Latest news with #Falkirk
STV News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- STV News
Stephen O'Donnell embracing new Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou's style
Motherwell defender Stephen O'Donnell is enjoying the challenge of learning fresh demands under the club's third manager of 2025. After two years of relative stability under Stuart Kettlewell, Motherwell employed their second foreign manager this year when they appointed Jens Berthel Askou to replace German Michael Wimmer. The Dane has a similar attacking philosophy to his predecessor in terms of pressing high up the park but his desire to play the ball out from the back has been more pronounced. Askou faces a big test on Tuesday when Motherwell host Morton in the Premier Sports Cup needing victory to guarantee progression to the second round. On adapting to the new boss, O'Donnell said: 'We found it with the old manager when he came in. It was a different kind of style, different ideas. And the gaffer has probably amplified that a wee bit more. 'I find it exciting, interesting, you're learning different ideas and different ways in which people think of the game. You're always trying to learn. And I think that's something I'm capable of doing. I'm excited to continue to learn. 'I've been enjoying it, trying to work on different things. The most important thing is that we are seeing progression on the pitch and in the style, and hopefully getting the wins that make that progression easier.' Elsewhere, Falkirk take on Queen's Park at home while Kilmarnock bid to cement their place at the top of Group H when they travel to Fife to take on Kelty Hearts. Dundee head coach Steven Pressley takes his team to Bonnyrigg Rose as he bids to secure his first win, although progression is already beyond his team. 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 Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Premiership CEO on reconstruction roadblock and one avenue left to combat 'frustration'
Falkirk chief Jamie Swinney got the topic briefly back on the agenda this year but says it's time to think bigger with the independent working group It darted on to the agenda as quickly as it disappeared off of it. Reconstruction ... it generates enough heat that a little light should surely follow. Jamie Swinney saw all of this unfold from inside the room on the SPFL competitions working group where he sits with representatives of mostly other top-flight clubs. The Falkirk CEO's takeaway? If an appetite for change - however it may look - is to be met, leaving it for clubs to lead is venturing on a fool's errand. It was from outside his ground in February that fan Kieran Hennigan, founder of the Improving Scottish Football podcast, championed a 14-team top flight in a video clocking more than a million views online. Seeing the social media reaction, and having been on his podcast, Swinney started conversations with three Premiership clubs that suggested merit in at least discussing reconstruction, which he floated to the SPFL and was on the agenda come April. "What happened from there caught me a bit by surprise," he said. "My proposals were all about: 'Can we have an open discussion about bigger leagues and looking at maybe reducing four games a season and finding ways to play young players?' "What it turned into was, all of a sudden, a 10-team Premiership... it appeared out of nowhere. "The SPFL put it on the table, which is fair enough - if you're going to consider alternatives, you should consider all alternatives. "But it was obvious from minute one there was no interest from anybody in a 10-team league so we then got to the point of having the discussion at the competitions working group. "What I'd always advocated was a proper holistic look at the overall game - not one thing in isolation. "The approach we should have taken was: 'What are all the things we'd like to try to improve?' Let's put them all on the table and see how many we can potentially fix.' "It's not just looking at the Premiership and its size. "How do we get a better transition for young players? "How do we help clubs relegated from League Two and give them a better chance of getting back into the professional leagues? "How do we reduce the number of games from playing clubs four times a season to two or three to make it better for fans? "How do we make the leagues more competitive? Can we make the Premiership more competitive so the gap - the kind of closed shop it has become isn't healthy for the game - is not quite as drastic? "Put everything in there but what it turned into was the appetite from the bigger clubs was not to have a bigger Premiership. You're looking at the big four or five, all felt there would be a dilution of quality. "Actually, one of the biggest things we wanted to try to do was improve that top end of the game by not being a closed shop and trying to reduce the number of games if possible." No system is perfect but Swinney doesn't buy how a 14 or 16-team league would preclude four Celtic and Rangers games - two pre and two post-split - to keep Sky happy. Greece manage it with a 14 in a 32-game season, albeit it rises to 36 if in the relegation play-outs. A 16-club set-up could split into four mini leagues, culminating in a 36-game campaign and jeopardy in three of the four lots if Europe stretches to fifth place. Intensified Euro commitments mean a winter break is no more, which, Swinney suggests, with fewer league games in a bigger league might be