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Bangladesh’s coach, Jamie Siddons, believes that Raqibul Hasan will soon come to regret his “rash and emotional” decision to retire from international cricket on the eve of the first Test against England in Chittagong

Andrew Miller in Chittagong11-Mar-2010

Bangladesh’s coach, Jamie Siddons, believes that Raqibul Hasan will soon come to regret his “rash and emotional” decision to retire from international cricket on the eve of the first Test against England in Chittagong, but hopes that the Bangladesh Cricket Board will take pity on the 22-year-old batsman whom he described as “upset” and “confused”.The coach’s conciliatory stance is, however, at odds with that of the captain Shakib Al Hasan, who believes that the board’s failure to take action against the fast bowler, Mashrafe Mortaza, who pulled out of the recent one-day series after another row over selection, has set a dangerous precedent for ill-discipline within his squad.Mortaza played in the first ODI in Mirpur on February 28, his first international appearance since damaging his knee on the tour of West Indies in July. However, following a lacklustre performance in a six-wicket defeat, he was dropped to make way for Rubel Hossain, and promptly walked out on the team, although the BCB covered up the row by claiming he was visiting his sick mother. In August 2008, the opening batsman, Shahriar Nafees, also withdrew from a squad at the last minute, this time on a one-day tour of Australia, as he preferred to concentrate on his studies.”If the board had taken an action against that one [Mashrafe], it would have been very good,” said Shakib. “That was a big mistake on the part of the board because these are all disciplinary issues. It would have been good if we had sorted out this kind of problem earlier. In the past Shahriar Nafees did the same thing, he withdrew himself after the team was announced. This kind of thing really affects us. I don’t know what the board will decide, it is totally up to them, but it will be good if they come down tough.”Despite cementing his place in the Test squad with a century and a fifty for Bangladesh A in the three-day warm-up against England in Chittagong earlier this week, Raqibul informed his team-mates of his decision on the team bus after practice on Wednesday, having sent a letter announcing his retirement to the Bangladesh board that morning.According to Jalal Yunus, the board director, his resignation has not yet been accepted, although it is understood that Raqibul is angry at his omission from Bangladesh’s one-day plans. He was left out of the recent tour of New Zealand and the home ODI series against England that concluded last week, and perhaps more significantly the 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean next month, a tournament regarded as a shop window for the riches on offer in the shortest and most lucrative form of the game.”He’s made a rash, emotional decision, and I think a really bad one for himself and his family,” said Siddons. “He’s obviously an upset kid at the moment, and probably a bit confused, and he may need some counselling from people around him. But he’ll work on that and think about that, because he’s a strong-willed kid and very internal, and hopefully the people in power will want him back.”He was out of form before this game, so it was a bit of a shock he made the hundred and the fifty after the way he’s been playing. But he’s one of the guys I’ve been working on and supportive of for two years, so it’s a setback, especially for the World Cup. I need to let him talk to his father and his family, and make sure the board welcome him back when he wants to come back, which I’m sure will happen in the next six to 12 months.”Shakib, however, might not be so keen to forgive and forget, after having such a frustrating distraction thrust upon him ahead of a high-profile Test series. “It is difficult to say how much it will affect us,” he said. “We tried to make him understand, but he just told us that his mind is not with the game, and that he won’t play, and that’s totally up to him. But we don’t want it to affect our cricket, so we are just focusing on tomorrow’s game and trying to do our best to forget everything else, and get on with it, and play to the best of our ability.”It’s very disappointing because he’s been too emotional and you can’t play cricket with that much emotion,” Shakib added. “You can get axed in any series – and it is not that he did not deserve to be axed – but it would have been better for him if he had continued. Nobody is Superman, but you need to have enough maturity to understand that you’re going to pass through good and bad times in your career. This kind of period comes in every cricketer’s life. It’s better if you use your head than your heart in this period.””This sort of thing happens to everybody, it’s not only for him,” the Bangladesh selector, Akram Khan, told Cricinfo. “The most important thing is he has to perform. He didn’t get a chance in New Zealand, and he wasn’t in the one-day squad for this series, but he was in the Test squad. A lot of good players don’t get a chance every time. The England captain [Alastair Cook] is also not in the squad for Twenty20 cricket, but he’s still a very good player. I can’t understand why he’s done this.”The root of Raqibul’s anger may well lie in an apparent disagreement between the board and the selectors over his recall for the England Test series. Cricinfo understands that the recommendation from above had been that Raqibul should be dropped along with Mohammad Ashraful, whose form has deserted him in recent months, and Siddons hinted that politics had played its part. “I think there’s probably a little bit of truth to all of that,” he said. “But if Raqibul’s got a grievance, it must be with the selectors because they are the ones who left him out.”He didn’t like being dropped in the way he was dropped, then he missed out on the 30 for the Twenty20 squad, which was probably a bad selection, and he’s really disappointed,” Siddons added. “He thought he’d proved his point that he was good enough to be in that 30, which I think he is, but then he walked away. I don’t know who he was trying to hurt, or what point he was trying to prove, but I hope the BCB welcome him back because he’s a kid who’s a bit confused.”In Raqibul’s absence, Aftab Ahmed slots into the middle order, with Mahmudullah promoted three places from No. 8 following an impressive tour of New Zealand. Either way, there has been no recall for Ashraful, despite Siddons stating that he would have been his preferred replacement in the squad.”Ash was the name I pushed forward, but I’m only one person and I don’t have a say in selection, apart from my debating ability,” he said. “I thought to have him around the group would be good, but he wouldn’t have come into the side. Aftab was straight in. He’s a seasoned campaigner and he’s learning about international cricket the way I want it to be played. Hopefully he’s the one who stands up for us. One goes out, and another gets the opportunity.”Bangladesh 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Aftab Ahmed, 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 8 Naeem Islam, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Shadahat Hossain

