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With the last international break of 2025 underway, it remains to be seen whether or not Martin O’Neill will be in charge of Celtic for their next competitive match.

Football Insider recently reported that the experienced manager could see his interim time in the dugout end if the club are able to land a new boss during the break.

The Northern Irish head coach, in his second stint at the club, has enjoyed an impressive time as the caretaker manager, winning three of his four matches in all competitions.

Celtic have won both of their Scottish Premiership games by a 4-0 scoreline since he came in after Brendan Rodgers tendered his resignation, beating Kilmarnock 4-0 on Sunday in what could be his last match.

O’Neill has been a breath of fresh air for the Scottish giants after the end of Rodgers’ tenure, as evidenced by the two league results, and he has worked wonders for a few players.

Johnny Kenny, for example, has stepped up under the experienced manager and shown that he can be relied on as a regular starter for the Hoops, if required.

The Celtic players who have improved under Martin O'Neill

The Ireland international is the most obvious player who has improved since O’Neill came in as a caretaker manager, as he has scored four goals in four matches, per Sofascore.

Kenny had scored two goals in 17 first-team matches for Celtic in all competitions before this run of four goals in four games under O’Neill, per Transfermarkt, which perfectly illustrates his recent improvement.

The 22-year-old marksman, who has stepped up in the absence of Kelechi Iheanacho, is not the only Hoops player who has taken their game up a gear under the interim boss, though, as Arne Engels has done the same.

Celtic’s Belgian midfield maestro did not provide a single goal or assist in eight appearances in the Premiership under Rodgers, in what was a dismal start to the campaign for the £11m signing from Augsburg.

Since O’Neil came in, though, the central midfielder has scored his first goal of the season and delivered two assists in all competitions, including a goal and an assist in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock.

Auston Trusty

Vs Falkirk

Vs Kilmarnock

Minutes

90

90

Sofascore rating

7.5

8.4

Tackle success rate

100%

100%

Clearances

5

7

Ground duels won

1/2

3/3

Aerial duels won

6/11

6/8

Dribbled past

0x

0x

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Auston Trusty has excelled under O’Neill at the heart of the defence in his two league matches in the dugout, after the USA international did not start a single league match for Rodgers this season.

With O’Neill’s future in the dugout in doubt, the Scottish giants are reportedly looking at another manager who could make Kenny unplayable for the rest of the season and beyond.

3-4-2-1 emerges as contender for Celtic job

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy has “emerged” as a contender to replace Rodgers and O’Neil at Parkhead.

The reporter claims that he is one of a number of names on the club’s shortlist as they look for a long-term successor to Rodgers, who won the Premiership title in both of his full seasons back in Glasgow.

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Joseph adds that the Hoops have now drawn up their full shortlist of options and that Nancy is a “serious” contender to land the job before the end of the international break.

The 48-year-old tactician, who typically deploys a 3-4-2-1 formation, is not the only manager on that list, of course, as Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna and Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen are also in the frame.

Why Wilfried Nancy could make Johnny Kenny unplayable

If Celtic decide to go through with a move for the French head coach, the Columbus Crew boss could help to make Kenny completely unplayable by carrying on O’Neill’s good work.

Nancy, who won the MLS Cup in the 2022/23 campaign, has won 81 of his 169 matches as a manager in the MLS, per Transfermarkt, and has won two trophies, one with Columbus Crew and one with Montreal, where he coached Alistair Johnston.

In his time with Columbus Crew, the French manager has shown that he can set up a team to consistently create chances for a striker like Kenny, as Diego Rossi has thrived under his management.

Like Kenny, the Uruguayan is a lean and diminutive forward who looks to score goals through clever movement and sharp finishing, as shown in his goal in the clip below.

Neither Rossi nor the Celtic striker are going to offer a towering presence in the number nine position and bully central defenders with their physical prowess; that is not a part of their game, but Nancy has shown that he can set a team up to create chances for their profile of forward.

Rossi has played through the middle as a striker on his own in a 3-4-2-1, as one of the two 10s behind a striker, and as part of a strike pairing in a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2 during his time under the Celtic manager target, and he has been a prolific scorer in those roles.

