Kieran Dowell is ready to handle the challenge at Rangers as he prepares for a different football life north of the border.
Rangers announced in May that the 25-year-old midfielder would officially move to Ibrox from Norwich at the start of July on a three-year deal.
Dowell was the first of boss Michael Beale’s six summer signings so far as the Govan outfit look to wrench the cinch Premiership title – as well as both domestic cups – away from Old Firm rivals Celtic.
With the move to the Light Blues comes expectation, pressure and scrutiny but former England Under-21 international Dowell is relishing the prospect.
He said: “When I first met the manager he said it was a new challenge for me, he sold it to me and it is something I am excited about.
“The intensity up here is not one I have seen in the Championship and that is a big reason why I wanted to come here.
“That is the job we are in. If you don’t embrace it then you are going to fall by the wayside. If you don’t embrace it you shouldn’t be in the game.
“One of the pinnacles of that intensity, (is) these fans.
“I saw the last home game of the season (against Hearts) and it was an incredible reception for the lads who were leaving the club.
“There was nothing on the game but the atmosphere was still unbelievable so I am excited for the new season.”
Dowell revealed that after speaking to Beale, he quickly contacted former Norwich team-mate Todd Cantwell, who has impressed since arriving in Glasgow in January and who has become a fans’ favourite at Ibrox.
Dowell said: “He has had an amazing start.
“When I first got in touch with the manager I was straight on the phone to Todd asking him how he had found it so far and he was raving about it, saying it was something different but something that he has really enjoyed.”
The former Everton academy player had loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Derby and Wigan before he moved to Norwich in 2020 where he made 75 appearances for the Canaries.
He has represented England at youth level up to U21s and played his part in winning the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2017.
However, Dowell knows he will have to fight for his place in Beale’s side.
He said: “The first thing is work as hard as you can on the training pitch and let the talent come through.
“I feel like I am a creative player and I can help the team in that way, scoring goals, creating goals. I take risks, have a pop at goal, try to slide people through.
“There are a number of positions I can fit in. There is a lot of talented players but that is healthy.”
Mark Randall believes lining up for Larne on the club’s Champions League debut will top his experiences with Arsenal.
The Irish Premiership champions are set to make history on Wednesday when they begin their two-legged first qualifying round tie against HJK Helsinki in Finland.
Former Gunners midfielder Randall made 13 appearances under Arsene Wenger between 2006 and 2009, including two European outings and a brief cameo in a north London derby against Tottenham.
The 33-year-old trained and played alongside the likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry back then but is now preparing for what he anticipates will be the highlight of his career.
“This will be at the top, I think, because of the achievement for the club and the fans,” he told the PA news agency ahead of the midweek visit to the 10,770-capacity Bolt Arena in Finland’s capital.
“It’s little old Larne but it’s a massive achievement and everyone’s really looking forward to it.
“I think this tops it because at clubs like Arsenal you get that every year but this is such a massive thing for the club and the town.
“It’s not expected over here, especially to have a good run. For me, it means a lot more, competing in that competition for Larne.”
Randall helped Larne claim the Irish Premiership title for the first time in their 134-year history last season.
The former England Under-18 international made his Champions League debut aged 18 in August 2008 when eventual semi-finalists Arsenal defeated FC Twente in the final qualifying round before he appeared in a group stage clash with Porto four months later.
Yet, following just two Premier League substitute appearances for the Gunners and a handful of loan spells, he moved on to Chesterfield in 2011 before arriving on Northern Ireland’s east coast via stints with Italian side Ascoli, MK Dons, Barnet, Newport, Crawley and Hemel Hempstead.
Randall is loving life in County Antrim after being tempted over by the vision of millionaire owner Kenny Bruce – co-founder of online estate agent Purplebricks – following the club’s promotion to the top flight in 2019.
“This was a new challenge for me and my family,” said the father-of-three. “We were looking to get away from England and this came up.
“I was a hundred per cent in, my wife was a bit worried at the start but as soon as she came over she absolutely loved it, the kids love it here, so it’s probably the best thing we’ve ever done.
“I wanted to come over and play in a league where I could win things instead of being in League Two, League One just floating about at mid-table teams.
“I could see the vision before I signed when I met Kenny and the manager (Tiernan Lynch) and they’ve been true to their word.
“I love it here. People around the town are just really great people. After games we’ll go and have a beer with the fans and it’s just little things like that that make a massive difference.”
Randall was initially tipped for big things by long-reigning Arsenal boss Wenger.
He has no real regrets about his time in north London but concedes his attitude and work ethic perhaps dipped below the required level.
