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There has been a cautious welcome from Scottish football fans to a report suggesting foreign referees could soon be in charge of Scottish matches.

According to a report in The Daily Record, that notion is being pushed strongly by Celtic after a meeting of Premiership clubs and the SFA to discuss the current issues with referees and discipline.

In 2010, during a strike called by referees, match officials were called in from Israel and Luxembourg before the problems were resolved.

This season there has been an unprecedented focus on refereeing decisions with a red card rescinded against Alfredo Morelos on the opening weekend of the season kicking off the mayhem.

A new Compliance Officer, Clare Whyte, at the SFA has complicated the issues through mixed messages and inconsistencies being sent out almost on a weekly basis.

It remains unclear in what circumstances the Compliance Officer can overrule decisions witnessed by match officials with almost all top flight clubs issuing statements of concern at some stage this season.

Celtic are reportedly keen to play a key role in drawing up recommendations for reforms to the current refereeing setup in Scotland, backing a proposal to recruit officials from other countries – similar ideas have already been floated by manager Brendan Rodgers and Tom Boyd.

The mechanics and costs of bringing in foreign referees has still to be assessed. Whether they’d get co-operation from Scottish assistants remains to be seen but the principle seems to be one that has support among fans of many clubs throughout Scotland.

Here’s a look at how they reacted on Twitter…

If you’re a Liverpool supporter then life can’t get much better right now. You’ve just watched your side defeat their local rivals 4-1, and what makes that even better, is that it was against their former boss, Rafa Benitez.

Last season was a mediocre one for the Reds but it’s evident that with fans back in the stadium, they are their rampant selves again.

Jurgen Klopp’s frontline is a force to be reckoned with and in Mohamed Salah, they have arguably the best player in the world right now.

Lionel Messi may have been crowned the winner of the Ballon d’Or for a seventh time earlier this week but come 2022, it wouldn’t be a great surprise if the Egyptian king was up there in contention too.

He has fired home a whopping 19 goals already this term and has been ably helped by Diogo Jota too.

The Portuguese has ensured that Roberto Firmino’s injury blow can be forgotten about as the ex-Wolves attacker has found the net on nine occasions in 2021/22.

Jota was a valuable asset last term but was more of a squad player who provided Klopp and co with extra depth. He still put in some mesmeric performances, namely when he scored a Champions League hat-trick. However, this campaign, he’s become a genuine star among Liverpool’s elite offensive setup.

His addition to the squad has been vital for Liverpool and without him this term, their title challenge might not be so strong.

It shows the value of investing in depth, something Manchester City have evidently benefitted from with a squad full of sparking quality.

Liverpool cannot rest on their laurels in that regard, though, especially ahead of January when both Salah and Sadio Mane will head to the Africa Cup of Nations.

More depth will be needed and they could find it from Wolves again. Adama Traore has been linked with a move to Merseyside while South Korean forward, Hwang Hee-chan, is another name reportedly in the mind of Michael Edwards.

Traore is blessed with remarkable pace but it’s Hwang who looks the more appealing prospect. After all, he has the end product to go with his ability to beat a man too.

Wolves have an option to buy the 25-year-old for just £13m from RB Leipzig but Liverpool must take advantage of that and hijack a deal.

After all, the 43-cap dynamo looks every bit the type of player that Liverpool need in their squad if they’re going to compete on multiple fronts for the rest of the season. The extra body he’d add to the squad would be truly beneficial but he’s not merely a spare part.

He has four goals for Bruno Lage’s side this term, being described as “Jota-esque” in the process by Wolves reporter Tim Spiers for the way he drives forward with the ball.

Finding the net is something Hwang has done with great regularity, specifically at RB Salzburg when he bagged 45 in 126 appearances. One of his finest nights in Austria happened to come against Liverpool.

During a frantic night of European football at Anfield, Hwang found space inside the area before sending a certain Virgil van Dijk to the deck and then smashing the ball home.

Several years on and that moment clearly still lives long in the memory of the South Korea international with The Telegraph’s John Percy and the Wolves gem combining to come up with the following definition that he sent the Dutch defender “out for a hot dog.”

With that in mind, he clearly has what it takes to evade even the best centre-backs in the game and if Liverpool do seek more depth next year, FSG must ensure that Hwang is brought to the club.

AND in other news, Klopp could save Liverpool millions by unleashing rarely-seen £7.2m-rated “monster”…

Liverpool will take on AC Milan tonight in a Champions League clash that means very little to the Merseyside giants’ campaign but will mean everything to their opponents who desperately need to win this game to boost their chances of moving forward in the competition.

Jurgen Klopp will go into this game with full confidence and nothing to lose, as Liverpool have taken maximum points and subsequently qualified with ease from their group in the Champions League after five wins out of five so far.