Diego Rossi under Wilfried Nancy

2024

2025

Appearances

48

37

Shots

112

123

xG

13.14

15.54

Goals

21

19

xA

5.60

6.46

Big chances created

14

11

Assists

7

5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Columbus Crew forward has scored 40 goals for Nancy since the start of the 2024 campaign, whilst also providing 12 assists for his side in that time.

These statistics suggest that Kenny, who is a similar profile of player to Rossi, could thrive under the Frenchman if Celtic decide to appoint him as their successor to Rodgers.

The Ireland international could thrive as the lone striker in a 3-4-2-1 on his own or alongside Iheanacho, when fit, in a 4-4-2, with his recent goal spurt showing that he can score goals on a regular basis at Premiership level.

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However, it now remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops will decide to make Nancy their number one option, or if they will go with another manager on their shortlist.

Wayne Rooney has hailed Granit Xhaka as "probably the signing of the season" after the veteran midfielder's remarkable influence on Sunderland's stunning Premier League return. The 33-year-old Swiss star has been pivotal in the newly promoted side's rise to fourth place, guiding a young squad with leadership, consistency, and class since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

Xhaka raises the bar at Sunderland

Xhaka’s move to Sunderland last July raised eyebrows across the football world, but four months into the 2025-26 campaign, the decision is proving to be an inspired one. The former Arsenal midfielder has been central to the Black Cats’ superb start, as the newly promoted side sit fourth in the Premier League table after 11 matches — just one point off the top three. Sunderland’s success has been built around Xhaka’s composure and control in midfield, as he’s started and completed every league game under head coach Regis Le Bris.

The Swiss international has contributed one goal and three assists, but his impact extends far beyond the statistics. He leads the team in almost every key metric — from assists and chances created to successful passes, duels won, and distance covered — underscoring his indispensable role in the squad. As captain, Xhaka has provided structure and stability for a youthful Sunderland side adapting to the top flight for the first time since 2017.

His performances have not only silenced the sceptics who questioned whether he could still perform in the Premier League at 33, but also earned him widespread praise from pundits and now, from a Premier League legend in Rooney.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRooney labels Xhaka as the 'signing of the season'

Manchester United and Premier League legend Rooney was full of admiration for Xhaka's impact, declaring him the standout signing of the season so far. Speaking on BBC's, he said: "Coming back to the Premier League you wonder if he can do it. Obviously, with a promoted team as well coming up, what impact could he have? But he's probably been the signing of the season. He has been brilliant."

Rooney went on to highlight the midfielder's resilience, referencing his turbulent years at Arsenal: "When he had the situation with Arsenal, when he fell out with the fans it showed his character to go and play for Arsenal again. To get through that and then go and perform for Arsenal, and then at Leverkusen to be part of a team to beat Bayern Munich to the title for the first time in over 10 years has shown what a good player he is."

He also praised Xhaka's off-field influence, particularly in a youthful Sunderland dressing room: "Sunderland have got a very young squad as well. He'd almost be like a father figure and he'll be a big help for the coach as well to be the in-between man as captain. And they made a lot of signings in the summer, he'll be a massive help for the manager and with them players, for sure, using his experience."

Xhaka's return to England boosts his Premier League legacy

Xhaka's story at Sunderland represents one of the most compelling Premier League narratives of the season. Having joined in a reported £17 million deal from Bayer Leverkusen – where he helped secure the club's first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024 – the Swiss international arrived in the North East with both experience and expectation on his shoulders. Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris immediately installed him as captain, recognising the leadership qualities that had defined his later years at Arsenal and Leverkusen.

Since his debut, Xhaka has personified professionalism and tactical intelligence, seamlessly adapting to Sunderland's fluid 4-3-3 setup. His calmness in possession, positional awareness, and vocal authority have provided a foundation for the team's compact defensive structure and disciplined build-up play. Statistically, his influence is unmatched – ranking first in touches, chances created, and recoveries per game – metrics that underline how deeply integrated he is in every phase of Sunderland's approach.

The turnaround in Xhaka's career is particularly impressive given the criticism he faced during his time at Arsenal. Once viewed as a divisive figure, he has evolved into one of Europe's most respected midfield generals. His experience at Leverkusen, where he rediscovered his form under Xabi Alonso, has clearly carried over to his new challenge, allowing Sunderland's youthful lineup to flourish around him.

