Maswanhise gives “watch out for us” message to the top three
Maswanhise is ready for a title challenge as the winger warns “watch out for us” to all Hearts, Celtic and Rangers. Following Motherwell’s 1-1 draw with Rangers last night, Maswanhise fully believes Motherwell can go in and challenge for the title this season and fancies their chances although the Lanarkshire side sit 13 points off of league leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Maswanhise netted on four occasions in five outings for the Steelmen in January and currently sits as the top goal scorer on 13 for the season with Benjamin Nygren slowly creeping up on the Motherwell starman. Many of clubs such as Anderlecht, Rangers and Celtic were all showing interest in January but the Fir Park outfit did all they could to keep hold of Maswanhise. Maswanhise told Sky Sports: “You’ve seen it yesterday with one man down, every man on that pitch for Motherwell, including myself, we fought really hard to get the point that we deserved. “We’ve been doing the same style of play the whole season [and] you’re starting to see more results now. You’re starting to see more success, we’re getting our plaudits. It has been good. “A lot of people, a lot of players want to say it’s a three-horse race right now, but we’re still behind it. “I genuinely think we can nick a few points and be in and around it. So, just watch out for us and we should crack on.” It’s been an excellent year for Maswanhise after being called up to represent Zimbabwe at AFCOM as well as grabbing a goal on International duty. Speaking on his speculation, he said: “Honestly, I knew there was going to be speculation from clubs in and around the country – but I had my head down. “You’ve just got to play football. Let the football do the talking, everyone’s heard that saying. I’ve done that really well in January, and I’ve just got to carry on.” Mawanhise and Motherwell have a big game coming on Sunday where they host a well rested Aberdeen side who haven’t played in over 2 weeks due to three back-to-back postponements. The Steelmen also have a chance of continuing their cup run as Aberdeen await on Wednesday night at Pittodrie which would round up a perfect season for Maswanhise.
Atletico Madrid 4-0 Barcelona: Clinical Atletico Punish Barcelona in the Capital
A disaster of a night in Madrid for Barcelona as an early own goal by Garcia as well as goals by Griezmann, Lookman and Alvarez gave the hosts a 4-0 victory and made it a real mountain to climb in the second leg. Brilliant play by the hosts as Griezmann with a brilliant touch to put the ball through into Simeone in which Garcia does just as well but stops the save with his leg to deny an early opener. Atletico were ahead after 6 minutes as Barcelona with a horror mistake at the back following a pass back to Garcia, he misses the pass completely as he rushed back trying to keep the ball from going in but was all too late as the ball had crossed the line before managing to scoop the ball out. Lookman almost fed in Alvarez, but Garcia came out at the perfect time to claim to and prevent any further trouble. Griezmann doubled the advantage after 14 minutes which all came from a disaster of a corner by Olmo. Musso smashed the ball up the park to Lookman who put the ball into Alvarez who crossed the ball onto the right flank. The ball was then fed to Griezmann who calmly squeezed it into the bottom left-hand corner to give the hosts a two-goal lead. Following a corner, a ball whipped into the box which soon fell to Lopez where his attempt smacked the bar so no way back into the tie so far for the visitors. Madrid has a chance to make it three as Llorente on the left-hand side, crossed the ball onto the edge of the box as Griezmann had a chance but well stopped. Moments later, Simeone with a darting run squaring the ball to Alvarez but outstanding block by Kounde to put it out for a corner. Barcelona had a dangerous free kick from just outside the box where Olmo took on the strike which was a poor effort and was blocked by the Atletico Madrid wall. Atletico continued to test Barcelona as Simeone with a pacy run who squared it to Griezmann, but his strike was a bit too high and was fired into the stands. Just after the half-hour mark, Barcelona were left with a mountain to climb as once again, Simeone with a run on the right hand side who squared the ball to Alvarez who then squared the ball to Lookman on the left-hand side who struck the ball low into the bottom right hand corner to go three ahead. Lopez just before the break found himself 1 v 1 with Musso but it was a wimple stop for the Atletico keeper as it sums up the first 45 for Barca. Just before half-time, Atletico made it four as once again Simeone running down the wing, whipped the ball into Lookman who laid the ball to Alvarez who smashed the shot first time into the net to make it a big task for Barcelona. Into the second 45, Barcelona had a great chance with a free kick from the edge of the box where Yamal with a simple pass to Lopez who took the shot on, it was blocked but fell right to Cubari who calmly struck it into the net to get Barca back into the tie but to Barcelona’s surprise the goal was chopped off following a lengthy VAR check. It’s been a much improved second half by Barcelona spending a lot more on the ball but needing to be a lot more clinical if they are to get back into this game despite it looking like an uphill battle for the visitors. Yamal looked to be been taken down after 70 minutes as big claims came from the Barcelona players but the referee was having none of it and continued play. Atletico had another really good chance to make it five with a free kick outside the box but well stopped by the wall. Eric Garcia found himself sent off following a last man challenge which denied the hosts a brilliant chance to go through and make it five but Barcelona are having to play the final stages on 10-men which surely killed any chance of getting back into the match. Ferran Torres was so close to getting one back in added time as a cross came flying in and the former Manchester City fan headed the ball just wide of goal which really summed up their evening in the capital. Atlético Madrid: Musso (7), Molina (7), Pubill (7), Hancko (8), Ruggeri (7), Simeone (8), Llorente (8), Koke (7), Lookman (9), Alvarez (8), Griezmann (8). Substitutes: Baena (7), Sorloth (7), Almada (6), Le Normand (6). Barcelona: J. Garcia (4), Kounde (6), Cubarsi (6), E. Garcia (5), Balde (6), Casado (5), de Jong (6), López (7), Olmo (6), Torres (6), Yamal (6). Substitutes: Lewandowski (5), Cancelo (6), Araujo (6), Martin (6).
