Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho made his return for Celtic in a tough night for the Scottish side, who suffered a 4-1 home defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the Europa League.
Iheanacho came on as a substitute in the 71st minute, marking his first appearance since early February. He had missed several league matches due to fitness issues, but his return was highly anticipated by fans.
Celtic started well when Benjamin Nygren equalised shortly after Stuttgart’s opening goal from Bilal El Khannouss. However, Stuttgart soon regained control, with El Khannouss heading in a second goal and Jamie Leweling adding a third after the break. Tiago Tomas completed the scoring, giving Stuttgart a comfortable first-leg lead.
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Iheanacho joined Celtic last summer on a free transfer, bringing experience from his time at Manchester City. Injuries have limited his impact so far, with just a handful of league appearances this season.
Despite the loss, Iheanacho’s return offers hope that he can regain full fitness and help Celtic in the coming weeks as they aim to recover in the Europa League and domestic competitions.
Connor McDavid has been as dominant as ever in his first Olympic Games.
McDavid has now scored the most points of any player in a single Olympic tournament with NHL participation after collecting an assist on a goal by Sam Reinhart in Friday’s semifinal against Finland.
McDavid’s 12 points put him one ahead of Saku Koivu and Teemu Selanne, who each had 11 points to help Finland win the silver medal in 2006.
McDavid now has two goals and 10 assists in the tournament. He also leads the NHL in scoring with 96 points this season.
Brett Favre believes there has been a change in the NFL’s engagement strategy.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer discussed the issue during an appearance on Tomi Lahren’s OutKick show earlier this week, in which Lahren said she felt the NFL changed its approach to the way it appeals to fans “somewhere around Colin Kaepernick.”
Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre warms up before playing against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.(Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports)
“I think there probably is some truth to that. Why that has changed, I really don’t know,” Favre said. “Because I think your general football audience is people like you and I. Maybe loves football, or maybe is a casual, fair-weather fan, but it is the biggest show in town. So you watch it, you know, you watch the halftime show and who sang the national anthem. You know, that’s been that way for a long time.
“But you’re right, you know, in the last maybe 10 years, maybe a little longer, there’s been a slight shift. For whatever reason, I have no idea, because you want to appeal to your true fans. And it doesn’t seem like that is the case anymore.”
Green Bay Packers quarterback (4) Brett Favre is interviewed after defeating the Detroit Lions.(Tom Szczerbowski/USA TODAY Sports )
Conservative fans were turned off by the decision to have Bad Bunny perform during the Super Bowl halftime show — he was largely criticized for having almost his entire performance in Spanish.
President Donald Trump called it “one of the worst” halftime shows of all time.
“This ‘Show’ is just a ‘slap in the face’ to our Country, which is setting new standards and records every single day — including the Best Stock Market and 401(k)s in History! There is nothing inspirational about this mess of a Halftime Show and watch, it will get great reviews from the Fake News Media, because they haven’t got a clue of what is going on in the REAL WORLD,” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after the show.
Bad Bunny performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LX football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026.(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
The show was the fourth most-watched of all time, but NFL ratings continue to skyrocket. NFL games accounted for 92 of the top 100 most-watched telecasts throughout 2025.
Autumn Mystery, the three-year-old stayer, commences his push toward the South Australian Derby by facing off against older rivals on Caulfield’s track.
Viewers last watched him claim eighth spot in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in November, and he now enters Saturday’s Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap (1400m), a benchmark 84 event.
His trainer, Rory Hunter, intends three targeted races as build-up to the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville set for May 2.
The sequence post-Saturday includes the Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield March 21, the Easter Cup (2000m) there on April 4, and then the Derby four weeks further along.
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Hunter indicated the lineup allows breathing space should disruptions occur.
“The South Australian Derby will be his grand final this prep and hopefully we can go into that fourth run in,” Hunter said.
“He’ll go to the Alister Clark Stakes in a month’s time after this and then maybe the Easter Cup at Caulfield then hopefully into the South Australian Derby.
“I think the lead-up race over there, the Chairman’s, comes up a bit short only seven days before the Derby and if anything goes wrong, you’re a bit short on time with them, so we’d prefer to give him that two or three weeks into it.
