Celtic have identified Robbie Keane as the leading candidate to become their permanent manager at the end of the current season following Martin O’Neill’s interim tenure.
The 45-year-old is highly regarded by the Scottish Premiership club’s hierarchy as they prepare to restructure their football operations.
The former Republic of Ireland striker has built a strong coaching reputation during an impressive two-year spell with Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros.
His current side are on course to secure back-to-back domestic league titles and recently reached the Europa League round of 16.
Return to Glasgow
The potential appointment would mark an emotional return to Celtic Park for the former forward, who previously enjoyed a prolific loan spell in Scotland.
During the second half of the 2010-11 campaign, he registered a remarkable 16 goals in just 19 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Glasgow giants anticipate significant competition for his signature from several other British clubs.
Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have also been credited with an interest in bringing their former player back to North London to resolve their own managerial uncertainty.
Alternative managerial targets
According to reports from the Guardian, the reigning Scottish champions have compiled a comprehensive shortlist of alternatives should they fail to land their primary target.
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy is understood to be heavily admired by the Celtic board.
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou has also emerged as a viable candidate following his commendable work within the Scottish top flight.
Harry Wilson has handed Wales a major boost by declaring himself fit for their crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina later this month.
The Fulham midfielder missed his club’s previous two matches after sustaining an ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the 28-year-old has now resumed full training ahead of a potential Premier League return against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
“I’m good. I had a bit of a knock after the Spurs game, which took a week or so to go, but I’m back training now, so I’m hoping I’ll be good to go for Sunday and definitely good to go for the Wales games,” Wilson told BBC Sport Wales.
Crucial role in international setup
Craig Bellamy’s side will host Bosnia-Herzegovina in Cardiff on Thursday, 26 March.
A victory would see the Dragons face either Italy or Northern Ireland five days later for a guaranteed place at this summer’s World Cup.
The dynamic playmaker has been instrumental for his country recently, netting a hat-trick during a 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia last November.
He has scored 12 of his 17 career international goals across the past three years.
Transfer speculation surrounds expiring contract
The Welsh international has also enjoyed a sparkling domestic campaign, registering nine goals and six assists for the Cottagers.
His current deal in London expires at the end of the season, meaning he could depart on a free transfer this summer.
Both Aston Villa and Everton have shown strong interest, with the Toffees having a formal bid rejected in February.
“It happens when players are in good form or their contract is coming to an end. I think that’s natural talk but I don’t try and listen to that,” he added.
“I don’t want any distractions. My job is to play football.”
“The contracts and transfer talk comes with that, but I try and leave that to my agent, especially with big games coming up. That’s all I want to be focused on.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today to face two additional counts of rape following authorisation by the Crown Prosecution Service.
The new charges against the player relate to allegations made by a fourth complainant who contacted the Metropolitan Police in August 2025.
These non-recent offences are alleged to have taken place in 2020, predating the incidents cited in his previous legal proceedings.
Total allegations reach eight
Following these latest developments, the Ghana international now faces a total of eight charges involving four different women.
The comprehensive charge sheet comprises seven counts of rape alongside one count of sexual assault.
In July 2025, the former Premier League star was originally charged with six offences relating to three women.
Those initial allegations were said to have occurred during a period between 2021 and 2022.
Denials and bail conditions
Through his legal representatives, the midfielder has consistently denied all allegations.
His defence team maintains that he has fully cooperated with police throughout the multi-year investigation.
The player currently remains on conditional bail, which permits him to continue his professional football career in Spain.
Upcoming trial scheduled
These bail terms also allow him to represent his national team, provided he notifies authorities of his travel arrangements and strictly avoids any contact with the complainants.
While today’s hearing specifically addresses the newest allegations, a broader legal process is already well underway.
A full trial concerning the original six counts is firmly scheduled to commence at Southwark Crown Court on 2 November 2026.
Ollie Watkins scored his first goal in eight matches as Aston Villa secured a crucial 1-0 away victory over Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The decisive moment at Stade Pierre-Mauroy arrived just after the hour mark when Emiliano Buendia flicked on Ezri Konsa’s lofted pass.
