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      Marcus Rashford set for global superstardom after getting go-ahead to trademark his name in the US

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      MARCUS Rashford is set for global superstardom after getting the go-ahead to trademark his name in the US.
      And the Man United ace, 23, has already been signed up by billionaire hip-hop entrepreneur Jay-Z.

      Marcus Rashford has got the go-ahead to trademark his name in the USCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The music and business mogul wants to turn the England star into a Stateside success via his £75million Roc Nation management agency.
      Rashford’s lawyers have trademarked his name against a range of products in the US, including clothes, sportswear, grooming products and games.
      Jay-Z met the footballer when he travelled to Miami, Florida, in February to watch the SuperBowl as a Nike guest. 
      Rashford took his brothers Dwaine Maynard and Dane Rashford to the star-studded American-football final.

      The pair have guided their sibling’s professional career through their firm DN May Sports Management.

      Jay-Z has signed up the footie ace to his Roc Nation agencyCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Rashford and Jay-Z pose together at the SuperBowl in FebruaryCredit: Refer to Caption

      Rashford has made headlines around the world for his free school meals campaigning. 
      And Jay-Z has said he and his team will manage the player’s off-field branding and philanthropic activities rather than his football career.
      The rap artist impressed Rashford with his company’s humanitarian work, explaining how, in exchange for producing the SuperBowl half-time show, the NFL had pledged $100million (£76million) to social justice causes over ten years.

      Boris Johnson has ‘been in touch’ with Marcus Rashford over free school meals, Matt Hancock claims
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      Southgate promises Bellingham a ‘brilliant experience’ as teen prepares to become third-youngster England international

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has been promised he will enjoy a ‘brilliant’ experience on his shock England debut tonight.
      The 17-year-old from Dortmund will start on the bench but has been guaranteed to earn a dream run-out against the Irish to become the country’s third youngest player behind Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.

      Gareth Southgate has ‘promised’ Jude Bellingham a ‘brilliant’ experience on his England debutCredit: Rex Features

      Bellingham, who joined Dortmund from Birmingham for £30m in the summer, was given a late call-up after an injury to James Ward-Prowse.
      Manager Gareth Southgate said: “My initial conversation with him was that ‘you will have a few days with us, we’ll involve you in the game, we’ll see how it goes’. 
      “And that’s going to be a brilliant experience for him.”
      Southgate also reacted to criticism that he had picked Bellingham ahead of Ross Barkley and James Maddison, pointing out they are completely different types of midfielders.

      Bellingham players in a more central-defensive role.
      Southgate added: “It’s always interesting to see the reaction when we select a player, because people are immediately talking about other players without understanding why we’ve called Jude up.
      “We could flippantly say, ‘Well, he’s playing for a massive club and he’s playing Champions League football’, but there’s actually a bit more to it than that.
      “Positionally, he’s playing in a two-man midfield at Dortmund, whether that’s a 4-2-3-1 or a 3-4-3. So, he’s in the exact position that we lost a player in James Ward-Prowse.

      “But the bigger picture here is that, at times, we select older players to come in to challenge directly for competition for places.
      “In this instance, we’re giving a young player an opportunity to work with us, to spend some time with us, invest some time with him, he’ll have a brilliant experience for a few days.
      “It’s not a decision that he’s a better player than one or two older players who I’ve seen mentioned, although those players don’t play in the position that he plays. And that’s a fact.”

      Jude Bellingham trains with England squad for the first time More

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      England players ‘deserve the right leadership’, raps Gareth Southgate as disgraced Greg Clarke quits

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg Clarke and insisted his England players ‘deserve the right leadership’.
      Clarke quit on Tuesday after making a string of shocking and outdated comments about racial diversity to a committee of MPs.

      Gareth Southgate has lashed out at disgraced former FA chairman Greg ClarkeCredit: Rex Features

      The England boss insists his Three Lions ‘deserve the right leadership’Credit: Rex Features

      And England boss Southgate revealed he had felt the need to speak to his England players – many of whom have spoken out about racism – to assure them Clarke’s attitudes did nor reflect his opinions or those of the FA.
      Southgate said: “I felt I couldn’t ignore what had happened and not explain to the players that (Clarke’s comments) weren’t what people within the FA thought was acceptable.
      “I talked about there being 800 people in the FA – which is such a broader organisation and younger and more diverse than people realise.
      “The biggest danger was the good work those people do was distracted from and it’s not what we do as a team.

