Though a top-tenner for the best part of the last decade, Rohit has never been the top-ranked batter in the 50-over format before
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2025
Rohit Sharma brought up a 105-ball century in the final ODI in Australia•AFP/Getty Images
Rohit Sharma has become the No. 1-ranked ODI batter following his innings of 73 and 121 not out in the second and third games in the series in Australia, which India lost 2-1.The two knocks took Rohit up from third spot to the top for the first time in his career after being in the top ten for large periods over the past decade. The century, in particular, boosted Rohit’s points and took him past Ibrahim Zadran and Shubman Gill.Rohit wasn’t the only India cricketer to gain after the three-ODI series in Australia, with Axar Patel rewarded for a strong all-round performance. He took a wicket in each of the three ODIs and chipped in with scores of 31 and 44 in the first and second games. That took him up six places on the bowlers’ table to No. 31, and up four spots to No. 8 on the allrounders’ table.Full rankings tables
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Within the respective top tens, Mitchell Santner moved up three rungs to fourth place following the first two ODIs against England, and Josh Hazlewood moved up two spots to eighth among the bowlers.Elsewhere, following the shared two-Test series between Pakistan and South Africa, Keshav Maharaj gained nine places to a career-high rating, and the 13th place, on the bowlers’ list. While Maharaj picked up nine wickets in the only Test he played, his team-mate Simon Harmer had 13 wickets from the two Tests and moved up 26 spots to No. 45.For South Africa, Aiden Markram (up two spots to 15th) and Tony de Zorzi (up seven places to joint 47th) also gained on the Test batters’ table.
Chelsea legend and former England star John Terry revealed why he turned down a big-money move to the Blues' Premier League title rivals during his playing days. A bona fide Stamford Bridge legend, Terry was associated with the Blues for 19 years from his academy days in 1998 up until 2017. In his senior professional career, Terry has won multiple honours, including five Premier League titles.
Terry had the opportunity to join Chelsea's title rivals
It was back in 2009 when Chelsea went three consecutive seasons without the Premier League title after winning it in 2004-05 and 2005-06 back-to-back campaigns. They finished among the top three teams in each of those seasons but were struggling to get over the line.
At that point, another mid-table Premier League side, who were slowly growing in stature, were Manchester City after their high-profile takeover. City were signing big names like Robinho to strengthen and were reportedly also keen on bringing Terry to Etihad Stadium. However, the ex-England defender turned down their offer to prove his loyalty to the Blues.
AdvertisementGetty'Committed rest of my career to Chelsea'
Speaking to , Terry said: "I know Man City made a 29 million pound bid for me back in 2009/10 when Ancelotti was the manager. And as soon as Chelsea spoke to me about it, I was like, 'I don’t want to leave. I do not want to leave this football club. And if you want to sell me, then we have to have a different discussion because I don’t want to be here if you don’t want me.'
"And Roman was like, 'We want you. We want you to stay.' And I was like, ‘Well, 100% I want to stay, so let’s do a new contract.' And I signed a new contract, committed the rest of my career really to Chelsea and signed a five-year contract at the age of 29, which was the best decision ever."
Terry giving up on his dream to manager Chelsea
Quoted by the , Terry recently revealed his dream is to manage Chelsea, but he accepted that he may well have to admit defeat on that fantasy. He said: "I'm not sure it ever happens, to be honest. It's my one last dream I have at the football club. I've done everything at Chelsea. And for me now, the one thing that is missing is being the manager of the football club. That's why I went into coaching when I finished playing. My idea and dream was to learn my trade a bit. As a player, you retire after 22 years… Listen, 100 per cent, you learn enough to go into management. The level I played at and the managers I played under. But it doesn't give you the right you go into management at a certain level. You still have to learn and understand what it takes.
"There's a lot more that goes into the coaching side of it. So I went away and learnt my trade, I had some unbelievable times at Villa, I left Villa to be a number one, I thought I was ready. I think I'd be a really good number one, I enjoyed the coaching side of it. I want people around me that are better coaches than me. Then I could lead the dressing room and the team like I did [as a player]. That's what I did for 22 years at the club. I know I'd be good at it. Will I ever get the chance? I'm not sure, without doing the other bits. But when people tell you you've not got the experience, it's difficult to fathom."
