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Incoming Celtic chief executive Dominic McKay looks set to make changes to the “entire business model” at Parkhead.

That’s according to finance expert Kieran Maguire, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Celtic announced last week that McKay will leave his role within Scottish Rugby on Friday, allowing him to begin his work with the Hoops next Monday – 10 weeks earlier than initially planned.

Peter Lawwell will stick around to help with a smooth transition at Celtic Park for McKay, with the 61-year-old set to retire at the end of June.

Talking to Football Insider regarding McKay’s arrival in seven days time, Maguire believes that big changes are imminent. He said:

“If you look at any business, the culture of the business is determined at the top.

“Dermot Desmond is not a hands-on owner. With Peter Lawwell going and the manager going as well, there’s a bit of a vacuum.

“Celtic have got to start planning for the post-Lawwell era. They’ve also got to plan for a post-Neil Lennon era.

“This season has clearly not been successful. Celtic’s entire business model will now be challenged to an extent.”

Transfer Tavern take

One of McKay’s first major tasks could be to help bring in a new first team manager, as well as looking to fill the newly-created director of football role.

During the coming months, McKay could get some important building blocks in place, and it seems as if Maguire thinks the club’s “entire business model will now be challenged” as a result of his impending arrival.

In our view, bringing McKay in now instead of July, as initially planned, is a positive move. It will allow him to settle into life in Glasgow ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, giving him plenty of time to have his say on some major off-field decisions.

In other news: Celtic could make big loss on Odsonne Edouard, find out more here. 

Plenty of Manchester City fans have been reacting to the performance of Kelechi Iheanacho during Leicester City’s 5-0 victory over Sheffield United this past weekend.

The Foxes were in fantastic form against the Blades, and the £13.5m-valued Nigeria international (per Transfermarkt) particularly enjoyed himself as he picked up a hat-trick to take his tally to 10 goals in all competitions this term. It was also a big win for Leicester, who put themselves eight points clear of fifth place (Sky Sports) as they attempt to qualify for the Champions League.

The Citizens sold the striker to the East Midlands outfit in 2017 for a fee believed to be around £25m (BBC). He had a solid record at the Etihad Stadium, netting 21 times in 64 games despite not being a regular starter, but with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus to contend with, it made sense for him to move.

After this latest display, though, these Man City fans were delighted with Iheanacho’s showing, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts after @City_Xtra commented on his display.

One even stated that they would rather see the Nigerian back at the Etihad than reported City target Erling Haaland, who has been scoring goals for fun at Borussia Dortmund.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about Iheanacho below

“So happy for him”

Credit: @hipyjon

“Well done!”

Credit: @SaucySilvaaa

“Bring him home, perfect false 9”

Credit: @MaoistSamaras

“Come back straight swap for Jesus!”

Credit: @robbierust81

“tears in my eyes, well done Kelechi”

Credit: @ryann_aden

“Bring him home Perfect Aguero replacement forget about Haaland”

Credit: @KZN22_

In other news, some Man City fans slammed this player’s performance against Fulham.

West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce has slammed the Premier League’s decision to schedule the Baggies’ match against Everton on Thursday between two matches against their relegation rivals.

Allardyce angry at Premier League

West Brom’s clash against the Toffees will now take place on March 4th – five days after their match against Brighton and less than three days prior to their meeting with Newcastle.

This decision angered Allardyce, and he was not shy in voicing his opinion ahead of this weekend’s match with Brighton. He said (via Birmingham Live):

“We have a big week to follow this week with having the Everton game thrown in the middle which we could have done without when we had such big games against Brighton and Newcastle. We could have done without playing Everton when Newcastle don’t play a game at all. Unfortunately we have to cope with it.

“I don’t want to get myself in trouble. We tried, we did try, we felt it was very irresponsible to pick the game on Thursday from the Premier League.

“Yes, throw us a game in we will accept that but put us at Wednesday – get it into Wednesday based on what we are trying to achieve and what we are trying to do.

“We have two of the most important games against two of the teams who are down there below us and you throw a game in against Everton and don’t throw it in at the right time. If it was Wednesday I would have less of a complaint but when they threw it on Thursday I thought that was very disrespectful personally.”

The way it is

Of course, this scheduling change will have affected the Baggies’ planning – they will have been hoping to have a full week’s training between the two matches. Putting the game on a Thursday instead of a Wednesday is also peculiar and will not help the Midlands outfit’s cause.

