Jack Taylor fifty secures comeback victory for Gloucestershire

Glamorgan looked set to win before three dropped catches in last three overs came back to haunt them

ECB Reporters Network20-Jun-2024Gloucestershire 142 for 8 (J Taylor 70, van der Gugten 2-8) beat Glamorgan 140 for 6 (Northeast 46*, M Taylor 3-21) by two wicketsGloucestershire completed a superb win over Glamorgan with Jack Taylor’s 70 setting up a remarkable comeback from 45 for 5 to secure a two-wicket victory.Glamorgan looked certain to claim the win before three dropped catches in the last three overs came back to haunt them as Josh Shaw hit the last ball for six to take the visitors past their target.Runs for Sam Northeast and an excellent spell from Timm van der Gugten had put Glamorgan into a winning position before Taylor’s 70 from 48 balls set up the victory for Gloucestershire.Gloucestershire looked to be heading for a large defeat before Taylor’s innings allowed them snatch the win from the very last ball.The Glamorgan innings was characterised more by touch than by power with their top three looking to work the ball around in very bowling friendly conditions. Kiran Carlson tried some early innovation and was dismissed as a result. He attempted to scoop a ball from Shaw over the keeper and was caught at backward point by Matt Taylor.With the early wickets of Carlson and Labuschagne, Northeast was happy to soak up the pressure that the Gloucestershire seamers applied, and he was going at under a run a run a ball for much of his innings. Northeast finished on 46 not out from 42 balls, the lowest not out score by an opener in a full 20-over innings in the competition’s history.

Colin Ingram looked to be more aggressive and fell when he attempted to on drive down the ground off the bowling of Matt Taylor for 25. When Chris Cooke fell to the next ball Glamorgan were 76 for 4. When Ben Kellaway was caught at deep square leg in the next over off Marchant De Lange that became 81 for 5.Dan Douthwaite and Northeast put on the biggest stand of the Glamorgan innings but that was broken after the pair had added 37. Northeast added 22 in the final overs with van der Gugten to get Glamorgan to 140 for 6 from their 20 overs.The Gloucestershire innings got off to a poor start with the new ball once again causing serious difficulties for the batting side. They were 29 for 3 at the end of the powerplay and really struggling to get going.Van der Gugten bowled four consecutive overs from the Cathedral Road end to finish with figures of 2 for 8 in a spell that included a maiden and just one boundary.The introduction of the very first over of spin in this match brought immediate rewards for Glamorgan when Marnus Labuschagne took a spectacular one-handed catch while diving full length off the bowling of Mason Crane to dismiss Ben Charlesworth as Gloucestershire stumbled to 53 for 5 after 10 overs.Jack Taylor batted brilliantly throughout but benefited from some sloppy fielding after he had passed fifty with both Carlson and McIlroy putting him down off the bowling of Crane.Taylor was run out in the last over to seemingly end Gloucestershire’s hopes but Northeast dropped Shaw off the penultimate ball to give him the chance to win the game with his six off the final delivery.

He'd be incredible with Isak: Newcastle prepare bid for "deadly" £60m star

Alexander Isak will enjoy the off-season knowing two things: Newcastle United will play Champions League football in just a matter of months, and their success in achieving this feat (again) is largely down to his prowess in the final third.

The “intelligent” striker, as he’s been dubbed by reporter Ryan Taylor, will know more than two things, of course, but it’s these two facts which shape his footballing future and it’s this which matters most to the adoring Magpies faithful.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein believes the 25-year-old is staying put after his prolific Premier League campaign, but he’ll want to be rewarded, along with his teammates, after such a historic year, and Eddie Howe is on the same page, hoping to attack the looming transfer window with rapidity.

Here is a complete and balanced team, but it could do with some fine-tuning, for sure. With impressive prudence, Newcastle have planned ahead and are ready to strengthen their frontline.

Newcastle pushing to sign Premier League forward

As per The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle are indeed planning for a busy window and are ready to pounce for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, having made a right-sided forward one of their priorities.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Edwards reveals that the Magpies are ready to lodge bids for both the winger and Crystal Palace star, Marc Guehi, in what he describes as a ‘crucial summer’ for Howe and co.

The Cameroon international has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, and the Bees would be looking for as much as £60m to grant their talisman’s departure.