Watkins showed immense composure to lift a header over advancing goalkeeper Berke Ozer and break his recent scoring drought.
Amadou Onana almost doubled the English side’s advantage moments later, but the Belgian midfielder saw his curling effort strike the woodwork.
Emery reaches managerial milestone
The hard-fought triumph in France marked Unai Emery’s 100th victory since taking charge of the Midlands club.
It provides a much-needed confidence boost for the Premier League outfit after suffering three defeats in their last four domestic outings.
The visitors had to weather sustained pressure from the hosts during the closing stages of the first half before establishing control.
“We played very seriously,” Emery told VillaTV.
Respecting European opposition
“We were always organised and we played trying to defend strongly, trying to get some transition with the ball and to dominate with the ball – and we did it,” the 52-year-old manager explained.
The former Arsenal and Paris St-Germain boss emphasised the necessity of acknowledging the threat posed by continental rivals.
“We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match in Europe, away, and how it is for the English teams,” he added.
Emery admitted his team did not create an abundance of chances but praised their clinical response to the pre-match tactical plan.
Crucial domestic test awaits
Despite taking a slender advantage into next week’s second leg at Villa Park, the defensive unit remains wary of complacency.
“That was a victory we really needed,” Konsa told the Uefa website.
“It hasn’t been going too well for us the last couple of months but we showed what we are all about today,” the centre-back added.
The squad must now quickly refocus their attention towards a vital top-four clash against Manchester United on Sunday.
“We got the goal and got the win but we are not going to get too comfortable,” Konsa warned.
“We have to focus on next week now and finishing the job.”
Arsenal are preparing formal contract offers for German internationals Leon Goretzka and Julian Brandt ahead of potential summer free transfers.
The North London club are looking to subtly shift their usual recruitment strategy by adding highly experienced players to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Securing the pair without a transfer fee would allow the Gunners to preserve vital funds for a marquee signing on the left wing.
Midfield reinforcements targeted
Goretzka has fallen down the pecking order at Bayern Munich under head coach Vincent Kompany.
The 29-year-old midfielder is widely expected to depart the Allianz Arena when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
Brandt remains a pivotal figure for Borussia Dortmund, but the versatile playmaker is understood to be seeking a fresh challenge in the Premier League.
Their arrivals would provide crucial depth in central areas, where the manager has struggled to rotate key personnel due to mixed success with recent midfield acquisitions.
Experience vital for title ambitions
Arsenal are currently chasing their first Premier League crown in 22 years while competing on multiple domestic and European fronts.
Arteta’s side also face a pivotal Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen, following a tense 1-1 draw in the first encounter.
Adding seasoned European veterans is viewed as the necessary next step to help a youthful squad handle the rigorous demands of challenging for major honours.
Brandt’s arrival could alleviate the creative burden, allowing promising academy graduates like Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman to organically assume more first-team responsibility.
Strategic shift at the Emirates
Recent transfer windows have seen Arsenal focus heavily on acquiring players approaching their physical peak or highly-rated youth prospects.
However, the club’s recruitment team are now actively prioritising proven quality and leadership.
Both the former Schalke dynamo and the Dortmund creator are expected to feature prominently for Germany at the forthcoming World Cup.
The club are reportedly working diligently behind the scenes to ensure the duo arrive in London immediately after their international commitments conclude.
Phil Foden has been relegated to a peripheral role at Manchester City in recent weeks amid a severe drop in form and tactical shifts from manager Pep Guardiola.
The England international has started just four of his club’s past 12 matches across all competitions.
He remained an unused substitute on Wednesday during a crushing 3-0 Champions League defeat by Real Madrid.
In the Premier League, the 25-year-old has featured for a mere 182 minutes over the last six fixtures.
Guardiola has instead favoured January arrival Antoine Semenyo, summer signing Rayan Cherki and Brazilian winger Savinho.
The academy graduate has failed to find the net since mid-December, following a brief purple patch of six goals in five games.
Tactical shift leaves playmaker behind
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes a change in playing style is responsible for the reduced game time.
Rooney suggests the reigning champions are moving away from patient possession to adopt a more direct approach.
“They’ve gone a bit more dynamic with Semenyo and Cherki. It looks at times a little bit more physical, a bit more direct when they get the ball, running at defenders.”