MatériaMais Notícias

A contratação de Raí como diretor executivo de futebol é apontada como uma nova era no São Paulo, e não apenas pela chegada de um ídolo que passa a ser dirigente. O presidente Carlos Augusto de Barros e Silva e seus aliados apostam no perfil mais apaziguador do ex-meia, diferente do que relatam a respeito de Vinicius Pinotti, seu antecessor no cargo.

Pinotti pediu demissão na quarta-feira por divergências com Leco. O agora ex-diretor queixava-se das intromissões do mandatário, principalmente em negociações – a informação de que poderia estar conversando sobre liberar Pratto para o Cruzeiro teria sido a gota d’água. Mas, no CT da Barra Funda, há funcionários que apontam Pinotti como um centralizador, que pouco permitia a participação de outros em suas decisões.

Pinotti tinha como trunfo, segundo alguns jogadores, sua disposição em ajudá-los em qualquer tipo de problema, inclusive fora de campo. Mas acredita-se que Raí, ex-atleta, pode oferecer a mesma disposição e, ao mesmo tempo, harmonizar ainda mais o ambiente com seu estilo aglutinador, até com uma personalidade que consiga controlar e amenizar mais qualquer problema no CT da Barra Funda.

RelacionadasSão PauloCeni sobre Raí como diretor no São Paulo: ‘Se deixar trabalhar, dá certo’São Paulo08/12/2017São PauloRiscos, negociações e carisma: o que Raí falou como diretor do São PauloSão Paulo08/12/2017São PauloRaí se impõe 1ª missão: definir estilo de jogo identificado com São PauloSão Paulo08/12/2017

Segundo aliados de Leco, pesa a favor de Raí, na comparação com Pinotti, o seu preparo para a função. Enquanto Pinotti era visto como um empresário cheio de vontade de ajudar por ser apaixonado pelo Tricolor, o ex-meia tem em seu currículo cursos de gestão esportiva, como o Mestrado Executivo da Uefa para Jogadores Internacionais, que durou dois anos e teve etapas em Londres (Inglaterra), Nyon (Suíça), Paris (França), Munique (Alemanha), Amsterdã (Holanda), Barcelona (Espanha) e Nova York (Estados Unidos).

