Edinburgh's Harry Paterson relishing ‘huge' Bath clash in European Challenge Cup
Harry Paterson insists Edinburgh will meet the challenge of Bath 'head on' in their European Challenge Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The Hive stadium in the Scottish capital will be packed out for the visit of the Gallagher Premiership leaders, with Lyon meeting Racing 92 in the other last-four game on Sunday.
Scotland full-back Paterson, who has signed a two-year contract extension, recalled the excitement of the sold-out United Rugby Championship clash with the Sharks earlier this month, which ended in an 18-17 defeat, as he looked forward to a huge fixture this weekend.
The 23-year-old said: 'I think we're sold out. It should be great. The crowd was amazing at the Sharks game which was sold out a few weeks ago.
'Hopefully we can do one better than that and get to the final in Cardiff.
'It's huge. Bath are a great team, similar to the Sharks.
'We'll respect what they have but not shy away from the challenge.
'And we'll just attack it head on and get to that final.'
Paterson has suffered with a series of injuries this season and is glad to be back in action.
He said: 'It's an interesting one because it wasn't really one big injury.
'It was kind of a lot – concussion, hamstring, a foot injury.
'You think you're getting somewhere and then something else happens.
'But fingers crossed I found some consistency with training and got a few games under my belt so, in my head at least, the more of that I get under my belt the better chance I have of staying on the pitch, which is great.
'I study sports science, so I kind of try and use that to my advantage and leave no stone unturned and just listen to the experts around me and things like that.
'But the biggest thing is just getting through those first few weeks of training back and then you can build from there. So that that's what we've done.
'I've been involved the past few weeks which has been great, some big games as well, especially this weekend.'
On his new deal, Paterson said: 'I'm really chuffed with it.
'It's nice to sign something and just be able to just focus on the rugby for another two years, which is great.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
When is Rangers Champions League draw and who could Russell Martin's side face in qualifiers?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RUSSELL MARTIN only started work as the new Rangers head coach this week. But time doesn't wait for anyone - especially not in Scottish football - and particularly when it comes to the Champions League qualifiers this summer. 2 Rangers will be back in the Champions League draw again Credit: Getty 2 Rangers lost in Champions League qualifying to Dynamo Kyiv last year Credit: PA Rangers will enter Uefa's top competition at the second qualifying round stage. Winning that tie is of paramount importance to Gers as it will significantly impact how difficult it could become to secure European group stage football of some sort for the season ahead. The Light Blues made another deep run in Europe last season, reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League before losing to Athletic Bilbao. They'll start a level above for this campaign and will hope to improve on their last showing in the Champions League proper when they finished with the worst record of any team during the 2022-23 season (Gers failed to qualify at all last year). Here's all you need to know for the Champions League draw, when Rangers will find out who they play. When is the Champions League second qualifying round draw? The Champions League second qualifying round draw will be held on Wednesday, June 18 It will be held at the House of European Football in Berne, Switzerland Proceedings will get underway at around 11am UK time Are Rangers seeded for the draw? Yes, Rangers are seeded for the Champions League second qualifying round draw Their club coefficient ensures they will be in the League Path for the qualifying rounds For the second qualifying round, they are seeded alongside Red Bull Salzburg and Viktoria Plzen Who could Rangers face in the Champions League second qualifying round? Rangers will face either Panathinaikos, Servette or Brann in the Champions League second qualifying round All three of those teams are unseeded Like Rangers, all three of those sides finished second in their respective leagues When are the the Champions League second qualifying round fixtures? The first leg of the ties will take place on 22/23 July The second legs will be held on 29/30 July What happens if Rangers lose in the second qualifying round? If Rangers lose in the second qualifying round, they will drop into the Europa League third qualifying round as an UNSEEDED team. Moment Ally McCoist interrupts live radio to congratulate his 'wee pal' on signing for Rangers That would put them at the mercy of some strong sides on the continent. Anderlecht, Braga, Midtjylland and PAOK are all confirmed as seeded sides in the Europa League third qualifying round. Those fixtures are scheduled for 7 and 14 August and there is NO parachute into the Europa Conference League league phase for the losers at this stage. Instead, Gers would face a play-off to reach the group stages. It's hard to say whether the Glasgow side would be seeded here or not as the 26 winners of the Conference League's third qualifying round and the other four would-be losers in the Europa League third qualifying round are obviously yet to be determined. Of the team current in the picture though, only Serie A outfit Fiorentina have a higher club coefficient than Gers. But in the worst case scenario, Rangers would be OUT of Europe by the middle of August. What happens if Rangers win in the Champions League second qualifying round? A win in the the second qualifying round would guarantee group stage football for Russell Martin's Gers. That's because the losers of the Champions League third qualifying round drop into the league phase of the Europa League. And if Rangers win the third qualifying round tie as well then they would of course go into the play-off round. It's straightforward from there: win and it's into the Champions League proper, lose and it's the Europa League league phase once again. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
