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      Forgotten wonderkid dubbed ‘Messi’s heir’ who Chelsea and Man City fought over at 13 signs for League One club

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      A FORGOTTEN wonderkid who was once dubbed “Messi’s heir” has signed for League One side Blackpool.Karamoko Dembele, 20, was the talk of football when he was coming through the ranks at Celtic and made his debut for the club’s under-20s side when he was just THIRTEEN.
      Blackpool have signed Karamoko Dembele on loanCredit: Twitter @BlackpoolFC
      Dembele was just a teen when he started training with the Celtic first team squadCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      He would go on to make his full first team debut at Celtic Park when he was still only 16 years old.
      The winger also had both Scotland and England fighting to have him declare for them and he represented both sides at youth level – although he has not declared for either country yet.
      And Chelsea and Manchester City were also scrapping for his signature after he burst on the scene.
      The winger, who was born in London, joined Celtic when he was just 10 years old and regularly scooped up awards at both academy and youth team level – with the expectation that he would go on to become a first team regular at Celtic Park.
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      His former youth team coach David Feeney said in 2016: “I think he is very similar to Lionel Messi. If he has the right guidance, then the sky is the limit for him.
      However, after making his debut for the club in the 2018-19 season, the 5ft5 winger never really managed to kick on at senior level – with injuries being a major factor.
      He would go on to make just eight further appearances for The Hoops, all of them cameos from the bench before joining Ligue 1 side Brest in 2022.
      Dembele made 17 appearances in his first season at the club, again largely being cameos from the bench.
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      Dembele went on to make nine first team appearances for CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      But last season he featured just once in all competitions for the club.
      A move to Blackpool represents an opportunity for the youngster to revive his career.
      Still only 20, a move down the football pyramid from Ligue 1 to English football’s League One will give him the opportunity to gain the minutes he desperately needs to develop.
      After the club unveiled his signing on Twitter, it is fair to say that Blackpool fans still believe he can come good on his potential.
      One fan said: “If he’s as good as he was on my Football Manager we are winning the league ladies and gents.”
      Another added: “Promising young player, shame it’s a loan but should definitely add something if played in the correct position. Let’s hope this leads to a change in formation. Good luck to the lad.”
      While a third wrote: “Let us hope this is the maverick type player we badly need.” More

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      Watch awkward moment coach ‘does a Football Manager’ and ‘storms out’ of live TV interview after uncomfortable question

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      LEE JOHNSON stormed out of a live TV interview after being asked about his future as Hibernian manager.The coach has since been sacked by the Scottish Premiership outfit after the 3-2 loss to Livingston left them rock bottom of the league.
      Lee Johnson stormed out of a TV interviewCredit: Twitter
      He was asked if he thinks he will remain as Hibs managerCredit: Twitter
      And walked out of the roomCredit: Twitter
      Hibs have failed to pick up any points from their first three games and they also suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Conference League play-off.
      But after the disappointment against Livingston, Johnson, 42, appeared to be in no mood for chatting.
      During his post-match interview with Sky, he insisted that he still believes in the “abilities of the staff and in the players”.
      However, he then decided that was that as he started to walk away from the interviewer.
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      The reporter then got in one more question as they asked: “Do you think you will be manager next week?”
      To which Johnson replied: “Oh thank you.”
      He then continued to walk away before saying the fans were “brilliant” and that he “loves” them.
      The moment has gone viral on social media, with fans comparing it to a feature in the Football Manager computer game.
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      One tweeted: “He actually pressed the storm out of press conference button.”
      A second joked: “I hope he stays too…. Love the comedy value. Class.”
      A third commented: “Imagine getting asked if you’ll be in a job next week.
      The former Arsenal youth player and Bristol City midfielder – who managed the Robins and Sunderland before heading north of the border – has since been relieved from his duties by the Hibernian board.
      Chief executive Ben Kensell said: “The club has taken the tough decision to relieve Lee Johnson of his duties following a disappointing start to the domestic campaign.
      “We wish Lee and his coaching staff all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts.”
      Johnson was relieved of his duties on Sunday morningCredit: Andrew Barr More

