Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is shocked to see Steven Gerrard named as the frontrunner for the vacant manager s job at Rangers.
Gerrard, who worked under Rodgers during his three-year spell at Anfield, has been touted as a shock contender to take charge at Ibrox next season, replacing interim boss Graeme Murty.
The former England captain has been in charge of Liverpool s Under-19 side this season after moving into coaching following his retirement from playing in 2016.
Rodgers acknowledges the 37-year-old has always had a desire to become a manager, but he was not expecting to potentially come up against him in future Old Firm clashes.
I was a little bit surprised when I saw it, Rodgers told a news conference ahead of Sunday s clash with Rangers, whe…
Marouane Fellaini has suggested Manchester United could pay the price for failing to renew his contract last year.
The Belgium international s deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and there has been no decisive breakthrough in talks with the club over an extension.
Fellaini – who has struggled for game time in 2017-18 largely due to a knee ligament injury – came off the bench to score the winner against Arsenal on Sunday, after which manager Jose Mourinho claimed an agreement over fresh terms was almost there .
The 30-year-old says he has not yet made a final decision, though, and has accused United of failing to resolve the contract dispute when they had more time on their side.
The whole staff are doing everything for me to stay…
Marseille have secured the services of promising youngster Aaron Leya Iseka from Anderlecht on a one-year loan deal.
The Ligue 1 side were keen to sign a new attacker following the departure of Michy Batshuayi to Chelsea and they have opted for the Belgium international s younger brother.
Leya Iseka, 18, came through the Anderlecht youth academy and made his first-team debut for the Brussels-based side in December 2014.
A serious knee injury halted his progress last term, though, and he will now be looking to take the next step in his career at Stade Velodrome.
[Vidéo] Aaron Leya Iseka est Olympien
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— Olympique Marseille (@OM_Officiel)
I have chosen to join Marseille because it is a great club, Leya Iseka told the team s webs…
Hamburg midfielder Alen Halilovic has hailed Lionel Messi s humble attitude and says the Argentine is hugely popular in the Barcelona dressing room.
The Croatia international teamed up with Messi after joining Barcelona from Dinamo Zagreb in 2014 and he has nothing but fond memories of his time alongside the prolific attacker.
Leo is an incredibly nice guy. He is always willing to help, very polite and down to earth, Halilovic told Bild.
Everybody in the team likes him and not just because he is such a great player.
I really like the way Messi plays. I have learned a few things from him. I love to take on my direct opponent and play a risky pass. I always try to focus on my own game and to just do my job.
Halilovic left Barcelona for Hamburg …
Japan are bidding for their first East Asian Cup success when they face South Korea in the final game of the 2013 edition of the tournament.
Both teams are in contention for the title going into the last round of fixtures on Sunday, with China also harbouring hopes of victory as they prepare to take on whipping boys Australia in the day s earlier game.
However, Japan s previous results mean they cannot be caught at the top should they beat the hosts at the Jamsil Olympic Stadium in Seoul.
The Japanese established their advantage courtesy of a 3-2 victory over Australia on Thursday, which came despite head coach Alberto Zaccheroni changing his entire starting XI.
I guess in total I ve called 70 players in three years, but I still wanted to see these guys, he said …
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has brushed off Thierry Henry s criticism as he targets his best-ever season in the Premier League.
Henry an Arsenal club legend suggested in April that the London-based outfit will not win England s top flight with Giroud as their principal forward, and maintained a high quality striker was needed at the Emirates Stadium.
Giroud admitted he did not initially understand the reasoning of the comments but says they will not impact his game as he aims to further contribute to the side.
Alongside Giroud, who scored 14 league goals last season, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks set to rely on the likes of Alexis Sanchez (16), Danny Welbeck (4) and Theo Walcott (5) up front during the 2015-16 campaign.
Giroud s best Premier Leag…
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says nothing will ever make up for the two Champions League final defeats he has suffered against Real Madrid.
Simeone s side were beaten on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time in May s showpiece at San Siro, with Cristiano Ronaldo converting the decisive spot-kick after Juanfran had hit the post.
It marked Atleti s second defeat in three finals against their city rivals, after they were beaten 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon in 2014 following Sergio Ramos equaliser in second-half injury time.
Simeone said after this year s disappointment that he would have to go away and think , prompting speculation that he could quit the Vicente Calderon after close to five years in charge.
But while he insists that he …
Ronald Koeman believes Barcelona have a strong enough squad to compete for major honours as long as others step up to fill the void left by Lionel Messi.
Barca are heading into a new season without Messi in their ranks for the first time since 2003-04 following the superstar forward s shock switch to Paris Saint-Germain this week.
Messi scored 672 goals and assisted 265 more for the Catalan giants across 778 appearances, helping the club to 35 trophies across his 17 years in the first team.
The six-time Ballon d Or winner directly contributed to 39 goals in LaLiga last season – scoring 30 and setting up a further nine.
Antoine Griezmann was the only other player to reach double figures for goal involvements (20), with Ousmane Dembele next on the list wi…
Manchester City s interest in signing Tottenham forward Harry Kane is well known.
The two sides will meet on Sunday in the Premier League with the situation adding spice.
Spurs have held out on City s interest although the matter will develop as the conclusion of the transfer window approaches.
TOP STORY – SPURS HOLDING FIRM ON KANE
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is refusing to budge as Manchester City attempt to sign Harry Kane, reports The Telegraph.
Levy will come face to face with City officials in Sunday s Premier League meeting between the two sides.
The report claims the Spurs chairman is unwavering in his plan to retain his best player despite Kane expressing his desire to leave.
Daniel Levy is set to hold fi…
Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder says reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League is an achievement in itself for his side.
The Netherlands international believes the Turkish champions, who knocked out Schalke in the last 16, can be satisfied with their European campaign even if they bow out in the next round, which will be drawn on Friday.
We are in the last eight and that s already a big thing, the former Ajax and Inter star told Sky.
Galatasaray won the UEFA Cup in 2000 but have never tasted glory in Europe s premier club competition despite regularly contesting the early rounds.
Sneijder lifted the trophy with Inter in 2010 but played down his new team s chances of progressing beyond the quarter-finals.
We ll have to wait for t…