Buildup to Liverpool v Arsenal and Celtic v Rangers - matchday live

6m ago 06.34 EDT Hamid Shahriari asks: “Hi Ewan, the Old Firm derby is played with the same old excitement year after year, but Scotland football is equally failing internationally. ( just Look at the results of these two teams in this year’s European competitions qualifiers)... Do you think opening the doors to foreign investors like the English clubs have had a positive or negative effect?” Ewan Murray replies: “In fairness, Celtic did very well in Europe last season. Rangers have also been consistently excellent in European competition in recent years. They were a penalty shootout away from winning the Europa League. “The broader point is a valid one though. The standard of the Scottish league remains now. The national team is clinging on but I fear has peaked and how has an over reliance on certain players (Scott McTominay!). I would argue the Scottish game actually needs more investment, wherever that may come from. You have a scenario where top flight teams like St Mirren, Motherwell or Kilmarnock can be outbid for players by League Two clubs.” Thanks to Ewan for his correspondence. Share

9m ago 06.32 EDT Ed Aarons looked ahead to Brighton in our weekend preview 10 things. Brighton have spent more than £50m on the Greek teenagers Stefanos Tzimas and Charalampos Kostoulas, and got the first return on their investment on Wednesday when the former scored twice in seven minutes during the 6-0 thrashing of Oxford United in the Carabao Cup after coming on as a substitute. Kostoulas, an 18-year-old striker who cost an initial £30m from Olympiakos, was also handed his debut by Fabian Hürzeler for the last 12 minutes at the Kassam Stadium as his experimental side set up a trip to Barnsley in the next round. Brighton are keen to shift some of their fringe players before next week’s transfer deadline, meaning there should be more opportunities for both to establish themselves in the coming weeks. But Hürzeler is clearly in no rush and would not confirm if Tzimas, who cost £20m from Nürnberg in February, could face Manchester City on Sunday. “For sure he’s closer but I’m not sure if he might be an option for the weekend, we have to see how he reacts,” said the Brighton head coach. “We have to be very patient with him and let’s see what will be the next step.” Share

14m ago 06.27 EDT A look ahead to the 2pm kick-offs in the Premier League where Manchester City try to recover from losing so badly to Spurs last week, while Brighton need a lift after an unusually slow start. To the City Ground and it’s Nuno v Graham Potter, both under different types of pressure as Nottingham Forest take on West Ham. Share Updated at 06.27 EDT

18m ago 06.23 EDT Team news at Ibrox, no Raskin for Rangers. Michel-Ange Balikwisha, the new Bhoy, starts for Celtic. Rangers: (4-3-3): Butland; Tavernier, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma; Barron, Diomande, Aasgaar; Gassama, Movski, Moore Subs: Kelly, Aarons, Rothwell, Dessers, Bajrami, Antman, Fernandez, Curtis, Danilo. Celtic (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Scales, Carter-Vickers, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, Engels; Nygren, Maeda, Balikwisha. Subs: Sinisalo, Yang, McCowan, Shin, Bernardo, Saracchi, Murray, Forrest, Donovan. Share

20m ago 06.21 EDT Neil Burns asks: “Is history repeating itself and is Brendan waiting for a vacancy in England to jump ship and blame the board for not investing in the squad. Also could we see Ange 2?” Ewan Murray replies: “To an extent history is repeating itself in respect of Brendan’s frustration at the timing of Celtic’s transfer activity. However, he is very conscious of the backlash that met his departure for Leicester last time. Because of that, he almost certainly will not leave mid season or for another club. “I do think it inevitable there will be a mutual parting of the ways in the summer. Brendan still regards himself as an elite, Premier League level coach and has ambitions there as well as abroad.” Share

44m ago 05.56 EDT Michael Gallagher asks: “Good morning, Ewan. Do you think Hearts winning the league this season would cause a change of approach for Celtic/Rangers going forward? Enjoy your day!” Ewan Murray replies: “I don’t think Hearts will win the league, just to be clear.....! “However, I do find it intriguing Celtic and Rangers are not heavily connected to data analysis when it comes to signing players. For various reasons, the existing approach of the Glasgow clubs is hit and miss (albeit Celtic have clearly been far more successful than Rangers). If Tony Bloom’s influence at Hearts can work - and the early evidence entirely suggests it will - this may trigger a change in thought process.” Share

49m ago 05.52 EDT Gerry Scott asks: “How can Celtic be so successful (domestic trophies) and so dysfunctional (unable to sign replacements for key players, board and manager apparently at war) at the same time?” Ewan Murray replies: “Brendan Rodgers denies they are at war of course. And that language is too strong. However, there is a clear difference between what the manager wants (Brendan Rodgers is not the first to encounter this) and what Celtic can deliver. They are experts at signing players late in the window, which in turn puts them at risk in European qualifiers. They continue to have enough to dominate in Scotland, which in fairness to their supporters is now regarded as a minimum. “Celtic need to realign their transfer strategy. They need a director of football. Rodgers should also be clear on whether he has any intention of hanging around beyond this season. That level of uncertainty around a key figure cannot be helpful.” Share

