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BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Celtic interested in Liverpool's Chiesa'
Atalanta, Celtic and Fulham are interested in signing Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa on loan, with the 27-year-old knowing he cannot be guaranteed regular football at Anfield this season. (Sports Boom), externalRangers are ready to end the experiment of using Max Aarons at left-back and have contacted Kassoum Ouattara's camp about a transfer from Monaco, but the 20-year-old is also on the radar of Celtic, Augsburg, Toulouse, PSV Eindhoven and Metz. (Sebastien Vidal on X), externalCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers remains undecided on signing a new left-back as he believes Japanese 23-year-old Hayato Inamura has done well despite initially being slated for a loan move after being acquired from Albirex Niigata for a modest £250,000 last month. (Glasgow Times), externalManchester City centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has arrived in Glasgow as the 19-year-old finalises a season-long loan to Celtic. (Sky Sports), externalRapid Vienna are putting pressure on Celtic to green-light a move for 23-year-old Marco Tilio before they move on to other targets, with the Scottish champions stalling on the move until they sign a winger replacement after the clubs agreed a £350,000 loan deal, with an obligation to buy for £1.3m. (Sky Sports), externalAC Milan striker Marko Lazetic is keen on a move to Aberdeen, with personal terms not expected to be an issue, but negotiations continue between the clubs over the 21-year-old. (Sky Sports), externalCeltic right-back Ben McPherson, 21, is on the verge of joining Partick Thistle on loan. (Daily Record), externalRead Saturday's Scottish Gossip in full.
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Transfer news live: Son set to leave Tottenham, Isak future uncertain after Newcastle reject Liverpool bid
Tottenham captain Son Heung-Min is set to leave north London after a decade with the club, announcing the news in an emotional press conference ahead of the pre-season friendly against Newcastle in his native South Korea. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career,' he told reporters, but 'I need a new environment to push myself.' Tottenham are in advanced talks with Bayern Muninch to bring Joao Palhinha back to the Premier League and give the side a midfield boost while Arsenal are aiming to bolster their forward line by signing Crystal Palace 's Eberechi Eze. Palace want a fee in excess of £60m which is the amount of Eze's release clause but the Gunners are running out of time to trigger it. Newcastle United have rejected Liverpool 's first bid for Alexander Isak as the summer's biggest transfer saga takes another turn, with manager Eddie Howe saying the situation is 'far from ideal'. The Reds have now made a formal approach for the Sweden striker but have seen a bid believed to be in excess of £100m turned down, with the Magpies valuing him at £150m. Though Newcastle are trying to tie Isak to a new contract that includes a release clause, he is believed to be keen on the move. Meanwhile, Manchester United are hopeful of securing a No.9 and are talking with RB Leipzig over a move for Benjamin Sesko. On the sales front, Jadon Sancho could be set to return to Borussia Dortmund and United are in talks with Chelsea and Aston Villa over Alejandro Garnacho. Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for 'fresh challenge' Tottenham captain Son Heung Min has revealed he will leave the club this summer. Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club. South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a "fresh challenge" during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday. Tottenham captain Son Heung Min to leave club for 'fresh challenge' Son had been at Spurs for a decade and led them to Europa League glory last season to end a long trophy drought Flo Clifford2 August 2025 10:12 Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit after Newcastle bid rejected Liverpool have decided against making a second bid for Alexander Isak after seeing a £110m offer rejected by Newcastle United. The Premier League champions believe the swiftness and clarity of Newcastle's response means it would be futile to up their club record offer for the striker. Liverpool, who had made an inquiry for the 25-year-old last month, stepped up their interest in the Newcastle top scorer as they looked to take their summer spending up towards £400m. Liverpool make surprise decision over Alexander Isak pursuit The Reds admire the 25-year-old, but it is now unclear if they will revisit the situation after Newcastle knocked back a club record offer for the Sweden striker Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:12 Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak Newcastle have rejected an offer from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden international has told the Carabao Cup winners he wants to explore the possibility of a move away from St James' Park and Liverpool, who had made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month, and followed it up with a formal bid. Isak would be expected to command a price of over £100m and more than the club record sum Liverpool have paid for Florian Wirtz this summer. Newcastle had long maintained that Isak was not for sale, but Liverpool are testing that position and manager Eddie Howe has admitted his top scorer's future could be out of his hands. Newcastle reject formal bid from Liverpool for Alexander Isak