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    Footie legend Harry Redknapp on the royals, lockdown and Jamie’s love life as he becomes our new columnist

    IT was Harry Redknapp’s cheerful personality and down-to-earth attitude that helped him land a new generation of fans to win   2018’s   I’m  A  Celebrity.
    Even lockdown could not get him down. He took the time to rekindle friendships with the boys he grew up with in ­London’s East End and looked forward to a daily walk on the beach with Sandra, the wife he is still besotted with after 52 years.

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    Harry Redknapp is The Sun on Sunday’s brilliant new sports columnistCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

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    In an interview to mark his arrival, the footie legend spoke candidly about his son Jamie’s love lifeCredit: Getty

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    He also spoke about missing his family, such as grandsons Charley and Beau, during lockdownCredit: Instagram

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    And the I’m A Celebrity winner chatted about his upcoming reality TV projectsCredit: Rex Features
    Harry said: “I am happiest just being with her. We don’t have a secret — I was just lucky, had a result. I know when I am well-off.”
    But in an interview to mark his arrival as The Sun on Sunday’s ­brilliant new sports columnist, we discovered a very different side to the 73-year-old.
    Harry spoke to us candidly about son Jamie’s love life, his new reality TV projects and views on the Royal Family.
    And he opened up about the sadness and abuse he ­suffered during his time managing some of England’s biggest football clubs.

    He said: “Depression wasn’t even a thing back then. I don’t know if I was — I just know I felt very low at times. If it had been these days I may have had to go and see ­someone and talk it through.
    “I am a worrier — I worried if we lost a match. It was like a bereavement, I couldn’t cope with it.
    “I was so low — I didn’t realise how low. I couldn’t pull myself out of it.
    ‘SHE’LL SCREAM AT ME’
    “When things went bad I felt responsible for the club, the supporters. I didn’t cry but I didn’t want to see or talk to anybody.

    “The feelings I felt, the lows, only stopped when I left football. I had abuse too, which was horrendous at times.”
    Harry met me at Rick Stein’s ­restaurant, a short walk from his ­luxury home in Sandbanks, Dorset.
    He heads there most mornings for a coffee and the staff greet him like a long-lost friend.
    But Harry instantly whispered to me: “Sand doesn’t know I am here, I have to be quick. We’re in the middle of moving house and it is chaos.
    “You cannot believe what Sand is having to pack up — I think we could find Lord Lucan before long.
    “The amount of sorting out is ridiculous. She and my daughter-in-law Lucy are doing it, non-stop. They are amazing.
    “We are moving just ten minutes away, off the coast, a bit more into the country.

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    Harry is still besotted with wife Sandra after 52 years – pictured here in 1977

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    The couple are currently in the process of moving out of their Dorset homeCredit: Getty
    “I like feeding the birds and ­robins instead of seagulls all day s**tting on your head.
    “I keep going back and forth to the charity shops, dropping car-loads of gear off — suits and Sandra’s clothes, all sorts.
    “If I’m too long she’ll scream at me when I go back and give away my golf clubs.”
    The pair are still blissfully happy. The previous night Harry says they went out for pasta and wine, and the only thing they missed during ­lockdown was their family.
    Son Mark, 50, and his wife Lucy have five children and live nearby while footie pundit Jamie, 47, has two children with ex-wife Louise — ­Charley 16, and Beau, 11 — and lives near London.
    The couple split in 2017 after 19 years and we revealed Jamie is now dating Swedish model Frida Andersson-Lourie, 37.
    Harry said: “Lockdown was fantastic. We walked on the beach with our bulldogs, nobody around, the weather was amazing. We looked forward to it.
    “The kids and grandkids would come and stand outside the house. Sandra FaceTimed them too — I’m useless at that stuff. My granddaughter does my Instagram account but I don’t really know what Instagram is.
    “We did meet Frida and she is lovely, very nice, but I don’t want to talk about Jamie’s new relationship.
    “The last thing I want to do is upset Lou. It is upsetting that Jamie and Lou aren’t together. It was a complete shock.
    “We love Lou, we still speak to her of course. Sandra speaks to her mum.
    “She is the mother of our ­grandkids and she’s still part of the family. But Jamie seems happy.”
    Harry and Sandra’s bulldogs Lulu and Barney are also part of the ­family and his face drops as he recalls an incident during lockdown that left 11-year-old Lulu deaf.
    He said: “Sand and I went for a walk and I bought a big ice-cream, then somebody stopped to chat.
    “When I looked round, Lulu had eaten two balls of ice cream — bosh, straight down. For the next ten days she was really ill and then she couldn’t hear anything.

