تحدث مصطفى عبده، نجم الأهلي السابق، عن استمرار علي معلول، ضمن صفوف الفريق، خلال الموسم الحالي، وقيده في القائمة، مشيدًا بقدرات لاعب المارد الأحمر.

وقال مصطفى عبده عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2”: “كريم الدبيس هو مستقبل الأهلي ومنتخب مصر في هذا المركز، وقيدُ علي معلول في القائمة به مخاطرة، لأنك لا تعلم ما الذي سيحدث مع تقدمه في السن”.

طالع.. علي معلول: الخطيب فعل معي شيئًا نادرًا.. والأهلي لا يخطئ مرتين متتاليتين

وتابع: “معلول قدَّم الكثير للنادي الأهلي، ولا أحد يُنكر ذلك، لكنه شغل مكان لاعب أجنبي، هل تم قيده لأن الأهلي لا يريد أن يترك أبنائه، أو لأسباب تتعلق بالتكريم؟”.

وأضاف: “لكن هذا لا يمنع أنه إذا كان معلول في حالة جيدة، فيجب أن يشارك، ولكن ليس على حساب كريم الدبيس”.

وأتم: “إذا جلس الدبيس احتياطيًا لصالح علي معلول، فذلك سيضر المدرب، وفي نفس الوقت لن يحصل على الفرصة الكافية ليطور مستواه في الفترة المقبلة”.

Anthony Elanga has no regrets about leaving Manchester United for Nottingham Forest as he explained how LeBron James and Kobe Bryant inspire him.

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• Elanga joined United aged 12
• Left for Forest in £15m deal
• Reaping the rewards of regular minutes

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Elanga decided to leave Old Trafford last summer in search of more minutes. He was snapped up by Forest in a £15 million ($19m) deal, and hasn't looked back after emerging into a key player under Nuno Espirito Santo.

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  Elanga's performances at the City Ground, especially compared to fellow winger Antony's at United, certainly raise questions about the Red Devils' decision to let him leave. But he's happy at Forest, who are riding high in fourth place in the Premier League, and admitted during an interview with that he felt as though he was "never improving" at his former club.

• WHAT ELANGA SAID

  “I made the right decision, 100 per cent,” Elanga said.

  “I have not really spoken about this, but at the time at United, I was very young and I was coming into a team that was struggling. Yes, there was the thought that, ‘I am playing for Manchester United’. But I also never felt as though I was improving. I was playing for the sake of playing when I did get the odd opportunity off the bench.

  “Coming to Forest was so big for me, because suddenly I was regularly playing 90 minutes, while having the opportunity to improve. When I played, I felt like I had purpose; like I was playing and improving in the process. That was the biggest change for me. I feel as though I know the league inside-out now, because I have had the chance to learn. I have no regrets, because I am enjoying playing fantastic football with this team. We are in a really good place at the moment.”

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Elanga also opened up about his influences, admitting he's taken things from NBA legends LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant.

  “I like to meditate. That relaxes me. I read the Bible. I am also reading a book called Relentless, about Kobe Bryant," he added. "I like to read about the mentality of other athletes in the past and how they reacted to certain situations and challenges. How did they get success?

  “It teaches you to stay grounded and humble. To work hard. LeBron James is another of the biggest examples of what you can achieve if you invest in yourself; if you look after yourself. That is so important to me. If I invest in myself… the only person who will stop me becoming what I become is myself."

Mumbai-based left-arm spinner Ankeet Chavan has been cleared by the BCCI to resume playing professional cricket after he received a revocation letter from the board that confirmed his ban – originally for life – had been reduced to seven years.In an email accessed by ESPNcricinfo, BCCI interim chief executive Hemang Amin confirmed that Chavan’s ban had effectively ended on September 13, 2020 based on an order received last month. The BCCI ombudsman, the email said, “has restricted the ban imposed on you from life ban to 7 years, with effect from 13 September 2013. In view of the order dated 3 May 2021, the ban imposed on you therefore ended on 13 September, 2020.”Related

