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      Mourinho best summed up how quickly a footballer’s career can come and go – Amorim may now have that chat with Rashford

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      IT was Jose Mourinho who best summed up how a footballer’s career can be here and gone in a flash.Former Manchester United manager Mourinho said: “I am 56 now and yesterday, I was 20. Time flies. One day, you will regret if you don’t reach what you can reach.”Marcus Rashford has to start afresh with Ruben AmorimJose Mourinho best summed up how quickly a footballer’s career can come and goMourinho was talking to Dele Alli in a documentary series while he was manager at Tottenham.It could be a conversation Ruben Amorim has with 27-year-old Marcus Rashford now he is Old Trafford boss.We all know what Rashford can do.He burst on the scene aged 18 in 2016 with a Europa League double — his first United goals — on his debut against Midtjylland.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd we saw it two seasons ago, when he posted a career-best of 30 goals as United finished third and won the Carabao Cup.The kid who grew up in Wythenshawe with the dream of playing for the Red Devils was in the spotlight.But the floodlights have faded.In the last 18 months, he has lost his place in the England squad, the United team and hit more headlines for what he did off the field than on it.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPartying after a defeat in the Manchester derby, out until the early hours in Belfast when he was due to train later that day.Just recently as he prepared for life under new boss Amorim, he took the time off given for the international break to jet to New York.Gary Neville admits ‘I got it wrong’ and apologises over Rashford criticism as Amorim demands Man Utd ‘change standards’ He was court-side for the NBA match between New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, dressed in a long Louis Vuitton coat and sporting glitzy grillz.Fine if you are on top of your game… not such a good look when you cannot find it.And Rashford has not been able to find it for some time.There were nine cry-offs from the last England squad for their final two matches under Lee Carsley and still he was not worth a call.Which tells you where he is at.Amorim employed Rashford up front for his first game in charge against Ipswich, on Sunday, mainly because Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee are so bad. Inside two minutes he took advantage of some great work by Amad Diallo to put United into the lead and then…he faded.Red Devils fans have started cheering when he gets subbed now.Previous boss Erik ten Hag was at his wits’ end with Rashford by the final days of his reign.Rashford didn’t seem to be enjoying his football during the final 12 months of Ten Hag’s reignThe 27-year-old was in tears when United beat Man City in the FA Cup in MayThe Dutchman privately admitted he would have dumped him into the reserves after that Belfast party incident in January had he had enough players available to take his place.Ten Hag did everything to protect Rashford and help him but was let down by the player.Everyone knows there is a good guy there. Rashford’s MBE for charitable work, helping the poor and hungry, tells you all you need to know about a man with a good heart.And his tears when United won the FA Cup last season told you how much he loves the club. But he has been too easily swallowed up by the celebrity and party lifestyle on offer to all young stars if they want it.Amorim emphasised ahead of Thursday’s Europa League match against Bodo/Glimt — who, with 6,500 fans at Old Trafford, will have one-eighth