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      Celtic ‘closing in on Kyle Joseph transfer with Scots set to beat Tottenham to 19-year-old Wigan youngster’

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      CELTIC are closing in on a deal to sign Kyle Joseph from Wigan, reports say.
      The Scotland Under-19 international’s contract expires in June and he has plenty of clubs interested in signing him on a free.

      Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign Kyle Joseph from WiganCredit: Rex Features

      As a result, he has not extended his contract, instead choosing to explore his options.
      According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are set to conclude a pre-contract which will bring the forward to Scotland.
      Tottenham and Arsenal were among those linked with the teen, who has five goals in 16 games so far this season.
      Joseph has made a huge impact for Wigan since making his debut for the club in October.

      He grabbed his first for the Latics in the win at Sunderland in December.
      And he impressed the ever-increasing number of scouts by firing a hat-trick against Burton shortly afterwards.
      If Joseph decides to move, the Latics will be entitled to compensation for the striker.
      Rangers – on the verge of a first league title since 2011 – were also said to be in for the youngster.

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      The Ibrox side are now 21 points clear of the Hoops in the Premiership table.
      And with Celtic only having 21 total points left to play for, anything less than a win over Dundee United would end the title race.
      Already Rangers fans have started the party while Rangers players were filmed dancing in their dressing room.

      Watch Steven Gerrard dance with his Rangers players as they celebrate closing in on title More

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      Puscas shares a name with a legend but wants to be a hero in his own right by rifling Royals into the Premier League

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      GEORGE PUSCAS shares a surname with one of football’s greatest icons.
      But the Reading striker does not like to draw parallels with the Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas because he is from Romania.

      George Puscas celebrates his goals for Reading and Romania by simulating shooting a rifle

      Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas was one of the greatest footballers of all time

      Yet while he is not proud to be a namesake of a man seen as a God by bitter rivals in a neighbouring country, he loves what the names means.
      Puscas, back in his native land, means “Rifleman.”
      He said: “To be honest, I am Romanian and have nothing to do with his name. I’ll do it my way. I’ll be the Romanian Puscas.
      “The name back home in Romania means rifleman.”

      The 24-year-old loves celebrating his goals by simulating firing a rifle and he was doing just that on Tuesday as he scored on his first start against Blackburn after a three-month lay-off with a hernia injury.
      And with Brentford losing four out of their last six games, the Royals are only six points behind the second automatic promotion spot.
      Puscas – who needed an operation – told SunSport: “It’s been a few tough months. I was doing all the treatments but it wasn’t getting better.
      “I had to do the surgery but now I’m feeling fit and good.

      “We’re looking of course towards second and achieving great things.
      “But we don’t look at the table every day so if we simply take it step by step we’ll see where it takes us.”

      Puscas would love to play in the Premier League.
      Had history taken a different course, he might have been there already.
      For aged just 16 Arsenal brought him over to London for a one-week trial after scouts flew to Romania to watch him playing for Bihor Oradea.
      He said: “Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team.
      “They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      “Arsenal said they would wait a year before signing me for their academy so I went home and in that time Inter Milan offered me a contract without trials.
      “At that age, you just see them both as big clubs and Inter wanted me at that moment so I went there.”
      Puscas got his Serie A breakthrough at the San Siro under the management of former Manchester City Premier League-winning coach Roberto Macini.

      Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team. They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      George Puscas

      He said: “Making my debut under him was my favourite moment.
      “Mancini was a great coach. He was a striker and used to stay with me after training to teach me a lot of things.
      “It was my first experience moving to another country. I met all the big footballers who were there and got a lot of help from people like Javier Zanetti, Rodrigo Palacio and Esteban Cambiasso.”
      It is no wonder with the superstars at Mancini’s disposal that Pucas only made seven appearances for Inter and ended up being loaned out to Bari, Benevento and Novara.
      He was eventually sold to Serie B Palermo in 2018 and enjoyed a great season football-wise, making 33 outings and scoring nine goals.
      But the club were first docked 20 points for financial irregularities before the authorities relegated them two divisions to Serie D.