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Getty Images SportTerry planning to take up League One job
Terry further claimed in the interaction that he could consider taking charge of a third-tier club in England as he added: "When I went into Villa I got great experience under Dean Smith and we got promotion, which was incredible. As an assistant coach in the Premier League and the experience I've had as a player and an individual captain in both Chelsea and England, I thought that would be enough to get me a job. I'm not saying a job in the Premier League or the Championship – but a job at League One level."
Manchester United are looking to add to their squad in January, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed one signing the Red Devils absolutely “will” make in 2026.
Ruben Amorim will be pleased with the progress his side have made in their last batch of Premier League matches with the international break now here, given that the Red Devils have gone five games unbeaten in the top-flight.
Despite looking set for a defeat last weekend, Matthijs De Ligt’s late header against Tottenham salvaged Manchester United a draw in the capital to keep his side one point off the top four.
Intriguingly, the Red Devils now sit above Liverpool on goal difference after their heavy defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, which is a testament to their resilience despite losing three players due to injury, something Amorim was keen to point out when speaking to Match of the Day.
“It was a complicated match, especially in the end. If you look at the game the three points were there to take. I think we can be so much better to understand more what’s happening in the game,” said the United boss.
“We lacked a little bit in the final third, the quality was not perfect. We fight in every adversity. We lost Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Benjamin Sesko and we lose two goals, but we still managed to score.”
While the Slovenian appears to be the worst of the casualties, it does beg the question of where Manchester United could look to strengthen in January. With that in mind, Romano has delivered a telling update from Old Trafford.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd "will" sign midfielder
Speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, Romano has confirmed that Manchester United will “for sure” sign a midfielder next year, noting that Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller are two targets that the club could look to acquire.
Conor Gallagher in 2025/26 – all competitions
Appearances – 16
2 goals 0 assists
Angelo Stiller in 2025/26 – all competitions
Appearances – 17
1 goal 5 assists
With both midfielders excelling inside Europe’s top five leagues, it appears there could be room for movement, even if January may not be a suitable time due to the difficult nature of conducting business mid-season.
Man Utd are also eyeing a midfielder they could get a £60m discount on
Gallagher’s homegrown status would also appeal to Amorim. However, there are no certainties in football, and it appears that there is plenty of work to be done before Manchester United secure a new operator in the engine room.
Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague on Tuesday made it four wins from four in the Champions League for the high-flying Gunners so far in 2025-26. Bukayo Saka, captain for the night, got the ball rolling from the penalty spot, before Mikel Merino took over as the Spain international, playing in place of Viktor Gyokeres, scored twice in a clinical performance in the Czech capital.
Gabriel Magalhaes has made his name in recent seasons as a force with his head at attacking set-pieces, but the centre-back almost gave Arsenal a very early lead in spectacular fashion – his left-footed drive after the ball was only partially cleared by Slavia just narrowly missed the target.
Slavia pressure in response didn't test David Raya as shots were either blocked or flew off target, before the Gunners regained a creative foothold and Saka had a pair of efforts saved by goalkeeper Jakub Markovic midway through the first half. Leandro Trossard was also denied in a spell of pressure that would have pleased Arteta on the touchline.
Arsenal were also peppering the Slavia box with corners, which directly led to making the breakthrough. A delivery from Saka was met at the near post by Gabriel and deflected behind, which prompted a VAR intervention after striking Lukas Provod’s arm before it went out of play. The referee pointed to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor and Saka showed no mercy as he smashed the subsequent spot-kick into the net.
Slavia, disappointing since the very early stages, unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty of their own a couple of times, but Arsenal were firmly in control by the time the half-time whistle came. The second goal came, meanwhile, straight after the restart and was as simple as you like as Trossard supplied the cross from the left and Merino, somehow completely unmarked in the middle, turned the ball in six yards out.
Merino's second of the night, and Arsenal's third, was another simple one. Declan Rice's floated ball into the box looked like it should have been Markovic's to claim, only for the goalkeeper not to make it before Merino got his head there instead, flicking into the empty net.
The Gunners survived a late penalty decision when substitute Ben White seemed to upend Provod, but appeared harsh on second look and VAR intervened to determine it was not a foul.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Fortuna Arena…
AFP
Goalkeeper & Defence
David Raya (6/10):
Slavia didn't manage a shot on target until deep into stoppage time, so his goal was pretty much unchallenged. Commanded his area well.
