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Rangers are closing in on the appointment of a new manager, after face to face talks with Ibrox chiefs on Friday.

The Gers manager search has taken one twist after another with several names being thrown into the hat, from Danny Rohl to Sean Dyche, but none have been more prevalent than Steven Gerrard.

Rangers have already started making transfer plans for their new manager, with Pierce Charles expected to be the first major target in January, while there is also the risk of losing key players.

Indeed, for all the fan excitment for what the likes of Nicolas Raskin could do under a legendary midfielder like Gerrard, it appears he could be off in January even despite the departure of Russell Martin, who had found a way to stall the Belgium star’s career.

Indeed, Besiktas are planning a January approach for Raskin, in what could be one of Rangers’ most expensive sales of all time and Gerrard’s first blow after landing the job.

Gerrard "close to a total agreement" with Rangers

According to Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the former Premiership winner is on the verge of returning to Glasgow.

“Understand Rangers are now close to a total agreement with Steven Gerrard to return to Ibrox,” Jacobs posted on Twitter.

“Gerrard held positive face-to-face talks with chairman Andrew Cavanagh and vice-chairman Paraag Marathe in London on Thursday.”

Present at those talks would have also been Gerrard’s Wasserman agency, who represent superstars like Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, valued at well over £100m by Transfermarkt, and Ballon d’Or candidate Denzel Dumfries.

The former Gers and Aston Villa boss had hinted in a recent interview with Rio Ferdinand that he is ready to return to management: “I’d love another go at some point. I want to change a few things and improve a few things and come back fresh, with a few different people around myself.

“I’d love another couple of challenges doing this and that’s what I’m working on in the background at the moment. A few different ideas, a few different people around me.

“Now I’m enjoying family time and doing a lot of things that I haven’t been able to do. But there’s a part of me that still feels that there’s a bit of unfinished business in terms of wanting to go in and face another couple of exciting challenges.”

Rangers' most expensive sales of all time

Who left Ibrox for the most money?

ByRoss Kilvington Oct 9, 2025

Kevin Thomson believes Gerrard will be taking the job at “a good time” if a deal can be struck for the once England captain to return to Ibrox.

“I do think it’s a good time to take the job,” the former Gers midfielder told Sky Sports. “There’s no doubt they’ve underachieved, they’ve had a couple of difficult moments in Europe as well.

“But they’ve still got a (Premier Sports Cup) semi-final coming up, the Scottish Cup’s still to come. Obviously Hearts have made a wonderful start. Celtic have made an indifferent start, albeit they’re above Rangers, so I think a new manager would think that they’ve got plenty of time.

“Only seven games played domestically, another 30-odd to go, so it’s not as if you’re coming in and it’s already a foregone conclusion that they’re not going to win the league.

“It’ll be a tough ask, no doubt, but I think if you’ve got that belief that you think you can change the squad and get more out of the current players and start to get the team winning, I think it’s an exciting job for anyone.”

A loaded Major League Baseball card takes up our Tuesday betting experience, but all eyes will be on the AL East showdown in the Bronx. 

The Orioles will look to close the small gap with the Yankees in the AL East on Tuesday night, the start of an early week series. Who has the edge? I’m breaking down each game across the MLB card, find out how to bet it below. 

Cardinals vs. Marlins Prediction and Pick

Pick: Marlins (+125)

This is a pure fade of Lance Lynn, who can’t justify being a considerable road favorite. He has an xERA that ranks in the 37th percentile according to MLBStatcast and is not generating swings and misses, 48th percentile in whiff percentage. 

He is walking batters at the highest rate since 2018 and is striking out 22% of hitters, the second lowest of his career. 

After an extra innings game Monday, I’ll grab the home underdog Marlins to keep up. 

Padres vs. Phillies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Phillies (-150)

Aaron Nola has been pitching at a high level this season, but not in his typical form. He has an ERA of 3.48, but is striking out the lowest rate of batters since his rookie season while focusing more on generating soft contact with his elite breaking ball pitches (88th percentile). 

He is strong at limiting walks (68th percentile) which sets up nicely against a Padres team that is over-reliant on getting on base via walks, and I believe the difference between these two are greater than the price indicates. 

Mariners vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mariners (+100)

Both pitchers give me pause, but Triston McKenzie is due for a serious setback. 

The right hander is walking more than 12% of batters this season and has been crushed by hard contact, sixth percentile in barrel percentage. He’ll face a Mariners team that is hitting the ball well, 10th in runs scored this month. 

While Bryce Miller has struggled with limiting hard contact as well, fifth in barrel percentage, I believe his ability to limit free bases (59th percentile in walk rate), can keep Seattle in this one. 

Reds vs. Pirates Prediction and Pick

Pick: Reds (-125)

Cincinnati has a serious pitching edge on Tuesday with Nick Lodolo set to build on his strong start to the year. 

