Hibernian 2-2 Rangers: Who impressed?
Jordan Smith. An under-rated goalkeeper in this league, the 30-year-old produced seven stops to deny Rangers.Without him, the visitors might have run away with this game but - perhaps spurred on by his early mistake - he denied Cyriel Dessers and Danilo a few times.
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The Independent
27 minutes ago
- The Independent
Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is looking forward to running out at the Allianz Stadium to the roar of Bath's sell-out support rather than with the jeers of England fans ringing in his ears. The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.'
The Guardian
29 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Thomas Frank and the problem with daring to do too much at Tottenham
As the wait goes on for Thomas Frank to be announced as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, Football Daily can't help but wonder what exactly is causing the delay. On Sunday it was reported that personal terms between the Dane and Daniel Levy had more or less been agreed, a compensatory fee in the region of £10m for Brentford was deemed to be adequate and all that was left to be decided was how many of Frank's coaching staff would be joining him. But while the Daily holds Keith Andrews – who has successfully muscled his way in to the pantheon of camera-hogging set-piece coaches with great hair in recent months – in the very highest of regard, we're going to go out on a limb and guess the former Ireland international's inclusion in any exit package almost certainly isn't a deal-breaker. What might be troubling Frank, at this potentially crucial juncture in his career, is that Spurs, not content with sacking managers for not winning trophies, have just got rid of the bloke who secured their first one in 17 years. Given the comparatively snakebelly low expectations he shoulders in his current role, Brentford's manager could be forgiven for wanting to know exactly what will be expected of him in N17 and more pertinently, if the Spurs hierarchy actually have any clear idea. Given that winning Bigger Vase and qualifying for next season's Bigger Cup was not deemed good enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job, the Tottenham board have ostensibly made it clear that finishing higher up the Premier League than 17th is quite literally all that concerns them. 'To dare is to do,' as the club motto says, just so long as you don't dare to do anything so audacious as win a cup and seat at European football's top table. Among a small handful of top-flight managers who are almost universally liked and admired, Frank has long been renowned as a very straight talker. So much so that in any interview scenario between him and a prospective new employer, it is not difficult to imagine the Dane asking the more probing questions while his headhunter squirms in the face of a barrage of interrogatory projectiles. The second-longest serving manager in the Premier League behind Pep Guardiola, Frank ticks a number of the apparently requisite boxes for Spurs in so far as he has never won anything, hasn't been relegated, doesn't wang on about knack all the time and doesn't say 'mate' in a passive-aggressive way when the world is conspiring against him. And while his slow starts at Brondby and Brentford, where he won two out of his first 18 matches combined, may perturb a fanbase who are not exactly famous for their patience, he seems as good a choice as any for a club that increasingly seems to have little or no idea what it wants or who it needs to help them achieve it. Join Rob Smyth at 7.45pm (BST) for red-hot friendly updates on England 0-0 Senegal. The level will increase immediately once we are playing against Portugal or Spain. We will rise to the occasion. This will come. It will bring out the very best in us' – Thomas Tuchel, there, wrapping up some words in a big white sheet with two eyeholes cut into it, and inviting them to come back and haunt him. Following last week's balanced piece in Football Daily on how Cristiano Ronaldo's ego continues to destroy Portugal's chances of success, readers will look forward to some acknowledgement of that side's Nations League victory. Perhaps focusing on how a 40-year-old Scotland captain, say, would be viewed if he had just led his country to a tournament final victory over England, scoring eight goals along the way including one in the final and the winner against Germany in the semi-final' – Brian Broderick. Re: transfer speculation concerning Granny Bellingham (yesterday's Football Daily – full email edition); I have it on good authority the next target in the family will be Lynda – I got it from a reliable sauce' – Andy Korman. If you do have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Rollover. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. When it comes to Manchester City's succession planning, the question is always the same: how on earth do you replace Pep? Well, how about with another Pep. You see, the club have nipped in to appoint Pepijn Lijnders as Guardiola's No 2. It's a move that seemed highly unlikely a year ago, when Jürgen Klopp's wingman at Liverpool followed the German out of Anfield and took the top job at RB Salzburg. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he bombed, and was sacked before Christmas. But if he now studies under Guardiola at City, having already absorbed the best of Kloppball, you'd imagine Ljinders could be one hell of a skilful coach in a few years' time. He's still only 42 and has plenty of time left to have a proper stab at a managerial position once again. We can already guess how Liverpool fans will feel about their one-time fist-pumping assistant bringing his intense methods to the Etihad. They'll be wishing him all the best won't they? And if it does all go wrong for Ljinders at City, he's always got his career as a writer to fall back on. Here's David Squires on … the buildup to Gianni Infantino's big, beautiful Club World Cup in the land of Trump. Hey Jobe, don't be afraid, go to Dortmund, just like your brother. The £32m midfielder may even face his sibling at the Club World Cup. Nottingham Forest have chucked their two pennorth into the Crystal Palace multi-club ownership wrangle, and have written to Uefa arguing that Palace are in breach of its MCO rules. Shy and retiring head-honcho Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos, put his own Forest shares into a blind trust before the end of the season. And the club that would take Palace's place should they be hoyed out of Bigger Vase? Why, Nottingham Forest of course. Dean Huijsen has checked in at the Bernabéu and his days at Bournemouth already seem like a lifetime ago. 'I've wanted to be here since day one,' sobbed the defender. 'Since Madrid called, I've had no other team in mind.' Chelsea could be looking elsewhere for another new keeper after failing to agree a fee with Milan for Mike Maignan. Meanwhile, the Blues have thrown in a fresh £42m bid for Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. In more transfer deadline day (part one) news: Kieran Tierney has left Arsenal to rejoin Celtic on a five-year deal. 'To be here with the strip on again just feels amazing,' trilled the full-back. Arsenal will play all their WSL home fixtures at the Emirates next season. 'Bringing every WSL match [here] is another step for more supporters to be part of this special journey,' cheered Gunners boss Renée Slegers. Though Wales were beaten 4-3 by Belgium in a thriller, Sorba Thomas knows who the real winners were. 'Even though we lost the game, I feel like we won it in our own heads,' he honked. It says here that Che Adams scored a hat-trick (subs, please check) as Scotland stormed the Rheinpark Stadium and dished out a 4-0 beatdown to Liechtenstein last night. And perhaps after reading yesterday's Football Daily, Claudio Ranieri has dilly-dinged and dilly-donged himself out of the running for the Italy job. There's an interview with Brighton's Tanzanian trailblazer Aisha Masaka in the latest edition of our sister email, which you can read right here. Chilled-out entertainer Bukayo Saka talks about feeling 'more balanced about football and life', writes Andy Hunter. 'I'd be a bit gutted if you ended up winning a Club World Cup competition and not being there.' Will Unwin talks to Manchester City and Chelsea fans ignoring the scepticism and apathy to travel to the Club World Cup. Jonathan Wilson is very much in the 'no' camp though, and warns that it's another step towards a global super league. Leander Schaerlaeckens on why another dose of sports dad drama is the last thing the USMNT needs. And which big clubs are poised to swoop for Bournemouth's Semenyo and Zabarnyi? The Rumour Mill sifts through today's tittle-tattle. Admittedly, we're struggling for context, but here's Fabio Capello getting into the spirit of things at the Circus Medrano for the Epiphany in June 2003.