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      I won the league title with Rangers and was known as a bad boy, now I want to be a government minister in my homeland

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      Ex-Rangers bad boy El Hadji Diouf has sparked astonishment – by declaring his aim to become a GOVERNMENT MINISTER.The retired Senegal international figured in a host of controversies on and off the field during his playing career.
      Diouf clashed with Scott Brown several times during his six month loan in ScotlandCredit: Reuters
      He went on to work with the Senegal national sideCredit: PA
      His career was rewarded with various awards in Africa – now he wants a key role off the pitchCredit: AFP – Getty
      Liverpool flop Diouf was involved in several spitting incidents, and was arrested several times.
      The winger, 42, also kept up running feuds with Kop icons Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher long after leaving Anfield.
      He helped Gers win an SPL and League Cup double during a 2011 spell on loan from Blackburn.
      Diouf has now insisted he hopes to become Senegal’s sports minister – or else head of the west African country’s FA.

      Both jobs would call for great reserves of tact and diplomacy.
      Diouf told Senegalese media: “I could easily see myself becoming Minister for Sport, or president of the Senegal Football Federation.
      “I could start work tomorrow.  I don’t see why not – I am an ambitious person.
      “Everything in its own time.  People got to know me in a different guise.
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      “That was in the past, when they only spoke about me as a bad boy.
      “But El Hadji Diouf the footballer was different to how I’d be as a director.”
      Senegal’s president Macky Sall previously sprung a surprise by handing Diouf a part-time role as an advisor.
      The former Bolton and Sunderland winger added: “In my role as a roving ambassador for the president, I have to behave in exemplary fashion.
      Diouf (right) landed the league title and League Cup in ScotlandCredit: Scottish News and Sport
      “I also have to represent the Senegalese FA in a worthy manner.”
      A £10million Liverpool buy from Lens, Diouf also played for Doncaster and Leeds.
      He hung up his boots in 2015 after a spell with Malaysian club Sabah.
      Elsewhere, former Rangers wonderkid Kai Kennedy has found a new club after a summer out of contract.
      Once courted by Bayern Munich and on the scouting list of several high-profile clubs in England and Europe, the winger will spend next season in the FIFTH tier of English football.
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      He’s signed for York City and will hook up with former Ayr United striker Dipo Akinyemi who he faced with Falkirk in last season’s Scottish Cup.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Moment Celtic could have snapped up Moises Caicedo for just £1m – and who the Hoops signed instead

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      THERE’S a great list of players who nearly played for either half of the Old Firm – and now you can add Chelsea’s new £115m man Moises Caicedo to the list. Back then, Celtic were going for their tenth title in a row – with Neil Lennon at the helm.
      Moises Caicedo could have joined Celtic – he’s just gone to Chelsea for £115mCredit: Getty
      Neil Lennon was the man in chargeCredit: AFP
      Caicedo was an impressive 21-year-old at Independiente del Valle and according to the Daily Mail, a former Parkhead talent spotter “sent back a recommendation to Glasgow to sign him”.
      For whatever reason, it wasn’t acted upon – with the Hoops instead making good on a promise to sign David Turnbull upon his recovery from injury.
      In too came Vasilis Barkas from AEK Athens and Albian Ajeti, plus Diego Laxalt on-loan.
      With the exception of Turnbull, none of the others have proved to be an asset to the Parkhead club.

      While Caicedo, who went to Brighton 12 months down the line, has made himself into an £100m-plus player and turned Brighton a remarkable profit into the bargain.
      But it has to go down as another near miss for the Hoops – who obviously lost out to historic rivals Rangers that season.
      Meanwhile, SunSport columnist Kris Boyd reckons Celtic must SELL Reo Hatate if he isn’t prepared to commit to a long term contract at the club.
      Brighton again have been credited with an interest in the player, although they already have plentiful options to replace the departed Caicedo.
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      Boyd write: “Maybe Reo Hatate has done something to annoy Brendan Rodgers.
      “Perhaps the Japanese midfielder had an attitude problem within the dressing room.
      “Or possibly there was a wee streak of arrogance that shone through when the Celtic manager first took charge.
      “Whatever it was, there’s clearly something that explains why Hatate lost his place in the team.
      “No harm to David Turnbull, but don’t try to tell me he’s a better player than Hatate.
      “Yet he was the one who started the first two games of the season? Sorry, that makes no sense.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Fans brand Scottish football stadium’s snack a ‘WAR CRIME’ and crown it the ‘most depressed burger ever’

