Herald Sport
GRAEME McGARRY
SEBASTIEN Pocognoli says that the short-term pain suffered by Scotland now can deliver long-term success for the national side, with the Belgian hoping the Tartan Army will look at the bigger picture rather than focusing on the disappointing home...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celtic manager bullish after brief period of reflection over future with Parkhead club
THERE will be no 20th club for Daniel Candeias and his playing career will not tick into a third decade. With so many years and so many sides behind him, the Portuguese has plenty of memories from which to choose as he reflects on his life and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘Excitement makes you alive’: Pocognoli determined to give Tartan Army lift at Hampden
SEBASTIEN Pocognoli has urged his Scotland players to put on a Hampden show for the Tartan Army when they take on Slovenia tonight, after the damp squib that was his home bow as the new coach of the national side against Switzerland. Pocognoli had...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Robertson vows to reach more finals with Scotland
ANDY ROBERTSON has stressed he wants to play in more tournament finals with Scotland despite reaching 100 caps – and expressed hope the exciting brand of attacking football new manager Sebastien Pocognoli has introduced can get them there. Robertson,...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Boss trusts the process ahead of
THERE have been a few tension-filled, high-pressure, must-win Scotland matches since Andy Robertson came on to replace Barry Bannan in the 67th minute of a friendly against Poland in the National Stadium in Warsaw way back on March 5, 2014. So...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Winger will play bounce game after lengthy lay-off
JOTA is set to witness his first Celtic action in 18 months during a specially-arranged Lennoxtown bounce game. The Parkhead club have fixed up a match behind closed doors against Premiership Falkirk at Lennoxtown tomorrow. Sidelined since April last...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Early dismissal leaves Scots with
I 0 3T would have been tough enough for Sebastien Pocognoli to record a victory over World Cup quarterfinalists Switzerland in his first game as Scotland manager at Hampden with a full complement of players on the park. Triumphing in the Nations...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Plenty of positivity from first week on
WHEN asked to spend a week soaking up the late September sunshine of mainland Europe following Scotland from Spain to Slovenia, reporting back on the fledgling days of Sebastien Pocognoli’s reign as manager, sometimes your duty as a journalist – nay,...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
‘You can be excited for the future but respect the past’
Robertson ready to ‘take the handbrake off’ under Pocognoli IT is no secret that Andy Robertson, along with a cohort of Scotland stalwarts, were devoted to Steve Clarke. But that does not mean that the national team captain is resistant to change. In...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Ure ready to lead line for Scotland in new-look side
GRAEME McGARRY ROBBIE URE is confident that he can be the man to solve the problem striking position for Scotland after earning his first call up to the senior squad under new national team head coach Sebastien Pocognoli. Ure is currently finding his...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fans’ group hit out at Parkhead hierarchy
ANTHONY BROWN A PROMINENT Celtic supporters group has expressed “anger” and “deep frustration at the continued mismanagement of the club” in the wake of poor recent results on and off the pitch. The Parkhead hierarchy were the subject of fan protests...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New Scotland manager says squad are ‘all in’ as he looks to build on Clarke success
SEBASTIEN Pocognoli says that his players are “all in” as he bids to reshape the national side in his image, with the new Scotland head coach even having to cut a training session short to protect his men. The Belgian has taken his new-look squad to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celtic boss weighing up his future after defeat
MARTIN O’NEILL says he will ‘genuinely reflect and see’ over the international break whether he feels he can come back and turn things around at Celtic. His side were beaten 1-0 by Rangers at Parkhead yesterday with Ryan Naderi’s first-half strike...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Miller to channel Scotland call-up
WHEN Sebastien Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad announcement dropped, there was an expectation Calvin Miller’s name would be there following his start to life at Heart of Midlothian. The 28-year-old had continued the form that earned him a move from...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Valakari responds to Hibs links
JACK HARRIS ST JOHNSTONE manager Simo Valakari has responded to being linked with the vacant Hibernian managerial role, following David Gray’s sacking on Wednesday night. Valakari has been touted as a potential successor to Gray, with John Potter set...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
O’Neill wants to see ‘big character’
CELTIC manager Martin O’Neill wants his players to show “big character” as they begin their Europa League campaign against Ferencvaros tonight. Beaten 3-0 by Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday, the visitors registered just one shot on target in a meek display...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Defender set for call-up as Pocognoli prepares to name squad
DEFENDER Luke Graham will be one of the new faces in Sebastian Pocognoli’s first Scotland squad. And Sevilla’s £9 million striker Robbie Ure will lead a new-look strike force in the Nations League fixtures against Slovenia, Switzerland and North...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rangers look the Neil
RAMPANT Rangers blew a supine Celtic away to storm their way into the Premier Sports Cup semi-final, as Derek McInnes’ men claimed a thoroughly deserved win at Ibrox in the first Old Firm derby of the season. Rangers were the better side in every...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Defender ‘down line’ on Ibrox exit
