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Celtic motor but still long road ahead for Rodgers

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There is a career in the motor trade beckoning if Brendan Rodgers’ football management saga doesn’t work out.

The Celtic manager had replaced the ringing of boos at full-time with the chilly Sunday at Dens Park when his defeated Celtic team was compared to a Honda Civic. Honda Civic drivers are not offended.

There is no way you’ll enter a race and say, “I want you to drive it like a Ferrari,” when given the keys to a Honda Civic. He claimed that it won’t occur.

Rodgers has repeatedly made it clear that his team, which he has publicly exposed as a misfiring Celtic team, is not up to the standard he would want for a domestic and European assault.

To Thursday, then. a new game a second news conference following the game. The dreaded Honda Civic is mentioned once more.

However, thanks to a stirring 2-1 comeback victory over Sturm Graz in the Europa League, his team had now advanced to becoming a Range Rover Sport.

Rodgers grinned and said, “We weren’t quite the Ferrari, but I’ll choose a Range Rover sport.” “We can’t possibly get any Morris Minors in the performance.” Not to say that they’re bad cars.

    • 18 June 2023

“Sometimes you have to be harsh and direct,” says the saying.

This game had the wheels threatened to properly come off for Celtic, in order to avoid one final car reference.

A difficult tie that, at half-time, brought on a palpable sense of angst in addition to the ominous anticipation that drew spectators to the contest.

A team that had been aiming for the Champions League this season with just one goal and one point from two Europa League games isn’t doing much.

Rodgers’ public dissatisfaction with his team has heightened his concern about the pre-game misgivings. Before getting to the underwhelming league campaign, which has them five points behind Hearts as the leader.

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The Parkhead screen will now click round in 26 minutes. Due to a hirped injury, Kelechi Iheanacho. A Tomi Horvat thunderbolt has defeated Kaspar Schmeichel from close range.

After two months out injured, right-back Alistair Johnston is recovering from a ball that is headed in his own goal. He runs away with a grimace and a leg cramp.

At this point, Celtic’s strength and character would be put to the test. They handled it well, in contrast to the weekend.

The first wave of relief, which was provided by Liam Scales, did not arrive until the 61st minute. Three minutes later, Benjamin Nygren’s strike put Rodgers’ side on the verge of redemption.

The Celtic boss made the comments following the match on Sunday that were “always harsh and clear. “And I hope you get that response,” the woman said.

These players are aware of my constant companionship. I dedicate my life to improving this team and advancing the club. It wasn’t good enough over the weekend.

Before the game, I told the players, “We really need to show leadership now.” When those players are under pressure, in my opinion, they advance.

Celtic “finds a way to turn things around”

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What was the difference between Celtic and Celtic?

The transformative approach to Celtic’s attack was the key to their victory.

In their previous five games, only four goals had been scored. That Morris Minor could have scored five times on the way to Tayside and back without scoring at Dundee.

It almost resembled the Celtic of the past when Sturm was defeated, especially in the second half. Almost . Twenty-seven shots were made on target, and 136 were final third passes. 4.24 expected goals (xG), the highest total for any team in the tournament this season.

Down the left, the majority of the joy was found. The full-back who hasn’t shown any signs of his rampage since returning to Arsenal was given permission to advance. Sebastian Tounetki and Reo Hatate also made their way there.

Celtic heat mapOpta

The performance by Arne Engels may have been one of the other important factors. The man has only started a third of his games this year, which is reported to have cost £11 million last year.

He had a lasting impact on the Austrians, allowing five chances to pass and providing an assist in eight crosses.

Former Celtic defender Johan Mjallby told TNT Sports, “I’m really happy for Arne Engels especially because it was great to see him back and playing really well.”

Celtic’s portrayal of the character was truly impressive. Given the club’s atmosphere, early injuries, and goal-loss, they could have easily caved in. But they persevered despite all their panic.

However, no one at Celtic will or ought to be getting carried away. Even though it could have been a scorching night, it wasn’t a flawless performance, and the ghosts of Dens Park won’t be exorcised so quickly.

