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Having signed for Everton last month for a fee believed to be around £16m, there is certainly a lot of hope for young right-back Nathan Patterson.

The Scotsman is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Toffees since his move from Scottish champions Rangers having played once for the U23s, however, it’ll only be a matter of time before the youngster is given an opportunity…or at least it should be.

On the chalkboard

With first-choice right-back Seamus Coleman now 33-years-old and in his 13th season at Goodison Park, there is little doubt that the loyal servant will have to step down in the near future.

Although the Irishman appears to be new manager Frank Lampard’s preferred option too, having started the 4-1 FA Cup win over Brentford, there will surely be a chance for Patterson to show the new manager what he can do before the end of the season.

Patterson has been highly rated up in Scotland over recent seasons, particularly at an international level, having made his senior Scotland debut in June, just before the start of the European Championships, in which the right-back played six minutes.

Recently, the 20-year-old was subject to serious praise from Scotland teammate Che Adams, who described the Scotsman as “fantastic” after scoring his first goal and assisting the Southampton striker in a World Cup Qualifier against Moldova in November.

Moreover, former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard directed plenty of praise towards the youngster, saying after another impressive Scotland performance: “It was certainly no surprise. You’re talking about a kid who is really hungry, he’s full of desire and commitment. I think you could see that in his performances.

“It was really good for me to see him playing with other top players like Andy Robertson and Billy Gilmour, these type of players.”

However, whilst in charge at Ibrox, Gerrard didn’t give Patterson as many opportunities as his price tag would’ve suggested, with the right-back making just five appearances in the Premiership as the Gers secured their first league title in ten years.

The Scotsman did make 14 appearances in total in all competitions last term and also scored a goal against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League.

This campaign, prior to the move to Merseyside, the right-back got slightly more of a look in, making six league appearances as well as two in the Europa League, two in the League Cup and one in the Europa League Qualifiers.

There’s little doubt that the Everton hierarchy signed Patterson thinking that he could certainly be the long-term heir to Seamus Coleman’s throne. However, the 20-year-old will need to be trusted by Lampard and given opportunities to prove that he has what it takes.

In other news: Lampard drops worrying injury update that’ll have Everton fans sweating

Southampton have yet another away clash on their hands today against Liverpool after losing 2-1 to Norwich City at Carrow Road last weekend.

Speaking ahead of the clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side in his latest press conference, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed that Moussa Djenepo and Nathan Redmond will be available for the match at Anfield after missing the Norwich defeat. The Austrian added that Jack Stephens and Stuart Armstrong will be unavailable through injury.

With this in mind, here’s how we feel the Saints could line up against Liverpool this afternoon, with two changes from the loss to the Canaries.

Having played in every league game so far this season, we can see Hasenhuttl sticking with Alex McCarthy in goal, despite conceding twice to a struggling Norwich side.

Similarly to McCarthy, even though he had a shaky performance last weekend, we think the Austrian will keep Valentino Livramento in the team at right-back given how he’s played in every league game for Southampton so far.

As for the two centre-backs, we think Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu will partner each other again to see if they can stop Liverpool’s attacking players from running riot.

In the left-back position, we reckon Hasenhuttl could axe Kyle Walker-Peters – who is currently earning a  wage of £50k-per-week according to Salary Sport – after he failed to impress against Norwich, to see if Romain Perraud would have a better chance of keeping Mohamed Salah quiet.

In midfield, we think the Saints boss will stick with his trusty duo of Oriol Romeu and James Ward-Prowse in the central roles and keep Ibrahima Diallo in on the right-hand side to see if he can give some extra defensive stability to the team.

On the left, however, we can see Hasenhuttl putting Redmond back in the starting XI ahead of Mohamed Elyounoussi to see if he can pose more of an attacking threat. Worryingly, the Norwegian has gone nine league matches with a goal contribution, while the English winger comes back into contention following the birth of his child a few days ago.

Up top, we think Che Adams and Adam Armstrong will start together once again to try and cause some issues for Liverpool’s defence.

Whatever team Hasenhuttl picks today, Southampton will need to ensure they stay strong defensively if they are to have any chance of coming away with a positive result, given how Liverpool have scored more league goals (35) than any other team in the league.

In other news: Hasenhuttl can unearth Southampton’s new Van Dijk in £9m-rated tank, he’s a “big talent”

According to Japanese news agency Kyodo, as translated and shared by the Glasgow Times, Celtic are also set to sign Gamba Osaka midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi alongside known targets Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.

The Lowdown: Celtic eye Maeda and Hatate moves…

Ange Postecoglou, coming after the summer signing of Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi, has been heavily tipped to add more talent from the Asian continent to his Hoops roster.