Despite being through to the knock out stages already, the German manager is not the type to happily concede a game and will be fully intending to continue the unbeaten run Liverpool find themselves holding on to in Europe this season, with the potential to qualify on maximum points.

If the Reds beat AC Milan at the San Siro this evening, they will become the first English side in the history of the Champions League to win every single group stage game, a record that we’re sure Klopp would love to have under his belt.

With that being said, Klopp will be buzzing to learn that his opposition go into this game with a number of injury concerns that could have a negative impact on their chances to put goals past the in form Reds, and will only encourage the German coach further to rotate his team with ease.

Milan have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of hosting the six-time Champions League winners, with both Pietro Pellegri and Rafael Leao set to miss out on the action due to sustaining muscular injuries.

These fresh injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Italian giants, as they need to take all three points off the Merseyside outfit in the upcoming clash to qualify for a spot in the final stages of the competition, currently on four points in third position of the group, one point behind Porto.

It also represents a huge boost for the 19-time English champions as Leao has proven to be a devastating asset in the final third this term, scoring five and assisting three times. Thus, Liverpool’s defence will likely have an easier night defending their own goal, presenting them with the opportunity to perhaps field a young makeshift backline.

Not only will Milan need win tonight’s game, but they will also need to hope Porto do not take maximum points from their last game against bottom of the group, Atletico Madrid, who are also only on four points.

Atletico still have their chance to qualify too despite being bottom of Group B, needing to take three points from their last fixture against Porto and will need Liverpool to beat Milan.

Whilst the rest of their Champions League group remains open, Liverpool are now in a position to give their key players a rest and let their squad from the bench and youngsters step into cover positions, gaining a start in the line up and some much-needed game time on Tuesday evening.

In other news: Klopp could finally sign Wijnaldum replacement

New Celtic signing Reo Hatate will already have caught the eye of clubs in England, Noel Whelan has claimed. 

The lowdown

The Japan international has barely been at Celtic a month, with his signing confirmed on 31 December as part of a J1 League triple swoop by Ange Postecoglou. The Hoops paid £1.4m to sign the midfielder, who penned a four-and-a-half year contract at Parkhead.

He produced a sensational performance against title rivals Rangers last week, scoring twice and providing an assist, and he continued that strong form against Motherwell on Sunday by providing the assist for Liel Abada’s opener in the 4-0 victory at Fir Park.

Sports journalist Josh Bunting has already seen enough to label him a ‘stunning addition’ by the Hoops.

The latest

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan suggested that clubs who come up from the English second tier may look to pursue Hatate in the summer based on his recent form.

When asked if English clubs ‘would be interested’ in the 24-year-old, the BBC radio pundit replied: “They will be. It might not be the top four in the Premier League but it might be people who get promoted from the Championship to the Premier League.”

The verdict

If he continues to shine, Hatate is bound to win some admirers outside Scotland, and he’s not the only one.

Kyogo Furuhashi, another signing from Japan in recent months, could conceivably end up in the Premier League in the not-too-distant future. According to a report from Calciomercato in September, Southampton are interested in the 13-goal forward.

This attests to the strength of Celtic’s recruitment, and while they would naturally want to be in a position to keep their best players, they may at least make a handsome profit on the likes of Hatate and Furuhashi (£4.86m) eventually if either or both were to be sold.

In other news, Kieran Devlin reacts to this transfer story involving Celtic 

Tottenham Hotspur want to bolster four key areas of Antonio Conte’s squad, according to emerging claims…

What’s the word?

football.london reporter Alasdair Gold has told his YouTube channel that Spurs have made four different positions their priority during this month’s transfer window.

“There is a feeling within the club that Spurs need a right wing-back, a left-sided centre-back and a striker,” he revealed. “From what I understand, Conte agrees with that, but also would like a central midfielder. Four priority positions.”

Fantastic four?

It’s no secret that the north Londoners need additions as they lack the strength in depth to truly challenge some of the Premier League’s biggest teams for a place in the top four.

What Conte has already done with the current squad is quite remarkable, having gone unbeaten in the top-flight under his stewardship but if they are to get back onto the next level, then chairman Daniel Levy must back his man with serious investment.

After selling Serge Aurier and replacing him with Emerson Royal in the summer, it’s a surprise to see a new right wing-back on the agenda but as Matt Doherty’s future is dubious, the need for another option could make sense, especially if Conte isn’t convinced by the former Barca man’s attacking credentials.

Elsewhere, another central defender is certainly going to be among the priorities. Cristian Romero is still absent with an injury, whilst the Italian head coach has often deployed full-back Ben Davies in his back-three. Japhet Tanganga and Davinson Sanchez have looked a little suspect in recent games, too.

