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Their 369-run partnership is the highest in Tests between New Zealand and Pakistan

Shiva Jayaraman05-Jan-20212 New Zealand partnerships in Test cricket bigger than the 369-run stand between Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls. Martin Crowe and Andrew Jones hold the record for their third-wicket stand of 467 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1990-91. Second on the list is the opening stand of 387 between Terry Jarvis and Glenn Turner against West Indies in 1972. The partnership in this match is the highest for New Zealand in Tests in over 30 years. Click here for New Zealand’s highest stands in Test cricket.0 Triple-hundred stands by a New Zealand pair against Pakistan in Tests before this. The previous highest partnership of 297 had come between Brendon McCullum and Williamson in Sharjah in 2014-15. In fact, this is the highest partnership ever in Tests between the two teams. The previous highest was a 350-run partnership between Asif Iqbal and Mustaq Mohammad in Dunedin in 1972-73.Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls have put on the third-highest partnership by a New Zealand pair•ESPNcricinfo Ltd2009 The last time a pair put on a bigger partnership in Tests against Pakistan: Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera had added 437 runs for the fourth wicket in Karachi in 2009. The 369-run stand in this match is the fourth highest in Tests against Pakistan. Conrad Hunte and Garry Sobers added 446 for the second wicket in Jamaica back in 1957-58, which is the highest. Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag had an opening partnership of 410 in Lahore in 2005-06, which is the other higher stand against Pakistan.1 Partnerships that have added more runs in Tests in New Zealand. The one between Crowe and Jones in 1990-91 in the only higher stand than the one in this match. Incidentally, Williamson was involved in the third-highest stand in Tests in New Zealand as well. He had added an unbeaten 365 with BJ Watling for the third wicket against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 2014-15. Click here for the highest partnerships in Tests played in New Zealand.13 Number of 300-plus stands against Pakistan in Tests since the turn of the century – the most against any team. India are next on this list, having conceded eight such stands. Before the year 2000, Pakistan had conceded just two such stands in 261 Tests. Since 2000 they have played 172. Incidentally, including the one in this Test, the last three triple-hundred stands have come against Pakistan. They share this dubious record with three other teams though: England, Australia and India having been on the receiving end of three consecutive triple hundred stands in Tests in the past.1041 Runs added by Williamson and Nicholls in just 12 Test partnerships in the last three years. They are the second-most prolific pair in this period behind Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, who have added 1275 runs in 19 partnerships. Williamson and Nicholls have put on four century stands and two fifty stands between them in these 12 partnerships. The Kohli-Rahane pair is the only one with more century stands than these two New Zealand batsmen.

كشفت تقارير صحفية بريطانية موقف ليفربول من بيع النجم المصري محمد صلاح خلال سوق الانتقالات الشتوية القادمة في يناير.

وبحسب الصحفي “لويس ستيل” من صحيفة “ديلي ميل” البريطانية فإن ليفربول لا ينوي بيع محمد صلاح في يناير، ويلتزم النادي بحل ما يمر به اللاعب المصري.

ويمثل اجتماع آرني سلوت مع محمد صلاح خطوة كبيرة في الاتجاه الصحيح، ويزداد هذا الأمر أهمية بعد توقيع المصري عقد جديد براتب يزيد عن 400 ألف جنيه إسترليني أسبوعياً.

ويشعر محمد صلاح بحبه لنادي ليفربول ويعتقد أن نمط الحياة الإنجليزي يناسبه ويناسب عائلته، بما في ذلك بناته الصغيرات المستقرات هناك، ولكنه لا يمانع الانتقال للسعودية ولم يستبعد هذا الخيار تماماً منذ محاولتهم الأولى عام 2023.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ديلي ميل تبرز رد فعل حسام حسن بعد خلافات محمد صلاح مع ليفربول وسلوت

وعلى الرغم من دعم معظم لاعبي ليفربول للمدرب آرني سلوت ولكنهم في الوقت نفسه يقدرون ويحبون أسطورة النادي محمد صلاح، وقد حثهم كبار المسؤولين على عدم الانحياز لأي طرف وأن يفعلوا فقط ما هو الأفضل لنجاح الفريق.

