighting for the Premier League and you go Fulham away, all the games, you need to win. If you lose or drop points that's it," Gvardiol told reporters. "First of all they have a good team. It's not just them, it's Aston Villa, Chelsea is good. Sunderland two weeks ago were there at the top. It won't be easy and the season is long. 

"We're not even at the halfway stage. Still a lot of games to play. Two points behind so we are getting closer. We need to build it up like we have for the last two or three months. We will see at the end. Every game is important and we need to win every game. It's a big three points and now focus on Wednesday [against Real Madrid]."

Gvardiol looking forward to facing England in World Cup

Gvardiol is also looking forward to coming up against his City team-mates when England face Croatia in their first game at the 2026 World Cup next June. Gvardiol made his major tournament debut for Croatia against the Three Lions at Euro 2020 when he was still playing for RB Leipzig, facing future club-mates Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and John Stones. England won 1-0 with a goal from then-City player Raheem Sterling.

The two nations have a big rivalry on the pitch stemming from the 2018 World Cup semi-final, which Croatia came from behind to win 2-1 after extra-time, although Gvardiol was not involved in that game as he was only 16 at the time. Croatia were also responsible for one of England's most humiliating moments in the 21st century as they stopped them from qualifying for Euro 2008.

"I just spoke to Nico [O'Reilly] about our group," Gvardiol said. "First of all it's life for Croatia, for my nation and our people. It's a big thing to be at the World Cup. When it starts all we try to do is go game by game and try to win as many points as possible and qualify for the next round. I'm happy that I'm going to see them [his City team-mates]. Hopefully all of them will be in the team. I spoke to Kalvin this morning. I remember my first Euros, his first Euros we played against each other in the first game. Kalvin was there, John, Phil, Kyle. I was playing as a full-back so I was on Kyle's side."

Croatia finished third at the last World Cup in Qatar, knocking out Brazil on penalties to make it to the semi-finals where they were eventually beaten by Argentina. But Gvardiol said they have to stay humble.

"We need to stay on the ground," he said. "We're a small nation and we go game by game. That's it. Even the results in Russia and Qatar, we weren't expecting it. With a bit of luck and the energy we put into the games, anything is possible."

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Getty Images SportVulnerable Real Madrid up next for reinvigorated City

City will be in a confident mood when they travel to Spain for Wednesday's Champions League clash at Real Madrid. The opposite is true of Los Blancos, who suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Celta Vigo on Sunday and had two men sent off. The defeat increased the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso and City are hoping to pile more misery on the Spanish giants, who knocked them out of three of the last four editions of the competition and humbled them 6-3 on aggregate last season.

"We go to Madrid to win and not concede a goal and we are ready for that," said City forward Rayan Cherki. "We know Madrid are a very good team but we go there to win, just for that."

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has delivered a scathing assessment of his side’s performance following their 2-0 victory against Pafos in the Champions League, labelling parts of their first-half display as "embarrassing". The Italian tactician lamented that his players missed "easy balls" and struggled defensively, necessitating a tactical reshuffle involving Weston McKennie to shore up a fragile backline.

• Juventus seal vital Champions League victory

  While three points in the Champions League usually calls for celebration, the mood in the Juventus camp was decidedly sombre following their latest European outing against the Cypriot side. Despite securing a victory that keeps their slim hopes of a top-eight finish alive in the league phase, the Bianconeri were far from convincing, leaving their manager fuming at the technical poverty and defensive fragility on display.
  Spalletti refused to sugarcoat the evening's events during his post-match media duties, making it clear that while the result was necessary, the method of achieving it fell well below the standards required at the elite level of European football.

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  Juventus did 'the bare minimum', says Spalletti

  The primary source of Spalletti’s ire was a disjointed first-half performance where Juventus seemed unable to string passes together or control the tempo of the game. For a coach who prides himself on fluid, possession-based football, seeing his side struggle with the basics was a bitter pill to swallow.

  Speaking to after the whistle, Spalletti offered a brutally honest verdict on the initial 45 minutes, saying: "It was fundamental to win and with victories, things are put right. I am not happy and neither are the lads, we could and should have done more. We did the bare minimum, in the first half there were also embarrassing situations. Then after the goal, we had more tranquillity."