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    Talking about Louise and Jamie’s split, Harry said ‘it was a complete shock, it’s upsetting that they aren’t together’Credit: Rex Features

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    He said Jamie’s new girlfriend Frida Andersson-Lourie is ‘lovely and very nice’

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    But Louise, the mother of his grandkids, will always be part of the familyCredit: Instagram

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    Harry’s dogs Barney and Lulu are also part of the tight-knit familyCredit: ITV

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    His face dropped as he recalled and incident that left 11-year-old Lulu deafCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun
    “She lost all her energy and wouldn’t eat. The vet said it might be because she was old but I said, ‘No, this ice-cream has changed her.’ She can’t hear a thing.
    “She is fine. She follows Barney around and we were both home to look after her all the time.”
    Without a busy schedule Harry was also able to trace long-lost pals he grew up with on a council estate in Poplar, East London.
    ‘OLD MATES ARE THE BEST’
    He said: “I had time to look through old photos and albums and got in touch with mates I hadn’t spoken to since I was 14. Covid helped me rekindle friendships — I love that. Your old mates are the best mates.
    “One hadn’t been well and he was in hospital with the Covid. I rang his wife to see how he was.”
    Despite his working-class roots Harry is able to mix with all walks of life, and he laughs as he recalls meeting Princess Beatrice — though he says: “Well, I think it was ­Beatrice. She was a friend of a pal of Jamie’s and they were ­having ­dinner and I came along.
    “She told me about her nan who liked horse racing and I told her about my nan who was a bookie’s runner when we were growing up and would take bets off Cyril the paper boy and get arrested.
    “Beatrice said, ‘My grandmother loves racing,’ and said she’d won the Gold Cup the last year at Ascot. I was thinking, ‘She must have a good horse.’ Then I thought, ‘Who won last year?’
    “Then I ­realised it was the Queen and I was thinking, ‘What’s she got to do with the Queen?’ I eventually sussed it all out and said, ‘Do you reckon she took bets with Cyril the paper boy, your nan?’ She started laughing. She was lovely.”
    Harry also bumped into Prince Harry before he and Meghan moved to America.
    He recalled: “I thought he was a real great ­character, one of the lads. I loved Harry. I am sorry they’ve left the country now. But I suppose he has to get on with his life.”
    Last year there were calls for the football veteran to be knighted but he shakes his head and adds: “No chance, no. Doctors, nurses — they should be knighted, not idiots like me doing I’m A Celebrity.”
    But he loves his new-found TV fame and has no plans to retire.
    He said: “During lockdown Jamie and I did six episodes of a new Sky chat show.
    “We had four guests for each show including Robbie Williams, Rory McIlroy and Tyson Fury.
    “It was good fun working with Jamie. I’m doing a new series of Harry’s Heroes too. I really enjoyed it, they’re great lads.”

    Sport is clearly central to Harry’s life and he said: “That’s why I can’t wait to be your ­columnist again. We have always read the paper.
    “I live and breathe sport — I go to the football every week. I just watch it now though, I’ll never be a manager again.”
    But before he gets up to rush back to Sandra he stops, giggles and admits: “Well, unless I get asked to do the England job.”

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    Harry joined The Sun’s Jane Atkinson at Rick Stein’s restaurantCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

    Inside Harry Redknapp’s Sandbanks mansion which ex-Tottenham boss is selling for £7million
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    Harry Maguire was arrested by undercover cops drafted in from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos

    HARRY Maguire was arrested by top undercover cops drafted in from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos.
    The detectives were on the holiday island to monitor drug dealing and protection rackets when they were called in to help detain the England ace.
    ⚠️Click here for the latest news on Harry Maguire

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    Harry Maguire was arrested on the Greek island of Mykonos on August 20Credit: BBC supplied by Pixel8000

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    Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, left, with a drugCredit: Refer to Caption
    It emerged on Saturday they were specially trained in anti-corruption and bribery — an accusation levelled at the Man United skipper, 27.
    Maguire feared he was being kidnapped when the plain clothes men pounced.
    It followed a row sparked when Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, 20, with a drug as they waited for a minibus in the Fabrika area.

