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Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist has now backed Celtic to complete the signing of a high-earning Premier League player in 2026.

McGregor finds positives after Celtic draw

The Hoops could only draw 0-0 at home to Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, allowing Hearts to finish the weekend top of the table.

Despite the result, Callum McGregor was still in relatively positive spirits, also focusing on the areas that Celtic can improve in as the season goes on.

“For all the good play, we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.” McGregor said. “Ultimately that’s what matters. “We have to keep working and generally, if we play like that and create as many big chances as we did then, in the main, it will fall for you and it will go in.

“It’s probably as slick as we’ve been in the first half. We created a lot of chances and their keeper made a few good saves. The guys who came in were really good and everyone was in sync and moved the ball. Everyone who came in did well.”

New signings in the January transfer window could help ensure that Celtic retain their league crown, and a big-name player has now been mentioned as an option for them in the winter transfer window.

Sterling could be tempted to join Celtic – McCoist

In quotes relayed by The Glasgow Times, McCoist said Celtic could sign Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling in January, but the Blues would have to pay some of his current £325,000-a-week wages.

“You’d have to say his parent club would still shoulder the vast majority of his wages because there’s absolutely no way that Celtic could compete or would want to pay that level of wage. It’s an interesting one, though, because the one thing you have to say is, for Raheem Sterling, what does he want to do?

“I think the ball’s in his court as well, as much as anything. He probably understands and realises he’s not going to get that wage at another club. So, he’s going to have to take a hit somewhere along the line. It’s just how much he wants to take a hit and where he wants to take that hit. But that hit is going to have to be taken, no doubt about it.

“It’ll be an opportunity to kickstart his career again in Scotland, because it’s a shame. He looks lost. He certainly looks unrecognisable to the Raheem Sterling that we knew back in the day at Liverpool and obviously Chelsea and things like that when he was firing on all cylinders.”

Celtic signing Sterling would be a major coup, even though the 30-year-old doesn’t appear to be the player he was during his peak years for Manchester City and England.

Celtic star reveals what he thinks after being quizzed on Parkhead protest

Hoops supporters staged a silent protest against Hibs.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 28, 2025

He is still young enough to have a big impact at in the final third at Parkhead, and his pedigree speaks for itself, having won four Premier League titles with City, also scoring 20 goals in 82 caps for England.

Clayton Kershaw has seen just about everything one possibly could on an MLB pitcher's mound throughout his 18 years in the show. But he may have experienced a career first during his outing on Thursday against the Rockies.

Midway through the third inning, Kershaw had a batter pinned with an 0-2 count when he went for the payoff pitch. While winding up to throw, however, something malfunctioned, and Kershaw ended up stuttering before spiking the ball into the ground not even halfway to the plate.

Kershaw typically has a pretty slow pitching motion, but he seemed to take a bit of extra time to get the ball out in this instance. Whatever hitch occurred was an awkward one, as he delivered maybe the worst pitch of his entire career.

The pitch was officially tracked as a 58 mph curveball, which of course, bounced on the grass in between the mound and the batters box. Ball one.

Kershaw ended up getting the strikeout on Ryan Ritter, though it certainly didn't look how he'd imagined it in his head. The 37-year-old improved to 8-2 on the season after throwing 5 2/3 innings with three strikeouts, three earned runs and one walk on the road in Colorado.

In his maiden international game, on a tricky pitch, Tilak scored a 22-ball 39 that almost took India to victory

Karthik Krishnaswamy04-Aug-20231:15

Jaffer: Tilak Varma showed no nerves at all

In Ahmedabad in March 2021, Suryakumar Yadav hit the first ball he faced in an India shirt for six.Just under two-and-a-half years later, he was at the non-striker’s end when another Mumbai Indians batter opened his India account with a six. Tilak Varma did it off his second ball rather than his first, but the shot he hit was every bit as thrillingly nonchalant as Suryakumar’s one-legged pull off Jofra Archer.Alzarri Joseph was the bowler on this occasion, and the ball was the kind a left-hand batter might ordinarily play in the direction of mid-off or extra-cover: on a length, angling across from over the wicket to finish on or perhaps just outside off stump.Related

