Copeland five-for gives NSW day-one honours

Joe Burns makes 97 on his return from a serious groin injury

Alex Malcolm14-Mar-2018Getty Images

Trent Copeland’s second straight five wicket-haul has given New South Wales the honours on day one of the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland in Wollongong.Copeland ran through the Bulls’ top order, taking five of the first six wickets to leave the visitors struggling at 6 for 117. But Joe Burns stood firm on his return from a serious groin injury.Burns and Michael Neser combined to lift the Bulls out of the mire. Burns was out for 97 while Neser made 55 to help post a first-innings total of 243.Blues openers Nick Larkin and Daniel Hughes took the home side safely through to stumps, giving them a chance to post a big first-innings lead on day two.

Newcastle: Late £52m signing could solve Sven Botman injury blow

While Newcastle United look to have concluded their transfer activity this summer, Eddie Howe's hand might be forced after star central defender Sven Botman sustained an injury during the recent defeat to Liverpool at St. James' Park.

The Magpies have enjoyed an impressive summer after securing Champions League football with a top-four Premier League finish, with Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall all joining the fold.

And while the Toon gaffer confirmed that the club's business is now done, there could yet be movement on Tyneside after the recent setback.

Who could replace Sven Botman?

According to Football Transfers, Newcastle could revisit their interest in Sporting Lisbon centre-back Goncalo Inacio before the transfer window closes later this week.

The 22-year-old recently signed a new contract with his homeland outfit, but the report claims that a €60m (£52m) release clause has been instated, though whether the Toon have the capacity to meet such a figure remains to be seen.

What is Sven Botman's injury?

How quickly things can change in football. 30 minutes into Newcastle's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, the Magpies were ahead and their opponents' captain, Virgil van Dijk, had received his marching orders after bringing down Alexander Isak, who was gliding through on goal.

Newcastle centre-back Sven Botman.

Substitute Darwin Nunez bagged a brace to turn delight into despondency, but it was perhaps the late injury to Botman that was the most dispiriting moment of a bitter evening for Howe's men.

Indeed, The Telegraph's Luke Edwards claims that while the severity of the ankle injury is not expected to be too troublesome, the Dutchman will almost certainly be out of action for around a month, if not more.

Read the latest Newcastle transfer news HERE…

The lynchpin to United's defensive structure, Botman has made 47 appearances since joining from French side Lille for approximately £35m last summer, having been hailed for his "incredible impact" by pundit Leon Osman.

Should Newcastle sign Goncalo Inacio?

The 23-year-old's injury highlights the trouble Newcastle will face in retaining their position in the Champions League, and impressing in the esteemed competition this season. As such, Inacio would be the problem-solver.

Despite his youthful years, Inacio has forged displays for the Leaos and is renowned as one of football's most exciting young defensive talents; the quintessential modern-day centre-half, he has been described as "complete" by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Sporting CP defenderGoncalo Inacio.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of centre-backs across leagues most similar to the Portuguese top-flight over the past year for assists, shot-creating actions, passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90.

This highlights a first-class ball-playing ability and robustness that tantalises a career right at the very top of the game, and Newcastle's lofty ambitions would likely align with Inacio's, and his quality, should Howe and co forge ahead with a transfer.

Hailed as "immense" and as a defensive "dominator" by analyst Raj Chohan, the two-cap Portugal sensation would serve as the perfect cover for Botman while arriving as a long-term solution to the club's defensive problem.

Such a claim might appear ludicrous for a high-rising team that has recently returned to Europe's premier continental competition after two decades away, having finished the season with the division's joint-best defence, but Fabian Schar, aged 31, is in the final year of his contract and Jamal Lascelles does not appear to make the grade, having started just twice in the top-flight last term.

Botman could occupy a starring role at St. James' Park for an age, and while Inacio could be the optimum replacement in the short term, he could also be the dream partner as Newcastle strive to continue their ascent.

Rangers Have "Looked Into" Signing "Excellent" 28 y/o Colossus

Glasgow Rangers have "looked into" signing defender Jake Cooper for manager Michael Beale, as well as another English Championship player, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest Rangers transfer news?

Cooper has been a long-term target for the Gers, with a £3m bid being knocked back by Millwall way back in the summer of 2018, and they have now set their sights on signing him once again, but there will be stiff competition for his signature.