• Defensive headaches

  Beyond the general malaise, Spalletti pinpointed specific tactical deficiencies that left his side exposed. The injury crisis in defence forced the manager into uncomfortable compromises, most notably the deployment of Weston McKennie in a defensive role and the shifting of Pierre Kalulu.

  The balance of the backline was a major concern, with Pafos finding it far too easy to create goalscoring opportunities on the counter-attack. Spalletti’s analysis of his full-backs was particularly telling, highlighting the trade-off between offensive output and defensive solidity.

  "Difficulty defending? It is true, we must also recover a right centre-back to let Kalulu play full-back and not McKennie," Spalletti explained.

  He reserved specific criticism for the defensive vulnerabilities on the flanks, noting that while Andrea Cambiaso offers a threat going forward, he can become a liability when facing dynamic wingers.

  "Also Cambiaso is very offensive and struggles against players who cut inside," the manager added. "We conceded too much and exploited our qualities little, missing easy balls. For the moment it is like this, we take the second half."

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  What's next?

  The victory provides breathing space, but it has not solved the underlying problems. Spalletti’s public undressing of the team’s performance serves as a warning shot: this level of play will not suffice in the knockout stages against stronger opposition.

  They are now 17th in the Champions League table, leaving them on track to advance as an unseeded team for the knockout play-off draw. However, with just three points separating them from the top eight, Spalletti will hope to get maximum points from their last two games of the round to ensure they go straight into the last-16.

  First of all, however, they will aim to crawl back up the Serie A table as Spalletti's seventh-placed team visit a Bologna side sitting fifth and with just one defeat in their last 15 matches in all competitions. AC Milan and Napoli are currently eight points clear of Spalletti's Bianconeri at the top of the table.

Everton are now reportedly keeping close tabs on a Premier League gem who’s been compared to Aston Villa’s Jadon Sancho.

Everton ready to pounce in Zirkzee race

Everton’s January transfer window may well centre around Premier League talent. The Toffees already enjoyed great success in the summer when they welcomed out-of-favour stars Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Now, The Friedkin Group could look to repeat that act of genius.

Despite the fact that Thierno Barry finally scored his first goal for the club against Nottingham Forest last time out, it seems as though those in Merseyside still intend to target an attacking reinforcement.

Reports have even gone as far as to claim that they’re ready to pounce in the race to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United in January. The forward has fallen down the pecking order since the arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, but could have his season saved by the Toffees.

Zirkzee may have struggled at Old Trafford, but Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall are living proof that a move to Merseyside can quickly revive a career.

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Even if Barry now kicks on, David Moyes could do with that extra attacking addition, given that Beto is yet to show signs that he’ll become a viable goalscoring option for Everton.

That’s not to say Zirkzee is their only target, however. Alongside the Man United forward, the Toffees have also reportedly set their sights on signing Chelsea’s young, versatile winger, Tyrique George.

Like Zirkzee, the youngster has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and is now looking to leave Chelsea when the winter window swings open in less than a month.

Everton keeping close tabs on Tyrique George

According to TeamTalk, Everton are now eyeing a move to sign George and have joined Leeds United in the early race to secure the 19-year-old’s signature.

Compared to Sancho by Italian media, George wouldn’t be the first struggling Chelsea star to find life at Everton. His former teammate, Dewsbury-Hall has undeniably thrived since arriving in Merseyside.

Ultimately, fresh faces have forced George down the pecking order in West London, but Enzo Maresca was certainly impressed by the teenager last season.

The Chelsea boss told reporters after George’s display against Man United in May: “Very good. Very good. Brave. He was a threat in behind. Not easy for him because on the other side you have Maguire, you have Lindelof, you have Shaw.

“He was fighting against important defenders. But again, we tried to find a solution with a player from the academy. Overall I think also he had the penalty moment, so he works quite good.”

Whether it’s Everton or Leeds, both would benefit from George’s arrival in the January transfer window and the striker himself desperately needs senior minutes if he is to kick on.