James Tavernier fires warning to Rangers squad that no more slip ups can happen
James Tavernier fires warning to Rangers squad that no more slip ups can happen after dropping points to Motherwell as the title race heats up. The Light Blues face league leaders Hearts at Ibrox this Sunday in what is set to be a blockbuster fixture. Danny Rohl’s men trail the Jambos by five points in the league and have lost to them in the last two occasions. The Gers looked like they were set to get all three points against the Steelmen until Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh scored an equaliser late on. Speaking after the draw at Fir Park, the Ibrox captain said all eyes are on Sunday to get the three points against Derek McInnes’ side: “We’ve had ups and downs this season and then I felt that as young as the squad is, they’ve really come round and really grew as a group. “But these are the pivotal moments in the season now, where you come down to the last stretch and you’re in the title race. So you can’t afford to have slip-ups like Wednesday night so we know it was a missed opportunity. “Now we have to respond and get three points at home on Sunday.” The Rangers Hall of Famer was frustrated at the chances the Govan club missed but is hoping for Ibrox to be rocking and packed to the rafters this Sunday: “We knew it would be a difficult game on Wednesday night. Motherwell have been in form and they obviously like to keep the ball. We probably conceded that we weren’t going to have much of it so we had to make sure we were solid for all of the game. “We missed some really good chances and then we have to defend better as a team to see the game out. Look, when Ibrox is rocking it makes a massive difference. “But it’s down to us to get that from the fans. They expect us to perform and they’ll give it back in return. It goes both ways. “Obviously we want them right behind us from the get-go. There’s been comments about when balls go out of play or mis-placed passes, the crowd won’t be. “But it’s down to us to set standards and show the performance levels fans want to see. We both have a responsibility but the players need to take the lead on that. On the weekend, we need to do that.”
Forest Axe Dyche as Relegation Fears Deepen
Nottingham Forest have parted company with head coach Sean Dyche following a difficult run of results that left the club hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. The decision brings an abrupt end to Dyche’s short tenure at the City Ground and marks yet another chapter in what has been a turbulent season for the club. The final decision to sack Dyche followed another disappointing result that failed to ease fears of relegation. In a short statement, Nottingham Forest thanked Dyche for his effort and professionalism during his time at the club. They wished him well for the future, showing respect despite the difficult circumstances. For Dyche, the dismissal is disappointing but not unusual in modern football, where managers are often judged quickly on results. He remains an experienced coach with a strong reputation. During his time in charge, Dyche managed 25 matches in all competitions. Out of those games, Forest won ten, drew six, and lost nine. The team scored 36 goals and conceded 28. Forest collected 21 points in the Premier League under his leadership, but that was not enough to move them comfortably away from the bottom three. For Nottingham Forest, the focus now turns to what happens next. The players must respond positively, and the new manager will have little time to make changes. Forest will face Fenerbahce in the Europa League Round of 32 next Thursday before hosting last year’s champions Liverpool at the City Ground next Sunday.
