Martin confirms interest in Brentford’s Meghoma

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Rangers head coach Russell Martin confirmed the club’s interest in Brentford left-back Jayden Meghoma and says new additions are likely before Tuesday’s Champions League play-off with Club Brugge.

The 19-year-old England youth international worked under Martin at Southampton before he joined Brentford in 2024, followed by a loan spell at Preston last term.

The Rangers head coach confirmed Jefte is likely to leave and with Ridvan Yilmaz yet to play this season and omitted from the European squad, Meghoma could come in on loan to play on the left side of defence.

“Jayden is a player we know from Southampton, spent a year with us as a young boy, training every day, understands the work, top talent, plays for England at all the youth levels,” Martin said.

“Brentford signed him for a lot of money for a teenager, and he went on loan last year in the Championship and did really well.

“So he’s a player we know and like, and hopefully at some point he’ll be a Rangers player and you’ll know that when he is.”

Martin’s side welcome Club Brugge to Glasgow on Tuesday before the return leg on Wednesday 27 August, with the winner reaching the league phase.

The Ibrox outfit have until the day before the first leg to register up to two new players to their European squad and Martin expects that to happen.

“The team will obviously look very different on Tuesday,” Martin said, having made 10 changes for Saturday’s 4-2 Premier Sports Cup victory over Alloa Athletic.

“We’re happy with the players we’ve got, but I think we’ll add before then.”

Martin targets League Cup after blooding new faces

Mikey Moore celebrates with Emmanuel FernandezSNS

The scoreline against Alloa was narrower than it could have been – Rangers dominated the game and missed several clear-cut chances – but conceded two sloppy goals as defensive frailties shone through again.

Despite the imperfect performance, Martin was able to take positives after handing opportunities to several new faces, with debuts for Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard and Emmanuel Fernandez – who scored Rangers’ second.

“We scored four goals, should score more but I’m pleased we got guys on the pitch for the first time properly here,” Martin said.

“With 10 changes, it’s not going to look as fluid and clean as it should, but so many of them will be in a better place than they were at the start.

“I’m pleased for Emmanuel Fernandez. He has a lot of potential and good attributes. It’s a good start for him.”

Having secured a quarter-final spot against either Hibernian or Livingston, Martin says Rangers must target the League Cup as an opportunity for silverware.

“Today was frustrating at times, but we’re through and guys got valuable minutes. It’s my job to always want more and demand more,” the former Scotland defender said.

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Yamal and Raphinha fire Barcelona to La Liga opening win at Mallorca

Barcelona began the defence of its La Liga title with a comfortable 3-0 win at Mallorca, scoring early and taking advantage of two first-half red cards for the hosts.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who led Barcelona’s prolific attack last season, needed only seven minutes to impress again on Saturday. Yamal’s curling cross found Raphinha by the far post, and the Brazil forward headed in from close range.

Ferran Torres’s shot from outside the area in the 23rd was a goal that drew complaints from Mallorca because one of its players was on the ground after being hit by the ball in the head in the buildup.

Some Mallorca players stopped playing after their teammate went down, but the referee allowed play to continue. Mallorca immediately complained after Ferran scored.

The host went a man down 10 minutes later when Manu Morlanes was sent off for a second yellow card for fouling Yamal on the run. His first yellow was for protesting Barcelona’s second goal.

The second red card in the 39th came from Mallorca striker Vedat Muriqi hitting the head of Barcelona goalkeeper Joan García with his left foot while reaching up for a high ball. The referee changed the card from yellow to red after a video review.

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Raphinha heads the ball to score the opening goal at Mallorca [Jamie Reina/AFP]

Yamal made it 3-0 in second-half stoppage time by hitting the top corner.

Barcelona, which won the league last season after scoring 102 goals, was without veteran striker Robert Lewandowski because of an injury. Newly signed forward Marcus Rashford went in as a substitute in the 69th.

New Barcelona goalkeeper García did not have to work much in his Barcelona debut after being signed in the offseason in a transfer from city rival Espanyol.

Regular starting goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out after undergoing lower back surgery, and García started ahead of Wojciech Szczesny and Iñaki Peña, who replaced Ter Stegen last season.

Later Saturday, Valencia hosted Real Sociedad and promoted Levante visited Alaves.

On Friday, Rayo Vallecano won at Girona 3-1, and Villarreal defeated promoted Oviedo 2-0.

