Celtic are once more worrying over the future of boss Ange Postecoglou, with Football Insider reporting that the club are bracing themselves for approaches from a Premier League club this summer.

Will Ange Postecoglou leave Celtic this summer?

The Scottish Premiership side have once more sealed the league title with games to spare. It means that the club have now won back-to-back top-flight trophies, while the side also swooped to bag the Scottish League Cup title, beating their Old Firm rivals once more for that particular piece of silverware – and can complete a treble next week.

It means that boss Postecoglou has now managed to win four trophies in just two campaigns during his time in Scotland. Prior to that, the manager has been an Australian champion on four occasions, won the Asian Cup with Australia and also won the Japanese Championship with Yokohama F. Marinos. It means that he has won trophies pretty much everywhere he has been – and that has now led to reported interest in potentially taking him to England.

According to Football Insider, Wolves' potential search for a new boss could lead them to Postecoglou. The side currently have Julen Lopetegui in charge, but the manager could potentially depart the side this summer with issues over the club's potential spending ability and promises that have been broken over signings being made.

It means that the Premier League outfit could need someone new at the helm in the near future, and Celtic believe Postecoglou could be one of the names bandied around as a potential successor at Molineux. With the boss only having a one-year rolling deal at Parkhead, that also means he is necessarily not committed to the Scottish side in the long term.

Is Ange Postecoglou going to the Premier League?

The Celtic boss has a superb win rate at the side so far, having managed 93 games and won 66. It means his win percentage stands at 71% – an incredible record for any side.

In comparison, Lopetegui has won ten and lost ten of his games with Wolves, leading to a win percentage of just 38%. Whilst he has been able to steer them away from the drop zone, it still remains the worst rate of his career as a boss, and compared to Postecoglou, it pales in comparison – though Celtic are more high-flyers, of course.

The manager is arguably well-deserving of a chance in the Premier League, although Celtic will be desperate to keep hold of him. Current Australia boss Graham Arnold has called Postecoglou "fantastic" in the past, showing that he is also impressing his colleagues and others in the game, and if Wolves did want to try something different this summer, they could do a lot worse than the 57-year-old.

Therefore, perhaps Celtic have every right to have their concerns.

ScorecardSimon Kerrigan derailed Middlesex with six wickets•Getty Images

And so it will not be settled – or anything like settled – for another week. A season in which Middlesex have led, Yorkshire have loomed and Somerset have scarcely been mentioned will end with the three counties covered by ten points. The world’s most famous cricket ground and one of the best in the land will together stage the final dramas of this late, late summer. What have we done to deserve this? Clearly, something good.Any thoughts this game might end with a victory for either side were extinguished by the strength of both sides’ batting and the understandable conservatism of skippers who were content to take five points for the draw. Such a return leaves Middlesex nine points ahead of Yorkshire and ten clear of Somerset.All the points permutations can wait for the back of an envelope and a double espresso. It is enough for the moment to say that if the leaders avoid losing to Yorkshire at Lord’s and Somerset fail to beat Nottinghamshire at Taunton, Middlesex will be champions and worthy ones. Their evisceration of Yorkshire on the last day at Scarborough proclaimed their quality. But the destination of the pennant far from settled.The cricket on this final day of the season at Old Trafford was only briefly exciting but always absorbing. Some shots, some moments will be remembered fondly by spectators watching their final first-class overs of the year. Dawid Malan and John Simpson batted with great certainty throughout the morning and had extended their partnership to 151 when Malan played a half-hearted cut at Simon Kerrigan and was caught by Jos Buttler for 87.That wicket was the prelude to three more in five overs as Middlesex established a lead of 308 before declaring. Simpson was the last of these but he had made a fine 74 before he swayed like a drunk avoiding a bicycle and lost his leg stump to Luke Procter. Kerrigan finished the innings with 6 for 86 – and ten in the match – which is something to encourage him before Lancashire’s final game at Edgbaston next week.Indeed, this was the first morning of autumnal haze at Old Trafford. It was burned off quite quickly, of course, but there was still a September note of gentle closure. And very briefly, we wondered if the finale to the season was to be accompanied with drums and yells as Lancashire responded to the stern challenge of scoring 309 in 44 overs by opening with Buttler.Three fours and a scooped six heightened the frisson of excitement but a leading edge off Steven Finn looped a dolly to Nick Compton at cover and Buttler was gone for 26. Hameed replaced him and Lancashire’s dash for victory was run. Spectators settled into their last cricket of the summer and some of them will have stored images away as one might with sustenance for the winter.The game ended with Hameed tucking Rayner to long leg and scampering two runs. It was only right that he should score the last first-class runs on the ground this season. The match ended with handshakes at half past four in the poignant elegies of departure. There is a week to go but Lancashire are 14 points clear of Hampshire near the bottom of Division One. Should they secure a draw against Warwickshire next week, they have as great a chance of staying up as the new hotel does. Given their recent record and the youth of their side, they will class survival as something of an achievement.For we are at the stage of the season when accomplishment comes in many guises. Middlesex, Yorkshire and Somerset will be happy with only the title; Lancashire Warwickshire and Hampshire must hope to retain their status although Ian Bell’s team will want to preface that subdued success by lifting the Royal London Cup. We have eight days left in the season and some fine hurrahs before the drawing down of blinds.

