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Southampton just don't know when they're beaten at the moment, stretching their unbeaten run in the Championship to 22 games – and 25 overall in all competitions – with an action-packed 5-3 win over Huddersfield Town last time out.

Russell Martin's promotion-chasing Saints did need to be bailed out by a late blitz of goals at St. Mary's, but the 38-year-old boss wouldn't have cared one bit as another crucial three points was picked up come the end of an enthralling 90 minutes.

Still, regardless of all the heroics to pull off such an unbelievable victory, a few players here and there will be sacrificed for the trip to Bristol City tonight.

Flynn Downes will miss out due to an injury sustained in the Terriers win, whilst Che Adams could also drop out for similar reasons with Sekou Mara waiting in the wings with anticipation to start up top.

Sekou Mara's performance vs Huddersfield in numbers

Despite only being on the pitch for a meagre 11 minutes, Mara has certainly left a lasting impression on Martin to give him a start tonight at Ashton Gate over a potentially ropey Adams.

With Adams coming off with a slight knock as was revealed by Martin after the barnstorming contest had died down, it's a logical swap bringing in Mara for the Scotsman after the Frenchman's game-altering cameo.

Mara would help himself to a goal and an assist in quickfire time, hammering home an opportunity put on a plate for him by fellow substitute David Brooks before turning provider himself by remaining calm on the ball to tee up Samuel Edozie to net the all-important fifth goal.

As such, this blistering performance from off the bench demands that Mara is given a chance to shine from the get-go tonight regardless of whether or not Adams is fit enough to begin the game.

Joe Rothwell will also start the contest versus the Robins due to his equally impactful run-out from off the bench against the lowly Terriers, the Saints thankful that they made the late call to sign the AFC Bournemouth loanee in January now with Downes ruled out.

Joe Rothwell's performance vs Huddersfield in numbers

Called into action earlier than expected with Downes going down with an injury concern, Rothwell stepped up to the mark in the absence of Southampton's star number four.

The headline-grabbing moment from his excellent 57 minutes on the St. Mary's turf was his second goal of the afternoon, the £8k-per-week new recruit hitting a first-time effort so sweetly into the back of the net that Huddersfield goalkeeper Lee Nicholls just watched in amazement as the ball rippled in.

There was more to Rothwell's performance than just that wondergoal, however, misplacing just one of his 30 passes in a calm display from the experienced central midfielder.

Once described as a "super talent" by his former Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, he lived up to the current Birmingham City boss' remarks in a scintillating display against Huddersfield.

Rothwell's numbers vs Huddersfield

Minutes played

57

Goals

2

Shots on target

2

Touches

42

Accurate passes

29/30 (97%)

Key passes

1

Stats by Sofascore

Southampton could well terrorise another team in the form of Liam Manning's hosts tonight if Martin starts both Rothwell and Mara, the ex-Swansea City boss utilising his full squad effectively as the South Coast side aim for an immediate return to the Premier League in style.

Parkinson claims 6-23 as Maxwell bounces back from World Cup exit with 4-41 to bowl Sussex out for 127