• There's rain around as West Indies and India take their scrap to big-scoring Lauderhill

• Powell: 'Series will be decided on how West Indies bat spin in middle overs'

• Holder and co stoutly defend 149 as West Indies beat India

• Tilak Varma combines Hyderabadi artistry with T20 innovation

Tilak sent it soaring over square leg, standing more or less still and playing a shot that was more swipe than flick, except that verb doesn’t do justice to how languid he made it look, with his bat starting over his left shoulder and finishing over his right and his wrists coming into play at the moment of impact.We’ve seen it in the IPL, this way he has of directing balls to unexpected parts of the field with shots that look almost textbook – until you watch them again. You might remember, for instance, a wristy, inside-out loft over the covers off a Mayank Markande wrong’un, when he met the ball outside leg stump with his back foot brushing the return crease.On Thursday in Tarouba, he brought this ability to international cricket, scoring a 22-ball 39 that was match-winning in all but one sense: it put India firmly on the road to victory, and it wasn’t his fault that they stumbled over its last few miles. In a match where no one on either side scored a half-century, he achieved the best strike rate (177.27) of the three batters who passed 30. He did this on a tricky, two-paced pitch where hitting through the line was far from straightforward, and in conditions where hitting into the wind was often treacherous. And he did this in his first innings in the West Indies, in any format.

Nearly every time he faced up, Tilak passed the eye test. He’s done this right through his career; he’s always seemed to have time to play his shots, and a way of seeming in control of his emotions in tricky situations

None of these mitigating factors were visible in Tilak’s batting. He hit three sixes – that flick-swipe to get off the mark, a swivelling pull off his next ball, and a loft over long-off with his back knee on the ground – and each of them was a six from the moment ball met bat. Of all the ingredients that contributed to the purity of his ball-striking, perhaps the most fundamental was his footwork. There was a smoothness to his movements that at times belied their complexity, most tellingly when he sashayed across his stumps to stymie Romario Shepherd’s wide-line attack, but even in quieter moments such as the single he took off the first ball he faced from Akeal Hosein, when he collapsed his back knee to create space for a square cut against a ball pitching on the fuller side of a good length.Nearly every time he faced up, Tilak passed the eye test. He’s done this right through his career; he’s always seemed to have time to play his shots, and a way of seeming in control of his emotions in tricky situations. It’s why he’s already being spoken of as a future all-format superstar, even though he’s only 20, and he’s only played nine first-class games.The future is the future, unknowable and traitorous, but if the sure-footedness of his Tarouba Thursday was anything to go by, there will be plenty of Tilak Varma in it.

Marco Silva could reportedly be sacked by Fulham as the club are considering a change due to their poor start to the season and slow contract negotiations. A dismal 2-0 defeat at Everton last weekend has deepened the gloom at Craven Cottage. Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane condemned Fulham to another frustrating loss with the manager looking bereft of answers.

• From dream to disarray at Fulham

  According to , Fulham’s hierarchy are seriously considering showing the door to Silva amid growing fears of a relegation fight and a contract standoff that shows no sign of resolution. Eleven games into the Premier League season, and Fulham’s top scorer is not one of their players but 'own goals'. Harry Wilson and Ryan Sessegnon have each chipped in with two goals but they have scored three with help from the opposition. Their away form is also grim having collected just one point on the road this season, when a late equaliser from Rodrigo Muniz against Brighton helped them eke out a draw. All three of their wins have come at Craven Cottage, and even those have relied on fortunate own goals.

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  Contract chaos with Silva

  Behind the scenes, tensions have been simmering for months. Silva, who has a £15 million ($20m) release clause, has so far refused to sign a new contract, leaving Fulham in a precarious position. The Portuguese coach’s current deal expires next summer, meaning he could walk away as a free agent. According to , Fulham’s board, led by vice-chairman Tony Khan, have been desperate to tie Silva down to fresh terms since July. But negotiations have stalled, with the manager reportedly frustrated by the club’s lack of ambition in the transfer market. Fulham’s only major signing last summer was Kevin, a Brazilian winger from Shakhtar Donetsk, who was brought onboard for around £34.6m ($45.5m). For a side trying to build on mid-table stability, it wasn’t simply enough.