Newcastle United's fate has been sealed and the Tyneside giants will compete in the Champions League next season after emphatic seasonal success this year, and requisite moves on the transfer front must now be made.

What's the latest on Newcastle's pursuit of Harry Maguire?

One name that has entered transfer circulation is Manchester United's world-record £80m centre-back Harry Maguire, with a recent update from Dean Jones stating that the defender is set to depart Old Trafford this summer after falling out of favour under the tutelage of Erik ten Hag.

While there is a vested interest in the 30-year-old from Serie A outfits such as AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus, Newcastle have also been credited as possible suitors, should the Red Devils grant Maguire's departure to a top-four Premier League rival.

It's thought a potential loan move could even be on the cards for the centre-back.

Should Newcastle sign Harry Maguire?

While Maguire has endured a turbulent ride in Manchester at times, perhaps none more so than this season where he has found a regular starting berth hard to come by, he is a commanding and aerially superlative "colossus" – as dubbed by Simon Jordan – to wield at the foot of the pitch.

In March, 90min reported that Maguire was among the players at the Theatre of Dreams informed that they are free to depart at the conclusion of the season, with the Magies stated to be 'monitoring' the situation.

Maguire has made 31 appearances across all competitions this term but has started only eight times in the Premier League, and with £190k-per-week wages, it is unlikely he will remain beyond the summer with a utility role.

Praised for his "dominating" demeanour on the pitch by Ten Hag, Maguire would be a good addition for Newcastle because injecting an imposing presence into a defence that boasts the joint-meanest defence in the English top-flight this term – alongside champions Manchester City – will only enrich the flourishing current crop.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 17% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for pass completion, the top 20% for progressive carries, the top 11% for rate of blocks and the top 12% for aerials won per 90.

He would surely thrive alongside Sven Botman, who has been a revelation at St. James' Park since signing for £35m from Lille last summer.

While Maguire isn't the most mobile of defenders, he does boast an imposing physicality, which could run in tandem with Botman's own brutish approach to his play.

Indeed the £90k-per-week Dutchman has been lauded as a "leader" by journalist Josh Bunting, a quality he certainly shares with Maguire, while averaging a Premier League match rating of 6.99, as per Sofascore, completing 87% of his passes, making 3.3 clearances per match and winning 67% of his duels.

Such a tenacious and iron-clad partnership would only bear fruit for Howe, and signing Maguire might actually be a shrewd move to take as the Magpies continue their ascent.

اقترب أحد مُعاوني البرتغالي روي فيتوريا، المدير الفني السابق لمنتخب مصر، من الاستمرار في الجهاز الجديد للفراعنة بقيادة حسام حسن.