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left in a pickle at the state of Dundee United’s burger served at Tannadice.As the Scottish football season kicked off in earnest yesterday, it meant the first visit to a stadium for months for many punters.
      This burger felt the ire of football fans on social media
      And if you were at Tannadice this weekend for Dundee United against Arbroath, you’d have been in for a not-so-tasty treat if you felt peckish at half-time.
      The stadium’s burger offering has been laid into on social media after it was shared on the ‘Footy Scran’ Twitter page.
      Among other things, it’s been likened to a digestive biscuit, called out for not being cooked, and even branded so bad it’s akin to a war crime.
      Supporters from across the country raced to comment on the fare after a picture of it was posted on Twitter.

      One fan from England said: “How did the country that fries literally everything manage to produce a burger that looks like it was boiled in bog water.”
      In a similar vein, this punter said: “Good news: you can now buy food in Scotland that isn’t deep fried. Bad news: it’s this absolute war crime.”
      Another asked: “Do you have to pay extra for them to actually cook your burgers at Dundee?”
      Before a third joked: “Did it walk off and head back to the farm at full time?”
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      The comparisons for the snack, which costs a heft £4.50, weren’t favourable in the slightest.
      One commented: “McVitie’s digestive in a bap.”
      Another observed: “Looks like a raw Rustler’s burger.”
      “Is that… still frozen?” asked another fan.
      It was then described as the “most depressed burger ever.”
      Another said simply: “That looks proper vile.”
      Then came this verdict: “That’s a crime against humanity.”
      Another fan described it as a “plastic bath mat” while one likened it to a beer coaster.
      One punter went fully against the grain, and in fact said that with a few simple toppings added, he’d happily order it.
      “Put some lettuce, tomato, pickle, peppers and onion on it and I actually would go for it… plain though is just very not scran,” he said.
      It’s not the first Scottish football food item to cause a stir in the last week either.
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      Celtic Park has opened a new street food outlet in the stadium but the vendor’s signature offering has split fan opinion.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers poised to pounce for Man City starlet with Hoops out to beat Wolves to loan transfer

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      BRENDAN RODGERS is in the queue for Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle and waiting for the moment to pounce.Celtic boss Rodgers is a fan of Doyle who looks set to move in this window.
      Tommy Doyle is wanted on loan by Celtic and WolvesCredit: Getty
      Returning Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers wants to take the Man City kid north of the borderCredit: Rex
      And he is ready to swoop if he loses any of his current Hoops squad.
      Celtic have a strong relationship with Man City and will be updated on any developments over Doyle’s future.
      Wolves are also keen on Doyle, 21, who helped Sheffield United get earn promotion to the Premier League last season.
      But he may not start regularly for them, which leaves the door open for Rodgers.
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      Celtic have a Champions League campaign ahead and are an attractive option.
      However, they would need the cash to fund the buy or put together an impressive case for a loan.
      Celtic have already lost star winger Jota after a £25million move to Saudi Arabia.
      While defender Carl Starfelt is reportedly set to move to LaLiga side Celta Vigo.
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      The Swede has been linked with a move since his girlfriend Jacynta Galabadaarachchi left Celtic women’s team for Sporting Lisbon.
      The Scottish champions kicked off with a 4-2 win over Ross County on Saturday.
      Speaking after the game, Rodgers said: “Carl could leave, hence the reason for not starting him, that’s maybe something that will go through next week, but we shall see.
      “He’s obviously been a fantastic servant here, and he’s a great guy and really committed, but there’s reasons why he might want to move on.” More

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      Celtic star gushes over ‘most beautiful woman in the world’ and showers girlfriend with gorgeous gifts

