All posts by h79snht.top

Everton youngster Ross Barkley enjoyed a terrific campaign last season and became an instrumental part of the side that narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification. Dubbed as England’s next big thing, there was plenty of hype surrounding the 21-year-old after some assured displays where he was a potent attacking threat scoring some brilliant goals. He looked destined for a very bright future.

Fast forward a year and things aren’t going quite as well for the England midfielder, who along with his team has struggled for form this season. Having failed to hold down a regular starting place in Roberto Martinez’s starting XI, he has scored just twice in 28 appearances. The Toffees have endured an extremely disappointing league campaign and find themselves down in 13th position, closer to the bottom three than the top four.

But despite a lacklustre season at Goodison Park, Barkley continues to be linked with a move away from Merseyside with reports connecting him to both Chelsea and Manchester City in a deal that could be worth a staggering £50million.

How much substance there is to these reports remains to be seen, but you feel if a sizeable bid of this sort of value came in during the summer both the club and player would find it hard to resist.

Yet despite the obvious attraction of a potential move to one of the giants of Premier League football with the prospect of league titles and Champions League football, at this stage in his career Barkley would be making a big mistake.

[ffc-gal cat=”everton” no=”5″]

At just 21, he still has plenty to do in order to develop into the world class talent that he could become one day. And at this moment in time he has at the best club possible in order to achieve this.

He just needs to look at the numerous examples of players that have shown bags of potential before moves to the likes Chelsea and Manchester City, where they then found their career going backwards as they sat on the bench week in week out. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell…the list goes on.

It’s hard to see Barkley being able to force himself into the starting 11 of Chelsea or City for next season, and so when he could be playing regular for his current side, he would be watching from the sidelines at a crucial point in his career.

For now he should ignore any speculation of interest from elsewhere, as hard as it may be. Most importantly he needs to rediscover the form and confidence that he displayed in abundance last season and keep his head down and continue to work hard and improve at a club that will give him the opportunity to do so.

Providing he can do this, there’s no doubt he will get his move to one of the league’s top clubs. But he has to do this when the time is right and he’s performing on a consistent basis.

Quotes from the man himself this week have revealed Barkley feels his best position is as a striker, despite playing the majority of his career in an attacking midfield role. The youngster feels this is where he can have his greatest impact with the freedom to roam around, take players on, have shots and create chances. And having seen Barkley excel in these areas last season you can certainly see where he is coming from.

In light of these quotes, Martinez now has the perfect opportunity to help him realise Everton is where he needs to be to spend the next few seasons playing football. The Spaniard should give Barkley the role in the side he is craving and give him the opportunity to form a partnership with Lukaku in attack. The manager should build his side around the promising duo, giving Barkley the freedom to do what he does best and hopefully this well help Everton challenge for European qualification once again next season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

By showing faith in Barkley in this way, it would surely help restore his confidence that has clearly been lacking at times this season, and we would then see the best of him on a weekly basis. Playing for his boyhood club in his favourite position regularly would certainly make him happy and allow for the necessary development and experience that he needs to reach the highest level.

However tempting it may be to move on, Barkley has to stay at Everton for at least another season and probably more. It’s the best thing for him in the long run and would be most beneficial to him and his football. Were he to complete a transfer in the coming months, he is in real danger of damaging his career before it has really got going.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

From the highs of 2013/14, Liverpool’s much-anticipated last campaign was one of disappointment. The loss of Luis Suarez last summer was a major blow, and even the £100m+ spend on the back of that deal garnered very little in the way of success. Big money arrivals flopped, Brendan Rodgers fell under pressure and the Champions League adventure ended before Christmas – not to mention the sixth-placed finish!

First up in 2015/26 Liverpool will get a chance to avenge that 6-1 final day drubbing with a trip to face Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium, which is sure to be a match Rodgers is pumped up for after the embarrassment suffered last time out.

Bournemouth, Arsenal and West Ham are then opponents, but the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on September 12 appears to be a big one. Louis van Gaal’s men limped over the line into fourth at Liverpool’s expense last term, and with the Red Devils having claimed six points from the two teams’ meetings, revenge is sure to be on the agenda.

The first fixture of October throws up Merseyside derby bragging rights. A trip across Goodison Park is hardly ever a guarantee of points, but the Reds’ impressive record in recent local fixtures is encouraging.

The return clash against Manchester United comes straight after a home tie against Arsenal in the middle of January, which could be two games that have a major say on what’s at stake over the closing months of the campaign. Wins may tee up a top four, maybe even title challenge, while losses may burst the bubble.