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Getty Images SportSunderland and Xhaka looking forward to massive tests

With Sunderland flying high in the Premier League, the focus now turns to maintaining their momentum through the winter months. After the international break, the Black Cats will take on Fulham and Bournemouth, before facing off against true giants in Liverpool and Manchester City. Those two games, similar to their draw against Arsenal, will truly test Le Bris' side as to whether they can maintain their early form and actually challenge for European spots this season.

Xhaka himself has shown no signs of slowing down, continuing to set the tone both in training and on matchdays. His experience across top European leagues has given Sunderland a competitive edge and an identity built on discipline and confidence, qualities that resonate throughout their squad.

FIFA are all set to push ahead with a major VAR rule change for the 2026 World Cup despite facing initial rejection from stakeholders and members. The new changes in the law will be applicable for VAR checks on corner kicks during the flagship competition. The International Football Association Board convened a meeting in October, where they reached an agreement that VAR could be expanded.

• VAR to check corner-kicks

  According to , FIFA will aggressively push for VAR to check corner kicks at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, despite facing rejection from domestic leagues to implement across all competitions. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) – the body which determines the laws of the game – met in October, were an agreement was reached that VAR would check incorrectly given yellow cards, which could lead to a read, although the idea to review corner kicks was rejected. 

  The rejection means that IFAB will now have to conduct extensive trials across the globe before they can implement at the World Cup in North America next summer. 

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  Collina open to new trials

  Legendary former referee Pierluigi Collina, who is now serving as FIFA's head of referees, is a supporter of the change as part of a wider review of VAR protocol. to support his argument, Collina has cited an incident from the Euro 2016 final, when Portugal were wrongly awarded a free-kick in extra time for handball on the edge of the area that almost led to a goal. The IFAB will convene their next meeting in January, where further discussions will be held. 

• League officials against expansion of usage of the VAR

  One major concern for the leagues across the world is that using excessive VAR would lead to more time wasting. The Football Association's chief executive Mark Bullingham, who is also on IFAB's board, had earlier told : "We don't think there's any need to extend the use of VAR. There are regular discussions in IFAB about what VAR should be, and how it should move forward. I think our position is that we're in a good place now. Of course, if someone brings an item forward for Ifab to consider, then as a group we'll consider it. But as a group we don't necessarily think that VAR needs to be extended at the moment. We think there's enough interruptions to the game in the current model."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Is expanding of VAR possible?

  An important aspect of the Laws of the Game that applies at all levels is that a referee cannot change a restart decision even if they realise it is incorrect after play is back underway. So, once the corner is taken and play is live, the game must continue. Thus if the new laws are implemented at the World Cup next year, every corner will have to be reviewed by the VAR – although in the majority of cases the decision will be obvious. 

  Fans will be eager to see if and when FIFA gets the nod to bring in the rule changes in VAR. Before that, they must extensively trial the methods to make sure their plan is foolproof. 

Celtic are finally closing in on the appointment of their long-term successor to Brendan Rodgers, after four matches with Martin O’Neill in interim charge of the team.

The Northern Irish boss resigned from his role at the club last month after a 3-1 defeat to Hearts, departing Parkhead for the second time after a stint that lasted just over two years.

Celtic’s next head coach will have to build on the success that the former Leicester boss achieved in his second spell in the dugout, with two Scottish Premiership titles and two domestic cup victories in his two full seasons.

The Daily Record reports that Columbus Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is poised to come through the door as Rodgers’ replacement, and that they want to get a deal over the line before Friday.

He has been in discussions with the Scottish giants since last Friday and the Hoops will have to thrash out a compensation package with the MLS side once they have an agreement with the Frenchman.

Whilst there will be a focus on instant results and implementing his style of play as quickly as possible, there will also be one eye on the January transfer window and what the board can do to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

The positions Celtic need to target in January

The most obvious position that Celtic need to target when the transfer window opens for business is a centre-forward, as they had to resort to signing Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer in the summer after they failed to land any other options before the deadline.

The Nigeria international is currently out of action with a hamstring injury, leaving Johnny Kenny leading the line, and the Hoops may look to bring in an experienced number nine ahead of the second half of the campaign.