It’s undeniably close to Celtic’s homecoming game, which is undoubtedly their biggest of the season.

On Sunday, a trip to Scotland’s capital is a beckoning opportunity to face a Hearts side that could finish eight points clear. It would have been an unfathomable fantasy for Celtic to have limbered up to start their season.

Without Johnston, Iheanacho, and possibly Cameron Carter-Vickers, they will travel east. However, they will also experience renewed self-assurance and evidence that they have what it takes to knuckle down.

This title-winning juggernaut was built on that foundation. completing the task. It was done against Sturm, and it’s now time to go back.

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Palace ‘needed’ shock defeat by Larnaca to ‘stay humble’

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After being defeated by AEK Larnaca, Crystal Palace’s first home game in a major European competition didn’t go as planned, but manager Oliver Glasner said “perhaps the environment was still needed to stay humble.”

Due to Selhurst Park hosting a game in Europe for the first time in its 101-year history, it was supposed to be Palace’s big night.

A sell-out crowd chanted Glasner’s name and sang songs about the FA Cup win at Selhurst Station, which created an additional buzz.

A stunning Dad’s Army-inspired tifo with a banner proclaiming “we are the boys who will win your little game” was unveiled just before kick-off, plotting Palace’s route from south to May’s Conference League final in Leipzig.

Palace, who have lost all of their matches at home since February, have used the arena as a fortress.

However, the Eagles’ performance never lived up to the hype. They did have a lot of chances, totaling 15, but only one was successful.

In the first half, Jean-Philippe Mateta fired a hooked volley past the crossbar, and substitute Eddie Nketiah should have given the hosts a lead before the hosts had a chance to equalize after a late rally but completely missed a loose ball from five yards out.

Does Glasner have a point?

The Palace boss assured the Palace manager that when they play in the Premier League, they always claim to win the Conference League.

“Be modest.” I’m not sure if any debutant will succeed in the competition. Not in my opinion.

Crystal Palace fans tifoImages courtesy of Getty

Glasner added that the game “felt like it was “a little deja vu,” with his team not scoring as they should and we are punished.”

They have lost three of their previous three games to Everton, which ended their club’s record 19-game unbeaten run, and they are winless with a 3-3 draw with Bournemouth last weekend.

Palace has historically had dominance over their opponents in each of their previous three games.

They would have preferred to face Larnaca, who had only previously lost to West Ham in a 6-0 overall loss in 2023.

An error was the source of the goal. In the 51st minute, Eagles goalkeeper Jaydee Canvot unleash a powerful finish that put a powerful finish on Riad Bajic.

It’s that simple, says Palace captain Marc Guehi, “They scored, we didn’t.”

Every team has a unique gameplan, according to the statement. A team sat back today, not me. We were both irritated and pleased with them.

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NBA injuries, rigged poker games and the mafia: What we know about gambling arrests

Getty Images Terry Rozier #2 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball during the second half in a preseason game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Kaseya Center on October 17, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images

A star player and a coach for the National Basketball Association (NBA) were among the prominent arrests made in the US on Thursday for alleged illegal sports betting, according to US authorities.

Chauncey Billups, the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Terry Rozier, the player for the Miami Heat, were both reportedly detained after their teams’ Wednesday games.

The FBI said two indictments were made as part of a comprehensive investigation into illegal gambling, one involving players allegedly pretending to be injured and the other involving an illegal poker ring connected to organized crime.

What allegations are made?

According to FBI Director Kash Patel, the allegations are “mind-boggling.”

According to officials, they include indictments in two significant fraud cases.

The first incident, in which players and associates allegedly manipulated wagers on major sports betting platforms, is known as “operation nothing but bet.”

According to New York City police commissioner Jessica Tisch, players occasionally altered their performance or took themselves out of the game to ensure that those bets were paid out. Those wagers generated tens of thousands of dollars in profits.

According to officials, the second case involved professional athletes as well as four of the five major crime families in New York.

The defendants in that case are alleged to have engaged in a plot to rig illegal poker games and extort millions of dollars.