As reported by Football Insider, both Leeds United and West Brom are also in the race for the defender, who is now entering the final year of his contract with his current club, meaning he may be available for a cut-price fee.

The Light Blues have already made contact over a deal for the centre-back this summer, and he is not the only English Championship player they are interested in, with Football Insider reporting they are also plotting a move for Queens Park Rangers midfielder Sam Field.

The Scottish giants are said to be big admirers of the 25-year-old, with Beale well aware of his abilities, due to the time he spent working with him at Loftus Road, and Jones has now provided an update on Rangers' pursuit of the duo. In an interview with GiveMeSport, the transfer insider said:

“They're not thrilling targets to have, and I don't think there will be Rangers fans out there doing cartwheels over being linked with players like this. But it's not the first time Championship players of this type have been linked with Rangers since Michael Beale joined the club.

“There have been times when the rumours have turned out to be true or very close. There also have been times when they've not caught fire. So, we'll have to see whether these two can become legitimate transfer options. But clearly, they have at least looked into them. And I think that’s wise because they won’t go too far adrift if they’re players of this level and could fit in quite well.”

Read The Latest Rangers Transfer News HERE

How good is Jake Cooper?

The Millwall defender was indispensable to manager Gary Rowett last season, appearing in all 46 of the club's Championship games, in a season where they only narrowly missed out on finishing in the top six, finishing one point below Sunderland.

Rowett hailed the 28-year-old after the Lions' 1-0 win against Reading in March 2022, saying:

It was a good delivery from Jed Wallace and Jake rises highest against his old club. It was a great header and he’s scored a few of them in recent weeks. He’s been invaluable to us.

“I thought he was excellent today. As our captain, he gave a real leadership performance. And to cap it all with a goal that wins us the game was really nice.”

jake-cooper

As such, it is clear the 6 foot 3 Englishman could have a positive influence in the dressing room at Ibrox, given his leadership abilities, and he has proven he is a solid player at Championship level.

Given that Cooper could also be available for a reduced fee, in light of his contract situation, he could be a top signing for Rangers this summer, and it looks as if it remains one to watch in the final days of the window.

Treinador lamenta queda na Série A2, mas destaca luta do Penapolense

MatériaMais Notícias

Com três jogos para o encerramento da Série A2 do Paulistão e na zona do rebaixamento da competição, o Penapolense recorreu ao técnico atual campeão do Brasileirão da Série D, Waguinho Dias, para tentar escapar do descenso. Com uma vitória e duas derrotas, porém, o objetivo não foi atingido.

Mesmo com pouco tempo de trabalho depois da retomada das atividades por conta da pandemia,o treinador conseguiu dar mecânica ao time e brigar de igual para igual com dois adversários que avançaram às quartas de final e contra um concorrente direto pela permanência.

– Contra o Monte Azul, uma vitória incontestável por 3 a 1 fora de casa. Contra o Red Bull, dominamos as ações durante toda a partida. Saímos perdendo com um gol contra, empatamos e no último minuto, perdemos com um gol de pênalti. No último jogo, saímos ganhando do XV, fora de casa, com um gol muito bem construído. Infelizmente, em dois minutos, acabamos levando dois gol em falhas e permitindo a virada – analisou o comandante.

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Após as três partidas à frente da equipe, Waguinho Dias se despede do Penapolense agradecido pela oportunidade. Agora, o técnico campeão brasileiro volta ao mercado justamente focado nas competições nacionais.

– Sabíamos do desafio, da dificuldade, mesmo com o pouco tempo, desenvolvemos um bom trabalho e demos mecânica ao time que possibilitaram brigarmos por essa permanência. Infelizmente ela não veio. Agradeço a direção do Penapolense pela oportunidade e pela confiança depositada em mim para comendar a equipe nessas três partidas – afirmou.

Nos últimos quatro anos, Waguinho passou por diversos clubes e conquistou seis acessos estaduais e vagas na Copa do Brasil, além dos títulos da Copa Santa Catarina, com o Tubarão, em 2017, e o Brasileirão da Série D com o Brusque, no ano passado.

O último clube de Waguinho antes do Penapolense foi o América-RN. Ele começou o trabalho em outubro de 2019 e deixou o alvirrubro no início de fevereiro, após nove jogos com seis vitórias, um empate e duas derrotas.