Na questão administrativa, aliados de Leco ressaltam não só suas experiências como empresário, incluindo na Fundação Gol de Letra, mas também seu conhecimento sobre a situação do São Paulo, já que ocupou o Conselho de Administração do clube desde maio – sua vaga será ocupada por Marcio Aith, que deixa adiretoria de comunicação e marketing para coordenar a campanha do governador de São Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB), à Presidência da República.

Todos são pontos em que Leco aposta para solucionar problemas depois de um ano atribulado, com demissão de Rogério Ceni como técnico, desmanches no elenco e briga contra o rebaixamento no Brasileiro. Além, claro, do histórico de Raí dentro de campo:395 jogos, 128 gols e campeão paulista em 1989, 1991, 1992, 1998 e 2000, brasileiro em 1991, da Libertadores em 1992 e 1993 e mundial em 1992.

– Recepciono de volta esse campeão de tudo pelo São Paulo, este ídolo do São Paulo, este homem que fez tudo pelo São Paulo. É um homem vitorioso e bem-sucedido em tudo que fez na vida. O São Paulo o traz como executivo de futebol, e ter o Raí aqui é um motivo de grande alegria – disse Leco na apresentação do ex-meia, tentando, publicamente, amenizar as divergências com Vinicius Pinotti.

– Isso ocorre em qualquer circunstância de relacionamento. Quero enfatizar que a decisão tomada pelo Vinicius Pinotti não reduz apreço, respeito e admiração que tenho por ele. Não tem qualquer significado negativo e sinto pena que ela tenha ocorrido por conta de suas qualidades pessoais. Ele tem sua importância no São Paulo.

Luke Edwards has namedropped two potential signings now being ‘discussed’ by Newcastle United in Gini Wijnaldum and Donny van de Beek.

The Lowdown: Two in already

The St. James’ Park faithful have already welcomed both Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood through the door in the January transfer window so far, and they certainly do not seem to be stopping there.

Gleison Bremer and Hugo Ekitike are just two players that have been named as potential next arrivals in the centre-back and striker department respectively, and now it looks like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium want to strengthen the midfield as well.

The Latest: Two more to follow?

As per Edwards, both Wijnaldum and van de Beek are now being ‘discussed’ as potential loan signings, however, it may be complicated to attract them away from PSG and Manchester United respectively:

“Heard both Wijnaldum and van de Beek have been discussed as possible loan signings for #nufc but former has lots of options IF he decides to leave PSG.

“Latter is trapped at Manchester United against his will. Both seem unobtainable but never say never is my advice #freedonny.”

The Verdict: Either… or both!

Of course, both have the experience of playing in the Premier League, with van de Beek currently at United and Wijnaldum having played for Liverpool as well as the Magpies.

The latter especially did very well in his only season in the North East, scoring 11 goals and making a further five assists from midfield, as he played in every single match of their 2015/16 top-flight campaign (Transfermarkt).

Unfortunately, the Tyneside outfit were relegated at the end of the term, prompting Wijnaldum to move to Anfield, but he would certainly be a popular addition among the Toon Army.

Van de Beek has Transfermarkt).

Nonetheless, both would add an extra threat in the middle of the park, and so Eddie Howe’s side should try and get at least one in as soon as possible.

In other news, find out who NUFC are the ‘most interested’ in signing here!

Leeds United are progressing with their transfer plans, according to a very reliable source…

What’s the word?

Yorkshire Evening Post chief football writer Graham Smyth delivered a fresh claim to supporters on Twitter after being asked about new signings.

“They’re active. Things are ‘progressing’ we’re told,” he responded.

The only business that the Yorkshire giants seem likely to complete any time soon is the contract extension to first-team regular Adam Forshaw following his return from injury

But with around 20 days left to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad, it seems as if the club’s recruitment team are well on the way to getting something done.

