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Rangers returned to winning ways in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon as Steven Gerrard’s side won 4-2 thanks to goals from Joe Aribo, Connor Goldson, Alfredo Morelos and Stuart Arfield.

After concerning away defeats against Dundee United and Malmo in their last two trips away from Ibrox, Rangers quickly set about their business against Malky Mackay’s Ross County at Victoria Park and looked comfortable as soon as Aribo curled in an impressive opener.

One of the key reasons that Gerrard’s side were able to see out the game with relative ease was the performance of Steven Davis in the middle of the park.

As per SofaScore, the experienced Northern Irishman would earn an impressive 7.5/10 rating for his performance against the Staggies, with only Morelos and Goldson rated higher of the players who featured in the game.

Davis completely dictated proceedings from midfield, enjoying 116 touches of the ball during the 90 minutes, which was far and away the most of any player, whilst he also, impressively, completed 92/105 passes, resulting in an 88% pass success rate.

By comparison, last season the former Southampton man would average 72.4 passes per game, whilst also averaging 0.8 key passes, against Ross County he would complete three key passes, which emphasises just how impressive he was on Sunday afternoon.

The 36-year-old demonstrated his excellent quality on the ball and emphasised just how important he remains in Gerrard’s side, after earning a one-year extension earlier in the summer thanks to the part he played in the title win last season.

His performances last season earned him high praise from Rangers legend Ally McCoist, who dubbed him “out of this world” after he scored a stunning goal in an Old Firm derby win at Ibrox.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776”]

If Davis continues to perform as he did on Sunday throughout the season, then it would not be a surprise to see him handed another new contract at Ibrox at the end of this season.

And, in other news… Rangers look set to sign their next Morelos as Campbell drops exciting transfer update

Manchester United would become genuine title contenders by making a late swoop for Harry Kane, according to Steve Howey.

England captain Kane has grown frustrated by a lack of trophies at Tottenham Hotspur and publicly confirmed he wants to leave his boyhood club before the transfer window slams shut next week.

While Manchester City have been the frontrunners for Kane’s signature all summer and boss Pep Guardiola has revealed his desire to sign last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner, arch-rivals Manchester United have also been keeping tabs on the situation and club legend Gary Neville has urged the Red Devils to leap to the front of the queue.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already completed two big-money transfers during the window, with England international Jadon Sancho making the £73million switch from Borussia Dortmund and 2018 World Cup winner Raphael Varane joining from Real Madrid.

But former Premier League defender Howey believes the acquisition of Kane would immediately bolster Manchester United’s chances of clinching the title.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “They would automatically become title contenders by signing Kane.

“I think they look stronger defensively after signing Varane from Real Madrid. They’re looking good in midfield, with Paul Pogba starting the season really well and Bruno Fernandes scoring goals.

“Although Solskjaer has been criticised in the past, I think he is slowly and steadily building a decent team. If they get a player of Kane’s quality, that would take them to a different level.”

While anything can happen while the transfer window remains open, it does look like no club will be signing Kane this summer, with the player recently stating that he now intends to stay at the club.

Adama Traore and Ruben Neves are expected to remain at Wolves beyond Tuesday’s transfer deadline, according to The Athletic’s Tim Spiers. 

The lowdown

It was reported last week that Tottenham Hotspur, now managed by former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, had made an unsuccessful loan offer for the Spanish winger, while the Portugal midfielder has been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal over the course of the summer.

Neves has played every Premier League minute so far under Bruno Lage, while Traore has been on the pitch for all but three minutes.

The latest

Spiers tweeted that ‘as things stand’, he’s ‘not anticipating’ late exits for either Traore or Neves. He does accept that ‘a huge bid’ could alter the situation but there’s ‘nothing active at the moment’.

The focus appears to be on incomings, with Renato Sanches ‘plus maybe one more’ targeted on deadline day.

The verdict

If Wolves were to sell either of these players, it would have been wisest to do so in the early part of the transfer window. They wouldn’t necessarily want to be scrambling around for replacements at this late stage.

You do wonder whether cashing in on Traore would be smart given his rather paltry return of 10 goals in 135 appearances, but maybe Spurs’ loan proposal is the only concrete offer Wolves have received.

In other news, many Wolves fans were buzzing over this transfer update.

Many Wolves fans have been left buzzing as an update emerged involving Adama Traore.

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Tim Spiers has now said that talks over a new deal are progressing well with the Spain international, and an agreement looks likely at this stage.

There is no doubt that Traore is a key player for the Midlands club, as exemplified when he gave Manchester United a torrid time in last weekend’s Premier League clash as Bruno Lage’s side fell to an unlucky late defeat.

He won no fewer than 12 of his duels in the match, more than any other player on the pitch, and also ranked highest in terms of successful dribbles (eight) and key passes (four), via Sofascore.

Based on those figures, along with a series of electrifying performances during his time at Molineux, it would be a big boost if the winger ends up signing a new contract.

Wolves fans on Traore deal

These Wolves supporters rejoiced as the update was shared by Spiers on his Twitter profile:

“Lovely stuff”

Credit: @kyewazza

“Yes yes yes”

Credit: @stannersisaac8

“At last, some good news.”

