Striker Dalby in demand
Bolton Wanderers have joined Wigan Athletic and Blackpool in the race to sign ex-Wrexham striker and free agent Sam Dalby, who spent last season on loan at Dundee United. (Football League World), externalRead the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
What can we learn from Clarke's fresh-faced Scotland squad?
International friendly: Scotland v IcelandWhen: Friday 6 June Where: Hampden Park Kick-off: 19:45 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC One Scotland and BBC Sport website & app, online text updates, listen on BBC Radio Scotland Steve Clarke is no stranger to adapting and evolving as Scotland his six years in charge of the national team, he has chopped and changed the makeup of his squad, reaching two major finals in the process.A place at the World Cup is the next target for Clarke's Scotland, 27 years since their last appearance at the showpiece event in 61-year-old has selected seven uncapped players for this month's friendly matches against Iceland and Liechtenstein as they gear up for their World Cup qualifying campaign, which gets under way in September. Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie and Sassuolo left-back Josh Doig are included, as are midfield trio Connor Barron of Rangers, West Ham United's Andy Irving and Lennon Miller of Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker are the other two players yet to make their full international the face of it, it appears Clarke is looking to the future, but what can we learn from his new-look squad? Blend of youth & experience One thing that stands out, in addition to the numerous uncapped players, is the volume of younger the 25-man squad, 12 are aged 25 or younger with their best years stretching ahead of Ferguson is one of them. The Bologna captain continued his superb story on the continent by winning the Coppa Italia last season, but has struggled for regular starts in the dark blue of his Kenny McLean not included and Ryan Christie recovering from injury, he has an opportunity to stake his place in midfield alongside Billy Johnston, 21, and the returning Nathan Patterson, 23, could be handed opportunities to impress with Anthony Ralston - the other right-back in the squad - second choice at James Wilson and Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway join Bowie as the other youthful striking is still a familiar feel to the spine of the squad though. Wiser heads like captain Andy Robertson, John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and Serie A MVP Scott McTominay remain, as Scotland seek momentum before the games that matter. Uncertainty remains in goal Not long ago, Scotland had an abundance of quality goalkeeping talent at their one of Craig Gordon, Allan McGregor or David Marshall were comfortable at international days, the resources between the sticks are less plentiful, to say the is now 42 and not included in this squad due to injury. It seems highly unlikely that even a man of his talent and resilience would feature at the 2026 World Cup if Scotland were to get there. Angus Gunn took the gloves at Euro 2024, but has made high-profile errors for both club and country and is now a free agent after being released by Norwich leaves the uncapped Slicker and McCrorie, both with limited experience at club must either back Gunn or put his faith in one of his untested shot stoppers. Which uncapped players might catch Clarke's eye? Of the uncapped players, Miller undoubtedly has the most hype around 18-year-old midfielder has improved at a remarkable rate since making his senior club debut aged just won the PFA Scotland young player of the year award last month after a season in which he scored four goals and assisted seven in 36 is expected to leave Fir Park for a sizeable transfer fee, one which could be bolstered should he make his Scotland bow against Iceland or Liechtenstein."I could maybe, in a couple of months, be the best player there," Miller said after his first Scotland call-up in later clarified his comments, saying the speed of that claim was a "mistake", but reiterating his desire to be the best player he possibly can be. Short of confidence, he is is another who will fancy making an impact, should the opportunity strong and imposing, he scored six goals in his first season for Hibs after recovering from a hamstring injury sustained playing for Scotland Under-21s."Any time I watched the Under-21s he always stood out," Clarke said when naming his squad. "He's big, physical and strong with good attributes to his game."Going into the summer, you've got Lawrence Shankland and Kevin Nisbet, I know what they can bring, so it was just to have a look at something a little bit different and see if we can expand the pool of players."You're looking for somebody to catch your eye."