Paul Edwards13-Jul-2019

Glenn Maxwell in action•Getty Images

People long in thrall to cricket sometimes watch two games. The first is the one before them; the second comprises moments from past matches, fragments of idolatry, to borrow the title of David Foot’s wonderful book. As the Sussex openers began their side’s innings this high-clouded morning at Old Trafford there was every reason for Lancashire supporters to succumb to illusion. Before them, Phil Salt was cracking boundaries through midwicket off Richard Gleeson and Graham Onions; yet in a heartbeat it was a warm Sunday afternoon in the late 1960s and Lancashire were winning one of those new-fangled 40-over games, their efforts directed by this diminutive bloke who didn’t bowl and only batted around seven in the order.Jack Bond died on Thursday evening. He was mourned by every Lancashire player under whom he had played and his passing was marked by a minute’s silence before our cricket got under way at Old Trafford. Less than an hour and a half hour later Sussex would collapse to Lancashire’s spinners, losing five wickets for 11 runs before lunch, all ten for fifty and being bowled out for 127 forty minutes after lunch. Matt Parkinson, a leg-spinner of great ability and remarkable potential, took a career-best 6 for 23 and Glenn Maxwell, as if assuaging World Cup woe, 4 for 41. Yet the members who stood to applaud Parkinson had also stood in perfect quiet over three-and-a-half earlier in the red-bricked pavilion when they might have been remembering two other slow bowlers, Jack Simmons and David Hughes, throttling the life out of batting orders on distant afternoons from dreamy childhood summers. “Lancasheer, la la-la laaa, Lancasheer, la la-la laaa.”Parkinson has more natural ability than either Simmons or Hughes. Presented with a used pitch offering only a little turn, he puzzled most of Sussex’s batsmen and dismissed half a dozen half of them. The googly which David Wiese let hit his pad was a highlight and the efficiency with which Parkinson removed Sussex’s tail was Rashidesque. That said, Sussex hardly helped themselves. Too many balls requiring commitment, either on the front or back foot were met with indecision. Varun Chopra, having made 32, played for turn but didn’t get to the pitch and the ball went straight on. By then Salt had fallen to Maxwell for 40 when sweeping the off-spinner straight to Josh Bohannon at deep square leg. Sussex were 77 without loss the moment before that wicket fell. They were bowled out less than 30 overs later. Their players must be tired of hearing their coach, Jason Gillespie, use the word “unacceptable” but the solution is in their hands.Dane Vilas needed to do little more than bring on Parkinson and Maxwell and keep them on. Bond would still have enjoyed watching it all, partly because he was the proudest of Lancastrians and partly because he probably reckoned skippers should have a few easy days to make up for those when they have to think non-stop for six hours and make literally thousands of decisions.Bond knew what the hard years and tough days were like. He had learned his cricket in the 1950s when at least one Lancashire captain was effortlessly malevolent and the committee were reminiscent of barons administering Henry II’s feudal estates. The offer of the captaincy, when it came in February 1968, was less than effusive. “We’ve just had a committee meeting and they want you to take the captaincy on a caretaker basis while they look for somebody else,” the new skipper was told by the secretary, Jack Wood.Ben Brown is as loyal to Sussex as Bond was to Lancashire and he might have appreciated some advice this afternoon. A first innings of 127 poses its own problems but things got worse for Sussex when Luke Wells dropped Alex Davies at third slip on 4 and Chris Jordan was forced to limp off with a leg injury after eight overs. The rest of this Saturday saw Lancashire build a position from which they should win the matchHome supporters watched it all and luxuriated in their side’s complete dominance. The flags, all of them flying at half-mast, unfurled themselves in the brisk breeze. We played with the thought that these spectators might be recalling other Saturdays of greater glory, early Septembers at Lord’s, for example, when Bond led Lancashire to three successive Gillette Cups. He skippered a side filled with players of international class but he was the man who held everything together and who reminded any potential Billy Bigbollocks that no cricketer could win a game by himself. His Lancashire teams won five trophies in four yearsBond was a great captain because he had been shown how not to do it and because he was a good, generous man who understood men in all weathers. A devout Methodist, he always preached the value of community and pitched his team on the side of the supporters and against the hierarchy. “We had an unbelievable never-say-die attitude and it was born of dissatisfaction,” recalled David Lloyd. “Jack got us together and it was almost us against them but the ‘them’ were the committee. We were such a tight unit and we all had the red rose on our blazer and, crikey, did that mean something.”The six martlets mean just as much to players like Luke Wells, Ben Brown and Will Beer. Sussex are in a desperate run of form at the moment and they will do well to wrench themselves out if it sufficiently to win promotion. Lancashire’s openers, displaying proper professional ruthlessness, displayed no pity at all. Davies’ two thumping drives off Abi Sakande took Lancashire into a lead on first innings but next over Sussex received blessed relief for their woes when he was caught behind for 72 when trying to cut a short ball from Delray Rawlins. But a Wagner opera could not have set the tone of this day more strongly and Keaton Jennings collected his fifty just before the closeBond was a small man but, as Neil Fairbrother pointed out, he was a giant of Lancashire cricket. His players loved him but they might not have put it those terms. Then again, they didn’t need to. The current Lancashire team, none of whom were near to being born when Bond last played, also stood this morning. They know the former skipper, partly because his words are on the dressing room wall: “The future of this great club is in your hands.”But maybe the most touching sight was that of David Lloyd, standing silent with his memories. And crikey, that meant something.

