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Fans of Glasgow Rangers have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which commented on recent footage of Gareth Bale appearing to deliberately elbow Ondrej Kudela, the player accused of racially abusing Rangers star, Glen Kamara.

Kudela is currently being investigated by UEFA after allegedly aiming, quite frankly, disgusting remarks towards the Gers’ Kamara during a meeting between Slavia Prague and Rangers in the Europa League round of 16.

However, seemingly in an effort to assert his own form of rough justice in Wales’ World Cup qualifying fixture against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening, Bale appeared to intentionally target the defender with a swinging arm, catching Kudela in the face and rendering the 34-year-old unable to continue in the match.

And, following the clash, with footage of the incident circulating on social media, the Rangers fan account, Heart & Hand Podcast, took to Twitter in praise Bale’s part in the encounter, with many more fans of the club piling in to thank the Welshman for his efforts.

So, what exactly did these Rangers fans have to say in reaction to the footage of Gareth Bale’s challenge on Ondrej Kudela?

“Ampadu left one on him earlier too. Beautiful!”

@nicky13anderson

“Harry Wilson and someone else had a nibble at him as well at one point. Kudela went down as if a sniper had hit him.”

@StevenK86

“Was lovely to watch.”

@wulliemci2

“Karma.”

@AndrewM31015121

“Get in there Gareth Bale.”

@robertmcnaught

“Lovely.”

@chr1sbett

In other news: this ‘superb’ £6.2k-p/w star lifted the lid on talks with the Rangers hierarchy – find out more here!

Frank McAvennie has slammed the Scottish FA after they banned five Glasgow Rangers players for six games for breaking health protocols.

McAvennie slams SFA’s Rangers decision

Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Bongani Zungu, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear all attended a house gathering earlier this year and were therefore banned for six matches (Sky Sports).

However, speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic player McAvennie believes the punishment is too harsh. Speaking in particular about Patterson, he said:

“He’s only a boy, people keep forgetting that he’s just a young kid.

“I know he’s done wrong but oh my god, I just can’t find in my heart the ability to have a go at these players. 

“They’re just boys and they’ve done wrong. I know we have the rules but my god, some of the things that are getting batted around about these players, you’d think they’d committed murder. 

“Fine them and give them a slap on the wrist but don’t harm their careers, they’re young athletes who have to get things out of their system. 

“I’m not praising them or anything but he’s a young boy, give him a fine, take it and move on. You can’t have a go at them.”

If you can’t do the time…

This is certainly a difficult situation to judge. Steven Gerrard made a decent point in regards to the ban, questioning the consistency of the SFA’s decisions throughout the campaign (via The Glasgow Times). Arguably, Patterson and co have been held to a higher standards than others have.

However, quite frankly, the quintet have no-one else to blame but themselves. When they decided to meet up, they knew full well they were disregarding the rules, yet they did it anyway. Once they have served their sanction, the whole saga should not be held against them, but for now, they need to learn the error of their ways.

In other news, Rangers fans are livid at this journalist’s comments.

Liverpool might have been handed a great chance to sign the perfect Georginio Wijnaldum replacement this summer in the form of Yves Bissouma.

The Reds have been linked with a move for the Brighton man in the past, with ESPN indicating that he was being tracked as far back as the winter.

His current employers will, of course, be loath to lose him, especially to a Premier League rival. However, Seagulls boss Graham Potter has admitted that he is being “sensible” in relation to any potential interest in Bissouma, whilst the Daily Express indicate that the South Coast club have priced him at £40m – which should certainly be enough for Liverpool to make a move.

For context, that price is less than the £48m that Liverpool agreed to pay RB Leipzig for the underwhelming Naby Keita. They would certainly be receiving a far more accomplished midfielder this time around.

Since arriving at Brighton from Ligue 1 outfit Lille in 2018, the 14-time Malian international has gone on to make 91 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.

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His performances have also garnered plenty of praise too, with Gary Lineker labelling Bissouma as “exceptional”.

He is just the type of player that Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp, need.

When comparing his attacking stats to the potentially outgoing Wijnaldum, it is surprisingly the Brighton man that comes out on top.

According to WhoScored, Bissouma has averaged more shots per game – 1.2 to 0.8 – more dribbles  – 1.5 to 0.9 – and the same amount of key passes compared to the current Liverpool midfielder in the Premier League this season.