ويعتقد نادي ليفربول أن أي حديث عن وداعية للنجم المصري محمد صلاح في ملعب آنفيلد خلال مباراة برايتون اليوم السبت هو أمر سخيف.

ويعتقد سلوت أن هذه كانت واحدة من أصعب فترات مسيرته وربما لا تقارن إلا بالفترة التي وصف فيها بأنه ثعبان ونازي في الشوارع، بسبب دخوله في محادثات مع فينورد الذي انضم له ولم يكن ناديه السابق ألكمار على علم بها.

وقضى صلاح يوم عطلته الخميس في لندن، وكثيراً ما يتواجد المصري هناك ويستمتع بأيامه مع عائلته أو بحضور معارض في المتاحف بما في ذلك معرض مصري أقيم مؤخراً، لكن يبدو أنه يشعر بالسعادة أكثر في ليفربول سواء في قصره المريح أو في ملعب آنفيلد.

The New York Yankees are set to acquire Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan. Ken Rosenthal of first reported that talks were gaining traction.

The trade lands the 30-year-old Bednar in New York to shore up the back-end of the Yankees' bullpen. The appeal of a Bednar trade with any team was that he had another year of team control into 2026.

After a rough start to the season following a poor 2024, the two-time All-Star was sent down to Triple-A in March. Since returning, he has thrown 37 innings with a 1.70 ERA, re-establishing himself as one of the best relievers in baseball.

He will certainly get plenty of high-leverage work in the second half of the season for the Yankees.

Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller strolled into the final, but the semifinals still left us plenty to unpack – including fresh questions about Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano’s future in San Diego.

And just like that, the stage is set. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Inter Miami will play for the MLS Cup on Saturday afternoon. That’s a tasty one: Lionel Messi on one side, Thomas Müller on the other, two legends anchoring two genuinely strong teams gearing up for a proper final.

But what about the games that got them here? MLS delivered two highly watchable – if not particularly close – semis over the weekend. Miami battered NYCFC, 5-1. Vancouver saw off San Diego 3-1. The results were perhaps a little predictable. But the margin of victory for both games? Not a chance. Still, it sets things up pincely – and does provide a forum for reflection. NYCFC were underdogs, and actually made a decent account of themselves in the game. SDFC could have played Vancouver even, but a couple of rough breaks – and the fact that they dealt with the reported internal turmoil of strife between their head coach, Mikey Varas, and their star player in Hirving 'Chucky' Lozano – made things trickier. 

Still, are the results fair? And is this the dream final? GOAL U.S. writers take a look at a fun weekend of conference finals, and look ahead to what should be a captivating MLS Cup in another edition of… . 

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  Which was the more convincing win: Miami or Vancouver?

  Tom Hindle: Miami, no question. That was probably the most dominant performance have turned in all season. Messi didn't have his best game whatsoever, and they still battered an opponent in NYCFC that has been in excellent form of late. Five goals, one real chance conceded, and they look in their best form heading into the biggest game of the year. 

  Ryan Tolmich: Both impressive and both, in a way, somewhat expected. Miami and Vancouver are both so far ahead of the teams they beat, which is what makes this such a fun MLS Cup final. As for the more convincing, it's probably Miami, largely because it was just the perfect reminder that they can light up a team unlike any other in MLS history.

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  What do San Diego and NYCFC need to do this offseason to go a step further?

  TH: San Diego got almost everything right. Perhaps the only thing that derailed things a bit was a bit of defensive frailty that Vancouver exposed. So, yeah, avoid injury, maybe bring in a little center back, and they're contenders next year. As for NYCFC, things look a little trickier. Can Maxi Moralez be counted on to stick around longer? Is Alonzo Martinez going to play any part next season? They need to invest in the attack to get close to where they were this year – even if manager Pascal Jansen did a fine job. 

