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Many Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after the Gers confirmed that they will be hosting Real Madrid at Ibrox as part of their pre-season plans ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

The Gers’ pre-season preparations are well underway, even if some of their star players have not yet joined up with the squad as they recover from their Euro 2020 or Copa America commitments. The Scottish champions started off with a 1-0 win against Partick Thistle as Steven Gerrard aims to get his side ready for the new campaign.

It has now been confirmed that Real Madrid will be making the trip to Glasgow to face the 55-time Scottish champions. Los Merengues are also used to glory, having won the European Cup/Champions League a record 13 times – it will no doubt be a great occasion, and hopefully fans will be able to watch it live at the stadium.

The news was shared on Twitter by Rangers’ official account, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts on the upcoming glamour friendly, which some supporters described as “incredible” news.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Rangers v Real Madrid

“That’s extremely random but yeah sounds amazing”

Credit: @FreeAgent_Boom

“Wow wow wow!! Get in there! Please tell me fans are allowed?! What a friendly!!!!”

Credit: @GordonStewart_

“That’s incredible. Would love to be at Ibrox for this one.”

Credit: @JKHendry

“This will be incredible, always the team I’ve wanted to see us play,”

Credit: @swallygray

“Great coup to get Royal Madrid over. Would be magic to get in to see it”

Credit: @AlfieBoy78

“Outstanding tie”

Credit: @NOTELINYI

In other news, one pundit slams this Rangers midfielder.

It’s hotting up at the top of the Norwich Union League

George Dobell11-Aug-2002It’s hotting up at the top of the Norwich Union League.Glamorgan Dragons have earned themselves a great chance of lifting the trophy with a 21-run win over Yorkshire Phoenix at Cardiff.A fine all-round performance from Robert Croft, who followed his brisk 37 as Dragons’ opener with three wickets, was key to their victory. But Dean Cosker’s contribution (4-17) was also vital in helping to bowl out the visitors for 153 – despite a swashbuckling 55 from pinch-hitter Chris Silverwood.Earlier the rain delayed Dragons innings was reduced to just 22 overs after a further shower interrupted their innings in the 14th over. Ian Thomas and Croft’s opening stand of 84 proved vital in a low-scoring game.Meanwhile at Canterbury Kent Spitfires cruised to a 126-run victory over Somerset Sabres.A fine 83 by Ed Smith was the mainstay of the Spitfires innings. They had seemed precariously placed at 58-3 when Symonds was lbw to Steffan Jones for two. But a partnership of 95 for the fourth wicket with Matt Walker (45) steadied the ship against a Sabres side missing the rested Caddick and Johnson. A late thrash from Mark Ealham (an unbeaten 44 from just 28 balls, with two sixes and four fours) took the total to 238-6.The Sabres, desperate to put together a string of wins to take them away from the relegation mire, were soon reduced to 33-4 with Martin Saggers (3-21) the chief destroyer. The run out of Jamie Cox was the final straw and Sabres fell away alarmingly to be all out for just 112.Spitfires, the reigning champions, take the four points and still have an outside chance of retaining this trophy. Relegation beckons for Sabres.Neil Killeen took an impressive four for 12 off his nine to help Durham Dynamos to a much-needed victory over Leicestershire Foxes.Half-centuries for Darren Stevens and Vince Wells helped the Foxes to a respectable 230 all out. But with three Dynamos batsmen hitting half-centuries (Michael Gough, Gary Pratt and Jonathan Lewis) they made light of losing Peng to the second ball of the innings to secure victory with more than an over to spare.Dynamos retain slim survival hopes in the top division, while the Foxes will feel the breath of the pursuing pack just a little more keenly after this loss.In the second division Kevin Dean’s 4-33 for Derbyshire Scorpions limited Essex Eagles to 209-7 from their 45 overs. Eagles had been 39-3, but a stubborn 52 from Andy Flower and Jon Dakin, who contributed a brisk 45 not out at the end, helped the visitors to a competitive total which proved too much for the Scorpions.Di Venuto went early when they began their reply, lbw to Ronnie Irani, before the same bowler dismissed his opening partner, Bassano. None of the Scorpions batsmen could settle – with Luke Sutton’s 29 representing the highest score – and they were eventually dismissed for 160. The Eagles take the four points for the 49-run victory, but both sides have little chance of winning promotion.Northamptonshire Steelbacks brushed aside Middlesex Crusaders at Lord’s, winning by 214 runs. Mike Hussey hit an excellent 110 for Steelbacks, adding 125 for the first wicket with Mal Loye (56). Jeff Cook then provided some late acceleration with 61 off 37 balls with three fours and four sixes to take the score to an imposing 286-7 from their 45 overs.Owais Shah and Ben Hutton both hit hundreds in the last few days, but could manage only five between them today as the Crusaders were soon 6-3 and then 17-4 in reply. There was no fight-back as Crusaders capitulated for just 72, with Darren Cousins taking 5-22 – career-best one-day figures.Steelbacks promotion prospects are improved further, while Crusaders must consider themselves outsiders in the chase for a first division place.