However, there is no point in Allardyce letting this get to him. It almost seems as if he is looking for an excuse before the match has even been played. West Brom are 19th in the table for a reason, and all they can do is attack every game with 100% effort regardless of when they are played.

In other news, West Brom fans want this former player to replace Luke Dowling as Technical Director.

In an exclusive interview with  Football FanCast, Carlton Palmer has expressed his concern about the relative inaction over a contract extension for Crystal Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

Roy Hodgson has carefully crafted his side over the past four-and-a-half years with limited resources, in no small part thanks to a number of astute signings sanctioned by Steve Parish.

Van Aanholt can count himself among that number – since his arrival in 2017, the 30-year-old has gone on to make 122 appearances for Palace across all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

However, concerns are beginning to mount, with the Dutchman’s contract at Selhurst Park expiring in five months time, which has been heighted by the fact that talks have reportedly broken down between the club and his representatives over a contract extension.

Whilst the emergence of 21-year-old Tyrick Mitchell has also continued to cast doubts about his future at the club, his potential departure would leave Hodgson desperately short of options on the left-hand side of the defence.

Palmer, when speaking to Football FanCast’s Tom Ward, believes Palace may be reluctant to tie the veteran defender down to a long-term deal as he points towards a total shift in transfer policy.

He told FFC:

“Well, a lot of that will depend on wage demands. And you know, they’re looking, I think, more and more now with Parish and the way they’ve got the recruitment set up there.

“They’re trying to get the balance of youth and experience again, and they’re going for younger players, as you’ve seen with the signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta. They’re going for that quality and that youth and that exuberance, and that energy and that pace, and Roy Hodgson’s noted for that.

“If they were going to renew his contract, I think they’d have done it by now. So that tells you everything you need to know.”

Indeed, it’s easy to see why Palace may have opted for a different approach after the emergence of Mitchell, who has burst onto the scene this season, which has attracted interest from local rivals Arsenal.

The Eagles have also been targeting a number of potential replacements should Van Aanholt depart Selhurst Park, with Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso and Marseille’s Jordan Amavi believed to be in the frame.

Hodgson recently admitted he is concerned by the number of Palace players who are out of contract at the end of the season but expects a complete overhaul of his ageing squad in the summer.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson must unleash Jean-Philippe Mateta against Wolves…

Carlo Ancelotti must sanction a January loan move to Blackburn Rovers for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite amidst interest from the Championship side.

What’s the word?

According to LancsLive, Rovers chiefs are hopeful of completing a deal to take Branthwaite to Ewood Park until the end of the 2020/21 season.

Head coach Tony Mowbray has been given the backing of the club to make at least one loan signing this month, and he is seemingly intent on using any available funds to strengthen the core of his defence with a left-sided centre-back.

Branthwaite is one option under consideration with Scott Wharton, Derrick Williams and Daniel Ayala some of the other known alternatives, with Rovers forced into temporary transfers after a summer splurge in search of promotion back into the Premier League.

Everton are expected to consider sending Branthwaite out on loan following Seamus Coleman’s return from injury, which has eased concerns over a lack of depth that forced Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey to provide cover at full-back over the festive period.

Branthwaite missed parts of the start of the campaign with an ankle injury, after sustaining ligament damage just 24 minutes into his sole start of the season during September’s Carabao Cup win at Salford City.

The 18-year-old has since featured as an unused substitute in four Premier League squads following his return to fitness, after making four top-flight appearances last term.

Should Everton loan out Branthwaite?

With Coleman returning from injury allowing Holgate to contend with Yerry Mina and Michael Keane for minutes in central defence, Branthwaite will struggle to establish himself as a first-choice option at Goodison Park anytime soon.

Lucas Digne is also nearing a return from his ankle ligament surgery, which will free Godfrey up to act as an additional hurdle in Branthwaite’s path, making a loan spell with Blackburn an ideal option for both the player and Everton to consider.

Rovers are seemingly in need of a left-sided centre-half, so should be able to grant Branthwaite regular game time in their push for promotion, a push that currently sees Mowbray’s side sit five points outside of the play-off places and nine points behind second-placed Swansea City in the automatic promotion places.

Blackburn have not had the best of defensive units this term, either, with the Ewood Park natives conceding more goals than eight of the 10 sides currently sitting above them in the table after 23 games, having kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 matches.

Ancelotti is apparently a keen believer in Branthwaite’s potential, describing the 6 ft 4 teen talent as a “fantastic” prospect, and could be happy to see the 18-year-old display his potential week-in, week-out, with a temporary spell out on loan in a competitive environment.