Jurrien Timber (6/10):
Saw surprisingly little of the ball in possession, with only 35 touches until being withdrawn after 73 minutes.
William Saliba (6/10):
One his easier nights after Slavia's early impetus seemed to fade after the opening 15 minutes.
Gabriel Magalhaes (7/10):
Typically made himself an attacking threat as much as he was a defensive force and was directly involved in winning the penalty that broke the deadlock.
Piero Hincapie (6/10):
Made his full Champions League debut for the Gunners. Departed the pitch shortly after being left in a heap, but it appeared to be a planned substitution anyway.
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AFP
Midfield
Ethan Nwaneri (6/10):
Made tidy use of the ball in midfield but struggled to impose himself physically.
Christian Norgaard (5/10):
Gave the ball away more easily than Arteta would have liked. Only won three of nine duels on the ground and in the air.
Declan Rice (8/10):
Completed more passes than anyone else and the pitch, and by extension created the most chances. Comes away with an assist for the ball into the box that gave Merino the second of his brace.
Getty Images Sport
Attack
Bukayo Saka (8/10):
Continues rising to the occasion and is now the first-ever Arsenal player to score in four successive Champions League away games.
Mikel Merino (9/10):
Back in the No.9 role after Gyokeres was ruled out due to the injury and repaid that faith from his manager. Probably couldn't believe how much space he was given when doubling Arsenal's lead, but crucially made sure to make the opportunity count. His second showed just as much striker's instinct. The ball didn't really stick when it was fired into him, but with two goals what does it matter?
Leandro Trossard (7/10):
Assist for Merino's goal aside, the Belgian was consistently involved in promising Arsenal attacks, including a previous attempted cross towards the stand-in striker that was only just cut out before it reached its mark.
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Getty Images Sport
Subs & Manager
Eberechi Eze (5/10):
Hardly involved off the bench.
Max Dowman (6/10):
This monumental season keeps getting better for the 15-year-old, who is now the youngest player in Champions League history.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6/10):
On at left-back as Arteta looked to freshen things up for the final stages.
Ben White (5/10):
Both full-backs were replaced simultaneously, with White going to the right. VAR saved him from conceding a penalty.
Andre Harriman-Annous (6/10):
Another Champions League debut, but at 17 a relative veteran compared to Dowman.
Mikel Arteta (9/10):
Gyokeres made it seven injured players, plus Zubimendi's suspension, so the boss really had to rely on his squad's depth for this one. Made other changes too, opting to rest Calafiori and Eze from the start. Everything worked as hoped and he could then rotate again at 3-0 up.
Still pushing to find their next manager, Rangers have now reportedly held talks with another candidate who Pep Guardiola once praised as “incredible”.
Latest on Rangers' manager search
It’s been a search full of twists and turns, but one that is ultimately still going. Rangers remain without a manager and will return to action against Dundee United with former defender Steven Smith in the dugout on a temporary basis.
Between now and then, those at Ibrox will be desperate to fill their vacancy and get their project back on track, but they’ve already been rejected by lead candidate Steven Gerrard and watched on as Danny Rohl pulled out of the race to take them back to the drawing board.
Now, it seems as though Kevin Muscat has emerged to become the new favourite for the job. The 49ers are reportedly advancing talks to hire the Shanghai Port manager, despite rumours that he may only arrive once the Chinese Super League season comes to an end on November 22.
Already 11 points behind unexpected leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, some will be questioning whether Rangers can afford to play the waiting game for Muscat or whether they should be looking elsewhere.
"Brilliant" former assistant to Hansi Flick wants to be Rangers manager – report
He’s eager to get going…
ByTom Cunningham Oct 15, 2025
The former Ibrox player has won everywhere he’s been as a manager and has been on the Gers’ radar in the past before they hired Philippe Clement, but the current circumstances are far from ideal.
There could also be further twists to the tale if Rangers fail to hire Muscat, and that’s where a former Premier League manager could come in.
Rangers hold talks with Solskjaer
According to Sky Sports, the 49ers and Rangers have now held talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about the vacant position at Ibrox. Having already made initial contact with the former Manchester United manager, the Gers have now taken one step further to open talks ahead of potentially welcoming him to Scotland.
