All in One: May 2020

RANGERS URGED TO SIGN SCOTTISH FOOTBALLER CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Kris Boyd has urged Rangers manager Steven Gerrard to sign Derby County’s Graeme Shinnie.

Boyd represented the likes of Rangers, Kilmarnock, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest in his playing career, and is now writing his own column in The Scottish Sun.

Last night he wrote how Gerrard should move for Shinnie after Andrew Halliday’s release this week, saying:

“For all I doubted he was good enough for the international set-up — which I stand by — he knows Scottish football inside out and is someone who gives everything whenever he steps out on to the pitch.

“With Halliday gone he’s versatile enough to play in different roles. It’s the kind Rangers will need in the next 12 months if they’re to finally stop Celtic winning title after title.”

Can you get 15 out of 15 on this Derby County quiz? Have a go now!

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HAVE DERBY COUNTY BEEN SPONSORED BY ADIDAS IN THE LAST TEN YEARS?
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Shinnie, 28, represented both Inverness CT and Aberdeen before joining Derby last summer. He’s struggled with injury this season but has featured 14 times in the Championship so far, and has impressed at his new club.

Whilst all football clubs face a contested transfer window, with prices plummeting and funding cut short, Shinnie could well be one of many to depart from Derby County this summer.

Gerrard has had a competent first season in management but came under scrutiny towards the end of the season, with Celtic having since been crowned champions of Scotland for the ninth season running.

The verdict

Shinnie has proved a fine signing by Derby and if he were fit for the entirety of the season, he would’ve likely played a much more important role in the side.

But he’s still proved his worth at Pride Park and Ibrox could well be a good fit for the Scot, who could end up leaving Derby for pennies if the current climate has its say.

RANGERS FACE COMPETITION TO SIGN EFL PLAYER

Rangers have been joined by both Marseille and Leganes in the race to sign West Brom midfielder Rayhaan Tulloch according to Football Insider.

Tulloch is out-of-contract at the end of this year’s campaign, and it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll be offered a new deal by the Baggies.

He has made three senior appearances for Slaven Bilic’s side this season, all of which have come in their FA Cup campaign to date this term.

But Tulloch has netted nine goals in 14 appearances for West Brom’s Under-23s team this season, and it seems as though his impressive showings haven’t gone unnoticed.

Rangers had previously been interested in signing Tulloch during the January transfer window, although a move failed to materialise for one reason or another.

Football Insider also claim that Hibernian are interested in reaching an agreement with the West Brom youngster, although it remains to be seen as to which club is leading the race to land his signature.

But it is also reported that Slaven Bilic’s side are confident of tying down Tulloch to a new contract at The Hawthorns, although potential talks are likely to have been put on hold to recent off-the-field events.
Have these West Brom players been capped at senior international level? Test your knowledge in our quiz!

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HAS SEMI AJAYI BEEN CAPPED AT SENIOR INTERNATIONAL LEVEL?
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The Verdict:

It’s going to be a fiercely-contested battle to land his signature.

Rangers have already been monitoring Tulloch for a number of months it seems, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see them step up their interest after hearing that others clubs are interested in signing the Baggies youngster.

West Brom obviously hold the advantage over any potential talks, and they’ll be hoping they can reach a long-term agreement with the promising youngster at the earliest of opportunities.

‘I CAN SEE IT HAPPENING’ – PUNDIT BULLISHLY BACKS LEEDS UNITED, RANGERS TRANSFER AGREEMENT

Barry Douglas has been given more backing to ditch Leeds United for Rangers this summer, with Kevin Phillips insisting that breaking into Marcelo Bielsa’s side will only get tougher if the Whites win promotion.

Leeds has been Douglas’ home since the summer of 2018, but injuries and a dip in form have hampered him somewhat.

This season, he’s managed only 13 appearances across all competitions for the table-topping Whites, despite starting the season as Bielsa’s first choice at left-back.

Quiz: Have these 15 current Leeds United players been capped at international level? – Yes or no?

KIKO CASILLA.
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Recently, Douglas revealed he supported Gers growing up, which has led to a see of pundits pushing for him to make the move to Ibrox when the transfer window comes around.

The latest to do so is Kevin Phillips, who told Football Insider: “Marcelo Bielsa has been consistent with his team selection and it will only get tougher if they go up.

‘DEFINITELY RANGERS’ – MANY SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY SUPPORTERS DIVE INTO FAN DEBATE

The top two divisions in German football offered us some insight into how football might look in this country in the near future over the weekend, as the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga resumed.

Indeed, it seems as though the plan is for at least the Premier League and the Championship to play out a full calendar but both divisions are set to be played behind-closed-doors.

