Josh McPake gets a hat-trick as St Johnstone make a flying start
Patrick Reading fired Thistle into an early lead but their joy proved short-lived as Jamie Gullan levelled and McPake struck twice before the interval.
McPake put the result beyond doubt when he completed his treble early in the second half and Stevie Mallan wrapped up the scoring with a fine free-kick eight minutes from time.
The intriguing clash between Billy Davies' Morton and Neil Lennon's Dunfermline at Cappielow Park ended in a goalless draw.
Former Derby and Nottingham Forest boss Davies, the recently appointed technical head coach of the Greenock club, was in the dugout for the first time in Scottish football since 2001 as manager Dougie Imrie missed the match for personal reasons.
He was unable to get one over former Celtic manager Lennon, whose Pars side had the better of a feisty affair that saw both bosses booked.
Euan Henderson scored twice as Airdrieonians powered back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Ross County at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.
Two headers from corners in each half from Akil Wright had put the visitors on course for what seemed a routine victory.
Henderson began the fightback just after the hour and then equalised from a free-kick 16 minutes from time.
Raith Rovers and Queen's Park also had to settle for a point apiece after their encounter at Stark's Park ended 1-1.
It was a game of two penalties with Michael Ruth netting from the spot for the visitors after 10 minutes and Dylan Easton doing likewise for the hosts nine minutes from time.
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Scotsman
36 minutes ago
- Scotsman
UEFA give Hearts the all-clear over EPL conflict as Tony Bloom reveals his plan for this season at Tynecastle
Europe's governing body told Bloom there is no issue with Brighton and Hove Albion Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Tony Bloom sits in a quiet room inside the Tynecastle Park Hotel poring over his plans for Heart of Midlothian. He discusses them openly with selected media after finalising a £9.86m investment deal with the Edinburgh club. Just hours before Hearts begin their 2025/26 Premiership campaign out on the pitch against Aberdeen, Bloom is setting out his expectations for the coming months. He is confident Derek McInnes' side have 'a very good chance of at least being second' come next May. That would involve splitting Rangers and Celtic and upsetting the long-standing Glasgow duopoly of Scottish football. Bloom is unfazed. He sits and shrugs his shoulders. The long-term plan is to win the title and automatically take Hearts into the league phase of the Champions League. This is a man with bold ideas who is motivated to deliver on them, as he has done as chairman of Brighton and Hove Albion in England, and a minority shareholder at the Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bloom, 55, finalised a deal in June this year to obtain a 29 per cent shareholding in Hearts. He will attend his first match at Tynecastle this evening after declaring at a fan event on Sunday evening that the club can win the Scottish league title within 10 years. For his first season involved in Gorgie, he would be content with second place. 'It's a very long-term project,' explains Bloom. 'I hope to be an investor in Hearts for a very long time. We all know what it's like in football, there's a lot of volatility even over a season. I genuinely believe that this current Hearts squad is very strong and every season it will develop and get stronger. So I think we can, even from this season, challenge for every tournament that we're in. 'I think Hearts will have an excellent season. I truly believe in the squad of players that has been assembled. I've got every faith in Derek's ability to get the best out of them and to improve them. I think we've got a very good chance of at least being second this season. I don't want to have too many expectations for any one season. Longer-term, I have high expectations of challenging for trophies year in and year out, continually improving as a club and as a squad of players, and I don't think Hearts should have a ceiling. I think it can be fairly unlimited. From Brighton to Belgium - now Scotland with Hearts 'At Brighton, when I took over the club 16 years ago, we just avoided relegation to League Two. Now we're coming in - not hoping - but with a high expectation of finishing in the top 10, pushing for Europe every season. At Union Saint-Gilloise, I took over seven years ago. We just avoided relegation to the third division, which really is very amateur football, and within three years we got promoted to the top division. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's no great shakes in that because it's not that strong a division. Then, for the four seasons in the Belgian top division, we've been challenging for the title in each of those seasons. In each one of them, at some point in the season, we've been odds-on to win the league. For the first three seasons it didn't quite happen but brilliantly last season we managed to get the championship. 'I can only talk from a Hearts point of view. I want to make sure that we are in the talk to win the title at the start of each season and hopefully we won't just talk the talk but we walk the walk. Not being in the bubble, I think it's easier for me. I'm not just saying that as somebody who is coming along and putting some investment in. I've seen what we've done at Brighton, I've seen what we've done at Union Saint-Gilloise, hence the confidence in where I think Hearts can go.' Inevitably, Bloom's comments over the last 24 hours have prompted plenty derision around the Scottish football community. No club other than Celtic or Rangers have won the league since Aberdeen in 1985. 