Nothing to lose for Hampden debuting Dons
When Scott Booth returned to Aberdeen in October, this time as head coach of the women's team, he set his sights high of challenging the top teams.Having just left Glasgow City, he was realistic and said it would take time. But the Dons are already on the cusp of history.On Sunday, they will leave the Granite City for Glasgow, specifically Hampden, for the first time.A Scottish Cup semi-final against holders Rangers awaits, and albeit a daunting prospect, the excitement has been palpable since their spot was secured.With five wins in their last seven, Booth's side make the trip to the southside of Glasgow in good form and crucially, with nothing to lose.All the pressure is on treble-chasing Rangers, who comfortably tucked the League Cup into the cabinet last month after they demolished Hibs.However, Grant Scott's side got revenge in fashion in the SWPL at the weekend and leapfrogged Jo Potter's side to regain top spot.Though in the bottom half of the table, Aberdeen picked up a morale-boosting 5-2 win against Queen's Park, which relegated the Spiders in the process.There are no cobwebs to brush off for Booth's side, they have the freedom of the national stadium to enjoy their debut.And they may just dare to dream...
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Daily Record
38 minutes ago
- Daily Record
I was told I'd get football stopped and I did – Inside Hampden's sixth floor with SFA's peacetime general
The chief executive has had some challenges to overcome but he's had an easier ride than some who have been in the role Scottish football loves a bogeyman. A fall guy. The man or woman to blame when things go off the rails. And they usually reside on Hampden's sixth floor. SPFL chief exec Neil Doncaster has made a career out of being a piñata for our clubs. The one dangled out for the fans to beat with sticks, even when in reality, he's only doing their bidding. In previous years, the under-fire SPFL chief usually has his SFA counterpart for company when it comes to joint custody of the Public Enemy No.1 title. Just ask Stewart Regan. The pair of them got caned more times in public over the years than a Victorian school boy. Doncaster still happily takes the rough without much smooth in his role but it's been a far less tortuous experience for Ian Maxwell at the SFA. Regan had the referees strike, the Rangers crisis, a Scotland team stumbling from one disaster to the next and the bumbling over appointing managers. By the end it didn't take much to topple him. In contrast, Maxwell made it seven years in the gig this month and he's managed to avoid the campaigns for his head from various sections of Scotland's wild football community. The former Partick Thistle centre-half and chief exec has been more of a peacetime general. Sure, there have been testing moments. VAR has been a tricky one. Admitting it was going to be a short term disaster before it came in was an eye-opener but proved to be accurate. Then there was Covid nearly killing our game. But Maxwell has steered the SFA through those storms and has the air of a peace time general with the national team qualifying for the Euros twice after a generation of misery. The 50-year-old looks comfortable and confident in a role that has sent some men doolally. Maxwell said: 'Do you know what, it's been brilliant, It's amazing, frustrating and nuts in the same 15 minutes, it really is, it's been amazing. 'I've been so lucky, you look at the back-to-back year stuff, I get to do some unbelievable things. 'You have to deal with some unbelievable stuff from the other perspective, there are bits of it that are really tough, but that's like every job, because it's quite high profile. 'When I meet people I say, listen, I can't work any more hours than you do, I can't work any harder than you do. 'If something goes wrong, I'm in the front of the paper, that's how it works. 'Once you get your head round that, it's brilliant. 'I think the association is in a good place, and I'm not taking all the credit for that by any stretch of the imagination. 'But it's been a really enjoyable period, there's a lot of time into that, 'Everybody that's sat in that chair thinks we qualify for a tournament and it changes the game, and I've been fortunate enough to do that twice, since I've been in post, so it's been brilliant, really lucky.' Enjoyable is not a word his predecessor would have used. But it's also about Maxwell's own view of what the job actually is. Hiring and firing managers and trying to figure out how to get the national production line firing is only a part of it. Maxwell said: 'I think that's just the way you take it. It's hard, it's frustrating, there are bits that drive you daft, but I get to do some amazing things and meet brilliant people and see the work that we do as an association. 'It's funny, when I talk about the association, we've got 170-180 staff up the stairs, we'll have 20 that work at the elite level of football, from a week-to-week point of view. 'The vast majority get out of bed to go and literally save a life, make an impact, do something different, and once you start to get that understanding of what we actually do, why we're here as an association, that changes the way you think about football. 'You see the impact that the Extra Time Program, the government has just given us £5.5 million of funding, that's going to impact 5,000 kids, we're going to use 53 clubs to help deliver that, that's a pre-school and post-school service that kids can go and get some football activity, they get a bit of food that they don't get. It's when you hear all these stories that it actually brings to life what football does. 'Everybody gets focused on, is Steve Clarke going to be here after the World Cup? 'Actually, there are kids that are getting a meal, which is far more important for us as an association. 'There's kids that we're able to feed because of the programs that we've got, because of the engagement that we've got. People aren't really aware of that, people don't think in that way, whether we shout about it enough, whether it's hard to shout about it, I don't really know. It's those bits that get you out of bed in the morning that's making that difference.' The mention of covid still gives Maxwell cold sweats though. He said: 'When you look back at it, coming out of that with the same number of clubs and getting football back the way that we did, that was just such unbelievable two years. It was mental. 'I remember the day we decided to stop football. 'I think it was Darryl (Broadfoot, communications chief) who said people were watching you for years thinking he could get football stopped – and then I actually did it!' "There were definitely points because everything was just so uncertain. Were there fears some clubs wouldn't survive? Absolutely That's definitely a chapter in the book - the Covid years.' Maxwell isn't being chased by pitched forks and he's in no hurry to run either. He said: 'We've got Euro 2028, which is massive for us. It'll be a really proud moment to see that being hosted here. That'll be huge. 'We're not quite confirmed yet, but we're the only bidder for the Women's World Cup in 2035, which seems like a long time away, but it's probably not. 'I'll be 60 by that point, which is a bit scary. I don't know. I'm loving what I'm doing. There's certainly lots to be getting our teeth into.'
