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Danny Mills has suggested Leeds United would be desperate for a goalkeeper like Allan McGregor but believes the shot-stopper should stay at Glasgow Rangers.

McGregor should stay

McGregor has been the Gers’ number one throughout the campaign and was in fine form against Slavia Prague last Thursday as he made a wonderful save during a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to Football Insider, Mills believes McGregor should sign a new deal at the club – his current one runs out at the end of this campaign (Transfermarkt). He explained:

“Why would you get rid of him?

“You look at Leeds and they would be desperate for a goalkeeper like that to be number two. Even if he’s going to be number two, why would you not keep him around? It makes no sense [to get rid of him].

“Unless Manchester United come in and offer him third-choice goalkeeper like Rob Green did when he went to Chelsea and like what Mark Schwarzer did when he went to Chelsea.

“Unless you get something unbelievable like that you go ‘the best thing is just to keep hold of him.’

“You can probably offer him a little bit less money than he’s on because he’s thinking ‘If I have to move, that’s disruption for the family, I’d have to be without the family for a year at least and the travel.’

“Quality of life versus moving sometimes just isn’t worth it.

“And he may well be number one next year. David James, David Seaman, Nigel Martyn all played well into their forties.”

Experience

What McGregor has managed to achieve this term should not be underestimated. Despite being 39 years of age, he has been reliable in all competitions. In the league he has kept 16 clean sheets in 23 games, conceding just seven times along the way, while he has kept the opponents out on 20 occasions in all competitions (Transfermarkt).

He is fast approaching the end of his career, and the Gers will need to plan for his eventual departure. However, he has plenty of experience, which could come in especially handy next season in the Champions League. Even as a back-up, it makes sense to keep him at the club. Hopefully, Ross Wilson and co will be able to tie him down to a new deal soon.

In other news, Rangers fans react to this Sky Sports news.

Southampton take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium in the FA Cup on Saturday and Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl should consider axing Ryan Bertrand for the game.

The 31-year-old has disappointed with his performances this season, averaging a poor 6.42 WhoScored average match rating for his performances in the Premier League.

Other than in the 2-0 win against Sheffield United, his recent performances have been nothing short of terrible, with the former Chelsea man failing to earn a rating of over 6.6/10 in eight of his last nine Premier League appearances.

The experienced defender is yet to sign a new deal with the club amid reported interest from Arsenal, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, which makes you question his commitment to Hasenhuttl’s side at the moment.

Bertrand has appeared in 27 of Southampton’s 29 top-flight fixtures so far this season, so he is firmly first choice left-back under Hasenhuttl despite his less than impressive form.

This is arguably due to a lack of natural back-up options to the Englishman, with Sam McQueen still sidelined through injury, whilst Jake Vokins was inexplicably sent on loan to Sunderland in the winter transfer window without a back-up being brought in.

However, Mohammed Salisu featured at left-back for Southampton’s 5-2 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium earlier this month and, whilst he was run ragged by Riyad Mahrez, he can be a solid option in that position should Hasenhuttl decide to finally drop Bertrand against Bournemouth at the weekend.

Bertrand reportedly earns £70,000 per week at Southampton which seemed excessive for someone who has been one of Hasenhuttl’s poorest performers this season so far, which may make things difficult for both parties when it comes to negotiating a renewal.

Therefore, considering the 31-year-old might not even be with Southampton next season, Hasenhuttl should start preparing for life without him in his team, which means that Salisu or another Saints youngster should start at left-back for the game on Saturday.

In other news… Southampton potentially signing 11-goal beast could be bad news for 22 y/o gem who Hasenhuttl loves

Glasgow Rangers fans have been reacting in their droves to a statement from the Union Bears supporters club, and it seems they are not happy at all with the organisation’s choice of words.

The Gers are currently enjoying their status as Premiership champions. The title was confirmed when their local rivals drew 0-0 with Dundee United the Sunday before last, meaning they could no longer catch the Ibrox outfit. In the aftermath of the triumph, thousands of fans took to the streets of Glasgow to celebrate, breaking lockdown regulations along the way.