Spurs at home in April, again, looks like it could have a big impact on the final table, with the two sides traditional rivals in the table – last time out Mario Balotelli’s on league goal of the season settled matters at Anfield.

August

8 – Stoke City (A)

15 – Bournemouth (H)

22 – Arsenal (A)

29 – West Ham United (H)

September

12 – Manchester United (A)

19 – Norwich City (H)

26 – Aston Villa (H)

October

3 – Everton (A)

17 – Tottenham Hotspur (A)

24 – Southampton (H)

31 – Chelsea (A)

November

7 – Crystal Palace (H)

21 – Manchester City (A)

28 – Swansea City (H)

December

5 – Newcastle United (A)

12 – West Bromwich Albion (H)

19 – Watford (A)

26 – Leicester City (H)

28 – Sunderland (A)

January

2 – West Ham United (A)

12 – Arsenal (H)

16 – Manchester United (H)

23 – Norwich City (A)

February

2 – Leicester City (A)

6 – Sunderland (H)

13 – Aston Villa (A)

27 – Everton (H)

March

1 – Manchester City (H)

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

5 – Crystal Palace (A)

12 – Chelsea (H)

19 – Southampton (A)

April

2 – Tottenham Hotspur (H)

9 – Stoke City (H)

16 – Bournemouth (A)

23 – Newcastle United (H)

30 – Swansea City (A)

May

7 – Watford (H)

15 – West Bromwich Albion (A)

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

Earlier this week, Inter Milan agreed a £25million deal for Monaco midfielder Geoffery Kondogbia, as confirmed by BBC Sport, which should be of huge disappointment to Arsenal fans.

The Gunners midfield is calling out for a physical, defensive presence and the 6 foot 2 France international seemed like the perfect candidate through his strength, height and positional awareness.

Adding physicality to the engine room should still be one of Arsene Wenger’s leading priorities in the transfer market this summer, however, with it’s current lack of seemingly one of the biggest differences between the north London outfit and Premier League title holders Chelsea.

So being the ever-helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed the FIVE midfielders the Emirates gaffer MUST target during the transfer window if the Gunners are to claim the English crown in the coming campaign.

Would signing one of these FIVE bring Arsenal closer to claiming next season’s Premier League title?

MORGAN SCHNIEDERLIN

He’s the go-to suggestion with good reason; through his mixture of height, strength, defensive awareness and consistency on the ball, Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin seems like the perfect remedy to Arsenal’s deficiencies in midfield.

And with the exception of Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, there hasn’t been a more consistent enforcer in the Premier League over the last three campaigns, with the France international amassing a rather incredible 274 tackles and 270 interceptions in 95 top flight outings. That equates to 5.7 ball-winning actions per match.

The 6 foot 2 former Strasburg youngster is also tidy in possession, however, this term averaging the most passes per match – with a completion rate of 89% – of any player in the Southampton squad, suggesting he won’t look too out of place in a Gunners midfield that passes teams to death on a regular basis.

After almost forcing his way out of St. Mary’s last summer, Schneiderlin is near-certain to leave the south coast in the current transfer window. The Saints allegedly value him at £25million – but according to The Daily Mail, Arsene Wenger is reluctant to pay up.

WILLIAM CARVALHO

Arsenal have already launched a £28.5million bid for William Carvalho according to The Sun and it’s not hard to see why.

The Portugal international is rated as one of the most promising holding midfielders in Europe, measuring in at 6 foot 2, weighing in excess of 14 stone and famed for his simple-yet-effective playbreaking style.

The Sporting Lisbon star was a pivotal performer as the Portugal U21’s recorded a 1-0 victory over the Junior Lions at the European Championship last week and he’s clearly well above that level. He impressed in the Champions League earlier this season too, averaging 2.2 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 1.8 successful aerial duels per match from six outings.

In terms of physicality, he represents exactly what the Gunners currently lack at the base of midfield. But if there’s one notable criticism, it’s that the 23 year-old limited technical ability could see him struggle in a Gunners side enthused by a tiki-taka philosophy.

Grzegorz Krychowiak

Grzegorz Krychowiak is already a notable fixture on the Arsenal radar with Arsene Wenger allegedly viewing him as a cheaper alternative to Morgan Schneiderlin.

The Poland international has been in sensational form since joining Sevilla from Reims via a €4.5million deal last summer, going on to average 3.3 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2.1 clearances and 3.4 successful aerial duels per match in La Liga in addition to helping Los Rojiblancos claim a second consecutive Europa League title.

