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Rangers enjoyed a busy January transfer window as they brought in a number of players to bolster Gio van Bronckhorst’s squad at Ibrox.

Ross Wilson was hard at work as he secured deals to bring in James Sands, Amad Diallo, Aaron Ramsey and Mateusz Zukowski, with John Souttar also set to join at the end of the season.

The Gers are two points clear of Celtic at the top of the Premiership table and these additions could help them to land a second successive league title.

How could van Bronckhorst’s best XI now look? Here is our take on it…

The back four may remain exactly the same, with Zukowski the only addition to the head coach’s immediate options for the rest of the season.

James Tavenier has averaged an outstanding SofaScore rating of 7.81 for the Gers, with the skipper popping up with five goals and ten assists from right-back in the Premiership. This shows that there is no need for the Polish recruit to come straight into the XI and he could spend the next few months learning from the club captain and developing his game on the training pitch.

In midfield, Ramsey could replace Scott Arfield as one of the three, playing alongside Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo. The £16k-per-week Canadian gem has popped up with some important goals this season, scoring three goals in 15 Premiership outings this season.

However, the arrival of the former Arsenal man could force him to be resigned to a place on the bench for the rest of the campaign. Ramsey is a proven performer at the top level, having scored in the Premier League and Serie A for the Gunners and Juventus throughout his career, and could – therefore – bring an added level of quality to the side.

This could also leave January signing Sands on the bench, with Kamara starting in the dictating midfield role slightly behind Aribo and Ramsey. The Finland international has averaged a SofaScore rating of 7.03, completing an impressive 91% of his attempted passes, whereas Sands has recorded a score of 6.95 and completed 87% of his pass attempts.

Whilst there may not be a great deal between them, statistically, Kamara has been at Rangers longer and could have van Bronckhorst’s trust for now. However, the USA international could work his way into the XI and keep his place if he continues to put in solid performances when called upon.

In the front three, Diallo could be the club’s best option on the right-wing. He had a dream debut as he scored in the 3-3 draw with Ross County, whilst also creating one chance and completing one dribble.

Rangers have struggled for goals in the right-wing position, with Scott Wright and Ianis Hagi managing just four between them. This is why Diallo could end up being a regular starter as his competitive bow for the club suggests that he could be the goal threat they have been lacking.

AND in other news, Body blow: Rangers dealt big injury setback ahead of Old Firm, Gvb will be gutted…

Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen missed Saturday’s defeat to Aston Villa with a hamstring injury.

However, the centre-back isn’t expected to be out long-term, according to The Athletic, an update which has had plenty of Palace fans talking on social media.

The 25-year-old missed his first Premier League game after signing over the summer, with the Eagles finally losing at home under Patrick Vieira. James Tomkins came in for the Denmark international and had plenty of Palace supporters lamenting his display following the defeat to Steven Gerrard’s side.

Matt Woosnam shared a story on Sunday claiming that Andersen will undergo more tests and will receive the results on Monday, with Palace hopeful of the defender returning soon. Vieira’s side are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Leeds United.

Palace fans react

Woosnam and @CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news regarding Andersen on Twitter. Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with many relieved that the injury is not a serious one.

“Thank god”

Credit: @GeorgeHilder1

“Limbs”

Credit: @CPFC_Cal

“Phewwwww”

Credit: @JoelGray_

“Lovely stuff”

Credit: @CPFCMax9

“Happy Sunday”

Credit: @liamb0117

“We praise God”

Credit: @Sumo08112

In other news: Many CPFC fans erupt as ‘obscene’ news emerges on this speedster

Paul Robinson would like Mauricio Pochettino to replace Marcelo Bielsa when the latter eventually leaves Leeds United, although he has admitted how difficult it would be to lure the former Tottenham boss to Elland Road.

The Lowdown: Bielsa future always uncertain

This is Bielsa’s fourth season as Leeds boss, and he is of course hugely popular amongst the club’s supporters.

