Latest news with #RyanMcDonald
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
GridStrat Unveils GridStrat Clarity, a Business and Industry-Aware AI Engine for Improved AI Search Visibility and Live Market Intelligence
Calgary, Aug. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GridStrat today announced the launch of GridStrat Clarity, a business-aware AI platform that continuously analyzes a company and its operating environment to improve how AI systems answer questions about the business and to surface live market signals for sales, financing, and compliance teams. The Calgary-based firm specifies that the platform merges Generative Answer Engine Optimization (AEO/GEO) with continuous business ecosystem monitoring, a response to corporate and customer decisions increasingly originating and receiving decision support from AI tools. 'AI is now the front door to most buying and strategic decision making. GridStrat Clarity maximizes your business's value creation potential in this critical environment by continuously teaching AI systems the correct and most compelling facts about your business. Now you can ensure prospective stakeholders, from customers to investors, have your best information at their fingertips, and you can get ahead and stay ahead of competition by more rapidly digesting market shifts and improving your tactics.' — Ryan McDonald, Founder & CEO, GridStrat The platform's AI Visibility Optimization is already delivering significant results. It audits what popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Google AI infused search, Gemini, and Perplexity know about a business, provides guidance to improve recommendation visibility, corrects inaccuracies with structured, verifiable information, and helps earn accurate citations for high-intent queries. 'In just over a month, we moved from basically invisible in AI search recommendations to number 1 in both of our targeted growth markets, Idaho and Washington, for our product category,' said Terry Sydoryk, CEO of Cellar Insights. 'That shift has positioned us far more effectively to meet our company's sales objectives.' Beyond public visibility, GridStrat Clarity provides continuous, company-specific intelligence by tracking organizations, customers, policies, competitors, technologies, and key events. This allows it to route critical signals into actionable briefings and workflows. This new AI-driven landscape impacts the entire business ecosystem, including consulting and marketing communications partners. 'PR is a major contributor to AI answer credibility… GridStrat Clarity ensures our clients are represented accurately. Additionally, it equips their executives, and our team!, with GridStrat's strategic news monitoring and market intelligence, empowering everyone to move smarter and execute faster,' said Dalyce Semko, Founder & CEO of communications partner ExpandCommunications. Why This Matters AI systems are rapidly becoming a critical component of business, from product and vendor evaluation to exploring strategic scenarios and assisting with content and workflow. Simultaneously, markets, technologies, and regulatory and policy signals are changing more rapidly than ever. Organizations require improved and more accurate representation in AI answers for both external parties and for their own internal teams. GridStrat Clarity achieves this through continuous business ecosystem awareness to make more timely, informed decisions. Availability and Early Access GridStrat Clarity is available now to qualified customers and agency partners. GridStrat will also be opening limited Early Access programs for new modules built on the same business-aware core, including Target ID & Account Radar, Capital Signals & Grant Finder, and M&A support. Interested companies can join the waitlist. For more details, visit And contact: [email protected] About GridStrat GridStrat is a high-performance consulting and AI solutions firm based in Calgary, Alberta, dedicated to assisting founders and executives in achieving scalable, rapid, and efficient growth. The company specializes in growth strategy, business development, capital advisory, and AI-enhanced business tools to help clients across North America penetrate new markets, secure growth capital, and harness advanced technologies effectively. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Rangers fans sense Celtic transfer panic as Bank of Parkhead sits on millions and Rodgers begs for signings
Ryan McDonald mans the phone lines as Hoops supporters let rip at their board The Bank of Parkhead is overflowing with cash. But Celtic fans are growing increasingly restless as the millions continue to gather dust. The quest for five-in-a-row kicks off on Sunday, while the £40million Champions League play-off is just around the corner. And with Brendan Rodgers' squad desperately light in key areas, patience is wearing thin amongst the green-and-white faithful. Kenny Wilson from Moffat emailed:"With the new season starting this weekend, I never thought we would be heading into it with a squad without any major investment - it's an absolute joke. "More money in the bank than ever and it's a kick in the teeth to fans ploughing money constantly into the club. If the manager walks, I wouldn't blame him. The biscuit tin days are well and truly back." Joe MacEachen wrote: "Could somebody ask the Celtic Board what their transfer policy is in terms of bringing in