'Don't write St Johnstone off just yet'
As Lenny Kravitz's hit song It Ain't Over Til It's Over played loudly at the end of St Johnstone's win against Ross County on Saturday, it struck me – for perhaps the first time this year – that maybe there's still a chance of top-flight survival.It was genuinely encouraging to witness the collective spirit between the players and the fans regarding the team's current situation. It seems like everyone is finally on the same page. Hopefully, this unified effort won't be too late to make a difference.The match was nerve-wracking, especially with County's disallowed goal. Perhaps that was the bit of luck that teams often feel they are missing.However, this feels like just the initial step. The team still needs two wins in the remaining two games, along with a couple of County slip-ups. While the outcome remains uncertain, history suggests that betting against St Johnstone isn't necessarily a wise choice.Sam Miller can be found at Dogger Saints., external
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Belfast Telegraph
33 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Trai Hume expects in-demand Ronan Hale to shine on the international stage
Former Cliftonville hero Hale can reflect on a strong season with Ross County even though his side lost their Scottish Premiership status. Clubs in England and Scotland are now competing for the 26-year-old's signature after an impressive debut season with the Staggies. The Belfast Telegraph disclosed that League One sides Wigan Athletic, Luton Town and Port Vale are keen on the striker, while he is also a target for Scottish Premiership teams Aberdeen and Dundee. Hale is with the Northern Ireland squad preparing for Saturday's friendly in Denmark and he hopes to make his senior international bow over this June double header. Michael O'Neill's side face Iceland at Windsor Park next Tuesday after taking on the Danes. Dangerman Hale was disappointed not to play in the March friendlies, after going through a protracted Fifa process to complete an international transfer from the Republic of Ireland, however this could be the perfect time to showcase his talent with a potential summer switch on the horizon. Hale hit a hugely impressive 18 goals for Ross County in the 2024/25 campaign following last summer's move from Cliftonville. Despite his heroics, which included netting twice in the end-of-season promotion/relegation Play-Off against Livingston, County still went down. The Staggies will be aware they won't be able to keep their top marksman and will look for a healthy fee for a player who signed a three-year deal in 2024. The Belfast man has proved he can deliver in the Scottish Premiership and Sunderland star Hume believes the former Larne, Crusaders and Derry City striker can fire in this international window. 'Yeah, definitely,' said Hume when asked if this was a perfect opportunity for Hale to show what he can do. 'Ronan has done very well with County. His club were relegated but it was a great season for him personally. 'He has scored a lot of goals and hopefully he can get his debut — that is a call for Michael and his coaching staff. 'I have no doubt that if he does get his chance, he will take it with both hands and do well. Ronan is a great player and goal scorer.' While Hale's immediate future is up in the air, Hume has moved to allay the fears of Sunderland fans that he may be about to jump ship. The former Linfield defender has seen his name linked with Everton and Wolves, and speculation over his future is a familiar tale for the 23-year-old. While interest in the player is to be expected, what hasn't changed is Hume's affection for the Black Cats. That relationship is closer than ever after Hume and his international comrade Daniel Ballard helped Sunderland earn promotion in dramatic fashion. Ballard scored a 122nd-minute winner in the second leg of their Play-Off semi-final against Coventry City before Tommy Watson's stoppage-time goal completed a come-from-behind win over Sheffield United at Wembley. Hume and Ballard spoke during a training camp in Marbella this week, with both men sporting winning smiles. The dynamic duo will join Liverpool's Conor Bradley and Crystal Palace FA Cup winner Justin Devenny in the top flight, while Tottenham's Jamie Donley has returned from his loan at Leyton Orient. O'Neill has spoken of the importance of his players competing at a high level and Hume, who joined Sunderland from Linfield in 2022, is convinced his country will reap the benefits. 'It's not in any doubt that when you are exposing yourself to the best League in the world, it will help you,' said Hume. 'You want to try your best to do well there. You can become a better player because of it. "Myself and Dan are still young. Conor and Justin are still young and hopefully we can have many years in the Premier League and that will benefit ourselves and Northern Ireland going forward. 'I have no doubt there are other players in the squad that can get themselves in the Premier League but it is us four at the minute and hopefully we can push the lads and bring them up to the standard that we will set.' O'Neill's side will face Luxembourg, Germany and Slovakia in their bid to reach a first World Cup since 1986. There is a sense of anticipation and excitement around this young team the former Stoke City boss is building. Hume is the new promotion king — after firing Northern Ireland into League B in the Nations League, he helped to steer Sunderland to the Premier League. Team spirit and togetherness matters at club and international level. 'I think it's obviously a wee bit different to a point because you spend basically every day of your life with each other at Sunderland,' he explained. 'You're with each other every day, when you're training and whenever you're outside of football, most of the time you're spending it with your team-mates as well, unless you've got kids. 'But for me, that's what I do, and you get really close with them. International football is kind of different. You've obviously grown up with a lot of people in the squad, so you kind of get that friendship and that bond very early on. 'So it is similar in a way. Obviously, Sunderland have a great togetherness as everyone's around the same age. 'But we have a great togetherness here too and I think that can take you very far no matter where you're playing. So as long as you have that, you're putting yourself in good stead. 'Whenever we do go through tough times or we are enjoying it, we keep a level head and try and stick to the job at hand and stay together.' In March, Northern Ireland drew 1-1 with Switzerland before crashing to a 5-1 loss to Sweden. The former Ballymena United defender played against Switzerland but not the Swedes. O'Neill's side begin their bid to qualify for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico with an away game against Luxembourg in September before travelling to four-time world Champions Germany. A clash in Denmark will shine a light on the team's resilience on the road. Players like Hume and Ballard have developed a big game mentality. 'Yes, I think it will help us deal with the atmosphere a bit better,' continued Hume. 'Obviously, the calibre of players will be a lot different. I think we will try our best to deal with that. 'I think the big games you do play in, you get used to the emotion of it and the challenge of playing in front of the crowd and not getting caught up in the emotion of the game. 'Germany is definitely going to be a lot different than Sheffield United. Like I say, we will just have to try our best to be ready and be focused for it. 'Whenever we were here (Denmark) two years ago, we almost got a point out of it if it wasn't for VAR, so I think we can give Denmark a good challenge here and hopefully we will win the game.'