He has a 2.93 ERA while maintaining a sturdy walk rate and an above average strikeout percentage. He’ll match up against fellow lefty Bailey Falter, who has been crushed by hard contact, 28th percentile in hard-hit percentage. This is indicated in his xERA, which is far higher than his actual ERA, 4.94 vs. 3.86 with a career low strikeout rate. 

I’ll side with Cincy. 

Diamondbacks vs. Nationals Prediction and Pick

Pick: Diamondbacks (+100)

Arizona has a significant edge at the plate, third in OPS in the month of June, and should be able to offset any concerns for Slade Cecconi, who has a 6.70 ERA. To be fair, he has an xERA of 4.44, so there can be some upside for the right hander. 

I’ll bet on seeing it Tuesday.

Orioles vs. Yankees Prediction and Pick

Pick: Orioles (+125)

A measuring stick series begins in the Bronx on Tuesday with the Orioles heading to New York to face the Yankees. 

I’ll side with Baltimore on Tuesday. The team is third in OPS against left handed pitching, which sets up nicely against Yankees’ starter Nestor Cortes, and also has a quality arm in Albert Suarez on the bump. 

Suarez is pitching above expectation (1.61 ERA vs. 3.43 xERA), but he has done a fine job of allowing hard contact, which bodes well against the powerful bats of the Yanks. Suarez is in the 79th percentile in barrel percentage and 60th percentile in hard-hit percentage. 

I’ll take a shot on the road underdog.

Red Sox vs. Blue Jays Prediction and Pick

Pick: Red Sox (-115)

Chris Bassitt isn’t worth this price tag for the floundering Blue Jays, walking the most batters of his career since 2018 while posting a stat profile that shows regression is looming. He has an ERA of 3.56 with an xERA of 4.14 and isn’t generating the necessary swings and misses (20th in chase percentage). 

I’ll back Tanner Houck instead, who has been outstanding this season, walking a career low four percent and maintaining a high strikeout rate of 24% (65th percentile). 

Boston has been better in June, and I expect it to keep up on Tuesday. 

Tigers vs. Braves Prediction and Pick

Pick: Tigers (+140)

Both teams are hitting below the league average in the month of June in terms of OPS, and I can’t justify backing Spencer Schwellenbach given the small sample size of three starts. 

With a potentially lower scoring matchup, I’ll take a stab on the big underdog in Atlanta. 

Rays vs. Twins Prediction and Pick

Pick: Twins (-165)

Pablo Lopez is due for a big surge through the summer, his numbers are far better than it looks on the surface. Despite a 5.33 ERA, he has an xERA of 3.28 while walking a career low five percent of batters. 

Tampa Bay enters this matchup 22nd in OPS across the month of June, so I think this is a good time for Lopez to turn it on.

Giants vs. Cubs Prediction and Pick

Pick: Cubs (-115)

Logan Webb is due for a big setback. Despite having an ERA of 3.02, he has a ton of concerning numbers this season. 

Webb ranks in the first percentile in terms of hard-hit percentage and is in the ninth percentile in whiff percentage. He is generating no swings and misses and his xERA shows that he will slow down over the course of the season, posting a mark of 4.68. 

Bettors are paying a tax on the name brand of Webb, I’m happy to fade him. 

Mets vs. Rangers Prediction and Pick

Pick: Mets (-110)

The Mets are winners of six straight and get to follow up on its 14-2 win against the Rangers with another opportunity to win on Tuesday against a Texas team with a taxed bullpen. 

Keep riding New York in closely lined matchups. 

Astros vs. White Sox Prediction and Pick

Pick: Astros (-200)

The Astros have way too much firepower for the White Sox, who are 24th in OPS against left handed pitching. 

While Framber Valdez is coming off arguably his worst start of the year, four innings pitched with five earned runs, I will trust him to bounce back against a lackluster White Sox team.

Dodgers vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Pick: Dodgers (-180)

The Dodgers are the best hitting team against left handed pitching this season, which sets up nicely for a Tuesday night matchup at hitter friendly Coors Field in Colorado with the Rockies set to start Austin Gomber. 

Gomber is off three dismal starts in June, posting an ERA of 12.27 in 11 innings pitched

Even with Mookie Betts on the IL, the Dodgers should have little issue on Tuesday.

Brewers vs. Angels Prediction and Pick

Pick: Brewers (-140)

Angels’ starter Griffin Canning can’t be trusted to pitch up to this price tag against a quality team like the Brewers, who rate in the top five in terms of OPS. 

Canning is striking out15% of batters (ninth percentile) and has been crushed by hard contact (19th percentile). Milwaukee should have little issue generating run support and tagging a bottom five bullpen in terms of ERA after Canning. 

Royals vs. Athletics Prediction and Pick

Pick: Royals (-135)

Kansas City is a playoff team, full stop. The team continues to be rated as one that isn’t and is always a team I’m eyeing to bet inside of -150, especially against an Athletics team that is hitting .213 in the month of June. 