Daily Record
42 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Jury split on Rangers transfer upgrades but departing Celtic star and £30m man spark a unanimous verdict
Our top team don't shirk any of the big issues as a defining summer kicks off Greg Taylor's future is up in the air with FC Copenhagen the latest club to declare an interest in the Celtic defender. What would be the best move for his career? Scott McDermott: For what he's done at Celtic, Taylor deserves a move to a top club either in England or abroad. If he goes down south, it should be to a Premier League side - or one with aspirations to reach the top flight. And if he leaves the UK, it's important it's to a club in the Champions or Europa League. Craig Swan: At this stage of his career, Taylor will want to play regularly and doing so in a quiet environment will be a nice change from the chaos of the Glasgow bowl. Michael Gannon: Staying at Celtic. The full back will get plenty of action, even with Kieran Tierney back, and he'll be competing for silverware and in the Champions League. Moving house is a pain in the backside anyway. Graeme Young: He's one of the most underrated players in recent Scottish history and any team who wants to use his ability as an inverted full-back should be at the top of his list. Don't rule out his next adventure being the start of a continental odyssey. New Rangers boss Russell Martin has been linked with loads of players as he starts an Ibrox rebuild with Swansea's Harry Darling on the wanted list. What area of the squad needs the most strengthening? Scott McD: Where do you start? That Rangers squad needs a total overhaul so Martin has a job on his hands. He needs two centre-backs, a full-back, a defensive midfielder, a winger and a striker - and that's just for starters! He'll also have to offload several under-performing players during this window. Craig: Defence is key. Rangers conceded bad goals at various stages throughout the term and must be tighter. Michael: Centre back is certainly an issue and they'll need a couple. But Rangers also need to add pace in the wide areas and another striker to hang their hat on with Cyriel Dessers on the way out. There's a lot of work to be done and it needs to be done sharpish. Graeme: An elite central defender must be the target but this team won't be in Martin's vision until a modern sweeper-keeper is sought, if the new boss gets that early it could have a transformative effect. Scotland skipper Andy Robertson could be on his way to La Liga with Atletico Madrid in for the Liverpool left-back. Would a move to Spain be good for him or should he look to stay at Anfield? Scott McD: At 31, Robertson has achieved everything he wanted to at Liverpool and maybe it's time for a fresh challenge. Working with Diego Simeone at Atleti might just give him a new lease of life - which could hopefully benefit Scotland. Craig: Robertson has nothing left to achieve at Liverpool and a move to Madrid would be superb. Michael: It would be a shame if Robertson didn't get a proper farewell at Liverpool after being one of the best signings in their history. At the same time, Atletico is about as attractive a proposition as it gets, as going to a huge club in a superb league must be tempting at this stage of his career. Graeme: It's the perfect transfer, Diego Simeone will bring out the Scot's inner grit and the Ateli boss is famed for allowing his full-backs to wreak havoc in attack. The Madrid derby against his old pal Trent will be tasty too. Dundee boss Steven Pressley's comments about not being a winning gaffer didn't go down well with Dark Blues fans. But what should realistic expectations at Dens Park look like this season? Scott McD: Staying in the league is the priority. Losing key players like Lyall Cameron and Josh Mulligan is a blow but Dundee have the potential to challenge for the top six - then establish themselves in the top half of the table. If Pressley achieves that, he'll soon win over the punters. Craig Swan: Top-six. It's not easy, but it's a proper ambition to have with St Mirren and Kilmarnock getting in there recently. Michael: You've got to admire Pressley's straight talking and blunt honesty but he has hit work cut out winning over the punters. Dundee's aims should be the same as about half the Premiership – stay out of bother and try to sneak into the top six. Europe and runs in the cups would be a major success. Graeme: The new Dundee boss is one of the game's good guys but it is an appointment which feels fraught with danger. An early wobble and Pressley's honest remarks will be used against him. A clear vision and fewer relegation fears should be viewed as a success this season.
