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Last season, Celtic reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, agonisingly ousted by Bayern Munich, but now their hopes of Europa League progression are already in the balance.

After two league phase fixtures, Brendan Rodgers’ side have just a solitary point on the board, with Kelechi Iheanacho on target during a 1-1 draw with Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, before Braga prevailed 2-0 at Parkhead eight days later.

On Thursday night, Austrian champions Sturm Graz will be the latest visitors to Glasgow’s East End, fresh from beating Rangers 2-1 at Liebenauer Stadium earlier this month.

After this, the Celts’ remaining fixtures at Midtjylland (A), Feyenoord (A), Roma (H), Bologna (A) and Utrecht (H), none of which will be easy, underlining the importance of getting their European campaign up and running against die Schwoazn.

If the Hoops are to claim a first European win of the season, at the fifth attempt, Rodgers must make changes to his attack.

Why Yang Hyun-jun needs to be dropped

On Sunday, Celtic suffered their first domestic defeat of the season, beaten 2-0 by Dundee at Dens Park, both goals coming in the first 45.

Thus, at half-time, a clearly frustrated Rodgers made a double substitution, one which saw Yang Hyun-jun replaced by James Forrest.

The South Korean international registered just 25 touches and attempted zero dribbles, leading to Chris Sutton, speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage at the break, exclaiming “just get him off”, asserting that he’d offered absolutely nothing.

In total, since arriving from Gangwon FC in July 2023, Yang has scored just eight goals and accumulated only nine assists in 74 Celtic appearances, his sole strike of this season coming against Partick Thistle in the League Cup at Firhill.

With star attacker Daizen Maeda still sidelined, there is a void to fill in the Celtic forward line, but Rodgers must look elsewhere and make a change on Thursday night.

Rodgers must start Celtic's "terrific talent" vs Sturm Graz

As mentioned, it was Forrest who replaced Yang at the interval at Dens, with Michel-Ange Balikwisha not introduced until the 64th minute.

Despite limited minutes, he registered a shot on target and accumulated 20 touches, only one fewer than Iheanacho, who played the full 90 minutes, showing glimpses of what he’s capable of so far, certainly enough to warrant a start.

During his time at previous club Royal Antwerp, Balikwisha scored 30 goals and registered 17 assists in 145 games, at his best during the 2023/24 Jupiler Pro League season, his most recent campaign blighted by injuries, as the table below documents.

Balikwisha 2023/24 stats

Stats

Balikwisha

League rank

Goals

7

25th

Assists

6

13th

Progressive carries

85

10th

Shot-creating actions

69

30th

Goal-creating actions

10

13th

Big chances created

6

40th

Key passes

51

20th

Accurate crosses

33

18th

Stats via FBref & Sofascore

As the statistics outline, Balikwisha is a high-volume dribbler who is also capable of producing end-product, highlighted by the fact he ranked highly when it came to goal-creating actions, key passes and accurate crosses in the Belgian top-flight.

Journalist António Mango was certainly impressed, labelling him a “terrific talent”, while former Celtic player and manager Neil Lennon is “looking forward to seeing” what he can produce, optimistic he could be the club’s next “really good winger”.

Meantime, upon his arrival in Glasgow, Rodgers described him as a “really talented, exciting player” who “will be an important player for us moving forward”, noting that he “can play both sides of the pitch”, which makes him extra useful.

So, ahead of a pivotal fortnight of fixtures, in the absence of Maeda, Iheanacho will be the first-choice centre-forward, while fellow new recruit Sebastian Tounekti has cemented his spot in the starting lineup, impressing since arriving from Hammarby.

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This leaves one position up for grabs and Balikwisha definitely deserves the opportunity to stake a claim, likely to get the nod on the right, with Yang and veteran Forrest the alternative options, so the Belgian surely has to be in the XI come Thursday’s must win match.

Related Not just Yang & Scales: 18-touch Celtic dud must be dropped by Rodgers

Celtic suffered their first Premiership defeat of the season at Dundee on Sunday, and one flop, not Liam Scales or Yang Hyun-Jun, must be dropped.

Posts ByBen Gray Oct 20, 2025

The American conglomerate that owns Premier League outfit Burnley completed a majority takeover of Espanyol earlier this month. In a recent interview, Alan Pace, the American businessman overseeing the sporting operations at both clubs, cited Manchester rivals City and United's example while explaining his ambitions and why success will follow Espanyol, even if it takes time.