Signs of encouragement

This week was another devastating sign that Leeds do not have enough strength in depth to compete for the remainder of the current campaign. After beating Burnley in a huge encounter, a win which moved them eight points clear of the drop, they were then defeated by West Ham in the FA Cup.

Bielsa was dealt another cruel sucker punch as young forward Sam Greenwood picked up an injury, adding to Patrick Bamford’s latest setback. As a result, the Argentine could have as many as 11 players missing for another clash against the Irons next weekend.

Without Bamford, Greenwood and the also injured duo of Tyler Roberts and Joe Gelhardt, Leeds are without a striker option, meaning one of the wingers will have to play there once again.

Elsewhere, a central midfielder sits highly on their priority list, with Kalvin Phillips another frustrating absentee.

Of course, the Yorkshiremen cannot afford to wait around all month and make a few desperate additions late on – that’s never been on their agenda anyway – but it is certainly a hugely positive sign that they are trying behind the scenes.

For now, supporters around Elland Road will surely be buzzing by Smyth’s latest transfer update.

AND in other news, Alan Nixon issues big Leeds United transfer update, Bielsa will be buzzing…

Sachin Tendulkar’s innings today encompassed all that is brilliant about the man but also typified just how influential he is for Mumbai Indians if they aspire to break into the IPL semi-finals

Jamie Alter in Delhi17-Mar-2010

In his 21st year of international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar has been in superb form – runs have flowed in Tests and ODIs and now the Twenty20 format. His innings at the Kotla on Wednesday encompassed all that is brilliant about the man – not just in the manner of his own batting but in how it influenced Mumbai Indians, both necessary traits if they aspire to reach the IPL semi-finals.Mind over body
That Tendulkar can score 200 in an ODI and continue to drag a cricket ball from outside off stump and hit it through midwicket at the age of 37 instead of 27, Geoffrey Boycott wrote recently, will continue to astonish many. Yet it should not, he added, come as a surprise: though a player’s fitness starts to slip a bit when he hits the mid-30s, the vast experience gained allows him to play smart cricket. The result, as Tendulkar so aptly showed this evening, was that he can perform just as well as he did at 27 without stretching his body to breaking point.Tendulkar is clearly enjoying his cricket, and it was evident in his body language throughout the game. After losing the toss and being asked to bat, a calm Tendulkar said he would have chosen to do so anyway. You could sense he was eager to get out and bat on what he called “a venue that has never been bouncy and tends to play slow and low”. His mind was running, and the body caught up soon after in a thrilling display of what experience and form can produce.Touch and thwack
Tendulkar has often been more of a touch artist than a bludgeoner but today he showed the gamut from subtle to sledgehammer. His first four boundaries were delicate, tapping the ball lightly with deft wristwork and helping it on its way square of the wicket on both sides. Then, after he scooped a thick edge just over the cover fielder for four, Tendulkar brought out the thump: he stepped out to the legspinner Sarabjit Ladda, made room and produced a big straight hit that bounced just in front of the sightscreen. He repeated the dosage for Amit Mishra. First he played a delicate caress to a fullish ball, hanging back and opening the face of the bat to get four between short third man and point, and next ball smashed it back past the bowler who smartly got out of the way. This trend continued until Tendulkar was dismissed by Mishra for a 32-ball 63.Setting the tone
Getting a start is critical in Twenty20 and Tendulkar delivered in the manner that suits him best. He didn’t give the bowlers a chance and made sure to keep the ball along the ground. His aggressive intent and the success it yielded, allowed the remaining batsmen to play around him. Aditya Tare slammed 17 from ten balls before he missed a slog, and the pair that followed built on a run rate that was over 10.50. The platform had been set, and Saurabh Tiwary and Ambati Rayudu were able to come out and ride on the wave, ultimately setting up a 200-plus total.Big Brother
Aside from his role as batsman, what Tendulkar offers as a thinktank is massive. Two days ago, in the build-up to this massive clash, Tendulkar spent extra time with Tiwary in the nets at the Feroz Shah Kotla, feeding him with balls to fine-tune his sweep shots, which were going wayward. Clearly there has been a thought process behind elevating Tiwary to the first-choice playing XI this season. This season, Tiwary has played some sparkling innings for Jharkhand, the state he captains on the domestic front, and it has not been lost on the Mumbai management. Having someone of Tendulkar’s stature give you additional time before a match can work wonders and the result was Tiwary’s second belligerent half-century in a row. Under him the Indian players seem to have found the confidence to do well, and how Tendulkar continues to nurture the likes of Tare, Tiwary and Rayudu could be the decisive chapter in Mumbai’s season.Sachin the strategist
Today, Tendulkar held back the star West Indian duo of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, who had only reached India late last night, until the innings was almost done. Given the big bucks doled out for Pollard and Bravo, it would have been tempting to throw them in early but Tendulkar resisted and the move paid off richly.During Delhi’s chase he turned to Sanath Jayasuriya after Harbhajan Singh got a wicket in his first over, and the Sri Lankan allrounder struck in successive overs. Again, it would have been easy to keep Bravo and Pollard on but Tendulkar read the track and knew spin was going to be crucial. These are but small instances that allude to how he thinks.Talisman effect
A Mumbai victory over Delhi in the Ranji Trophy always merits quite a few columns of newspaper space, and so should this win in the IPL. The playing field is vastly different, but given the form Delhi have been in and the all-round weight they boast of, this certainly qualified as an upset. They had won two in a row, and Mumbai can take fantastic encouragement from the fact that they’ve hit some form themselves.Watching Mumbai’s first two games this season, it is evident that this is a team that has the firepower to do well, but what they need to inspire them is Tendulkar. His injury in 2008 and patchy form in 2009 were undoubtedly factors in Mumbai’s ordinary displays. But after two disappointing seasons the team may just have found the man in the right frame of mind. Captaincy has never been Tendulkar’s strong point, as two disastrous stints in charge of India attest to, but in the Twenty20 format, and in such rich form, he may just be on the right path.

