How should Celtic address Rodgers' contract situation?
Brendan Rodgers' contract situation at Celtic has been a subject again in our daily gossip column.Former manager Martin O'Neill says he would be "really surprised" if Rodgers does not add to the 12 months remaining on his deal, but what do you think?Although the 2024-25 season ended on a sour note following the Scottish Cup final defeat to Aberdeen, another Premiership triumph and a League Cup win added to Rodgers' stellar record at Celtic.With just a year remaining on the current boss' deal, should the Parkhead hierarchy be urgently addressing the 52-year-old's contract to prevent any discussion becoming a distraction next season?Or perhaps you feel it is still too early to get Rodgers to commit to a new deal? Maybe you think the end of next term presents the right time for the manager to end his second spell at the club?Send us your thoughts
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BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
What now for Scotland as Clarke enters final chapter?
Three hundred and sixty five long days ago, Steve Clarke's Scotland strode out at Hampden Park, their last auf Wiedersehen before they went off to give Germany, Switzerland and Hungary what for at Euro 2024. By the time they finished their farewell on the back of an uninspiring - and at times chaotic - 2-2 draw, those in the stands could probably tell what was about to unfold over the next few weeks. They had seen it all before at the previous Euros. They had bought the T-shirt and the sticker album. A year on, that feeling lingered in the Glasgow air again. Against a bang average Iceland, Clarke's Scotland were meek, weak and bleak. The snarling Scots who bloodied the noses of Spain were nowhere to be seen. No whiff of the streetwise bunch who suckered Croatia and Poland within days of each other last night at Hampden has left more questions than answers. Clarke may have hauled Scotland to two major finals, but there have been some real raw moments of alarm that have brought a dose of reality and gravity to it was the latest one, a sucker right between the eyes. "Don't get cocky boys, remember, you're Scotland, you don't qualify for World Cups. Down you go."Qualification for 2026 global showpiece does not start until September for Scotland, but this was meant to be the first step towards it. Instead, the Tartan Army are entitled to wonder where Clarke's team is going. Slicker only part of horror story It took until an hour after full-time on Friday for the Scotland head coach to emerge to give his view on what had just unfolded. As ever, Clarke remained level in his tone and mood. There was disappointment at a lacklustre start. There was sympathy for clearly confidence-stricken goalkeeper Cieran Slicker, who was plunged into the debut of his nightmares after Angus Gunn's early departure. There was a low-key hope that next time - Liechtenstein on Monday - will be fairness, it could not have been a whole lot worse. Scotland were unimaginative in front of goal and porous in defence against the world's 74th-best team. Slicker - Ipswich Town's back up who has yet to play a league game - will be cursing his sloppy kick out seconds after coming on that led to the opener. He will also no doubt be replaying goals two and three that evaded his to lay all Scotland's failings at the door of a 22-year-old making an unexpected debut would be grossly unfair. This was a Scotland team - containing two Serie A champions, a Coppa Italia final hero, and a Premier League winner among others - who could not conjure enough to overcome an Iceland team who lost 3-1 to Kosovo at home in it was a friendly, but an alarm is going off. Three months ago, the Scots were shellacked 3-0 at home by Greece, halting any sort of momentum built from three wins on the spin. But, in truth, Clarke's side have come up short more often than not in recent times, even if performances have sometimes merited more. Four wins from their last 21 games. Twelve defeats in that time, 22 goals scored and 42 against. Losses at home to Northern Ireland, Finland, Greece and now Iceland. It does not give off the feel of a Scotland team who can just get the job done. Of a team that is moving forward. "If you go back only a very short period of time, Steve Clarke could do no wrong," former Scotland striker Steven Thompson said on BBC Scotland."This is a defeat, at home, to a weaker nation than ourselves and questions will be asked. When you go into proper World Cup qualifying, these performances won't be tolerated." What now for Clarke? Thompson is right about that, but where are Scotland under Clarke?Undoubtedly, the former Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion manager has overseen the brightest spell for Scotland in terms of qualification since the 1990s. Two European Championships have been reached, after a hollow feeling was left after both finals, given how much of a whimper the Scots went out on each occasion. The novelty of simply being there had worn off as Germany's fifth goal hit the net in last June's torrid opening game in Munich.A World Cup still eludes Clarke, who has said there is a "75% chance" he will not renew his deal with the Scottish FA after next summer's finals. A quick scan of social media tells you some are clamouring for that to be a 0% chance. And now. But is that rational after a friendly defeat?Clear, logical thinking and a football fan after a bad defeat rarely go hand in hand, but these friendlies are not without meaning or consequence. Scotland now have a cluster of players good enough to compete in a qualifying group containing Denmark, Greece and Belarus. The problem is, would you stick your mortgage on them getting the job done?Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes and former forward James McFadden both spoke post-match about momentum and its importance. Lose in Liechtenstein and Clarke's side are going into their opener in Denmark on the back of three defeats."I think Steve Clarke will admit that it's not good enough," former Scotland defender Willie Miller said."I don't see him changing in any way his support for the players, but you've got to be honest with the fans, with everybody, that that's not acceptable."In reality, it is unlikely anything will happens in Liechtenstein that prevents Clarke from being the man to try to navigate Scotland through a qualifying. Although that opinion might be revised after another defeat. He should have enough credit in the bank, though, and there will be enough desire from him to be the man to get Scotland to a World Cup for the first time since by Clarke's own admission, we are likely entering his final chapter. Friendlies or not, how he handles the coming days - and how his team end this international window - could play a key part in defining his legacy as Scotland is all about momentum. Clarke and Scotland need to find it - and fast.
Scotsman
33 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Hearts icon Craig Gordon addresses Scotland future with 27-year record on the horizon
Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon is ready to write another chapter in his storied career announcing his testimonial at Tynecastle. 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... Walking through the door of the Hearts dressing room, a number of his most memorable jerseys hanging on display, the imposing figure of Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon gives a knowing smile and admits 'fairytales don't happen very often in football'. Donning a crisp white T-shirt with the date of his testimonial imprinted on his left chest, the iconic stopper is gearing up for another campaign in maroon having recently signed a one-year contract extension with the club, and will celebrate his astonishing Hearts career by welcoming former club Sunderland for a pre-season friendly on July 26. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A career which seemingly has no expiry date, his 43rd birthday is just around the corner, yet it would surprise no one if he lined up for Scotland at next summer's World Cup should they qualify. His career already one to be admired, there's a confidence about Gordon that knows he has, at least, one more chapter to write. Craig Gordon's £9million move to Sunderland broke a British transfer record in 2007. | Getty Images Hearts and Sunderland are two clubs who have played a pivotal role in Gordon's story. He won the first trophy of his career when his penalty shootout save from Gretna's Derek Townsley helped the Jambos lift the Scottish Cup in 2006. Named the SFWA's Player of the Year in the same year, he was the youngest player to be inducted into the club's Hall Of Fame at the age of 24 just a year later. His Gorgie success paved the way for a move to the English Premier League. Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the history of British football when he completed a £9million transfer to Sunderland in the summer of 2007. He was brought to the Stadium of Light by Roy Keane, who had lit a fire under the Wearsiders in the previous campaign, taking them from the bottom of the EFL Championship all the way to the Premier League in little under eight months. One of the best young goalkeepers in the country, Gordon's arrival was a signal of intent from the Black Cats, evidence that they were back amongst the big boys. Beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 with a dramatic late goal on his Premier League debut, his start to life in the English top flight couldn't have gone much better. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It was packed out,' recalls Gordon. 