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Kieran Devlin, Celtic’s correspondent for The Athletic, has shared some inside claims on James McCarthy’s time at Parkhead.

The Lowdown: Livingston struggles

The 30-year-old was handed a first Hoops start under Ange Postecoglou on Sunday, but he failed to impress in a 1-0 defeat to Livingston.

The Irishman was the second-worst starter from both sides, as per WhoScored, with a lowly match rating of 6.04/10. Only Stephen Welsh recorded a lower score, with McCarthy making way with just under 20 minutes remaining.

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The Latest: Devlin claim

Devlin shared a story for The Athletic on Monday morning following Celtic’s defeat to Livingston. He was informed by dressing room sources that McCarthy ‘has struggled in training with the pace and intensity of Postecoglou’s sessions and the demands of his midfielders’.

The report added that the manager and his scouting department didn’t have meaningful input in regards to the midfielder’s arrival at Parkhead.

The Verdict: McKay’s mistake?

Dominic McKay recently left his position as Parkhead CEO, but with neither Postecoglou nor his scouts seemingly contributing towards McCarthy’s arrival, it could well have been McKay who pushed that deal through over the summer.

Postecoglou is now left with a 30-year-old fish out of water who could well be on big money following his £50,000-a-week deal at former club Crystal Palace.

On that basis, the Celtic manager may need to make it work, or else risk having a big earner sitting on the sidelines and not contributing much.

In other news: Front runners: Celtic leading the way to land ‘brilliant’ free agent who Ange has spoken about. 

Aston Villa journalist Luke Hatfield believes Dean Smith could struggle to find a place for Leon Bailey if he decides to stick with a back three this season.

Villa have used a back three in their last couple of league fixtures in order to accommodate two strikers, Ollie Watkins and new signing Danny Ings.

Such a tactic leaves little room for wingers like Bailey who like to play extremely high up the pitch, with Smith so far preferring more defensive options like full-backs Matt Targett and Matty Cash for those wide positions in the system.

Bailey, however, was given a chance in the recent 3-0 win over Everton when he came off the bench and did not disappoint after managing to grab a goal. For Hatfield, though, in this current set-up, things are not going to be straightforward for the 24-year-old.

“It’s not to say we won’t see Leon Bailey starting regularly,” the Express & Star reporter said to FFC. “I think we could well do because he signed for big money and he’s obviously a very talented player.

“But it’s interesting when you’re playing three at the back because it’s going to be hard to find a place for him. It’s a real task for Dean Smith.”

With Bailey set to be out of action for the next three weeks due to injury, it is not something Smith currently has to worry about. But later down the line, it will be interesting to see how the former Brentford boss does fit in all these attacking options.

Tottenham Hotspur are competing with a number of Champions League clubs to sign Franck Kessie on a free transfer next summer.

The Lowdown: Contract running down

Kessie’s contract at AC Milan expires in the summer of 2022, and there are ‘growing concerns’ that he could well leave the San Siro as a free agent.

His agent has recently warned that the central midfield player needs a contract that is ‘up to his standards’, suggesting that what Milan have offered so far is simply not enough.

The Latest: Tottenham ‘ready’

As per Italian football journalist Daniele Longo, there ‘isn’t a chance’ that Kessie will leave in the January window, but there are ‘75% chances’ that he will not extend his current deal at Milan.

As such, Spurs, as well as Barcelona, PSG and Manchester United, ‘are all ready’ to sign him for free next summer.

The Verdict: No-brainer

It is certainly a no-brainer to sign Kessie, who is currently rated at £49.5m on Transfermarkt, on a free, providing Fabio Paratici can sell him on the project in north London of course.

Described as ‘devastating’ and likened to Manchester City and Premier League legend Yaya Toure by former AC Milan great Antonio Cassano back in March (Bobo TV via Milan Live), the Ivory Coast international would certainly elevate the quality in Nuno Espirito Santo’s midfield, scoring 14 times from midfield last season.

At 24 years of age, he still has so much potential left to fulfil, and would come with an incredible potential for profit in the future should the Lilywhites be able to capture him for free.

In other news, find out which ‘really exciting’ star THFC have contacted here!

Harry Winks should reignite his career by swapping Tottenham Hotspur for Southampton, according to former Premier League striker Dean Windass.

