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      Rangers eye Angus Gunn as new No1 after axing by Norwich boss David Wagner… and he could even play for Scotland

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      RANGERS are watching keeper Angus Gunn’s problems at Norwich as they look for a new long-term No 1.The Glasgow club’s transfer supremo Ross Wilson knows Gunn from his time at Southampton.
      Angus Gunn could be on his way to RangersCredit: Getty
      Gunn, 27, was axed by boss David Wagner when he took charge last month.
      He could even be in the frame to play for Scotland, following his father Bryan.
      Gunn, who has a market value of £3million, has represented England at all youth levels, including 12 appearances for the Under 21s.
      However, despite being called up to the Three Lions senior team in 2017, Gunn remains eligible to play for Scotland due to not appearing for England.
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      Prior to his axing by former Huddersfield and Schalke boss Wagner, Gunn had made 14 appearances for the Canaries in the Championship.
      But after conceding five goals in two games, Gunn was once again handed the gloves over Tim Krul, though was unable to swing fate as Norwich fell to a 1-0 defeat against Bristol City.
      Indeed, the promotion specialists have massively struggled this season, with just two wins – both under Wagner – to their name in their last eight league fixtures.
      Rangers own goalkeeper options this season have consisted mostly of 41-year-old Allan McGregor and deputy Jon McLaughlin.
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      The Gers are similarly off the pace this season.
      The champions of two years ago currently sit nine points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. More

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      EFL set for streaming revolution as Swedish giant ViaPlay set to end Sky Sports monopoly with more games on offer

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      SWEDISH streaming giant Viaplay is emerging as the leading player in the next EFL TV deal.The company boasts major cash to take some of the many packages going.
      EFL football could be set to appear on streaming servicesCredit: PA
      There is growing talk that future coverage — starting in the 2024-25 season — will be split between several TV stations and opens the door to streaming.
      Sky enjoyed the lion’s share of coverage for years but it is now under threat in the bidding process.
      And lower-division clubs are open to the idea of a separate deal for them, meaning more live games.
      The EFL’s commercial team will present some of the options at a meeting later this month.
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      But Viaplay is the new name on the lips of those doing the deals.
      And the Viaplay group has been picking up sports contracts all the time.
      It snapped up the UK-based Premier Sports for more than £30million last year.
      Viaplay also plans to launch in America soon and a football package would help its cause.
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      Back in October, SunSport revealed Sky Sports had been hit by poor Championship viewing figures and reported they may axe games in their new broadcast deal.
      Insiders said that numbers were low in the first part of the season, with the highest coming in the opening match between Huddersfield and Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
      The exact audience sizes are kept quiet but sources claim the largest was only around 600,000. More

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      Watch Man Utd loanee Hannibal Mejbri send cheeky message to Erik ten Hag in brilliant post-match interview after scoring

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      HANNIBAL MEJBRI sent a cheeky message to Erik ten Hag after scoring against West Brom.The midfielder is on loan at Birmingham and is eager to impress the United boss.
      Hannibal Mejbri scored his first goal for Birmingham against West BromCredit: Getty
      And he did exactly that on Friday as he caught out Baggies goalkeeper David Button with a genius free-kick.
      Hannibal, 20, lined up a wide free-kick as if he was going to cross the ball, even raising his arms to communicate with his team-mates.
      But the Frenchman noticed Button was positioned to one side of his goal so he whipped the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner, catching out the keeper in spectacular fashion.
      Hannibal was named Man of the Match with the Blues beating West Brom 2-0.
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      After the game the midfielder was asked if he was expecting a text from Ten Hag.
      He replied saying: “I just need to stay focused.
      “I’m sure he has Sky but I still need to focus until the end of the season and we will see what happens in the summer.”
      Hannibal then received his Man of the Match trophy and pointed to the camera as he delivered a message to Ten Hag.
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      He added: “Thanks, nice trophy. Thank you very much. It was on Sky.”
      Hannibal’s goal against West Brom was his first for Birmingham, though he has produced five assists for the club since arriving on loan – including one last night. More

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      Man Utd fans go wild as loanee Hannibal Mejbri catches West Brom goalie out to score cheeky free kick for Birmingham

