Latest news with #CourierSport
The Courier
05-08-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
St Johnstone target Hearts youngster Adam Forrester
St Johnstone are hoping to complete a loan move for young Hearts defender Adam Forrester. Courier Sport understands Saints boss Simo Valakari has targeted the 20-year-old to give Reghan Tumilty competition at right-back. The Scotland Under-21 international made 35 appearances for the Tynecastle club last season, five of those in the Europa League. McDiarmid Park boss Valakari knows what he will be getting if the season-long deal gets completed, as Forrester started three games for Hearts against St Johnstone. He began his football career at Rangers' youth academy before moving to Edinburgh. After captaining the Hearts B side in the Lowland League, Forrester was given his first team chance by Liam Fox. His performances in his breakthrough season earned him a contract extension through to 2028. He played once in the Premier Sports Cup group stage but was left out of Derek McInnes' matchday squad for the league opener against Aberdeen. Valakari has already made 11 signings, many of whom have contributed to Saints' 100% start to the season.
The Courier
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
6 top Dundee United transfer window priorities as major Tannadice rebuild begins
The starter's pistol has been fired. Dundee United's summer business has started in earnest. A waspish goal-getter from Down Under, Zac Sapsford. A mountainous young centre-back who is fond of a crunching tackle, Iurie Iovu. Two down, plenty to go. United hope to have another three or four captures in the door by the time pre-season begins. More by the time the competitive action begins on July 24. But while there is an urgency about the Tangerines' business – and plenty of plates being spun – there is also an internal appreciation that a lengthy window lies ahead. After all, the man who fired them to Europe last season, Sam Dalby, didn't arrive until the last knockings of the summer transfer window. Here, Courier Sport profiles the top priorities in the coming weeks – focusing on the most pressing issues (rather than areas where depth and competition are required, such as full-back). Dave Richards, solid in the final two games of the Premiership season, has made no secret of his desire to cling on to the No.1 berth. Already a hugely influential, popular figure in the dressing room, that is a laudable aim. And who is to say he won't grab the gloves for keeps? However, it would be churlish to ignore the fact that the genial Welshman has played just over 100 first-team games in his entire career and spent most of last term as understudy to Jack Walton. Courier Sport understands Scotland U/21 international Ruairidh Adams is set to sign an extended deal with United but he is one for the future. Jim Goodwin will want another goalkeeper to challenge for jersey and ensure competition and standards remain sky-high, just as they were last season. Pedigree and reliability will be key. And it is pivotal the Tangerines get it right. The lessons of errant recruitment between the sticks remains writ large in the memories of 2022/23. Iovu is in the door. But the Terrors need another. A stopper. Declan Gallagher, Kevin Holt and Emmanuel Adegboyega have all left the club in the last six months. Iovu – capped four times for Moldova at the age of 22 – appears to be a player of some promise but he does little to fill the void of experience left by those departures. Iovu, Sam Cleall-Harding and Ross Graham represent a relatively youthful pool of centre-backs – albeit the latter is now 24 years of age and boasts a maturity beyond even that. At least one streetwise, quality defender would be a welcome addition. Former St Johnstone loan ace Zach Mitchell is not currently an active target. The departure of Ross Docherty raised a few eyebrows, while seeing the likes of Allan Campbell, David Babunski and Lewis Fiorini exit was more predictable. Luca Stephenson has also gone – for now. Richard Odada? Who knows what the future holds for him after a miserable first season at Tannadice. He has another year to run on his deal. As such, there is a fair bit of rebuilding to be done to a sparsely populated engine room which only contains Vicko Sevelj and Craig Sibbald as experienced, proven options. Although technical attributes are valued (Goodwin wants players who can use the ball when in possession), United are keen to bring mobility and physicality to the centre of the park. This is perhaps the area where there is the biggest room for improvement compared to the recruitment of last season. Campbell, Odada, Fiorini and Babunski were all disappointing to some degree, although the latter did contribute to United's success. The Terrors are understood to be close to securing reinforcements in this area. Courier Sport understands that United have been in talks with Liverpool as recently as this week regarding the future of Stephenson. The player would be open to returning; the Reds were delighted with his progress in Scotland. However, with just a year left on his deal with Anfield, there is lingering uncertainty regarding whether he will pen a new deal and be made available for loan again – or told to seek a permanent move. The ball is in the court of the English champions. And from their perspective, there is no rush. English clubs return to training well after Scottish teams, while the player is currently on holiday in Greece. Contrary to some suggestions online, no announcement is imminent regarding his signing. But he is very much a live target. A little patience may be required. Glenn Middleton has departed, Meshack Ubochioma looks to be out of the picture and Kai Fotheringham was rarely utilised last term. That leaves Kristijan Trapanovski, who is an undoubted talent but needs to combine his natural talent with more consistency and robustness. Finnish flyer Juho Talvitie will not be arriving the Tangerines despite some reports crediting United with an interest in the Lommel winger; he is joining NAC Breda in the Eredivisie. The Tannadice outfit made a tentative enquiry earlier this summer, but it went no further than that. However, a wide man could be secured by next week as United continue to whittle down their shortlist to the top, viable targets. Ultimately, two wingers could be required, albeit new signing Sapsworth operated as a wide player in a front-three on numerous occasions for Western Sydney Wanderers. While keen to bring pace and width to the side, it is understood that Goodwin also wants players who can cut inside, get shots away and attack the penalty box. Sapsworth boasts a decent scoring record in Australia and arrives at Tannadice on the back of his most prolific A-League campaign – nine goals and four assists in 26 outings. However, he has not always been deployed as an orthodox striker and doesn't fit the profile of a successor to 15-goal Dalby, who joined Bolton Wanderers on a four-year deal earlier this week. He is more akin to Ruari Paton, if considering like-for-like replacements compared to last season's squad. Owen Stirton will be given every opportunity to cement his place in the United first-team group in pre-season, while Jort van der Sande remains on the books. However, a 'traditional', experienced No.9 – who can combine physicality with an eye for goal – is a notable void in Goodwin's squad. And it is the hardest assignment of the lot. There's nary a club in Scotland not looking for the same thing.
