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Celtic have spent a significant amount of money on new players over the past few years in their efforts to win every domestic competition they play in and go as far as they can in Europe.

However, as tends to be the case with almost every club, not every completed transfer that sees a new player join the squad ends up being particularly successful.

One prime example of this with Celtic in recent memory is regarding striker Albian Ajeti, who the Hoops signed 83 weeks ago back in the 2020 summer transfer window for a fee of £4.5m from Premier League side West Ham United.

Since then, the 25-year-old has gone on to make 48 appearances for the Parkhead club across all competitions but has only managed to score nine goals and provide five assists in the process, which is less than what the club’s fans and hierarchy will have been hoping for in terms of his goal contributions given how long he’s been there.

His debut season with the Hoops saw the attacker score just six times in 30 appearances, highlighting the fact that he didn’t exactly hit the ground running at his new club.

This season has seen the Switzerland international make just 17 appearances and find the back of the net three times, which suggests that Ange Postecoglou doesn’t rate Ajeti as highly as some of his other attacking options such as Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis who have both played more league minutes than him in this campaign.

As well as his lack of regular goal contributions, the former Hammers figure hasn’t done much to impress his manager when he has been able to get on the pitch, with WhoScored listing him as the second-lowest rated player currently in the squad to have started more than one league game.

In fairness, the centre-forward has had to deal with a significant injury issue that saw him miss 22 games between December and March which will have undoubtedly hurt his chances of convincing Postecoglou he deserves to be in the squad.

All in all, it’s safe to say that the player has pretty much rinsed the club out of a combined total of £5.9m from his transfer fee and weekly wages of £18k-per-week based on the lack of consistency he showed in terms of his goal contributions and overall performances.

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That certainly backs up what Frank McAvennie had to say by claiming that it was “unbelievable” the striker is getting paid by the club at all.

In other news: Cost £0, now worth £6.75m: Celtic hit the jackpot on “outstanding” £30k-p/w machine – opinion

James Hopes is in line to play his first state Twenty20 match for the summer © Getty Images

Queensland have regained James Hopes for their Twenty20 match against South Australia on Friday after he missed the opening game due to illness. The Bulls lost their encounter against Victoria and are hoping to inflict the Redbacks’ second defeat of the competition.While Hopes is back, Queensland are still without Chris Simpson, who will miss not only Friday’s Gabba outing but also the Bulls’ trip to the WACA on Sunday with a finger injury. They have named the same squad of 13 for both matches.After the Perth match Queensland travel to New South Wales on Tuesday before finishing their Twenty20 campaign at home against Tasmania next Thursday. The Bulls ended up second-last in the 2006-07 competition.Queensland squad Jimmy Maher, James Hopes, Shane Watson, Nathan Reardon, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Aaron Nye, Lee Carseldine, Michael Buchanan, Ashley Noffke, Chris Hartley (wk), Michael Kasprowicz, Grant Sullivan.

England seamer Katherine Brunt has been ruled out of the the quadrangular series with Australia, India and New Zealand after failing to recover from a back injury.Brunt remained in England for intensive treatment at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) at Loughborough as her team-mates flew out to India to Tuesday, but a decision was made on Friday that she wouldn’t be fit for the tournament, which starts on February 21. Lynsey Askew, who was on standby, will join the squad in India.Head coach Richard Bates said: “It’s definitely disappointing news for us because Katherine is a key player for England. However, we do have quality cover in Lynsey, who is a very capable bowler and was a member of last summer’s squad.”