quality players? "Reported bids of £1.5million for players are akin to those made by English Fourth Tier clubs and frankly are a disgrace and an insult to all Celtic fans. "What has happened to the £70m profit the board were congratulating themselves at making last season? It is certainly not being invested in the team, so is it being kept to line the pockets of the Board? "I know Celtic cannot compete financially with top clubs in England and Europe financially but for heaven's sake, we do have money available to invest in the team but so far little has been done nor does it look like being done before the new season begins next weekend or before the Champions League Qualifying play off in a few weeks. Why?" Eddie Easson, Ballingry Fife, said:" In answer to Keith Jackson's column, Celtic took their eye off the ball once in 14 years when they gifted Rangers the title during Covid through complacency and bad boardroom decisions. This hasn't happened again. "We have all heard the same every year, 'Rangers are coming' from various former Rangers directors. Now it's Paul Murray's minute of fame. Celtic will never underestimate Rangers this year is no different." Rangers fans can hear the alarm bells ringing from across the city as John Spence, South Ayrshire, wrote: "As a Rangers fan, the amount of panic emanating from the Celtic support is a welcome sign. "No marquee signings, a couple of poor friendly results and positive vibes emanating from Ibrox have taken them from complacency to despondency in a few short weeks. "Some are even calling for Lawwell and Desmond to be replaced! Are they really that fragile? Hopefully, we may find out soon. A poor start will see Celtic implode, the Herras fencing may be back out." Derek McInnes couldn't have asked for a better start as Hearts manager after rounding off an impressive pre-season by battering Sunderland 3-0. But Alfie Mullin, London, said:"It's interesting to see Jambos fans are getting delusional. After winning a few nothing games, they think they are going to win the league. I wonder what they're spiking Gorgie pies with these days?" One punter from the capital is unhappy with the Premier Sports Cup draw. Cameron Hall, Edinburgh, added: "So both Edinburgh teams have tricky away ties in the League Cup while, as usual, Celtic and Rangers basically have home byes. "Between them, the Old Firm have only been drawn away four times in the competition since 2020 and Rangers only once. As Woody Allen once said, 'Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me!'" Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jack Butland proves ill Rangers fit despite brilliance as Celtic transfer theory on Engels is back to front
Game On tackles the big talking points as Graeme Young and Ryan McDonald chew over the burning issues Some Rangers fans had completely lost faith in Jack Butland after a catalogue of blunders last season. But has the Ibrox shot stopper redeemed himself with his heroics against Panathinaikos on Tuesday night? That's just one of the hot topics tackled in this week's episode of Game On - available every Friday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts - as Graeme Young and Ryan McDonald chew over all the big talking points in Scottish football, served up in handy bite-sized chunks. Across the city, the clock is ticking on Celtic's £40million winner-takes-all Champions League playoff - and fans are demanding major reinforcements. The Parkhead board has five weeks to match Brendan Rodgers' ambition, but there's an even more pressing deadline looming that simply has to take priority. Throw in some chat about Craig Gordon's No1 status at Hearts and with Scotland, plus a lively debate around Josh Taylor's place in boxing history, and there's plenty for Record Sport's resident chinwaggers to sink their teeth into. You can watch the full podcast in the player above, or listen here. Rangers transfer priorities Ryan McDonald: I think they definitely need a left-back. Max Aarons played there against Panathinaikos but he's right-footed. Jefte was linked with Chelsea in January for £12/15million, don't know where that came from. He's nowhere near that standard. Ridvan's time has come and gone. He's never going to make it at Rangers, he's too injury-prone. When he is fit, he's a decent player, but he's far too injury-prone. Rangers need to clear the decks and have players that they can rely upon week in, week out. They need robust players and Ridvan is certainly not that. I can see him going back to Turkey, so I think left-back has got to be a priority. They are looking at strengthening the attacking areas too with £10million wingers. Graeme Young: That would be a statement of intent by the 49ers. Ryan McDonald: It would be. Whether it would be a straight loan deal or a £10million option to buy for Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, it's unclear at the minute. He looks like a real talent. Speaking to some Crystal Palace fans as well, they would be disappointed to lose him. I also think Rangers need a striker. Igamane will probably leave for big money and will fund more signings. You can't rely on Danilo. And Cyriel Dessers is Cyriel Dessers. He's always going to split opinion. He's Jekyll and Hyde and the best of times but he's still got a great scoring record. If he's to go, that's 24 goals out of your team so you need to replace him. Left-back and attacking areas for Rangers to strengthen. Graeme