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      in Soccer

      Man Utd defender Teden Mengi ‘closing in on Birmingham loan transfer’ after impressing at Wayne Rooney’s Derby

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      MANCHESTER UNITED defender Teden Mengi is closing in on a loan transfer to Birmingham, according to reports. The 19-year-old centre-back impressed at Derby last year.
      Teden Mengi is set to join Birmingham on loan for the rest of the 2021-22 seasonCredit: EPA
      But his spell under Wayne Rooney was cut short due to injuries.
      He featured in United’s 1-1 draw with Young Boys in the Champions League last month – his second first-team appearance for the club.
      Now according to the Daily Mail, Mengi is on the brink of completing a temporary switch to St Andrew’s.
      Lee Bowyer saw loanee centre-back Dion Sanderson recalled by Wolves.
      The Blues boss, whose side sit 18th in the Championship, is therefore keen to bring in a replacement immediately.
      And Mengi is available, with his parent club keen for him to get more minutes under his belt.
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      Mengi joined United’s academy aged seven and progressed through the ranks to sign a pro contract in September 2019.
      He made his senior debut in August 2020 as a late substitute against LASK in the Europa League.
      And six months later, the Manchester-born ace signed for Rooney’s Deby until the end of the 2020-21 season.
      He made nine appearances before needing to head back to United for treatment and recovery in April.
      At the time, Rooney said: “He has been fantastic for us and we’ve seen him grow with each game.”
      Mengi, under contract at Old Trafford until 2024, is the Under-23s United captain, wearing the armband in the Premier League 2, Uefa Youth League and Papa John’s Trophy since returning from injury in September.
      But now the England youth international will look to build on his experience at Derby last season with another stint in the Championship.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
      Mengi’s fellow United youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Ethan Laird are both switching their loan clubs mid-season.
      Tuanzebe has been at Aston Villa but, with game time limited, is set to join Napoli for the rest of the campaign.
      Laird, meanwhile, will head from Swansea to Bournemouth – and could stay with Scott Parker’s side again next term if the Cherries get promoted. More

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      in Soccer

      QPR fan Felix Martineau , 8,rings bell at half-time in Bournemouth game to mark end of leukaemia battle

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      AN eight-year-old QPR fan rang a bell at half-time against Bournemouth to mark the end of his leukaemia battle. Felix Martineau was a special guest at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and was joined on the pitch by his big sister.
      A QPR fan rang a bell at half-time against Bournemouth to mark the end of his leukaemia battle
      Felix Martineau, 8, was a special guest at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium
      They both got a standing ovation and were cheered when they sounded the bell in touching scenes.
      Felix was recently given the all-clear after a three-year battle with leukaemia.
      To signal the end of such treatment, commonly patients ring a bell at hospital and read a poem.
      But QPR gave him the chance to step on the pitch and do the same and fans on Twitter hailed the heartwarming move.
      One said: “Absolutely incredible moment for that little lad and his family. Oh, and what an amazing big sister!”
      Another said: “Absolutely fantastic, what a brave little fella and great moment for him and his sister.”

      One added: “Very special moment.”

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      Felix was given the news while on a personal tour of the stadium.
      He was also further when his favourite player Ilias Chair called to say a suprise hello.
      QPR currently sit seventh in the Championship but were beaten by table toppers Bournemouth, with Dominic Solanke scoring the only goal of the game.
      They have now suffered consecutive defeats, following a prior six-game unbeaten run. More

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      in Soccer

      Blackburn owners Venky’s offering stars £10MILLION Prem promotion bonus – with some players to scoop £700k if they go up

