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      Celtic star and Arsenal transfer target Odsonne Edouard tests positive for coronavirus and huge doubt for Rangers clash

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      ODSONNE EDOUARD has tested positive for coronavirus – which could rule him OUT of the Old Firm clash.
      The Celtic striker discovered his positive test result while on duty with the French Under-21 side.

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      The Celtic striker is now a huge doubt for the Old Firm clashCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

      We can confirm that Odsonne Edouard has tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with France U21.As it stands, no other #CelticFC player has returned a positive test.Our thorough testing programme will continue and we will continue to follow all protocols. pic.twitter.com/JLJroRa7wY
      — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 6, 2020

      Edouard, 22, was due to represent his country in games against Liechtenstein and Slovakia before Tuesday’s revelation.
      The striker – a summer target for Arsenal – could now miss the derby clash with Rangers at Parkhead next Saturday.
      A statement on the French Football Federation website confirmed the news.
      It read: “Odsonne Edouard will not participate in the France-Liechtenstein and France-Slovakia matches, counting for the qualifiers for Euro 2021.

      “The result of his Covid-19 test carried out by Uefa this Tuesday morning, October 6 having been positive.
      “Odsonne Edouard was sidelined from the group upon receipt of the results, at the end of training. He was then placed in isolation.
      “All the other tests carried out on the entire delegation, staff members and players, were negative.”
      Celtic confirmed all their other international players have tested negative in the last 24 hours.

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      The striker faced St Johnstone in the 2-0 win at the weekend Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Edouard will isolate in France until given the all-clear to return to Scotland – but it’s not known when that will be.
      Celtic are in talks with French FA medics to find out when he will be allowed to travel.
      In France, you only need to self-isolate for seven days if you test positive – but in the UK the period is ten days.
      Edouard has an elite athlete exemption to travel and Celtic will hope he is given permission to fly in a week.
      But even if he does return to Scotland before the derby there will be concerns over his health and fitness.
      Neil Lennon could then face a huge dilemma over whether to throw him into the Rangers clash.

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      Edouard could now miss the Old Firm derby vs RangersCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      The Parkhead side have confirmed the news on social media.
      A statement said: “We can confirm that Odsonne Edouard has tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with France Under-21s.
      “As it stands, no other Celtic player has returned a positive test.
      “Our thorough testing programme will continue and we will continue to follow all protocols.”
      The news is a further blow to boss Lennon after learning winger James Forrest is out until NOVEMBER with a stress fracture in his ankle.
      It leaves Lennon with just Jeremie Frimpong on the right-hand side with the full-back playing in a more advanced role recently to suit the 3-5-2 formation.
      Premiership leaders Rangers travel to Celtic Park a week on Saturday for the first Old Firm game of the season.

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      Celtic fan in Twitter spat with The Chase’s Jenny Ryan over Rangers ‘triple relegation’ question

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      THE CHASE’S Jenny Ryan has been caught up in a Twitter spat with Celtic fans over a question about Rangers’ ‘relegation’.
      Monday night’s show caused a storm with footie punters when presenter Bradley Walsh asked players: “Which Scottish football team was triple-relegated in 2012?”

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      The Chase TV cast, starring presenter Bradley Walsh

      Contestant Ben was quickest off the mark by answering “Rangers”, which was deemed correct by Bradley.
      That sparked an uproar among supporters of other teams who believe Gers are a new club following their financial troubles eight years ago.
      And one Celtic fan took Jenny to task on Twitter over the controversial topic, with the quiz guru initially hitting back at accusations she doesn’t smile on screen.
      He then replied: “One favour, though. Tell your researches that Rangers were not ‘triple-relegated’ in 2012.

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      The Chase star Jenny Ryan responds to Celtic fan

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      The quiz guru was unhappy after being dragged into the age-old debate
      “The SFA articles of association state that club/company are the same. The co. Went bust, and a new club formed.”
      Jenny responded: “They’re not my researchers”, to which the fan, named Steven, added: “Ok.. THE researchers”.
      Clearly irked, she then blasted: “I don’t get to tell the researchers anything, they don’t work for me.
      “But I *do* know that all questions on the Chase are fully sourced and then verified, to ensure the accuracy of the material.”

      Chaser Jenny appears to have since deleted the tweets.
      Rangers plunged into administration in February 2012 before eventually being liquidated and were forced to start again at the foot of Scottish football as a Newco.
      The Light Blues eventually worked their way to the Premiership from the fourth tier of our professional game and are now competing for titles and Europa League football.

