Q&A with Ewan Murray
Ewan Murray will be at Ibrox for the lunchtime game between Rangers and Celtic. Before the match we’ll have a Q&A with him on all things Old Firm, Scottish football and any other goings on.
If you have any questions for Ewan, post them below the line or email matchday.live@theguardian.com. Serious questions, please; we’re all bantered out.
Key events
Michael Gallagher asks: “Good morning, Ewan. Do you think Hearts winning the league this season would cause a change of approach for Celtic/Rangers going forward? Enjoy your day!”
Ewan Murray replies: “I don’t think Hearts will win the league, just to be clear…..!
“However, I do find it intriguing Celtic and Rangers are not heavily connected to data analysis when it comes to signing players. For various reasons, the existing approach of the Glasgow clubs is hit and miss (albeit Celtic have clearly been far more successful than Rangers). If Tony Bloom’s influence at Hearts can work – and the early evidence entirely suggests it will – this may trigger a change in thought process.”
Gerry Scott asks: “How can Celtic be so successful (domestic trophies) and so dysfunctional (unable to sign replacements for key players, board and manager apparently at war) at the same time?”
Ewan Murray replies: “Brendan Rodgers denies they are at war of course. And that language is too strong. However, there is a clear difference between what the manager wants (Brendan Rodgers is not the first to encounter this) and what Celtic can deliver. They are experts at signing players late in the window, which in turn puts them at risk in European qualifiers. They continue to have enough to dominate in Scotland, which in fairness to their supporters is now regarded as a minimum.
“Celtic need to realign their transfer strategy. They need a director of football. Rodgers should also be clear on whether he has any intention of hanging around beyond this season. That level of uncertainty around a key figure cannot be helpful.”
Ewan Murray replies: “Rangers’ American owners met the squad yesterday and made plain they had complete faith in Russell Martin, who will not be going anywhere. By mid afternoon, how clever will that look? Part of the intrigue here is that people based in the US do not have to encounter the direct noise of Scotland. It feels easier for them to stick with a beleaguered manager.
“Raskin seems certain to leave and looks as is if he is desperate to do so, even on loan initially. A very good player when he is on his game but also someone with an apparently high opinion of his level. So where he ends up will be interesting.”
Q&A with Ewan Murray is here!
First question man is Steven Grundy:
Morning Ewan,
I enjoyed your recent article on the mood at both Ibrox and Celtic Park. I dare say as a Jambo, you are enjoying the omnishambles.
As a Rangers fan, I was looking forward to the 49ers take over and perhaps investing some money into the club, especially given that the Champions League is so lucrative these days. However, appointing Martin was a dreadful decision, which did not go down well with (most) Rangers supporters.
I was just wondering whether you have heard any rumours about Raskin? There are whispers that he might be sold before the transfer deadline. Would this not suggest that the board is backing Martin and that they still trust him, despite all evidence to the contrary?
Cheers, Steven
Jake Lynch gets in touch: “Only one PGMOL” – not a chant we’re likely to hear resounding at Premier League grounds any time soon, given this season’s mediocre record of decision-making. But might that be, in fact, the problem? That there IS only one? Consider: everyone who runs out on to that emerald surface this afternoon will be competing against someone – except the match officials (including the VAR).
“They’re all on the same team, of course, they have to be. But what if there was another team? On the basis that competition drives improvement, shouldn’t two PGMOLs be appointed (or more)? With the matches divided between them? Then an independent panel, comprising former players as well as referees, could assess their decisions, and award more business to the one(s) that get more of them right. Something’s got to change, as we’re only three rounds in, and already the officiating is in deep disrepute.”
Your complete transfer guide here. We’re in the witching hour of the men’s window.
Bayern had quite a lucky escape, and Real Madrid enjoyed a VAR-assisted win.
Morgan gets in touch: “Assuming the Isak to Liverpool deal now goes through – am I the only Liverpool fan who is getting an uneasy feeling that Newcastle, now with added Big Nick, might have come out of this debacle with the better deal? I hope Liverpool haven’t whiffed this one, I really do.”
Forest sign Brazilian full-back Cuiabano
Ed Aarons
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal for Cuiabano from Botafogo, with the left back expected to sign a five year contract at the City Ground.
It is understood that Forest paid to have an option for the 22-year-old left back earlier in the summer and have now exercised it, beating Brighton to his signature. Cuiabano is expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday to complete his medical.
With goalkeeper John Victor – who West Ham had rekindled their interest in after backing out of a deal earlier in the summer – also on his way to the East Midlands after agreeing a four-year deal this week, that will make it four players who have been purchased from Botafogo in this window following the arrivals of Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus. They, of course, are owned by former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor.
Newcastle have a new forward. What does that mean for Alexander Isak?
Ewan Murray, who will be joining us later, has previewed the Old Firm.
West Ham refuse to let Paqueta leave
Jacob Steinberg
It was also a day of uncertainty for West Ham. There were a lot of reports around about Aston Villa agreeing a deal to sign Lucas Paqueta but those were premature. Villa were looking at a loan with an obligation to buy. West Ham have no intention of selling the Brazilian. The latest from the club and Paqueta’s camp is that he will not leave during this window. West Ham are at Nottingham Forest later. Paqueta trained on Saturday and travelled with the squad. There’s some doubt over his involvement because of the speculation over his future but sources at West Ham remain confident he’ll play. Nayef Aguerd, though, is not expected to be involved. He wants out.
Jackson ordered to come back to Chelsea
Jacob Steinberg
Saturday began with Chelsea agreeing to loan Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich. At 11.15am the teamsheets for their game against Fulham dropped. Two strikers in the starting 11! Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Then, at 12.41pm, Delap limped off. At 12.42pm I jokingly put in my match report that Chelsea would be ordering Jackson’s plane to turn around. Then, at 4pm, news broke that Chelsea had told Bayern the loan was off because of Delap’s injury. Only, Jackson is refusing to come back. He’s still in Munich. His agents are working to revive the deal with Bayern, which includes a €15m loan fee and €65m option to buy.
Join the Football Weekly team at the Troxy in Limehouse. It appears I might be there too but it will be Max and Barry with the japery. These are fun events to be at, and it’s the first for two years.
The big game in England is Liverpool v Arsenal, and both Jonathan Wilson and Barney Ronay have been looking ahead to the game.
Plus the news from last week’s press conferences.
Saturday’s Premier League action here:
Some overnight headlines. The transfer window slams shut tomorrow.
Q&A with Ewan Murray
Ewan Murray will be at Ibrox for the lunchtime game between Rangers and Celtic. Before the match we’ll have a Q&A with him on all things Old Firm, Scottish football and any other goings on.
If you have any questions for Ewan, post them below the line or email matchday.live@theguardian.com. Serious questions, please; we’re all bantered out.
To join in Ewan Murray’s Q&A on all matters Old Firm and beyond, contact us at Matchday.live@theguardian.com.
Good morning
Hello there and welcome to Sunday on Guardian Football. We have the buildup to some massive games, not least the Old Firm. Ahead of that, we’ll be doing a Q&A with Ewan Murray, our man in Scotland. There’s also a full schedule of action in the Premier League.
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Brighton v Man City (14:00 BST)
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Nottingham Forest v West Ham (14:00 BST)
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Liverpool v Arsenal (16:30 BST)
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Aston Villa v Crystal Palace (19:00 BST)
Join us for the latest and greatest.
