Latest news with #PatrickThistle
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
The Review: Former Celtic prospect Tsoanelo Letsosa puts his best foot forward with Partick Thistle
Young Partick Thistle midfielder Tsoanelo Letsosa could be the best player in the Championship this season — as long as he remembers to bring his boots. The 21-year-old former Celtic prospect has been a breath of fresh air, on and off the pitch, since moving to Firhill from Belgian club Lommel in the summer. He has captured the imagination in all but one of his five appearances, the exception being a subdued display in the 5-1 defeat at McDiarmid Park on the opening day of the league season. 'He played against St Johnstone,' confirmed Thistle manager Mark Wilson. 'And he'll probably not like me telling this, but we thought something was off with him. He forgot his boots, so he had to wear the centre-half's boots. So, a lesson learned.' Not an ideal start, you might think, but Thistle will soon forget about that if the Lesotho-born player continues to be as bright and exciting as he has been since signing a two-year deal in the summer. Letsosa scored on his debut against Queen of the South, won the penalty that earned Thistle a point against Morton and caught the eye in their Premier Sports Cup win against Ayr United yesterday. That 2-0 triumph at Firhill set up a quarter-final tie at home to Celtic, the club with whom Letsosa spent six years as an academy player after moving to Scotland with his family at a young age. Capped by Scotland at youth level, Letsosa was highly-thought of at Celtic, but he rejected a new contract in 2023 and opted instead to further his career in the Belgian second division. The idea was to play regular first-team football there, but he returned to Scotland in July and the hope is that Thistle can be the platform he has been waiting for. While Dan O'Reilly and Logan Chalmers got the goals in a deserved victory against Ayr, it was the spark provided by Letsosa that many were talking about afterwards. Quite apart from having two good feet, a quick turn of pace and an eye for goal, he has an infectious personality that is endearing him to his manager, his team-mates and the Thistle supporters. 'He's brilliant,' said Wilson. 'What a character. Have you ever got to speak to him as well? He lights up a room and he lights up a pitch with the way he moves with the ball.' With his Celtic schooling, and his experience in Belgium, Letsosa has a good attitude to go with his natural ability. 'He was terrific today,' added Wilson. 'You could see how much ground he covers and his data backs that up as well. But he's got real quality. So, when he's on top of his game, he's going to be hard to better in this division.' So far, Thistle's league campaign has not gone to plan, but they have won all five of their games in a compelling Premier Sports Cup adventure. Letsosa and his team-mates have every reason to be excited about their sixth. Savvy Steelmen show there's life after Lennon As Motherwell have proved time and again over the years, the departure of a top player need not be a debilitating blow. Just as they dealt capably with the sale of David Turnbull to Celtic, so can they be expected to take Lennon Miller's record-breaking £4.7million move to Udinese in their stride. Selling players for a handy fee and rebuilding their team is nothing new to the Lanarkshire club, who understand and embrace where they stand in the football food chain. As Miller prepares to make a potential debut for Udinese in tomorrow night's Coppa Italia tie against Carrarese, manager Jens Berthel Askou and his remaining players have already moved on. Together, they have a team ethic and playing style that is more important than any individual, as St Johnstone discovered to their cost in the Premier Sports Cup. At McDiarmid Park, Motherwell passed, passed and passed again until it wore down their Championship opponents and bore fruit with an extra-time winner from Lukas Fadinger. The deserved 1-0 victory set up a quarter-final tie away to Aberdeen and, perhaps more importantly, showed a vision that should serve them well in the Premiership. Motherwell dominate the ball, have made some intriguing signings — playmaker Elijah Just is one to watch — and so far lack only the goals to show for their share of possession. But that will surely come, especially if they sign a scorer between now and the end of the transfer window. They can't say they don't have the money.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Premier Sports Cup draw LIVE as Celtic and Aberdeen among clubs awaiting quarter final fate
