Latest news with #SPFLManageroftheYear
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Falkirk pip Livingston to return to Premiership after 15 years as Championship play-offs confirmed in dramatic final day
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FALKIRK have completed sensational back-to-back promotions to return to the Premiership after 15 long years away. Livingston were fighting for an immediate bounce back to the top flight on a dramatic final day of Championship action. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 John McGlynn has guided Falkirk to back-to-back promotions Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 Ethan Ross was the hero with a brace in the victory over Hamilton Credit: PA 3 David Martindale's Livingston missed out on the final day Credit: PA John McGlynn guided the Bairns to an invincible League One-winning season last year, earning him the SPFL Manager of the Year award. And Falkirk started this Championship season like a rocket too, seemingly in a two-way tussle for the title with Celtic legend Scott Brown and his Ayr United outfit. But as Ayr fell away, Livingston emerged as the main contenders to return to the top flight at the first time of asking after their relegation under David Martindale last term. A four-game winning streak for Livi, coupled with an incredible last-minute defeat for Falkirk against Partick Thistle last week, meant the teams were level on points going into the final game, with the Bairns top on goal difference. And they got the job done at Falkirk Stadium, beating already-relegated Hamilton Accies, who yesterday saw their fate sealed as their 15-point deduction was upheld by the SFA. That didn't stop the bottom side from providing an almighty scare though, as they took an early lead through Scott Robinson. McGlynn's side have been resilient all season though, and after Ethan Ross scored in either half and Calvin Miller added a third the promotion party got underway. Accies' points penalty meant the relegation scene was already set, with Airdrie consigned to the play-off. But the promotion play-off places were still to be decided, as Thistle and Raith Rovers fought for the right to join Livingston and Ayr in the top four. Thistle faced the daunting task of a visit to the Tony Macaroni Arena to play title-chasing Livi, whilst Raith travelled to already-safe Queen's Park. Livingston boss David Martindale opens his heart on life before, during and after prison.. and the managers he admires most But the Glasgow side, led by interims Brian Graham and Mark Wilson, scored thanks to Macaulay Tait's own goal, so despite Raith's 5-1 win at Hampden, Thistle's 1-0 victory kept them in the top four and put them in a fourth straight play-off. Elsewhere, Ayr beat Airdrie and Greenock Morton defeated Dunfermline. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Qualities Hibs can rely on as race for third and European places hits home straight
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Former Nottingham Forest keeper believes 'battle hardened' Easter Road warriors have what it takes 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 will rely on David Gray's proven grace under fire – and their own battle-hardened experiences from a crazy season – to deal with the pressure of a season run-in laden with potential triumph and disaster, according to experienced goalkeeper Jordan Smith. And the Englishman revealed that he's driven to repay the gaffer's faith in him after winning promotion to the starting line-up AND a new long-term contract. Gray, who has been short-listed for the SPFL Manager of the Year alongside Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Falkirk's John McGlynn, has earned high praise for keeping his cool during the early stages of his first season as manager. The former club captain went through a major crisis as his team won just one of their opening 14 league games. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Having dragged Hibs from the very bottom of the Scottish Premiership – a position they occupied as recently as early December – to their current position of third place, Gray has impressed his players with his refusal to get carried even as they put together an unbeaten run of 17 straight league runs. They're currently ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference and three points clear of Dundee United, who visit Easter Road on Saturday. With third place potentially guaranteeing group stage European football, should Celtic do the expected against Aberdeen in this month's Scottish Cup final, the pressure is on to hold off the Dons and United over the closing four games. Smith is adamant that the gaffer won't flap or crack under the strain. Laughing as he addressed Gray's reputation for maintaining a poker face in extreme circumstance, Smith – referencing last month's stunning 2-0 away win over Rangers – said: 'Yeah, we were quite impressed actually when we won at Ibrox that we got him to fist pump the crowd. I think that was the first time we've seen a little bit of emotion out of him. 'But, you know, that's a testament to how good he is at maintaining his level of emotion throughout good times and bad times. And I think that carries on through the squad, you know. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He leads in a calm manner and that gives us confidence. So we know that he'll have us right for the Dundee United game.' Smith believes going through the crisis of defeat after agonising defeat earlier in the campaign, even though it was before he broke into the team, must serve Hibs well as things get tight during the closing stretch, the former Nottingham Forest back-up saying: 'Yeah, I think battle-hardened is the best way to describe us. You saw that even though it was flat in the dressing room after the Aberdeen game, as you'd expect with any loss. 'But, you know, we've been through worse and off the back of what we've done over the last three or four months, we've put ourselves in such a fantastic position that we need to move on from it very quickly. That's the only answer to the question. 'As you said, we've made it harder for ourselves than we would have liked. But ultimately, we need to outperform the other teams who we're fighting to attain that third place.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Smith's ascent from unused sub in League Two to brink of UEFA group stage football On a personal level, Smith is revelling in his role as No. 1, having stepped into the breach after a series of high-profile mistakes from fellow summer signing Josef Bursik. After a career spent mainly in a supporting role, the 30-year-old – now under contract until 2028 – is already dreaming of European football. 'Yeah, 100 per cent right,' he said, adding: 'I've sort of touched on this before that I couldn't have dreamed of this in all honesty. So the fact that we've got a real chance to do it now is something that I'm relishing and, you know, I honestly just want to make sure I can do everything possible to help this team get that over the line. 'Because, you know, if you look at my career and having not played as much as I potentially wanted to and then, you know, going to Stockport last year in League Two, not playing a minute in the league to then come up here, as you say, signed as a backup goalkeeper. I'm very thankful for the way that everything's happened and the trust that's been placed in me to be the Hibs No. 1 for the vast majority of this season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So I'd just love to repay that in all honesty. That's where I'm at with it. I think, you know, the manager putting his faith in me and asking me to be such a big part of this, that's, yeah, as I said, something I'm relishing, and I really hope we can get this done and get it over the line.'