of the Norwegian city’s population in attendance — that the drive to get back to his best has to come from Rashford first.It was the same mantra that came from Ten Hag.Amorim knows playing through the middle is not his best position and will employ him wide, in the long run, in a 3-4-3. Amorim needs A LOT of time on training pitch to fix Man Utd… unfortunately he won’t get it, writes Charlie WyettIN theory at least, the only way is up for Manchester United, writes Charlie Wyett.We are nearly a third of the way through this Premier League season and it is still staggering to see United lurking in 12th place.They have managed just four wins with a goal difference of 0. Only Everton, Crystal Palace and Southampton have scored less.It is certainly not a false position and a point at Ipswich illustrated the massive job that Ruben Amorim faces.United’s fans sang the name of their new manager throughout the game.They also gave the players rapturous applause on the final whistle and although this was an improvement on some of the performances this season, the bar has been set pretty low.The club’s optimistic supporters will see that their team is only six points off the top four.  Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see United even reaching last season’s final position of eighth as they look worse.United’s patched-up defence will improve – and a three-man formation at the back will help them – but you have to wonder where the goals are going to come from. Marcus Rashford struck after 81 seconds and then went missing for the rest of his 68 minutes on the pitch.Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were also introduced in that double change midway inside the second half but added absolutely nothing. What a terrible couple of signings they have proved to be and United’s fans would swap both of them for Ipswich’s Liam Delap.Amorim did not celebrate the Rashford goal and paced around his technical area throughout looking uneasy.Each time there was a break in play, he called over players for instructions.Alejandro Garnacho headed over to the touchline on a couple of occasions while there were also words for Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Jonny Evans.Amorim, a manager with infectious enthusiasm, will be hopeful he can get his message across to all of the players in the next few weeks.But the problem for the Portuguese coach is that this was the first of 10 games in the space of 33 days.What he really needs are spells on the training ground without a midweek game but he does not have that luxury.The only problem is the shortage of alternatives.United’s lack of goals has been a problem for some time and just three teams have scored fewer than their 13 goals in the Prem this season.Rashford is top scorer with five in all competitions. Hojlund has two and Zirkzee one.Amorim said: “There is a concern but we have to improve as a team. We have quality players who can score so many goals. “But you could feel it in the second half on Sunday, we controlled possession of the ball but we were not dangerous.“Maybe because we spend the week trying to work on build up and then the rest was not working.“We will try to improve as a team and Rasmus and Josh and Rash will score more goals.“Even Bruno Fernandes has to score more goals! Amad has to be better near the goal.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRashford has to improve and quickly. Because today he might be 27 but tomorrow he could be 56.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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      Aston Villa 0 Juventus 0: Morgan Rogers’ last-gasp goal ruled OUT as Champions League clash ends in controversy

