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Daily Record
16 minutes ago
- Daily Record
John McGinn is Hibs 'role model' for Josh Mulligan as rising star targets Scotland call up alongside hero
Mulligan has hit the ground running at Easter Road since making his summer switch from Dundee Josh Mulligan is delighted to be compared to John McGinn - but what the midfielder would love most is to join the former Hibs hero in the Scotland squad. Mulligan has hit the ground running at Easter Road since making his summer switch from Dundee. And the 22-year-old is hoping to create history with Hibs as they look to see off Legia Warsaw and reach the £5million Conference League proper. David Gray's side host the Poles in the playoff first leg tonight and Mulligan is desperate to build on his rich vein of form that has seen him likened to Scotland talisman and Aston Villa skipper McGinn. Mulligan, who scored his first Hibs goal with a top corner screamer in the weekend's Premier Sports Cup win at Livingston, said: 'McGinn is a great player, to be compared with some like that is a good compliment. 'But it's about focusing on my whole game and not getting caught up in comparisons although it is nice. 'He's a good role model. Especially in the last five years he's been a massive player for Scotland as well - probably one of the most influential players. Looking at him, he's someone you want to look at and strive for.' Mulligan is already a Scotland under-21 cap and is desperate to make the next step up to the full national team ahead of next month's opening World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus. Hibs teammate Kieran Bowie earned his first cap earlier this summer and Mulligan is hoping his exposure to European football can help him catch national team boss Steve Clarke's attention. After playing his part in the agonising Europa League defeat to Midtjylland, Mulligan then had a key role in the 4-3 aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade. He added: 'Even with the under-21s playing for your country there is nothing like that feeling - it gives you a sense of what it would be like to make the step up and pull on that shirt. That would be the best achievement of my career. "That was a factor as well in coming here, you get more exposure, if you play well you get recognised. "Playing with better players makes you better, you pick things up without even realising it and I'm learning every day. "Other players my age have broken in, so I know it's possible. I just need to keep performing and see what happens. "It's not just me. Every player wants to be part of the World Cup qualifying. I just need to keep putting in performances, take it game by game and hopefully it comes.' Hibs striker Bowie's stunning goal in the third qualifying round aggregate win over Partizan Belgrade helped Hibs seal their progress and former under 21 team mate Mulligan admits the big striker is flourishing at European level. He added: 'I've played with him for a few years and always knew he was a good player. But since I came here and I've seen him he's really stepped up. He's maturing and it helps everyone, for me I look at him and I want to play with him.' And Mulligan, who has made seven appearances for Hibs so far, admits he is loving life in Leith as the big games keep on coming. He added: 'This is the reason why I came to this club — to play in games like this. I've loved every minute of it and I'm really excited for another one. "It's gone really well, from the moment I walked in it felt like the right decision. "I'm enjoying it and trying to make the most of these opportunities, because games like this don't come around often."
Daily Record
18 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic fan frustration boils over as 'sack the board' chants ring out during Kairat stalemate
The Scottish champions were held to a goalless draw in the first leg of their Champions League playoff with the Kazakhstan champions Brendan Rodgers might face an uphill battle convincing the Celtic board to part with their bank card. But the Hoops boss has an even bigger mountain to climb if he's to unlock the riches of the Champions League. Celts were given an Almaty scare at Parkhead last night after being held to a goalless draw by the unknowns from Kazakhstan. Having seen off Astana and Shakhter Karagandy in previous years, Celtic were heavy favourites to plant one foot in the £40million group stages. No wonder too, when you consider Kairat Almaty have only ever had one European adventure - a 2021/22 Conference League group stage appearance when they finished bottom of their section with just two points. But the Scottish champions won't be packing a home aggregate lead in the suitcase for next week's gruelling 4000-mile trek east as the Glasgow giants gamble throwing away a golden ticket to the revamped league phase. Rodgers made six changes to the second-string team that dismantled Falkirk 4-1 as his big hitters - including Cameron Carter-Vickers and Benjamin Nygren - were restored to the line-up. Yet unlike Friday night under the lights, there was no party atmosphere as they were held to a stalemate, leaving the tie wide open ahead of a gruelling 4,000-mile journey to Kazakhstan. Frustrated Rodgers has been crying out for signings this summer to bolster his depleted attacking options. And Celtic's lack of potency was there for all to see as they failed to break down a resolute Kairat Almaty backline - even with 10 minutes of stoppage time. Now, they stare at the prospect of Europa League football - unless they become the first Scottish side to win on Kazakh soil on Tuesday. AJ injury It's never a good sign when a player crumbles to the deck off the ball. Alistair Johnston looked stricken on the ground as he pulled up after racing back to cover a