Glasgow Rangers have found themselves in a difficult position with Jordan Jones for quite some time so far this season.

Jones has hit all the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks after being hit with a seven-game ban by the SFA after breaching Covid rules.

The Northern Ireland international was once heralded as a future star by his former Middlesbrough manager Michael O’Neill.

Steven Gerrard signed Jones from Scottish Premiership rivals Kilmarnock on a four-year pre-contract deal last year but the Rangers winger has been reprimanded by the Ibrox boss for bringing the game into disrepute.

His career seems to be in danger of going off the rails big time as he finds himself in a precarious position at the club, having last played for Rangers against Livingston in a brief cameo before the international break.

Now it transpires that he actually earns more than Joe Aribo, which we can’t quite get our heads around, as the Nigerian has been an integral part of Gerrard’s side so far this season, with a tally of four goals in eleven games to his name.

It’s fair to say that Ross Wilson simply can’t afford to keep the 25-year-old for much longer, especially when you consider the fact he has hardly featured at all for the first team so far this season, irrespective of his suspension.

Jones currently earns wages worth £9,100-per-week as per his contract despite the fact he finds himself on the fringes of the squad.

In his 19 appearances for the Gers, he has only managed to contribute one goal and two assists in all competitions, which is a pretty meagre return for a player who was once tipped to take the club to the very top.

Therefore, Wilson must cut his losses and get rid of the outcast once and for all, otherwise he will most likely be left to rot on the bench for the rest of the season.

AND in other news, Forget Barisic: Rangers striker Jermain Defoe has sent Gerrard a timely reminder…

Glasgow Rangers target Jack Wilshere has been discussing his next move with BBC Sport, and has admitted he is open to a switch wherever.

Free-agent Wilshere on the move

Wilshere recently left West Ham United by mutual consent, which now means he is a free agent and he can move wherever he likes.

The Ibrox outfit have been heavily linked with a move for the 28-year-old, but as of yet he is still available. He has recently been speaking to the BBC about his future and he said:

“It is important to find a club where I am going to play, be an important player and be happy. I don’t want to rush into anything. It has to be the right team in the right country.

“I am open to Europe or wherever.

“I am the type of player who wants to have the ball. I understand there is another side to the game and I enjoy that but I would like to be in a team who has the ball.

“I am not naive enough to think I am going to sign for a club and play straight away. There is a process to it. You have to train with the team, get to know your team-mates, maybe come off the bench a couple of times. I want to get that process going but it has to be the right thing.”

Stunning player

In regards to Rangers, Wilshere may be right about his potential playing time. The 54-time Scottish champions have had a fantastic start to the new campaign, going unbeaten in their first 15 matches. Steven Gerrard has put together a squad hungry for success, so there is little need to change things too much right now.

However, they will always be on the lookout for top quality, and Wilshere should bring just that. Yes, injuries have hampered his career, but this is a player who has been continually praised by legends of the game such as Xavi Hernandez. Kevin Phillips even previously told Football Insider that the ex-Arsenal midfielder would “dominate” in the Premiership.

On a free transfer, there is little risk for Ross Wilson and co. It remains to be seen where the £4.32m-valued England international (Transfermarkt) ends up.

In other news, Alan Hutton believes this Gers scapegoat has wasted his big opportunity at Ibrox. Let us know what you think in the comments!

While speaking exclusively with Football FanCast’s Tom Ward, Carlton Palmer has urged West Ham United to sign Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud in the upcoming January transfer window.

The Irons have been linked with a move for the outcast Frenchman recently, but are said to trail Inter Milan in the emerging race with the Serie A giants believed to be ahead of a clutch of sides including Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Miami and Paris Saint-Germain.

Giroud has often found himself frozen out of the starting line-up at Stamford Bridge this term, as his start in Wednesday night’s Champions League victory over Sevilla was only his second inclusion in one of Frank Lampard’s opening squads across all competitions this term.

Giroud lit up the stage against Sevilla with a game-winning haul of four goals, taking his tally for the season to six in 10 games despite playing just 273 minutes to date.

Adding four to his UEFA account at Sevilla on Wednesday also moved the £110,000-per-week ace into third-place on the leaderboard for goals scored in the Champions League since the start of the 2018/19 campaign, with only Robert Lewandowski (26) and Lionel Messi (18) netting more often (16).

Palmer believes Giroud will have his pick of clubs in the winter market should he leave Chelsea, after the forward suggested he may have to quit the south west London side amid concerns his outcast status will impact his hopes of representing France in the postponed Euro 2020.