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      MORGAN ROGERS was robbed of the last-gasp goal which would have ended Aston Villa’s six-match winless run. But instead, the new England international was denied by ref Jesus Gil Manzano who ruled that Diego Carlos had fouled Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio. Morgan Rogers thought he had scored the winnerCredit: GettyBut the goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio in the build-upCredit: GettyRogers netted with virtually the last kick of the match after the Juve gloveman had spilled a Youri Tielemans free-kick. But Spanish referee Manzano, who had enraged Villa Park for much of the night, ended up in danger of sparking a riot.So seven matches have now passed since Villa last won a game of football but there is not remotely any sense of the Holte End losing faith in Unai Emery. It is Emery who propelled Villa on to European football’s grandest stage and Emery who will surely still lead them into the Champions League knock-out stage. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt took a miraculous save from Emi Martinez – newly-crowned as the world’s best goalkeeper for a second successive year – to secure a draw against Juventus. The feline gymnastics of the big Argentinian somehow kept out a second-half header from Francisco Conceicao by the slimmest of margins. And while Lucas Digne had hit the crossbar for Villa with a first-half free-kick, Emery’s side were left grateful for a point as they entertained Italian royalty on a bitter Birmingham night. There is little doubt that Villa will qualify for the knock-outs on their first adventure in Europe’s elite competition for 42 years – it is just a matter of whether they reach the last-16 directly, or whether will need to contest a play-off round. Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSEmiliano Martinez incredibly managed to keep the clean sheet with an outstanding save on the lineCredit: GettyThe ball was millimetres from crossing the lineThat is the problem with Uefa’s new monstrous group stage – there is precious little jeopardy for most clubs. But for Villa’s supporters, it is still a case of being damned happy just to be here.’Serious problems at PGMOL’ Ex-Prem ref blasts VAR after baffling decisions at Liverpool and WolvesVilla only managed to halt a four-match losing run in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with struggling Crystal Palace and the demands of fighting on two major fronts is almost invariably a problem. But despite a frustrating stalemate, Villa are still living the dream.Villa hadn’t won in six matches in all competitions since their last Champions League home clash, against Bologna. But these European nights at Villa Park have held a proper sense of occasion, assaults on the senses – fireworks, giant banners, songs of praise cranked up to full volume. – and Emery’s men have thrived on the theatre of it all. They have been handed home matches against three former champions of Europe – Bayern Munich, Juve and later Celtic. And while this is nothing like the star-spangled Juve side which won here in 1983, with Paolo Rossi, Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek – they are a club which always carry an aura. Supporters of many clubs might moan about the bloated nature of the new Champions League format, with its skyscraper-tall league table – but not Villa’s.This was the sort of night when Jack Frost nips at brass monkeys although Emi Martinez warmed a few cockles by parading his Yashin Trophy after being voted the world’s No 1 keeper for a second straight year. Most of the early heat was aimed at ref Jesus Gil Manzano – who booked Youri Tielemans and Leon Bailey inside the first 12 minutes while failing to punish the visitors for similar fouls.Juve looked exactly what they are – a side unbeaten in Serie A, but who had contested four goalless draws already this season. The Italians were tight in their marking, neat in their passing and streetwise in their rolling around. Aston Villa were denied a last-minute winnerVilla did have their moments though – Pau Torres glancing a header wide of the near post from a Boubacar Kamara corner then Watkins having a shot beaten away by Michele Di Gregorio after a cute Kamara through-ball.From the resulting corner, Matty Cash had a thumping shot blocked but Juve broke rapidly and Timothy Weah – son of Ballon d’Or winner George – blazed over Martinez’s crossbar.Torres was booked for a late one on Weah but the biggest roar of the first half arrived when Manzano finally cautioned a Juve player – Pierre Kalulu for fouling Watkins on the edge of the area. Lucas Digne curled the free-kick against the crossbar but after the break, Juve began to take a grip on proceedings.The away supporters were howling for a penalty after Torres handled in the box but Manzano and his VAR were unimpressed. Soon, a Teun Koppmeiners corner found its way to the back post where Conceicao’s downward looked certain to have broken the deadlock – until you remembered the identity of Villa’s goalkeeper. Martinez bent his body backwards at an improbable angle and, with a big right hand, scooped the ball to safety. Goal-line technology footage showed that the Argentinian had completed his task with millimetres to spare It sparked another chorus of ‘Emi Martinez, the world’s number one’.Heartened by their escape, Villa got on the front foot and Bailey cut-back for John McGinn, whose shot was scrambled off the line.  With 13 minutes remaining, Emery sent for Jhon Duran – the sub who can’t spell his own first name but cannot stop scoring from the bench. READ MORE SUN STORIESNot this time, though.After Rogers was denied late on, Villa head to Chelsea on Sunday with a tough task on their hands not to extend that winless run to eight. More