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      ROMANTIC Liel Abada knows the way to goal – and the way to a woman’s heart.The winger found the net 13 times last season, to take his Celtic tally to 28 in the Hoops.
      Liel Abada helped the Hoops land all three domestic trophies last seasonCredit: Reuters
      He celebrated with his model girlfriend at the end of the seasonCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      And he showered his girlfriend with gifts as she backed him from the stands at parkhead
      And despite a summer full of speculation he hasn’t allowed himself to be distracted on the pitch – or off it.
      Indeed his pre-season performance has been picture perfect – from Japan to back home at Parkhead.
      He helped the Hoops end pre-season with a win after a much improved second half showing against Athletic Club in James Forrest’s testimonial.
      Abada was cheered on by gorgeous Wag Bar Rashti – and she was even happier than the Hoops crowd with the result thanks to the romantic winger’s off-field gesture for his model girlfriend.
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      He sent her cute messages back from Japan while the Hoops took on Yokohama F.Marinos and Gamba Osaka as she updated her Instagram profile with beautiful Barbie-esque poses.
      After he gushed over her profile last month the Israeli wide man gifted her a bouquet of red roses this week.
      And his grand gesture melted his partner’s heart.
      Rashti replied: “I love you Liel Abada” and the message was seen by her 16,000 followers.
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      She also filmed herself cheering her man onto the pitch against the La Liga outfit on Tuesday night.
      He replaced man of the moment James Forrest in the second half as Celtic rounded off pre-season with a win.
      Abada had Rashti firmly in mind despite the 5000-miles between them on the club’s Asian tour too and he sent a message back saying she looked unreal and wrote: “There is no such thing as you”.
      Others compared her glam pose to Barbie and suggested the Israeli beauty would give Margot Robbie a run for her money.
      They asked: “Why didn’t they cast you in a Barbie movie?”
      Another dubbed her: “The most beautiful Barbie there is.”
      A third replied “Perfection” to the photo which was posted in Eilat, southern Israel.
      Rashti had been labelled the “most beautiful woman in the world” after wowing fans with some racy holiday poses.
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      She enjoyed a sun-kissed break with her footballer in Mykonos, Greece, and posed in a barely-there blue and pink bikini while lying on a lounger before showing off her figure with a stunning pic while inside their hotel room. More

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      Watch moment David Marshall drops howler as Hibs suffer shock Euro defeat to Andorra minnows

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      HIBS got their season underway tonight as they travelled to Andorra to take on Inter d’Escaldes in the Uefa Conference League. It looked to be a sure thing for Lee Johnson’s men as they went into the tie as heavy favourites but their trip ended in heartache as they fell short in a 2-1 defeat.
      David Marshall thought he had his hands on the ball
      He dropped it leaving the hosts with an open goal
      Jean Luc Assoubre slotted it away to doube his side’s leadCredit: SNS
      Dylan Levitt made his competitive debut following his switch from Dundee United – but it was the man in goals who has grabbed the headlines.
      Hibs stopper and former Scotland international David Marshall was at fault for the Andorran side’s second goal and fans have been left furious with the goalkeeper at full-time.
      The veteran was tested with a fairly straightforward shot from close range as Ander El Haddadi Arrillaga pounced on Lewis Stevenson’s mistake to get an effort away.
      Marshall failed to get much on the strike though and dropped it before fumbling for the ball in the six yard box.

      It left Jean Luc Assoubre with an empty net to score into and he did just that to give his team a sensational two-goal lead over the Capital club.
      The match still had 20 minutes remaining after the second goal and it could have been more at full-time as Inter d’Escaldes took confidence and started growing into the game even more.
      Joe Newell stepped up with a free-kick to claw a goal back to save the tie in the dying minutes and gave Marshall and manager Johnson some breathing room.
      But it will still go down as one of the club’s worst defeats and will add to the long list of Scottish football upsets in Europe.
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      Fans were left fizzing over Marshall’s howler and took to social media to vent their fury at full-time.

      One supporter said: “David Marshall has had a nightmare there.”
      Another wrote: “I can’t believe that, what is Marshall doing?!”
      A third said: “That’s the season done. Thanks Marshall.”
      Hibs are still the favourites to progress to the third qualifying round of the Conference League and will hope to turn the tie around in the second leg.
      Johnson’s men host the Andorran outfit at Easter Road next week.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More