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'Rangers duo call out online racist abuse' - gossip
Rangers duo Emmanuel Fernandez and Djeidi Gassama respond to online racist abuse as the extent of Celtic interest in Chivas' Armando Gonzalez is revealed.
Rangers centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez and winger Djeidi Gassama have called out vile racist abuse they received on social media after Sunday's 2-2 draw with Livingston. (Daily Record)
Celtic, Barcelona and West Ham United have enquired about Armando Gonzalez's wage demands but have not yet approached Chivas about the possibility of a transfer for the 22-year-old who could move after playing for Mexico at this summer's World Cup finals. (Football Insider)
Former Celtic youth coach Darren O'Dea has disclosed he wanted to sign Dylan Reid for the Scottish champions before the 20-year-old midfielder left St Mirren to join Crystal Palace Under-21s, but he says the board refused despite backing from then manager Ange Postecoglou. (The National)
Heart of Midlothian midfielder Blair Spittal is happy to just play his part in their title challenge despite his late call up to start Saturday's win over Falkirk being only the 30-year-old's 14th league appearance of the season. (Edinburgh Evening News)
Hearts head coach Derek McInnes described Islam Chesnokov as one of the hardest-working wingers he has worked with after the January signing from Tobol scored his first goal for the Scottish Premiership leaders to secure Saturday's win over Falkirk. (The Scotsman)
Injured Celtic and Canada right-back Alistair Johnston attended Sunday's ice hockey final at the Winter Olympics in Italy as his home country's side lost 2-1 to the United States. (Scottish Sun)
Brian Wilson addressed fans outside Celtic Park before Sunday's match against Hibernian as the interim chairman tries to end the dispute between supporters groups and the board. (Glasgow Times)
The Tartan Army is facing a ban over sporrans at this summer's World Cup finals in the United States as current rules dictate only bags measuring no more than 6½ x 4½ inches - half the size of Scotland's national garb - are allowed in the venues where Scotland will play in June. (Scottish Sun)
Ireland potential 'huge' after record win - Farrell
Head coach Andy Farrell says the potential in his current Ireland squad is "huge" after Saturday's historic Six Nations win over England at Allianz Stadium.
Argentina fear Real Madrid are freezing out their emerging talent ahead of World Cup
What started as a promising chapter for Franco Mastantuono at Real Madrid is now turning into a period of uncertainty, and in Argentina, everyone is beginning to worry, reports Mundo Deportivo.
This is because the young midfielder’s role has changed sharply under Alvaro Arbeloa.
Not long ago, he looked like one of the coach’s trusted options. Today, however, he is barely seeing the pitch.
The concern is not just about club minutes; it is about timing. The Finalissima against Spain on March 27 and the World Cup in June are fast approaching.
For a player hoping to be part of Argentina’s plans, rhythm and visibility are everything.
The drop has been sudden. Mastantuono featured heavily in Arbeloa’s first matches in charge.
In fact, during the first six games under the new manager, he started five times.
He even managed to score and consistently played more than 70 minutes per match. At that stage, it seemed he had found stability inside a competitive Real Madrid midfield.
Then something shifted.
A sudden change
Franco Mastantuono has fallen out of favour. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Since the Rayo Vallecano game, his presence has faded.
Notably, he came on in the 82nd minute against Valencia and did not play against Real Sociedad, Benfica in the Champions League, or Osasuna on the last matchday.
That’s just 13 minutes in four games. For a player who was recently starting regularly, that statistic alone explains the anxiety building back home.
In Argentina, this is being viewed as more than a simple rotation. There is a feeling that Mastantuono has slipped down the internal hierarchy at the worst possible moment.
Understandably, Real Madrid’s packed schedule would normally open doors for squad players. Instead, his path has narrowed.
As reported by the outlet, River Plate icon Norberto Alonso offered a brutally honest assessment of the situation. He said,
“They’re killing him. Do you know why? I think that kid is going to end up in a lower-level team.
“Then, maybe he’ll come back to Real, but first he has to prove that he’s ready for Real.”
Those words may sound harsh, but they show a deeper fear. At Real Madrid, patience is limited. Young talents either adapt quickly or risk being loaned out to rebuild confidence and continuity.
Baby unresponsive at day care may have died from bacterial infection, inquest told
A baby who died after being found unresponsive at a Sydney day care may have had a bacterial infection, an inquest has heard.