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      Liverpool 2 Real Madrid 0: Mac Allister and Gakpo in huge win to stay top of Champions League table with perfect record

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      MO SALAH reckons he is “more out than in” at Liverpool. A bit like his penalty in front of the Kop on Wednesday night.But while the Egyptian delivered an utterly terrible spot-kick, he was rescued by his team-mates Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo who scored to continue Liverpool’s extraordinary 100 per cent record in this competition.Alexis Mac Allister scored Liverpool’s opening goal of the gameCredit: PACody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s lead in the 76th minuteCredit: ReutersKylian Mbappe’s penalty was saved by Caoimhin Kelleher when Real Madrid were 1-0 downCredit: PAIt was a night to forget for the French superstarCredit: GettyMac Allister was sensational as Liverpool dominated Real MadridMbappe made little impact and saw his penalty savedBut for Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, it was a bad night. A really bad one.Both players were booed each time they touched the ball and both will want to forget this trip to Merseyside.Mbappe’s stinking start at Real Madrid continued with a missed penalty – well saved by Caoimhin Kelleher – shortly after Mac Allister had put Liverpool ahead.As for Bellingham, he was overshadowed by another 21-year-old, Conor Bradley.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England international sat in the dugout before the game to admire the view of Anfield and for all the use he was on the pitch, he may as well have stayed there.In contrast, Liverpool right-back Bradley not only did a terrific job on Mbappe but also delivered an assist to set up Mac Allister.Aside from the goals, the best moment of the game came in the first half with Bradley involved.Mbappe was on a surging run towards the area but he was stopped in his tracks by an absolutely stunning, crunching, brilliantly-timed tackle by Bradley.Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMac Allister’s composed finish rolled Liverpool in frontCredit: ReutersKelleher celebrated wildly after saving from MbappeCredit: PAMo Salah put his penalty wide despite sending Thibaut Courtois the wrong wayCredit: GettySalah was crestfallen after his miss but it did not matter in the endCredit: PAUnsurprisingly, the roar from the home crowd was absolutely massive for a player making his full Champions League debut.So this was certainly a memorable night at Anfield as Liverpool continued their stunning start to the season to finally beat the Spaniards after failing to do so in their previous eight games.Jamie Carragher slams Mo Salah over ‘selfish’ interview after Liverpool star reveals he’s ‘more out than in’Incredibly, the reigning champions now seem to be in danger of going out of the competition altogether and their next game is away at Atalanta.Liverpool boss Arne Slot who was taking charge of Liverpool for the 19th time against Ancelotti who, as a manager, had already faced the Merseyside giants on 19 occasions.This is even crazier when you consider Ancelotti, who never played against Liverpool as a player, didn’t coach a team against them until he was fully 15 years into his managerial career.Ancelotti was without some of his big-hitters. Rodrygo, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eder Millitao and Aurelllien Tchouameni were all missing.And Real had to give a Champions League debut to 21-year-old defender Raul Asencio who only played his first game for the club two weeks ago.Asencio came close to scoring an own goal at the start when he knocked the ball towards the goal after Thibaut Courtois saved a shot from Darwin Nunez but the centre-back recovered superbly to clear the danger.Asencio’s lively start to the game then saw him get into a grapple with Nunez and the Liverpool forward, embarrassingly, threw himself to the ground in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. French referee Francois Letexier booked both players.Nunez was involved in all of Liverpool’s attacks and he forced a decent save from Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois before delivering a header across the face of the goal but there was no-one at the far post to tap the ball over the line.Gakpo headed Liverpool’s second to make sure of the three pointsCredit: ReutersLiverpool had dominated possession in the first half and it was a case of them being patient, which is something Slot has drummed into this team.Surprisingly, Bradley appeared at the other end to force a good save from Courtois although the man who delivered the killer pass – Mac Allister – grabbed the opening goal in the next attack.Bradley was again involved, playing a one-two with Mac Allister who then got a shot beyond defender Asencio and into the corner.The Spaniards deserved to trail as they had shown absolutely nothing going forward so they were fortunate to then receive a penalty which was incredibly soft.Andy Robertson caught the boot of sub Lucas Vazquez and while it was not really enough to put the player down, it was never going to be overturned by VAR.While Mbappe’s penalty was not great it was still a decent save from Kelleher who flung himself to the right.But if that penalty was bad, Mo Salah’s was even worse.Salah earned the spot-kick after being fouled by Ferland Mendy but inexplicably, the Egyptian spot-kick steered a spot-kick wide of the post.But he will have breathed a sigh of relief when Robertson and Curtis Jones delivered a short-corner and the Scottish left-back crossed for Gakpo who, just eight minutes after replacing Nunez, produced a powerful header.READ MORE SUN STORIESNow, Real Madrid are in a major pickle although we have written them off before and they have ended up winning the thing.But even by their standards, Bellingham and Co will have to deliver something special to get Madrid out of the brown stuff.Liverpool maintain their perfect record in this season’s Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters More

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      in Boxing

      Stunning Sydney Thomas’ rise to fame from unknown model to ring girl superstardom and lucrative job offers