      “So I felt it was important to speak from the heart about that and that the players understand where I am on it.
      “They had spoken so eloquently on numerous occasions on the issues we’ve faced as a team and the issues we’ve faced as society and they deserve the right leadership and support around that.”
      Meanwhile, FIFA have refused to sack Greg Clarke from his £190,000-a-year role as vice-chairman.
      The 63-year-old resigned from his position as chairman of the FA on Tuesday following a reel of offensive comments around race, sexuality and gender.

      Clarke’s term of office runs until 2023 and while Fifa released a damning statement, they said the ball is in his court whether he wants to resign from his post.
      The statement read: “FIFA’s zero tolerance position on discrimination remains steadfast and clear: any form of discrimination, including racism, sexism and homophobia, has no place in football.
      “In the circumstances and given the nature of his comments, FIFA considers that Mr. Clarke did the right thing to resign as chairman of the FA yesterday.
      “He is, of course, free to resign from the FIFA Council, just as he has resigned as chairman of the FA. It is for Mr. Clarke to take that decision.”

      FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment More

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      Nick Pope says Jordan Pickford is England’s No1 despite NEVER conceding for Three Lions and rival being axed by Everton

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      NICK POPE admits he is some distance behind England number one Jordan Pickford.
      The Burnley keeper will make his fourth senior appearance tonight against Ireland and has yet to concede a goal.

      Nick Pope says Jordan Pickford is England’s No1 despite never conceding for Three LionsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      Boss Gareth Southgate has already claimed that no other keeper is ‘seriously’ challenging Pickford even though he was dropped for one game by Everton.
      Pope, 28, said: “I think it’s fair to say Jordan is number one at the minute.
      “If you look at the last 25, 30 fixtures, he’d have played probably 28 of them.
      “So, a person with that sort of record in the national team, I think, deserves to be called number one, he has earned it. It’s not happened overnight.

      “I think I’ve done quite well for England in those three games. No goals is always a massive bonus for a goalkeeper and you can’t ask for much more in terms of goals against.
      “But I don’t think I’ve been overly tested in all the games either so I don’t think I’m walking round thinking I’m the best goalkeeper in the world.”
      Pope also admitted that keepers have to accept stick when it is flying around.
      Asked about the criticism handed out by England keeper Martyn Margetson, Pope smiled.

      He said: “I’ve not seen it to be honest. I’ll have to have a look later.
      “Generally, you know when you’ve made a mistake and can feel or know if you’re in a good run of form or a bad run. I think that’s just part of being a goalkeeper.
      “You’ve got to have thick skin, be brave and have a big character to get through those moments, come through the other side and ride mistakes, put performances together and start the cycle again of being in good form.
      “I think it’s just part and parcel of being a goalkeeper. Your goalkeeping coach is there and if you want criticism from anyone, or advice or pointers, it’s your goalkeeping coach.
      “They’ve been underneath a crossbar, they’ve been in that position themselves and want only the best for you.”

      Sam Allardyce feels Jordan Pickford should’ve been sent off in Everton v Liverpool match More

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      Scotland fight for return to world stage as Jackie McNamara recalls rubbing shoulders with Tony Blair and Rod Stewart

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      JACKIE McNAMARA will never forget the Blair years – when Scotland regularly used to rub shoulders with Prime Ministers and the great and the good on a global stage.
      Sadly for the football-mad nation those heady days were followed by the blur years as the Scots failed to qualify for a staggering 10 major tournaments over 22 painful years.

