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Declan Rice reveals the single biggest reason that he opted to join Arsenal instead of Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

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Rice gives reason for joining ArsenalMan City were trying to buy himWhy he now enjoys Rodri rivalryWHAT HAPPENED?

In a lengthy sitdown with , Rice explained exactly why he wanted to join Arsenal when they came calling last summer, even though reigning European champions Manchester City were vying for his signature at the same time and he could have ended up in the same midfield as Rodri instead.

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Manchester City were willing to pay £90 million ($112.8m) for Rice, with both them and Arsenal seeing such offers rejected by West Ham. But once the Gunners took the bidding to £105m ($131.6m), a figure that would make Rice the most expensive British footballer in history, City chose to withdraw their interest. Even they had stayed in the race beyond that, the England midfielder may still have chosen Arsenal.

WHAT RICE SAID

"This project seemed more exciting and that’s why I chose to come to Arsenal, because I believe we’re on to big things here," Rice explained.

On the rivalry that developed with Rodri now that they have remained opponents instead of team-mates, he added: "I enjoy it. We're different players, I feel. With Rodri, he was born in Spain, he’s always been a natural No 6. You can just tell by the way he plays that he's worked under Pep [Guardiola] for so long. He's a lot more structured than I am. I'd say I'm a lot more off-the-cuff. Obviously, this season I've been more structured. But in terms of the way I play, I feel like…being free a little bit more. There are different things that we complement each other on – but no doubt, he's the best in the world."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR RICE & ARSENAL?

Arsenal have their eyes set on a first Premier League title in 20 years, but City stand in the way. The Gunners lead the way by a point, but their rivals have a game in hand that would be enough to get them ahead. As well as facing Bournemouth and Everton, Arsenal's biggest test appears to be a trip to Manchester United in their penultimate game on May 12. Losing that contest could all but hand the title to City.

HotSpot showed a mark as the ball passed the bat, but there was no spike on Snicko and as a result the batsman was ruled lbw

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Feb-2019A contentious DRS decision during the second T20I between New Zealand and India led to a controversial dismissal and sparked confusion over the entire process.Daryl Mitchell was given out lbw off Krunal Pandya despite HotSpot showing a clear mark as the ball passed the inside edge. And the replay of the entire incident shown on the stadium screen prompted open-mouthed surprise on both the batsman’s face and that of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who was at the non-striker’s end.Krunal was bowling the final ball of the sixth over, a skidder that went on with the arm and past Mitchell’s flick to hit him on the pads. The on-field decision from umpire Chris Brown was out but it was challenged almost immediately. The replays handed to the third umpire offered two differing perspectives. Snicko did not show a spike as the ball went past the bat, but HotSpot revealed a clear white mark on the inside edge. Ball-tracking also showed a deviation as ball passed bat.Left to make the final call, TV umpire Shaun Haig upheld the original decision once the ball was shown to be on track to hitting the stumps.Simon Doull, who was on commentary at the time, called it “absolutely ridiculous” and Mitchell, in fact, seemed to walk up to India captain Rohit Sharma, who was then seen speaking to the umpires.India pacer Khaleel Ahmed said after the game that the India players accepted the umpire’s decision on face value.”We were just waiting for the umpire’s call, because we can’t do anything in that decision,” Khaleel said at the press conference. “So we were just waiting for that decision. Whatever the umpire said, we accepted it.”New Zealand chief selector Gavin Larsen said: “From a personal perspective I thought the video evidence was quite damning, so I’ll leave it at that. If it was a mistake then that’s the way things go. In a very general sense, though, I’m not uncomfortable with the way DRS is operating and more often than not the guy in the box is getting it right and the communication between the third umpire and the guys on the field is very good.”The ICC rules indicate a fielding captain can withdraw an appeal if he gets the permission to do so from the umpire who made the decision, and the next ball of the game hasn’t been delivered yet.A similar incident took place in the Big Bash League earlier this season when Brisbane Heat’s James Pattinson was given run-out despite replays showing his bat had been grounded and well past the crease. The opposition captain, Adelaide Strikers’ Colin Ingram, however, decided to call the batsman back on that occasion.