New ownership in place at Espanyol

The American consortium that owns Premier League club Burnley officially secured a majority stake in La Liga team Espanyol earlier this month. The acquisition, carried out by Velocity Sports Partners under the leadership of U.S. businessman Pace, is reportedly worth as much as €200 million (£173m/$233m), according to British media outlets. This deal concludes the nine-year ownership of the Barcelona-based side by Chinese company Rastar Group.

"I would also like to express my gratitude to Chen Yansheng and the Rastar Group for their stewardship of RCD Espanyol," said Pace at the time of the announcement. "Their hard work and commitment have laid a strong foundation, and we look forward to working alongside them as we aim to take the club to the next level."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPace wants to make Espanyol 'one of Spain's top six' clubs

At a press conference last Tuesday, Pace shared his ambitions for Espanyol. "Success for me is being one of big six clubs [in Spain], that would be great, that's success, being in the top six," he said, before adding that he "would love for this club, any club that I am associated with, to win Champions League." 

He remains committed to establishing a strong foundation and structure that will sustain long-term success, even after he is no longer able to contribute directly. "But it's an ambition. It may happen long after I'm dead, but we have to put plans in place and change the mentality [for that to happen]. We want winners," Pace added.

Pace makes Man City and Man Utd claim

This week, Pace gave another interview, this time to Catalan daily . When asked what can Espanyol do better in the next five years to become a top-six club, the business tycoon said, "At this point, I don't know. Consistency? I don't know how we'll get there, so it's a little difficult to come and say, we have to improve this. I'd be an idiot. I know there are things happening right now that are the way the players work together, the way Manolo [Gonzalez] has brought them to that mentality. I don't know if there are many things that need to change. 

"But for that consistency, in the long term, over 10 years, there are things that do need to change. Maybe not right now, because I think there are eight youth players in the team; that doesn't have to change. I would like to always have that, to always have eight or ten youth players in the first team. That means it's working well. 

"The team is used to bringing players from the bottom up; there are things where perhaps we need to sprinkle a little pixie dust; maybe there are some opportunities in the market, some opportunities from other countries. I don't know, but I know there is something we can do; I don't know when exactly. I know that sporting director Fran [Garagarza], Manolo and the captains are going to tell us what we have to do."

He added: "I always think without limits. If I said we could be at the same level as our peers, it would be very difficult, and I'd get a lot of hate, but that's what I think. If not, I wouldn't be here. I come from California, I was a kid with much less than I have now, and if I don't think the sky's the limit, why not? I think we can do almost the same, but it would take 20-30 years, I don't know. But I've seen what happened to Manchester City and Manchester United, so why can't it happen here?"

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Getty Images SportWhen do Espanyol play again?

Los Periquitos have made a bright start to the season, claiming 15 points from their opening nine games. They currently sit in sixth position, nine points behind league leaders Real Madrid and one point behind an automatic Champions League qualification spot. They have never featured in Europe's most prestigious club competition, while the last time they played in Europe was in the 2019-20 season, when they reached the Round of 32 in Europa League.

They will be hoping to collect maximum points when they host surprise package Elche on Saturday at the RCDE Stadium.

England avenge T20 World Cup loss as Edwards-NSB era begins with eight-wicket win in Canterbury