There have been worries that such scenes could be repeated around the Old Firm derby this coming weekend. However, according to the Union Bears, the police have been particularly forceful in sharing the message that fans should not gather – they even said that one supporter was visited seven times in 48 hours.

They have insinuated that they will disregard the instructions to stay at home, which has not gone down at all well with other Gers supporters, one of whom slammed the group’s stance as “immature”. The statement was shared on the Union Bears’ official Twitter account, and these fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts in response.

Let’s see what these Rangers fans had to say below

“You are now acting as a detriment to our club’s values. This isn’t support, please stop.”

Credit: @ALFEDO_MORELOS

“Nonsense”

Credit: @mothtothelamp2

“Immature. Follow manager and Captain’s advice. Put club first!”

Credit: @35Nicola35

“Our young bears look up to you. Show respect to the club and their undying support. We have to be unified and not let the club down again, as requested by the gaffer and the captain”

Credit: @Vikbic

“Union bears are fantastic and have been a credit to Glasgow Rangers, they bring so much to the football club, however, this is very bad taste lads, poor timing and an over reaction. Do the right thing.”

Credit: @Jetlagloyal

“I personally don’t like this mate. I like the UB and what they do, but not this.”

Credit: @Geeb1872

In other news, some Rangers fans were worried by this open letter.

Steve Bruce has confirmed that Miguel Almiron may be in contention to make his return from a knee injury when Newcastle United visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday night.

The Paraguayan has missed the Magpies’ last two Premier League fixtures due to the issue sustained during the first half of last month’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Almiron had been expected to miss this weekend’s trip to the Amex Stadium and have to wait for his 30th appearance of the season when Newcastle host Tottenham Hotspur on April 4 at the earliest.

However, the 27-year-old has made solid progress in training and will be in the mix for minutes on the south coast in what will be a crucial six-pointer in the Toon’s fight for survival after Fulham lost at home to Leeds United on Friday night.

However, Bruce will still be without 10-goal top-scorer Callum Wilson (hamstring) and influential winger Allan Saint-Maximin (groin), as the Brighton clash will come too early for the duo.

“They’re both back on the grass. We still think with Callum that the international break is at the right time. He’s well into his rehabilitation, he’s back on the grass,” Bruce said on Friday.

“The same goes for Almiron, who trained for the first time yesterday [Thursday], so we’ll see how he is, but things are obviously improving, given the time.

“The same goes with Saint-Maximin, but we know with Saint-Maximin and Callum, in particular, were nasty muscle injuries, which are obviously going to take time. You have to let nature take its course.

“[Almiron]’s got a chance. We’ll see.”

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Providing Almiron comes through training unscathed and did not aggravate his knee injury toward the end of the week, Bruce must look to unleash the £14.4m-rated playmaker on Brighton.

Newcastle have a chance to put distance between themselves and the drop zone with a win at the Amex after Fulham’s defeat to Leeds left Scott Parker’s men two points adrift of safety but having now played two games more than the 17th-placed Magpies.

A win over the Seagulls will also see United move above the Seagulls and better position themselves in the fight for Premier League survival, but cannot guarantee a result without Almiron on the field.

The Toon have drawn both games played without the Paraguayan as they were often starved of ideas against West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa, with Bruce’s side taking nine shots from seven key passes against the former before striking 12 attempts from 11 key passes at home to the later, per WhoScored.

Two of those chances created against the Villans last Friday came through Ryan Fraser, who was later slammed for underperforming in the false nine role Bruce had begun to build around Almiron.

In that central position, the 27-year-old had also begun to rediscover the form he had shown in the role a year ago, which merited much admiration from former Sunderland and England striker Kevin Phillips.

“He has become more clever in the last year,” Phillips told BBC Radio 5 Live, via quotes shared by Chronicle Live. “He is getting his head up more, there is a lot more composure, and, of course, the work rate is still there.

“You can see how much he is adored by the Newcastle supporters and you saw the reception he got when he was taken off [against West Brom]. Tonight, he showed a bit of everything. His decision making, his intelligence was spot on and his finishing was outstanding tonight.

