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      Duncan Ferguson ‘turns down’ Dundee United despite bid from Tannadice to replace Jack Ross

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      DUNCAN FERGUSON has rejected an approach from Dundee United to return to the club as manager, according to reports.The Tannadice club are still searching for a replacement for Jack Ross and the former Utd, Rangers and Everton striker was thought to be among the top candidates.
      Duncan Ferguson will not step into management with Dundee Utd, it’s being reportedCredit: PA
      It was reported last month that Ferguson was open to discussions over a return to Tannadice as boss, to the place where he made his name in the early nineties before Gers splashed the cash on him.
      Ferguson left Everton this summer after an association with the Goodison Park club stretching back to 1994.
      After two spells as a player with the Toffees before going into coaching, Ferguson was given a taste of management during two short stints as interim boss following the sackings of Marco Silva and Rafael Benitez.
      Ferguson caught the management bug, leaving Everton to pursue opportunities as the main man.
      Dundee United coming calling looked like a good fit but according tot the Daily Telegraph, Ferguson has turned them down.
      Ferguson was the front runner at one point to succeed Jack Ross but current caretaker Liam Fox now leads the way with the bookies.
      Fox guided the Terrors to a 2-1 win over Livingston in his first game in charge, which came just hours after Ross was given his P45.
      Ross lost his job after just ten weeks at the helm on Tayside, paying the price for a 7-0 humiliation in Europe at the hands of AZ Alkmaar and a 9-0 demolishing by Celtic.
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      In between that, Ross’ side were on the receiving end of consecutive three-goal margin defeats, losing 4-1 to Hearts and 3-0 to St Mirren.
      After Ross was dismissed, Utd chairman Mark Ogren wrote an open letter to fans.
      He said: “I would like to address the current situation amid what has been a largely disappointing start to the on-field campaign. “A string of poor performances and unacceptable results led to the board making the decision to relieve Jack Ross of his position as Head Coach.
      “Such actions are never taken lightly and, as a board, we took a period of reflection and information gathering after Sunday’s game before coming to our decision. “This has been a horrendous run of results for the club and for that we apologise unreservedly to our fans.
      “However, it is my belief that the tools and infrastructure remain in place for us to achieve success on the field. This will require everyone to be united behind what we are trying to do. “In the almost four years of ownership at this club, we have achieved nearly all of our goals and objectives earlier than expected and as a board, we believe we can take things even further soon.
      “I am confident the players, staff, executive team, and board currently in place are the ones to take us forward alongside a new Head Coach.
      “As we begin the process of looking for our new Head Coach, please know this will take some time and I ask you all to remain patient and supportive.”

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      Ajax 4 Rangers 0: Roof caves in on Champions League dream to leave Van Bronckhorst facing make-or-break time

