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Post Match Thoughts On Real Madrid’s Win Over Celta de Vigo
Real Madrid finally salvaged some pride in the league as the moved into the 2nd place for the 1st time this season. Atleti’s first home loss of the season (after 14 straight wins at the Vicente Calderon) and Madrid’s hard fought away win over Celta Vigo, has allowed the latter to leapfrog their city rivals into second spot in the table for the first time this season.
It was once again Cristiano Ronaldo amongst the goals for Madrid to help them register their sixth consecutive victory in all competitions. Though Madrid dominated huge spells of possession, thery were not able to find the net and it took almost an hour before finally Ronaldo gave the travelling side a deserving lead. And though Iago Aspas’ of Celta Vigo cancelled out the Portuguese’s strike, he couldn’t be stopped while taking a penalty for a foul committed on Kaka.
It seems Mourinho’s men have started 2013 on the right foot and although it may be too little, too late for La Liga title, they have picked up 25 of the 30 points available since the new year and the dropped points in this run came after a draw with Osasuna and a defeat to Granada. Although this now takes them above Atletico Madrid, 13 points still separate them from the leaders Barcelona.
There hasn’t been such a big gap between first and second in the Spanish top flight since 1999. But although the league is no longer a priority for Madrid, with two cups still to play for, their fine form off late is a more than a promising sign.
Here is a small list of Numbers for the new year:
16 goals in the five home games played in 2013 (An average of 3 goals per game)
Cristiano Ronaldo:
Braces against Real Sociedad, Valencia and Celta including hat-tricks against Getafe and Sevilla.
12 goals in 9 games this season. He was suspended for the match against Osasuna.
Sunday’s goals were his first in la liga in a month, after he went 3 match days without scoring (not since 9 Feb against Sevilla). He’s been doing the goalscoring in the other two competitions though and if there’s one thing we have learned about Cristiano for Madrid, it’s that if he goes a few match days without scoring, he always catches up by getting more than one at a later date.
Here are some match thoughts from Madrid defenders Marcelo and Pepe.
Marcelo spoke about his crtics and claims it doesn’t affect him. He said:
“As always, I am working my best to help the team. I feel really good, I can improve but I’m well. When they speak well of me, I do not let it go to my head, the same way I don’t let the critics affect me.
“The newspapers have to sell their papers. We have to do our job. What comes out in the press doesn’t affect me. We’re working well. We are in good from and we will try to maintain it to finish the season well.”
And centre back Pepe talks about his new defensive partner Varane and on the game against Celta. He said:
Season so far: “We’ve had a very turbulent season, with a lot of talk about a change in coach and a change in players, but what’s important is that we don’t lose our focus.
Today’s game: “[Against Celta] we made a few mistakes in the first half, but the team fought on and we knew how to suffer. The victory is deserved. Madrid’s players are completely focused on what we have to do. It’s difficult to fight for the league but if you pull on the Madrid shirt you must always be motivated and honor that shirt.”
On Varane: “I’ve been in the training sessions and I’m so happy for Varane, he has worked very hard to get to this level. He’s a player with a bright future ahead of him. Madrid are the favoured ones in this aspect.”
Rangers complete the signing of Jon McLaughlin from Sunderland
Rangers have confirmed the signing of Scotland international goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin from English club Sunderland. The 32-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Gers, the club has revealed.
McLaughlin has been with Sunderland for the past two seasons. However, with his contract expiring at the end of the month, he has made the move to Ibrox.
Jon McLaughlin to Rangers: Five things you need to know…
- McLaughlin started out at non-league English club Harrogate Town and has had stints at Bradford and Burton Albion.
- The 32-year-old spent a season with Scottish club Hearts, before joining Sunderland in 2018.
- He made 90 appearances for the League One side, keeping 27 clean sheets in the process.
- McLaughlin made his international debut for Scotland in 2018. While he has just two caps, he is a regular in the squad.
- The Scotsman has penned a two-year contract with Rangers.
Rangers were in need of bolstering their goalkeeping department after releasing both Wes Foderingham and Jak Alnwick.
McLaughlin arrives as competition for first-choice shot-stopper Allan McGregor, who turned 38 in January. Speaking to the club’s website after his arrival, McLaughlin said:
“It’s a very proud moment for myself and for the family. It is great to be back up here in Scotland and we are very proud to have made the deal happen.”