Pakistan hardly put on a clinic against Bangladesh, but the universe, it seems, can’t prevent the contest this competition has been destined for

Danyal Rasool26-Sep-20252:24

Aaron: Pakistan found right ‘mixture of calm and emotion’

Shaheen Shah Afridi is apparently a low-value wicket. So low-value, in fact, that Pakistan didn’t even use him with the bat against India last Sunday, which is objectively a high-value match. So low-value that even Bangladesh – impeccable in the field until then – appeared to momentarily forget it was still a wicket worth taking, and put down two fairly straightforward chances Afridi offered up. He had said on Tuesday after Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka he was willing to “give his life” for Pakistan, but no one seemed to take him seriously.But there hadn’t been much value from the batters Pakistan do set store by either. Within the first ten balls of the innings, Sahibzada Farhan had sliced Taskin to the backward-point fielder, and Saim Ayub had got his fourth Asia Cup duck after a heady two-game streak of getting off the mark.At this point, Hasan Ali had sprinted up to the middle – not, mercifully, to bat, though with Pakistan sticking and twisting with their order all tournament, you never could be too certain. He gave Fakhar Zaman a drink, and a message, as if Pakistan’s Plan B specifically covered being 5 for 2 inside ten deliveries.Related

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It’s unclear what Hasan said, though it didn’t seem to have helped Fakhar’s game much. He would spent his brief, tortured stay at the crease trying to charge Bangladesh’s quicks, his wild hacks connecting only with the desert air. By the time Rishad Hossain came to bowl after the powerplay, the 35-year-old was like the old family faithful that had fought to the very end, and had earned the right to give up. A weary slog off his 20th ball found long-off; his 100th T20I innings would also be his slowest in games where he had faced at least that many balls. The end of the powerplay had seen 24 dot balls, by that stage the highest for any side all tournament.When the innings’ halfway stage arrived, a bedraggled Pakistan had limped to 46 for 4, half of what they managed against India in their last game at this venue, and for the loss of three further wickets. Four days on from the perfect start to the one game Pakistan want to win most, the worst of Pakistan reared its head in the game they had viewed as a stepping stone to one last crack at beating India.

****

It is said in football that the most dangerous situation is a two-goal lead, even though every side wants to get themselves in that position. That is perhaps because momentum, or the perception of it, feels like it plays an outsized role in a sporting contest, like a tug of war contest where the exact position of each line doesn’t matter so much as the direction of travel.With Pakistan 51 for 5 after 11 overs, Bangladesh are ascendant; that wouldn’t have changed even if Nurul Hasan’s little goose-step to the left had been timed well enough to allow the ball to stick in his hand. But it doesn’t. Three balls later, another primitive smear from Afridi flies up into the Ring of Fire lights. Mahedi Hasan puts it down again. Within a couple of overs, Afridi has connected with two balls that are sent sailing out of Dubai. That two-goal lead doesn’t seem quite as secure anymore.1:49

Wahab: Additional pressure on India in the final

“We’ve won a lot of games in the last few months where we were far from owning the whole 40 overs,” coach Mike Hesson said after the game. “We had to fight back. But what I can say about this team is they are incredibly proud to represent Pakistan. Every single one had belief we could fight our way out of it. That’s what you want in a team representing your country. We’re incredibly proud of the way we fought. We don’t want to be 4 for 33 all the time, I assure you that. But the fact we can win games from that position shows the character in the group.”That belief may also have to do with Pakistan’s addiction to these situations. Hesson would say after the game that Bangladesh had prevented Pakistan from playing the perfect match, but Pakistan’s ultimate yearning has always been for chaotic glory, not structured success. High on their own supply of fateful triumphs past, Pakistan strut their way around the remainder of the innings in a manner that belies the position they are in, or the circuitous route they took to get here. This is merely the latest turn for Pakistan in a tournament that has taken on a sense of inevitable destiny for them.That is a force much too powerful for Bangladesh to resist, who will wistfully look back at the last three quarters of the game, and how they allowed themselves to be background characters in Pakistan’s madcap adventure. Hesson’s tactic of eschewing specialist fast bowling to squeeze every last bit of batting into Pakistan’s side always felt like a tactic in search of a situation, but as Pakistan closed out their innings, you imagined this was the kind of game he kept envisioning: nos. 6-9 score a combined 89 in 60 balls, the final nine overs producing 84, the second-highest in the Super Fours so far.Bangladesh supporters outnumber Pakistan’s by at least three to one, so the noise in the stands is a verdict of Bangladesh’s position in the game. As the scorching heat of Dubai relents, more seats are gobbled up. But the voices seem to go even quieter.3:15

Why do Bangladesh struggle in pressure situations?