However, his future at the club is constantly up for debate. After all, he is 66 years old and therefore does not have too long left in the game, and his current contract is set to run out at the end of the season (leedsunited.com) as he continues to pen one-year deals.

The Latest: Robinson eyes replacement

Speaking to MOT Leeds News, former Whites star Robinson suggested Pochettino as Bielsa’s successor. He said:

“For me, Pochettino would be great.

“It’s a pipe dream at the moment because Leeds are nowhere near attracting a manager with the calibre of Pochettino to succeed Bielsa.

“If you look at where he is now at PSG and look at where Leeds are in the Premier League table, Leeds have to be higher to attract a manager of that calibre and at the moment, that’s nowhere near happening.

“It’s a pipe dream.”

The Verdict: Aiming too high

Bielsa is a legend of the game, with the likes of Pep Guardiola (Sky Sports) and Pochettino (via Give Me Sport) himself citing the Argentinian as an inspiration. As such, Leeds will need to replace with a top-quality manager when he does depart, but Pochettino is surely unattainable at this point.

As the manager of Paris Saint-Germain, he is in a privileged position as he is able to field a side including the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Even if the man hailed ‘a football genius’ by former Spurs player Heurelho Gomes were to be sacked by PSG before Bielsa departs, to then move to Leeds would be a substantial step down, with all due respect to the club.

Of course, the Yorkshire outfit would love to have him, but they may have to set their sights lower until they can compete for European competitions.

In other news, one former Premier League ace has made this Kalvin Phillips claim.

Leeds United will make an offer for Napoli midfielder Eljif Elmas in January, according to journalist Talha Arslan.

The Lowdown: Elmas profiled

Elmas is primarily a central midfielder who can also play in an attacking midfield role or as a left-winger. The 22-year-old has 37 caps to his name for North Macedonia and has been with Napoli since 2019.

He’s turned out on 105 occasions for the Italian side and has scored 22 goals during his club career.

And it now seems as if the Whites and director of football Victor Orta are plotting a January swoop for the £15.3m-rated midfielder.

The Latest: Leeds to make ‘offer’

Journalist Arslan took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to provide an update on Elmas ahead of the January transfer window.

He claimed that both the Whites and Borussia Dortmund made an attempt to sign the Napoli man over the summer and will now send an ‘offer’ during the winter window.

The Verdict: Two needed…

Leeds haven’t actually signed a midfielder on a permanent deal during Marcelo Bielsa’s time at Elland Road, but it seems as if they now need two over the coming weeks with Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton injured.

Orta is already laying the groundwork to sign a number six and number eight, and you’d expect Elmas would fit into the number eight category.

He’s capable of playing in a more advanced role and even out wide if needed and also has experience in both the Champions League and Europa League.

On paper, it seems as if Elmas could be a shrewd signing both in the short and long term. He has plenty of games under his belt in ‘astronomical’ asking price.

In other news: ‘Unbelievable’ Leeds man may now need an operation after injury and could miss 12 games – expert. 

Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the signing of centre-back Ezequiel Garay this summer in a surprise transfer story.

The Reds have had a disastrous season in the injury department, losing a host of key players throughout the campaign. Jurgen Klopp has been particularly hampered at centre-back, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all expected to be out until the summer.

It could be that the Liverpool manager eyes up reinforcements in that area during the summer transfer window, but a shock rumour is now doing the rounds.

[freshpress-quiz id=“313155″]

Liverpool eye up move for Garay

According to El Gol Digital, the Reds are even at the advanced stage of negotiations with Garay, who played for Argentina in their 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany.

The 34-year-old is currently a free agent, having left Valencia last year following a four-year stint with the La Liga side. He has made 466 club career appearances, 43 of which have come in the Champions League (Transfermarkt).

Transfer Tavern take

Despite his considerable pedigree, Garay would be a strange addition, considering he turns 35 later this year and is approaching the end of his career.

On top of that, he hasn’t played consistently at the top level for years and has had endless injuries of his own, so a deal makes little sense for Liverpool.