Certainly, it was a novel experience watching the cream of the German domestic game playing without the backdrop of noisy fans, but it is something that is here to stay for a while.

Are these 16 Sheffield Wednesday facts true or false?

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY CURRENTLY SIT IN 13TH PLACE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
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Atmospheres at grounds are going to be eery, then, and the sooner we can pack terraces with home and away support in a safe way the better.

In the meantime, though, Owls HQ has been discussing the best away support to have ever visited Hillsborough over the years and it looks as though Rangers stood out more than most.

‘MAN UTD,’ ‘RANGERS,’ ‘BIRMINGHAM’ – MANY DERBY FANS PILE INTO VARIED SUPPORTER DEBATE

Derby County fans have certainly had a roller-coaster experience with their season this year and it could yet end on a high in the Sky Bet Championship.

Off-field matters certainly haven’t made Phillip Cocu’s job any easier at Pride Park but, even so, he has gradually got everyone – or nearly everyone – pulling in the same direction and he’ll be pleased with what he has seen, particularly from his youngsters.

Certainly, there remains a chance that they could make the play-offs but one thing is for certain and that is that no fans will be watching on at Pride Park for a while.

Can you identify these 15 Derby County players by looking at these pixelated images?

WHO IS THE PLAYER?
Matt ClarkeLouie SibleyGeorge EvansMartyn Waghorn

Behind-closed-doors games are here for the immediate future and, perhaps with that in mind, Rams fans on Twitter have been discussing who the best away fans at Pride Park have been over the years.

Let’s take a look at what has been said:

LEEDS REPORTEDLY BEAT RANGERS, LIVERPOOL IN TRANSFER TUSSLE

According to the Belfast Telegraph, Leeds United have won the race to sign Linfield youngster Charlie Allen.

United are currently looking to earn promotion from the Sky Bet Championship back into the Premier League and will be hoping that this campaign is going to get back up and running in order for them to do exactly that.

Certainly, there is a consensus that they would deserve to return to the Premier League for next season and, in the meantime, it looks as though they have managed to sign Allen.

The report reveals the likes of Rangers, Liverpool and Manchester United have all taken a look at the man based across the Irish Sea but it is the Whites that have won out.

With several exciting young players at the club already, then, the future is certainly looking bright for the Whites in one way or another.

The Verdict

Allen obviously won’t be playing first-team football any time soon but it looks as though he has done enough during his time at Linfield to get some of the biggest names in the UK looking at him.

Leeds appear to have won the battle, too, and the player will surely be looking forward to potentially learning, eventually, under Marcelo Bielsa.

YOU MAY BE SURPRISED WHERE THESE 5 EX-RANGERS PLAYERS ARE PLAYING NOW

Rangers will be looking to add in the summer as Steven Gerrard aims to finally topple Celtic and get the Gers lifting domestic honours once more.

The Light Blues have made good strides under the former Liverpool midfielder but it’s clear they’re still a little short of their Glasgow rivals.

It remains to be seen who he looks to sign and bring to Ibrox, then, but, in the meantime, we’ve been looking at some former players who have ended up in a variety of locations.

Here are 5 men that have done some interesting travelling…

Fraser Aird

Fraser Aird was at Rangers for five years as the Gers looked to make their way back up the Scottish leagues.

He left in 2017 for Falkirk before moving to the likes of Dunfermline and Dundee United but now he has moved across the Atlantic Ocean to play for Canadian top tier side Valour FC.

He joined them in January of this year.

Sebastien Faure

Sebastien Faure joined Rangers in 2012 and, like Aird, was part of the side looking to clamber up the leagues.

Indeed, it was the only time in his career that he has played for a side outside of France and so it’s perhaps no shock to find him back in his native land right now.

The defender plays for Monts d’Or Azergues Foot in the Stade Ludovic Giuly – named after the former France international.

Robbie Crawford

Crawford was at Rangers for four years but during that time he spent spells on loan at Greenock Morton and Alloa Athletic.

After a spell in the Finnish game, he moved to USL Championship side Charleston Battery, with them in the tier below MLS.

Vladimir Weiss

Vladimir Weiss has played for some very decent clubs around Europe.

Rangers, Olympiacos and Espanyol are all on his CV but, more recently, he’s played in the Middle East for the likes of Lekhwiya and Al-Gharafa.

In January, meanwhile, he moved back nearer home as he signed for Slovan Bratislava.

Salim Kerkar

Salim Kerkar was at Rangers for a brief period, with him leaving the club in 2012.