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      Aston Villa and Brighton £30m-rated transfer target Odsonne Edouard is happy at Celtic, insists Hoops boss Neil Lennon

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      NEIL LENNON insists Odsonne Edouard is NOT pushing to quit Celtic — as Brighton joined the transfer chase.
      The £30million-rated Hoops striker has been out of sorts recently and a host of Premier League clubs want him, including Aston Villa.

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      Celtic star Odsonne Edouard is wanted by a host of clubsCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow

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      Celtic boss Neil Lennon says the star is happy at ParkheadCredit: SNS Group

      Lennon admits the extended transfer window can be unsettling — but insists Edouard is content, despite starting yesterday’s 3-0 win over Hibs on the bench.
      He said: “We don’t want Odsonne to go, obviously, and we have had no significant interest in him as yet.
      “There’s always a bit of agitation when the window is open, but speaking to him he seems content enough.

      “He didn’t have his best of games in Latvia in midweek, but that’s fine.
      “Odsonne is a human being at the end of the day. He’s 22.
      “He didn’t have the best of games, but we know what we have got here with Odsonne.
      “We know what a talent he is. He is a quality player.”

      The Covid-19 crisis saw Fifa extend the transfer window to Monday, October 5, leading to extra strain on managers.
      Lennon wants a left-sided player to complete his own squad, but he is also braced for offers for star men.
      Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer, Olivier Ntcham and Tom Rogic have all been the subject of interest.

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      The Celtic boss hopes to keep his squad intact but won’t relax until after the window closes.
      He said: “We knew the date coming into it and I’m not exclusive to this, a lot of managers will be in the same position.
      “You get to take a deep breath after October 5 and look forward to the rest of the season, or at least until January.
      “I am hoping it will be pretty quiet. We would like to get another player in, one more if we can.
      “I would be absolutely delighted if that’s going to be the outcome. But I can’t predict what’s going to happen one way or the other.”

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      Rangers star Ryan Kent ‘getting close’ to England call-up after stunning start to season, predicts Gary McAllister

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      RANGERS No2 Gary McAllister believes Ryan Kent must be ‘getting close’ to an England call-up.
      The attacker continued his fine start to the season with his fifth goal of the season during the 4-0 win over Willem II in the Europa League third round on Thursday.

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      Ryan Kent has been in good form for RangersCredit: Getty

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      McAllister believes the attacker would fit in with Gareth Southgate’s England squadCredit: Getty

      The former Liverpool youngster also played a part in two other goals that night before helping Steven Gerrard’s men to a 5-1 win at Motherwell on Sunday.
      Kent has represented England at Under-18 and Under-20 level on a handful of occasions.
      And Ibrox assistant McAllister said in the build-up to the Motherwell game he believes the 23-year-old “must be getting close” to a first senior cap.

      He said: “What I’d say is that when he’s performing the way he did against a team from Holland – Williem II are a good side who are in the Europa League on merit – then he must be getting close.
      “There is a push towards younger players with the England set-up under Gareth Southgate. And Ryan is exciting.
      “I don’t want to be shouting from the rooftops but there is a player here who is in really good form.”
      Rangers boss Gerrard hailed Kent for his inspiring performance in the Netherlands.

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      He said: “From an attacking point of view, I think Ryan was the game changer for us tonight.
      “He does incredibly well running in behind and he has added that into his game this season.
      “He gets us the penalty for the breakthrough and he is just a constant threat. He is so sharp and he has added a different dimension to his game.
      “He is a pleasure to watch and coach and we just need to enjoy him.”

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      Watch brutal fight between rival Rangers and Aberdeen supporters teams in vicious Sunday League brawl

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      A SHOCKING video showing a punch-up between Rangers and Aberdeen supporters teams has surfaced on social media.
      The Sunday league match – which is believed to have taken place in London – descended into ugly scenes as punches and kicks were thrown at players.

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      Punches and kicks were thrown in Rangers vs Aberdeen supporters game

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      The ugly brawl was captured on film

      The footage shows a Rangers player throwing a punch at one of the Aberdeen boys before a couple of his other Gers team-mates throw some hits of their own.
      One Aberdeen player can be seen falling to the deck with a kick aimed at his face as the ugly scenes were captured on film.
      The fight – recorded by a punter on the Aberdeen side – comes to an end with the Dons squad left seething at their opponents.