Amid the chaos of their managerial search, Solskjaer stands out as one of the strongest candidates. He’s managed at the highest level of European football with his 4-2-3-1 system and was only recently in the dugout at Besiktas. Whilst some will be quick to remember how his time at Old Trafford ended, it’s worth noting that he initially transformed the Red Devils.
His start to life at United sparked Rio Ferdinand’s infamous call that for Solskjaer to be handed an instant contract from his caretaker position and it also drew praise from Guardiola.
A free agent who has experience at the very top, Solskjaer is certainly someone for Rangers to seriously consider.
In surprising praise for his former rival, Steven Gerrard claimed that one Manchester United legend would now be the best in his position in the Premier League.
Gerrard has say on Man United rivalry
Gerrard’s Premier League title never quite arrived. Whether it was down to the sudden emergence of a beach ball in front of Pepe Reina or his own disastrous slip against Chelsea many years later is something that many at Anfield will still be thinking about, but it’s also worth considering the strength of Liverpool’s rivals in this era.
The new Yorke & Cole: Man Utd's "superb double-act" could save Amorim's job
Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke famously scored 53 goals as Manchester United won the treble in 1998/99, but has Rúben Amorim found a new “electric” duo?
ByBen Gray Oct 7, 2025
This was Man United at their very best. For large parts of this era, they were unstoppable under Sir Alex Ferguson – winning 13 Premier League titles in total. Even Champions League miracle men at Anfield couldn’t stand in the Red Devils’ way and Gerrard has now had his say as to why those at Old Trafford had the edge and the part he played in the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool.
The rivalry was often so fierce that it arguably came to the detriment of England’s Golden Generation. Both camps failed to put their egos aside for the benefit of the Three Lions and ultimately failed as a result.
Now, years later, the respect is finally there in full and Gerrard has even gone as far as to say that one Man United legend would be the “best” in his position these days.
Gerrard: Scholes would be the "best" if he played now
Handing surprising praise to his old rival, Gerrard said that Paul Scholes would be the “best midfielder” in the Premier League nowadays with the technical aspects of his game standing out.
The Liverpool legend told Rio Ferdinand: “I think Scholesy if he played now would hands down be the best midfielder in the Premier League. That’s a fact.”
Scholes in the Premier League
Stats
Appearances
499
Goals
107
Assists
61
Title Wins
11
For so long, there has been a debate around who takes top spot between Frank Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes – a midfield three which somehow never worked for England – but Gerrard seems to believe that it would be the former United man in top spot if all three played in the modern game.
It’s some of the highest praise that Scholes could have received, given the talent in the Premier League these days. Gerrard even put him above Manchester City’s Rodri in what should please those at Old Trafford. And to say that Ruben Amorim could do with a player of Scholes’ calibre now would be an understatement.
Former Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic has praised his compatriot, AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric, saying the Croatian’s intelligence puts him a step ahead of everyone else. Rakitic also attributes Modric’s longevity to his unique lifestyle, noting that he approaches football differently from most players and genuinely enjoys the game as he tipped the Rossoneri to challenge for the Serie A title.
Widespread praise for Modric
Milan midfielder Modric has earned widespread acclaim for his performances since he joined the San Siro side after his long spell at Real Madrid came to an end in the summer. He became the oldest midfielder in Serie A history to score when he netted the winner in a 1-0 victory over Bologna. Coach Massimiliano Allegri says Modric is always a step ahead of everyone else while Milan legend Demetrio Albertini compared him to Andrea Pirlo, praising his ability to elevate those playing alongside him.
AdvertisementGettyRakitic's praise for Modric and his secret to longevity
In an interview with , Rakitic spoke about how happy Modric is at Milan: "We spoke yesterday, he's very happy, he invited me to Milan. He says Italian football is very different from Spanish football, but he's having a great time. And he's also very happy with his teammates; his family is enjoying this new chapter. He has [director Igli] Tare to thank for all of this: he was the one who brought him to AC Milan."
Rakitic also revealed Modric’s secret to career longevity: "Luka is totally different from the others in his way of living and working. He enjoys his profession; he lives for football and does everything well. He has a physical trainer he works with every day, but he has a footballing intelligence that puts him ahead of everyone else. Now he's better than ever."