DDCA rejects amendment abolishing proxy voting

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association also rejected proposed amendments related to the Lodha Committee recommendations

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2017

Getty Images

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) members have rejected 77 out of 103 clauses on good corporate governance, including one on the abolition of the controversial proxy-voting system, during a secret ballot at an Extra-Ordinary General Meeting (EGM) on September 15. The clauses were put forward by the court-appointed administrator Justice (Retd) Vikramajit Sen following an order of the Delhi High Court in February, which directed the DDCA to change its Articles of Association – i.e. its constitution – and remodel its administrative structures.According to company law, proxy voting allows a candidate contesting in the DDCA elections to collect signatures of their voters, who need not be physically present during voting. In February, a Delhi High Court order had directed that proxy voting would be “impermissible” in the DDCA. Incidentally, the practice has been banned in the draft constitution of the BCCI, submitted by the Committee of Administrators in the Supreme Court for approval. Last year, a report submitted to the Supreme Court by Justice Mukul Mudgal, who was appointed to oversee the conduct of matches at Feroz Shah Kotla during the World T20 and IPL in 2016, noted that the proxy system “is the bane of Delhi cricket”.The DDCA members also rejected Justice Sen’s proposed amendments as per changes in company law. In a notification, Sen stated that only 26 items found favour with the members, while 77 were rejected. The members cast their vote through an e-vote at the EGM.”Not only did they reject all the good governance points in the Lodha Committee recommendations but they have also summarily rejected my proposals based on latest company law amendments,” Justice Sen told . “This may amount to contempt of the High Court Order.”When asked what the way forward is, Sen replied: “We need to analyse the data.”He was confident the two international matches allotted to Feroz Shah Kotla – a T20I international against New Zealand on November 1 and a Test match against Sri Lanka – would be held without any hiccups.”I can assure you that the New Zealand T20 and the Test match against Sri Lanka will be held without any problems under my supervision.”Points in the agenda related to the appointment of an ombudsman and clauses regarding the election process were accepted for amendment. An amendment can be passed after a three-fourth majority in its favour.Some of the senior DDCA officials, who were present during the EGM, said that the association missed out on a chance at reform.”What most of the members do not understand is that voting for proxy won’t help their case,” a senior DDCA official said. “It means that the administrator will remain in charge of the association. It was foolish on the part of those who rejected the amendments.”BCCI acting president CK Khanna, also a former president of the DDCA, had recently supported the abolition of the system. Justice Mudgal’s report had labelled Khanna a “pernicious influence”, and alleged that Khanna controlled a large number of proxies.”I have told my supporters to vote against proxy system,” Khanna had told before the EGM. “A perception has been created by people that I am the root cause of proxy system. I want this perception to change.”

Newcastle: Howe eyeing £194k-p/w star "better than Bellingham"

Newcastle United are one of the clubs "showing the greatest interest" in Bayern Munich's exciting young midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, but a deal may prove difficult, claims journalist Rudy Galetti.

Is Ryan Gravenberch joining Newcastle United?

It was a fantastic season for the Magpies last year. Not only did they reach the Carabao Cup final, but they also qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over two decades and did so with ease come the end of the campaign.

With European football secured for next year and a level of wealth unmatched by even Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, fans and pundits expected the Toon to finally splash the cash in a significant way this summer. While they haven't spent as flagrantly as they probably could, some brilliant players have already made their way to the Northeast this summer.

The first major signing for Eddie Howe's team was that of Sandro Tonali, who joined from Serie A giants – and his boyhood club – AC Milan for a cool £55m.

The arrival of the Italian international certainly felt like a seminal moment for this new Newcastle side. Not only had they secured the signature of a highly sought-after international, they had prised him from a team that had won the league in Italy just over one year ago – and did so with little difficulty.

The next big name to arrive at St James Park was Leicester City's Harvey Barnes, who joined from the relegated side for a fee of around £39m, which, while not cheap, could represent excellent value should the 25-year-old replicate his Foxes form up north.

However, even with these two brilliant signings, Newcastle look like they will be adding yet more quality in the coming weeks, as Italian reports from back in May claimed that the Toon were preparing a bid of around €50m (£44m) to land Bayern's highly rated Dutch youngster Gravenberch.

The Dutch international made the move to Bavaria just last summer in a deal worth up to £20m but having started just three Bundesliga games since then, an exit looks increasingly likely, but Newcastle shouldn't rest on their laurels here as the Guardian reported that fellow Premier League side Liverpool were also interested in the player last week.