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      TWELVE years to make it back to the Champions League.Sixteen torrid minutes for it all to unravel.
      Ajax were three up on Rangers by half-time
      The Light Blues dream return turned into a nightmare
      Rangers’ dream return to the Group Stages turned into a nightmare as Ajax wiped the floor with them.
      Four days after their pummelling at Parkhead, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s shell-shocked flops were simply annihilated in Amsterdam.
      Three goals inside the opening 33 minutes did all the damage with gutless Gers torn apart time and time again.
      Edson Álvarez headed the opener before Steven Berghuis – with the aid of a massive James Sands deflection – made it two. 
      Mohammed Kudus added a quickfire third to pile on the agony.
      Rangers had lost three goals in the space of 16 minutes and for the second successive game they found themselves three down at half-time.
      With ten minutes left Steven Bergwijn accepted a gift from Gers sub Ryan Jack to make it four and complete Ajax’s rout.
      Questions will now, understandably, be asked of the Rangers manager.
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      This was the second time in four days his team folded like a cheap pack of cards.
      And there is no doubt van Bronckhorst’s resolve is about to be severely tested.
      After Aberdeen away comes Napoli and Dundee United at home.
      Following that, it’s trips to Tynecastle and Anfield with Liverpool at Ibrox rounding off their next six fixtures.
      It’s shaping up to be a make-or-break run for the Rangers boss.
      Two weeks ago, just 80 miles south of the magnificent Johan Cruijff Arena, Rangers ended their agonising wait for a return to the Champions League.
      On a night of nerve-shredding drama, Gers stunned PSV as the Ibrox side hit the Euro jackpot.
      How things have taken a Cruyff turn for the worse for van Bronckhorst since then.
      Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s resolve is about to be severely tested
      The Dutchman didn’t see a penny of the £40million banked in the Philip Stadion as Gers, much to the dismal of their fans, failed to strengthen their squad before the close of the transfer window.
      The anger that had been simmering since Thursday night exploded on Saturday as Rangers imploded at Celtic Park.
      For the second time in seven months, van Bronckhorst’s team were dismantled at the home of their bitter rivals.
      The courage shown in Eindhoven was nowhere to be seen. 
      It was hopelessly lacking last night too.
      In a repeat of the weekend, Gers found themselves three goals down at the break.
      It could, and possibly should, have been much worse.
      As sharp and as incisive as Ajax were, Gers had been a shambles. A gang.
      Jurren Timber served notice of what was to come when he was given a free header inside the six yard box.
      The opening goal – the first of three inside the opening 35 minutes – came from another corner.
      Edson Alvarez opened the scoring for Ajax
      Sands allowed Alvarez to run off him, the defender planting his header in the bottom corner.
      McLaughlin made a smart save at his near post to deny Devyne Rensch before the Ajax star missed an absolute sitter.
      Van Bronckhorst’s side just couldn’t get near the hosts – they couldn’t live with their speed of play.
      Most of it was coming down Ajax’s right hand side and it was from there Kenneth Taylor slipped in Rensch.
      But, with McLaughlin’s goal gaping, he somehow blasted wide.
      Sands then got in a last-ditch block on Kudus before Gers hit self-destruct.
      With 32 minutes gone, Kudus played Berghuis in.
      His shot was deflected past McLaughlin by Sands – surely it had to go down as an own goal?
      Two minutes later and Ajax had their third.
      Former Gers star Calvin Bassey found Kudus who broke free from the shackles of James Tavernier far too easily.
      Former Ibrox star Calvin Bassey played 90 minutes for the hosts
      Take nothing away from his stunning finish, but the Ajax forward should never have been allowed to carry the ball as far as he did.
      McLaughlin was then called upon to make two further saves as Ajax continued to pour forward.
      They had been utterly relentless.
      In an admission of just how badly it had gone for his team, van Bronckhorst made three changes at the break with Tavenier, Scott Wright and Malik Tillman failing to re-emerge.
      Gers also went to five at the back with Jack, Leon King and Rabbi Matondo all coming on.
      You could understand the call, he needed to plug the gaping holes in what was already an exercise in damage limitation.
      Ajax continued to dominate possession in the second half. Rangers seemingly content to let them have the ball.
      With 65 minutes gone the brilliant Kudus almost scored a wonder goal.

      Dribbling past no fewer than FIVE Rangers players he suddenly found himself inside the box with only McLaughlin to beat.
      John Lundstram, to his credit, got back to his feet just in time to help the Rangers keeper scramble the ball clear.
      Rangers hadn’t been seen as an attacking force – Ajax keeper Remko Pasveer had been a virtual spectator.
      With 20 minutes left he was picking the ball out of his net.
      However, Borna Barisic’s fine finish wouldn’t stand as VAR flagged creator Ryan Kent for offside. 
      If that didn’t sum up Rangers’ miserable night the next passage of play most certainly did.
      Jack failed to find Connor Goldson with a pass back towards his own goal allowing Bergwijn to pounce.
      The Ajax man rounded McLaughlin to roll home his side’s fourth.
      The final whistle couldn’t come quickly enough for the Rangers players.

