WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT

HOT JERMAIN DEFOE

THE 36-year-old is back among the goals for Rangers and his strike at Aberdeen was emphatic. But it has taken Defoe just four league appearances to score three goals in Scotland, just one fewer than he managed in 34 matches for Bournemouth. That tells us about standards north of the border.

GOODISON TV BLACKOUT

MANY of those moaning that Manchester City’s game at Everton was not on TV will be telling us soon that people should care about the FA Cup more. Well they can’t have it both ways. This week was set aside for FA Cup replays and that is why it was completely right that a rogue Premier League game was asked to take a backseat.

LINDSEY VONN

WE may have once questioned Vonn’s taste in men but never her talent. Tiger Woods’ ex retires from downhill racing this weekend having sustained almost as many injuries as she has won titles. With 83 World Cup wins and three Olympic golds to her name, few have skied with such majestic, powerful courage. But one does wonder whether, at the age of 34, Vonn really is gone for good.

NOT ALISSON BECKER

THE Brazilian has improved Liverpool but his standards have not been high recently. Those who wondered whether he really should have been beaten by Michail Antonio’s shot at West Ham (a dive would maybe have helped) may be interested to know that of the 11 strikes on target he has faced in the Premier League since January 1, seven have gone in.

JOSE MOURINHO

SINCE Mourinho’s sacking by Manchester United, TV pundit appearances in Qatar have been followed by a guest slot at a Russian ice hockey match where he fell over while performing the role of starter. Mourinho looked a state as he crashed to earth but if there is a more disconcerting sight than a grown man lying flat out on the ice then it is that of a chap who doesn’t seem to have the capacity to just stay at home for a while.

ITALY

THE Six Nations is brlliantly competitive apart from when it’s time to play Italy. Then it simply becomes a nice excuse for a weekend in Rome. Today Wales will rest 10 players against the Azzurri, a team that has won one of 26 fixtures since the start of the 2014 tournament. They are getting worse rather than better.