MatériaMais Notícias

Campeã estadual, se mantendo na Série A, a Chapecoense encerra a temporada, neste domingo, às 17h, na Arena Condá. O confronto com o Coritiba tem grande importância para o time, já que vencendo, a Chape pode conseguir uma vaga de acesso a Libertadores. Mesmo que não consiga, o sentimento que prevalece na equipe de Chapecó é o de missão cumprida.

Todas as metas traçadas no início do ano foram realizadas e uma vitória na rodada final do Brasileirão fecharia o ano com chave de ouro.

– Do ponto de vista profissional, de metas, atendemos tudo que foi colocado e mais. Conseguimos reconstruir a Chapecoense como departamento de futebol e trazê-la para um rito de normalidade: crise, troca de treinador, descrédito, pressão externa, como todo clube tem. Voltamos a ser um clube como todos do mundo. Ser encarado dessa forma era algo que buscávamos. Conquistar um título quatro meses depois, foi algo incrível. Fizemos bonito na Recopa, na Libertadores e encarramos o Brasileiro garantidos na Série A, na Sul-Americana… Retomamos um caminho que a Chape já tinha e quiçá na Libertadores – afirmou o diretor executivo Rui Costa.

Em entrevista ao Site do Globo Esporte, Rui falou sobre a reconstrução da Chape, além dos momentos de cobranças e dificuldades do clube.

– Quando as coisas entram em um padrão de normalidade, que foi a queda, o desgaste das viagens, a troca de treinador, a pressão externa, a cobrança foi de um time que estava voando. Aí, houve uma reversão de expectativa que foi muito dura. Simplesmente, em algum momento, se apagou tudo que foi feito.E é difícil fazer um time com o pouco que se tinha de material humano e estrutura. Não foram só atletas, perdemos o núcleo de inteligência, diretores de futebol, conteúdo. Tivemos que reconstruir tudo em um contexto de comoção e desconfiança – desabafou o dirigente.