“His all-round game from last year has come on. He looks a top-quality player.”

Bruce will need that Almiron back at his disposal as Newcastle fight for their Premier League survival, and particularly against a relegation rival in Brighton tonight.

AND in other news, Newcastle’s hopes of signing a “standout performer” have taken a major blow…

The Athletic’s Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds should target Fulham midfielder Zambo Anguissa in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Cottagers are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, and Hay has urged Marcelo Bielsa’s side to try and convince Anguissa over a move to Elland Road in the summer.

Speaking on The Phil Hay Show, he said: “He’s a player I would go for, yeah, absolutely. I think whether or not they can realistically sell a move to Leeds to him, I don’t know because you have the problem of an England international (Kalvin Phillips) in there who just keeps getting better, looks more and more secure, looks more and more accurate and effective with his passing.

“If you were saying to Anguissa, ‘Look, we need somebody to come in and not necessarily compete with Phillips, but to be there if Phillips isn’t available – it’s not too much of a sell to a player.

“I think they’ll go for somebody else. I think they’ll try and find somebody potentially younger or somebody who is more willing to be a backstop to Phillips. But Anguissa, to me, looks extremely talented and a player I would have.”

Bielsa worked with him before

While Anguissa is making a name for himself in London, he actually really came into the spotlight at Marseille and was there when current Leeds boss Bielsa was in charge at the Stade Velodrome.

The Argentine took Anguissa under his wing, with the midfielder himself admitting that the manager played a big part in his future success despite not playing under his management following Bielsa’s resignation. The 25-year-old said: “He believed in me and said, ‘You have a lot of quality, I am going to put you in the group’. If a youngster has potential, he can surprise the world.”

Joachim Andersen, his teammate at Craven Cottage, has waxed lyrical about the midfielder, saying: “He’s a top player. He’s a machine in the midfield. He’s winning so many balls and driving forward with it.”

Given that Bielsa has worked with Anguissa before, and having seen his potential, he will surely know how to get the best out of the £22.5m-rated midfielder.

As Hay says, while Leeds may fancy someone younger, there is surely more of a guarantee in going after Anguissa, who now has Premier League experience under his belt and has the added advantage of having already worked with the manager.

Meanwhile, Victor Orta pulled off an absolute masterclass for Leeds with this signing…

Fans of Southampton have been reacting to a post on Twitter, in which the club relayed footage of Saints centre-forward, Che Adams, in action for Scotland.

Having been called up to the Scotland squad for the first time in his career last month, Adams went on to feature in all three of Steve Clarke’s side’s World Cup qualifying fixtures against Austria, Israel and Faroe Islands, with the 24-year-old providing an assist in the Scots’ 1-1 draw with Israel and scoring his first international goal in the 4-0 rout of Faroe Islands.

His goal, in particular, was very impressive, with the Southampton striker picking up the ball some way outside the Faroe Islands penalty area, taking a touch, before powerfully firing the ball into the bottom corner of the helpless goalkeeper’s net.

And, after Southampton relayed footage of Adams’ strike on Twitter, fans of the club flocked to have their say on the matter, with many heaping a considerable amount of praise on their player.

So, what exactly did these Southampton fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Che Adams’ goal for Scotland?

“Yes lad.”

@lukepauloliver

“So happy for him tho.”

@chxrlottewx

“What a goal by Adams. Congratulations on your first goal for Scotland.”

@finlayhibberd09

“Will be better than Ings. Fact.”

@JHallett123

“Absolutely brilliant. Let’s go Che.”

@DWTheDoctor

“Finish.”

@cj_garrett

In other news: loads of Saints fans pleaded for this ‘no brainer’ deal for this ‘superb’ £60k-p/w star – find out more here!

Manchester United could potentially be heading into their clash with Brighton & Hove Albion with an attacking crisis on their hands.

Anthony Martial was injured during the international break with France so is doubtful, whilst Marcus Rashford’s ankle injury saw him withdraw early from England duty.

It could therefore be time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to turn once again to Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan striker, who has also been suffering from his own problems with injury this season having missed six out of the last eight matches, has had a bright impact for the Red Devils in 2020/21.