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      Celtic 0 Real Madrid 3: Ange Postecoglou dares to dream but Hoops issued Champions League dose of reality by Madrid

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU dared to dream.But for Celtic this was a Champions League dose of Reality.
      Celtic were given a dose of reality by Spanish giants Real Madrid
      Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard scored for the away side
      The Parkhead boss tonight got the fearless performance he wanted from his players.
      But Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid showed why they’re reigning champions of this competition.
      The La Liga giants lifted the trophy in Paris back in May and their devastating second-half performance suggested they’re in no mood to let it go.
      Celtic, though, can hold their heads high.
      On another night they could have been 3-0 up themselves as they gave this tie everything they had and then some.
      But in the end it was goals from Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard that decided this Group F opener.
      What a game it was. What an effort from Celtic.
      Madrid’s megastars have been there, seen it and done it all before in the biggest and best stadiums in world football.
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      Guys at their level don’t get easily spooked.
      Yet even these Galacticos must have sensed there was something special in the air last night.
      The atmosphere really was incredible.
      Celtic were shooting towards the Lisbon Lions Stand in the first-half and there wasn’t a single supporter in the lower tier sitting down.
      They’d paid a small fortune for their seats but everyone stood, virtually kicking every ball.
      The fans were all hyped up and almost bursting with adrenaline coursing through their veins – just like the players on the park.
      Postecoglou promised he’d stick to his principles and football philosophy, and didn’t he just. 
      From kick-off Celtic went for it.
      And incredibly it’s no exaggeration to say they could have gone 3-0 up before they’d even broken sweat.
      Liel Abada scored twice against Rangers at the weekend and he’ll be kicking himself he didn’t have as many inside the first 13 minutes.
      Ange Postecoglou had his side take the game to the European champions
      He was unlucky with his first effort inside the first 20 SECONDS when Madrid’s Eder Militao made an incredible block to divert the Israeli’s shot off target.
      It would be unfair to say he had to score.
      But Abada really should have done better with his next chance.
      Jota played an unbelievable ball through to the winger who darted in off the right touchline to put himself one-on-one with Thibaut Courtios.
      The giant Madrid No1 stood tall and made himself as imposing as he possibly could. 
      But even so, Abada made it easy for the big goalkeeper with a weak shot struck straight at him.
      It was like he was thinking too much about the stage he was on and the team he was playing against in those vital seconds as he ran through. 
      Madrid could have been rattled by those big moments but they kept passing and moving with the class they’re known for.
      Celtic kept going, though. And kept creating opportunities.
      Skipper Callum McGregor spoke before the draw was made about how he was desperate to face Madrid.
      With 21 minutes on the clock he rattled a shot which was inches away from finding the back of the net.
      Callum McGregor rattled the post in the first-half
      Courtois could only stand and watched as the ball smacked his post.
      You had got wonder there and then if Celtic would live to regret all these near misses. They really couldn’t have dreamt of having chances so good as they thought ahead to this fixture.
      Madrid were also dealt a blow midway through the first-half when skipper Karim Benzema limped off with a thigh injury.  
      But it would be stretching it to say Madrid were significantly weakened by his exit when his replacement stepped onto the pitch. Hazard is an understudy for no-one.
      It was after his introduction that Madrid looking threatening in the first-half.
      In 42 minutes the ex-Chelsea star played a terrific through ball for Vinicius Jr, who scarpered through with only Joe Hart to beat.
      It felt like the moment all of Celtic’s hard work would be undone in one sickening moment before the break. 
      Yet Hart steadied himself as the Brazil international failed to beat him.
      It would have been a travesty had Madrid gone in 1-0 ahead at the break.
      But everyone knew the la Liga giants were certain to raise their game in the second-half. 
      Real Madrid took the lead just before the hour mark
      They had too much quality and talent on the pitch to allow this game to pass them by.
      Postecoglou tried to mix things up and took off Abada at the interval and replaced him with Daizen Maeda.
      The Japanese winger was next to come close to scoring just seconds after the restart.
      But soon it started to unravel for Celtic as they conceded two goals in the blink of an eye.
      In 56 minutes Madrid scored on the break when Hazard combined with Federico Valverde on the right before the ball was played across goal for Vinicius Jr.
      His finish past Hart was as cool as you like.
      Within another four minutes it was 2-0, this time Modric showing the word panic just isn’t in his vocabulary. 
      The little Croatian silenced Scotland fans at the Euros with the outside of his right foot and here he did it again with another sensational finish.
      Postecoglou waited before he made more changes but soon came a triple switch which saw Kyogo Furuhashi, Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull thrown on.
      But in 76 minutes Madrid added a third.
      Hazard was set up by Dani Carvajal inside the six-yard box with a chance he just couldn’t miss.
      It was agonising for Celtic’s supporters but they backed their team until the very end and saluted their efforts at the sound of the final whistle with Postecoglou’s name ringing round the stadium.

