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Celtic have opened contract renewal talks with first-team coach Gavin Strachan.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Football Insider, who claim a Celtic source has revealed that Ange Postecoglou’s side have opened talks with the first-team coach regarding the extension of his current deal at Parkhead.

The report goes on to state that the 43-year-old is highly regarded by the Bhoys hierarchy, and is being rewarded for his role in the Hoops’ transformation under the leadership of the Greek-Australian head coach this season.

Finally, it is said that the negotiations between the coach and the club are already well underway, with it being hoped by both parties that an agreement can be reached in the near future.

Postecoglou will be buzzing

With Strachan having started to attract interest from clubs looking for a new manager – such as League Two side Hartlepool United, who approached the 43-year-old in November of last year – the news that the first team coach looks set to remain at Parkhead for the foreseeable is sure to have left Postecoglou buzzing.

Indeed, the Daily Record previously reported that Strachan has “been hailed by Postecoglou for the key role he has played behind the scenes” at Lennoxtown, as well as it being stated that the “highly-rated” Scotsman has proven himself to be “an integral part of Postecoglou’s backroom team.”

The 56-year-old Bhoys boss has also joked about the former Peterborough United and Doncaster Rovers assistant manager’s reputation of a “laptop coach” – stating about Strachan and his hardware, which featured in Celtic’s Christmas advert, earlier this season:

“I’m not surprised he’s taken star billing. It’s a very important part of our setup here, and that’s all I’ll say about it!”

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However, all joking aside, considering the remarkable job Postecoglou and his backroom staff have done in turning Celtic’s extremely disappointing 2020/21 campaign into what could well be a domestic treble-winning season this time around, it is clear the 43-year-old has well and truly earned a new deal at Parkhead – with his impending extension undoubtedly being good news for the club.

AND in other news: Postecoglou drops huge behind the scenes update, it’s great news for Celtic

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Shoaib Malik’s all-round performance allowed Pakistan to reduce India’s margin of victory to 3-2 © AFP

Shoaib Malik excelled with both bat and ball as Pakistan notched up the consolation win that reduced India’s margin of victory in the one-day series to 3-2. A 168-run partnership with Mohammad Yousuf revived Pakistan’s stuttering innings, and he then picked up the key wickets of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as an under-strength team outlasted an Indian side that had also rested four regulars.By the time Malik arrived in the middle, Sreesanth had struck in each over of his second spell to transform a promising start (65 for 0) into a decidedly rocky one (77 for 3). But with Yousuf in the sort of form that fetched him an unbeaten 99 in the previous game, the innings was steadily rebuilt, first with singles, and then with big hits over midwicket and through the covers.Malik’s innings was laced with some good fortune too, with top-edged pulls off Sreesanth and Praveen Kumar, the debutant, falling safe, but the manner in which he and Yousuf took on India’s slow bowlers completely changed the complexion of the innings.Yousuf was again at his unhurried, classy best. He picked the gaps on the leg side cleverly and cut the ball behind point fluently when the bowlers erred. He was well on track for the century that he had missed both in Guwahati and Gwalior, but was flummoxed when the previously expensive Yuvraj Singh spun one past the bat as he lunged forward.Malik’s 82-ball 89 had ended in similar fashion just minutes earlier, with Murali Kartik deceiving him in the flight. But Misbah-ul-Haq and the impressive Fawad Alam finished with a flourish to ensure that the exit of the two established batsmen didn’t really affect the final total.India’s reply was doomed almost from the start, with Sohail Tanvir and Iftikhar Anjum doing the damage. Sourav Ganguly was among the four rested, and it was Gautam Gambhir who emerged to open with Sachin Tendulkar. He cut and flicked Tanvir for two fours, but was fortunate to be reprieved when a thick edge just brushed the fingertips of second slip. His luck didn’t last though, and when he played down the wrong line, he was plumb in front.Tendulkar got going with two gorgeous cuts for four off Umar Gul, but Robin Uthappa, promoted to No. 3, struggled in conditions where the ball moved around. Anjum was dismayed when a flashing edge was put down by Misbah at slip, but he didn’t need to frown for long. With his feet statuesque, Uthappa repeated the shot, and this time Misbah’s fingers weren’t slippery.Tendulkar was carrying on where he left off in Gwalior, cover-driving and flicking Tanvir with superb timing. But when he was drawn to play one that angled well away from him, Misbah was on hand once again to take the catch. That put India on the back foot, and it was backs-to-the-wall moments later when Virender Sehwag had a grotesque dart at another Tanvir delivery that angled across. Sarfraz Ahmed took his first catch in ODIs, and India were in disarray at 62 for 4.Yuvraj struggled horribly early on, getting off the mark from the 11th ball he faced, a fortuitous inside edge for four. His timing was awry, and when Anjum thumped him on the helmet with a well-directed short ball, it exemplified India’s travails. But Rohit Sharma played himself in and then proceeded to play some gorgeous shots, including a six on-the-walk over mid-off, as an 81-run partnership revived Indian hopes.But a tame loft to long-on ended his innings, and when Yuvraj, who had overcome early jitters to post yet another 50, was given out caught off the arm, Malik and Pakistan sensed their moment. Dhoni, who appeared to damage an ankle while running a single, lost patience and miscued one to cover, and Kumar made little impact. It was left to Irfan Pathan to reduce the margin as the match petered out.Sharma’s composure and class apart, India could take some comfort from the performances of Kumar and Sreesanth. Sreesanth struggled for line and fluency against the left-hand Salman Butt, and it was Kumar who was clearly more impressive in the first spell. Bowling in the low 130s for the most part, he got some movement and troubled both batsmen with his accuracy before a couple of wayward deliveries at the end of the spell allowed the batsmen to score a few.