Attempts are on to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago is a well-secured cricket-playing nation by the time the World Cup starts © Getty Images

The Warner Group of Companies, chaired by Jack Warner, has funded the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) for the 2006 season to the sum of $1 million.Warner made the announcement yesterday after he came to an agreement with Deryck Murray, the TTCB president, following recent discussions.The financial assistance, according to Warner, is being provided with the aim of ensuring that the game is properly run throughout the five zones, including Tobago, and the TTCB is fully functional.Warner, for the second year, will also sponsor Central-based Joe Public Munroe Road Cricket Club for the 2006 National Division League One season in excess of $250,000, inclusive of administrative duties, team management and preparations, match fees and other incentivesWarner said his contribution was an attempt to develop the sport of cricket and to ensure that T&T is a well-secured cricket-playing nation for the future, especially by the time the 2007 Cricket World Cup comes around.”Today we have with us the greatest batsman to ever live and he is a Trinidadian. I don’t need to tell you his name but I can tell you that we are today searching very deep for another individual as our next great one and this doesn’t come overnight,” said Warner yesterday. “The game of cricket must be alive in all corners of the country and it must be developed and well managed. While you may have the hands capable of doing it in the offices and on the playing fields, you also need the right resources to achieve it and this is merely my contribution towards reaching there.”

Scorecard

Shaun Tait broke through with the wickets of Clinton Perren and Shane Watson© Getty Images

Dan Cullen, the 20-year-old offspinner, captured his first five-wicket haul as he kept South Australia in the match against Queensland at the Gabba. On a pitch made for fast bowling, Cullen elbowed his way in and was responsible for a collapse of five wickets for 32 runs as the Bulls stuttered while trying to set a large victory target.Leading by 56 on first innings, Queensland were travelling comfortably at 2 for 129, but Shaun Tait dismissed Shane Watson and Cullen took the next four wickets, including Martin Love, who reached double figures for the first time this season. Cullen finished with 5 for 78 but the Bulls have earned a 313-run lead thanks to Craig Philipson’s unbeaten 64.Ashley Noffke wrapped up three wickets as Queensland collected two valuable first-innings points before lunch. Resuming at 5 for 68, South Australia added 13 before Andy Bichel bowled Greg Blewett and then Noffke hit Graham Manou, Cullen and Ryan Harris in his best spell of a tough season. Queensland’s two points moves them ahead of New South Wales into second position behind Western Australia.

Herschelle Gibbs: a rumbustious knock

Herschelle Gibbs is a rare gem among international openers. His rumbustious batting style may have been honed in one-day cricket, but it has translated perfectly into Test matches as well. Of his contemporaries, only Australia’s Matthew Hayden is anything like as effective in both forms of the game. Others, such as Sanath Jayasuriya and Marcus Trescothick, are markedly less assured when faced with Test-match conditions.Today, Gibbs clattered 20 fours and a six in his first 102 runs, which adds up to 86 in boundaries alone. At the time, only one Test centurion had made a higher percentage of their total runs in boundaries – Australia’s Gary Gilmour, who lamped exactly the same number of fours and sixes in his solitary Test century, against New Zealand at Christchurch in February 1977. But Gilmour was out immediately afterwards for 101, so he shaded that record by a fraction of a percent.With a century under his belt, however, Gibbs clearly had murder on his mind as he shifted up yet another gear. But, after one particularly chancy assault on James Anderson, that old curmudgeon Gary Kirsten felt compelled to intervene. Still, it didn’t dent Gibbs’s exuberance too much. Of his remaining 81 runs, 74% of them came in 15 crashing fours.

Player Team versus Season Fours Sixes Runs %GJ Gilmour AUS NZ 1976-77 20 1 101 85.15HH Gibbs RSA ZIM 2001-02 28 2 147 84.35HH Dippenaar RSA NZ 2000-01 21 0 100 84.00RB Richardson WI ENG 1985-86 19 1 102 80.39A Flintoff ENG NZ 2001-02 23 3 137 80.29NJ Astle NZ ENG 2001-02 28 11 222 80.18NJ Astle NZ WI 1995-96 22 2 125 80.00HH Gibbs RSA ENG 2003 35 1 183 79.78MA Butcher ENG RSA 2003 21 0 106 79.25CD McMillan NZ BDESH 2001-02 18 2 106 79.25IVA Richards WI ENG 1980-81 21 1 114 78.95RS Kaluwitharana SL AUS 1992 26 0 132 78.79CL Cairns NZ ZIM 1995-96 10 9 120 78.33CG Greenidge WI PAK 1976-77 15 3 100 78.00BC Lara WI AUS 1998-99 15 3 100 78.00CH Gayle WI ZIM 2001 34 0 175 77.71V Sehwag IND WI 2002-03 24 3 147 77.55AJ Lamb ENG AUS 1989 24 0 125 76.80JH Edrich ENG NZ 1965 52 5 310 76.77Shahid Afridi PAK WI 2001-02 16 3 107 76.64IT Botham ENG AUS 1981 27 1 149 76.51