Canterbury have named four new caps in their side to compete in the State League programme this season

Lynn McConnell19-Nov-2002Canterbury have named four new caps in their side to compete in the State League programme this season.Newcomers to the side include former Otago representative Rowan Milburn, who has played international cricket for the Netherlands, leading England batsman Claire Taylor, 16-year-old Tekapo cricketer Tamara Gould and Kirsty Craig.Gould, a promising batsman, has had reward after her weekly trips for Tekapo to play and for her good form in games for Lancaster Park-Woolston this season while Craig has gained her place after serving as the non-travelling 13th man last summer.The full side named by selectors Jennifer Logan (convener), Lisa Astle and Vicki Burtt, is: Haidee Tiffen (captain), Nicola Payne (vice-captain), Sarah Burke, Selena Charteris, Kirsty Craig, Helen Daly, Rowan Milburn, Tamara Gould, Maria Fahey, Beth McNeill, Hannah Rae, Rebecca Steele, Claire Taylor.The side is coached by Burtt and its manager is Kay Gilray.

A four day training camp for the South African national team going to Morocco for a tri-nations tournament with Sri Lanka and Pakistan kicked off at SuperSport Park, Centurion today.Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald and Paul Adams where all present after flying out from England to join the squad. Pollock will be returning to England next week to continue his Warwickshire commitments before he and Nicky Boje joins the squad in Tangiers.Justin Kemp, Mfuneko Ngam, Neil McKenzie and Steve Elworthy, not part of the touring party, were included in the training camp.Speaking on his English season Pollock was very complimentary to Warwickshire. He has enjoyed the experience having had a lot of opportunities to bat as well as trying out some things with the ball. With restrictions on overs and not wanting to be over-bowled he is very happy with his season thus far.Having batted up and down the order in the one day form of the game has been a nice experiment for him especially with all the one day internationals coming up.Pollock’s fitness has been good and his body has stood up well to the pressures that the English season places on the body. A slight little groin strain during the previous week is being rested, but is nothing much to worry about.Pollock believes that with the World Cup coming up the main focus of the team will be to get results. He added that in the run up to tournament the correct team balance must be found so we might see a few changes in the teams so that the best 15 are selected to represent South Africa in the World Cup. To do this certain players will have to be given the opportunity to prove themselves, but in the end the main focus will be result orientated.Pollock believes that with the current form being displayed by players and that the World Cup squad is far from being finalised South African cricket is in good hands. The more competition there is for places in the squad the better everyone has to perform.The training camp concludes with two warm-up matches at the same venue, against a select Academy team starting at 10:00 am on Saturday and 9:30 am on Sunday.

Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks could be on the move this summer, but Marcus Bent doesn’t reckon he’s a player that would appeal to Everton.

The versatile defender, who’s also able to play in midfield, spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom having seen his opportunities decrease under Mikel Arteta.