He played for Charlton – rather briefly – and then moved abroad, playing for Beroe and Vereya – two sides that play in the same Bulgarian city.

Since, he has moved to Burgan SC who play in Kuwait.

Rangers Open Transfer Talks for Former Bayern Munich Midfielder and Celtic Transfer Target Niklas Dorsch

Niklas Dorsch, former Bayern Munich midfielder and presently contracted with FC Heidenheim, is said to be the latest transfer target that Rangers have opened talks for according to reports in Sky Germany.

Niklas Dorsch, 22, who has three caps for Germany Under-21s, joined Bayern Munich in 2012 aged 14, and managed just one senior appearance, scoring in a 4-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt. But, he moved on in search of regular opportunities in the summer of 2018 and has become a huge success at Heidenheim where he has played a crucial part in their league campaign by appearing in 23 of their 25 league fixtures so far this season.

The 22-year-old’s contract with FC Heidenheim runs until 2021 and has a release clause of just over £3m in his present contract according to a previous report by the Scottish Sun which also stated that rivals Celtic were also interested in his services during the January transfer window.

The German Under-21 international is presently valued at around €4.50mil, which makes his release clause a bargain fee for prospective clubs like Rangers, who are said to have opened talks with his parent club according to TZ via sport.sky.de.

The report claims that Steven Gerrard has a strong interest in Dorsch who is valued highly in Scotland with Hamburger SV also keeping a close eye on developments of the young midfielder who already has one goal and three assists to his name despite featuring at the base of the midfield for Heidenheim.

Dorsch is a very talented and promising young defensive midfielder who is tipped to become a national team star in the future, despite the stiff competition for places in the national team. So far, he has averaged 2.9 tackles, 1 interception and 0.3 blocks per game this season, whilst maintaining a staggering 88.9% pass success rate according to WhoScored.com.

As mentioned earlier, he was previously linked with a move to Celtic as well but that came unhinged when he refused to move away in the middle of the season amidst working on helping his team secure promotion to Bundesliga. However, he had reiterated his intentions of playing in a top league saying:

“At the moment, I just want to be successful with Heidenheim. We do outstanding work there, have a great environment and are strong in the league. We are realistic, but we have a good chance of promotion.

I have high expectations. My aim is to play in a top-class league

And I have time to decide. This won’t be an issue for me until the end of the season.”

While Rangers do have sufficient midfield options at the moment, Niklas Dorsch could simply add another dimension to their game that the likes of Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara have not been able to do so far. If their domestic form in 2020 is anything to go by, Rangers have a lot of work to do with their team and adding a player with high tenacity, combativeness, and freshness to the squad will certainly go a long way at rejuvenating their present side.

ALSO READ – Four Astute Transfer Buys That Would Effectively Enable Steven Gerrard to Stop Celtic’s 10 in a row Despite Cash Crunch

QUIZ: CAN YOU REMEMBER WHICH RANGERS MANAGER SIGNED EACH OF THESE 15 PLAYERS?

Are you a Rangers fan? Are you bored in lockdown? We have a solution for you!

Here at Football League World, we understand how hard things are right now, and we want to help you distract from that for a bit, thanks to a good old football quiz. It may not be an actual game, but it’s better than nothing!

Today’s Rangers quiz is a test to see if you can remember which manager signed these 15 players for The Gers. Can you get full marks? Have a go, and let us know how you got on via social media!

3 REASONS WHY RANGERS ARE RIGHT TO SANCTION EFL DEAL

According to a recent report from the Blackpool Gazette, Rangers are willing to let Blackpool take goalkeeper Jak Alnwick on a permanent deal – with the goalkeeper currently with the Tangerines on a loan basis.

The Gers look set to finish behind Celtic this season – though it remains to be seen exactly how the Scottish campaign is actually going to be concluded with the men from Ibrox far from happy with current proceedings.

After the dust settles, though, Steven Gerrard will be tasked with adding to his squad in the summer to try and make the final leap and win a trophy – whilst exits will also be expected.

Alnwick, then, looks set to be one and here we’re looking at three reasons why that is the right course of action:

Rangers have several goalkeepers at the club at the moment and it is clear that Alnwick is not going to be pushing his way to the front of the queue any time soon.

Goalkeeper is the hardest position to force your way into, of course, and it looks like it would make sense for Alnwick to stay with the Tangerines.

Rangers need a better successor to Allan McGregor

How long Allan McGregor stays playing remains to be seen but, sooner rather than later, the Gers will need a top successor to take his place.

Wes Foderingham could well want to leave given he has played second fiddle and Alnwick probably isn’t good enough, so making room for the next top Rangers ‘keeper would be an ideal route to take this summer.