In other news, Liverpool have been linked with a summer move for a 19-goal striker this summer. Read all about it here.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans are delighted after the club confirmed that Steven Davis has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Ibrox.

The Northern Ireland international’s deal was set to run out at the end of this season. However, despite him being 36 years of age, the Gers have decided to keep him in Glasgow for another 12 months.

While he is quickly approaching the end of his career, Davis clearly still has plenty to offer. So far this term, he has made 40 appearances in all competitions (Transfermarkt) and has been a vital presence for Steven Gerrard’s side throughout the season – after all, they have already clinched the Premiership title, while they have lost just two games across all of the tournamentsin which they have competed (Sky Sports).

The news was shared on the Gers’ official Twitter account, and these fans were delighted with the news. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Davis news below

“Outstanding total machine on the park”

Credit: @Christo87733546

“Delighted to hear it. A classy classy man”

Credit: @IbroxPigeon

“Exactly what everyone at the club and the fans wanted to see, outstanding business”

Credit: @EvanAlex95

“Great news!!! Brilliant that this is sorted out!! @StevenDavis8 you are an absolute legend and I love watching you play”

Credit: @Indy_5_5

“Guy is a total Rolls Royce. So happy with this news”

Credit: @HaytchP

“Can’t wait to see him play more and an ever better chance for me to meet him. He will be here for number 56”

Credit: @sophie27536992

In other news, many Rangers fans slammed this BBC pundit’s comments.

Monday night’s affair between Crystal Palace and Leeds United saw both sides share the spoils.

Coming into this tie, the Eagles and the Whites will have been cautious, knowing that they are dangerously close to the relegation battle taking place just a few places below.

In theory, Leeds would have wanted the points more, sitting just five points above Everton who are in 18th place. But, on the pitch, it was Vieira’s side who were the aggressors – almost doubling the visitors’ total amount of shots, with 17.

Although Palace failed to score and consequently secure a win, a draw was much needed for the Eagles, who had conceded five and scored just one coming into this fixture in all competitions.

The clean sheet was much-required too, and the goal could have happened for the home side, which is why a section of the fanbase will be disappointed with one player in particular.

With a total expected goals tally of 0.97 xG across his four shots, Jean-Phillippe Mateta will have been astonished that his name somehow evaded the score sheet.

In fairness to him, his movement made him a thorn in the side of the opposition defence, though he failed to take one of his four chances which included an opportunity along the lines of a tap-in.

That chance alone came with an xG total of 0.73, meant that the Frenchman had a high chance of burying that opportunity based on previous shots from that vicinity.

Excluding his runs, the £53k-per-week earner did not offer anything else to the game and rarely helped his side in the build-up play, instead relying on through balls.

His ten passes and fewer touches (32) than goalkeeper Vicente Guaita are a reflection of his failure to assert himself in other aspects of the game and his 25% shot accuracy is perhaps the overall indicator of Mateta’s night against Leeds.

Though it’s the 71% ground duels lost that Eagles fans will be frustrated with the most.

The 24-year-old won just two of his seven ground duels last night and was a hindrance to his side in their attempts to win back possession.

It was not the best night for Mateta, though on another day he could have left with at least a goal to his name.

It’s now been four games without a goal for the Frenchman.

In other news: Vieira must finally unleash CPFC’s £15.3m “delight” today, he will terrify Leeds – opinion

It might have been a nerve-wracking win for Leeds United, but it was a win nonetheless.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side clung onto a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Tuesday night, courtesy of strikes from Raphinha and Jack Harrison.

Raphinha in particular looked dangerous, scoring one and then setting up Harrison’s winner with a delightful ball in behind the Magpies defence.

But whilst the Brazilian showed why Leeds spent big money to bring him in from Ligue 1 side Rennes in the summer, it was Illan Meslier who really produced a match-winning display for the Whites.

The Frenchman, who joined on a permanent basis last summer, was in inspired form in between the sticks, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that particularly in the second-half, he was the sole reason why Leeds kept a hold of all three points.