Nottingham Forest are suffering a mini-crisis right now and under-fire new boss Ange Postecoglou is under significant pressure, despite being just six games into his tenure.

Ange Postecoglou already facing calls for Nottingham Forest sack

Appointed just under one month ago after Forest parted ways with Nuno Espírito Santo, Postecoglou was brought in on the promise of a new attacking direction and a more positive, high-pressing brand of football.

So far, though, results have been extremely disappointing and dissatisfaction is mounting in the stands.

Chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ rang around the City Ground when Danish minnows FC Midtjylland secured a surprise 3-2 Europa League win in Nottingham on Thursday – a match which best summed up Forest’s serious fragility since Postecoglou took charge.

Forest remain winless under Postecoglou after six matches in all competitions, a stretch that has seen them lose four and draw two.

It’s the worst start by any Forest manager in 100 years, and frustration has spilled over into disdain among supporters.

Postecoglou’s trademark ‘Angeball’ — a philosophy built on possession, quick transitions, and aggressive pressing — has struggled to translate into needed results.

Forest’s squad, accustomed to a more pragmatic, counter-attacking style under Nuno, have looked pretty uncomfortable adjusting to the new approach so far — despite some flashes of brilliant play against the likes of Real Betis — where they really deserved to win that game.

Arsenal 3-0 Forest

Premier League

Swansea 3-2 Forest

Carabao Cup

Burnley 1-1 Forest

Premier League

Real Betis 2-2 Forest

Europa League

Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Premier League

Forest 2-3 FC Midtjylland

Europa League

Defensive frailties have been majorly exposed, with the team conceding crucial goals from set pieces and counter-attacks.

A trip to Newcastle awaits Postecoglou next, but while Forest are remaining patient with the 60-year-old (Fabrizio Romano), this could now change pretty quickly.

A loss at St. James’ Park could even spell the end for Tottenham’s former boss, who ended the Lilywhites’ 17-year wait for major silverware at the end of last season.

Fabrizio Romano reported this week that Ange will be given time at Forest, but according to TEAMtalk, ruthless Reds owner Evangelos Marinakis is already considering a bold replacement.

Oliver Glasner emerging as "prime candidate" to replace Ange at Forest

According to their information, as sourced by journalist Fraser Fletcher, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is now among the top contenders to succeed Postecoglou if he is sacked.

Glasner helped to end Palace’s history-long wait for a major trophy last term, guiding them to a 1-0 win over Man City in the FA Cup final, and the South Londoners are currently on an unprecedented 19-game unbeaten run.

The Austrian has also worked wonders on a limited budget despite losing the likes of Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, which has prompted links to the Man United job as pressure also mounts on Ruben Amorim.

It is believed that Glasner is emerging as a “prime candidate” for the Forest job now too, but it remains to be seen whether the Europa League-winning tactician would swap high-flying Palace for Forest given their contrasting fortunes.

That being said, Glasner’s proven track record of consistently overachieving with less-fancied squads in the Bundesliga, Austrian Bundesliga and, now, the Premier League, makes him a pretty exceptional option.

The 51-year-old’s flexible tactical approach has earned serious plaudits, and he’s known for building compact, organized teams that defend as a unit, which could address Forest’s vulnerabilities under Postecoglou.

Glasner was named as a managerial target for Tottenham at one point as well, with pundit John Wenham calling him a potentially “exciting” appointment.

While Glasner is currently employed and Palace will likely fight to keep him, reliable reports claim that he is hesitating on signing a new deal after being offered one in the summer, with his current contract due to expire in 2026 (BBC).

Karun Nair’s comeback knock went in vain as DC imploded to lose by 12 runs

Shashank Kishore13-Apr-20252:00

What was the turning point in DC’s innings?

Mumbai Indians (MI) clinched a thriller they had no business winning; not certainly after a comeback knock for the ages from Karun Nair, who smashed a 40-ball 89 in a chase of 206. But Karn Sharma, their Impact Sub, cracked open the game with a three-wicket haul, to cause an implosion that ended with a hat-trick of run outs in the penultimate over as Delhi Capitals (DC) fell short by 12 runs.It meant there are no unbeaten teams left at IPL 2025. DC would rue the two points that were stolen right from under their nose, disrupting their run of four straight wins, as their homecoming at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was met with a heartbreak no one saw coming.For MI, this was only their second win in six games, but it’s the one that will reinvigorate a campaign that threatened to turn pear-shaped less than halfway in.Nair’s comebackSeven years after his most recent IPL half-century, and three years since he played in the tournament, Nair set the pace in DC’s chase after Jake Fraser-McGurk was out first ball.Coming off a ridiculous run of rich form in the domestic season, Nair’s takedown of Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay – he picked 28 off nine deliveries, including three fours and two sixes – landed the early punches on MI.Karun Nair made his first IPL fifty in seven years•BCCI