    The police, we can reveal, were among a team of 120 sent in to grapple with the seedier side of Mykonos, dubbed the “new Ibiza”.
    The island — population 15,000 — attracts three million tourists a year and organised crime gangs who traffic drugs and offer prostitutes.

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    The Man Utd captain leaves a court building on the island of Syros, Greece, on August 22Credit: EPA

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    Joe Maguire, pictured centre with brothers Laurence, left, and Harry, right, got a suspended sentence

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    Mykonos is known as a party island – but is beset by organised crimeCredit: Instagram @cavoparadisoclub
    Athens police HQ first sent in its best men two years ago when the criminals got “out of control”.
    Veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos said: “Mykonos is a paradise for anyone who wants to spend money. It’s a show-off town, and a perfect place to launder cash.

    “It’s also the place for serious high-end criminals.”

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    Mykonos gangs offer the island’s three million tourists high-class prostitutes

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    Greek cops seized kilos of ‘pink cocaine’ the day before Maguire’s arrest

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    Mykonos is ‘a perfect place to launder cash,’ says veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos
    The day before Maguire’s arrest, cops busted an illegal lockdown party and seized kilos of “pink cocaine”, a synthetic drug similar to MDMA and popular with clubbers.
    Maguire received a 21-month suspended sentence after he was convicted of attempted bribery, assault, verbal assault and attacking cops.
    A source close to the player said: “If these are anti-corruption police, what are they doing being called to an incident outside a bar? 

    The charge sheet in full

    THE full charge sheet against Harry Maguire alleges that he committed “repeated bodily harm”, “repeated verbal abuse”, “violence against employees” and “bribing an employee”.

    The Sun on Sunday has exclusively obtained a copy of the Greek document presented in the case against the footie star. It lists the accused as “MAGUIRE Harry-Jacob of Alan, resident of the United Kingdom” alongside his brother Joe and pal Chris Sharman.
    The document was given to the defence only two hours before the trial in the misdemeanours court on  Syros.
    Usually, defence lawyers are granted adjournments to prepare but Alexis Anagnostakis, for Maguire, was refused.

    “Harry has said these are the cops who were aggressive.
    “The whole thing is a fit-up and this just shows that.”
    Maguire’s brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman, 29, got 13-month suspended sentences for similar offences.
    All have appealed and are “presumed innocent” until they face a retrial.

    Harry Maguire tells the BBC he is ‘confident that something happened with Daisy, there was a mark on her arm’
    GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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    Chelsea to launch Declan Rice transfer raid which would bring summer spend to above £250m

    CHELSEA are ready to push their summer spend above £250million by finally making a firm bid for Declan Rice.
    The Blues have already splashed out £131.3m to sign Timo Werner, plus Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell.

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    West Ham’s versatile England star Declan Rice is now the top remaining target for Chelsea chief Frank LampardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    West Ham manager David Moyes hopes to sell Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini, to help his attempts to keep Declan RiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Kai Havertz is also due, in a deal costing £72.2m before bonuses — with Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva arriving on frees.
    Boss Frank Lampard still wants Rice from West Ham, who rate him at £80m and won’t make it easy to strike a deal.
    Lamps sees 21-year-old midfielder Rice — who also plays in defence — as the ideal man to help the club get back in the Premier League title mix.
    The Stamford Bridge outfit are prepared to play the long game, knowing West Ham need to sell before they buy.

    Rice is seen as perfect for the Blues squad — a natural leader willing to learn from experienced stars like former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva, 35, who completed his Blues move yesterday.
    Hammers’ boss David Moyes is desperate to offload Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini to give him some cash to make improvements after a poor 2019-20.