After arriving for Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer, he has managed to score seven goals for the club – those being worth as many as six Premier League points to Manchester United. Without him, they would be stuck on 51 points and only just holding onto their position in the top-four.

His influence has also been certainly noticed by his teammates. United skipper Harry Maguire has hailed the striker as a “top, top” player – an assessment that is tough to argue against considering Cavani’s illustrious career.

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Despite that, it could be argued that Mason Greenwood would be a better option to lead the line for the Red Devils against Brighton considering the Uruguayan’s injury woes.

However, Cavani would certainly be more capable of finding the net.

According to WhoScored, whilst Greenwood is averaging more shots per game – 1.7 to 1.4 – the 34-year-old is simply more lethal and as a result, could be their game-changer at Old Trafford.

He has scored 0.33 goals per game in the Premier League, with a goal coming every 4.3 shots. Meanwhile, Greenwood has scored just 0.04 goals per game. His solitary strike has come amongst his 40 attempted efforts so far this season, a poor conversion rate considering the 17 goals he plundered last season.

It all points to Cavani then being the man to be called into the Manchester United attack amidst their injury crisis for his first start in over a month.

Solskjaer must unleash him this evening.

AND in more news, the Red Devils have also been hit with injury problems in defence…

Issa Diop came close to costing West Ham United the win as David Moyes’ side held on to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2 on Monday night.

The Irons stormed out of the blocks to claim a three-goal lead before half-time for the second successive Premier League game, but would have feared a repeat of the 3-3 Arsenal draw when Leander Dendoncker pulled one back.

Fabio Silva later set up a nervy finish for Moyes’ men when he drilled home Wolves’ second, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s team could not find another way past Lukasz Fabianski and the Hammers clinched three vital points.

West Ham now sit fourth in the Premier League standings and are in control of their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, while a win over Leicester City this Sunday can see the London Stadium natives close the gap to third to a single point.

Moyes will have been nervous of the Irons letting slip another three-goal lead when Dendoncker and Silva struck home for Wolves, having seen Diop and centre-back partner Craig Dawson both struggle at Molineux.

West Ham were once again without Angelo Ogbonna as the Italian continues his recovery from a high ankle sprain, although he has been making solid progress as he looks to return after seven games in the treatment room.

The Hammers sorely missed the former Juventus enforcer, as an early yellow card for Dawson left the Watford loanee – now set for a £2m permanent summer switch – having to be overly cautious and give up plenty of chances.

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Willian Jose, Dendoncker and Daniel Podence each struck three efforts on goal while Adama Traore’s two and Pedro Neto’s five attempts helped toward Wolves taking 20 shots, per WhoScored, eight more than West Ham give up on average per Premier League game this season.

Diop was no better, as the Frenchman switched off too many times and failed to cover the space left by Aaron Cresswell to leave Silva with time to pick his spot and drill home low into the far-right corner.

The £16.2m-rated centre-half appeared desperate for Cresswell or Ben Johnson – a second-half substitute for Arthur Masuaku – to be the one to track Silva back, when Diop was the best-placed option to run with the 18-year-old and avoid the nervy finish.

Dawson and Mark Noble later had to restrain Diop from charging up the pitch after making a crucial block following a rush of blood to the head, and had already been urged by the Hammers captain to be quicker with his actions.

Diop’s efforts may have returned more clearances (8) than Dawson (6), as well as more interceptions (2 to 1) and shots blocked (1 to 0) for SofaScore’s higher match rating at 6.8 out of 10 compared to his teammate’s 6.3, but his low moments came close to costing West Ham the win and three vital points.

AND in other news, West Ham trail a Premier League rival for a five-goal, seven-assist star once labelled an “exciting prospect”…

Carlo Ancelotti must start Allan when Everton visit Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night in order to take control of the midfield battle.

The Toffees boss is hopeful that the 30-year-old will be fit to feature at the Amex Stadium after missing last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace due to a minor injury.