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      BLACKBURN are dangling a sensational £10million promotion bonus under the noses of their squad.The huge sum would be split among Tony Mowbray’s stars depending on how often they played in the Championship season.
      Blackburn owners Venkatesh Rao (left) and Balaji Rao (centre) of Venky’s LtdCredit: PA:Press Association
      Blackburn manager Tony MowbrayCredit: Rex
      And it could be worth around £700,000 each.
      Owners Venky’s put up the jackpot for a return to the Premier League and finally they have a chance of collecting.
      The bonus system is based on appearances, so any player who features in all 46 games is entitled to a full slice of the pie.
      It is also such a big sum that it will almost double the wages of the top earners at Ewood Park and be even more of a rise for the lesser stars.
      Rovers are riding high in third and this could help Mowbray keep his players happy who are out of contract in the summer.
      Rovers’ clash with Hull on Boxing day was one of many games to have been ravaged by Covid cases with a number of Boxing Day matches called off.
      The Premier League has also been hit with three games axed as the Omicron variant spreads across the UK.
      Rovers were heading into the game with Hull on a five-match winning run.
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      Rovers boss Mowbray has still been slightly taken aback by their marked improvement recently.
      “Repeatedly I’ve said that we can give everyone a game in this league, but I haven’t been shouting from the rooftops that we would be doing probably as well as we are doing,” Mowbray said.
      “I know that we can compete well against any team.
      “I don’t want to sit here and say that we knew that on the back of that we were going to win loads of football matches, we are the team we are, we compete really hard in every game.
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      Chelsea star N’Golo Kante could have joined Middlesbrough after supporter spotted him while playing on holiday in 2013

      by

      N’GOLO KANTE could have signed for Middlesbrough in 2013 had the Teesside outfit listened to the advice of one eagle-eyed fan.Boro supporter Dennis Abbott called on the club to make a move for the Frenchman while he was on holiday in Normandy.
      A Boro fan called on the club to sign K’Golo Kante eight years agoCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Abbott watched Kante play for Caen in 2013 – two years before Leicester poached him from Ligue 1 in a £5.6million deal.
      And, having recognised his enormous talent, he immediately brought the midfielder to Boro’s attention.
      The fan labelled the Frenchman ‘an outstanding creative player’ in a tweet sent to the Teesside club.
      Abbott wrote: “Boro scouts, tell Tony Mowbray to check out Caen midfielder N’Golo Kante before Wenger gets him. Top top player.”
      The club acknowledged Abbott’s comment, saying it had been ‘passed on to scouts’.
      The fan continued: “That’s great. He’s an outstanding creative player, winning plaudits from media & players alike.”
      Rather dismissively, Boro replied: “Thanks Dennis – they’re going to look.”
      Fast forward to the present and Kante has won the 2018 World Cup and is a two-time Premier League winner – while also winning the Champions League last season at Chelsea.
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      He played the key role in Leicester’s miraculous Premier League triumph in 2016 – before moving to Chelsea for £30m later that summer.
      The Frenchman has since then won the Premier League again, the FA Cup and the Europa League title – cementing his reputation as one of the world’s best midfielders.
      And Boro fans are fuming they missed out on such a gem, with one joking: “Dodged a bullet here lads, I’m glad we ended up with Lee Tomlin instead.”
      Another tweeted: “Hey Boro, have ya fired the scouts yet?”
      A third wrote: “Can we get Tony Mowbray’s evaluation at the time?”
      Meanwhile one simply said: “This is mental to be honest.” More

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      in Soccer

      All sporting events in Wales to be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day to help combat growing Covid cases

      by

      ALL sporting events in Wales will be played behind closed doors from Boxing Day.The continued surge in Covid cases across the country has led the Welsh Government to put in place the blanket ban.
      Cardiff Blues vs Scarlets will be played on Boxing Day with no fans in the stadiumCredit: Getty
      Cardiff fans will not be able to celebrate their team scoring at home for the time beingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The current rate is just under 550 cases per 100,000 people as the Omicron variant causes chaos.
      Economy minister Vaughan Gething said: “Sporting events over the Christmas period are one of the big highlights of the year.
      “Unfortunately, the new Omicron variant is a significant development in the pandemic and could cause a large number of infections.
      “We need to do everything we can to protect people’s health and control the spread of this awful virus.
      “The advice is clear – we need to act now in response to the threat of Omicron. We are giving people as much notice of these decisions as we can.
      “Crowds will come back as soon as possible. We want everyone to be here to enjoy their favourite sports.”
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      A £3million Spectator Sports Fund is being made available to clubs and venues affected by the latest restrictions, which are being reviewed ‘regularly’.
      The ruling, announced at midnight, will affect various sports including football, rugby union and horse racing.
      Cardiff City were due to host Coventry on Boxing Day but that game has already been called off due to Covid cases in the Bluebirds’ squad.
      Similarly, Newport County vs Forest Green Rovers is also off while Swansea fans can make the trip to South London to watch their side take on Millwall.
      But they will not be permitted entry when they host Luton three days later.
      Both Cardiff and Swansea have home ties in the FA Cup third round which will now be played with empty stands.
      The crunch United Rugby Championship clash between Cardiff Blues and Scarlets on Boxing Day is also affected, while the other Welsh derby between Ospreys and Dragons is already off.
      More than 6,000 tickets had been sold for Monday’s Welsh Grand National at Chepstow – but the turnstiles will not open for that, either.