Brentford's BryanMbeumocelebrates after the match

Manchester United also have a vested interest, but their ongoing efforts to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers star Matheus Cunha have led PIF to believe they can take the lead in the coming days.

What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Newcastle

Howe’s walked across the breadth of the Premier League terrain, the good and the bad. He’s scrambled out of the pit of the division with Newcastle and he’s led them toward the peak, having now sealed a route into the Champions League across two of the past three seasons.

Newcastle United managerEddieHoweapplauds fans after the match

Though they’ve invested, United haven’t employed a scattergun approach on the level of some direct rivals, and yet they’ve found a formula for fluency, with Isak fronting a slick and coherent system.

Now just imagine Mbeumo in there too. Jacob Murphy has been immense all year, but Mbeumo would bring a different breed of potency, a new focal point which would ease Isak’s responsibilities and, paradoxically, allow him to take even larger strides in his remarkable development.

Premier League Top Scorers 24/25

Rank

Player

Apps

Goals

1)

Mohamed Salah

38

29

2)

Alexander Isak

34

23

3)

Erling Haaland

31

22

4)

Chris Wood

36

20

4=

Bryan Mbeumo

38

20

Data via Premier League

Mbeumo’s 20-goal haul in the Premier League this season left him behind an exclusive trio of powerhouses, with analyst Ben Mattinson rightly describing him as “one of the most deadly” players in the division.

He would elevate the existing stars, to be sure, and though Murphy and Anthony Gordon would help supply Mbeumo’s quest for goals, Isak could prove the most exciting partner for him, with the Sweden international noted to be the “best all-round forward in the Premier League” by pundit Ally McCoist.

The 23-goal Isak was only outscored by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah this season, but he also finished the 2024/25 campaign ranked among the top 16% of strikers across Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The complete striker indeed. Isak could turn Mbeumo into a veritable monster, cementing his giddy form at a higher level and ensuring he enters some lofty conversations in the years to come.

The next Trippier: Newcastle express interest in "stupidly good" £29m star

Newcastle are looking to add to their depth at right-back

ByJoe Nuttall May 28, 2025

Arsenal would now consider selling Saliba to sign "strong" Real Madrid star

With Real Madrid setting their sights on William Saliba, Arsenal would now reportedly consider selling their star defender for the chance to sign a talented midfielder from the Spaniards in return.

Real Madrid eyeing Saliba move

After a disappointing season which could yet end without a trophy, it could be all change in the Real Madrid technical area this summer. Recent reports have indicated that Carlo Ancelotti is in negotiations to become the new manager of the Brazilian national team, which would likely see Xabi Alonso make his way to the Bernabeu ahead of the next campaign.

With Alonso possibly arriving, the Spaniards could yet be in for a busy summer transfer window too. Already, they’re in negotiations with Trent Alexander-Arnold over a free move upon the expiry of his current Liverpool contract at the end of the season and have now also reportedly set their sights on Saliba.

Recent reports in Spain have suggested that the Frenchman is on Alonso’s list of targets should he step into the Madrid technical area in the coming months. Following another season without a Premier League title and with Arsenal’s Champions League fate hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether Saliba will be able to turn down the lure of the Bernabeu.

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Arsenal could sign an amazing Viktor Gyokeres alternative this summer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 2, 2025

If that does prove to be the case, then there’s no doubt that his departure will be a major blow. At the same time, however, it looks as though the Gunners will at least aim to get something in return.

Arsenal now considering Saliba sale on one condition

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal would now consider selling Saliba to Real Madrid if they got Aurelien Tchouameni in return. Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of the Frenchman and may yet have the perfect chance to welcome him to North London.

What his arrival would also do is replace Thomas Partey, who is currently on course to leave Arsenal as a free agent upon the expiry of his current contract this summer.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

Filling that gap in the middle of the park should be among the Gunners’ top priorities, especially if they are to finally claim Premier League glory next season. And there’s no doubt that Tchouameni should be a top candidate to do exactly that.

Minutes

2,364

2,437

Progressive Passes

149

165

Interceptions

42

32

Ball Recoveries

124

120

Dubbed “strong” by Ancelotti earlier this season, Tchouemeni has matched and even outperformed Partey in a number of areas this season. At the sacrifice of Saliba, Arsenal could land an instant upgrade in midfield.

Whether it is worth losing one of the best centre-backs in European football to boost their midfield is a question that those at The Emirates must ponder, however.

