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In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Wolves icon Steve Bull believes that Eddie Howe would take the Celtic if offered, and would certainly have no issue making the move across the border.

Celtic have been searching for a new manager since Neil Lennon left his role earlier this year after a rather poor season for the Bhoys, as they missed out on the chance to win 10 league titles in a row.

Celtic were dumped out of the Europa League in the group stages and have had to watch on as Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have stormed to their 55th league title as well as reaching the Round of 16 in the Europa League.

Speaking on why Eddie Howe, who is reportedly in advanced talks over the role, would want the Celtic job and how he’s one of the only people for the job, Bull told FFC:

“He’d love that and would take it all day long. They’re very patriotic up there and I think he could show a good style of play at Celtic.

“Celtic have got something to prove next year and I think he’s probably one of the managers that could go up there and prove it. So, I think he would do well.”

There have been a number of people linked with the vacant job, but Alan Nixon has confirmed Howe is a serious candidate to get the job.

Former Celtic midfielder Roy Keane has also been linked with the job, with his last managerial role being manager of Ipswich Town in 2011.

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans are reacting to a tweet from Dom Howson discussing the future of winger Kadeem Harris.

There are reports suggesting Middlesbrough are tracking Harris and Howson said that this was ‘accurate’, whilst also tweeting he believes ‘Boro’s interest is 100 per cent legit’. The links make sense as Neil Warnock worked with Harris at Cardiff. One Owls fan called him a ‘one trick pony’ in reaction to the news.

The 27 year-old is also attracting interest from fellow Championship sides Stoke City, Reading and Watford, so it looks like his future will be elsewhere, especially if the Owls get relegated.

This looks very likely with the club closer to the bottom of the division than they are to safety and unless results start changing, they will get relegated to League One without even a fight.

Losing your last five games in a row is horrendous, and Harris is clearly seen as one of the few bright sparks by people on the outside looking in. However, his stats don’t show this as he is yet to score a single goal, whilst he has picked up only three assists (WhoScored). With his contract expiring in the summer, it looks inevitable that he will go, and Sheffield Wednesday fans don’t seem too gutted to see him leave.

Here is how Owls fans reacted to the news:

“Good. Been very poor for us.”

Credit: @LifeIsPeachy82

“Out of the no hopers, I thought Harris may do a job in league one. But I wont be sorry to see him go.”

Credit: @griffiths_tom41

“I’m off to stoke Friday dinner. Tell him I will give him a lift he can link up with man bun and the fox”

Credit: @mickwolf1969

“Let him go, no end product. My 9 yead old sister could play a better pass”

Credit: @BonningtonAlex

“Handful of decent games nothing more than that! One trick pony who’s end product is suspect not overly fussed if he goes tbh”

Credit: @Jamieroper3″Cheerio mr Harris”Credit: @markchristiansmIn other news, Owls fans discussed this player!

Aston Villa transfer target Michael Olise delivered a masterclass in Reading’s Championship clash against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Reports back in January suggested that the France U18 international is in the sights of Dean Smith as he looks to rejuvenate his squad with younger talent.

And on Saturday against the Owls, the £7.2m-rated Olise showed exactly why Villa must be firmly after him in the summer transfer window.

Aside from opening the scoring with a spot-kick in the first-half, the 19-year-old showed off his impressive creativity and ability to beat players with his close control and trickery.

He completed two out of the three dribbles that he attempted – the highest of any Reading player – and also provided three key passes too – again, the highest of any Royal.

The teenager also showed he could do his work defensively, making two tackles and three clearances, while he showed he’s not someone who will get easily bullied off the ball either, winning an impressive five of his six ground duels – only Reading’s left-back and holding midfielder won more.

Writing in his post-match player ratings for Berkshire Live, Jonathan Low noted: “Kept his cool from the spot to give Reading the lead. A constant menace for Wednesday as he delivered plenty of teasing crosses into the box from open play. His set-pieces, although better than in previous weeks, still need improvement.”

Hailed as “super-talented” by Reading boss Veljko Paunović, the 19-year-old has already earned rave reviews for his ability, with his former manager at the Royals, Jose Gomes, adding: “Michael is really special. He can see, even before receiving the ball, more options than regular players. His technical ability and speed, decision capacity is really, really good.”

