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Celtic have been handed a boost in their pursuit of one of their summer targets after it emerged that he will likely depart on a free at the end of the season.

Scottish Premiership in Celtic's hands

Rangers dropping more points in their re-arranged fixture with Dundee on Wednesday has left the Scottish Premiership firmly in Celtic's hands. Their 0-0 draw means that they are three points behind Brendan Rodgers' side after picking up just five points from their last possible 15.

Celtic's 10-goal academy star could be their next Mikey Johnston

The Hoops youngster has enjoyed a terrific campaign for the B team so far this season.

ByDan Emery Apr 17, 2024

Though it has been far from a vintage season for Celtic, they are now on course to end it as champions, but that may only paper over the cracks in a squad that finished bottom of their group in the Champions League, with the second-worst goal difference of anyone in the group stage. To change that, they may have to use the transfer market wisely, and they have already lined up one signing.

Celtic target O'Hare likely to leave for free

Reports from Scotland have linked Celtic with a move for Coventry midfielder Callum O'Hare this summer after some impressive performances in the Championship this season, with the midfielder set to become a free agent at the end of the season as things stand.

Callum O'Hare in the Championship 23/24

Appearances

28

Goals

6

Assists

3

Shots per 90

2.03

Key passes per 90

1.86

Now, CoventryLive reporter Andy Turner has shed some light on the situation this summer, claiming that he expects O'Hare to depart and that 'the writing is on the wall' for his spell with the Championship outfit in what is a boost for Celtic.

“I guess there’s always a chance (he could stay) but I would say that I think it’s unlikely, particularly now that there’s no chance of promotion, which was probably the one last hope of securing him on a new deal", he explained.

“You never know, if he doesn’t get the right offers from elsewhere in the summer he could always change his mind, but it does feel like the writing is on the wall on this one.”

Despite claims that O'Hare might not be here next season, Coventry boss Mark Robins remains a huge fan of the midfielder, and was effusive in his praise earlier in the season.

“I think he has been incredible because I mean looking back at Boxing Day last year and to see him was heart-breaking after the injury and then to see him come to terms with the injury and then go through that.

“The way he is around the place is really infectious and effervescent and he really deserves that. As a group, it's bringing them together. It'll bring them together and it knits everything together and it helps them to progress.

“Callum sort of typifies the Coventry City spirit and the way that we want to go about the job and he's been a link between midfield and the forward since he's been here but tonight was outstanding.

Should he arrive at Celtic Park, those qualities could be music to the ears of the Celtic faithful.

Cole Palmer's reputation as the inventor of his famous celebration has been called into question by basketball star Trae Young.

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Chelsea star has a trademark celebrationReference to 'Cold Palmer' nicknameNBA star insists he came up with the ideaWHAT HAPPENED?

The Atlanta Hawks star is known to do a similar celebration as the Chelsea hero by crossing his arms to mime being cold. Palmer started marking his goals in that way last year, but the NBA sensation insists it was he, not the England international, who did it first.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT YOUNG SAID

Young, whose nickname is Ice Trae, says he came up with the celebration, telling the Podcast P with Paul George: "I never heard, respectfully. I heard he's a pretty good soccer player. I can vividly remember being in my basement with my homie like just watching games and seeing our players, our favorite players, doing that sh*t and I was like: 'We got to come up with something.' He was like, 'Sh*t, you Ice Trae. Be cold like sh*t'. And I remember hitting a three. Like I don't know if it was a game-winner or it was a three, and I just did it and then sh*t. It just, I kind of ran with it. I didn't get it from nobody."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Palmer, however, has never claimed that he invented the celebration. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is nicknamed Cold Palmer due to the composure he has shown in front of goal since joining Chelsea from Manchester City last year. He scored 25 times in all competitions for the Blues last season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT?

Palmer will likely continue to perform the famous celebration in the coming season and will hope he gets the chance to break it out when his team take on his former side City in the first round of the new Premier League season on Sunday.