Nair was all wrist and hand-eye coordination – whipping Bumrah off his hip with nonchalance and being equally audacious by making room and carving him inside-out over deep extra cover for two sixes. Against spin, he was quick to pick lengths and sweep, and on an occasion reverse-sweep.He went into overdrive after bringing up a 22-ball half-century and looked set to get to three figures when a magic ball from Mitchell Santner got him. Expecting the wet ball to skid through, Nair played for a straight one, only to see the ball rip square and beat his push to hit top of off.Five balls later, when Axar Patel was out to a leading edge to give Bumrah his first wicket of the season, MI had some inkling of hope. DC were 145 for 4 at the end of that over, the 13th.The ball changeIPL’s new rule change that allows teams to ask for a new ball to counter dew after 11 overs into the second innings brought MI some much needed relief at the start of the 14th.Three balls in, relief turned into elation when Tristan Stubbs toe-ended a slog to make it four wickets in four overs. When KL Rahul fell in eerily similar fashion two overs later, the 16th, after being done in the air and off the pitch to top edge a return catch, DC were in the middle of a full-blown collapse.Even so, with 42 off 24 needed and two batters – Ashutosh Sharma and Vipraj Nigam who orchestrated a similar comeback against LSG – at the crease, DC still had hope that kept thinning when Trent Boult nailed five yorkers in a gun 17th over that went for just three runs.This is when Santner, who’d already bowled arguably the ball of the match to get Nair, bounced back after conceding a six and four to Nigam before deceiving him in the air to have him stumped. The relatively drier ball offered plenty of grip and turn, and Santner now had his second.Will Jacks and Ryan Rickelton combined to run out Ashutosh Sharma•BCCI

The hat-trick of run outsBumrah’s figures as he ran in for his final over, the 19th of the match read 3-0-34-1. With Ashutosh still in, DC had hopes. After refusing a single off the first ball, he hit him for two consecutive fours – a reverse ramped over short third followed by a thick outside edge.With the equation down to 15 off 8, Ashutosh carved a yorker-length ball to deep point and turned for a second that proved costly. The decision to run the second wasn’t the problem; that he had to run around Bumrah as he turned around at the non-striker’s end cost him a split-second which eventually had him short of the crease.Then Kuldeep Yadav and Mohit Sharma were run out off successive deliveries as MI ended with a hat-trick of run-outs to close out the game.Tilak shines after wristspin twins strikeTilak Varma was subbed out two games ago for being unable to force the pace. In his first outing after that, he made 56 off 29 in a tall run chase against RCB last week. On Sunday, he top-scored with 59 off 43 to help MI post 205.It was his eighth IPL half-century, astonishingly his first in a winning cause. The knock provided MI a base, which Naman Dhir maximised to provide the finishing kick.A floater in the batting order, Dhir 38 off just 17; his fifth-wicket stand off 60 off 33 with Tilak helping MI recover from the wickets of Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the space of six deliveries in the middle stages.DC’s wristspin twins Kuldeep and Nigam combined to pick up 4 for 64 off eight overs, after MI threatened to take the game away when Rohit Sharma began by imperiously driving Mitchell Starc for two fours and then scooping him for a six.Suryakumar Yadav, batting at No. 3 for the first time this season, and Ryan Rickelton too got off to starts but couldn’t convert. But just when it seemed as if MI would be restricted, they found saviours in Tilak and Dhir, who gave them a total to bowl at – those extra runs at the end seemingly making a wholesome difference to the result.

Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has been defined by sharp recruitment, shrewd coaching, and an ability to identify players who are ready to step into the limelight away from the shadows of Europe’s biggest clubs.

In Morgan Rogers, Villa found exactly that: a player once on the books at Manchester City, who needed a platform to showcase his ability.

Just 18 months on from swapping the Etihad for Villa Park, Rogers has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s brightest attacking midfielders, demonstrating the value of spotting untapped potential.

That model has become central to Villa’s approach in a summer where financial pressures have forced them to balance ambition with pragmatism.

The club has already lost academy graduate Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United in a bid to meet Profit and Sustainability Regulations.

Aston Villa enter the race for Barcelona talent

As long as Emery’s side seek to compete at the highest level, their transfer strategy must be both precise and opportunistic.

It is within this context that Villa are eyeing their next move.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The profile of the target is clear: highly talented, underused at an elite club, and brimming with the potential to grow into a genuine superstar once given a consistent role.

In other words, another Rogers-style signing.

Reports via Sport Witness revealed that Aston Villa have joined Wolves and Marseille in the battle to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, a player described by “spectacular” Sergio Busquets.

The 21-year-old is valued at €30m (£25m), with Barça facing a difficult dilemma over his future, and the player has already received an offer from Villa to leave Camp Nou behind.

Casado is a La Masia graduate and a Catalonia native, factors that make the political optics of a sale complicated.

The club knows moving him on could cause friction among supporters, yet their long-standing financial problems remain unresolved.

