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Airdrie manager Ian Murray has confirmed that winger Thomas Robert has had a trial with Celtic over the last two weeks, saying it is an ‘exciting’ time for the young talent amid links with the Hoops.

The 20-year-old, son of former Newcastle United star Laurent, was first linked with a move to Parkhead back in December when Neil Lennon was still leading the Celtic charge.

Nick Hammond reportedly watched the youngster in League One action prior to the New Year, and it seems as if he’s had a successful stint in and around the Hoops squad in recent weeks.

Robert has made 14 senior appearances for Airdrie, scoring four times and providing two assists.

Thomas at Celtic

Talking to the Daily Record, Murray said:

“I can provide clarity on Thomas being in with Celtic and training with them.

It’s brilliant for him personally and brilliant for the club because it shows that we are doing something right.

It was a no-brainer to let him go on trial with Celtic. It was a chance for Thomas to showcase himself and train with top level players and coaches.

He was in a top level training environment which is second to none. He was working with top players and for any footballer, it’s an exciting time to do that.

It’s testament to Thomas, his teammates and the club because we are starting to build those connections.

We are taking young players in and improving them which is our model. Thomas has grabbed lots of headlines and he’s a great asset to us.

Thomas is now back with us, he’s been tested and trained with us yesterday. He’s adapted to everything that we’ve asked him to do exceptionally well.”

Transfer Tavern take

The Hoops joined a host of sides in the race for Robert’s services before the January window, and it appears as if they may be at the front of the queue following his Lennoxtown trial.

He’s out of contract at the end of the current season, so Celtic could well take Robert to Parkhead on a long-term basis for a minimal fee.

The Frenchman appears to fit the bill in regards to the club looking to lure top young talent ahead of the summer window. A deal for Liam Shaw is already tied up, while Wigan Athletic striker Kyle Joseph appears to be another player of interest.

Robert may well be another youngster to make the move to Celtic Park, and it seems as if he’s done his chances no harm during his trial in recent weeks, going off Murray’s comments.

In other news, a former Hoops boss is advising on Celtic’s manager search, find out more here.

Newcastle United will hope to get back to winning ways against Aston Villa on Friday night, as Steve Bruce strives to put distance between the Toon and the relegation zone.

The St. James’ Park natives enter the weekend just a point clear of Fulham and the bottom three, having won just two of their last 16 Premier League games.

Aston Villa beat Newcastle 2-0 at Villa Park in January thanks to strikes from Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore, but they will be without influential talisman Jack Grealish for the reverse fixture due to a lower leg injury and illness.

United have their own injury concerns with star forwards Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin all set to miss the remainder of the month. So, with that in mind, here’s a potential line-up that Bruce could name on Friday night…

Ryan Fraser and Joelinton led the line for Newcastle against West Bromwich Albion last time out but were unable to beat Sam Johnston as the two sides played out a drab goalless draw.

Fraser started brightly at The Hawthorns and delivered a range of crosses into the Baggies’ box, though his influence waned in the second period and as such, he is not expected to start up top against Villa.

Dwight Gayle will be the most likely man to take Fraser’s position having come on early in the second period for Jeff Hendrick, after yet another abject performance from the summer signing.

Andy Carroll has been pushing for a start during Wilson’s absence too, but he is very much out of favour at present, with the £3m-rated target man featuring for just 13 minutes over his side’s last eight Premier League fixtures – a third of what Gayle earned at West Brom alone.

Gayle starting against Villa would be only the £7m-rated outcast’s second start of the season in all competitions, and it would allow Fraser to occupy the attacking midfield role Joe Willock filled against West Brom.

Bruce was pleased with what Arsenal loanee Willock was able to produce at The Hawthorns but has accepted that he must consider what putting him there removes from the engine room.

“He has played further forward before but I’m also wary of the impact he’s had in midfield, so there’s a decision to be made,” Bruce said on Thursday. “I’ve been very pleased with him. He has given us something different and has the energy in midfield and he can score a goal.”

Willock is likely to return to a deeper midfield role against Villa in place of Hendrick as the sole change from the line-up that drew with West Brom, with Bruce voicing doubts about a recall for academy graduate Matty Longstaff.

The youngster had been tipped to feature on Friday night after a rare appearance with the Magpies’ Under 23s against Sunderland at the start of the week, though Bruce has since stated that he remains outside of his plans.

“He’s not in the side but let’s not forget he’s got a huge future – there’s no question about that,” the Toon boss said, via quotes by Chronicle Live’s Ciaran Kelly. “He had a big rise last year and finds himself not in the team at the moment, so he’s just got to stick with it. His time will come again, that’s for sure.”