According to authorities, they did so using “very sophisticated” technology, including off-the-shelf shuffling devices, special contact lenses, and eyeglasses to read pre-marked cards. Additionally, they used a face-down X-ray table to read cards.

Former professional athletes who allegedly served as “face cards” in the scheme were allegedly coerced into participating in these games. The victims were unaware that the scam involved everyone, including the dealer and the other players.

Authorities said they began looking into these poker games in 2019 and covered a variety of locations, including Manhattan, Las Vegas, Miami, and the Hamptons.

The accused allegedly used bank wires and crypto currencies to launder money.

Additionally, they are alleged to have allegedly abused victims through extortion and a robbery at gunpoint.

Which players have been detained?

Overall, according to authorities, 34 defendants were charged with fraud in connection with the two fraud cases.

In the first case, six players, including Miami Heat player Rozier, were charged with allegedly influencing betting odds.

According to New York police commissioner Jessica Tisch, Rozier, who was then a member of the Charlotte Hornets, allegedly let people know that he planned to leave a game early with a presumptive injury in March 2023.

She claimed that members of the group then used that data to make phony bets and win large sums of money.

After Rozier’s arrest, Commissioner Tisch stated on Thursday that his “career is already benched, not for injury but for integrity.”

Damon Jones, a former NBA player, was also detained. He is said to have participated in two games that allegedly took place as part of the plot, one of which was the Los Angeles Lakers’ February 2023 game against the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunders’ game in January 2024.

Authorities identified seven NBA games that were a part of the case between February 2023 and March 2024:

  • Los Angeles Lakers vs. Milwaukee Bucks on February 9, 2023
  • Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023
  • Portland Trail Blazers vs. Chicago Bulls scheduled for March 24th, 2023.
  • Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers scheduled for April 6, 2023
  • Los Angeles Lakers v. Oklahoma City Thunder on January 15, 2024
  • Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Clippers on January 26, 2024
  • Toronto Raptors vs. Sacramento Kings scheduled for March 20, 2024

31 defendants, including Portland Trail Blazers coach Billups, who was inducted last year into the basketball Hall of Fame, were charged in the second case, which involved illegal poker games.

In both cases, three of the accused were charged, according to authorities.

In addition to the illegal poker case, the Bonanno, Genovese, and Gambino crime families’ representatives in New York were charged with 19 counts.

Robbery, extortion, wire fraud, bank fraud, and illegal gambling are among the charges.

What has the NBA said regarding the allegations?

The NBA stated in a statement on Thursday that it is working with authorities and is currently reviewing the federal indictments that were made.

Rozier and Billups are also being “on immediate leave” from their teams, according to the league.

Who are the notorious “Five Families” of New York?

Four of the five well-known crime families in New York were involved in the alleged scheme, according to authorities.

Since 1931, the city’s Italian American mafia has been ruled by the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families.

Major mob raids helped the rise of mafia activity in the 1990s, thanks to Rudy Giuliani, the then-New York mayor, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

However, the mafia has not completely vanished, as the indictments on Thursday demonstrate.

The Five Families frequently collaborate with their counterparts in Sicily as part of the larger American-Sicilian mafia network known as La Cosa Nostra, which means “this thing of ours.”

Katherine Ryan explains why daughter Violet, 16, is spoiled with extravagant gifts and flights

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Katherine Ryan, a mother-of-four and comedian, has admitted spoiling her adolescent daughter and explained why she made the choice.

Katherine Ryan has revealed she is happy to spoil her teen daughter with extravagant presents and expensive flights. And she admits there is a big reason as to why she does so.

The comedian, 42, has four children under the age of 16, including Violet. She is the proud mother of Holland, a newborn, and Fred, a four-year-old.

And while talking about nepo babies, she explained why she is so happy to spoil her brood. Speaking to Paloma Faith on her Mad, Sad & Bad podcast, Katherine confessed: “I don’t raise humble children. I know that being a nepo baby can backfire.