Young: I'm going to be controversial here. Jack Butland was excellent the other night in goals, but you could see straight away that Rangers need a sweeper keeper. That opens it up and makes it a different team. The way they want to move the ball out of defence, they need a keeper that's comfortable on the ball. Jack Butland's an important player, brilliant the other night and he'll need to be very good in Athens as well. It's not on him, but it's a different position they are looking for between the sticks. Celtic's transfer ambitions Ryan McDonald: Everyone talks about how it's five weeks until transfer deadline day. But the deadline for Celtic to get players in should be Thursday, August 14 because that's when they need to register their Champions League squad for the playoffs. That's less than three weeks away. So there's a matter of urgency to get signings in. I know Celtic like to leave it late to get their big-money signings, and yes, that could depend upon whether they qualify for the Champions League. Will Yang and Marco Tilio get you through to the group stages? You saw the difference in quality against Ajax in the attacking areas. Celtic seriously need to strengthen up top and they could do with another midfielder as well. They've got a luxury of options in the middle of the park but I really feel they need a powerhouse in the engine room, someone of the ilk of Victor Wanyama. They need muscle and power in the midfield especially when it comes to playing against Europe's elite. Graeme Young: I think Nygren playing more attacking midfield has caught some people by surprise as well. The assumption was maybe that he'd play in the wing like he did last season. He's a proper player. The bit I don't understand about Celtic is you watch them in Munich, they take Bayern all the way, you'd be moving heaven and earth then to get ahead of the game on transfers. It's obvious that this team is a level up, Brendan Rodgers has managed to take them a level up in the Champions League. With the amount of money in the bank, they need proper players. There's this theory that Engels and Idah's price tags have added a hesitance to go big again, but I think it's the opposite. I think you go again because that's where you are as a club."
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
5 big Celtic questions answered from pre-season trip to Portugal as transfer essentials named
Brendan Rodgers and his troops had mixed weather and mixed fortunes in their friendly games and Record Sport pick out the key issues Celtic rounded of their pre-season training trip to Portugal with a stylish 2-0 win over Lisbon giants Sporting. It completed a successful camp for Brendan Rodgers and his troops as they step up preparations for a return to competitive action. Newcastle United are next up at Parkhead on Saturday after the Hoops squad jetted back to Glasgow. Record Sport duo Michael Gannon and Ryan McDonald were in Lisbon and the Algarve with last season's double winners and we put them on the spot over some of the key issues. First impressions on Kieran Tierney 2.0? Michael Gannon: He'll need time to get fully up to speed – but that's what pre-season is all about. Celtic fans should have absolutely no worries about the full-back being able to pick up where he left off. There were some signs of rust against Estrela but he produced a solid hour or so in the win against Sporting Lisbon. Tierney was charging up the flank and flying into tackles like old times. There are question marks over his ability to do it for 50 games a season after a rotten time of it through injuries. But the Hoops hero might just surprise people. Ryan McDonald: Looked a bit rusty against Estrela Amadora but that's to be expected in his first game back. Was solid in the 2-0 win over Sporting and will only get better. The big question is whether or not he'll play as an inverted full-back or be given license to bomb forward on the overlap. There's no doubt he'd still tackle his granny, though. Will Hayata Inamura be the surprise package? Michael Gannon: It's unlikely. The defender looked half decent in his minutes on the pitch at left back but it's difficult to see him being the answer in the short term. This is a lad who has only had one season as a pro in Japan and he'll need time and space to settle in Scotland and get used to the game here. It would be more of a surprise if Inamura plays more than 10 games this season. Ryan McDonald: Before he had even unpacked his bags, Brendan Rodgers had him demoted to the B team. Yet the Japanese defender has really caught the eye both in training and in games. Will he be an able deputy to KT? That's doubtful. You'd still expect another left-back to come into the building as the position will be a job share, with KT's minutes set to be managed carefully. What position is an absolute transfer priority? Michael Gannon: There's two of them – both flanks. Celtic need a couple of wingers in the building and sharpish. Right now there's just Daizen Maeda and James Forrest, with one of them often needed as a striker and the other now 34. There's Yang there too and the Korean might be useful from time to time, but he hasn't really shown he can cut it as a regular in the side. A striker is another obvious one but that would be a tough gig for anything without wide men providing the supply. Ryan McDonald: There are gaping holes all over the park - but bolstering the wide areas is