  RT: San Diego will be looking at all of this and wondering "what if?". They had a star striker in Milan Iloski, but now he's in Philly because they were unable to keep him permanently. If they had him, would the outcome change? Maybe not, but it surely would have helped. As for NYCFC, they're close. The big task this offseason will likely be sorting out striker and midfield additions following crucial injuries. If they can do that, they'll be fine.

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  Does Chucky Lozano have a long-term future in SDFC?

  TH: If he behaves, yes! The Mexican star was supposedly in, shall we say, disagreement with Mikey Varas on a few occasions this year. If that relationship is properly mended, then they should be able to run things back in 2026. But disgruntled superstars can be a real issue, and with Anders Dreyer around, Chucky might not be the go-to guy, anyway. 

  RT: It's looking rocky, at the very least. He wasn't quite the elite presence many would have expected and, towards the end of the season, there was a clash with the coaching staff. Because of that, it's fair to at least wonder if this partnership is one that's going to work in the long run. If it doesn't, Lozano will have options. San Diego will, too, and they've shown a real ability to scout and sign talent. Lozano or no Lozano, one would bet on the club making the right call based on just this one year of evidence.

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  Is it fair to say that Miami are now a good defensive team?

  TH: Not really. A couple of defensive good games doesn't make them unreal at the back. But they certainly have found a vital sense of balance from front to back. Let's see if they can keep a good Vancouver team quiet, and then let's talk.

  RT: Let's not get carried away! This team still has its frailties, and the path to an MLS Cup is likely outscoring the Whitecaps, not shutting them down. Are they passable defensively? Sure, but no one is mistaking them for some shutdown side. Ultimately, this is a group that defends via its attack, which should scare any opponent into being just a little bit more cautious, given the talent on the field.

India captain also says bowling three overs of Bumrah in the powerplay is a plan “to use him as an attacking option”

Shashank Kishore15-Sep-20251:13

Wahab: Kuldeep always one step ahead of batters

“Where’s my cake?” birthday boy Suryakumar Yadav asked, as he fielded questions at the press conference after India’s seven-wicket win against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday night.Suryakumar was, quite obviously, asked about India’s decision to not shake hands with Pakistan after the match. He was asked about sporting spirit, and if India’s actions were politically motivated. But beyond that, Suryakumar also gave more than just a peek into India’s thinking as they prepare for the Super 4s and beyond.For starters, Suryakumar was himself coming off a neat, little unbeaten 47 to see off India’s modest chase of 128 after Abhishek Sharma set the foundation. But Suryakumar deflected all his attention to the frontline spinners, and how they have made his job easier after they returned combined figures of 6 for 60 in 12 overs to restrict Pakistan to 127 for 9.Related

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Agha skips presentation after India refuse handshakes

“I gave all of them 12 overs combined – it was a return gift from me,” Suryakumar joked when asked if India’s spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy had given him the perfect birthday gift.”They’re all working hard; you can see it at practice. They want to prepare really well. Once you come to the ground, you can see how well they’re prepared. And they’re very clear with their plans – that’s what I want. It makes my job very easy when I’m on the ground. They’re happy with fields, [and] happy with ends they’re bowling from. It’s good to see all three spinners firing, very well supported by Hardik [Pandya] and Jasprit Bumrah.”While some of the on-field decisions can be instinctive, Suryakumar said part of India’s planning on how to bowl spin and whom to target was often planned keeping in mind the opposition. On Sunday, for example, the call to bowl Axar even with a left-hand batter like Fakhar Zaman at the crease was part of a plan even if it went against what he referred to as a “traditional match-up”.”We prepare well for every team. The coaches – we all sit together, see if there are left-handers, right-handers, how to bowl in the middle, how to start in powerplay,” Suryakymar said. “All this comes with preparation, so when we go on the field, everything moves on autopilot.”The other aspect to India’s bowling performance was how they used Bumrah. When he bowled three overs up front against UAE, it was presumed the move may have been to get some miles under him, ahead of bigger challenges. But Bumrah was used similarly against Pakistan too, which Suryakumar highlighted as part of India’s plans in trying to make all their bowlers take ownership.”Till today, we’ve bowled him two overs in the powerplay, he’s never bowled three in the powerplay,” Suryakumar said. “We’re very happy using him as an attacking option. If he picks two wickets, even if he bowls a tight spell of his overs, later on we can have a good cushion for all the spinners to come over and make our job a little easier.2:02