9 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer offer to sign Nigerian striker Uchenna Ogundu from Turkey
More new signings are in the pipeline at Tynecastle ahead of season 2025/26 Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Teenage Nigerian striker Uchenna Ogundu is a transfer target for Hearts. New Tynecastle head coach Derek McInnes is eager to add centre-forwards to his squad for next season and Ogundu is wanted alongside the Portuguese Claudio Braga. The Oxford United centre-back Stuart Findlay also close to finalising a move to Edinburgh. Ogundu, 19, played with the Turkish second-tier side Sanliurfaspor last season but is wanted by Super Lig clubs Fenerbahce and Samsunspor. Hearts have put forward an offer to sign Ogundu, although they face further competition for his signature. The player also has interest from Hull City, Sturm Graz, Fortuna Sittard and Gornik Zabrze. He is keen to play at the highest level and Fenerbahce officials have discussed signing him with a view to an immediate loan, which could also appeal to Hearts and others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He would bring speed and power to the Tynecastle forward line. He is 6ft 2in tall and can operate as a central striker or wide on the right. He moved to Turkey last August from Diamond Academy in his native Nigeria, scoring six goals and claiming two assists in 19 appearances for Sanliurfaspor since making his senior debut in January. His performances captured attention from scouts and his data ranked well when assessed by Hearts' recruitment partner, Jamestown Analytics. McInnes is in the midst of rebuilding the first-team squad at Riccarton. Four signings are already in place in the shape of Norwegian right-back Christian Borchgrevink, Greek winger Alexandros Kyziridis, Belgian striker Elton Kabangu and Irish midfielder Oisin McEntee. McInnes hopes to add both Braga and Ogundu to his attack and is still awaiting a final decision on whether Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland intends to extend his contract. Teenage Scotland internationalist James Wilson is also part of the squad and will compete for game time next season. Latest news on Hearts transfer targets - Arzani and Chesnokov deals In addition to players mentioned above, Hearts have made an approach to sign the Australian international winger Daniel Arzani. He has interest from other clubs in Europe and Asia. Negotiations are continuing as Hearts try to sign the Kazakhstan international forward Islam Chesnokov. He is willing to sign a pre-contract agreement to move to Edinburgh in November but Tynecastle management would prefer a quick deal this summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad McInnes has already stated that he sees Wilson as a player who can develop further having watched him emerge from the Riccarton youth academy and play regularly under previous Hearts managers Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley. 'He's one of a few academy products that have come through at the club,' said McInnes. 'Credit to Naisy and Neil who played him. 'Obviously, being involved in the Scotland set-up elevates him. I remember playing a closed-door game against Naisy's team at Rugby Park a while back. The boy came on and I liked him right away. His movement is really top-class in and around the box. He works in tight spaces and he's proven that he's a good footballer. 'He can see that and he knows his way to goal. So the more goal threats you have, the better. It's getting that balance, having the right type of strikers. I want to work with four or five strikers at the top end of the pitch and everybody's got to be able to give something a wee bit different. I think James is one of the boys that's got a lot to offer.'
Daily Record
10 hours ago
- Daily Record
Josh Doig rekindles Celtic transfer interest as Kristoffer Ajer return route emerges
The former Hibs defender has been a long-term target for the Hoops Kieran Tierney is only just in the door at Celtic Park but Brendan Rodgers is wasting no time targeting another left-back. The Hoops have bolstered their backline by clinching a sensational return for fans' favourite KT from Arsenal on a five-year deal. Tierney, 28, will be one of the first names on Celtic's team sheet as the Scotland international rejoins his boyhood club at his prime. However, the defender's injury record coupled with Greg Taylor's likely exit, means that Celts are in the market for cover. And multiple reports have suggested that the Scottish champions are set to revive their interest in ex- Hibs starlet Josh Doig. Doig, 23, left Easter Road for Serie A side Hellas Verona in a £3million transfer back in 2022 and instantly caught the eye in Italy. After a dream switch to Marseille collapsed at the 11th hour, Doig joined Sassuolo for £5m in January 2024 but couldn't save the club from relegation. However, the full-back was a key figure in helping Sassuolo land promotion from Serie B at the first time of asking, making 31 appearances. Doig has been on Celtic's transfer radar since he first broke through at Hibs and now, it's claimed that the Double-winners are weighing up an offer. Meanwhile former Treble hero Kristoffer Ajer has been told to find another club by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, according to Sky Sports. The towering stopper, 27, endured an injury-hit campaign for Brentford, starting just twice since the March international break. Under contract until 2028, Ajer may feel he'll be given a clean slate by his next boss as Thomas Frank prepares to take over Tottenham. Ajer - who lifted nine major honours at Parkhead - left Celtic for the Bees in a £13.5m switch four years ago. The 43-times capped star made his big career breakthrough under Rodgers and his potential availability has set tongues wagging amongst the green-and-white faithful. Elsewhere, Record Sport understands Celtic are keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller's situation and were in contact with the Motherwell board in the last window. The Scotland new boy has been linked with a list of European clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union St Gilloise and the Steelman have already turfed out bids from Udinese and Gilloise. It's believed Celtic have also scouted Hearts' James Penrice, but won't necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.