a priority. At the moment, Celts can only rely on 34-year-old James Forrest and Daizen Maeda. It's unlikely that Yang and Marco Tilio will ever be up to the task. There's a serious lack of depth and quality and they'll need at least two new wingers in the door before the Champions League play-offs. Throw in another left-back, central defender and striker, too. Who will start the season as first-choice striker? Michael Gannon: This is the big one. The chances are the first choice striker is not even in the building yet. Adam Idah should see this as his big chance to be the main man and he has shown he can score goals. He had a bit of a stinker against Sporting the other night with a couple of fluffed chances that drove his gaffer up the wall. Shin Yamada is coming in but Rodgers gave the impression the frontman could be one to assess once he lands rather than automatically going into the squad. Johnny Kenny and Callum Osmand are ones for the future but Celts need a man for right now. Ryan McDonald: Shin Yamada will be unveiled any day now but Rodgers has made it clear he wants more firepower. Adam Idah looked unconvincing in Faro on Wednesday night and missed two absolute sitters. The Hoops need more from their £9million man and this is the year where he'll be truly judged. Johnny Kenny played a part in both goals against Sporting CP but might need another loan stint elsewhere to continue his development. Callum Osmand is one for the future. Does Benji Nygren look like the real deal? Michael Gannon: He looks a touch of class. Rodgers laughed and ran a mile when it was suggested there are shades of Matt O'Riley about the playmaker but there is definitely a lot to be excited about. Nygren glides across the pitch and he can pick a pass - often a disguised one that leaves defenders on their bahookies. Again, it's early days and there's a lot of work to be done. But the early signs are very positive that he could be a top talent for the Hoops. Ryan McDonald: The £1.7m capture looks like another shrewd piece of business. He's of a similar mould to Matt O'Riley; tall, creative and a goalscoring threat from midfield. It's early days, but the Sweden international could easily hit double-digit goal contributions this season. Record signing Arne Engels could have his work cut out trying to force his way into a dynamic engine room of Nygren, Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Sporting CP vs Celtic LIVE score and goal updates from pre season friendly in Portugal
The champions of Scotland and Portugal go head-to-head tonight as Celtic bring the curtain down on their pre-season tour in the Algarve. Brendan Rodgers' side have been grafting in the searing heat of Lisbon since Thursday, even taking time to visit the iconic Estadio Nacional - the site of the club's greatest ever triumph in 1967 - before heading south last night. Saturday's behind-closed-doors runout against Estrela da Amadora ended in a 3-2 defeat, but now Callum McGregor and Co. will step things up in front of a big crowd at the Estadio Algarve. New Bhoys Kieran Tierney, Benji Nygren and Hayato Inamura are set for more minutes as they continue to build match sharpness, while a number of academy prospects could also be handed another chance to impress. Meanwhile, Shin Yamada is poised to become Celtic's latest summer signing, with the Japanese striker saying his goodbyes to Kawasaki Frontale ahead of his move to Glasgow. Rodgers is likely to face fresh questions on transfer business after the game, having already made it clear that reinforcements are urgently needed before the Premiership curtain-raiser. Ryan McDonald Pre-season fixture schedule Celtic got their campaign off to a flyer last year with emphatic pre-season wins over Manchester City and Chelsea. There hasn't quite been the same pace and energy so far this summer, but at this stage, it's all about building fitness. The champions have four more games to go before next month's Premiership curtain-raiser at home to St Mirren. July 4 - Queen's Park 0-1 Celtic July 8 – Cork City 1-2 Celtic July 12 – Celtic 2-3 Estrela Da Amadora July 16 (KO: 7:30pm) – Sporting CP v Celtic July 19 (KO: 3pm) – Celtic v Newcastle United July 24 (KO: 7:30pm) – Celtic v Ajax July 26/27 (KO TBC) – Como or Al Ahli v Celtic Ryan McDonald Odds-on to return? Celtic have been alerted to the availability of former hero Odsonne Edouard. However, Brendan Rodgers would have to stump up serious cash to bring the Frenchman back to Parkhead. Edouard has been deemed surplus to requirements at Crystal Palace and has entered the final year of his contract. The Eagles are keen to offload the striker this summer and Edouard is now weighing up his options. It's believed the ex-PSG kid is picking up a weekly salary of £80,000 - and that's a huge hurdle for Celts. Ryan McDonald Need for speed Impatient Celtic fans have made their feelings clear on social media about the lack of transfer business in recent days. But the Hoops are edging closer to a £1.2million deal for Japan B international Shin Yamada. Kawasaki Frontale have confirmed the striker is set to join 'an overseas club,' with Yamada expected to team up with compatriots Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Hayato Inamura in Glasgow's east end. Will he be a direct replacement for Kyogo? That remains to be seen - but Brendan Rodgers will be grilled on the incoming signing after tonight's clash with Sporting Lisbon.
