Danny Rohl pulls out of the race to become the next Rangers boss
Danny Rohl has told Rangers that he has pulled out of the race to become the next Ibrox boss The former Sheffield Wednesday manager spoke with Andrew Cavenagh and Paarag Marathe last week and were impressed by the German. However, the 36-year-old informed the Ibrox club that he is no longer interested in continuing discussions. Rohl becomes the second manager to withdraw from the process as Steven Gerrard knocked the Gers back last weekend. The Light Blues sacked Russell Martin after only 123 days in charge and have still yet to find his replacement. Kevin Muscat looks set to become the Govan club’s new head coach as talks have been progressing well. The Shanghai Port manager currently has his side top of the Chinese Super League as they close in on a second successive league title. The Teddy bears are back in league action this weekend against Dundee United and it’s expected Neil McCann is set to be in caretaker charge for that fixture.
Aberdeen Manager Jimmy Thelin in Frame for National Job
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is one of the names on the list to take over the Swedish National Team following the departure of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. Jimmy took over the Scottish side last summer, where he took the Dons to Scottish Cup success over Celtic after a 1-1 draw and a penalty victory at the National Stadium. Thelin took Aberdeen on the impressive 11-game unbeaten run, going toe-to-toe with Celtic at the beginning of the last campaign despite the fall off in performances in the winter period. Thelin has also had some big results during his time with a famous win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Pittodrie, as well as wins over rivals, Rangers. Jimmy had racked up an average of 1.52 points per game in his 62 games at Pittodrie so far as he made a statement in his time for far in the Granite City. However, this season Jimmy hasn’t had an amazing season, only having one win on the board this campaign, with the win coming over Dundee last week. The Dons sit rock bottom, but momentum could be set to build following the win at Pittodrie last weekend. The Dons are currently in the UEFA Conference League following FCSB dumping the Dons out of the Europa League. The Dons will also miss out on a spot in the League Cup Semifinals with Motherwell knocking the Red Army out.
Jesper Karlsson on his loan move to Pittodrie in the summer
The Swedish international has came out today and confirmed the reason’s he made the move from Italy to the Granite City. Jimmy Thelin was the main reason the winger moved to Scotland as Jimmy managed Jesper during their time in Sweden at Elfsborg. Two former Aberdeen stars were also apart of the decision of the Bologna winger with former Dons men Lewis Ferguson and Ylber Ramadani playing a pivotal part in the move for the Swedish star. The attacker made a €11.1million (£9.6million) from Dutch side, AZ Alkmaar back in 2023 but has failed to hit the ground running hence why he made the loan move to the Scottish side. Jesper was a key star at Elfsborg during his time with Jimmy Thelin before he made the move to the Netherlands. The winger scored on 46 occasions over a three year spell at AZ Alkmaar and has netted three times in six during his stint in Scotland so far. The Swede confirmed while speaking to the Daily Record: “I spoke to Lewis Ferguson and Ylber Ramadani, so I had some information. “Both were positive about their experience here. They said only good things.” “I have not played many 90 minutes recently,” Karlsson confirmed “I think the last time was in 2023 with the national team. “So I also feel like I am not there yet in my fitness and confidence, although I feel more and more like I am getting it back when I train. “The more I play, I will get better. “It’s a good league with good teams and I have respect for the football here.” Karlsson has 14 Swedish caps and five international goals, but he hasn’t played for his country in two years. That is an ambition once he really hits top gear at Aberdeen Speaking to Daily Jesper said: “First of all, I just have to think about the here and now because I have not played regularly for a long time. “I just hope to reach my best level again here. “That’s my first goal and the other things will come later.” Jimmy Thelin was the main reason the winger moved to Scotland as Jimmy managed Jesper during their time in Sweden at Elfsborg. Two former Aberdeen stars were also apart of the decision of the Bologna winger with former Dons men Lewis Ferguson and Ylber Ramadani playing a pivotal part in the move for the Swedish star. The attacker made a €11.1million (£9.6million) from Dutch side, AZ Alkmaar back in 2023 but has failed to hit the ground running hence why he made the loan move to the Scottish side. Jesper was a key star at Elfsborg during his time with Jimmy Thelin before he made the move to the Netherlands. The winger scored on 46 occasions over a three year spell at AZ Alkmaar and has netted three times in six during his stint in Scotland so far. The Swede confirmed while speaking to the Daily Record: “I spoke to Lewis Ferguson and Ylber Ramadani, so I had some information. “Both were positive about their experience here. They said only good things.” “I have not played many 90 minutes recently,” Karlsson confirmed “I think the last time was in 2023 with the national team. “So I also feel like I am not there yet in my fitness and confidence, although I feel more and more like I am getting it back when I train. “The more I play, I will get better. “It’s a good league with good teams and I have respect for the football here.” Karlsson has 14 Swedish caps and five international goals, but he hasn’t played for his country in two years. That is an ambition once he really hits top gear at Aberdeen. Speaking to Daily Jesper said: “First of all, I just have to think about the here and now because I have not played regularly for a long time. “I just hope to reach my best level again here. “That’s my first goal and the other things will come later.”