He’s an old-fashioned screener – almost a third centre-back in front of the back four through his defensive qualities and physicality – and should plug up those gaps on the counter-attack that continually plagued Arsenal at the start of last season.

Krychowiak’s untested in the Premier League and the Champions League, but the rapidity in which the 25 year-old has upped his game for Sevilla suggests he could well adapt to the standards at Arsenal with relative ease.

His release clause is reported to stand at £23.5million.

Arturo Vidal

Due to the sudden rise of Francis Coquelin, the physical addition to Arsenal’s engine room doesn’t necessarily have to be a holding player. Juventus star Arturo Vidal – a classic goalscoring box-to-box – would also add some much-needed athleticism to the north London outfit’s midfield.

He’s emerged as one of the most complete centre-mids in world football since joining the Old Lady from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2011, boasting power, pace, goals and that uniquely South American blend of trickery and tenacity.

Last season he bagged seven goals and four assists in 28 Serie A appearances whilst averaging 3.1 tackles per match and the Chile international has brought that form to the Copa America – barring his drink-driving scandal – claiming three strikes in three outings.

After winning four consecutive Serie A titles with Juve and reaching the 2015 Champions League final, the 28 year-old might be ready for a new challenge ahead of next season. Incidentally, he’s now into the final two terms of his Turin contract.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Earlier this month, however, club director Giuseppe Marotta claimed he expects Real Madrid to launch a bid for the former Colo-Colo youngster.

JAVI MARTINEZ

I’ve argued it before and I will do so again; Javi Martinez is a potential signing who could change everything for Arsenal, propelling them back to the promised land of regular Premier League titles.

That might seem a little overzealous but the Bayern Munich enforcer represents everything they lack in the middle of the park through his 6 foot 3 frame, bullish style and defensive qualities so almighty he’s often filled in at centre-back for both club and country.

Furthermore, the 26 year-old blessed with all the technical ability you’d expect from a Spain international plying his trade in a Pep Guardiola side – so in my opinion, there’s no doubt he can adapt to Arsenal’s definitive style of play.

Arsenal attempted to prize him away from the Allianz Arena last summer, according to The Telegraph, but they could find better luck in the current transfer window.

After all, Martinez has spent the majority of last season out injured and the Bavarians hardly struggled in his absence – in fact, they signed Mehdi Benatia and Xabi Alonso last summer precisely to fill his void.

Highly-rated throughout world football, however, Bayern could still command top dollar for the former Athletic Bilbao star.

The January transfer window is upon us and for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, it’s a chance to refresh an already talented squad with some new talent, while also shipping out a few players surplus to requirement.

While the Hoops may not be quite hitting the heights of last term, they’re still in a dominant position in Scottish football and have plenty of resources to improve even further after banking another season’s worth of UEFA Champions League cash.

However, Brendan Rodgers has spoken at length previously about his desire not to have too bloated a squad and so moving on players currently not getting a game will be seen as just as important before January comes to a close.

Who should the Hoops be saying goodbye to this month?

These are the THREE players who don’t have a future at Celtic Park…

Erik Sviatchenko

Erik Sviatchenko initially looked like a smashing signing for the Hoops, when he joined from FC Midtjylland in January 2016. Initially one of the few decent performers in the second half of Ronny Deila’s last season, he was also a firm fixture in the Celtic side when Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club.

For the past 12 months though he’s struggled not just with injuries but also form when available and has made just two appearances for the Hoops all season.

Having been fit to play for a number of weeks now without being selected, there seems to be little scope for him to return to the starting eleven and become a reliable defender and so moving him on seems like the best option for all concerned.

Still just 26 years old and with caps for Denmark, he’d likely have some resale value, which could be the difference between Celtic signing a quality player and not before the end of the transfer window.

Cristian Gamboa

Cristian Gamboa is another player in Brendan Rodgers’ squad that has made just two appearances this season and appears to be struggling to find a future at Celtic Park.

The Costa Rican international has never been a first pick at the Hoops, with the experienced and popular Mikael Lustig holding down his first team place consistently, even through patches of a poor form.

He’s only made 23 appearances in total since joining from West Brom in 2016 and with 18 months left of his contract, now would be the right time to realise any transfer value in the player.

Rodgers has cover for Lustig in the form of youngster Anthony Ralston and arguably needs to bring in another right-back to compete for first team places. Gamboa isn’t and will likely never be that player.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Liam Henderson

Liam Henderson has had an interesting career to this point, winning trophies with three clubs in two countries despite being still just 21 years of age.

However, his career has stalled at Celtic, failing to make a single start for Brendan Rodgers this season and appearing just once from the substitute’s bench.