MatériaMais Notícias

Ainda sem saber quando voltará a jogar pelo Paulistão-2021, o Corinthians fez, na tarde desta quarta-feira, o terceiro dia de treinamentos da semana e a quarta sessão de trabalho. Foi mais uma oportunidade para o elenco seguir a preparação para o restante da temporada, que terá calendário apertado. Confira imagens do treino no vídeo abaixo.

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TABELA
> Veja classificação e simulador do Paulistão-2021 clicando aqui

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>Saiba quais jogadores do Corinthians que mais participaram de gols em 2021

Na atividade, Vagner Mancini comandou um treinamento técnico em espaço reduzido. Na sequência, deu sequência aos trabalhos táticos que já vinha organizando nos últimos dias e também na semana passada.

Como de costume, o treinador fez diversas intervenções para passar instruções antes da conclusão de algumas jogadas. As informações foram fornecidas pela assessoria de imprensa do clube, já que a presença da imprensa não é permitida no CT por conta dos protocolos contra a pandemia de coronavírus.

Mateus Vital, Ruan Oliveira, Danilo Avelar, Gustavo Mantuan e Guilherme Biro seguem sob os cuidados do departamento do clube em recuperação. Já o restante do elenco está à disposição da comissão técnica de Mancini.

O Corinthians permanece no aguardo para uma nova data para jogar pelo Campeonato Paulista. A próxima atividade no CT Joaquim Grava acontece nesta quinta-feira, pela manhã. Dirigentes, Federação Paulista de Futebol e autoridades do estado de São Paulo debatem o retorno do estadual. A previsão mais otimista dá conta de uma retomada a partir da próxima segunda-feira.

continua após a publicidade

يستكمل فريق الهلال خوض مبارياته ضمن منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة التي تقام في هذا الموسم 2024-2025، بنظامه الجديد.

ويلتقي الهلال مع الشرطة العراقي، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة الدوري (دور المجموعات)، وذلك على أرضية استاد ملعب فيصل بن فهد.

وأسفرت قرعة دوري أبطال آسيا، عن مواجهة الهلال، لكل من بيرسبوليس الإيراني والشرطة العراقي والاستقلال الإيراني والغرافة القطري والسد القطري والعين الإماراتي والريان القطري والوصل الإماراتي.

وكان الهلال قد فاز على الريان بالجولة الأولى بنتيجة 3-1 بالمباراة التي جمعت بينهما منذ أسبوعين.

طالع.. فيديو | بمشاركة تريزيجيه وبن شرقي.. الريان يخسر أمام النصر في دوري أبطال آسيا

وتتأهل أفضل ثمانية فرق في كل دوري إلى دور الـ16، المقرر إقامة مبارياته في شهر مارس 2025.

وبداية من دور ربع النهائي وحتى المباراة النهائية ستقام البطولة بنظام البطولة المجمعة (التأهل من مباراة واحدة)، تقام في المملكة العربية السعودية، خلال الفترة من 25 أبريل وحتى 4 مايو 2025. موعد مباراة الهلال والشرطة العراقي اليوم في دوري أبطال آسيا

تقام مباراة الهلال والشرطة، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء 1 أكتوبر 2024، في تمام الساعة 9 مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية والعراق. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الهلال والشرطة العراقي اليوم

تنقل مباراة الهلال أمام الشرطة العراقي اليوم على قناة بي إن سبورت beIN SPORTS AFC 1 وتذاع المباراة أيضًا عبر قناة SSC Extra 1 وقناة الكأس العاشرة القطرية. معلقو مباراة الهلال والشرطة العراقي اليوم

وأسندت شبكة قنوات بي إن سبورتس مهمة نقل أحداث وفعاليات المباراة للمعلق حسن العيدروس، بينما يعلق خالد الحدي عبر قناة الكأس القطرية.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا

تقدم فريق ريال مدريد بهدف أول أمام فياريال في المباراة الجارية بينهما ببطولة الدوري الإسباني.

