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The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Nicolas Kuhn's simple message after 'special' Celtic season
The German enjoyed a stellar campaign, scoring 21 goals and assisting 15 across 51 appearances in all competitions. Read more: He netted a fine late winner away at Ross County near the start of the season and bagged an eye-catching brace in a memorable 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League a few weeks later. Also in Europe, it was Kuhn who drew Celtic level in Munich against Bayern before Alphonso Davies' late leveller broke Celtic hearts. Following the end of the most recent season, Kuhn took to Instagram, posting a two-and-a-half-minute-long video of his best moments, writing: "What a season. Special moments. Thanks for the support." The 24-year-old joined Celtic in January 2024 for £3.5 million from Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna. Injury and dental issues seemingly ravaged his first few months in Glasgow's east end, with the attacker not fully finding his feet until the start of last season. While he didn't win any individual awards, Kuhn was named in PFA Scotland's Team of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign, alongside six of his Celtic teammates. 2024/25 PFA Scotland Team of the Year: Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, John Souttar, James Penrice. Midfielders: Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Nicolas Raskin. Attackers: Nicolas Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Sam Dalby.
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Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs boss David Gray on unsung coaching heroes and captain's role in comeback
'I never felt like I lost them,' says manager as he hails dressing room culture Sign up to our Hibs football 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... Hibs boss David Gray believes crocked captain Joe Newell and the unsung heroes of his backroom staff all deserve credit for creating the strongest winning culture he's known in a decade of service with the Easter Road club. And the former skipper, who dragged Hibs from the foot of the Scottish Premiership to a third place finish in a season of extremes, insists he never felt like he'd 'lost' the dressing room as he endured a torrid start to his first taste of management. Gray, who returned to the familiar role of interim boss following Nick Montgomery's sacking late last season, was handed the reins on a more permanent footing in the summer. He ended the campaign with European football secured – and was shortlisted for both the PFA Scotland and Scottish Football Writers Manager or the Year awards. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad All of those achievements seemed unlikely as Hibs won just one of their opening 14 league games. But a 17-game unbeaten run in Scotland's top flight, equalling a club record dating back to the Famous Five era, saw Gray's men mount a furious comeback that ended with them claiming the Best of the Rest honour behind the country's established big two. Midfielder Joe Newell 'held it all together' during crisis Explaining some of the factors that went into that turnaround, Gray singled out central midfielder Newell, who hasn't featured since late December because of two groin/hernia operations, the gaffer declaring: 'I've been here for 10 years, and the culture is as good as I've seen it, in terms of the togetherness in the group here. 'And that goes down to Joe Newell as club captain and what he does. He's not been someone that's performed on the pitch as much as he would like, but he's certainly held it all together off the pitch during the difficult times. And then players who have really had to step up this season, they've certainly done that during difficult times.' Manager can be 'crabbit' because assistants deal with players Explaining the importance of assistants Liam Craig and Eddie May, as well as goalkeeping coach Craig Samson, in coping with that brutal start to the campaign, Gray said: "They were very consistent. It's something that, knowing when I brought them to the football club, what they would be like. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Especially Sammy, the goalie coach. If he was quiet, then we know we've got a problem. 'He's the complete same every single day, win, lose or draw, which is really good. Sometimes he can be a bit frustrating! 'But it's really good because he's very consistent with that. He's very to the point. 'So the players, if they're feeling sorry for themselves, he'll put it on them straight away. Come on, what's wrong with you? It's only a game of football or it's only one result or whatever it might be. So he's very good from that point of view. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And it allows me probably to be a bit more crabbit knowing that they can get round about the players and make sure everyone's OK. Because a lot of the issues that maybe will happen in a dressing room, it's natural, it happens every single day. There's things that go on. 'Very rarely does it come to my door because my coaching staff will nip it in the bud, which is brilliant. So it is a real collective effort all the time and I'm very lucky to have staff that all pull in the same direction. Every single one of them has been a massive benefit to me this season.' Sitting in the auditorium used for analysis and planning sessions with players at the Hibernian Training Centre, Gray said there was no single incident that convinced him he was still on the right track even while results pushed his team into the relegation zone, explaining: "Maybe not directly that one moment. 'One thing that I think me and Liam were talking about a lot was ... he kept saying to me during the run, especially at the start when it was poor: 'We're not far away'. That's the words he kept saying to me all the time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I was like: 'That doesn't help!'. He just kept saying: 'We're not far away, honestly, we're not far away from being a good side.' Aye, I know, I know. 'But, genuinely, I think it's every day in training. When I was watching them in training and I was feeling like everything I'm asking them to do, the belief was there, they were doing it, they were all sticking by it. 'I'm coming in here and demonstrating, showing things on the screen, having meetings, post-match meetings. And, as I say, I never ever felt like I lost the buy-in. And that was something that was huge. 'And, again, that comes back to the characters that are in your group, who all want to be successful. And the environment that we've created here, the culture in the building.'