• 'I'll not give up cricket for the next five years' – Sreesanth

• Sreesanth: the story of a fall

• Sreesanth named in Kerala squad for Mushtaq Ali Trophy

While the ban in principle got over in September 2020, unlike Sreesanth, whose order for a similar term reduction arrived last August, Chavan had to wait till May 3, 2021 to get a copy of the order from the ombudsman. Chavan subsequently requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to apply to the BCCI for a confirmation letter, a requisite for him to return to competitive cricket, which he received on June 15 from Amin.”The ban has been completely over as of September 2020,” Chavan told PTI on Tuesday, soon after the development. “I am open for whatever (comes) my way. I am really looking forward to getting on the ground as soon as possible.”Unfortunately, because of the pandemic (Covid-19) and the rains, the grounds would probably be closed but whichever opportunity I get to be back at the ground, I will be really eager for that.”In 2013, Chavan was given a life ban for his alleged involvement in the 2013 IPL corruption scandal. Chavan was one of three Rajasthan Royals players, along with Sreesanth and Ajit Chandila, to be chargesheeted by the Delhi Police at the time.Sreesanth had received his order before his ban ended last year, allowing him to participate in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this year.”I got (a) letter from (the) ombudsman that my ban has been reduced to seven years,” Chavan told PTI earlier this month. “The same as what was given to Sreesanth, but his order came before the end of the ban and mine after the completion of ban. Since I didn’t get that letter, I had to write to MCA requesting them to write to BCCI for that letter.”Chavan, 35, has played 18 first-class matches, 20 List A games and 26 T20s. His last representative match was against the Mumbai Indians in the 2013 IPL season.

Much has been made of the change in regime at Old Trafford of late, although yet again Manchester United head into the final throws of the transfer window with business still to be completed, both in terms of incomings and outgoings.

A deal for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte – aided by the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli – looks to be all but done, yet work remains to try and move on Jadon Sancho over the next 24 hours or so, with the Englishman having been left out for the first two Premier League games of the season.

While unlikely at this stage, there are murmurs that an exit for Sancho could lead to a late attacking addition for the Red Devils, with rumours rife regarding a surprise move for a certain Raheem Sterling.

The Chelsea outcast is not the only Premier League talent that Dan Ashworth and co are looking at, however, amid reports of a late swoop for another England star…

Man Utd's search for a striker

The latest suggestion is that United are in the mix for Brentford's wantaway talisman, Ivan Toney, although according to Football Insider, Erik ten Hag's side could also be ready to make a late move for Everton's number nine, Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

As per the report, both the Red Devils and Newcastle United are said to be interested in making a last-gasp swoop for the 27-year-old, with Enzo Maresca's Chelsea also keeping a keen eye on the player amid their own hunt for a striker.

The piece notes that Calvert-Lewin – who was noted as a target for Ten Hag earlier this summer by The Athletic – has rejected multiple contract offers from the Toffees, with just 12 months remaining on his existing deal.

Why Calvert-Lewin would be a good signing

On the face of it, any move for the Goodison hero would appear to be a strange one, particularly considering he has scored just 14 league goals since the start of 2021/22.

There will also be concern over the former Sheffield United man's injury record, yet in fact, he actually completed more minutes in the top flight than Rasmus Hojlund last season (2171 vs 2158), while scoring seven times in 32 outings.

The figurehead of a defensive-minded Everton side, Calvert-Lewin could perhaps thrive in a more attacking set-up, having previously showcased his goalscoring credentials under Carlo Ancelotti, after bagging 29 league goals across 2019/20 and 2020/21.

It is that prior experience in the division that has led talkSPORT pundit Darren Bent to claim that he would represent an "upgrade" on United's current crop of strikers, in the form of Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, with the latter man hardly an out-and-out goalscorer after netting just 12 times for Bologna last season.

Metric (per 90)

DCL

Hojlund

Zirkzee

Games (starts)

32 (26)

30 (25)

34 (32)

Minutes played

2171

2158

2759

Goals

0.29

0.42

0.36

Assists

0.08

0.08

0.13

Progressive carries

1.49

1.50

1.73

Progressive passes

1.29

1.38

2.80

Touches in opposition box

5.15

4.00

4.43

Aerial duels won

5.68

1.04

0.94

What particularly stands out above is just how superior Calvert-Lewin is in the air to United's current pair, while also boasting a greater knack for getting into the attacking penalty area, with his young counterparts seemingly more concerned with getting involved in the build-up.