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Reform in ‘cat fight' with SNP and Labour to win Scottish by-election
Reform UK is in an 'absolute cat fight' with Labour and the SNP to win a bellwether Scottish by-election this week, Richard Tice said, ahead of a campaign visit by Nigel Farage. Mr Tice, Reform's deputy leader, told The Telegraph that the SNP remained 'hot favourites' to win Thursday's contest for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat in the Scottish Parliament. But, speaking ahead of a joint visit with Mr Farage, the Reform leader, to the constituency on Monday, he said they were 'chuckling at the apparent desperation' of Labour and the SNP over what to do about Reform. Between them, he said both parties had 'completely dominated' Scottish politics for decades and now appeared 'terrified'. The by-election is being viewed as a bellwether for next year's Scottish Parliament contest. First Minister John Swinney claimed last week that the Labour campaign had collapsed and the by-election was a straight fight between the SNP and Reform. However, Mr Tice said there was a 'lot of management of expectations' going on and Mr Swinney's ploy was to try and get Labour supporters to vote tactically for the SNP. The Boston and Skegness MP also said that he and Mr Farage would use a press conference in Aberdeen on Monday morning to provide more details on Reform's plan to scrap net-zero targets. Sir Keir Starmer's ban on further exploration in the North Sea is deeply unpopular in the north east of Scotland, where thousands of oil and gas workers are based. Mr Tice said Reform wanted to 'drill, Scotland, drill' and to 'change the course of direction for the Scottish oil and gas industry, and therefore the prospect of jobs and wealth creation.' Mr Farage's trip to Aberdeen and the by-election are his first campaign visits to Scotland for years, with Mr Tice saying he hoped it was a significant moment for the party. Although he failed to make a single trip north of the border during last year's general election, Reform still attracted seven per cent of the popular vote. Its support has surged over the past year and one poll has predicted it will be the second largest party at Holyrood after next year's election. Victory in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse would be Reform's first election win in Scotland. However, even a second-placed finish for Mr Farage's party would be humiliating for Labour. The by-election was supposed to be a straight fight between the SNP and Labour when it was called in mid-April, following the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie. But both parties' activists have been left surprised by the strength of support for Reform on the doorsteps and are worried that it could pull off an unlikely win. Mr Tice said: 'Obviously the SNP are hot favourites but we've also noticed a lot of chat (Reform could win). I know our team, are working very hard and let's see. 'These things work in riddles. For all we know there could be a lot of deliberate managing expectations by the SNP and Labour. It's hard to tell.' He said Reform has had a 'really good campaign' and it is 'about getting the vote out on the day.' However, he added: 'We're sort of chuckling at the apparent desperation from two parties that have completely dominated Scottish politics for the last three or four decades. And all of a sudden they're in an absolute cat fight. And they both seem to be terrified of Reform.' Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar had accused Reform UK of 'dog whistle' racism over a campaign advert claiming he wants to 'prioritise the Pakistani community.' However, Reform has denied it is racist and insisted it was merely highlighting Mr Sarwar's own words, with Mr Farage accusing him of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics. Mr Swinney said: 'Be in no doubt, Nigel Farage doesn't care about Scotland. He poses a threat to our values and must be stopped, and only the SNP can do that. 'In this by-election, the SNP is the only party investing in Scotland's future, delivering for families and confronting Farage. On Thursday, vote SNP to stop Farage.' Stephen Flynn, the SNP's Westminster leader and Aberdeen South MP, added: 'He won't like the comparison, but it's the one he deserves - Nigel Farage is just as dangerous to Scotland's long-term energy and economic future as the activists who would shut down the oil and gas industry tomorrow. 'Those who work in the energy sector understand that there is an obvious path to follow that protects the oil and gas jobs of today whilst at the same time developing the net-zero jobs of tomorrow – and by doing so you can secure skills and investment for generations to come.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
O'Neill urges Rodgers to extend Celtic stay
Former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill would be "really surprised" if current boss Brendan Rodgers does not add to the 12 months remaining on his contract. (Scottish Sun), external
