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After arriving at Celtic on a season-long loan deal this summer, things did not get off to the best of starts in Cameron Carter-Vickers’ career at Parkhead, with the Bhoys winning just one of the centre-back’s opening three league games for the club, as well as suffering defeat in his first two Europa League appearances.

However, things have improved considerably for the defender in recent weeks, with the 23-year-old appearing to be much more settled within Ange Postecoglou’s side – something which had contributed to Celtic winning four consecutive fixtures in all competitions prior to Wednesday night’s trip to Hibernian.

And, in the game at Easter Road, the USA international once again proved exactly why the Bhoys wanted to sign him this summer, with the centre-back turning in arguably his best performance in a Celtic shirt to date in the 3-1 win over Jack Ross’ side.

Proved Ange right

Having earned SofaScore match ratings of 6.8 in Celtic’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen, 7.8 in the 2-0 win over Motherwell, another 7.8 in the 2-0 win over Ferencvarosi TC and a 7.6 in the 2-0 win over St. Johnstone last weekend, it is clear to see that the centre-back is in an incredibly fine run of form at present – something that certainly continued against Hibs.

Indeed, over his 90 minutes on the pitch, the £1.8m-rated man bossed the Celtic backline, blocking two shots, making nine clearances, three interceptions and not being dribbled past by an opponent once, as per SofaScore.

That’s not to mention his goal in the 14th minute to hand the Hoops a two-goal advantage.

Carter-Vickers, who Johnathan Woodgate once dubbed an “important” defender, also won three of his five aerial duels, completed 44 of his 46 attempted passes (96.7%).

These returns saw the £20k-per-week Tottenham loanee earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.9, with only David Turnbull receiving a higher rating than the American on Wednesday evening.

Ange is getting his just desserts for his continued faith in the Spurs loanee.

As such, should Carter-Vickers be able to maintain this level of form over the coming weeks and months, he will undoubtedly play a huge role in Celtic’s push to reclaim their Scottish Premiership crown this season – something that is looking increasingly likely, as the 3-1 win against Hibs took the Bhoys to within two points of the top of the table.

In other news: Ange confirms Nicholson negotiations with “huge” talent, Celtic fans will be buzzing

Football Insider pundit Kevin Phillips has been reacting to Celtic and Rangers’ reported interest in Millwall star Jed Wallace.

The Lowdown: Wallace links

Football League World shared a report regarding Wallace just a day after Dominic McKay left his position as Celtic CEO.

They claimed that a number of English clubs, as well as Celtic and Rangers, were all interested in securing Wallace’s services.

The 27-year-old is out of contract next summer and has already been involved in six Championship goals in eight appearances this season.

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The Latest: Phillips reacts

Phillips was asked by Football Insider if right-midfielder Wallace would be a good signing for either Celtic or Rangers.

The former forward labelled Wallace as a ‘top’ player and backed him to ‘shine’ if he moved to Scotland.

“Wallace has been a top player for Millwall over the past few years. He has proved to be a good signing for them.

“I think he would shine if he went up there. He has all of the attributes to move up to Scotland, settle in quickly and do really well.”

However, the 48-year-old then went on to name-check Rangers ahead of Celtic, labelling a possible free transfer as a no-brainer.

“We know he possesses a lot of quality so if he goes up to Rangers, which I can see happening, Steven Gerrard will be getting a player who can slot into that squad quickly.

“On a free it really would be a no-brainer.”

The Verdict: January battle?

Both Glasgow sides could hold an advantage over interested English clubs due to cross border rules.

Should Wallace’s situation remain the same, both the Hoops and the Gers would be able to discuss pre-contract terms with the Englishman in the New Year, something clubs down south wouldn’t be able to do.

On that basis, a winter window battle between Celtic and Rangers could be on the cards.

In other news: 12 games out – Ange handed more Celtic injury problems as update emerges.