Many of these children have real struggles to reach their potential, which is a terrible feeling. I have, however, decided to give my daughter very extravagant Valentine’s gifts and spoil her as much as I can.

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She continued, “I fly her wherever she wants to go, I get her VIP tickets to anything I can,” adding that she didn’t want her to be impressed by another person’s dusty son. I once received a very positive offer of a ride home.

“I consider myself to be a very good mother and a very good father,” he said. My wheelhouse is parenting. I excel at it.

I look after my children, and I’m honest with them. I don’t feel the same shame as many women who choose to be mothers, in my opinion.

Along with husband Bobby Kootstra, Katherine gave birth to baby number four earlier this month. Although Katherine initially made an effort to keep her baby news a secret for as long as possible, Violet’s daughter left a strong hint in a social media post.

The TV star’s husband, Bobby, took to social media to announce the arrival of their daughter in response to her daughter’s behavior. Holland Juliette Kootstra has arrived, he declared.

Another MVP performance was delivered by “The Patrick Mahomes of childbirth”! Amazing to see @kathbum #blessed’s incredible accomplishments.

And after the birth, Bobby revealed that his Canadian wife had Dom Pérignon champagne in the comfort of her hospital room. A bottle of the vintage bubbles retails for about £189.

Katherine tucked into a selection of expensive dishes, including sushi from Nobu, a celebrity hotspot. She did it once more from her chic hospital suite, which she had previously rented.

Earlier this year, Katherine opened up on her wishes for a fourth child as she admitted she didn’t think time was on her side. The former Celebrity Gogglebox star visited a fertility clinic with husband Bobby and discussed the chances of them being able to conceive.

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Another new era for Forest dawns under Dyche

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Sean Dyche enjoyed the moment as he watched from the touchline.

Their new manager looked around the City Ground as the Nottingham Forest fans sang Mull of Kintyre.

Since 1978, Paul McCartney’s song has been the club’s anthem as Nottingham Forest has won the First Division title under Brian Clough. Since 1977, the club has used its song as its anthem.

After winning the first game 3-0 over Porto, the club’s third manager of the season will now hope to hear it countless times.

He joined Chesterfield 35 years ago as a young professional, and Dyche enjoyed the atmosphere of the Europa League.

I had been waiting that moment for a while. He claimed that all I wanted to do as a youngster in 1987 was wear the shirt.

I’ve learned that sometimes you have to slow your thinking down and take it in. “To come back as the manager is very pleasing and to stand there and absorb it.

“Many big events in life are so nerve-wracking that they just pass and are never finished.” So I decided to “take it in and store it in my memory.” “

How did Nottingham Forest appear?

Chris Wood, who has been suffering from a knee injury, would not be Chris Wood’s most powerful weapon, according to his manager.

The striker, who scored 53 goals for Dyche at Burnley, still poses the biggest threat for Forest despite his inconsistent season, which saw him only score three goals.

Jesus stepped up to replace Taiwo Awoniyi and pulled Porto out of position before scoring his third Europa League goal from the spot to make the game a success.

With Elliot Anderson and Douglas Luiz seated in front of them in midfield, Dyche switched to a back four, making center-backs Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic more comfortable.

In addition to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye, Anderson was his usual energetic, all-action self, giving Gibbs-White more room to run.

Even though the widemen’s end product occasionally lacked, they were frequently used.

James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa, and Arnaud Kalimuendo, all worth around £120 million, were dropped from the squad on Saturday, and Dyche recalled them to the bench.

Due to Bakwa’s injury, Hutchinson, Forest’s £37.5 million record signing, was not selected for the European squad.

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, compact, counter-attacking, and more pragmatic, Forest can perhaps revert to their former ways sooner than they did with Ange Postecoglou’s high-press, high-tempo style.

More bravery, spirit, and courage were displayed than under Postecoglou, which undoubtedly made it look easier. While he was in charge, the Australian might be forgiven for wondering where it was.

In the end, it gave Forest its first clean sheet in 21 games since April’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United.