Bangar: Axar doesn’t really try too many things

“He’s very happy with it [this plan]. Few days, if he has to bowl only two overs, he’ll bowl only two overs, but at least me and the management want to use him as an attacking option. That gives a good platform to someone like Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube to raise their hand to bowl crucial overs in the end and also in the middle. So we’re very happy with that.”Suryakumar was also asked about his own game, and if it was a relief to finally come good in a T20I against Pakistan after managing just 64 runs in five previous innings prior to Sunday’s unbeaten 47 off 37 balls.”Whichever team you play, there’s pressure. If there’s no pressure, no butterflies in your stomach, you won’t have fun in being able to overcome it after going to the ground,” he said. “Numbers are up and down, but what can you do? You’ve got to see how you can be better. If today hadn’t gone right, no problems; I would’ve gone back to the drawing board and focused on doing well in the next match.”It felt good to finish the match. It was important to stay there in the moment. [With regards to] batting position, we’re clear with management. Apart from openers, all other batters will be flexible, got to prepare in such a way where you can bat anywhere. If you play seven batters, it’s important for everyone to make a small impact. Everyone has accepted it. Everyone is flexible. If you are flexible to bat anywhere, the team becomes even more dangerous.”

Henry and Nathan Smith dismantled Zimbabwe before Conway and Young completed a perfect day for the visitors

Firdose Moonda30-Jul-2025New Zealand 92 for 0 (Conway 51*, Young 41*) trail Zimbabwe 149 (Ervine 39, Henry 6-39, Smith 3-20) by 57 runsMatt Henry’s 6 for 39 scythed through Zimbabwe, who were bowled out for their lowest total in seven innings and second-lowest in 2025, and their lead has already been reduced to just 57 runs by the end of the first day. New Zealand wiped off 92 of the 149 runs in the 26 overs they faced and hold the advantage in all departments. Their batting was solid and bowling was incisive where Zimbabwe’s has not been throughout their last few home Tests.Henry took wickets with the new and old ball, with full and short deliveries, and followed up perfectly from finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the T20I tri-series. He was well supported by Nathan Smith, who picked up 3 for 20 in his third Test. Those figures do justice to bowlers that had the batters completely confounded with subtle changes in line and length.Related

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Brendan Taylor's ban ends, added to second Test squad against NZ