He took his opportunity, quickly making himself a regular at the Hawthorns, but a permanent deal was quickly ruled out following West Brom’s relegation.

Since his loan spell expired, Maitland-Niles has been linked to Crystal Palace and Leeds, although the Toffees are also reportedly in the race for his signature, according to the Daily Mail.

With Maitland Niles, described by Martin Keown in 2020 as a “Rolls-Royce of a player”, now wanting to play more regularly in midfield, a chance could present itself at Goodison Park, with regulars Tom Davies and Allan linked with moves away from Goodison Park.

However, former Toffees striker Bent exclusively told Football FanCast that he’s not a target Rafa Benitez will consider:

“I’m not sure, he went out to West Brom, did ok. He’s gone back to Arsenal but getting into the team is hard at the best of times, especially at his age.

“I don’t think he’s a player that Everton would be attracted to at this moment.

“He’s definitely a talent, but if you’re going to go to Everton, you’re expected to hit the ground running, so I don’t think inexperienced players will be brought in unless you’re a massive talent.”

تلقى نادي بيراميدز، تأكيدًا من الاتحاد الإفريقي لكرة القدم “كاف”، بشأن موعد وحكام مباراة الفريق أمام نظيره مازيمبي الكونغولي في إياب الدور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية الأفريقية.

وتقرر أن تقام المباراة في الثالثة عصر يوم الأحد المُقبل الموافق 24 أبريل، على استاد نادي مازيمبي في مدينة لوبومباشي بالكونغو، وهو ملعب من النجيل الصناعي.

طالع أيضا.. إيهاب جلال: قدمنا مباراة كبيرة أمام مازيمبي رغم “تحجيم” الحكم.. وأثق في تأهلنا

ويدير اللقاء، الحكم البتسواني جوشوا بوندو، ويعاونه الأنجولي جيرسون دوسانتوس المساعد الأول، والتشادي إيسا يايا المساعد الثاني، والحكم الرابع دانيل لاريا من غانا.

ويتولى إدارة تقنية الفار في اللقاء، الحكم الجامبي بكاري جاساما، ويساعده سوسي جرانفيل من جنوب أفريقيا.

يذكر أن مباراة الذهاب بين الفريقين على استاد الدفاع الجوي بالقاهرة، انتهت بالتعادل السلبي، على أن يلتقي المتأهل من بيراميدز ومازيمبي مع المتأهل من المصري ونهضة بركان في الدور نصف النهائي من البطولة.

Leeds United youngster Charlie Cresswell has lauded centre-back Pascal Struijk, admitting he looks up to the ‘amazing’ Whites defender.

The Lowdown: Struijk shines for Leeds

Marcelo Bielsa’s sides enjoyed a superb season back in the Premier League, finishing ninth in the table and proving to be entertaining on the eye.

Struijk was one of many Leeds players who impressed throughout the campaign, appearing in 27 league games and rarely letting the side down.

At 21, he is already playing with great maturity and it appears as though his efforts are appreciated by those around him.

[freshpress-quiz id=“355458″]

The Latest: Cresswell lauds centre-back

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds Under-23s’ captain Cresswell heaped praise on Struijk, admitting he is someone the entire academy looks up to:

“Pascal has been brilliant this season, he has done amazing. All of the Academy boys here have just looked up to him and gone ‘wow’.

“If he can be given an opportunity like that in the Premier League then that is something for us to strive for too. He gives us all hope.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-5/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

The Verdict: Top-quality addition

Struijk has been a great signing since arriving in 2019, and while he isn’t necessarily a guaranteed starter, his age means that could become a given over time.

His versatility makes him an even more priceless member of the squad, shining at both centre-back and in midfield, and Leeds will be desperate to keep hold of him for many years.

Struijk averaged 3.1 clearances per game in the league last season, which was more than any other Whites player, highlighting his defensive quality despite not always playing in his primary position.

In other news, a reliable journalist has provided a key update on Leeds’ quest to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.