Postecoglou to recall Tottenham player and drop two big-name stars

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is facing an absolutely huge week in N17 amid mounting pressure on the Australian, with an all-important Europa League quarter-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on the horizon.

Ange Postecoglou facing key Tottenham decisions

However, before their most vital game of the season to date, Spurs must get past bottom side Southampton in the Premier League – and nothing but a win will do for Postecoglou as serious doubts surround his future.

Tottenham ready to move for "elite" Postecoglou replacement after Chelsea loss

The Australian is treading on very thin ice right now.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 4, 2025

The 59-year-old must get supporters back onside and inspire unity once again – a mountainous task for Postecoglou considering his row with the Tottenham away end over Pape Matar Sarr’s introduction during their 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Thursday.

Southampton (home)

April 6th

Wolves (away)

April 13th

Nottingham Forest (home)

April 21st

Liverpool (away)

April 27th

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Following a dismal campaign, with Spurs languishing fairly near the relegation zone after 16 league defeats, reports claim chairman Daniel Levy is in the market for a new manager, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is Tottenham’s top target.

“It’s been a ridiculously challenging season on all fronts and every fan has the right to show their frustration and again,” said Postecoglou on Tottenham’s disappointing 2024/2025.

“I think at times it has overstepped and when it oversteps, I will not stand for it because I am a little bit old school with that, but they have every right.

“I think I said before the game it is up to us to try and find a way to get them back on board with what we’re doing. I still can’t get away from the fact we have a real massive opportunity for ourselves between now and the end of the season.

“I think it would be different if that didn’t exist. It would be a tougher road to navigate, but I am hoping that irrespective of how the fans feel about me, what I’m doing and the project we’ve embarked on, I hope when the games come around, they just get behind the players and the team because they can make an enormous difference.”

Ahead of their clash with the Saints, a report by journalist Dan Kilpatrick has shared how Postecoglou is planning to shape up.

Tottenham to recall Porro whilst dropping Maddison and Son

According to the Standard Sport reporter, Postecoglou will likely completely overhaul his starting eleven and drop key men, with their European bout against Eintracht firmly in the tactician’s thinking.

It is believed the Spurs boss will recall right-back Pedro Porro to the starting lineup versus Southampton, having recently lost his place to the rejuvenated Djed Spence, while big-name duo James Maddison and Son Heung-min will be dropped and rested for Frankfurt.

Criticism has centered on Son this season, with the South Korean megastar failing to replicate his best form this term and talkSPORT pundit Jamie O’Hara questioning his leadership qualities.

“Son Heung-min did not show the demeanour of a captain,” said O’Hara on Son after the defeat to Chelsea.

“Son Heung-min is a player who sets an example, and he did so in the past, but that is no longer enough. Son Heung-min cannot dominate opponents and his sharpness has diminished, failing to make a difference.”

Maddison, meanwhile, has been in and out of the line-up recently despite bagging 11 goals and seven assists this term.

Highest chases in the IPL – RCB's 230 in third place

Big chases bring all the drama and here is a list of five from the IPL that had almost everything