'It was rocking that day. They'd just been promoted, I had missed the build-up and was chucked in just a few days before, but we won the game deservedly. To nick it late on in the first excitement and the buzz of the whole ground. Even outside, coming in on the bus, I remember thinking 'wow, this is a huge club'. That is why I'm delighted they are back in the Premier League now. I wish them all the best for the season.' A regular for Sunderland in his debut campaign, the team avoided relegation with two games to spare. However, three months into the following season, a debilitating spell with injuries started to derail his time at the Stadium of Light. Originally sidelined with a knee problem, Keane had already resigned by the time Gordon was fit enough to return. Battling his way back into the starting XI under new manager Steve Bruce, a broken arm suffered in a collision with Jermain Defoe in a 2-0 defeat at Spurs put him out for three months. Injury followed injury, restricting him to just one appearance in the final year of his contract on Wearside. Before he knew it, his time at Sunderland was over. Released in 2012, the toughest period of his long and storied career ensued. Without a club for over two years, Gordon admits he wondered if his professional career had already come to a shuddering end, as he contemplated quitting the game for good at the age of just 29. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Craig Gordon thought he'd said his Scotland goodbye in last June's pre-Euro 2024 friendly with Finland at Hampden Park. | Getty Images 'When I left Sunderland, probably for the first year, I thought I wouldn't play again,' says Gordon. 'I wasn't particularly trying to get back. I thought my career was more than likely over, until I got into the second year. Through time, it started to repair and got a little bit better. That second year, as that went on, I thought maybe I could try this again. 'I started the rehab process again, gave it 100% and thought 'let's see as many specialists as I can, get as many opinions and I'll make the decision' - I gave it one last shot for another year. If that was the last year, then so be it, but I would have known I gave it everything to have one last shot. Luckily I managed to turn the corner - and I am still going now.' Eventually finding his way back to the professional game, Gordon joined Celtic in 2014 where he stayed for six years, winning five Scottish Premiership titles, five Scottish League Cups and two Scottish Cups in the process, before sealing an emotional return to Hearts in the summer of 2020. A regular in the starting XI, Gordon won more silverware with Hearts as they won the Scottish Championship at a canter, returning to the top flight at the first time of asking. Named the SFWA Footballer of the Year once again the following season, he continued to defy critics by making his long awaited return to the Scotland squad under Steve Clarke. Coined 'Scotland's Peter Pan' by former Celtic teammate Callum McGregor, his vital penalty save in the 2-0 win World Cup qualifying win against Moldova in November 2021 was proof that Gordon was far from done at international level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It feels like I've had two separate careers,' smiles Gordon. 'They've both been about as long as each other. I've gotten more out of the game than I thought I would. It's just the way it's kind of panned out for me. It felt like a bonus when I first got back playing in Scotland, like time I was never going to get again. But as time has gone on, I've been able to play many, many more games back at international level. It's been two separate journeys, but two very enjoyable ones.' A consistent theme throughout the 42-year-old's career, Gordon continues to upset the odds in 2025. Left out of the Scotland squad for the European Championship in Germany last summer, his late appearance as a substitute in a pre-tournament friendly against Finland felt like a final farewell, with Gordon confessing he himself thought his international career had finally ended as waved goodbye to the sold out Hampden Park crowd when leaving the field following the 2-2 draw. Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon has signed a new one-year contract extension. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group Just four months later, he was included in the Scotland starting XI for the clash with Croatia in October 2024. Keeping his place until the end of the Nations League campaign, Gordon played a further five times for the Tartan Army as they made the Nations League playoffs, meaning he is now a mere ten appearances away from equalling Jim Leighton's record of being the most capped Scotland goalkeeper of all time - a record which has stood for 27 years. 'You never know what's going to happen in football,' admits Gordon. 'I thought that was my farewell appearance, I didn't expect to be back. All I did was refocus on pre-season with Hearts, and be the best I could be for Hearts. That's all I know. Get back to work and try to be the best version of myself that I know. I managed to get back in as the number one for Hearts, and then six more appearances for Scotland after that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm very proud and privileged to have had such a long career. So many highs along the way, making my debut at Hearts, coming through as a youngster. 1999 was the first time I came in here, right through to winning the Scottish Cup, to leaving to go to Sunderland, playing in the Premier League - one of the best league's in the world, to go and test yourself against the best player was fantastic. Then coming back to, first of all, Celtic and then Hearts. Winning trophies along the way, it's been some journey.