Sobre o elenco da Chapecoense e as futuras contratações para reforçar a equipe, Rui Costa revelou que a prioridade é renovar com os atletas que já fazem parte do time.

– Nosso compromisso primeiro é fidelizar os que estão aqui, não adianta trazer cara de fora. Queremos fazer uma equipe mais competitiva ainda. Ano que vem as pessoas vão esperar o que da gente? Um tri estadual, uma participação na Sul-Americana, na Libertadores… Mas vamos precisar contratar 25 jogadores? Não. E essa era a grande resposta que precisávamos dar. Não há aquela ansiedade de montar um time inteiro para o dia 6 de janeiro. Posso deitar a cabeça no travesseiro com a tranquilidade de que a rapaziada vai estar aí para trabalhar – enfatizou o diretor executivo.

علّق كريستوف جالتييه، مدرب فريق باريس سان جيرمان، على التقارير التي ظهرت أمس وتفيد برغبة النجم كيليان مبابي في الرحيل خلال شهر يناير المقبل.

ومن المعروف أن مبابي كان مرتبطًا بقوة بخطوة الرحيل عن باريس سان جيرمان، طوال موسم الانتقالات الصيفي الماضي، والانضمام إلى ريال مدريد.

ورغم ذلك، فقد وقع مبابي عقدًا جديدًا مغريًا من الناحية المالية مع باريس سان جيرمان، ليضع حدًا لتلك التكهنات.

ولكن أمس ظهرت تقارير صحفية تفيد بأن مبابي لا يشعر بالسعادة في باريس سان جيرمان، حيث يتطلع إلى الرحيل في مطلع العام الجديد.

وخاض باريس سان جيرمان، مباراة مساء أمس، مع بنفيكا في دوري أبطال أوروبا حيث تعادلا بهدف لمثله.

وبعد المباراة، كان أول سؤال يُوجه إلى جالتييه فيما يتعلق بتقارير رغبة مبابي في الرحيل، حيث رد: “لا يمكنني التعليق على ذلك، من إشاعة حولناها إلى أخبار، وكاد أن يتطور الأمر إلى بيان”.

وأضاف: “لذلك كان لدى كيليان إجابة جيدة جدًا، سجل هدفًا، وكان بإمكانه تسجيل هدف ثانِ، لقد كان يصر على أسنانه بعد هذا التدخل السيء من إنزو فرنانديز”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. راموس يرد على أنباء رغبة مبابي في مغادرة باريس سان جيرمان

وواصل: “أرى أن مبابي قدم ردًا محددًا على تلك الشائعات، نحاول أن نكون شفافين قدر الإمكان دون المبالغة في المواقف، أجد أنه مقارنة بما قيل اليوم (على مبابي)، من الغريب أن يخرج قبل لحظات قليلة من مثل هذه المباراة المهمة للنادي”.

واستمر: “تحدثنا كثيرًا عن تلك الأخبار بعد ظهر اليوم، ولكن لم أتحدث مع مبابي عن ذلك”.

واختتم: “كما قلت، لقد قدم مبابي الكثير، كان لاعبًا عظيمًا، ركز على المباراة والمنافسة، كنا جميعًا نركز على الهدف والمباراة، كما قلت أجد ذلك مفاجئًا للغاية قبل ساعات قليلة من مباراة مهمة جدًا”.

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي نانت، أنطوان كومباريه، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة بريست في الجولة الحادية عشر من بطولة الدوري الفرنسي لموسم 2022/2023.

وتنطلق مباراة نانت وبريست في تمام الساعة الثالثة عصرًا بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “لا بوجوار” في مدينة “نانت” الفرنسية بقيادة الحكم، مارك بولينجييه.