counter-attack. The Canadian international, who has made a brilliant start to the season, required medical attention and was eventually stretchered off at 35 minutes. Deputy Anthony Ralston was subbed on as his replacement as he linked up with James Forrest down the right-hand side. However, Johnston's prognosis will be a major concern for Rodgers, especially amidst a crucial run of games. It looks almost certain that the 26-year-old will miss Saturday's visit of Livingston, next week's jaunt Kazakhstan and the small matter of a Glasgow derby at Ibrox. Rodgers has made it clear he's in the hunt for a new left-back to serve as back-up to Kieran Tierney. If Johnston is out for the long term, he'll need to dip into the market for another right-back too. Our of tune Playing against a team ranked 315th in UEFA's coefficients - even lower than St Johnstone - most fans thought it'd be a case of how many against an unknown side from Central Asia. But the Hoops looked completely out of sync, especially in the first-half. Nothing clicked and disgruntled fans made their voices heard as one too many passes went astray. The ever-reliable James Forrest, Swedish playmaker Nygren and Japanese maestro Reo Hatate were guilty of overcooking too many balls. It was a thoroughly disappointing first 45 minutes from the Hoops, who could have no complaints about going into the break goalless. In fact, Almaty came close to going ahead, only for Valeri Gromyko's close-range tap-in to be disallowed for offside. Shockingly, Celts headed down the tunnel with an XG of just 0.05 after registering just two shots. Celtic did show more energy after the restart but their lack of cutting edge was laid bare by the fact they ended the night with only two efforts on target. There was a complete lack of urgency, intensity and creativity. Idah hooked It looks like Rodgers is running out of patience with £9million striker Adam Idah. The Irishman barely touched the ball in an anonymous showing. As the second most expensive signing in the club's history, these are the nights when you expect the former Norwich star to come alive and repay the fee. But the out-of-sorts 24-year-old was sacrificed at the break as Rodgers made a much-needed tactical switch. South Korean winger Yang continues to blow hot and cold but he made an immediate difference after being thrown on for a crucial second-half. He occupied the left-hand flank as last year's 33-goal hitman, Maeda, was deployed through the middle to try and break down the stubborn Kairat defence. But it didn't work out. Sack the board The Green Brigade vented their fury at directors sitting in the comfy seats as the clock ticked down. Chants of 'sack the board' rang around Parkhead, with all corners of the stadium joining in. Chairman Peter Lawwell and chief exec Michael Nicholson were told in no uncertain terms where to go as supporters let rip at the club's moneymen for failing to back Rodgers in the transfer market - and gambling a place in the Champions League group stages. Fans have coughed up fortunes already this season on increased season ticket prices, endless merchandise and Celtic TV subscriptions. It's no wonder they're feeling short-changed with tens of millions gathering dust in the Bank of Parkhead. Golden boy There aren't too many household names in Kairat's squad. But all the talk beforehand was about Chelsea-bound wonderkid Dastan Satpaev. The golden boy of Almaty has agreed a deal that will see him move to Stamford Bridge when he turns 18 next August. And it's clear the most talked about youngster in Kazakhstan is destined to have a huge future in the game. He almost broke the deadlock early into the second-half with an audacious long-range lob that narrowly sailed over the bar - much to the relief of scrambling keeper Kasper Schmeichel. However, the 5ft 5in youngster was - quite literally - overshadowed by Brazilian powerhouse Edmilson. The former Celtic striker is a big unit and bulldozed Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales, causing huge problems in the air. He won the high ball before Kairat's offside finish and had the Hoops backline in knots at times. Rafael Urazbakhtin's men have already punched well above their weight by reaching this stage in the competition for the first time in their history. After stunning Slovan Bratislava in the last round, lightning struck twice in Glasgow. Celts have made hard work of it in the former Soviet republic in the past, and Rodgers' men will have to be at their best to rescue this tie in Almaty. The last time Callum McGregor and James Forrest were in Kazakhstan in 2019, Scotland were on the wrong end of a 3-0 spanking. They'll need a different outcome on Tuesday.
BBC News
19 minutes ago
- BBC News
Powell signs four-year extension at Wakefield
Wakefield Trinity head coach Daryl Powell and his assistant Michael Shenton have extended their contracts with the Super League club until the end of the 2029 Mills has also been appointed director of rugby, having been recruitment and salary cap manager, and has signed a six-year extension to three joined the club in October 2023 and led Trinity to the Championship title last in their first season back in Super League, they sit seventh, just a point outside the play-off places with five games remaining. "I have felt at home at this club since I came and I'm really enjoying building something special in conjunction with [owner] Matt [Ellis] and his family," Powell told the club website, external."I feel we have a big opportunity to do something special over the coming years and I'm really looking forward to building on the excellent platform we have laid down."Mills added: "We've got big plans, and I can't wait to keep working with everyone at the club to push Wakefield forward."Trinity travel to Wigan Warriors on Sunday in round 23.