      George Puscas celebrates his winner against Blackburn with the creator Lucas Joao
      Inter exercised their buy-back option before promptly selling him to Reading on a five-year deal in August 2019.
      Puscas quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite at the Madejski Stadium for his hard-working performances.
      And now pairing up with 20-goal Luas Joao up front, the Royals certainly have the firepower to cause anyone in the Championship a serious threat.
      He said: “I enjoy playing with Lucas. We find each other well on the pitch. He deserves his 20 goals.
      “But all the team are good. It is because of everyone that we as strikers get our chances.”
      Puscas is one of the characters in the Reading dressing room. He even broke into the club’s training ground during the first lockdown – just so he could train on his own.
      Boss Veljko Paunovic revealed how the Romanian is always entertaining the players in their WhatsApp group by posting funny messages and videos.
      Puscas laughed: “I like to keep the atmosphere nice because I know there’s a lot of pressure here.
      “All the things I text and videos is to put a smile on everyone’s face.
      “At the end of the day, we do our best. We might lose one game but must keep going and think about the next one.
      “I’m always close to the players because we believe we can achieve big things.” More

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      In-form Bradford City star Callum Cooke hoping to stir-up League Two promotion mix in budding partnership with Andy Cook

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      TOO many chefs may spoil the broth – but a Cooke and a Cook partnership is stirring up the League Two promotion mix nicely.
      Bradford City have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround over the past two-and-a-half months since Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars took charge.

      Callum Cooke and Bradford City are flying high in League TwoCredit: Getty

      The playmaker and on-loan striker Andy Cook are developing a telepathic understandingCredit: Bradford City AFC and Thomas Gadd Photography

      The Bantams looked to be stuck in a relegation battle before an incredible run of 33 points in 14 games catapulted them into the play-off picture.
      Tuesday’s victory over Mansfield was the club’s fifth-straight win and they head to Bolton on Saturday just four points off their sixth-placed rivals.
      One of the star men in their revival has been playmaker Callum Cooke, 24.
      The former Middlesbrough and Peterborough ace, who tasted European Championship joy with England U17s in 2014, also seems to be developing a telepathic understanding with on-loan striker Andy Cook.

      The hotshot, who was ineligible to face his parent club in midweek, has found the net three times in five appearances since his arrival in January.
      Cooke said: “Him and Danny Rowe know my game now where I always look to play on the front foot and go forward.
      “I got both assists for big Andy Cook against Cheltenham a few weeks ago. The second one I just played it with the outside of my foot instinctively for him to pounce on, so it’s vital to have that understanding.
      “I have a good understanding with him and Rowey, but it’s important to have it with everyone.

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      The attacker and his fellow Bantams are now looking up for promotion after their poor startCredit: Getty

      Cooke has scored three goals and grabbed eight assists this seasonCredit: Rex Features

      “Playing No10, you can go a long while without the ball, so it’s up to the lads behind me to get me on it, and to be fair they are finding me in my favourite position in the pockets between the midfield and defence and that’s where I can hurt other teams.”
      Bradford sacked club legend Stuart McCall in December after a run of six-straight defeats left them third bottom.
      Cooke, who was being deployed as a defensive midfielder at the time, insists he always believed the squad had the quality to turn things around but both himself and his team-mates just needed to be let off the leash.
      Cooke said: “I played like a No4 in a quarter-back position to try and get on the ball and start the attacks.
      “I don’t have a problem with that as it’s good to get that extra knowledge of different positions but to get the best out of me I think I need to play as an attacking midfielder.
      “I didn’t say anything as I was just glad to be playing games after not getting anywhere near as many games as I wanted at Peterborough.
      “I’ve now got eight assists and three goals, which is not too bad considering I was playing further back and we still have a lot of games left.  I just want to keep building on that.”

      Cooke and his Bradford team-mates have won their last five matchesCredit: Rex Features

      The former Peterborough and England youth star hopes to continue that run against BoltonCredit: Rex Features
      He continued: “I always thought we were capable of going on a good run as we have really good players but it is remarkable. We are in a really good place but it is all down to hard work in training.
      “We all know this squad has talent but it was a case of taking the shackles off us and since that has happened we haven’t looked back.
      “We are taking it game-by-game but we know as players we could be on the cusp of something really special with this massive club.”
      The next hurdle for Cooke and his fellow Bantams are the division’s other in-form side Bolton, who have risen to sixth following their own six-match winning run.
      But the Trotters hold no fear as the star said: “We are the two form teams in the division and for the neutral it will be a fantastic game.
      “We go into it fearing nobody. We beat Cheltenham who are top of the league, but we’ve taken points off other teams in the play-offs as well.
      “We know that on our day we are capable of beating anybody. It should be an interesting game and one we are all looking forward to.”

      On-loan Andy Cook has scored three goals in five games since his arrivalCredit: Getty Images
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      Leyton Orient star Adam Thompson breaks ankle, refuses stretcher and gets bus back from Grimsby eating fish and chips

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      LEYTON ORIENT star Adam Thompson was hailed by fans after brushing off a broken ankle to enjoy fish and chips on the team bus.
      The defender was forced off in the opening minutes of the O’s 1-0 win over Grimsby on Tuesday after a horror clash of heads.