    But there is limited interest, and unless bids come in soon selling Rice may be the only option.
    Chelsea know they are in a strong position — which is likely to see them try to push the fee well down from the £80m West Ham want.

    Leicester had wanted £70m for Chilwell before settling for £50m and the Blues hope they can get a similar discount on Rice.

    Chelsea signing Sarr visits hometown school as part of Adams Association charity More

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    Iceland furious as Premier League stars Gylfi Sigurdsson and Gudmundsson miss England Nations League clash

    ICELAND are fuming after their two Premier League stars refused to play against England.
    Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson and Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson have made themselves unavailable for the Uefa Nations League clash in Reykjavik next Saturday.

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    Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has opted to stay with Everton, whose Premier League opener is against Spurs on September 13.Credit: Rex Features

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    Ex-Charlton ace Johann Berg Gudmundsson snubbed Iceland vs England even though Burnley do not play until September 19Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    The midfield duo will also miss Iceland’s trip to Belgium three days later.
    Iceland coach Erik Hamren said: “Due to their situation at the clubs, they have chosen not to come.
    “They have been honest with me and told me the situation they have and the reason they have taken this sad decision.
    “They really wanted to play for Iceland and are not feeling good but still need to do it.

    “Of course I am not happy with this. I have to accept it.”

    If I look at the individual situations, I can understand. But I have glasses for the team and, as I said, I am not happy.
    Iceland coach Erik Hamren

    Sigurdsson, 30, has decided to stay with Everton, who face Spurs in their Premier League opener on September 13.
    Gudmundsson, 29, has opted not to play — although Burnley’s game against Manchester United has been postponed.
    The Clarets do not play until a trip to Leicester on September 19.

    Iceland will be without their five best players next weekend.
    Former Cardiff star Aron Gunnarsson has been blocked from travelling under new Fifa rules by his Qatari club Al Arabi, while Augsburg’s Alfred Finnbogason also made himself unavailable and Copenhagen ace Ragnar Sigurdsson is crocked.
    Swede Hamren, who named Millwall attacker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in his squad yesterday, added: “If I look at the individual situations, I can understand.

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    Ex-Cardiff midfielder Aron Gunnarsson was blocked from travelling by his club Al Arabi under new Fifa rules Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Millwall winger Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is in a weakened Iceland squad to take on EnglandCredit: Alamy Live News
    “But I have glasses for the team and, as I said, I am not happy.
    “Many people in the world have and are still having tough times with this Covid virus so I have no rights to complain.”
    England will be keen to avoid another upset by Iceland, who knocked them out of Euro 2016 in Nice.
    Assistant coach Freyr Alexandersson said: “Gareth Southgate has done a fantastic job with this team and they will show up with their strongest squad. That is good.
    SOUTHGATE’S NIGHTMARE
    “We want to play the best at their strongest. That’s how we learn.”
    But the game is also proving to be a nightmare for Three Lions’ boss Southgate.
    Five of his squad tested positive for Covid-19, although some are expected to have recovered and be ready to report for training at St George’s Park on Monday.
    Southgate will make a final decision over who to withdraw tomorrow.

    This includes Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who is likely to miss out with an ankle problem.
    England fly to Reykjavik on Friday for the match at 5pm on Saturday.
    They will remain there for an extra day before heading to Denmark on September 7 for their clash 24 hours later.           More

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    Aaron Mooy joins Shanghai SIPG in shock £7.5m transfer as Brighton sign Adam Lallana

    AARON MOOY has completed a surprise £7.5million switch to Shanghai SIPG.
    The Australian, who only joined Brighton on a permanent basis from Huddersfield in January following a loan, is believed to have signed a three-year contract worth around £50,000 a week.

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    Aaron Mooy is swapping the Premier League for Shanghai just seven months after signing a permanent deal for BrightonCredit: Reuters

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    Brighton are content with Australia star Aaron Mooy leaving as they are well-stocked with midfieldersCredit: Reuters
    SunSport understands Chinese Super League side Shanghai showed interest in the 29-year-old during the last transfer window.
    But they have had to wait until now to complete a deal which sees Albion make around a £2.5m profit on a player turning 30 next month.
    Brighton are well stocked for playmakers having signed Adam Lallana from Liverpool this summer.
    Mooy’s move, which is still subject to international clearance, has been hailed by Graham Potter as “a good move for all parties”.

