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Celtic have had mixed success in the Scottish Premiership since the club returned to action after the final international break of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Hoops made a fast start to the last stretch of the season when they hammered Hearts 3-0 at Parkhead in their first game after the break, thanks to two goals from Daizen Maeda and one from Jota.

However, they followed that up by being beaten by bottom-of-the-league St. Johnstone away in the Premiership in their most recent match on Sunday.

It was a disappointing performance and result for the Hoops, who could have little complaints about the scoreline after they failed to produce the kind of quality supporters have become used to seeing from them in the final third.

The difference in Callum McGregor’s performance between the two matches illustrated the difference in Celtic’s play, and why the former Scotland international is so integral to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play.

Why Callum McGregor is integral for Celtic

In the 3-0 win over Hearts, the left-footed star completed a staggering 99% of his attempted passes – making 66 of 67 – and assisted Maeda for the opening goal with a through ball that split open the Jam Tarts defence.

The Scottish ace also won two of his three physical duels during the match, whilst also making two interceptions, and was not dribbled past a single time by an opposition player, which shows that he excelled in and out of possession.

This meant that McGregor was able to impact the game at both ends of the pitch, by effectively screening in front of the back four and using his quality on the ball to create the opening goal.

Against St. Johnstone, however, the captain played the full 90 minutes and did not create a single chance for his teammates despite having 79 touches of the ball and completing 94% of his passes.

Minutes

64

90

Key passes

2

0

Assists

1

0

Pass accuracy

99%

94%

Duels won

2/3

1/6

Interceptions

2

0

Dribbled past

0x

1x

As you can see in the table above, McGregor’s use of the ball and his actions defensively were nowhere up to the standards he set during the win over Hearts, as the Saints midfielders got the better of him far too easily in physical duels.

The difference in his performance correlating with the difference in results speaks to how integral he is to Celtic, because he is the heartbeat of the side and much of the team’s success depends on him playing to his level in the middle of the park.

McGregor, who has started 28 of his 29 appearances in the Premiership this season, provides a metronomic presence at the base of the midfield, controlling games for the Hoops, but allowed his level to drop against St. Johnstone and it contributed to the loss.

There is a former Celtic player, however, who has gone on to develop into being an even better player than the Hoops skipper in a deep-lying midfield role, as Ryan Christie has thrived since moving on from Parkhead.

How much Celtic sold Ryan Christie for

The Hoops reportedly sold the Scotland international to Bournemouth for a reported fee of £1.5m in the summer of 2021, having spent six years at Parkhead.

Christie made 151 appearances for the Premiership giants during his time in Glasgow, scoring 42 goals and providing 44 assists, before his move down south to the Championship – at the time.

During his time with the Hoops, the left-footed whiz predominantly played as either an attacking midfielder or as a winger as part of the midfield set-up, as he looked to impact games with goals and assists.

Christie was capable of the spectacular, as shown in the clip below, and even racked up an eye-catching tally of 21 goals and 16 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions during the 2019/20 campaign.

At that point, it seems unlikely that anyone would have predicted that Christie would go on to become an upgrade on McGregor in the number six position, as he was thriving as an attacker before his move to Bournemouth for £1.5m.

However, that is what has happened as the former St. Johnstone star has gone on to become an exceptional deep-lying midfield player in the Premier League at the Vitality.

Why Christie is now an upgrade on McGregor

Since signing for the Cherries, the bulk of the 30-year-old star’s appearances for the club have come as a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder, which is a big change from purely playing as an attack-minded midfielder or winger for Celtic.

If you compare Christie’s performances against McGregor’s over the past 365 days, whilst both now play in similar positions in midfield – unlike their time together at Parkhead, then it appears as though the left-footed ace would be an upgrade on the Celtic captain.

As you can see in the chart above, the Bournemouth star offers significantly more out of possession whilst also providing his team with more from an offensive perspective, when it comes to creating chances and building play that leads to shots.

Similar conclusions can be drawn by comparing Christie’s form in the Premier League to that of McGregor’s in the Champions League in the 2024/25 campaign, as shown below.

These statistics, this season and over the past 365 days, suggest that the former Bhoys ace would currently be an upgrade on McGregor in midfield, by doing more to help out his defence whilst also providing more creativity with his passing from a deep-lying role.

The Scottish ace was hailed by former Cherries defender Joe Partington earlier this year, as the former Celtic man was lauded for his consistency in the middle of the park.

Partington said: “Ryan Christie’s consistency this season is incredible. His level is so so high – his ability to look exceptionally in control of what he’s doing. I hope its not underwhelming to say he’s outstandingly basic.”