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“Saturday’s race, I think, it’s a good stepping stone for him. He comes in with a lightweight being a three-year-old.
“I’m hoping he’s making some late ground and we’ll be happy.”
Hunter is optimistic about a favorable gate for Autumn Mystery in the South Australian Derby.
From a wide draw in the Victoria Derby, Autumn Mystery trailed at the rear under Blake Shinn but surged late to take eighth.
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“Unfortunately, he drew a wide barrier and there wasn’t much we could do,” Hunter said.
“Blake’s hands were tied and we had to go back and ride him cold and finish off the best he could, but he still ran really well.
“His sectionals were the quickest of the race, last 600, 400 and 200 (metres) and I think he’s got a lot of improvement still to come this time around.”
Discover the finest betting sites offering racing betting markets for the Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap.
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper reacts with rage after being hit by a pitch thrown by the San Francisco Giants’ Hunter Strickland during the San Francisco Giants game versus the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.(Daniel Gluskoter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I think this should happen more often in baseball,” Harper said. “I think it would eliminate guys throwing at each other. It’s just like hockey. If you want to go, you want to go.
“This is just part of the game. Obviously, I don’t want to fight anyone on the baseball field. But there comes a time where it’s like, hey dude you get drilled, it is what it is at that point.”
Washington Nationals Bryce Harper (34) fights with San Francisco Giants Michael Morse, and Jeff Samardzija during the eighth inning of their game on Monday, May 29, 2017, in San Francisco, California.(MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images)
Harper also said there is “no bad blood” between himself and Strickland anymore.
Harper was suspended for four games, while Strickland was out for six. Fighting in hockey is normally a five-minute major, but further punishment could occur.
The aftermath of a fight between Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper and San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland left the teams heated during a regular season MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California on May 29, 2017.(Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Club s Raphael Onyedika celebrates after scoring during a soccer game between Belgian Club Brugge KV and Spanish Atletico de Madrid, in Brugge on Wednesday 18 February 2026, the first leg of the play-offs for the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League tournament. BRUNOxFAHY PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBELxFRAxNEDxLUX x164163448x
Club Brugge head coach Ivan Leko has expressed his disappointment after it was confirmed that Raphael Onyedika will miss the second leg of their play-off tie against Atletico Madrid.
The Nigerian midfielder played a key role in the first leg, helping Club Brugge fight back after going two goals down. Atletico Madrid took an early lead through a penalty, and Ademola Lookman doubled the advantage before half-time.
After the break, Onyedika inspired a strong comeback. He scored one goal and helped create two others as Club Brugge battled to a dramatic draw at home.
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However, Onyedika picked up a yellow card late in the match, which means he is suspended for the return leg in Spain. Leko admitted it will be difficult to replace the midfielder, describing him as a very important player for the team.
The coach praised his players for their fighting spirit and said they showed great character to recover from a tough situation. He added that the team will now focus on their next league match before turning their attention to the crucial second leg.
Club Brugge are currently among the top teams in the Belgian league and remain hopeful of getting a positive result in Spain.
Roy Keane has criticised Michael Carrick since Manchester United appointed the former Middlesbrough manager as their interim head coach – but he is not bothered
Michael Carrick insists he is not ‘bothered’ by criticism and critique from the likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
Carrick, 44, has made an impressive start to his second spell at Manchester United following his appointment as head coach until the end of the campaign after taking over from Ruben Amorim. The club’s former midfielder has secured four victories and one draw from his opening five fixtures at the helm.
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That sequence of results has propelled United to fourth place in the Premier League table. They are now just five points behind third-placed Aston Villa and eight off Manchester City.
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However, upon his appointment, Carrick faced scrutiny from Keane, who questioned his suitability. Keane stated last month that he was “concerned” about Carrick’s arrival and suggested the club are a “circus act at the moment”.
Speaking to the BBC, Carrick has now made clear he remains untroubled by criticism from Keane and fellow pundits. When questioned whether he must ‘accept’ and ‘shut out’ external comment, Carrick responded: “It doesn’t bother me one bit. Genuinely, it doesn’t. I’m not going to really fall out with anyone over that.
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“I think it’s a respect thing as much as anything, and I’ll give and take that. I think for younger players in general, it’s something we need to help them with and look after them. It’s a different world now to when, say, I was coming through, but we do that, and we look after them.”
