Celtic’s Postecoglou drops McGree claim

Ange Postecoglou has dropped a claim regarding Celtic’s failed bid to bring Riley McGree to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s been said?

In recent comments cited by the Glasgow Evening Times, the Bhoys boss revealed that the former Charlotte FC midfielder, for whom it was reported that Celtic had agreed a £3m deal with the MLS club this month, required convincing of a move to Glasgow – something the 56-year-old was not prepared to do.

The 23-year-old ultimately decided that he would prefer a move to Championship side Middlesbrough ahead of a switch to Parkhead, but from Postecouglou’s recent remarks, it would not appear that the Australia international’s choice is something which will be keeping him awake at night.

Speaking about his negotiations with McGree, the Celtic manager said: “I had a discussion with him and then he obviously decided he wanted to take an opportunity elsewhere, which is fine. It wasn’t really anything too drastic for us.

“It’s an indication for me that this isn’t the right place for him. It works both ways. I only want players who want to be here. I won’t try and convince any player to come and sign for this football club. I won’t. If they can’t see the opportunities that exist here then that’s part of the deal for me. The ones we have signed all wanted to come here.

“It’s an easy decision. Everyone has their own free will to decide what’s best for them. But I’m not going to sell this club to anyone on its attributes or virtues. If they can’t understand that in the first place then they’re probably not worth talking to from my perspective.

“To be honest, I don’t care. I don’t dig that deeply into it. Ultimately they are not rejecting me, they are not rejecting the football club. Everyone has their own free will to make decisions.

“It’s the same for both parties. It’s not just one party who decided not to go ahead. We decided not to go ahead as well. Because for me what’s most important is they want to come here. It’s no big issue for me. There are plenty of footballers who would love to come to this football club. They are the ones I’m looking for.”

Fans will be fuming

While Postecoglou very much seems to be putting on a brave face over McGree’s decision to join Middlesbrough, the fact remains that the midfielder opted to make a move to a club in the second tier of English football ahead of Celtic. That will undoubtedly leave both the 56-year-old and fans of the Hoops fuming.

Indeed, the 23-year-old appeared to be a perfect signing for the Bhoys, with the Australian being left-footed, as well as able to play in a two-man midfield, at number eight, number 10 and even left wing-back – a position in which Celtic lack considerable depth.

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Furthermore, the £540k-rated player had impressed over his 13 Championship appearances while on loan at Birmingham City in the first half of the current campaign. He scored two goals, provided two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as making 1.4 key passes, 1.3 interceptions and 1.2 tackles and winning 4.8 duels per game.

These returns saw the £5.7k-per-week midfielder average an impressive average SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as the Blues’ sixth-best player in the league.

As such, the fact that McGree has opted to join a Championship club ahead of competing for the league title and playing European football with Celtic will have undoubtedly come as a huge blow to Postecoglou, whether he likes to admit it or not.

In other news: “I do expect…”: Big twist emerges on “outstanding” Celtic-linked gem, Ange must move

محمد بركات: سلبية وحيدة في أداء الأهلي مع كولر.. والتزام كهربا يعجبني

أبدى محمد بركات عضو مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة إعجابه بـ محمود كهربا لاعب الأهلي وتعامله مع أزمة إيقافه، موضحًا أبرز سلبيات القلعة الحمراء أمام الاتحاد المنستيري.

وكان الأهلي قد فاز على الاتحاد المنستيري في مباراة الإياب التي أقيمت مساء اليوم، على ملعب استاد الأهلي وي السلام بثلاثية نظيفة متأهلًا إلى دور المجموعات من دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وقال بركات في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “المحور”: “ما يعجبني في كهربا أنه لا يشغل تفكيره في أي شيء سوى تدريبات الأهلي فقط، ويحاول يعوض عن ما فاته”.

وتابع: “المسؤولون في الأهلي اتفقوا مع كهربا على حل أزمة الغرامة بعد تسلم مقدم رعاية الموسم الجديد، واعتقد أن الأهلي سيقف بجواره بكل تأكيد”.

طالع | محمد بركات: لاعب الأهلي كان الأفضل أمام الاتحاد المنستيري.. والبشائر بدأت تظهر مع كولر

وأردف: “لا يصح أن ألعب على أرضي في مصر أمام الاتحاد المنستيري، وأتلقى 3 فرص وهذه من ضمن السلبيات في أداء الأهلي مع كولر”.