ويستقبل ريال مدريد خصمه فياريال على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” ضمن مباريات الجولة التاسعة للدوري الإسباني “الليجا” لموسم 2024-2025.

وجاء هدف تقدم ريال مدريد في الدقيقة 14 عن طريق فيدي فالفيردي، بتمريرة حاسمة من لوكا مودريتش.

ونفذ مودريتش ركلة ركنية، ووصلت الكرة إلى فالفيردي الذي سدد تسديدة قوية من خارج منطقة الجزاء، حيث ارتطمت بأحد مدافعي الخصم، قبل أن تسكن الشباك، معلنًا عن هدف أول لصالح ريال مدريد.

ويملك ريال مدريد في رصيده 18 نقطة في المركز الثاني خلف المتصدر برشلونة برصيد 21 نقطة.

يمكنك متابعة أحداث مباراة ريال مدريد وفياريال لحظة بلحظة بالفيديو من خلال الرابط. هدف فالفيردي في مباراة ريال مدريد وفياريال

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fortaleza está na Terceira Fase da Copa do Brasil graças a Yago Pikachu. Em belo gol de falta, o meia tirou o Leão do sufoco e decretou a vitória em cima do Ypiranga-RS.

+ Messi, Agüero, Modric… Janela na Europa terá mais de 30 astros em fim de contrato; veja nomes

Na saída de campo, o jogador não escondeu a sua felicidade por marcar um gol que vai creditar na conta do clube por mais de R$ 1 milhão.

‘Poderia ter sido com um minuto antes, mas o goleiro defendeu. Fico muito feliz com o gol. Fazia alguns anos que não marcava de falta. Feliz pela vitória. Os números chegam na sequência. O gol vai ser uma quantia boa, mais de R$ 1 milhão, além do prestígio. Estou chegando agora, que depois assumo o som’, afirmou.

Agora, o Leão deixa de lado a Copa do Brasil e foca na Copa do Nordeste, onde tem jogo no próximo fim de semana contra o Confiança.

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Allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin is also out with a recurring back injury

Mohammad Isam19-Jul-2019

Bangladesh had an up-and-down time of it at the World Cup•Getty Images

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has been ruled out of Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka after hurting his hamstring on Friday, the third and last day of training before the team departs for Colombo. Tamim Iqbal will lead the side in his absence.Allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin has also been ruled out due to a recurring back injury. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and seam-bowling allrounder Farhad Reza will replace Mashrafe and Saifuddin in Bangladesh’s squad.The injuries mean Bangladesh will be without four of their starting players from the squad that played the World Cup, with Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das also out of the tour for personal reasons. With Shakib, the regular vice-captain, also out, the BCB has turned to Tamim to lead the side.Mashrafe’s injury is a grade 1 strain in the left hamstring, BCB’s senior physician Dr Debashis Chowdhury confirmed. “It is a recurrent injury that could take around three to four weeks to recover from. Therefore, he is ruled out from participation in sporting activity for a month.”Bangladesh play their first ODI in Colombo on July 26.Tamim Iqbal plays a shot•Getty Images