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      Rangers starlet Cole McKinnon tracked by Premier League side Newcastle United for January transfer switch

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      NEWCASTLE are tracking Rangers kid Cole McKinnon. The megabucks English side have sent scouts to watch the 19-year-old star for Partick Thistle in the Championship this season. 
      Rangers starlet Cole McKinnon is attracting interest from Newcastle United
      And they are weighing up a bid for the midfielder in the next transfer window. 
      Rangers have always rated the teenager highly, farming him out to East Fife and now the Jags to gain experience before returning to challenge for a place at Ibrox. 
      McKinnon, on the scoresheet against Arbroath on Saturday, was handed a new deal through to 2025 earlier this summer so they are well protected against interest from other clubs. 
      But Newcastle like what they see and could test their resolve in a few months when the opportunity to bring in new players opens up once more. 
      McKinnon was singled out for praise for his performance in Thistle’s win at the weekend.
      The 19-year-old scored a wonder goal as Ian McCall’s men took three points with a 2-0 win at Arbroath.
      It has been a productive 12 months for McKinnon who was named Rangers B side player of the year last campaign while playing in the Lowland League, UEFA Youth League and SPFL Trust Trophy.
      Giovanni van Bronckhorst even rewarded him with a first start for the senior side in an end-of-season clash with Hearts this year, where he scored his first goal in an emotional moment for the teenager.
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      Despite impressing in his first team cameo though, the promising starlet was put out on loan to Championship side Partick Thistle to get regular minutes under manager McCall.
      McKinnon seems have settled right in at Firhill too.
      He scored his second goal for the club on Saturday against Arbroath at Gayfield – and what a goal it was.

      In the dying minutes of the game, he drove at the hosts’ defence, skinned two defenders and slotted home coolly.
      And it is fair to say that the Jags fans were quick to show their appreciation for the talented midfielder.
      Several supporters on Twitter had their say on the dazzling goal.
      One said:  “Cole McKinnon might genuinely be the best on Earth”
      Another added: “I f****** love Cole McKinnon with all my heart.”

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      Celtic 4 Rangers 0 – Liel Abada double helps blow Gers away in first Old Firm derby of the season

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      GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST had yet to win a league Old Firm derby before today’s clash kicked off.And that continued this afternoon as Ange Postecoglou got the better of the Dutchman at Parkhead yet again.
      Liel Abada was the star of the Old Firm as he scored twiceCredit: Getty
      He’s now the fourth Rangers manager to not win a derby match in his first FOUR league attempts.
      He joins William Wilton in 1892, William Waddell in 1971 and Graeme Murty in 2018.
      And the result increased the gap at the top of the Premiership table with five points now separating the two sides.
      Postecoglou named an unchanged team from their nine-goal thrashing of Dundee United last week.