      The Tartan Army have suffered a painful 22 years since World Cup 1998Credit: Getty

      Former Scotland star Jackie McNamara was part of that squad and remembers rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tony Blair and Rod StewartCredit: Allsport

      Tonight the former Celtic and Wolves defender hopes things can only get better and Steve Clarke’s side extend their unbeaten run to nine games with a crucial play-off win over Serbia in Belgrade tonight, to book their place in this summer’s European Championships. 
      McNamara played in Scotland’s last match in a major finals – a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Morocco in Saint Etienne on June 23, 1998 – which ended in disaster as Craig Burley was sent off and the 10-man Scots wave Au Revoir to France – and football’s biggest stages.
      Now, after an agonising wait of 8,177 days, the former Scotland defender desperately wants the Tartan Army to celebrate a return to the big time – and an end to the Blair Hitch Project!
      “I’m not sure the current players realise what a massive deal it is to play at a World Cup or European Championship,” said McNamara, who was 24 and assumed his first World Cup would be the first of many – not the last.

      “I remember the Prime Minister Tony Blair dropped in to wish us all the best on the eve of our opening game against Brazil in Paris.
      “He stopped by the team hotel for a bit of lunch and a blether with the lads.
      “He jokingly suggested he fancied a game in midfield but Craig Brown told him he’d have to fight Craig Burley for it.
      “The standing joke in our squad was that Burley believed his best position was in midfield but Craig Brown preferred him at right-back and kept playing him there!

      “Ironically it was only when I went on at right back against Norway in our second match that Craig moved Burley into midfield and he promptly scored our equaliser in a 1-1 draw.
      “There were other memorable highlights, like the day Rod Stewart turned up at the team hotel to wish us all the best.
      “Unfortunately Rod had obviously had a drink or two with the Tartan Army and was a little the worse for wear!
      “Any chance of a song with one of our most famous fans disappeared as a couple of security men ushered Rod into a waiting lift and whisked him off to another floor, away from the media!
      “But these big tournaments are not just special for the players, the fans are left with memories which last a lifetime too. 
      “The Tartan Army are famous for their ability to party with all nations and they have been sorely missed, for the colour they add to the occasion, for far too long now.
      “My dad and the rest of my family spent the whole world cup in France and had a great time.
      “He went to the Eiffel Tower to do a bit of sight-seeing and witnessed a massive football match – involving hundreds – taking place between the Tartan Army and the Rest of the World under the famous landmark!
      “Ally McCoist was in Paris doing some broadcast work and ended up on stage in a bar full of Scotland fans belting out Bruce Springsteen songs on the karaoke.
      “He says he had one of the best backing bands ever assembled – Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Kenny Dalglish and JAMES BOND himself … Sean Connery!” 
      Sadly, since those heady days with 007 and Rod Stewart, nothing has been plain ‘Sailing,’ for Scotland but McNamara is hopeful all that could change tonight.
      “I just hope we can get over the line in Belgrade because it’s been a long and frustrating wait for the whole nation,” he said.

      Hilarious moment hotdog and beer go flying as Tartan Army Scot slips at Wembley More

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      American stars are earning their stripes in the Champions League with Pulisic leading a new wave of US youngsters

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      UNCLE SAM has never had so many stars earning their stripes in the Champions League.
      Over the years, only a handful of American players have ever cut the mustard on this side of the Atlantic.

      Christian Pulisic is leading a new wave of European-based US youngstersCredit: Getty

      But now, Chelsea ace Christian Pulisic is leading a new wave of European-based US youngsters who are giving fresh hope to national team boss Gregg Berhalter.
      Nine Champions League players are in his squad to take on Wales in tonight’s Cardiff friendly.
      Alongside 22-year-old Pulisic, Barcelona’s Sergino Dest (20), Bayern Munich’s Chris Richards (23), RB Leipzig’s Tyler Adams (21) Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie (22) and Borussia Dortmund’s Giovanni Reyna – the 17-year-old son of former Sunderland midfielder Claudio – are all thrilling Berhalter.
      With the MLS heading into the play-offs, Berhalter’s team is made up entirely of those playing outside the US.

      And he spends a lot of his time channel-hopping on his TV to watch his kids of America sparkling on Euro nights.
       Berhalter declared: “I am a firm believer that the measure of talent in any given country is  based on the number of players that you have playing in the Champions  League.
      “It is exciting when you have  five guys on a matchday  that you can watch by flipping back and forth.
      “It is now  that you watch just one game every couple of weeks. Now they are coming fast and furious.”