Ancelotti could be short of options on the south coast after losing Andre Gomes to a hamstring issue against the Eagles, leaving Tom Davies and Jean-Philippe Gbamin potentially as his only fit holding midfielders.

Allan had started three of his side’s last four Premier League fixtures before the international break, after returning from a hamstring strain to face Southampton in March’s 1-0 win.

Everton’s medical team will carry out late checks to see if Allan can make his return against Brighton, where the Goodison Park natives will be without Abdoulaye Doucoure (foot) and Fabian Delph (tendon).

“For sure, Andre Gomes, who started to train individually today [Friday], will not be able to play on Monday,” Ancelotti said. “He will be able to play in the next game against Tottenham.

“We are checking on Allan. He trained normally this morning. We have to wait and see how it goes and if he will be available.”

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Ancelotti will hope that Allan is passed fit and can join Davies in protecting Everton’s backline against Brighton, as the Seagulls will have been encouraged by how Crystal Palace were able to take a point last time out.

Everton had to be more attacking with their line-up after losing Gomes in the first half as Gylfi Sigurdsson came on to replace the Portuguese, and the later introduction of Gbamin failed to add the defensive resilience needed.

Crystal Palace applied heaps of pressure in the closing stages and were able to strike a late equaliser through Michy Batshuayi to leave Merseyside with a draw, but could have scored beforehand had it not been for Robin Olsen.

The AS Roma loanee was called on to deny Eberechi Eze, Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew in quick succession before Batshuayi found the net, which will have given Brighton a sense of confidence that they too can take a result in Monday’s clash.

Ancelotti could prevent Graham Potter’s side replicating Crystal Palace’s methods by starting Allan if the Brazilian is passed fit, as the £21m summer signing from Serie A side Napoli – who Noel Whelan calls “incredible” – can get Everton on the ball and playing on the front foot.

The only game that Allan did not start following his return to action last month came away to West Bromwich Albion, when he was introduced with half an hour still to play to help the Blues gain control of the game.

“Allan coming on was probably about getting on the ball and getting us playing, sit in there and dictate us going forward – and then probably me to create or score a goal because it was 0-0,” said Sigurdsson after the game, via quotes shared by the Liverpool Echo.

Everton will need a result against Brighton to preserve their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, and they will likely need Allan performing like he has done previously if Ancelotti’s side are to dictate the midfield battle on Monday.

AND in other news, Everton have landed a huge boost in the race to sign an 11-goal striker subject to a potential £21.5m bid…

With reports emerging that Aston Villa have decided against signing Ross Barkley on a permanent deal this summer, Dean Smith must surely consider giving Aaron Ramsey a chance to shine in the first-team.

Amid a disappointing campaign on loan at Villa Park, it’s now being suggested that Smith’s side will wave goodbye to Barkley at the end of the season, thus opening the door for a new number ten to come through.

And in the 18-year-old Ramsey, Villa have got a superb talent on their hands.

Smith described him and his brother Jacob as “two talented players who we believe have a lot of potential”, with Aaron actually even captaining England’s U17 side previously.

The Athletic revealed that he’s more of a “fiery character” than Jacob, with one source saying he “wears his heart on his sleeve”. With the likes of Grealish, and even more recently Louie Barry, Villa have got a couple of outstanding academy break-outs.

According to England’s U17s coach Kevin Betsy, one of Ramsey’s strong points is his leadership qualities.

He said: “Aaron deserved the armband because of his performances for his club and his character around the place. We try to develop leaders across our pathway… but you can’t just talk about it and say ‘be a leader’. We have to give them the opportunity to do it and feel it on the grass. Aaron was given that opportunity.”

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Bringing the younger Ramsey into the fold, just when his older brother is beginning to make his mark – Jacob’s played 15 times in the Premier League already this season – would help kick-start a new era at Villa Park.

The likes of Barry, the two Ramsey’s and even players like Kaine Kesler and Carney Chukwuemeka are all knocking on the door for a first-team opportunity.

But with Barkley set to go, it’s Aaron who could ensure Villa’s burgeoning academy takes their chance to impress.

Meanwhile, Dean Smith must finally unleash this “outstanding” talent…