Czech Republic v Scotland: Anya urges new boys to seize their chance

Scotland international Ikechi Anya has urged Scott Bain, Kenny McLean, Kevin McDonald and Tony Watt to grab their chance when they take on the Czech Republic on Thursday.

Bain, McLean, McDonald and Watt are all in line to make their Scotland debuts in Prague as Gordon Strachan s men kick-off preparations for their 2018 World Cup qualification campaign after missing out on Euro 2016. 

Anya won his first cap in September 2013 as a relative unknown, only to go on to become a regular for Scotland, and he hopes the quartet of new faces can make a similar impact on the national team.

This is a brilliant opportunity for the new lads to come in, Anya told Daily Record. I am sure the new boys will be excited. It is always a great privilege to be called up to potentiall…

No end to pursuit of the world’s best players, Saudi Pro League official says

The Saudi Pro League will target players “of the highest level” in future transfer windows, its head of recruitment has said.

Top-flight Saudi Arabian clubs spent £701million to bring in talent from overseas in the summer,’ according to FIFA.

That figure could have been even bigger if bids from Saudi teams for Paris St Germain striker Kylian Mbappe and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah had been accepted.

Michael Emenalo, the league’s director of football and the man in charge of the country’s Player Acquisition Centre for Excellence (PACE), admitted the Saudi league had “competed aggressively” in the summer window and that the focus was now on top-quality additions.

“I’m hoping (the January transfer window) is not very busy, because I thi…

Chelsea complete signing of France forward Christopher Nkunku for reported £63m

Chelsea have completed the signing of France international Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.

The 25-year-old forward made a pre-contract agreement to join the club in December but has now completed the move for a reported £63million on a six-year contract.

He scored 23 goals in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga side during the 2022/23 season and becomes the first major arrival since Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the club’s new manager.

Nkunku is a Blue!

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

The club confirmed the signing via their Twitter account on Tuesday.

Nkunku told the club website: “I am incredibly happy to be joining Chelsea. A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and tea…

Simeone rues Atletico injuries as Joao Felix ruled out for the season

Diego Simeone rued Atletico Madrid s injury problems ahead of Wednesday s clash with Granada after Joao Felix was ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Atletico saw their hopes of a top-four finish in LaLiga dealt a blow on Monday when the Portuguese forward announced his season is over after picking up a hamstring injury. 

The 22-year-old has scored eight league goals in 24 games, but just 13 starts for Simeone s team in LaLiga this season, his best return since making a big-money move from Benfica in 2019.

But after going off injured at the halfway point of Atletico s 2-1 win over Espanyol last time out, he will be unable to add to his 10 goals and five assists in all competitions this term, joining the likes of Thomas Lemar on a growing injury list.…

France ready to put pre-World Cup difficulties behind them, assures Mateo

Clara Mateo believes France can put their pre-World Cup difficulties behind them as they look to unite under new head coach Herve Renard.

Les Bleues were embroiled in a pre-tournament saga involving a group of leading players and former coach Corinne Diacre, who oversaw their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2022.

A revolt from several players – including captain Wendie Renard and Eugenie Le Sommer – ultimately led to Diacre s dismissal, with two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Herve Renard installed in her place.

With the drama over, Mateo is hopeful the squad can put their troubles behind them in Australia and New Zealand, where they face Jamaica, Brazil and Panama in the group stage.

I think there s a very good understanding between the players an…

Minamino joins Liverpool: How versatile January addition compares to Firmino, Mane and Salah

Takumi Minamino is officially a Liverpool player. A transfer story that broke suddenly has been wrapped up well before Christmas, let alone the January window opening.

The Reds had barely touched down after playing Salzburg in the Champions League when journalists in the know began reporting a potential deal. Within hours, the Austrian club officially confirmed negotiations were taking place after a reported £7.25million release clause was met.

Liverpool saw what the Japan international can offer during the two games between the teams in Europe.

Indeed, Minamino has already scored at Anfield, finding the net in a 4-3 loss back in October. There is a video on Twitter of Jurgen Klopp nodding his head approvingly at that goal, cheekily suggesting he knew all alon…

Allan returns to Brazil after failing to make first-team appearance for Liverpool

Allan has joined Atletico Mineiro from Liverpool after failing to make a senior appearance for the European champions.

The 22-year-old has completed a move back to his native Brazil after the Reds accepted a reported fee of £3.2million.

Allan moved to Liverpool from Internacional in 2015 but spent his career at Anfield on loan with other clubs, initially due to work permit issues.

Having played for SJK and Sint-Truiden, he joined Hertha Berlin for the 2016-17 season, making 15 Bundesliga appearances.

Allan played 22 times for Apollon Limassol and then made just four appearances back in Germany with Eintracht Frankfurt.

He enjoyed a more productive loan on his return to Brazil with Fluminense last year.

Everybody at Liverpool FC wishes …

Real Madrid heading into Atletico derby with good dynamic – Nacho

Real Madrid have a positive dynamic as they prepare to face local rivals Atletico Madrid in a potentially decisive LaLiga clash, defender Nacho believes.

Madrid won 4-2 at Leganes on Wednesday to remain two points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, with Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick for Zinedine Zidane s much-changed side.

Next up for Madrid is a derby against Atletico at the Santiago Bernabeu before a Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich and Nacho said the Spanish capital club are in good shape ahead of the challenges to come.

We started as we had spoken about: very strong, he told Movistar.  Putting ourselves ahead with a quick goal was very important and made us a lot calmer.

We relaxed a little bit at 3-0. The second half …

Benitez to stay in China for now

According to a recent report from Sky Sports News, former Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is set to stay in China with Dalian Yifang until at least the end of the current Premier League season. There had been some suggestions that indicated he could jump over to London in order to manage West Ham United, with Manuel Pellegrini being consistently linked with the sack. 

Regardless of what happens to Pellegrini during his immediate future at the London Stadium, however, Benitez seems to pretty happy where he is. 

The Spaniard’s exit from the club was met with a great deal of anger and sadness in equal measure by the Magpies faithful, many of whom believed he was the man to take them back to the heights that Sir Bobby Robson had them soaring at well over a decad…

Lennon delighted to swap Speedos for Celtic job

Neil Lennon cancelled holiday plans when he got the call to replace Brendan Rodgers as Celtic manager.

The Scottish champions, who are in pursuit of a third consecutive domestic treble, have turned to their former boss Lennon on an interim basis until the end of this season following Rodgers departure to Leicester City.

The 47-year-old led Celtic between 2010 and 2014, winning three league titles, but expected to be taking in some sunshine rather than facing the media on Wednesday.

My Speedos were packed, the factor 50 all done and now I am stuck here with you guys! I am sure you are all delighted about that, Lennon said.

It was a no-brainer, I m very grateful to be here. The board have put their faith in me to see out the season.

Lennon apprec…