The dream of Hampden moves one step closer as the Premier Sports Cup enters the quarter-final stage. Six of the eight teams in the hat are confirmed with two ties to be played on Sunday between Kilmarnock vs Dundee United and Livingston vs Hibs after the two away sides played European football on Thursday night. Holders Celtic booked their spot in the hat with a convincing win over Premiership new boys Falkirk on Friday night at Parkhead and have been joined by Aberdeen, Motherwell, St Mirren and Patrick Thistle from today's 3pm kick-offs. Rangers and Alloa square off in the late game at Ibrox with the winner earning a spot in that hat.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers 'consider' move, Celtic ‘decide against' deal, 16-cap Scotland ace 'in talks'
Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic and the Scotland national team. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news and gossip this Thursday morning, including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic, the Scotland national team and more. Ex-Scotland cap joins 15th club Former Celtic striker Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle after his release from Dundee United in the summer. The 31-year-old has signed a two-year-deal at Maryhill, who become the 15th club of his career. Having won promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2023/24, Watt struggled for regular game time at Tannadice last season, and spent the second-half of last season on loan to former club Motherwell, featuring 28 times at Fir Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To secure a player like Tony is a real coup for the club,' said head coach Mark Wilson. 'I played with him briefly when he was a youngster at Celtic and he's gone on to have a distinguished career since then. He arrives here as a very experienced player who had an excellent season the last time he was playing at this level and we want to give him the platform to perform like that again.' Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle on a free transfer this summer. | SNS Group St Mirren 'rejected' by defender St Mirren have failed in their attempts to lure Latvian defender Daniels Balodis to the SMiSA Stadium this summer, with the former St Johnstone centre-back set to sign for Slovakian side Tatran Presov. The 27-year-old spent last season at McDiarmid Park, playing 13 times, bur departed Perthshire following the club's relegation to the Scottish Championship. His form at St Johnstone had alerted head coach Stephen Robinson to his availability, but it appears the Paisley outfit have been unsuccessful in their attempts to keep the Riga-born defender in the Scottish Premiership, with Balodis on the verge of completing a move to the Slovakian top flight. Daniels Balodis departed St Johnstone earlier this summer. | SNS Group Scotland ace set for shock switch Scotland international goalkeeper Angus Gunn is set to make a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League, according to a report from MidanAlYaum. The 29-year-old was released by Norwich City in the summer and is available as a free agent, leading to loose links with a move to the Scottish Premiership. However, it appears the 16-cap stopper is now interesting Al-Khaleej, who have 'opened talks' with Gunn and his agent, with offer that has been made from the club 'welcomed' by the ex-Southampton man. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad English Premier League sides Everton and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in Gunn in recent months, with the Toffess thought to have an interest in Gunn due to David Moyes need for an experienced back-up to Jordan Pickford on Merseyside. Angus Gunn is 'in talks' with a Saudi Pro League club - though Everton have an interest in bringing him to Merseyside this summer. | SNS Group Rangers 'consider' surprise move Rangers are mulling over a transfer move for ex-Ibrox ace and current Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass, following the financial uncertainly currently surrounding the Owls. Head coach Russell Martin has already raided the Hillsborough outfit for Djeidi Gassama, who is expected to have his move to Rangers confirmed imminently, with the Ibrox hierarchy now said be 'closely monitoring the situation' at the EFL Championship outfit, according to an exclusive report from the Sheffield Star. According to the report 'several players are understood to have tendered a notice period' at Sheffield Wednesday, after cashflow problems saw wages for May and June 2025 not paid on time for most senior players and staff, with the Owls' pressing need for funds putting several clubs on alert as they look to poach their key players. Coventry City, Derby County and Norwich City are also reported to hold an interest in Windass. Josh Windass has been a key figure for Sheffield Wednesday in recent years - but is now set to leave Hillsborough. |Celtic 'decide against' transfer Celtic have pulled out of a move for winger Isak Jansson due to Rapid Vienna's price tag - but have been offered renewed hope of in their quest to sign Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The Scottish champions were reported to have made an inquiry for Jansson, 22, but baulked at the asking price for the young Swede, and will now turn their attentions other targets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to Sky Sports, Jansson is now edging closer to a move to Ligue 1 side Nice after the two club's agreed a deal worth around £9million for the diminutive winger. Celtic could now move forward with a deal for long-term target Balikwisha though, following reports that the Belgian missed training with Royal Antwerp amid transfer negotiations. Antwerp's forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha is a long-term target for Celtic. | Belga/AFP via Getty Images