Mauricio Pochettino's side were missing their top scorer in north London, but that was no excuse for how they surrendered on Tuesday

Chelsea's hopes of forcing themselves into European competition suffered a blow as they struggled without star man Cole Palmer at Arsenal, with the Gunners running out 5-0 winners on Tuesday as they continue to pursue the Premier League title.

Palmer was ruled out through illness, and Mauricio Pochettino's side made a dreadful start as Leandro Trossard fired an angled shot through Djordje Petrovic to open the scoring just four minutes in. The hosts continued to dominate proceedings thereafter, though Axel Disasi and Nicolas Jackson perhaps should have done better when chances presented themselves to Chelsea.

The Blues capitulated after the break, however, as Ben White doubled Arsenal's lead after the visitors failed to clear a corner, before ex-Chelsea forward Kai Havertz lifted an effort into the roof of the net having been played in behind Pochettino's disastrous defence.

Havertz then grabbed his second as he cut inside onto his left foot before firing a low shot in off the post midway through the second period, and he was joined by White in scoring twice as the full-back's lobbed cross floated over Petrovic for the home side's fifth.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from the Emirates Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Djordje Petrovic (4/10):

Woeful for Trossard's opener as he let the ball squeeze through him at the near post. Made a couple of decent stops from Havertz and to keep out a potential Disasi own goal, but couldn't get near any of Arsenal's second-half strikes.

Alfie Gilchrist (5/10):

Turned inside out by Rice in the build-up to the first goal, and struggled one-on-one against Trossard at times. Never gave up and put in some crunching challenges on his first Premier League start.

Axel Disasi (4/10):

Failed to connect with the goal at his mercy from a first-half corner, and laboured plenty as Arsenal played the ball around with pace in the final third.

Benoit Badiashile (2/10):

Absolutely abysmal at times in possession, with his errant passing regularly putting Chelsea's defence under pressure. Allowed Havertz time and space to add Arsenal's fourth to sum up a shoddy showing.

Marc Cucurella (4/10):

Spent as much time arguing with Arsenal players and officials as he did chasing shadows as Saka and White combined brilliantly down his flank.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Moises Caicedo (3/10):

Barely got out of a jog at any point as Arsenal's midfield passed it around him as if he were a training cone at times. What has happened to the player the Gunners coveted so much just over a year ago?!

Enzo Fernandez (3/10):

Awful both in and out of possession in what was one of his worst performances of the season. Hauled off midway through the second half, which suggested he might not be fully fit.

Conor Gallagher (2/10):

Routinely gave possession away in midfield in what was far from a captain's performance. Clearly missed having Palmer to link up with.

Getty ImagesAttack

Noni Madueke (6/10):

Chelsea's most dangerous attacker, but that is hardly saying much. Troubled Tomiyasu with his pace at times, but lacked support.

Nicolas Jackson (5/10):

Got the better of Saliba a couple of times early on, but his finishing ability left plenty to be desired as he shirked a free header in the first half before firing wide when clean through in the second.

Mykhailo Mudryk (3/10):

Anonymous aside from a couple of dangerous set-piece deliveries.

Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Raheem Sterling (5/10):

A weak free-kick shortly after coming on was about all he mustered of note.

Trevoh Chalobah (5/10):

Chucked on to shore up the leaky Chelsea defence as they went to a five-man backline to stem the flow.

Thiago Silva (6/10):

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Blues didn't concede any more goals once the veteran came on.

Cesare Casedei (5/10):

Offered little of note.

Mauricio Pochettino (3/10):

Not his fault that he couldn't call upon Palmer, but forward's absence highlighted how much heavy-lifting he has been doing to keep this team competitive. Maybe not the best night to change his centre-back pairing, either.