'I'm totally fine,' replies Bloom when asked about sceptics. 'I understand there will be a lot of Celtic Rangers fans who will be laughing and saying: 'Well, I've heard it all before.' Maybe Hibs and Aberdeen as well, and that's fine. I'm just saying it as I see it. I'm not saying it's going to be straight-line success, I'm not saying we're going to win trophies this season, that season, or next season - but I genuinely believe that we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now and for the long term. Celtic and Rangers money dwarfs everything in the SPFL 'I do understand how difficult it is. I mean Celtic and Rangers' budgets are perhaps six or seven times those of Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen. That is a big obstacle to overcome. The significant advantage Hearts now have is they have access to Jamestown Analytics, so that can massively help close the gap. I like a challenge and, as you've heard me, I am confident that Hearts will make a difference and it will be shown over the coming seasons on the pitch. Hopefully we can grow as a club because, if we get success on the pitch, the club grows in totality.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He doesn't expect the Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to be overly intimidated just yet. 'I don't think Brendan's going to be too concerned about what I'm saying,' smiles Bloom. 'I'm not sure he's not going to be too concerned about Hearts right now. But hopefully, over the course of the season, it would be great. It would be great for Scottish football if he is worried about Hearts. As I said, I don't think he's going to be too concerned right now.' The idea is that Hearts hold an advantage over other Scottish clubs because they get access to the world-renowned player data from Jamestown Analytics. Good players equal good teams, and good teams generally lead clubs to success. 'It's all about recruitment,' says Bloom. 'There are lots of things at a football club, you need really good people, community, fans, facilities - both training facilities and the stadium, which I know are superb here. If you haven't got the players I can talk to the cows come home but there's no chance of success. It may take some time but I think the players Graeme [Jones, sporting director], backed by the board and working with Derek, has got done over the last few months have been really strong. I think we'll all see that in games to come.' The British entrepreneur's Tynecastle entrance was always going to be high-profile, even more so because of his comments on winning titles. He won't be a regular at Hearts matches - Brighton remain his first love - but will closely monitor events here from the south of England. He won't be doing too many press conferences or Q&As with fans, either. 'When I took over in Belgium, I had a one-off press conference and I was probably more guarded,' explains Bloom. 'Seven years ago, things were a lot less proven so I wasn't as bullish. We were privately, but not so publicly confident about what we could do at Union. Here, I've just got a lot more confidence in what Hearts can do, where we are right now, compared to when I did a first press conference at Union seven years ago.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bloom has not ruled out investing in other clubs in future. He also owns a stake in the Australian side Melbourne Victory. In Europe, he is mindful of UEFA regulations on multi-club ownership. His attention to detail is such that he personally contacted UEFA officials to check rules before putting money into Hearts. His concern was whether Hearts and Brighton would be in conflict in UEFA's eyes were the two clubs ever to qualify for the same European competition. Bloom's UEFA chat and why no more Hearts investment 'It's a one-off investment, I've got 29 per cent of the shares in Hearts,' says Bloom. 'The main reason for that is because of the UEFA rules. They have made it quite clear in the last 12 months that if you own 30 per cent or more of two clubs, they can't play in the same European competition. That's clear. I've spoken directly to UEFA to absolutely 100 per cent clarify it, so that if Brighton and Hearts do get drawn in the same tournament then both clubs can play. That's the absolute priority, which is why there won't be any more investment from me, certainly while the UEFA rules stay as they are.' You get the impression that UEFA business consumes a lot of Bloom's thoughts. He wants Hearts to improve Scotland's coefficient so that - whisper it - when Hearts win the league, they avoid qualifying rounds and qualify directly for the Champions League's lucrative league phase. That is where the serious cash resides. Domestic prize money in Scotland is fractional by comparison. 'I'm aware that prize money is very low and obviously, coming from the Premier League, it is pitifully low,' acknowledges Bloom. 'But that is the reality and I don't think we should be crying about it. We need to improve the situation. How do we improve it? We need the quality on the pitch. We need the tournament to be more competitive and I think that's what Hearts will bring to the table. I genuinely believe that this would be really good for Scottish football. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The fact that the Scottish coefficient has reduced so much that the Champions have to win two games to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League is a terrible situation for Scottish football. I'm very confident that will change because I can't speak for other clubs, but Hearts will be a force. When we get into Europe we'll be winning games and we will help lift that coefficient. It takes time, given the way the system works, but I think all of Scottish football and other clubs should be happy about that. 