Latest news with #ANDY
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic have the Champions League headache you want while Jury diagnoses Rangers with something more troublesome
The Record Sport writers looka ahead to the playoff action and deliberate on Kieron Bowie and Lennon Miller's Scotland chances Celtic kick-off their Champions League quest on Wednesday at home to FC Kairat - what are Brendan Rodgers' big selection calls? ANDY NEWPORT: Arne Engels was certainly a lot better against Falkirk but his brilliant Bairns display might have come too late to budge Benjamin Nygren from the team, who seems to be flavour of the month with the manager. GRAEME YOUNG: Rejuvenated Arne Engels may well have played himself back into the first choice starting XI with his all-action display against Falkirk. It will allow Benjamin Nygren to play on the right wing and keep James Forrest as an option from the bench. ROSS PILCHER: Arne Engels has given him food for thought. The Belgian looked like he was back to doing what he does best against Falkirk after a few months of not a lot. Fitting him and Nygren into the same XI could be the way to go. And what decisions does Russell Martin have to make as he picks his line-up for Tuesday's play-off crunch with Club Brugge. ANDY: It looks like Jayden Meghoma could be handed a baptism of fire if his move from Brentford can be completed in tim e. With Jefte on the way out, Martin needs a left back in quick. Otherwise it will be Max Aarons back in a slot where he's looked so uncomfortable. GRAEME: Nico Raskin has to start and Cyriel Dessers is another who must be in from the off a week after suffering an injury which appeared season-ending. But this goes beyond personnel as Martin and his gung-ho side must avoid a knockout blow in the first leg. ROSS: Who will play left back for a start. Jefte seems to be out the door and Max Aarons apparently isn't a long term solution on either side of the defence, which didn't look too clever against Alloa. Kieron Bowie blasted a wonder goal for Hibs in their Conference League win over Partizan - has he fired his way into the Scotland starting line up for next month's World Cup qualifiers? ANDY: He's in form and looking confident so it's a no brainer from me. It was great to see him having the belief to take that strike on but there's so much more to his game that could be useful to Steve Clarke. GRAEME: Yes, we have found our talisman for years to come. The audacity of his Puskas Award contender has the world talking but it's the unglamourous parts of his game which sets him apart. A star in the making. ROSS: Lyndon Dykes bagging a late winner for Birmingham was a timely reminder to Steve Clarke that he can score goals. But if Bowie keeps it up and stays fit over the next few weeks, he probably deserves a start. Lennon Miller has completed his £5million move to Udinese - should he also be fast-tracked into the national team? ANDY: I'd love to see him get a proper chance to show his abilities against Denmark and Belarus but he's up against Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour for a place in the team and as Lewis Ferguson knows, shifting that pair ain't easy. GRAEME: It feels likely. No transfer is a sure thing but Serie A appears made for Miller's skillset and the maturity which belies his tender years means you cannot rule out a key role at international level. ROSS: We're still pretty strong in midfield and Lewis Ferguson had to wait longer than was really fair despite tearing up trees in Serie A, so don't expect to see Miller lining up for Flower of Scotland just yet.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic and Rangers handed contrasting Champions League verdicts by Jury who fancy one but not the other
Glasgow's big two plus Aberdeen and Hibs are looking to qualify for the 3 big European club competitions Will Celtic make it into the group stages of the Champions League, by seeing off Kairat Almaty? MICHAEL GANNON: They should do. Kairat will be defensive and awkward, and Celtic haven't helped themselves by being short in the forward areas. But the Hoops should still have enough to take a comfortable lead to Kazakhstan and then see it out. ANDY NEWPORT: Logistically it's a nightmare trip, with a 4500-mile flight across five time zones but Celtic have the quality and experience to get through over two legs. The Parkhead board could certainly boost their chances, though, by delivering the striker Brendan Rodgers is desperate for. SCOTT BURNS: The biggest issue is the travel and everything that goes with the away leg. Over the two ties Celtic should be good enough to progress. There will be major questions asked if they don't. Rangers have a big task against Club Brugge. Will they be able to overcome that and make the holy grail of the Champions League? MICHAEL: It looks a tough tie but you