وعلم “بطولات” بأن محمود سليم محلل الأداء في الجهاز الفني لـ روي فيتوريا، أقترب من الاحتفاظ بمكانه في الجهاز الجديد للفراعنة.

وتواصل إبراهيم حسن مدير منتخب مصر، مع محمود سليم وأكد على إن الجهاز الفني يثق به، وستجمعه جلسة مع حسام حسن قبل مؤتمر تقديم الجهاز الفني للإطلاع على خطته للمرحلة المُقبلة.

طالع أيضًا | ميدو: نسخة منتخب مصر في كأس أمم إفريقيا 2023 هي الأسوأ

ويُعدّ سليم من العناصر ذات الخبرة والكفاءة في مجال تحليل أداء اللاعبين، حيث عمل سابقًا مع الجهاز الفني بقيادة روي فيتوريا، ونال ثقة الجهاز الفني الجديد بقيادة حسام حسن.

وسيُشارك سليم في تحليل أداء لاعبي المنتخب وتقديم تقارير فنية مفصلة تساعد الجهاز الفني في اتخاذ القرارات الفنية وتطوير أداء اللاعبين.

ويأتي استمرار سليم مع المنتخب تأكيدًا على حرص الجهاز الفني الجديد على الاستفادة من الخبرات والكفاءات الوطنية في سبيل تحقيق أفضل النتائج للمنتخب في المرحلة المُقبلة.

Mickey Arthur has laid down the gauntlet to Pakistan’s one-day squad as they aim to haul themselves up the rankings to secure an automatic World Cup spot

Andrew McGlashan at Lord's26-Aug-2016Mickey Arthur has laid down the gauntlet to Pakistan’s one-day squad as they aim to haul themselves up the rankings to secure an automatic World Cup spot, and says that nobody is safe from the axe should performances not improve.Pakistan were comfortably beaten in the opening ODI at the Ageas Bowl with England well ahead of the rate when rain brought an early conclusion. Arthur was particularly pointed when referencing some of the older members of the squad, notably Mohammad Hafeez, who was dropped during the Test series and pulled a Joe Root long hop to deep square in the first game, saying he had started scouring the domestic scene in Pakistan for alternatives.”I said to the players this morning that nobody’s safe. And if you’re over 30 you’ve got to be coming to the table more often than not, otherwise it’s an opportunity to blood some younger players. I’m telling no secrets, nobody is 100% safe in the ODI side and the guys know that. Everybody knows they’re on notice.”I’ve actually started, the other night, going through potential players in Pakistan who can fulfil roles we think we’re going to need to evolve. In the meantime, the 15 players we’ve got here, we’ve got to back, [and] give them the opportunity to stake their claim to be part of the Pakistan ODI squad going forward.”We’re going to build a team we think can compete in a year or two’s time. The invitation is there to every player: step up or we’ll find somebody else who can step up, it’s as simple as that.”Mickey Arthur chats to Mohammad Amir during practice•PA Photos

However, while building a team for the future, there remains the small matter of trying to avoid the World Cup qualifying tournament. Only the top eight nations automatically go into the 2019 World Cup, with the cut-off being September 30, 2017.”Of course it’s a concern, Pakistan cricket should never be down at No. 9 in the world,” Arthur said. “We need complete buy-in from the players, we have got to give them a lot of confidence and allow them to grow in the roles we’ve given them.”Although this leg of the tour, which began with a thrashing of a struggling Ireland side in Dublin, is Arthur’s first time working with the one-day squad since he was appointed, he is already seeing the failings which have frequented the limited-overs team.A lack of power-hitters means they struggle to post or chase 300-plus totals – they did not hit a six at the Ageas Bowl – while there is the challenge of balancing the side. Yasir Shah missed out in the opening game, something Arthur acknowledged would have to change, while he was also pondering whether better use could be made of the in-form Sarfraz Ahmed who compiled a lively 55 off 58 balls in Southampton.”Everything I’ve heard was on view really,” he said. “We’ve had a real good chat about it and got some ideas about how we can put it right.”I’ve said to the boys we’ve got absolutely nothing to lose. I want to see the guys go out and express themselves, play with a bit of freedom. Playing the way we played the other night, we’re behind the times.”Mohammad Amir faced a fitness test on Friday after leaving the field in Southampton with a side problem. Arthur suggested it could have been cramp, but added Amir would have to bowl at full tilt in the nets to be available.