Chris Broad landed back in Manchester and launched a stinging attack on the security in Lahore at the time of yesterday’s attack which left eight people dead, while expressing his concern that the incident sounds a ‘death knell’ for cricket in Pakistan

Cricinfo staff04-Mar-2009
Chris Broad: ‘We were promised high level security and in our hour of need that security vanished. There was not a sign of a policeman anywhere’ © PA Photos
Chris Broad landed back in Manchester and launched a stinging attack on the security in Lahore at the time of yesterday’s attack which left eight people dead, while expressing his concern that the incident sounds a ‘death knell’ for cricket in Pakistan.Broad, who was the ICC’s match referee for the Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the city, accused the Pakistani authorities of leaving match officials as “sitting ducks” and claiming that players and officials arriving for the Test were not offered sufficient protection despite assurances given by the Pakistan board.”I’m angry with the Pakistani security forces,” Broad said. “We were promised high level security and in our hour of need that security vanished. There was not a sign of a policeman anywhere. They had clearly gone, left the scene and left us to be sitting ducks. I had an inkling before the Test match leg of the tour that something might happen. I certainly didn’t think this was going to happen.”Broad’s claims that he had flagged concerns about the security before the start of the series will raise issues. “I raised my concerns with the ICC before the tour started and they passed on those concerns to the Pakistan board. They assured me through e-mail that all security would be taken care of, presidential-style security. And clearly that didn’t happen.”When we were in the van we weren’t aware of what was going on outside. But after the incident when you watch the TV pictures you can clearly see the white van we were in, next to the ambulance in the middle of a roundabout, with terrorists shooting into our van and past our van and not a sign of a policeman anywhere.”Broad has been praised for throwing himself on top of fellow official Ahsan Raza as the vehicle they were travelling in came under fire. “I am not a hero,” he said. “Most of us were just waiting for a bullet to hit us.”Raza was shot in the back during the attack and rushed to Lahore’s Service hospital for surgery on a collapsed right lung and a damaged liver. Hospital staff said the operation was successful.Raza’s family members have said he is recovering fast and is likely to be released from the intensive care unit in the next two to three days.Broad went on to say that some of the security forces fled when the shooting started. “At some stage … someone opened the door of the van and an elite policeman threw himself inside and lay on top of me. That wasn’t particularly brave. When the shooting stopped, I shouted at him to drive us away but he said: ‘I don’t drive.'”For all Broad’s anger at the security concerns, he was just as dismayed at the impact that the attack could have on the future of cricket in the country. “They have a lot of very talented cricketers, and I feel sorry for the cricketers and for the cricket-mad public of Pakistan,” he said. “But this is a bit of a death knell for cricket in Pakistan and I feel sorry for those people. I can’t see it going on for the foreseeable future.”Ijaz Butt, the chairman [of the PCB] has come out and said that friends will come to Pakistan but I don’t think they have any friends in world cricket that will go to Pakistan after this has happened. Sri Lanka were a friendly country – they wanted to go, they wanted to support Pakistan. I don’t think they will be going back and certainly India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa won’t be keen.”Broad said the ICC would, in future, possibly have to take more direct responsibility for security arrangements rather than leaving matters to individual boards. “There are countries who have their own security experts,” he said. “I know England have Reg Dickason from Australia. Dickason didn’t think Pakistan was safe for anyone to go to. He was amazed the Sri Lanka tour went ahead. But he’s not advising Sri Lanka.”Maybe there’s something for the ICC to look at – that they themselves take the safety concerns into consideration and make the decisions.”

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has delivered a Leeds United update on Rodrigo, who was the subject of late transfer interest from La Liga giants Barcelona.

What’s the story?

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, he said: “My understanding is that Barcelona were keen on him and did have a look at him, but Barcelona have been such a mess through this window that it didn’t feel like it ever got to a point where they were serious about it.