ECB chief executive says the sport cannot rely on its traditional audience forever

Andrew Miller14-Jan-2019The future of cricket in England and Wales depends on its ability to reach out to people and communities that have never previously considered the sport was for them, according to Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, at the unveiling of the board’s strategic plan for 2020-24.Speaking at the launch of “Inspiring Generations”, a 35-page document that places youth participation and a diversification of the sport’s traditional fanbase at the heart of the ECB’s strategy for the coming five years, Harrison also insisted that it was a “myth” that The Hundred, the proposed new competition and the source of significant disquiet among cricket’s traditionalists, has been designed solely with that new audience in mind.”The new competition is designed to appeal to cricket fans,” Harrison said, an assertion that sought to reframe the ECB’s message of the past 12 months – in the wake of statements from the likes of Andrew Strauss, the former director of England cricket, who had said it was aimed at “mums and kids”, and Eoin Morgan, England’s one-day captain, who claimed that the point of the product was to “upset people that already come to a game”.Mistakes had been made in the ECB’s unveiling of the new competition, said Harrison, but he believes that now was the time for the game to “come together” for the greater good.”[The competition] addresses three key principles: time, complexity and the perceptions of cricket that are out there,” he said. “It is designed to do a certain job for a certain period of the season. The bottom line is that growth over the next few years is fundamentally important to us as a game. You cannot keep relying on the same audience … the world is changing quickly. Success in five years’ time will be people saying ‘cricket is a game for me’.”A huge amount of the ECB’s strategy remains to be finalised in the coming 12 months, not least the sign-off for The Hundred itself, which is expected to be sent out to the 18 first-class counties in the coming days.As yet, there are no confirmed teams or sponsors for the competition either, and while Harrison remains adamant that the best players in the world will be attracted to take part when it is finally launched, India’s captain, Virat Kohli, is already a notable sceptic.Harrison, however, was at pains to point out that, in the scope of the ECB’s five-year plan, the new competition forms just one of 26 activities across six priorities for growth – ranging from a greater focus on women’s and girls’ cricket to the use of the 39 existing county teams (first-class and minor alike) as “delivery networks” to improve the links between the professional and recreational game.Tom Harrison•Getty Images”It’s a strategy with six key focuses, it sets a clear ambition for the game,” said Harrison. “We want cricket to grow, but we want to rely on our existing infrastructures, on existing assets. The new competition is just one of those tactical approaches. But so is digital investment. So is our women’s and girls’ strategy. These are the areas we can make a difference and grow.”The Hundred’s greatest significance, however, may lie in what Harrison believes it has already achieved for the sport – namely luring the BBC back to the table as free-to-air broadcast partners, and persuading Sky Sports to part with the bulk of the £1.1 billion of the last rights deal – a sum of money which transformed the relationship between board and broadcaster from merely transactional to a full-blown strategic partnership.”Before a ball is bowled, The Hundred is a profitable venture,” said Harrison, who confirmed an operational budget for the tournament of £180 million across five years. “We would not be on free-to-air TV without the new competition. We would not have the premium in the new rights process if The Hundred hadn’t been there. It’s not an afterthought.”It’s really, really important that we demonstrate as a major sport in this country that we have the capacity to grow, and the intention to grow, and the ambition. It’s also good for business. We think we can do that, Sky agree with us, and they are helping us with that because ultimately it’s good for their business too. And the same goes for BBC. In terms of scale and reach, it’s a powerful combination that we haven’t been able to talk about before.”The full details of how Sky’s involvement will manifest itself from 2020 onwards will be revealed in due course. However, having spoken in the past of the transformative effects of the Sky Ride programme on participation in cycling, Harrison added that the broadcaster had committed a sum of £50 million to attracting a new audience and perpetuating the value of their investment. One benefit that is already in the offing is the distribution of free subscriptions to registered cricket clubs, potentially in time for this year’s World Cup.Another key priority for the coming five years is to shed the perception that cricket is a sport for the moneyed middle classes. The vast majority of England’s current Test team were privately educated, while the ECB’s extensive research – dotted throughout “Inspiring Generations” – shows that more than 80% of the sport’s current spectators are white and male, with an average age of 50.”There’s a lot more that we can do to make cricket more open to communities that haven’t felt part of it in the past,” Harrison said. “We need to shed that tag of elitism and privilege that we carry around with us. We don’t believe it’s good enough, for example, for us to be in only 22% of schools. We’ve got to do more.”The alternative to embracing a vision of concerted collective action, says Harrison, is unpalatable.”If we didn’t do all of that, I think we might be managing decline,” he said. “I fundamentally believe we can mean more to more people. And I fundamentally believe in the power of cricket to do amazing things. A powerful sport in terms of what it can mean to people. It connects communities, inspires people, and it can change your life. That’s the purpose statement that sits behind the whole strategy.”

