Toure is ‘delighted’ to land new coaching role at Celtic

KOLO TOURE has taken up a coaching role at Celtic. The 36-year-old has been handed the title of technical assistant, with the club stating he would be ‘supporting on all first-team coaching matters, as well as using his knowledge, experience and expertise to assist across the club’s various youth levels.’ The former Arsenal and Liverpool defender made 17 appearances for Celtic after being reunited with former Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers last summer. He took up a coaching role with the Ivory Coast national setup in the summer and has been doing some work with Rodgers in recent weeks. PEP Guardiola admits Manchester City may not be able to prevent Real Madrid snapping up highly-rated youngster Brahim Diaz. The 18-yearold Spanish midfielder, who joined the City Academy at the age of 14, is reportedly attracting the interest of the European champions.

CLARKE CARLISLE was said to be ‘safe and well’ last night following appeals by police and his family to find the former footballer. The 37-year- old ex-QPR, Leeds and Burnley defender — who had attempted suicide in the past — had been reported missing, having last been seen by a family member in Preston at about 2.30pm on Thursday. His wife Carrie, who is six months pregnant, tweeted that he was last known to be in Manchester city centre at 6am yesterday. JURGEN KLOPP has launched an impassioned defence of his under-fire defenders and insisted top clubs around Europe would all want them. Klopp said: ‘You should ask other clubs what they think about these defenders and whether they would like them. You would be really surprised.’