“I mean, Leeds in no way would have let him go on loan, it would have had to have been a permanent (deal). I don’t think they want Rodrigo to go and I don’t think Rodrigo wants to go. Bielsa’s spoken a few times about trying to keep him in the building, keep him in the mix, get him into form.

“So it didn’t seem to me like that was ever going to happen. I mean, from the PR point of view, I really don’t know how that would have looked, you know, right at the end to have been doing a deal for him. But there was Spanish interest in him, without a doubt, because he is a very good player.”

Bielsa could revive Rodrigo

Even here on FFC, Rodrigo’s disappointing career thus far at Elland Road has been criticised, but Hay’s reveal that Bielsa is keen on getting him back to his best is certainly exciting news for fans.

The Spaniard has a proven pedigree at European level with the likes of Valencia and Benfica, and has competed on the biggest stage and in the biggest competitions.

Last season may just have been a period of adaptation, and while his opening day performance against United led to some Leeds fans slamming him, this campaign could well be the making of him.

He showed flashes of his quality towards the back end of last season, not least in Leeds’ 4-0 drubbing of Burnley at Turf Moor where he bagged a late, quick-fire brace after coming on as a substitute.

Whether it’s continuing to give him that role just behind Patrick Bamford, or maybe even a stint up front or out wide like he has played in previous years, Bielsa’s faith in Rodrigo is admirable, and it’s one that may excite fans who are surely keen to see him finally light up Elland Road more than 12 months after first joining them.

Meanwhile, this Leeds United transfer target is now set for contract talks…

Arsenal have been linked with a shock move for Serge Aurier in recent days…

What’s the word?

According to Sky Sports, the Gunners have been notified about the 28-year-old’s availability following his release from arch-rivals Spurs on deadline day.

It’s thought that the Ivory Coast right-back is keen to remain in the country after attracting offers from France, Turkey and Russia during the transfer window.

No suitable bid came forward and with Aurier having no future at the north London club, the two parties came to a mutual agreement to end his £120k-per-week contract a year early.

Disaster waiting to happen

Gunners chief Edu Gaspar is already facing mounting pressure at the Emirates Stadium following several poor transfer windows and a move for the calamitous defender could see the fanbase turn on him even more.

The Brazilian sporting director has endured a nightmare in recent seasons – under his tenure, Arsenal have spent around £300m but have only recouped £80m in return, per the Express.

In that time, they have recorded back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the Premier League and went from clinching the FA Cup to not qualifying for a European competition whatsoever.

To make matters worse, they have made no fewer than six additions this summer and Mikel Arteta’s side have lost all three of their top-flight matches.

“Get rid” and “fraud” are just two phrases that have been used to describe the Arsenal supremo in recent days, as relayed by HITC.

According to reports, the Gunners could line up another ex-player, Marc Overmars, as Edu’s replacement and the signing of Aurier would surely push him closer to the exit door.

There’s a reason that Nuno Santo was prepared to offload him and bring in another name in Emerson Royal.

Speaking after Spurs’ Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Aurier as “one of the biggest liabilities in Premier League football” and was a player that “would possibly put you off management with the amount of crazy decision he makes,” via talkSPORT.

That’s the last thing Arteta needs right now, especially after the arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who can play both on the right and at centre-back.

Also dubbed an “absolute liability” by ex-Lilywhites midfielder Jamie O’Hara, the potential signing of the £18m-rated defender would be a recipe for disaster, given all the circumstances mentioned above.

Edu must not sign Aurier, otherwise he could well have to deal with the consequences from around the stadium.