Mason Greenwood is a player “reborn” and would be a shrewd addition for Juventus if they can do a deal with Manchester United, says Fabio Capello.

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Forward enjoying loan spell in SpainPermanent transfer expected this summerTalk of interest from Serie A & La LigaWHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old winger has caught the eye this season during a loan spell at La Liga outfit Getafe. Greenwood appears to have little future at Old Trafford, despite talk of his Premier League parent club taking up the option of extending his contract through to 2026.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT CAPELLO SAID ABOUT GREENWOOD

A permanent transfer is expected to be completed this summer and, with eight goals and five assists to his name in Spain, ex-England and Bianconeri boss Capello believes Greenwood should be a name on Juve’s shopping list. He has told : “I’ve heard about Greenwood. A Manchester United talent who has been affected by personal issues, but seems reborn at Getafe. There are no doubts about his qualities. [Riccardo] Calafiori looks interesting as well, but I am accustomed to seeing a Juventus that keeps their best players. I would not sell Bremer, [Federico] Chiesa or [Dusan] Vlahovic. I would only add quality players. I really like Bologna’s [Lewis] Ferguson and his injury was a shame.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Capello, who has spent time as a player and manager in Turin, added on what Massimiliano Allegri needs in order to make Juve title challengers again: “Juventus will need at least four quality signings to rival Inter in the title race next season. The Nerazzurri have 20 points more than the Bianconeri, and they have already made progress by signing Mehdi Taremi and Piotr Zielinski. Juventus need quality in the middle to get closer to Inter. Juventus would need one of [Simone] Inzaghi’s midfielders. There is a lot of noise around [Teun] Koopmeiners and he’d be a good reinforcement, but he would not be enough, especially if [Adrien] Rabiot leaves. From the outside, I have the feeling that before deciding whether to extend, the Frenchman wants to understand whether Juventus want to build a team to win. Juventus already have a great talent. I like [Kenan] Yildiz, he has proved to have the personality required in a top club.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR GREENWOOD?

There has been talk of Juventus mulling over an approach for Greenwood. Getafe appear set to be left disappointed, as they cannot afford his asking price and would be looking to do another loan, while there has been plenty of speculation to suggest that the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will look to keep the one-cap England international in Spain.

Mauricio Pochettino has questioned whether Chelsea are "mature enough" to play in games every three days after a 2-2 draw with Sheffield United.

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Pochettino hits out at Chelsea playersTwice threw away leads at Bramall LaneJamie Redknapp sticks boot inWHAT HAPPENED?

Chelsea twice threw away leads against Sheffield United on Saturday; Thiago Silva gave the Blues the lead before Jayden Bogle equalised, and then Noni Madueke appeared to have won the game for the Blues, before Oli McBurnie levelled again in injury time. The 2-2 draw was a humiliating one for Pochettino, given that Chris Wilder's side are rock-bottom and have been on the end of some thrashings this season, including an 8-0 defeat to Newcastle at Bramall Lane.

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Pochettino has now hit out at Chelsea's inability to close games out, while Jamie Redknapp, on Sky Sports, claimed that the Blues "would be in a relegation battle without Cole Palmer". While the former Manchester City star failed to fire against the Blades, he did record an assist, taking his total goal contributions for the season to 25 in the Premier League.

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

In a furious post-match interview, Pochettino told reporters: "At 52, you identify really quickly whether the team is ready to compete or not. Maybe this group is not mature enough to compete in games every three days. It's a new team and we are still learning about their profiles. The process always takes time. It's not a magic thing. It's a project, a three or five year process to build a team.

"We are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. We were not in a good position in the beginning, but that's normal. We need to accept it now and work to try and fix our problems."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Chelsea are next in action on Monday, April 15 against Everton and will hope to put this torrid result behind them. They currently sit ninth in the Premier League, five points behind sixth-placed Manchester United.