“I think I know if he was available a whole host of clubs would sign him,” Palmer told Football FanCast. “I think Lampard has gone on record as saying that he wants him to stay and that he’ll get game time.

“He’s a terrific player, a terrific hold-up player. He doesn’t get the [amount of goals], obviously does for France [but he doesn’t] get the volume of goals for Chelsea. But his link-up play, his hold-up play is bringing other people into the game, his teamwork is phenomenal. So yeah, of course, if West Ham could get him he’d be an absolutely fantastic signing.”

Blues boss Lampard was full of praise for what Giroud brings to the table after his game-winning haul at Sevilla on Wednesday night, featuring a perfect hat-trick, telling reporters how the 34-year-old made a strong case for starting at Leeds United on Saturday.

“It’s not just his performance but when you play him and utilise his strengths and his speed, there’s a real balance in the rest of the team,” Lampard said, via quotes by TEAMtalk. “[It was an] amazing solo performance from Olivier.

“Olivier is reliable, full stop. Not just for us but his international goals for France, he’s up there with great French individuals.”

Lampard’s praise and chance to start in the Champions League may be too little too late to save him from losing Giroud, who has played just 47 minutes in the Premier League thus far this season over five cameo outings.

Giroud’s situation has alarmed France boss Didier Deschamps, who hinted the striker may need to leave Stamford Bridge in the winter or risk missing out on a place in his Euro 2020 squad.

“The situation is not good for him,” Deschamps claimed, via quotes by Goal. “It is for him to see, he will decide. But in terms of the France team, psychologically and physically for him, he has every interest in having playing time. I hope that by January he will have more playing time.”

And in other news, David Moyes must solve a £19m West Ham star’s alarming issue ahead of facing Manchester United.

After Fulham picked up their first three points of the Premier League season last time out against West Bromwich Albion, Scott Parker’s side now travel to West Ham United on Saturday evening in the hope of picking up their first away win of the season.

Goals from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ola Aina were enough to earn the Cottagers maximum points against the Baggies but we still feel that the 40-year-old manager should make a couple of changes to try and counteract the threat that West Ham pose.

David Moyes’ side have been in impressive form of late, with the narrow defeat against Liverpool last weekend ending an unbeaten run that saw them pick up superb wins against Wolves and Leicester City, as well as draws against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City (per Sky Sports).

Therefore, Fulham would be unwise to underestimate the threat that the Hammers possess, although it seems as if they will be without the in-form Michail Antonio.

Football FanCast has predicted how Parker will line his side up this evening…

Despite his goal last weekend, we feel that playing two strikers away at the London Stadium might be slightly too attacking for this match, so Reid drops to the bench whilst Ruben Loftus-Cheek comes in to add a bit more steel in the Fulham midfield, with the £21.6 million-rated loanee having impressed in the recent draw with Sheffield United.

We also feel that Joe Bryan should get the nod to start at left-midfield for Parker’s side as he has played in that position regularly in the past. He would be able to track back and help out Antonee Robinson at left-back, who is no doubt in for a tough game against Jarrod Bowen given the attacker has started the season in strong form.

Unsurprisingly, the defence stays the same after they picked up their first clean sheet of the season against West Brom, with Ola Aina, in particular, impressing in that game with his superb goal.

Meanwhile, Ademola Lookman should keep his place in the Fulham starting XI having impressed since joining on loan from RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window. He has averaged a superb 7.49 rating across his four appearances, which ranks him as Fulham’s best performer in the Premier League so far this season (per WhoScored).

It will be interesting to see if Parker does make any changes for this evening’s game, or whether he keeps faith with those who started the game against West Brom.

علق أحمد ياسين مدافع منتخب مصر ونادي البنك الأهلي على ظهوره الأول مع الفراعنة خلال مباراة الجابون في تصفيات كأس العالم.

وشارك أحمد ياسين بدلاً من أحمد حجازي في الدقيقة 80 من عمر مباراة مصر والجابون التي أقيمت اليوم الثلاثاء، وانتهت لصالح الفراعنة بهدفين مقابل هدف.

وقال ياسين في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس”: “أحمد الله على المشاركة الأولى مع منتخب مصر، وهذه فرصة لا تأتي لأي لاعب كل يوم”.