Carrick is being considered for the permanent position at United this summer, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was seven years ago. United are also exploring alternative candidates, including Julian Nagelsmann and Roberto De Zerbi, whilst Thomas Tuchel is committed to remaining as England manager until at least 2028.
Carrick, who featured in over 450 matches during his playing career at Old Trafford, has hinted at his ambition to become United’s next permanent head coach, describing it as the “ultimate role”. He said: “I’m really enjoying it, I love what I’m doing.
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“I’m fortunate. I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it’s not the fact that I believe I can do it, and I’m here to do it.
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“I said it when I came in – there’s the sentimental side of that… of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But actually, I’m here to do a job now, and to make a good team, and be successful.
“I don’t decide how long that’s going to be, but I love being here, and whilst I’m here, I’ll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That’s how I believe it should be.”
United travel to Everton on Monday for their next Premier League clash. The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 in the corresponding fixture back in November, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netting the only goal in the first half.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski is through to the final at the Dubai Championships.
Dabrowski and partner Luisa Stefani of Brazil defeated Anna Danilina, of Kazakhstan, and Aleksandra Krunic, of Serbia, 4-6, 6-2, 10-6 in doubles semifinal play Friday.
Dabrowski and Stefani converted four-of-nine break-point chances and won 67.5 per cent of their first-serve points. The fifth seeds rallied after dropping the opening set to close out the match in one hour, 29 minutes.
Dabrowski and Stefani will face Laura Siegemund, of Germany, and Vera Zvonareva, of Russia, in Sunday’s final.
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Dabrowski reunited with Stefani this season after stepping away from a 2 1/2-year partnership with New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe that produced multiple titles, including two US Opens.
Dabrowski and Stefani previously won the 2021 National Bank Open in Montreal and are chasing their first WTA doubles title since reforming.
India leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has announced his separation from his wife Ishani Johar, nearly four years after their marriage. The couple got married in 2022 in a ceremony held in Goa.The 26-year-old shared the update about his personal life through a post on Instagram on Friday (February 20), confirming that the marriage has legally ended. In the note, Rahul reflected on his experiences and what he learned over the years.In a lengthy social media post on Instagram, Rahul Chahar exclaimed that he had entered marriage at a young age before wholly understanding himself and what he wanted to build.“I entered marriage at a young age, before I fully understood myself, my worth, or the life I truly wanted to build. What followed were years of lessons I never expected, and the last fifteen months spent navigating courtrooms, learning patience, resilience, and the strength that some from in truth,” Rahul said.The leg-spinner said the chapter of his life has now formally ended and that he has no regrets.“Today, that chapter of my life formally comes to a close. After due legal process, the matter has been settled with my resolution that costed a lot, bringing finality to this phase of my life. I close this chapter not with anger or regret, but with clarity. Some relationships are not meant to last forever they are meant to awaken us, teach us, and transform us,” the leg-spinner said.On the cricket front, Rahul Chahar has not had regular opportunities in the IPL in recent seasons after an early run with Mumbai Indians. He last played for India in 2021, having made his international debut in 2019.He initially went unsold in the first round of the IPL 2026 mini auction, but Chennai Super Kings later signed him for Rs 5.20 crore to strengthen their spin attack. He will look to revive his form this season.
Ahead of the Genesis Invitational, the Los Angeles area around Riviera Country Club had been pummeled by rain. When more rain arrived during Thursday’s opening round, Riviera’s putting surfaces turned so soft Collin Morikawa said he’d “never seen greens like this.”
He wasn’t the only star flummoxed by Riviera’s soaked greens on Thursday. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy detailed his confusion over the “soft” but “fast” green conditions, while Adam Scott was robbed of a hole-in-one after his tee shot embedded next to the cup.
Here’s what you need to know.
Collin Morikawa on Riviera: ‘I’ve never seen greens like this’
But you’d never know Morikawa was tied for fifth based on his comments about his round Thursday evening. Riviera’s extremely soft greens left Morikawa sounding confused.
“I honestly don’t know how they got it to this. Like I’ve never seen greens like this,” Morikawa began during his post-round interview.
He continued by explaining how the super-soft conditions allowed him to attack greens from unenviable lies and distances, where he’d normally be worried about holding the putting surface.