“It’s the best coaching you will get at that age,” said Randall, who remains in contact with former Gunners team-mate Kieran Gibbs from that era.
“Back then, they had unbelievable players that you can learn so much from on a daily basis.
“At a top Premier League club, you’re going to get the best facilities, best training ground, best food and the lower you go, you don’t really get that.
“Probably, if I’m honest, my attitude and maybe my work ethic weren’t up to scratch as the top players are. They are 100 per cent professional and maybe that’s where I let myself down.”
Larne’s greatest European adventure follows two successive Europa Conference League qualifying campaigns, which included a run to the third round in 2021-22.
They will play next week’s second leg against HJK at Cliftonville’s Solitude stadium in Belfast after the synthetic pitch at their Inver Park home failed to satisfy FIFA criteria.
The 32-time Finnish champions have far more experience at this level and even reached the group stage in 1998-99, leading to clashes with Kaiserslautern, Benfica and PSV Eindhoven.
“We feel like on our day we can give anyone a good game,” said Randall. “I don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park for them.”
What the papers say
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, who was on loan at Inter Milan last season, is reportedly willing to take a £1million pay cut for a permanent move to the Italian club, the Telegraph reports. Lukaku featured in the Champions League final for Inter, scoring 10 goals and assisting six times in his 25 matches in Serie A last year.
Bayern Munich have reportedly sent a revised offer of £70million plus add-ons to Tottenham for Harry Kane, the Guardian said.
The Daily Mail says Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard is keen to sign free agent Wilfried Zaha, who saw his Crystal Palace contract expire this summer, for around £16million per season.
Ajax defender Jurrien Timber has completed a medical at Arsenal and the Metro says he has returned home for a farewell party before he completes his move to the club.
Social media round-upPlayers to watch
Harvey Barnes: The Leicester winger is reportedly keen on a move to Newcastle following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship, according to Football Insider.
Rasmus Hojlund: The 20-year-old has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Manchester United, who are set to submit a new bid to Atalanta for the Danish striker.
A lone strike from left full-back Amari’i Bell proved enough to put Jamaica’s senior Reggae Boyz into their fourth Concacaf Gold Cup semi-finals, as they edged Guatemala 1-0 in lively quarterfinals encounter at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday.
Bell’s strike which came in the 51st minute, was also the first international goal for the 29-year-old Luton Town defender, and it couldn’t have come at a better time, especially as the Reggae Boyz hunt their first Gold Cup triumph.
The Jamaicans, who were finalists in the 2015 and 2017 tournaments, and also 2019 semi-finalist, will be hoping to get by perennial rivals Mexico in Wednesday semi-final contest at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Having won all four of their previous Gold Cup meetings, the Heimir Hallgrimsson-coached Reggae Boyz went in with some degree of confidence to again stamp their authority over the Central Americans on this the fifth occasion, and that they did to some extent.
They dominated possession and camped out in Guatemala’s quarters for most of the first half, as they showed enterprise in their build ups, which should have resulted in at least two early goals. However, proper decision-making in the final third was woefully lacking on their part.
Aside from defiant defending from the Guatemalans, the Jamaican attackers seemed a bit overconfident at times and neglected a simple one-time pass or shot when they opportunity presented itself. That resulted in a goalless end to the first half as Guatemala had little opportunities to trouble Jamaica’s goalkeeper Andre Blake.
Things shaped up differently on the resumption with Guatemala being more purposeful in attack, but it was the Jamaicans that broke the deadlock when Demarai Gray sidewinded his way into space to play off a pass to an unmarked Bell, who used time and space allowed to set and drive past Guatemala’s goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen at his near post.
The Jamaicans continued to marshal proceedings and could have pulled further ahead in the 65th when Gray, set Leon Bailey free, but the Aston Villa winger’s effort off his right foot was blocked by Hagen.
Guatemala grew in confidence in the latter stages of the encounter and almost got back on level terms in the 79th minute when substitute Alejandro Galindo’s header from dead centre of the 18-yard box, was kept by Blake, who took flight to his left.
Both teams continued their press in attack and while the Boyz had the better chances, they again lacked conviction in front of goal and fortunately for them, their profligacy didn’t come back to haunt them.
