Aberdeen sign Mats Knoester in attempt to solve defensive frailties
Aberdeen have signed Dutch centre-back Mats Knoester from Hungarian side Ferencvaros. The 26-year-old is the Dons’ fifth signing of the January window, joining on a two-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year, subject to international clearance. Knoester started his career at Dutch giants Feyenoord, developing there for 14 years before moving to Heracles in 2019. After three years at the club, he moved to Ferencvaros, winning the NBI league with them. Dons manager Jimmy Thelin said: “Mats has a really strong pedigree. His arrival will assist us defensively, providing further reinforcements as a left-sided centre-half.” After hearing about interest from Aberdeen, Knoester knew they were the only team he wanted to sign for, saying: “I had other options but when I knew Aberdeen were interested, I wanted to come here. I was already aware of the club and how big it was.” Aberdeen are currently without a league win in 14 games, and Thelin will hope the addition of Knoester will help bring them back to their previous form.
Defending champions Rangers host Spartans in SWF Scottish Cup Quarter-finals
After easing past Montrose 7-0, Rangers will host a Spartans side who trounced Kilmarnock 6-0. Last year’s finalists Hearts are rewarded for trouncing Falkirk 9-0 with the opportunity to welcome 9 time winners Glasgow City. City edged past Celtic 3-2 at the weekend. SWPL 2’s Boroughmuir Thistle will take on Motherwell after earning a well deserved victory of Premiership side Dundee United. Motherwell meanwhile made light work of Bonyrigg Rose with a 6-0 thumping. In the fourth and final clash will see Aberdeen, 3-0 victors against Hamilton Accies travel to St Johnstone, themselves coming out 4-2 winners to knock out Elgin City. The games will all be played on the 9th of March.
Rangers stroll to three points against Ross County
Rangers made light of visiting Ross County in a 4-0 victory with two goals from Ianis Hagi. County now found themselves in the precarious 11th place position. It took almost twenty minutes but Hagi made the most of Jordan Amissah’s spill following Vaclav Cerny’s to break the deadlock. Adding a second just seven minutes later, the Romanian international was perhaps fortunate to see his free-kick deflected off the wall and past a helpless Amissah. Unable to withstand the onslaught County were caught in the 36th minute as John Souttar blasted a shot into the roof of the net after Nico Raskin headed the ball into his path. If it hadn’t been game over by then, it was certainly was when Jordan White’s scything cut down of gave James Tavernier the chance to make it four from the spot, which the captain duly did. County’s chances in the game were few and far between albeit Jordan White’s header in the first half from a corner forced a good save from Jack Butland. Line-ups: Rangers: Butland, Jefte, Nsiala (Rafael Fernanders 80), Souttar (Propper 62), Tavernier (c), Raskin, Diomande (Rice 46), Hagi (Bajrami 74), Igamane (Lawrence 74), Cerny, Dessers Unused subs: Curtis, Kelly, McCausland, Nsio Goals: Hagi (18), (25), Souttar (36), Tavernier (79 pen) Ross County: Amissah, Campbell, Lopata, Tomkinson, Robesten (MacLeod 85), Kenneh (Brown 46), Wright, Nisbet (Allardice 46), Randall (c), Chilvers (Ashworth 86), Phillips (61) Unused subs: Hale, Harmon, Laidlaw, Smith Booked: Randall Referee: Steve McLean Attendance: 46,973
Jota marks Celtic return with goal in Motherwell win
An emotional Jota scored on his Celtic return as they defeated managerless Motherwell in a 3-1 win, maintaining their ten point lead at the top. Celtic took the lead after less than a minute when Anthony Ralston, enjoying a rare start launched a cross when by Daizen Maeda who fired a header past Ellery Balcombe. Responding emphatically, Motherwell made the most of a rapid counter attack, Luke Armstrong fired home a crossed ball that had bounced off Auston Trusty and into the path of the player making his first start for the club since moving from Carlisle. They failed to maintain their level footing, Maeda involved once again, fired a low ball across to Adam Idah who added another goal to a week that saw him score two against Aston Villa in the Champions League defeat midweek. In a fairytale ending to the game, Maeda capped off an excellent afternoon with inswinging low ball met by an oncoming Jota who slotted Celtic’s third in added time. Maeda, who made a brilliant run to the back post, could have added a second from a corner but could not direct his header goalwards. Both Luke McCowan and Nicolas Kuhn came close themselves, denied by some strong saves from Balcombe but made an even more impressive dive to deny Idah. There can be few complaints from Motherwell, who managed just two shots all game as they suffered their third consecutive league defeat. Line-ups: Motherwell: Balcombe, Blaney, Gordon, O’Donnell (c), Thompson (Zdravkovski 76), Kaleta (Paton 38), Nicholson (Wilson 63), Halliday (Dickson 76), Sparrow, Maswanhise (Plange 63), Armstrong Unused subs: Andrews, Balmer, Connelly Goals: Armstrong (23) Celtic: Schmeichel, Taylor (Scales 84), Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Ralston, Hatate (Paulo Bernardo 84), McGregor (Engels 65), Maeda, Idah (Yang Hyun-Jun 79), Kuhn (Jota 65) Unused subs: Johnston, Kenny, Sinisalo Goals: Maeda (1), Idah (29), Jota (90+4) Referee: Nick Walsh Attendance: 8,293