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Edinburgh Reporter
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Kabangu signs and Hearts face Dunfermline
Elton Kabangu has penned a three-year deal with Heart of Midlothian FC, turning his loan from Belgian side, Royal Union Saint-Gilloise into a permanent move for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old joined the Tynecastle team in January and subsequently claimed eight goals in 18 appearances, finishing the campaign as the club's second-top goalscorer, one behind skipper Lawrence Shankland. Derek McInnes, the new head coach, said he had a good talk with Kabangu and he added: 'We're both excited about what the future holds.' McInnes feels Kabangu is a handful for opposition defences and he's confident that Hearts will receive more from the player next term. Kabangu said: 'I am just getting started and there are some big things to come for Hearts.' Meanwhile, Hearts will face Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group E of the Scottish League Cup. Of course, Dunfermline are managed by Neil Lennon (pictured), a former Hibs and Celtic boss. Livingston are in Group H alongside Kilmarnock, Kelty Hearts, East Fife and Brora Rangers. Matches start on July 12/13 with more fixtures on July 15/16, 19/20, 22/23 and 26/27. The team finishing top of the section as well as the best three runners-up move forward to the last 16 which is scheduled for August 16/17 when the teams competing for Europe – Celtic, Rangers, Hibs and Dundee United and Aberdeen – will enter the event. The quarter-finals are on September 20/21, the semi-finals on November 1/2 and the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Sunday, December 14. Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Premier Sports Cup draw in full as Hearts and other SPFL clubs learn their opponents, dates and prize money
The Scottish League Cup begins on the weekend of 12/13 July Sign up to our Hearts 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 Premier Sports Cup group stage draw today paired Hearts with Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group E. Newly-appointed head coach Derek McInnes will make his debut in the competition in mid-July as he looks to revive the Edinburgh club. Hearts lost 2-0 away to Scottish Championship side Falkirk in the last-16 of this season's Premier Sports Cup and will be eager to make a better impact in the competition under McInnes. They have not lifted the trophy for more than 60 years since the 1962/63 season. A number of fresh signings will be in place at Tynecastle Park come the start of the new campaign as McInnes works with Jamestown Analytics to strengthen the squad in various different positions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The group stage of the 2025/26 Scottish League Cup - sponsored by Premier Sports - begins on the weekend of 12/13 July. The rest of the section fixtures follow on 15/16 July, 19/20 July, 22/23 July and 26/27 July. Fixtures will be announced in due course along with which matches are selected for live television. Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United - are not involved in the group phase of the competition. They enter at the last-16 stage in August. The remaining 37 clubs in the Scottish Professional Football League are participating alongside guest sides Bonnyrigg Rose from the Lowland League, Highland League winners Brora Rangers and Highland League runners-up Brechin City. The group phase is not regionalised following a change to the format back in 2022. The 40 teams were split into five seeding pots based on final league placings in season 2024/25. One club from each pot was drawn into each group. Eight group winners and the three best-placed runners-up progress to the last 16 on the weekend of 16/17 August. The quarter-finals are due to take place on the weekend of 20/21 September, with the semi-finals set for the weekend of 1/2 November. The Premier Sports Cup final will be staged at Hampden Park on Sunday, 14 December. Last season's tournament included record prize money and that continues for this year's edition. Clubs involved are guaranteed a minimum of £30,000. Progress to the last 16 brings in at least £60,000, and lifting the trophy secures a tidy £400,000. FULL PREMIER SPORTS CUP GROUP STAGE DRAW: GROUP A Falkirk, Queen's Park, Cove Rangers, Spartans, Brechin City GROUP B Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ross County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Edinburgh City, Stranraer GROUP C Dundee, Airdrie, Alloa Athletic, Montrose, Bonnyrigg Rose GROUP D St Mirren, Ayr United, Arbroath, Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic GROUP E Hearts, Dunfermline, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion GROUP F St Johnstone, Raith Rovers, Inverness CT, Elgin City, East Kilbridge GROUP G Motherwell, Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead, Clyde GROUP H Kilmarnock, Livingston, Kelty Hearts, East Fife, Brora Rangers READ MORE: Scottish football club desperately appeals for help with future at risk after 132 years
Scotsman
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Premier Sports Cup draw in full as Hearts and other SPFL clubs learn their opponents and prize money
The Scottish League Cup begins on the weekend of 12/13 July Sign up to our Hearts 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 Premier Sports Cup group stage draw today paired Hearts with Dunfermline Athletic, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton and Stirling Albion in Group E. Newly-appointed head coach Derek McInnes will make his debut in the competition in mid-July as he looks to revive the Edinburgh club. Hearts lost 2-0 away to Scottish Championship side Falkirk in the last-16 of this season's Premier Sports Cup and will be eager to make a better impact in the competition under McInnes. They have not lifted the trophy for more than 60 years since the 1962/63 season. A number of fresh signings will be in place at Tynecastle Park come the start of the new campaign as McInnes works with Jamestown Analytics to strengthen the squad in various different positions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The group stage of the 2025/26 Scottish League Cup - sponsored by Premier Sports - begins on the weekend of 12/13 July. The rest of the section fixtures follow on 15/16 July, 19/20 July, 22/23 July and 26/27 July. Fixtures will be announced in due course along with which matches are selected for live television. Scotland's five European entrants - Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United - are not involved in the group phase of the competition. They enter at the last-16 stage in August. The remaining 37 clubs in the Scottish Professional Football League are participating alongside guest sides Bonnyrigg Rose from the Lowland League, Highland League winners Brora Rangers and Highland League runners-up Brechin City. The group phase is not