      In England, however, things are continuing as planned for the time being.
      The Premier League clubs voted against a festive circuit breaker on Monday.
      Teams will have to fulfil a fixture as long as they have 13 outfield players and one goalkeeper available for selection – with Under-23s players drafted in as cover if necessary.
      But reports in The Times suggest the top flight could follow Wales’ lead with matches played behind closed doors again soon.
      The Welsh Grand National will have no spectators when the horses set off on MondayCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Man Utd legend Park Ji-sung kickstarts coaching career in England after returning to QPR to take charge of U16s

      by

      FORMER Manchester United hero Park Ji-Sung is training QPR’s U16s team as part of his coaching B license. The 40-year-old, who spent time at both Manchester United and QPR as a player, is learning under R’s head of coaching Chris Ramsey.
      Park was a hugely popular figure while at Old TraffordCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The former Man Utd man is coaching QPR’s U16s as part of his B licenseCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Speaking to QPR’s official website, Park said: “Having played for QPR I am really interested to see how they develop their younger players. 
      “I have learnt lots from the players as well as the coaches.”
      Park is looking to transfer his talent from the pitch into the dugout after hanging up his boots as the most decorated Asian footballer in history.
      But the former midfielder has admitted management is a completely different ball game to being out on the pitch.
      He added: “Chris [Ramsey] has lots of experience and I see how he listens to people. 
      “He listens to opinions and then makes his own decision based on the best way he can influence players. That is why he has such a good reputation as a coach.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST FOOTBALL OFFERS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “It has surprised me how much I have learnt. It is not just about your skill or ability, it is about your mentality too. 
      “People might think being a coach is quite similar to being a player. For me, I have realised it is totally different.”
      Park won the Premier League title FOUR times with Manchester United, and also scooped a Champions League winners medal in 2008.
      He won the League Cup three-times and the Club World Cup with United too, as well as a number of trophies during his time in Japan and the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven.
      In total he played 134 times for the Red Devils, scoring 19 times, before joining QPR in 2012.
      He played a further 20 times in West London before a loan move back to PSV prior to calling time on his glittering career – one which included 19 trophies and 100 caps for South Korea.
      ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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      in Soccer

      Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals for Fulham have led to him becoming a work of art after being painted by David Roman