'For example, Celtic fans should be wanting the other teams [to win] in Europe. I know they're not exactly going to be cheering on Rangers, that's obvious, but certainly it's really good for Celtic if teams like Dundee United and Aberdeen do well in Europe. That lifts the coefficient and it's really not good that the top team, the champions of Scotland, have got a good chance of not playing in the group stage of the Champions League. As and when Hearts win the league, we want to go straight into the Champions League, we do not want to have two [qualifying] games.' Champions League games in Edinburgh He is unequivocal about Tynecastle hosting Champions League football in the coming years. 'Absolutely. I hope that, as and when Hearts do win the league, the coefficient is such that we go straight into the Champions League group stages,' he reiterates. 'Just like Union Saint-Gilloise have. By winning the league, they've gone straight into this season's group stages of the Champions League.' Bloom's interest in Scottish football stems from his childhood in the 1970s and 80s. He reminisces about the halcyon days in Scotland and states categorically that the level of the SPFL Premiership is currently not good enough. 'I do have an interest in Scottish football. I've been following Scottish football from a young age when I was growing up. Outside of England, the only other country that you could read about or was really in your face was Scottish football. It has changed now for the youngsters, obviously. That would not be the case now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'On betting coupons, it's just the full English leagues and the Scottish teams. I used to know the 92 English clubs where they were. I can't say I knew that on Scottish football, but you knew the names. Because you've got Grandstand, it's just in your face, so I was interested in Scottish football. I used to bet on Scottish football when I was young. There's always been that interest. Not that I watched that much of it, but there's always been that interest. 'Looking from afar, looking at the success we've had with Union Saint-Gilloise, I just thought there was an opportunity here to shake things up in Scotland. Because for the level of turnover the clubs get, the level of interest, with the amount of obsession by the people of Scotland, Scottish football is not nearly good enough. I thought there was an opportunity and that's why I'm here. I won't talk about what the odds are. I would just like to say that if we have not won the league title in the next 10 years, I will be very disappointed.' READ MORE: Police and SPFL on alert for Hearts match
Daily Record
36 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Tony Bloom ramps up Hearts predictions by making unequivocal Celtic and Rangers claim
The Brighton owner is bullish about his plans for the Jambos - and he's in a rush to do it Tony Bloom has backed up his bold prediction about Hearts being future title winners by claiming they can split the Old Firm THIS season. The Brighton owner has invested £10 million for a 29 percent stake in the Tynecastle club. Bloom is adamant the Jambos can challenge Rangers and Celtic for the league flag in the next decade. He's thrown the gauntlet down to gaffer Derek McInnes by saying they can finish second in the table this term. And Bloom has warned Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers that Hearts will eventually be after their title. After meeting Hearts fans for the first time on Sunday night, he's now told them he expects to be in the Champions League - just like his Belgian club Union St-Gilloise. And the billionaire betting guru wants Scottish football to be so strong by that stage, they'll go straight to the group phase without having to qualify. Bloom, who will be in Gorgie for tonight's Premiership opener against Aberdeen, said: 'I genuinely believe this current Hearts squad is very strong and every season will get stronger. 'So we can - even from this season - challenge for every tournament that we're in. "Hearts will have an excellent season. I truly believe in the squad we've assembled and I've got every faith in Derek's ability to get the best out of them. 'We've got a very good chance of being at least second this season. I don't think Hearts should have a ceiling, it can be fairly unlimited. 'I took over Brighton 16 years ago when we just avoided relegation to League Two. Now we expect to finish in the Premier League's top 10, pushing for Europe. 'At USG, we took over seven years ago when we avoided relegation to the third tier, which is amateur football. In the four seasons in Belgium's top flight, we've challenged for the title in each of them. 'So, at Hearts I want to make sure we're in the talk to win the title at the start of every season. And hopefully we won't just talk the talk - we'll walk the walk. 'What price would I give you on Hearts winning it in the next 10 years? I won't talk about what the odds are. But if we haven't won the league title in 10 years, I'll be very disappointed. 'I don't think Brendan will be too concerned about what I'm saying now about Hearts right now. But hopefully, over the course of the season, that would be great. "It would be great for Scottish football if Brendan is worried about Hearts.' Bloom is convinced his investment in Hearts and their access to data through Jamestown Analytics in their recruitment of quality players will ultimately help the Scottish game and the national team. He wants every club competing in Europe to excel, in order to get the UEFA coefficient up. So WHEN Hearts are title winners, they'll go straight to the Champions League group phase. Bloom said: 'Do I see us being a Champions League team in my time involved with the club? Absolutely. 'And I hope that as and when Hearts do win the league, the coefficient is such that we go straight into the group stage, just like USG have by winning the Belgian league. 