52m ago 05.49 EDT Ewan Murray replies: “Rangers’ American owners met the squad yesterday and made plain they had complete faith in Russell Martin, who will not be going anywhere. By mid afternoon, how clever will that look? Part of the intrigue here is that people based in the US do not have to encounter the direct noise of Scotland. It feels easier for them to stick with a beleaguered manager. “Raskin seems certain to leave and looks as is if he is desperate to do so, even on loan initially. A very good player when he is on his game but also someone with an apparently high opinion of his level. So where he ends up will be interesting.” Share

53m ago 05.48 EDT Q&A with Ewan Murray is here! First question man is Steven Grundy: Morning Ewan, I enjoyed your recent article on the mood at both Ibrox and Celtic Park. I dare say as a Jambo, you are enjoying the omnishambles. As a Rangers fan, I was looking forward to the 49ers take over and perhaps investing some money into the club, especially given that the Champions League is so lucrative these days. However, appointing Martin was a dreadful decision, which did not go down well with (most) Rangers supporters. I was just wondering whether you have heard any rumours about Raskin? There are whispers that he might be sold before the transfer deadline. Would this not suggest that the board is backing Martin and that they still trust him, despite all evidence to the contrary? Cheers, Steven Share

1h ago 05.43 EDT Jake Lynch gets in touch: “Only one PGMOL” - not a chant we’re likely to hear resounding at Premier League grounds any time soon, given this season’s mediocre record of decision-making. But might that be, in fact, the problem? That there IS only one? Consider: everyone who runs out on to that emerald surface this afternoon will be competing against someone - except the match officials (including the VAR). “They’re all on the same team, of course, they have to be. But what if there was another team? On the basis that competition drives improvement, shouldn’t two PGMOLs be appointed (or more)? With the matches divided between them? Then an independent panel, comprising former players as well as referees, could assess their decisions, and award more business to the one(s) that get more of them right. Something’s got to change, as we’re only three rounds in, and already the officiating is in deep disrepute.” Share

1h ago 05.31 EDT Morgan gets in touch: “Assuming the Isak to Liverpool deal now goes through - am I the only Liverpool fan who is getting an uneasy feeling that Newcastle, now with added Big Nick, might have come out of this debacle with the better deal? I hope Liverpool haven’t whiffed this one, I really do.” Share

2h ago 04.53 EDT Forest sign Brazilian full-back Cuiabano Ed Aarons Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal for Cuiabano from Botafogo, with the left back expected to sign a five year contract at the City Ground. It is understood that Forest paid to have an option for the 22-year-old left back earlier in the summer and have now exercised it, beating Brighton to his signature. Cuiabano is expected to arrive in the UK on Sunday to complete his medical. With goalkeeper John Victor - who West Ham had rekindled their interest in after backing out of a deal earlier in the summer - also on his way to the East Midlands after agreeing a four-year deal this week, that will make it four players who have been purchased from Botafogo in this window following the arrivals of Jair Cunha and Igor Jesus. They, of course, are owned by former Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor. Share

2h ago 04.32 EDT West Ham refuse to let Paqueta leave Jacob Steinberg It was also a day of uncertainty for West Ham. There were a lot of reports around about Aston Villa agreeing a deal to sign Lucas Paqueta but those were premature. Villa were looking at a loan with an obligation to buy. West Ham have no intention of selling the Brazilian. The latest from the club and Paqueta’s camp is that he will not leave during this window. West Ham are at Nottingham Forest later. Paqueta trained on Saturday and travelled with the squad. There’s some doubt over his involvement because of the speculation over his future but sources at West Ham remain confident he’ll play. Nayef Aguerd, though, is not expected to be involved. He wants out. Share

2h ago 04.31 EDT Jackson ordered to come back to Chelsea Jacob Steinberg Saturday began with Chelsea agreeing to loan Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich. At 11.15am the teamsheets for their game against Fulham dropped. Two strikers in the starting 11! Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Then, at 12.41pm, Delap limped off. At 12.42pm I jokingly put in my match report that Chelsea would be ordering Jackson’s plane to turn around. Then, at 4pm, news broke that Chelsea had told Bayern the loan was off because of Delap’s injury. Only, Jackson is refusing to come back. He’s still in Munich. His agents are working to revive the deal with Bayern, which includes a €15m loan fee and €65m option to buy. Share

2h ago 04.27 EDT Join the Football Weekly team at the Troxy in Limehouse. It appears I might be there too but it will be Max and Barry with the japery. These are fun events to be at, and it’s the first for two years. Football Weekly Live Read more Share Updated at 04.29 EDT

3h ago 03.43 EDT Q&A with Ewan Murray Ewan Murray will be at Ibrox for the lunchtime game between Rangers and Celtic. Before the match we’ll have a Q&A with him on all things Old Firm, Scottish football and any other goings on. If you have any questions for Ewan, post them below the line or email matchday.live@theguardian.com. Serious questions, please; we’re all bantered out. Share

3h ago 03.35 EDT To join in Ewan Murray’s Q&A on all matters Old Firm and beyond, contact us at Matchday.live@theguardian.com. Share Updated at 03.46 EDT

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