      by

      ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC will soon be able to open an art gallery if he keeps dominating the Championship.The Fulham striker has been voted the PFA Vertu Motors fans’ player of the month in English football’s second tier for a THIRD month in a row.
      Artist David Roman did this painting of Aleksandar Mitrovic after he won the PFA fans’ award for October
      Mitrovic with one of Roman’s paintings
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      And – as part of the special awards – the winners each pick up a beautiful painting of themselves, depicting one of their month’s highlights
      Birmingham-based Romanian artist David Roman, 30, was commissioned to get his acrylics out at the start of this season.
      He said: “The PFA and the sponsors Vertu Motors were looking for a sports artist to do custom-made artwork that would be presented with a trophy each month.
      “A researcher got in touch and we talked about the idea and it was aligned with what I wanted to do.
      “It’s about working with pro athletes and champions as well as creating exciting art.”
      It is hoped the memorabilia will help raise awareness of the PFA awards beyond its traditional audience.
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      Roman invited us to his studio to see him at work on this month’s winners.
      Liverpool’s Diogo Jota won the Premier League gong for November while Burton’s Daniel Jebbison won in League One and Jamille Matt of Forest Green was victorious in League Two.
      Arsenal’s Beth Mead lifted the monthly award in the Women’s Super League.
      David said: “I do a portrait of each player, usually with the athlete moving rather than just the face.
      “What I look for is whether they’re in a flow or one of those winning moments where you can feel the energy at that time. 
      “It must be either at that moment or just after when they’ve very happy. The art must be driven by emotion.”
      Roman and the PFA select the moments they feel work best for a painting from shortlisted photos provided by picture agency Getty Images. 
      Roman invited SunSport into his studio
      He said: “The paintings are done in my personal way, which is with acrylics and I’ve developed a textured multi-layered style which is a result of me chasing how to capture best the movement and energy. 
      “It’s all done with newer materials, is experimental and heavily textured. I paint them on wood panels which are all A3 size.
      “I work on all five at the same time at different stages – and am so relentless. I only have one week to turn it around – so it’s intense.
      “Obviously I’d prefer to work a little slower. It sometimes takes a week to do one of my own paintings – but I don’t have that luxury.
      “But I’ve been pleased with the results.”
      Roman’s favourite painting so far was of Liverpool’s Mo Salah – a personal labour of love because he is a huge Reds fan.
      Roman’s work on the winners of the latest awards this monthCredit: Dave Pinegar
      But he revealed his most challenging was when Mitrovic won the October gong.
      He said: “Aleksandar was shouting with joy. You could see his smile but it was from a lower angle so his teeth were showing. They were difficult to get accurate.
      “I spent a whole day working just on his face.”
      Roman hopes that his own hero Salah and other players enjoy the paintings and even find somewhere at home to hang them.
      He said: “I’ve had good feedback from players, who have shared the art on their social media. 
      “It’s great to get a trophy but getting a piece of art recording an emotional moment just makes it extra special.”
      For more information about David Roman’s art, visit www.davidromanart.com
      HE’S JUST THE JOB
      JOHNNIE JACKSON’S appointment as Charlton boss could be proof that if something isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
      The Addicks legend had been doing an excellent job as assistant to Lee Bowyer and probably should have got the nod in the first place.
      Johnnie Jackson’s superb work as Charlton caretaker landed him the manager’s jobCredit: PA
      Nigel Adkins could not fire up Charlton this season but, with the same set of players, Jackson has won nine of his 14 games in charge.
      Now they just need to make their ultimate legend Alan Curbishley director of football and they will have the perfect combination.
      IT’S JUST THE JAB
      EFL footballers need to come to their senses and get vaccinated.
      It is staggering that a quarter of players across the Championship, League One and League Two have no intention of getting jabbed
      EFL VACCINATED PLAYERSIN THE EFL..
      59% of players are double jabbed
      10% of players single jabbed
      6% of players intending to get a jab
      25% of players not intending to get vaccinated
      (Figures correct of December 17, 2021)

      Of course, there will be players who have genuine concerns about their health. But, seriously, one in four footballers should not have any serious worries at all.
      Maybe if these footballers actually spoke to families of those who have lost loved ones to Covid, they might understand the real impact of this wretched virus.
      Getting jabbed is the sensible thing to do – so every footballer who has stated they don’t want to get jabbed should delve into their conscience and do the right thing. More

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      in Soccer

      Celtic lining up transfer swoop for Barnsley’s Callum Styles as Hoops hunt new long-term left-back

      by

      CELTIC think Barnsley star Callum Styles could finally solve their problem at left-back.The Hoops are still struggling to find a long-term successor to Kieran Tierney following his £25million move to Arsenal in August 2019.
      Styles has impressed at Barnsley since joining from Bury in 2018 and is now on Celtic’s radarCredit: Getty
      Celtic have struggled to replace Tierney since he left for Arsenal in 2019Credit: Getty
      Scotland star Tierney has been a hit at the Gunners but Celtic have yet to fill his boots despite trying several players on that side of their defence.
      Croatia right-back Josip Juranovic, 26, has been covering left-back for the Scottish giants but boss Ange Postecoglou is keen to get a long-term solution sorted.
      Styles, 21, has been a stand-out player in a Tykes side battling against relegation from the Championship this season.
      The Oakwell club have been struggling since former boss Valerien Ismael left to take over at West Brom in June.
      Former winger Styles joined Barnsley as a promising teenager from Bury in 2018 and established himself as a regular last season.
      He has been a fixture for the Tykes this campaign and has one goal and an assist to his name so far.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Championship.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      Another played linked with the left-back role at Celtic is Hibs starlet Josh Doig.
      Ex-Hoops striker Charlie Nicholas said last month the club should move for the 19-year-old as he fits the ‘Kieran Tierney mould’.
      Nicholas, 59, told The Scottish Sun: “Celtic can’t go out and buy the finished article.
      “They need to develop players and sell them on. That is the club’s model.” More