طالع | كيروش بعد فوز مصر على الجابون: راهنت على إمام عاشور ولا أكره الانتقادات

وأضاف: “كيروش يعطي اللاعبين الفرصة لكي يتواجدوا في المنتخب، (اللي هيموت نفسه هو إللي هيلعب) المعاملة طيبة في المنتخب من اللاعبين وكيروش، يتعاملون معي كأني في المنتخب منذ سنوات”.

وأكمل: “بعد الله الفضل يعود إلى أحمد حسام ميدو، لأنه من قام بتصعيدي للفريق الأول لمصر المقاصة وقدمني للجميع أثناء توليه القيادة الفنية للفريق الفيومي، وعلمت أن كيروش يتابعني والله لم يهدر مجهودي، وفوجئت باستدعائي لمنتخب مصر”.

وأتم: “إن شاء الله سأجتهد وأبذل قصارى جهدي لكي أكون في المنتخب الفترة القادمة”.

وحسم منتخب مصر تأهله إلى المرحلة النهائية للتصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة لكأس العالم قطر 2022 بعد تصدره المجموعة السادسة برصيد 14 نقطة.

MatériaMais Notícias

Ainda longe da Barra Funda, o uruguaio Diego Lugano já mexe com o cotidiano dos jogadores do São Paulo. Prova disso foi a entrevista coletiva do lateral-direito Bruno nesta terça-feira, após o treino. O jogador confessou que está ansioso pela chegada do beque – prevista para às 20h desta terça – e acredita que “El Diós” tem tudo para assumir a liderança do grupo e ajudar dentro e fora de campo.

– Essa foi uma notícia muito boa.Como saíram grandes ídolos e líderes, que chamavam a responsabilidade, que se precisasse xingar, xingava, acho muito importante a vinda dele, estou ansioso para conversar, para que ele possa treinar com a gente. Chegando esse ídolo, estamos no caminho certo – afirmou e logo agregou.

-Pela história dele, pela qualidade, esse grupo não tem vaidade. Todos vão acolher o Lugano, vai nos ajudar muito com essa liderança, vai assumir essa postura.

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E a vinda de Lugano vai colocar mais espanhol na rotina de treinos do São Paulo. Com o colombiano Wilder, o chileno Mena e o argentino Centurión, além dos também argentinos Edgardo Bauza, técnico, o auxiliar José Dileu e o preparador físico Bruno Militano. Assim, o idioma hispânico tem ganhado cada dia mais espaço.

– A gente fala o portunhol, né? (Risos). Às vezes o professor fala muito rápido, mas o Milton (Cruz) está sempre do lado para ajudar – completou.

E é com essa mistura que o Tricolor se prepara para a primeira fase da Libertadores da América. A estreia da equipe na competição está marcada para o dia 3 de fevereiro, contra o César Vallejo.

– Osestrangeiros podem ajudar na Libertadores muito. Tem muito a contribuir, não só no falar dentro de campo, mas entender também. Além disso, tem o espírito, que é muito importante – concluiu.

Joel Matip was once again absent for Liverpool on Wednesday night, as he was unable to recover from the injury problem that forced him off in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Fulham last weekend.

Fortunately for Jurgen Klopp’s side, Roberto Firmino’s late header meant that they would return to the top of the table after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Anfield, but the German manager will be concerned that the Cameroonian is struggling with injury problems at a time where they are desperately short of defensive options.

Rhys Williams filled in superbly for the Reds on what was his Premier League debut, helping keep Harry Kane quiet throughout the 90 minutes, whilst Fabinho was once again excellent in his new-found role as a centre-back.

Therefore, when you also consider the solid performances of Nathaniel Phillips when he has been called upon at times this season, you wonder whether Matip, who earns £100k per week with the Reds, may have now run out of chances with Liverpool.

The former Schalke man has been excellent in spells for Liverpool, and of course played his part in the Reds winning the Champions League in 2019, as well as the Premier League in 2020.

However, the 29-year-old has regularly been sidelined with injury during his time with the Merseyside club and this latest setback will be a huge cause of frustration for Klopp in a time when he was relying on the centre-back to stay fit, due to the long-term injuries suffered by Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk.

Therefore, once those two return to fitness, it may well be time for Klopp to axe Matip, as unfortunately, he has shown himself to be unreliable throughout his time at the club, and the talents coming through the Liverpool academy look ready to step up in his absence.

Hopefully, for the Reds, his current injury won’t rule him out for too much longer, as he will surely be an important player for the rest of this season, but beyond that, you worry for his future with the club.