India got off to a poor start chasing when Sohail Tanvir and Iftikhar Anjum reduced them to 62 for 4 in 12 overs © AFP

Sreesanth went for 20 in his first three overs, but when he returned, it was a different tale. Butt miscued a pull to short mid-on, and Yasir Hameed was also undone by steep bounce outside his off stump. Imran Nazir had been largely becalmed on his way to 20, but when a slower ball came his way outside off stump, he couldn’t resist the temptation. The swipecame straight back at Sreesanth, who took a smart catch.That was as good as it got for the capacity crowd. Malik and Yousuf wrested the initiative, and a young pace attack along with Alam – who showed nice variations despite going wicketless – made light of the absence of Shoaib Akhtar to script an emphatic victory. For Malik, the star of the show, it was the perfect note with which to end one campaign and prepare for a more testing one.

All smiles for Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath believes the farewell party is on track after two days of the SCG lap of honour. McGrath departs the Test scene with Shane Warne and Justin Langer on Saturday and with Australia at 4 for 188, 103 runs behind England’s first innings, the game is evenly poised.However, McGrath, who bowled well to pick up 3 for 67, said Australia were well positioned in the chase for a win that would give them a 5-0 victory. “We’re pretty much on track if we put on a good partnership tomorrow,” McGrath said. “It would be nice to get a sizeable first-innings lead.”England lost 6 for 57 in the opening session today as McGrath, Stuart Clark and Brett Lee used the second new ball cleverly. On the first day McGrath was frustrated by the number of plays-and-misses he created, but today the bowlers were able to find the edges and Adam Gilchrist finished with five catches. “We thought if we took a couple or at least one wicket this morning we would do some real damage, and with 6 for 50-odd you can’t really complain.”McGrath said he was coping with the extra attention caused by the trio’s departures and it helped that he was going on to the World Cup. “It’s felt a little bit strange because I’ve still got the one-dayers,” he said. “Myself and Shane have kept their emotions in check, whereas Justin’s quite an emotional person. He’s found it tougher than we have.”

Despite the bowlers conceding a few extras, Dravid believed they had bowled well. © Getty Images

Predicting a close series against South Africa, Rahul Dravid, the Indian captain, has said that his team will strive to bounce back with an improved performance in the second one-dayer, to be played at Bangalore on November 19.”Yes, we have got to come back strongly and play good cricket,” Dravid told reporters in Bangalore, his howetown. He also insisted that he was satisfied with the courageous performance of Yuvraj Singh, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and Ajit Agarkar, who helped to score a respectable 249 after the team was 35 for 5 at one stage. “[But] I think, we did well in the last game,” he said. “The boys showed a lot of character and courage to fight back. I am very satisfied. We can take heart from that. If we do a few things, we will end up with better results.”He also said the team was looking to improve its batting in the first 15 overs and cut down on the number of extras. However, about the 24 extras conceded in the match, Dravid dismissed the issue as “not a problem” because despite conceding a few extras, he believed the Indian bowlers bowled well.