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      MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Hannibal Mejbri wowed fans of his parent club after scoring a superb free-kick for Birmingham.The 20-year-old joined the Midlands club on a season-long loan back in the summer and has featured in every Championship game since his arrival.
      Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick was his first goal of the seasonCredit: Rex

      Man Utd fans were impressed by Hannibal’s strikeCredit: Getty
      But, while he had contributed five assists heading into their clash with West Brom on Friday night, he was yet to score for the Blues.
      That changed after just 10 minutes at St Mary’s as he executed a superb free-kick.
      Hannibal looked set to whip the set-piece into the penalty area as his team-mates waited to attack the six-yard box.
      But he then stepped up and whipped the ball around the wall and into the unguarded corner, catching Albion keeper David Button out in brilliant fashion.
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      And his first goal of the campaign attracted the attention of Man Utd fans.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “HANNIBAL MEJBRI, THAT IS BRILLIANT! ❤️”.
      Another added: “People keep doubting his future, I think he’ll be class for us as back-up to Bruno. My boy is killing it!!! 😍😍”.
      Referencing former Man Utd man Tahith Chong, a third responded: “Standing there with Chong as well, my boys 😭♥️”.
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      And a fourth replied: “Only few players try this and accomplish it by the way”.
      John Eustace’s Birmingham went into the clash with West Brom in 18th place, seven points above the relegation zone and nine adrift of the play-offs.
      Carlos Corberan’s West Brom sat sixth knowing a win would move them above Watford and three points clear of seventh-placed Blackburn.
      Hannibal has received plenty of game time at BirminghamCredit: Getty More

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      Burnley star scoops Championship player of the month as Chelsea fans demand club ‘flip Cucurella’

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      BURNLEY star Ian Maatsen has scooped the Championship player of the month award – leaving Chelsea fans desperate to bring him back. The attacking right-back, on loan from Stamford Bridge, has made a name for himself at Burnley this season.
      Maatsen has combined a flair for going forward with a sharp defensive mind at Burnley this seasonCredit: Getty
      Ian Maatsen is having a breakthrough season at Burnley
      The table-toppers are running away with the Championship this season and Maatsen has been among the club’s outstanding performers.
      His player of the month award has sparked further excitement among Chelsea fans that the 20-year-old could replace Marc Cucurella, who is yet to convince supporters after last summer’s move from Brighton.
      One said on Twitter: “Left footed Reece James in the making.”
      Another said: “Reminded me of Reece James’ time at loan with Wigan.
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      In response to a compilation video showing off Maatsen’s highlights, another frustrated Chelsea fan said: “This comp is literally better than what both Cucurella + [Ben] Chilwell have produced together this season.
      Another said: “I’m all for giving players time more than anyone. But Matseen has to force a debate on which other LB stays next season especially Cucurella.”
      A slightly more unforgiving fan simply said: “I would flip Cucu and give him a chance.”
      Maatsen’s player of the month award comes after he scored twice in the space of nine minutes to give the Clarets a two goal lead at Swansea.
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      The full-back is gaining a reputation for roaming forward and being a consistent attacking threat for Burnley.
      He now has four goals and five assists across the season, with Vincent Kompany’s side seven clear at the top and 17 points above 3rd-place Middlesbrough.
      They are also on a nine-game winning run in the league with their last loss back in early November at Sheffield United. More

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      Huddersfield Town SACK manager Mark Fotheringham with Championship club languishing in relegation zone