He added: “His touch is always perfect, his pass is always the right weight at the right time at the right angle – he plays the pass to the right player in the right moment into the right space.”

Christie, who has started 27 of his 29 appearances in the Premier League, has consistency to go along with his quality on the pitch, and consistency has been an issue – albeit over just two games – for McGregor since the international break.

However, there is no guarantee that he would have developed in the way that he has if Celtic had kept him at Parkhead, as the midfielder may have stuck to his role as an attacker, rather than being moved further back into a number six position.

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Therefore, the Hoops may not see Christie as one that got away from them from that perspective, but he was still a quality player who was sold for a relatively small amount of money, which should be frustrating for the Scottish giants.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is currently waiting to find out a player’s feelings about joining the club this summer, following Gunners talks with him in January, and it is even believed he visited the Emirates Stadium that month.

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As per GiveMeSport, Berta and the Arsenal recruitment team could splash up to £300 million on seven new arrivals, including a new “second-choice goalkeeper, left-back, defensive midfielder, left-winger and striker”, with the north Londoners also pondering an alternative for Bukayo Saka.

While supporters will be eager to see Berta finally bring the club’s long wait for a prolific striker to an end, the need for a centre-midfielder will be prevalent, as Mikel Arteta is set to be minus two solid options in the middle of the park.

Everton (away)

Today

Brentford (home)

April 12th

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Thomas Partey and Jorginho will leave upon the expiry of their contracts on June 30th as things stand, leading to Arsenal’s talks over a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The Spain international is apparently “very likely” to join Arsenal and is “almost definitely” happening, according to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, with talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent suggesting that it is imperative for Berta to reinforce Arteta’s engine room.

“Another midfielder, a holding midfielder,” said Bent when asked what Arsenal need most this summer.

“I love Thomas Partey, I think this season his form has been brilliant but you have to look long term. There’s talk about Zubimendi, I have reservations. I know he’s a good player.

“I thought he was brilliant in the second half of the Euros final when he came on for Rodri but the Premier League is a different animal. You have to be able to run, be strong, get your foot in. But that’s an area I’d look at as well.”

There are suggestions that Arsenal could move for Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes as well as Zubimendi, with the Brazilian’s contract also including a release clause.

Another midfield technician they’ve been seriously interested in, with talks already held, is Rosenborg sensation Sverre Nypan.

Andrea Berta waiting on Sverre Nypan decision to join Arsenal

As per GiveMeSport and reliable journalist Ben Jacobs, Berta is waiting for Nypan’s final decision on potentially joining Arsenal.

The Norwegian, rumoured to command a price tag of £20 million, visited the Emirates in January and reliable news outlets at the time reported that Arteta’s side held winter talks with Rosenborg over a deal.

The teenager bagged eight goals and 10 assists in all competitions across the 2024 campaign for Rosenborg, even drawing comparisons with Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, but he has many other suitors – including Man City (Fabrizio Romano).

“Sverre Nypan is extremely exciting,” said Norwegian pundit Jesper Mathisen to TV2 last year.

“I get a bit of the same feeling as when I saw Martin Ødegaard break through as a boy.”

Newcastle United are believed to have made contact with the representatives of an “extremely dominant” Premier League player, according to a new transfer update.

Newcastle eyeing signings after EFL Cup win

Magpies supporters are still basking in the glory of last weekend’s EFL Cup final win over Liverpool, in what was a special day for the club. It is important that Eddie Howe’s side don’t take their eye off the ball in the league, though, sealing Champions League football and then signing some top-quality players in the summer.

Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino is one player who has been linked with a move to Newcastle at the end of the season, with the 22-year-old bagging four assists in La Liga so far this season.

Sporting CP ace Francisco Trincao is another rumoured transfer target for the Magpies, as Howe looks to add proven quality to his squad. The Portuguese has registered 19 goal contributions (eight goals and 11 assists) in 26 Primeira Liga outings in 2024/25, outlining his quality.

Centre-back also has to be a big area of focus for Newcastle, with AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori backed to move to St James’ Park, as he eyes a potential return to England.

Newcastle make contact with "dominant" ace's agents

According to a new update from TEAMtalk, Newcastle have made contact with Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen’s agents over a move to the club this summer.

The Spaniard is seen as the Magpies’ top target in the next transfer window, but given how highly rated he is, there is plenty of interest in him from some other huge clubs. It is Champions League holders Real Madrid who are thought to be in pole position to snap him up, which is a concern.

Huijsen is among the most promising young centre-backs in Europe currently, so the idea of him in a Newcastle shirt next season is a mouthwatering prospect.