With Barkley woefully out of form in recent weeks, Olise appears to be showing just what Villa could get if they opted to make a move for the young Reading man this summer instead of completing a permanent deal for the Chelsea star.

Meanwhile, this Villa man was shocking vs Wolves…

According to Diario Madridsta, Manchester United have reportedly identified Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as the perfect partner for Harry Maguire.

What’s the word?

United have been linked with a number of centre-backs, including Sevilla star Jules Kounde, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to strengthen his back four.

But it’s now been suggested by the Spanish publication that Varane is being viewed as a possible alternative.

Significant upgrade on Victor Lindelof

Offensively, Solskjær’s side have been pretty decent this season – scoring 46 goals in 22 games, that being the most out of any other team in the Premier League.

At the back, however, they have been anything but solid, having conceded three times in as many games prior to the Premier League fixture with Southampton. Furthermore, they have shipped more goals (27) than the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea this season.

If United opt for Varane and make him a key cog in the starting line-up, he’ll easily plug the gap in the defence. He’s averaged 1.4 interceptions and 3.6 clearances per 90 this term in La Liga, earning himself a solid WhoScored match rating of 6.74 overall in the process – this while playing for a team who look far from their best (Madrid lie 10 points behind league leaders Atletico Madrid).

For context, that’s still higher than Victor Lindelof (6.64), which suggests that he would be an immediate upgrade on the 26-year-old. Per WhoScored, the Frenchman’s defensive stats outweigh the Swede in key areas, averaging more interceptions, making far less fouls and boasting a far better passing accuracy when it comes to switching the play – 3.9 accurate long balls compared to two.

His teammate and former Chelsea star Eden Hazard has hailed him as one of the best defenders in history. He recently told franceinfo: “Karim Benzema is very friendly and down-to-earth. He’s here to score goals and win matches. I think he’s shown once again this year that he’s quite simply the best.

“Then you have Raphael Varane. I’ve come across some fantastic defenders during my career, such as John Terry and Vincent Kompany.

“I think that although [Varane] is still young, he’s already one of the best centre-backs of all time. His partnership with Sergio Ramos is wonderful.”

Unlike Lindelof, who has had his fair share of critics over the past couple of years, it’s fair to say that Varane could be the difference-maker. With a big-money centre-back in Harry Maguire already at the club, United could find another high-profile partner for the England international in Varane.

The fact that Solskjaer has used an abundance of centre-backs next to the former Leicester man is quite telling about how he just hasn’t quite found the solution yet, with the likes of Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Axel Tuanzebe and Marcos Rojo among others being given a run-out. But in the £63m-rated Varane, they would be getting someone of serious pedigree and who has played at the highest level for both club and country.

If those at Old Trafford want to assemble a new-look backline, the World Cup winner might be their best bet.

AND in other news, Manchester United should get rid of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer outcast Diogo Dalot this summer…

Leeds United have been without Gaetano Berardi for several months due to injury and Phil Hay has discussed when he could be likely to return.

Phil Hay reveals potential Berardi return

The Athletic journalist was discussing Berardi’s first team return after he made his first start for the under-23s on Monday and said: “My mayhem radar is saying Berardi v Foden, April 10.”

Berardi could find it tricky to come back

It will be good to have the right-back available for selection again in the near future as Leeds have had multiple injury issues this season, and so it is a boost for another defender to be nearing availability for first team selection. However, you can see why Hay is perhaps a little tentative on the mooted return date as the 32-year-old has not played a professional game since July (Transfermarkt). Clearly Marcelo Bielsa does rate him, howerver, as he has previously said: “Berardi is a loyal player and he gives everything on the pitch.”

To come up against a rampant Manchester City is hard for any player, let alone one returning from long-term injury, so despite it being very unlikely that Bielsa will utilise him against the Premier League leaders, it is at least encouraging to hear a mid-April return date being hinted at by Hay.

With the right-back playing for Leeds’ under-23s, it would be good to use him in the academy side for a few weeks until he gets back to full fitness and Bielsa can reassess him then.

In other news, Phil Hay discussed one Leeds star and his current contract!

Just when you thought things could only get better from here, Celtic go and prove that they can go that little bit lower.

Neil Lennon’s faltering side slipped to a dismal 2-2 draw against Livingston on Wednesday night, with Scott Brown compounding his manager’s misery by getting sent off in the final few minutes of the game.