The four sixes Bangladesh hit in the powerplay belie the leaden timidity they display for much of it. When the fielding restrictions are lifted, they have already outdone Pakistan’s tournament-high dot-ball count; they have played 25. The required rate is soon climbing, and the moment has overtaken them. While Pakistan can grow into these situations, Bangladesh have historically shrunk from them. It is the perfect cocktail to turn them into fodder for Pakistan’s juggernaut.There is no sense, even in that passage of dominance, that Pakistan are putting on any kind of clinic. Even with victory virtually guaranteed, there are moments of comic Pakistan frenzy. Haris Rauf over-exerts himself in the 18th over, falling to his knees in the delivery stride. He will not get up for six minutes as he receives extended treatment. But when he does, he’ll send the bails flying twice in the next three balls.With Bangladesh down to their last pair, Pakistan let them get uncomfortably close, dropping a catch before conceding 21 in ten balls. It leaves the chase a mathematical possibility right down to the last two deliveries. But the universe, it seems, simply cannot hold back the contest this competition was probably created to deliver as frequently as possible.An India vs Pakistan final may have been divinely ordained, but it needed Pakistan at its flawed, human best to take the tournament to that point. There may have been plenty lost in Pakistan cricket over the years, but as the small pocket of supporters who stayed back to dance to “Dil Dil Pakistan” on a muggy Dubai night reminded you, it is still anything but low-value.

England captain urges his side to take “live and let live” attitude to intense scrutiny by Australian media

Vithushan Ehantharajah02-Dec-20252:29

Miller: England must back their approach to win second Test

“My sponsors will be happy, because I seem to be in the press every four days,” laughed Ben Stokes.Rarely has a day gone by on this England tour that the Test captain has not been long lensed by local paparazzi. The latest shots of Stokes – wearing the odd bit of sponsored stash – were of him e-scootering around central Brisbane with some team-mates (without helmets, a fineable offense that plenty flaunt) at least added a bit of variety to the photo album of touring players. A welcome twist on already tired snaps of airport arrivals and departures, golf and even strolling out of aquariums.It is reasonable to wager that if England were 1-0 up rather than 1-0 down, the focus on them would not be as intense. Winning changes everything. And that may be the big takeaway from the various invasions of privacy. If England cannot square the series in this second Test – a day-night match which starts on Thursday – the vultures will be working overtime.All the squad knew what to expect before heading over. Stokes, Brendon McCullum and even Joe Root made a note of highlighting just how different Ashes tours are. You might get mobbed in India, but you get rushed in Australia.Related