What has Rudy Galetti said about Newcastle United and Ryan Gravenberch?

Galetti explained that the Toon were one of several clubs interested in the youngsters' services, but any deal to sign him would likely take quite some time.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "Newcastle are also still looking for a new midfielder and are one of the clubs that have shown the greatest interest in him so far.

"Anyway, any negotiation for Gravenberch, for sure, will take time, and it won't be that fast."

How good is Ryan Gravenberch?

Interestingly, Rafael van der Vaart stated that Gravenberch is "better than Jude Bellingham. At everything", which is high praise coming from a former Premier League star.

There is no getting around the fact that last season was a poor one for the 21-year-old, who is a part of the Raiola agency.

Starting just three Bundesliga games and racking up only 562 minutes across the entire campaign has not done his development or profile any good.

That said, the interest from top sides such as the Reds and the Magpies should be evidence enough that elite clubs are still interested in the player and still view him as a potential future star, and it's not hard to see why when looking at his seasons before his move to Munich.

His two stand-out campaigns for Dutch giants Ajax came in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, when he achieved a seriously impressive season rating of 7.29 and 7.33, respectively, per WhoScored.

Interestingly, despite his limited game time for the Bundesliga champions over the last 12 months, his underlying numbers remain impressive and suggest that he may have been somewhat unlucky on the pitch and deserving of more game time from his coaches.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the Amsterdam-born gem sits in the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 12% for progressive passes received, the top 14% for non-penalty expected goal, the top 15% for total shots, and the top 18% for successful take-ons, all per 90.

He has also won plaudits from analysts and former players, with Jacek Kulig proclaiming him a "top-talent" and former Ajax forward Wim Kieft writing in De Telegraaf (via the Liverpool Echo) that Gravenberch was "the greatest talent in the Netherlands."

There is still a great deal of hope that the young Dutchman, who allegedly earns £194k per week, can eventually live up to the outrageously high expectations so many once had of him, and maybe the best place to do that is at the high-flying Newcastle.

Extra rest day could be vital for Pakistan attack

Pakistan’s bowling attack has been frayed by injuries throughout the tournament but captain Sarfraz Ahmed is hoping everyone will be fully fit for Sunday’s final

Andrew McGlashan in Cardiff 14-Jun-2017

Hasan Ali was celebrating wickets early but by the end of the innings was dealing with a shin injury•Getty Images

Sarfraz Ahmed was hopeful of having a fully fit Pakistan bowling attack for the Champions Trophy final after an accumulation of injuries piled up before and during Wednesday’s semi-final. Mohammad Amir was ruled out of the semi-final with a back spasm while Hasan Ali and Imad Wasim picked up niggles in the field during the eight-wicket win against England.Hasan, who stands as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps after his 3 for 35 in Cardiff, suffered a shin problem while Imad tweaked a calf. They followed Amir having failed a fitness test shortly before the toss after being given an injection to try and overcome the back spasm.It could have been a major blow to Pakistan, but they barely felt his absence. Debutant Rumman Raees claimed 2 for 44 and the recalled Shadab Khan nabbed the key wicket of Joe Root as a collective display from the bowlers shackled an England batting lineup renowned for its destructive capabilities.Sarfraz did admit, though, that it would be a boost to have Amir when they face either India or Bangladesh at The Oval. Having played in the first semi-final it means he has an additional day to get healthy before Sunday’s final.”Hopefully, he will recover for the finals,” Sarfraz said. “Obviously, he’s our main bowler. He’s our best strike bowler.”Amir may be considered the main strike bowler, but Hasan has consistently been the pick of the attack and can lay claim to being the bowler of the tournament. Before the final group match against Sri Lanka, Mickey Arthur had called Hasan one of the “beacons” of this Pakistan side and they were sentiments echoed by Sarfraz who praised the youngsters that have come good.”I think he has a little bit of a shin problem, but he’s okay and bowling extremely well for us,” Sarfraz said. “I’m very happy about my youngsters performing, especially Hasan who is improving day-by-day, Shadab has also and now Fakhar Zaman, he’s playing in his third match and now he’s batting just like a champion batsman.”You cannot overstate how well they’ve done. We must give credit to the selection committee for selecting these players from the domestic circuit and their performances in the PSL. But even more credit goes to these boys who came into the team under such extreme pressure… Rumman played unexpectedly today but did well. This bodes well for Pakistan cricket’s future, since all the young guys that come in perform.”Fakhar has been especially important in helping give Pakistan the rapid starts that have previously eluded them. Although a significant collapse followed against Sri Lanka, which almost cost them a semi-final spot, there were no such alarms against England. His opening partner, Azhar Ali, said Fakhar’s freedom alongside him has made a huge difference.”You are always comfortable with a partner who goes hard up front,” Azhar said. “You can take a breather at the other end. The attention of the teams is to stop him and you get comfortable time at the other end so I’m really enjoying batting with him. He’s making the most of his good form.”It wasn’t a faultless performance in the field with a couple of catches going down in the first half of England’s innings, although they were long forgotten by the end as Fakhar pulled off a stunning catch at deep square to remove Moeen Ali and substitute Ahmed Shehzad ran out Adil Rashid with a direct hit. Match-by-match Pakistan’s game has come together after the hammering they took in their first match of the tournament against India.”After the first loss we are very down, but credit goes to the team management,” Sarfraz said. “They boosted us really well and credit goes to the players as well. They were very motivated. And after that match we have bowled well, fielded well and today the batting clicked as well.”On the prospect of a rematch with India in the final, Sarfraz smiled and said: “Best of luck to both of them. May the better team win.”