Brighton fan dies after falling ill at Fulham game

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A Brighton fan has died after becoming unwell during the second half of the club’s opening Premier League game of the season against Fulham.

The club said a 72-year-old man passed away despite the best efforts of emergency services, club staff and the medical team on site.

Seagulls chief executive Paul Barber said: “This was an incredibly sad end to the match this afternoon, and our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends of the gentleman who lost his life.

“While the gentleman concerned is foremost in our minds, we are also aware that it was an emotional and distressing situation for staff and supporters in the direct vicinity.

“Over the coming days we will ensure those affected are properly supported.”

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Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anais’ eight-word message to Ireland during Dublin gigs

Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anaïs Gallagher shared a message about Ireland just hours before her father and his band Oasis took to the stage at Croke Park in Dublin on tour

Noel Gallagher’s daughter Anaïs Gallagher shared a message about Ireland just hours before first Oasis reunion gig in Dublin tonight(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Anaïs Gallagher had a message for Ireland this morning amid her father Noel Gallagher’s latest concerts there. She paid tribute in a post on social media earlier, just hours before he took to the stage in the country as part of Oasis.

Noel, 58, and his brother Liam Gallagher, 52, are performing in Dublin tonight for the first of their two gigs at Croke Park Stadium in the city on the Oasis Live ’25 tour. The band will return to the venue for the second show tomorrow.

Anaïs, 28, who is the eldest of Noel’s three children, paid tribute to Ireland in a message shared on Instagram just hours before Oasis’ latest concert. She told her followers that she had arrived in the country amid the band’s tour. It comes after Paul Weller revealed the unusual reason he refuses to watch Oasis concerts.

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A photo of a window and stickers, including a pint of Guinness, over the photo.
Anaïs Gallagher shared a sweet message to Irish fans of Oasis this morning(Image: INSTAGRAM)

Anaïs shared a photo of an open window on her Instagram Story earlier today. She added a series of stickers over it, including a pint of Guinness and a packet of Tayto crisps. Another sticker featured the slogan “Erin go bragh.”

She wrote in the caption alongside the photo: “Woken up in the greatest nation on Earth.” Anaïs included the Pogues’ rendition of the folk song The Irish Rover, which was a collaboration with the Dubliners.

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Anaïs went on to share a photo from a Fontaines D.C. gig, which was taken at their concert at Wythenshawe Park and Gardens in Manchester yesterday. It showed Grian Chatten wearing an Oasis t-shirt that read “live forever” on stage.

Anaïs who is the eldest child of Noel Gallagher, has been attending the band's reunion tour lately
Anaïs who is the eldest child of Noel Gallagher, has been attending the band’s reunion tour lately(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for ZOË LAW)

Noel’s daughter Anaïs has been following Oasis on their much-awaited reunion tour since it launched last month. Following the opening night at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on July 4, she wrote in a post: “It’s good to be back.”

She’s since posted about having been at several other shows, including gigs in Manchester and London. Anaïs teased on Instagram recently that she had been to all of the band’s shows at Wembley Stadium so far.

In one of her posts about the five gigs at the venue, Anaïs wrote on August 3: “Wembley night 4. (can’t believe I’m even writing that btw? Night FOUR?!) WHAT. A. SHOW. Feeling so incredibly full love, pride & oh so many pints.”

Chloe Kelly with Anais Gallagher and Noel Gallagher backstage at a gig.
She’s shared updates after some of the gigs, including posting about meeting footballer Chloe Kelly

She then revealed that she would be at the fifth show at Wembley Stadium, which was Oasis’s last at the venue until they returned for two more gigs there in September. She wrote: “See you again tonight, London. Let’s f***ing have it.

Anaïs has met some celebrities on the tour, including Chloe Kelly. The professional footballer, who plays for England, was among the high-profile concertgoers at Wembley one night. They even had a photo together with Noel backstage.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

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‘Top signing for coming years’ – all-action Reijnders stars for Man City

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Remember Kevin de Bruyne?

The Belgian departed Manchester City in the summer and his contributions will never be forgotten, but their fans have a new hero to adore in the shape of Tijjani Reijnders.

The 27-year-old Dutchman delivered an all-action performance, contributing a goal and an assist, as City showed they mean business by thrashing Wolves at Molineux.

Reijnders is only the second City player to both score and provide a goal on his Premier League debut, after Sergio Aguero, and if he achieves even half of what the Argentina striker did, he will be a sure-fire hit for the club.