Having come through the Spurs academy and been highly-rated at club and international level, Winks has seen his opportunities at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium dry up and made just one start under new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo this season.

It comes after the 25-year-old was also restricted to a bit-part role last season, with the central midfielder making only 15 Premier League appearances.

Winks’ lack of involvement has led to Premier League clubs taking note and Southampton have been courting the Spurs man since before the end of last season.

Saints have already been boosted by captain James Ward-Prowse signing a new five-year contract having turned down a £25million bid from Aston Villa last month.

Windass thinks Ralph Hasenhuttl should boost his midfield further by sealing the signing of Winks before the transfer window shuts next week.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “I think Harry Winks’ days are numbered at Tottenham. He needs to be playing football because he’s too young to be sitting on the bench and too good of a footballer to be sitting on the bench for Tottenham.

“I’m sure he would be a good addition to any Premier League club in central midfield. He breaks up play and sets the tempo.

“He’d be a great signing for Southampton.”

Sunderland are reportedly interested in a deal to sign Dundee United defender Jamie Robson, according to The Daily Record. 

The lowdown

Robson has been with Dundee United since 2011, and has made 170 appearances for the club’s senior team, which includes their season opener against Aberdeen last weekend.

The defender has one year remaining on his contract with the Scottish side, although it remains to be seen as to whether he’ll see out that deal with Dundee United, amid interest from other clubs.

League One side Lincoln City had previously been keen on striking a deal to sign Robson this summer, with the Imps having a six-figure bid rejected for Robson’s services.

The latest

Sunderland are rumoured to have joined Lincoln City in the race to sign Robson this summer, as Lee Johnson looks to strengthen his defensive options ahead of the new League One campaign.

The Black Cats are yet to make a formal offer for Robson’s services, but they’re keeping a close eye on the defender, with under a month to go in the summer transfer window.

The Daily Record reports that Lincoln City are attempting to raise additional funds to sign Robson, but they’re likely to be hassled by Sunderland’s interest in signing the 23-year-old.

The verdict

This is a smart move by Sunderland this summer – defensive reinforcements are certainly needed in the near future as their season opener against Wigan Athletic edges closer.

With Callum McFadzean departing the club at the end of the 2020/21 season, additional strength in depth is needed at left-back, and Robson would provide Johnson’s side with just that.

Robson has been a useful option for Dundee United, and has seemingly adjusted well to the demands of senior football with the Scottish side.

Dundee United head coach Thomas Courts is clearly keen to keep hold of Robson for the foreseeable future, with the 39-year-old labelling his performances as ‘outstanding’, whilst also admitting that there was interest from other clubs in the defender’s services.

“There was some talk about Robson at the tail end of last week and there wasn’t a lot of detail because we were preparing for this game.

“He’s attracting interest and don’t know where we’re up to from club perspective but he was outstanding and he showed up well.

“It’s frustrating because when the window is open things don’t happen as quickly as you’d like. I’ve got total respect for the quality we have and I leave here feeling that. But within our dressing room there’s interest from other clubs. I still feel optimistic.”

Sheffield United have commenced talks regarding a deal to bring Robin Olsen to Bramall Lane this summer.

What’s the talk?

According to reports from Italy, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side have entered into negotiations with AS Roma regarding a season-long loan deal for the 31-year-old goalkeeper.

It is also claimed that Jose Mourinho would be willing to sanction the departure of the Sweden international, in whom the Blades are interested as a result of Aaron Ramsdale’s reported desire to leave the Championship club in favour of a move to Arsenal.

Bye-bye Ramsdale

While losing the services of Ramsdale this summer would undoubtedly come as a significant blow to the Sheffield United manager, it would very much appear to be something of a transfer masterclass by Jokanovic if he secures a deal for Olsen as the 23-year-old’s replacement.

Indeed, the £2.7m-rated goalkeeper impressed over his seven Premier League appearances while on loan at Everton last season, keeping two clean sheets while also conceding an average of just 1.3 goals and making three saves per game.

These metrics saw the man who Sweden team-mate Alexander Isak dubbed an “incredible” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.87, ranking him as the Toffees’ 12th-best performer in the top flight of English football.

The £14k-per-week shot-stopper continued this fine form into Euro 2020. He conceded four goals and kept two clean sheets over his four appearances in the competition, making 2.8 saves per match and earning an average SofaScore match rating of 7.05.

