Race for Europe goes to the wire in blockbuster finale to Premiership
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Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Rangers ‘want' defender, Celtic name main target, Hearts starlet in demand
Scottish transfer news from Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Dundee and beyond this Tuesday morning. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Here are the top Scottish transfer headlines, rumours and gossip on Tuesday morning, with the latest news from Rangers, Hearts, Dundee and beyond. Celtic teenager Colby Donovan is in demand this summer. | SNS Group Duo chase Celtic teen Celtic youngster Colby Donovan has emerged as a potential target for two clubs this summer, with the 18-year-old likely to leave the club on loan. According to a report from the Daily Record, the defender is being eyed by both Dundee and Ayr United this month, with the former believed to have already opened talks with Celtic over a deal for the player. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Dens Park outfit are keen on signing the full-back for the season after an impressive spell playing for the Hoops' B-team, and Donovan is ready to step up to the challenge of playing regular Scottish Premiership football. However, Scott Brown's side may look to challenge the Dark Blues due to their cooperation agreement with the Scottish champions. Hearts manager Derek McInnes is facing a battle to hang onto star youngster Keir McMeekin. | SNS Group Hearts starlet in demand English Premier League outfit Brighton are reported to be keeping tabs on Scotland under-16 starlet Keir McMeekin, with Hearts potentially set to face a battle to hang onto the talented young midfielder. The highly-rated 15-year-old was involved in the first team towards the end of the season, and is courting interest from the Seagulls, though the Tynecastle hierarchy hope he can follow in the footsteps of striker James Wilson, who broke into the first team last year. "Not every boy is going to get exposed to a Premiership first-team environment, at 16, 17, 18, like James is, so the club cooperation agreements, I think, will be really good for that as well," academy coach Angus Beith said in an exclusive interview with the Hearts Standard. "They can still play for the 19s or the B team, as it is for us, but they're getting that early exposure as well to men's football, with a club that we've got a partnership with, and we're in dialogue with all the time, which I think will be a really good step.' The Daily Record claims Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Manchester United have also been scouting McMeekin, with the youngster unable to sign professional forms in Scotland until next year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rangers target Dor Turgeman looks set to move to the MLS this summer. | Getty Images Rangers hopes ended Rangers' hopes of adding Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Dor Turgeman to their frontline this summer appear to be over, with the Israeli closing in on a move to the MLS with New England Revolution. The 21-year-old has been touted with a move to Ibrox throughout the summer, with Gers head coach Russell Martin keen on bringing him to the club after he scored 19 goals in all competitions at the Bloomfield Stadium last season. However, any chance of a transfer now seems to have been extinguished after Sky Sports' Luca Bendon i revealed that Turgeman was 'on the verge' of a move to American outfit New England Revolution, after they struck up a deal worth around £4.4million plus addons, and a 25 per cent sell-on clause. Further reports add that the striker is set to fly to Greater Boston to undergo a medical with the club. Meanwhile, Rangers left-back Ridvan Yilmaz is close to leaving Govan this summer, with a report from Sporx stating that his former club Besiktas has made him their priority this summer, with the Turkish side set to open talks on a deal for the defender this week. Celtic are long-term admirers of Belgian winger Michel Ange-Balikwisha. | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images Celtic name main target Celtic have been tipped to complete a move for long-term transfer target Michel Ange-Balikwisha, according to a report from the Scottish Sun. The Royal Antwerp winger has been a target for head coach Brendan Rodgers since January, though the Scottish champions have been unable to strike a deal for the Belgian, who is in the final year of his contract at the Bosuil Stadion, and is valued at around £5million. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rodgers is keen to strengthen his wide positions, having sold Nicolas Kuhn to FC Como in a deal worth £18million earlier this summer, with Balikwisha thought to be high on his list of possible replacements for the German. Reports recently claimed a move for the 24-year-old could be dictated by the club's participation in the Champions League, though the report said: 'The amount of texts I got about is Balikwisha signing, and speaking to people who are adamant Celtic have secured a deal for a winger. I don't know who it is, whether that's true or not; time will tell.' In contrast, it has also been reported that Celtic view Go Ahead Eagles star Jakob Breum as their main transfer target heading into the final days of the window. Journalist Pete O'Rourke claims that the Hoops have had 'multiple' bids rebuffed, but will continue to pursue the 21-year-old as the deadline draws closer. Rangers 'want' to sign Anass Salah-Eddine this summer. | ANP/AFP via Getty Images Rangers 'want' defender Rangers are said to have revived their interest in AS Roma defender Anass Salah-Eddine, according to reports in the Italian media. The Ibrox club are set to lose Jefte in a £5million switch to Palmerias this week, and have identified the 23-year-old as a replacement for the Brazilian. A target for the club last summer prior to his loan move to FC Twente, the Dutch left-back only moved to the Italian capital in January but featured just three times in the Serie A and could be available for a transfer before the window shuts.