AND in other news, Newcastle eye summer swoop for £16k-p/w maestro once lauded for being “the most gifted” player…

Manchester City have been linked with a summer move for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish recently and the England international could be a superb addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, City are now favourites to sign the 25-year-old this summer, having stolen the march on Manchester United, who failed to stump up the cash to sign him from the Villans last summer.

Grealish signed a new five-year contract with Dean Smith’s side on the eve of the 2020/21 campaign but his superb performances this season mean it is perhaps likely he will depart this summer, although it is suggested that Villa value him at £100m.

Would he be a good signing for City?

Grealish has been one of the star performers in the Premier League so far this season, with his 7.73 average rating from WhoScored second to only Harry Kane out of all the players in the top flight.

The attacking midfielder has contributed an impressive six goals and 10 assists in 22 appearances for the Villans this season, helping to transform them from relegation candidates last season to European hopefuls this campaign.

WhoScored also suggests that the Englishman’s key strengths include his dribbling and passing ability, which immediately marks him out as having the techincal ability to be part of Guardiola’s side.

Grealish has featured mainly as a left winger in Villa’s side this season but is able to drift inside and influence the play in a similar mould to Bernardo Silva on the opposite flank at City.

Considering his excellent returns for Villa this season, you feel that playing under Guardiola and alongside some truly world-class players could help the 25-year-old reach a new level in terms of goals, assists and general all-round play.

Although City’s focus for the summer seems to be on bringing a world-class striker such as Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium, perhaps they should focus on an “outstanding” player (in the words of Gareth Southgate) who is at his peak and has already cut it in the Premier League, as Grealish has shown enough in recent seasons to prove that he could make it at a top club such as City.

Therefore, sporting director Txiki Begiristain should definitely consider trying to bring Grealish to Manchester this summer, as he could develop into a world-class player in Guardiola’s side.

In other news… Txiki may be regretting £25m City decision with “phenomenal” beast

Real Madrid star Raphael Varane has remained tight-lipped about his future in Spain, following reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.

The Frenchman has been a colossal performer for the La Liga giants for a number of years now, playing a key role in their success since joining from Lens in 2011.

Varane has won a hugely impressive four Champions League crowns and three Spanish league titles, not to mention clinching glory at the 2018 World Cup with France. He made both FIFA and UEFA teams of the year in 2018, while also earning a spot in 2018 World Cup ‘dream team’ – the standard for centre-backs doesn’t get much higher.

It could be that he moves on to pastures new this summer, however, with Liverpool reportedly one of the clubs believed to be interested in signing him, according to the press in Spain.

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Varane remains coy over his future

Varane’s current contract expires at the end of next season, so Madrid may believe now is the right time to receive a significant fee for his services.

Speaking to Marca [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], the 27-year-old provided an update on his future, remaining coy over any possible move elsewhere:

“Do I see myself at Madrid for many more years? We’re 2 days away from a game with France and I’m focused on that. I don’t want to answer that question.”

Transfer Tavern take

While Varane remains a world-class defender who would no doubt strengthen Liverpool’s team, it is hard to see Jurgen Klopp paying big money for a player of his age.

Granted, he is still only 27 – soon to be 28 – but given the money he could cost, and the wages he may demand, it seems likely that the Reds will look elsewhere for a new centre-back, seeking a younger partner to learn from and perhaps eventually take over from Virgil van Dijk.

In other news, Liverpool have received an injury blow during the international break. Read about it here.

Charlton Athletic are on the verge of making a massive mistake over out-of-contract midfielder Jake Forster-Caskey.

The Addicks are starting a new era at The Valley after long-serving midfielder-turned-manager Lee Bowyer swapped south east London for another old home in Birmingham City.

In has come Nigel Adkins, with the side sitting ninth in League One, firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot come to the end of the season. But his job will be made harder if Charlton chief Steve Gallen doesn’t start planning for the future.

And the best place to start would be tying down their most influential player…

On the Chalkboard

The 26-year-old dynamo has now been at the club for five years but is arguably enjoying his best season in an Addicks shirt.

Indeed, Forster-Caskey current ranks as Charlton’s second-best player as per WhoScored ratings, grading at 7.18. Only Preston loanee Jayden Stockley is managing better (7.18).

In 26 league appearances, the £6k-per-week gem has delivered five goals and two assists, which puts him as their third-highest goalscorer, too.

Forster-Caskey offers an industrious box-to-box presence and that’ll be something Adkins will want to keep hold of, if he’s to persist with a 4-4-2 formation. You need someone that can contribute up and down the pitch.