A talented and packed Hoops midfield has meant the youngster has been frozen out of regular football and a once promising player at Celtic Park now looks like having to move elsewhere to reach his potential. There are five or six players ahead of him in the pecking order and he’s shown little sign of breaking that pack.

There is undoubtedly talent there, but perhaps not at the level Celtic require.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that Wayne Rooney will be available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Rooney has missed Everton’s last two matches against Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion through illness, and had been seen as a doubt for the trip to Bournemouth.

Allardyce, however, has revealed that his leading scorer is back with the squad.

Rooney re-joined Everton from Manchester United during the summer, and the 32-year-old, who is rated at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has scored 10 Premier League goals for the Toffees during the 2017-18 campaign.

The former England captain scored once and provided one assist in his last league appearance against Swansea City, and will be part of an Everton team that travels to Bournemouth before welcoming Man United to Goodison Park on New Year’s Day.

Allardyce told reporters:

“Wayne is back from illness. He has been stuck in bed for three days. Any quality player who gets fit and returns is a big boost.”

Allardyce also revealed that Yannick Bolasie would be available for the Bournemouth match, while James McCarthy is back in training following a long period on the sidelines.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

Despite the fierceness of football rivalry, fans from opposing clubs can only appreciate the talent that is Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane.

The England international had a stellar 2017 by ending the calendar year as Europe’s leading scorer.

For club and country, the 24-year-old netted 56 goals, which was more than Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and Real Madrid hero Cristiano Ronaldo – the pair have 10 Ballon d’Or trophies between them.

Kane has carried his form into 2018 as he has already smashed a Tottenham record, despite the year being just 14 days old.

The striker broke Teddy Sheringham’s Premier League record of 97 goals by scoring twice in Spurs’ 4-0 rout over Everton at Wembley on Saturday night.

The forward’s scintillating form has resulted in the widespread media linking him with moves to other clubs, including Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho’s side currently have Romelu Lukaku as their first-choice striker, but the Belgian has been struggling for consistency of late.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

After witnessing Kane’s performance for Tottenham on Saturday, some United fans called for the club to make a move.

[ad_pod ]

West Ham United manager David Moyes is keen to add a new midfielder to his squad before the January transfer window slams shut on Wednesday night, and it appears as though Anderlecht midfielder Leander Dendoncker could be his priority signing.

A report by Belgian media outlet Het Nieuwsblad on Monday confirmed that the Irons are set to ramp up their interest in the highly-rated 22-year-old, who can also pay as a centre-back, having been heavily linked with bringing the Belgium international to the Premier League throughout the month.

Despite the arrival of Inter Milan’s Joao Mario on loan until the end of the season last week, a serious injury suffered by Pedro Obiang in the 2-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat to Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday has taken Moyes back to square one in terms of his options in the middle of the park.

He will now be looking to ensure that he brings a new central or defensive midfielder to the London Stadium before the 11pm deadline on Wednesday to help in the Irons’ survival bid, but if a deal for Dendoncker can’t be done then the Scottish boss will need to look elsewhere for the extra body he wants.

Here are three Dendoncker alternatives West Ham could target on Deadline Day…

Jonjo Shelvey

The Express claimed at the start of January that West Ham were closing in on a £12m move for the Newcastle United midfielder, who is said to be keen to return to London.

There has been no progress in any deal since then though, with Sky Sports reporting on Friday that the Irons have been told that the 25-year-old is not for sale.

However, journalist @reluctantnicko claimed via his official Twitter account on Tuesday that the east London outfit could yet try and sign Shelvey if they are getting desperate towards the end of the window, although the likely large fee and his big wages could be an issue.

Ki Sung-Yueng

The reliable @ExWHUemployee posted via his official Twitter account on Monday that West Ham were looking to include the South Korea international in any deal that saw Andre Ayew return to former club Swansea City before the window slams shut.

While there has been no further progress on that proposal as of yet, it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see some sort of arrangement reached on Wednesday.

That said, the fact the 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the win against Arsenal on Tuesday night doesn’t suggest an exit is imminent, and the east London outfit may have lots of work to do to bring the 6ft 2in midfielder to the London Stadium before the deadline.

Ibrahim Amadou

West Ham’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace have been heavily linked with a move for the Lille captain throughout the January window, but they are yet to reach an agreement with the Ligue 1 outfit, despite Sky Sports reporting that they need to raise £22m in order to avoid a financial fair play sanction from the French Football Federation.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Amadou is a versatile performer who – like Dendoncker – can play either as a defensive midfielder or as a centre-back, and he looks to have all of the attributes to be a success in the English top flight.