wouldn't put anything past Rangers in Europe. They can't afford to be so slack at the back but they can hurt Brugge on the counter and sneak in the groups. ANDY: On current form, that looks a huge task for a team that simply hasn't clicked yet. Brugge proved they are the real deal after making it to the Champions League last 16 year and unless Rangers move up several levels, it will be the Europa for Russell Martin's team. SCOTT: You would have to say that Club Brugge would be big favourites. Rangers, under Russell Martin, have had some decent European results, but this is a step up. If they could get through then it would be massive for the manager and Rangers. Hibs have Legia Warsaw in the Conference League play-off. Can they join Aberdeen in guaranteeing group stage football? MICHAEL: It's a step up in class from Partizan but if they can get off to a flyer at Easter Road to stay in the tie going to Poland, then they can pull off something special. ANDY: Yes but they simply can't give away the cheap goals they handed Partizan the other night. Jordan Smith had a night to forget - even if he did recover to make some big saves late on. But David Gray now has a major decision on whether to keep him in goal or give summer signing Raphael Sallinger a shot. SCOTT: What a chance they have. Yes, Legia will be favourites but two games to get into the group stages for the first time, what more could you ask for? Hibs have the firepower but they might need to tighten up defensively and might need to look at the goalkeeping position. Where do you see any shocks in the Premier Sports Cup? MICHAEL: Aberdeen face a dangerous trip to Morton. The Dons have been blunt up front and Dougie Imrie and Billy Davies will come up with a plan to make life very difficult for Jimmy Thelin's side. ANDY: I'd be surprised if there were any major upsets. Rangers are obviously under pressure but a loss to Alloa would be up there with last year's Queen's Park disaster. That's unthinkable for Russell Martin but I think he'll come through with little drama. Aberdeen might find Cappielow a little uncomfortable but again, Jimmy Thelin's men should progress past Morton. SCOTT: St Johnstone have started well and will fancy their chances against Motherwell, who have yet to win. Morton could also make it difficult but Aberdeen but the Scottish Cup holders should have enough to get through.
Daily Record
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Have Celtic found Kyogo replacement and will Rangers transfer raids on English Championship bring rewards? Saturday Jury
Is Shin Yamada the man to replace Kyogo for Celtic? CRAIG SWAN: Hard to say. He'll have to be some striker to emulate Kyogo's success at Celtic. Difficult to follow that. ANDY NEWPORT: The Kawasaki Frontale frontman's recent J League record doesn't suggest that he is a natural-born poacher. But you never know, with the right handling Brendan Rodgers could polish up his rough attributes. MICHAEL GANNON: Yamada looks a decent player and he could prove to be another great bit of business from Japan. But his goal record isn't exactly spectacular and Celtic could really do with an experienced front man as well. Is Russell Martin right to raid the English market for his Rangers revolution? CRAIG: Again, it's about the individuals. Nationality doesn't matter if you do the business. It's a safer play, though. ANDY: It's the market he knows best so why not? The trouble with shopping down south is the inflated prices but it looks like Martin is carefully choosing players he believes can produce best value. MICHAEL: It's clearly a strategy from Gers and their manager and it's a market they know well. Rangers have been burned before with signings from the Championship but if it's the right ones they can slot in to the Scottish side without too much risk. Should the SPFL scrap the Premier Sports Cup group stages? CRAIG: No. Pre-season friendlies are awful. It was brought in for the right reasons and it works just fine. ANDY: Not for me. Anything that reduces the number of boring pre-season friendlies is a winner. A tweak of the rules to perhaps allow trialists or extra subs might cheer up some of the grumpy bosses, right enough. MICHAEL: It just seems like too much hassle for too many clubs. Squads are still being put together and while it generates some gate money, the dosh is needed to cover the wages for the extra few weeks. It might be time for a rethink. The Open gets underway at Royal Portrush this week, who are the best winner and each way bets? CRAIG: If Xander Schauffele tightens some stuff up over the weekend in Scotland, he can go close to defending. Harry Hall the each way. ANDY: Scottie Scheffler has never done better than seventh at The Open but I fancy the American to be there or there about this time. A fiver each way on Bob MacIntyre won't break the bank either.