As per WhoScored, the midfielder is averaging two tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, showing an ability to not only read the game defensively but actually put that intelligence into action, as well as managing to average 1.4 shots and 1.3 key passes per game on top of his direct goal contributions.

Just before his departure, Bowyer emphasised how crucial he is to the team.

“We’ve missed him,” said the 44-year-old to LondonNewsOnline. “Jake will [drive his teammates on]. If you do see your teammate running and fighting and pressing then it has a natural reaction. You have to go with him because if not you stand out like a sore thumb. He does have that impact. He’s been here since day one when I was here. He does have that aura in the dressing room. He has that respect.”

Whilst ex-Addicks boss Karl Robinson has previously lauded him as “unbelievable.”

Letting his contract run down until the end of the season is a dangerous game to play, given his influence on the squad. Gallen is running the risk of seeing one of Adkins’ star players leave for nothing.

That would be catastrophic.

The Charlton director of football must tie the 26-year-old down as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Nigel Adkins could unearth his next Adam Lallana in “improving” 20 y/o gem

Peterborough United Director of Football Barry Fry has hailed Nicky Butt after his departure from Manchester United, telling Football FanCast that he has saved the club hundreds of millions in the transfer market.

Butt has left United after nine years spent in the academy system, working as both the head of the academy and the head of first-team development.

Butt is now set to embark on a new challenge, with reports suggesting that he could move to Celtic to link up with their potential new manager Roy Keane.

Fry believes that the 46-year-old deserves a huge amount of credit for the club’s pathway from the academy to the first-team.

Having taken the role in 2016, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood, and Scott McTominay have gone from the youth team to the first-team.

And Fry thinks that Butt has ultimately saved United a fortune in transfer fees.

He told FFC: “When you look at the young players that have come through at Man United, wow, he’s done a hell of a job and he’s saved the club hundreds and hundreds of millions in my opinion.”

United have restructured somewhat this month, appointing Darren Fletcher as their technical director and Richard Murtough as football director.

And Fry thinks that those appointments may have played a key role in Butt’s departure.

He added: “United’s made a few decisions lately that have obviously upset one or two. Nicky Butt’s gone after nine years. Nicky Butt’s obviously done a fantastic job over the last nine years. He didn’t only play 400 times nearly for United as a player, and played great, he’s also been in the recruitment side of it for the last nine years.”

Sheffield Wednesday have never really got it right when it comes to their emerging youth prospects.

Once upon a time, Jamie Vardy was let go far too early, though no one could have envisaged him forging the career he has and similarly, George Hirst has ended up at Leicester City too.

He left for Belgium in 2018, rejecting a deal to link up with Nigel Pearson before finding his way to the Premier League. The 22-year-old has now impressed in a loan spell at the Owls’ local league rivals Rotherham United, where he has been dubbed “very promising” by local press.

The latest name to leave is Liam Shaw, who will swap Hillsborough Stadium for SPFL giants Celtic in the summer.

Wednesday now have another potential future star making waves in the academy set-up in Bailey Cadamarteri, son of former Blades frontman, Danny.

Despite only being 15, the young striker has caught the eye for the U18 squad after being offered a two-year scholarship. Most recently, he bagged a hat-trick in their 5-1 win over Ipswich Town.

Danny, who used to be in charge of that very Owls squad, spoke to The Star about his son’s potential. He said:

“He’s a young U16 – he’s not 16 until May… It’s great for him, and physically he can cope because he’s quite a big boy for his age. It’s nice experience for him.” Before adding: “He started to get a bit more credit for his own performances then, rather than people thinking it was because of me.”

As he approaches his 18th birthday in the next few years, Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri must ensure that Catamarteri is tied down to the club’s future, rather than leaving it too late, and following the same path as Hirst.

Goalscoring has long been a problem for the Owls – particularly this season as no one has scored more than six all campaign – so keeping hold of a kid with so much potential up top will be imperative in the long run, especially under a progressive manager like Darren Moore, too.

As soon as it can happen, the 15-year-old must be offered a professional contract. The Owls cannot afford to keep letting this happen.

AND in other news, Owls must wave goodbye to 2017 flop this summer, he’s not good enough…

Swansea’s promotion hopes took another huge blow on Easter Monday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Preston North End.

Steve Cooper’s side looked set to end their run of three consecutive defeats until Matt Grimes turned Scott Sinclair’s shot into his own net in injury time.

The Swans are now 10 points behind second-placed Watford and could soon drop out of the playoffs unless they see a dramatic upturn in form.