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Ashton Hewitt opens up on the uncertain life of a rugby player in Wales after being released by the Dragons: 'It's been difficult to enjoy'
Welsh rugby is full of uncertainty right now and Ashton Hewitt knows that better than most. As the chairman and leading player representative of the Welsh Rugby Players Association, Hewitt has been the closest of his contemporaries to the discussions taking place at the top of the country's national game as it has slowly unravelled. Frankly, it has been a car crash. A total disaster. From player strike threats over contractual and financial issues to the current debate over the possibility of cutting a professional team – and much, much more besides – all sorts of off-field issues have only served as a distraction to the sport's development. They have had an impact on the pitch too, with Wales' senior men's side on a run of 17 straight Test losses. It seems hard to predict when things are going to change for the better. Every so often, a new low seems to be hit. With money slim and squad sizes being reduced, Hewitt has become the latest victim of Welsh rugby tightening its belt. After playing his entire career for the Newport-based Dragons, the 30-year-old has been released by his home region and is yet to sign a new contract elsewhere. It's left him, partner Ellis and five-month-old daughter Thea wondering what's next. 'For the last five years or maybe longer, there has been something every single year in Wales that has impacted the players and put lots of us in difficult positions,' Hewitt told MailSport. 'To be honest, it's been difficult to enjoy rugby because of that. It feels like a long time since as players, we've just been able to focus on the game and there's been no noise about anything else. It's been a s*** position to be in. I know I speak for myself when I say uncertainty and off-field stuff impacts performance. It's hard for it not to.' Hewitt gave his all for the Dragons over the course of 12 years and is second on the list of the region's all-time leading try-scorers. In the line of duty, he suffered two serious knee injuries. But loyalty and putting your body on the line counts for little in the cut-throat world of professional sport, as Hewitt has found out. After returning from his second knee blowout, he was informed by new Dragons coach Filo Tiatia he wouldn't be re-signed. It was a body blow to the player who isn't sure what's next. 'Filo didn't see me as part of what he's building and that's the nature of the game. Ideally, it would have been nice to know sooner, but I understand there may well have been reasons for that,' Hewitt said. 'It's tough. I've got a young family. I'm not quite at panic stations, but it is worrying. It's the same for anyone who loses their job when they've got commitments. 'There is a lot of pressure. You do feel responsibility and the need to keep going and provide for your family. This is a situation I hoped I'd never be in. It's just s***, to be honest.' Players and coaches come and go from clubs all the time. Hewitt's situation isn't new. But for him, being released has come at the worst possible time. Wales' four regions have limited money to spend and there is a very realistic chance the Welsh Rugby Union might cut its number of teams to three. Such a scenario would leave even more players unemployed. After the financial demise of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish, the number of playing jobs in English rugby is significantly less too. 'It's not just tough for players in Wales. It's everywhere. Clubs in England have gone bust and that's meant the player market is saturated,' Hewitt said. 'What's common at the moment for players to hear is they might be offered something based on other factors like governance, politics or finances. 'The uncertainty is tough. Most players have families. People see it as a glamorous job, but rugby can be very stressful. Welsh rugby isn't that glamorous at the moment. It's not all fun and games. There is a tough side to the business. 'Short-term contracts are one and a lack of security plays into that and puts a lot of pressure and strain on you as a person. 'You're always at risk of being in the position I'm in now.' A rapid wing, Hewitt still has a lot to give. He has received numerous expressions of interest in his services from several corners of the globe, but no concrete financial offer. 'I've got a few years left in me. I feel I've got something to prove now and I'm completely over my injury,' Hewitt said. Hewitt is not the only rugby player facing an uncertain future. Having been involved in talks between the WRU and the regions given his WRPA role, he has grown frustrated at a lack of transparency and accountability in Welsh rugby's corridors of power. Hewitt has been a passionate voice in society's fight against racism and bigotry. Away from the game, he advises organisations on equality, diversity and inclusion – in part using lessons from what rugby has taught him. He does have other non-sporting irons in the fire. But it is in rugby he would like to stay. Had he not cruelly been struck down by injury, Hewitt would surely have represented Wales. He was primed for a debut in the summer of 2018. 'Elliot Dee ran into me full tilt in training,' Hewitt recalled. 'Shaun Edwards was defence coach and I wanted to impress him, so I went in hard. 'It was a little bit rogue. It ended badly. The toughest thing for me has been whenever I've got injured, I've always been at the very top of my game. When you rack up two or three serious injuries as I have, you're out of the game for a long, long time.' It is hard to argue with Hewitt when he says players in Wales deserve better. The current struggles of the national side and the regional teams are down to a number of complex factors, but it is clear the game needs to be run far better than it is currently. 'There is huge pressure with what's going on in Welsh rugby. I don't know all the answers, but I've been heavily involved,' Hewitt said. 'Could it be better? Yes. 'The WRPA do a great job, but it's a small organisation with limited resource. I didn't have a whole load of time to get my head around the contract situation. 'It's been a rollercoaster of emotions. I've been at the Dragons my entire career. It's my home region and means so much to me, so it's strange to be in this situation. 'There's a lot the corporate world can learn from professional sport, rugby specifically. I want to make a difference in whatever it is I do. There are issues to address in society and hopefully, I'd like to be a catalyst for change. 'I'd like to work with clubs in the same way I'm working with other organisations now. 'That could be a route I'd go down. 'I am prepared if I don't get another contract, but that's not what I want. I understand the issues in the game, but I truly believe I can still offer a lot on the field.'