The allrounder, who is returning form injury, will take the field for Baroda instead of India A with a view to specifically get match fit for Boxing Day

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Dec-2018Hardik Pandya, who is set to return to competitive cricket in Baroda’s match against Mumbai in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy, is also targeting a comeback to the Indian Test side that is currently playing in Australia.Hardik had been sidelined with a back injury sustained during the Asia Cup in September, and he was originally selected in the India A squad for their three-match one-day series against New Zealand A. However, he said it made sense to focus his energies on the longest format first, with the ODIs against Australia only scheduled after the Test series ends.”If I am playing a Test match, I should play a four-day game (rather) than one-day,” Hardik told on Thursday. “Because one-day is later on. I am focusing right now that if I can make it to the team, because there is scope of me making a comeback into the Test team, if I am fit to play a Test match. That’s why I wanted to take my time and see where exactly I stand in Ranji Trophy.”Playing a Test match is a different league. The workload goes very high, so I wanted to see if I can manage the workload. I knew I would get enough match preparation before the Australia ODIs. Therefore I focused on playing Ranji Trophy.”India will play their second Test against Australia in Perth from Friday. That still leaves room for Hardik to be added to the squad before the last two matches, the Boxing Day and New Year Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.”Before I go for any major series, I wanted to see where exactly I stand,” Hardik said. “Ranji Trophy is the best domestic tournament. I wanted to check my fitness levels there, and then take a call about how I am feeling and what should be the next step. Right now, I am only focusing on the Ranji Trophy and then obviously, I want to get back to the team as soon as possible, because it’s difficult to stay away for so long.”Baroda are currently in fifth place on the combined Groups A and B points table with 13 points, while Mumbai, who have played four matches to Baroda’s five, are in 16th place with just five points. The top five teams at the end of the league stage in the two groups combined will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Manchester United players gave away their away kit to travelling fans after draw against Brentford on Saturday.

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United players gave away their away kits to fans Showed their gratitude towards travelling supporters Wore the green and white away kit for the last time WHAT HAPPENED?

United settled for a 1-1 draw at Gtech Stadium on Saturday as they saw Brentford scoring a dramatic last-gasp equaliser after Mason Mount had handed the visitors the lead in the 95th minute. After the game, the Red Devils stars were seen presenting their away kit to the travelling fans in the stands.

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According to the , this was the last time the team donned the green and white away kit this season. The gesture was a mark of gratitude towards their fans who made it to West London for an 8 PM kick-off on a Saturday night. It has to be noted that there were no trains back to Manchester at the end of the game. The idea of thanking their fans was reportedly floated by club captain Bruno Fernandes.

DID YOU KNOW?

The club also presented a shirt each to a group of young fans who waited outside the players' entrance and helped the staff load a skip full of used kits into a van.

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Erik ten Hag's side will aim to get back to winning ways against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday if they want to remain in the hunt for a top-four spot. They are currently trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points.

