Joey Barton has already started stoking the fires ahead of his Old Firm baptism for Rangers after telling Celtic rival Scott Brown he is the superior player.
The outspoken midfielder reckons he is about to show Hoops midfielder Brown – who is looking to lead his side to their sixth straight title – who is boss.
Asked if he will be a marked man in Scotland, the 33-year-old said: “Of course, that’s the nature of being me.
“But without being disrespectful to the players up there, people keep talking about Joey Barton vs Scott Brown.
“He’s not even in my league – he’s nowhere near the level I am... he can’t get near me.”
Airport renamed after Kyle Lafferty
N. Ireland fans flying to Nice yesterday for the Euro 2016 opener with Poland departed from the temporarily renamed ‘Kyle Lafferty Belfast City Airport’.
The airport is normally named after ex-Northern Ireland winger George Best but to mark the country’s first fixture at a major international tournament in 30 years yesterday, the honour was bestowed upon striker Lafferty.
Signage was also placed at the airport featuring a picture of the 28-year-old smiling and holding his arms in the air.
PLeague academy teams in EFL Trophy
Premier League academy teams will be allowed to play in the EFL Trophy next season after radical plans to revamp the competition were approved.
Reports said 16 of the 21 existing category one academies will be invited to join a 64-team competition which will start with 16 groups of four before becoming a straight knock-out with a final at Wembley Stadium.
The Premier League is also understood to have provided £1m to create a total prize fund of £1.95m, with bonuses awarded for each win.
The competition is currently without a title sponsor as Johnstone’s Paints’ contract expired last season, with Bristol City beating Oxford in the last JPT final.
Valdes and Powell leave Man. United
Goalkeeper Victor Valdes and midfielder Nick Powell have both been released by Man. United.
Valdes, signed as a free agent in January 2015 as back-up to David de Gea, made just two appearances for United 13 months ago and was farmed out to Belgian side Standard Liege on loan in January this year after falling out of favour with then manager Louis van Gaal.
Powell, who scored on his senior debut after joining from Crewe in 2012, played a total of 10 matches with the last two of those coming in December before going to Hull on loan in February where he managed just five substitute appearances.
Di Maria succumbs to fragility again
The ‘Noodle’ has broken again with Angel Di Maria injured during a third consecutive major tournament playing for Argentina at the end of a busy club season.
Di Maria, nicknamed Fideo (noodle) for his thin frame, is out of the Copa America Centenario after a groin injury during Friday’s 5-0 win over Panama in Chicago and unlikely to play again unless Argentina reach the June 26 final.
He missed the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil after a muscle tear during the quarter-final against Belgium and he injured a hamstring early in the 2015 Copa America final in Chile.
Emery quits Sevilla amid PSG reports
Unai Emery is to leave Sevilla, with Chilean coach Jorge Sampaoli lined up to replace him with the UEFA Europa League winners, the Spanish club announced yesterday.
Emery has been linked with a number of clubs this summer after guiding Sevilla to a third straight Europa League title, and news of his departure comes amid reports that he is Paris St Germain’s preferred choice to replace Laurent Blanc if the Ligue 1 champions make a change this summer.
The La Liga club said in a statement that Sampaoli is due in Seville today to begin contract talks over replacing Emery.
Sampaoli was the Chile coach until leaving his post in January.
Xia takeover to be completed this week
Aston Villa’s takeover headed by Tony Xia is expected to go through this week.
The buyout, believed to be around £75 million, could be given the green light by Wednesday, reports said yesterday.
Xia is expected to meet English Football League (EFL) officials after the weekend to sign off on the deal ahead of official confirmation after passing the owners’ and directors’ test.
He will replace Randy Lerner as owner and become the new chairman with Steve Hollis, who joined in January, departing after overseeing an internal restructure.
Roberto Di Matteo was appointed Villa’s new manager earlier this month.