Blues heaven / Chelsea seal all-english Champions League final with City
Timo Werner and Mason Mount struck as Chelsea sunk Real Madrid 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to book a Champions League final showdown with Manchester City. Werner nodded into the empty net from one yard out in the first half, before Mount turned home Christian Pulisic's cross late on, as Chelsea defeated Real 3-1 in the semifinals on aggregate.
Germany forward Werner reacted fastest after Kai Havertz hit the bar, to notch his first goal in 12 games.
The Blues spurned a host of chances to kill off the contest after the break, only for England star Mount to seal victory with a neat late finish.
And so now the Champions League will see a second allenglish final in three years, following Liverpool's win over Tottenham in 2019.
Mount said: "It was a great performance. We were brilliant, we worked hard, should have had about five. The most important thing is to have won, but it is not over - there is one game left."
John Collins believes Kieran Tierney is a perfect example for Josh Doig – and not only because of the Arsenal player’s proficiency at left back.
Tierney also represents a good lesson in biding your time before making a big move to England. He concentrated on learning his craft at Celtic before leaving to join Arsenal in a £25m transfer last season at the age of 22.
Collins, pictured, hopes the same is possible for Doig, who has already alerted English clubs with his performances at left back and left wingback for Hibs. The 18-year-old is having a breakthrough season and will take the field againstdundeeunitedinsaturday’s Scottish Cup semifinal. Collins, a former Hibs player and manager, hopes it is the first of several campaigns at Easter Road.
"It is hard to knock back big offers but I've always felt for a professional footballer the most important thing is the first-team jersey,” said Collins.
“You can go somewhere andgetmoremoneybutifyou are sitting on the bench or in thestand,lifeisn'tquiteasfun.
"It's about getting the balance right. The financial rewards will be there but it's about choosing the right moment and time. So many timesweseeplayersmovetoo early and disappear.
“A great example for Doig is Kieran Tierney,” added Collins. “He was a regular at Celtic and then moved to Arsenal at the right time. It was good money for Celtic and good wages for Kieran. But most important of all, he is a firstteam player at Arsenal. He didn't go as a squad player too young.”
Collinshimselfbided his time after starting out at Hibs as a teenager. He moved to Celtic before an adventurous switch to Monacoonthewaytotheenglish top flight with Everton and Fulham. “I think I made the right decision,” he said. “English clubs were interested in me at Hibs and it never happened.butiwasdelighted because I got experience and there is nothing more important for a young player than playing every week.”