Credit: @SouthBankMatt

“Seems to be enjoying playing under Lage, a manager that will definitely improve him game and let him express himself offensively. Really happy to see he’s open to a deal, some good news at last”

Credit: @Tom_Parker12

“Best news I’ve heard all year”

Credit: @dayo_akinbo

“My guy”

Credit: @iemhouston

In other news, find out what transfer update has left these Wolves fans fuming

Former Glasgow Rangers player Derek McInnes has expressed his surprise that the Gers did not try to sign Ali McCann from St. Johnstone this summer.

The Lowdown: McCann joins Preston

Earlier this summer, McCann made the move to Preston North End in the English Championship.

The Lilywhites paid £1.25m for his services (Lancs Live). Rangers fans wanted the club to move for the 21-year-old (Rangers News), but clearly a concrete bid never arrived from Ross Wilson and co.

The Latest: McInnes surprised

Speaking to The Sunday Mail, McInnes suggested Rangers or Celtic should have made an offer for the 21-year-old. He said:

“McCann lacks a bit of finesse and quality with his final pass and he could probably score more goals, but he has everything else.

“He is a responsible midfielder, a real competitor who knows his job and is good on the ball. I have played and managed in the English Championship and he will deal with that fine.

“I am just surprised and disappointed that neither player (McCann or Jason Kerr) has stayed in the Scottish league.

“McCann would have been an easy one for Celtic or Rangers to take and such a hard one for Callum to replace.”

The Verdict: Promising player

McCann showed promise in the middle of the park as St. Johnstone impressed last term. He made 43 appearances in all competitions for the Saints (Transfermarkt) as Callum Davidson’s side won both the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup – something incredibly difficult to do in Scotland when you aren’t Rangers and Celtic.

In the Gers’ case, they brought in two new midfielders in Juninho Bacuna and John Lundstram – they did not really need to make a move for McCann. Still, with his ability, he could prove them wrong and McInnes right south of the border.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this latest Heart and Hand twist.

Aston Villa and Tottenham are both ‘active’ in their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, according to Calciomercato, cited by Sports Witness.

The Lowdown: McKennie disciplined

Both Villa and Spurs were linked with a late move for the 23-year-old in the summer, however, he remained in Turin.

He’s been away with the USA during the international break but has recently been shrouded in controversy, disciplined by his country for breaking protocols.

Juventus aren’t best pleased with McKennie, and it seems as if a winter window move away could be on the cards for the £2.53m-a-year (£48,700-a-week) ace.

The Latest: £25.7m price tag

According to Calciomercato, relayed by Sports Witness, both Villa and Spurs have been ‘active’ for some time when it comes to signing McKennie.

Both clubs are ‘preparing a new mission’ for the midfielder, who has a €30m price tag (£25.7m).

The Verdict: Villa to splash the cash again?

It seems as if McKennie is on Villa sporting director Johan Lange’s radar, and it would mean the club would need to spend big again to secure his services.

Villa made three big-money acquisitions in the summer in Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings but actually came out of the window with a profit following Jack Grealish’s move to Manchester City.

Therefore, you’d expect there could be funds available for Villa to bring McKennie to the Midlands, and it appears as if Lange will try in the New Year.

In other news: ‘Pain’, ‘Why?’ – Many Villa fans react as ‘rubbish’ transfer news emerges.

Celtic’s encounter on Thursday evening perfectly epitomised what the Hoops have become in the early stages of Ange Postecoglou’s reign at Parkhead.

The Australian’s philosophy of passing out from the back and pressing from the front is an eye-catching one, but until the defence clicks, the Bhoys will continue to suffer damaging defeats.

This was summed up during their 4-3 loss to Real Betis in the Europa League yesterday evening.

Celtic took a surprising 2-0 lead and looked phenomenal value for that scoreline. They played some swashbuckling attacking football before defensive mistakes once again let them down.

Anthony Ralston worked hard but was caught out for more than one goal while Ismaila Soro lacked discipline and was fortunate not to have been sent off in Seville.

However, if we are looking to pick out positives, the display of new signing Jota will no doubt have left the manager delighted.

This was just the winger’s second appearance since joining the club on loan on transfer deadline day and he showed signs of being a wonderful signing for Celtic.

The tricky winger was a regular outlet on the right-hand side and, on his way to providing a whopping five key passes, picked up an assist for the opening goal.

Jota beat his man with a few step-overs before delivering a tantalising cross that Albian Ajeti couldn’t miss. It was a strike which was initially ruled out for handball but VAR quickly showed that it had bounced off the centre-forward’s chest instead.

The dynamic 22-year-old attacker had the beating of Juan Miranda on a regular basis and completed two of five dribbles attempted.

The Portuguese provided his teammates with three accurate crosses and, on another day, he could have helped himself to a goal.

In the early exchanges, the ball was lofted over to him inside the penalty area but it just bounced away and into Betis goalkeeper Claudio Bravo’s grateful clutches.

However, he could have put the game beyond doubt. Jota found acres of space on the right before darting into the penalty area at 2-0, but Bravo raced out and managed to narrow the angle as one of Celtic’s best openings of the game went begging.

