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Glasgow Rangers comprehensively outplayed Celtic from start to finish in the first Old Firm derby of the season on Saturday afternoon, meaning Steven Gerrard’s side have recorded back-to-back away wins against their arch-rivals for the first time since 1997.

Last year, Nikola Katic struck the winner in the 2-1 win over Neil Lennon’s league leaders, the first time Rangers had won at Celtic Park since 2010. Two goals from Gers defender Connor Goldson secured the victory this time, whilst the 54-time Scottish champions kept a clean sheet, as Celtic did not manage a single shot on target.

Before we get too carried away with ourselves, Gers fans will be well aware that their team have been here before, but this time it just feels a little different. The result could’ve been very different indeed if things hadn’t gone their way last time around, as Allan McGregor saved a penalty from Ryan Christie, before Steven Davis was forced to make a couple of last-ditched clearances off the line.

This time, Gerrard’s side weren’t willing to leave anything to chance. Whilst Celtic will complain that they weren’t at their full strength, that doesn’t excuse the fact that they failed to take a shot on goal. And Gerrard praised Goldson for his display at both ends of the pitch.

He said: “I’m shocked but he is certainly capable, and he is starting to attack set-pieces and is hungry to score. I thought his all-round performance was outstanding.

“It was Nikola Katic who was the hero here last year, but Connor deserves the headlines that he is going to get.”

SofaScore gave the 27-year-old a grade of 9.1, which is fairly accurate – he won 80% of his duels overall, made 8 clearances, blocked 2 shots and completed 2 interceptions, whilst he scored two goals and made two shots on target, which shows that he has added an attacking dimension to his game as well.

By comparison, the Croatia international received a lower statistical score of 7.3 for the Old Firm clash last season, as he also won 80% of his duels overall, made 5 clearances, blocked one shot and completed 2 interceptions, but conceded a penalty, as per SofaScore.

Katic is working his way back from fitness after he was ruled out for a large part of the season. He has become a firm fan favourite with the Ibrox outfit, although his discipline has often let him down at times.

Goldson, who was recently described as the “perfect” player by former Aberdeen striker Noel Whelan, could be the catalyst to end the nine-year wait for the Scottish Premiership title. His former Shrewsbury Town manager Graham Turner said “he had a great attitude, he was a leader and I always felt that he could go on to have a really good career. It was just about experience.” Similarly, he has become one of the leaders at Ibrox, and has stepped up in Katic’s absence as well.

If the Gers are to regain their title, then we suspect that the centre-back may have his part to play at the back as well as in attack. More of the same, please!

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers have every right to be worried about Leeds target Ryan Kent…

Everton are keen on signing free-agent, Branislav Ivanovic, after his contract expired at Zenit St Petersburg last season, according to reports.

According to Sky Sports, the 36-year-old Serbia international is set to reunite with former manager Carlo Ancelotti, having worked together during their time at Chelsea. Ancelotti is looking to bring the experienced Premier League defender to Goodison Park this summer, despite his age.

The Serbian is now a free agent after leaving Russian side Zenit St Petersburg where he was captain of the double-winning team last season. Ivanovic scored five goals in 35 games last season for Zenit, and since his move in 2016 he went on to win two Russian league titles.

There is no question as to whether or not Ivanovic is experienced in the Premier League. He played 377 times for Chelsea, racking up an impressive 34 goals from right-back, mainly. It is thought that the Serbian wants a move back to the Premier League, and he would surely bring experience and leadership into many sides.

Ivanovic has had lots of interest from clubs all around Europe, including Red Star Belgrade from his home-town. Though, these reports which have emerged from Serbia are very bizarre indeed and may be dismissed in a matter of time.

Verdict

This is no doubt one of the strangest and most surprising transfer rumours to emerge in this morning’s papers. It just not make sense why Carlo Ancelotti would sign a 36-year-old defender when he has been all about giving the youth opportunities such as Mason Holgate and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

There is no denying that if Branislav Ivanovic was to join the Toffees, that he would bring vital experience needed in the top flight, though captain Seamus Coleman offers just that from the right-back position, albeit five years younger than the Serbian.

This transfer looks unlikely, though it cannot be overlooked from Carlo Ancelotti’s perspective.

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly signed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton this summer.

That’s according to talkSPORT, as relayed by Ricky Sacks (via @LastWordOnSpurs), who claim that Tottenham have completed a deal for the former Saints captain. The 25-year-old ex-Bayern Munich midfielder has signed a five-year deal, as per talkSPORT.

Recent reports revealed that Spurs initially fell short of Southampton’s £25m valuation for the 33-cap Denmark international, but he has now passed a medical with flying colours to become Jose Mourinho’s first signing of the summer transfer window.

It is understood that Hojbjerg has moved to north London for an initial transfer fee worth £15m, which could rise to more than £20m with performance-related bonuses. Mourinho wants to strengthen the midfield during his first summer window in charge of Spurs as he wants to challenge for Champions League football next season.