وأشار: “يجب أن يكون هناك حذر دفاعي أكتر من ذلك خاصة في المباريات التي يخوضها الأهلي على أرضه”.

واختتم: “الترجي كان سيودع دوري الأبطال ومازيمبي خرج من دور الـ32 لأبطال إفريقيا والبطولة صعبة لا تتحمل أخطاء دفاعية”.

Torcedores do Vasco fazem protesto em Copacabana pedindo anulação da urna 7

MatériaMais Notícias

Cerca de 200 torcedores do Vasco fizeram um protesto na praia de Copacabana, na manhã deste domingo, pedindo a anulação da urna 7 da eleição presidencial do clube, que ocorreu no último dia 7 de novembro. Os votos dela estão sub judice por conta de suspeitas de irregularidades de alguns sócios, e o prazo para a entrega do resultado da perícia da urna termina nesta segunda-feira.

A manifestação começou às 10h, na altura do posto 2 de Copacabana. Faixas com dizeres ‘Anula a urna 7’ e ‘Fora Eurico’ estavam expostas no local, que também tinha um carro de som. Os torcedores presentes também entoaram cânticos criticando o presidente Eurico Miranda e também os tradicionais que a torcida canta nos estádios. A manifestação contou ainda com uma réplica da urna 7, um boneco com camisa do Flamengo com o convite para se associar ao Vasco e um homem fantasiado de Eurico.

Concorrentes do atual mandatário cruz-maltino na eleição em novembro, Julio Brant e Alexandre Campello, da chapa ‘Sempre Vasco Livre’, compareceram ao protesto. Eles atenderam muitos cruz-maltinos, que pediam fotos e paravam para conversar. Outro nome da oposição na manifestação foi Otto Carvalho. Em cima do carro de som, Brant fez um discurso.

– Está na hora de acabar com essa divisão no Vasco. O Vasco é nosso, dos vascaínos, não tem dono. O que mostramos durante a eleição foi provar que era possível unir todos os vascaínos em torno de uma projeto em um momento especial para o clube, que é esse momento de transformação que a gente precisa fazer no clube. Eu, Campello e outros vascaínos nos unimos para trazer um projeto inovador. Um projeto difícil no começo, mas que vai mudar o curso da nossa história. Para isso, nós precisamos do apoio e da participação de cada um de vocês. É importante estar aqui protestando, mostrando carinho pelo clube, porque hoje estamos aqui fazendo história – disse Brant.

Depois, os vascaínos foram andando até o posto 3 exibindo faixas e cantando contra Eurico. O protesto terminou por volta de 13h.

Um fato inusitado aconteceu enquanto o protesto caminhava pela orla. Pedindo ‘fim da ditadura no Vasco e democracia no clube’, os torcedores cruz-maltinos passaram por uma manifestação que pedia a intervenção militar no Brasil. Neste momento, os vascaínos começaram a gritar o nome do clube.

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New South Wales in control at the SCG

New South Wales’ bowlers delivered four wickets to maintain the upper hand after their batsmen posted a massive 9 for 550 declared

Cricinfo staff11-Mar-2010South Australia 4 for 168 (Harris 54) trail New South Wales 9 for 550 dec (Nevill 105, Khawaja 102, Smith 100, O’Keefe 91, Forrest 78, Cleary 4-82) by 382 runs
ScorecardDaniel Harris scored 54 in South Australia’s innings but they face an uphill task•Getty Images

New South Wales’ bowlers delivered four wickets to maintain the upper hand after their batsmen posted a massive 9 for 550 declared at the SCG. Daniel Harris started with 54 in the reply but South Australia were 4 for 104 before an unbeaten stand between Cameron Borgas (30) and Aaron O’Brien (36) took them to 168.Steven Smith completed an even century at the start of the day in an excellent warm-up for the Test tour of New Zealand. Smith brought up his fourth hundred with a pull for four but was caught behind trying to hit Peter George (3 for 132).The wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and Steve O’Keefe kept building in a stand of 132 that took the game further away from South Australia. Nevill’s maiden century ended on 105 when he gave Tim Ludeman his sixth catch of the innings.O’Keefe, who went on to collect 2 for 42, almost made it to three figures but fell to a leading edge on 91. The wicket was Mark Cleary’s fourth and forced the declaration.