Daily Mail
35 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Sarina Wiegman defends England's build-up to Euro 2025 and insists her Lionesses have 'moved on' after string of key players withdraw before the tournament
Sarina Wiegman insists England's Euro 2025 preparations are not being undermined by a crisis as she sought to move on from the most challenging week of her reign. The women's head coach revealed the 23 names she will take to Switzerland next month to defend the title they famously won three years ago but the atmosphere around St George's Park is considerably different now to how it was back then. Aside from seeing England lose 2-1 in Spain on Tuesday, Wiegman has had to contend with the unexpected retirements of goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby, as well the withdrawal of defender Millie Bright – they have all been huge characters in the Dutchwoman's four-year reign. This has been a remarkable narrative and while Wiegman bristled when the comparison was made, you did not have to think too hard about what the reaction would be like if, for example, Jordan Pickford, Jack Grealish and John Stones made similar decisions before a men's tournament. What could Wiegman say, then, to show that the events of the last seven days have not left an indelible mark on confidence and planning? 'That is not the case,' she insisted. 'We know what is happening in the team. I think – and hope – there is competition going on in the team. I feel very comfortable. I'm very happy with the team and I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to it. For me, it doesn't feel like a crisis at all.' Perhaps but the only way she will be able to prove that emphatically is through what her team do on the pitch; they face Jamaica on June 29 before starting what appears to be a 'Group of Death' against France on July 5 in Zurich; The Netherlands and Wales are their other opponents. It was clear to see Wiegman would love nothing more than to talk about the future – 'can we talk about the players that are here?' she asked at one stage – but it's very hard to do when figures as big as Earps, Kirby and Bright are suddenly no longer available. Earps, of the three, raises the biggest eyebrow. Wiegman, theoretically, could still call her into the squad, as UEFA have a clause that allows goalkeepers injured in the tournament to be replaced but it won't happen, as the pair haven't spoken since the 32-year-old went public with her decision. Plenty believe Earps made her decision from a fit of pique, given that Wiegman had made it clear to the PSG keeper she was no longer first choice, that role having gone to Chelsea's Hannah Hampton. You also wonder why a player would retire, as being an international is the ultimate recognition. 'There were no calls (with Earps) – that is done now,' said Wiegman. 'There are two different situations and it is sad they are not in the team. I will always cherish what we have had we had such an incredible journey. But as this moment, we have moved on. 'You have to look at every individual situation. Some will say 'ok, I've had such an incredible time but it's time to move on.' That is what we hope – there is a natural progression and transition within the group. It's up the players to make the decision themselves.'
Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
CHRIS SUTTON: People were underwhelmed when Ange arrived in Glasgow, too... and look how that ended up!
The response to Rangers choosing Russell Martin to lead them into their new future has been underwhelming, and I get it in a way. It was between him and Ancelotti. When I first saw the latter linked, I thought, 'Jesus! Carlo?' But, no, it was his son, Davide, who's never managed before. Maybe there was a fantasist element among the Rangers fanbase who worked themselves up into a frenzy over that surname, therefore, and now they're disappointed that they've been left with Martin. But he deserves a fair crack at showing what he can do with this opportunity. There was a similar reaction when Celtic appointed Ange Postecoglou, remember. The jibes started as soon as he was announced. 'They've brought in an Australian bloke who's just been working in Japan,' and all that. But Postecoglou didn't turn out to be too bad, did he? Martin has a similar philosophy to him, too. Rangers might actually try to play football for the first time in goodness knows how many years, and the fans might grow to like his purist style if they give it a chance after the direct approach they witnessed under Philippe Clement. Martin deserves that leeway at the very least. Yes, we all know how badly it went with Southampton in the Premier League last season, but then he got them out of the Championship before that and did it in style. Rangers fans may see his win record in charge of MK Dons and Swansea and reckon they should be aiming for a higher calibre of manager. I say judge him on what he does next, not what he did before. Recruitment will be key for him. Making sure Nicolas Raskin stays would help, too. Last season, Rangers did well in their head-to-heads with Celtic. Yet they still ended up 17 points behind their great rivals in the Premiership. That wasn't where they threw away any chance at the title. It was in their other games. Now Martin needs to find that consistency which will hopefully get the fans on his side. I suspect they would have had an issue with whoever was appointed. That's the nature of football fandom. But let's judge Martin on how he does, not before he's even been shown where his office is at the training ground.