Of course, the need for a new forward has always been there but it’s a tricky problem to remedy as Harry Kane will always be the star man leading the line for Spurs. There aren’t many players who will want to be a backup but Conte does need an alternative, or even a partner to the England skipper.

It is also interesting to learn of Conte’s desire for a central midfielder, too. Spurs already have Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso, so perhaps he isn’t convinced by some of those options.

Either way, this latest development from one of the most reliable sources is certainly exciting and it would suggest that the Lilywhites will indeed be active this window.

Supporters around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should be buzzing by this news.

AND in other news, Conte can finally axe “unplayable” Spurs dud by signing “devastating” £26m-rated beast…

Aston Villa shared specific ticket details ahead of their FA Cup clash with Manchester United in the New Year.

And, as to be expected, the update from Villa’s official support Twitter page had a number of fans talking.

Steven Gerrard will get his first taste as a manager at Old Trafford on Monday, January 10 after the two sides were paired together in the third round for the fifth time in the 21st century.

Home teams are supposed to offer away clubs 15% of their stadium capacity for FA Cup matches – meaning Villa could have got up to 10,000 tickets.

However, the club confirmed that the allocation would be just over 3,000, with adults tickets priced at £30. Those went on sale on Thursday evening, but plenty of supporters were quick to vent their frustration at the update.

Villa fans react

This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply to @AVFCSupport’s post, with many not happy and one labelling it as ‘embarrassing’.

Find all of their verdicts on the development down below:

“Absolute joke allocation”

Credit: @TomL7AVFC

“United being stingy with away tickets in the FA Cup like Tottenham it seems”

Credit: @GaryBolton91

“Embarrassing if it’s the clubs choice to only take 3k”

Credit: @htl_00

“Is this allocation a wind up? One of the few times a lot of people will get to watch villa at Old Trafford and you don’t take the allocation?”

Credit: @roberts_arron

“3000 tickets is pathetic”

Credit: @Anthony38696111

“3k? Are you having a laugh?”

Credit: @Finleysurrell1

In other news: ‘Incoming’, ‘What’s going on?’ – Many AVFC fans ‘love’ Gregg Evans transfer update

A contract update has now emerged on Antonio Conte’s reported pursuit to sign Stefan de Vrij for Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: de Vrij interest

As per Fichajes, de Vrij is edging ‘closer and closer’ to Spurs, and Football Insider have claimed that the Inter Milan central defender is open to joining his former manager Conte in North London, reportedly telling his friends that he is ‘keen’ on the idea.

Of course, de Vrij is a player Conte knows very well, given that the Netherlands international played in 88 games in total under him over two seasons, scoring five goals and making a further five assists (Transfermarkt), and winning the Serie A title last term.

Thus, a move to the Lilywhites in the January transfer window or in the summer is something that would not come as a huge surprise, as more reports come in of their interest.

The Latest: Agent talks

According to FC Inter News, agent Mino Raiola is set to hold talks with Inter over de Vrij’s future ‘in the next few hours’, with his contract at the San Siro expiring in 2023.

The news outlet states that ‘there is talk’ of Conte and THFC being ‘on his tracks’ in the summer, as well as Newcastle United, who have now been acquired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF).

However, there is still a possibility that de Vrij could renew his contract, as Raiola meets to discuss Inter’s intentions.

The Verdict: N0-brainer

Given that Conte already knows de Vrij, and has been playing left-back Ben Davies as a left-sided centre-back in recent games, it would be a no-brainer for Tottenham to sign him up, as he would be a perfect fit.

Dubbed a ‘world class’ player recently by former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson, de Vrij was key in Inter’s title-winning campaign, playing in 32 matches in the Serie A in total.

He would certainly be a big upgrade on Davies at centre-half too, given that he has averaged more clearances, blocks and passes at a higher success rate than the Wales international in their respective domestic leagues so far this season (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, at 29 years of age, de Vrij is at his peak, and so now would present the perfect opportunity to sign him up.

In other news, find out which ‘unplayable’ Premier League star THFC could make an offer for here!

With Sheffield Wednesday currently sitting in eighth place in the League One table with 40 points, 12 points behind league leaders Wycombe Wanderers, Darren Moore’s side will need to have a very strong reminder of the season if they’re going to have any hope of winning promotion to the Championship.

To help them have a strong final push towards promotion, the Yorkshire club could look to do some business while the current January transfer window remains open to help Moore strengthen his squad.

However, it seems as though things may not be quite so easy for the Owls this month in that regard, with Moore recently sharing an update on the current state of play that will have some fans concerned.

What’s the latest?

Speaking to Yorkshire Live after seeing his side beat Plymouth Argyle 4-2 in their latest League One fixture, Moore had this to say on the current transfer situation at the club.

He said: “It would be nice to add to the squad. I have been told players are available from January 28 and 29 but I want to get players in now. Nobody wants to let players go. It has been really difficult but we will keep trying.”