regionalised following a change to the format back in 2022. The 40 teams were split into five seeding pots based on final league placings in season 2024/25. One club from each pot was drawn into each group. Eight group winners and the three best-placed runners-up progress to the last 16 on the weekend of 16/17 August. The quarter-finals are due to take place on the weekend of 20/21 September, with the semi-finals set for the weekend of 1/2 November. The Premier Sports Cup final will be staged at Hampden Park on Sunday, 14 December. Last season's tournament included record prize money and that continues for this year's edition. Clubs involved are guaranteed a minimum of £30,000. Progress to the last 16 brings in at least £60,000, and lifting the trophy secures a tidy £400,000. FULL PREMIER SPORTS CUP GROUP STAGE DRAW: GROUP A Falkirk, Queen's Park, Cove Rangers, Spartans, Brechin City GROUP B Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ross County, Partick Thistle, Queen of the South, Edinburgh City, Stranraer GROUP C Dundee, Airdrie, Alloa Athletic, Montrose, Bonnyrigg Rose GROUP D St Mirren, Ayr United, Arbroath, Annan Athletic, Forfar Athletic GROUP E Hearts, Dunfermline, Hamilton Academical, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion GROUP F St Johnstone, Raith Rovers, Inverness CT, Elgin City, East Kilbridge GROUP G Motherwell, Morton, Stenhousemuir, Peterhead, Clyde GROUP H Kilmarnock, Livingston, Kelty Hearts, East Fife, Brora Rangers READ MORE: Scottish football club desperately appeals for help with future at risk after 132 years
Scotsman
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Best Paul Gascoigne Quotes: These are 13 of the best and funniest quotes from Rangers and England legend Gazza
One of the greatest footballers to ever grace the Ibrox turf, Rangers legend Paul 'Gazza' Gascoigne turns 58 years old today. Here are the best quotes from Paul Gascoigne on his time at Rangers. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Signed in July 1995 from Lazio, the club paid a fee of £4.3million for the Geordie midfielder, who went on to become a club legend glittering three season period in Glasgow. A spell that not only left a mark on Gers faithful, but also Gascoigne himself. Included in the club's Hall of Fame list in 2006, Gascoigne won two Scottish titles, one Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup during his time in Glasgow, alongside several individual honours. Gazza was named PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in 1996, before departing for Middlesbrough for £3.45 million in March 1998, in a switch he later admitted he wish he'd never had to make. Arguably one of the club's greatest midfielders of all time, we look back on the best quotes about his ex-boss Walter Smith, team mate Ian Durrant and - of course - the Rangers fans he adored so much to celebrate his birthday. 1 . On how much he loved playing at Rangers... "I there was anything I could turn the clock back to, it would be just getting off the aeroplane at Glasgow Airport and joining Glasgow Rangers Football Club. I would do those two years over and over again for the rest of my life" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group Photo Sales 2 . On proving people wrong... "I remember the press saying I wasn't going to do well up there. I just won everything. Players' player - the lot. I just really enjoyed my football" | Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . On his first meeting with Walter Smith... 'When I spoke to Walter he asked me what I was missing in football and I told him it was playing with a smile on my face. I wasn't getting that in Italy and he told me I would get that here and he was spot on" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo Sales 4 . On playing for Rangers... "Glasgow Rangers. God. I loved playing for them" | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Photo: SNS Group Photo Sales
Observer
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Aberdeen defeat Celtic to win Scottish Cup
GLASGOW: Aberdeen won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 35 years as goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov inspired a penalty shoot-out triumph that ended Celtic's treble bid on Saturday. Mitov saved spot kicks from Callum McGregor and Alistair Johnston in Aberdeen's shock 4-3 win on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park. The Bulgarian's heroics were a stark contrast to Celtic keeper Kasper Schmeichel, whose 83rd-minute own goal gave Aberdeen a lifeline. Schmeichel's blunder cancelled out an earlier own goal from Aberdeen's Alfie Dorrington in the first half. Celtic hit the post twice but could not find a winner and McGregor was left in tears after the shoot-out prevented Celtic clinching a sixth treble in nine seasons. Aberdeen's first major trophy since the 2014 Scottish League Cup capped Jimmy Thelin's first season in charge in memorable fashion. "We had to dream big. Everybody has to believe and then anything can happen. We spent all week trying to visualise winning this game," Thelin said. "The players were tired, they were cramping but they kept believing. "Sometimes you need some luck, but the hard work was amazing from the players." Aberdeen's Graeme Shinnie lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Scottish Cup Final. — Reuters The Dons had matched Celtic in the first 11 games of the Scottish Premiership season, but their form collapsed in spectacular fashion as they finished fifth after losing their final five matches. They had also conceded 19 goals in their previous five meetings with Celtic, who were firm favourites to follow their Scottish title and Scottish League Cup successes with yet another trophy. "We didn't play anywhere near the standard we needed to," Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said after the first final defeat of his managerial career "Aberdeen defended well, that made it difficult for us. With the greatest respect, it was more ourselves. We failed to get to the level you need to get to. "We can have no complaints, we didn't do enough in the game. We cannot blame anyone else." Rodgers' men made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Cameron Carter-Vickers met Arne Engels' corner with a glancing header that hit Dorrington's shoulder and diverted in off the post. Daizen Maeda headed over before Engels hit the post from 18 yards as Celtic pressed for the second goal. But Aberdeen refused to surrender and a loose pass from Paulo Bernardo in the 83rd minute proved costly for Celtic. Shayden Morris delivered a low cross and Schmeichel scooped it into his own net under no pressure in an embarrassing howler. Dons substitute Dante Polvara volleyed just over from 12 yards and Pape Habib Gueye shot straight at Schmeichel in a tense extra-time period. Celtic's Jeffrey Schlupp rattled the crossbar from 20 yards but Aberdeen held firm before Mitov secured their second major trophy this century. — AFP