Sunrisers' 'smart, aggressive' strategy pays off

In the last few games, Sunrisers Hyderabad have not scored at the rate they have wanted to at the start of the innings. Consequently, the team’s strategy was tweaked slightly ahead of the match against Kings XI Punjab to ensure that the openers – David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan – went after the bowling in a combined assault.The ploy paid off handsomely after Sunrisers were asked to bat on a good batting surface in Mohali. Dhawan smashed a 48-ball 77, his second fifty in three games, and Warner cracked 51 runs off 27 balls. Dhawan described the approach to his partnership as “smart (and) aggressive”.”Usually when David attacks, I back off. In the last two games, David took his time so I attacked,” Dhawan told . “Today, we attacked from both sides. This was a good thing and it was a very good wicket. We both wanted to make it big and that’s what happened. I was feeling good about myself today and knew what plan I am going to go with.”We both were playing smart [yet] aggressive cricket, I would say. And, that was our plan because [in the] last few games we were playing well but our run rate was [a] bit low. So, we decided today that we were going to go out there and express ourselves more. I am used to playing with David Warner for two-three seasons now, so we know each other’s game and our running between the wickets is also very good.”On the relative merits and demerits of opening with two left-hand batsmen, Dhawan said it was not a factor so long as both the batsmen were good. “If they play well, they play well and it becomes hard for the bowlers,” Dhawan said. “For instance, they brought an offspinner (KC Cariappa) into the attack, but we were in such good nick that we were hitting the offspinner too. Of course, if it is a left-right combination, the bowler has to contend with altering his line and length. But, if batsmen are attacking from both ends, then there is no trouble.”Sunrisers also benefited from how Kane Williamson, at No. 3, furthered the momentum created by the openers. With an unbeaten of 54 at a strike rate of 200, Williamson was the key to Sunrisers smashing 52 runs in the last five overs. Williamson reflected on how they had to briefly play the waiting game before launching into another round of attack. Once Warner was dismissed in the 10th over, Dhawan and Williamson went 17 legal deliveries without a boundary.”There are times when you need to soak it up a little bit, but with the openers batting for about 10 overs with a run rate of over ten runs per over meant that we needed to see how many we could get and play the situation the best we could,” Williamson said. “After such a good start from the openers, it was important that we do that.”He (Dhawan) came out really aggressively as you need to do in this format; he was very dominant today and was batting so beautifully, which I suppose made my job easier when I was to come out and get myself in.”Dhawan revealed that Sunrisers had a 200-plus total in sights once they continued to score at a good clip going into the second half of the innings. “As a team goal, we always say that one of the top-four batsmen has to stay till the end. If one set batsman is playing at the end, it gives a huge advantage to the batting side, so that’s what we planned and we try to implement in each game,” Dhawan said.”Once we crossed 13 or 14 overs, we knew we had to reach 200 because we had a great start and continued to be in a good position. It paid off well because in the second innings there was a bit of dew on this ground, and their batsmen were playing good cricket, especially Shaun Marsh and [Martin] Guptill, at the start. Two hundred was a good score, that’s why we got the game.”