The midfielder currently earns €10,000 a week, and Wolves are reportedly prepared to quadruple that to tempt him into a Premier League move.

Why Casado could be the next Rogers

Villa’s interest comes at a time when Emery’s squad has stumbled slightly at the start of the campaign, collecting just one point from their opening two fixtures.

With a Europa League campaign to navigate and squad depth already tested, adding quality in midfield is a priority.

Casado, who featured 23 times in La Liga last season and played ten Champions League matches, fits the bill as both a ready contributor and a long-term investment.

Wolves have been proactive in making contact, particularly as they look to rebound from a difficult start under Vítor Pereira, losing their first two league games after selling key players Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri.

Yet Villa possess a crucial advantage: the opportunity to offer a proven pathway of development.

Rogers’ success after leaving City is proof of what can be achieved at Villa Park.

Casado’s qualities suggest he could thrive in the same way Rogers has at Villa.

A deep-lying playmaker with the versatility to cover at right-back or centre-back, he brings both defensive solidity and creative incision.

His underlying numbers are striking.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 91st percentile compared to positionally similar players in Europe for assists per 90 (0.20), the 94th percentile for touches (86.03) and passes into the final third (7.49), while completing 90.1% of his passes – evidence of his reliability in possession.

Defensively, he averages over three tackles per game, highlighting his work rate and adaptability.

What makes Casado particularly intriguing is how his career echoes Rogers’ trajectory. Like the English midfielder at City, Casado is blocked by world-class competition at Barcelona.

Both players require a club prepared to give them consistent minutes in a competitive environment without the suffocating expectation that comes with being part of an elite, star-studded squad.

Rogers grasped that opportunity with both hands, making 54 appearances last season across competitions, scoring 12 goals and assisting 14, while playing a key role in Villa’s Champions League run.

His initial £8m transfer fee now looks like one of the bargains of the decade, and his market value has since risen to £50m.

Casado, at £25m, represents a bigger outlay, but one that could prove similarly shrewd if his development mirrors that of Rogers.

There is also the question of timing.

Casado recently left his agent and will be represented by Jorge Mendes from October, a move designed to secure his long-term future.

While he has publicly insisted it is not a step motivated by salary, Mendes’ involvement inevitably increases the likelihood of a move abroad, given his extensive Premier League connections.

For Villa, the chance to repeat the Rogers model is obvious. Casado is young, versatile, technically gifted, and already tested in both La Liga and the Champions League.

He might not yet be a guaranteed starter for Barcelona, but under Emery, he could become an essential cog in a side that thrives on midfield dynamism and tactical flexibility.

If Casado makes the move, his ceiling is immense.

Busquets’ endorsement underlines his pedigree, while his statistical profile suggests a player capable of dictating play at the highest level.

Like Rogers, the conditions are right for him to flourish away from the glare of his current surroundings.

For Aston Villa, it is about recognising that the next superstar might not be the finished article, but a rough diamond ready to shine.

He's like Duran & Benteke: Aston Villa make £65m star their top target

Aston Villa are eyeing up a new striker who is a mix of Jhon Durán and Christian Benteke.

By
Will Miller

Aug 23, 2025

Kyle Jamieson last played international cricket a year ago. Since then, there were ten months out with a stress fracture of the back – for the second time in his career. Having been named in New Zealand’s squad for the Champions Trophy as an injury replacement for Lockie Ferguson, Jamieson feels he is in the best place ever “from a cricket point”.Jamieson last played an ODI in September 2023, against Bangladesh just before the World Cup. Looking back at his time off, Jamieson said his comeback worked out “roughly around the time-frames we looked at”.”I had a good crew around me, and the start of it was trying to put that all together around, what that’s going to look like, and how we’re going to get from where I was at the bottom of the cliff and how we’re going to get back up to the top of it,” he said after reaching Rawalpindi ahead of New Zealand’s match against Bangladesh.Related