As such, the signing of Olsen would appear to be a big coup for the Blades this summer, with the ‘keeper arguably being at a similar level of ability as Ramsdale, from whom the club look set to make a considerable amount of money by selling.

Should Jokanovic indeed cash in on the Englishman in the coming days, it would be highly advisable for the Serbian manager to do all he can to secure the signing of the Swedish stopper as the 23-year-old’s replacement.

In other news: Blades set to seal deal for “different class” £22k-p/w beast, fans will be buzzing

An eventful and largely successful transfer window is over for Leicester City, and now manager Brendan Rodgers must figure out the best way to utilise the new members of his first-team squad.

What’s the story?

The likes of Boubakary Soumare, Patson Daka and Jannik Vestergaard have added significant strength to the Foxes over the summer, but it’s the arrival of RB Leipzig loanee Ademola Lookman that arguably brings the most intrigue.

Highly rated as a teenage prodigy, the 23-year-old has spent the last few years enduring a series of short-term spells at various clubs with a wide-ranging degree of success.

Now the time has come for Lookman to showcase his true potential on a regular basis on the biggest of stages, and Rodgers’ influence could be crucial to the former England Under-21 international finally putting together a string of performances that his ability deserves.

Imagine him and Harvey Barnes

After rising through the ranks at boyhood club Charlton Athletic, the diminutive forward moved to the Premier League via an £11 million switch to Everton.

However, after finding chances in the senior setup hard to come by during his first year on Merseyside, Lookman joined Leipzig on a six-month loan deal and excelled at the Red Bull Arena, bagging five goals and providing four assists in just 11 Bundesliga outings.

His return to Goodison Park for the 2018/19 campaign didn’t go as planned, though. Just three goal contributions in 24 appearances in all competitions saw him return to Leipzig the following summer on a permanent deal, but it’s a move that the youngster has regretted ever since.

The Englishman was granted just 377 minutes of first-team action on his return to German football as Lookman started just two games all season in all competitions.

Unsurprisingly, another move occurred following the conclusion of 2019/20, this time taking him back to the English top-flight with Fulham.

A respectable total of four goals and four assists in 34 Premier League games for the relegated Cottagers put Lookman back at the forefront of many clubs’ minds, and it’s Leicester who have taken a punt on the talented if frustrating prospect.

His outstanding performances saw former Fulham manager Scott Parker label him as “unbelievable,” and as a result, Rodgers must now help Lookman reach his ceiling, as much for Leicester’s Champions League ambitions as the player’s own career.

With Harvey Barnes currently occupying the left-wing position, the Northern Irish tactician may be forced to field his new acquisition on his less-favoured right-hand side, but it’s a tactic that could prove rather beneficial.

Like most modern-day wingers, Lookman has predominantly featured on the left-wing due to being right-footed, allowing him to cut inside and shoot at goal with ease, but restricting his ability to get to the opposition byline.

By converting Lookman, Rodgers will be able to field two pacey, tricky wide men capable of wreaking havoc on any Premier League defence this season, providing Leicester with the attacking force they need to finally break into the top four.

And, in other news…Barnes 2.0: Leicester must seal deal for gem Fabregas tipped to be a “terrific player” 

Marcus Bent has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he expects Cenk Tosun to leave Everton this summer.

It’s been four years since the Turkish international made the switch to Goodison Park from Besiktas, but injuries and goalscoring troubles have restricted him to just 58 appearances.

Tosun has missed more than 60 games, with an ACL injury the reason for more than half of those, although that was during a disappointing loan spell with Crystal Palace two years back.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Tosun, who hasn’t played a single minute in pre-season, is not part of Rafa Benitez’s plans, which would explain why Andros Townsend has taken his squad number.

Tosun spent last season back on loan in Turkey with Besiktas, but more injured problems saw him make just a handful of appearances.

Everton want to add another striker to their ranks, which would see the 30-year-old slip further down the pecking order at Goodison Park.

And Bent told The Transfer Tavern that his time on Merseyside are limited:

“I think with Rafa coming in, he’s going to look at what’s going on. But again, with the budget and new stadium, I think he’s probably going to move on.

“Where he goes, I don’t know, but I think he’s probably one they’re going to move on.”

Many Glasgow Rangers fans were far from happy with the performance of Cedric Itten during their 1-0 friendly defeat to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.