“He showed quality and personality and character,” Ancelotti told EvertonTV about the player. “He is really calm with the ball, really comfortable, and really aggressive without the ball.

“He can be a fantastic player for us.”

AND in other news, Marcel Brands can atone for his £18m summer mistake with an Everton raid for a relentless gem.

Kevin Campbell has claimed that he can see Leeds United being ‘interested’ in signing Diego Costa along with Wolves.

The former Everton and West Brom striker was reacting to an update from the Italian football journalist and transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who told  Sky Sports earlier this week that the former Chelsea ace wants to return to the Premier League.

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell claimed that he can only see the Elland Road faithful as well as Nuno Espirito Santo’s team being ‘interested’ in signing him:

“Wolves or Leeds. Those are the two clubs in the Premier League that I can see being interested in Diego Costa.

“I do not think the top clubs would be interested because he is not the same Diego Costa that was at Chelsea. While he is still a handful he has had his fair share of injury problems of late. It is a case of when you can get him out on the pitch.

“You would have to pay quite a significant price to sign him and I also think there are only a couple of clubs who need a striker like him. I think Wolves are one and the other is Leeds.

“If Patrick Bamford loses form or suffers an injury, Leeds are stumped. Signing Diego Costa could be a good move for them.” 

Costa could be a good signing for Leeds

Costa could well be a good signing for Marcelo Bielsa’s side as Campbell points out. Although his wage demands may be a stumbling block for the Whites, he would not cost them a penny in transfer fees being s free agent, and so may well be an ideal low-cost option.

The Spain international still has a lot that he can offer too despite being 32 years of age now. Previously labelled as a ‘beast’ by his old Atletico Madrid coach in Diego Simeone, he certainly has a physical presence and could be a good alternative to Patrick Bamford if Bielsa would like to go a bit more direct if the Peacocks are chasing the game.

The striker would also give valuable top flight experience to the newly-promoted Yorkshire club, having scored no fewer than 52 goals and supplied a further 18 assists in 89 matches over three consecutive terms in England’s highest division at Stamford Bridge (Transfermarkt).

In other news, find out what Romano has said about one LUFC target here!

We are now just a day away from the craziness that is the January transfer window.

Of course, Wolves spent big in the summer on the likes of Nelson Semedo and Fabio Silva so it remains to be seen how much money is left in the bank for Jeff Shi and co to spend.

What’s the word?

Wolves have one primary focus in January – to sign a new striker.

With Raul Jimenez still recovering from a fractured skull he sustained against Arsenal, they are light in a central attacking area and thus, need to sign some cover.

Divock Origi had been linked but that rumour has now gone quiet. Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic has also been touted with a loan switch but now a new name has emerged on the scene.

According to The Sun, that’s former Chelsea striker Diego Costa. They report that Wolves are contemplating a move for the Spaniard who has recently been released from his contract with Atletico Madrid.

That means that Shi could land the experienced forward on a free transfer if Wolves can agree on contract terms in January.

Costa would be able to join immediately, rather than next summer as originally anticipated.

Forget Jovic

The Serbian striker may have scored 27 goals in one season for Frankfurt two seasons ago but he has just two strikes to his name since joining Real Madrid.

Jovic has immense potential but in terms of discovering someone for the short-term, there would surely be no better than Costa.

He is a mightily powerful forward and has a proven track record of scoring goals at the elite level and crucially in the Premier League.

Capped 24 times by Spain, Costa has found the back of the net on 52 occasions in just 89 Premier League outings. That’s a fabulous record, one that earned him the title of an “animal” according to Jose Mourinho.

If any word typified the Brazilian born attacker, it would be that.

His natural aggression is incredibly eye-catching and despite now being 32, he’d still be an exceptional addition – especially on a free transfer.

Costa is a colossal battering ram and would add plenty to this rather young Wolves side. His availability has come at a perfect time for the Old Gold.

This would be a superb start to the new year.

AND in other news, 100% duels won: Wolves gem who “performed superbly” has given Nuno a huge headache…

Whilst Leighton Clarkson might be stealing the limelight after his Champions League debut in midweek, the Reds also have Jake Cain in the academy who looks to have a very bright future with the Reds.

The 19-year-old travelled with the Liverpool squad to Denmark for their game against FC Midtjylland in midweek but failed to make an appearance, whilst fellow youngster Clarkson played the whole game.