  Speaking in August, Silva didn’t hide his disappointment. "It’s not an ideal scenario," he admitted. "Did I expect more? Of course. But the market is the market."

• A familiar fall from grace

  This is uncomfortably familiar territory for Silva. His Premier League journey, from Hull to Watford to Everton, has followed a recurring pattern. There is always a bright start followed by dips in form and eventual dismissal. At Everton in 2019, he was shown the door with the club sitting 18th and history may be repeating itself in west London. Yet to his credit, Silva’s Fulham reign began in glorious fashion. After being appointed in July 2021, he guided the club to the Championship title. During the course of that campaign, they scored an astonishing 106 goals. Fulham’s return to the Premier League was smooth and they comfortably stayed up, even flirting with European qualification. But now, the magic appears to have faded. The intensity and the pressing that once defined them have given way to fractured and disjointed play. 

  What makes the situation even more awkward is that Fulham owner Shahid Khan recently went on record to declare Silva a vital part of the club’s long-term vision.

  "He’s been great," he told . "I really like him, not only as a person, (but) as a football manager, head coach. Definitely, I think he’s in our long-term plans."

  Silva admitted was frustrated following another poor performance at the weekend: "It was a disappointing result for us, but more than the result, it was a very disappointing performance. We got what we deserved from the game, definitely. We played 20 minutes in all the game, I think. We lost the game through the physicality, we could not handle at all the physicality of Everton side."

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  Critical period looms for Silva and Fulham

  Fulham’s upcoming fixtures could determine Silva’s fate. After the international break, they host Sunderland, one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, who are now fourth in the Premier League standings. Then comes a brutal double-header against Tottenham and Manchester City.

When David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche at Everton in January, some viewed the appointment as being pragmatic, a controversial decision from new owners The Friedkin Group to placate some segments of the fanbase.

But Moyes has proved all the doubters wrong. Was it ever up for question? Everton launched away from the relegation zone last season and have established a strong base after the summer, three games unbeaten in the Premier League ahead of a daunting trip to Anfield on Saturday.

The likes of Jack Grealish, Tyler Dibling and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have widened Everton’s creative parameters, and Moyes’ tactics provide a solid defensive base.

Moreover, new technical director Angus Kinnear has helped ship out a number of struggling stars. Everton have made headway in the transfer market, all told, but that certainly hasn’t always been the case in recent memory.

Everton's worst modern sales

Under the dysfunctional rule of Farhad Moshiri, Everton were often labelled as bad buyers. But neither did they sell particularly prudently.

Cashing in on the likes of Amadou Onana and Richarlison provided financial strength, but some might be kicking themselves for parting ways with Ademola Lookman before the Nigerian forward managed to spread his wings and grow into the Ballon d’Or contender he is today.

Likewise, it’s frustrating that Anthony Gordon was so desperate to leave Goodison Park in the early stages of his career. The England international was sold to Newcastle United for £45m, but Liverpool have since come knocking despite the Magpies’ £100m valuation of their player.

It’s at least comforting to note that this new version of Everton appears to be more calculated and efficient in their transfer dealings than the previous hierarchy.

Early days, of course, but Moyes has whipped his troops into shape and added players of genuine quality. Those who have been shipped on for good reason, but there’s one player in particular, who he must rue the club’s past decision to let go.

Left-back has been something of a problem for the Toffees this term, with James Garner serving in a patchwork role, albeit playing it well. It’s a shame one of the best in the business was let go for peanuts before he hit his stride in the Premier League.

When Everton sold "one of the best left-backs"

Vitalii Mykolenko has dealt with some injury issues across the opening weeks of the campaign, and with Jarrad Branthwaite perennially sidelined in the first phases of any given season, this has posed a problem.

A problem that Moyes has found a solution for, utilising the industrious Garner’s versatility in a way which has allowed the team to fight for a place in the top half of the table.

But a natural left-back would be nice, and it’s clearly something that has sat on Moyes’ mind, for the 62-year-old signed Bayern Munich youngster Adam Aznou in the summer, and big things are expected of the 19-year-old.

It would be easy to say he’s the most exciting young left-back on the Blue half of Merseyside since Leighton Baines was signed from Wigan Athletic, but that wouldn’t be true, not when Everton once had Antonee Robinson in their ranks.