Manchester United could end the season on a high today as they take on Manchester City in the FA Cup final, with victory ensuring they finish the campaign with two trophies for the first time since 2016/2017.

Regardless of the outcome, Erik ten Hag has restored some pride in the Red Devils and with the summer transfer window just around the corner, he could further bolster his team in order to claim more prestigious prizes in the future.

Strengthening his attacking options seems to be the priority, with Rasmus Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani key targets, however there will surely be improvements all over the pitch.

The Old Trafford side have been linked recently with defender Goncalo Inacio according to O Jogo (via Sport Witness) and Sporting CP will demand a fee in the region of £45m should Ten Hag look to make a bid for the player, which is well within their budget.

A move for Inacio could see the Dutchman move on a few defenders, with Victor Lindelof surely one that could be departing United this summer.

Could Goncalo Inacio replace Victor Lindelof at Manchester United?

The Swedish defender found himself down the pecking order behind both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez during the opening months of the season, yet when the Argentinian suffered a season-ending injury in April, he managed to find some form.

During the win over AFC Bournemouth in May, he was lauded as “unbelievable” by journalist Liam Canning, and he averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.12 across his final five league matches, looking resurgent under Ten Hag.

However, if United sign Inacio, he could find himself further down the pecking order, with Varane, Martinez and the 21-year-old potentially ahead of him next season.

Indeed, the 21-year-old possesses a bigger attacking threat from centre-back than Lindelof, registering more shot-creating actions (1.98 to 0.4) per 90 and touches in the attacking third (140 to 35) per 90, which could be a bonus for Ten Hag.

Additionally, the Portugal international also ranks in the top 1% for progressive passes and top 3% for progressive carries across Europe’s big five leagues over the previous 365 days, with the Swede ranking in just the top 59% and 48% in the same metrics, suggesting Inacio is far better at bringing the ball out of defence and starting attacks from the back than the current United defender.

Journalist Zach Lowy has even dubbed the 6 foot 1 defender as “underrated” and gaining experience in the Premier League and Champions League for United next term could see the youngster break through to the next level.

Ten Hag must act sooner rather than later, as for the aforementioned price tag, the move could represent wonderful value over the coming years.

The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) is to advise England-qualified players against participating in this year’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on security grounds

George Dobell03-Oct-2016The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) is to advise England-qualified players against participating in this year’s Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) on security grounds.While the organisation, effectively the players’ union, was happy to sanction the England tour of Bangladesh after the PCA chief executive, David Leatherdale, witnessed security arrangements at first hand, it does not anticipate the same level of protection at the BPL.The PCA has advised players not to take part in the tournament before. Last year it asked players to sign an acknowledgment that they understood security arrangements were their own responsibility and that they went in spite of the PCA’s advice. In previous years it has warned of the unreliability of payments for playing in the league and expressed concerns over the anti-corruption arrangements.Among the England-qualified players expected to take part in the BPL this year are Ravi Bopara, Tymal Mills, Riki Wessels, Samit Patel, Josh Cobb and Richard Gleeson.It is understood that Jason Roy, who is centrally contracted by the ECB, and Kevin Pietersen are among those who declined offers to participate this year. Roy’s decision was not made on the instigation of the ECB but with the benefit of some advice from the PCA.Any player taking part in the league will require a No Objection Certificate signed by their county and the ECB. It is far from certain they will be granted in all instances.While the PCA believes that Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice has not changed since it warned players against participation in the BPL in 2015, the issue has gained more attention following a terrorist attack in Dhaka on July 1 that left 22 dead and in light of the England team’s decision to go ahead with their tour.The FCO currently warns of a “heightened threat of further terrorist attacks” and states that Dhaka airport does not currently meet international security standards.Advice on its website says: “Attacks could be indiscriminate although foreigners, in particular westerners, may be directly targeted. Crowded areas and places where westerners are known to gather may be at higher risk of attack. You should minimise your exposure to these areas, consider your movements carefully and take appropriate security precautions.”The Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) is also understood to have apprehensions over the tournament. It stresses it has not seen security arrangements for the BPL and insists that any playing taking part will do so “at their own risk”. It also notes that, while “security provided to international touring teams in Bangladesh relies heavily on government input from numerous agencies… It is unclear whether a similar level of security will be provided at this event.”The FICA statement adds: “Anyone taking part in the event needs to be aware of the increased level of risk and understand clearly that all informed advice is to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Bangladesh.”