By the time the last ball was bowled in this Third Test between Australia and New Zealand, the scoreboard at the WACA Ground in Perth wasindicating a draw. But it revealed only an infinitesimal part of the story.After four days of pulsating cricket, this was a fifth and final day to rate with some of the more unthinkable and incredible in Test history.There was undeviating defiance from Mark Waugh (86), Steve Waugh (67) and Matthew Hayden (57) as New Zealand initially struggled to adaptto the task of snaring eight Australian wickets from a total of 93 gripping overs.And an extraordinary late blitzkrieg from Adam Gilchrist (83*) as he clouted 32 runs from nine deliveries at one stage to improbably accept the challenge of carrying Australia toward a victory target of 440. An Australian win which would, no less, have rendered the innings the most productive among all successful fourth innings Test run chases.Only a pair of run outs at the other end, one of them involving a freakish Daniel Vettori deflection of a straight drive into the stumps of the hometeam’s captain, foiled the brilliant wicketkeeper-batsman’s plans.Yet a plucky Black Caps outfit was never far from snatching the Trans-Tasman Trophy from Australia’s clutches either, bravely keeping itsambitions of victory burning until the very last over of the match by continuing to collect wickets at crucial times and limiting the score to 7/381.In the end, the effect of two controversial rulings from Zimbabwean umpire Ian Robinson on caught behind decisions against Steve Waugh andJason Gillespie (1*) was inestimable. Waugh was on just 13, and the total at 4/203, when he moved back, tried to drive forcefully at Vettori(2/142), and appeared to top edge a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Parore.The Black Caps also seemed justifiably convinced of the merits of their shout against Gillespie. The number nine batsman hadn’t scored, and thematch was still six overs from its conclusion, when he was adjudged not to have brushed a Chris Cairns (1/72) delivery with his gloves down the legside.The ever-threatening Vettori had already made two crucial inroads by that time, luring Hayden to guide a catch to slip shortly before lunch andbeating a drive from Damien Martyn (30) in the shadows of tea. There had been an important contribution from part-time medium pacer CraigMcMillan (1/15) too when just his fourth delivery of the match seamed sharply back in to Mark Waugh, mowing down his stumps as he backedaway to cut.As each of those wickets tumbled, acquisition of the Trans-Tasman Trophy and the ending of Australia’s reign as the official world Test championstill seemed far from impossible. In practice, though, the difficulty of the task was always about akin to the prospect of snowboarding with safetydown the length of Mount Cook.Accordingly, joy probably would have known few bounds for the New Zealand players if a first victory on Australian soil in 16 years had beensnared.And it still remained a fascinating end to a series that continued to defy almost all expectations in any case.Even around the near-serial interference of poor weather – there were two brief showers again today – both teams continued to play theircricket with flair and an imaginative and attacking ethos that reflected great credit on the combatants.Today’s finish itself – particularly when set within the context of a series that somehow ended at 0-0 – must also rate somewhere among the veryfinest in Test cricket. As a former Prime Minister of the home country was once prone to say, this is about as good as it gets.

Taking to Twitter, Liverpool correspondent James Pearce has revealed what Reds star Mohamed Salah did in the tunnel immediately after suffering an injury against Brighton this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Reds secure win…

The Reds secured a vital three points away to Brighton at the Amex with Jurgen Klopp’s side keeping chase on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

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Goals from Salah and new signing Luis Diaz in either half guided Liverpool to victory, but in potentially concerning news, their Egyptian talisman was taken off through injury.