And whilst Brown will take a lot of the headlines for his red card, Shane Duffy produced yet another shocking display for the Hoops – you only have to look back to his brief cameo against Rangers to see just how poor he has been.

The Brighton loanee’s troubles with passing out from the back was there for all to see on Wednesday, completing just 73% of his passes, the lowest of any Celtic defender on the pitch – it was no surprise that his total of losing possession 23 times on the night was the worst among his teammates.

Duffy looked to go too long far too often, with his 20 attempts the most of any player, and it just came at odds with what Celtic actually needed. They needed one of their defenders to step out from the back to get attacks going, instead the Irishman was content to punt it forward in hopeful fashion.

In his post-match player ratings, Glasgow Live’s Chris Doyle gave him a measly five, saying: “I think Celtic fans have had a big enough sample size to come to the conclusion they can do a lot better. Always seems like a mistake is waiting around the corner. Neil Lennon continues to start him. Unconvincing once again.”

Former Rangers ace simply said that Duffy looked like he has “no confidence at all”, whilst Frank McAvennie last month urged the Bhoys to end Duffy’s loan spell early.

He said: “I think Duffy should go back in January. He has not hit the ground running. It is unfortunate, I was hoping for somebody to come up and lead that defence but he is doing more harm than good. I think his legs have gone.”

With reports in recent days and weeks claiming that other clubs are interested in signing Duffy, including Nottingham Forest, Celtic must surely seize their chance to end this disaster of a signing once and for all.

Meanwhile, Celtic must unleash this young star…

According to BBC Sport, West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce could be without five players for his side’s game against West Ham United later today.

Allardyce could be missing five

Allardyce picked up his first win since becoming manager of the Midlands outfit last Saturday as his side beat local rivals Wolves 3-2 (Reuters).

However, he could well be without five players for this match against the Hammers as Grady Diangana, Conor Townsend, Karlan Grant and Matt Phillips are all out, while Sam Johnstone may also be unavailable.

Difficult task

These absences do not make Allardyce’s life any easier. While Diangana and Grant may not have been at their best this term, both cost over £10m during the summer transfer window (Transfermarkt) and, under a new manager, they may be able to retrieve their best form. Townsend is a popular player amongst the club’s supporters (West Brom News), and Phillips offers pace down the wings.

Johnstone, meanwhile, has been linked with a move to Tottenham (The Sun), which only goes to show how impressive he has been this campaign.

All in all, Allardyce will be disappointed that the number of options available to him has been massively reduced, especially against a side in the top ten of the Premier League. He will be hoping that the players who are available have enough to get a result at the London Stadium, but it won’t be easy with some of his most important players ruled out.

In other news, West Brom are in talks to sign this prolific striker.

David Moyes will be without striker Michail Antonio when West Ham host Manchester United on Saturday after the striker developed another hamstring injury.

The blow will force Moyes into recalling Sebastien Haller to once again lead the line for the London Stadium affair, having trusted the Ivory Coast international whilst previously without Antonio following the strain sustained at home to Manchester City in October.

Antonio has developed a fresh issue that Moyes does not believe was connected with his original gripe, but is unsure on the extent of the new problem.

“Michail is not going to be available for the game,” Moyes confirmed. “We’re not sure how long he’ll be [out]. Hopefully it’s not too bad, but he won’t be available for Saturday’s game.

“He’s still having a bit of a problem with his hamstring. It’s not the same injury. We think it’s something slightly different, which is the good news, so we’re hoping that he won’t be too long.”

Moyes has rarely made changes to his favoured starting line-up this season outside of enforced instances, but must consider rotating his XI for the visit of Manchester United.

So, with that in mind, here’s a line-up the Hammers boss could name against his former employer…

Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has featured between the sticks for all 10 of the Irons opening Premier League fixtures this season, as one of seven players boasting a 100 per cent starting record alongside Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, Declan Rice, Jarrod Bowen, Pablo Fornals and Tomas Soucek.

Arthur Masuaku came into the line-up following Cresswell’s move to centre-half on matchday two, seeing Mr West Ham Mark Noble miss out on a role, while summer signing Vladimir Coufal replaced Ryan Fredericks following his £5.4million arrival.

Each may expect to start alongside Haller on Saturday as West Ham look to move third in the table with a win – albeit momentarily – with the Irons only losing once in their last eight top-flight fixtures and conceding more than once only to title-holders Liverpool since allowing three at Tottenham.