The former Australia national team manager knows these players well with Celtic’s boss having also apparently set his sights on both Maeda and Hatate over these last few months.

Maeda, a striker for Ange’s ex-club Yokohama F Marinos, has been on their radar with the 24-year-old bagging an incredible 23 goals and five assists in 36 J-League starts over 2021 (Transfermarkt).

Hatate, meanwhile, a versatile left-back for Kawasaki Frontale, has also been at the centre of reports that his move to Parkhead is also a matter of time.

The Latest: Celtic also set to sign Ideguchi…

As per Kyodo, shared and translated by The Glasgow Times, Celtic are now also set ‘to win’ Ideguchi alongside the heavily linked duo.

The 25-year-old, a former Leeds United midfield player, comes as part of a stunning Japanese triple swoop with the transfers apparently on the verge of completion.

The Verdict: Right man?

Ideguchi’s inclusion in this raid should raise some eyebrows, not least because Celtic’s fresh interest has attracted some raised eyebrows from experts on Twitter.

Respected journalist Dan Orlowitz of The Japan Times, for instance, at first glance thought Ange’s interest in the ex-Whites man was ‘kind of insane’ – citing the fact he ‘threw his international career away’ during his spell at Elland Road (Twitter).

However, looking at the positives, other Asian football experts have actually praised Ideguchi for turning his form around in recent seasons.

Speaking to HITC, Alan Gibson, the editor of JSoccer magazine, explained how the midfield ace is ‘prepared to be hard’ and possesses a ‘touch of malice’ – perhaps leaving little wonder why Ange wants him in Glasgow.

Celtic’s boss is certainly familiar with Ideguchi actually haunting Ange during his time as the Socceroos head coach.

Ending Japan’s once seven-game run without a win against Australia in 2017, Ideguchi grabbed a goal against Ange’s side to help secure his country a place in the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 triumph (Taipei Times).

That result briefly came as a ‘major blow’ to the Aussies in their quest for Russian qualification, though they eventually made it with a 3-1 win over Honduras.

Clearly, Ideguchi’s reportedly imminent arrival comes as a mixed bag but Celtic supporters will be hoping Ange can get the very best out of him.

In other news, Celtic are eyeing this Bundesliga star…

Having gone through October and November without a win in the Premier League and with just one victory under their belt from four league games so far this month, Everton have been going through a rather rough patch in their season, leading to public fan unrest and the departure of Marcel Brands from his role at as their director of football.

One factor that has contributed to Everton’s poor form this season is the fact that Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t played a game since August as a result of a fractured toe.

Taking into account how he managed to score a goal in all three of Everton’s opening games of the campaign that he played in, this shows just how important he is to the team in an attacking sense and why their results have dipped since he’s been out of action.

Despite his injury, Calvert-Lewin has still managed to be linked with a move away from Goodison Park with fellow Premier League club Arsenal interested in signing him in the future.

Given how important he’s proved himself to be for Everton this season alone, it would be nothing short of an unforgiveable disaster for the club and Rafa Benitez if he left anytime soon.

Since making his senior debut for the Toffees back in December 2016, the 24-year-old, who is currently valued at £40.5m according to Transfermarkt, has gone on to score 56 goals and provide 16 assists in 176 appearances across all competitions.

Having been praised by former Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti for being “cold” in front of goal, it’s safe to say that Everton would be in a better position than the one they’re currently in had Calvert-Lewin been available for the entire campaign.

With all of this in mind, Benitez will undoubtedly be hoping that not only will the England international be able to make a full recovery as soon as possible but also that he doesn’t get tempted with a move away from the club to somewhere like Arsenal. An eventuality like that surely wouldn’t improve the relationship between the Everton fans and Benitez.

On a more positive note, the fact that Calvert-Lewin’s contract at the Merseyside club isn’t set to expire until the summer of 2025 should put to bed any concerns that some Everton fans may have that he will be leaving anytime soon.

That said, with a torrid run of form, seeing their best player head for pastures new would only exacerbate their problems and the pressure on the manager’s shoulders. Considering his relationship with the fans already, selling him could have disastrous consequences.

In other news: Benitez should brutally axe £110k-p/w “nightmare” who’s thrown his Everton career away – opinion

Carlo Ancelotti has dropped a big injury boost for Everton as he has said that Yerry Mina is ‘fit 100%’ and ‘available to play’ Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The former FC Barcelona man was named on the bench in the 2-1 loss to Burnley at Goodison Park in the Merseyside club’s most recent game in the Premier League, and had missed the previous four matches in the top flight with a calf injury (Transfermarkt).