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      SYDNEY Thomas has become one of the most popular stars at the minute – and her path has led to her stardom.The 21-year-old went viral during Netflix’s coverage of the boxing fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson earlier this month.Sydney Thomas has been a viral sensation since her ring girl appearance during the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul boutThomas turned 21 on TuesdayCredit: INSTAGRAM @iamsydneythomasThomas turned heads recently for her appearance at an NFL gameCredit: X/itssydneythomasThomas was on duty during the Youtuber Paul’s win over the 58-year-old boxing icon.And she stole the show and trended on social media for her appearance in the ring at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Thomas gained hundreds of thousands of followers as a result.It was just the second time that she stepped into the ring.Thomas’ rise in popularity came overnight, but her path helped her become a celebrity.She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and is currently a University of Alabama student.Thomas works for the St. Louis Cardinals as part of the team’s in-game hype squad.She is also a catwalk model.Most read in BoxingThomas only made her debut as a ring girl in October in Puerto Rico.This year, she joined Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions as a ring girl.Stunning Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson ring girls oil up as they share behind-the-scenes video of Netflix fight In a recent TikTok video, Thomas revealed that she studies management and entrepreneurship and that she will finish a year early next August.”I do all my classes online to be able to travel and have more flexibility in my schedule,” she added in the clip.Thomas also said in the social media video that she spends plenty of time taking care of her mind and staying in shape.”I’m very athletic,” she said. “I love health, wellness, fitness and anything that has to do with improving yourself physically, mentally and emotionally, I’m all in for.”I’m very driven with self-improvement and just becoming the best version of yourself.”Thomas recently spoke to Fox News and revealed what she plans on doing as her fame continues.”I am going to work on continuing to build what I have on my media platforms and build stronger connections with my fanbase,” she said on Wednesday.”I want to say that I changed someone’s life in a positive way.”In the meantime, Thomas regularly posts content of herself in revealing outfits, whether it’s Instagram or TikTok.She has over 1 million followers on the latter social media platform.READ MORE SUN STORIESThomas revealed to TMZ that she has been receiving countless amount of money-making opportunities and that she has numerous collaborations in the works.Thomas is a student at the University of AlabamaCredit: Instagram/iamsydneythomasThomas is a model and currently has over 1 million on TikTokCredit: Instagram/iamsydneythomas More

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      Furious Leicester owner hauls players in for showdown talks over Christmas party and Steve Cooper sacking

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      LEICESTER CITY owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha blew his ‘Top’ at his underperforming players during a tense showdown earlier this week.The Foxes supremo launched an angry blast at his senior pros over their antics during a Christmas party in Copenhagen on Saturday night, which took place hours after they had lost at home to Chelsea.Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha was furious with the team in the wake of their trip to CopenhagenCredit: GettyLeicester players partied in Copenhagen following their defeat to Chelsea at the weekendCredit: ekstrabladet.dkThey held up a sign that read: ‘Enzo I miss u’Credit: ekstrabladet.dkThe players were in Copenhagen for a Christmas partyCredit: XTwenty-four hours later Steve Cooper was axed by Srivaddhanaprabha – nicknamed Top – who believed his players had under-performed under the Welshman.The Thai owner was incensed to discover his players were partying in the Danish capital hours after their latest defeat left them 16th in the table, just one point off the relegation places.He confronted his players during a hastily convened summit at their Seagrave Training complex on Tuesday.The usually amiable owner accused his players of letting down Cooper – who lasted just 12 top-flight games – with their under-par performances on their return to the Premier League.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSunSport understands Top was also livid at the antics of his players who were filmed partying in a nightclub – images which then went viral on social media.In particular he was annoyed by a sign displayed by Leicester players saying: “Enzo I miss u,” a reference to their former boss Enzo Maresca, who had just inspired Chelsea’s victory over them.Leicester’s party animals were also pictured in fancy dress at Copenhagen’s Villa Hotel – conduct their owner believed was unbecoming of his highly-paid stars.Leicester were last night unavailable for comment, although it is believed senior players accepted the criticism and took it on the chin.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRuud van Nistelrooy is on the brink of replacing Cooper after impressing during his four games in charge of Manchester United as interim boss following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.Ironically, two of Van Nistelrooy’s three victories in charge of United came against the Foxes in the Carabao Cup and Premier League. Chelsea player ratings: Enzo Fernandez silences his doubters but Robert Sanchez endures a few shaky moments vs LeicesterHowever one of his first tasks if he does accept the challenge will be to raise morale which is currently low in the wake of Top’s meeting. More