Hojbjerg scored five goals in more than 100 appearances for Southampton in all competitions after arriving from the Bundesliga in 2016 and he began the 2019/20 campaign as club captain at St Mary’s.

However, he was removed from the captaincy by Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl after he made it clear that he had no intention of signing a new deal at St Mary’s.

Meanwhile, Kyle Walker-Peters is poised to head permanently in the opposite direction, amid interest from Premier League rivals Fulham.

Tanguy Ndombele has largely failed to live up to expectations that his £55m club-record fee warranted. The 23-year-old still has time on his side but Hojbjerg’s arrival has cast doubts over his future. Harry Winks is also in line for a shock exit from his boyhood club.

The Danish midfielder is exactly the type of player Mourinho has been missing. He is an enforcer who is more than capable of marshalling the midfield, with strong levels of concentration and a player who prides himself in recovering possession of the ball. Like Sergio Busquets before him at Barcelona, Hojbjerg has the ability to become the lynchpin in the supply chain for Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

Tottenham fans, do you think Hojbjerg will prove to be a good signing for Spurs? Let us know your views in the comments below!

Plenty of Newcastle United fans have been lauding an update on the prospective takeover in the North East from Henry Winter after he shared his latest thoughts on the matter on his official Twitter page.

As per The Times journalist, he claims that the Saudis, referring to Amanda Staveley’s consortium on the buying side side of the deal with Mike Ashley on the other, remain the favourites to get their bid over the line, and added that money talks loudest with the Premier League.

Winter says that Staveley and the billionaire Reuben brothers in the consortium bring credibility, and suggests that supporters of the Tyneside club deserve a decision.

The writer also hinted that a group from the United States with ties in Great Britain have a long-term interest in the Magpies, and have the funds in place to potentially swoop in as they are watching the delay with keen interest.

These members of the Toon faithful lauded the update as Winter seems to be a man that they trust:

Geordies, do you trust Winter with takeover updates? Comment below!

Royal Antwerp midfielder Frank Boya has revealed that he turned down Glasgow Rangers before making the switch to the Belgian club.

Boya recently made the move to Antwerp, joining on a free transfer from Mouscron, and it appears that he had the choice of several clubs before making his final decision. He has said that he turned down not only the Ibrox outfit but also said no to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen:

“The proof that I did well at Mouscron was the amount of offers I received from big clubs.

“I had no shortage of offers and Rangers and Werder Bremen were the most keen for me to join them.

“So leaving Belgium could have been a solution, but I wanted my future to be settled quickly and none of the teams interested have as much ambitions as at Antwerp.

“As soon as I moved here, I knew it was the right decision. The staff here integrated me from my first day and my new team mates have been a huge help.”

Currently valued at £1.53m by Transfermarkt, it is interesting to see that Boya chose Antwerp because of their ambition, suggesting in the process that the 54-time Scottish champions were not on their level in that respect. The ‘Gers are going for the Scottish Premiership title next term and are currently in the Europa League round of 16 as well.

They have spent money, too, bringing in Ianis Hagi for £3m, for example – there seems to be plenty of ambition at Ibrox. Still, Boya has made his choice, so both he and the Scottish club will have to live with the consequences. If the ‘Gers go on to enjoy a successful 2020/21 season, don’t expect too many regrets over Boya’s snub.

‘Gers fans, were you dismayed by Boya’s decision to turn down the club in favour of a move to Antwerp? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Rangers Academy chief Craig Mulholland has revealed that teenage playmaker Kai Kennedy has got the club’s entire staff “excited” by his potential.

What’s the word?

As reported by The Daily Record, Mulholland believes the academy’s youngsters should join the SPFL period, and pointed to Kennedy’s success around the first-team as a reason why.

“Kai has had a terrific season and is already being carefully integrated into the first team programme by the manager and his staff.

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“This is reflected when you look at just the last three months alone where he has travelled with the team to their winter camp in Dubai, playing in a first team friendly game, made his competitive debut at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup, trains most days with the first team and was on the bench for the last league game at Ross County before the enforced break.

“All of this achieved while still only 17 and still eligible for the under-18s. We are all excited by Kai’s potential and that of many of his colleagues.”

Middleton 2.0?

Kennedy just turned 18 this weekend, and it seems inevitable that the youngster will pop up in Steven Gerrard’s first-team more and more next season after featuring in a friendly fixture in Dubai.

Functioning mainly as a left-winger for the academy side, the same position as Glenn Middleton, Kennedy has racked up five assists in 13 appearances this season, so perhaps his creativity could help the Gers break down packed defences, something they have struggled immensely with in 2020.

He has also impressed at an international level, racking up five goals across various levels of Scotland’s youth set-up. Back in October, he produced a playmaking master-class against Andorra U-19s, setting up both goals in a 2-0 win for the young Scots.

If he breaks through into the first team it could be really bad news for Middleton, who shone early on under Gerrard but lost his spot on the left-wing to Ryan Kent. The 20 year-old has not impressed on loan at Bradford, playing just 11 times and finding no goals and two assists, and would surely fall further down the pecking order if Kennedy fulfils his potential.

