Latest news with #Rennes
Scotsman
14 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Scotland starlet hungry for caps after under radar European league title-winning breakthrough season
21-year-old emulating his ex-Scotland international father 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... Scotland's Serie-A based cohort of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson are hogging the headlines for their trophy exploits on the continent, but there is another Scot also shining in Europe. Step forward right-back Max Johnston, fresh from winning the Austrian Bundesliga with Sturm Graz. The 21-year-old has forced his way into the first team under Jürgen Säumel and can look forward to Champions League football once again with Die Schwoazn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This has been a breakthrough season for Johnston, who moved to Graz from Motherwell two years ago. While he was part of the squad that won the league title in the 2023/24 campaign, he has played a significant role this time around. He has featured against the likes of Borussia Dortmund in European football and won his first Scotland cap back in March, coming on as a sub against Greece. Max Johnston (centre) during a Scotland training session at The City Stadium this week ahead of Friday's friendly against Iceland at Hampden. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group Johnston has flown under the radar for some Scotland fans, but over in Austria, he is winning rave reviews for his performances as an attack-minded full-back for Sturm Graz. He faces stiff competition to be a starter for Scotland in that area, given that Tony Ralston currently occupies the jersey. Nathan Patterson and Aaron Hickey are also coming back from long-term injuries. Scotland are well stocked in that department. Johnston's career trajectory is only upwards right now. His father Allan was also a Scotland internationalist, landing 18 caps and two goals, and has played a key part in his son's development, taking him on loan to Queen of the South and offering plenty of advice. Back when it is was largely unfashionable for Scottish players to leave the UK, Johnston Snr decided to make the move to French club Rennes for a season in 1996. He played 23 games for the Breton outfit after six years at Hearts, before moving back to Britain with Sunderland. His experiences meant that Johnston Jnr had an easy sounding board when Sturm Graz came calling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Allan Johnston, the father of Max Johnston, in action for Scotland in a 3-2 win over Estonia at Tynecastle in 1998. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 "Obviously my dad had a time in France [with Rennes] as well when he moved on from Hearts and I think he was a wee bit older [22]," said Johnston. "But of course I was lucky enough that I got to ask him for a bit of advice on how he managed to deal with moving abroad and stuff. He's been a really big help and he really pushed me to do it. "I think he was telling me that sometimes you just need to take a chance. There's always going to be competition no matter what club or where you play your football. There's always going to be competition, but sometimes you just need to be brave enough to take that step and work your way into the team. I think that's what I've done. "I think I was just more excited that I had the opportunity to go out and try something different. You see how well the other boys over in Italy had done at that time. They had a lot of success, so for me it was a great opportunity. "It's a reality shock when you know you're going to have dinners made for you and that and you're coming home from training. But no, it's something that I've really enjoyed the whole process of." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Not quite everything. Johnston is bashful when he is asked how his German is coming along. "Don't ask, I don't want to know!" he laughed. Such has been Johnston's form this season for a title-winning club, he has been loosely linked with a move. The defender has ambition but for now is enjoying the moment in Graz. Scotland's Max Johnston (left) in action for Sturm Graz during a Champions League match against Lille in France in December 2024. (Photo by DENIS CHARLET/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images "Obviously I really enjoy Austria," he continued. "I think it's been great for me. I'm contracted for another two years over there and I'm really enjoying it. But obviously as a player, there's a level I want to reach, so we'll see what happens. "The club's been really good to me since I went over. They really helped me out, helped me settle in when I first got over. It's good, we've got a good changing room as well, so the boys are quite close and we spend a lot of time together." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Team bonding has been helped by landing silverware and a partisan fanbase who have revelled in success. "Aye, the fans, it's amazing," he said. 'The experience of winning the double last year and winning the league this year, you just see how much it means to the fans and the city's amazing to be fair. "This year we had a big stage just outside the stadium and we just went and seen the fans for a bit and stuff, but it was amazing. One I'll never forget. I don't know how many fans were there, but it was a lot of people." Johnston's father faced an arduous journey to be a proud parent on the sidelines in Piraeus three months ago - "I think he got three flights that day to get over just for the game, so I'm very grateful that I've got him on my side and I'm just lucky that he got to see it," said Johnston. He is hoping his dad won't have to travel quite as far for his next one, when Scotland play Iceland at Hampden on Friday.