• New dad Jamieson is keen to defuse some fireworks on the cricket field again

• Simmons wants top order 'to put things together' in the powerplay

• New Zealand aim for semi-finals; Bangladesh aim to stay alive

• Players injured and unavailable for Champions Trophy

• Glenn Phillips finds secret to his success

Jamieson has had his share of injures in a short international career so far. In June 2022, he experienced “sharp pain” in his lower back and walked off midway through his 17th over in a Test at Trent Bridge. Just ahead of the home Tests against England in early 2023, a suspected recurrence of the back injury ruled him out and he underwent surgery. It was only in August that year that Jamieson was back on the field, when he played five T20Is and three ODIs across the tours of the UAE and England. He then toured Bangladesh, where he played in two of the three ODIs.New Zealand even named Jamieson as cover for an injured Matt Henry for the World Cup in 2023, before drafting him into the squad proper. Although Jamieson didn’t get to play the tournament, he featured in both Tests on the subsequent tour of Bangladesh. However, a stiff hamstring ruled him out of the ODI series at home against the same opposition, and he also sat out of the T20Is on “medical advice”. It was after that, halfway through the home series against South Africa, that Jamieson found himself out again.”It’s been a long one. Obviously, a lot of hard work [has gone into the comeback],” he said. “I had to go back to square one, and rebuild a few things. [I had to] try and solidify the foundations so I can get back to this arena and take on the different forms of cricket again. It’s certainly been a long road, but it’s quite funny once you’re back in the mix and forget about how long it’s taken.”In the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, Jamieson worked his way back by representing Canterbury in the Super Smash and Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s domestic T20 and 50-over competitions respectively. He bagged 14 wickets at an average of 18.71 to be Canterbury Magicians’ highest wicket-taker in the Super Smash, where he played in all 12 matches.”I really enjoyed being a part of a full campaign. You don’t often get a chance to be a part of long stretches of time with your domestic team,” he said. “From the cricket point of view, it was great to be back in the park and just see where your game’s at. I was always reasonably confident that part was going to be okay, but it’s just nice to obviously put it back into that arena. I guess those are some of the pressures and challenges that come with that sort of high-pressure cricket.”New Zealand face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Monday, after beating Pakistan comfortably in the tournament opener. They then face India on March 2 in Dubai in what is the final group fixture of the tournament.

“We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers,” says the former South Africa captain who is also part of ICC’s cricket committee

PTI11-Jan-2025

Shaun Pollock expects the South Africans’ experience playing the IPL to help them at the Champions Trophy•AFP/Getty Images

Shaun Pollock, the media representative of the ICC’s cricket committee, has said that the body is “working on something” to give bowlers “bit more leeway on wides”, particularly with batters often moving around the crease in limited-overs formats.”If a batter jumps across [at the] last minute, it doesn’t really work out for me,” Pollock told PTI on the sidelines of the SA20. “I think a bowler, at the start of his run-up, needs to know where he can bowl it.”The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it’s that point of delivery where the batter is, and that’s according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change. I want them to know exactly when they’re running up why or how – how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he’s bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go.”So it’s in the pipeline, we’re all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers.”As things stand, though, the ICC’s playing conditions specify that a ball should be called a wide if it “passes wide of where the striker is standing and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position”, and also, it is not a wide “if the striker, by moving, either causes the ball to pass wide of him, or brings the ball sufficiently within reach to be able to hit it by means of a normal cricket stroke”.That aside, at the IPL and the WPL in India since 2023, players – bowlers and batters – have been empowered to review wide calls by umpires using DRS.Simon Taufel, though, has not been in favour of it.”I’m really conscious around trying to turn the art of officiating into a science and seek perfection, whatever that looks like, with decision making,” Taufel had told ESPNcricinfo. “So with wides for example, and here we’re going to, potentially according to you, or according to the player or the debate, take a wide call and throw that back to the third umpire for them to judge on something that might be marginal and is still a judgement call.”Pollock hopes SA’s ‘IPL stars’ make a difference at Champions TrophyPollock said South Africa should look to leverage their players’ experience in subcontinent conditions during the upcoming Champions Trophy, which will be played in Pakistan (with the exception of matches featuring India, which will be played in Dubai).”You’ve got basically the similar players that were at that [2023 ODI] World Cup, where we got to the semi-final and lost to Australia,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of IPL stars who play for South Africa. In those situations, everything looks good. The amount of IPL players, people like [Heinrich] Klaasen, [David] Miller, even [Quinton] de Kock, all those guys who spend so much time over there, getting an understanding for conditions, that can only help South Africa.”They [have] got the ICC Test Championship [final] now as well, so it’s been some good stuff and, hopefully, some younger individuals come up. We’ve seen it starting to develop in the Test arena.”‘South African cricket needed SA20 injection’The SA20, South Africa’s pre-eminent franchise-based T20 competition, is now in its third season, and Pollock said it had “gone from strength to strength” in its short existence.”Some of the activities at the ground as well, the Catch 2 Million competition this year has been added,” he said. “I know the young kids are taught ‘you’ve got to get to the ground’, because we need some money these days with the economy the way it is. But it’s definitely gone from strength to strength.”South African cricket needed this injection – there’s no doubt about it. They needed something to create a bit of unbelievable interest in the game.”

Everton’s search for a match-winning centre-forward is heating up.

The club’s recruitment team are pushing hard to secure a signing who can both lead the line with authority and bring a clinical edge in front of goal.

The profile they are targeting is clear: a striker in the mould of Romelu Lukaku – a player who can bully defenders with physicality and convert chances at a prolific rate.

The Toffees have been crying out for a reliable forward since the Belgian’s departure in 2017.

Now, with David Moyes at the helm and a summer recruitment strategy shaped by ambition, Everton appear ready to act decisively.