Latham out of first Test against Zimbabwe, Santner to stand in as NZ captain

According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, Zimbabwe edged 22 deliveries in total, and had a control percentage of just 68.8%. Only two Zimbabwe batters, Craig Ervine and Tafadzwa Tsiga, got past 30 and both were dropped before they had reached 20. They also shared in Zimbabwe’s best partnership: a sixth-wicket stand of 54. New Zealand have already surpassed that with their opening pair.New Zealand’s threat was apparent from the outset as they found the edge six times in the first three overs, which ended with the opening wicket. Brian Bennett – who inside-edged the first ball of the match, then edged one just out of the reach from short leg and then got four as another edge went between gully and the cordon – stayed back to a slightly fuller ball from Henry and this time, the edge flew to Will Young at third slip. Ben Curran, his opening partner, went the same way but only after Henry had changed angles to go around the wicket in his fourth over.Sean Williams was fortunate not to run out Nick Welch when he got off the mark with a single that chanced Mitchell Santner’s arm, but could not find any fortune against Smith. He tried to steer past third and inside-edged onto his stumps to leave Zimbabwe in a mess at 31 for 3 after the first hour.Nathan Smith took three wickets and offered good support to Matt Henry•Zimbabwe CricketWelch and captain Craig Ervine used up deliveries and time but did not get many runs for most of the second hour. It took Ervine 23 balls to get off the mark, and he did it with a push past mid-off off Will O’Rourke.Santner, captaining in place of the injured Tom Latham, brought himself on in the 20th over and the introduction of spin allowed Welch to get comfortable. He swept both Santner and Michael Bracewell, who he also reverse-swept for three boundaries in nine balls to get Zimbabwe over 50. But his fun only lasted until Henry was brought back. Welch edged the second ball of the fast bowler’s second spell to second slip to send Zimbabwe to lunch on 67 for 4.Henry completed his over after the break with the wicket of Sikandar Raza, who tried to take on the short ball but gloved it high for Tom Blundell to take a simple catch. Henry could have had Tsiga in his next over but the edge fell short. Tsiga got his own back when he flicked Henry off his pads for four and then drove Smith down the ground to show his range.Ervine was on 18 when he offered Smith a return catch but it hit him on the boot. Nine overs later, Tsiga could have been O’Rourke’s first of the match when he cut him to gully but Devon Conway put it down. Ervine brought up the 50-run stand with a well-timed punch down the ground for four.The pair looked like taking Zimbabwe to tea without further damage but it was not to be. Ervine was given out lbw when he missed a flick off Smith, though the ball seemed to be sliding down leg. With no DRS in place, he could not review. Tsiga was also out lbw, when he was beaten on the inside edge and hit on the back leg in what seemed a better decision. At tea, Zimbabwe were 138 for 7.Devon Conway and Will Young gave Zimbabwe a solid start•Zimbabwe CricketHenry took his fifth with a snorter, short and aimed at Newman Nyamhuri’s head. He ducked and the ball took the shoulder of his bat and was caught, again, by Young. Vincent Masekesa was run out after his partner Blessing Muzarabani did not respond to his call for a single and he had to make his way back to the striker’s end. Muzarabani only lasted into the next over, when he got a leading edge off Henry and was caught by Santner at cover to give Henry his sixth. Zimbabwe were bowled out inside 61 overs.If they gave the impression run-scoring was difficult, New Zealand swiftly dispelled the notion. They raced to 40 without loss in the first ten overs when Young hit a short, wide Muzarabani ball for four and Conway took three boundaries off Tanaka Chivanga’s fourth over: a cut, a drive and a pull.Zimbabwe had their best chance when Nyamhuri, in his second over, appealed for lbw against Young when he hit him on the boot with a yorker but it was given not out.New Zealand brought up their 50 off Nyamhuri when Conway cut him for four in the 14th over. Nyamhuri continued to cause problems for New Zealand and hit Conway on the knee – too high for lbw, but enough to cause some pain. Conway continued and reached his half-century off 83 balls with a single of Raza in the penultimate over of the day. Young is nine runs away from his and with the pitch showing few signs of bother and Zimbabwe already using the spinners, both will eye going bigger on the second day.

A “perfect choice” to be the next Rangers manager is now one of the contenders to take charge at Ibrox alongside the heavily linked Sean Dyche, Danny Rohl and Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard, Rohl and Dyche linked with Ibrox hotseat

Russell Martin was sacked by the Gers on Sunday evening, with the 1-1 draw away to Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership proving to be one underwhelming result too many for the board, leaving them languishing in eighth place in the table.

It was a decision that has been coming for months, with Martin making a poor start to life at Ibrox and never recovering, and it’s now time for the 49ers to nail their successor to the Englishman, with several names already being mentioned.

Former Everton and Burnley boss Sean Dyche is an early contender to come in at Ibrox, as he looks for a fresh challenge after departing the Blues last year, possessing a huge amount of experience.

Meanwhile, a Steven Gerrard reunion also feels possible, having guided them to league title glory in 2020/21, and young German Danny Rohl is appreciated within Ibrox, as he looks for a new club after Sheffield Wednesday.