    The Seagulls chief said: “Aaron has been an excellent professional during his time with us. From day one with us he fitted in really well.
    ”It’s a good move for all parties. We have a number of really good players in that position and therefore Aaron goes with our blessing.
    “I have really enjoyed working with him, and on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”

    Mooy made 32 appearances for Brighton, with both of his two goals coming against relegated Bournemouth.

    The Sydney-born ace will link up at Shanghai with Brazilian superstars Hulk and Oscar, previously of Chelsea.
    And ex-Spurs stopper Ian Walker is their goalkeeping coach. More

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    Chelsea to launch Declan Rice transfer raid which would push summer spend over £250m

    CHELSEA are ready to push their summer spend above £250million by finally making a firm offer for Declan Rice.
    The Blues have already splashed out £131.3m to sign Timo Werner, plus Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell.

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    West Ham’s versatile England star Declan Rice is now the top remaining target for Chelsea chief Frank LampardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    West Ham manager David Moyes hopes to sell Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini, to help his attempts to keep Declan RiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Kai Havertz is also due, in a deal costing £72.2m before bonuses — with Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva arriving on frees.
    Boss Frank Lampard still wants Rice from West Ham, who rate him at £80m and will not make it easy to strike a deal.
    Lamps sees 21-year-old midfielder Rice — who also plays in defence — as the ideal man to help the club get back in the Premier League title mix.
    The Stamford Bridge outfit are prepared to play the long game, knowing West Ham need to sell before they buy.

    Rice is seen as perfect for the Blues squad — a natural leader willing to learn from experienced stars like former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva, 35, who completed his Blues move yesterday.
    Hammers’ boss David Moyes is desperate to offload Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini to give him some cash to make improvements after a poor 2019-20.

    But there is limited interest, and unless bids come in soon selling Rice may be the only option.
    Chelsea know they are in a strong position — which is likely to see them try to push the fee well down from the £80m West Ham want.

    Leicester had wanted £70m for Chilwell before settling for £50m and the Blues hope they can get a similar discount on Rice.

    Chelsea signing Sarr visits hometown school as part of Adams Association charity More

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    Aston Villa star John McGinn admits jealousy of Midlands rivals Wolves and Leicester is driving him on

    JOHN McGINN plans to harness the power of pure JEALOUSY to drive standards up at Aston Villa this season.
    The midfield dynamo is not ashamed to confess he was filled with envy last season.

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    Scotland star John McGinn says a club of Villa’s stature and history should be matching high-flying Midlands’ rivals Wolves and Leicester

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    Hard-grafting midfielder John McGinn believes Villa will make big leaps over the next couple of seasons
    The sight of Midlands rivals Wolves progressing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, falling to eventual winners Sevilla, raised the Scot’s hackles.
    And the green-eyed monster in him roared in frustration when Leicester took the Premier League by storm — before finishing fifth.
    Former European champions Villa celebrated an unseemly last-day scrap for survival, when a draw at West Ham saw them scramble clear of relegation by the skin of their teeth.
    McGinn accepts that simply is not good enough for a club of Villa’s stature and tradition and promises he — plus billionaire owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris — will not rest until they re-emerge as a force domestically and on the Continent.

    The 25-year-old Glaswegian told SunSport: “I’ll be brutally honest, it hurt to see Leicester and Wolves flying the flag so brilliantly for the Midlands.

    I’m sure we can attract the kind of players we’ll be trying to sign this summer. Hopefully, in a couple of years, Leicester and Wolves will be jealous of us.
    John McGinn

    “It makes me jealous to see them competing at such a high level, home and abroad. They are already where we want to be.
    “They have worked hard and are there on merit. However they don’t have the same history as Aston Villa so it does make you envious — because we want to be competing in the Champions League.
    “But there are no excuses. The standard of our training ground is exceptional.

    “We’ve got a brilliant stadium. Throw in our support and the stature of this club — and I’m sure we can attract the kind of players we’ll be trying to sign this summer.
    “Seeing Wolves going so far in Europe shows us what’s possible and we must take inspiration from that — then do it our way.
    “Hopefully, in a couple of years, Leicester and Wolves will be jealous of us.”