أكد يورجن كلوب المدير الفني الألماني لـ ليفربول الإنجليزي، على صعوبة مواجهة بنفيكا، في دور الثمانية من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ليفربول يواجه بنفيكا غدًا على ملعب دالوش الخاص بالأخير، بينما يستضيفه في ملعب أنفيلد يوم 13 أبريل الجاري.

وقال كلوب في المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص بالمباراة: “مواجهة بنفيكا ستكون صعبة، لأننا نواجه فريقًا كبيرًا واعتاد على التواجد في دوري أبطال أوروبا”.

وأضاف ضاحكًا: “لقد حاول دياز إخبارنا عن بنفيكا، لكننا لم نفهم كلمة واحدة”.

وشدد: “مع ماتوس وبيب ليدرز وديوجو جوتا ولويس دياز. لدينا عدد كافٍ من المتخصصين في كرة القدم البرتغالية، لكننا نحلل على أي حال أداء الفريق الذي سنواجهه، كما جرت العادة”.

طالع أيضًا.. كلوب عن تطورات تجديد عقد محمد صلاح: يمُر بفترة صعبة.. والحديث مستمر

وعن إصابات الفريق: “عاد نابي كيتا وسيشارك غدًا ضد بنفيكا.. الفريق بالكامل متعافى وليس لدينا إصابات سوى كورتيس جونز بتورم بسيط، وأرنولد الذي سيعود في غضون 4-5 أيام”.

وواصل: “أنا سعيد لما وصلنا له حتى الآن ونحن في شهر أبريل وننافس على 3 بطولات، لكن فشلًا واحدًا أو خسارة واحدة، يمكن أن تقصينا من أي منافسة، هذا لا يجعلنا تحت ضغط ولا يمثل لنا مشاكل، نحن جميعًا مستعدون للتحدي التالي”.

وأشار: “نحن بحاجة إلى الرغبة والعقلية والإثارة دائمًا، لا يمكنك شراء ذلك، عليك أن تنضج كلاعب وكمدرب، وهذه الأشياء ستصلك مع الوقت”.

وشدد: “لقد لعبنا مباريات من قبل عندما كنا متقدمين 1/0، وكنا نركض بجنون في الملعب، أريد أن يفكر اللاعبون بالطريقة الصحيحة، بالطريقة المثالية والأقل أضرارًا في هذه الفترة تحديدًا”.

West Ham United fans are delighted after it was revealed David Moyes could have £75m to spend on new players this summer.

This past season has been a fantastic one for the Hammers. Despite battling against relegation last term, they ended up finishing this one in sixth place – they have therefore qualified for the Europa League. There was hope that they could even make the Champions League, but to be in any European competition at all is a huge success.

As they will be competing in another tournament next term, they will need to bring in new players to build a deeper squad. And according to Claret & Hugh, Moyes will have £75m to spend on new players before added on sales as he aims to make his side competitive both in Europe and domestically.

The news was shared on Twitter by @WestHam_Central, and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the news below

“Think this may be the tipping point that convinces me to get a season ticket”

Credit: @ioan_journo

“Moyes is getting backed”

Credit: @whuabz

“Please be true”

Credit: @JshWHU

“That’s great”

Credit: @Johnny_Bubble_

“Wait, we’re gonna spend???????”

Credit: @FornalsFluency

“Fair play. If they keep to that we can’t complain. Let’s hope this is a turning point.”

Credit: @WestHam_SW

In other news, West Ham fans are livid at this man’s snub.