Daily Record
42 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Rangers boss took the hump over Cyriel Dessers question but the main man didn't dig me out
If Dessers goes, he'll be a big loss for Rangers and their new head coach Russell Martin Ten days he's been in the job as Rangers boss. And Russell Martin already has a major problem on his hands. Because if Cyriel Dessers completes a move to AEK Athens this week - the new Ibrox gaffer will immediately lose a guaranteed 25 goals from his team. That's not an ideal start for any manager. And along with everything else in his in-tray - replacing that strike rate will shoot to the top of Martin's priority list. If Dessers goes, he'll be a big loss for Rangers and their new head coach. And not just because he's banged in 51 goals in two years at Ibrox. The 30-year-old looks like he'l get Gers their money back if he heads for Greece, which on paper is decent business. But Martin - who is just in the door - won't know what he's letting go in terms of Dessers' character and personality. Hands up here, I've been critical of the big Nigerian international since he arrived in Glasgow. And despite the goals, my opinion hasn't changed. For Rangers to be winning titles, cups and competing in the Champions League - they need a better quality, first-pick number nine. Dessers still misses far too many clear-cut chances. If you're going to Parkhead for a crucial Old Firm derby in the Premiership or away from home in Europe, you might only get one golden opportunity in front of goal to win the game. For me, Dessers isn't clinical enough to take it. But you simply can't ignore his record at Ibrox in the two years he's been here. He's averaging 25 per campaign, which isn't to be sniffed at. Certainly not by an incoming manager. And impressive strikes against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Fenerbahce in the Europa League - and Celtic in a derby dead rubber at Ibrox recently - are proof that he's got ability. So if the club could keep him in Glasgow, while signing a top marksman for him to compete with for a place in the team - that would be the ideal scenario. Dessers is terrific at coming off the bench, as he proved a Feyenoord before he got to Rangers. So in a perfect world, Martin would surely want to keep him around? But finances look like dictating that won't be the case. And that's a blow for the gaffer. Because he'll now have to find a new striker where there isn't the certainty of goals that Dessers brings. But it's about more than that with him - and I've got a bit of personal experience of his character. A year ago, Rangers were in the Polish town of Lublin for their Champions League qualifier first-leg against Dynamo Kyiv. A few days earlier, they'd drawn 0-0 with Hearts at Tynecastle on the opening day of the Premiership season - and Dessers had been profligate at best. Rangers' flight to Poland was late - there were issues with food on the plane which held them up in Glasgow. When they eventually arrived for the pre-match press conference that night, gaffer Philippe Clement was already in a bad mood. With deadlines approaching, the travelling press pack just wanted a quick hit. So my question to Leon Balogun and Clement was - I thought, anyway - an easy tee up for both men. 'Cyriel missed a couple of chances at the weekend. But what makes you believe he's the guy who can score the goals to take Rangers into the Champions League group stage?' Easy enough, surely? A chance to big up their front-man before facing Kyiv. Instead, Clement bit back and took the hump. He thought I was having a pop at Dessers when I wasn't. He said it was a silly question and encouraged Balogun to give it short thrift as well. Fair enough, they'd had a long day. But of course, fans picked up on it and lined up to have a dig at yours truly online. After the game, Clement and I had a laugh about it and there was no issue. Because, with Rangers a goal down in injury time, who had popped up to grab the equaliser? It just had to be Dessers. While I took a ribbing in the press box, the keyboard warriors were rejoicing. Who could blame them? In their eyes, I had inadvertently criticised their much-maligned striker and he'd rammed it back down my throat by responding in the best way possible - by scoring a vital goal. And this is when my admiration and respect for Dessers grew. At full-time, of course it was him who was put up for interview by the club. There's no doubt Dessers would have known about the mini-furore at the presser 24 hours previously. So, after sticking one in the onion bag late on, he could easily have dug me out and had his say. But that's not Dessers' style. Instead, he was a gentleman. He answered every question, offering steely replies but with a real touch of class. His attitude that night showed he's got what it takes to be a Rangers player. While plenty of others in that Ibrox dressing-room lack the right mentality and personality to cope with the pressure and expectations at the club, Dessers is strong enough to take it on. Remember, this was a guy who was JEERED by those same supporters who were aghast at any flak he got from the media for missing chances when he got here. He could have crumbled at that point but he kept going to rattle in those 51 goals. That ability to brush off criticism and come back for more is a key attribute for any Old Firm player. Dessers has it in abundance. And aside from the goals Martin will be without if he's sold to AEK - it will be THAT the new gaffer might miss most when he goes.
