Latest news with #StephenMcGowan
The Herald Scotland
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Scotland learn Belarus venue as Tartan Army to be locked out
Scotland must face the group outsiders in their second game of the group in September, after a trip to Copenhagen to face top seeds Denmark. And the venue has now been confirmed as being played in the western Hungarian outpost of Zalaegerszeg - 135 miles from the capital, Budapest. Belarus are not allowed to play their 'home' matches in their own country due to UEFA restrictions after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. And they will host the Scots - but not the Tartan Army - at the ZTE Arena, home of Zalaegerszegi TE. Read more: Stephen McGowan: Infantino's latest vanity project is ridiculous – enough is enough Exclusive: Celtic target surprise raid on J-League with defender transfer Belarus have played three times in Zalaegerszeg since their ban. They played three Nations League games there last year against Bulgaria, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg and drew them all. Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw and boss Michael O'Neill wasn't happy about UEFA's decision to make them play there with no fans. He said: "It will have the feel of a fixture played during Covid. "It is not ideal making Belarus play us in a neutral venue, but we will have to deal with it and it will have a different feel. "It's very disappointing for our fans that they are unable to attend the game."
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ayr United set to open pop-up bar inside Somerset Park as part of SPFL trial
The Honest Men are one of eight Scottish clubs taking part in the pilot scheme. Ayr United are set to open a pop-up bar inside Somerset Park as part of a SPFL trial to relax the sport's ban on alcohol. Sixty supporters will be given the chance to sup pints within the confines of the stadium at upcoming Premier Sports Cup games against Arbroath and Forfar. The 'low risk' fixtures are deemed the ideal chance by league bosses to test their pilot project. Ayr are one of eight Scottish clubs chosen to participate in the scheme, which will see an area of their stadium set aside for the temporary facility. Punters buying special tickets to each game will be able to enjoy pre-ordered pints in the hours before kick-off, with access to the bar also available at half time. The facility will be situated in the concourse underneath Ayr's Main Stand, adjacent to the accessible area, and be partitioned off by seven foot high fencing. Rules currently prohibit alcohol to be consumed within view of a pitch inside Scottish football stadiums, meaning fans in the test zone will do so inside an enclosed area. United officials were given the green light, subject to relevant safety sign-offs, at a meeting of South Ayrshire Council's Licensing Board. Licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan, speaking on behalf of the club, said: "The fixtures that have been selected for this trial are deemed low level and low risk. "The wider background is that the SPFL have decided to seek an evidential base for trials of additional hospitality facilities across certain clubs. "They will then look and reflect on the findings of how these pop-up style facilities have operated." United managing director, Graeme Mathie, added: "It will be heavily regulated and for a small number number of people but it's certainly something that we're keen to try. These games seem like the perfect opportunity to do that and we're hoping that, through time, we can start to increase the provision of that because it would be great for fans to enjoy that within the footprint here at Somerset." St Mirren, Dunfermline, Arbroath, Stirling, Partick Thistle, Ross County and Queen of the South are the other clubs chosen to take part in the SPFL pilot. Ayr, meanwhile, are closing in on the capture of two new defenders as they prepare to return for pre-season training. United boss Scott Brown has already added experienced goalkeeper David Mitchell to his ranks and is keen to give his backline a fresh look ahead of the new campaign.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Are Hearts still 'moving in right direction'?
After being consigned to the Premiership's bottom six before suffering Scottish Cup semi-final heartbreak on Saturday, would it be controversial to say Hearts are still "moving in the right direction"?Perhaps, but The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan feels there is no need for the Tynecastle club to overreact amid a disappointing campaign.A growing number of fans have started to doubt head coach Neil Critchley, who has faced intense criticism for failing to achieve a statement result in big games since his appointment earlier this feels that narrative could cause the Hearts boss a problem if he is unable to put an end to it, but he believes the Englishman deserves more time to improve the team with the help of Jamestown Analytics' player recruitment model."If you look at the record against Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs, it's problematic for any Hearts manager because you have to win those big games," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast."I think what you would say is when he came in, Hearts were bottom and they have absolutely improved things since then."His point that if he'd been in from the start of season then they wouldn't be in anything like this situation is probably fair."It's massively disappointing to miss out on the cup final, but I don't think there should be an overreaction to missing out on the top six. "I think Hearts are still moving in the right direction and Jamestown Analytics have to be given time and opportunity to prove the standard of player they are signing. "The question is whether Critchley is the man to deliver the sustained improvement they're looking for. Personally, I wouldn't overreact."
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Celtic probably aren't as good a team as people thought'
The Herald's Stephen McGowan says Celtic were probably overrated by fans and pundits earlier this season, after the Scottish Premiership leaders lost 1-0 at St Johnstone on Rodgers' side have now lost three of their past six league games, but still hold a commanding lead at the summit of the league believes Brendan Rodgers' side have become as "unreliable" as Rangers since the turn of the year."We talk often about how flaky Rangers are," McGowan said on the BBC's Scottish Football podcast."Well, actually, if you look at the stats, they've become just as unreliable."Like Rangers, they've lost three of their past six league games."Their domestic form in 2024 was impeccable, they only lost one game all year. If you look at this calendar year so far, by 6 April, they've already lost four."So I don't think it's time for ringing any alarm bells yet, but equally I think it does show that Celtic probably aren't as good a team as people thought they were."