Robinson was a part of Everton’s academy, actually winning the U18 Players’ Player of the Year in 2015. The talent was always there, but there was no room for him within Roberto Martinez’s set-up, and he departed before making a single senior appearance.

Now, he’s regarded as one of the finest full-backs in the Premier League, and indeed no defender claimed more assists than his haul of ten for Fulham last season.

Data-driven platform FBref suggest he is comparable to Liverpool’s new recruit Milos Kerkez, but in truth, he may well be the superior player at this stage.

Robinson effectively trumps Kerkez in every department, which serves as a measure of the USMNT international’s ability. No doubt, some at Craven Cottage felt it was an injustice that the young Hungarian secured a place in the Premier League Team of the Year, ahead of Fulham’s left-sided superstar.

Kerkez is one talented young defender, for sure, but Robinson was actually singled out by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley last season as being “one of the best left-backs in the world”. This is his level.

Under the wing of Marco Silva, Fulham’s play flows through Robinson. Get him on the ball, that’ll do it. He’s athletic and attentive and creative besides, boasting all the skills needed to become a superstar in Moyes’ Everton.

It’s a shame that it will never be so. Robinson left for a pittance, having failed to wedge his way into senior plans and instead being sold to Wigan for just £2m in July 2019, when he was only 21 years old.

Robinson’s capacity to whip a delightful ball into the danger area underlines a further reason why he might have been such a valuable asset at Everton over the years, especially when considering the emphasis Moyes likes to put on that facet of the playmaking game, and indeed the aerial presence the Blues boast in the box.

While the football transfer market is an unforgiving business, with mishaps inevitable, it’s sure to be one that stings the powers that were at Everton, who watched him grow into one of the most sought-after around. Indeed, before Liverpool completed a deal for Kerkez, they were interested in signing Robinson, who was valued at a bumper £50m at the midpoint of last season.

Alas, now the hopes rest on Aznou’s shoulders, with the youngster having the chance to put all this ruefulness to bed.

Ancelotti sold Everton dud for £12m, now he's playing like Dewsbury-Hall

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is shining at Everton, although one former flop is also impressing away from Merseyside.

By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 18, 2025

Kagiso Rabada will remain with the team for the Guwahati Test but return home immediately after and miss the white-ball series

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2025Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second India vs South Africa Test match, in Guwahati from Saturday, after not recovering sufficiently from the rib bone stress injury that had kept him out of the opening Test of the series in Kolkata.”The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour,” Cricket South Africa said in a statement on Friday morning, a day off from the start of the game. “He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test.”This will put him out of the white-ball series in India that will follow the Tests.As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Rabada had not bowled since sustaining the injury in training last Tuesday in Kolkata and did not train on Wednesday in Guwahati.Simon Harmer, with an eight-wicket match haul, was South Africa’s bowling star in Kolkata, and they had Keshav Maharaj as the second spinner there with Marco Jansen the fast-bowling frontman and Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch chipping in. Mulder, though, bowled just five overs in the Test, and while Bosch bowled more, he had just the one wicket – of Rishabh Pant in the first innings – to show for his efforts. Bosch made a valuable contribution of 25 runs from No. 9 in South Africa’s second innings, though.Lungi Ngidi is the other fast bowler in South Africa’s line-up.