DEREK McInnes admits John Souttar is “down the line” with a deal to leave Rangers. The Rangers Review revealed yesterday the defender is set to clinch his Ibrox exit after four years at the club, with Greek side Aris Thessaloniki lining up the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pocognoli assembles backroom staff
JOHN McGILL SCOTLAND head coach Sebastien Pocognoli has appointed two new assistants to work alongside Alan Irvine. Former Belgium assistant coach Luke Benstead and Cameron Campbell, Tottenham’s first-team individual development coach, will complete...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Trust the process
Sports intelligence company who helped choose Pocognoli lay out the way forward for Scottish game. Pages 6-7
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Shankland facing three months on the sidelines after pulling up in win over Motherwell
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND faces around three months out of action after suffering a hamstring injury during the win over Motherwell on Saturday. The captain was forced off inside the opening minutes at Ibrox and was replaced by Ryan Naderi. The German went...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Kerjota to the rescue as Hearts fight back
AFTER looking like they would drop points for most of the afternoon, Heart of Midlothian staged a late comeback to take all three points against Dundee. Sabah Kerjota’s first goal for the club, seven minutes into injury time, proved to be the winner...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
‘If your mood on a Sunday night depends on the result of an U-10s seven-a-side game then you’ve got a serious problem’
THERE was disappointment, unhappiness and no little anger when the Central Region FA announced that all Fun 4 matches in the Falkirk area had been cancelled last month due to a violent incident on the opening weekend of the new season. Parents of the...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Rangers bring in deadline duo
RANGERS secured a double deadline-day deal for striker Kevin Kelsy and winger Badredine Bouanani. The Ibrox club confirmed the signing of 22-year-old Venezuelan forward Kelsy from Portland Timbers as the Scottish Premiership transfer deadline closed...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
New signings straight into the action in Celtic victory
CELTIC completed three loan signings before their 3-0 victory over Aberdeen last night – and included two of their new arrivals in their squad for the William Hill Premiership clash. Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone joined from Wolves and 18-year-old Chelsea...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
MARTIN McMILLAN STEPHEN McGOWAN
OLIVER Sorensen believes Celtic are getting him in the prime of his career after the Danish midfielder joined on a season-long loan from Parma. The 24-year-old earned a move to the Serie A club from Midtjylland last August, just days after helping the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Neil reveals Rangers squad had words over Euro blow
THE old cliche about not getting too high when you win or too low when you lose is easier said than done at a club like Rangers. In many cases, that balance is almost impossible to find. Dan Neil has discovered that for himself during the first few...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Celtic keen on Palace midfielder Devenny
STEPHEN McGOWAN CELTIC have taken an interest in £6million-rated Crystal Palace midfielder Justin Devenny. A left-sided midfielder born in Irvine, the 22-year-old is also deployed as a left wingback by Northern Ireland, the birthplace of his...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
UEFA mull legal action against Infantino
UEFA is considering bringing criminal proceedings against FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Switzerland over his plan to sell shares in the World Cup to private investors. European football’s governing body took legal action in US courts on Thursday...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Vrancken hails players’ character
WOUTER VRANCKEN hailed his Hearts players for their character, saying they “so f ****** deserved” their qualification for the league phase of the Conference League after defeating Rapid Vienna on penalties in the play-off in a crazy game at the Allianz...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Hearts get Williams deal over the line
JOEL SKED JJ WILLIAMS has become Heart of Midlothian’s 11th summer addition after the club confirmed the signing of the American striker for an undisclosed fee. The 28-year-old has signed a two-year deal, subject to international clearance and...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Right back into the market
O’Neill wants another defender following Johnston injury blow.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
‘When you lose your son, it hits you between the eyes’
ANYONE unfortunate enough to be drawn against Terry Butcher in a game of “show us your medals” would surely accept defeat before the first hand was played. He has, after all, been there, done that and got the blood-stained shirt to show for...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
CRAIG FOWLER
Never mind the b ****** s, here’s the Dundee derby: Scotland’s best bout
Read Full Story (Page 1)
McInnes backs his captain to shine at Ibrox
MEL CAMERON MANAGER Derek McInnes described Lawrence Shankland as a “brilliant” captain who will have a “big influence” at Rangers whether or not he starts games. Shankland was skipper under McInnes at Hearts and followed his manager to Ibrox in the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rangers closing in on deal for Nedeljkovic
RANGERS are close to finalising an agreement to sign Aston Villa defender Kosta Nedeljkovic on a loan deal, with an obligation to buy. It is understood that negotiations have progressed in recent days and the rightback will now make the move to...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pocognoli checks in
Stephen McGowan mulls over what the appointment means for the national team.