A right-winger should also be one of the club’s priorities in January after right-sided attacker Nicolas Kuhn left in the summer and two left wingers, Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha, were brought in off the back of that.

25/26 Premiership

Hyun-jun Yang

James Forrest

Appearances

5

10

Goals

0

0

Big chances missed

2

1

Big chances created

1

1

Key passes per game

0.4

0.6

Assists

0

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Celtic’s two natural right wingers, Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest, have both failed to deliver much in the way of quality in the Premiership this season.

On top of a striker and a right winger, a right-sided centre-back could be on the cards after Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a long-term injury at the end of October.

Whilst a striker, a right winger, and a centre-back should all be priorities for January, the Hoops are also reportedly looking at a central midfielder with a view to a longer-term move.

Celtic have SPFL midfield star on their radar

According to 67HailHail, Celtic have Kilmarnock central midfielder David Watson on their radar ahead of a potential swoop to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

The 20-year-old star’s contract with the Premiership side is due to expire at the end of the season, which has thrown doubt around his future heading into the January window, as it may be Kilmarnock’s last chance to cash in on him.

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67HailHail reports, though, that the Hoops are not certain to make a move for him in the January transfer window, amid competition from league leaders Hearts.

The Premiership champions could, instead, wait until the end of the season to snap him up on a free transfer, rather than looking to pay a fee to land the midfield star six months early.

Whether a deal happens in January or next summer, Watson could be an excellent addition to the side as Nancy’s own version of Scott Brown in midfield.

Why Watson would be Nancy's own Brown for Celtic

Back in the summer of 2007, Celtic paid £4.4m to sign Scott Brown from Premiership rivals Hibernian, which was a record fee between two Scottish clubs at that time.

Watson, as his contract is due to expire next summer, would not arrive at Parkhead with any kind of record transfer fee, but he would be another talented and young Scottish central midfielder who could have an incredibly bright future in Glasgow.

Brown had 134 appearances for Hibernian at first-team level under his belt, per Transfermarkt, as a 21-year-old, whilst the Kilmarnock star has played 118 matches and does not turn 21 until February of this season.

The former Hibs ace, of course, went on to captain Celtic and make 618 appearances in all competitions, winning ten Premiership titles, as a combative midfield star, who also chipped in with 46 goals and 63 assists, per Transfermarkt.

Watson’s performances for Kilmarnock in the top-flight so far this season suggest that he can offer the same sort of box-to-box presence that Brown did during his time at Parkhead.

25/26 Premiership

Watson

Rank vs CMs

Goals

3

Top 8%

Assists

1

Top 41%

Successful dribbles

11

Top 6%

Fouls won

27

Top 3%

Tackles won

24

Top 12%

Duels won

72

Top 5%

Interceptions

13

Top 11%

Blocks

6

Top 1%

Stats via Sofascore

Described by Scottish scout and analyst Kai Watson as a “box-crashing, goalscoring midfielder that works hard on both ends”, it’s clear the 20-year-old excels offensively and defensively among his positional peers in the Premiership, which illustrates the kind of quality that he would bring to Celtic as a box-to-box midfielder.

Watson, who Kilmarnock commentator Andrew Milligan claimed has “no ceiling”, has shown the Hoops what he can do offensively, scoring against them in the clash between the two sides in September.

On top of his evident quality on the pitch as a Premiership midfielder, the Celtic target is also the current captain of Scotland’s U21s at international level, per Transfermarkt, which suggests that he has the potential to be a future Hoops captain, as he is viewed as a leader for that team.

Therefore, Watson could be Nancy’s own version of the Scott Brown signing from 2007, as he could come in next summer as another 21-year-old proven Premiership midfielder who could captain the club moving forward.

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Gary Neville has criticised one aspect of Arsenal’s performance in the 4-1 North London derby victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

It was ultimately an easy day at the office for the Gunners against their bitter rivals, with Eberechi Eze, who Tottenham were keen on signing in the summer, scoring a hat-trick, after Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the first half.