Teams: Jamaica- Andre Blake, Damion Lowe, Javain Brown (Dexter Lembikisa 64th), Kevon Lambert (Daniel Johnson 46th), Bobby Reid, Amari'i Bell, Dishon Bernard, Latibeaudiere, Leon Bailey (Corey Burke 85th), Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio (Shamar Nicholson 78th)
Subs not used: Jahmali Waite, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Adrian Mariappa, Kemar Lawrence, Jonathan Russell, Dujuan Richards, Kaheem Parris
Booked: Bernard (32nd), Lambert (45th)
Guatemala –Nicholas Hagen, Aaron Herrera, Jose Pinto, Nicolas Samayoa, Jose Ardon, Oscar Castellanos, Marlon Sequen (Jorge Aparicio 64th), Nathaniel Mendez (Darwin Lom 82nd), Pedro Altan (Alejandro Galindo 71st), Carlos Mejia (Antonio Lopez 82nd), Rubio Mendez
Subs not used: Ricardo Jerez, Fredy Perez, Cesar Archilla, Jose Morales, Esteban Garcia, Gerardo Gordillo, Stheven Robles
Booked: Ardon (77th)
Referee: Drew Fischer (Canada)
Assistant referees: Micheal Barwegen (Canada); Caleb Wales (Trinidad and Tobago)
Fourth official: Joseph Dickerson (USA)
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham has seemingly gone the extra mile to make new signing Lionel Messi feel welcome.
Beckham’s wife Victoria posted a short video clip on social media of what appears to be her husband – the former Manchester United and England midfielder – on a cherry picker applying the finishing touches to a giant mural of Messi in the Wynwood neighbourhood of the city.
Alongside the clip on Instagram the former Spice Girl wrote: “Is there nothing @davidbeckham can’t do??
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“Only been in town a few days, he got straight to it!! Yes that is him whitening the teeth as we watch!!! X kisses from Miami!!! X @leomessi”.
Argentinian Maximiliano Bagnasco is the artist behind the mural of his compatriot and World Cup winner, who announced his move to Major League Soccer last month as his contract with Paris St Germain came to an end.
The 36-year-old had been strongly linked with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, a move which would have seen him playing in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
England defender Lucy Bronze admitted it is a “shame” women often find themselves entrenched in battles for change amid reports the Lionesses are unhappy with the situation around performance-related bonuses at the World Cup.
Bronze and her team-mates arrived in Australia on Friday to begin preparations for this summer’s showpiece, which under a new model will see players guaranteed remuneration directly from FIFA with amounts increasing the deeper teams go in the tournament. They range from 30,000 US dollars (£23,367) per athlete for the group stage to USD 270,000 (£210,305) allotted to each champion.
Previously, it was up to individual national governing bodies to decide how money was allocated, with some still agreeing to fund additional payments in 2023 beyond the new deal – though multiple media outlets have suggested the Football Association has no current plans to do the same.
When asked about the bonus talks, Bronze told Sky Sports: “I think a lot of these issues happen in women’s football – you don’t just see it for our team.
“There are many teams where players or associations or teams are having to fight to make changes in the game.
“We are pushing the game on, we’re trying to hit new levels and that’s what we want to do as players both on the pitch and off the pitch.
“It’s a shame that women in sport in general have to do that, but I think it’s a role than many athletes, many women take on in society and in sport.”
The PA news agency has contacted the FA for comment.
Players from Canada, France, Jamaica, Spain and South Africa are among the women who have recently raised concerns or taken action over issues ranging from personnel to pay and conditions, while 2023 will be the first World Cup for double defending champions the United States following their landmark legal battle to secure equal compensation with their male counterparts.
It will also mark a final World Cup for US forward Megan Rapinoe, who on Saturday announced she would be hanging up her boots at the end of this season.
The outspoken Ballon D’Or Feminin winner, 38, is one of the most recognisable faces in the game, both for her often colourful hairstyle and equally vibrant personality, as well as her leadership and advocacy work including the equal pay fight.
Bronze, speaking at Queensland’s Sunshine Coast Stadium, added: “Icon gets used a lot but she’s an icon on and off the field.
“People talk about her hair but the way she’s stood up and spoken out on so many issues is incredible, it’s changed the lives of so many people around the world, not just in football but in society as well, and I think there’s been many times where she’s taken stick for it but she just carries on because she knows what she’s doing, she’s doing it for the good things.”
Sunday’s England training session was held in front of about 3,000 spectators, which Barcelona’s Bronze felt helped lend her side a sense of familiarity despite the 10,000-plus mile distance and nine-hour time difference from London.
She said: “I think in a way it’s like being at home because in England we get this kind of support for open training days.
“It feels like an English summer, there’s so many fans, you can interact and speak with them, which doesn’t necessarily happen when you go halfway around the world, you can’t always connect as much as that. It’s nice, it’s just like another day in England in a way.”