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“I mean, you could stop any club from anyplace on, you know, from the rough, flyer lies. Like, I mean, I think I had two or three shots today, flyers out of the first cut and rough and like I’m not worried about missing the green at all,” he explained. “It’s just purely hit and hope.”
Counterintuitively, some greens were still playing fast despite being extremely soggy and soft. Morikawa saw this reality in action when he witnessed Rory McIlroy land his approach on 18 near the hole, only to watch it spin back 30 feet off the front edge of the green.
“And then, I mean, you saw Rory’s shot on 18, like it’s just unfair’s not the right word,” Morikawa explained. “You just have to really take those 30-footers and go out and make some birdies somewhere else.”
Rory McIlroy explains ‘difficult’ challenge of greens at Genesis Invitational
After his own opening round at the Genesis was complete, McIlroy also spoke to the media, and he was asked about Morikawa’s comments concerning the condition of Riviera’s greens.
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McIlroy echoed Morikawa’s thoughts, arguing that navigating Riviera’s greens on Thursday was unusually difficult because they were somehow “soft” and “fast” at the same time.
“Yeah, it’s like they’re soft but they’re fast, I think that’s the hard thing. It’s like last week at Pebble they were soft, but they were slow because they’re worried about the wind,” McIlroy explained. “Here, they’re so fast.”
He continued: “The ball, like it just starts to get away from you a little bit, especially if it spins back. It’s just taking more club and taking spin off it. I’m hitting a lot of just little chippy 7-irons and 8-irons.”
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He also added his own thoughts about his surprising approach shot on 18.
“And even that 9-iron at the last I hit, it was 186, I hit a full-blooded 9-iron thinking that, you know, 25 miles an hour downwind, it’s not going to come back too much and, you know, it came back 30 feet,” he said.
The steep nature of Riviera’s heralded greens added to the challenge.
“I think it’s a combination of how soft they are, but also how fast they are as well. And a lot of the greens here are pitched quite severely from back to front, so it’s difficult.”
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Despite the confusion, McIlroy’s scorecard didn’t seem to suffer from the trying conditions. Rory made six birdies and one bogey on Thursday to shoot a 66 and get within one shot of the lead.
Adam Scott robbed of hole-in-one when ball embeds in Riviera green
If there were one shot that perfectly exemplified just how strange Riviera’s greens were playing in Round 1, it wasn’t McIlroy’s approach on 18. Instead, it was the bizarre performance of Adam Scott’s tee shot on the par-3 16th.
Arriving at the 165-yard par-3 at one under, Scott hit a nearly perfect iron shot from the tee. After impact, the shot tracer showed Scott’s ball flying directly toward the pin, and it was on point. Scott’s ball came crashing down 7 inches in front of the cup.
But instead of bounding and rolling into the hole, Scott’s ball embedded into the soggy 16th green right where it landed. Check out the shot below.
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With that, a would-be hole-in-one turned into a tap-in birdie-2, and Scott was left shaking his head, as Morikawa and McIlroy had done earlier.
The striker is on loan from Manchester United to Napoli with the Italian side having the option to make the deal permanent
Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund has said that he’s a “different player” to the one who left the club back in the summer. The striker joined Serie A side Napoli on loan for the season.
The 23-year-old has made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. His latest goals came in a brace in the 3-2 away win against Genoa earlier this month.
Speaking to Il Mattino, Hojlund said: “I still have a lot to learn, and I’m sure Conte is the right coach to help me grow in many ways. Compared to Rasmus in August, I’m a different player. I’m still improving, and even though I’m not very young, I’m sure I still have a lot of room for improvement.”
On Conte, he added: “He’s mentally incredibly strong. I’m fascinated by his mentality: he’s passionate, fierce. And he’s a winner. In fact, a serial winner. And if he doesn’t win, we immediately understand that we haven’t won.”
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Hojlund joined United from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 for an initial fee of £64million, but struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, leading him to sign on loan for Napoli.
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With both players impressing, it makes it more likely that both clubs will take up those options. That would provide United with a £64million boost in the summer transfer window.
Those potential fees could help the club to fund fees for potential incomings. United are expected to look at midfield options when the summer window opens.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
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