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2025Jonny Bairstow made an unbeaten 108 in a chase of 262•BCCIPunjab Kings 262 for 2
In a season where run-scoring and six-hitting scaled new heights, this clash raised the bar for T20 cricket. The match featured a record 42 sixes and produced the highest successful chase in the format – 262. KKR’s 261 for 6 was powered by a 138-run opening stand between Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, with the middle order adding the finishing touches. In reply, Prabhsimran Singh provided the early thrust before Jonny Bairstow’s fiery hundred and Shashank Singh’s 28-ball 68 sealed the mighty chase with eight balls to spare.Sunrisers Hyderabad 247 for 2
It was Abhishek’s night in Hyderabad. A stroke of luck came early when he was caught on 28, but it turned out to be off a no-ball. Most times, when he hit the ball in the air, it either disappeared into the stands or dropped safely in no man’s land. Occasionally, as is the case when playing such high-risk innings, the ball went in the general direction of a fielder but PBKS weren’t able to hold onto their catches. Abhishek dismantled PBKS’ bowling attack with audacious ease. He stormed to his maiden IPL century in just 40 balls and went on record the highest individual score (141 off 55 balls) by an Indian in IPL history. Head played the perfect supporting act, hammering 66 off 37 in a dominant 171-run opening stand.Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal stitched a match-winning 107 in just 45 balls•Associated PressRoyal Challengers Bengaluru 230 for 4
The night seemed to belong to Rishabh Pant. His blazing 118, off just 61 balls, meant that RCB had to gun down 228 to earn a spot in Qualifier 1 against Punjab Kings. RCB began well, with Kohli and Phil Salt adding 61 inside six overs, but three quick wickets tilted the advantage LSG’s way. Kohli raised a fine half-century, but his dismissal in the 12th over left RCB with 105 runs still to get from just 52 balls. Enter Mayank and Jitesh. While Mayank’s 23-ball 41 was impressive on its own, Jitesh seemed to batting in a different dimension altogether, blasting 85 off 33 balls, with eight fours and six sixes. Will O’Rourke, in particular, came in for some heavy punishment, conceding 74 from his four overs – the third-most expensive spell in IPL history.The game wasn’t without drama from other corners. Jitesh looked to be out at the start of the 17th over, but a back-foot no ball from Digvesh Rathi handed the batter a reprieve. A few moments later, Rathi, before delivering the ball, clipped the stumps at the bowler’s end with Jitesh well sort of his crease. However, the wicket was not given because the umpire deemed that Rathi had completed his delivery stride before he removed the stumps. Pant also asked for the appeal to be withdrawn. In the end, RCB were not to be denied, as Jitesh himself sealed it with a six to send every Bengaluru fan into delirium.Rahul Tewatia was the centre of attention after his spectacular innings against Kings XI in IPL 2020•BCCIRajasthan Royals 226 for 6
With Rajasthan Royals (RR) needing 51 off the final three overs, Rahul Tewatia’s 17 off 23 balls was turning into a disastrous promotion to No. 4. But what followed was one of the most dramatic turnarounds in IPL history. Tewatia smashed five sixes off Sheldon Cottrell’s over. He and Jofra Archer added three more sixes, and a four, in the next nine balls. RR chased down 224 – the highest IPL chase at the time – with three balls to spare. Earlier, Sanju Samson’s 85 off 42 had kept them in the hunt against PBKS.Jos Buttler pulled off a great one-man rescue act for Rajasthan Royals last year•BCCIRajasthan Royals 224 for 8
The standout performer of KKR’s title-winning campaign, Sunil Narine, smashed his maiden T20 century to lift his side to 223 for 6 and then struck with the ball too. With 103 to defend off 46 balls and four wickets remaining for RR, KKR were cruising. But Jos Buttler had other plans. With a strapped-up hamstring that kept him out of the previous game, Buttler single-handedly turned the chase on its head – scoring 70 of the remaining runs, retaining strike for the final 18 balls, and completing the win with five sixes and six fours.The Pandya brothers run to congratulate Kieron Pollard on taking Mumbai home in a chase of 219•BCCI/IPLMumbai Indians 219 for 6
This was one of those chases that cemented Kieron Pollard’s status as Mumbai Indians (MI) saviour. Ambati Rayudu’s blazing 72 off 27 balls had powered CSK to 218 for 4. MI came out swinging in the powerplay but stumbled with three quick wickets. MI needed 125 off the last eight overs with Pollard batting on 2 off 4. Then the tide started turning – he hit three sixes off Ravindra Jadeja, followed by a barrage against the quicks. Cameos from the Pandya brothers helped bring it down to 16 off the final over. Pollard kept strike throughout and sealed the win off the last ball with a nervy, match-winning double.

Reactions to WI missing out on the ODI World Cup – 'How the standards have fallen'

The cricket community reacts to the two-time champions failing to qualify for the ODI World Cup for the first time in their history

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Jul-2023

England's fight fails to mask their failings with bat and ball

Root admits his attack bowled too short and that mistakes were repeated

Andrew Miller20-Dec-2021In the end, England found the will to fight, and dragged the Adelaide Test kicking and screaming into the floodlit session of the fifth and final day. But for all that their 113.1 overs of resistance encouraged a few fleeting thoughts of survival, their all-out total of 192 told a more realistic tale.Not only was it the lowest total of the match, and fewer runs even than England’s eventual margin of defeat, it was also the 11th time in 27 innings this calendar year that England had been bowled out for less than 200.It’s an extraordinary collective failing, especially when you consider that Joe Root, England’s captain, has twice made more runs than that in a single innings this year, en route to his stellar haul of 1630 at 62.69.But with the Boxing Day Test looming in six days’ time, and England already 2-0 down in the Ashes having lost in Australia for the 11th time in 12 matches, Root knows that the lessons of these opening two Tests must be absorbed urgently if they are to avoid this tour heading in the same bleak direction as each of its two predecessors.Related

