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Martin O’Neill reckons that the appeal of the Champions League and perhaps the prospect of a better challenge from theRangers will be the factors that help convince Brendan Rodgers to remain at Celtic beyond the upcoming season which as things stand is the final campaign of his three year contract.
Ange Postecoglou facing the sack as Spurs manager
Rodgers returned to Celtic in June 2023 to replace Tottenham bound Ange Postecoglou. And the latest from south of the border is that the Australian is set to be sacked by Daniel Levy, despite delivering the Europa League glory that the Spurs fans cried.
Postecoglou will NOT be short of offers and if the latest rumours turn out to be accurate, it might be a blessing in disguise for the former Celtic boss who certainly deserves so much better.
Martin O’Neill spoke to Scottish Sun yesterday on the 25th Anniversary of him being appointed Celtic manager and kicking off a 21st Century first quarter that has been utterly dominant for Celtic with alongside MON, notably shout-outs due to Gordon Strachan, Neil Lennon (twice), Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers (twice) and of course Ange Postecoglou.
Martin O’Neill on Brendan Rodgers staying on as Celtic manager
On who will be the Celtic boss next June, O’Neill certainly hopes it will still be Rodgers and reckons that that will indeed be the case.
“I wasn’t aware that Brendan only had one more year to run on his contract, but I would have thought Celtic want to keep him at the club. And hopefully he would want to stay. He’s set a very good standard there,” the former Celtic manager told Scottish Sun.
The Champions League’s new format suits Celtic
“I’m also thinking that the brush he had with the Champions League would encourage him to give it another go in the next few years.
“I actually believe the new format suits Celtic. Going in again next season will give the players, staff, board and support something to look forward to. And I’d be hopeful that Brendan would want that for next season, and the season after.
“With that in mind, I’d be really surprised if he didn’t stay on. I certainly hope he does.”
The sale of theRangers with a share issue to follow to raise £20m to fund investment in the team hints at a stronger challenge for Celtic coming from Ibrox and that is something the Martin O’Neill welcomes and in his view Celtic needs. He explained the reasons why.
‘(the)Rangers need to get their act together’
“I spoke to Graeme Souness about this just the other day,” he said. “I was saying how (the)Rangers need to get their act together, for want of a better expression. I genuinely believe them being strong helps Celtic.
“Obviously they are looking for a manager, and that will be the start of them making inroads. There’s also been big talk about investment. In a one-off game, (the)Rangers have proved they can beat Celtic. But can they find the consistency required?
“Can they go away from home and win the matches they are maybe expected to win? That hasn’t happened in the last couple of years with this team.”
Why we’re stayed away from their takeover story
The Celtic Star has deliberately stayed as far away from theRangers takeover story as possible but it’s going to be of more interest what the new owners do in terms of a new manager and funding a major rebuild, given than the team that won nothing in the season just ended is already breaking up.
Cruise control costed Celtic the Scottish Cup
Celtic too will keep an eye on that – they always do – but the urgent matters to deal with are Brendan’s contract and strengthening the squad for the Champions League challenges ahead. The Celtic team that post-Munich cruised to the finishing line rather than sprinting needs to rediscover its hunger.
They probably thought with no challenge in the league to speak of that and the Scottish Cup on top to give us a treble was a formality. Those type of assumptions are always liable to bite you in the backside in football and that’s how it turned out.
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PSG Sweating Hard To Keep Gianluigi Donnarumma
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) may have secured its long-awaited Champions League triumph, but behind the scenes, uncertainty is growing, especially between the sticks. Gianluigi Donnarumma, the club’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2021, is entering a defining stretch of his PSG journey. With talks over a new contract dragging on, and the club pushing to sign Lille’s star Lucas Chevalier, things are beginning to feel more complicated than expected. At just 26, Donnarumma is far from past his prime, but with his current deal running until 2026 and negotiations at a standstill, PSG is beginning to prepare for life after the Italian. Offers are lining up from top clubs across Europe and beyond, and keeping him in Paris may prove more challenging than ever. A New Face In the Squad Lucas Chevalier has been one of France’s most impressive young goalkeepers this season. Now, PSG appears ready to snap him up. According to multiple reports, the club is nearly finalizing a €40 million transfer for the 23-year-old Lille shot-stopper. Personal terms are believed to be agreed, and the deal is expected to run until 2030, with bonuses tied to his performance. Chevalier’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. From standout displays in Ligue 1 to recognition at the French youth level, he ticks all the boxes that PSG values in a long-term investment. Sources close to the negotiations suggest the move is almost done, just waiting for the final green light between club executives. Once the paperwork is signed, Chevalier will head to Paris not just as a backup, but potentially as a genuine challenger to Donnarumma’s throne. Donnarumma’s Dilemma While PSG works to bring in fresh blood, Donnarumma’s situation remains uncertain. Despite being a regular starter under Luis Enrique, the Italian hasn’t agreed on a new contract. The club reportedly offered him an extension with performance-based incentives, but Donnarumma and his camp are said to be holding out for a more lucrative and straightforward package. This deadlock has opened the door to external interest. Manchester United remain admirers, especially