Just before sustaining his injury at training, Mashrafe had addressed a press conference where he had spoken of the importance of the ODI series against Sri Lanka in rebuilding Bangladesh’s confidence after their eighth-place finish at the World Cup.”I don’t think too much has changed between just before the World Cup and just after the World Cup,” Mashrafe said. “If there was a good young player available, who performed exceptionally, we would have most likely taken him to the World Cup. I think we have to prepare at least some cricketers at the highest level, over the next two years. Give them enough opportunity, so that they can serve us well in the next World Cup.”But this ODI series is important for Bangladesh cricket. Given our circumstances, we need to win this series, so we have to keep this in mind as well.”There will be a big difference in intensity between a World Cup and a bilateral series. But we have to absorb it like a professional side. Our reality, given how we did at the World Cup, however doesn’t allow us to have less intensity. This is an opportunity for us to take a positive turn, so I am sure everyone has the mindset to make a comeback.”Mashrafe, however, didn’t ignore the need for long-term planning, pleading for more focus on the pipeline leading up to the senior team. He felt most of the current squad could still be part of the set-up in four years’ time, but added that it would be crucial for Bangladesh to make the next rung of players ready for international cricket.”Apart from me, the rest of the side is capable of playing in the next World Cup,” he said. “But I think it is more important to focus on the Under-19s, HP (high performance) and A team, if we are to do well in the next four years. We must have players who become stable in international cricket during this time.”Focusing on just one team of players makes life difficult at the highest level. We don’t have Shakib [Al Hasan] for this tour so we have to look for two options. It is a great opportunity for those replacing him.”Bangladesh rejoice following their win•NurPhoto/Getty Images

Although Sri Lanka hold an overwhelming 36-7 head-to-head record in matches between the two sides, recent history has been a lot closer, with Bangladesh winning three of the last six completed ODI meetings. There has been on-field friction too, exemplified by the ‘Nagin’ dance that both teams taunted each other with during last year’s Nidahas Trophy. Mashrafe felt the upcoming series would continue the growth of the rivalry between the two teams.”I think we will start on equal footing,” he said. “They are playing at home where they always do well. They have been playing together for a while too. They are becoming a balanced side. They have some good memories from the World Cup, particularly beating England and pushing a few sides. There’s been a bit of excitement between the two teams since the Nidahas Trophy and that will play a part too.”Mashrafe said he was disappointed with his own performance at the World Cup, where he took just one wicket in eight matches. But he said that given his experience of playing at the highest level for two decades, he is equipped to deal with pressure and knows how to turn his form around.”I have to take responsibility as a player and when I took over the captaincy four or five years ago, I had a similar feeling as well,” he said. “I know it very well, having played for Bangladesh for 18 years, that our people raise questions quite quickly.”I am personally disappointed with how I did at the World Cup and it will be a shame if I am not hurting. I am in a “nothing to lose” situation. But I also have the mentality to turn around, and coming towards the end of my career, there’s no need to take pressure.”GMT 1600 The story was updated with the news of Mashrafe and Saifuddin’s injuries.

Sunderland are in Championship action at the Stadium of Light once again as they prepare to welcome Plymouth Argyle to Wearside this afternoon.

The Black Cats have only won one of their last five matches in all competitions and will be hoping to return to winning ways against Ian Foster's side today.

Michael Beale must now work hard to get his team firing again over the coming weeks and months in order to push back up to the top six to secure play-off football.

Sunderland are currently eighth in the Championship table and one point behind Hull in sixth, although the Tigers have one game in hand over them.

The Black Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by Middlesbrough last time out and Beale must now make at least one change to the starting XI from that match, with Nazariy Rusyn coming in for Mason Burstow at the top end of the pitch.

He could form an exciting link-up with Jack Clarke in the final third and the Chelsea loanee should be ditched to the bench, as his performances have left a lot to be desired so far this season.

Mason Burstow's struggles this season

The 20-year-old marksman has struggled throughout the campaign and has not proven himself to be a reliable option up front for Beale, or Tony Mowbray before him.

Burstow arrived from the Premier League side as a player with potential, having scored ten goals in 25 Premier League 2 matches last term, but he is yet to realise that on the pitch for the Black Cats.

Vs Middlesbrough

Mason Burstow

Minutes played

67

Shots

Zero

Touches

18

Key passes

One

Duels won

Zero

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the young talent struggled badly against Middlesbrough last weekend as he led the line for Sunderland on Teeside.

The English striker lost all six of his duels throughout the game and failed to register a single effort on goal, which sums up his season so far.

Burstow has made 15 appearances and started ten matches in the Championship so far this season and contributed with one goal, from 1.33 xG, and one assist, from 0.37 xA.