One man who disappointed with his performance at the Liberty Stadium was Andre Ayew.

As per SofaScore, the Ghana international would earn a shocking 6.3 match rating for his display, which was the worst of any Swansea player who started the game.

During his time on the pitch, the £3.6m-rated forward would manage just 13 passes and 30 touches, which is fewer than the 19 touches and 38 passes contributed by goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

For context, Ayew has averaged 26.8 passes per game in the Championship so far this season, which emphasises just how much he struggled to get into the game on Monday.

The 30-year-old also failed to contribute a single shot, cross or key pass during the 90 minutes, whilst none of his three dribble attempts were successful, which suggests that the Preston defenders well and truly had the better of him.

Ayew would also win just 5/14 of his duels during the game, resulting in a less than impressive 36% success rate, with his failure to trouble the Preston backline emphasised by the fact that they all earned above a 7/10 rating for their display.

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In a poor run of form for Swansea, where Ayew’s goals have often seen Cooper’s side pick up points late on, the last thing the manager needed was his top scorer to produce another shocking display and he will rightfully be fuming that his players have performed so poorly in recent fixtures.

And, in other news… Sold for £20m, 1 goal this season: Swansea sold PL flop at the perfect time

Many Wolves fans have been flocking to a transfer update on Dion Sanderson as The Chronicle have reported that Newcastle United are scouting him.

As per the news outlet, other clubs in the Premier League have been keeping an eye on the defender, currently on loan at Sunderland from Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, whose deal at Molineux expires in 2022.

Sanderson has only played in one senior game for Wolves so far in his footballing career, which was in the Carabao Cup away to Aston Villa last season (Transfermarkt). However, his performances so far in League One have certainly attracted interest, meaning that the Wanderers may face an uphill battle to keep him.

The 21-year-old still has a lot of potential, and so it would be a real shame if Wolves were to lose him, especially to a Premier League rival.

Wolves fans on Sanderson transfer update

These Wolves fans flocked to the transfer update on Sanderson after it was shared on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that the Englishman is ‘of no value’ to superagent Jorge Mendes, who has several clients at Molineux:

“A loan move to the championship would probably be a good step for him next season”

Credit: @mikewolves8

“Why he isn’t in gold and black is beyond me, at least then we’d have a defender at centre back then”

Credit: @Mark_McGrane

“We would be silly to sell him”

Credit: @EnglishNaz

“How about we actually use him”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“Can’t we just pretend he’s been playing for Porto instead of Sunderland and get him back? Maybe offer Mendes £2m to arrange transport back.”

Credit: @MarkPoulton_WV

“He’s of no value to Mendes, so we’ll doubtless get rid, despite being a local lad who the club have invested so much time and patience in.”
Credit: @brimfieldben

In other news, find out which Wolves player was slammed for his display against Fulham!

Aston Villa must look to re-sign Wolves star Adama Traore this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s intriguing transfer claim.

What’s the story?

According to the Daily Mail, Wolves would be open to offers for the Spain international this summer after setting an asking price of around £70m for him last year.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Hendrie has suggested that Traore could be a real fit at Villa Park given his unique ability, and would suit the way Dean Smith likes to play.

The 43-year-old said: “I feel he would be a good signing, I really do. I just feel that with a wide man that’s got pace and ability and can put a decent delivery into the box, it would suit Dean’s style of play. Now whether or not he’d come to Villa is a bit of a big question, come back to Villa obviously because he was there beforehand.

“Yes, he’d be a great addition with his pace and strength. I feel he’s a player that’s built and got better since coming into the English game so, yeah, I’d have Traore all day in my side because he’s just direct and he is something that I feel would work well for Villa.”

Game-changer for Dean Smith

Hailed as “unplayable” by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following an impressive display against the Reds in January 2020, Traore also received praise from Graeme Souness, with the Sky Sports pundit saying: “He is now not only a winger anymore, he keeps the ball, holds the ball and sets up goals, obviously. That makes it so difficult, each ball you lose is 100 per cent a counter-attack and half a goal.”

As per WhoScored, his average of 4.2 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season ranks him as the most prolific dribbler in the top flight, while he also ranks in the top six for drawing the most fouls per game at 2.2.

Having an electric player like the £31.5m-rated Traore could be a real game-changer for Smith in giving his Villa side another potent attacking option to go along with the likes of Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.

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While Grealish could weave his magic with his close control and vision, and Watkins can shine with his hard running and finishing, Traore’s sheer pace and power would add a different string to Villa’s bow – and that could be devastating for the rest of the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Villa should unleash this academy starlet amid rumoured transfer interest in him…