AND in other news, Fabrizio Romano drops exciting Arsenal transfer update that’ll leave fans buzzing…

Lancashire are set to announce their search for a new coach, with Mike Watkinson – whose tenure began in 2002 – expected to become the club’s new director of cricket

Cricinfo staff01-Dec-2008
Mike Watkinson: “I see this as a positive move for the club to give the team of players the resources that they need” © Getty Images
Lancashire will have a new first-team coach next season after Mike Watkinson was confirmed as the club’s first director of cricket.Watkinson took over from Bob Simpson in 2002 and will still retain influence over matters on the field, but his day-to-day job will mostly involve matters upstairs.”County cricketers are now full-time professionals and require more time, more resources and more structure than ever before to help with their own development and performance,” he said. “At the other end of the scale you now have strict employment laws, appraisals, contracts, agents, and all the other important administration that needs to be dealt with on a daily basis.”The scope of my role as cricket manager has increased considerably over the last 12-18 months due to the demands of modern-day cricket and the modern player,” he said. “I see this as a positive move for the club to give the team of players the resources that they need to perform to their best, and it’s a good opportunity for me to spread my involvement through different areas of cricket within the club and the county.”The new coach will work alongside Lancashire’s new captain, Glen Chapple, who replaced Stuart Law after the 2008 season. However, Chapple admits possible candidates don’t spring to his mind.”You can’t help but think which coaches are out there and who might be interested,” Chapple told the . “It is not quite like football where the turnover of coaches is quick. And, if I am honest, I would struggle to know who the good coaches are out there, who are without work at the moment or who are interested in coming to England or moving to Lancashire.”It is for the club to put some work in and find out who the candidates are. But the new coach needs to be in place as soon as is practical and possible.”The reshuffle in personnel represents a watershed for Lancashire’s acrimonious winter. Law and Dominic Cork were both released – neither were particularly happy with the decision – and even their long-standing groundsmen, Peter Marron, has left for new pastures.

The ECB has agreed a four-year deal with the BBC to broadcast live ball-by-ball commentary on England’s international cricket

Cricinfo staff23-Dec-2008The ECB has agreed a four-year deal with the BBC to broadcast live ball-by-ball commentary on England’s international cricket.”BBC’s radio coverage of international cricket has set the standard for broadcasting across the world,” John Perera, the ECB commercial director, said. “Test Match Special is an iconic programme which has become a part of the very tapestry of British life. We are extremely pleased that we have been able to conclude this deal with BBC Radio and look forward to working with them for the next four years.”The deal seals ECB’s media rights up until and including 2013, following its contract extension with BSkyB in August worth £300 million. There were mumblings of discontent that the BBC did not submit an application to challenge Sky’s dominance in the television market, and a rumour that the ECB chairman, Giles Clarke, attacked both the BBC and Channel 4 for ignoring the opportunity.BBC’s Test Match Special, or TMS as it is more fondly known as, has been on the air since 1957 and became the first broadcaster to offer live ball-by-ball commentary. In 2007 its producer, Peter Baxter, stepped down after 34 years in charge, handing over to Adam Mountford.”Test Match Special is one of the crown jewels of BBC Sport,” Roger Mosey, the director of BBC Sport, said. “We’re delighted that it will continue for four more years. With the Ashes this summer and then a new contract from 2010, the BBC is proud to be a partner with the ECB in bringing cricket to millions of listeners.”

Sachin Tendulkar..