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
The ex-Hearts and Celtic star looking to help free agents as he aims to make difference amid 'sad reality'
Former Hearts and Celtic striker Craig Beattie is helping out-of-contract SPFL stars find new clubs at the PFA Scotland showcase event. Sign up to our daily 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... As part of his role with PFA Scotland - the independent trade union for professional footballers - former Hearts and Celtic forward Craig Beattie is helping out-of-contract players find new clubs ahead of the new SPFL season. Beattie, 41, is currently the union's Player Relations Officer and he has played a key role in organising this year's annual showcase event, which takes place at Cumbernauld's Broadwood Stadium. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The likes of ex-Celtic full-back Daniel Church and ex-Rangers midfielder Harry Weir are among the group building up to a match this Saturday which will see managers, coaches and scouts attend looking to pick up a hidden gem. Beattie hopes to get talented players moves to SPFL clubs 'The lads behind me are out of contract, they're looking for employment, looking for a job ultimately and it's a really difficult time at this stage of the season so every year PFA Scotland puts the talent showcase on with a view to trying to help the guys and support them getting a club for next year,' Beattie explained to Sky Sports. 'They train all week and the sessions have been brilliant so far. Then ultimately we'll get a game on a Saturday where there'll be loads of coaches, scouts and managers looking to strengthen the squad for next year. 'I think at times once you're a football player you get classed as earning hundreds of thousands of pounds a week like some of the players in England do. But we know full well that those riches aren't here in Scotland and it's stark contrast to the players here who are concerned about their career and their future. We also dip into education and personal development in the afternoon because some of these lads are out of full-time academies for example and they won't stay in full-time football. That's the sad reality. Our job is to help them do that. 'Industry-wide the exit element for the players could be a lot better but the players should be thankful and grateful that they've got the players' unions there to support them. There's a lot of funding, a lot of work and a lot of effort goes into providing that support. What we then hope is that the players buy into what we're doing because it's vital to them and some of them don't realise at this moment in time how vital it's going to be so it's not until a little bit down the line where they go I wish I tuned into that, I wish I tapped into that resource but we're there to reissue the message.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The showcase matches have previously been a success, with many players going on to win contracts at club's within the SPFL or below in the likes of the Lowland League. Beattie highlighted the example of former Aberdeen youth star Finn Yeats - who managed to earn a full-time deal with John McGlynn's Falkirk and is now a Scottish Premiership player after the Bairns' second-tier title success. Falkirk ace is great example of PFA Scotland showcase working He said: 'Ali Spalding went to Arbroath and is now a League One champion. We've had Corey O'Donnell and Kinley Bilham go to Stenny and they are playing regularly. The big one for us has been Finn Yates. He signed for Falkirk three years ago, he was at a bit of a low ebb, came to the talent showcase, played really well on a Saturday and he signed for Falkirk soon after. 'The end of his first season he played in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. Season two he was in the PFA Scotland team of the year, part of the invincible side that won League One and then last year he'd been promoted to the top flight. Now there's a lot of talent and hard work that's went into that from Finn, a lot of work from Falkirk as well so a huge amount of credit goes to Falkirk but that opportunity might not have arisen for Finn if he wasn't part of the talent showcase and that's what I'm having to convince and say to these players that opportunity is there. Some of these players behind us could end up being top flight players in two or three years just like what Finn has done.'