As Bent noted, on his day the Englishman can be "unplayable" – like he was under Ancelotti – offering a real focal point in attack, perhaps in the mould of what the 6 foot 3 Sebastian Haller provided under Ten Hag at Ajax.

With Zirkzee himself suggesting that he is more of a 'nine and a half' than a true centre-forward – and with Hojlund still "learning the game", as per Paul Scholes – a more experienced, orthodox option could be required.

What Calvert-Lewin – who has scored 54 top-flight goals to date – also boasts is an apparent likeness to a figure of United folklore, with ex-teammate Richarlison stating that he is "like Cristiano Ronaldo", due to his "incredible leap".

As indicated above, Ronaldo in his pomp was a true master in the air, with it some praise for Calvert-Lewin to even be mentioned in the same breath as the Portuguese icon.

That aerial prowess of the Toffees star is seen in the fact that 20 of his league goals have come from headers thus far, further showcasing the penalty-box presence that he can provide at the Theatre of Dreams.

With the likes of Bruno Fernandes – who created the most chances in the top-flight last season – providing Calvert-Lewin with a plethora of openings, perhaps he could return to the version of himself that was so deadly under Ancelotti's watch.

Talks held: Man Utd target £40m "monster" who has shades of Berbatov

The incredible goalscorer could help fire the Red Devils up the table this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 29, 2024

Stand-in captain top-scores with 49 and takes a wicket in first over as Derbyshire brushed aside

ECB Reporters' Network20-Jun-2021

Joe Root has been in good form in the Blast for Yorkshire•Getty Images

Joe Root top-scored with 49 off 36 balls as he captained Yorkshire to a 39-run Vitality Blast win over Derbyshire Falcons at Emerald Headingley.The England Test captain is back in Vikings colours prior to one-day international duty next week and contributed significantly, alongside Harry Brook’s unbeaten 48, to their 174 for 6 having been inserted. Seamer George Scrimshaw claimed a career best 3 for 30 for the Falcons, but they fell well short of their target at 135 all out in 19 overs.Dom Bess and Lockie Ferguson finished with 3 for 21 apiece as Yorkshire claimed a fourth win in six North Group games to move top on net run rate. Derbyshire suffered their fifth defeat in seven.Root missed out on a sixth half-century in his last seven Blast innings dating back to July 2018. But he still averages a fabulous 75.59 with 378 runs in that sequence.He came into Yorkshire’s team as one of four changes from last Wednesday’s win at Worcestershire – Friday’s clash with Birmingham was rained off – with Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid and regular skipper David Willey all on T20 international duty.Root was in after five balls of the game and navigated his side away from danger at 8 for 1 and later 56 for 3 in the eighth over on a true pitch. Typically busy, he shared 57 in six overs for the fourth wicket with Brook before being caught at mid-on off the impressive Scrimshaw, who also removed Gary Ballance and Will Fraine.Jordan Thompson twice, Brook and Matthew Waite shared four sixes in the last nine balls of the innings to boost Yorkshire’s total. And Root, captaining his county for the first time in a limited-overs game, struck 10 balls into Derbyshire’s chase when Luis Reece skewed his offspin high to point.New Zealand overseas quick Ferguson and seamer Waite also struck in their first overs to remove Harry Came and Billy Godleman. And when Bess claimed a sharp return catch to remove Leus du Plooy, Derbyshire were in deep trouble at 49 for 4 after nine overs.Bess had Matt Critchley caught at long-on and Brook Guest caught at long-off to secure career best figures in only his 10th T20 appearance – Derbyshire 84 for 6 in the 14th.Fynn Hudson-Prentice hit 34 and Alex Thomson 28, but they only added respectability before falling to successive Thompson deliveries in the 18th over, and Ferguson then cleaned up the tail in the penultimate.

Paris Saint-Germain are the latest club linked with Barcelona attacker Dani Olmo amid unresolved concerns over his registration status.