Man United To Seal Deal For 16-Year-Old England Talent

Manchester United are set to bolster their academy ranks soon, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that teenage defender Harry Amass is set to seal a switch to Old Trafford.

Who is Harry Amass?

The youngster currently plays for Watford in the Championship, although he is yet to make his first-team debut with the club. At just 16-years-old, that will come as no surprise, but he has featured for their youth team. It's here where the England man has clearly caught the eye with his talent, with the player featuring for the Hornets during their spell in the FA Youth Cup.

However, it appears as though he may now leave his current club without ever having featured in their first-team. That's because according to a report from reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the left-back is heading to Man United.

The Premier League side have moved quickly to try and bring in Amass and now look set to add him on a four-year deal.

Speaking about the transfer, Romano said: "Manchester United are now set to sign English talented fullback Harry Amass, deal done. It will be signed, completed this week. Amass joins from Watford — told he’ll sign four year contract."

Is Amass a good signing for United?

Amass will likely not come into the immediate fold at Old Trafford and instead feature in their reserve side, with the club having a knack for bringing through young talent.

They did so with Marcus Rashford, who was their top goalscorer last season, and have also got an eye for bringing in talent and nurturing it from elsewhere too. Anthony Elanga was born in Sweden and began his youth career there, before being poached by the Red Devils and steadily brought through into their first-team fold. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo could follow a similar path too, with the former already featuring regularly and the latter hoping to do so this coming season.

Whilst United have yet to bring in a first-team player on a transfer this summer, they are clearly in the market for the right players then and are still focused on strengthening their academy and future talent too with the addition of someone like Amass.

This is a deal that won't pay off in the short-term for the club, but the correct playing time and coaching from the Old Trafford outfit could make this a signing we look back on as an absolute master-stroke from Red Devils chiefs.

Celtic Schedule Talks Over "World-Class" £19k-p/w Player

Celtic have scheduled discussions with Kyogo Furuhashi regarding a new contract extension at Parkhead, according to reports.

When did Kyogo Furuhashi join Celtic?

Furuhashi first arrived in the Scottish Premiership from Vissel Kobe back in July 2021 where he went on to become a regular feature of Ange Postecoglou’s first team making 83 appearances to date, but with the former boss having now left to join Tottenham Hotspur and Brendan Rodgers being back in charge, his future is up in the air.

The Japan international was the Hoops’ top-performing offensive player and indeed the division’s highest-goalscorer last season so was a standout star north of the border, and this form has already started to attract significant interest from the Premier League.

Crystal Palace have primarily been the side most linked with a summer swoop for the 28-year-old striker, but Spurs appear to have more recently entered the race to secure his services with Postecoglou eyeing a reunion in N17, and whilst that will be an attractive opportunity, the hierarchy are keen to stop him from leaving.

Is Furuhashi signing a new contract?

According to Football Insider, Celtic are set to hold “talks” with Furuhashi over a new deal when he returns from his current break in his homeland. The Glasgow outfit are “keen to tie down” their prized asset to a “new and improved agreement” in the hope of fending off outside attention, with the aim being to extend his contract that runs until 2025 by at least one more year.

Alongside Palace and Spurs, it’s reported that he’s also become a target for Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and several unnamed clubs in the Serie A and Bundesliga. Furuhashi was believed to be “stung” by Postecoglou’s exit, but it’s stated that he’s “happy” where he is and “won’t rush into any decision” in the weeks ahead.

Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.

Does Furuhashi deserve improved terms?

Celtic will recognise the hugely positive impact that Furuhashi has made since joining and also how much he’s appreciated by his teammates having been hailed “world-class” by Jota, so offering the centre-forward a new contract would be nothing less than he deserves.

The £19k-per-week earner clocked up a remarkable 26 goal contributions (23 goals and three assists) in 31 Scottish Premiership outings last season whilst recording 85 shots over the course of the campaign which was more than any other of his fellow peers, as per FBRef.

Furthermore, Furuhashi has not only helped the side secure five trophies following his arrival but he’s also been rewarded for his individual performances by being named the Hoops’ Player of the Year for 2022/23 so it’s clear to see how loved he is, making this a decision that the board shouldn’t even have to think twice about.

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