The £10.8m-rated ace made a number of crucial stops, not least an acrobatic stop to tip over a thumping Jonjo Shelvey header from an inswinging corner.

And then, with just ten minutes to go, he made a sprawling one-handed save to deny Fabian Schar from equalising and snatching a point for the home side.

It was a credit to the giant French stopper that he took a couple of hefty blows to the face – including a really painful looking knee to the jaw from Jacob Murphy – and still kept strong.

Writing for The Yorkshire Evening Post, Graham Smyth gave Meslier a match rating of 8, saying: “One or two dicey moments but he made some really important saves to keep Leeds ahead in the game. The one from Shelvey was top class”.

Described as “incredible” by former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, Meslier once again proved on Tuesday night why he seems to be a “remarkable” piece of business from Victor Orta and co.

Smyth said: “He’s been great, hasn’t he? For a 20-year-old, for £5m, I mean Victor Orta – it feels almost illegal what he’s done getting a player of that quality at that age for £5m, remarkable business.”

Orta must be absolutely buzzing with how his bargain signing continues to fare. Leeds struck a dream deal in bringing Meslier in permanently in the summer, given how cheap they got him for. And after he came back into the line-up against Newcastle, and produced some match-winning saves, it’s so clear that he seems to be worth every penny.

So whilst Raphinha may take a lot of the headlines for being involved in both of Leeds’ goals, but it was Bielsa’s titan at the back that really sealed the Whites three points.

Meanwhile, Leeds United are facing a transfer disaster that could frustrate Marcelo Bielsa…

There have been reports suggesting that Manchester City could offer Tottenham Hotspur Gabriel Jesus as part of a swap deal for Harry Kane, but he must still add more goals to his game, according to former City full-back Michael Ball.

As clubs attempt to muster up enough money to buy Kane, a swap deal may not be a bad move for Spurs as they could soften the blow left by their star striker if he does depart, should they get a striker in return from Man City.

Jesus, who reportedly earns £90,000-a-week, was signed in 2017 and many expected him to become the heir to Sergio Aguero’s throne when he left City. However, despite the club’s all-time record goalscorer being set to depart this summer, it appears that Pep Guardiola wants another striker at the club thus not fully trusting Jesus.

Tottenham would be getting a totally different striker in Jesus as he does a lot of unselfish work and can play in several different positions, but he does need to add more goals to his game. These are the thoughts of Ball, who spoke exclusively to The Transfer Tavern:

“For a long time he looked like he was going to be the one to take over from Aguero but it’s never materialised. The pressure has been on him this year so I feel sorry for him as he’s not played as a number nine too much, he’s been pushed out wide because he’s an unselfish player.

“Jesus works a lot for the team and it often goes unnoticed. Obviously, he would like to add more goals to his game, but his all-round build-up play is top drawer and he’s clearly a wonderful player.”

The Brazillian striker has an impressive record for someone who has never been given regular game time and starts as he has found the back of the net 81 times in 193 appearances.

Kane delivered a damning verdict in his latest interview with Gary Neville where the 27-year old claimed that he would decide his own future, not Tottenham Chairman, Daniel Levy.

Former Newcastle United winger Keith Gillespie has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that he does not expect to see Jonjo Shelvey lining up in defence in the near future.

In what can only be described as a shock decision given that Shelvey’s trade has always been in midfield, manager Steve Bruce decided to drop the 29-year-old back into defence in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at the end of last month.

Albeit a surprise, such a ploy is obviously not unheard of, with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp having often done something similar with Fernandinho and Fabinho – usually because of injuries.

It is not something Gillespie thinks Newcastle fans will see with Shelvey going forward, though, stressing that the former Liverpool and Swansea City man belongs in the centre of the pitch.

“I don’t think that’s a long-term thing,” Gillespie told TT. “You want somebody like Shelvey in the middle of the park, getting on the ball, dictating games. He’s got a wide range of passing.

“It was a surprising one for me seeing that happen, but I don’t think it’s something that they’d be looking at long term.”

Indeed, definitely one of the more stranger things in what had already been a very strange Premier League season.