Newcastle United contact Arsenal’s Aubameyang

Newcastle United have now made contact with Arsenal for striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ahead of a potential move in this January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, the Magpies are “trying” for the Gabon international, and that “contact” has already been made with the Gunners for the maverick striker.

It’s added that a “possible loan is being discussed”, and that crucially, Aubameyang himself “would like the destination”.

Fans will be buzzing

While Aubameyang may not have covered himself in glory this season either on the pitch or off it – he’s netted just four goals in the Premier League and was recently stripped of the Arsenal captaincy by Mikel Arteta – he still remains a class player who could provide Newcastle with genuine quality up front.

It was only a couple of seasons ago that Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was waxing lyrical about the striker, and how good he is compared to the rest of the Premier League’s elite forwards.

He said: “Including me, we have stopped short of announcing Aubameyang as world class. We’re happy to go with (Sergio) Aguero, we’re happy to go with (Sadio) Mane and (Mohamed) Salah, (Roberto) Firmino, (Harry) Kane… all these players who have graced the Premier League in the last two or three seasons.

“I feel that Aubameyang doesn’t get that same credit and maybe it’s something that comes from when he first entered into English football. I think he’s been absolutely sensational, and I think now’s the time for us all to start recognising the quality and the brilliance of this player. He fights for the team, he’s always there, and for me, he’s everything you would want in a football player.”

The man with 294 career goals to his name could be the perfect replacement for the injured Wilson for the remainder of this Premier League season.

Galetti’s update that the Magpies have now made contact for him, and that Aubameyang himself is interested in a move to St James’ Park is sure to have fans absolutely buzzing.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United have held talks with this director of football candidate…

Nervy Bengal make it from East

A round-up of the action from the seventh day of matches in the 2009-10 Vijay Hazare Trophy

Cricinfo staff18-Feb-2010

Mithun Manhas’ classy 148 made all the difference as Delhi thumped Services•Shailesh Bhatnagar/ESPNcricinfo Ltd

East ZoneOrissa maintained their perfect record in the tournament, beating Bengal by six wickets at the Barabati Stadium. Bengal would have fancied their chances after getting to 283 batting first, but Paresh Patel’s sparkling unbeaten century during the reply ensured victory with 10 balls to spare. While opener Sudip Chatterjee laid a solid platform during the Bengal innings with 53, Manoj Tiwary top scored with a quick 86. A 102-opening stand between Patel and Natraj Behera (55) ensured Orissa were on top from the start of the reply. Two half-century partnerships from there on had the hosts in the driver’s seat as Patel finished on 123 off 129 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes en route.Bengal’s hopes in the tournament hinged on the result at the Ravenshaw College Ground but even as Tripura beat whipping boys Assam by seven wickets, the net run-rate of +0.185 was not enough for them. A disciplined bowling effort from Tripura first up restricted the opposition to 172. Nishit Shetty then starred with a 92-ball 81 during the chase, and had able support from Bappa Das (47) during their third-wicket partnership of 115. Shetty remained unbeaten as Tripura sealed the win in the 38th over.North ZoneHaryana stormed to the top of the points table with a 208-run demolition of Jammu & Kashmir at the Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Rohtak. Twin centuries from opener Rahul Dewan and wicketkeeper Nitin Saini were the high points of Haryana’s innings after they chose to bat. While Dewan smashed 10 fours and two sixes during his 140-ball 131, Saini’s 109 comprised nine fours and a six. J&K were never in the hunt chasing down the imposing 313, and lost wickets cheaply. Three double-digit scores summed up their plight and they were put out of their misery in the 36th over, making them the worst-placed bottom team across all zones with -3 from five losses.Punjab were made to sweat by Himachal Pradesh in a high-scoring thriller at the Shah Satnam Ji Stadium in Sirsa. With both teams in with a chance to qualify for the next stage, Punjab made a rousing start by piling up 344 for 8. The opening partnership between captain Karan Goel (72) and Ravi Inder Singh (92) set the tone and MS Gony’s late cameo added to the run-feast. Hemant Dogra’s 50 meant HP made a bright start to the reply, and captain Paras Dogra took up the reins with a breezy 109, including three fours and eight sixes. No. 8 Rishi Dhawan’s contribution of 31 came off 18 balls, but with his departure, HP needed 11 off seven balls. However, the task proved too tough for the last-wicket pair Sarandeep Singh and Jitender Mehta, with the former being run out off the last ball.With an aim to qualify for the next stage, Delhi put in strong display to beat Services by 113 runs at the Tata Energy Research Institute Oval in Gurgaon. Mithun Manhas’ classy 148 made all the difference after Delhi chose to bat. He struck 10 fours and a six during his 154-ball innings and was partnered well during a 133-run third-wicket stand by Rajat Bhatia (56). Right-arm fast bowler Shadab Nazar’s five-for made little difference as Delhi managed 311 for 6.What Services lacked during the reply was a sizeable contribution from one of the batsmen. A string of forties was not enough as right-arm seamer Parvesh Chikara helped himself to four wickets. Services succumbed in the 48th over to hand Delhi five crucial points.