Across those 15 games, the Chelsea loanee has lost a staggering 73% of his duels. This suggests that he is a huge liability out of possession as opposition players have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical contests on a regular basis.

The Sunderland number 11 currently ranks within the bottom 12% of Championship forwards this season for non-penalty goals (0.12) per 90, and the bottom 30% for Expected Assisted Goals (0.06) per 90.

These statistics show that the summer signing is below average as both a scorer and a creator of goals for his teammates among his positional peers.

His lack of consistent end product in front of goal also suggests that Burstow is not providing much in possession for the Black Cats to make up for his lightweight nature off the ball.

Why Sunderland must unleash Nazariy Rusyn

Beale must now ditch the Premier League loanee in order to unleash Rusyn through the middle of the pitch, after his impressive cameo last weekend.

The former Dynamo Kiev forward came on with 23 minutes left to play at the Riverside and secured a point for his team with a well-taken goal in the second half.

Jack Clarke switched the play over to the £9k-per-week dynamo and the substitute lashed a superb half-volley past Tom Glover to make it 1-1 on the day.

He also won two of his three (66%) ground duels off the bench, which meant that the Ukrainian whiz won more duels and registered more shots in 23 minutes than Burstow did in 67.

23/24 Championship

Nazariy Rusyn

Appearances

14

Starts

Six

Goals

Two

xG

1.71

Assists

One

Duel success rate

51%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rusyn has been directly involved in more goals (three) than the Chelsea youngster (two) despite having started four fewer matches in the Championship.

The electric 25-year-old speedster, who has three goals in three U21 matches for the club, currently ranks within the top 24% of forwards in the division for non-penalty goals (0.46) per 90, and the top 35% for Expected Assisted Goals (0.13) per 90 this season.

These statistics suggest that Rusyn, who has also held his own in physical contests with a duel success rate of 51%, could offer far more than Burstow in the final third.

Jack Clarke's brilliance this season

Beale must unleash the striker alongside Sunderland star Jack Clarke, who has proven he has the quality to be a difference-maker on a consistent basis.

The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster has been an outstanding performer for the Black Cats in the Championship this season, and is the perfect winger for a striker to play alongside as he can offer a constant threat as both a scorer and a creator.

23/24 Championship

Jack Clarke

Squad rank

Sofascore rating

7.80

1st

Goals

13

1st

Assists

Four

1st

Big chances created

11

1st

Key passes per game

2.5

1st

Dribbles completed per game

3.7

1st

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Clarke has been the main man for Beale and Mowbray with his sensational performances at the top end of the pitch, with a constant stream of goals, assists, chances created, and dribbles completed to drive his team up the table.

The English magician may be frustrated that his 11 'big chances' created and 7.49 xA has only been rewarded with four assists, as those statistics suggest that his teammates have let him down in front of goal in the Championship.

This is why Beale must unleash Rusyn from the start as the exciting marksman has outperformed his xG in the division, whilst Burstow has underperformed slightly, and could be the dream forward to make the most of Clarke's creativity, which is exactly what he did with his goal against Middlesbrough from the winger's assist.

Therefore, the head coach should ditch Burstow and unleash Rusyn and Clarke together in the final third against Plymouth at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

Follow our live report for updates, stats, trivia, colour and discussion during the second Test of the 2019 Ashes from Lord’s.

Valkerie Baynes14-Aug-2019

Glasgow Rangers' transformation since mid-October has been nothing short of sensational.

Philippe Clement has rejuvenated a team which was going nowhere fast under Michael Beale and just five months later, he has the Gers in a Premiership title race, secured the League Cup trophy, and set up a last-16 Europa League clash against Benfica.

Not a bad start by the Belgian it has to be said, but the season still has a long way to go, especially as Celtic won't be relinquishing their grip on the league title without a massive fight.

What is even more remarkable is how Clement has got the Ibrox side into a position like this, having inherited a side from Beale that featured players who had cost lavish sums of money.

Sam Lammers has already moved on loan to FC Utrecht for the rest of the season, Danilo has played just 21 times due to a couple of injuries, while Cyriel Dessers is only now beginning to prove that he can be a key member of the squad after a rough start.

