Scotland keep Nations League hopes alive with win over Croatia
Scotland kept their hopes of staying in the Nations League’s top tier alive with a crucial 1-0 victory over Croatia at Hampden Park. Scotland finally broke their Nations League duck and snapped a long winless streak with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Croatia at Hampden Park, thanks to a late strike from substitute John McGinn. McGinn pounced on a rebound after Ben Doak’s shot was parried by Dominik Kotarski, sending Hampden into a frenzy with his 19th international goal. The win breathes life into Scotland’s hopes of staying in Nations League A, with a potential relegation play-off on the line if they secure another result in Poland on Monday. A win in Warsaw could even lead to a Nations League quarter-final spot and a top seed in the World Cup qualifying draw, but only if Croatia lose to Portugal and there’s a significant goal difference swing. For now, though, Steve Clarke’s men will simply celebrate this hard-fought win after 10 competitive games without one. The first half, however, was a nerve-wracking watch for the Tartan Army. Croatia dominated early on, exploiting Scotland’s mistakes. Kenny McLean’s errant pass almost gifted Andrej Kramaric a goal, while Luka Sucic and Kramaric came close to punishing further sloppy play. Craig Gordon’s outstretched foot just about denied Kramaric in the opening 10 minutes. The tide turned in Scotland’s favour when Croatia’s Petar Sucic saw red for a second yellow card in what looked like an innocuous challenge on John Souttar. Croatia were outraged, but the decision shifted the momentum entirely. Scotland regrouped during the break, and the second half was a different story. The introduction of Ben Doak proved pivotal, as the teenager’s pace and energy gave Croatia’s defence nightmares. Doak came close on multiple occasions, while Billy Gilmour squandered a couple of chances to play the youngster through in dangerous positions. Croatia had their moments, with Mario Pasalic narrowly missing after a sublime Luka Modric pass, but the visitors failed to capitalise. When Doak’s late shot caused chaos in the box, McGinn was there to clean up and seal the win. Although Scotland couldn’t find the second goal to give them the head-to-head advantage over Croatia, this result injects much-needed belief into their campaign. The Hampden crowd’s roar at full-time was deafening, but the focus now shifts to Poland, where a win could keep their Nations League dreams alive. The road to recovery is far from over, but Scotland proved they still have fight left in them. Monday’s game is a chance to build on this momentum and finish their campaign on a high.
Hibernian FC has announced the resignation of a senior football official following allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
Derek White, who served as the club’s Director of Football Operations, stepped down last month while an internal investigation into his conduct was underway. The allegations involve behaviour towards a young male player over 18 years of age. Hibs confirmed that they contacted the Scottish FA, Police Scotland, and Disclosure Scotland as part of their safeguarding protocols and are satisfied that no children were involved in the case. A spokesperson for the club stated: “Derek White resigned from his role at Hibernian FC while an internal investigation into his conduct was ongoing. Due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, details will remain confidential. The club followed strict safeguarding procedures and informed the appropriate authorities and organisations.” White joined Hibs in 2022 after a stint at Livingston, where he held positions such as media officer and company secretary. Initially appointed as Head of Football Operations at Easter Road, his role was rebranded to Director of Football Operations earlier this year.
Celtic Set for £7M Payday as Ex-Star Frimpong Eyes Big-Money Liverpool Move!
Celtic have become masters of the transfer market, raking in millions by spotting talent on the cheap and selling players on for hefty profits. Now, the club could be about to cash in big—without even selling anyone. The latest buzz surrounds former Hoops right-back Jeremie Frimpong, who left Parkhead in 2021 for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £11.5m. Fast forward to today, and the Dutch international is catching the eye of European giants like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. Reports suggest Liverpool are considering Frimpong as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold and are ready to trigger his £35m release clause. Here’s where it gets interesting for Celtic. A 30% sell-on clause in Frimpong’s deal means the Scottish champions stand to pocket around £7m if the transfer happens—a tidy windfall for a player who cost just £350,000 back in 2019. This isn’t a one-off, either. Celtic have turned bargain buys into big-money sales time and again. Matt O’Riley, bought for £1.5m, was sold to Brighton for £26m, while Jota and Kieran Tierney also fetched similar fees. Add Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer, and Josip Juranovic to the mix, and it’s clear Celtic’s recruitment strategy is a well-oiled money-making machine. What’s more, the club’s financial position has never looked better. This year alone, Celtic made a profit despite splashing £20m on summer signings Arne Engels and Adam Idah. With £40m rolling in from their revamped Champions League campaign and another potential £20m-plus sale on the horizon with Nicolas Kuhn, the Parkhead bank balance is soaring, currently sitting at a record £77m. The Frimpong deal could be the cherry on top, proving yet again that Celtic’s transfer game is in a league of its own.