BLUES VACANCY
Tevez switch from Old Trafford lit flame for a Sky Blue revolution
KILMARNOCK are in consultation with the SFA in their ongoing investigation on Kyle Lafferty.
The Rugby Park club are looking into an alleged sectarian incident involving the 35-year-old which took place last week while the striker was on international duty.
Lafferty (right) was withdrawn from the Northern Ireland squad last week after a video emerged where an apparent “bigoted” remark is made.
Probe
Killie immediately launched their probe into the matter and are liaising with Hampden chiefs.
Boss Derek McInnes spoke for the first time as regards the matter ahead of tomorrow’s game at Aberdeen, but was unable to go into any detail due to the ongoing investigation.
He explained: “We are conducting our own investigation into the matter and, in consultation with the SFA, we are looking to try to get that resolved as quickly as possible.
“It is better in all these types of matters, any discipline matters it is always better to get clarity as soon as possible; equally it is important that everybody does their due diligence.
“We started that last week and we just need to wait to see the outcome of it.”
McInnes is preparing to take Killie to the Granite City for the resumption of the Premiership campaign.
Lafferty’s participation at Pittodrie is in doubt.
But, when asked if he is in the squad for the weekend, McInnes said: “I can’t say for certain for the moment. We are in consultation with the SFA.”
CHELSEA will hold interviews for their sporting ■
director vacancy next week.
New co-owner Todd Boehly has been occupying the role on an interim basis since Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech left at the end of June following the club’s €4.8bn takeover.
Chelsea were keen on ex-Liverpool guru Michael Edwards (left) to fill the role but he is taking a year out.
Christoph Freund has also been ■
approached but the Austrian turned down a move to west London to remain with Red Bull Salzburg.
The remaining options include Spaniard Victor Orta at Leeds and former Leicester and Celtic talent scout Lee Congerton, who is now with Italian side Atalanta. Others in the frame are Ramon Rodríguez Verdejo of Sevilla, Luis Campos of PSG and Rui Pedro Braz at Benfica.
PHIL FODEN has been hailed as the future of English football and the man with the Midas touch ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
The playmaker (left) was given a pre-derby boost by former City full-back Bacary Sagna, who insisted he is already a world class player.
And while teammate Erling Haaland shows no sign of giving up the (right) limelight after his stellar start to the season, Sagna maintained Foden’s star shines every bit as bright.
“They are both 22 and it is amazing what both of these players are doing,” said the former France international.
“With Foden, from the boy I saw when he was 16 to the player he is now, there is a massive difference.
“He was already brilliant at 16, now he is top and I consider him the future of English football. He is a world class player. Everything he touches turns to gold.”
Sagna’s three-years at the Etihad came to a conclusion after Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge.
Seat
And while that meant the pair did not play together, Sagna had a front-row seat on Foden’s development as he came through from the youth ranks.
“I heard all these stories about him when I was there. I wanted to see it for