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“I’m actually very proud of the way that the guys fought today,” Root insisted. “The attitude, the desire – that’s how we need to go about whole Test matches. You can’t just leave it to the last day and expect to pull off an enormous feat, which is what it would have been today.”After the agonies, literal and otherwise, of his final-over dismissal on the fourth evening, Root was particularly pleased for Jos Buttler, England’s embattled wicketkeeper, whose glaring errors behind the stumps had been compounded by his duck in the first innings.Buttler avoided a pair on the final day when his counterpart, Alex Carey, blemished an otherwise superb display by failing to react to an early edge off Mitchell Starc, but seized on that let-off with a doughty 26 from 207 balls – the second-longest innings of his career, behind his century against Pakistan in 2020.”Jos’s innings was outstanding,” Root said, “ably supported by others, Woakesy [Chris Woakes] in particular. But ultimately that is the attitude and the mentality that we have to harness for five days if we’re going to win here.”The disappointing thing about this week is that we made the same mistakes as last week,” Root added. “We just can’t afford to do that. That’s going to be the most frustrating thing about this game, looking back.”Buttler’s innings ended in bizarre fashion, as he stepped back to steer Jhye Richardson into the covers and trod on his own wicket, 12 balls into the final session of the game. And while Root admitted that the team had been “devastated for him” after such a committed effort, he said that the strength of character Buttler had shown was reminiscent of his crucial half-century in the 2019 World Cup final – the sort of big-game mentality for which he had been recalled to the Test team in the first place.”Anyone that can handle a World Cup final – read the situation of the game, and be as composed as he was throughout that – can manage situations like this one within a Test match,” Root said. “He should gain a huge amount of confidence from the way he played today, not just in performing out here in these conditions but in his defence. Hopefully he can take a lot from this into the rest of this series.”Joe Root reflects on another heavy defeat•PA Images via Getty ImagesWhile England’s batting was a recognised concern coming into this Test, Root acknowledged that the bowling had been every bit as culpable in Australia’s first innings. Despite reuniting England’s senior seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad with a view to exploiting the purported movement of the pink ball, the lengths from all of England’s five quicks were consistently too short to target Australia’s outside edges, as they racked up a formidable 473 for 9 declared.”We need to be braver, and we need to get the ball up there,” Root said. “We were a little bit short with the ball. We didn’t challenge them enough, and they left very well again, which was something that they did in Brisbane as well.”Having witnessed Australia’s success with a fuller length in their own first innings of 236, England’s quicks fared better second time around, particularly on the fourth morning when three wickets tumbled in the first hour. “That’s almost the benchmark for us,” Root said. “We need to look at those passages of play, and do them for longer, and exploit the conditions as well as we did in that period of the game.”Overall, however, England were outbatted, outbowled, and outfielded on a consistent basis from the first ball to last.”That’s the game,” Root said. “You have to be able to put the ball in the right areas for long enough, you have to be able to score big runs, and when you create those chances you have to take them.”I think the frustration within our dressing room is that we did not quite execute very basic things well enough for the second game in a row. First of all, we need to learn, and we need to learn fast. We can’t make the same mistakes that we have done so far.”Despite the 2-0 scoreline, and the knowledge that no England team has ever fought back from such a deficit to win the Ashes, Root remained adamant that all is not lost, and that the gulf between the teams need not be as big as it has seemed in the first two Tests.”With the bat, we have got the ability,” he said. “I don’t think that Australia are that much better than us in these conditions. We are better than how we’ve played and we’ll front up in Melbourne, and put in a performance which is a fairer reflection of the ability in our dressing-room.”We’ve got three massive games with the Ashes on the line now. And if that’s not motivation enough to go there and put performances in, I don’t know what is.”

Tigers President Says He Doesn’t Believe in Untouchable Players Amid Tarik Skubal Rumors

The Tigers have some decisions to make, none bigger than the organization’s plans for back-to-back Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.