However, Moyes must consider making one additional change to his line-up by replacing Fornals, who struggled vastly at home to Aston Villa on Monday night.

Moyes has previously lavished praise on Fornals for his development since the Scottish coach’s return to east London, but continually urges the Spaniard to deliver more.

“I think he’s done a great job,” Moyes said, via quotes by football.london. “As you can see, we select him regularly, we select him because of his commitment, his attitude, his reliability and he’s grown on us a lot.

“There’s things we would like him to improve. We want him to make better final passes, we want him to score more, but I can think he’s become a really important part [of the team].”

Monday’s display was one matching Moyes’ concerns rather than praise, with Fornals failing to register a single shot on goal, deliver a key ball, completed just 68% of his passes, fail in his only attempted dribble and all four attempted tackles, while offering just one cross, per WhoScored.

Brentford loanee Said Benrahma entered the action for Masuaku at the break and will have felt he had done enough to warrant a start this weekend, as the Algerian offered one shot, one key ball, completed 80% of his passes, was successful with his only attempted dribble and was never dribbled past.

Moyes starting Benrahma against Manchester United on Saturday would mark the Algerian’s first inclusion in an opening line-up since moving to the London Stadium on a season-long loan featuring a £20m obligation to buy at the end of the campaign.

AND in other news, David Sullivan can right a summer blunder by swooping for a “great talent” West Ham previously courted.

Some West Brom fans have been slamming the fact that Romaine Sawyers was named in the starting eleven to face Liverpool at Anfield.

As per the official Twitter page of the Hawthorns faithful, the defensive midfield player started alongside Conor Gallagher, with captain Matt Phillips and Grady Diangana occupying the wide positions either side of Callum Robinson and Karlan Grant up top.

The back four for Sam Allardyce’s team consisted of Darnell Furlong, Dara O’Shea, Semi Ajayi and Kieran Gibbs, with Sam Johnstone in between the posts.

Some Baggies have questioned as to just how much protection he is giving the team against the current Premier League champions and league leaders, while others have called for him to be dropped to the bench by Allardyce.

West Brom fan reaction to him starting

These WBA supporters slammed the fact that he was picked to start the game on Twitter, with one fan even claiming that the Englishman is ‘awful’:

“Grant, Sawyers, no Pereira no Krov, this really worries me is he really expecting to go toe to toe with Liverpool”

Credit: @leesouthall1

“Matt Phillips as captain? Matheus Pereira on the bench? Romaine Sawyers starting? Please go dig up my Baggies Brick immediately, you are downright embarrassing to cheer for.”

Credit: @markdsheldon

“Sawyers starting is the crime here rather than who the armband has gone to TBH”

Credit: @ColmBrosnan

“Sawyers. Might a well play with 10 men.”

Credit: @HerbyMcfly

“That team amazes me, Sawyers is just awful and shouldn’t be on the pitch”

Credit: @davidpaynewba

“Sawyers playing again; blokes stealing a living #wba”

Credit: @lewis_botfield

In other news, find out who West Brom may let leave in January here!

Plenty of Liverpool fans have been voicing their displeasure towards defender Joel Matip after reports suggest he could be ruled out until their clash against Manchester City next weekend.

According to The Times, the Cameroonian centre-back is set to miss the Reds’ Premier League game against West Ham United and their next Champions League clash away to Atalanta next Tuesday.

The report adds that he could be fit enough to face Manchester City the following Sunday, which means that Jurgen Klopp will have Joe Gomez as his only available senior centre-half in the meantime, with youngsters Rhys Williams, Billy Koumetio and Nat Phillips for cover.

Matip has consistently struggled to remain fit – fracturing his collarbone during the 2018/19 campaign and suffering a knee injury last season are two of seven different injuries that he has picked up at Anfield, missing a total of 60 games (TransferMarkt).

Alongside him in the treatment room, Virgil van Dijk has just had surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and Fabinho limped off clutching his hamstring during Liverpool’s victory over FC Midtjylland.

With this in mind, supporters have run out of patience with Matip and believe that he should be offloaded at the end of the season.

Fans have had enough of Matip

In other news, Jurgen Klopp overlooks 6 foot 2 asset for the second time in the space of a week.