      Former USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann was blasted by some fans after suggesting Americans may be better off heading to Europe for their football  education.
      But Berhalter’s crop may be about to prove Tottenham’s former German striker right.
      Berhalter also has high hopes for Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen (25), Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah (17) – who has played for England’s youth teams but was born in the USA – Leicester’s Chituru Odunze (18), Wolves’ Owen Otasowie (19), PSV’s Richie Ledezma (20) and Barcelona winger Konrad de la Fuente (19).
      Ex-US defender Alexi Lalas has seen enough false dawns to last a  lifetime.

      But he told SunSport: “I am hard pressed to find a moment over the  last 25 years when there has been more optimism, not just specific to the  amount of talent available, but where they are all playing.
      “We have to remember this is all theoretical at the moment, it’s all on  paper so there is cautious optimism.
      “Just because you have good players it  doesn’t always translate to the national team.
      “But don’t forget there were dark, negative times after the epic failure  of missing out on the Russia World Cup.
      “We are in a good place right now. It’s going to be fun watching these players.”

      Frank Lampard predicts Christian Pulisic will ‘get even better’ as USA International continues to impress for Chelsea after Premier League restart More

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      Palace star Ebere Eze developing into England prospect thanks to flop Three Lions’ bosses Steve McClaren and Roy Hodgson

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      EBERE EZE is developing into a future England prospect – thanks to the influence of two Three Lions’ bosses.
      Steve McClaren gave a teenage Eze the chance to be the chief creator in QPR’s attack.

      Ebere Eze is preparing to face Andorra with England U21s on FridayCredit: Getty

      While Roy Hodgson has been schooling the 22-year-old on the defensive side of the game since he joined Crystal Palace for £16million this summer.
      Eze is aiming to become the complete package using both managers’ advice and has aspirations to make his country’s senior side one day.
      But for now his goal is to become a key player for Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions, who take on Andorra tomorrow at Molineux.
      Recalling his time working under McClaren, who coached England for a year in 2006, Eze said: “Steve was great for me.

      “He instilled that first confidence in me to be like, ‘OK, you’re going to be the creator, the one to help the team to create and score goals’.
      “Giving me the number 10 shirt at QPR was a big thing for not just me, but the club. 
      “The faith that he put into me was unbelievable, and I can’t thank him enough for it.”
      Eze scored his first Premier League goal with a brilliant free-kick in Saturday’s 4-1 demolition of Leeds at Selhurst Park.

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      He also grabbed an assist but it is his work without the ball that he is learning most under Hodgson, in charge of his nation between 2012-2016.
      The Greenwich lad, who is eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents, explained: “The way Roy speaks to me and the advice he gives me are only going to give me confidence and help me improve.
      “I’m still learning the attacking front as well, but I feel my biggest steps forward are coming on the defensive side, because I have to be so alert and so concentrated.
      “I’m doing things that I wasn’t necessarily having to do at QPR. 
      “I feel like I’m learning so much and I feel like, if I continue to do that, then I’ll be in a good position.”
      Tomorrow’s clash with Andorra gives Boothroyd’s side the chance to make up for the embarrassing 3-3 draw they suffered against the minnows last month.
      One positive from that game was a stunning through-ball from Eze to set up a goal for Eddie Nketiah.
      It gave hope that playmaking Eze could be the man to pick the lock if England are struggling to break down teams at next year’s Euros, for which they have already qualified.

      Ex-England boss Steve McClaren gave a teenage Eze his chance in QPR’s attackCredit: Reuters

      Another former Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson splashed out £16m for the star this summerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Yet rewind the clock four years and the Londoner was fearing football would not work out for him after being released by Millwall.
      The Eagles starlet recalled: “It built huge resilience in me, being released.
      “It is not the best feeling and you’re not in the best space mentally. 
      “You have to get back up again, not allow your setbacks to determine where you end up in life. 
      “I feel that was something that was forced into me after being released. I had to get up and be strong.
      “Of course you have doubts, of whether you’re going to get your professional contract, whether you’re going to be what you would hope you’d be.
      “But for me, it was the support of my family and people around me that continued to instil that faith in me, and being religious as well. 
      “Having faith was huge for me that I would always believe that I would get to where I hoped to get to and thankfully, and thanks to God, it has worked out.”

      Crystal Palace complete £15m transfer for QPR ace Eberechi Eze after beating Premier League rivals to the attacker More