Aberdeen confirm 'historic' partnership with Elgin
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STV News
20 minutes ago
- STV News
Adam Idah needs competition to thrive, says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers claims Adam Idah will be better if he can get some competition up front. The champions eased to a 2-0 win at Aberdeen thanks to goals in either half from midfielders Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate, but Idah struggled to make an impact in the centre-forward position. The 24-year-old was expected to kick on after Kyogo Furuhashi left in January, but Daizen Maeda took on the mantle of Celtic's main goalscorer after moving inside from a wide position, although the Irishman still finished on 20 goals. Given Celtic have since lost Jota to a long-term injury and sold Nicolas Kuhn, Maeda has been needed out wide, while Idah has been handed a chance to seize the number-nine role. 'There's no doubt that we need to reinforce the top line,' Rodgers said. 'There's no doubt. 'I'm really pleased with where we are structurally in defensive numbers. We've got a squad from our back line to midfield that can cope domestically and cope in the European competition. So I'm really pleased with that aspect. 'But I think we need competition at the top end of the field. 'For Adam, he's a big, honest boy. He was at his best here when was really challenging with Kyogo for the position and that's something that is important for us to get. But in the meantime, he will work hard and he'll always be that reference for us.' Asked if Idah needs a goal, Rodgers said: 'Listen, you're a striker at Celtic, you have to be strong mentally, you've got to score goals, of course. But I've a lot of faith in him. 'He really needs that real competition beside him. And I think that's when you then get the most out of him. 'He didn't quite score, but he worked very hard and he's given his all and it will get better as the season goes on.' Celtic's three goals this season have all come from midfielders, with Luke McCowan's late winner against St Mirren followed by Nygren getting off the mark for the club. The 24-year-old netted 15 goals for Nordsjaelland in the Danish top flight last season as well as scoring twice in his first four internationals for Sweden. Rodgers said: 'He's a player that can play as an eight, a 10, he can also play off the side. But his intuition is to get in the box and score goals and that's why we've brought him in.' Rodgers added: 'Any time you come to Pittdorie, it's always tough games. To come and play with that authority and personality in the game, that was pleasing.' Aberdeen made a bright start, but Celtic took full control before Nygren's 27th-minute opener. Dons manager Jimmy Thelin said: 'The way we defended in the first half and how we created the transitions was okay. 'The problem we have right now is the last pass and last decision when we arrive in an attacking position. And we are not arriving there enough to really hurt them.' Thelin would not comment on reports that Aberdeen are closing in on a deal to sign 21-year-old AC Milan striker Marko Lazetic on a free transfer. But he added: 'Everybody's working really hard to find the right player and bring him to Aberdeen so let's see what's going to happen.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mail
20 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The Review: Will John McGlynn keep faith in the players who helped Falkirk on their epic journey?
Falkirk manager John McGlynn has some serious thinking to do as the euphoria of his team's return to the Premiership gives way to a reality check. Just two games into their first top-flight campaign in 15 years, Falkirk's players are discovering that back-to-back promotions count for nothing when they are asked to make the biggest step of all. Having drawn 2-2 at home to Dundee United on the opening day, they lost 3-1 at Livingston on Saturday in a game that raised big questions about the Bairns. Perhaps reluctant to mess with a winning formula, McGlynn has done only limited business in the transfer market, with Scott Bain, Lewis Neilson and 37-year-old striker Brian Graham the headline arrivals. In a show of loyalty, he has stood by the team who were mostly assembled in League One and rewarded them for their remarkable journey with a chance to go even further. After all, they have repeatedly risen to new challenges. And they have done it with a brand of attacking football that the supporters love. Who is to say that there is not more room for improvement? The problem is that every team eventually encounters a glass ceiling. And the playing style that served Falkirk well in the lower divisions will not necessarily be suited to the Premiership. We have seen it before, more so in England, where Southampton and Ipswich lasted only one season in the top flight after sticking too stubbornly to their principles. Might Falkirk pay a similar price for doing the same? It's a nice theory, but McGlynn is better than that. Hugely respected for his work across three decades as a coach, he has plenty of time to get it right in Falkirk's 36 remaining games, perhaps tweaking his tactics in the process. What he doesn't have long to procrastinate over is the quality of his players. If he fears that some of them are not good enough, he will need to get ruthless before the transfer window closes in three weeks' time. By whatever means, his defence needs to get better. In West Lothian on Saturday, Neilson was caught in possession during the build-up to Scott Pittman's opener. Then Lewis Smith was given too much space to double Livingston's lead, albeit with a wonderful strike. Ross MacIver pulled one back with a clever header, but the hosts sealed all three points when Jeremy Bokila strode through a gaping hole in Falkirk's back four. There are no easy games in the Premiership, yet Falkirk would have hoped to take more from their first two, especially against the team who came up from the Championship with them. It's only going to get tougher, with a visit to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup this Friday followed by league matches against Hibs and Aberdeen. McGlynn has work to do in the days ahead, maybe even some big decisions to make.
BBC News
20 minutes ago
- BBC News
England beat Scotland in EuroHockey opener
England's women opened their 2025 EuroHockey Championships campaign with a 3-0 win over Scotland on Crackles gave England the lead in the 12th minute with a fine control and finish, before Lily Walker doubled the advantage early in the second quarter after meeting Tess Howard's backhand rallied and controlled the third quarter but could not take advantage of their Heesh in the England goal smothered the first, before Anna Toman cleared a Sarah Jamieson effort off the goalline.2015 winners England regained their composure and scored a third when Toman's corner sweep was deflected in by Lily will play 2023 runners-up Belgium in their next match on Monday at 17:00 BST in Monchengladbach, James Gall scored as England's men drew 1-1 with Germany in their second match of the tournament, following a 5-0 thrashing of Poland on Friday.