قائمة برشلونة لمباراة سيلتا فيجو.. عودة دي يونج ولاعب عربي جديد

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة، تشافي هيرنانديز، قائمة اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة سيلتا فيجو في إطار الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإسباني.

ويلتقي برشلونة وسيلتا فيجو يوم غد الأحد، في تمام الساعة التاسعة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “كامب نو” بقيادة الحكم الدولي، خوسيه مونويرا.

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة عودة لاعب وسط الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، فرينكي دي يونج، بعد تعافيه من الإصابة في أوتار الركبة مع منتخب هولندا في التجمع الدولي الماضي والحصول على التصريح الطبي.

وظهر اسم جديد في قائمة برشلونة وهو شادي رياض، مدافع شاب مغربي مواليد عام 2003.

اقرأ أيضًا | شادي حسين: مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد المنستيري صعبة.. وتعاهدنا على استعادة دوري أبطال إفريقيا

دي يونج يعود لـ برشلونة أمام سيلتا فيجو في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: تير شتيجن، إينياكي بينيا، أرناو تينياس.

الدفاع: بيكيه، ماركوس ألونسو، ألبا، روبيرتو، إريك جارسيا، بالدي، شادي رياض.

الوسط: بوسكيتس، بيدري، فرينكي دي يونج، كاسادو، جافي، بابلو توري.

الهجوم: ديمبلي، ليفاندوفسكي، فاتي، فيران توريس، رافينيا.

World Twenty20 Qualifier squads finalised

The squads for the World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament in Dubai and Abu Dubai between February 9 and 15 have been announced

Cricinfo staff29-Jan-2010

Hameed Hasan and the rest of his Afghanistan team-mates will be hoping they can continue their good run•International Cricket Council

The squads for the World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament in Dubai and Abu Dubai between February 9 and 15 have been announced.The tournament will see 17 matches take place in the five days, played Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City, where the final will be staged.At stake are two places in the World Twenty20 which takes places in the West Indies from April 30 to May16. The winner of the UAE event will join South Africa and India in Group C while the losing finalist will join Group D which includes the West Indies and England.All eyes will be on Afghanistan, who’s stellar performances over the last ten months have reverberated around the cricketing world and beyond. While they narrowly missed qualification for the 50-over World Cup 2011 in April, they have been in good form at the Intercontinental Cup. Most recently they displayed flair and resilience to defeat defending champions Ireland, and also recorded a come-from-behind, one-wicket victory over the Netherlands in August 2009.Ireland, who have been pushing for full-member status, remain one of the strongest associate sides and their squad includes 13 players from the 2009 World Twenty20 in England, where they defeated Bangladesh by six wickets and qualified for the Super Eights.The Netherlands, who caused the major upset of the 2009 tournament when they defeated England in the opening match, will be without captain Jeroen Smith’s this time round but will still be looking to impress.Afghanistan Dawlat Ahmadzai, Hameed Hasan, Karim Khan Sadiq, Mohammad Asghar Stanikzai, Mohamamd Shahzad Mohammadi, Mohammad Nabi Eisakhil, Merwais Ashraf, Nawroz Khan Mangal, Noor Ali Noori, Obaidullah Konary, Raees Ahmadzai, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Shahpoor Zardan and Samiullah Shinwari.Canada Harvir Baidwan, Ashish Bagai, Geoff Barnett, Umar Bhatti, Ian Billcliff, Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan, John Davison, Sunil Dhaniram, Shaheed Keshvani, Usman Limbada, Henry Osinde, Abdool Samad and Saad Bin Zafar.Ireland Andre Botha, Alex Cusack, Peter Connell, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Gary Kidd, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Paul Striling, Andrew White and Gary Wilson.Kenya James Kamande, Lameck Ngoche, Nehemiah Ngoche, Shem Ngoche, Alex Obanda, Collins Obuya, David Obuya, Nelson Odhiambo, Otieno Ondik, Elijah Otieno, Maurice Ouma, Rakep Patel, Steve Tikolo and Hiren Varaiya.Netherlands Peter Borren, Mudassar Bukhari, Daan van Bunge, Ryan ten Doeschate, Tom de Grooth, Mark Jonkman, Muhammad Kashif, Alexei Kervezee, Atse Buurman, Timothy Gruijters, Edgar Schiferli, Pieter Seelaar, Eric Szwarczynski and Bas Zuiderent.Scotland Richie Berrington,, Kyle Coezter, Gordon Drummond, Gordon Goudie, Gavin Hamilton, Majid Haq, Ross Lyons, Neil McCallum, Dewald Nel, Navdeep Poonia, Simon Smith, Jan Stander, Ryan Watson and Fraser Watts.UAE Fayyaz Ahmed, Saqib Ali, Arfan Haider, Mohamed Iqbal, Amjad Javed, Khurram Khan, Mois Shahid Malik, Naeemuddin, Qadar Nawaz, Ahmed Raza, Abdul Rehman, Shoaib Sarwar, Mohammad Tauqir and Qassim Zubair.USA Timroy Allen, Imran Awan, Orlando Baker, Lennox Cush, Kevin Darlington, Sudesh Dhaniram, Glenmore Hall, Rashard Marshall, Steve Massiah, Sushil Nadkarni, Usman Shuja, Aditya Thyagarajan and Saurabh Verma Carl Wright.