Meanwhile, he is also far more impressive from a defensive standpoint, racking up more tackles, interceptions and clearances.

So, with Wijnaldum potentially set to depart in the summer and Brighton apparently open to parting for a certain price, Liverpool now have the perfect opportunity to bring Bissouma to Anfield.

AND in more news, find out why Liverpool could be missing Mo Salah ahead of next season…

Alan Hutton believes that Jordan Jones has played his last game for Glasgow Rangers despite his impressive form on loan at Sunderland in League One.

Hutton thinks Jones is finished at Ibrox

Jones moved to the Stadium of Light on loan in January and has done well so far for the Black Cats, scoring twice and providing three assists in nine league matches (Transfermarkt).

However, speaking to Football Insider, Hutton does still not believe the 26-year-old has a future at Ibrox. He said of Jones:

“It’s one of those ones where he had opportunities at Rangers. Gerrard put him in and sometimes we would see the best of him but not enough.

“Obviously the Covid issues, hampered by injuries, I’m not going to say I’m on the fence. I believe the time’s passed. He’s went down, he’s moved on, he’s playing well at a decent level and scoring goals.

“I just feel his time that Rangers, he’s had enough opportunities, it’s not quite worked out. The player has to think of himself as well, he obviously wasn’t happy when he was there.”

Difficult

On Wearside, Jones has shown he has plenty of talent, but it is hard to disagree with Hutton. Jones did break into the Gers’ starting line-up towards the start of this season, even scoring in a 5-1 win over Motherwell, but he betrayed the trust of both his teammates and Steven Gerrard when he broke virus regulations to attend a house gathering along with George Edmundson. That led to a seven-game ban (BBC), preventing him from playing on a regular basis for the 55-time Scottish champions.

In 19 matches for Rangers since making the move from Kilmarnock, that goal against Motherwell is the only time he has hit the back of the net. Quite frankly, that is not good enough, especially when he has Ryan Kent to contend with on the left wing. It seems only a matter of time before Jones leaves Ibrox on a permanent basis, as Hutton has predicted.

In other news, many Rangers fans hammered this man’s performance against Celtic.

Many Liverpool fans reacted in delight after links emerged regarding Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.

According to Eurosport, the Reds are in the picture to capture the 20-year-old centre-forward next summer and are set to compete alongside Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid for his signature, a report which was shared by the Anfield Watch Twitter account.

Haaland burst onto the scene with his former side FC Salzburg in his very first Champions League appearance – scoring a hat-trick and becoming the third-youngest player to do so on his first continental outing (via Opta).

The Norway international is believed to have a €75m (£64.5m) release clause that can be activated in 2022 and has scored an astonishing 43 goals from 43 appearances for the Bundesliga giants.

Unsurprisingly, supporters went wild over the links and begged Liverpool to bring Haaland to Merseyside next summer.

Fans gush over Haaland links

“If this happened, I would be so happy.”

Credit: @anfield_buzz

“Don’t bother monitoring. Get it done *NOW* sign him and get the business done early!!”

Credit: @Scoots081

“We need him”

Credit: @hugo_bergman04

“Håland & De Paul in the summer please guys”

Credit: @borgixprxdeli

“Get the deal done now”

Credit: @_almightymatt

“If we manage to get him it will actually be the biggest steal ever”

Credit: @BM2563

In other news, Liverpool fans accused club of masking truth after training ground images emerged.

Ben Jacobs has shed some light on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and their potential takeover of Newcastle United.

As part of a Twitter thread, the sports journalist has calmed fears that the group are switching attentions from Tyneside to Milan, claiming they are only eyeing a minority stake with the Nerazzurri.

“Remains my understanding that PIF are discussing a minority stake in Inter. They are thus offering Suning a way to offset debt & gain added exposure in MENA. This is a different type of offer to BC or Fortress. Becoming majority owner would be a move of vanity not value for PIF.”

As Jacobs points out, PIF, who are not currently in talks to revive the original deal between Mike Ashley and the KSA consortium, are linked with Inter Milan about investing a minority stake in the Serie A club, who are owned by the Suning Holdings Group.

They are making a different offer to the ones previously made by BC Partners and Fortress, offering a range of benefits including gaining added exposure in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Jacobs has claimed that it is “doubtful” that PIF will consider majority ownership for Inter just yet, as the St. James’ Park faithful’s club case is still ongoing, which may create a path back for them if all goes well. However, the journalist did add it could get ‘intriguing’ if the Newcastle saga drags on much longer and Suning decide to sell up.