Anand Vasu10-Nov-2008Sachin Tendulkar…
highest run scorer in ODIs
© CricInfo LtdSachin Ramesh Tendulkar. At 27 he is not a sportsman anymore, he is abloody phenomenon. Reams of newsprint have been filled withdescription, analyses and tributes to his genius. Websites havededicated huge amounts of space and attention to every little thing hedoes. Everything that needs to be written about the man has alreadybeen written. Or has it?Young cricketers have injected much needed optimism and vigour byperforming splendidly under pressure. Nothing will do more for thisrevival than a Sachin Tendulkar hundred at Sharjah, even if he did notget one in the ICC KnockOut tournament. Is he under pressure toperform? Does he feel the pressure lifting because some others arealso coming good?Who really knows what happens in the mind of Sachin Tendulkar? Onenotices a collection of details about the man that is not alwaysvisible in other cricketers. He is always the first to practicesessions. Once he puts on his pads to have a session at the nets, hedoes not take his pads off very easily. Even after he is done withbatting, he makes it a point to bowl in the nets till the last mancomes off. He does not say a single unnecessary word to pressmen.Unless he is terribly mobbed, he always stops to sign autographs forchildren. If a photograph is requested, he is polite to a fault. Healways takes a bit of time to ask kids what class they are studyingin, or some similar question that makes them feel that the littlemaster cares. When disappointed with a decision, he does not make anyuntoward gestures. He may look crestfallen, but never steps out ofline.So is he a paragon of virtue? Certainly not. His manner of captaincyhas left room for a lot of criticism. Firstly he found the task ofmarshalling a disparate group difficult. On top of that, his ownbatting form took a beating. Another charge that has been leveledagainst him is that he tends to look after his friends with specialcare. But of course this allegation is rather unsubstantiated.However, at a time when cricket is going through arguably its mosttroubling episode, people are desperate for someone who stands for allthat is good about the game. And Tendulkar is often the man who has tocarry that cross. Does he want to be known as an example of all thingsgood? Probably not. He wants to be Sachin Tendulkar. With all hisweaknesses and faults. Do we the people let him be that? Certainlynot.A majority of us look to him to make us feel better. When he walks outto bat, the weight of the nation’s inadequacies is on his shoulders.What we can’t achieve in our day to day lives, we look for Tendulkarto make up for on the cricket field. If he slams a century and takesus to victory, all of a sudden the world looks a better place.Tendulkar is excessively professional in his approach. He is onecricketer whose integrity has never ever been questioned. One look atthe intensity with which he approaches the game makes it plain that nobookie would have the guts to approach the man. And yet he gottogether with Mark Mascarenhas and WorldTel long before cricket becamethe multi-crore industry it is today. The boy wonder signed a landmarkdeal that guaranteed crores of income from endorsements. To fulfil hiscontractual obligations, he turned up at various functions, endorsed arange of products from watches to car tyres to credit cards totoothpaste. Was he selling out? No one remotely suggested that. Whilea host of television advertisements based on cricketers has been takenoff the air after the match fixing scandal broke, Tendulkar remains aneminently saleable commodity.If an avid cricket lover finds an old lamp, shines it and a genie popsout offering him any one wish, there would be very little dilemma. “Iwish I could spend 24 hours listening to what goes on in SachinTendulkar’s mind” would be his knee jerk reaction. If such a thingcould be done, it would provide priceless insights into modern sport.At the end of the day one has to admit that Tendulkar is a trueproduct of his times.The marketing, the hype, the drive. It is certainly a recentphenomenon. There was always a drive for excellence. But for someoneto be such a public figure and influence the minds of millions is aphenomenon that has come about in the last few decades. He is nostatesman, no politician, no religious leader. And yet he holds swaywith as much power of as any one of the above. Whether he faces it ornot, he is one of the few Indians who binds the whole of this country.Probably, no other person in the country is as uniformly admired ashim. He is in a position of immense power. Did he choose to get tothis position and work towards it? One reckons not. The price he hashad to pay as an individual is incomparable to the rewards. Okay, so amajority of youngsters in this country would kill to be in his shoes.But what about the maestro himself? Fortunately or otherwise hedoesn’t have a choice.It is tragic however that a man who has given so much to the countryand touched us all in some way or the other cannot enjoy a moment ofpeace when he wants it. If he wants to take his wife Anjali and kidsout to dinner there would be such a mob at the restaurant it would beclaustrophobic.And what of his kids? Can they ever have a normal upbringing? Willtheir friends treat them as just any other kids? That is hardlypossible given the fact that Tendulkar is not any other man. He isspecial. Very special. And trapped by that.When his back injury threatened to ruin his career, the speculationwas immense. Major newspapers and magazines carried detailed medicaldiagnosis and plainly asked whether his career was over. There waseven a case of a teenager committing suicide on merely hearing thatTendulkar might not be able to play again. God forbid, but ifsomething like that were to happen, where would that leave SachinTendulkar? Sure, he’s made enough money to live luxuriously for thenext few generations. But would he be able to live with the fact thathe was ordinary once more?The media, the sponsors, the people of India have in the last fewyears made it extremely difficult for Tendulkar to live with himselfif he was ordinary. A classic product of our times, Tendulkar’s lifegoes parallel to the likes of Pete Sampras and more distinctly TigerWoods. When modern society sees an outrageous talent that is coupledwith the drive to be successful, it seizes upon it like never before.Even if Tendulkar were content with his achievements and decided tocall it a day, he would not be allowed to without a hue and cry. Let’sface it. He runs the cricket industry in India. Who can see a headlinethat has the word Tendulkar in it and ignore it?If Sachin Tendulkar has a breakdown of sorts at any time, we all willhave blood on our hands. That’s a fine way to thank someone who hasgiven us so much, isn’t it?