      Shouts of “can someone call the police please” can be heard off camera.
      While another person says “Supporters club game on a f***ing Sunday.”
      “He’s bleeding. He’s f***ing bleeding” can also be heard off camera.
      As the footage comes to an end an Aberdeen player makes his way across to the side of the pitch with his hand covered in blood.

      It is unclear what sparked the brawl.
      There’s certainly no love lost between Aberdeen and Rangers over the years.

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      The bad blood between both clubs had been bubbling when Alex Ferguson’s Dons broke the Old Firm duoply in the 80s.
      But the bitter rivalry exploded following Neil Simpson’s horror tackle on a young Ian Durrant in 1988 – eight years after Wille Johnston’s stamp on John McMaster.
      Now more than three decades on, the toxic relationship between both sets of fans still very much exists and the fixture is often marred by trouble in the stands.

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      Camera captures blooded Aberdeen player after brawl More

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      Maya Jama ‘starts Celtic v Rangers war’ after hailing Gers as her ‘Scottish team’ in kit pic

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      TV PRESENTER Maya Jama sparked a “Celtic vs Rangers war” on social media by posing cheekily in the Light Blues’ kit and declaring Steven Gerrard’s men were her “Scottish team”.
      A Gers’ fan ignited the frenzy by posting a snap of Jama – co-host of BBC One’s Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer – as she pulled at her Ibrox top and stuck her tongue out.

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      This snap of BBC TV and radio host Maya Jama caused a frenzy on social media

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      Maya Jama says she will now be neutral north of the border – to avoid Rangers and Celtic fans getting too hot under the collar Credit: Instagram

      In a now-deleted tweet, the Radio 1 presenter revealed the shirt was a birthday gift from friends in Glasgow.
      The 26-year-old wrote: “Not sure how you found this photo but I actually have a group of friends from Glasgow & for my birthday one of em got me that top & debated with the others for like an hour why I should be a Rangers fan…they can be my Scottish team.”
      But the post was hot to handle for fans of the two fierce rival clubs.
      And she took it down – saying she wanted to stay neutral and joking she wanted to still enjoy peaceful nights out in Glasgow.

      ‘WOAH, WOAH, WOAH’
      In a series of tweets she wrote: “Woah woah woah.
      “Judging by the replies to my last tweet I think im gna remain mutual.
      “I don’t want the smoke & I wana go out in Glasgow in peace in future Lool love you all, Lowe me.
      “Ffs tryna have a relaxing weekend away & now I’ve started a Celtic v Rangers war in my mentions.”

      Maya then switched to Instagram after a fan shared a snap of her name trending on Twitter over the kit saga.

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      Celebrity presenter Maya Jama says she is more comfortable stepping back out of the Rangers vs Celtic rivalry Credit: mayajama/Instagram

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      Maya Jama took to Twitter and then Instagram to defuse the kit saga her photo sparked
      She wrote: “Loool I bloody love the Scottish but I’ve now realised I have to be mutual in the football team department if I don’t want world war 3 in my mentions.”
      But Maya added: “Also my grandad lived in Dollar in Scotland so what team do you support if you live there? Question.”
      Social media wasted no time in responding to Maya wading into Old Firm hostilities.
      One Rangers fan said: “Rangers Maya always Rangers first.”

      A Hoops supporter replied: “Maybe if you go put a Celtic top on now then most Celtic fans will forgive you.”
      Another football follower said: “Don’t worry, That war has been going on for a long long time.”
      And a fourth joked: “Never – And I repeat Never – get into a Glasgow football discussion.”

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      Sir Alex Ferguson named David O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill as Man Utd successors in 2000 if he had quit

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have had Martin O’Neill, Alan Curbishley or David O’Leary as their manager in the year 2000.
      The trio were Sir Alex Ferguson’s picks if he had decided to leave Old Trafford at the turn of the century.

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      Martin O’Neill (left) was reportedly identified as one of three possible replacements for Sir Alex Ferguson Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

      Celtic chief Dermot Desmond revealed the trio had been eyed as replacements for the legend.
      At the time O’Leary, 62, was managing Premier League new boys Leeds while Curbishley and O’Neill were head coaches at Charlton and Leicester. 
      And Desmond told The Athletic he offered to increase Ferguson’s salary by 50 per cent with Scottish giants Celtic in 1997. 
      However the Red Devils boss’ wish to win the Champions League saw him remain with the Manchester giants. 