restored. He said: "Everything should be put on the table. "But the frustration is every time it comes to league reconstruction over the years, there's either been an agenda to shoehorn B teams in or it's been driven by the agenda of a very small number of clubs instead of looking at the wider game. "That's where it falls down every time. "If you got an independent - I say independent - working group with a mix of clubs across the 42 and some representation from outwith the SPFL, gave them a blank sheet of paper and said: 'Here are the things we need to do - maybe we must retain four Celtic-Rangers games - but we also think there are a whole number of areas where we can improve the game.' If you approach it that way, instead of just trying to tackle one or two problems, there is a way to resolve things and actually improve the game. "But the minute you went to the table to say: 'Right, larger league?', you got the reply: 'We don't want that, it dilutes the quality' and everything else fell apart." Swinney paints a picture of dominoes failing to fall - because the first didn't move, the Championship was left with little incentive to and then Leagues One and Two as well. "Keith [Lasley] at St Mirren was asked to present on why he felt 14 teams was a good model and I was asked to present why I felt 16 was," he said, caveating it was for the purposes of debate rather than club policy. "But we never even got as far as that because I asked the question: 'Is there an appetite to make the Premiership bigger?' And the answer was no. "So the whole thing stopped, essentially, almost before it had even got started. We never even really got into the mechanics. It was gone. "But again, that's not the right approach. We should start with: 'How do we make Scottish football better?' and work back from that. "Then have a working group taking feedback from different clubs but working collaboratively, without an agenda, to say: 'We'll come to the table and propose what we believe is right for Scottish football.' "Without looking at it, with all due respect, through your own tinted glasses - which any club would and I include ourselves in that. You would always, first and foremost, look at, 'How does this help my club or does it?' "But the question should be: 'How do we make Scottish football better?' Swinney doesn't sugarcoat "articles we have collectively signed up to as clubs prevent meaningful change in the game... they prevent progression". An 11-1 majority in the Premiership for any proposal to pass muster means few clear the first hurdle to then give lower leagues a say - the only chance, he claims, is a rethink on who leads. He said: "It's got to be stripped down to be as independent a group as possible. They would have only one remit - to look at improving the game overall. "You would need people who understand how clubs operate so you would have some club representatives on it, but also external people. Whether that's the Scottish Football Supporters Association, or looking outwith football to perhaps somebody with experience of other sports. "If you just have the clubs we're going back to the same problem, which is, regardless of how hard you try, you always have tinted glasses on. "You'd have to consult the clubs all the way through but the group should have a real mixed experience. "The starting point would have to be trying to work out what the biggest clubs want and what they are willing to compromise on - because if you don't get buy-in from the Premiership, it falls apart anyway.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
MacIver not for sale, says Falkirk boss
Falkirk boss John McGlynn insists Ross MacIver is not for sale, with interest in the striker from Scottish rivals and English clubs. (Daily Record), external
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Cove Rangers v Falkirk
Update: Date: 95' Title: Penalties over Content: Penalty Shootout ends, Cove Rangers 0(2), Falkirk 0(4). Update: Date: 94' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0(2), Falkirk 0(4). Gary Oliver (Falkirk) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner. Update: Date: 94' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0(2), Falkirk 0(3). Ryan Harrington (Cove Rangers) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the top right corner. Update: Date: 94' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0(1), Falkirk 0(3). Brad Spencer (Falkirk) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner. Update: Date: 93' Title: Post Content: Penalty saved. Liam Parker (Cove Rangers) left footed shot saved in the top right corner. Update: Date: 92' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0(1), Falkirk 0(2). Ross MacIver (Falkirk) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner. Update: Date: 92' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0(1), Falkirk 0(1). Cole Donaldson (Cove Rangers) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner. Update: Date: 91' Title: Post Content: Goal! Cove Rangers 0, Falkirk 0(1). Liam Henderson (Falkirk) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom right corner. Update: Date: 91' Title: Post Content: Penalty saved. Declan Glass (Cove Rangers) right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner. Update: Date: 91' Title: Penalties in progress Content: Penalty Shootout begins Cove Rangers 0, Falkirk 0. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Full Time Content: Second Half ends, Cove Rangers 0, Falkirk 0. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Fourth official has announced 2 minutes of added time. Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Foul by Aidan Nesbitt (Falkirk). Update: Date: 90'+3 Title: Post Content: Justin Eguaibor (Cove Rangers) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Justin Eguaibor (Cove Rangers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner following a set piece situation. Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Foul by Sean Mackie (Falkirk). Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Cole Donaldson (Cove Rangers) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Liam Henderson (Falkirk) header from the centre of the box is too high following a corner. Update: Date: 89' Title: Post Content: Corner,Falkirk. Conceded by Ryan Harrington. Update: Date: 87' Title: Post Content: Corner,Falkirk. Conceded by Liam Parker.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic to play Premiership clash LIVE on Sky Sports at 3pm on a Saturday as Hoops end historic TV blackout
Some clubs have also now been granted postponements to assist them on European duty HOOPING IT UP Celtic to play Premiership clash LIVE on Sky Sports at 3pm on a Saturday as Hoops end historic TV blackout Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC fans will be able to watch their team live in a Scottish Premiership match at 3pm on a Saturday on Sky Sports during the festive period in what's a notable break from the norm. The Hoops will travel to take on Livingston on Saturday December 27, with a 3pm kick off. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The Celtic players in the huddle Credit: Kenny Ramsay 2 Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers before the William Hill Premiership match Credit: PA But the match has been given a 3pm kick off and will be aired live on Sky Sports, despite the fact that it's directly up against three other Scottish Premiership matches. One of those is Rangers' home clash with Motherwell, while Dundee take on Falkirk and St Mirren play host to KIlmarnock. The other two games in the Scottish Premiership that weekend will both be aired live. The Edinburgh derby between Hibs and hearts has already been published with a 12.30pm kick-off on Sky Sports and will be followed by Livingston v Celtic, live on Sky Sports at 3.00pm. Premier Sports will show Aberdeen v Dundee United at 5.45pm to complete an unprecedented day of back-to-back televised top-flight Scottish football. It's unclear exactly at this stage what the ramifications are for the blackout Under Uefa's article 48, the 3pm blackout applies when 50 per cent of games in the top two divisions kick off at 3pm on a Saturday. England and Scotland currently the only two countries in Europe who voluntarily sign up to adhere to the restriction. It has been in force since 1960 and is designed to protect attendances at lower league clubs. But it's possible that the fact the Championship takes place on Boxing Day and the likely moving of Premiership matches in Europe could allow teams to take advantage of the 50 per cent loophole. Meanwhile, Aberdeen have officially postponed their Week 3 clash with Dundee Utd to assist them in Europa League playoff action - and Hibs will follow suit when it comes to their meeting with Falkirk if they can make it that far. Rangers could still do likewise with their week 3 visit to St Mirren, but have yet to confirm if that will be the case - although SkySports have committed to screening that match live. The SPFL wrote in a statement: "Two of the TV selections in round three are subject to change due to the new policy to assist SPFL clubs in UEFA competition, which allows clubs involved in play-off matches to postpone their round three fixtures, without requiring the approval of their opponents. "Falkirk v Hibernian has been chosen by Premier Sports for live coverage on Saturday August 23, kick-off 5.45pm, but following a request from Hibernian will be postponed if they reach the play-off stages of the Europa League or Conference League. "Sky Sports have selected St Mirren v Rangers for live broadcast in round three. The details of that fixture, which remains subject to possible postponement, will be confirmed when it is clear what UEFA competition Rangers will be participating in at the time. "Dundee United v Aberdeen on Saturday August 23 has today been postponed following a request by Aberdeen, who will be participating in the Europa League play-offs." Full list of latest confirmed TV selections Friday August 22 William Hill Championship Raith Rovers v Dunfermline Athletic Live on BBC Scotland, kick-off 7.45pm Saturday August 23 William Hill Premiership Falkirk v Hibernian Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 5.45pm Note: Will be postponed if Hibernian are involved in the play-offs of a UEFA competition Sunday August 31 William Hill Premiership Dundee v Dundee United Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 2.00pm Saturday December 27 William Hill Premiership Livingston v Celtic Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.00pm Saturday December 27 William Hill Premiership Aberdeen v Dundee United Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 5.45pm Tuesday December 30 William Hill Premiership Motherwell v Celtic Live on Premier Sports, kick-off 8.00pm Saturday January 3 William Hill Premiership Dundee United v Dundee Live on Sky Sports, kick-off 3.00pm Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