The Gers’ pre-season is now well underway as they prepare for the new campaign. They started off with a 1-0 victory over Partick Thistle but they fell to a single goal from Kieron Morris on Merseyside. Steven Gerrard will not be happy with what he saw from his players and will be demanding swift improvements.

One of the players who perhaps struggled the most was £3.15m-valued Itten (Transfermarkt). He played up front for the Gers but missed some good chances and failed to stake a claim for a spot in the starting XI for when the competitive action rolls around. The 24-year-old did not have the best 2020/21 season at Rangers, scoring just six times in 38 matches (Transfermarkt) – he must improve on that if he is to become a key player under Gerrard.

Some Gers supporters were not best pleased with the Switzerland international and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Itten

“Morelos probs getting sold, Roofe is 1, Itten is worse than dreadful, Defoe will be more a coach & Sakala we’re yet to see if he’s decent so yeah I’d say we urgently need a top goal scorer”

Credit: @arfieldsalute72

“Don’t think big Itten will cut it at us. Was buzzing when we signed him cos he was banging them in for St Gallen but I just can’t see him doing the business, hope I’m proved wrong.”

Credit: @garycawnew

“Would sell Itten, he ain’t good enough.”

Credit: @alfgarnett54

“I have hope for all of them just right now it feels like we can give Itten all the time in the world he’s just never gonna get to where we want him. Very happy to be proven wrong though”

Credit: @AMG1872

“Any other bears think that Itten just isn’t Rangers class ??? For roughly the same fee Roofe takes that spot hands down… then Sakala and Defoe ??? Don’t see room for him in our squad”

Credit: @craigybaill1e

“Said same after game pal, we ain’t winning anything with Itten leading line. If Alfie does go we need to go big to replace him”

Credit: @MushRFC

In other news, Dave King slams Rangers fans after this development.

This is a massive summer for a number of players at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Adama Traore and Daniel Podence have both been linked with pastures new within the Premier League while a new manager in Bruno Lage is at the helm.

One of the biggest decisions on the 45-year-old’s hands in the opening months of his tenure is what happens to Ruben Neves.

With finances limited at Molineux, he is seen as one of their most expendable assets.

Talks are reportedly underway with Arsenal but if he does go, it will leave a big void of quality in the middle of the park.

Neves has been the quarterback in this Wolves team since their final campaign in the Championship and he’s gone from strength to strength since.

He is now a regular member of the Portugal squad and could be replaced by one of his international colleagues if he departs.

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha has been linked in a record-breaking switch but if they choose to save money instead, they should look towards Taylor Perry.

The 20-year-old signed a new deal with Wolves last week and with a number of players rested following the European Championships, he could earn a chance to impress Lage.

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Speaking after he renewed his contract, Scott Sellars commented: “He’s now got an opportunity to train with the first-team – we’ll let the manager see him and then we’ll make a decision on his next step.

“There are a lot of players away at the Euros, so for the first couple of weeks he’s going to have an opportunity to train and play, so hopefully he can show the manager what he can do.

Sellars concluded: “At the end of that period we’ll have a chat with the manager, see who he wants in his squad, and it may be that Taylor stays or it may be that he goes out on loan.”

Perry has previously described himself as a player in the Moutinho mould but given the way he can strike a ball from range, there are clear similarities with Neves.

As of August 2019, the Portuguese had scored ten goals from outside of the box for Wolves. That tally was only bettered Harry Wilson (12) and Christian Eriksen (11) since Neves’ debut in English football.

Perry only has three senior appearances to his name but like Neves, he’s proven himself capable of finding the net.

He scored a sublime free-kick against Crystal Palace last October after starting the campaign in red-hot fashion for the U23s.

Dubbed a “goal threat” by James Collins, the rarely-seen prodigy beat the goalkeeper on seven occasions. Six of those strikes came in a seven-game spell right at the beginning of the 2020/21 season.

Crucially, he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and do the dirty work either. During the 2019/20 EFL Trophy, he completed a robust three tackles per match. He also won 15 defensive duels across his three outings in the competition last term.

A quality all-round prospect, Lage would be wise to have a look at him throughout pre-season. He could just be the Neves replacement Wolves are searching for.

AND in other news, Lage must smash Wolves’ transfer record to sign £51m tank who’s “simply phenomenal”…