Everton's looking at signing their new Lukaku

The club have already turned heads with the loan signing of Jack Grealish from Manchester City, adding star quality to their forward line.

But there is a growing acceptance that, without a proven striker to convert those chances, Everton’s attacking rebuild will be incomplete.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The latest target fits the brief, and reports suggest the Merseyside outfit are prepared to make a significant financial commitment to get their man.

According to Football Insider, Everton have submitted a £37m bid for AS Roma’s powerful Ukrainian striker, Artem Dovbyk.

Dovbyk, 28, has been the subject of widespread Premier League interest this summer, with clubs such as Leeds United, West Ham United and Sunderland all linked to him.

However, Everton appear to be leading the race, aided by the fact that Roma are also owned by the Friedkin Group.

The striker is reportedly keen on a move to England, just 18 months after joining Roma from La Liga side Girona.

His final audition came in a 1-0 pre-season win over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Dovbyk featured for 80 minutes.

The Lukaku Comparison

Everton’s interest in this “elite target man”, as he’s been referred to by European football expert Zach Lowy, comes alongside other forward-thinking moves in the market.

They are keeping tabs on right-wing options such as Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling, both of whom could operate alongside the Ukrainian in a new-look attack.

Dovbyk’s arrival would also provide valuable mentorship to 22-year-old French striker Thierno Barry, recently signed from Villarreal for £27.6m and boasting a similar physical style of play.

The comparison to Lukaku is an obvious one – and for good reason.

Both players stand at over 1.88 and combine their physical power with an instinctive eye for goal.

Romelu Lukaku

286

Artem Dovbyk

131

Dovbyk’s stats from his 2023/24 season with Girona underscore just how effective he can be.

The Ukrainian scored 24 goals and provided 8 assists in 36 league appearances, helping the Catalan club secure Champions League qualification for the first time in their history.

According to FBref, he ranked in the 97th percentile for goals per 90 (0.83) and the 97th percentile for expected goals per 90 (0.84), demonstrating the kind of consistency that Everton have been missing for years.

Crucially, Dovbyk isn’t one-dimensional. His link-up play is strong, as shown by his 82nd percentile ranking for expected assists per 90 (0.13), and he is deceptively adept with the ball at his feet, completing 68% of his take-ons.

He also wins nearly half of his aerial duels, adding to his utility as both a hold-up player and a set-piece threat.

When comparing him to Lukaku’s time at Everton, the parallels are striking.

Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 appearances for the club, registering double figures in the league for four consecutive seasons.

His best campaign, the 2016/17 season, saw him score 25 league goals and claim six assists – earning him Everton’s Player of the Season award.

Like Dovbyk, Lukaku thrived on using his physicality to dominate defenders.

Dovbyk offers a similar promise – a striker who can be the focal point of the attack, hold off multiple defenders, and still find the back of the net with regularity.

The timing of this potential transfer could be transformative for the club.

Moyes’ side start their Premier League campaign on Monday against Leeds United and adding a striker of Dovbyk’s calibre before the window closes would give the squad a major psychological lift.

The prospect of linking him with Grealish, as well as emerging talents like Barry, hints at an Everton attack that could be both physically overwhelming and tactically versatile.

Furthermore, Everton’s recent struggles in front of goal have been as much about chance creation as finishing.

With Grealish capable of threading passes through tight defences and potential additions on the flanks to stretch play, Dovbyk could find himself in the kind of service-rich environment that allows him to replicate his Girona numbers.

For Everton, this feels like more than just another signing.

It’s a chance to reconnect with an identity that once made them a feared opponent – a team built around a powerful, relentless striker who can decide games almost single-handedly.

In Dovbyk, they may have found their next Lukaku.

Better move than Grealish: Everton looking to sign "unstoppable" £17m CF

As Everton look to bolster their forward options, with Jack Grealish potentially on his way, the Toffees could also sign an “unstoppable” £17m striker

ByBen Gray Aug 11, 2025

Bangladesh vs Scotland

Sharjah, 2pm local timeBangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana (capt, wk), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha BiswasScotland squad: Kathryn Bryce (capt), Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce (wk), Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Saskia Horley, Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Rachel SlaterTournament form guide: In the pre-tournament warm-up games, Bangladesh lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs, and beat Pakistan by 23 runs. Scotland beat Pakistan by eight wickets, and lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets.News brief: Scotland are in a Women’s Cricket World Cup – be it 50 overs or 20 – for the first time. They got there by making the final of the Qualifier earlier this year. They have lost each of their four T20Is against Bangladesh, the last of which came in September 2022. Bangladesh, though, last won a Women’s T20 World Cup game in 2014, when they were hosts. A chance to tweak the record then, after going four editions winless.Player to watch: Nahida Akter, on 99 T20I wickets, could hold the key to Bangladesh’s progress in the competition. She is on the verge of becoming the first woman from Bangladesh – and only the third across genders, behind Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman – to 100 T20I wickets. With a plethora of right-hand batters in Scotland’s line-up, she could be licking her lips.Scotland defeated Pakistan during the warm-ups•ICC/Getty Images