The Independent
36 minutes ago
- The Independent
Portugal vs Spain Prediction & Nations League Betting Tips: Champs to Retain Title
Portugal vs Spain Betting Tips The 2025 Nations League final takes place in Munich this weekend as two of the world's best international sides face off at the Allianz Arena. Roberto Martinez's Portugal side will take on Spain after the Selecao beat host nation Germany in the semi-finals thanks to a 68th-minute winner from a 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo. La Roja came through their own difficult semi-final tie against France to make the final, with another stellar showing from Lamine Yamal originally helping them go 4-1 up only for Les Bleu s to almost force extra-time with a late 5-4 comeback. And a long Nations League campaign all comes down to this in Munich, with each side looking to take home an international trophy before moving on to their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns. European champions and current holders Spain are the early favourites priced at 4/9 to lift the trophy, while Portugal, who won the inaugural Nations League tournament in 2019, are offered at 13/8 with football betting sites. Nations League Final Prediction: Spain to Clinch Second Straight Crown Despite the obvious talent in the Portugal team, it is holders Spain who enter the match as 17/20 favourites to win in normal time, compared to the odds of 29/10 offered for the Selecao. Spain's tag as European champions and their recent dominant displays mean that it's hard to bet against Luis de la Fuente's side on current form, though the quick turnaround in the match against France shows that they can be vulnerable at times. Spearheaded by a young core including Yamal, Pedri and players such as Dean Huijsen, Spain have not lost a single match since winning Euro 2024, and have scored 25 goals in their last 10 games. However, matches like the ones against France and the Netherlands show that they do have defensive weaknesses at times, and they did require penalties to get past the Dutch in the quarter-finals. Portugal will look to take advantage of the kind of lapse in concentration that allowed France to almost pull the game back, with Spain having kept just three clean sheets in their last 10 matches. In addition, Martinez's side have only failed to score on two occasions in the last 10 games, so you'd think they'll have a chance of finding the net in the final. To that end, while we think La Roja are clearly favourites for a reason, we think a wager on Spain to win and both teams to score could provide value at around 5/2 with various betting sites. Nations League Betting Tips: Yamal to Make The Difference Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal seems to be taking the fight for the Ballon d'Or personally at this point, attempting to answer everything that Ousmane Dembele produces with goals and assists of his own. And while the Frenchman's Champions League success means he'll probably grab the prestigious individual award, Yamal will clearly have plenty of chances to win it himself in the next few years. His performance against France produced two goals to take his tally to three in the last three matches for La Roja, and three in the knockout stages of this competition. Overall, the 18-year-old has scored five goals in five matches in all competitions (for club and country) as the season approaches its end, and has continued to dazzle since his notable performances in the Champions League semi-finals last month. With that in mind, we think a wager on the youngster to score in the final could present value at 2/1 on betting apps. Nations League final prediction 2: Lamine Yamal to score anytime - 2/1 William Hill When having a bet, it's vital to practice responsible gambling. When using gambling sites be aware that sports betting can be addictive. Please take steps to remain in control of your time and budget. The same applies whether you're using new betting sites, slot sites, casino sites, casino apps, or any other gambling medium. Even the most knowledgeable punter can lose a bet, so always stick to a budget and never chase your losses. It's particularly important not to get carried away by any free bets or casino offers you might receive, both of which are available in abundance on gambling sites, but must be approached with caution. You can stay in control by making use of the responsible gambling tools offered, such as deposit limits, loss limits, self-exclusion and time-outs. You may also want to visit the following free organisations to discuss any issues with gambling you might be having:
