Category Sports News

In the aftermath of Rangers’ narrow win over Hibernian, former striker and coach Billy Dodds said: “This is turning into a fascinating title race with how many teams are involved in it.”

When Danny Rohl was appointed as Rangers head coach on 20 October, a title race was one of the furthest things from their fans’ mind.

They were still recovering from watching their former boss Russell Martin get bundled into the back of a getaway car at Falkirk following a 1-1 draw which left them eighth in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points off leaders Hearts and just four points above bottom side Aberdeen.

In between that embarrassment and the German’s unveiling, Steven Smith oversaw a 2-2 meet with Dundee United that left Rangers 13 points adrift of the summit.

Their latest win on Monday, the sixth since Rohl came in, moved the Ibrox side up to third and nine points off Hearts – who they visit on Sunday – with a game in hand.

“Rangers deserved the win, they’re putting a run together now,” Dodds said on BBC Sportsound.

“It’s a vital three points, they were pragmatic how they went about it.

It was far from a magic Monday under the Ibrox lights. Much more, get the job done and up the road.

But Rangers will, rightly, take that all day long for now.

For much of the first half, they were second best to a Hibs side who came flying out the traps before taking fright at the sight of the final third.

David Gray’s side built from the back in abundance, exploited the swathes of space their hosts allowed them in midfield, but yanked the handbrake in the face of a Rangers defence who were there to be tested.

It was “the theme of the night” which frustrated Gray, who was looking to guide Hibs to back-to-back league wins in Govan for the first time since 2018, but something which the Ibrox side capitalised upon.

When Emmanuel Fernandez flicked on from Dujon Sterling’s sublime cross, it was an action completely against the run of play.

It didn’t quite light a spark among the Rangers ranks, but it provided them with something to protect, which they ended up doing so with relatively little fuss.

“It was not always the nicest football but we are finding a way to win games,” Rohl told BBC Scotland after his side secured a fifth clean sheet.

“I’d like us to be more clinical. I’m happy with the points but, of course, we have to improve. It’s step by step and for me it’s about winning games.

It is a win that sets up a humdinger of a match with Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday.

Derek McInnes’ league leaders had lost their way a little, but a statement victory over Celtic, backed up by a gritty win against Falkirk in horrendous conditions at the weekend re-emphasised their title credentials.

When the sides last met in September, Hearts’ victory at Ibrox – their first since 2014 – moved them three points clear at the top of the table as Martin became the first Ibrox manager to fail to win any of his first five league games in 47 years.

The mood music has changed a bit around Rangers since then thanks to the stability and pragmatism Rohl has brought to the club, at least in the league, where he remains unbeaten.

Seldom does he speak to the media without mentioning the need to take “a step forward” no matter how big or small.

Should they leave Gorgie with points in tow, though, it will be something of a leap.

“We have to be brave,” Rohl added. “When we play forward instead of backwards, then I think we have more than enough quality to hurt all opponents in the league.

“Let’s see [how Sunday’s game goes].

“We make it a good game, put all the effort in and everyone knows what’s in the game.

Alex: First and foremost is to win. Performances come next. Achieving wins generates confidence as well. Rather get win playing poorly than losing and playing well.

Alastair: Don’t quite know what to say to that, horrible to watch but keep on winning. Given I cheered anti-football all the way to the UEFA Cup final, I guess I need to find a way to accept our new normal and get behind what’s happening at the big house.

Gavin: Scrappy game, but Danny Rohl’s Rangers keep rolling on. He keeps on winning, and that’s all that matters. No whiteboard needed, just a level head.

Derek: Three points but another slow, lethargic performance. Where is all this fast flowing attacking football? On a positive note, good to see Dujon Sterling back, a great clearance off the line, then a quality cross for goal. Onwards and upwards.

Manchester City will target Marc Guehi next summer, Daniel Munoz is being watched by three Premier League clubs, while Manchester United will try to sign Conor Gallagher in January.

Manchester City are targeting Crystal Palace’s 25-year-old England defender Marc Guehi as the man to lead an overhaul of their defence next season. (Times – subscription required)

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are monitoring Colombia wing-back Daniel Munoz but Crystal Palace have no desire to sell the 29-year-old. (Caught Offside)

Manchester United will try to sign Atletico Madrid’s England midfielder Conor Gallagher, 25, in the January transfer window. (Teamtalk)

Bournemouth’s USA midfielder Tyler Adams, 26, has been mentioned at Manchester United as a possible target in January or next summer. (Mail)

Napoli and 10 clubs in the Premier League are interested in signing 20-year-old England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo but senior figures at Manchester United are uneasy about him leaving. (Telegraph – subscription required)

The father of Bayern Munich’s 16-year-old German defender Cassiano Kiala flew to London last week for talks with Chelsea and Manchester City. (Mirror)

Arsenal are interested in AC Milan’s 20-year-old Italian goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani. (Gazzetta – in Italian)

Newcastle could recall 30-year-old English defender Matt Targett from his loan at Middlesbrough following an injury to 33-year-old England defender Dan Burn. (The I)

AC Milan have reached a basic agreement with Niclas Fullkrug, 32, and hope to complete a deal with West Ham for the Germany striker as soon as possible. (Calcio Mercato – in Italian)

Milan will put forward a loan with option to buy offer for Fullkrug but the deal may not suit West Ham’s demands. (Mail)

Mauricio Pochettino, Oliver Glasner and Marco Silva are on Tottenham’s shortlist to replace manager Thomas Frank if the club decide to part ways with the Danish manager. (Caught Offside)

Manchester City have no desire to sell 23-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford in January amid interest from Wolves. (Football Insider)

Liverpool remain in talks with French defender Ibrahima Konate over a new contract and will not sell the 26-year-old in January even though he is able to free to talk to clubs next month. (Teamtalk)

Few coaches have influenced football as significantly as Pep Guardiola.