Newcastle United correspondent Chris Waugh has revealed that Allan Saint-Maximin was ‘desperate’ for Joe Willock to return to Newcastle. 

The lowdown

Willock has now sealed his permanent switch from Arsenal and will be available for the trip to Aston Villa next weekend (via nufc.co.uk).

The 21-year-old has inked a six-year contract and joins for a fee in excess of £20million (via BBC Sport).

During his loan spell last season, he was instrumental in the Magpies’ late surge up the table. He scored in their final seven matches as they climbed from the brink of the relegation zone to 12th place.

The latest

Waugh reports that a number of Newcastle players had kept in contact with Willock, and that Saint Maximin was ‘especially’ keen for him to extend his stay at St James’ Park.

The Frenchman’s public plea – he said Willock ‘can be really great for the team and me’ – was interpreted as ‘a clear indication’ that he’d be more inclined to stay if he was playing alongside the former Arsenal man. Intriguingly, Waugh says he wasn’t alone in that sentiment.

The dressing room has been left ‘relieved and enthused’ by the news, though there is still a feeling that further signings are needed.

The verdict

Willock and Saint-Maximin may have an excellent relationship, but it’s probably less about personnel than it is ambition. A player of the Frenchman’s quality needs to feel like he’s battling for more than just pure survival.

Turning the loan into a permanent signing will be regarded as the bare minimum for Newcastle in this year’s market, but it should help them steer clear of any relegation bother.

Get a couple more quality additions through the door in the remaining weeks of the window, albeit on loan, and an assault on the top half may not be out of the question.

For now though, the news that Saint-Maximin may be more inclined to stay thanks to Willock’s arrival is surely the cherry on top of the excitement around the signing.

In other news, could this be Newcastle’s next signing?

Former Manchester City player Steve Howey believes that Oleksandr Zinchenko is a prime example of Pep Guardiola’s ability to improve players.

Zinchenko featured 32 times in all competitions for City last season and took his total number of games for the club to 100. The 24-year-old has become an important player in Pep Guardiola’s side at left-back, but has operated as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder and as a left midfielder during his time at the Etihad Stadium.

The Ukraine international helped City to win both the Premier League and Carabao Cup last term and he took his fine run of form into the Euros, putting in some really good performances for his country, getting a goal and an assist and helping his national side reach the quarter-finals.

And Howey believes that Zinchenko is the perfect example of Pep Guardiola’s talent when it comes to improving players at City, exclusively telling Football FanCast: “I think you just look at the players that Pep’s improved over the last couple of seasons.

“You look at someone like Zinchenko for instance, Ruben Dias when he’s come in with John Stones, because John Stones had a dip and then came back.”

Pep Guardiola has had a knack over the years of giving players the right number of minutes and getting the best out of them, which has led to him being so successful as a manager at every club he has been at.