“It’s a great start,” Reijnders told BBC Match of the Day. “Very happy with an assist and a goal and a very good win. It is a great start and we have to keep going now.”

Boss Pep Guardiola said of the performance: “Really good. Lovely guy and has made an impact from day one. His pace, he can help with the holding midfield.

“He can make runs inside the pockets and the spaces that sometimes we allow defenders to create.

“At Milan he was exceptional and with the national team. We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City.”

Former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Match of the Day: “He was sensational, it was almost the perfect midfield performance. It was incredible. He controlled the game at his pace.

“He is an absolute nightmare to play against because he is always on the move.

Who is Reijnders?

A powerful box-to-box midfielder, Reijnders made his senior debut for Dutch side PEC Zwolle in 2017 before joining fellow Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar in early 2018.

After a loan spell with RKC Waalwijk in 2019-20, he went on to establish himself in Alkmaar’s first team, his tally of 13 goals and 15 assists in 128 appearances earning him a move to Milan in 2023.

Reijnders ended last season with 10 goals and four assists for the Rossoneri, with only one player in his position, Napoli’s Scott McTominay (16), registering more goal involvements.

His fine displays were one of the few positives in a frustrating campaign for Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A and missed out on European qualification altogether.

Reijnders’ four assists is perhaps an unfair reflection on his influence in the final third. He was ranked ninth for forward passes in Italy’s top flight last term, and was fifth for through balls and carrying the ball.

He also ranked seventh for carries of more than 10 metres in Serie A last season, an asset that could prove crucial in Guardiola’s transitional play.

The same goes for his ability to bring out the best in attacking players around him: last season, he was involved in an unrivalled 205 passages of play that ended in a shot being attempted.

Reijnders also ranked second of all Serie A players for secondary chances created (49) – in other words, getting the right players into the best positions to create a chance for a team-mate.

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Reijnders ‘the star man’

Boss Guardiola has maintained last season’s disappointment was down to the number of injuries his side suffered, particularly losing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a serious knee injury for most of the campaign.

The Spaniard’s absence left a gaping hole and the centre of the park lacked real energy, with Nico Gonzalez signed for £50m from Porto in January and Reijnders added from AC Milan for £42.5m in the summer.

The Dutchman showed glimpses of his capabilities at the Club World Cup but gave fans in England a real taste of what to expect in the Premier League.

Reijnders said: “I saw the intensity and it is pretty hard, but it is nice to play in the Premier League and to score on my debut is always nice.

“I’m always trying to find space in the box and work to give assists. My type of game is to be a box-to-box player and help the team with goals and assists.”

Reijnders’ footwork and chipped pass for the opening goal was sublime, while there was nothing Jose Sa could do for his first-half goal which was clipped across goal and into the bottom corner.

There were also early signs of an understanding building up with star striker Erling Haaland as his disguised pass allowed the Norwegian to net his second goal.

As well as his goal contributions, Reijnders’ dominant performance is highlighted by the fact he had 82 touches of the ball and completed 52 of his 57 passes.

Reijnders also completed 22 passes in the final third – the second most in the City team behind Gonzalez (24).

With neither Rodri nor Phil Foden available as they return to full fitness, City’s midfield will be a force to be reckoned with once the duo make a comeback.

“Tijjani Reijnders is the star man for me,” former England full-back Chris Powell said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“You will see a new-look Man City midfield and you still have Phil Foden and Rodri to come back – they have laid a small marker down.

Guardiola has ‘no info’ on Ederson

James Trafford was another debutant to stand out, keeping a clean sheet following his return from Burnley in the summer.

The 22-year-old Englishman started in goal after Ederson missed the game because of illness and made a total of three saves in an assured performance.

The Brazilian has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and has been heavily linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

“I don’t have info,” Guardiola said of Ederson’s future. “Yesterday I saw his illness, gastroenteritis, and after I didn’t speak to the club.

“If the player wants to leave he has to leave, but on the conditions of the club.

“There is no sense if he is not happy here but the final decision and the way to make the deal belongs 100% to the club, so I don’t know what will happen in the next two weeks.”

Guardiola did admit though his main priority was now on thinning his squad.

He said: “(It’s) too much – too many people. I like a deep squad to compete in all competitions but I don’t want to leave players at home. It’s not healthy. You cannot create a good vibe or atmosphere to compete.

“Everyone has to feel they can play and help. The club has known it since last season, it’s not news, but the situation is what it is.

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‘Lovely guy’ & ‘top signing’ – Reijnders shines for Man City

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  • 96 Comments

Remember Kevin de Bruyne?