Slow scoring, slow over rates, slow progress. Painful, in fact. Yet far from a slow death. As a contest, the Pura Cup Final between Victoria and Queensland somehowroared back into life on a laboured third day here at the ‘Gabba ground in Brisbane.It was Victorian opener Matthew Elliott (88*) who lay at the core of the day’s events. In a display laced with character and unstinting application, he batted throughthe entirety of the proceedings to lead his side into a genuinely competitive position at stumps. By the close, the Bushrangers had crawled their way to a second inningsscore of 4/172, and an overall lead of 106 runs, with two days still remaining in the 2000-01 season decider.On another hot day in Brisbane, some of the headlines were also stolen by Matthew Mott (19), whose 141-ball stay at the wicket seemed not only to provokefrustration throughout a crowd of 4708 but also caused tempers to boil among some of the Bulls in the field.Changes to the playing conditions under which domestic first-class finals in Australia are conducted have been mooted regularly over recent seasons. Neutral venues,the inclusion of the competing states’ international representatives, greater haste in over rates, and amendments to the rule that ensures that one side can draw thematch and still win the title, have all been raised as topics for discussion. Maybe after this match, there might be a move to abandon the first two sessions of each dayaltogether.Through close to six-and-a-half hours, just 170 runs were accumulated and only four wickets fell. Save for the generous contribution of thirty-seven runs that wasoffered to the Bushrangers from seven overs of innocuous spin bowling from rival captain Stuart Law, the day was devoid of an uplifting tempo.In a stadium already holding only around one-eighth of its capacity, it did nothing to impress the audience. Between slow handclaps, ironical cheering for runs andserial chants of ‘boring’, they found little by which to be impressed. It was only during the last two hours of the day – against the backdrop of the comparatively giddyclatter of three wickets and the addition of a monstrous seventy-nine runs – that they had motive to awake from their slumber.Potentially, this had all the makings of one of the most exciting days of domestic cricket in a long time. Instead, it turned into one of the most defensive.With time on their side, the Victorians assiduously built a foundation from which they can mount a concerted push for victory; requiring only so much as a draw toretain its title, Queensland sought to spoil and frustrate their ambitions.In some ways, the opening two sessions of the day’s play almost defied description. For there was virtually no action. The Bulls set defensive fields, stationing at leastsix men on the off side for the vast majority of those four hours and their bowlers then maintained a consistent line outside off stump. Law infamously drew the ire ofTasmania in Queensland’s first home game of the first-class season when he used similar tactics; now much the same strategy was applied in the last.Under a baking Brisbane sun, and at the end of a long and dry Australian summer, the home team’s suffocating hold over the run rate resembled Chinese water torture.”It was another tough day, wasn’t it?” mused Bushrangers’ captain, Paul Reiffel.”This is hard cricket. This is ‘finals cricket’. We’re just fighting our way back into this game after the first day. We’ve still got some work to do tomorrow but we’veslowly crawled our way back into it.”The visiting skipper certainly wasn’t overstating the case about the speed of his team’s advance toward its position of near-parity. Mott, in particular, was the modelof eternal vigilance.Yet, as they meandered toward a half-century partnership in the small matter of 160 minutes, an uncharacteristically grafting Elliott was not far behind his partner in a contestwhich could never have been described as a race.Former Test batsman Elliott is a player of vast experience, of sound temperament, and of classical strokes. But he could hardly at any time in his career have played aninnings as determined or as responsible as this one – one that has already spanned 372 minutes and soaked up 273 deliveries of lionhearted Queensland bowling.He weathered a serious blow on the point of the right cheekbone from a Joe Dawes (1/35) beam ball early in the morning, and was not allowed to feel completelyimmune as Adam Dale (2/43) and Andy Bichel (1/20) sought to offer verbal advice to a number of his partners much later in the day. In the end, though, he meted outfar more punishment than he received.Alongside a watchful Jonathan Moss (5*), the left hander’s durability was especially crucial late in the day once Mott had played around the line of a superb seamingdelivery from an emotionally unrestrained Dale; Brad Hodge (3) had fallen to a magnificent catch at a wide third slip from Clinton Perren as he drove uppishly atBichel; and Michael Klinger (9) had padded up to a delivery from Dawes that cut sharply back in at him.By this stage, the pitch was no longer proving quite as dormant as it had done previously; indeed, for the first time in the match, fleeting signs of variable bounce weregradually appearing. It was a development which must have added to the Victorians’ sense of satisfaction by the end of the day. Painstaking though their progress hasbeen, the visitors are now firmly back in this contest.