تحدث سبيت خاطر لاعب العين الإماراتي السابق، عن المواجهة المرتقبة بين فريقي الأهلي والعين، المقرر لها بعد قليل، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع نظيره العين، على أرضية استاد القاهرة الدولي، في إطار مواجهات الدور الثاني من كأس إنتركونتيننتال.

وقال سبيت خاطر في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس” عن رأيه في دفاع الأهلي والعين: “الأهلي أفضل، نحن نستقبل أهدافا في كل مباراة، لا بد من عمل تغيير بسيط ولو معنويًا”.

طالع أيضاً.. تشكيل الأهلي أمام العين في كأس انتركونتيننتال.. وسام أبو علي يقود الهجوم

وبسؤاله عن من أفضل في التعامل مع الكرات العرضية خالد عيسى أم محمد الشناوي.. أوضح: “أنا مع الشناوي فهو حارس كبير ومقتدر، خالد عيسى في هذه الفترة يقدم أداء غير جيد”.

The best of Sunday’s action from the WBBL as the Adelaide Strikers sit top of the table

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2019Amelia Kerr played a gem of an innings to help the Brisbane Heat come through a tricky chase against the Hobart Hurricanes with one ball to spare at Allan Border Field. The Heat fell to 5 for 82 in the 15th over chasing 124 but Kerr hit 29 off 19 balls while the in-form Beth Mooney provided the anchor with an unbeaten 44. The key over came with the Heat needing 29 off 18 balls and Kerr took four boundaries off Belinda Vakarewa. The stuffing was knocked out of the Hurricanes’ innings when Jess Jonassen took three wickets in four balls in the 15th over but Heather Knight (61 not out) played a superb hand to nurse them to 123 which almost proved enough.Tahlia McGrath hit a dominant, unbeaten 65 off 46 balls to lead the Adelaide Strikers to a convincing seven-wicket victory over the Perth Scorchers. Chasing 116 after an impressive all-round bowling display, the Strikers were unsteady at 3 for 22 in the third over with Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates dismissed in the first seven balls of the innings. However, McGrath, who struck eight fours and two sixes, took charge and alongside Lauren Winfield the pair knocked off the runs with more than five overs to spare. Megan Schutt had set a superb tone with the ball when she started with consecutive maidens and the wicket of Amy Jones. Yesterday, Jones and Lanning added 129 for the first wicket against the Brisbane Heat but here they made just seven between them with Lanning bowled by Devine in her first over. Sarah Coyte backed up the early wickets with 3 for 18 off her four overs.The experienced Alex Blackwell guided the Sydney Thunder home in a thriller at Bankstown Oval to keep the Melbourne Stars winless. Blackwell made 45 not out from 36 balls and timed the chase to perfection. The Thunder had stumbled to 6 for 108 after Madeline Penna took 4 for 20 for the Stars. They needed 34 to win from the last 20 balls but Blackwell struck two fours and two sixes to get them home with two balls to spare with the support of Rene Farrell. The Stars have lost four from four to start the season despite Elyse Villani and Lizelle Lee both scoring half-centuries as they posted 5 for 141. Farrell was outstanding with the ball taking 1 for 18 from her four overs.

After a disappointing season, Newcastle United have already turned their attention towards the summer transfer window in an attempt to take Eddie Howe's side back to the Champions League. First, however, they look set to sanction a summer departure.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies will of course be hoping for a far busier transfer window than the one they endured in January, when they were limited by worries over Financial Fair Play. Their £155m in losses in three seasons left them walking a fine line, which only remained on the right side of the law due to their investments in their women's team, academy and charity foundation.

Decision made: "Invaluable" Newcastle ace will leave for free this summer

Is this the right decision by the Magpies?

ByHenry Jackson Mar 12, 2024

Amid such losses, the likes of Kieran Trippier, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson were all linked with moves away during the winter window, albeit without completing departures. Now, ahead of the summer, the rumour mill has already started regarding Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman, with the former linked with Manchester City and the latter to Chelsea in big moves.