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Sharjah, 6pm local timePakistan squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba HassanSri Lanka squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilshari, Nilakshika Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Achini Kulasuriya, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika KumariTournament form guide: In the pre-tournament warm-ups, Pakistan lost to Scotland by eight wickets, and lost to Bangladesh by 23 runs. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 33 runs and Scotland by five wickets.News brief: Sadia Iqbal was named in the Pakistan squad subject to fitness. She bowled seven overs across the two warm-up games and returned two wickets against Bangladesh. That would come as relief for Pakistan because Iqbal has not just played all of Pakistan’s completed 32 T20Is since the start of 2023 but also is their leading wicket-taker in that period. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have won their last three T20I outings against Pakistan, including the semi-final of the Asia Cup this year.Player to watch: Chamari Athapaththu is used to having the spotlight firmly on her when she takes the field for Sri Lanka. For the first time though, she comes to a World Cup with her team portrayed as the tournament’s dark horse. And that could pose a challenge of a different kind – that of living up to expectations with the bat and as a leader. But when has Athapaththu ever shied away from a tough gig?

It is set to be a very busy summer for Arsenal.

After three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s team are determined to finally take the next step.

With that objective in mind, could they be about to make yet another statement signing from Spain?

Arsenal's incoming transfer business

By early next week, with Tuesday being the start of July, expect a few of Arsenal’s transfer targets to be unveiled.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Kepa Arrizabalaga will arrive from Chelsea for a reported fee of £5m, to be the back-up to David Raya, while, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic, Arsenal are ‘finalising’ a deal to sign Brentford captain Christian Nørgaard for £9.3m.

The Dane, however, is not the only central midfielder heading to North London, given that Martín Zubimendi is set to be unveiled next week, after the Gunners paid his £51m Real Sociedad release clause.

Nevertheless, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both departing on free transfers, this is an area of the team they do require multiple reinforcements, so are seemingly not done yet.

That’s because, according to reports in Spain, the Gunners are ‘preparing an offer’ of around £35m to Barcelona, as they attempt to sign Marc Casadó.

They also claim that Arteta believes the 21-year-old ‘fits his style of play’ perfectly, hence why the la Másia graduate ‘has become a priority’ for Arsenal.

Given Barcelona’s ongoing financial crisis, they have not ruled out sanctioning a departure, especially one that facilitates Nico Williams’ arrival from Athletic Club which, as Pol Ballús of the Athletic outlines, still faces financial obstacles.

How Marc Casadó would improve Arsenal

As alluded to earlier, Casadó joined Barcelona’s academy as a 13-year-old, making his senior debut for the first team during a Champions League dead rubber against Viktoria Plzeň in November 2022.

Since then, he has accumulated 41 appearances for Barça, but only establishing himself as a key figure this season, a regular starter before suffering a ligament injury in March, as the table below outlines.

Marc Casadó Barcelona statistics 2024/25
Statistics	Casadó	Barça rank
Appearances	36	16th
Starts	29	10th
Minutes	2,447	11th
Completed passes	1,682	7th
Progressive passes	154	8th
Passes into the final third	182	6th
Shot-creating actions	64	9th
Tackles	77	2nd
Interceptions	25	8th
Touches	2,122	8th
Ball recoveries	120	8th
Average SofaScore rating	7.03	10th
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore

As the table outlines, Casadó ranked very highly for every metric included at Barcelona this season, including both passing, as well as defensive statistics, namely tackles, interceptions and ball recoveries, underlining that he is an all-rounder.

Following his international debut against Denmark in Copenhagen, in which he came off the bench to replace Zubimendi, teammate Bryan Zaragoza described the midfielder as “barbaric”, adding “I don’t even know what to say about how he played​​​​​​​…. he’s an animal”.

Meantime, Domagoj Kostanjšak of Total Football Analysis believes he is the heir to Sergio Busquets’ throne, stating that Casadó is ‘mostly a ball-recycler’, praising his ‘crisp close control and great decision-making in possession’.

Meantime, Price of Breaking the Lines outlines how the youngster ‘always wants to make progressive passes’, noting that he is almost never dispossessed​​​​​​​ and has the ability to ‘dominate’ any midfield battle he is involved in.

So, we all already know what Zubimendi is all about, with Ogunniyi Abayomi of Breaking the Lines stating that he too is ‘capable of making line-breaking passes​​​​​​​’ as well as dictating the tempo from the base of midfield.

Thus, together, the Spanish duo – both potentially arriving from LaLiga – could form an unstoppable partnership, finally ending Arsenal’s interminable 22-year wait for the Premier League title.

£70m star wants to join Arsenal after Norgaard and Mosquera, talks ongoing

The north Londoners mean business this summer.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 28, 2025