BBC News
3 hours ago
- BBC News
Bangor FC: Seasiders' success steered by selfless supporters
Financial turmoil, multiple relegations, and even exiting senior football entirely - Bangor FC have seen it all since they last played in Northern Ireland's top a proud history that includes competing in Europe and a 1993 Irish Cup triumph to their name, the future of the club at one point looked bleak during their 16-year absence from the top division, as attendances at matches started to forward to 2025, and a new era of hope, as more than 1,800 fans crammed into a packed Clandeboye Park to see the club's first Irish Premiership match since 2009.A 3-1 win over Cliftonville - and the scenes of delirium it inspired amongst the raucous home fans in yellow and blue - was more than just three points; it was testament to the club's slow, arduous climb back up the football pyramid and the tireless work of an army of volunteers behind the scenes. On Tuesday night, the fans will flock to Bangor's second home game of the season, against Crusaders, hoping for a repeat performance.A director on the board, Melissa Gibbons, said she's been officially involved with the club for about a year, but her unofficial association goes way back."My family and I have supported Bangor for as long as I can remember," she said."My brother plays for the reserves and my dad has been coming to games for years, so really it's been a lifelong connection for us."Unlike the vast resources available to teams in the Premier League - and even in lower-league football in the rest of the UK - a club like Bangor relies on the sweat of gives a huge amount of credit for the club's resurgence to those who have given up their free time to pitch in."We have so many fantastic volunteers, and every single one is vital, no matter what role they fulfil on match days," she said. "From running the tuck shop to the stewards, the people helping with the kits, or working the turnstiles - everyone plays their part." That includes people like Gary Shufflebottom, a turnstile operator at Clandeboye Park for the past four huge crowds stream through the gates for the first home game of the season was a really special moment, he said, especially after seeing the club drop down to the Ballymena and Provincial Football League in 2017."Every season you'd go down thinking, this couldn't get any worse - and then, of course, it did get worse when we were relegated again," Gary said."But to be here now, seeing the buzz back around the place, it's just unbelievable."Gary said with things improving both on and off the pitch in recent years, he's seen crowds continue to grow first hand. Stephen McCullough bought his first Bangor FC season ticket in the 1980s and has been hooked ever his passion for the club stretches beyond the terraces - he works as the club's safeguarding officer, sits on the youth committee and even helps on the turnstiles when said following Bangor has been "an emotional rollercoaster" but one that comes with huge pride for the club and his home city. "When I first started, we weren't great," he recalled. "But then we had that amazing spell in the late '80s and early '90s."If you'd asked me seven or eight years ago whether we'd ever see that again, I wouldn't have believed you, but now, we've got that special feeling back. "Obviously, there's still work to do but it's great to be back competing with the big boys again." The scenes at celebration at Clandeboye on the opening game of the season were captured by volunteer club photographer Jordon Connolly, who said seeing so many smiling faces was proof the "feel-good factor is back". "We've always been a well-supported side, even down the leagues, but to see people turning out in their droves to back their local side is fantastic," he earliest memories of following the club in the lower leagues often involved typing "obscure grounds" into a sat-nav and setting off, never quite sure where they would end up."Now we're back playing at big stadiums like the Oval and Windsor Park - and it's so encouraging to be back competing at that level again." Back in business, battling to stay Fan and business owner Cameron McKay, who regularly sponsors players and match balls, said Bangor's return to the top flight is a huge boost for the city."The club is at the heart of the community, and its growth in recent years has been fantastic for the whole area."So much credit must go to the board, the players, manager Lee Feeney, and everyone working behind the scenes."The turnaround is phenomenal - and it's not just the men's team benefiting. "The whole club is thriving, with the women and youth sides going from strength-to-strength as well." Despite an encouraging start to the season, with a win over Cliftonville and a narrow defeat away to Glentoran, Cameron said this year's ambition remains simple."Stay in the league - just stay in the league."