Rangers fans, have you seen the latest comments on potential investment from Jim McColl? Check them out here!

Football.London journalist Alasdair Gold has called on Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho to change Juan Foyth’s role.

What did he say?

The Argentine has struggled to get much first-team action this season, making just seven appearances across all competitions – all in all, he had played just 65 minutes of Premier League football before the top-flight was postponed.

Foyth has predominantly been used as a centre-back in his time in north London, although has had stints at right-back too. However, Gold has called on current Spurs boss Mourinho to use the 22-year-old as a holding midfielder.

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After being asked whether Mourinho would consider using Foyth in such a role, Gold said: “I’ve pushed for that switch for a long time. I even asked Foyth about it last year and he admitted he played in the role briefly after having been an attacking midfielder as a youngster in Estudiantes’ academy.

“For one reason or another Pochettino and Mourinho didn’t/don’t see him in the role but I feel that with his technical ability he’d suit it down to the ground. Whether he goes comes down to whether the young Argentine is going to get game time. He wants it and if he isn’t then he’ll look to move on.”

Last chance

A tactical switch may be exactly what Foyth needs to try and revive his flailing career at Spurs.

The defender has hardly had a look-in at the club this season under either Mauricio Pochettino or Mourinho, and so changing up his position and role could be the key to giving himself a shot at forcing his way back into the north London side’s first-team plans.

This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to Norwegian publication Dagbladet, Manchester United are “far ahead” in the race to sign RB Salzburg sensation Erling Braut Haaland.

What’s the word?

The 19-year-old has burst onto the scene this season with a series of remarkable games for the Austrian side. In his 18 games, Haaland has scored a ridiculous 26 times, whilst he has also shown his more selfless side with six assists too.

Seven of those goals have come in the Champions League group stages, including a memorable hat-trick against Genk in the opening match-day, and a strike at Anfield in Salzburg’s 4-3 defeat to Liverpool.

Now, Dagbladet claim United are “far ahead” in the chase to secure Haaland’s signature, and that they have already begun the process of finding out the teenager’s potential next step. The report further adds Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants the Norway international to join the club, and that he has submitted a proposal to sign the forward.

Major coup

The man on everybody’s lips at the moment, Haaland’s remarkable form has well and truly caught the attention of the footballing world. The Norwegian’s exploits in the Champions League have launched him into the stratosphere, with reports in recent weeks claiming many of Europe’s biggest sides are monitoring him.

And that is exactly why if United were to pull off a sensational swoop for the 19-year-old, it should be regarded as one of their finest signings in recent memory. For a club currently plying their trade in the Europa League, and already nine points off the top four in the Premier League, beating the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona to his signature would be a major coup indeed.

Haaland himself has gone on record publicly hailing fellow Norwegian, Solskjaer, for his role in helping him develop while the pair were at Molde. He said: “He has had a huge impact on my life, both as a person and as a trainer. He won the Champions League and was an incredibly good player. He has taught me a lot.”

Solskjaer’s previous connection with Haaland could prove to be decisive, and it is imperative the United boss uses that relationship to entice him to Old Trafford. It could be the start of something great for the Red Devils.

Sunderland fans were left fuming with the performance of Grant Leadbitter on Tuesday evening as the midfielder put in a poor display against Burton.

He wasn’t the only one, however, as the Black Cats suffered a 2-1 defeat to resign Phil Parkinson’s men to yet more dropped points.

His team has now won just twice since he took over from Jack Ross last month. After their loss in midweek, they sit 11th in the table and are three points off the playoffs.

The 33-year-old completed just 79.2% of his passes on Tuesday while registering two unsuccessful touches. On that evidence, the fans’ fury seems vindicated.

One supporter determined that it looked as though Leadbitter was running through quicksand while another individual was annoyed by his backward passing.

A further fan went as far as saying he should be stripped of the captain’s armband.

Leadbitter has played ten times for Sunderland in 2019/20 and has registered two assists in the process. However, his inconsistent displays just about sum up his club’s form throughout the current term.

Here’s the best of the reaction.

Meanwhile, check out who Sunderland fans want to replace Phil Parkinson…

Former Everton man Michael Ball believes West Ham United will be lucky to finish in the top half of the table, despite talkSPORT’s claim that they stand a better chance than the toffees of reaching the top four.There’s no end to the tripe that talkSPORT (though some have a different name for it, which we’ll leave to your imagination) spew out on a daily basis.From sensationalist claims to questionable fan interaction, Jamie O’Hara, the exploding Alan Brazil, and a less than healthy dosage of Danny Mills, you can bet your bottom dollar that five minutes spent listening to our misguided friends on the air will leave you scratching your head.Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

While Everton aren’t exactly flying this season themselves, with just one Premier League win in their previous five games, which came against the Hammers, their performance on the day was considerably more promising than that of the side predicted to finish ahead of them.

In fact, with Everton having 19 shots in total, ten of which were on target, some might even argue 2-0 was flattering scoreline – especially with their second goal coming so late on.

Ball issued a simple response to talkSPORT’s claims…