From Mikel Arteta leading Arsenal to the top of the Premier League, to Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich dominating the Bundesliga, the Catalan counts some of the game’s finest managers among his proteges.

Another two of his disciples, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca and Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, will be reunited when their teams meet in an EFL Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.

Barry-Murphy succeeded Maresca as manager of the Manchester City Elite Development Squad in 2021, with the Italian rejoining the club as Guardiola’s first-team assistant coach a year later.

The two had a season together in Manchester before Maresca was appointed Leicester City boss, guiding the Foxes to Premier League promotion in his first season.

Coincidentally, Barry-Murphy then also followed Maresca to Leicester, albeit six months after the former Sevilla midfielder had left to take the top job at Chelsea.

Two years into Maresca’s tenure at Stamford Bridge – and at a turbulent time for the Italian – he takes his Club World Cup champions to League One leaders Cardiff.

“He [Barry-Murphy] is doing a great job. They are top of the league, they are playing nice football and winning games,” says Maresca.

Maresca has endured a fraught few days at Chelsea. The 45-year-old described the 48 hours before Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton as the “worst” of his reign, a cryptic but apparently pointed remark aimed at his club’s owners.

While Maresca was irked to be asked to clarify those comments on Monday, the mood was decidedly more relaxed at Cardiff City Stadium, where Barry-Murphy fielded questions about his friendship and working relationship with his Chelsea counterpart.

“He’s always been there for me and his staff, my admiration for him and his staff is obvious,” said Barry-Murphy.

“He’s a brilliant guy, my wife is a huge fan. Sometimes I think she prefers him to me. She’s a big fan of his wife and children, I should add.

“But when the game comes around, you have to be able to also compete against a club like Chelsea and understand that ourselves, we’re a very, very big club with a huge support base and trying to give those fans something to feel exhilarated by tomorrow.

“I think he’s the coach of the highest calibre, and he’s proven that in the short time he’s been there. He’s obviously taken lessons in the Premier League and now done an incredible job with Chelsea.”

Although they are operating at different levels, there are similarities in the ways that Maresca and Barry-Murphy see the game.

Like Guardiola, both men want their teams to dominate and attack, often by controlling possession and playing expansively.

The obvious difference on Tuesday will be that Maresca will have at his disposal a squad of enviable depth which won the Uefa Conference League and Club World Cup earlier this year, while Cardiff are playing in the third tier of English football for the first time in 22 years, albeit successfully.

“I think he has a very clear idea how he wants to see the game played. I think we all have different parts that make us all individual,” says Barry-Murphy.

It is not only Maresca who Barry-Murphy will know in the opposition dugout at Cardiff City Stadium, the Irishman having coached several Chelsea players at their previous clubs.

“It’s a little bit unusual because of the crossover between the amount of players who’ve been at Manchester City and even back in the day at Rochdale, where I was manager of Robert Sanchez, or he managed me. No, I love him,” Barry-Murphy jokes.

“I was at Leicester last season and Facundo Buonanotte was there, brilliant player on loan from Brighton. Then there’s Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap – who’s suspended – at Manchester City. All those guys, unusual connection.”

Maresca has promised to make changes for this game, given Chelsea’s Premier League and Champions League commitments.

No matter how much he rotates his squad, though, Chelsea will still be overwhelming favourites, even if that tag does not sit easily.

“These are the worst games,” says Maresca. “Football is full of these kinds of games where the favourite one, they can lose.

“That’s why the focus has to be on Cardiff.”

For Cardiff, there is nothing to lose.

Four points clear at the top of League One, playing attractive football with a team packed full of local young talent and welcoming former Champions League winners to their home on Tuesday, the Bluebirds have rediscovered their joy this season.

“The biggest thing always I learned from the players is there’s different spells in my career where an occasion like tomorrow night was quite a daunting task,” says Barry-Murphy.

“You think about the difficulties you may face, but the young players here have got no fear.

“They really attack every single situation that they come up against and try and overcome every obstacle.

Holders Chelsea have been handed a home tie against second-tier Crystal Palace in the draw for the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

Six-time winners Chelsea beat Manchester United 3-0 in last season’s final to secure a domestic treble, while Palace were relegated from the Women’s Super League (WSL).

League leaders Manchester City travel to third-tier leaders Bournemouth, while 14-time winners Arsenal host fellow WSL side Aston Villa.

Arsenal’s north London rivals Tottenham also play an all-WSL tie at home to Leicester City, while Manchester United face third-tier Burnley.

London City Lionesses face a trip to WSL 2 side Sunderland, while Brighton host second-tier Nottingham Forest.

Charlton Athletic v Swindon Town

AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United

Oxford United v Middlesbrough

Chatham Town v York City

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Manchester United v Burnley

Southampton v Bristol City

London Bees v Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City

Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Newcastle United v West Ham United

Sunderland v London City Lionesses

West Bromwich Albion v Everton