The 19-year-old has performed with such maturity in an impressive Bournemouth team throughout the campaign, averaging 5.5 clearances per game across 23 Premier League appearances, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed his “extremely dominant” nature in the air.

As mentioned, at least one new central defender is needed at Newcastle before the start of the new campaign, with the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn both now in their 30s.

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In Huijsen, the Magpies could have the perfect option to come in and not only be a key man from the off, but also grow into one of the best players in the world in his position as the years pass, making this one to watch.

Arsenal today are an entirely different team from the one Mikel Arteta took control of over five years ago.

The manager has helped transform a meandering and seemingly lost club into one that looks destined to win something significant in the coming years.

However, it has not been a linear journey for the Spaniard, as just a year into his tenure, his position was starting to look seriously untenable.

Thankfully, the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe and his early partnership with Bukayo Saka steadied the ship and practically saved the Spaniard’s job, so it’s good news that Hale End has provided him with another version of the Englishman.

Emile Smith Rowe's career

So, while Smith Rowe did make his senior debut for Arsenal back in a Europa League group game in the 18/19 season, it makes sense to start in the 20/21 campaign, as it was in the Premier League game at home to Chelsea on Boxing Day, that it became abundantly clear to everyone watching that the youngster was a serious talent.

He started that game and, alongside Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, injected the dynamism the club lacked in the prior 14 league games, of which Arteta had overseen just four wins.

The Croydon-born gem ended the season with a brilliant haul of four goals and seven assists in 33 games and carried his form over to the following campaign, in which he scored 11 goals and provided two assists in just 37 appearances.

By the start of the 22/23 season, it felt as if the Hale Ender was ready to truly explode, but in a stroke of terrible luck, he was blindsided with injury problems, which limited him to just 196 minutes of action across 14 appearances.

Unfortunately, while he was sitting on the sidelines, the club were mounting a surprise title charge, with Martin Odegaard having the season of his life as the team’s most attacking midfielder and racking up a stellar haul of 15 goals and seven assists in 45 games.

Appearances

115

Goals

18

Assists

12

Goal Involvements per Match

0.26

So, while the young Englishman did miss some games through injury the following year, the primary reason he was limited to just 475 minutes was the simple fact that there wasn’t a place for him in the starting lineup anymore, which likely made the club’s choice to accept up to £34m for his service from Fulham in the summer far easier.

Since moving to West London, the former fan favourite has still suffered from some minor injuries but has generally looked good when on the pitch, scoring five goals and providing two assists in 31 appearances.

In all, while Arsenal would likely have used Smith Rowe more this season in light of their attacking struggles and injuries, selling him to the Cottagers was probably the best thing for all parties involved, especially as Hale End might’ve already provided Arteta with the perfect replacement.

Arteta's new Smith Rowe

For all that has gone wrong this season, one of the most significant positives has been the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, and it should come as no surprise that it is the latter who is Arteta’s new Smith Rowe.

Now, this comparison works for a few reasons, such as the fact that they are both attacking midfielders who can thrive on the wing, they’re both English and even the fact that their breakouts came under this manager.

However, we’d argue the most important similarity is how they impacted the first team in a time of need.

As mentioned above, the now Fulham star announced himself to the wider footballing world by forming a brilliant partnership with Saka and turning the ship around at a time when it looked like changes were going to be made in the dugout, and while it’s not been anywhere as dire this season, there are some unmistakable similarities.

For example, while the “unplayable” Nwaneri, as dubbed by Jack Wilshere, was making cameo appearances and getting the odd cup start earlier this season, his involvement in the first team dramatically increased once the attacking injury crisis was in full swing, with nine of his 12 starts coming since January 1st.

Appearances

29

Minutes

1087′

Goals

8

Assists

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.31

Minutes per Goal Involvement

120.77′

Moreover, when he has played, the “sensational” Hale Ender, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has often contributed, with his eight goals and one assist coming in 1087 minutes, which comes out to a goal involvement on average every 120.77 minutes, which for an 18-year-old is incredible.

Finally, while Smith Rowe broke through and formed a partnership with Saka, the Enfield-born dynamo is doing the same with Lewis-Skelly, who played a big part in his goals against Bolton Wanderers and PSV Eindhoven.

Ultimately, fans will be hoping his Arsenal career progresses in a different way, but as things stand, there are plenty of similarities between Smith Rowe and Nwaneri.

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As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare to square off against Everton in a game which could lift them a huge eight points clear of the drop, Vitor Pereira could welcome back as many as three key men in a major boost for those in the Midlands.