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Manager Steven Gerrard also expressed his delight at having completed the signing. He claimed that McLaughlin’s vast experience would add more strength and depth to the Gers squad.
Rangers have been very active in the transfer market already. McLaughlin joins Calvin Bassey as the latest arrival at Ibrox, while both Ianis Hagi and Jermain Defoe have made their transfers permanent as well.
Craig Gordon hits out at Celtic over dragged-out contract negotiations
As reported by the Daily Record, Craig Gordon has hit out at Scottish champions Celtic over ongoing contract negotiations.
The 37-year-old Gordon’s contract with the Hoops ran out at the end of last month. They remain intent on re-signing him though, and negotiations over a new deal have been ongoing. But the two parties haven’t been able to arrive at an agreement yet. (h/t Daily Record)
Craig Gordon at Celtic: Five things you need to know…
- Gordon has been with Celtic since the summer of 2014.
- To date, the 37-year-old has racked up 242 appearances for the club, keeping 121 clean sheets.
- The former Scotland international won five Premiership titles, four Scottish FA Cups and five Scottish League Cups with the Hoops.
- Having been a certain starter for years, Gordon lost his place to Fraser Forster in 2019/20.
- Gordon’s contract with Celtic ran out last month. Negotiations over a new deal haven’t gone well. There are other clubs interested in signing the veteran.
Opening up on ongoing talks over a new deal, Gordon hit out at Celtic, claiming that the negotiations could have been handled a lot better. (h/t Daily Record)
“They did speak about it a few weeks ago. The negotiations haven’t been particularly good, I’ve got to be honest. It has dragged out and I feel it could have been handled an awful lot better.”
Gordon also went on to reveal that the new offer that Celtic had tabled required him to take a massive wage cut, which he refused. He further added the Scottish champions were yet to come back with an improved offer. (h/t Daily Record)
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Gordon, who has rejected an approach from St. Mirren, also claimed that he would be open to returning to boyhood club Hearts, even if it meant playing in the Championship next season. (h/t Daily Record)
With Celtic trying to re-sign Fraser Forster from Southampton, it remains to be seen if they go back with an improved contract offer for Gordon in the coming days.
Celtic star Odsonne Edouard would be a great fit at Arsenal, Tottenham reckons Kris Boyd
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has backed Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard to succeed in the Premier League, amid interest from Arsenal (h/t The Scottish Sun).
The 22-year-old has been a prime asset for Celtic since arriving from PSG three years ago. He has grown into one of the most prolific marksmen and has attracted interest from Premier League clubs and sport bets odds for the striker has grown three folds since his debut for the Glasgow club.
Odsonne Edouard at Celtic: Five things you need to know…
- Edouard joined Celtic from PSG initially on loan in 2017
- The Bhoys signed him on a permanent basis for a club-record fee of £10m in 2018.
- The French goalscorer has made 126 appearances so far, scoring 60 goals.
- Edouard has won two Scottish Premiership titles with Celtic, along with other domestic honours.
- The 22-year-old has been in prolific form in 2019/20, bagging 27 goals and 19 assists.
With Arsenal facing the prospect of losing captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang this summer, Edouard is being lined up as a potential replacement for the 30-year-old
And, former Rangers ace Kris Boyd has backed the Frenchman to come good in the Premier League.
Writing his column for The Scottish Sun, Boyd claims that the Frenchman’s all-round ability would make him a fine addition at Arsenal or even their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
“I honestly believe Edouard could go all the way. There’s no doubt he could walk into the Arsenal team — and their North London rivals Tottenham would also be a great fit for him.”
Boyd further adds that given how successfully Edouard had linked up with Leigh Griffiths at Celtic, he would form a dangerous strike partnership with Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
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- Christopher Jullien insists Odsonne Edouard will stay at Celtic
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The former Scotland international also insists that Celtic are under no pressure to sell their ace striker. But should his head turn due to the attention, like Moussa Dembele’s did a couple of years ago, then they will be powerless to stop him.
Edouard still has two years left on his current contract with Celtic. As far as a summer move is concerned, the ball lies in his court.
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