'Coming from the Premier League, I'm aware that prize money is pitifully low in Scotland. But that's the reality, we shouldn't be crying about it. 'We need to improve the situation with quality on the pitch. We need the league to be more competitive and that's what Hearts will bring to the table. 'This would be really good for Scottish football. The fact the champions here have to win two games to qualify is a terrible situation. 'But I'm very confident that will change. Hearts will be a force and when we get into Europe, we'll be winning games which will help the coefficient. 'As and when Hearts win the title, we want to go straight in. We don't want to have two games to qualify.' Bloom wants to disrupt the status quo in Scottish football. He accepts that Old Firm fans might laugh off his fearless predictions - but says his experience at Brighton and USG gives him confidence that Hearts can pull it off. He's also confirmed that his reason for not investing more cash at Tynecastle is because UEFA have confirmed to him that for Hearts and Brighton to play in the same European competition, a 29 percent stake was his limit. Bloom said: 'I've seen what we've done at Brighton and USG, hence my confidence in where I think Hearts can go. 'I'm totally fine and understand a lot of Celtic and Rangers fans will be laughing and saying they've heard it all before. 'I'm just saying it as I see it. I'm not saying it's going to be a straight line success or that we'll win trophies this season. 'But I believe we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now - and for the long term. 'I was more guarded with USG but things were a lot less proven seven years ago compared to now. 'I understand how difficult it is here because Celtic and Rangers' budgets are six or seven times that of ours. 'It's a big obstacle to overcome but the significant advantage Hearts now has is access to Jamestown Analytics. 'That can massively help us close the gap and I like a challenge. Coming here, I thought there was an opportunity to shake things up in Scotland. 'This is a one-off investment from me, for 29 percent of Hearts. 'The main reason for this is UEFA rules. They've made it quite clear that if you own 30 percent or more of two clubs they can't play in the same European competition. 'I've spoken to UEFA directly to clarify it so if Brighton and Hearts get drawn in the same tournament, we can both play. 'That was the priority so there won't be any more investment from me while UEFA rules stay the way they are.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
I quit my life in Scotland to become a US wrestling star
Luke Scouler, from Motherwell, left his job as a residential carer for young people to pursue his dream of being a pro wrestler. In just a few years, Luke, now known to fans as Crixus, has transitioned from sleeping in a gym car park to becoming a breakout star at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), an American wrestling brand which propelled the careers of John Cena and Dave Batista. The Scottish War Machine, who featured in the hit Netflix documentary Wrestlers, was also crowned OVW's first-ever Scottish champion. Luke (AKA Crixus) now stars in the Netflix-famous Ohio Valley Wrestling (Image: Supplied) Read more: Canadian star says THIS Scottish man is a 'certified f****** legend' Luke, 33, previously worked in residential care at Inspire Scotland, a social care organisation that supports children and young people. He recalled his decision to leave his job and home almost instantly after watching wrestling on TV. Luke said: 'I really loved that job. "But it was tough emotionally. "I've always had a bit of a Batman complex – I thought I was going to save everybody. 'I was in a bad place with it. "I knew it wasn't for me, and I was burned out. "I remember sitting in my house in Newmains watching TV with my dog, Odin, when wrestling came on and I just thought: 'Screw it, let's go.' "Scots have made it big in this business – why couldn't I?" Luke drove to London that same night and enrolled in a wrestling academy run by former WWE star and current OVW head trainer Al Snow. He said: "I drove through the night with no plan and no place to stay. "Me and the dog slept in the car for a bit. "Eventually the guy who ran it asked if I was serious. "I told him I'd already quit my job and left my house. "That was it. "We moved into the gym and didn't go back." Luke joined OVW in 2019 after coming first in a 300-person wrestling combine. However, his career was halted due to Covid, forcing him to stay in the UK for two years. Now based in Kentucky, he is one of the biggest stars at the promotion, and believes his Scottish roots are what set him up for success. Luke said: "We've got thicker skin, especially in Glasgow. "You're battle-ready by the time you leave primary school, so wrestling comes naturally to us. "I'm a smartass cheeky b******, and the accent helps too. "Over here in the States, people already think we're mental which helps. "I just turned my personality up to 11. "I wasn't pretending to be someone else – just the version of me you probably wouldn't want to sit next to in a pub. "I get to act like an a**** and they still love me. "They boo you, but they're cheering underneath." Al Snow, his mentor, believes Luke could be the next big Scottish wrestling star. Read more: ITV viewers 'definitely watching' new David Tennant drama with 'fantastic cast' He said: "With the success of Joe Hendry and Drew McIntyre, Scotland is increasingly a potential source of talent. "With Crixus, we may have another superstar on our hands. "His dedication has been incredible. "To make it in this business, you have to sacrifice and do things out of the ordinary. "And that's why I think he's got what it takes."