Concerning

Having drawn more games (10) than any other League One side so far this season alongside Cheltenham Town, it would seem as though Wednesday could do with adding some players to their squad that can be clinical in front of goal or make them stronger at the back so they can have a better chance at winning games rather than drawing.

Therefore, with the Owls finding life difficult in the market and not looking likely to conclude any deals until late in the window, it will be hugely concerning to fans who are eager to see a return to the second tier.

Taking a closer look at their current squad, it’s rather imperative that they strengthen the backline.

With just three players that predominantly play in the centre-back position including Lewis Gibson who has struggled with his fitness for the majority of the season, as well as just three full-backs, it seems as though defensive reinforcements should be at the top of the club’s priority list if they are to sign some new players before the window closes.

However, with Moore claiming that the club may have to wait until the later stages of the window to finally get some new recruits in, this means it’ll be an anxious period for the supporters that could end up being a big factor in how the remainder of their season goes.

In other news: “As things stand”: Journalist drops SWFC transfer update that’ll have fans sweating – opinion

An exciting Newcastle United transfer claim has been made regarding their attempts to sign Jesse Lingard…

What’s the talk?

CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that the Magpies are closing in on a deal to bring the midfielder to the Tyneside club this week.

He tweeted: “Newcastle are confident of signing Jesse Lingard in the next 48 hours. Looks like a loan deal. Told Lingard isn’t against a permanent move to SJP but wants game time first and then to assess options.”

Pete Graves has since revealed that Newcastle are pushing hard to get this one over the line and are waiting for Manchester United to give the green light.

The Sky Sports reporter added: “#nufc pushing hard to sign Jesse Lingard on loan from #mufc BUT awaiting final decision from Old Trafford. Club will pay loan fee plus full wages. Lingard desperate to play and speak to Newcastle as he weighs up his options. This one could yet happen.”

Delight

Newcastle fans will surely be delighted by this news, as it suggests that this particular transfer saga is coming to a successful end for the club. With less than a week to go before the window slams shut, the Magpies need to start getting deals done quickly, and securing Lingard on loan in the next two days could be a major boost for Eddie Howe.

He could be a fantastic addition to the team and give the fans a much-needed lift, with their side still sat in the relegation zone despite the win over Leeds at the weekend. Lingard is a proven Premier League performer who has the potential to come in and be a key player for the Toon in the coming months.

The England international proved his quality during a loan spell with West Ham last season as he was directly involved in 13 goals in 16 matches for the Hammers. He produced nine goals and four assists to help David Moyes’ side to a Europa League finish, and he could hopefully provide a similar level of end product for the Magpies to help them stave off relegation to the Championship.

Lingard has also shown off his talent at international level, with two goals and two assists in six World Cup 2022 qualifiers. This shows that he can do it for club and country, emphasising the point that he could be an excellent prospective signing for Newcastle.

Therefore, their supporters will be buzzing with the prospect of him arriving at St James’ Park on loan in the next 48 hours.

AND in other news, “I’ve heard” – Keith Downie drops key Newcastle transfer update, Howe surely buzzing….

Crysencio Summerville could be the biggest loser from Leeds United’s transfer activity this January…

What happened?

The 20-year-old gem has struggled to edge his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s first-team since his £1.3m move from Feyenoord in September 2020 and after the Yorkshire outfit rejected a loan move for him, he could struggle to ever breakthrough at Elland Road.

There was interest from Germany, where Hamburg SV were thought to be hugely keen, and his home country, Holland, as per The Athletic’s Phil Hay.

Game time unlikely

Summerville is way down the pecking order in west Yorkshire as Bielsa’s wing department is well-stocked with the likes of Raphinha, Jack Harrison and Daniel James all ahead of him.

All three have been featuring in the starting XI in recent matches due to the absence of Patrick Bamford through injury but when the England international returns to action, it’s likely that one of the latter two will be dropped to the bench, thus taking the Dutch youngster’s place and potentially only chance to impress.

If he’s unable to get minutes from the bench, then he’ll have to get it from further academy matches, where he has already proved his credentials – as per Transfermarkt, Summerville has scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 24 appearances for the U23s.

He has managed only 225 for the first team.

The 5 foot 9 dynamo, who has been dubbed “impossible to handle” and a “bag of tricks”, is surely going to find it tough ever making a mark at Leeds.

A loan move for the remainder of the season would have been a win-win for Bielsa. The youngster gets a chance to play regularly at a senior level and then his role at Elland Road can be assessed in the summer, where they could sell him on for profit or integrate him as a key first-team player.

Therefore, there isn’t a bigger loser at United than Summerville following their lacklustre transfer window.

AND in other news, “They feel..”: Insider drops “huge” Leeds summer transfer claim, fans must be excited…