      And the Old Trafford side went on to capture the trophy two years later. 
      Desmond, 70, reportedly went back to Ferguson a few years later to enquire as to who the Glasgow-born manager would choose to replace him at United. 

      He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill
      Dermot Desmond

      And Ferguson, 78, told the Irish tycoon he had identified O’Leary, Curbishley and O’Neill.
      The latter would eventually land the Celtic manager’s job thanks to a meeting with the club’s then directors – Brian Quinn and Pat Sheehy – which came about through Ferguson’s input. 

      Desmond said: “In 2000, I went back and asked him if he was to pick his replacement at that time who would it be. 

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      Alan Curbishley was also eyed as a possible Manchester United coach and Ferguson replacementCredit: Back Page Images
      “He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill. 
      “I said the one I’m interested in is Martin O’Neill. 
      “I had previously asked a prominent broadcaster if Martin would be interested in the job and I got a response in the negative. 
      “I then asked Alex if he would speak with Martin, to see if he would meet with me, and the response was that he would be very interested in meeting. 
      “So I met Martin for dinner and we got on very well. I introduced him to Pat and Brian and they also felt he was a remarkable individual, so we hired Martin.” 
      Having captured two League Cups with Leicester in 1997 and 2000, O’Neill went on to win three trophies in just over 11 months following his arrival at Celtic.
      And the 68-year-old and his team won three Scottish Premiership titles with a team boasting stars including Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton. 

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      David O’Leary led Leeds United to a Champions League semis after being eyed as a potential Old Trafford managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But neither he nor O’Leary or Curbishley, 62, were able to match Ferguson’s trophy-winning record. 
      However the Northern Irishman proved to be the most successful of the three. 
      He went on to manage Sunderland and Aston Villa as well as doing a five-year international management spell with the Republic of Ireland. 
      His most recent managerial post was with Nottingham Forest with the Championship club sacking the coach just five months into the job. 
      Elsewhere, O’Leary’s tenure with Leeds came to an end in 2002 with the former Gunners player helping the Elland Road club to reach the semis of the Champions League. 
      And Curbishley’s 15-year stint at Charlton finished 2006 after he helped the club secure promotion in 1998. 

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      It’s reported the managerial trio were identified prior to the eventual succession plan put in place for Ferguson with David Moyes landing the job as his United replacement. 
      However the former Everton boss, 57, who is now in charge of West Ham, lasted just eight months in the Old Trafford hotseat before being sacked in 2014. 
      United finished seventh in the league in the 2013-14 season.

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      Anthony Stokes leaves Livingston after just THREE WEEKS due to problems with Astro Turf training pitch

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      ANTHONY STOKES has left Livingston after just three weeks – due to the club’s Astro Turf training pitch.
      SunSport exclusively revealed that the Irish striker, 32, was set to leave the West Lothian side.

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      Anthony Stokes has quit Livingston after just three weeks due to the club’s Astro Turf training pitchCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

      And the Lions have now explained why they have agreed a mutual termination of Stokes’ contract in a statement on their website.
      Livingston’s head of football operations David Martindale said: “Stokesy has been in training for approximately four weeks now and it’s fair to say that we both knew that there was going to be a lot of work to be done to get Anthony into top shape to play Premiership football.
      “In all honesty, it’s not quite worked out in terms of the on-field ball work and intense training schedule we had put in place.
      “He is struggling to adapt to training two-three hours per day on the Astro Turf surface – we all know it doesn’t and won’t suit everyone.

      “Of course, Anthony knew the surface we had in place but each player adapts to that differently and you can’t know how your body will feel adapting to it until you’ve been out there and played or trained on it frequently.
      “We know it isn’t for everyone and sadly, that’s been the case for Anthony.
      “Whilst trying to get the player in shape, it’s been extremely frustrating for all of us, staff and player alike, that we can’t seem to get the intense training needed into the player.

      “To be fair to Anthony, he has noticed this himself and he approached us with the option to terminate.

      “This allows both the player and the club to explore other opportunities.
      “It’s a real shame that the Livingston FC fans didn’t get to see Anthony wear the number nine shirt for Livingston on the field.
      “In the short spells we did get a chance to work with him, you could certainly see the quality he possesses.”

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      Livingston boss Gary Holt explained Anthony Stokes offered to quit over issues in trainingCredit: Andy Barr – The Sun Glasgow

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