Notts County boss Luke Williams believes Macaulay Langstaff can emulate Jamie Vardy’s journey from non-league to the Premier League after the striker’s impressive display in the 2-0 win at Salford.
Langstaff scored 42 goals in the Vanarama National League last season, and he’s already netted four in eight in League Two this term.
It could have easily been five, but the 26-year-old hit the crossbar just before half-time.
Despite not getting on the scoresheet against Salford, Langstaff’s all-round performance was outstanding, and Williams is backing him to reach the summit.
He said: “You also need things to line up, you need the stars to align and providing that he does what he’s doing and he doesn’t lose his humbleness and desire – if the stars align he will go to wherever he wants.”
Vardy did not play in the Premier League until he was 28, but won the title and FA Cup with Leicester and scored 136 top-flight goals.
Williams highlighted the similarities between Langstaff and Vardy.
He added: “I think the thing that they have in common is their love for the game is abundant. I think both guys are never happy with settling, both guys want to improve their career, both guys are desperate to score and leave everything on the pitch for their teams and I think these are the things that draw comparisons with these guys.
“What it is you’re seeing is that both guys have this desire to work and to improve.”
David McGoldrick’s header in the 37th minute gave County the lead, and the former Republic of Ireland international has already formed a brilliant strike partnership with Langstaff.
Dan Crowley added a second just after the hour mark to wrap up an excellent victory for the Magpies and send them to the top of League Two.
Salford, meanwhile, remain winless at home this campaign.
Ammies head coach Neil Wood said: “We were playing against a team of very good footballers so we knew it was going to be a tough game.
“We were stopping them from doing what they wanted to do but then they scored from our error when we should be calm and composed.
“Once they went 1-0 up they gained confidence and we suffered a knock in confidence which naturally elevated them to get on the ball and play.
“Second half we tweaked it and we were on top, we had two clear chances we had to score and we didn’t score them then they show how clinical they are.
“We’re lacking quality, shots on target, finishes, scoring goals. That’s where we’re lacking massively.”
Kilmarnock 0-5 Celtic: Bhoys capture third straight Scottish Premiership title
Celtic have won the Scottish Premiership for the third consecutive season after a dominant 5-0 win at Kilmarnock on Wednesday.
Rangers beat Dundee United 5-2 on Tuesday to make Celtic wait an extra day to secure another league title, but the Hoops brushed aside Kilmarnock with little fuss.
Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest scored in a dominant first half, with Matt O'Riley helping himself to a brace after the interval to cap a memorable display.
Celtic now have an unassailable six-point lead over their Old Firm rivals with one game to play, and they will celebrate their latest crown at home to St Mirren on Saturday.
Data Debrief: Bhoys closing in on rivals
Celtic have won the Scottish title for the 54th time, pulling them within one of rivals Rangers, who have lifted 55.
They have also finished top of the pile in 12 of the last 13 seasons, their only failure to lift the trophy since 2011 coming when Steven Gerrard's Rangers went unbeaten in 2020-21.
Vilahamn wants to use FA Cup final defeat as 'beginning' for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women manager Robert Vilahamn believes his side will use their FA Cup final defeat to start something special, rather than ending their good work.
Spurs were hammered 4-0 by Manchester United Women in Sunday's Wembley Stadium showpiece as Ella Toone and Rachel Williams were on target before Lucia Garcia's second-half double.
Vilahamn's side failed to manage a shot on target but the Spurs boss suggested his team will catch up to the women's elite clubs.
"The main thing I said was this is not the end, it is the beginning," Vilahamn said.
"We still have a gap between us and the top teams but that's normal. We are closing the gap but we haven't closed the gap yet."
Tottenham finished sixth in the Women's Super League as well as reaching this final, their first FA Cup showpiece appearance in their short history.
Vilahamn wants his Spurs players to use this defeat as motivation going forward.
"If you take away the feelings right now, you need to look at these players doing some incredible things this year," he said.
"We are at Wembley playing in front of our fans and they are actually enjoying it and staying, and supporting us after.
"We got a good experience today and we are learning how to play at Wembley more times. We need to look at it that way because the players are amazing."
Erik ten Hag: Man United fans are understanding of situation
Erik ten Hag is confident he still has the understanding of supporters after Manchester United's poor run of form continued with defeat to Arsenal.
United were beaten 1-0 by Premier League title chasers Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday in a game that saw them create little.
While United did well to restrict Arsenal's chances, they had just two shots on target themselves - long-rangers from Casemiro and Antony.
The Red Devils have had to contend with a number of injury problems this season, not least against Arsenal with a makeshift defence fielded.
And for that reason, Ten Hag - whose job beyond this season has been called into question - believes the fanbase remain supportive.
"They understand where we are and where this club is," he told Sky Sports. "We have so many injuries in key areas.
"The fans don't get what they deserve, but they understand this and that is why they are behind the team.
"I think that is why they are with us we are united. Hopefully we can pay them back in the future."
Ten Hag pointed out that United were without seven possible starters, forcing him to field veteran Jonny Evans alongside Casemiro at centre-back.
Casemiro was at fault for Arsenal's goal as he was slow getting back up the field, meaning Havertz was onside before teeing up Trossard.
Ten Hag, though, was not willing to point the finger of blame at the underperforming midfielder.
"In that situation he is a midfielder playing in that position and making a small mistake, but it has hard consequences," he said.
"Before that, in possession we could have done better in others positions. It's details."
Eighth-placed United have won just one of their past eight league matches in a run that includes a 4-0 thumping at Crystal Palace earlier in the week.
The Red Devils have lost 19 games in all competitions this season, which is their most since 1977-78 when also losing 19.
Asked if he believes he is the man to turn things around, Ten Hag said: "I have no doubt about this.
"Mostly, this team has the right spirit and they execute the rules and principles of the game even if they have to adapt in their positions.
"I can only be happy and it is a big compliment for this team that they executed all that they could and they were fighting."
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