Glasgow Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Totally unacceptable – Jack MacKenzie hit by object thrown by Aberdeen fans
Home fans invaded the pitch at Tannadice after the final-day win which clinched fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership and a place in Europe. Amid the chaos, MacKenzie, an unused substitute, was struck by a missile thrown from the section holding Aberdeen fans and was given lengthy treatment before being taken away in a wheelchair with a bloodied bandage around his head. Stitches were required. A Police Scotland statement read: 'Part of a chair was thrown from the upper deck of the Fair Play Stand striking an Aberdeen player. He received treatment at the scene and will require further medical assessment.' United's lap of honour was called off and afterwards Thelin said: 'What's happened is totally unacceptable. It is actually a bad injury but Jack is OK so let's see how it feels after more minutes. Fans invaded the pitch after Dundee United's victory over Aberdeen at Tannadice Park (Ronnie Esplin/PA) 'It is not acceptable, it is really really bad. I haven't seen exactly what happened but our player got hurt, bad. I think everyone understands that is not OK. 'He got treatment already and the medical team did really well. There is the shock also when this happens. 'You are a football player in a football game and get hit like that. We just take care of the player now and take it from there.' United boss Jim Goodwin, who was pelted with missiles from Dons fans when they visited in December, was equally condemnatory. The former Aberdeen manager said: 'It's an absolute disgrace. I'm gutted for Jack MacKenzie, who's a terrific young player, and for him to be hit and seriously damaged by an object thrown by his own supporters, it's crazy. And it's not the first time. Jimmy Thelin spoke to RedTV after our game with Dundee Utd. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 17, 2025 'I've had a number of objects thrown at me throughout the season by the Aberdeen supporters and nothing has been done about it. 'So maybe it'll take a serious incident like this to happen in order for the authorities to really step in, take notice and punish those guys and ban them from football for life.' Police match commander, Supt Ray Birnie, said: 'This was a mindless act which has seriously injured the player resulting in him needing medical treatment. 'This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I'd appeal to all fans to help us trace the person responsible.' Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland chief executive, witnessed the scenes. He said: 'Jack MacKenzie is one of the PFA Scotland management committee so he was at a meeting the other day. So when you see him being wheeled off you are obviously pretty concerned. 'I have been warning for a long time that something like this would happen if we don't stop it. I don't get the mentality of anyone who would throw an object of any kind at a player. Jack Mackenzie was hit (Steve Welsh/PA) 'It is like Groundhog Day and I have always said if someone was to get hurt we are into a different domain. A player in this case is possibly going to come to us and then we are going to say what are we going to do. 'It is difficult for the authorities and the clubs, I get all of that but we are denying there is an issue here. I think over the whole season we have seen incidents and our members endangered on the field of play and this one is after the game as well. 'So something has to be done. There has to be conversations between the governing bodies, the clubs, ourselves, the managers and coaching associations to try and find a way out of this as it can't go on. These incidents are on the rise.' An SPFL spokesperson said: 'It's enormously disappointing and frustrating that one of the most exciting games in the season has been marred by such moronic behaviour. 'We await the match delegate report but will work closely with both clubs and Police Scotland to help identify the perpetrator and fully expect that appropriately severe footballing and judicial sanctions will be imposed.' Club statement. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 17, 2025 A statement from Aberdeen read: 'The club is dismayed and outraged at the scenes that unfolded following this afternoon's Premiership tie with Dundee United at Tannadice Park. 'Our player, Jack MacKenzie, has sustained a serious facial injury after being struck by a part of a chair that was thrown towards the pitch. 'We await further information, but what we know for sure, the chair was thrown from the stand in which the Aberdeen supporters were being housed. 'As such, we are calling on all fans who may have witnessed this event to contact the club to provide any information that may assist us in our investigations and wider discussions with the relevant authorities. 'When the perpetrator is identified, we will take the strongest possible action available to us.'