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      ‘Worst goal I’ve seen us concede’ – moment Celtic ace Cameron Carter-Vickers gives Brugge the lead with huge blunder

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      THIS is the shock moment Cameron Carter-Vickers gave Club Brugge the advantage at Parkhead after a monumental mix up in the first half. Brendan Rodgers’ men were on the backfoot throughout the opening period against the Belgian champions. Carter-Vickers was unaware of Schmeichel’s position in the boxCredit: Kenny RamsayThe defender passed it into an empty netCredit: GettySchmeichel couldn’t prevent the ball from going inCredit: PAAnd Brugge eventually found their lead on the 26th minute – without even touching the ball in the build up.It was a howler from the American defender as he passed it into his own net after misjudging his goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel’s position.He was given the ball in no-man’s land in the Hoops box though after Nicolas Kuhn was forced to play it backwards. The American then tried to lay the ball off to Schmeichel with a first time pass but his goalie was behind him and couldn’t prevent it from trickling into the empty net. Celtic fans couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw it go in as one punter admitted on social media: “Hands down the worst goal I’ve ever seen us concede, pathetic.”Someone else wrote: “Absolutely embarrassing.”While a third said: “That is the worst goal in the history of football.”Carter-Vickers has been Celtic’s stalwart in defence since joining the club initially on loan in 2021. Most read in Champions LeagueBut it was Schmeichel and skipper Callum McGregor who took the initiative after the shock opener. The pair could be seen rallying up their team-mates just moments after the goal with a meeting on the park before play got back underway. The Hoops were second best in the first half and the players were well aware of it. Kyogo Furuhashi and Arne Engels both had chances in the first period but it was their opponents who looked on top throughout. And speaking in the TNT Sports studio at half-time, Celtic legends Neil Lennon and Johan Mjallby both admitted that Brugge deserved the lead. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      in Athletics

      Paul Dickenson dead at 74: BBC commentator who covered Jessica Ennis-Hill’s iconic gold at London 2012 dies

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      FORMER BBC Sport commentator Paul Dickenson has passed away aged 74.Dickenson, who specialised in athletics and winter sports for over two decades, died at home on Tuesday.Paul Dickenson has passed awayCredit: ALAN TOWSE/FAMOUSDickenson worked in commentary for over two decadesCredit: Action ImagesHis death was announced by the BBC on Wednesday evening.Fans took to social media to pay tribute to the man with an iconic voice.One person wrote: “Really sad to read that Paul Dickenson has died. One of my favourite commentators of all time, his voice is very much missed.”While another commented: “Just seen the very sad news that Paul Dickenson has passed away.READ MORE IN SPORT”Having grown up listening to him, it took me a while to pluck up the courage to talk to him when I was first starting out but, once I did, he was always very supportive and just great company.”Dickenson commentated on every Summer and Winter Olympic Games between 1992 and 2014.He is one of only five BBC commentators to call Team GB gold medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.In 2012 he commentated on Jessica Ennis-Hill’s iconic gold medal in the Olympic heptathlon.Most read in AthleticsDickenson commentated on Jessica Ennis-Hill’s heptathlon gold at London 2012Credit: ReutersHis final commentary for the BBC was Lizzy Yarnold’s gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in SochiCredit: PA:Press AssociationHis last BBC commentary took place when Lizzy Yarnold won her skeleton gold at Sochi 2014.Before taking up a role in commentary, Dickenson was an Olympic hammerthrower.He represented Great Britain at two successive Olympic games starting in 1976.His best Olympic result was finishing in 14th place that year, where he threw 68.52 metres.Dickenson also commentated on World’s Strongest Man and Superstars, a TV sports competition. More