Aside from that, the £3.15m-rated forward was a shining light for Postecoglou’s team. In the words of Stiliyan Petrov, who was providing punditry for BT Sport, the 22-year-old was “outstanding.”

After this performance, the thought of the youngster lining up alongside the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada is a mouth-watering one.

Celtic have a very exciting talent on their hands here.

AND in other news, 83.3% duels won: Celtic surely regret losing 6ft4 “weapon” after European masterclass…

Some Glasgow Rangers fans have been left buzzing over some news involving the Premier Sports Cup.

As per the official Twitter page of the Ibrox faithful, Steven Gerrard’s team will now play Hibernian in the semi-final for a place in the final of the competition.

The tie will be played on the weekend of November 20th-21st, and it means that they avoid their bitter rivals Celtic until the final, should they both end up going through.

The Hoops will now face St. Johnstone in what promises to be two very interesting set of fixtures.

Of course, the one monkey on Gerrard’s back at the moment is that he has not yet a Scottish Cup while managing the Gers, and he may be thinking that avoiding Celtic until the final may give him his best chance of winning this time around.

Rangers fans on cup draw

These Light Blues buzzed as the news was revealed on Twitter, with one RFC supporter even going as far as to claim that it was ‘brilliant’:

“Let’s go”

Credit: @TheRailwayBears

“I will take that”

Credit: @KianRussell15

“Nice, that’ll do me”

Credit: @ArgyllWarrior

“Brilliant draw”

Credit: @me_snp

“Yesssssss”

Credit: @TMc1872_

“That’ll do”

Credit: @NOTELINYI

In other news, find out which Ger’s social media post has Light Blues buzzing here!

This has been an incredibly difficult campaign for Celtic Football Club.

It was meant to be a fresh start for the Hoops who were finally rid of Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell.

Ange Postecoglou has been appointed as the club’s manager but he’s overseen their worst start to a campaign for 23 years.

After seven matches, they have just ten points and without some of their key men due to injury, appear to be a sinking ship.

Kyogo Furuhashi, Greg Taylor, Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Giorgos Giakoumakis are all currently out.

Any side would struggle without those faces but what only adds insult to injury, is the players they lost over the summer.

Odsonne Edouard has already scored twice for Crystal Palace while Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Christie are starting to perform admirably for Swansea and Bournemouth respectively.

Another player that’s now thriving away from Parkhead is Jeremie Frimpong. Anthony Ralston looks a useful replacement and Josip Juranovic will prove his worth eventually but the full-back areas are a position where Celtic are particularly light for options.

Indeed, that problem came about because of Frimpong’s surprise £11.5m departure to Bayer Leverkusen last January.

The 20-year-old was a vibrant prospect in Glasgow and was dubbed as one of the best young talents he’d worked with by Lennon.

Celtic were given a nice sum of money for the right-back but given his potential and performances for Leverkusen now, it might be seen as somewhat of a blunder from Lawwell to get rid.

Coincidentally, the Bhoys take on his new employers in the Europa League this week.

The German outfit will travel to Glasgow for the second match in the group stages of this competition and it wouldn’t be a great shock if Frimpong runs rampant.

He has been nothing short of sublime for the Bundesliga side this season, assisting four goals in eight outings.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-celtic-news-duffy-mccarthy-brady-knockaert” title= “Read the latest Celtic news!”]

One of his best displays came during the first group stage match where he supplied two goals against Ferencvaros.

Frimpong was also in vibrant form last weekend as his side defeated Mainz.

The defender created another goal for his teammates in what was a complete performance from an offensive point of view.

The former Celtic man took 106 touches of the ball and with that, he used it to devastating effect. Frimpong was successful with three dribbles while he also played a trio of key passes.

He did surrender possession on 25 occasions but given the result, that shouldn’t matter to their head coach Gerardo Seoane.

That’s certainly one area he’ll have to improve in upon his return to Scotland on Thursday.

AND in other news, Forget McCarthy: Celtic gem who lost possession 20x cost Postecoglou on Sunday…

Southampton fans Danny Rohl to return to the club after he made comments about how much he loved his time on the south coast.

Rohl made the move to the Saints as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s assistant manager. He was a popular figure at the club, with many fans believing he had a very big influence on the club as the Austrian’s deputy (via Hampshire Live).

In July of 2019, he departed for Bayern Munich, and has since followed Hansi Flick to the German national team.

Now, in a conversation with The Athletic, Rohl has discussed his time at St. Mary’s Stadium. He shared just how much he enjoyed his time at Southampton, praising the atmosphere the fans were able to create. Given how much he was liked at the club, the supporters appear to want him to come back.

The news was shared on Twitter by @SaintsExtra, and the fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the comments from Rohl below

“bring him back then”

Credit: @matthicksonsfc

“You can’t not replace someone like Danny Rohl… still baffles me to this day.”

Credit: @JackMainstone

“Come back then”

Credit: @josefsfc

“Come back!”

Credit: @DTagg64

“If only he came back”

Credit: @tugs081976

“Do everything to get him back”

Credit: @AidanCMcMahon

In other news, Southampton fans love this club initiative.