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PSG tipped to move for OlmoBarcelona at risk of losing summer signingContract registration still unresolvedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After links with Arsenal and Manchester City this month, PSG are now reported by to be keeping tabs on Olmo's bizarre situation at Barcelona. The French giants have been tipped to make a move if things are not resolved in Catalonia, with PSG coach Luis Enrique already familiar with Olmo from the Spain national team setup.

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Olmo's future is only uncertain because of Barcelona's continued financial strife. The Euro 2024 winner joined for €60 million (£50m/$63m) from RB Leipzig last summer but couldn't initially be registered in accordance with strict La Liga salary limits until the club were able to offset Andreas Christensen's wages due to injury. But with the Dane returning to fitness, Barca are back to square one unless they can raise the necessary revenue. A legal challenge to try and force Olmo's registration has already failed, which is a desperate blow given the possibility of the player walking away as a free agent.

DID YOU KNOW?

Barcelona will remain financially hamstrung as long as they stay on La Liga's harshest spending rules, allowing them to only reinvest a fraction of money received or saved. The club has been rumoured several times in recent months to be close to returning to normality, but that has yet to materialise. These limitations are also why Ilkay Gundogan was let go on a free transfer and why Nico Williams was out of reach last summer.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT?

Barcelona need to find money that will allow them to register Olmo before it is too late and they risk losing him. One option could be to sell other players, with Christensen one of those linked with a January exit and Newcastle United an apparent suitor.

Whilst Aston Villa deserve high praise for their recent rise, they could yet suffer from their own success with a major European club eyeing a move for one of Unai Emery’s key men.

Aston Villa transfer news

The Villans are gunning for back-to-back top four finishes in the Premier League to ensure that last season was no blip and that they’re very much here to stay among Europe’s elite. So far, on that front, they’ve ticked plenty of boxes, with two wins in three games and just the one loss coming against title contenders Arsenal in a game that could have gone either way.

Emery can ease Bailey blow by unleashing Aston Villa's "top young player"

Unai Emery will have to make a change or two ahead of the clash against Everton

ByRoss Kilvington Sep 14, 2024

Those in the Midlands have the summer transfer window to thank for such a solid start. They spent the last few months adding to Emery’s squad and managed to lose only Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby in pursuit of avoiding any profit and sustainability trouble.

One man who has represented the impressive nature of their business more than anyone is Amadou Onana. The central midfield arrived from Everton in a deal reportedly worth as much as £50m and hasn’t looked back since, scoring twice in three Premier League games. It’s the type of start that has instantly won over those at Villa Park, but also seemingly attracted interest from elsewhere.

According to MARCA, Barcelona chief Deco still has Onana in his sights ahead of 2025 as the La Liga giants look to finally replace Sergio Busquets. They were initially reportedly interested in the Belgian at Everton only for Villa to swoop in and land his signature. Now, they could ensure that his next move comes around even quicker.

Just 23 years old, there’s no doubt that the midfielder has a big future ahead of him, but it remains to be seen whether that future will be in the Midlands or in Barcelona.

"Excellent" Onana is destined for the top

Amid financial instability and the soap opera that is Barcelona these days, a move to the European giants may not carry the same attraction as it once did, but this is still one of the most historic clubs in history and one that is still hard to resist as a result. It’s a move that the likes of Robert Lewandowski have been unable to turn down even from Bayern Munich and now potentially a move that Onana will be forced to ponder.

As Aston Villa continue their rise, it’s becoming more and more clear that Onana is a player destined for the very top, be that with the Villans or elsewhere in years to come. The Belgian has been catching the eye ever since his time at Everton, with Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig describing his performance against Arsenal in the 2022/23 campaign as “excellent”.

Earning a reported £140,000-a-week at the club, only time will tell whether Onana’s form takes him beyond Aston Villa, who could yet fall victim to their own rapid rise in recent years under Emery.