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      HUDDERSFIELD have sacked manager Mark Fotheringham.The club confirmed the news in a statement on their website.
      Mark Fotheringham has been sacked by HuddersfieldCredit: Rex
      The statement read: “Huddersfield Town can confirm that it has terminated the contract of Head Coach Mark Fotheringham with immediate effect.
      “His assistant, Kenny Miller, has also left the Club.
      “Narcís Pèlach will take control of the team for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship game at Wigan Athletic as Interim Head Coach.”
      The Terriers currently sit in 22nd in the Championship having won just two league games since November.
      It is a far cry from where they were situated in 2018/19, when they were relegated from the Premier League.
      Fotheringham’s sacking comes after he launched an astonishing rant against his players after a late collapse against Blackpool.
      He blasted his players showing as “unacceptable” against a fellow relegation contender.
      He said: “We are absolutely gutted and devastated in there. There has been a lot of angry, harsh words that have been said and rightly so.
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      “Because we got ourselves in a situation where we in pole position and surrendered three points was unacceptable. I am lost for words.
      “There is a real collective anger in there and a lot of harsh words said collectively as a group and we have let the club down there.
      “We started really well and there was real character there and we faced the challenge head on.
      “We knew Blackpool were very direct and we played on the front foot and caused them problems, especially in the first half-hour and we were in a comfortable position and then the red card came.
      “But with the second half, we made clear that Blackpool would throw everything at it.
      “They are a very determined side under Mick [McCarthy]. But it was an unacceptable performance.
      “We should not have come away with anything other than three points.”
      Fotheringham was only appointed into the role of head coach in late September.
      But with a record boasting just five wins in 21 matches, Huddersfield felt compelled to oust him before the club’s season became unsalvageable. More

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      Supercomputer reveals final Championship table with Watford and Norwich facing heartbreak… but who makes play-offs?

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      A SUPERCOMPUTER has predicted the final Championship table and it is bad news for Watford and Norwich.Both teams suffered Premier League relegation last season and have struggled in their efforts to secure an immediate return.
      Supercomputer BESTSiE has predicted the final Championship table
      Norwich hired David Wagner to try and boost their promotion chancesCredit: Getty
      Carlos Corberan agreed a new West Brom contract amid Leeds interestCredit: Reuters
      In fact, both teams have sacked their respective managers mid-campaign in a bid to boost their promotion chances.
      Yet a supercomputer still believes both clubs will miss out on the play-offs – by the slimmest of margins.
      The number-crunching BETSiE, run by betting expert, tip Watford to miss out on sixth place to rivals Luton by just one point.
      The Hatters made the play-offs last year but lost to Huddersfield in the semi-final.
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      However they are on course to repeat that achievement despite losing manager Nathan Jones to Southampton in November.
      Luton could be joined by three teams who failed to make the play-offs last season – West Brom, Millwall and Middlesbrough, who are predicted to finish third.
      The current top two, Burnley and Sheffield United, are expected to finish first and second respectively.
      West Brom have been resurgent under Carlos Corberan and were boosted yesterday after he penned a new contract amid speculation he was favourite for the Leeds job.
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      At the other end of the table Rotherham are predicted to finish bottom, despite not being in the relegation zone currently.
      Joining them in the drop zone are Wigan, Blackpool and Huddersfield. More

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      ‘Is it supposed to be raw?’ – Fans fume at anaemic £5.50 hot dog at Sheffield United that doesn’t even fill the bun up

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      FANS were fuming last night after a snap of an anaemic hot dog costing £5.50 at Sheffield United was shared online.The Blades advanced to the FA Cup fifth round after defeating Wrexham 3-1 in a replay.
      It was a snap of the Bramall Lane hot dogs that had most fans talkingCredit: Twitter @FootyScran
      Billy Sharp helped fire Sheffield united to victory over WrexhamCredit: Alamy
      However, it was not only the footy that had supporters talking.
      Popular Twitter account “Footy Scran” shared an image of a large hot dog bun containing a skinny weiner, minus any onions, sauce or other filling, which was allegedly bought at the Championship side’s Bramall Lane ground.
      They claimed that it had cost a hefty £5.50 – and their followers instantly gave it a big thumbs down.
      One responded: “Looks like it tested positive for Covid.”
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      Another response asked: “Cook it on a radiator?”
      A fellow fan queried: “Is it supposed to be raw?”
      Another tweeter wrote: “How much does it cost to have it cooked?”
      One commented: “Yes hello, I’d like to report a crime.”
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      A fellow fan said: “Used a lighter to ‘cook’ it I see.”
      As another added: “Bit dry that, the cardboard looks more appealing.”
      While a fellow follower hilariously wrote: “A good vet would get that back on it’s feet!” More