Rangers have some very good players coming through in their youth system at the moment, and perhaps moving Alnwick on gives the chance to a young goalkeeper to try and prove himself in and around the first-team.

Gerrard knows how important it is to give kids a chance – both from his playing days at Liverpool and as a youth coach there – and Alnwick’s exit opens that opportunity up.

4 PLAYERS RANGERS SHOULD LOOK TO LOAN OUT IN THE 2020/21 SEASON

Rangers have got one of the best academies in Britain at the moment and there is real excitement about some of the players coming through.

Billy Gilmour has shown what the Gers can offer in terms of player development right now, and several more are itching to get a place in the senior side under Steven Gerrard.

Here, then, are four that could benefit from a loan deal to help them with those aims…

Kai Kennedy is hugely talented and Rangers fans have been excited by what they have seen at youth level from the attacker.

He’s one of several big talents at the club at the moment and a loan move away could really set him on the path to a bright career.

Josh McPake is another clever player who likes to stretch defences with his runs in the channel.

He’s played for Scotland at youth level and is one of the bright prospects the Tartan Army is looking forward to seeing come through in the coming years.

Dapo Mebude might even get a chance at Ibrox next season depending on how things go in terms of Alfredo Morelos’ future but, even so, he is young and a loan might be the best step for him.

Young strikers need minutes against senior defenders to hone their skills and Mebude could benefit hugely from that.

Nathan Patterson signed a new contract in December and so there are clearly hopes at Rangers that he is going to be good enough for them.

A loan move could be ideal in 20/21 as he looks to prove himself to the likes of Steven Gerrard and Gary MacAllister.

‘IMAGINE RANGERS V CELTIC WITH NO FANS’ – WEST BROM’S CHARLIE AUSTIN REACTS TO POTENTIAL FOOTBALL TWEAK

Charlie Austin has been speaking out on the prospect of playing the rest of the 2019/20 season behind closed doors.

Of course, as it stands English football has been put on hold amid the current global situation with there no set in stone date for when it is going to return to action.

We have seen several leagues across Europe including the French and Dutch top-flights cancel their respective seasons, whilst in England the National League and below has been cancelled.

An update from the government is expected this week regarding the next stage of the lockdown and the potential exit strategy, something that is going to dictate how swiftly football in the UK returns in some capacity.

Speaking to the Oddscrackers podcast, Austin has spoken out about the potential of playing games behind closed doors in a bid to finish the 2019/20 season: “We’ve all played in games where it’s been an empty stadium for under-23’s or pre-season games and stuff like that, when you’re playing a pre-season friendly or under-23’s, if I’m honest with you it’s not there. There’s nothing on the games.

“When you’re playing these games in an empty stadium but you know there is three points on the line, and them three points help you after a season where you have just played 37 games throughout the season, it’s important.

“Our goal has been promotion from pre-season, nothing has changed for us whether there is 25,000 in the stadium or there will be 300 at the whole game.

“For a lot of teams it will be a bonus, and for a lot of teams it won’t be, fans can bring positivity to every stadium, but they can also bring negative vibes as well, that’s what people forget.

“Imagine Rangers v Celtic with no fans, but it’s still going to be the Old Firm derby.”

Charlie Austin’s West Brom currently sit in second spot in the Championship table, just one point behind Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United with just nine games of the season remaining.

THE DOOR HAS OPENED FOR RANGERS TO SIGN WEST BROM MAN FOR CUT-PRICE

West Brom are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for Charlie Austin, but only if they’re to win promotion into the Premier League this season according to Football Insider.

The report claims that the Baggies are willing to sell Austin for half of the £4m fee that the club paid to land his signature from Southampton back in August 2019.

Austin has played a key role West Brom’s promotion bid in the Championship this season, having scored nine goals in 30 appearances, despite being their second-choice striker to Hal Robson-Kanu for much of this year’s campaign.

West Brom are currently sat second in the Championship, but are six points clear of third-placed Fulham with nine games remaining this term, so they’re certainly in a strong position to achieve a timely promotion back into the top-flight.

Speaking in a recent interview with the Open Goal Podcast, Austin revealed that he would be keen to end his playing career with either Scottish giants Celtic or Rangers.

Austin also revealed that he almost moved to Celtic earlier in his career, and stated that he would like to play his football in Scotland in the future if the opportunity ever arose.

“Celtic, when I was at Burnley. Neil Lennon did an interview on Sky Sports saying ‘he’s someone that we’re looking at’. I was on the phone to my agent saying, ‘look is this going to happen?’