Afghan seamer taken out of attack for two high full tosses in 19th over that costs 24

ECB Reporters' Network13-Jun-2021Durham pulled off what will go down as one of the more extraordinary wins in their T20 history as Leicestershire Foxes threw away what looked like a nailed-on victory in the Vitality Blast at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Chasing 169 to win this North Group match after Scott Steel hit 53 against his former team-mates, Durham were 108 for 8 in the 14th over and still needed 49 with only four overs left. That came down to 23 off two after Gavin Griffiths conceded 15 in the 18th but winning still looked a tall order.Yet former Leicestershire man Ned Eckersley and Liam Trevaskis saw their side home with an over to spare as the Foxes conceded 24 in a calamitous 19th over that was started by their overseas player Naveen-ul-Haq and ended by Ben Mike after the Afghan fast bowler was ordered out of the attack for bowling two head-high no-balls.Naveen’s first and sixth balls were called for height, the second of which Eckersley ramped for four, adding nine to the total just from no-balls. In between came a two, two singles and a leg-bye and a four for Trevaskis when he should have been caught at deep midwicket, Arron Lilley losing the ball in the sun.Naveen’s second no-ball meant he could not bowl the extra delivery. Mike took over and Eckersley clubbed the free hit for six over long-off to complete a 36-ball half-century and win the game to a stunned silence from the home crowd.Earlier, Durham had restricted the Foxes to what looked like a below-par 168 for 9, with Lilley hitting 31 but Matty Potts and ex-Leicestershire seamer Ben Raine taking three wickets each. Having been 117 for 3 in the 14th over, the Foxes stumbled from 155 for 4 to 166 for 9, losing five wickets for 11 runs in 15 balls.Steel’s 53 included five fours and two sixes, Lilley’s 31 off 21 balls with sixes off Paul Coughlin over midwicket and two down the ground in consecutive balls off Scott Borthwick’s legbreaks.Durham’s reply was off to a blistering start as David Bedingham blasted 38 off 19 balls with three sixes off left-arm spinner Callum Parkinson’s opening over. At 58 for two after 6, they looked well placed but after a bad call by Raine saw Cameron Bancroft run out they lost five wickets for 20 runs in 22 balls.Lilley, who had Jack Burnham caught at short third man in an attempted reverse sweep and Coughlin leg before, took his third wicket as Borthwick missed the ball trying to work to leg but a career-best 3 for 26 was small consolation for what happened at the end as Trevaskis took four and a six over deep midwicket off Griffiths and Naveen’s afternoon turned into a nightmare.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em simbiose, Flamengo e a sua torcida viveram uma tarde histórica na última sexta-feira, quando o ônibus da delegação rubro-negra foi abraçado pela Nação do Ninho do Urubu ao Aeroporto do Galeão, onde o time embarcou rumo a Porto Alegre para dois jogos pelo Brasileiro antes de decidir a Libertadores. E a pessoa responsável por conduzir os finalistas da América teve uma visão privilegiada e a oportunidade de vivenciar tal experiência pela segunda vez em três anos: Jorge Moraes, o motorista do ônibus do clube.

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Ao LANCE!, Jorge contou sobre a nova experiência, a importância de momentos como o de ontem para a torcida, sobretudo para quem não possui condições de ir com frequência aos jogos, e a representação de um torcedor trabalhando diariamente em seu clube do coração.

“Sou um privilegiado”, resumiu Jorge Moraes após o segundo AeroFla:

⁃A torcida do Flamengo é incrível e não deixou a desejar no apoio aos nossos jogadores e comissão. Sempre cantando em tom bem alto, com toda a emoção de torcer para um dos maiores clubes do mundo. É imensurável fazer parte dessa história pela segunda vez em três anos. Ver de perto o rosto do torcedor, as crianças, os idosos. Tenho a exata noção que sou um privilegiado por participar duas vezes em tão pouco tempo – disse Jorge, emendando sobre as lembranças de 2019, antes do embarque para Lima e às vésperas do bicampeonato da Libertadores.

⁃São as melhores possíveis. Não dava para ver o asfalto, a torcida balançava a van, cantava sem parar. Estávamos há muito tempo sem disputar uma final de Libertadores. Emocionante demais. Jamais sairá da minha memória e de todos que estiveram ali. Vestir essa camisa proporciona momentos como esse.