اقرأ أيضًا | تقرير جنوب إفريقي يزيح الستار عن راتب بيرسي تاو مع الأهلي.. وإجمالي ثروته

Le 𝗫𝗜 de départ 🟡🟢#FCNSB29 pic.twitter.com/UpRaDdi6Io — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) October 16, 2022

وشهد تشكيل نانت وجود مهاجم منتخب مصر المعار من صفوف جالطة سراي، مصطفى محمد، أساسيًا.

يحتل نانت المركز التاسع عشر وقبل الأخير من ترتيب الدوري الفرنسي برصيد 7 نقاط، بينما منافسه بريست يعاني مثله في المرتبة العشرين والأخيرة برصيد 6 نقاط.

The Unicorns, a team made up of players without first-class contracts, have announced their squad for Clydesdale Bank 40, which starts April 25

Cricinfo staff13-Apr-2010The Unicorns, a team made up of players without first-class contracts, have announced their squad for Clydesdale Bank 40, which starts April 25.The squad has been whittled down from 200 players who were recommended to ECB in December, which became 40 and then 21 after a series of training sessions throughout the winter.The Unicorns have been drawn in Group A alongside Lancashire, Glamorgan, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex and Worcestershire, and will play each county twice with the top team guaranteed a place in the semi finals.Ahead of their first game against Surrey on May 2 at The Oval, the Unicorns recently played against a Worcester side and will have two final opportunities to prepare for the Clydesdale Bank 40, a practice match at Wormsley a game against a Kent XI on April 25.Gordon Child, Unicorns team manager, said: “The Unicorns squad is a balance of youth and experience and we are very much looking forward to competing in the Clydesdale Bank 40. For the younger players aspiring to play first-class cricket this is an opportunity to learn from their more experienced team mates and really test themselves and understand the attributes needed to succeed at this level. It will be a real challenge for the squad but preparations are going well ahead of our first game against Surrey.”Unicorns Jahed Ahmed, Arfan Akram, Christopher Brown, David Burton, Wesley Durston, Ned Eckersley, Carl Greenidge, Neil Hancock, Mark Hardinges, Stephen Humble, Joshua Knappett, Thomas Mees, Christopher Murtagh, Michael O’Shea, Sean Park, Keith Parsons, Christopher Peploe, Richard Querl, Zoheb Sharif, Duncan Snell, Jackson Thompson.

Alan Hutton has dropped a teasing claim regarding Ange Postecoglou’s remaining January transfer business at Celtic.

What’s been said?

In a recent interview with Football Insider, the former Premier League defender stated his belief that, despite the Hoops already signing five players this month, the Bhoys boss could still look to make further additions to his Parkhead playing ranks before the closure of the current market.

Speaking about Celtic’s transfer business, Hutton said: “He’s outlined his targets, got them in early – and he’s been proved right with their performances. He’s done a brilliant job. The ideal situation is to get them in early doors so you can mould and work with the players.

“Whether they’re done in the transfer window, I’m not so sure… I’m sure if there’s a deal to be had and somebody pops up to improve the squad – I’m sure they’ll pull the trigger. He’s outlined the main areas in his squad that he wanted to improve and Postecoglou has delivered right away – so fair play.”

Fans will be buzzing

Postecoglou has already landed Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Johnny Kenny and Matt O’Riley so far this month, and should he have more irons in the fire regarding January signings – as Hutton suggests – it would undoubtedly be an outcome which would leave the Parkhead faithful buzzing.

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Indeed, the Hoops have been linked with a number of further targets this month, such as Ahmed Kendouci and Mehdi Ghayedi, as well as trying to make both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota’s loan deals permanent transfers.

Also, Pete O’Rourke has stated his belief in a recent interview with Give Me Sport that Celtic could still do with greater depth in midfield. The journalist said: “I think central midfield is the priority for Celtic right now.”

However, unless Celtic can offload some of their fringe players in the next few days, it would appear a rather unlikely scenario that Postecoglou continues to bring in further fresh faces to Parkhead. Still, considering how quickly the O’Riley deal came about, perhaps Hutton could be right in his prediction.

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