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin reassures his concerned mum he can handle the heat at Rangers
Gers boss admits mum Kerry worries about all the negativity but he's looking on the Ibrox bright side It's taken Russell Martin just eight weeks to learn that lately at Ibrox, glasses haven't been so much half empty as bone dry. The wells of optimism that were filled by the club's summer takeover have already seeped away on the back of a stuttering start to the Premiership campaign and a string of underwhelming displays. And yet, here Martin and his men stand just 180 minutes away from toasting a place in European football's top tournament and a £40million payday. You'd hardly know it given some of the pessimistic groans that have been rumbling around Ibrox in recent days. The negativity surrounding his team has been almost impossible for the Rangers boss to ignore. Jeez, he's even his mum Kerry on the phone to check if he was OK. Thankfully for Mrs Martin, her boy is coping just fine. While others around him might be struggling to see the bright side, the Ibrox gaffer is drinking from a glass that is brimming with excitement at the possibilities ahead. 'I think you have to roll the punches here for sure,' said Martin ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League shootout with Club Brugge. 'We understand we were going to have a bit of pain to go through - but we have to win while we're going through some pain. So we're into this round which is a huge opportunity to qualify for one of the best competitions in world football. "I really hope that we give the lads enough belief that we can do it. I know the supporters will definitely do their bit for the team. It could be a really brilliant night. "When you come to this club, you have a chance to have experiences and moments you just don't get at any other football club, and tomorrow night can be another night like that. 'I spoke to the players this week about the fact they have to enjoy it. They have to play with a bit more joy here at Ibrox because it can be so special. There's still a bit of tension at times now. 'Our job is to give them enough clarity and consistency that they can actually enjoy playing for this football club and enjoy moments like that, because it should be one of the best opportunities and times of your career. 'Of course it can be tough at times and all that stuff, but seize the opportunity you have whilst you're here. 'I think you have moments of joy when you're hungry, when you hunt the ball, when you run for each other, and you look around and your mate wants to take the ball, and you look after each other with the ball, and if there's a fight to be had, you fight together. 'So find joy in all of that. Enjoy the moment of playing in front of the 52,000. It's not easy. It's not easy as a footballer. It's sometimes really difficult. 'Our job is to give them enough clarity that they know exactly what they're doing, with and without the ball. And then the moments of enjoyment come from giving it absolutely everything you've got and celebrating even the small moments together. "If someone does their job, let them know, and look after each other a bit more. Everyone enjoys winning, of course. 'No-one enjoys losing. I'm just talking about enjoying setting foot in the building every day when you play for this football club when you know how much it means to so many people. 'I have a lot of people message me who read message boards and stuff who are concerned about me, and they just don't have to be. So I keep telling my mum 'don't worry about it, it's all good. I'm enjoying it!' 'I appreciate the honour of managing this club every day and the gratitude I feel for that. So let's have that in the building. 'So many of the staff here support the club but I think they've lost a bit of joy of working here. 'So let's get back to that. Let's understand how big this is and how brilliant it could be, and focus on what we can control and that is playing with so much energy tomorrow and really feeding off it.' Martin is trying to paint a rosy picture for his players but that's not to say he doesn't accept the image fans have of his team is far from flattering. He said: 'I just think all the time we have to talk about opportunity and seize it and the opportunities you have at this football club. 'So, I think when I talk about positivity and all that, I'm not sitting there going, 'it's all great'. It's not that false positivity that's just not realistic. 'We're realistic. We have to improve in so many areas. 'But let's look at the opportunities that are ahead of us and think about what it could look like in a month's time, in a week's time.' Six weeks have passed since Gers had a sneak peek at tonight's opponents when they hosted Brugge in a 2-2 Ibrox friendly. It provided Martin with an early reminder of the exalting standards expected of his team when they were booed off having fallen two down at the break. Gers rallied in the second half to avoid defeat but Martin admits that encounter won't have much relevance ahead of tonight's showdown. He said: 'I think both teams look very different already. "There's a few patterns we definitely looked at over the last few days that have been consistent in their games so far. 'But personnel are different. The circumstances are different. The atmosphere is going to be very different. 'So, I think it's very hard to read too much into that, for sure. 'We're a very different team now in terms of personnel as well. So no, we've watched a lot of their recent games rather than our friendly game. 'But, of course, we've looked at a few things from it.'