Por falar em Lima, Jorge lembrou que não viajaria para a capital peruana, mas o seu sonho foi realizado depois de uma grata surpresa:

⁃ “Lima, lá glória eterna!”. Eu estava lá, e isso ninguém tira. É uma história até curiosa, pois eu não viajaria. Em cima da hora, precisei buscar uma encomenda na Gávea para enviar para Lima. Cheguei no aeroporto e fui entregar ao responsável. Do nada, me perguntam se estou com minha identidade. ‘De repente você viajará’, disseram. Eu respondi ‘tá de brincadeira? Não se brinca com o sonho alheio.’ Na metade dos check-in dos familiares, fiquei sabendo que embarcaria, mas não acreditei. Só acreditei dentro do avião. E lá fui eu viver o sonho e ter a oportunidade de dizer pra minha família que estive lá.

Por fim, Jorge Moraes comentou sobre os seus tempos de Maracanã e a sua realização em poder representar a arquibancada dentro do Fla.

– Cansei de ir para o Maracanã assistir aos jogos na antiga geral, pagando R$ 2. Muitas vezes voltei andando até o Engenho Novo porque não tinha o dinheiro da passagem. E com o bico seco também.

– Hoje trabalho junto dos meus ídolos, companheiros de trabalho, muitos me tratam com carinho e respeito, ainda recebo ligações de atletas que não estão mais aqui. Muito gratificante. Sou um torcedor que pode colaborar diretamente com o crescimento do nosso clube. Represento a arquibancada ali – finalizou.

> Veja e simule a tabela do Brasileiro

Em Porto Alegre, o Flamengo enfrenta o Internacional às 21h30 deste sábado, no Beira-Rio, 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

Celtic are back in action in the Scottish Premiership this weekend, as they look to continue their 100% record, with a clash with Hearts at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops have won all four of their games in the division without conceding a single goal, beating Kilmarnock, Hibernian, St Mirren, and Rangers.

Brendan Rodgers' side also came out on top with a 3-1 win over Hibernian in the League Cup, with Daizen Maeda scoring twice and Nicolas Kuhn getting on the scoresheet.

It has been a fantastic start to the season for the Hoops and one of the team's top performers in the Premiership has been right-back Alistair Johnston.

Alistair Johnston's fine form

The Canada international, who started 32 of the club's 38 league games in the 2023/24 campaign, has started all four of Celtic's league matches this term.

Johnston has been in fine form down the right flank with his ability to remain solid and reliable out of possession, whilst also providing an attacking threat.

Appearances

4

Sofascore rating

7.88

Goals

1

Assists

1

Big chances created

4

Duel success rate

69%

As you can see in the table above, the 25-year-old star has contributed to five goals and 'big chances' created combined and won the majority of his physical duels, to help his side keep four clean sheets.

Whilst Celtic do have a terrific right-back on their books, in Johnston, they may still rue the error they made in releasing Aaron Hickey from their academy.

When Celtic fumbled Aaron Hickey

The full-back spent four years in the academy system in Glasgow before joining Hearts on a free transfer in the summer of 2018, which he later revealed was due to a lack of game time with the Hoops.

Celtic's coaches did not do enough to convince him that it was the right club for him to continue his development and breakthrough at first-team level at.

That turned out to be a howler by the Scottish giants, as Hickey, who was dubbed "amazing" by Steven Naismith, went on to play 34 first-team games for Hearts before his transfer to Serie A side Bologna in 2020.

The Scotland international scored five goals in 48 outings for Bologna and that attracted interest from Premier League side Brentford, who swooped to sign him for a reported fee of £14m in the summer of 2022.

Since his move to England, the 22-year-old starlet has made 37 appearances for the Bees and is currently out with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until April 2025.

At the time of writing, Transfermarkt has his current market value at a staggering €28m (£24m), which illustrates his rise since moving on from the Hoops for nothing back in 2018.

His value is particularly impressive when you consider that Transfermarkt has Johnston's at €8.5m (£7m), despite his sublime form for the Bhoys.

This means that Hickey is worth significantly more than Johnston, whilst being three years younger, and that suggests that Celtic fumbled when they failed to convince him to stay as a teenager in 2018, as his career has gone from strength to strength since then.

Celtic have an amazing B team star who could be the next Maeda

The Hoops youngster could develop into being a first-team operator in the future.

2 ByDan Emery Sep 9, 2024