Does Detroit go all in on making a World Series push in Skubal’s last year before he hits free agency? Make a trade now to garner assets should the big righthander decide to walk, perhaps? Or, can the Tigers try to extend him although he’s likely to see the richest contract ever for a pitcher next offseason?

Quite the conundrum, which Tigers brass have been close to silent on when asked. President of baseball operations Scott Harris spoke at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings and although he would not discuss the Skubal rumors directly, he provided an interesting response when asked about the organization’s strategy regarding outside offers with a decision ahead.

“The clearest way I can answer that is I don’t believe in untouchable players at any level,” Harris said via MLB Network. “It’s not a commentary on Tarik, it’s more of a blanket approach to building a winning organization. My job is to make this organization better, which means that I need to listen to every opportunity no matter how likely or unlikely it is to actually happen. I got to listen because we got to get better as an organization. That’s our approach, we don’t have everything figured out, but it’s led to a ton of success in a very short period of time.”

Harris was asked about Skubal’s future directly, where he wouldn’t discuss or speculate on trades for his ace or any other players. You can listen to his comments in full below:

He left plenty open for interpretation, but the fact that the Tigers will listen to trade offers surrounding Skubal (or any player for that matter) will make some ears perk up. That doesn’t mean Detroit will deal debatably the best pitcher in baseball, but the front office won’t hang up as Skubal consistently hears his name in rumors.

The Tigers have made the playoffs two years in a row and dealing the dominant ace would certainly change things heading into next season. A move that sends Skubal elsewhere would be shocking and a tough pill for Tigers fans to swallow. But, as he enters his last season under team control, letting Skubal walk for nothing but draft compensation would be tough to swallow, too.

With only one year left on his deal, it’s tough to see Skubal netting a massive haul on the trade market. However, maybe another team is willing to give up a considerable amount to bring in one of baseball’s premier starters if there’s a strong chance of retaining him once his contract expires.

Whether Skubal is truly available remains to be seen. What’s certain, though, is Harris will listen once the phone rings.

O'Neill must drop Celtic flop who had fewer touches than Schmeichel vs Hibs

Celtic are back in Scottish Premiership action once again this evening as they prepare to welcome Dundee to Parkhead for Martin O’Neill’s last game in charge.

The 73-year-old manager has confirmed that the match will be his last as the interim boss before Wilfried Nancy is in post ahead of the clash with Hearts at the weekend.

Celtic won 2-1 away at Hibernian in his final away game in the dugout for the Hoops, but the experienced Northern Irishman may want to make some changes to the starting line-up from that win.

Celtic's best performers against Hibernian

Among the players who should keep their place in the XI after that game against Hibs is goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who only gave possession away 11 times from 54 touches and saved all three of the shots against him from open play, per Sofascore.

Celtic’s number one made a couple of impressive close-range saves towards the end of the game and completed all three of his run-outs to clear the ball to preserve all three points, whilst it would be incredibly harsh to criticise him for not saving Martin Boyle’s penalty.

The two goalscorers, Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels, should also retain their positions in the line-up, along with Reo Hatate and Hyun-jun Yang, who set up the goals.

Whilst Yang was not officially credited with an assist for Engels’ goal, the clip above clearly shows that it was his cross that was slightly deflected into the Belgian’s path.

Liam Scales, despite being harshly penalised for a handball, should also keep his place after winning eight of his 12 duels, per Sofascore, and completing 95% of his attempted passes.

Meanwhile, there were a couple of players whose performances may lead to them dropping out of the line-up, including right-sided attacker Luke McCowan, who should be dropped this evening.

Why O'Neill should drop McCowan today

The Scottish central midfielder has been utilised on the right wing in recent weeks, in the absence of any natural options in that position, and he started there against Hibernian on Sunday.

Unfortunately, the left-footed star was unable to deliver a high-quality performance to suggest that he deserves to keep his place in the team heading into O’Neill’s final game against Dundee.

McCowan, who was signed from Dundee in the summer of 2024, played the opening 63 minutes of the clash with Hibernian, before the manager opted to bring Benjamin Nygren on out wide.

Minutes

63

Touches

34

Shots

0

Key passes

1

Big chances created

0

Goals + assists

0

Duels won

1/4

As you can see in the table above, the 27-year-old flop had fewer touches in the game than Schmeichel, a goalkeeper, and failed to make much of an impact at the top end of the pitch.