Klopp elected to remove his star winger in the 65th minute after Salah went down needing treatment, with Pearce of The Athletic sharing something interesting he did in the tunnel immediately after coming off.

The Latest: Pearce shares Salah gesture…

As per the journalist, via Twitter, Salah threw his shirt to a Brighton supporter in what was a kind gesture and perhaps an indicator of his mood after the injury.

Pearce explained: “As Mohamed Salah went down the tunnel a Brighton fan asked for his shirt, Salah smiled, took it off and threw it to him.”

The Verdict: Good sign?

The 29-year-old’s good spirits to honour the Seagulls supporter’s request could be an indicator that his knock might not be as serious as some supporters may fear.

ESPN journalist James Olley reiterates that Salah walked unaided off the pitch when substituted by Klopp, further backing that there may be some positivity.

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As we await a more definitive update, Salah’s kind gesture to a home fan may well be a good sign ahead of this week’s trip to Arsenal.

In other news: Contact made: Liverpool make pre-summer move to sign ‘top level’ marquee record-breaker! Find out more here.

Shane Warne: “Adam Gilchrist has done a wonderful job but won’t be around for too much longer in all forms of the game” © Getty Images

Shane Warne wants Michael Clarke to succeed Adam Gilchrist as Ricky Ponting’s deputy in all forms of the game after his strong performance as Twenty20 captain. The idea has been dismissed by Ponting, who said Clarke’s opportunity for a full-time promotion would come if he maintained his standards of the past 12 months.Admitting Clarke was one of his best mates, Warne said he was the standout candidate and now was the time to groom him. “The best way to do this would be to elevate him to the vice-captaincy in all forms of the game,” Warne wrote in his column.”Gilly has done a wonderful job but won’t be around for too much longer in all forms of the game. I reckon he will hang the gloves up and decide to play only one form, probably Test matches.”Warne’s relationship with Gilchrist is not strong and the wicketkeeper was rated 20th in Warne’s top 50 players despite dominating for a decade. Gilchrist has said Clarke was not the only one who could replace Ponting when he eventually stepped down and Michael Hussey was another contender.The appointment of Clarke for the Twenty20 win over New Zealand on Tuesday was a one-off, but Warne said he was ready for more senior responsibilities. “When you win the toss, hit the first ball you face for four and win the match in your first game as national skipper, you would have to think it’s not a bad start,” Warne said.”He has all the attributes and the image, flair, confidence in his own ability, respect for the game and respect from his team-mates, which has been earned. He knows himself, understands his own game and is hungry for success.” Warne also wants Clarke to be captain of New South Wales when he returns for occasional state games.Ponting said Clarke had grown into a leader over the past year but there was no rush to fast-track him. “I don’t necessarily agree with [Warne],” Ponting said in Adelaide. “I don’t think that needs to be the case right now. Gilly’s not going to play forever, we’re all not going to play forever, but Michael’s opportunity is going to come.”He expects Clarke will be his deputy in the future. “The day will come when Michael will get his opportunity,” Ponting said. “It might not be right now, it might not be six months’ time, but that opportunity will come and he will step into the vice-captain’s role. Hopefully I can stay around for another few years and keep him out of my position for a bit longer.”