Liverpool made an inquiry about the 25-year-old last month and have now followed it up with a formal offer Chris Wilson2 August 2025 07:00 Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United's top transfer target Manchester United have made Benjamin Sesko their top striking target and have made contact with RB Leipzig about him. United had narrowed down their search for a No 9 to the Slovenian and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins before deciding to prioritise a move for the 22-year-old. Sesko is also of interest to Newcastle, who are looking for a centre-forward after missing out on a host of targets and with doubts about the future of Alexander Isak. Why Benjamin Sesko is now Man United's top transfer target United are in contact with RB Leipzig after deciding to prioritise a move for the striker above Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:30 Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much A debut defeat and an outing that was underwhelming but left the sense he was underused may matter little. When it comes to competitive games, Viktor Gyokeres 's Arsenal bow will come at Old Trafford against Manchester United on 17 August. But as he donned their No 14 shirt for the first time in a game, Arsenal at least showed the need for Gyokeres, the forward who scored 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting CP. The first north London derby staged outside the United Kingdom yielded a 1-0 loss to Tottenham, with Arsenal registering a lone shot on target, which Kai Havertz directed at Guglielmo Vicario. Gyokeres was limited to the last 20 minutes, including stoppage time, as Arsenal were largely toothless. The argument that they needed a specialist goalscorer is scarcely new, but perhaps it was underlined when they spent an initial £55m to acquire one. Underwhelming Viktor Gyokeres debut shows why Arsenal need him so much Gyokeres was limited to 20 minutes on a debut that saw Arsenal lose to Tottenham in Hong Kong Chris Wilson2 August 2025 06:00 The logic behind Liverpool's decision to sell Luis Diaz Luis Diaz gave up a shirt worn by some of Liverpool' s previous greats two years ago. He swapped from the No 23, donned by a young Robbie Fowler and then Jamie Carragher, for the more iconic No 7. He offered to personally reimburse fans who had bought the old shirt. The probability now is that he won't be making a similar offer. Diaz is giving up the number made prestigious by Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Luis Suarez, trading the red shirt of Liverpool for the red of Bayern Munich. He had first asked to leave in 2024. He is getting his wish a year later. The logic behind Liverpool's decision to sell Luis Diaz Luis Diaz was electric for Liverpool at his best, but the 28-year-old provided an opportunity for the Reds to refresh the squad with a deal for Alexander Isak still possible after Hugo Ekitike's arrival Chris Wilson2 August 2025 04:00 Man City verdict on 100+ charges could be months away with further delays in sight Club executives and senior football figures believe that the Manchester City financial case could go until at least October before the initial outcome, as the controversy threatens to complicate another Premier League season. Some club leaders have even speculated that it might arrive in the campaign's second international break, from 4-18 October, given previous patterns regarding similar cases. An outcome was expected last season, given that the hearing concluded in early December. It has nevertheless rumbled on into the summer, and means another season faces potential upheaval and drastic change through possible points deductions. Manchester City stridently insist upon their innocence. Man City verdict on 100+ charges could be months away with further delays in sight An outcome was expected last season given that the hearing concluded in early December Chris Wilson2 August 2025 02:00 Premier League will not be cut to 18 clubs amid calendar tensions, says league chief The Premier League will not bow to pressure to reduce in size from 20 to 18 clubs, says chief executive Richard Masters. The new season kicks off on 15 August, just three weeks on from Chelsea's victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final as tensions continue to boil over the congested football calendar. The Blues played almost a year of continuous football before the end of their 2024/25 season gave them a long-awaited reprieve, but will have to do it all over again with 11 months of competitive action culminating back in the United States for the World Cup - the final of which takes place on 19 July in New Jersey. Premier League will not be cut to 18 clubs amid calendar tensions, says league chief Ligue 1 reduced from 20 to 18 clubs ahead of the 2023/24 season Chris Wilson2 August 2025 00:00 Man United transfer news: Benjamin Sesko, Ollie Watkins, Corentin Tolisso and more Manchester United face a crucial summer as Ruben Amorim finally gets the chance to shape his squad and transform his failing team into contenders at the top end of the table. It shouldn't be forgotten that Amorim initially rebuffed United's approach following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and perhaps he was wise to try and delay the move, because what followed was a disastrous campaign cuminating in the 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final. The release of the Premier League fixtures shows a difficult start for United, with an opening game agasint Arsenal and fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea within their first five matches of 2025/26, and the manager's future could be called into question early should his side struggle. United got some early business done with the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5m deal before completing a move for Brentford star Bryon Mbeumo, but co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made clear that the money pot is not deep. Offloading high-wage players such as Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho seems key to funding the revolution, with a lack of movement causing frustration among fans as United lag behind their rivals. Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's summer transfer plans. Manchester United have already secured Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in what is set to be a busy summer at Old Trafford Chris Wilson1 August 2025 23:00 Arsenal transfer news: Eberechi Eze, Rodrygo, Ollie Watkins and more Arsenal are setting in motion the first steps of a productive summer as they look to buck their trend of second-place finishes next term. It was once again a case of close but not close enough for Mikel Arteta 's side in 2024/25. Finishing second fiddle to the Premier League champions for a third successive season, the Gunners endured another trophyless campaign after their Champions League push fell at the hands of eventual winners PSG. A key reason for their failure to achieve was an attacking injury crisis that forced Mikel Merino to take up a role of makeshift number nine, and despite their undeniable quality in the starting XI, Arsenal's depth is far from good enough for a team hopeful of major titles. And with numerous players already on the chopping block, Arteta has promised a 'big' summer of recruitment at the Emirates. With the transfer window having re-opened on 16 June, a striker was top of the club's shopping list, and they've finally got their man after completing a move for Viktor Gyokeres. Elsewhere, deals for midfielders and defenders are being pursued, with Noni Madueke putting pen to paper and Eberechi Eze being considered. New sporting director Andrea Berta is leading the club's transfer dealings, and Arsenal will be hoping he can replicate his Atleti exploits in London as Arteta looks to lead the club back to the Premier League pinnacle for the first time since 2006. Here's everything you need to know about Arsenal's summer transfer plans. Chris Wilson1 August 2025 22:00
STV News
25 minutes ago
- STV News
Premiership preview: Will Rangers revolution end Celtic's title dominance?
As the new league season kicks off on Saturday afternoon, there's a sense of 'out with the old, in with the new' around the Premiership this year. Two sides have come up from the Championship, five of the 12 teams are under new management and over 90 players have been signed before the opening games. One thing that hasn't changed is that Celtic go into the new season as defending champions, but there's expected to be a fresh challenge from across the city after changes at Rangers, while a host of teams from across the country have invested in their squad and are looking upwards. It's certain to be another top-flight season packed with drama, controversy and competition, and it all gets under way this weekend. All 12 sides are optimistic and hoping for a season to remember but there will be winners and losers, with plenty of twists and turns before we know who will be vying to lift the trophy next May, and who will be in the scrap against relegation. SNS Group As title-winners for 13 of the last 14 seasons, there's no arguing that Celtic are the team to beat in the Premiership once again. Brendan Rodgers' side were 17 points clear of their nearest rivals last season and fired in 112 goals across their 38 games, underlining their goal threat. The title win was built on a fast start that saw the Parkhead side win 16 of their first 18 league games and not taste defeat until January. Ahead of the new campaign, some new faces have been added as Ross Doohan, Hayato Inamura, Shin Yamada, Callum Osmand and Benjamin Nygren join the club, and one familiar face returns in the shape of Scotland star Kieran Tierney. But there's been growing disquiet among the support with a lack of bigger-name signings arriving, especially with Nicolas Kuhn sold to Como, Greg Taylor joining PAOK and Jota out with a long-term injury. Any rivals rubbing their hands at that might be advised to wait though, there were similar complaints from fans in previous season and by the end of the window a squad was in place that was a level above the rest and Rodgers has said that he expects new recruits to come in. The team has a core of experienced players who have been over the course and picked up trophy after trophy in the past few years, while developing talent like Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah all have another season under their belts. Anything less than a title win would of course be a disaster, but Celtic are favourites for a reason and have shown their strength and quality time after time. SNS Group Sporting director Kevin Thelwell and new head coach Russell Martin have been rebuilding the Rangers squad. The revolution starts here? That's what the Rangers support is hoping for after an American consortium, including the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, completed their takeover at Ibrox after the end of last season. The target from new chairman Andrew Cavenagh has been clear: sustained success in winning silverware in Scotland, and progress in Europe. New head coach Russell Martin has already taken a first step on that long journey with the win over Panathinaikos that means the club