Rangers ask Scottish FA to release audio of VAR penalty decision in Celtic loss

Rangers have requested that the audio of the VAR penalty incident in the 2-1 defeat at Celtic be released by the Scottish Football Association.

Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston appeared to handle the ball inside his own box in the first half of the cinch Premiership encounter at Parkhead under pressure from Gers attacker Abdallah Sima.

A goal-kick was awarded by referee Nick Walsh and the check by VAR official Willie Collum for handball came to nothing but it later emerged through Sky Sports, who were broadcasting the match live, that there had been an offside in the build-up.

Philippe Clement spoke to after today’s match.

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC)

Gers boss Philippe Clement said afterwards: “There was no communication towar…

Lionel Messi a danger even when ´chilling´ – Van Dijk relishing Dutch battle with Argentina supersta

Lionel Messi will be a danger to the Netherlands even when he is chilling and the Dutch must have a good plan to combat Argentina s superstar, says Virgil van Dijk.

The Dutch will renew hostilities with La Albiceleste in Friday s quarter-final contest in Qatar, in a fixture rich in World Cup history.

Argentina defeated the Netherlands in the 1978 final, while Louis van Gaal will get the chance at revenge having been in charge when his side lost to Messi and company on penalties in the semis eight years ago.

Van Dijk came up against Messi, who already has three goals in Qatar including in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia, when Liverpool defeated Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals.

So, naturally, he knows the Paris Saint-Germain star an…

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna signs new four-year deal

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year deal after guiding the club to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in his first full season in charge.

Ex-Manchester United coach McKenna earned plenty of admirers following a goal-laden 2022-23 campaign, but has committed his future to Ipswich.

“I’ve loved almost every minute of my time at the club so far and it’s a proud and joyous day to be able to extend my stay,” McKenna told the official club website.

“I look forward to leading the club in the challenges ahead. It’s clear to see the club is ambitious and moving in a positive direction, but we need to work hard each day to keep going.

“We have fantastic support, great owners, a really strong board and a staff and group of playe…

Marsch looks to Salzburg again as Leeds United sign Wober

Leeds United have signed Max Wober for an undisclosed fee, the third player the Premier League club have acquired from Salzburg in the last two transfer windows.

Head coach Jesse Marsch, who was in charge of Salzburg between 2019 and 2021, brought in Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen at the end of last season, and has gone back to the Austrian club for his first signing of the January transfer window.

Wober spent three and a half years at Salzburg, making 125 appearances and scoring nine goals as he picked up three league and cup doubles.

The 24-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Elland Road and could make his debut in Sunday s FA Cup third-round clash with Cardiff City.

Leeds United on their way to buy our entire squad:

— F…

Wolves interested in Kelleher

According to multiple sources, Wolverhampton Wanderers are weighing up a move for Liverpool backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

The 24-year-old Ireland international is firmly behind Alisson Becker in the pecking order at Liverpool, and with the Brazilian continuing to show his class season after season, it doesn t look things will change any time soon. With that in mind, Kelleher might choose to leave Anfield if such an opportunity arises, particularly after Ireland boss Stephen Kenny said it would be wise to do so in order to kick-start his international career. Wolves might just present him with the perfect opportunity for that.

Kelleher, Liverpool s hero of the 2021/22 Carabao Cup triumph, is believed to be the first option Wolves would pursue, but only if Jose Sa …

Klopp backs Karius ahead of unlikely Newcastle debut in EFL Cup final

Loris Karius is set for an improbable Newcastle United debut in the EFL Cup final, but he has the backing of former manager Jurgen Klopp, who says this opportunity is what he was working for .

Karius appears likely to start for Newcastle against Manchester United at Wembley next week in the club s first major final in 24 years.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper is yet to appear for the Magpies and has only made the bench eight times in all competitions since signing back in September.

But Nick Pope was sent off against Liverpool on Saturday and deputy Martin Dubravka is cup-tied after spending the first half of the season out on loan – at opponents Man United.

Karl Darlow was loaned out in January, leaving only Karius and Mark Gillespie.

Karius wa…

Marcos Alonso in advanced Atletico talks

Marcos Alonso is reportedly set to leave Barcelona as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of the season, and according to Cadena SER, the former Chelsea left-back is in advanced negotiations with Atletico Madrid about a proposed move to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Understand Marcos Alonso will leave Barcelona as free agent at the end of the current season.

Massive respect between club and player but he’s leaving in June, decision made.

Sergi Roberto could also leave for free but final decision will also depend on Xavi’s future.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)

Alonso joined Barcelona from Chelsea also as a free agent at the end of the summer transfer window in 2022, and since then, he s made a total of 44 appearan…

Thomas Tuchel insists Bayern Munich are favourites ahead of Monchengladbach game

Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel insists his side head to bogey-side Borussia Monchengladbach for Sunday’s Bundesliga clash as favourites.

Tuchel’s side sit joint top after winning their opening two league games – 4-0 at Werder Bremen and 3-1 at home last week against Augsburg.

But Bayern have failed to beat historic rivals Gladbach in their five previous meetings, which included a 5-0 thrashing in the DFB-Pokal in 2021.

Our head coach gives a squad update: It s too early for Jamal Musiala to play. We won t take the risk with him. Minjae Kim had a cramp in his calf, but I m expecting him and the medical team to say that he is fit to play.

— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN)

Tuchel joked at a press conference: “As soon as a streak…

Pirlo´s job safe if Juventus qualify for Champions League, says Paratici

Andrea Pirlo has been assured by sporting director Fabio Paratici that his job as Juventus head coach is safe should the Italian giants qualify for next season s Champions League.

The rookie boss succeeded Maurizio Sarri as Juve boss last August his first managerial position but his future has been called into question numerous times in recent weeks.

Juve have endured a difficult first campaign under the iconic former midfielder, with their nine-year grip on the Scudetto soon to be officially ended by runaway leaders Inter.

The Bianconeri entered Sunday s clash with Fiorentina fourth in the Serie A standings, just two points above fifth-placed Napoli and with games against Milan and Inter still to come.

Despite being on the verge of missing out on the tit…

Everton’s 10-point penalty ‘grossly unjust’ and should be suspended, says MP

Everton’s 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules should be suspended until an independent regulator can examine the case, a Liverpool MP has said.

Ian Byrne, the Labour member of parliament for Liverpool West Derby, has tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons concerning the club’s plight.

Everton were found by the independent commission which imposed the sanction to have acted “irresponsibly” in exceeding permitted losses over a three-year period by £19.5million.

Byrne’s motion criticises the commission’s “cavalier approach to points deductions” and argues that the Premier League “can no longer fairly govern top-flight football without independent scrutiny and legislation”.

The motion’s text describ…