The experienced midfielder also lost 75% of his physical duels in the win, per Sofascore, which shows that he found the physicality of the game a bit too much to deal with whilst playing on the right wing.

McCowan provided quality on a regular basis in the final third in the 2024/25 campaign, with a return of eight goals and eight assists in 36 league outings for Dundee and Celtic combined, but he has been unable to carry that into the current season.

The Hoops midfielder has not provided an assist in the Premiership since O’Neill’s first game in charge against Falkirk, and his only goal of the league season came against St Mirren on the opening day at the start of August.

This shows that McCowan has not provided much of a threat at the top end of the pitch for the Scottish giants in recent months, which may be why the experiment of playing him on the wing has not been too successful.

It is also why O’Neill should ruthlessly drop him from the starting line-up for tonight’s clash with his former club, opening the door for Nygren to start on the wing instead of in central midfield.

Celtic flop who was "really shaky" v Hibs is the first player Nancy must bin

This Celtic flop is the first player who should be sold by incoming manager Wilfried Nancy in January.

ByDan Emery Nov 30, 2025

The Sweden international has scored seven goals in all competitions for Celtic this season, including five in the Premiership, per Sofascore, and he may carry more of a threat than McCowan did from the start against Hibernian on Sunday.

Bartlett, Sandhu dismantle Victoria under Gabba lights as pink-ball wickets tumble

The Sheffield Shield leaders were blown away in the night session after Bartlett had also made vital runs

AAP25-Nov-2025

Xavier Bartlett had an excellent day with bat and ball•Getty Images

Queensland quicks Xavier Bartlett and Gurinder Sandhu starred with bat and ball to secure a seven-wicket win over previously undefeated Victoria.Bartlett struck a bold and brisk 72 off 91 deliveries, his highest first-class score, before bowling with venom and control to claim 4 for 35 on day three of the day-night pink-ball clash at the Gabba.Related

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Chaudhary stars with maiden first-class hundred in Tasmania's 623

McSweeney, Buckingham put South Australia in charge

Player of the match Sandhu, who had made 33 in a 69-run eighth wicket stand with Bartlett, bowled a magnificent spell highlighted by three wickets in one over where he removed the dangerous Matt Short and then Fergus O’Neill and Will Sutherland for ducks.The tall right-arm seamer got the ball to talk under lights and his 5 for 23 was just reward for what was a lethal exhibition of pace in the top of the table Sheffield Shield showdown.Queensland resumed day three on 352 for 7 before a fierce storm took the players off. They were all out for 430, a first innings lead of 112, before ripping through Victoria for just 143.Victoria were 114 for 4 before Bartlett and Sandhu ignited a collapse with the last six wickets falling for just 29 runs.The drama wasn’t over as Queensland lost three quick wickets before reaching their target after the umpires extended play beyond 10.30pm (AEST). That was after an hour had already been added for the rain delay.  The match finished at 10.46pm, the latest Queensland officials could remember in the past 20 years.Bartlett was full of appreciation for Sandhu after the win.”He’s obviously a seasoned campaigner and knows how to keep his cool. That was probably one thing that sticks out when we were batting and bowling together,” Bartlett told AAP. “It was an amazing spell from him, the triple-wicket maiden was unbelievable.”I love bowling with him. He always keeps the scoreboard down and creates pressure and that makes my job at the other end easier. I love my batting too and try and add wherever I can in all facets of the game, so I want to keep improving that.”Burgeoning allrounder Bartlett, fresh from scoring 50 against Western Australia, struck seven boundaries and one towering six over midwicket in an innings that justified his No. 7 position in the batting order.He made 57 in the corresponding day-night match against Victoria last season, displaying the batting acumen that he has fine-tuned in club cricket for Gold Coast Dolphins, where he has scored centuries.It was with the ball that Bartlett fired up after he was the last man out. He dismissed Campbell Kellaway with a leg-side strangle before a cracking late swinging delivery trapped Peter Handscomb in front.His opening spell of 2 for 10 off seven overs, with four maidens, showcased the high quality seam that has made him one of Australia’s standout performers in ODI and T20Is.Victoria slumped to 11 for 3 in the twilight zone when batting was at its most difficult. Marcus Harris summed up how tough batting was when he went to the short break on 2 from 47 deliveries. He was given a working over by Sandhu, who eventually dismissed him for a torturous 14.

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