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers 'consider' move, Celtic ‘decide against' deal, 16-cap Scotland ace 'in talks'
Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic and the Scotland national team. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Here is the latest Scottish football transfer news and gossip this Thursday morning, including the latest rumours surrounding Rangers, Celtic, the Scotland national team and more. Ex-Scotland cap joins 15th club Former Celtic striker Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle after his release from Dundee United in the summer. The 31-year-old has signed a two-year-deal at Maryhill, who become the 15th club of his career. Having won promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2023/24, Watt struggled for regular game time at Tannadice last season, and spent the second-half of last season on loan to former club Motherwell, featuring 28 times at Fir Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'To secure a player like Tony is a real coup for the club,' said head coach Mark Wilson. 'I played with him briefly when he was a youngster at Celtic and he's gone on to have a distinguished career since then. He arrives here as a very experienced player who had an excellent season the last time he was playing at this level and we want to give him the platform to perform like that again.' Tony Watt has joined Patrick Thistle on a free transfer this summer. | SNS Group St Mirren 'rejected' by defender St Mirren have failed in their attempts to lure Latvian defender Daniels Balodis to the SMiSA Stadium this summer, with the former St Johnstone centre-back set to sign for Slovakian side Tatran Presov. The 27-year-old spent last season at McDiarmid Park, playing 13 times, bur departed Perthshire following the club's relegation to the Scottish Championship. His form at St Johnstone had alerted head coach Stephen Robinson to his availability, but it appears the Paisley outfit have been unsuccessful in their attempts to keep the Riga-born defender in the Scottish Premiership, with Balodis on the verge of completing a move to the Slovakian top flight. Daniels Balodis departed St Johnstone earlier this summer. | SNS Group Scotland ace set for shock switch Scotland international goalkeeper Angus Gunn is set to make a surprise move to the Saudi Pro League, according to a report from MidanAlYaum. The 29-year-old was released by Norwich City in the summer and is available as a free agent, leading to loose links with a move to the Scottish Premiership. However, it appears the 16-cap stopper is now interesting Al-Khaleej, who have 'opened talks' with Gunn and his agent, with offer that has been made from the club 'welcomed' by the ex-Southampton man. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad English Premier League sides Everton and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest in Gunn in recent months, with the Toffess thought to have an interest in Gunn due to David Moyes need for an experienced back-up to Jordan Pickford on Merseyside. Angus Gunn is 'in talks' with a Saudi Pro League club - though Everton have an interest in bringing him to Merseyside this summer. | SNS Group Rangers 'consider' surprise move Rangers are mulling over a transfer move for ex-Ibrox ace and current Sheffield Wednesday forward Josh Windass, following the financial uncertainly currently surrounding the Owls. Head coach Russell Martin has already raided the Hillsborough outfit for Djeidi Gassama, who is expected to have his move to Rangers confirmed imminently, with the Ibrox hierarchy now said be 'closely monitoring the situation' at the EFL Championship outfit, according to an exclusive report from the Sheffield Star. According to the report 'several players are understood to have tendered a notice period' at Sheffield Wednesday, after cashflow problems saw wages for May and June 2025 not paid on time for most senior players and staff, with the Owls' pressing need for funds putting several clubs on alert as they look to poach their key players. Coventry City, Derby County and Norwich City are also reported to hold an interest in Windass. Josh Windass has been a key figure for Sheffield Wednesday in recent years - but is now set to leave Hillsborough. |Celtic 'decide against' transfer Celtic have pulled out of a move for winger Isak Jansson due to Rapid Vienna's price tag - but have been offered renewed hope