Sky Sports reported on Tuesday that the Irons are ready to hijack the Eagles’ bid to sign the 24-year-old before the deadline, although they will have to pay £17.6m if they want to bring him to the London Stadium.

Who do you want, Irons fans? Let us know below.

A little over two months ago, Mo Diame was an outcast at St. James’s Park. In fact, the Senegalese star had made just one Premier League appearance for the club during the first three months of the season.

However, Rafael Benitez gave the experienced midfielder a chance in the first team in December and the former West Ham player has been immovable since.

Diame, who is valued at £4.5million by Transfermarkt, was the subject of much condemnation from Newcastle fans prior to his upturn in form over the Christmas period.

In fact, a number of the Toon faithful wanted the 30-year-old to leave the club, after links with a move to Aston Villa surfaced;

However, Diame’s remarkable turn around in form has been rewarded; the midfielder winning the club’s Player of the Month award for January.

Upon hearing the news of Diame’s award, Newcastle fans took to Twitter to congratulate their player…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

Under-fire Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino has been speaking to Sky Sports about his side’s battle to stay in the Premier League this season, and he will leave the club’s fans furious after almost excusing his disappointing record this term by claiming that the fight against relegation in the English top flight gains more worldwide interest than the title race.

Saints slipped back into the bottom three following their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St Mary’s last weekend, with the likes of Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town and Swansea City all putting in impressive performances to pick up three points.

Pellegrino has been talking about what his side need to do to ensure they stay up in the remaining 11 fixtures of the season, but has also hinted that the supporters should relish being in the relegation scrap even though they have secured four top-eight finishes in a row before the current campaign.

The Argentine boss told Sky Sports: “In this moment you need to be really brave and you have to show your character, to be strong enough to challenge in this situation.

“It’s difficult [to be brave], it’s not easy. But, also it’s a really nice challenge because the most beautiful thing in football is that we are competitive people. If not it’s impossible to be at this level.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“It’s more difficult the situation in the bottom of the table than in the top, because Manchester City is away [with] a lot of points. But in the bottom of the table, every person that I know from different countries, it’s about watching the game from the relegation.”

Southampton have a break from the Premier League this weekend when they face West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Hawthorns on Saturday.

Graeme Murty’s Rangers crave major silverware but it’s been a long time since there’s been a genuine title race in Scotland with Celtic romping to the last six league trophies.

Brendan Rodgers’ side produced one of the most dominant title wins yet last season, remaining unbeaten for the entire league campaign.

This season though they’ve dropped plenty of points and after another draw at the weekend, their seventh of the season, Rangers have moved to within nine points of the reigning champions with eleven games remaining.

With Aberdeen also looking to capitalise on any mistakes, Celtic trying to progress further in Europe and big matches between the trio ahead in the next few weeks, are we shaping up for an exciting end to the Scottish Premiership?

Our writers have had their say below…

Christy Malyan

No. With goal difference included, Celtic are essentially ten points ahead with just eleven games left to go, so for Aberdeen or Rangers to catch them, they’ll have to average a point more than Celtic per game to overtake them by the end of the season.

When Celtic have the best players and probably the best manager in the league, that’s an unassailable margin.

Perhaps if Rangers had started the season on the front foot rather than keeping Pedro Caixinha in the job, they might be giving Celtic a serious challenge right now but it’s just too late in the day to make a serious comeback.

Chris McMullan

Nine points might be the gap in the table between Rangers and Celtic, but the reality is that the real gap is much wider. The difference in quality between the two sides is marked, but more importantly, you get the feeling Celtic can step up if needed.

Perhaps Rangers should be hoping for Celtic to qualify for the next round of the Europa League at the expense of their own former conquerors from the 2008 UEFA Cup final, Zenit, on Thursday night. The further Celtic go in the competition, the more change the Gers have of a comeback, but those odds are very slim for a reason.

With two derbies to come there is at least some potential for this to get interesting – but win them both and then we can talk.

John McGinley

The chances of there being something of a title race in Scotland heading into the final few fixtures are greater this season than they have been for years, but you’d still have to consider Celtic heavy favourites.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The matches away to Aberdeen and Rangers in the coming weeks will determine a lot and neither are easy for the Hoops. The trip to Pittodrie comes just days after a gruelling trip to Russia and Graeme Murty’s side are showing enough form right now for that match at Ibrox to be a well-contested affair.

Oddly it’s the run-of-the-mill matches with less at stake that seem to trip Celtic up, recent games against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone as an example, so if Brendan Rodgers can keep his team focused and motivated, they should win their seventh title in a row.