Glenn McGrath warmed up for the first Test with his best spell in “I don’t know how long” thanks to a lightweight pair of shoes borrowed from Shane Watson that put some spring back in the old man’s step.By all accounts, Watson is a good guy who would give you the shirt off his back, but in McGrath’s case it was handing over a pair of size 12s that revitalised the veteran fast bowler on the eve of what is going to be a gruelling series against India.McGrath was hugely optimistic about his Test prospects after taking 4-28 from 20.2 overs against Mumbai at Brabourne Stadium, an unwaveringly accurate and varied performance that suggested he was back to his penetrative best.”That was the best it’s felt in I don’t know how long, quite a few years,” said McGrath, whose 11-year Test career was in serious jeopardy earlier this year when ankle troubles persisted.”I tried something different – I tried lighter boots.”My normal boots are a kilo each and these are half a kilo. It made me feel so much lighter. I felt I was running in well and my follow through, which is always a key to how well I’m bowling, felt as light as it’s been for a long time.”I was mixing it up a lot to try every type of ball and they were coming out really well. I couldn’t be happier after this match. I came off after bowling and I had that much energy, I couldn’t sit still.”McGrath, whose preparations for India hit a snag last month when he conceded 0-46 from eight lacklustre overs in the Champions Trophy semi-final against England, was forced to search for new boots when his regular model went out of stock.”They (Puma) made up a new batch, but they only had four left and they weren’t going to make them anymore,” said McGrath.”I had to change sooner or later.”I found in that last game in England that it just felt really heavy and I wasn’t hitting the crease. In the nets I’ve been bowling in half-spikes, and they felt quite good.”Watto had another pair of full-spike Puma ones, low-cut, and I tried them and I couldn’t be happier. He had a couple of pairs and said I could break them in for him. He’s not getting them back now and I’ve asked for more to be sent over.”Test captain and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist barely had to move when McGrath was bowling because the line was so deadly straight. Two of McGrath’s three wickets on the final day were from LBW decisions and there could have been a couple more.”I thought he was outstanding in what he did,” said Gilchrist.”He was back to what we’ve come to expect from him.”Because he hasn’t had a chance to have that extended hit-out, it’s been hard to know where he’s at. In one-dayers it’s hard to monitor and judge what he’s doing and I think he had a little bit of uncertainness about where he was in his whole rehabilitation and re-entry to the game.”So he’ll gain a lot out of that.”The first Test starts on Wednesday at Bangalore.

Gareth Batty: released from the England squad

England this morning released Gareth Batty ahead of tomorrow’s third npower Test against South Africa at Trent Bridge. Batty was one of four uncapped players announced in the squad last weekend as England looked to change things round after their innings defeat at Lord’s.After examining the Trent Bridge pitch this morning, the England management let Batty return to Worcestershire, leaving Ashley Giles as the sole spinner in the squad. Michael Vaughan said: “We will look at the conditions in the morning and decide which four seamers will be best to help us win the Test.” James Kirtley and Glen Chapple will contest the final bowling spot between them, with Kirtley expected to play after being named in all four Test squads this summer.