Speaking after the game, Jamie Carragher admitted he underestimated just how important Eze would end up being for Mikel Arteta’s side, who put in a fantastic all-round performance to move six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

However, a fellow Sky Sports pundit wasn’t particularly impressed with one aspect of Arteta’s side’s performance…

Gary Neville criticises Arsenal's set-pieces against Tottenham

Arsenal have been phenomenal from set-pieces this season, with Gabriel looking particularly impressive in the opposition penalty area, picking up two goals and three assists in all competitions.

However, while Neville was complimentary of the overall display, the 50-year-old has suggested the Gunners weren’t quite as threatening from dead-ball situations against Tottenham as they have been previously.

Arteta’s side proved they have what it takes to end the long wait for a Premier League title with their performance on Sunday, limiting their opponents to an xG of just 0.07, with only a Richarlison wonder goal catching them out.

Eze certainly sent out a major statement with his performance too, receiving a SofaScore match rating of 10 after scoring a hat-trick and making a number of other key contributions.

Eberechi Eze’s key statistics vs Tottenham

Number completed

Big chances created

1

Duels (won)

10 (7)

Interceptions

2

Tackles

2

Arsenal also displayed that they aren’t one dimensional, with none of their goals coming from set-pieces, and they managed to cope despite having a number of important players out injured, namely Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel.

As such, Arteta will no doubt be confident his side can go on to have a successful season, but there are some tricky fixtures on the horizon, taking on FC Bayern in the Champions League on Wednesday, prior to a trip to second-placed Chelsea at the weekend.

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ICC announces pre-sale prices as low as one US dollar approximately

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Sep-2025Tickets for the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup have gone on sale with less than a month to go for the start of the tournament on September 30 in Guwahati.On Thursday, the ICC announced that tickets for all the group matches in India and Sri Lanka were available on pre-sale on tickets.cricketworldcup.com for four days from 1900 IST and SLST on September 4 via the Google Pay platform. The second phase of ticket sales will begin on September 9 at 2000 IST and SLST (1430 GMT) on tickets.cricketworldcup.com.According to the ICC, ticket prices will start at INR 100 (USD 1.14 approx.) in the first pre-sale phase – “the most affordable pricing for any ICC global event in history.”Related

• All-woman panel to officiate at 2025 women's ODI World Cup

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• USD 13.88 million prize money for Women's ODI World Cup

The Women’s ODI World Cup will be contested by eight teams – India, Sri Lanka, England, Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh – across five venues: Colombo, Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Navi Mumbai. India and Sri Lanka open the tournament on September 30 in Guwahati, and the final is on November 2 at a yet-to-be-decided venue.The ICC recently announced that the total prize money for the tournament is USD $13.88 million, nearly a fourfold increase from the USD 3.5 million for the previous women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand in 2022.

The Gujarat keeper-batter now has the world record for the second-fastest T20 century and the Indian record for the second-fastest List A century

Hemant Brar29-Nov-2024Urvil Patel’s father, Mukesh, was more disheartened than his son when he went unsold at the recent IPL 2025 mega auction.In his younger days, Patel senior was a university-level sprinter. But the lack of resources and guidance meant he had to give up on his ambitions and settle for the job of a physical education teacher at a government school. Since then, his dream has been to see his son excel in a sport at the highest level.Urvil, a wicketkeeper-opener from Gujarat, has been part of the IPL previously. At the 2023 auction, Gujarat Titans (GT) bought him at his base price of INR 20 lakh. But he did not get to play and was released after the season. This time, his name did not even come up. His father’s disappointment, therefore, was understandable.Urvil, too, was upset. But he did not let it affect his game. In Gujarat’s first outing after the auction, against Tripura in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Urvil smashed the second-fastest hundred in T20 cricket, off just 28 balls. It was the fastest by an Indian, bettering Rishabh Pant’s record against Himachal Pradesh by four balls, and just one shy of the world record, set by Sahil Chauhan for Estonia against Cyprus.Urvil’s 113 not out in 35 balls helped Gujarat chase down their target of 156 in just 10.2 overs. His innings featured 12 sixes, four of them off successive balls against Mandeep Singh’s part-time all-sorts spin.

* Runs
Balls
Fours
Sixes

Gujarat batter Urvil Patel smashed the fastest hundred by an Indian in T20s against Tripura in Indore

Watch snippets of his #SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @GCAMotera pic.twitter.com/zjbsKpZkYv

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) November 27, 2024