is just two rounds away from a return to the Champions League. The real test for the new-look squad is going to be how they fare in domestic competitions though, with a convincing challenge for the title a must. Martin has been backed in the transfer market, and the club have acted quickly to add new recruits to suit the coach's style of play. Eight players have moved to Glasgow already this summer, with more to come and Djeidi Gassama has already caught the eye with two goals in Europe. English Premier League loanees Max Aarons and Nasser Djiga should improve the back line, while teenage Spurs attacker is an exciting addition to the attack. The last season was a miserable one for Rangers fans to endure, with struggles against teams throughout the division and the loss of Ibrox's reputation as a ground where players fear to tread. That has to change but there's been investment and action to match Cavenagh's confident talk, and Martin is now challenged with turning the signings into a cohesive unit that can outdo Celtic and lift the Premiership trophy. Whatever happens at Ibrox over the next ten months, it won't be boring. Outside the Glasgow giants there are plenty of clubs brimming with confidence that they can also have a successful season but maybe none more so than Aberdeen. Last season's against-the-odds Scottish Cup triumph delivered memorable scenes at Hampden and at an epic bus parade through the Granite City but it also provided a positive end to what was a mixed first season in Scotland for Jimmy Thelin, and gave the perfect lift to hopes for his second. When Thelin came in last year, patience was the key word around Pittodrie as the Swede was tasked with turning the team around and making them compete at the top end of the table and for silverware. Expectations went through the roof after a blistering start to the league that saw the team win ten of their first 11 games, drawing the other with Celtic. But Premiership form then took a nose dive with the Dons only taking four points from the next 42 available. Things picked up a bit from February, and culminated in the glorious celebrations at the national stadium, and there wouldn't have been any of the Red Army with any complaints at the end of May. This season though, Thelin will be looking for consistency across the season and hoping that the standards set in the successful spells can be the marker. Chairman Dave Cormack said after the cup final that the priority would be to build a stronger squad to help cope with the demands of Europe and seven players have already arrived. The return of Alfie Dorrington on loan is a boost and the club were excited to sign German youth international midfielder Emmanuel Gyamfi from Schalke. More new faces will likely arrive to arrive before the deadline, and the demands on them will be the same as for Thelin and the rest of the squad: consistent results in the league and a n improvement on last season's eventual fourth-place finish, progress in Europe, and a successful defence of the Scottish Cup would be the perfect end to the season once again. SNS Group Hibernian head coach David Gray is expected to build on a strong end to last season. Nobody improved throughout last season more than Hibs. The Easter Road side only climbed off the foot of the table at the end of November. By Christmas they had clawed their way up to eighth. From New Year the Hibbees enjoyed a 13-game unbeaten league run and when it came to the final tally in May they had risen to third place and 'best of the rest'. It was a reward for the board keeping faith with club legend David Gray after a tough start but the head coach is now tasked with delivering more of the same, likely amidst increased competition. The departure of stand-out player Nectar Triantis is a blow, with confirmation that he won't be back on another loan from Sunderland, but Josh Mulligan and Jamie McGrath have come in and look to have settled quickly while another three signings have come in. Chief among those is forward Thibault Klidje, who has been signed from Luzern for a club record fee, and will be expected to provide something special up front. But equally as important as the impact from signings is the continued contributions of those who impressed last year, including Nicky Cadden, Rocky Bushiri and Martin Boyle. Hibs have already suffered an early setback with the pain of a dramatic last-gasp defeat to Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying but Gray will hope to make the most of a second chance in Europe as well as having a strong Premiership campaign. And as he proved last year, it's not as important how you start the league as where you finish. SNS Group Derek McInnes is the new head coach of Heart of Midlothian. Last season was one to forget for Hearts fans. It started with optimism under Steven Naismith but the former Scotland striker was sacked in September with the team at the foot of the table. Neil Critchley was appointed as his successor and was sacked in April with Hearts in eighth place. Liam Fox had two interim spells and took the side to a final league placing of seventh. There was disappointment in Europe and no cup joy, while talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland struggled for form and, more importantly, goals. So why are hopes high going into the new season? Because it's looked like nothing but good news ever since. Tony Bloom's share acquisition has put £10m of investment into the club. The Brighton owner's data company Jamestown Analytics has identified a number of signing targets and seven signings have been made already. And a new head coach has been