Gill had suffered a neck injury during the first Test against SA, while Hardik had injured his left quadriceps during the Asia Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2025Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya “are looking healthy and fit” ahead of the first T20I against South Africa, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said ahead of the series opener in Cuttack on Tuesday.”Both [Gill and Pandya] are looking healthy and fit,” Suryakumar said. Gill had suffered neck spasms during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, while Hardik was out with a quadriceps injury he suffered during the Asia Cup in September.Gill is yet to play since his injury, but Hardik made a comeback in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Playing for Baroda, he picked up a wicket in each game, but more importantly, bowled four overs both times. With the bat, his 77 not out off 42 against Punjab helped his team chase down 223.”What you saw in the Asia Cup also, when he [Hardik] was bowling with the new ball, he opened up a lot of options, combinations for us with respect to the playing XI,” Suryakumar said. “That’s what he brings to the table. His experience, the way he has done well in all big games, all ICC events, ACC events. I think that experience will count a lot and his presence will definitely give a good balance to the side.”With Gill back in the side, Suryaumar made it clear that Sanju Samson would have to compete with Jitesh Sharma for a spot in the middle order. He also emphasised that all batters apart from the openers need to be flexible with respect to their position in the order.”Sanju, when he came into the circuit, he batted higher up the order,” he said. “Now the thing is, other than the openers, everyone has to be flexible. He did really well when he opened the innings but Shubman had played before him in the Sri Lanka series, so he deserves to take that spot.”But we gave Sanju opportunities. He was ready to bat at any number, which is actually good to see a player being flexible to bat anywhere from No. 3 to 6. That’s one thing I have told all the batters that other than openers, everyone has to be very flexible. Both [Samson and Jitesh] are in the scheme of things. It’s always good to have lovely players like both of them. One can open, one can bat lower down the order. In fact, both can do all the roles. It’s an asset to the team and a good headache to have.”

Gary Lineker has explained why Pep Guardiola “might be interested” in the England job after entering the final year of his Manchester City contract.

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• Southgate stepped down after Euro 2024
• Carsley handed reins on interim basis
• Permanent appointment required at some stage

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Three Lions are in the market for another permanent boss after seeing Gareth Southgate walk away on the back of a second successive European Championship final defeat. He took in 102 games at the helm over the course of an eight-year reign.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lee Carsley, who guided England’s U21 side to Euros glory in 2023, has been handed the reins on an interim basis. There has been talk of Guardiola being approached to take charge in 2025, with the six-time Premier League title winner yet to extend his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

• WHAT LINEKER SAID

  Guardiola has said on his future: “I have to decide what I want to do in my life. If I want to continue here, take a break, train national teams or not – many things.”

  Those comments have led former England striker Lineker to tell the podcast: “I did see an interview a few days ago with Pep Guardiola where he was asked in a press conference if he would be interested in England. And you know, mostly people put that away, but he certainly didn't. And it made me think the way he was talking; I thought he actually might be interested in this job. And the fact that they've appointed Carsley as an interim coach and the fact Pep's contract ends at the end of the season… however, I'm maybe having a little bit of wishful thinking here!”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Fellow ex-Three Lions frontman Alan Shearer added: “There are a few people or a couple of people that have actually said that to me, but I don't know, maybe it's just a rumour, but hey, you never know, which is why I think it's a wise decision for them to give it to Carsley and just take their time and see what happens. I mean, they've got a game in a month's time, less? So I think it would have been really difficult to appoint someone in that short amount of time. So this gives them time to sit back and see and look at the bigger picture.”

There's no denying that Leeds United have started the new year with a bang, romping to three successive 3-0 victories across the Championship and FA Cup, with even the returning Patrick Bamford now fit and firing again with a goal in each of those triumphs.

For all the positivity surrounding Elland Road at present, amid those statement showings, manager Daniel Farke is seemingly aware that there is still room for improvement with the club still seven points behind the automatic promotion places.

In order to bridge that gap over the coming months, the Whites must surely act decisively this month in order to strengthen their ranks, with recent reports indicating that the Yorkshire side do have their eyes set on one intriguing target, in particular.

Leeds eyeing Premier League talent

According to respected insider Phil Hay of The Athletic, Farke views the full-back positions as particular priorities this month, having only recently allowed the likes of Djed Spence and Luke Ayling to depart.

While that has heightened the need for reinforcement at right-back, it is on the opposite flank where the promotion hopefuls could also bolster their ranks, with Hay naming Luton Town's Ryan Giles among those to have been linked with a move to Elland Road.

The 23-year-old only joined the Hatters from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a permanent deal over the summer, although having started just five Premier League games this season, the Englishman may potentially be on his way.

Having previously shone on the last of several loans away from Molineux at Middlesbrough last season, the Telford-born gem – who is valued at €5m (£4m) by CIES Football Observatory – could again wreak havoc in the Championship for Leeds over the coming months.