Eduardo Baptista admite necessidade da Macaca pontuar contra o Flu

MatériaMais Notícias

Primeiro time dentro da zona de rebaixamento, a Ponte Preta embarca para o Rio de Janeiro, onde vai enfrentar o Fluminense na próxima segunda-feira, às 17 horas, no Maracanã. Com apenas três rodadas para tentar sair do Z-4, o técnico Eduardo Baptista reconhece a necessidade da Macaca pontuar fora de casa.

– Precisamos pontuar. A vitória é fenomenal, mas um ponto também não é ruim, pois jogamos em casa um confronto direto. Vamos motivados para pontuar. Se vier a vitória, excelente – disse o treinador.

O zagueiro Marllon, que deve ser titular na equipe alvinegra para a partida contra o tricolor, no lugar de Rodrigo, lesionado, disse que o time está confiante após ter ganho o jogo contra o Coxa:

– O jogo contra o Coritiba, quando somamos um ponto lá, foi importante para nós, porque nos fez encostar no Vitória, que é o primeiro time fora da zona de rebaixamento. Nossa confiança aumenta após a última vitória. Era um jogo de vida ou morte para nós, ainda mais se tratando de um jogo dentro de casa, diante da nossa torcida. Esses três pontos foram importantíssimos – avaliou.

O jogador tem consciência de que o confronto contra o Fluminense é fundamental para livrar o time da queda para Série B e por isso ressalta que a equipe não pode sair derrotada.

– Contra o Fluminense vamos em busca do melhor resultado possível. Não podemos perder. Temos que ir lá, somar pontos e decidir aqui em casa contra o Vitória – comentou Marllon.

A Ponte tem pela frente Fluminense (Maracanã), Vitória (Moisés Lucarelli) e Vasco (São Januário).Com 39 pontos, os matemáticos apontam que para a Ponte Preta permanecer na primeira divisão, o time teria que chegar a 48 pontos, ou seja, teria que vencer os três jogos finais. No clube, fala-se em 44 ou 45 pontos para escapar, sem depender de outros resultados.

Abdur Rehman bowls HBL to victory

A round-up of the fourth day’s action in the fourth round of the RBS Pentangular Cup

Cricinfo staff22-Jan-2010Habib Bank duly achieved victory over Sialkot at the National Stadium, dismissing them for 297 to move into third place on the points table. From an overnight 146 for 3, chasing a massive 418, Sialkot were hit by the spinner Abdur Rehman, who marked his call-up to Pakistan A’s squad for the UAE with four wickets. Rehman, who has played Tests and ODIs for Pakistan, dismissed Mohammad Ayub for 92 and struck blows to the middle order. Imran Nazir, bowling his variety of legspin, picked up three wickets.

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