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“Before we got out here those conversations happened as a group: ‘This is what it is going to be like, so it is not unexpected’,” said Stokes. “When we got here there were cameras in front of the hotel from 8am, following us on the golf course and even when we went out for some lunch yesterday.”One of the important things on tour when under pressure is to go out, free your mind, enjoy yourself, and whatever is going on in that world, let it be. They are going to be there and film us. The message to the group is please don’t make decisions based on the fact you might get caught on camera. We are human. We need to enjoy countries when we get the opportunity because we live in England where it is miserable, freezing cold and dark at 4pm.”It is what it is. It will probably continue throughout the rest of the tour and I don’t see anything wrong with going out and spending your time off on a golf course or having coffee or lunch, riding on a scooter. It’s fine. If they want to keep doing it, they are all polite and don’t intrude on our personal space. We have a job to do, they have a job to do.”England’s next job is huge. Australia’s dominance in pink ball Tests reads 13 victories out of 14. And though their only defeat came at The Gabba – against West Indies in 2024 – England last won here in 1986.Usually the site of the Ashes opener, there have not been many happy English memories since, barring 2010-11, and that was a draw. Even the team’s Sofitel hotel base has ghosts of Ashes past. It was here that Andrew Strauss, managing director at the time, had to come out and state the 2017-18 cohort were “not thugs”, after Jonny Bairstow’s ‘headbutt’ on Cameron Bancroft came to light, months after Stokes’ incident in Bristol.England confirmed on Tuesday that Will Jacks will be the only change to the XI from Perth, replacing the injured Mark Wood. Jacks was told by Brendon McCullum he had made the cut ahead of Shoaib Bashir after training on Tuesday.Opting for a part-time off spinner who is an accomplished batter is a calculated move. A deeper batting line-up has been forged, and the belief is Jacks’ bowling can provide both a change of pace and enough overs in key stages of the game; whether to cover through to the twilight period when the likes of Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse will be unleashed, or to a second new ball.England have played seven day-night Tests, with Stokes featuring in six of them. Combined with Australia’s back catalogue, there is plenty of evidence to make informed decisions. Players have also been encouraged to go to bed later to get used to the match timings – and the two-hour shift forward from Western Australia. They have even put in a bulk order of sweat bands to help preserve the hardness of the pink Kookaburra in sticky conditions.Ben Stokes practises with the pink ball•Getty ImagesStokes has been practicing what he preaches, though did find himself awoken by drug testers at 6am earlier this week. He has been running point, consuming as much information as he can and distributing it accordingly.His one previous experience leading a day-night match, against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui, was a tactical masterstroke. England declared on 325 for 9 in 58.2 overs as the lights took hold on day one, and prised out three wickets before the close. They then slow-burned their second innings (374 in 73.5 overs) to set the Black Caps 394 before winning by 286.This Test, however, will be a markedly different task. And not just because of their more experienced opponents, or that the floodlights will take over from around 6:30pm, with about half the day’s play to go. It is, at this juncture, Stokes’ most important assignment as captain.”We have amazing resources with information, data, all that kind of stuff,” he said. “I get our analyst to send me over all the info on the day-night cricket that’s been played at the Gabba and also in Australia recently.”There’s daylight, there’s the dusk period, and then also the period when the floodlights do come on. So you’re just trying to give yourself as much information as possible.”We’ve trained here three or four sessions and the humidity is very high. You step out in the sunlight and just start sweating. Something we’ve spoke about is being very conscious of keeping that ball as dry as we possibly can, because as soon as that pink kookaburra goes soft, it’s going to be a lot harder to feel like you can make a breakthrough with anything on the wicket.”We’ve been all around the world where you get a softer ball and making breakthroughs seems a lot harder just because of that soft ball. All those tiny little things we’ve had to consider for this week. I think our liaison officers got tasked with going out and buying about 60 sweat bands for all of us.”The broad cue from previous day-night Tests is once you are ahead, fight to keep it that way. Often, that has come through a more conservative approach, even the use of multiple night watchers. Australia, for instance, are amenable to using night watchers to open the batting during the twilight period.

“That’s one thing I’ll always tell the group – I have complete trust and faith in not only your ability but also your decision making in the moment”Ben Stokes

This England team do not have a reputation for being prudent, and their ceding of the first Test was the worst example of this. But contrary to the words that often accompany the covert photographs, this is not a team without care or nous.There is one more evening session on Wednesday for players to get better accustomed to the ball and the light before the real thing begins. And Stokes is unequivocal that history will not hold his team back, nor a lack of belief that they can upset the odds.”Many teams have gone to the Gabba and lost to Australia,” he said. “But this is a brand new outfit. Lots of guys are on their first Ashes tour so this is going to be a new experience for them. So no, it doesn’t hold too much fear. But you also understand that Australia know this is a very good ground for them and we’re excited for that.”Trust is one of the biggest things to have, not only as captain but also as a team and I have complete and utter trust in everyone in the squad but also particularly the 11 guys who have been given the opportunity to play in a Test match.”That’s one thing I’ll always tell the group – I have complete trust and faith in not only your ability but also your decision making in the moment when you are out there to assess the conditions, to assess what is required and to just have that mentality of mindset of ‘I’m going to be the person to influence this game in the right way that we want’.”And that’s all I can keep trying to do. Because if I ever lose that trust or lose that respect from anyone from within the team then it’s probably impossible to get back.”