And, in other news… Forget Minamino: Klopp can replace Jota with teenage LFC “sensation”

يستعد نادي ريال مدريد لحسم صفقة جديدة، لتعزيز صفوفه الدفاعية، بالتعاقد مع أحد لاعبي فريق تشيلسي الإنجليزي.

ريال مدريد مؤخرًا يتعاقد مع لاعبين بالمجان، حيث ينتظر نهاية عقودهم مع أنديتهم لضمهم في صفقة انتقال حُر، في ظل معاناة النادي اقتصاديًا.

وأبدى ريال مدريد اهتمامه بالتعاقد مع الدولي الألماني، أنطونيو روديجر مدافع تشيلسي، في ظل عدم توصل النادي إلى اتفاق معه بشأن التجديد، مع تبقي 7 أشهر على نهاية عقده.

ومن المقرر أن ينتهي العقد الحالي للمدافع الألماني مع بطل أوروبا في الصيف المقبل، 30 يونيو 2022.

اقرأ أيضًا – تقارير: لسبب وحيد.. ريال مدريد يجهز عرضًا لضم مبابي في يناير

ولم يتوصل الطرفان حتى الآن إلى أي اتفاق بشأن التوقيع على عقد جديد، في ظل الخلاف بين روديجر وناديه حول راتبه السنوي.

وحسب فضائية “El Golazo de Gol” الإسبانية، فإن ريال مدريد يُخطط لإجراء محادثات مع روديجر من أجل حسم الصفقة، حيث ينوي النادي التعاقد معه على طريقة ديفيد ألابا.

ألابا كان لديه عقد مع بايرن ميونخ ينتهي في 30 يونيو الماضي، وأعلن رفضه تجديد تعاقده في فبراير من أجل الانتقال إلى ريال مدريد.

وأوضحت الشبكة في تقريرها أن من المُقرر أن تكون هُناك محادثات ولقاء بين وكلاء أعمال روديجر في يناير القادم.

Southampton just about edged past Aston Villa on Sunday, and James Ward-Prowse was arguably the best player on the pitch.

The Saints just about got the job done against Villa, winning 4-3 at Villa Park. Jannik Vestergaard netted the first, before Ward-Prowse scored two sumptuous free-kicks. Danny Ings completed the scoring in the second half for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side, but Tyrone Mings, Ollie Watkins and Jack Grealish put the Saints under pressure late on. The south-coast outfit held on, though, and are now unbeaten in five Premier League games, winning four and drawing one.

Along with his two goals, Ward-Prowse also provided the assist for Vestergaard’s header. It was quite the 26th birthday for the England international.

These Southampton fans were absolutely delighted with his display, and they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what they had to say about Ward-Prowse below

In other news, there is an update on this summer Saints target.

Tottenham Hotspur kick off their Europa League campaign later this evening as they welcome Group J rivals LASK Linz to north London.

Jose Mourinho will be looking for a response from his squad after they threw away a three-goal lead over West Ham on Sunday night, though they remain unbeaten since an opening day defeat to Everton.

It is the Lilywhite’s first venture into the Europa League since 2017 after they were knocked out by Gent in the last 32 round having failed to make it past the group stages in the Champions League.

The congested fixture list this season, much of which Spurs have already had to deal with, gives Mourinho plenty to consider – so here’s how he could line up his starting XI here tonight…

There could be as many as six changes to the side that squandered those two additional points at the weekend.

Gareth Bale is in line to make his full debut after his cameo in the second half against the Hammers, he had a golden chance to win it late on but he was evidently rusty, so an hour or so from the off tonight makes a ton of sense.

Another player who could make their maiden Spurs bow is Carlos Vinicius, though he may have to wait with Harry Kane likely to get the nod to start.

Both Harry Winks and Lucas Moura were also brought on off the bench by Mourinho on Sunday, so they will surely be named in the starting lineup this time around with Moussa Sissoko and Heung-min Son being dropped, the latter is worthy of some much-needed rest.

In defence, both Ben Davies and Matt Doherty could come back into the side with Sergio Reguilon and Serge Aurier making way.

Joe Rodon isn’t eligible to play this evening, so a central defensive pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez seems likely with both Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga injured.

Giovani Lo Celso was confirmed to be back in training this week and he may well be handed a starting role over the £36m-rated Tanguy Ndombele, but there is still no place for Dele Alli.

Whilst Spurs youngster Jack Clarke could feature from the bench late on.

AND in other news, Fresh Spurs contract for £18m-rated LIABILITY would be a DISASTER waiting to happen…