The decision not to immediately name a replacement for theinjured Wavell Hinds in the West Indies’ touring team to SriLanka is a calculated gamble.The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has said the selectorswould only determine whether Hinds goes or not afterreceiving a medical report following surgery on his brokennose, to be performed tomorrow.The damage was caused when the left-hander topedged a ballfrom former Test fast bowler and current selector, JoelGarner, into his face during the annual Melbourne ClubFestival match in Kingston last Sunday. Dr Askhai Mansingh,the specialist in charge of the openers, has reported Hindswill be able to travel to Colombo to join the team onMonday.It means he would not arrive until next Wednesday,eliminating him from the first tour match, over three daysagainst Sri Lanka A in Colombo that starts on Saturday. Hewould then have only one day in Sri Lanka to prepare for thesecond match, also against the A team over three days in thesouthern town of Matara. After that, the three Tests followback-to-back.Since there is no way of precisely knowing what the effectsof the injury are until Hinds gets into the middle again, itreduces the middle-order options for the Test team.Roland Holder was in a similar situation on the 1994 tour ofIndia. He sliced his mouth badly shaving a few days beforedeparture but was carried all the same. He could not playuntil a month into the tour, limiting him to one first-classmatch and virtually putting him out of contention for thethree Tests.It is understandable that the selectors should keep faithwith Hinds, who was drafted into the original squad of 16for Brian Lara but eventually came in after ShivnarineChanderpaul was eliminated with back pain. He is a talentedplayer with 18 Tests but has had lean times after anencouraging start to his career.Chairman Mike Findlay said yesterday replacements for thetour had been chosen but he declined to name them. He wouldhave done well to identify credible middle-order battingalternatives.The only ones left behind with Test experience are, in orderof seniority, Sherwin Campbell, Stuart Williams, JuniorMurray, Floyd Reifer, Dave Joseph, Lincoln Roberts andRicardo Powell.Two stronger candidates would be the unrelated Hinds, Ryan,the 20-year-old left-handed Barbados all-rounder, and TravisDowlin, the 24-year-old right-handed Guyanese.In spite of his age, Hinds has been long since groomed forupward movement through West Indies Under-15, Under-19 and Ateams. He is one of the future and, on the evidence of therecent Red Stripe Bowl, should at least come into thereckoning later in the tour for the triangular One-Dayseries also involving Zimbabwe.Over the past two seasons, in which he has averaged over 40an innings, Dowlin has looked a competent, well-organisedbatsman with an excellent temperament.The cupboard is not entirely bare but its contents aredemonstrably scant at the moment.

Brendon McCullum did not mention “match-fixing” in a statement relating to an approach made to him by Chris Cairns, according to John Rhodes, the Australasian head of the ICC’s anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU).Cairns, who is on trial at Southwark Crown Court in London and denies two counts of perjury and perverting the course of justice, was claimed to have discussed spot-fixing during a meeting with McCullum in a Kolkata hotel room in 2008.However, according to Rhodes, to whom McCullum admitted the approach three years later following an ICC anti-corruption briefing, the New Zealand captain’s statement in February 2011 mentioned a “business proposition” but did not include an explicit reference to match-fixing.Orlando Pownall, QC, Cairns’ defence lawyer, read extracts from McCullum’s statement to the court: “We had a general conversation and then after about half an hour he [Cairns] asked me if I knew anything about spread betting. I told him that I didn’t. I initially thought he was taking the piss.”Cairns then started to explain using a pen and paper: “He was telling me you can make a great deal of money. He told me you could make between US$80,000 to US$250,000 a day. He told me that he had never done it on an international match.”Pownall put it to Rhodes that the conversation between McCullum and Cairns concerned betting, not an approach for McCullum to underperform in a particular match.Rhodes responded: “The inference is in the statement. It is clear to me that an approach is being made by Mr Cairns to Mr McCullum.””To fix matches or to underperform?” asked Pownall.”Yes,” said Rhodes.”Where does it say that?” Pownall continued, to which Rhodes replied: “It doesn’t.”When asked why he had not requested McCullum clarify what he meant, Rhodes stated he was not “in a position to put words” into his mouth.The ACSU, Pownall suggested, had done “nothing” in response to McCullum’s statement, although Rhodes said that, as an unsanctioned tournament, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) was beyond the jurisdiction of the ICC.The allegations, Pownall suggested, were “potentially momentous”. However, Rhodes argued that without corroboration from any other source they remained unsubstantiated.Rhodes added that he had “no reason” to believe McCullum had not been telling the truth. However, he said that as a field officer, his job was simply to collect information – it was up to his superiors to investigate his findings.Rhodes recalled that McCullum had met him in Nagpur, along with his then-captain, Daniel Vettori, whom Rhodes stated did not contribute to the meeting and had been attending to provide support for McCullum.However, under cross-examination, Rhodes was shown a statement made by Vettori in February 2014, in which he said he had asked Cairns to buy him a diamond ring with the money he was owed for undertaking a promotional tour for an Indian toothpaste company after the Champions Trophy in 2011.Asked why his evidence had omitted this detail, Rhodes said that he did not recall Vettori’s comment. “What I am saying is that if Mr Vettori is saying to me that he said that to me in Nagpur, then I will accept that.”Rhodes told the court that he had not made any notes of that conversation, adding that he had lost his diary for 2011. He also admitted that he had not made a note of McCullum’s request that New Zealand Cricket should not be told he was making a statement.Sir Ronnie Flanagan, the current chairman of the ACSU, also gave evidence. He denied that Cairns had been made a scapegoat to deflect media criticism into his unit’s lack of success in tackling corruption.”Corners were cut, normal action was left to one side with a view to achieving the scalp of Chris Cairns,” Pownall suggested.Flanagan replied, “absolutely not”, adding: “If scalp turns out to be an appropriate description, I think it is an absolute tragedy.”The trial continues.