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers get Hamza Igamane transfer ruling from the Jury as Lawrence Shankland told exact move he must make
1) Hamza Igamane looks to be on his way out of Rangers with Lille set to bid. What should be an acceptable fee for Rangers to let him go and why? SCOTT McDERMOTT If Rangers are offered anything more than £10 million for Igamane, they have to take it after paying just £1.5 million a year ago. It's tough for fans to see a prodigious talent leave early but that's the player trading model the club needs to adopt. ANDY NEWPORT: Anything north of £15 million would represent a fantastic return for Rangers. The kid has huge potential but there are still a few rough edges needing polished that will prevent him reaching record numbers money-wise. Gers should certainly get a hefty return on the £1.5m he cost. SCOTT BURNS: The talk is that any bid would be in excess of £10 million. If that is the case it is good money for a player who has only been here a season. It would also be a decent return on a striker that cost just £1.5 million. 2) Benjamin Ngren has checked in at Celtic for £1.7 million. What will he add to Brendan Rodgers' side and how big a player do you expect him to be at Parkhead this term? SCOTT McD: He'll add skill, penetration and a goal threat to Celtic's already dangerous attack. Ngren fits the profile of players the club normally target, develop and sell on for a profit. He's already made the step up to international football with Sweden and he could be a key man for Rodgers this season. ANDY: He's another exciting talent. Signing the right winger will relieve some of the concern floating around Parkhead right now as clubs circle in on Nicolas Kuhn. Nygren has shown already that he's comfortable at international level and will add that experience to Celtic's Champions League ambitions. SCOTT B: I think with uncertainty over Nicolas Kuhn then he will get an early chance to stake a claim. He could nail down the right wing slot and certainly has a decent enough pedigree to do it. 3) Hibs have pulled off a coup by adding talented Scot, Josh Mulligan, to their ranks. Have the Old Firm missed a trick by not trying to tempt him to Glasgow on a free? SCOTT McD: I'm surprised Rangers didn't consider bringing Mulligan in alongside his ex-Dundee team-mate Lyall Cameron. He offers physicality and running power, something Rangers need in midfield. But fair play to Hibs, he should be a terrific signing for David Gray. ANDY: Maybe but I'm not sure he'd have troubled the starting XI at either club. It's better for the kid that he goes to Easter Road and plays regularly. SCOTT B: It would cost around £300,000 in training compensation but it would have been a snip for both. I think Hibs landing Mulligan is one of the coups of the current window. 4) Lawrence Shankland still hasn't made a call on his future, with clubs interested in England and Europe, as well as a new Hearts offer on the table. What's the best decision for his career? SCOTT McD: Every player has to look after themselves and their family financially when making a big decision. So if Shankland gets a huge offer and leaves Tynecastle you can't blame him. It just feels that with Derek McInnes in charge, it could be a really productive next couple of years for the striker if he stays in Gorgie, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. ANDY: To stay put in Gorgie and seek to rediscover his best form under Derek McInnes. I can see exciting times ahead for the Jambos and Shanks should be there to lead from the front.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Reo Hatate in Celtic transfer exit rethink as Lennon Miller to Parkhead ship may have sailed
1) Russell Martin gets down to work on Monday as his Rangers squad return for pre-season prep - how many new recruits will he need in to get past Panathinaikos? KEITH JACKSON: Max Aarons is a decent start but Martin needs so much more than just a right back. Two central defenders will be needed as well as a left back, a couple of wingers and at least one striker. If Nico Raskin and/or Mohamed Diomande move on this summer then he'll need to rebuild his midfield too. ANDY NEWPORT: Max Aarons is set to follow Lyall Cameron through the door but Rangers need at least another three in to be anywhere near comfortable of their chances against the Greeks. A centre-back, if not two, will be needed. As will another midfield playmaking option and someone to replace Vaclav Cerny out wide. That shopping list will grow if Cyriel Dessers departs. SCOTT BURNS: You would like to think he would get, at least three or four in the door, before the Champions League qualifiers. According to his dad Lee, Lennon Miller has his heart set on a move abroad - but should one of our big two be pushing the boat out to convince him to stay? KEITH: It feels like that ship may have sailed already. Celtic have been keeping a close eye on developments but if Miller has made his mind up on moving overseas then there's nothing much the champions can do about it. ANDY: Celtic and Brendan Rodgers have been in this movie before with John McGinn. I'm sure Lennon can be convinced to stay if he is assured of the minutes he needs to continue his development. The Hoops just need to come up with the right pitch to get the deal done. SCOTT: Celtic are interested but it seems the player is keen to try his luck abroad. Miller has to do what is best for his own career. There is a world outside of Celtic and Rangers. Celtic are closing in on a move for Nordsjaelland's Benjamin Nygren - where else does Brendan Rodgers need to strengthen this summer? KEITH: Much of that will depend on where Reo Hatate's head is at this summer. He's been agitating for a move for a while behind the scenes but may have had second thoughts on the back of Kyogo Furuhashi's experiences in France. Either way, Rodgers will be looking out for a new central defender, a wide man and a striker to fill the gap Kyogo left behind. ANDY: He'll need cover for Kieran Tierney at left-back and could do with making another move to strengthen the centre-back options alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers. Another centre-forward is a big priority too. SCOTT: He wants another two midfielders and a left-back with Callum Osmand coming in as the young back-up striker. Only one of the Premiership's opening weekend fixtures will kick off at 3pm on a Saturday - is that fair on match-going fans? KEITH: No but they're well used to it by now. The normal punter has been treated like a second class citizen for years in order to accommodate the broadcasters. And TV cash is king where our clubs are concerned. ANDY: No but the punters have to accept that if their club wants the broadcasters' cash, they have to go with their scheduling. It's a pain but for the majority of weekends, most games will be back at the traditional mid-afternoon slot on a Saturday.