What next for the potential Newcastle takeover?

The arbitration case between the North East club and the Premier League is still pending and should give a clearer view over the direction of where the potential takeover is heading.

If the Magpies were to win this case, it may present a clearer path for PIF to come back to the table, and so any deal with Inter is far from done it seems until this is cleared up first of all.

In other news, find out what details have been shared on a key Premier League decision on the potential takeover here!

Former Newcastle United and England midfielder Rob Lee has told Football FanCast that Leeds would be taking a gamble by appointing Massimiliano Allegri to replace Marcelo Bielsa as manager.

The Argentinian has been with the club since 2018 and has overseen their rise from the Championship to the Premier League.

He has been exceptional this season, too, with Leeds currently 11th and looking up the table rather than down.

However, his contract expires at the end of the season and there have been reports of Leeds putting a contingency plan in place in case Bielsa does decide to move on.

Allegri has been mentioned as a potential recruit, with journalist Duncan Castles, via The Sun, naming the former Juventus boss as a potential replacement.

Lee hopes that Bielsa stays at the club but he has urged Leeds to tread carefully, with foreign managers being rather hit and miss in the Premier League.

He told FFC: “I think you always take a chance when you bring a foreign manager in.

“Bielsa’s done it at Leeds so it does work but I think it was slightly different because he was in the Championship. He’s brought the club up.

“When you bring a foreign manager in and chuck them straight into Leeds, as good as Allegri would be, you’re always taking a chance on whether he gets to grips with the Premier League, with where Leeds is, with whether the players like him. I hope Bielsa stays because I think he’s been brilliant.”

Lee believes Bielsa operates differently to most managers and has hailed the success he has found at Elland Road.

Indeed, he believes it will not be Leeds’ decision if he stays, rather Bielsa’s.

He added: “Bielsa’s done brilliantly, I love him. I think he’s a breath of fresh air. He’s different. He does things differently.

“And I presume it’ll be his decision whether he wants to stay in England. I don’t think he’ll manage anybody else in England but whether he wants to be around and do that (is up to him).”

Many Arsenal fans were left slamming the display of Cedric in their side’s 2-1 away loss to Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.

Mikel Arteta’s team took a deserved lead through Nicolas Pepe just after the half an hour mark, a goal which came after Bukayo Saka had hit the post and also had a goal chalked off by VAR as Alex Lacazette was found to be a fraction offside in the build up.

However, a David Luiz red card and consequently a converted Ruben Neves turned the game on its head, with Joao Moutinho then scoring a screamer from outside of the box before Bernd Leno was given his own marching orders for handling the ball outside of his area.

Although there were some very good performances in a Gunners shirt on the night, Cedric’s flattered to deceive several members of the Emirates Stadium faithful.

The Portugal international lost no fewer than nine of his duels in the match, the most out of any of his teammates to have set foot on the pitch, and also failed to make a single interception, key pass or accurate long ball, as he earned a pretty poor 5.6 overall rating on Sofascore, the second lowest out of any player, behind Luiz.

Arsenal fan reaction to Cedric display

These Gooners slammed his performance on Twitter, with a couple of AFC supporters even going as far as to call the 29-year-old ‘awful’:

“Cedric is playing so badly now, this guy hasn’t made any passes so far ever since Leno came off #WOLARS”

Credit: @hayth_09

“Cedric and Bellerin been awful all game #WOLARS”

Credit: @krish___kr7

“Thought Cedric should have come off at HT for Gabriel as he was getting roasted, Saka move into LB and ESR and Pepe narrowly sit behind Lacazette”

Credit: @DaisJenks

“Cedric was poor”

Credit: @afccxo

“Cedric getting toasted by Adama who has been off form throughout the season and all of Cedric’s long balls were awful, one good assist and Edu decided to make him 2nd choice lb, ambitionless owner and club”Credit: @uvarsenal”Cedric and Bellerin not good enough however its easy to do against 9 men. Neto was non-existent with 11 v 11″Credit: @Forrest992HIn other news, find out which left-back Arsenal were interested in signing before the window shut here!

Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton travel to Sheffield United on Saturday night looking to bounce back from their Carabao Cup exit, but will be without a handful of key players at Bramall Lane.