of in their quest to sign Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha. The Scottish champions were reported to have made an inquiry for Jansson, 22, but baulked at the asking price for the young Swede, and will now turn their attentions other targets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to Sky Sports, Jansson is now edging closer to a move to Ligue 1 side Nice after the two club's agreed a deal worth around £9million for the diminutive winger. Celtic could now move forward with a deal for long-term target Balikwisha though, following reports that the Belgian missed training with Royal Antwerp amid transfer negotiations. Antwerp's forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha is a long-term target for Celtic. | Belga/AFP via Getty Images
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scottish Championship: Everything you need to know about promotion race ahead of thrilling final night
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Everything you need to know ahead of the final fixtures in the Championship season. 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... The make up of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season will become clearer when the final fixtures of the Scottish Championship season take place on Friday night. A tense evening lies in wait at the top end of the second tier after leaders Falkirk stumbled towards the finish line in their title race and allowed Livingston to close on them ahead of the final round of fixtures. Two of the three play-off places have been secured but the final spot is still up for grabs as the likes of Ayr United, Patrick Thistle and Raith Rovers look to join the champion back in the top flight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Falkirk manager John McGlynn will lead his side to back-to-back titles with a victory over Hamilton on Friday night. (Photo by Craig Foy / SNS Group) | SNS Group At the opposite end of the table, the relegation battle has already been settled after Hamilton Academical's relegation was confirmed by their 15-point deduction and Airdrieonians will take part in the League One play-offs as they will end the regular season second from bottom in the table no matter what happens on Friday night. Here is everything you need to know about what lies in wait in the Championship on Friday night. Who can win the Championship title and who is in contention for a play-off place? Falkirk goalscorer Barney Stewart and his team-mate Tom Lang celebrate after the 3-0 William Hill Championship victory over Airdrieonians on Tuesday evening (Photo: Craig Foy/SNS Group) Falkirk have the title in one hand even though they are level on points with second placed Livingston. Despite a recent blip consisting of one draw and two consecutive losses, the Bairns are strong favourites to be crowned champions as they take on bottom of the table Hamilton, who are already preparing for life in League One next season. Livingston will hope to take advantage of any more unexpected slip-ups from the frontrunners and they will be crowned as champions if their points return from their home game with Partick is better than Falkirk claim from their meeting with Hamilton. Falkirk or Livingston, whoever doesn't win the title, will take one of the three play-off places and they will be joined by Scott Brown's Ayr United after they secured third spot in recent weeks. However, the third and final play-off spot is still up for grabs. Partick currently sit in fourth place ahead of their visit to Livingston - but they have Raith Rovers sat just two points behind them. Barry Robson's men visit Queens Park on Friday night and must claim a win and hope Partick fall to a defeat in their game at the Almondvale Stadium. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad How does the Championship relegation picture look ahead of Friday night's games? Hamilton, as already stated, have been relegated into League One and will round off a disappointing season at title favourites Falkirk. Airdrieonians, who host Ayr United on Friday, will finish second bottom whatever happens and will enter the League One play-offs. What are the final day fixtures in the Scottish Championship? Falkirk v Hamilton Academical, Livingston v Partick Thistle, Queen's Park v Raith Rovers, Airdrieonians v Ayr United, Greenock Morton v Dunfermline Athletic (all 7.45pm kick-offs) Are any Scottish Championship final day fixtures broadcast live on television? Yes, two fixtures will be broadcast live by the BBC and there is no surprise to discover they be involve clubs in the title race. The game between current leaders Falkirk and already relegated Hamilton Academical will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland and second placed Livingston's home game with play-off contenders Partick Thistle will be shown via the BBC iPlayer. Your next football read: Michael McIndoe: Let's all play our part in getting Edinburgh City into League One