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Luke McCowan says ‘we'll never know' if Celtic would ever give a guard of honour to Rangers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Celtic title party will arrive at the home of their biggest rivals for the final Old Firm of the season on Sunday. But Rangers are unlikely to be in a welcoming mood for Celtic's first match since securing a fourth straight Premiership title. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Celtic have wrapped up the Premiership title with four games still to go Credit: PA 3 Luke McCowan isn't expecting a guard of honour from Rangers in Celts' first game since sealing the crown Credit: PA 3 The Hoops were honoured by St Mirren in the final league game of last season Credit: Kenny Ramsay Brendan Rodgers' side can enjoy their remaining four league games having already sealed the title. That's before they head to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen on 24 May, trying to secure yet another Treble. The Hoops could even have wrapped up the title earlier, before eventually getting the job done with a 5-0 win at Dundee United. Rangers hero Kris Boyd even suggested his old side would be HAPPY that the league is wrapped up. But it's highly unlikely that we'll see Gers welcome the champions with a guard of honour at Ibrox on Sunday. Celts midfielder Luke McCowan isn't expecting to be greeted warmly on the other side of Glasgow - and didn't think it was worth speculating what would happen if the roles were reversed. Asked by Clyde whether he was expecting a guard of honour at Ibrox, McCowan said: "No, not at all, but that's just how it is, isn't it? "I don't know how it would be if it was on the other foot, but we'll never really know I don't think. "We'll wait and see what happens." Gers last won the league during lockdown in 2020/21, when Celts declined to give a guard of honour in the first Old Firm clash after Steven Gerrard's men sealed their 55th crown. Celtic-daft snooker ace John Higgins aims brutal dig at Rangers after Hoops' title triumph Meanwhile, Hoops boss Rodgers is one of three gaffers named on the shortlist for SPFL Manager of the Year. Last year's winner John McGlynn is again on the shortlist, with Falkirk on track for back-to-back promotions and a return to the top flight after winning League One unbeaten last term. And Hibs boss David Gray rounds off the list, having turned around the Easter Road side's fortunes to have them sitting third. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Edinburgh Reporter
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
David Gray and Grant Scott nominated for their respective PFA Manager of the Year awards
Hibs head coach David Gray and Hibernian Women's head coach Grant Scott have been nominated for their respective PFA Manager of the Year awards. Gray has been nominated for the SPFL Manager of the Year award after his side's excellent turnaround in form. Gray equalled the Club's longest post-war unbeaten run in the Scottish top-flight, and in the process picked up three Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month awards. Hibs currently sit third in the William Hill Premiership with just four games remaining. Gray has been nominated alongside Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and John McGlynn at Falkirk for the award. Hibernian Women head coach Grant Scott Photo Credit: Ian Jacobs. Scott has been nominated for the SWPL Manager of the Year award. Scott's side have been in magnificent form throughout the 2024/25 campaign and are currently top of the SWPL table, two points ahead of second-placed Rangers. Over the course of the year, they have produced a string of eye-catching performances, including wins over fellow title challengers Rangers, Celtic, and Glasgow City – as well as reaching Sky Sports Cup Final in March. Scott has been nominated for the SWPL award alongside Rangers Women's Head Coach Jo Potter, Glasgow City Head Coach Leanne Ross, and Motherwell Women Head Coach Paul Brownlie. The overall winners will be announced on Sunday 4 May, at the PFA Scotland Awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow. Like this: Like Related
STV News
22-04-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Hibs star Chris Cadden backs David Gray for manager of the year
Hibernian FC star Chris Cadden has backed head coach David Gray to win the SPFL Manager of the Year award. The Easter Road side have turned their season around and climbed from the foot of the table all the way up to third place with five games to go. The team currently hold a post-war club record of 17 unbeaten league games, dating back to the end of 2024 and still haven't been defeated in the calendar year. Cadden has been a big part of that success with a string of impressive performances and he insists the manager deserves extra credit for how he turned the campaign around. He said: 'We have belief and there is confidence within the squad, but we can't get complacent now. 'In terms of the manager, he has been brilliant, when we were facing adversity he never panicked and he never lost his cool despite being under a lot of pressure. 'So we are just buzzing for him with the success we have had this season and hopefully we can continue that and have a successful end. 'As far as manager of the year is concerned I think you have to take everything into account, so he definitely should (be in the running) why would he not be? 'He would be my pick, even if I am a bit biased, to be honest, but he's been great. 'Especially when you consider the turnaround, and it being his first job, and with the pressure of being a player here as well, he has been brilliant. 'As a manager and as a person he has been great for us, and hopefully if we continue our success until the end of the season then the gaffer will get the recognition that I think he deserves.' Cadden has had the extra bonus of sharing a pitch with twin brother Nicky this season with the pair both excelling together in a Hibs jersey. And he admits that it makes the season even more special on a personal level. He said: 'It's been a special season from a Cadden family point of view, it was a tough start, but as soon as Nicky joined and when you are winning games with Hibs it's a special place and there's really no better place to be. 'On top of that, when you look across the pitch and see your brother there, it's a special moment. 'It's great, and something we could never have imagined growing up to be at one of Scotland's biggest clubs together and being successful here as well. 'He's not only my brother, but my twin and my best mate as well, so hopefully we can end the season successfully. 'So playing with him will always be special, the first time we took to the pitch together will always be something to look back on and be a proud moment for the family. 'And hopefully when we look back on this season we can remember it as one of the best.' 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