Valkerie Baynes21-May-2025England turned the page on their T20 World Cup exit at the hands of West Indies with an eight-wicket victory in the opening match of their home series in Canterbury, despite a brilliant unbeaten century by Hayley Matthews.Of West Indies’ total of 146 for 7, their captain, Matthews, scored exactly 100 off 67 balls, leading an understrength batting line-up missing Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry after England had won the toss. Only two of her team-mates reached double figures, with Mandy Mangru’s 17 from No.8 the next-best score.In their first meeting since West Indies handed England a group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup in Dubai, Sophia Dunkley’s 78 not out gave her new-look side victory at the first time of asking under new head coach Charlotte Edwards and new captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. She was beautifully supported by former captain Heather Knight, who finished unbeaten on 43.Matthews posed a test for bowlers Em Arlott, on debut, Issy Wong, attempting to cement her return to international cricket and Linsey Smith, acting as England’s sole left-arm spinner in the absence of Sophie Ecclestone. They claimed one wicket each, Smith the most economical with 1 for 18 off four overs. It was established seamer Lauren Bell who was the pick of the England bowlers with 2 for 29.Dunkley answers opening callOn the eve of the match, Edwards called for big runs and partnerships from her top five, and Dunkley and Knight responded with an unbroken third-wicket stand worth 91. Dunkley, opening in place of the dropped Maia Bouchier, joined Danni Wyatt-Hodge in reeling in the target in a opening stand of 50 in 5.2 overs. But Wyatt-Hodge perished when she was rapped on the pads by Zaida James and the ball ricocheted onto her stumps. That brought new captain Sciver-Brunt to the crease but she was caught behind off Afy Fletcher for a second-ball duck, and left looking rather bemused after a feathered edge on her slog-sweep was revealed on review.Dunkley brought up her fifty off 34 balls with a cut through backward point off Fletcher. Put down on 62 by Aaliyah Alleyne, running in from long-on off Matthews’ bowling, Dunkley forged on. Knight took charge in striking three fours in four balls during the final over of James’s allocation and brought England to the brink of victory with another boundary off Cherry-Ann Fraser. Needing just one, Dunkley raised the win with a four as England won with 21 balls to spare.England strike earlyMatthews smoked Smith over the fence at deep square leg in the third over but, with the first ball of the next and after a change of ends, Bell drew a leading edge from Qiana Joseph and – with England hearts firmly in mouths – Smith strode back from point, sat under it and held on. Bell made it two wickets from three balls when James slashed at one outside off and was caught behind for a duck.All the while Matthews was cruising with immaculate shot placement, her three consecutive fours off Charlie Dean sublime as she swept and drove either side of a pull in front of square that bounced awkwardly on Smith as she moved to her right and parried it over the rope.Hayley Matthews starred with a brilliant unbeaten hundred•Getty ImagesMatthews carries West IndiesBy the end of the powerplay, West Indies were 37 for 2. England looked notably sharper in the field than during the previous encounter between these sides – when five dropped catches cost them dearly in Dubai – but it was a lack of awareness by debutante Realeanna Grimmond that led to her run-out. After Matthews struck Issy Wong’s fourth delivery to mid-on and ran a single, Sciver-Brunt lobbed the ball to wicketkeeper Amy Jones over Grimmond, who had her back to the fielder in that moment and had no idea where the ball was as she turned for a second run, only for Jones to whip off the bails.Matthews brought up her fifty off 38 balls and her side needed her more than ever when Sciver-Brunt took comfortable catches to remove Shabika Gajnabi and Alleyne off Wong and Arlott respectively. Wong fired the ball in to bowler Dean to run out Jannillea Glasgow to make it 87 for 6. Matthews survived on 73 when she sent a leading edge off Arlott towards point were Dean got her fingertips to it diving to her left.Bell took a sharp catch leaping to her left at short fine leg to break a 47-run partnership for the seventh wicket – West Indies’ highest stand – removing Mangru for 17 in the penultimate over of the innings. Matthews went into the final over on 89 and she looked determined to reach her ton, punishing a Bell full toss through backward square for four. Another boundary clipped off the pads left her on 99 with one ball to go and she managed to reach the milestone with a desperate pull and scampered single, her delight palpable as she raised her bat.

“The physio said [that we] didn’t want to take a chance,” Shubman Gill says about being off the field during RR’s chase

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Apr-20252:31

Ian Bishop impressed with Gill’s crisp ‘timing of the ball’

Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill was substituted out after their innings in the defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Monday night after “a little back spasm”, but hopes to be fit for their home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday.He made 84 off 50 balls opening the batting as GT posted 209 for 4 in Jaipur, but did not take the field for the second innings. He was replaced by Ishant Sharma, who was brought on as an Impact Player, while vice-captain Rashid Khan took over captaincy duties. GT fell to a heavy defeat, with teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi hitting a stunning 35-ball hundred.Gill explained after the game that he was advised not to take the field by GT’s medical team as a precautionary move, with a short turnaround before their next match. “I just felt a little back spasm in my back, and we have a game a couple of days after from this,” Gill said before the post-match presentation. “The physio said [that we] didn’t want to take a chance.”Related

Sai Sudharsan says GT didn't 'react well' to RR onslaught

GT have won six of their first nine matches and remain well-placed to reach the IPL 2025 playoffs. “It doesn’t matter for us what happened in the previous match, win or lose,” Gill said. “We take one game as it is and the next match is at Ahmedabad and we have had a good run there, so hopefully we’ll be able to continue that.”They took the game away from us in the powerplay and credit to them for that… There were a couple of things that we could have done better, but it’s very easy to sit out and say those things. Some chances came early our way. We couldn’t grab those. But in hindsight, I think there are some areas that we need to work on as a group.”On Suryavanshi’s innings, Gill said, “It was his day. His hitting was just tremendous and I think he made full use of his day.”