Glasgow Rangers manager Michael Beale is already hard at work in an attempt to improve his playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Sporting director Ross Wilson departed to join Premier League side Nottingham Forest but this has not stopped the English head coach from going full steam ahead this summer.

Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling have both been announced as new signings and the pair will join on free transfers from Norwich and Chelsea respectively at the start of next month.

Following the departure of Alfredo Morelos at the end of May, as his contract with the Ibrox giants expired, Rangers are now in the market for a centre-forward and have been linked with a £3.5m swoop for Troyes ace Ike Ugbo.

What is Ike Ugbo's style of play?

Ugbo is a powerful no.9 who is able to compete with opposition defenders and cause constant problems for them, whilst also being able to offer a threat in front of goal.

Journalist Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic claimed that the marksman's hold-up play is "underrated" and that his ability in transition can "unlock space" if utilised correctly, which speaks to the dynamo's strength on the ball and intelligence to find his teammates in counter-attacking situations.

The 24-year-old Canadian striker, who worked with Beale at Chelsea, could form an exciting partnership in the final third with new Gers attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell and the Light Blues boss must seal a swoop for his former player.

Ugbo has struggled since his move to Ligue 1 – with just seven goals in 40 appearances for Troyes – but has the potential to be a prolific scorer based on his time in Belgium and in Chelsea's academy.

The Ligue 2-bound marksman plundered 25 goals in 49 matches for the Blues at U18 and U21 level combined and was able to translate that form to senior football with 16 strikes in 32 outings for Cercle Brugge in the Pro League in 20/21.

These statistics indicate that Beale could unearth a prolific scorer in Ugbo, in spite of his struggles in France, and pairing him with Dowell in attack could allow the ace to thrive.

In the Championship, the Englishman delivered 23 key passes and created six 'big chances' for his teammates in 14 starts for the Canaries.

The 25-year-old made 24 key passes and created five 'big chances' in 12 starts for Norwich in the second tier of English football in the 2020/21 campaign, which shows that the magician is capable of opening up opposition defences on a regular basis.

Ugbo could use his hold-up play to find Dowell, and the likes of Todd Cantwell and Fashion Sakala, in good positions in the final third and then make his way into the box to get on the end of their deliveries into the box.

The ex-Yellows star has proven his ability to create excellent chances week-in-week-out and his creativity could provide the Canadian international with the services he needs to get back to his Pro League and academy form.

Referee Jarred Gillett may have made a notable error by not spotting a foul on Harry Kane shortly before Tottenham Hotspur conceded in their recent loss.

What’s the latest on VAR and Spurs?

It was an afternoon to forget at home for Spurs on Saturday as they were soundly beaten by Brentford in the Premier League.

Things had started so well, however, with star man Kane firing in a brilliant freekick after just eight minutes which was enough to see them lead at halftime.

But the Bees were by far the better team in the second 45 and they made the dominance count as they netted twice through Bryan Mbeumo before he also set up Yoane Wissa to make it 3-1 on the day.

The crucial goal of the day was Brentford’s second but it came in controversial fashion as Kane appeared to be fouled by Aaron Hickey before the defender then slipped in Mbeumo to score only seconds later.

