Rubezic not drawn on Aberdeen exit
Slobodan Rubezic admits "many people find my decision strange" to re-join Novi Pazar on loan, but the 24-year-old centre-half says he does not want to talk publicly about the personal issues that led to his surprise departure from Aberdeen. (National)Novi Pazar do not have the option to buy Rubezic, who has been dealing with matters outside of football, at the end of the defender's loan from Aberdeen this summer. (Record), external Read Saturday's Scottish gossip
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The National
37 minutes ago
- The National
Iwata in key Rodgers admission as reason for Celtic exit revealed
The midfielder completed a deadline day switch to the English third-tier outfit. Iwata has thrived in his first year south of the border, scoring eight goals and finding himself nominated for League One's Player of the Season award. Read more: He recently lifted the lid on his Celtic exit, admitting that he had no knowledge of Brendan Rodgers when he rejoined the club. "Manager Rodgers was a famous coach in Scotland, but I didn't know of him at all," Iwata told Soccer Digest Web. "At first, I wondered, 'What kind of person is he?' The team actually got going, and the football they were trying to play was interesting. "But there were some areas where I wasn't able to fully showcase myself. It was partly because there was an absolute player in Callum McGregor in the same position, but honestly, I feel like I could have done more. "For players in the front line, the numbers are clear, but my strengths are my one-on-one strengths and my ability to steal the ball. "At Celtic, it's difficult to show that. The teams that are overwhelmingly strong in Scotland always have the ball and take the lead. "I would take it positively that I was able to concentrate on the offensive side, but I can't show my strengths much and I don't get much playing time. "The level of the Scottish first division is a little lower than the top five European leagues, so I often felt that it was a difficult environment for me." The 28-year-old's lack of minutes, along with his family life, was a key factor in his exit: "I wasn't impatient, but more than that, I couldn't help but feel the regret that I, a soccer player, wasn't playing in the games," he said. "At that time, I had a very strong desire to play soccer. Seeing my wife taking care of our children in a foreign country where I was not familiar with them, cooking meals and doing housework, I couldn't help but feel the emotion. "Birmingham made me an offer as soon as the off-season began, and they patiently waited until August 31st, the final day for transfers. "I thought to myself, 'If they feel that way about me, I want to go,' and immediately packed my bags and headed for my new home. I didn't have any negative feelings about it being in the third division, and my biggest motivation at the time was wanting to show my family that I was working hard. "In addition, the manager, Chris Davies, had previously been a coach at Celtic and had recently been a coach under Ange at Tottenham. "The two managers had heard about me and offered me the position with confidence that we could work together, so I was able to go with peace of mind." Birmingham won League One last term, and Iwata will play his football in the Championship in the forthcoming 2025/26 season.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
I am Celtic player who hadn't heard of Brendan Rodgers and here's my reasons for struggling in 'lower' level Scotland
It was a rocky road for the midfielder in Glasgow's east end as he acted as Callum McGregor's understudy Former Celtic man Tomoki Iwata admits he hadn't even heard of Brendan Rodgers when the boss made his return to Parkhead. The revelation from the Birmingham City midfielder has emerged as he attempted to explain his struggles in the Scottish Premiership before his move to English League One. Iwata initially made a loan switch to Glasgow from Yokohama F Marinos under Ange Postecoglou in January 2023 - with the move becoming permanent that summer. However, ally Postecoglou would leave the Hoops for Tottenham that same summer for Tottenham after brining a Treble to Celtic Park. That would see Rodgers' come back to Celtic for his second spell in the dugout. Iwata, reflecting on his time in Scotland with Japanese outlet Soccer Digest Web said: "Manager Rodgers was a famous coach in Scotland, but I didn't know of him at all. "At first I wondered, 'What kind of person is he?' The team actually got going and the football they were trying to play was interesting. "But there were some areas where I wasn't able to fully showcase myself. It was partly because there was an absolute player in Callum McGregor in the same position, but honestly, I feel like I could have done more." While he watched Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi and Reo Hatate impress in Glasgow - but reckons the Hoops' didn't play to his strengths and the "lower" level of Scottish football didn't allow him to catch the eye. He said: "For players in the front line, the numbers are clear, but my strengths are my one-on-one strengths and my ability to steal the ball. "At Celtic, it's difficult to show that. The teams that are overwhelmingly strong in Scotland always have the ball and take the lead. "I would take it positively that I was able to concentrate on the offensive side, but I can't show my strengths much and I don't get many playing time. "The level of the Scottish first division is a little lower than the top five European leagues, so I often felt that it was a difficult environment for me." The Japan international admitted he wasn't sure if Birmingham City was the right move for him - but now hopes he can push them all the way to the Premier League. He said: "I wasn't impatient, but more than that, I couldn't help but feel the regret that I, a soccer player, wasn't playing in the games. "At that time, I had a very strong desire to play soccer. Seeing my wife taking care of our children in a foreign country where I was not familiar with them, cooking meals and doing housework, I couldn't help but feel the emotion. "Birmingham made me an offer as soon as the off-season began, and they patiently waited until August 31st, the final day for transfers. "I thought to myself, 'If they feel that way about me, I want to go,' and immediately packed my bags and headed for my new home. I didn't have any negative feelings about it being in the third division, and my biggest motivation at the time was wanting to show my family that I was working hard. "In addition, the manager, Chris Davies, had previously been a coach at Celtic and had recently been a coach under Ange at Tottenham. "The two managers had heard about me and offered me the position with confidence that we could work together, so I was able to go with peace of mind. I was also moved by the fact that "Birmingham was in a similar situation to when Oita Trinita, the club I grew up in, was relegated to J3. "They were originally a large club in the Premier League, but they had been relegated to the third division and were trying to climb back up. When they said, 'I want to go to the Premier League with you' I remembered the time when they had risen to J2 and J1." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic-bound star could be set for his first Scotland cap as Steve Clarke eyes late call up for Liechtenstein clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) STEVE CLARKE will turn to exiting Aberdeen goalkeeper Ryan Doohan to answer Scotland's goalkeeping SOS. Head coach Clarke's been left with an alarming gloves situation following rookie Cieran Slicker's blundering display as a sub in Friday night's crushing 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland at Hampden. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Ross Doohan could be set to make his Scotland debut Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Steve Clarke has a big decision to make Credit: Kenny Ramsay And now he's hoping the out of contract Doohan - poised to return to Celtic - can report at short notice for the flight for tomorrow's game against Liechtenstein in Vaduz. The 27-year-old played 18 games for Jimmy Thelin's Scottish Cup winners last season, standing in for Bulgarian Dimitar Mitov during injury absences. Doohan started his career with the Hoops but didn't manage the breakthrough before later playing for Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United, Tranmere and Forest Green. He signed for the Dons in July, 2023, and overall has had 20 matches. Doohan's last game was the 2-2 home draw against Rangers in April. With Craig Gordon, Zander Clark and Liam Kelly already sidelined, Clarke then lost Angus Gunn through injury after just several minutes while immediate back-up Robby McCrorie was crocked in the warm-up. It forced Clarke to throw on Ipswich Town third choice Slicker who has never played a league match in his career and has managed a meagre five starts over his six years as a pro, three of them at Rochdale two seasons ago. It proved a horrible experience for the 22-year-old - at fault for all three goals and shaky in-between times before trudging off at full-time looking shattered. Eighteen-year-old Bournemouth fringe keeper Callan McKenna - signed from Queen's Park 16 months ago for £300,000 - is the only other fit shot-stopper in the squad. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd Scotland youth McKenna, who made his debut for the Spiders at 16 and made nine appearances, has been on the bench for the Premier League Cherries at various times without playing. SunSport understands a Scotland cap would earn his former club a stunning six-figure bonus as part of the transfer agreement with the South Coast outfit. McKenna will be on the plane for Vaduz. Meanwhile, Craig Levein has confessed he's concerned over Scotland's looming goalkeeping crisis. And the former Scotland boss is just as worried over our World Cup qualifying prospects after watching stand-in keeper Slicker's calamitous display in Friday night's defeat. Levein - helping to promote a Walking Football Scotland event - told Sky Sports: 'Angus got injured last night after about 60 or 90 seconds, whatever it was. 'Craig Gordon's not fit and Liam Kelly's injured. 'It is a slight worry that Craig Gordon, in my opinion, is probably our best goalkeeper - and he's 42. How they rated Angus Gunn - Came for a cross in the first minute but crumpled with an ankle problem so was unable to continue. Terrible timing given he is without a club having left Norwich. 1 Max Johnston - Given his chance on the right hand side and made a positive impact. Will be disappointed he didn't make more of a back post chance to score. A decent start. 6 John Souttar - Showed great strength inside the box to hold off his marker and head home Max Johnston's wicked corner. Will be furious at the goals Scotland lost. 5 Grant Hanley - Tried to show Andri Gudjohnsen inside after Cieran Slicker's poor kick but ended up with egg on his face as he whipped it into the top corner from 25 yards. Grim night. 4 Kieran Tierney - 50th cap and a poor occasion to hit that milestone. Matched Albert Gudmindsson's runs all night before going off for debut man Lennon Miller in the closing stages. 5 Andy Robertson - Bombed up and down the left flank as he usually does but final balls were lacking the precision to really hurt Iceland. Skipper has to drag Scotland's defence out of this rot. 5 John McGinn - Patrolled the middle of the park as he usually does but nothing really came off for him high up the pitch. Scotland will need him refreshed and flying in September. 5 Billy Gilmour - Did precisely what you expect from him now. Kept possession and the ball ticking over as the link man all over the pitch. Below his best like so many. 5 Lewis Ferguson - Didn't know much about it at the own goal which put Iceland back in front. Unlucky as a comedy pinball moment saw the ball crack off him and squirm past Cieran Slicker. 5 Scott McTominay - Started on the left of midfield, tasked with supporting George Hirst. Few flashes of what he can do but a big game player so he keeps the real heroics for when it counts. 5 George Hirst - Missed an early header then denied his first Scotland goal by two great saves from the Iceland goalie then an offside call after scoring. Showed he's got some promise. 6 Subs: Cieran Slicker (Gunn 6) - Debut didn't go to plan, that's for sure. Poor kick for the opener, flailing at the second, even worse at the third. Difficult not to feel sorry for him at times. 2 Lennon Miller (Tierney 67) - First cap. 3 Scott McKenna (Hanley 67) - Shored it up a bit late on. 3 Che Adams (Hirst 67) - No chances. 3 Nathan Patterson (Johnston 79) - Replaced Johnston. 2 Tommy Conway (McTominay 79) - On for McTominay. 2 'It's something that I'm pretty sure Steve's looking at. 'It's not like a club team where you can go and buy another goalkeeper. 'So that's the difficulty. 'We have to hope that one of the goalkeepers improves enormously in the short term, which is difficult.' Scotland open up their World Cup qualifying bid against Denmark in Copenhagen in September and on our current form Levein added: 'You can't run away from it and say it's not a worry. 'It obviously is. 'And you could tell by the players after the match and the manager as well that they were extremely disappointed in the performance. 'But, honestly, it was one of those games that everything went wrong right from the very start. 'They just couldn't get it back. 'It was a really, really poor performance. 'Looking at two friendly matches at the end of the season and basing your concerns on that, I think, is not valid. 'But the fact there has been previous losses that haven't been great performances at all, that would give you a little bit more concern.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