100 Years of Murrayfield Stadium
Murrayfield Stadium celebrates 100 years, and to mark the occasion Scottish Rugby has released a new playing top, paying homage to those worn a century ago. For a century, Murrayfield has been more than just a stadium,it’s been the beating heart of Scottish rugby, echoing with triumph, heartbreak, and hope. It stands as a symbol of national pride, uniting generations through the shared rhythm of the game. I thought it would be fitting to take a trip back through my own experiences of the stadium, the matches that stand out for me and the memories that have made Murrayfield such a special place in my life. Murrayfield has always held a special place in my heart. I’vebeen lucky enough to attend matches there since I was a young boy, going along with my family or on big club trips with the Cartha Queens Park Minis. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching the world’s best teams play at Murrayfield and witnessing some unforgettable Scottish victories. This autumn, Scotland host the USA, New Zealand, Argentinaand Tonga for the Autumn Series. All eyes will, of course, be on New Zealand, a team Scotland have never beaten. The closest we’ve come were two draws, both at Murrayfield, in 1964 (0–0) and 1983 (25–25). That’s 32 Tests in total: 30 All Black wins, 0 Scotland wins, and 2 draws. Could this November finally be the time? Some say Scotland have their best chance yet, with the All Blacks not at their dominant best, though still ranked No. 2 in the world while Scotland sit at No. 8. But Murrayfield is a special place in November, a place where upsets can happen. Beginnings at Murrayfield When I was 16, I started working for Scottish Rugby as a Modern Apprentice, a two-year programme that set me on the path I’m still on today, working in Rugby Development for West of Scotland FC, a club celebrating its own milestone: 160 years of rugby. My very first day as an apprentice was spent at Murrayfield, meeting in one of the suites. I couldn’t believe my luck. We were given a brief tour of the stadium, quiet and still, unlike those electric matchdays. My excitement grew even further when I was told that part of the apprenticeship included two complimentary tickets to every Scotland home game. My parents had taken me and my brothers to Murrayfield for years, with tickets often coming through school or club connections. I was lucky enough to be there for Scotland’s victories over France and England in 2006, the first time I truly felt that spark of Scottish hope: maybe we could really compete in the Six Nations. That hope still burns bright, rising and falling each year. Maybe 2026 will be our year with the same fixtures as 2006, England and France both at home. Those two tickets from Scottish Rugby would continue to bring me joy for many years, as I remained involved in the game and worked alongside the organisation for over 16 years. I’ve attended countless Six Nations matches and even more Autumn Tests. I feel incredibly privileged to have witnessed so much rugby at Murrayfield. A Brief History Murrayfield Stadium is the largest stadium in Scotland, the fifth largest in the UK, and the 22nd largest in Europe, with a capacity of 67,144. It officially opened on 21 March 1925 with a Scotland v England match, Scotland won that day and secured the Grand Slam. Not a bad start for their new home! The land was purchased by the SRU from Edinburgh Polo Club. Before Murrayfield, international matches were played at Inverleith, the home of Stewart’s Melville RFC, from 1899. However, Inverleith could no longer accommodate the growing number of spectators. During the Second World War, Murrayfield was offered to the nation and used as a supply depot by the Royal Army Service Corps. The record attendance at Murrayfield came on 1 March 1975, when Scotland defeated Wales 12–10 in the Five Nations — a world record crowd at the time. Over the years, the stadium has evolved dramatically. The original stands gave way to modern concrete terraces, floodlights were added in the 1950s, and the East Stand was rebuilt in the 1980s to increase capacity. More recently, upgrades to seating, hospitality areas, and accessibility have ensured Murrayfield remains one of Europe’s premier rugby venues while preserving its traditional character. Over the years, Murrayfield has undergone many transformations and upgrades to become the stadium we know today. Those who remember the old ground will always feel a deep nostalgia for it, especially as the glory days on the pitch were more frequent back then. For me, though, the current stadium is my Murrayfield, from watching my first match there in 2003 (a World Cup warm-up against Ireland) to coaching West of Scotland Women in a Shield Final. The ground holds a special place in my life, as I’m sure it does for thousands of others. My Top Games Scotland v South Africa | 2010 | Autumn Tests One of my favourite Murrayfield memories came in 2010, when Scotland hosted the reigning world and Tri Nations champions, South Africa. Scotland edged a scrappy 21–17 win in wet conditions. Unlike today, where we’re spoiled with tries, those 21 points came entirely from the boot of Dan Parks, six penalties and a drop goal. Parks was a player who divided opinion, sometimes cheered, sometimes booed, but on this day, he was the hero. Beating the world champions reignited that familiar Scottish flame of hope once again. Scotland v Australia | 2017 | Autumn Tests In 2017, Scotland tore Australia apart, winning 53–24, a match packed with attacking flair and confidence. A red card for Australia just before half-time (while they were leading 12–10) swung the momentum entirely. Tries came from everywhere: Ali Price darting through, Sean Maitland sprinting 50 metres, Johnny Gray strolling under the posts, a young Huw Jones scoring yet again, John Barclay bulldozing over, and Stuart
Scotland’s Trailblazer – Hollie Davidson
Fresh from becoming only the second match official to referee two World Cup Finals, Hollie Davidson is once again smashing through the glass ceiling of world rugby. When the All Blacks visit Wales in November, Hollie will become the first female match official to referee the All Blacks. Since her days training for Scotland as a player were cut short by injury, Hollie quickly progressed as a match official and is now seen by many as one of the best referees in both the men’s and women’s games. A firm fan favourite, other notable highlights include receiving her official refereeing cap from the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) in February 2025, the second Scottish referee and first female to receive it. Later in the year, she received the World Rugby Referee Award shortly ahead of the World Cup Final. As well as award-winning performances on the field, her achievements have seen her take charge of an EPCR Final (the first female to do so). She has refereed the Springboks, led the first all-female team to officiate a Six Nations match, and has refereed some high-profile Sevens games. Not bad for the age of 33. She has her sights well and truly set on the next Men’s World Cup. Over the coming weeks, SNN will look at the impact referees can have all the way from the community game to inspiring younger generations, building up to Hollie’s match in November.