Sunderland have left Dutch club NEC Nijmegen furious after the transfer involving goalkeeper Robin Roefs, with the Black Cats supposedly breaching a “verbal agreement”.

Speakman "delighted" with Sunderland's deadline day

The Black Cats had a summer transfer window to treasure, bringing in as many as 13 players on permanent deals, as well as snapping up loan signings. One player in the latter category was Lutsharel Geetruida, who has sealed a temporary move to Sunderland from RB Leipzig, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman “delighted” with the piece of business.

Despite plenty of positivity at Sunderland, following such a strong summer in the market, they look to have made an enemy with one club.

Habib Diarra

Strasbourg

£27.1m

Brian Brobbey

Ajax

£21.6m

Simon Adingra

Brighton

£21m

Enzo Le Fee

Roma

£19.8m

Chemsdine Talbi

Club Brugge

£17.2m

Noah Sadiki

Union SG

£14.6m

Granit Xhaka

Bayer Leverkusen

£12.9m

Nordi Mukiele

Paris Saint-Germain

£10.3m

Omar Alderete

Getafe

£9.8m

Robin Roefs

NEC Nijmegen

£9m

Bertrand Traore

Ajax

£2.5m

Reinildo Mandava

Atletico Madrid

free transfer

Arthur Masuaku

Besiktas

free transfer

Sunderland slammed by club for "breaching agreement"

As reported by Algemeen Daglbad [via Sport Witness], NEC Nijmegen are livid with Sunderland about their failure to send them Jenson Seelt as part of the deal for Roefs. Seelt was expected to head the other way once the shot-stopper moved to Wearside, but went to Wolfsburg on deadline day instead.

NEC general manager Wilco van Schaik has since revealed technical director Carlos Allbers was the angriest he’s ever seen him, regretting the Roefs transfer as a whole.

“I wasn’t happy about that. And certainly not Carlos [Allbers, techincal director]. The takeover was a done deal. We closed the deal with Roefs, and then we also made a verbal agreement with Sunderland that we would acquire Seelt for this amount. They said they’d keep him for a while because he needed to play.

“Okay, no problem. It just took forever. Last Sunday, they said they had so many injuries that he wasn’t allowed anymore. On Friday, they called again to say they were going to buy two more defenders after all. So he’s back. Well, we’d already made the arrangements, and suddenly we saw him in the Wolfsburg shirt yesterday afternoon.

“That’s not how you should do business. This is the ugly side of football. I’ve never seen Carlos so angry. He texted them this morning saying he regretted selling Roefs to them. I know Carlos to be very honest and sincere, and I’ve never seen him so angry. He was done with it.”

It goes without saying that Sunderland are in the wrong if they agreed to sell Seelt, although it remains to be seen how concrete that claim is.

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Either way, the 22-year-old will hopefully enjoy a fruitful time of things at Wolfsburg instead, as the Black Cats potentially look to cool the situation and potentially sell him for a larger profit in the future.

The New South Wales keeper-batter has been named the WNCL player of the season after a prolific time with the bat

AAP27-Feb-2025Australian cricket’s hard-luck story Tahlia Wilson will seek advice from selectors, after the WNCL’s player-of-the-tournament was narrowly overlooked for next month’s T20s in New Zealand.Wilson was the unlucky woman to narrowly miss out on Australia’s squad this week, with Nicole Faltum to tour as back-up wicketkeeper given Alyssa Healy is unavailable.Related

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While Faltum is not expected to play given Beth Mooney will wear the gloves, the selection is a clear eye to the future for life after Healy and eventually Mooney.Selectors admitted on Wednesday it had been a tight race, with Wilson and West Australian wicketkeeper Maddy Darke unlucky to miss out.Albeit in a different format, Wilson has been the stand-out of the 50-over WNCL this summer, with 667 runs at an average of 60.63 while taking a more proactive approach at the top.Her recent scores of 112 not and 142 have helped take New South Wales to Sunday’s final against Queensland, where they will attempt to win their first title in six years.Wilson said she had not heard from chief selector Shawn Flegler about the decision, but remained positive on her long-term prospects.”I haven’t actually heard anything around that, but I’m sure over the next few weeks, I will try and get into contact to see what’s going on,” Wilson said. “Probably a few months ago now, I was in touch with Shawn Flegler around what my role is and where he sees me going into the future.”It’s definitely all positive. I definitely think the race was tight, and Nic definitely just got the nod over me this time. Every time something like that comes out, obviously you want to be the one to be in that position, but at the same time I think Nic’s had a pretty good season as well.”