Both exits would undoubtedly be major blows for Howe's side, who have already faced struggles in the current campaign. And they may not be the only exits on the cards at St James' Park.

According to Carlton Palmer, speaking to Football League World, Newcastle could pay off the final 12 months of Ryan Fraser's contract to ensure a swift exit this summer, which would be about £2.2m given Fraser's wages. Unlike Guimaraes and Botman though, the Magpies are willing to show the Southampton loanee the exit door.

"Intelligent" Fraser needs permanent Newcastle exit

After a loan spell away from St James' Park, Fraser should start afresh on a permanent basis this summer, whether that comes at Southampton or elsewhere. The 30-year-old winger has impressed in the Championship at St Mary's, doing more than enough to earn a summer switch to Russell Martin's side, with six goals and two assists to his name in the league.

The Saints boss was full of praise for the Scot earlier in the campaign, saying via The Irish News back in October: "People ask me, ‘what’s he like as a person?’ – he’s a brilliant lad. He’s intelligent, he lives for football and he enjoys being here.

"We’ve been trying to get him fit by playing games, which is not ideal, but he does everything properly and that finish was top drawer. I’m really pleased for him. He has great technical ability and he’s a top guy, which I already knew before he joined the club.”

Kent 125 for 6 (Bell-Drummond 55, Cook 3-25) v EssexThree-wicket bursts by Sam Cook and Mohammad Amir helped Specsavers County Championship leaders Essex to command a rain-interrupted opening day to the 168th Canterbury Cricket Week encounter with Kent. By stumps at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence Kent had limped to 125 for 6 after 53 overs with Cook and Amir sharing the spoils for the visitors.Chelmsford-born paceman Cook wrecked Kent’s top-order during a stint of 3 for 7, while Amir hit his straps later in the day after the hosts had mounted a partial recovery courtesy of a three-hour innings of 55 by No. 3 Daniel Bell-Drummond and a gritty 35 from keeper-batsman Ollie Robinson.Batting first after an uncontested toss, Kent lost Zak Crawley in only the fourth over of the day. Driving down the wrong line at a full delivery from Amir, Crawley was bowled through the gate, losing his off stump to make it 7 for 1.With heavy cloud cover and the floodlights on from the third over, Amir and Jamie Porter continued to set the Kent batsmen a stern examination until rain stopped play at 11.38am with Kent on 11 for 1 after only 9.1 overs. With the covers on and pools of rainwater quickly forming on the outfield, the players went in for lunch as umpires Ian Blackwell and Paul Baldwin eventually deemed that play could re-start at 3.29pm with the loss of 43 overs in the day.Seven overs after the resumption Kent opener Sean Dickson shuffled half-forward to a Cook in-ducker to be hit on the knee roll and depart lbw for 8 then, in his next over, Cook snared the returning Kent skipper Sam Billings in near identical fashion, leg before for 1 on his season’s first-class debut.Cook struck again during his superb mid-afternoon stint by removing Heino Kuhn for 6 – Kent’s fourth batsman to depart for a single-figure score. The South African’s late decision to run a Cook off-cutter down to third man backfired when he chopped the ball on to off stump.Kent rebuilt steadily either side of tea through Robinson and Bell-Drummond, who added 68 for the fifth wicket with Bell-Drummond extending a fine run of red-ball form that has led to him scoring either a fifty or a century in each of his last five, four-day appearances.Bell-Drummond, Kent’s leading championship run-getter for the season, notched his fifth half-century of the campaign from 99 balls and with seven fours, while Robinson, who contributed 35 in 98 minutes, batting with maturity way beyond his 20 years to help take Kent into three figures shortly before 6pm.With six overs left in the day, Amir returned for a second spell to finally dislodge Bell-Drummond, who chopped on for a painstaking 55 with seven fours after aiming a late cut to a low-bouncing delivery. In his next over the Pakistan left-armer swung one in through the air to pluck out Robinson’s off pole, leaving Darren Stevens, on his 300th first-class appearance, and No. 8 Ollie Rayner, to see Kent through to stumps without further alarm.