given their ongoing concerns over André Onana’s form. Manchester City has also monitored the situation, though they have other targets. Chelsea are lurking, too, while Turkish giants Galatasaray are rumored to be readying a serious financial offer. Clubs from Saudi Arabia have also expressed interest, dangling huge wages as bait. Still, Donnarumma isn’t rushing into anything. Those close to the player insist he feels deeply tied to the project in Paris and is not actively pushing for a move. That said, if a new, exciting project comes along, one that promises success, stability, and the right platform, he’s open to making a switch. Between a Rock and a Goalpost If the Chevalier transfer goes through, PSG could find themselves with two top-class goalkeepers heading into pre-season. That may sound like a luxury, but it’s more often a headache in elite football. Luis Enrique would have to make a tough decision: stick with the proven Champions League-winning keeper, or hand the reins to a promising young talent? Honestly, for now, it’s a no-brainer, but could this accelerate the transfer of their first-choice keeper? Internally, there’s already talk of Chevalier being groomed for the long run. Some see his signing as the beginning of a transition between the posts. Others believe Donnarumma still has a future, especially given his performances last season and his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now. It’s a delicate situation, and timing will be everything. If Donnarumma doesn’t commit to a renewal soon, PSG may look to sell while he still holds strong market value, rather than risk losing him for free next summer. Chevalier may find himself thrust into the spotlight quicker than anyone expected. A Defining Summer Ahead What happens over the next few weeks could shape PSG’s future in goal for years. Will they manage to convince Donnarumma to stay and accept their terms? Or will this summer mark the beginning of a new era under Lucas Chevalier? The club can’t afford to drag this saga too far into the season. Pre-season will offer Luis Enrique the chance to assess both keepers, but by then, the board may already have made up its mind. With interest in Donnarumma heating up and his renewal unresolved, PSG are sweating, and with each passing day, the pressure to make a firm decision only grows.
Raiders' Pete Carroll has cryptic comments on bizarre Christian Wilkins situation
There have been a couple of different theories floated about why the Las Vegas Raiders made the shocking decision to cut star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, but head coach Pete Carroll has no interest in sharing the real motive. The Raiders released Wilkins on Thursday, which was barely a year after they signed him to a four-year, $110M contract in free agency. Initial reports suggested Wilkins and the team were at odds over how the 29-year-old's foot injury was being handled, but the story has since taken a bizarre turn. ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday that there was an incident between Wilkins and a teammate in the locker room that Wilkins viewed as playful, but his teammate did not take it that way. Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported that the incident took place in a meeting room at the Raiders' facility last week and was investigated by the team's human resources department. On Tuesday, a reporter asked Carroll about the alleged incident. The 73-year-old coach refused to get into it. "I have no comment to make,” Carroll said, via The Athletic. “We made a decision on what we’re doing, and we’re moving with it. We’ll see how that all unveils itself in time.” The last part of Carroll's comment is interesting. Carroll may have been saying time will tell how the decision to cut Wilkins will turn out for the Raiders, or he may have been insinuating that more information will come out at some point. Raiders defensive tackle Adam Nelson was also asked about Wilkins on Tuesday. Nelson responded by encouraging people to seek therapy if they are struggling with something in their life. Wilkins had 17 total tackles and a pair of sacks in five games with the Raiders before he suffered his season-ending foot injury.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Ex-Packers Star May be About to Lose his Starting Job
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones was a virtual nonfactor against the Packers last season, but Green Bay may be seeing a little less of the veteran back in the pair of meetings against their NFC North rivals this season. In two games against the Packers, Jones rushed for 140 yards but failed to reach the end zone in either game, as the Vikings swept the season series against Green Bay. However, there’s a chance Jones may already have been supplanted in Minnesota’s backfield. Ex-Packers RB Aaron Jones Splitting Reps with Jordan Mason Early in Vikings training camp, Jones might be losing his grip on Minnesota’s No. 1 running back role. Multiple reports say Jones is splitting carries with Vikings newcomer Jordan Mason, who Minnesota acquired in an offseason trade with the San Francisco 49ers. “The news is noteworthy but not particularly surprising,” Ryan Smith points out for Pro Football Focus. “Given that the team traded for Mason in March and then signed him to a two-year, $7 million fully guaranteed deal that could reach up to $12 million. Seifert believes that Mason and former Pro Bowler Aaron Jones will have a near 50-50 split in terms of playing time this season. “Last year, both Jones (76.5 PFF rushing grade) and Mason (76.1) ranked among the top 20 running backs in the league in PFF rushing grade. Jones has shown the ability to be a more dangerous threat through the air, as evidenced by his 70.6 PFF receiving grade last year and nearly 2,500 career receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.” Jones, in his first season with the Vikings, rushed for a career-high 1,138 yards and five touchdowns. If Minnesota takes a backfield by committee approach, it could bring out the best in both backs, after Jones was the Vikings’ lead-dog in 2024 and Mason wound up emerging as an explosive option in San Francisco after Christian McCaffrey’s season-ending injuries.
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