      Leyton Orient defender Adam Thompson cut his head and broke his ankle against GrimsbyCredit: Rex Features

      Thanks for all the messages, really appreciate them. Will work hard and be out there as quick as I possibly can BUT absolutely buzzing for the lads and gaffer on the win tonight !! Let’s keep this going ! Celebratory fish and chips on the way home for the 3 points ! pic.twitter.com/VPTlTqNhOM
      — Adam Thompson (@adam__thompson) March 2, 2021

      During the collision, the 28-year-old cut his head wide open and suffered a broken ankle but shunned a stretcher to hobble off.
      His replacement Dan Happe ultimately settled the contest at Blundell Park as the O’s picked up three points for the first time since January.
      And Thompson made sure he was celebrating with the rest of his teammates as he was pictured on the team bus later.
      The January arrival shared a picture of his ankle strapped up while tucking into fish and chips.

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      He tweeted: “Thanks for all the messages, really appreciate them. Will work hard and be out there as quick as I possibly can BUT absolutely buzzing for the lads and gaffer on the win tonight !!
      “Let’s keep this going ! Celebratory fish and chips on the way home for the 3 points !”
      One fan replied: “Come back stronger mate!”

      Another added: “Keep eating that omega 3 and you’ll be back in no time.”

      Orient’s 1-0 win against rock-bottom Grimsby moved the club up to 13th in the table in interim manager Jobi McAnuff’s first game in charge.
      He said: “It feels very good. It’s been a busy few days, in terms of getting the news that I was going to be manager and then getting ready for the game.
      “There’s been a lot going on, but the boys have been absolutely first class, as the staff have as well helping out behind the scenes.”

      Own goal wins depressing Leyton Orient goal of the month competition, beating two penalties More

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      Neil Warnock signs Middlesbrough contract extension for 2021/22 season as 72-year-old targets Premier League return

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      NEIL WARNOCK has agreed to stay at Middlesbrough until he is at least 73.
      The veteran, who is the second oldest manager in England behind Crystal Palace’s Roy Hodgson, has penned a new one-year deal at The Riverside.

      The 72-year-old is targeting a record ninth promotionCredit: Rex Features

      After Tuesday’s 2-1 away win at Coventry, Warnock held talks with Boro owner Steve Gibson on Wednesday.
      After outlining his ambitions for the club and changes he felt that needed to be made, the two men have now shaken hands on a one-year extension.
      Warnock said: “It wasn’t really in doubt. I’ve enjoyed my time here and achieved what I wanted to so far. 
      “Steve is as big a supporter as he’s ever been, and he told me – you’ve not seen anything until you’ve seen a full Riverside.

      “It’ll be great to have the fans back when we can – that’s what we all want and it can’t come quick enough. You can see a light at the end of the tunnel, but let’s be careful until we get there. 
      “I think we can all look forward now – at my age you know you’re not staying on to make up the numbers and I thrive on success, and that’s what I’ll be striving for.”
      Warnock replaced Jonathan Woodgate in June and guided the club to Championship safety by winning four of his eight games at the helm last term.
      This season he has continued that transformation to turn Boro into Championship play-off contenders.

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      The oldest gaffers currently managing in England:

      Roy Hodgson (Crystal Palace)
      Age: 73 DOB: 9/7/1947
      Neil Warnock (Boro)
      Age: 72 DOB: 1/12/1948
      Sam Allardyce (West Brom)
      Age: 66 DOB: 19/10/1954
      Marcelo Bielsa (Leeds)
      Age: 65   DOB: 21/7/ 1955
      Chris Hughton (Forest)
      Age: 62 DOB: 11/12/1958

      He is now chasing a record ninth promotion as manager with his side five points off the top six.
      And his trusted lieutenants Kevin Blackwell and Ronnie Jepson will also remain at the club alongside him in the dug-out.
      A club statement said the return of fans to the Riverside is ‘another big attraction for the veteran’.
      He is yet to take charge of a home game in front of the Boro faithful, having missed the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in September in front of 1,000 spectators as he battled coronavirus.
      This season has also seen Warnock add more impressive notches to his belt.
      He celebrated becoming just the seventh man to take charge of 1,5000 matches in Britain in October.
      Warnock then made EFL history by winning a record 11th Championship Manager of the Month award in November.
      He was already one ahead of Chris Hughton in the all-time standings before scooping another following a six-match unbeaten run.
      Warnock will be hoping to cap his new contract with a victory when they travel to fellow promotion chasers Swansea on Saturday.
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      Watford to sign ex-Aston Villa ace Carlos Sanchez on free transfer aged 35 – nine months after leaving West Ham

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      WATFORD are ready to snap up Colombian midfield veteran Carlos Sanchez.
      The former West Ham and Aston Villa destroyer is currently a free agent.