      Van Bronckhorst opted for two changes from their win over Ross County at Ibrox as Glen Kamara and Steven Davis replaced Scott Wright and the rocked Tom Lawrence.
      But while Kyogo Furuhashi started up top, he was forced off after just ONE minute when he collided with John Lundstram and early doors and suffered an injury to his shoulder.
      Target man Giorgos Giakoumakis was the man who came on in his place.
      Despite being forced into an early change, it didn’t stop the Hoops in their chase for the opening goal.
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      And it took just eight minutes for Liel Abada to find the net.
      A quick throw-in from Jota picked out Matt O’Riley who then switched the ball across the face of goal and it was the Israeli winger who slotted the ball in the bottom corner after going unnoticed in the danger area.
      He then ran off in celebration as he paid tribute to a young Celtic fan Leon Brown who passed away last month aged 14.
      Abada was given a t-shirt before the match with the youngster’s face on it and he wasted no time in springing to the bench to pick it up and celebrate with it.
      Celtic continued to stay in control and looked to double their lead as Rangers struggled to get a foothold of possession.
      Celtic were just far too good for RangersCredit: Rex
      And Jota was the man who scored their second after getting on the end of a brilliant pass from O’Riley yet again.
      The Portuguese trickster then lobbed goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin in the box to make it two.
      Antonio Colak had a couple of chances to get his side back into the match but failed to keep his headers down.
      Rangers struggled in front of goal and Postecoglou’s men dealt them a further sickening blow on the stroke of half-time.
      Abada made it two for himself and THREE for Celtic on the 40th minute as O’Riley made it a hat-trick of assists for the second week in a row.
      The managers greeted each other warmly before the action really startedCredit: PA
      It was from another quick throw-in but this time Greg Taylor delivered the ball in and Abada made a late run into the box to get on the end of it to smash it home.
      Van Bronckhorst may have started to get nightmares of Celtic’s 3-0 win at Parkhead in February when he went into the dressing room at half-time.
      This time he had the chance to make a comeback though.
      But despite looking to the bench with Scott Wright replacing Glen Kamara, the Dutchman couldn’t turn things around in the second half.
      And it went from bad to worse as the Hoops made it FOUR in the second half through David Turnbull as the midfielder came on in a triple sub along with Daizen Maeda and Aaron Mooy.
      Kyogo Furuhashi started up top, he was forced off after just ONE minuteCredit: PA
      Carl Starfelt added to Postecoglou’s injury woes not long after the break and was replaced by loanee Moritz Jenz.
      It wasn’t a great sight for the Aussie boss alongside Kyogo’s knock, with a crunch Champions League clash against world champions Real Madrid coming up on Tuesday.
      But despite losing his key men, he couldn’t have asked for a better result than today’s to prepare them for the fixture.
      Van Bronckhorst did try and change his fortunes around with Fashion Sakala, Ryan Jack and Scott Arfield coming on in the second 45.
      Parkhead also saw the return of Alfredo Morelos following his dramatic fallout with the Rangers boss.
      He didn’t get the reception he would have wanted from the Hoops faithful though as they cheered his arrival when he came on the park.
      Morelos only managed a handful of touches on the ball as the Celtic defence stayed strong and disciplined at the back.
      Rangers had a late chance through Connor Goldson who got on the end of Tavernier’s free-kick.
      But he couldn’t test Joe Hart in the Celtic goal as he had an easy save to pull off to keep the clean sheet.
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      It was a perfect outing for Postecoglou’s side ahead of their big kick-off against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
      But Rangers have work to do ahead of their opener against Ajax on Wednesday. More

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      Celtic vs Rangers LIVE: Updates from Old Firm derby in Scottish Premiership – Stream, TV channel and updates

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      CELTIC take on Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the Premiership season.The Bhoys are currently leading the title race with 15 points, having won all of their games so far, and just two ahead of their fiercest rivals.
      Celtic have already put in some blistering performances, including a 9-0 win over Dundee United.
      Rangers haven’t been bad either, but their sole draw to Hibs has set them back early in the season.
      The Gers will be looking to win back the title they lost to Celtic last season, so a result at Parkhead would be the perfect way to kick things off.