The former England captain added that this physical transition may not suit the Stockport-born star.
Semenyo, acquired from Bournemouth for £64m, has played almost every league minute since his winter arrival.
Alongside Cherki and versatile youngster Nico O’Reilly, the new attacking contingent have contributed 17 goals since their sidelined colleague last scored.
Defensive lapses and hidden injuries
Frustrations appeared to boil over during a recent 2-2 league draw with Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium.
The reigning PFA Player of the Year was heavily criticised for failing to track Elliot Anderson before the visitors equalised.
Guardiola ruthlessly substituted the struggling attacker just 65 seconds after that costly defensive lapse.
However, former City midfielder Michael Brown suspects an underlying physical issue might be a contributing factor.
“We don’t always know everything. He could be carrying a knock or a particular injury that they have to protect and he can’t get to the level in training.”
Brown pondered how a vital squad member goes from playing every match to hardly seeing any minutes.
Falling short of spectacular standards
Statistical analysis highlights a sharp decline in goal involvements per 90 minutes compared to previous campaigns.
The six-time Premier League winner was instrumental during the historic Treble-winning season in 2022-23.
He followed that up with 19 goals and eight assists last term to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive domestic crown.
Despite already claiming 17 major club honours, the decorated forward now faces a crucial battle to reclaim his starting spot.
With a World Cup looming on the horizon, regaining match fitness and form will be vital for his international prospects.
Norwegian winger Guro Reiten has left Chelsea to join American side Gotham FC, ending a highly successful six-year spell in West London that yielded 13 major trophies.
The 31-year-old arrived from LSK Kvinner in 2019 and secured the Women’s Super League title in every season she played for the club.
During her 207 appearances for the Blues, the international forward scored 59 goals while collecting four FA Cups and three League Cups.
Emotional farewell to West London
“Everything has an end and this is my end here at Chelsea,” a tearful Reiten said in a video posted on the club’s website.
“I still remember Emma [Hayes] called me six-and-a-half years ago, convinced me to join the club and I was terrified. Scared that I wasn’t good enough, scared to move away from my family.”
“Little did I know I was going to get a new family here because it has been all about the people and the ones that have been with me on this journey.”
Reduced role and a move to America
Despite being a crucial part of the squad under former manager Hayes, the winger has found her game time significantly restricted since Sonia Bompastor took charge in May 2024.
The highly decorated attacker has managed just three WSL starts this term as the six-time defending champions struggle to retain their crown, currently sitting nine points behind leaders Manchester City.
This transfer will initially see the player move to New York-based Gotham on loan until her current contract expires in July.
Following the conclusion of that loan spell, she will sign a permanent deal with the National Women’s Soccer League franchise running until 2029.
A warm reception in the United States
A statement from her former employers thanked her for her massive contribution to their recent era of dominance and wished her well in the United States.
“Guro is a player of exceptional quality who has consistently performed at the highest levels of the game,” said Yael Averbuch West, general manager of soccer operations at Gotham.
England manager Thomas Tuchel believes adopting a direct, physical Premier League style will make the national team favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.
The newly appointed head coach intends to break from recent international traditions by injecting high-intensity club tactics into his squad.
“We will inject a little bit of club football into federation football.”
That was the immediate response from the 51-year-old German when questioned about his stylistic intent during his inaugural media address.
Following historical trends
Recent history suggests that international tournaments are often won by nations reflecting the dominant tactical trends of their era.
Italy claimed the 2006 tournament through a rigid, pragmatic defensive structure that mirrored the conservative club football of that decade.
Four years later, Spain conquered the globe using a possession-heavy system heavily influenced by Pep Guardiola’s iconic Barcelona side.
Embracing the modern zeitgeist
The current global football landscape is defined by vertical, dynamic, and heavily transition-based systems.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss believes leaning into this aggressive domestic identity provides a massive strategic advantage.
The Premier League is a very physical league, a very direct league. We should be proud enough of the culture and the style of English football and the English league to implement this.
By fully embracing the characteristics of the English top division, the Three Lions are now uniquely positioned to dictate the tactical direction of the upcoming tournament in North America.