installed who looks like as safe a pair of hands as there is in the Premiership. Derek McInnes' move from Kilmarnock to Tynecastle may have been drawn out over the conclusion of last season but he is now in place as head coach and has made a positive start to life in Gorgie. The Premier Sports Cup group phase brought four wins from four games, with an average of four goals scored per game. Shankland scored four of them and there were nine different scorers, with new additions as well as established players getting off the mark. Expectations are high, and it would be a shock if Hearts were anywhere near the bottom six this year around, with hopes that McInnes' Premiership know-how and the global reach of Jamestown's recruitment model prove to be the perfect partnership. SNS Group Summer signing Zac Sapsford is already off the mark. Securing European football on a return to the top flight meant Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin could look back on last season with a sense of satisfaction but the challenge now is to go and do it all over again. The one thing there won't be is much continuity in terms of who is on the park. A host of players left Tannadice in the summer, with the most notable being striker Sam Dalby's return to Wrexham after a hugely successful loan spell. Glenn Middleton, Declan Gallagher, Louis Moult, David Babunski and Jack Walton were among the other departures but there was no shortage of players coming in while they headed through the exit. Ten signings have been made already, with the identity of the team already being remarked upon by pundits and fans. United made the headlines for failing to have a Scot in team for their Conference League qualifier against UNA Strassen and there are 17 different nationalities in the squad. Goodwin is happy with the recruitment policy, believing that they have found value by scouring the continent for talent. If his new-look side gels, they could build on last season and more. The team has already cleared the first hurdle to the Conference League but face an early test against Rapid Vienna even as they get to grips with the new league season. Success in Europe might stretch squad and prove to be the biggest obstacle to achieving domestic aims, or the multicultural squad could yet deliver on all demands and show the wisdom of United's approach. SNS Group St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson aims to continue the spell of success the Paisley club enjoyed. Given the resources that the clubs already mentioned can enjoy and use in the transfer market and on wages, it's maybe something of a surprise that the only side other than Celtic or Rangers to finish in the top six for the past three seasons is St Mirren. That's been down to shrewd recruitment, consistency and manager Stephen Robinson's ability to squeeze everything possible from a tight-knit squad. By his own admission, it is getting harder every year and the only chance of what would an incredible fourth consecutive top-half finish would be if someone slips up but the challenge for the Buddies is to be well-placed to take advantage of that. St Mirren will have to succeed without key players from last season after Toyosi Olusanya, Richard Taylor and Caolan Boyd-Munce moved on, but one of the strengths has been a core of players who have remained together over the past few seasons and plenty still remain. Added to the group have been promising Jamaica internationals Richard King and Jalmaro Calvin, former Livingston keeper Shamal Geoirge, wing-back Jayden Richardson and Tunmise Sobowale as well as centre-back Miguel Freckleton and winger Malik Dijksteel. Robinson is hopeful of convincing the board to let him add more but St Mirren's success or otherwise is likely to depend on the collective once again. There's unlikely to be much surprise about the style of play from the manager's well-drilled side and the Paisley faithful will be keen to see them punch above their weight once again. SNS Group Kilmarnock's Marcus Dackers has already found the net since arriving in the summer. The manager's office wasn't empty for long following Derek McInne's exit for Hearts, with Kilmarnock acting swiftly to appoint forme Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell. The job awaiting him isn't substantially different from what he left in Lanarkshire: establish a style of play, recruit well, punch above your weight in the league and hope for a cup run, while selling players on where a profit can be made. Kettlewell has already begun work on getting his own ideas across, and has brought in nine new faces to make up for the departure of key player Danny Armstrong, Corrie Ndaba and Stuart Findlay among others. The cup games so far brought three wins and a draw, enough to top the group, but the real tests will come with valuable league points at stake, starting with the visit of newly-promoted Livingston on Saturday. The aim will clearly be to avoid being dragged into a fight at the bottom, first and foremost, while an improvement on last season's ninth finish would be seen as acceptable but Kettlewell says he has 'lofty ambitions' for the team and will be aiming for a top six spot. SNS Group Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou secured his first win with comeback victory over Peterhead in the League Cup. Motherwell fans should have been looking forward to a first full season in charge under Michael Wimmer after the German got to know the club in the latter half of last season following his appointment in February. Instead, there was the surprise news that Wimmer had returned home after the final game