Matches

17

Wins

5

Draws

6

Defeats

6

Goals scored

21

Goals conceded

24

Points per game

1.24

Rangers eyeing 52 y/o manager who's the "perfect choice"

According to a new claim from Give Me Sport, Kevin Muscat is very much on Rangers’ radar to be their next manager, being seen as a fourth option alongside Dyche, Gerrard and Rohl.

The 52-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port FC, but the Gers may be hoping to lure him back to Ibrox, having played there during his playing career. The obstacle faced by the 49ers is Muscat’s contract in China is believed to be extremely lucrative and tax free, meaning he will have to be seriously tempted by the project on offer at Ibrox to make a move.

Muscat has constantly been named as a potential Rangers manager in recent years, so often being linked with the job when it has become available. In fact, The Rangers Journal believe he has always been the “perfect choice” for the Gers, with the club deciding to hire the likes of Philippe Clement and Martin instead.

Admittedly, Muscat has no European experience in management, which does work against him in terms of knowing the British game well, but if the fans see him as a popular choice, that goes a long way for starters.

He's like Mourinho: 54-year-old manager wants to replace Martin at Rangers

Russell Martin’s job as Rangers manager is no more, so who could be his replacement?

ByMatt Dawson Oct 6, 2025

Rangers’ board have to be so careful in their decision-making, not wanting to make a third incorrect appointment in a row, but Muscat stands out as a front-runner, and the fact that he knows the club well from his playing days can only be a good thing.

Matheus Cunha says he is determined to "bring back the glory days" at Manchester United. The Brazilian has helped Ruben Amorim's team become a more competitive force this season but the ex-Wolves man says this is just the beginning. But amid his impressive start to the season, the 26-year-old was quick to downplay comparisons to Red Devils icon Eric Cantona.

Getty Images SportCunha compared to Cantona

Cantona is widely viewed as one of United's best-ever players, with the Frenchman playing a huge role in turning the Red Devils into the juggernaut that dominated English football for years in the 1990s and 2000s under manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Last month, former Premier League defender Stephen Warnock said Cunha has "got the aura of Cantona," and club CEO Omar Berrada previously stated that the £62.5 million ($85m) signing will prove to be "Cantona-esque" for the Red Devils. But the player himself thinks he needs to do a lot more before he can be spoken about in the same breath as the forward. 

He told The Sun: "Wow, what a player. I need to do much more things to be compared to him. When someone says something like this to me, I try to see the good part of this. To be someone who has a lot of passion to play for this club, to play football – and then try to represent everyone inside of the pitch. I feel privileged to be associated with these kind of things and with Cantona also. He made history. And if I can do a little percentage of what he did already, I’ll be very happy and then try to build my way to the guys to remember me also. I’m new at the club. I’m new in terms of the look, all the other performances from the past. Everything for me is new. So I have only my mind in bringing back the United glory days."

AdvertisementCunha: 'I want to do it my way'

Arsenal reportedly wanted to sign Cunha from Wolves in January but he ended up signing a new deal that included the release clause that United triggered this summer. Now, he wants to "build his dream" at Old Trafford. 

He added: "You need to look at even the hard moments in the positive way. Of course, I’m not someone special. Of course, I have my doubts. I have the difficult moments, like everyone. But this kind of world, I don’t feel it is impactful, like pressure to play like for this club or maybe to be someone different from the others. I only want to do it my way. I want to help my team. I only want to build my dream. To be a little part of the United history – be successful – I will always go for that.”

Getty Images SportMan Utd's relief at signing Cunha

The Brazil international ran circles around United for Wolves last season, as he picked up the man of the match award twice against Amorim's side. He scored one and assisted the other in their 2-0 win at Molineux and was instrumental in the 1-0 victory in the return fixture. 

When asked if United's players were relieved when Cunha joined them, he replied: "Yeah, exactly. It was exactly what happened! It was when I arrived and then I think my back was direct to Nous [Noussair Mazraoui] and to Leny. Because I only looked left and Leny was there. And they said, ‘Wow, wow, I’m so happy to have you on our side right now. It was so hard to get to the ball. And then we talked about the game. I was a little bit shy, you know, in the beginning. But these kind of moments help us be a little bit more comfortable. And then it was very good moments to remember."