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Pocognoli takes Scotland job
SEBASTIEN Pocognoli has been confirmed as the new Scotland head coach. The former Union SaintGilloise and Monaco head coach has signed an initial two-year contract to succeed Steve Clarke. Pocognoli, a former Belgium international, led Union to the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Scottish rugby’s power list: The 25
FROM the corridors of power at Murrayfield to behind the scenes at Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors and from coaches, referees and administrators, there are countless people helping determine the future of Scottish rugby. Some wield authority...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Baur sets sights on silverware with Celtic
MIKA Baur signalled his intent to win trophies after joining Celtic from Paderborn. The 22-year-old German midfielder has joined on a four-year deal with the option of another year and is the latest addition to the Scottish champions, following the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celtic closing in on Baur
CELTIC are set to complete a deal for German midfielder Mika Baur, writes Stephen McGowan. The German Under-21 international is expected in Glasgow to complete formalities and become Martin O’Neill’s fourth signing of the summer. The Scottish...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Sore one for Rangers
RANGERS’ dismal start to the season has taken a turn for the worse after key striker Youssef Chermiti was ruled out for the foreseeable future with an ACL injury. The 22-year-old was carried off on a stretcher in the first half of Sunday’s 2-1 William...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rangers launch penalty complaint
JIM GILLESPIE has revealed Rangers have already made contact with Willie Collum over Hibs’ penalty award at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon. The Ibrox outfit were livid when Vanja Dragojevic was adjudged by VAR to have hauled down Jason Kerr inside the area...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
O’Neill’s absence will not affect transfers
MATTHEW LINDSAY SHAUN MALONEY dismissed concerns that Martin O’Neill’s health issue will prevent Celtic from strengthening their squad further in the final weeks of the summer transfer window after their William Hill Premiership win over Kilmarnock...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
End of the line?
CHRIS DOCHERTY grows tired of people blaming the calamity of youth development in Scotland on self-serving managers and the influence of Brexit. SFA head of men’s elite strategy for three years, Scottish football, he believes, is hiding behind...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
SFA scrap KMI panel after two seasons
THE SCOTTISH FA have abolished the Key Match Incident Review Panel set up to look at major on-field refereeing decisions. Established in September 2024, a three-person panel consisting of one independent member, one laws of the game expert and one...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celtic confirm ‘small procedure’ for O’Neill
MARTIN O’NEILL has undergone a “small procedure” in hospital, as confirmed by Celtic. Responding to speculation, the club released a statement confirming the news yesterday afternoon. The Parkhead manager, 74, is expected to be released from hospital...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Rangers rushing to finalise deal for attacker
CHRIS JACK RANGERS are pushing to complete a deal for Japanese winger Daisuke Yokota in time for their Europa League clash with Jagiellonia Bialystok tomorrow night. It is understood Yokota will pen a long-term contract after a fee in the region of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
O’Neill wants left-back cover after Celtic beat Dundee
MARTIN O’NEILL admitted he is trying to sign cover for Kieran Tierney in the left-back position. The William Hill Premiership champions defeated Dundee in their league opener last night, but it was not a vintage performance as they edged a narrow...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
O’Neill hails McGregor as future Celtic manager
MJOSH McCAFFERTY ARTIN O’NEILL has tipped Celtic captain Callum McGregor to one day manage the club after resolving uncertainty surrounding his future. In the closing weeks of last season, McGregor warned the Parkhead hierarchy that if they did not...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Ibrox men fail to deliver the perfect
D1 1EREK McINNES’ reign at Rangers got off to a disappointing start for him at Tannadice last night when the Ibrox club were held to a draw by Dundee United in their opening William Hill Premiership match of the new season. Fans of the Glasgow giants...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