The Belgian departed Manchester City in the summer and his contributions will never be forgotten, but their fans have a new hero to adore in the shape of Tijjani Reijnders.

The 27-year-old Dutchman delivered an all-action performance, contributing a goal and an assist, as City showed they mean business by thrashing Wolves at Molineux.

Reijnders is only the second City player to both score and provide a goal on his Premier League debut, after Sergio Aguero, and if he achieves even half of what the Argentina striker did, he will be a sure-fire hit for the club.

“It’s a great start,” Reijnders told BBC Match of the Day. “Very happy with an assist and a goal and a very good win. It is a great start and we have to keep going now.”

Boss Pep Guardiola said of the performance: “Really good. Lovely guy and has made an impact from day one. His pace, he can help with the holding midfield.

“He can make runs inside the pockets and the spaces that sometimes we allow defenders to create.

Who is Reijnders?

Getty Images

A powerful box-to-box midfielder, Reijnders made his senior debut for Dutch side PEC Zwolle in 2017 before joining fellow Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar in early 2018.

After a loan spell with RKC Waalwijk in 2019-20, he went on to establish himself in Alkmaar’s first team, his tally of 13 goals and 15 assists in 128 appearances earning him a move to Milan in 2023.

Reijnders ended last season with 10 goals and four assists for the Rossoneri, with only one player in his position, Napoli’s Scott McTominay (16), registering more goal involvements.

His fine displays were one of the few positives in a frustrating campaign for Milan, who finished eighth in Serie A and missed out on European qualification altogether.

Reijnders’ four assists is perhaps an unfair reflection on his influence in the final third. He was ranked ninth for forward passes in Italy’s top flight last term, and was fifth for through balls and carrying the ball.

He also ranked seventh for carries of more than 10 metres in Serie A last season, an asset that could prove crucial in Guardiola’s transitional play.

The same goes for his ability to bring out the best in attacking players around him: last season, he was involved in an unrivalled 205 passages of play that ended in a shot being attempted.

Reijnders also ranked second of all Serie A players for secondary chances created (49) – in other words, getting the right players into the best positions to create a chance for a team-mate.

Reijnders ‘the star man’

Tijjani Reijnders touchmap

Boss Guardiola has maintained last season’s disappointment was down to the number of injuries his side suffered, particularly losing Ballon d’Or winner Rodri to a serious knee injury for most of the campaign.

The Spaniard’s absence left a gaping hole and the centre of the park lacked real energy, with Nico Gonzalez signed for £50m from Porto in January and Reijnders added from AC Milan for £42.5m in the summer.

The Dutchman showed glimpses of his capabilities at the Club World Cup but gave fans in England a real taste of what to expect in the Premier League.

Reijnders said: “I saw the intensity and it is pretty hard, but it is nice to play in the Premier League and to score on my debut is always nice.

“I’m always trying to find space in the box and work to give assists. My type of game is to be a box-to-box player and help the team with goals and assists.”

Reijnders’ footwork and chipped pass for the opening goal was sublime, while there was nothing Jose Sa could do for his first-half goal which was clipped across goal and into the bottom corner.

There were also early signs of an understanding building up with star striker Erling Haaland as his disguised pass allowed the Norwegian to net his second goal.

As well as his goal contributions, Reijnders’ dominant performance is highlighted by the fact he had 82 touches of the ball and completed 52 of his 57 passes.

Reijnders also completed 22 passes in the final third – the second most in the City team behind Gonzalez (24).

With neither Rodri nor Phil Foden available as they return to full fitness, City’s midfield will be a force to be reckoned with once the duo make a comeback.

“Tijjani Reijnders is the star man for me,” former England full-back Chris Powell said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

“You will see a new-look Man City midfield and you still have Phil Foden and Rodri to come back – they have laid a small marker down.

Guardiola has ‘no info’ on Ederson

James Trafford was another debutant to stand out, keeping a clean sheet following his return from Burnley in the summer.

The 22-year-old Englishman started in goal after Ederson missed the game because of illness and made a total of three saves in an assured performance.

The Brazilian has entered the final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and has been heavily linked with a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray.

“I don’t have info,” Guardiola said of Ederson’s future. “Yesterday I saw his illness, gastroenteritis, and after I didn’t speak to the club.

“If the player wants to leave he has to leave, but on the conditions of the club.

Related topics

  • Premier League
  • Manchester City
  • Football