Head coach Sarina Wiegman named an unchanged starting XI for the entirety of her side’s winning Euro 2022 campaign, but the team that will line up against Haiti for their July 22 World Cup opener in Brisbane will necessarily look very different following the retirement of Ellen White and injuries to captain Leah Williamson, forward Beth Mead and midfielder Fran Kirby.
Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly, meanwhile, has been swapped from the back to the front, named among Wiegman’s forwards for England’s pursuit of a maiden global title, while Niamh Charles, Laura Coombs, Lauren James, Esme Morgan, Katie Robinson and Katie Zelem will all be playing at their first major tournament.
Following the opener, England face Denmark in Sydney before wrapping up the group stage against China in Adelaide with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout rounds.
Leeds midfielder Brenden Aaronson has joined Bundesliga club Union Berlin on a season-long loan.
The USA international, 22, made 36 Premier League appearances for Leeds last season after joining from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee close to £25million in the summer of 2022.
Leeds said: “Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson has (on Sunday) joined Union Berlin on loan until the end of the 2023/24 season.
“We would like to wish Brenden good luck during his time at the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei.”
Aaronsen, who scored one goal in 40 appearances in all competitions for Leeds, is the third player who featured for them in the Premier League last season to have departed on a season-long loan following relegation.
Diego Llorente and fellow defender Robin Koch joined Roma and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively in similar deals earlier this week.
Leeds have appointed former Norwich boss Daniel Farke as their head coach since their three-year stay in the top flight was ended in May.
Newcastle pair Paul Dummett and Loris Karius have signed new deals to keep them at the club until the end of next season.
Dummett, at 31 the Magpies’ longest serving current player, and Karius, 30, were both offered contract extensions last month after the expiry of their previous deals.
Newcastle said: “Newcastle defender Paul Dummett and goalkeeper Loris Karius have agreed to extend their contracts at St James’ Park until summer 2024.”
Left-back Dummett, who joined the club’s academy aged nine, made his first-team debut over a decade ago in early 2013 and has made more than 200 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Former Liverpool keeper Karius joined the Magpies in September 2022, initially on a short-term deal, and has extended his stay for a second time.
The German has yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club, but played the full 90 minutes in the Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester United in February.
Leicester have appointed former Manchester City and Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero as assistant manager.
He is the fifth addition to new boss Enzo Maresca’s backroom team and will head to the Championship club following an 18-month spell at Southampton.
The 41-year-old Argentine enjoyed a highly-successful playing career.
During his time at City and Chelsea he collected Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup winners’ medals.
Caballero links up with the Foxes as they continue preparations for a Championship opener against Coventry on August 6.
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has hailed the Lionesses’ “incredible” World Cup welcome in Australia.
Around 3,000 spectators watched England train during an open session at the Sunshine Coast Stadium in Queensland.
“To see so many fans join us today was incredible,” Wiegman said.
“We have received such a warm welcome from everyone since we arrived, it really feels like a home away from home for us and we are delighted to be here.
“With the brilliant facilities and the excellent climate, we can’t think of anywhere better to get to work and finalise our preparation for the tournament.”
England will step up their World Cup preparations with a behind-closed-doors game against Canada on Friday before travelling to Brisbane three days later, where they face their opening group match against Haiti on July 22.
They will also meet Denmark in Sydney and China in Adelaide during the competition’s group stage.
Roberto Mancini agreed a new five-year contract with Manchester City on this day in 2012.
However, just 10 months later the City dream had soured and the title-winning manager wound up being sacked.
The Italian manager took charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2009 and helped accelerate the club’s revolution under owner Sheikh Mansour.
Mancini was rewarded with a long-term new deal after steering City to their first top-flight title in 68 years, when the Manchester side won the 2011-12 Premier League.
Sergio Aguero’s last-ditch winner toppled QPR and saw City edge out rivals and neighbours Manchester United to claim the league crown.
Mancini replaced Mark Hughes in December 2009, leading his side to the 2011 FA Cup before swiping the English championship a year later.
“I am delighted to be able to give all of my efforts to Manchester City for a further five years,” said Mancini on completing his new extended deal.
“The opportunity which exists to build on our recent success is enormous.”
Sadly for Mancini, that enormous opportunity for City did not extend to him for much longer.
City lost the 2013 FA Cup final 1-0 to Wigan, with the Latics suffering Premier League relegation to sit alongside their cup glory.
That proved the final straw for City’s owners, after United had already sewn up the Premier League title with two games to play.