Milan's scudetto chances
After Milan collected an impressive four points against fellow Serie A contenders Napoli and Juventus, Rakitic believes that with a coach like Allegri and a winning mentality like Modric’s, the Scudetto is an achievable target.
"It will be decided in March. I like teams that grow throughout the year: you don't have to be at their best in November or February, but in the spring. If the players do that, with a coach like Allegri who has won everything, they can win," he added.
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AFPMilan's upcoming test vs Fiorentina
Milan and Allegri will rely on Modric’s experience and technique as they aim to mount a Scudetto challenge. The Rossoneri face Fiorentina on October 19 and will hope they can secure all three points against Stefano Pioli’s side.
Sir Kenny Dalglish stole headline after headline during his playing days, so it is no surprise his managerial career featured several world-class stars who did the exact same. As a legendary goalscorer himself, it only seemed right that he worked with the likes of Luis Suarez and Alan Shearer from the technical area – even winning the Premier League title with the latter at Blackburn.
The same can be said for Steven Gerrard. The former Liverpool midfielder would have caught a glimpse of Dalglish’s incredible Anfield legacy as a young boy and if you told that same young boy that he’d one day captain the Scot’s Reds, then it would have sounded more like a fantasy world. In reality, however, the Gerrard and Dalglish link-up did happen and even featured a trophy.
Gerrard’s not the only Liverpool icon that featured during Dalglish’s second reign, however. In fact, King Kenny was partly responsible for welcoming Suarez to Anfield in 2011.
After losing Fernando Torres, the Reds swiftly reacted by splashing out £22m to welcome Suarez on deadline day. And soon enough, Dalglish was pictured standing next to both the South American and fellow new arrival Andy Carroll. Of course, what makes that picture all the more iconic is the fact that Carroll cost Liverpool £15m more than Suarez.
Appearances
52
Goals
21
Assists
9
The 30-goal involvements in 52 games was just a preview of what was to come from Suarez at Liverpool. The former Ajax man soon reached a new level entirely under Brendan Rodgers, but not many will forget that it was Dalglish who introduced him to the Premier League for the first time.
As good as Suarez and Gerrard were, however, Dalglish snubbed both of them when asked to name the best player that he managed.
Dalglish names "brilliant" Lucas Leiva as best player he coached
Not Suarez, not Gerrard, not Shearer, but Lucas Leiva was the name mentioned by Dalglish when asked to name the best player that he worked with. The Brazilian midfielder clearly had a fan in the Liverpool legend and the Scot made sure to hand him the highest possible praise when speaking to reporters.
Leiva, to his credit, is still a cult hero at Anfield for the many years of service he gave to Liverpool during some of their most frustrating times in the Premier League.
Lucas Leiva is presented with an award at Liverpool by Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Ultimately, injuries prevented him from truly realising his potential at the club, but there’s a very good reason why the midfielder kept his place for 10 years on Merseyside and remains a popular figure to this day.
Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game after Lanning smashed 69
Vishal Dikshit19-Feb-2025
Annabel Sutherland and Marizanne Kapp put on a crucial, unbroken 48-run stand to chase down 167•BCCI
The Delhi Capitals middle order stepped up for the first time in this WPL and didn’t squander the blazing start provided by their prolific opening pair of Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning to consign UP Warriorz to their second straight loss. Capitals’ seven-wicket win ended the Vadodara leg of the tournament with the chasing team winning all six games, before the action moves to Bengaluru, and then Lucknow and Mumbai.It was not all smooth and easy for Capitals though. Once Lanning fell for 69, they needed a tricky 48 off 32 on a pitch that was keeping low. The ever-dependable Marizanne Kapp tilted the game in their favour with consecutive fours off Sophie Ecclestone when the equation read 31 off 17 and Annabel Sutherland all but sealed the chase in the last over – off which they needed 11 – by handing similar treatment to Grace Harris. This was also the highest total chased by Capitals in WPL.Related
Warriorz's Athapaththu to leave WPL early to play for Sri Lanka
If the shoe fits: Chinelle Henry ready to step up for Alyssa Healy
Warriorz’s fielding lapses of three dropped chances and misfields in the last over cost them the game, after their own middle order was unable to capitalise on the rapid start given by Kiran Navgire’s 51 off 27.Navgire’s big hits against the big namesNavgire put all the doubts around Warriorz’s inexperienced top order to bed by taking on the big names in Captilas’ attack. She got going from ball one, smacking Kapp for back-to-back fours with a pull and straight loft. In the next over she repeated the act by making room against Shikha Pandey’s inswingers with glorious drives. She upped the level further when she walloped Kapp and Jess Jonassen for two sixes and a one-bounce four all within the space of three balls to race to 35 off 13. With a straight six off Pandey at the start of the fifth over, Navgire brought up Warriorz’s fastest team fifty, off 25 balls, and then brought up her own fifty off 24 balls, the joint-fastest by a Warriorz batter.Kiran Navgire got UP Warriorz off to a flying start•WPL
Sutherland sends Warriorz ‘scrambling’After starting this WPL with a three-for last week, Sutherland showed her bowling smarts again by sending down short balls with scrambled seams and the bigger boundary on the leg side. Both Vrinda Dinesh and Navgire couldn’t clear the rope and Warriorz went from 66 for 0 to 73 for 2.The Capitals spinners stepped up from the other end. Jonassen fired one outside off to have Tahlia McGrath stumped and Deepti Sharma suffered the same fate when she couldn’t connect against the drift and turn of offspinner Minnu Mani. In a matter of 23 balls, Warriotz had lost 4 for 16 that eventually cost them the match.Henry shines on WPL debutWarriorz were headed towards more misery when Harris miscued an offcutter for 12 and they were reeling at 118 for 5. But with five overs to go, it was WPL debutant Chinelle Henry who struck the big hits as Shweta Sehrawat also showed her hitting skills with 37 off 33. Henry, who had scored 61 in her last game at the same ground for West Indies, lifted Warriorz from 128 to 150 single-handedly by smashing Pandey all around the park for three sixes and a four in four balls for a 23-run 17th over. Capitals, however, bounced back to concede just 16 runs in the last three as Jonassen varied her pace and Arundhati Reddy and Kapp took the pace off.Lanning and Shafali pepper the boundaries, againThat Lanning and Shafali brought up their second fifty stand in three games was nothing new in the WPL, but this time it was with Lanning looking far more confident. Following two scratchy innings, she led her team for nearly three-fourths of the chase with a solid 69 off 49 after Shafali’s 26 off 16 deflated UPW in the powerplay. Shafali punished Kranti Goud in the first over, Lanning dabbed Sophie Ecclestone for two fours in the second, they went after Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Goud together in the third and fifth, and with three fours off Henry’s two overs, Capitals had 59 in the powerplay and the batting pair had their tenth 50-plus opening stand in WPL, the most by a distance.Meg Lanning brought up a quick half-century•BCCI
Sutherland, Kapp see Capitals home after a stutterWarriorz put down their first chance when Henry dropped Shafali on 25 at deep midwicket although it didn’t cost them much because the batter pulled again to Henry four balls later on 26. It became two wickets in five balls when Jemimah Rodrigues paddled to short fine leg for her third duck in WPL. Once the wickets slowed things down briefly, Lanning’s nifty footwork fetched her three fours in two overs to pull things back while a steady Sutherland kept going at run a ball.Once Ecclestone and Harris sent down two boundary-less overs to bring the equation from 57 off 42 to 47 off 30 along with the wicket of Lanning, Warriorz were clawing back in the game. But Eccelstone put down a sitter of Sutherland and Kapp reeled off boundaries with placement and power to bring Capitals back and she also got a life in the penultimate over.With 11 needed from six, Warriorz conceded two fours that could have been stopped in the outfield and McGrath failed to collect the ball at the bowler’s end from mid-on which could have led to a run-out but turned out to be the winning run.
It is fair to say that the opening game of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season did not go exactly how reigning champions Celtic wanted it to.
The Hoops had to battle hard to break the deadlock against a stubborn St Mirren side that sat in and defended well in a low block for the majority of the game.
However, substitute Luke McCowan was able to finally break through by firing in a shot from the edge of the box that deflected into the bottom corner in the 87th minute.
They were a fortunate deflection away from dropping two points on the opening day of the season, though, which Brendan Rodgers will not have been pleased with.