“I finally can breathe tonight,” Gibbs-White told TNT Sports. With all the changes and poor performances over the past few months, it was good to get our first win in eight or nine games.

“I want to thank the fans for sticking by us and how delighted we were to receive the three points.”

The gaffer claimed that after the first season, we had a true identity and that he wants to continue that. I’m just delighted that the boys won and received three points.

Fans are quickly introduced to the new era.

A poster of Sean Dyche, Steve Stone and Ian WoanImages courtesy of Getty

Forest’s fans chanted “sacked in the morning” at Postecoglou, his fifth game in charge, in the final European game at City Ground.

Due to the fans’ fury and refusal to accept him, Midtjylland’s defeat now feels like the beginning of his career.

After Reece James’ goal made Chelsea 3-0 up on Saturday, Postecoglou was fired, and owner Evangelos Marinkas had made up his mind by leaving the stands just after an hour later.

Then, on Thursday, it was turned into passion rather than anger.

When he discussed Brian Clough’s dog Del Boy running around his feet almost 40 years ago, Pre-Game Dyche had the right tone when he tapped into what supporters needed and what they could buy into.

The club’s entire backroom staff, including coaches Ian Woan and Steve Stone, both played for the Forests in the 1995 1-0 victory over Lyon that was the last tie they won in Europe.

Supporters reacted by yelling on the side even after they thought Jan Bednarek had levelled before it was declared illegal.

After fans sang “Forest are back,” fireworks started to burn outside the City Ground, sparking a much-needed friendship with Dyche.

When you are on the side, you hear a noise whether it is a positive noise or a negative noise, according to Dyche.

I’m here to help the job, not to judge or question anything, but to say, “I’m here to do whatever.” Wining helps, which is nice when they support you right away.

When they see a team wearing the shirt with pride, these fans will accept that, win, lose, or draw. It’s very satisfying for them to end it off with a strong performance and victory. That’s a bonus if they can accept me and my staff and what’s happening.

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EU leaders delay decision on using frozen Russian funds to aid Ukraine

Following Belgium’s objections, leaders from across the European Union decided to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion, but they decided against going along with a plan that would use frozen Russian assets instead.

On Thursday, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s “pressing financial needs” for the coming two years. Numerous leaders hoped that the discussions would pave the way for a so-called “reparation loan” that would finance a 140 billion euro ($163.3 billion) loan for Ukraine using Russian assets that had been frozen by the Belgian financial institution Euroclear.

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After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU frozen about 200 billion euros ($232.4 billion) of its central bank assets. The European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, has proposed a complex financial maneuver that involves the EU borrowing mature funds from Euroclear in order to use the assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort.

The money would then be repaid with a loan to Ukraine under the condition that only Russia would make the necessary repairs.

The 27 member states of the EU would have to guarantee that the scheme would be “fully guaranteed,” meaning they would have to pay Euroclear back if they ultimately decided that Russia could reclaim the assets without making any reparations. The legality of Euroclear was raised on Thursday by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, who had earlier opposed this plan.

Russia has referred to the idea as an unlawful seizure of property and has issued a warning about retaliation.

Following Thursday’s political wrangling, a text that was revised from previous drafts to include “options for financial support based on an assessment of Ukraine’s financing needs was approved by all the leaders, with the exception of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. At their upcoming summit in December, European leaders will be given those options.

The declaration further stated that “Russia’s assets and assets should remain immobilized until Russia stops its aggression against Ukraine and makes up for the harm it caused.”

Prior to the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had urged the loan plan to be approved quickly.

He told the leaders of the&nbsp, EU&nbsp, saying “anyone who delays the decision to use fully the resources of&nbsp, frozen&nbsp, Russian&nbsp, or assets,” that “does not only impede our defense, but also slows down the&nbsp, EU’s own progress,” adding that Kyiv&nbsp would use a significant portion of the funds to purchase&nbsp

On Thursday, the EU also ratified a new round of severe sanctions against Russian energy exports and an import ban for liquefied natural gas.

The action came after Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that sanctions would apply to Russia’s two biggest oil companies.