While in Harare, a rain-hit contest between Tuskers and Eagles yielded no result

Liam Brickhill06-Dec-2018Results SummaryZimbabwe’s domestic season is underway after the first round of Logan Cup matches in Harare and Kwekwe.Fast bowler Carl Mumba burst back onto the Zimbabwean domestic scene with a match haul of 8 for 24 to demolish the reigning Logan Cup champions Mountaineers at Kwekwe Sports Club. Building on captain Tarisai Musakanda’s maiden first-class hundred, Rhinos reached 232 in their first innings, the highest score of the match.Peter Moor’s second-innings fifty helped Rhinos set Mountaineers 245 to win despite Donald Tiripano’s 5 for 42. That total was well beyond them when Michael Chinouya’s incisions rocked the top order, and Mumba then tore through the tail to pick up the remarkable career-best figures of 6 for 7 in the second innings, Moutaineers crumbling to 140 all out. There is not much room for error in the six-match Logan Cup competition this season, and the pressure is on Mountaineers not to slip up again if they are to retain the trophy.At Harare Sports Club, persistent rain had the final say in a closely-fought contest between Mashonaland Eagles and Matabeleland Tuskers. Having been put in by Eagles captain Tino Mutombodzi, Tuskers were carried by Craig Ervine’s 141 in their first innings, reaching 313. An all-round effort from the bowlers then restricted Eagles to 284, Chris Mpofu playing a vital hand by dismissing Cephas Zhuwao when the big-hitting left-hander had raced to a 45-ball 60.Cunningham Ncube’s battling 77 held Tuskers together in their second innings in overcast conditions well suited to swing bowling, with no other batsman making more than 14 in the innings. Eagles bowled Tuskers out early on the final morning, and their pursuit of 211 to win fired in fits and starts but was still on track when rain stopped play.Eagles were 155 for 4 when the weather intervened, the captains eventually shaking hands for a draw when it became apparent no further play would be possible.On the national radarWith a couple of the established names in Zimbabwean cricket away playing T20 (and even T10) franchise cricket elsewhere, the first round of Logan Cup matches was an opportunity for those on the fringe to start staking a claim. Mumba’s dramatic return will not have gone unnoticed, while in the same game Musakanda’s maiden first-class ton showed positive signs for his continued development, with Musakanda having made the runs batting out of position as an opener. Tiripano also recorded his fourth five-wicket haul in First Class cricket during the game in Kwekwe, while in Harare Ervine’s 10th first-class hundred (as well as some summer rain), helped Tuskers secure a draw.Top performerMumba had not played any professional cricket since seriously injuring his knee in Hambantota during Zimbabwe’s tour of Sri Lanka last year. The injury required reconstructive surgery on his knee, as well as nine months of rehabilitation work, but his performance against Mountaineers suggests that Mumba has lost none of his zip, and he could well find himself back in the national set-up, especially with the pace cupboards a little barer since Blessing Muzarabani’s departure for Northamptonshire.Admittedly, Mumba was also aided by a slightly spongy patch on the Kwekwe Sports Club pitch, but no bowler from either side was able to exploit the conditions as effectively as he was. His analysis is the best in Zimbabwean first-class cricket for any bowler taking six wickets in an innings, beating that of the great bowler Joe Partridge who took 6 for 13 for this country against North-Eastern Transvaal in Pretoria back in 1955-56. However, it does fall short of the amazing feat of left-arm spinner Keith Dabengwa, who in 2006-07 took seven wickets for just one run for Westerns against Northerns in the Logan Cup at Harare Sports Club.

WWE star Drew McIntyre branded England manager Gareth Southgate a "bloody idiot" for leaving goalkeeper Jack Butland out of his latest squad.

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Drew McIntyre slams Butland England omissionOnly a 'bloody idiot' would leave him out, says WWE starKeeper in fine form for Rangers since summer moveGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The wrestling ace, a Rangers supporter, was aghast at the lack of recognition for the goalkeeper, who has been in fine form as the Gers have laid down a title challenge to Celtic and performed admirably in Europe. Typically, McIntyre was not one to mince his words when asked about Butland, who spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Manchester United.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT DREW MCINTYRE SAID

"Yeah, they're idiots for leaving him out of the squad," McIntyre told That's Football. "He is, along with the captain Tav (James Tavernier) our best player.

"We've tried multiple goalkeepers and had to bring (Alan) McGregor back but finally with Butland – he's the man, he's absolutely on fire. And to leave him out of the squad you're just an idiot, simple as that. You're a bloody idiot, from Drew McIntyre."

THE GOSSIP

Born in Ayrshire, McIntyre is a huge Rangers fan and is regularly pictured in the club's shirt. After Old Firm rivals Celtic swept to two consecutive titles after Ange Postecoglou, this year's title race promises to be a close affair with Butland's form a factor.

However, any hopes of a recall for the goalkeeper last capped in 2018 seemed to have evaporated when he was left out of England's list to face Brazil and Belgium this month.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR GARETH SOUTHGATE?

Southgate may have to prepare for some more choice words from McIntyre when he names his squad for the European Championship in May. The England boss is expected to name his preliminary selection on May 21, with the final squad to be officially submitted to UEFA by June 7.