“It’s something that I would have done. Nothing ever materialised after that and nothing has since. The Old Firm derby is the pull, isn’t it, to play in Scotland. If the opportunity came up, would I go? I think so yeah.”

PSG (and Liverpool) have thoroughly shamed Celtic

Celtic’s moral integrity took yet another blinding blow after 12-point leading PSG announced disinterest in being awarded the French title in favour of ensuring everyone in France is safe.

France confirmed yesterday all sporting events, including closed door, are banned until later this year, and this naturally includes Ligue 1.

This obviously means the French top flight is cancelled, but instead of PSG demanding the title, given they’re 12 points clear, the Parisian giants, like Liverpool, confirmed they accept the outcome and just want everyone safe.

They said:

"We respect of course the French government decision (to cancel the league) - we plan on competing in the Champions League with Uefa agreement - wherever and whenever it is held. If it is not possible to play in France we will play our matches abroad subject to the best conditions for our players and the safety of all our staff."

While there remains a little uncertainty in France about how the league will be resolved, at no point have PSG demanded the title. Certainly not their manager, and not their captain.

Compare that with Celtic, who claimed entitlement on the trophy before anything was even decided in the Scottish game.

But it’s ok, because they donated some cash.

Four Astute Transfer Buys That Would Effectively Enable Steven Gerrard to Stop Celtic’s 10 in a row Despite Cash Crunch

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard will know all too well about the magnanimity of the task on his hands when football reopens once again and clubs prepare for business as usual if they can put the present season behind them.

With Celtic 13 points ahead and most leagues being called off across Europe, it should not come as a surprise to any Scottish football fan out there when 2019/2020 season gets called off and Celtic are handed the title based on their ‘sporting merits’. It has happened with PSG, it is about to happen with Liverpool and it might most likely be the case here with Celtic as well.

But that’s not the concern Ranger’s fans should be having at the moment. The moment of truth comes after this when clubs start doing business with each other as Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson start to analyse the glaring loopholes in the squad and work on delicately balancing that with the financial restrictions they will have on hand. Given the impact, Coronavirus has had on football clubs and will continue to have for as long as it exists, its something every club will have to deal with and Ranger’s shouldn’t be any different.

Being able to stop Celtic’s ten in row thing will be Steven Gerrard ‘s second-biggest footballing achievement if it so happens and it’s not hard to see why. For all the Gers out there, it is imperative that Rangers with all their might and hustle, actually end up managing to stop the Celtic bandwagon at all costs before it becomes etched permanently in the history of Scottish football for decades to come.

If the first half of the campaign is anything to go by, Rangers have actually improved by leaps and bounds since Stevie G’s takeover and really seem like the real deal. That’s what a Glasgow Rangers team looks like and December’s 2-1 win over Celtic might just have been the epitome of that.

CELTIC STRIKER ODSONNE EDOUARD’S Q&A CLAIM MAY INTEREST LEEDS UNITED

Celtic striker Odsonne Eduoard has claimed that PSG teenager Adil Aouchiche, who has been linked with a potential move to Leeds United, is the most exciting young French talent.

The 22-year-old, who has himself been touted as a potential Whites transfer target, conducted a Q&A on Instagram yesterday.

According to VideoCelts, Edouard was asked in the Q&A who he felt was the most exciting young French talent and replied: “Adil Aouchiche from PSG.”

Aouchiche is a product of PSG’s academy system and made his debut for the French club’s first team earlier this season.

The 17-year-old midfielder looks a bright prospect and, according to 90min, could be set for a move to Leeds this summer.

Celtic striker Odsonne Eduoard has claimed that PSG teenager Adil Aouchiche, who has been linked with a potential move to Leeds United, is the most exciting young French talent.

The 22-year-old, who has himself been touted as a potential Whites transfer target, conducted a Q&A on Instagram yesterday.

According to VideoCelts, Edouard was asked in the Q&A who he felt was the most exciting young French talent and replied: “Adil Aouchiche from PSG.”

Aouchiche is a product of PSG’s academy system and made his debut for the French club’s first team earlier this season.

The 17-year-old midfielder looks a bright prospect and, according to 90min, could be set for a move to Leeds this summer.

It is understood that Elland Road has emerged as a potential destination if the teenager is sent out on loan next season, though it is thought such a move would hinge on an investment deal or a full takeover being agreed between Andrea Radrizzani and PSG’s owners, Qatar Sports Investment.

Leeds fans will surely love to hear how highly an exciting player like Eduoard thinks of the teenager that has been linked with a potential move to Elland Road.

You feel it would take a very specific turn of events and some dominoes to fall but given both men have been linked with a move to Elland Road this summer, could we see them as Leeds teammates next term?