Was Kane fouled by Hickey?

As this footage from BBC’s Match of the Day shows, Kane gets to the ball first before Hickey bumps into him on the halfway line and turns over possession despite not making any contact with the ball.

It’s the sort of challenge that tends to result in a foul being given more often than not but Gillett opted to play on and VAR must have felt it wasn’t a clear or obvious mistake and so they decided not to intervene either.

The Spurs players certainly weren’t happy with Jonathan Pearce on the BBC commentary noting: Tottenham are surrounding the referee, they think that’s a foul on Kane.”

In the end, this was a turning point in the game as Ryan Mason’s men never really recovered and as Brentford picked up the win, only one point now separates the two teams in eighth and ninth as we go into the final weekend of the season.

Of course, this was the last home game of the season too and the performance of the Spurs players – albeit not helped by the referee on this instance – was not well regarded by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium supporters.

Indeed, many left right after the game instead of hanging around for the end-of-season awards, with journalist Alasdair Gold even noting that the stadium music was turned on immediately after the final whistle to drown out the loud boos.

West Ham United have been linked to a forward ahead of the summer transfer window, with a busy summer expected at the London Stadium.

The primary focus until the break is on the Europa Conference League final, which takes place on June 7th as David Moyes’ side face Fiorentina in the bid to win the club’s first European silverware since 1965.

Despite the hype surrounding the historic final, the Irons have a lot to improve on ahead of next season, having only mathematically survived relegation from the Premier League last weekend.

Most of the focus on West Ham’s transfer news has revolved around the future of midfielder Declan Rice, who is expected to be snatched by Arsenal this summer, however, it’s not just outgoings expected in east London.

News reported this week has revealed the club’s potential plans to bring a forward from the Bundesliga to the club, in a bid to add depth to the squad ahead of the next campaign.

What’s the latest on Alassane Plea to West Ham United?

As reported by Foot Mercato earlier this week, West Ham are reportedly one of the clubs interested in signing Borussia Monchengladbach forward Alassane Plea this summer.

The 30-year-old is wanted by former club Olympique Lyon, however, the report states that the French outfit should expect some rivalry to sign the attacker from the Premier League.

West Ham, along with Crystal Palace and Fulham have “already made some contact” with the player’s representatives, with his value believed to be in the region of €10m – €12m (£8m – £10m).

What could Alassane Plea bring to West Ham United?

Hailed as being “versatile, quick and clever” by Monchengladbach’s former director of sport Max Eberl, the forward could offer a lot to West Ham.

While the Hammers already have a kitted-out left-wing department, which is Plea’s dominant position, the forward has been used through the middle before as a striker, which could make him an attractive player in Moyes’ system.

Current strike options at the club are Michail Antonio and Danny Ings, one being the club’s top goalscorer this season but the other in Ings finding the net just twice in the Premier League since arriving in January.

When comparing the form of both Ings and Plea over the past year, it’s clear to see why the Frenchman is reportedly on West Ham’s radar.

The £61k-per-week ace offers a lot more to an attack than goals, securing nine assists in 20 Bundesliga starts this season, showing his eye for a pass and instinctual nature in the final third.

Having Antonio firing when leading the line could allow Moyes to use the Frenchman as a decoy or as a rotating striker to add competition to the 33-year-old.

The 30-year-old has a lot more in his locker creatively than Ings, as shown through FBref, with the Borussia star averaging 4.67 progressive passes to the Englishman’s 1.26 per 90.

The Lille-born forward also averages two progressive carries per 90 to Ings’ 1.38, showing his ability to float around the attack rather than remain as a stationary striker.

One of the most prominent areas of his game is his playmaking, with him ranking in the top 3% of players in Europe’s top five leagues for his rate of assists, averaging a huge 0.46 assists per 90 – as per FBref.

Moyes could utilise the forwards’ strengths in a way more useful to West Ham than those that Ings portrays, and as such would be a greater signing.