Celtic managerBrendanRodgerscelebrates after winning the League Cup
The summer transfer window is still open for a few more weeks and there could be further incoming business for the Hoops, who appear to need attacking reinforcements.
One player whose future in the starting XI remains uncertain, due to potential transfer activity, is Adam Idah, after his dismal showing against St Mirren.
Why Adam Idah's starting spot is in danger
The slow nature of Celtic’s recruitment work this summer has provided the Ireland international with a big opportunity to show the manager that he has what it takes to be the main number nine this season.
Unfortunately, though, he failed to step up against St Mirren on Sunday, as the former Norwich City attacker put in an incredibly wasteful showing, as you can see in the graphic below.
It is fair to say that the Irish number nine has not done enough to prove that he has the clinical finishing to be a reliable goalscorer for the Hoops this season, as further evidenced by his 19 ‘big chances’ missed in 19 Premiership starts last season.
This is why Idah’s starting spot in the team is in danger because he needs to show that he can be ruthless with the chances that come his way in games.
24/25 Premiership
Adam Idah
Percentile rank vs STs
xA
2.60
Top 11%
Chances created
19
Top 25%
Pass accuracy
76%
Top 19%
Assists
0
Bottom 3%
Touches in the opposition’s box
144
Top 9%
Possession won in the final third
14
Top 15%
Stats via FotMob
However, as you can see in the table above, the Ireland international also has a lot of creative qualities that sometimes go under the radar because of his finishing struggles and a few touches that go awry.
Idah is not perfect, that is obvious, but he is also not useless for Rodgers. His creative statistics from the 2024/25 league season suggest that the Hoops need to surround him with clinical finishers who can make the most of the chances that he creates.
The former Canaries star still needs to improve his finishing and show that he can be relied upon by Rodgers in front of goal, but the manager can do his bit to help the forward unlock his true potential by bringing in goalscoring midfielders around him.
This is why the Northern Irish boss should be pushing the board to get a deal done for Go Ahead Eagles star Jakob Breum before the end of the summer transfer window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Celtic have had multiple offers turned down for the Danish midfielder, who is valued at £5m by the Eredivisie side, and they should stump up the cash required to bring him to Parkhead to unlock Idah’s creative potential.
Why Celtic should sign Jakob Breum
One of the many reasons why the Hoops should pay up to bring Breum to Glasgow before September’s transfer deadline is that he is a versatile star who could be used in a host of different positions by Rodgers.
The Denmark U21 international has started 11 matches or more as a central midfielder, a right winger, an attacking midfielder, and as a left winger in his club career to date, which means that he can play across the frontline behind Idah or another striker.
At the age of 21, Breum would also come in as a young player with the potential to grow and develop throughout his time in Glasgow. This means that he would be a signing for the here and now as well as for the future, given his scope to improve further.
His performances for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie during the 2024/25 season also suggest that he has the quality to come in as an ideal signing for Idah.
Breum, who was nominated for the young player of the season award in the Netherlands, is a ruthless finisher who has the potential to make the most of the Irish forward’s creativity.
24/25 Eredivisie
Jakob Breum
Percentile rank vs AMs
xG
6.27
Top 8%
xG on target
8.35
Top 5%
Shots on target
22
Top 7%
Goals
10
Top 5%
xA
5.60
Top 8%
Assists
5
Top 17%
Chances created
44
Top 7%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the Danish forward ranked incredibly highly in a host of goalscoring metrics in the Dutch top-flight, as he outperformed his xG with both the quality of his shots and his goal tally.
These statistics suggest that the 21-year-old star, who was described as an “exciting” talent by Sport Republic video scout RDF Tactics, would be the perfect attacking midfielder to unlock Idah’s potential as a creator.
As aforementioned, the Irish striker was one of the most creative forwards in the Premiership last season, but was not rewarded with the assists that he deserved. Breum is a player who could finish off the chances that Idah creates, based on his form last term.
Along with being able to provide quality as a finisher, the £5m-rated star also ranked highly for his own creative output, and could create high-quality opportunities for Idah, to help him overcome his finishing woes.
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Overall, Celtic should be pushing to sign the Go Ahead Eagles star because he has the potential to be an attacking signing that could complement Idah’s style of play, potentially helping the Irishman to keep his place in the XI.