These three players cost the Light Blues €14.8m (£12.6m) in 2023, yet they were not the first players to join the club for extravagant fees and failed to showcase their true abilities.

Indeed, it has been happening for years, with one of the most notable examples being that of Michael Ball, who became one of the club’s record signings when he arrived in 2001.

What Rangers paid for Michael Ball

Under Dick Advocaat, Rangers had won five out of the six domestic trophies available to them during the 1998/99 and 1999/00 seasons as the club returned to the summit of Scottish football.

Martin O’Neil joined Celtic in 2000 and he lifted a club that was on its knees. They secured their own domestic treble during 2000/01, with Rangers faltering behind.

Prior to the following season, the Dutchman knew he had to recruit to challenge the Parkhead outfit and this saw him splash out on a few players. The likes of Shota Arveladze, Christian Nerlinger and Claudio Caniggia were all signed; however, it was Ball in which the most amount of money was spent.

The left-back joined the Gers from Everton in a deal worth around £6.5m, which at the time, was the second-highest fee the club had paid for a player, and it looked like that position would be sorted for the foreseeable future.

Aged just 21 when he signed, the Englishman had a wonderful future ahead of him if he steered clear of injuries, but these would ultimately be his demise once he joined the Glasgow side more than 20 years ago.

Michael Ball’s Rangers statistics

The defender didn’t actually make his debut for the Ibrox side until October 2001 due to injury and Advocaat delivered the news to the media once he signed, saying:

"The player won't play for six to eight weeks because we don't want to take a gamble but in the longer term there is no risk at all."

Ball ended up playing just nine times during his debut season in Scotland, scoring once in a UEFA Cup tie, and it looked as though they had overspent massively on the former Everton starlet.

Michael Ball's Rangers statistics

Games

Goals

2005/06

3

0

2004/05

15

0

2003/04

40

1

2002/03

0

0

2001/02

9

1

Via Transfermarkt

Ambition was high ahead of the 2002/03 season as Alex McLeish had led the club to a domestic cup double in the final few months of the season prior, yet Ball would suffer more agony, missing the entirety of the treble-winning campaign.

The left-back had missed out on winning five trophies due to his injury problems, yet he showed a keen willingness to make things happen at Rangers as he recovered to feature 40 times during the 2003/04 season, yet this was their worst in a while, finishing without a trophy for the first time in three years.

18 appearances over the next two years finally saw him win a league title with the Gers, but he was sold by McLeish towards the end of the summer transfer window in 2005 to PSV Eindhoven as he ended his nightmare stint north of the border.

Why Michael Ball paid to play at Rangers

When the Gers were in negotiations with Everton about his transfer, a clause was inserted into his contract which meant the Ibrox side had to pay the Toffees £500k-a-game following Ball’s 60th appearance for the club.

Due to the dire financial situation at the time, the club were unwilling to do this, and it meant the defender spent perhaps more time on the sidelines than he deserved.

Ball did end up agreeing to pay Sir David Murray a fee to gain playing time, and he discussed this during an interview in 2010, saying:

"I remember it was a match at Ibrox when the gaffer Alex McLeish said the chairman wanted to see me – that's when he put the idea to me. Alex asked how it went, and I was still a little bit shocked about what had just happened. I had agreed to pay £4000 every time I played so they could pay Everton.

"I wasn't sure if I had got it right. We had a bit of a chuckle about it and later that day I came on as a sub with a few minutes left. I remember thinking 'that's just cost me four grand'!"

If it weren’t for injuries and this dispute regarding his contract, Ball could have starred for the club during an era which yielded seven trophies.

He ended up winning just two, however, before winning the league title at PSV following a £500k move, and playing for Manchester City between 2006 and 2009, featuring 63 times for the English side. He eventually retired in 2011.

Despite his promise, it is safe to say that Rangers had a shocker over Ball, especially shelling out £6.5m to secure his signature and this was during an era where money was seemingly no issue.

Thankfully, the club have moved on from then and, under Clement, the supporters can look forward to the Gers signing promising talent without paying over the odds.