      Kick-off time: 12.30pm UK
      TV channel: Sky Sports Football
      Live stream: Now
      Celtic team: Hart, Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor, O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate, Abada, Furuhashi, Jota.
      Rangers team: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Lundstram, Colak, Tillman, Kent.

      Stay up to date with all the action from Parkhead…

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      Celtic vs Rangers: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time for massive Scottish Premiership clash

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      CELTIC take on Rangers in a massive Old Firm derby this weekend as both sides battle for the Scottish Premiership title. The Bhoys are currently leading the title race with 15 points, having won all of their games so far, and just two ahead of their fiercest rivals.
      Celtic drew 1-1 with Rangers the last time the two sides playedCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Celtic have already put in some blistering performances, including a 9-0 win over Dundee United.
      Rangers haven’t been bad either, but their sole draw to Hibs has set them back early in the season.
      The Gers will be looking to win back the title they lost to Celtic last season, so a result at Parkhead would be the perfect way to kick things off.

      What time does Celtic vs Rangers kick off?

      Celtic’s clash with Rangers will get underway from 12.30pm UK time on Saturday, September 3.
      The game will take place at Parkhead.
      The last time the two sides played at Celtic Park, the game finished 1-1.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      Celtic vs Rangers will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the action from the NOW TV or Sky Go apps, both of which are available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.

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      Team news
      The Rangers centre-back crisis has been long in the making and it is now a major cause for concern heading into Saturday’s lunchtime showdown at Parkhead.
      Rangers look set to be without Steven Davies, John Souttar and Fillip Helander heading into the top of the table clash – with Nikola Katic also no longer an option after his move to FC Zurich was completed.
      Celtic, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad to play with.
      Kyogo Furuhashi will lead the line, having bagged a hat-trick last week and has six goals already this season.
      New signing Sead Haksabanovic could make an appearance off the bench again, just as he did last week.
      Odds

      Celtic – 17/20
      Draw – 13/5
      Rangers – 3/1

      *Odds courtesy of Betfair and correct at time of publication. More

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      Dundee United sack Jack Ross after 9-0 mauling by Celtic – moments after Scott Parker is axed for same loss to Liverpool

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      AFTER treading a fine line – losing by nine was too much for both Jack Rosser and Scott Parker. Parker was the first to go after Bournemouth conceded nine goals against Liverpool with no response. Incredibly, Ross – whose Dundee United team lost by the same tally to Celtic – was fired just minutes later.
      Jack Ross was sacked by Dundee after leading the team to a 9-0 loss against CelticCredit: PA
      Ross’ sacking comes just hours after Bournemouth ousted Scott Parker for suffering the same defeat at the hands of LiverpoolCredit: Paul Marriott
      A rampant Reds equalled the Premier League record of most goals scored in a game while Parker helplessly looked on.
      And the scoreline could’ve been worse if Mo Salah didn’t fluff two sitters.
      The Cherries’ public execution at the hands of Liverpool was too much to bear for the club’s hierarchy who announced Parker’s sacking this morning.
      But Parker found an unwanted companion in the form of Ross when Celtic hit nine past Dundee.
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      Ross, 46, was only Dundee’s boss for TEN WEEKS before being given the boot.
      Celtic’s staggering victory meant Dundee had conceded 24 goals in five games.
      Dundee’s top brass held an emergency meeting over Ross’ future on Sunday, and decided it was best to let him leave, the Scottish Sun reported.
      A Dundee United statement confirmed Ross’ exit and said Liam Fox would be standing in for the short-term.
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      It read: “Dundee United can confirm head coach Jack Ross has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.
      “Liam Fox will take charge of the first team on an interim basis with the focus now fully on Wednesday’s Premier Sports Cup match with Livingston.
      “No further comment will be issued by Dundee United at this stage.” More