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    Former St Mirren and Hibs star John McGinn says Villa’s wild last day celebrations at staying up were due to euphoria

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    Going down would have been catastrophic, says John McGinn
    Dean Smith’s players were criticised for celebrating wildly on the final day of the season — but McGinn takes it on the chin.
    And he says that narrow escape marked ground zero for the club who spent £140million last year — and who plan to spend another £100m this summer.
    Former Hibs ace McGinn is one deal where Villa most certainly got their money’s worth.
    He was snapped up for just £2.75m in the summer of 2018 — and has not for a moment looked out of place among the Premier League’s array of stars.
    McGinn said: “Last season was a massive crossroads.

    “People accused us of over-celebrating. But everyone knows relegation would have been catastrophic.
    “I’ve won cups and trophies with St Mirren and Hibs. I scored the winner at Wembley in the Championship play-off final — the feeling is pure euphoria.
    “Surviving is very different. I was relegated with St Mirren so I know the effect it has, especially on the staff behind the scenes.
    “There are cuts after relegation and people lose their jobs.
    “It would have happened on a much larger scale at Aston Villa.
    NEW PLAYERS PROMISED
    “I never want to experience that again, so the feeling at West Ham was one of relief. But also of pride — because it’s naive to think we don’t listen to criticism or read negative stories.
    “We were driving to games and, whether it was talkSPORT or some other station, not one person gave us a chance of staying up with four games to go when we were seven points behind.
    “We used that negativity to stay up. It came down to professional pride.“No one gave us a chance — and that made it even sweeter.
    “Wes Edens private-messaged a lot of us after West Ham to say congratulations.
    “And basically to tell us that the club wasn’t going to rest there.

    “He said they’d support us with new players and improve the depth of the squad to kick on.
    “The owners made it clear that they want Villa back where we belong, challenging at the top end of English and European football.
    “It’s not going to be easy. But we’re behind each other, backing each other. We’re on the same page.”

    Ally McCoist believes £80m would be too much to pay for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish More

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    Harry Maguire adamant his ongoing Greek court case hell won’t affect performances for Man Utd or England

    HARRY MAGUIRE vowed his ongoing Greek court case nightmare will not affect him on the pitch.
    The Manchester United skipper links up with his team-mates when they return to training on Monday.

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    Harry Maguire says he will not let his Greek nightmare affect his performancesCredit: PA:Press Association

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    The Manchester United skipper was axed from the England squad after a guilty verdict Credit: Twitter
    And their first Premier League game is against Crystal Palace on September 19.
    Maguire is fighting to clear his name with an appeal after being found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult in Mykonos.
    He said: “I find it tough to speak about it. But my family would say I have probably been the strongest.
    “It will not affect my performances. I will get over it pretty quickly. It has been a whirlwind of a few days.

    “I will put it to one side.  When I speak about it I get a bit worked up because it makes me feel angry.”
    The defender, 27, now faces a retrial which could drag on for weeks.
    He should be linking up with England on Monday.

    Harry Maguire played more minutes than any other footballer in the world in 2019-20
    But after being named in the squad for Nations League games in Iceland and Denmark, boss Gareth Southgate removed him after the guilty verdict was announced.

    Maguire thanked United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and England chief Southgate for being so supportive.
    But he admitted speaking to both ahead of the initial court case was difficult. 
    He said: “It was really hard. I have great respect for both and they have been magnificent for my career.
    “Gareth showed great faith in me since giving me my debut. The club have been great with me and I thank them for that.
    “My main focus is family but the best thing after that is football, so playing for United is something I love.”
    Maguire, capped 26 times by England, was gutted to be axed from the squad.

    He added: “I love playing for my county but, mentally, I’ll get over this.”
    In a BBC interview, Maguire was asked if he was worried some fans might think he is lying about the events in Mykonos.
    He added: “It doesn’t bother me. My conscience is clear.”

    Harry Maguire denies being drunk during Mykonos brawl and says ‘I can handle a few drinks’ More