      Watford are set to swoop for ex-Villa and West Ham midfielder Carlos SanchezCredit: Getty

      And he is set to sign for the Hornets today to help them out in their promotion push.
      Sanchez, 35, has not played since leaving the Hammers.
      But he is fit and known to the Watford hierarchy from his spells in Spain and Italy.
      Watford have seen their squad stretched in recent weeks.

      And Sanchez brings experience to their ranks as they face a possible extended season with the play-offs. 
      The South American began his European adventure with Spanish outfit Elche.
      His form in LaLiga secured him a move to England in 2014 when he joined Villa.
      Sanchez went on to make 56 appearances in all competitions over two seasons at Villa Park.

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      After their relegation from the Premier League in 2016 he was loaned out to Fiorentina.
      Sanchez went on to make his switch to the Serie A side permanent but was on the move again just 12 months after leaving Villa.
      West Ham signed the South American on a two-year deal in 2018.
      However, he suffered a miserable time in East London and made just 18 appearances in all competitions for the Hammers.
      He has been a free agent since he was released by David Moyes’ high-flying side last summer.
      Watford are currently third in the Championship and host bottom club Wycombe Wanderers on Wednesday.
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      Ex-Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran signs for League One side MK Dons on free transfer after impressing during training

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran has sealed a move to MK Dons on his 28th birthday.
      The midfielder had been training with the 14th-place League One club since leaving Birmingham in late January.

      Josh McEachran has joined MK Dons on a free transfer after leaving BirminghamCredit: Rex Features

      And McEachran has now secured a contract until the end of the season after impressing boss Russell Martin.
      The 13-time England Uunder-21s ace will wear the No5 shirt for Dons and will be hoping to feature against Gillingham tomorrow night.
      McEachran started his career at Stamford Bridge and was the original poster boy for Roman Abramovich’s budding Chelsea academy.
      However, he made just 22 appearances for the Blues, mainly as a sub.

      And McEachran eventually worked his way through five clubs on loan, taking in spells at Swansea, Middlesbrough, Watford, Wigan and Vitesse.
      McEachran finally found a permanent home with Brentford in 2015 and went on to play 101 times before moving to Birmingham in 2019.
      However, injuries limited McEachran to just ten games.
      And he is now hoping to rediscover his form at Stadium MK.

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      McEachran told the Dons’ official site: “I’m thankful for the opportunity that the gaffer has given me and I just can’t wait to get started.
      “I came here to keep fit but everyone has been fantastic with me. The way the gaffer wants to play is suited to me. I like to get on the ball as much as possible and dictate play so it felt like a perfect fit.
      “I have been out for a little while now but this is the fittest and strongest I’ve felt for a long time. Hopefully I can get back to playing regular football and help the team out.”

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      Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill re-admitted to hospital with Covid-pneumonia just weeks after returning home

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      SHREWSBURY boss Steve Cotterill has been re-admitted to hospital due to suffering from Covid-pneumonia.
      The 56-year-old returned home from the hospital on February 16 after spending time in an ICU unit.

      Steve Cotterill has been re-admitted to hospital due to suffering from Covid-pneumoniaCredit: PA:Press Association

      However, he returned to hospital over the weekend as he is suffering from Covid-pneumonia. 
      His No2 at Shrewsbury, Aaron Wilbraham, said: “For somebody who has never missed a day’s work in his life, this will hit the manager really hard.
      “He’s one of the strongest and toughest people I know, and I know he’ll get through this Covid-pneumonia.”
      Wilbraham and David Longwell will continue taking charge of the League One club’s first-team until Cotterill’s return.

      It was reported last month that Cotterill was still recovering after a period in intensive care while fighting coronavirus.
      Cotterill was one of around 20 positive cases within the club and was later taken ill.
      He was then moved into an ICU but appeared to be on the mend and was released home.
      Cotterill joined Shrewsbury in November as he replaced Sam Ricketts.

      Aaron Wilbrahim was pictured on the phone to Cotterill before Saturday’s game at AccringtonCredit: Getty

      After an unbeaten run in December, he received the manager of the month award.
      Shrewsbury beat Oxford in the FA Cup second round, but their trip to Southampton was postponed after they were hit with a coronavirus outbreak.
      The FA and Premier League made room for the game to go ahead, after initial fears the Saints would get a by.
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