Taking to Twitter, numerous journalists in the national media have been left stunned by Tottenham Hotspur news involving manager Antonio Conte.

The Lowdown: Conte slumps…

The Lilywhites’ regrettable 1-0 defeat away to Burnley on Wednesday night arguably comes as the Italian’s lowest point since taking charge in November.

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The result was compounded because Tottenham had actually secured a huge three points away to Premier League champions Manchester City just a few days prior to their shock reverse at Turf Moor.

What followed after Spurs’ disappointing trip to Lancashire was an emotional outburst courtesy of Conte, with the Italian openly hinting that he could leave the club.

Sharing that message in what is big news out of N17, there has been no shortage of reaction from various members of the English press.

The Latest: National media share Conte message…

As Conte pulls no punches in his message to Spurs after the Burnley loss, reporters far and wide have given their reaction, with some sharing their belief on what this could mean for the club.

Here’s what these reporters had to say:

“Stunning stuff from Antonio Conte, questioning his own future at Tottenham after their loss to Burnley – their fourth in five games. The only one they didn’t lose? The win at Man City. Spurs had fourth place in their sights, now it looks as distant dream. Worrying times.” – Graeme Bailey, 90min reporter and transfer insider.

“Wow, Conte is one to watch. Explosive comments tonight.” – Nizaar Kinsella, Goal.

“Antonio Conte, one of the best managers in the world, basically asking to be fired is one of the most Spurs things I’ve ever seen.” – Toby Cudworth, 90min.

“WOW. If Conte walks many fans who have never previously raised their voice against ENIC will collectively do so joining those who already have. Tomorrow will be interesting, I wonder when the pre Leeds press conference is?” – Football Insider pundit John Wenham, from his Lilywhite Rose Twitter account.

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“Brilliant post match interview with Antonio Conte by @sammatterface for @talkSPORT. Wow. Hinting he might walk. Paraphrasing… He’s never been in this situation before losing games like this. 4 defeats in 5. Maybe he can’t continue. He needs to assess. Phew. Sounded broken.” – Bianca Westwood, presenter as seen on Sky Sports.

The Verdict: Big news…

The former Chelsea boss refusing to rule out a Spurs exit certainly comes as a big and potentially worrying development, and if he doesn’t opt to quit in the near future, it could be one to keep an eye on if Tottenham don’t revive their ailing form.

Conte’s glistening track record highlights his thirst for success, and if Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy cannot back him in the summer window, then there is every reason to believe that the Italian could eventually walk away from N17.

In other news: Spurs diamond called ‘important’ by Conte could now pack his bags and quit, find out more here.

Glasgow Rangers failed to build upon their excellent UEFA Europa League win after they were held to a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership at lunchtime.

Joe Aribo had to rescue a point for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side in the end, after Dundee United took a shock lead in the first half with a header from Ross Graham from a corner kick.

There were some underwhelming performances from the Ibrox faithful on the day, and The Transfer Tavern have now used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst players (to have played at least 45 minutes) were:

Scott Arfield – 6.7

Admittedly joint with Allan McGregor in terms of rating (6.7), Arfield ranks in third here as the goalkeeper could not do much to stop the goal from Graham.

Arfield lost out on four of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot on target, interception or tackle, while also losing possession nine times.

Filip Helander – 6.5

Graham was Helander’s man, and the Sweden international lost him on the corner, so it is no surprise to see him get a low rating of 6.5.

Helander was unsuccessful in two of his duels, and also never managed a clearance or tackle, while he lost the ball on seven different occasions.

Alfredo Morelos – 5.9

Morelos was given the worst Teddy Bears rating by far, a mere 5.9.

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The Colombia international lost seven duels, and missed with all five of his shots on goal, while he also lost the ball nine times.

In other news, find out whose performance was slammed by The 4th Official here!