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      Man Utd legend Ruud van Nistelrooy set to be named Leicester manager in swift return to Premier League

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      RUUD VAN NISTELROOY is close to making a swift Premier League return as the manager of Leicester City.The Manchester United legend has been in talks with the Foxes since they sacked Steve Cooper after Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea.Ruud van Nistelrooy looks set to be named as Steve Cooper’s replacement at LeicesterThe Foxes axed Steve Cooper within five months after he replaced Enzo MarescaDuring his brief spell at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy guided United to two dominant victories over Leicester – putting eight goals past them in total.But now he set to be confirmed as the replacement for Cooper, who was dismissed after five dismal months at the King Power Stadium.Cooper, who previously managed now high-flying Nottingham Forest, won just TWO of his 12 Prem games at as Leicester manager.Talks have taken place this week with Leicester conscious that SV Hamburg were also keen on recruiting Van Nistelrooy.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe Dutchman is available with no compensation after being axed from his Carrington assistant post by incoming United boss Ruben Amorim.Leicester currently face Profit and Sustainability issues and, with cash short, they targeted an out of work boss who would not incur a large fee.The 48-year-old was unbeaten during his four interim matches in charge after Erik ten Hag’s dismissal.Leicester, who sit 16th in the Prem, could appoint the former Netherlands international before their trip to Brentford on Saturday.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOther possible candidates have reportedly been ruled out by sources close to Leicester, who sit one point above the relegation zone.Those include former Chelsea manager Graham Potter and ex-West Ham boss David Moyes, who are no longer in the running.How Ruud van Nistelrooy’s ‘donut solution’ kicked off Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd revolution earlyVan Nistelrooy may be considered a gamble, but he has management experience with PSV Eindhoven.In his first season in charge, PSV finished second in Eredivisie to new Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s Feyenoord but won the Dutch Cup, beating Ajax on penalties in the final. A week before the end of the campaign, Van Nistelrooy stepped down. In a statement put out by PSV, it was said that the former striker believed “there was not enough support within the club to continue longer”.Van Nistelrooy then spent a year out of work, but was desperate to return to the dugout.He said in the summer: “I would really like to work in Spain and I have had conversations with Spanish clubs. “But also the other leagues in which I have played, I want to coach there too – in the Premier League.”Now following his brief stint at United, he appears to have been granted his wish at struggling Leicester, whose last victory came on October 19 against Southampton.The Prem legend also appeared to form a brilliant relationship with players at United, with many of them sorry to see him earlier this month.He has been a Uefa Pro-License holder for more than two years.Foxes’ owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha gave the green light to recruit Van NistelrooyVan Nistelrooy previously coached the Netherlands team as an assistant to Ronald Koeman at Euro 2020.He returned to Old Trafford this summer as part of a shake-up of the club’s coaching staff under Ten Hag with Rene Hake also arriving as assistant, but all three left when Amorim was appointed. Van Nistelrooy lifted a Premier League title, FA Cup and League Cup in a glittering five-year spell at United under Sir Alex Ferguson.But this time round will be different for the Dutchman, as he’ll be asked to save Leicester from relegation.The 2015–16 Prem champions were promoted back to the top flight under Enzo Maresca after winning the Championship last season.But Southampton and Wolves are the only teams to have conceded more goals than the squad at the King Power Stadium.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter Saturday’s match at Brentford, they face West Ham, Brighton, Newcastle and Wolves before Christmas.It’s then league leaders Liverpool on Boxing Day and Manchester City on December 29.Van Nistelrooy was given a standing ovation after United beat Leicester 3-0 in his last game in chargeLeicester were playing for Premier League survival More