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

Andrew Flintoff played his best innings of the summer© Getty Images

England’s bowlers did their level best to atone for another underwhelming batting display, reducing Australia to 4 for 155 in reply to 291, but Mike Hussey and Andrew Symonds batted through to the close of another rain-interrupted day at Sydney, adding another 33 runs in a tricky mini-session to leave their side just 103 adrift with six wickets in hand. Hussey, who suffered his sole failure of the tour at Melbourne last week, was unbeaten on 37 at the close, with Symonds standing firm on 22 alongside him.It was, however, yet another day of Australian dominance in this series, and it was always destined to be as such after a catastrophic morning session for England. After resuming on 4 for 234 overnight, England lost their last six wickets for 57 in 23.2 overs, with only Andrew Flintoff providing any resistance. He was the ninth man out for 89, his highest score of the series.Flintoff had been desperately out of sorts as a batsman on this tour, making just 158 runs in the first four Tests at 22.57. But having found his feet in an unbeaten 42 overnight, he was back to his most solid and reliable in this innings, stroking his boundaries rather than chasing them in the manner that he had done earlier in the tour. But Kevin Pietersen would doubtless sympathise with the lack of support he received – England’s last five batsmen mustered four runs between them.Not even Justin Langer’s second and third drops of the match at third slip could prevent Australia seizing control. Langer reprieved Paul Collingwood in the very first over, bowled by Brett Lee, but Collingwood had added just two to his overnight 25 when Glenn McGrath, armed with the new ball, got one to climb at his outside edge, for Adam Gilchrist to complete a simple catch.Chris Read came and went in an unconvincing hurry. Lee this time found that trampoline bounce outside off stump for Read to fence loosely to Gilchrist again, and with his very next ball, Lee found himself on a hat-trick, as Sajid Mahmood was squared up by a hip-tickler that looped off a leading edge to Hayden in the gully.Harmison hung around for 24 deliveries – long enough for Flintoff to clobber consecutive boundaries off Lee to move into the 70s – but he became Clark’s second victim of the morning (and third of the innings) when he missed an attempted yorker that was zeroing in on leg stump. And once Flintoff had gone, caught behind flailing in vain at Clark, Monty Panesar became the 1000th international wicket for an otherwise out-of-sorts Shane Warne.

Mike Hussey pulls over midwicket© Getty Images

Australia’s reply started positively, with Langer crashing four fours in four overs in what could yet be his final innings in Test cricket. He was eventually strangled down the leg-side by James Anderson for 26. It was not the best ball he had received, but it was still a deserved wicket for Anderson, who shared the new ball with his captain, Flintoff, and found a tight line with a hint of movement to concede just three runs from his first five overs.Hayden had hardly played a shot in anger when he was joined by Ricky Ponting, but he came out of his shell as the shine went off the new ball, and helped to add 66 for the second wicket, before wafting inexplicably at a wide one from Steve Harmison, and offering catching practice to Paul Collingwood at second slip. It was a timely wicket for England who were in need of a lift after their morning meltdown, but once Ponting had got into his stride, it seemed nothing could slow the Aussies down.Nothing, that is, except for a run-out. On 45, Ponting pushed Panesar into the leg-side and set off for a suicidal single. Anderson, fielding at mid-on, picked up the ball and threw down the stumps in an instant – Ponting’s second run-out in the 40s against England, to go alongside his infamous Pratt-fall at Trent Bridge last summer. This aberration didn’t look like being quite as costly, however, not even when Harmison, in the midst of an attacking spell, found some extra lift outside Michael Clarke’s off stump to give Chris Read a simple catch behind the stumps.The players immediately left the field for a lengthy rain delay, but upon the resumption, Hussey and Symonds batted resolutely to the close, to ensure that Australia remained on course for their coveted whitewash.

Short CutsShot of the day
Most of the fielders were back for Andrew Flintoff when he forced Brett Leeoff the back foot to one of the few gaps at deep cover. A straight-drivenboundary next ball was also impressive.Wicket of the day
Shane Warne’s lbw of Monty Panesar was not a spectacular dismissal, but itearned Warne his 1000th international wicket.Gaffe of the day
Richard Branson might understand a lot about airlines, but what he knowsabout the Ashes couldn’t be written on a sick bag. While unveiling his planfor keeping the urn in Australia he made more mistakes than a steward on alow-cost carrier.Quote of the day
“Why the **** should we keep them. It’s the Ashes. We’re not playing for abox of chocolates.” Ian Botham