New look Scotland begin Nation’s League campaign with defeat to Austria
New interim manager Michael McArdle could not inspire Scotland to victory in the opening game of the Nations League Group A as Lilli Purtscheller fired the Austrians to victory. Profiting from a mix up at the back, striker Purtscheller was quickest to the ball to open the scoring for the home side with just an a quarter of an hour played. Scotland had dominated the opening exchanges, Kirsty Hanson had an opportunity early on but couldn’t set herself before Caroline Weir took over, only able to muster a tame shot into keeper Manuela Zinsberger. Hanson would return for a second stab almost immediately, latching onto a long ball but unable to get the better of Zinsberger but the Arsenal shot stopper did well to deny the Scotland forward one on one. Momentum soon shifted in favour of the Austrians, Lee Gibson finding herself increasingly busy as the first half wore on, denying Purtscheller a double after the striker did well to turn Jenna Clark. Looking to find their footing in the game, Scotland’s task was made all the more difficult by an early injury to Sophie Howard who hobbled off with substitute Leah Eddie earning her third cap. However the visitors were inches from equalising as debutant Emma Lawton’s leaping header was saved point blank by Zinbsberger who would deny Hanson’s rebound from just a metre out. From there McArdle’s side struggled to generate momentum and were almost caught sleeping for a double as Gibson took too long to play the ball out before Carina Brunold picked her pocket, denied only by a last ditch tackle. In the end Austria were comfortably able to hold out for the three points as Scotland must wait until Tuesday’s home tie against the Netherlands to earn their first points. Lack of impetus costs Scotland Three games without a goal seems all the more baffling a statistic given the wealth of quality Scotland possess with players from Liverpool, Tottenham and Real Madrid on the park. With over three quarters of the game left to play, the side seemed unable to stir up moments to truly trouble an Austrian side looking far too comfortable. Lawton’s header and Hanson’s two efforts came ever so close but in truth they were rarities as the side looked to make up for defensive lapses that began creeping into Scotland’s game with worrying regularity. Amy Muir’s poor clearance the first but Gibson, Clark and Eddie also guilty of errors that fans will not be used to seeing at club level. However there were reasons to be optimistic for supporters. Three debuts on the night with Eilidh Adams and Freya Gregory joining Lawton for first caps. Lawton taking to international football like a fish to water just a few months on from her transition from part-time to professional football after joining Celtic from Partick Thistle. With a group also featuring the Netherlands and Germany, Scotland have it all to do to avoid relegation but they will be buoyed by the presence of new blood who know doubt inject life into a side trying to find its feet in the post-Pedro Martínez Losa era. Line-ups: Austria: Zinsberger, Hanshaw, Kirchberger, Wenger, D’Angelo, Zadrazil (Feiersinger 56), Puntigam (c), Höbinger (Brunold 79), Schasching, Purtscheller, Hickelsberger (Pinther 78) Unused subs: Billa, Brunnthaler, Brunold, Croatto, El Sherif, Georgieva, Kresche, Panther, Rukavina, Schiechtl, Wienroither Booked: none Goals: Purtscheller 14 Scotland: Gibson, Muir, Howard (Eddie 21), Clark, Lawton, Cornet (Adams 79), Kerr, Weir (c), Hanson, Thomas (Gregory 57), Emslie (Davidson 56) Unused subs: Adams, Clachers, Cumings Budd, MacLean, McCaulay, McLauchlan, Smith, Watson, Booked: none Goals: none
Bears set for Billionaire Backroom takeover!
Speculation is swirling that Rangers are poised for a US-led takeover from the investment arm of NFL giant, the San Francisco 49ers. It is understood that Leeds United Chairman Paraag Marathe is the key man involved in discussions. It is rumoured that the talks have been ongoing for months and are at an advanced stage with a “broad agreement” in place among all parties. For fans of the Ibrox side, it is something to look forward to amidst a poor inconsistent season with not much to celebrate. The club find themselves in a position where their best bet at silverware this season resides in the Europa League where they find themselves in the last 16 with a face-off against Turkish giants Fenerbahçe. They narrowly lost the League Cup final to their Glasgow rivals, Celtic, and find themselves 13 points behind them in the league. And let’s not forget their shock exit from the Scottish Cup less than two weeks ago to Championship side Queen’s Park. Following administration, liquidation and relegation in 2012 fans have had to endure watching their bitter rivals Celtic dominate Scottish Football. As of today, they have won 26 of the 37 available trophies domestically since the 2012/13 season. That includes 11 league titles and five trebles. Fans have been able to enjoy a European final and winning their first top-flight title in a decade. But when you compare that the green side of Glasgow has collected 70% of domestic silverware since 2012/13 to 8% from the blue side, it is pretty damning. Envious eyes were also cast from Govan to Parkhead earlier this season when both sides published their annual fiscal reports and it showed not only was there a gap on the pitch, but financially as well. The reports showed that the Rangers recorded record losses financially compared to Celtic, who recorded record profits. That doesn’t include their recent Champions League Campaign where not including ticket sales and commercial revenue the Bhoys pocketed over 38 million pounds. When considering all that, this potential takeover must be looked at as a very positive thing for the club. It has seemingly been met by only positive reactions from the Gers fan base. The only small amount of negative response has been met with the argument ‘Are they Rangers men? Do they understand the club?’. There is also the concern over being part of Multi Club ownership. Will Rangers get an equal slice of the pie or will they simply be a small cog in a large mechanism? Former Gers Captain and Club Legend Barry Ferguson said: “The new chairman and chief executive, they have to bring external investment into the club and it’s been clear that that’s what’s needed… For Rangers fans, I wouldn’t get too excited now. But it is good to see that things are happening in the background”. New cash-rich owners would bring about financial stability to the club. Many have noted the squad needs overhaul but have not been able to do so due to their financial situation. It would also allow a bigger transfer pot for the manager to create a better depth within the squad. However, Rangers are currently owned by a multitude of shareholders that would need to be convinced to sell. They would need to be paid before any money could be invested in the team, which will cost a lot of money out of a potential investor’s pocket. Speaking to Sky Sports Football Finance Expert Kieran Maguire stated: “It does appear there’s been issues as far as the board of directors and shareholders at Rangers are concerned that there has been some historically some inviting taking place. And I think the club, if it wants to move forward does need external investment… Having a single party with a controlling interest allows the club to go forward with a strategy and culture, including everyone on board”. He went on to discuss the benefits of American owners in that they are very enthusiastic about British Football now. There are some very rich and wealthy investors in America taking a closer look at investment opportunities due to the strength of their economy. On the topic of the direction of the club at the board level concerning current shareholders, he said: “The first thing that has to be done as far as investors are concerned is they have to pay the existing shareholders…. Currently, Rangers have around 500 million shares. They issued some shares yesterday at 20 pence each, so that gives you a sort of baseline figure of just over 100 million. But you would have to pay a significant premium on that to convince existing shareholders to sell”. With their rival’s domestic and financial dominance fans have demanded change at the top for a long time now and it looks like that may be on the horizon as early as the summer.