Morocco World
5 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Newcastle and Liverpool Eye Moroccan Starlet Aït Boudlal
Moroccan defender Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal is attracting growing interest from top clubs across Europe after a solid loan spell at Amiens. According to Africa Foot, Premier League sides Newcastle United and Liverpool are both keen on the Rennes center-back. Newcastle are understood to have met with the player's camp, while Liverpool have reportedly tabled a formal offer. French clubs OGC Nice and Lille are also monitoring him closely, with two top-half La Liga teams joining the chase. Aït Boudlal joined Rennes from Morocco's Mohammed VI Academy in July 2024. He spent the first half of the 2024–25 season playing for Rennes II in Championnat National 3 before moving to Amiens on loan in February. Despite joining mid-season, Aït Boudlal quickly became a regular starter for Amiens, making nine league appearances – eight as a starter – and registering one assist in a 3–2 win over Guingamp. His physical presence, composure, and sharp positioning have been widely praised. Amiens finished the season mid-table, in 11th. At 1.90m tall, Aït Boudlal is a commanding figure in defense. He captained Morocco at U17 level, leading them to runners-up finishes in the 2022 Arab Cup and 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He scored in the U17 AFCON final and earned a place in the Team of the Tournament. He also represented Morocco at the 2023 U17 World Cup. In October 2023, The Guardian named him among the 60 best young footballers in the world born in 2006. Still under contract with Rennes until 2028, Aït Boudlal faces a crucial summer. His next move could be a defining step in his career. Tags: Aït BoudlalAmiensLiverpoolNewcastleRennes
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Celtic yet to bid for Mills
Peterborough are aware of Celtic's interest in Harley Mills - but are yet to receive any offer. (Herald - subscription required), externalRennes have reportedly held "positive" talks with Brentford over the sale of Kyogo Furuhashi. (Daily Record), externalRead all of Wednesday's Scottish Gossip
The National
8 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Celtic flop 'expected' to leave EPL club as ex-winger is released
The central defender joined the Parkhead outfit in the summer of 2023 on an initial six-month loan. Phillips' tenure in Glasgow's east end ultimately didn't go to plan, as he played just eight times in all competitions. Read more: The 28-year-old promptly returned to Anfield, although he is now expected to leave Liverpool this summer, claims The Athletic. Phillips spent last season on loan at Derby County in the English Championship, although it remains to be seen where he may end up come the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign. News of his potential exit comes shortly after ex-Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven was released by Kilmarnock. The Rugby Park club recently provided a squad update following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season. Mackay-Steven was named as one of 15 players whose contracts are expiring and are set to depart. The wide man played 62 times in the green and white of Celtic in a two-and-a-half-year spell at the club after joining, alongside Stuart Armstrong, from Dundee United in 2015. Elsewhere, Rennes are said to have held positive talks with Brentford over the sale of Kyogo Furuhashi. It was reported earlier this month that Kyogo is 'expected' to leave the French club, with Bournemouth interested in finding out the terms of a potential transfer. Now, a new team from England's top flight has emerged in the race in the form of Brentford. Indeed, reports from Le Parisien [via RecordSport] claim that Rennes have held 'positive' talks with the London club regarding a potential deal. Thomas Frank's side finished 10th in the Premier League last season.
Glasgow Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Club hold 'positive' talks over Premier League move for ex-Celtic star
The Japanese striker joined the French club from Celtic in January but has failed to make an impact, playing just six times without scoring. It was reported earlier this month that Furuhashi is expected to leave Rennes, with Bournemouth expressing interest in a possible transfer. Read more: However, Brentford have now entered the race for his signature. Le Parisien, via RecordSport, reported that the French club have held 'positive' talks with the London club regarding a deal. If a move to Brentford goes through, Furuhashi would team up with former Celtic player Kristoffer Ajer, who joined the Bees in 2021. Furuhashi, who played 165 times for the Hoops, was 15 goals short of hitting 100 during his time with the club. His agent, Joel Pinnock, previously spoke to The Sunday Times about his Celtic departure, saying: "We had teams from all over the world express interest. "There are certain markets where it would have been a very lucrative contract, but what sporting ambitions would realistically be achieved, particularly with the World Cup in mind in 18 months? "Then we had to speak to Celtic to understand their perspective because a club has no desire to lose their best player halfway through the season." Brentford finished 10th in the Premier League last season, and Furuhashi's addition could bolster their attacking options.