Wolves injury news

As things stand, Wolves are moving closer and closer towards confirmed safety with as many as five points separating themselves and the relegation zone in the final 11 Premier League games of the campaign. Their job is not yet done, however, and their next three games against Everton, Southampton and West Ham United are likely to be season-defining without star man Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian turned a moment to savour into a moment of madness against Bournemouth last time out, scoring a wonder goal before seeing red and headbutting Milos Kerkez to receive his marching orders.

Following his second suspension of the season, Cunha could even miss further games which may also rule him out of a vital fixture against Ipswich Town.

As Pereira awaits the verdict on his star forward’s ban though, he will at least be relieved to have received a number of injury boosts. As confirmed by the manager, Wolves are set to welcome the returns of Emmanuel Agbadou, Rodrigo Gomes and Goncalo Guedes against Everton this weekend, whilst Marshall Munetsi and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde have also been passed fit.

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Pereira told reporters: “Agbadou is ready to help us. Munetsi is ready, Guedes is ready, Rodrigo is ready, Bellegarde too. I’m very happy and positive for this game.”

Having missed the last three games, the return of January arrival Agbadou should prove to be a particular boost as Wolves look to end Everton’s four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and return to winning ways themselves in doing so.

"Strong" Agbadou is returning at crucial time

With Cunha’s ban likely to stifle Wolves’ frontline, Agbadou’s return certainly comes at a key time for those in the Midlands. More than ever in the next three games or potentially more, they’ll have to fall back on their defensive work if they want to push more than the five points clear they currently find themselves away from the dropzone.

The 28-year-old, meanwhile, has an opportunity in his own right to cement a starting place in Pereira’s strongest side after starting games against Bournemouth and Fulham in the Premier League before an ill-timed injury stopped his momentum in its tracks.

Reims defender Joseph Okumu will certainly back his former teammate to do exactly that after telling GiveMeSport in January: “It was quite interesting to play alongside Emmanuel. We had quite a good time together. We played against each other in Belgium and then together for a while at Reims. He is quite strong and we had a great bond.”

Now at Wolves, Agbadou will be keen to show that strength and play his part in taking the club to safety under Pereira – starting with victory against Everton at Molineux this weekend.

An “excellent” midfielder is now increasingly likely to join Tottenham Hotspur this summer, having put in some impressive performances in recent weeks, according to a report.

Bissouma set to be replaced as Spurs plan for the long-term

Yves Bissouma has received regular game time ever since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, but the midfielder has started to play a less crucial role this season, often being utilised as a substitute or left on the bench.

As such, there have been reports suggesting Ange Postecoglou is ready to cash-in on the former Brighton man this summer, which means the manager will need to bring in a replacement, and a number of targets have been identified.

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who is valued at around £66m, is one of the names on the list, alongside Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, with reports from February revealing Spurs are leading the race for the American’s signature due to a clause that allows them first option on the midfielder.

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GiveMeSport have now dropped a new update on Tottenham’s pursuit of Cardoso, reporting the Lilywhites are now increasingly likely to trigger the midfielder’s £21m clause to bring him to north London this summer.

Positive talks were held with Betis back in August, and the 23-year-old has continued to impress since then, most recently catching the eye with a solid performance against Real Madrid in La Liga last weekend.

In light of the central midfielder’s impressive display, Spurs are now confident forking out £21m would be a savvy investment, but they are continuing to analyse whether he would be a good fit.

The defensive midfielder could be brought in as a direct replacement for Bissouma, with Postecoglou deciding this summer could be the right time to cash-in on the Mali international.

"Excellent" Cardoso impressing in La Liga

The Betis star put in a solid performance against Real Madrid last time out, scoring the opening goal in his side’s 2-1 triumph, but as pointed out by freelance scout Ben Mattinson, he tends to sit in deeper areas and flourishes defensively.

This assessment is corroborated by the fact the USA international has performed extremely well on several key defensive metrics over the past year, which suggests he could be a real upgrade on Bissouma.

Statistic per 90

Johnny Cardoso

Yves Bissouma

Interceptions

2.03 (99th percentile)

1.32 (76th percentile)

Blocks

1.37 (69th percentile)

0.64 (5th percentile)

Clearances

2.49 (94th percentile)

2.31 (88th percentile)

Aerials won

1.57 (84th percentile)

0.60 (32nd percentile)

Tackles

2.53 (76th percentile)

3.16 (91st percentile)

It was a savvy move for Tottenham to negotiate a £21m release clause for Cardoso, which seems to be way below his value, judging by how he’s performed in La Liga, and if he continues to impress they should undoubtedly stump up the £21m this summer.