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What comes next for Man Utd?

United are currently on a four-match unbeaten streak, comprising three wins and a draw. They sit eighth in the Premier League but if results go their way this weekend, they could be back in the top four. But to do that, they will have to beat Tottenham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday afternoon in a repeat of last season's Europa League final. This will be a good test of Amorim's team as they try and banish the horrors of last term.

Danny Rohl has at last been confirmed as the new manager of Scottish Premiership side Rangers. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who had previously ruled himself out of the running, has succeeded Russell Martin in the hotseat in Glasgow. Rohl will take charge of Rangers for the first time on Thursday night when they take on SK Brann in the Europa League.

• Rangers finally get their man

  Rangers' hunt for a new manager has been anything but simple following Martin's departure after a dismal start to the new campaign in Scotland. Rohl initially rejected the chance to join the club, while Steven Gerrard also turned down the opportunity to head back to Glasgow for another stint as boss, having delivered the club's first Permiership title in a full decade back in 2020-21. Former Rangers defender Kevin Muscat was also mentioned as a possible option for the Gers, but talks over a move broke down, and it's now been made official that Rohl is the club's new first-team coach.

  A club statement read: "Rangers Football Club today confirms the appointment of Danny Rohl as men’s first-team head coach. Rohl was most recently in charge of Sheffield Wednesday, and now joins Rangers on an initial two-and-a-half-year deal."

  In theory, the 36-year-old German has until the end of the 2027-28 season.

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  Rohl says 'no time to waste' at Rangers

  Even after previously turning the role down, Rohl has spoken already of his pride at taking over at Rangers and is eager to get down to work.

  He told the club's website "It is a huge privilege to be taking on the role of head coach at such an incredible club, recognised around the world. I know it has been a difficult start to the season, but there is still so much to play for in four competitions, and my staff and I will give it everything to reward the supporters and the club. We have no time to waste, we start straight away.

  "I respect that trust is earned and understand we have to give the supporters confidence in what we are doing by showing it on the pitch from the start. The expectations are huge and I love this challenge because I set high standards for myself and the team too. I'm looking forward to meeting the squad and getting down to work ahead of Thursday’s game away to Brann."

• Rangers in need of big boost

  Rohl takes over a Rangers side that has somehow managed just one win from eight Scottish Premiership games so far this season. The Glasgow giants have taken just nine points from a dreadful start to the new campaign and are just three points above bottom side Livingston. 

  Rohl arrives after departing Sheffield Wednesday in the summer by mutual consent. He successfully avoided relegation twice with the struggling club and also finished 12th in the Championship. He will now be charged with turning around the team's fortunes and can also call on previous coaching experience with RB Leipzig, Southampton, Bayern Munich and Germany.

  Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh is confident he's got the right man for the job. He told the club media: "Danny's experience at elite level, in high-pressure environments, makes him a strong fit for what we expect here. We know the past few months have been challenging, but our focus has always been on getting the right person, who is ready to immediately embrace this football club and the demands that come with it. Danny impressed us with his vision, his character, and his understanding of what Rangers stands for. We believe he can help restore pride, momentum, and ultimately success."

  Sporting director Kevin Thelwell added: "Danny has the qualities required to succeed here, allied with being an exceptional coach. He has worked in some of the most demanding football environments in the world, where winning is the only expectation, and we believe that background has prepared him for Rangers."

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  Europa League awaits Rohl first up

  Rohl kicks off his tenure at Rangers in the Europa League against Brann and will be hoping to guide his team to their first points in the competition after starting off with disappointing defeats to Sturm Graz and Genk. Rangers then go on to face Kilmarnock and Hibernian in the league before a crunch clash against bitter rivals Celtic in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup.