However, it looks as if the Toffees will be able to call upon the Colombia international against Pep Guardiola’s men in what will surely strengthen their chances of going through into the semi-final stage of the prestigious competition.

Everton boosted by Mina return

There is no doubt whatsoever that the Blues will be boosted by the return of Mina if he is brought straight back into the starting line up.

Standing at a massive six-foot-three-inches tall, the central defender could be a very valuable asset for EFC in both boxes, as set pieces could be key in beating a free-flowing MCFC side.

The 26-year-old has won no fewer than 4.7 of his duels per game in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term, and has also averaged 4.5 clearances, 1.1 interceptions and one tackle per match (Sofascore).

Ancelotti may not have to think twice about throwing Mina straight back into the team.

In other news, find out what potential position change against City has been lauded by Everton fans here!

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt has praised Lucas Moura for grasping his opportunity in recent games.

Until coming back into the side to face West Brom last month, the Brazilian attacker had gone more than three months without a Premier League start – with Steven Bergwijn often preferred on the right-side of the front-three.

But including Sunday’s win at Aston Villa, Moura has now started seven of Spurs’ previous eight league outings, and 11 in total this term, scoring twice, whilst adding three assists.

One of those assists allowed his international colleague, Carlos Vinicius, to tap home his first Premier League goal at Villa Park, much to the delight of Moura.

With Heung-Min Son currently out injured, and the likes of Bergwijn and Dele Alli struggling for chances, the former PSG man is performing well of late, and Mabbutt himself has been impressed.

He told Football FanCast: “I’ve always been impressed with Lucas. He’s never been a first-choice striker, but when you’ve got players like Kane and Son in the side it’s always a battle to get in there. Every time he’s been a given an opportunity, he’s grasped it.

“If you look at the Champions League run there’s performances there, and I thought the last 20 minutes against Arsenal he was outstanding. He took the game to Arsenal despite having a man less. I have always been very impressed.

“I’m sure he would like to be playing more and more. What we have at the club is competition for places. We have a squad of players where we could put out two first-teams.”

Glasgow Rangers have reportedly now told Josh McPake that he can leave in the summer.

The Lowdown: Loan after loan

McPake has been sent out on loan no fewer than five times by the Teddy Bears in his career so far, most recently to Tranmere Rovers back in the January transfer window.

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He has only managed to make one senior appearance for the club, and so his long-term future under Giovanni van Bronckhorst is uncertain after a nomadic stint in Glasgow.

The Latest: McPake update

Speaking to Football Insider, an Ibrox source has revealed that the Light Blues have now given the ‘green light’ for McPake to leave on a permanent deal, as he is ‘surplus to requirements’.

The Gers have personally ‘told’ McPake that he can go after his loan spell at Tranmere ends.

The Verdict: Shame

It is certainly a shame that McPake’s career at RFC has not quite worked out, especially coming through their youth ranks.

Described as ‘excellent’ and a ‘great talent’ by Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver, another team that he has gone out on loan to, the 20-year-old signed a new deal at Rangers just last year, a testament to how highly-rated he is.

However, the summer seems the best time for both McPake and the club to part ways, as the Scottish winger looks to seek more regular first-team football and the Light Blues bank a potentially decent profit.

In other news, find out who has been ‘non-existent’ for Gers here!

Celtic continue to have their hat thrown into the ring as talks of new recruits swirl around the January transfer market. One of their latest links sees them in the running for Preston North End midfielder Ben Pearson as Neil Lennon hopes to bolster his options in the middle of the park.

The Hoops have severely lacked creativity this half of the season and as a result, have been knocked off their perch atop of the Premiership table. Runaway leaders Rangers now dominate the stats and have forced a mammoth 20-point gap between them and the reigning champions.

Additionally, with the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi only on loan from Southampton and Odsonne Edouard linked to a move away, now is the time for Nick Hammond to prioritise new creative signings.

Would Ben Pearson fit in at Celtic?

Although Pearson isn’t always directly involved in the goals Preston score, he has shown promising statistics in the engine room. According to Sofascore, the 26-year-old’s main strength is his positioning, which will help keep Celtic tight and compact in the heart of the squad.

Pearson also averaged an 88% passing accuracy in his last three appearances, more than Scott Brown’s more disappointing 72%. Indeed, the PNE man has actually been tipped as a candidate to succeed the Hoops captain, who is nearing the end of his current Celtic tenure.

Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan admitted that he could be the right person to replace the ageing skipper.

“Watch this space because he [Pearson] has been linked with Celtic,” the pundit said. “If there is an imminent move on the cards it is going to happen this week or next, that is for sure.”