Mancini was unseated by City on May 13, 2013 – just two days after that FA Cup final defeat.
Assistant Brian Kidd took charge for the final two league games, with United eventually ending with an 11-point margin on second-placed City.
Mancini would move on to further club management roles with Galatasaray, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg before claiming Euro 2020 glory as Italy coach.
England’s victory in the European Under-21 Championship captured the nation as prominent figures took to social media to offer their congratulations.
Curtis Jones’ first-half goal, coupled with goalkeeper James Trafford’s stoppage-time penalty save, ensured the Young Lions lifted the trophy for the first time in 39 years as they edged out Spain 1-0.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the tributes as the likes of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and senior men’s captain Harry Kane joined in the celebrations.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham was among the first to applaud the Young Lions, with other governing bodies quick to followPolitical figures were also caught up in the excitementEngland stars past and present were delighted with the winWith 18 Premier League players in Young Lions squad, the tributes from clubs poured inAnd former boxer Frank Bruno loved the sound of ‘European Champions’
James Trafford claimed he knew he was going to save the penalty which clinched European Under-21 Championship glory for England.
The 20-year-old Burnley-bound Manchester City goalkeeper, who spent last season on loan at League One Bolton, repelled Spain skipper Abel Ruiz’s stoppage-time spot-kick and then blocked substitute Aimar Oroz’s follow-up to ensure Curtis Jones’ goal was enough to secure a 1-0 final victory at the Batumi Arena.
Trafford told UEFA TV: “I told everyone this morning I was going to save a pen and, when it was a penalty, I knew I was going to save it, so it was pretty easy, to be honest.
“I told all my mates back home I was going to save one.”
Trafford’s heroics, which came after defender Levi Colwill had been penalised for his challenge on Ruiz following a VAR review six minutes into added time, provided a memorable conclusion to a hard-fought contest as England claimed the title for the third time and the first since 1984, denying the Spaniards a record sixth triumph.
His clean sheet meant Lee Carsley’s men did not concede a single goal at the finals, a feat never before achieved.
Trafford said: “It means a lot for us, the record, because it will take a massive effort to get broken. But we’re a very good team and we believe that no-one can score against us and we showed it.”
England, watched by senior boss Gareth Southgate in Georgia, had to survive a late onslaught as Spain fought desperately for a way back into the game, but battled manfully to reach their goal.
Player of the Tournament Anthony Gordon admitted several of his team-mates could have claimed the prize.
Gordon said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I feel I have had a good tournament, but me with the individual trophy is down to my team-mates and the staff.
“The squad is really unselfish. Six or seven of us might have won it, that shows how good we’ve been.
“Trafford could have been player of the tournament. He was incredible. I’ve never seen a goalkeeper perform like that with my own eyes.”
Disappointed Spain coach Santi Denia saluted the “extraordinary” efforts of his players and staff.
Denia said: “I feel extremely proud of everyone, not only the players, but everyone who forms part of this family. They’ve all worked in an extraordinary manner.
“The team have kept growing and we tried until the very last minute. We are strong and we will keep growing with this way of playing.”
United States forward Megan Rapinoe has announced she will retire at the end of the season.
Rapinoe, 38, helped the USA win the last two World Cups as well as a gold medal at the London Olympics in 2012.
Following the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Rapinoe will play out the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League campaign at long-time club OL Reign before hanging up her boots.
“I’ve been able to have such an incredible career and this game has brought me all over the world and allowed me to meet so many amazing people,” Rapinoe said on ussoccer.com.
“I feel incredibly grateful to have played as long as I have, to be as successful as we’ve been, and to have been a part of a generation of players who undoubtedly left the game better than they found it.
“To be able to play one last World Cup and one last NWSL season and go out on my own terms is incredibly special.
“I want to thank my family for being by my side all these years. Thanks to all my team-mates and coaches all the way back to my first days in Redding, on to college at the University of Portland and of course thanks to US Soccer, the Seattle Reign and especially (my partner) Sue (Bird), for everything.
“I will forever cherish the friendships and support over the years in this game and I am beyond excited for one last ride with the national team and the Reign.”
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Rapinoe, who won the Best FIFA Women’s Player award and the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2019, is one of the most influential figures in the women’s game, both on and off the pitch
She is set for her 200th international cap against Wales in California on Sunday.
USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski said: “Megan Rapinoe is one of the most important players in women’s soccer history and a personality like no other.
“She has produced so many memorable moments for her team and the fans on the field that will be remembered for a very long time, but her impact on people as a human being may be even more important.”
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