GOAL ranks the top three soccer players produced by every state in the South, including Dempsey, Richards and Graham Zusi

Welcome to the South. American soccer, traditionally, has been concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic states, the Pacific Northwest and California. But there are some ballers from down south, too. Texas, in particular, has delivered top-level talent, with Clint Dempsey, Stu Holden and Omar Gonzalez – all seminal figures in the American game – coming from of the Lone Star State.

The South has contributed plenty. Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Maryland – if we're being a little generous geographically – have all had their part to play in the story of American soccer. And what they perhaps lack in number, they more than make up for with a little bit of southern grit. As Dempsey once said: "You don't know where I'm from, dawg."

Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? Which state has been the most fertile ground for developing American soccer talent?

GOAL ranks the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states. Next up, the South. Previous: Northeast

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  Alabama: Chris Richards

  Hometown: Birmingham

  Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace

  USMNT caps: 33

  Why he’s No. 1: Richards is proof of how finding the right club can change your career. Hyped by American fans when he joined Bayern Munich in 2018, Richards was too raw to make it in Bavaria at first. A middling loan to Hoffenheim followed, but he has since become a standout under Oliver Glasner for an excellent Crystal Palace team. These days, he's a top name on the teamsheet for the USMNT, too. Certainly, a bigger move is on the way for a real talent. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Tanner Tessmann (Birmingham): Coming into his own at Lyon, but still needs to show he can do it for a full season. 

  3. Aron Johannsson (Mobile): A dual-national who rather lost his way, Johannsson had all of the talent, but never quite put everything together. 

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  Arkansas: Thomas Roberts

  Hometown: Little Rock

  Clubs played for: FC Dallas, North Texas SX, Columbus Crew 2, Stabaek FC, North Carolina FC

  USMNT caps: 0

  Why he’s No. 1: Arkansas is home to any number of NFL and NBA stars. Soccer really isn't the state's calling card. Thomas Roberts, now of the USL's North Carolina FC, was a youth national, but is on his sixth club at the age of 24. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Parker Maher (Fort Smith): A brief USL spell but little else for the Missouri State talent. 

  3. Central Arkansas (Conway): OK, so not an individual player. But shout out to the Bears as the only Division 1 men's college program in the state.

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  Delaware: Mark McKenzie

  Hometown: Bear

  Clubs played for: Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union, Genk, Toulouse

  USMNT caps: 22

  Why he’s No. 1: Where do you want to start? McKenzie is the epitome of an American homegrown centerback in the modern era. He starred for a number of club teams before moving swiftly through college, MLS and then into Europe. These days, he is a regular for Toulouse and a presumptive starter for the USMNT at the World Cup – assuming he stays fit. 

  Runners-up: 

  2. Anthony Fontana (Newark): A seasoned journeyman who contributed to a Supporters' Shield win for the Union and flirted with a European career.

  3. Rob Smith (Wilmington): One of the original MLS midfielders, Smith played for the Crew and also featured for the U.S. youth national teams.

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  Florida: Graham Zusi

  Hometown: Longwood

  Clubs played for: Central Florida Kraze, Sporting Kansas City

  USMNT caps: 55

  Why he’s No. 1: Now we're talking. Florida is a sporting hotbed in general, and it has made a fine contribution to soccer, too. Zusi enjoyed a wonderful MLS career, playing 355 times for Sporting KC, serving as both a winger and right back. His impact at the 2014 World Cup simply cannot be understated, as Zusi provided two assists for a solid USMNT. Seven All-Star appearances, two MLS best XIs, and one of the top assist providers in the league, Zusi had a legendary career. 

  Runners-up:

  2. Dax McCarty (Winter Park): Could have earned the top spot. McCarty was a fantastic MLS journeyman who slotted in wherever he played. A word, in particular, for his marking of Lionel Messi in Atlanta's win over Miami in the 2024 MLS playoffs.

  3. Aidan Morris (Fort Lauderdale): Give it a year or two, and Morris might be higher. He had slipped slightly since joining Middlesbrough, but remains a solid performer for the Championship club. The question is: what's next?