of the season and joined a third-tier German side to be closer to his family. That left Motherwell with an unexpected search for a new manager, and they settled on former Horsens and IFK Gothenburg head coach Jens Berthel Askou. Askou's reign began with a draw at Clyde and the Dane asking for patience while the players adapted to his expansive style of play. Wins over Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Morton followed but there will be a huge step up in quality when they take on Rangers in their Premiership opener. A huge clearout of the playing squad, and the arrival of seven new faces meant a new-look Motherwell anyway, but the new style asks for patience from fans and a long-term outlook in a league that demands instant results. Askou will also have to accept the inevitable departure of teenage star Lennon Miller as he plans for the season ahead. The Steelmen are putting their faith into a fresh start for the team and hoping that risk will bring reward and a team that thrives under the new boss. SNS Group DUNDEE, SCOTLAND – JULY 12: Dundee Head Coach Steven Pressley during a Premier Sports Cup group stage match between Dundee and Airdrieonians at Dens Park Stadium , on July 12, 2025, in Dundee, Scotland. (Photo by Roddy Scott / SNS Group) In a summer full of exits and arrivals up and down the country, it's fair to say that few stories raised the eyebrows more than Dundee sacking Tony Docherty, and one of those was Dundee appointing Steven Pressley. Former Falkirk, Coventry, Fleetwood, Pafos and Carlisle manager Pressley had been working as head of development at Brentford and hadn't been in the dugout for six years but feels he has unfinished business in management. His arrival wasn't met with universal applause from the Dundee support and his perhaps too honest assessment of himself, the squad and the time it will take to deliver results hasn't helped build confidence. Defeats to Airdrie and Allo in his first two games appeared to pile pressure on Pressley but he will take encouragement from subsequent wins over Bonnyrigg Rose and Montrose. Those results won't define his side and though the manager has faith in the players he has brought in already, and intends to sign more, the opening Premiership games are against Hibernian and Rangers. Dundee are the bookmakers' favourites for relegation before a ball has been kicked and the challenge is there to upset those odds. The team have already made the headlines this summer but achieving league success this season would be one of the stories of the season. SNS Group Falkirk are aiming to build on last season's Championship triumph. Under John McGlynn, Falkirk have been one of Scottish football's success stories, following up promotion as invincible League 1 champions with last year's Championship trophy and a return to the top flight. Style and substance them take a firm grip of the title race in the second tier last season, and though there was a late wobble that made for a nervy finish, the team were worthy and deserved champions. McGlynn told Sky Sports this week that his side had achieved what was a five-year plan in just three seasons. That could lead to suggestions that the team might be underprepared for the challenge ahead but cup results last season, when the team knocked out Hearts and had a good go at Celtic in a 5-2 defeat at Parkhead suggest Premiership sides should be wary. The League Cup has allowed momentum to built ahead of the new campaign too, with 14 goals scored across three wins, and only a 0-0 at Cove blotting their record. McGlynn has kept the majority of his squad but made additions, with goalkeeper Scott Bain's move from Celtic the most eye-catching and Brian Graham moving from Partick Thistle adding more experience. The manager says he respects the challenge and knows his side will have to punch above their weight but has also noted that the previous two sides promoted as champions finished in the top six. Following in those footsteps might be a big ask for the Bairns but after two years on an upward trajectory, the team can set sights high. SNS Group Livingston are back after a season's absence. It's a difficult task to return to the Premiership at the first time of asking and there's a real challenge in coming through the play-offs where the odds are stacked against the Championship side. Livingston did just that last season, seeing off Ross County in the last match of a long season to win promotion. There have been changes behind the scenes, and the much maligned playing surface has been replaced, but Livi still remain disadvantaged compared to other sides in the division. Their success will rely on Martindale's coaching and his ability to make every penny count, and every player reach their maximum across 38 games. There have been plenty of summer arrivals to help the club with their aims, as Graham Carey and Stevie May joined from St Johnstone, Zak Rudden and Cammy Kerr moved from Queen's Park, and Mo Sylla made the switch from Dundee. Adam Montgomery is on loan from Celtic and others have been recruited from Austria and Netherlands among other places. A team that had a reputation for a tough style of play when last in the top flight, Livi adopted a more attractive approach in the Championship and will have built confidence from a season where they won more often than not. The former Tony Macaroni Arena is likely to remain a notoriously difficult place to visit and with Martindale's experience of confounding the critics and upsetting the odds, they will have ambitions to do more than just avoid the drop. 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