How Ryan Giles would fit in at Leeds

While the former England U20 international has typically operated as a wing-back in recent seasons with both Luton and Boro, he could well offer a real attack-minded presence at left-back for Farke's side, as showcased by his stellar form last season at the Riverside.

That 2022/23 campaign saw Giles register a remarkable haul of 12 assists in all competitions – 11 of which came in 45 outings in the second tier – ensuring he could offer a real creative outlet for the likes of Bamford, Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe to feed off.

As new Birmingham City boss Tony Mowbray previously stated, the 6 foot ace has "got fantastic talent, brilliant speed, amazing technique on his left foot", ensuring he could also strike up a devastating partnership with Crysencio Summerville down the left flank.

The young Dutchman has emerged as a real talisman this season with 12 goals and seven assists in just 24 league outings while typically operating down the left, with overlapping runs from the forward-thinking Giles only set to allow him more space to thrive in.

The Luton man would also be able to provide quality service to Summerville down that side having created 23 'big chances' last season while averaging an impressive two key passes per game – further evidence of just what an attacking weapon he is with his wand of a left foot.

Aside from being able to flourish alongside Leeds' number ten, Giles also has the flexibility to be able to feature on the right-hand side if required, with Mowbray hailing his ability to "dance inside like Riyad Mahrez" when operating in that role.

As Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola stated back in 2021, Mahrez is a player of "special quality" who "dances on the pitch", having contributed 82 goals and 61 assists in 284 Premier League games during his time at the Etihad and for Leicester City.

While Giles won't be tasked with operating in quite such an advanced role as the Algerian winger, the fact he has been spoken of so highly should be music to the ears of those at Elland Road.

For Championship promotion-chasers Leeds United, the emergence of Archie Gray has without doubt been one of the stories of the season. Gray has started 30 out of 34 games under Daniel Farke in the league this season, including Friday's memorable comeback win over the leaders.

Only three Leeds players – Ethan Ampadu (3,060), Islan Meslier (2,843) and Georginio Rutter (2,788) – have played more second-tier minutes for the club than Gray's 2,707, and unsurprisingly, he leads the way for all teenagers in the division. His nearest challenger is Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham, and he's a considerable way back on 2,471.

While Gray broke through as a midfielder, he's mostly played as a right-back this season, lining up there 22 times in all competitions, including in the dramatic win against Leicester on Friday. Leeds had interestingly signed a potential competitor on the final day of the winter transfer window in the form of Burnley's Connor Roberts, who arrived on loan until the end of the season, and the Welshman announced himself in the best way possible against the Foxes, scoring off the bench after replacing Junior Firpo.

Now, some comments from Hay in the build-up to the match have emerged, and it looks like the 49ers ownership group – together with the manager – got their January decision making just about spot on.

Roberts forcing Gray to get "even better" – Hay

Speaking on The Square Ball Podcast before Friday's mania, The Athletic's Phil Hay said that people at the club were conscious of ensuring that Gray's development wasn't obstructed by any January addition. Signing a versatile veteran who can support the teenager rather than compete with him was the objective, and based on what happened on Friday night, they pulled it off to perfection.

“It was one of those things when they were looking for a right-back in January, I remember somebody at the club saying this, they were very conscious of wanting a good right-back, and they got Connor Roberts who is very good, but not wanting that to immediately compromise Gray’s minutes, they still wanted Gray to be in the team and him to be playing.

“Actually if anything, he’s got better since Roberts came in and made it impossible for Farke, it would have to be a fitness thing, to get Roberts into the team.”

Leeds 3-1 Leicester proves 49ers' transfer genius

Farke proved the owners' decision to target experienced support for Gray was an act of genius with what he did on Friday, bringing on the fresh legs of Roberts for Firpo, who was struggling, and shifting Gray over to the other flank.

The two combined to flip the game on its head, and Gray, who also provided an assist in the 4-0 win over Swansea City, has been phenomenal since Roberts arrived, showing precision in possession, knowing when to take risks and winning the vast majority of his individual battles.

In the end, it may be looked back on as the transfer that pushed Leeds on to become genuine challengers to what previously looked like a stroll to the title for the Foxes. With Roberts now fit and firing, the manager is free to use Gray exactly if, when and how he chooses, rather than being forced to run him into the ground week in week out at right-back only.