Martin O’Neill hasn’t just steadied the ship at Celtic, he’s steered it firmly back on course, with Wednesday’s narrow victory over Dundee seeing the Glasgow giants move level on points with Hearts at the Premiership summit – and with a game in hand to boot.

While that recent surge up the table has come amid a mid-season slump for the Jambos, O’Neill could have done little better during his interim stint, recording five successive league wins, while claiming November’s Manager of the Month award.

Parachuted in following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation, the 73-year-old has brought calm to the chaos, with the Hoops now firmly back on track both domestically and in Europe.

Although the treble-winning coach may not have overseen a vintage display on his final outing in the dugout, Daizen Maeda’s brave first-half header was another to secure all three points, ensuring new man Wilfried Nancy can aim to build on this momentum heading into the weekend’s top-of-the-table clash.

The Frenchman – finally – will take charge at Parkhead, with Wednesday’s win outlining that there is still plenty of work to be done to right the wrongs of Rodgers’ regime.

Nancy's in-tray at Celtic

Perhaps the most notable point of concern for the incoming 48-year-old will be the raft of injuries that have struck Celtic of late, with left-back Marcelo Saracchi the latest to be struck down on Wednesday.

As O’Neill confirmed post-match, the 27-year-old appears to have pulled his hamstring once again, cruelly curtailing his hopes of genuinely challenging Kieran Tierney in that full-back berth.

The summer signing thus joins the likes of Jota, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Cameron Carter-Vickers on the sidelines, with the latter man having notably been ruled out for the season following a severe Achilles injury.

Away from the treatment table, a key issue for Nancy to solve will be in the attacking unit, with the likes of Sebastian Tounekti, Yang Hyun-jun and the forgotten Michel-Ange Balikwisha all vying for that left-wing berth.

On the opposite flank, O’Neill has utilised Luke McCowan in recent weeks, although the Scotsman looks far more suited to a creative number ten berth, much like Sweden star Benjamin Nygren.

Equally, too, a decision will have to be made on the make-up of the midfield trio, with Reo Hatate having found his feet again under O’Neill, notably playing that stunning sweeping pass in the build-up to Maeda’s header against Dundee.

Perhaps the biggest debate, however, might be how best to cover for that devastating loss of Carter-Vickers in the backline, with questions still to be asked of the Auston Trusty and Liam Scales partnership.

Celtic's "player of the year" could now be replaced

In a department that has seen such turbulence in recent years, with figures like Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki coming and going without so much as leaving a trace, the news of Carter-Vickers’ lengthy absence will have been a bitter blow for those at Celtic Park.

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Unsurprisingly, since then, O’Neill has settled on the experienced duo of Trusty and Scales, although that pairing is not without its problems, as was evident again last night.

Indeed, the Republic of Ireland international was particularly underpar against Steven Pressley’s side, having hardly been his usual dominant self in both boxes.

As per Sofascore, the 27-year-old won just a solitary duel from four attempts, while failing to win a single tackle, having been dribbled past once in that midweek encounter.

One particular moment of concern came late on, with Scales allowing substitute Ashley Hay to burst in behind and in on goal, albeit with the towering left-footer doing well to narrow the angle for the subsequent attempt on goal.

Most Celtic appearances – 25/26

Player

Games

Callum McGregor

24

Liam Scales

24

Benjamin Nygren

24

Arne Engels

23

Kasper Schmeichel

22

Kieran Tierney

21

Reo Hatate

21

Daizen Maeda

21

Luke McCowan

18

via Transfermarkt

Not his usual threat in an attacking sense either, having registered no shots, dribbles or key passes despite Celtic’s possession dominance, it was a bit of an off night for the former Shamrock Rovers man.

Of course, it has largely been a positive season for the Irishman, having been noted as in the running to be the club’s “player of the year” this term by one podcaster, although as Wednesday showcased, he isn’t without his limitations.

Equally, with the sight of two left-footers deployed together at centre-back still looking somewhat unnatural, Nancy may instead prefer to take a punt on young Dane Murray.

Scales, for what it’s worth, has done little wrong of late, but if Nancy truly wants to progress this team, the steady centre-back may have to be a potential casualty.

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This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

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