McTominay and Weir Represent Scotland on Football’s Biggest Stage
Midfielders Scott McTominay and Caroline Weir were celebrated at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. McTominay’s stunning form for Napoli earned him an 18th-place finish in the men’s rankings. His outstanding debut season in Serie A not only saw him win the league’s Player of the Year award but also helped fire Napoli to the Scudetto over Champions League finalists Inter Milan. The midfielder’s high ranking placed him above players like Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, and Virgil van Dijk, with Ousmane Dembele taking home the top prize. On the women’s side, Caroline Weir became the first Scottish woman to ever receive a Ballon d’Or nomination. Finishing 30th, she was a part of a field that saw Aitana Bonmatí claim the award for a third straight year. Weir’s journey started at Hibernian, before moves to clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, and now Real Madrid. She has netted 31 goals in 59 appearances since moving to Spain.
Glasgow Warriors Pre-Season Q&A
With a new URC season fast approaching, nearly 200 season ticket holders gathered at Scotstoun Stadium for a Q&A evening with Glasgow Warriors. Hosted expertly by Allan Sneddon, the event featured new signings Ottavio Tuipulotu, Dan Lancaster, and Alex Craig, followed by a panel including new Managing Director Kenny Brown, Head Coach Franco Smith, and Club Captain Kyle Steyn. As always, the evening was filled with energy and curiosity from the fans. Before the open-floor questions began, Allan quizzed the new signings on some essential Glasgow slang. By the end, they had mastered terms like “bottle of ginger,” “gie it laldy,” and the alternative meaning of “mince.” On a more serious note, with two of the three recovering from knee injuries (or, as Allan light-heartedly put it, “a sore knee”), it was encouraging to hear how quickly they felt welcomed by the squad. Ottavio, who is living with his brother Sione, spoke about feeling at home straight away, while Dan highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team. He also reflected on the pre-season fixtures, praising the response against Northampton and the contribution of younger players. Some of the new signings also shared their long-term ambitions of representing Scotland—though, as they noted, their first priority is performing for Glasgow. The second part of the evening featured Kenny Brown, fresh into his role as Managing Director; Franco Smith, recently signed to a new contract; and Kyle Steyn, who revealed (to his mock dismay) that he is now considered not just a senior player, but one of the “older” members of the squad. Kenny fielded operational questions, giving a candid account of his first few busy weeks. From stadium improvements and Hampden planning to fan concerns about facilities, it was clear he has hit the ground running since taking over from Al Kellock, who has moved to Head of Performance Pathways at the SRU. The 2026 Commonwealth Games will be a key milestone for the stadium, after which the club hopes to open further discussions with the Council on its long-term future. Franco spoke passionately about player development, highlighting the integration of academy players into professional training, the importance of ‘A’ games, and pathways for youth rugby. He praised the academy for producing players ready to step up, especially during international windows, while also acknowledging the financial challenges of recent success—higher player values and a reduced squad size making youth development more crucial than ever. Kyle, meanwhile, showed his deep commitment to both the club and the city. He explained that academy players who suddenly appear in the matchday squad are not “unknowns,” but have usually trained with the team for years and are fully trusted by teammates and coaches alike. He pointed to players like Duncan Munn—who progressed from grassroots club rugby through the academy into the professional ranks—as the blueprint for both Glasgow and Scottish rugby’s future. Fans left the evening reassured by the clarity, passion, and openness of the senior team and management. Optimism for the season ahead was palpable, with confidence that the squad remains hungry for success. Friday’s season opener, along with fixtures such as the derby against Edinburgh at Hampden, promises to build on recent achievements rather than rest on them.