South Wales Guardian
18-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Totally unacceptable – Jack MacKenzie hit by object thrown by Aberdeen fans
Home fans invaded the pitch at Tannadice after the final-day win which clinched fourth spot in the William Hill Premiership and a place in Europe. Amid the chaos, MacKenzie, an unused substitute, was struck by a missile thrown from the section holding Aberdeen fans and was given lengthy treatment before being taken away in a wheelchair with a bloodied bandage around his head. Stitches were required. A Police Scotland statement read: 'Part of a chair was thrown from the upper deck of the Fair Play Stand striking an Aberdeen player. He received treatment at the scene and will require further medical assessment.' United's lap of honour was called off and afterwards Thelin said: 'What's happened is totally unacceptable. It is actually a bad injury but Jack is OK so let's see how it feels after more minutes. 'It is not acceptable, it is really really bad. I haven't seen exactly what happened but our player got hurt, bad. I think everyone understands that is not OK. 'He got treatment already and the medical team did really well. There is the shock also when this happens. 'You are a football player in a football game and get hit like that. We just take care of the player now and take it from there.' United boss Jim Goodwin, who was pelted with missiles from Dons fans when they visited in December, was equally condemnatory. The former Aberdeen manager said: 'It's an absolute disgrace. I'm gutted for Jack MacKenzie, who's a terrific young player, and for him to be hit and seriously damaged by an object thrown by his own supporters, it's crazy. And it's not the first time. Jimmy Thelin spoke to RedTV after our game with Dundee Utd. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 17, 2025 'I've had a number of objects thrown at me throughout the season by the Aberdeen supporters and nothing has been done about it. 'So maybe it'll take a serious incident like this to happen in order for the authorities to really step in, take notice and punish those guys and ban them from football for life.' Police match commander, Supt Ray Birnie, said: 'This was a mindless act which has seriously injured the player resulting in him needing medical treatment. 'This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I'd appeal to all fans to help us trace the person responsible.' Fraser Wishart, PFA Scotland chief executive, witnessed the scenes. He said: 'Jack MacKenzie is one of the PFA Scotland management committee so he was at a meeting the other day. So when you see him being wheeled off you are obviously pretty concerned. 'I have been warning for a long time that something like this would happen if we don't stop it. I don't get the mentality of anyone who would throw an object of any kind at a player. 'It is like Groundhog Day and I have always said if someone was to get hurt we are into a different domain. A player in this case is possibly going to come to us and then we are going to say what are we going to do. 'It is difficult for the authorities and the clubs, I get all of that but we are denying there is an issue here. I think over the whole season we have seen incidents and our members endangered on the field of play and this one is after the game as well. 'So something has to be done. There has to be conversations between the governing bodies, the clubs, ourselves, the managers and coaching associations to try and find a way out of this as it can't go on. These incidents are on the rise.' An SPFL spokesperson said: 'It's enormously disappointing and frustrating that one of the most exciting games in the season has been marred by such moronic behaviour. 'We await the match delegate report but will work closely with both clubs and Police Scotland to help identify the perpetrator and fully expect that appropriately severe footballing and judicial sanctions will be imposed.' Club statement. — Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) May 17, 2025 A statement from Aberdeen read: 'The club is dismayed and outraged at the scenes that unfolded following this afternoon's Premiership tie with Dundee United at Tannadice Park. 'Our player, Jack MacKenzie, has sustained a serious facial injury after being struck by a part of a chair that was thrown towards the pitch. 'We await further information, but what we know for sure, the chair was thrown from the stand in which the Aberdeen supporters were being housed. 'As such, we are calling on all fans who may have witnessed this event to contact the club to provide any information that may assist us in our investigations and wider discussions with the relevant authorities. 'When the perpetrator is identified, we will take the strongest possible action available to us.'