However, it would not be a surprise to see Cain make another first-team appearance for the club this season, after he signed a professional contract with the Merseyside club in 2019, before signing a long-term extension earlier this year.

The young midfielder has been training with the first-team in recent times and made his first-team debut for the club earlier this year in the 1-0 FA Cup win against Shrewsbury Town.

More appearances for Klopp’s side are surely not too far away, as he has been superb in his performances for the academy team so far this season, with three goals and four assists in just seven appearances in the Premier League 2.

In an interview with the club in June of this year, Cain described his playing style, saying:

“Since a young age, I’ve been a very good passer. I can see passes which the opposition can’t defend really well. I like to get into positions where I’m behind the defence and thread balls through.”

Meanwhile, a scout report from Team Talk suggested that the youngster could be deemed a ‘set piece king’ due to his ability in dead-ball situations, which is something that could certainly excite Liverpool fans in the future.

The young midfielder has already drawn comparisons with Jordan Henderson for his style of play, and if he can have anywhere near the impact the Liverpool captain has had at the club once he establishes himself in the first-team, then he will surely prove to be popular amongst the Anfield faithful.

And, in other news… Sold for £15m, now worth £1.8m: LFC sold ace Klopp dubbed a “big talent” at the perfect time

According to 90min, Manchester City are interested in re-signing Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

What’s the story?

Since signing him for a reported £15m back in the summer of 2019, Luiz has established himself as a mainstay of Dean Smith’s side, and his impressive performances have even earned him his first caps for Brazil.

But with City holding a buy-back clause in the deal that initially took him to Villa Park, there has always been that lingering doubt that Pep Guardiola could come calling.

And as per 90min, that day could be soon. It’s suggested that the former Premier League champions are giving “serious thought” to exercising that buy-back clause in 2021, and that with an ageing midfield in the likes of Ilkay Gundogan and Fernandinho, they understand a need to potentially rebuild.

Heartbreak for Dean Smith

Make no mistake about it, Luiz is one of the first names on the team-sheet for Smith at Villa Park. The Brazilian is a permanent fixture in the engine room, playing every single Premier League game this season, and journalist Gregg Evans was quick to wax lyrical about his huge development over the summer.

Speaking after his display against Manchester United, Evans said: “He’s an absolute joy to watch now and I never thought I would be saying that. Villa have got a fantastic player in Douglas Luiz now, he looks like an absolute star, he could have played in that Man United team.

“He was better than (Paul) Pogba, I thought. I thought he was brilliant, hardly did anything wrong, hardly put a foot wrong. He won so many interceptions and made so many important blocks. When he gets the ball, he passes it nicely. He’s the best player in that Villa team at the moment because it’s just not working for John McGinn.”

Whilst Villa may be worried about some of the Premier League’s big hitters coming in for Jack Grealish, they should also be just as worried about City poaching Luiz.

After seeing their brief turnaround in form stopped by a 2-0 defeat to Southampton, Newcastle entered the international break with a lot less optimism.

The Magpies held high-flying Wolves to a draw at Molineux, before picking up their most impressive result of the season when they took down Everton 2-1 at St James’ Park.

But that loss to the Saints stopped Steve Bruce’s side in their tracks, and with Chelsea on the horizon on Saturday, Newcastle have got a tall order to get things going again.

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One man who has faded out of first-team contention in recent weeks, is Isaac Hayden. After starting and completing the full 90 minutes in each of the Tyneside club’s first four Premier League games of the season, Bruce has slowly eased him out, with the midfielder even failing to come off the bench in two out of the last three matches.

But with a free-scoring Chelsea team – they head into the game as the division’s top goal-scorers with 20 – Hayden’s extra defensive nous is surely needed.

The Magpies’ duo of Sean Longstaff and Jeff Hendrick got completely overrun in the engine room as Southampton came away with a 2-0 win a couple of weeks ago, and having a bit of protection to the back four could go a long way to making sure Chelsea don’t just carve open Newcastle’s defence with ease.

It was Hayden and Longstaff’s partnership in a 2-1 win over Manchester City back in January 2019 that led to Pep Guardiola admitting that his side “could not deal with Newcastle’s holding midfielders”.

The pair can cover the ground well, and Hayden’s ability to read the game and shield the defence – he averaged 1.9 tackles and 1.1 interceptions per match in the Premier League last season – will be absolutely vital to Bruce.

Dropping Hendrick – who had a nightmare whilst on international duty with Ireland – and bringing the £9m-rated Hayden in, could be the key to picking up a huge result at the weekend.