Askou Cites “Cynical” Rangers Performance in Fir Park draw
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou was disappointed at Rangers’ approach during Wednesday’s dramatic draw, believing the Gers’ “cynical” performance was a “shame for the game”. Speaking to Sky Sports at full-time, Askou reckons his side “dominated the game in so many ways”. “I thought our intensity and speed of play was outstanding and it caused a tonne of problems for Rangers out there. They had to [concede] one free-kick after another to stop us. “I was surprised that they didn’t get more yellow cards in the first half and I don’t think it’s good enough. “It’s an absolutely top game, probably the best game you can get in Scottish football right now, and you get to play that cynical? “I think it’s a shame for the game, that’s the reason why there weren’t more goals in the game. “We didn’t let frustration take over, we stuck in it and adjusted a few things at half-time and knew there would be chances in the second half.” While Askou agreed with Lukas Fadinger’s second half dismissal, the Dane didn’t see a huge difference between that challenge and some on his own team. “Lukas gets sent off and it’s our first red card.” Askou added. “The intensity of the tackle was not worse than many of the other tackles we received. “He’s just a little bit unlucky that he catches him five inches off the ground.” Celtic loanee Stephen Welsh scored a crucial late equaliser to haunt Rangers; the draw preserves Motherwell’s long-standing home record, dating back to mid-October. Pushing for the title may be a bridge too far, but Askou’s side will have a major say in which of the top three side’s take home the title.
Rangers are in a great position to win the league but crunch game against Hearts is a MUST win – Scott Bradley
It was a frustrating result for Rangers last night as they conceded a late equaliser to ten men Motherwell at Fir Park and now the crunch game against Hearts is MUST win. This Scottish Premiership season has been one for the ages and it’s delivered a title race that nobody could have predicted between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic. The Jambos have been sitting top of the league for the past four months and Derek McInnes deserves all the credit in the world for the incredible job he’s doing at Tynecastle. Danny Rohl is another man who has done an exceptional job since arriving in Glasgow and has worked wonders with what is an average squad. After the sacking of Russell Martin in October, many believed the Light Blues were dead and buried and had no chance of getting back into the title race. Rohl has won 13 of his 18 league games in charge and has got the Ibrox club right back in the title hunt. Before the draw against the Steelmen, the German head coach hadn’t really put a foot wrong but last night he got the tactics and substitutions all wrong. The Gers never tried to kill the game off after the Well got Lukas Fadinger sent off. Rohl decided to put ten men behind the ball and see the result out, which backfired. It felt like a defeat conceding so late on and in a title race every game is a cup final and after failing to win last night – the pressure to get a victory against the league leaders at Ibrox this Sunday is even more intense and important than it already was before. The Teddy Bears are five points behind the Gorgie club and a point ahead of the Hoops who have a game in hand. The 49ers fully backed their man in the January window bringing in four signings and spent around £12 million. That was a clear sign that the Ibrox higher ups aren’t messing about and want to win the club’s 56th league title. There’s been many twists and turns in this historic Premiership season with many more to come but if Rohl’s side were to lose to McInnes’ men and if the Hoops beat Kilmarnock – it’ll be a monumental task to get back into the race. Rohl’s last outing against the Jam Tarts was a 2-1 defeat – his only league loss. The 36-year-old needs to go with his strongest side and not tinker things about with the team selection like he did last night. This will be a real test of this Rangers squads mentality because the pressure is fully on them to get a result and Hearts will be right up for the occasion. Sunday will be Rohl’s biggest and most important game so far in his managerial career and it’s one he cannot afford to lose.
‘Spurs are not a big club!’ – Ange Postecoglou lambasts former club
Ange Postecoglou slams Tottenham’s ambitions as a football club following the sacking of Thomas Frank. Frank was sacked after eight months in charge and the club currently find themselves 16th in the league table and five points off the relegation zone. The Lilywhites have yet to win a game in 2026 and are on the look out for an interim manager until the end of the season. One man who knows the London-based club all too well is former boss Postecoglou who guided them to Europa League glory last season. Before the Australian arrived, Spurs hadn’t won a trophy in a staggering 17 years and despite the success, the 60-year-old was sacked due to the club finishing 17th in the league. The former Celtic boss appeared on The Overlap and didn’t hold back in regards to Spurs’ stature as a football club: “You know when you walk into Tottenham, what you see everywhere is ‘To Dare Is To Do’ it’s everywhere, and yet their actions are almost the antithesis of that. “It’s a real curious in terms of understanding what are they trying build. What are they? “They’ve obviously built an unbelievable stadium, unbelievable training facilities but when you look at expenditure, particularly in their wages structure – they’re not a big club. “I saw that when we were trying to sign players and we weren’t in the market for those players.” Postecoglou continued and believes former club aren’t one of the ‘big boys’ and could never see them spending big money in the transfer market like other big clubs: “Tottenham as a club were saying ‘we’re one of the big boys’ and the reality is I don’t think they are in terms of my experience over the last two years. “You know when Arsenal spent £100 million on Declan Rice I don’t see Tottenham doing that.” Postecoglou was sacked by Forest earlier this season after failing to win any of his eight games in charge. The former Australia manager currently works as a member of UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel.
