Cliftonville will only think of Shamrock Rovers if we get through, maintains Shea Gordon
Jim Magilton's men will earn a clash with the League of Ireland Premier Division leaders if they overcome St Joseph's in their Uefa Conference League qualifier.
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Scottish Sun
19 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Russell Martin backed by American owners will pip ‘weaker' Celtic and restore Rangers to title glory
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAKING predictions for the Premiership with a month of the transfer window to go isn't easy. There have been massive changes across the league already this summer but the Old Firm especially still have major business to do. 4 Djeidi Gassama has made an instant impact at the Gers Credit: Getty 4 Benjamin Nygren is expected to be a big player for Celtic Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Lawrence Shankland could be key for Hearts Credit: Kenny Ramsay The outcome of a close title race could be influenced by what happens with signings over the next four weeks. But I'll stick my neck on the line right now and say Rangers will win the Premiership. My Celtic friends out there will say I'm bound to get it right one day if I keep tipping my old club! Yet this properly feels like a new era at Rangers — with fresh ideas under the American owners and Russell Martin. It's going to be tough and you can't argue with Celtic starting the season as favourites to win a fifth successive title. But right now, they are weaker than they were last season and while you could say the same about Rangers, Martin's squad is getting stronger all the time. Mikey Moore was the latest arrival on Friday. I wouldn't expect too much too soon from the Spurs kid, but it's another attacking option. With Djeidi Gassama hitting the ground running and Thelo Aasgaard arriving with a big reputation, Rangers will be strong offensively. Yes, Hamza Igamane looks to be heading out and there is uncertainty over the future of Cyriel Dessers but Martin — backed by Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers — will not be left short if one or two do go. Rangers transfer special as Russell Martin eyes THREE wingers, Coady latest and Dowell future Across the city, Brendan Rodgers is now at the stage of the transfer window where he's making a public appeal for players. In Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren, Celtic have made two top signings. But the manager wants more and you can sense a bit of concern among the fanbase. With Jota injured, Nicolas Kuhn gone and Rodgers still asking for a Kyogo Furuhashi replacement, Celtic look short in attack. The uncertainty over the manager's future won't help matters as he enters the final 12 months of his contract. Then you have the Daizen Maeda situation, with that new contract still not signed months after it was put on the table. There is no doubt the Japanese striker will be a target for English and European clubs. At 27, he is at the stage where his next deal will be the biggest of his career. It wouldn't surprise me if Celtic got a massive bid for Maeda before the window shuts and I'm not sure they would turn it down. The same goes for Rangers and Nico Raskin, another player who will be attracting major interest. Cavenagh and the Ibrox board have made it clear a strong player-trading model is at the core of their plan. 4 That might mean cashing in on Raskin this summer and while he would be a loss, Celtic would miss Maeda a whole lot more. Whatever happens, I can't see Rodgers' side running away with the title like they have in the recent past. Martin hasn't wasted time in building foundations and with a few more additions Rangers will be strong title contenders. Below the Old Firm, I don't see anyone beating Hearts to third place under Derek McInnes. With Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics on board, the Tynecastle club have long-term ambitions of winning the league. That won't happen this season but they could surprise a lot of people after a summer of shrewd recruitment. From Stuart Findlay to Claudio Braga, Hearts' signings have been excellent. Keeping Lawrence Shankland was also crucial. In McInnes, they also have a manager who knows Scottish football inside out and they will finish third. Hibs will be up there battling with their Edinburgh rivals and I would expect another strong season from David Gray's men as they continue to progress. Then come Aberdeen and it will be fascinating to see if Jimmy Thelin can build on the Scottish Cup win. I have been critical of the Dons' signing policy and with European football to deal with, they still look a bit short. St Mirren have been top-six regulars in recent years and I don't see that changing. Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keeping hold of boss Stephen Robinson amid all the interest in him was a major coup and I fully expect them to have another strong season. Dundee United produced two solid European performances as they booked a Conference League tie with Rapid Vienna. Jim Goodwin clearly believes that you get better value signing players from outwith Scotland and I find that alarming. But he is doing a good job at Tannadice and you would expect them to battle St Mirren for that sixth place. Then there is a pack of four clubs who probably won't bother the top six — but should be safe of automatic relegation. Kilmarnock are among them. They have lost key players but Stuart Kettlewell is a sensible appointment and they will be fine. Falkirk have momentum after back-to-back promotions and are good to watch. They will find it much tougher, but they should have enough to steer clear of danger. The same goes for Livingston but I would have more concerns over Motherwell and the potential for them to get dragged into the play-off. As for relegation, I can't see past Dundee as things stand. I didn't agree with the sacking of Tony Docherty and they have since lost an entire team. They should have obliterated their League Cup group but instead failed to qualify. Docherty's replacement Steven Pressley is already under pressure from the Dundee fans and I fear things won't get much better for them. It all starts this weekend, with four games live on Sky Sports and all the best coverage in The Scottish Sun. As usual, there will be drama and chaos — and I can't wait for it. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BreakingNews.ie
20 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
League of Ireland: Cork City beat Galway United, Bohemians lose to Drogheda
Cork City have beaten Galway United 1-0 in their Friday evening League of Ireland clash at Turner's Cross. Joshua Fitzpatrick scored the only goal of the game in the fifth minute of the match, claiming Cork's first win since April. Advertisement Elsewhere, Drogheda United have beaten Bohemians by 1-0. Josh Thomas broke the 86-minute long dead lock and scored the game's only goal. Despite Bohemian's having over 70 per cent possession, they could not convert any chances, and they failed to close the gap on Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table to four points. FT: Bohemians 0-1 Drogheda United Three points in Dalymount Park 👊 — Drogheda United F.C. (@DroghedaUnited) August 1, 2025 Shamrock Rovers are still top of the league table after Friday evening's games with 49 points. Bohemians are in second place on 42, with both Derry City and Drogheda United following closely behind on 41 apiece. Shelbourne are in fifth place on 35, and they will go up against Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening. On Sunday, Waterford will face St Pat's and league-leaders Shamrock Rovers will take on Derry City.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Joe Rothwell knows Rangers have a target on their backs as he plans to put on a show for those taking aim
Russell Martin starts life in the Scottish Premiership away to Motherwell on Saturday and Rothwell wants to make a statement Joe Rothwell says everyone wants to beat Russell Martin's new-look Rangers - but insists they're ready to get off to a Premiership flyer against Motherwell. The Ibrox midfielder has already helped the club navigate a difficult C hampions League qualifying tie against Panathinaikos. And now he's gearing up for their league opener at Fir Park on Saturday night. Rothwell expects it to be frantic in Lanarkshire with The Steelmen out to spoil Gers' Premiership start. But the 30-year-old - who arrived from Bournemouth this summer - is adamant that Martin's men can compete with Celtic for the title. Rothwell said: 'The need for a fast start in the league doesn't have to be emphasised to us. 'As players, we know it's massive. We want to get off to a winning start and we're ready to go. 'It's going to be fast and erratic at the start of the game but it's down to us to take control and build momentum as quickly as we can. 'Everyone is going to want to beat us so we want to put on a show. 'It's a result-based business and we're going there on Saturday to win. 'Ultimately, winning the title is what everyone wants to do. But we can't get ahead of ourselves. 'Winning breeds confidence so Saturday is huge for us. Hopefully we can go there and get the three points.' Rothwell admits it's been a shock to the system, coming to Ibrox from English football. There was huge pressure on the Panathinaikos tie, with Rangers now facing Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen as they attempt to reach the Champions League group phase. But Rothwell says that's why he joined the club. He said: 'We're trying to implement a new style here and we're doing it with less training because there are so many games. 'So to come through the European tie and get the result we wanted was massive. 'It's a bit strange playing European games before the actual season has started. 'But it has given us a chance to put things we've worked on into practice. 'I said when I arrived that European football was a massive pull for me and we've now given ourselves a chance to get to the Champions League, which is what we want. 'We're guaranteed group stage football now which is great for us.' Rothwell is used to playing for a big club having helped Leeds United win the Championship in England last term. He's loved playing in front of the Rangers support so far and hopes his experience of winning at Elland Road can help him at Ibrox. He said: 'The fans are going to be key for us all season. We could hear them up in the stands in Athens the other night. 'It's another away game on Saturday so I'm sure they'll be loud there too. 'Both Rangers and Leeds are massive clubs but obviously playing European games here is different to being in the Championship. 'Last season was a great experience for me and it was part of the manager's reasoning for getting me here.'