Summer signing James Rodriguez missed the midweek quarter-final clash with Manchester United through a calf injury, and will again sit out on Boxing Day plus Monday’s trip to Manchester City with Everton playing twice in 48 hours.

Ancelotti only intends to make wholesale changes to his starting line-up when the Toffees visit Pep Guardiola’s side but may be forced into altering the XI which lost to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Red Devils, with Everton looking tired in defeat and potentially losing Richarlison through the Premier League’s concussion protocol.

So, with changes on the cards for the Blues’ trip to Bramall Lane, here’s a line-up Ancelotti could name away to Chris Wilder’s winless Sheffield United side…

Ancelotti confirmed ahead of the Carabao Cup clash with Manchester United that he would rotate his goalkeeper options, with Robin Olsen starting over Jordan Pickford, though noting that whoever opened the midweek meeting would be rested against Sheffield United.

His decision will now see Pickford return on Saturday night, as the England international continues his efforts to put October’s Merseyside Derby horror behind him that saw Jermaine Beckford suggest the 26-year-old, who reportedly earns £100,000-a-week, once again proved to be a “dangerous” player.

Among the few who looked tired against the Red Devils was the returning Seamus Coleman following his spell out with a hamstring strain, and will likely find Mason Holgate returns to duties at right-back after an impressive showing in last week’s win over Arsenal.

Andre Gomes featured against Manchester United but struggled to find a grove, with the Portuguese sloppy in possession, opposed to progressing play and slow in the press, ultimately seeing the former Barcelona man replaced by Tom Davies in the 58th-minute.

Bernard had also been introduced to the action early in the second half after Everton’s club doctor instructed Ancelotti to withdraw Richarlison after an accidental elbow to the head, yet was often ineffective and should see academy graduate Anthony Gordon start in place of the Brazilian should he be ruled unavailable.

Ben Godfrey, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane should all see their names remain in the starting line-up, alongside Alex Iwobi, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with Everton short on defenders with Lucas Digne still out after ankle surgery.

AND in other news, Marcel Brands will have to ditch his favoured Everton approach to sign a sought-after £18m enforcer.

West Brom could be about to bolster their defence, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

The Baggies are thought to be keen on signing Danny Rose this January transfer window, claims talkSPORT’s transfer expert Alex Crook, who told the ‘White and Jordan‘ show on Wednesday:

“I was told there was a big chance he could follow Jack Wilshere in the sense that Tottenham could cancel his contract in this window.

“We know he’s not part of Jose Mourinho’s plans.

“West Brom and Sam Allardyce would be very keen to take him to the Hawthorns.”

Ferguson successor

If Spurs do indeed cancel the 30-year-old’s reported £65k-per-week contract, then Big Sam is right to target his signature this window as he’d be a huge addition to help boost Albion’s survival chances.

Not at least because he’s vastly-experienced at this level – and top-flight experience is something that this current Albion squad lacks in abundance. Indeed, Rose has racked up 214 appearances for Spurs, also featuring in both European competitions.

It is only really Branislav Ivanovic, who is ageing rapidly at centre-back at 36, and perhaps Kieran Gibbs, who can match such a feat – though the latter even appears to be on the chopping block this month.

According to The Athletic’s Steve Madeley, the Baggies will be in the market for a new left-back should they be able to move the former Gunners man on as Allardyce was left angry with his injury withdrawal prior to the Leeds match last month.

Without Gibbs, West Brom are short on options in the role as Conor Townsend is currently out through injury – evidently, they haven’t been able to replace the versatile Nathan Ferguson, who swapped the Hawthorns for Crystal Palace in the summer.

The young academy graduate stepped up to play left-back in 12 of 21 appearances last term as Gibbs’ own injury problems tormented his season – another reason why the Midlands outfit should definitely be looking to move him on.

He’s started only 19 games in the past 18 months, which is near enough just one game per month, as per WhoScored.

By adding Rose, Big Sam can solve his conundrum and at the same time, finally replace the void left behind by Ferguson.

It was a travesty that no one was brought in during the summer window to fill the void. As Marlon Harewood told Football FanCast back in November, Rose is a “top player” who “can do a job.”

Big Sam would be wise to sign him if given the chance.

AND in other news, WBA must revisit out-of-contract speed demon who “terrifies defenders”…