Pearson is currently valued at £1.4million, which wouldn’t require Peter Lawwell to break the bank in order to sign him. Neil Lennon could work his magic on the midfielder and turn him into real Celtic talisman. He has already shown he can develop players like David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro, so Pearson could be an exciting new asset for this struggling Glaswegian side.

In other news, Celtic must avoid making any further moves to sign Tom Ince…

Celtic have been handed a Champions League qualifying boost, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Celtic’s CL woes

The Hoops have struggled in Europe’s elite club competition in recent years.

They have failed to reach the group stages in the past three seasons, losing to AEK Athens, CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros at the qualifying stages.

Celtic’s loss to Ferencvaros last year was their earliest Champions League exit in 15 years, but despite finishing second in the Scottish Premiership this season, it seems as if they’ve been handed a boost in regards to qualifying this time around.

The Latest: Who Celtic could face?

Celtic will be seeded in the second and third qualifying rounds, with The Scottish Sun describing it as a massive boost.

Should they progress, the Hoops will dodge Shakhtar Donetsk, the third-placed French side – either Monaco or Lyon, and Portuguese giants Benfica.

They could still be paired with the likes of Genk, PSV Eindhoven or Spartak Moscow, but on paper, it seems an easier draw.

The Verdict: Good news for McKay and Howe?

You could argue that the likes of Genk, PSV Eindhoven and Spartak Moscow are much better sides than AEK Athens, CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros, who Celtic have failed to beat in previous years, but to us, this update should be good news for CEO Dominic McKay and possible new manager, Eddie Howe.

Howe has reportedly (talkSPORT) agreed to take over at Parkhead for the 2021/22 season and could well get his first taste of European action, should Celtic progress under his guidance.

If Celtic advance to the group stages, it would be worth around £14m, and each win in the group stage would also see them pocket £2.4m.

That could come in extremely handy when it comes to a Parkhead rebuild, and it seems as if the Hoops now have an easier route of qualifying over the coming months.

In other news: Celtic set for battle to keep ‘incredible’ ace as PL side plot bid over 4 times his market value, find out more here. 

Steve Bruce must not unleash Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday in his search for Callum Wilson’s replacement.

The Toon boss has now tackled two Premier League games without the ex-AFC Bournemouth star due to injury, but is yet to settle on the £20m summer signing’s stand-in.

Wilson sustained a deep hamstring tear during the Magpies’ 3-2 win over Southampton earlier this month and was replaced by Joelinton, who opened the action last time out against Manchester United.

Dwight Gayle had been favoured away to Chelsea before Newcastle’s trip to Old Trafford, earning his first and only start of the season so far in any competition, but only played the final 11 minutes in last Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to the Red Devils.

That’s despite Bruce losing Joelinton early in the second half due to a groin issue, and it remains to be seen if the Brazilian will be passed fit to face Wolves. If not, Gayle could return, though there have been calls for Carroll to be given his chance at leading the line.

Liam Kennedy of The Shields Gazette believes Carroll has been “unlucky” to not get much game time in Wilson’s absence, having produced a “solid” run of performances in January. The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder also feels the 32-year-old should be given more of a look-in.

“Carroll, I know he’s got his critics, but he’s a presence in both boxes and he’s probably what they are going to need,” Ryder said on the Everything is Black and White podcast. “They’re in a fight, they need fighters on the pitch like him. While he’s fit, I’d have him on the field.”

But Bruce must ignore the suggestions to start Carroll against Wolves on Saturday night, as the nine-cap former England international is not the one to answer Newcastle’s search.

Carroll has played just 12 minutes over Newcastle’s last six Premier League games, after earning the last of his four top-flight starts for the season in United’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last month.

The £3m-rated flop lacked sharpness when it mattered most at Villa Park and was hauled off for Ryan Fraser with 20 minutes still to play, as Bruce tried desperately to flip the script as the Toon were humbled on his latest return to the Birmingham-based outfit.

Carroll momentarily looked like he could spark a comeback whilst Villa were only a goal to the good, but could not do anything of worth with Javier Manquillo’s crosses before Jack Grealish guided his effort in off the underside of the crossbar.

Both of Carroll’s two shots against the Villans were marked as being on target, yet he never looked likely to add to his only goal scored since returning to St. James’ Park in August 2019.

Bruce would be taking a massive gamble to now hope that Carroll can double that record against a buoyant Wolves side fresh off back-to-back wins, while also taking away the energy that Joelinton brough to Newcastle’s attack against Manchester United.

Joelinton was an ever-willing runner at Old Trafford before his injury as he tried to harry the Red Devils, which is something that Carroll would not be expected to match.

AND in other news, Newcastle eye free-transfer of electric live-wire chased by several Premier League sides…