The Courier
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
EXCLUSIVE: Two stars to depart Dundee as Dark Blues remain in contract talks with four more
Mo Sylla and Antonio Portales have played their last games for Dundee. The club, though, remain in contract discussions with four other players, including Josh Mulligan. A number of contracts are expiring this week and Courier Sport understands talks are continuing over extensions. Among those who are departing include Sylla and Portales, with both players moving on to new clubs. Defensive midfielder Sylla was a fan favourite at Dens Park while Mexican defender Portales impressed in his two years in dark blue. Scott Fraser, meanwhile, hasn't been offered an extension to his one-year contract following an injury-hit campaign. Fraser exclusively told Courier Sport this week he may still join the Dark Blues for pre-season in hope of earning a fresh deal. But there are also offers from 'five or six' others as he bids to prove his fitness ahead of next season. His focus right now is on recovering from surgery to be ready for pre-season. After unveiling their new coaching team headed up by Steven Pressley, Dundee are hoping to convince four of their out-of-contract stars to stick around. Courier Sport revealed an offer had been made to skipper Joe Shaughnessy to retain his services. Talks are also continuing with Scott Tiffoney, Charlie Reilly and Josh Mulligan. Dundee are hopeful of convincing academy graduate Mulligan to stay but the 22-year-old has plenty of good options this summer. League One sides Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle have been linked with a move for the Scotland U/21 international alongside Championship Oxford United. Hull City, Blackburn and West Bromwich Albion have also been credited with interest, as have League Two Salford City. Decisions on these extensions are expected within the next week with Dundee players reporting back for pre-season training in a seven days' time.
The Courier
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Daniels Balodis gives St Johnstone stay hint as Victor Griffith shines for Panama
Daniels Balodis has given a hint that he intends to stay at St Johnstone for their Championship promotion bid. After being part of the Perth club's relegation from the top-flight, the central defender has enjoyed a successful international break with his country. Balodis started both Latvia's game – a 0-0 friendly draw with Azerbaijan and then a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Albania on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old impressed in both. Asked what the future holds for him, Balodis answered: 'It's early June now. 'I'll return to Scotland at the end of the month, but right now I just want to rest and enjoy a short break. 'It's been a long and challenging season.' Balodis isn't the only Saints player to enjoy a successful time in national colours. Adama Sidibeh scored a double for Gambia, while Victor Griffith played the full 90 minutes in Panama's World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua, winning 3-0. He will now take part in the Concacaf Gold Cup finals. Of the three foreign players who signed for Saints in January, Balodis adapted quickest and best to Scottish football, with Griffith and Jonathan Svedberg hampered by injuries as they sought to hit the ground running. There are high hopes that all three will benefit from having a better grasp of the game here in their second season. The start of the Premier Sports Cup is still a month away but, as of now, Courier Sport understands that none of those three players have given any indication they are seeking to leave Saints.
The Courier
10-06-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee FC: Key dates for Dark Blues ahead of 2025/26 campaign
Dundee will have a new look about them in the season ahead as Steven Pressley takes charge. The Dark Blues go into the 2025/26 campaign with a new man at the helm for the fourth time in the past five seasons. There will be a freshness about the squad, too, with plenty of arrivals expected over the coming weeks. The new season begins in just over a month's time with the Premier Sports Cup before league action swings back into gear in August. Courier Sport has all the important dates you need ahead of the new campaign. Scottish transfer window opens Premiership fixtures released First pre-season fixture – Arbroath v Dundee. 3pm kick off. Early Bird season ticket window ends Full-price season tickets on sale Pre-season friendly – Brechin City v Dundee. 3pm kick off. Premier Sports Cup kicks off – Dundee v Airdrieonians. 3pm kick off. PS Cup – Alloa Athletic v Dundee. 3pm kick off. PS Cup – Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee. 7.45pm kick off. PS Cup – Dundee v Montrose. 3pm kick off. Premiership opening weekend Premier Sports Cup second round ties Scottish transfer window closes at 7pm.