SRU chief sacked over conduct
SCOTTISH Rugby Union chief executive Alex Williamson has been sacked following an internal investigation into his conduct. It is understood the probe centred on claims Williamson had entered into an undisclosed relationship with an SRU...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Scottish FA to take strong stance against Infantino’s World Cup sell-off scheme
SCOTTISH FA president Mike Mulraney and chief executive Ian Maxwell will take part in an emergency UEFA summit called to discuss FIFA plans to sell off stakes in its major competitions to private investors. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Celtic seal Hogh deal for record transfer fee
KASPER HOGH revealed the sight of Celtic’s green-andwhite hoops left him “really excited” as the striker spoke about his move to Parkhead. The 25-year-old Denmark internationalist has joined the Scottish champions on a four-year deal, with the option...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Vrancken: Players must believe in special night
WOUTER VRANCKEN revealed there are players pushing for a spot in his starting XI for Hearts’ Champions League second-leg tie with Sturm Graz, while Christian Borchgrevink is a doubt for tonight’s fixture. Hearts will be looking to achieve one of their...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
McLeish says ref comment was ‘tongue in cheek’
CRAIG McLEISH has insisted his televised remark regarding referee Sean Murdoch was a “tongue-incheek” comment after St Mirren’s loss to Dunfermline. The Paisley boss had twice asked who Murdoch had played for as he was shown replays of Samuel Ramos’...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Del in the dock
RANGERS boss Derek McInnes is set to begin the season in the stands after being hit with a four-match ban for his comments on Celtic’s controversial penalty at Motherwell towards the end of the previous campaign. The then-Hearts boss described the VAR...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Fix this before someone dies
AN independent review into events at last season’s Scottish Cup quarter-final between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox has said that disorder at the match must be treated as Scottish football’s ‘Wembley 2021 moment’, as it warned of two ‘near-miss’ moments...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Nelms: Every step has been taken for new stadium
MANAGING DIRECTOR John Nelms claims Dundee have “done everything asked of us and more” in the bid for a new 12,500-seat stadium at Camperdown Park. The Tayside club have stated that all necessary documentation has today been submitted to Dundee City...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Wily Fox gets first Major title of career at Birkdale
WELL, that was a nail-nibbler. When Bob Charles became the first New Zealander to land the Claret Jug back in 1963, he had to do it in a play-off. At Royal Birkdale last night, it looked like Ryan Fox might have to do it the hard way too. In the end,...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Gordon announces his decision to retire
HEARTS and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from football at the age of 43. Gordon has called time on a 24-year professional career which brought 84 international caps, six league titles, four Scottish Cups – the first of...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
Scot plays it smart as he plots route
THE sight of yellowing baked out fairways at an Open Championship often gives it a nostalgic, 1970s feel. All that is missing are big sideburns, flares and medallions on hairy chests. Here at Royal Birkdale, the sun continues to blaze, everything is...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Rose relives his finest hour at Royal
THE parched, sun-seared links of Royal Birkdale look and feel like a yellow brick road. There will be a golfing wizard at the end of it come Sunday, too. It’s running so fast, the eventual champion will probably get three points on his licence as well...
Read Full Story (Page 2)
Jota to return to Celtic training next week
CELTIC winger Jota will return to Lennoxtown next Monday. The Portuguese attacker has been sidelined for 15 months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Jota has received specialist treatment in his homeland and is due back on the grass at the...
Read Full Story (Page 1)
O’Neill to hold contract talks with McGregor
MANAGER Martin O’Neill is set to hold talks with Callum McGregor about his future after the Celtic captain switched agents. McGregor has been consistently linked with a move to Saudi Arabia and hinted in April that if the Parkhead club did not match...
Read Full Story (Page 1)