Hearts icon believes consistency is key as title talk grows for McInnes’ men
Ex-Hearts midfielder calls for focus and consistency as title talk grows amongst the Jam Tart faithful. Former Jambo star Ryan Stevenson has applauded the progress being made at Tynecastle but believes the team must stay grounded as excitement builds around Derek McInnes’ side. Writing in his column with the Daily Record, Stevenson said that while supporters are already looking ahead to the upcoming clash with Celtic, Hearts can’t afford to overlook the challenges that come before it: “Most fans have an eye on the Celtic game which is looming on Sunday week,” he explained. “But I can’t state enough how important it is to make sure the work is done successfully at Rugby Park beforehand.” The former midfielder suggested that the real test of character often comes in the less glamorous fixtures: He continued: “Games against Celtic or Rangers take care of themselves. “With the greatest of respect, you’re not exactly bouncing out of bed for a trip to play on the artificial pitch at Killie. But that’s where you find out what kind of team you are.” The 41-year-old also addressed talk of a potential title challenge, urging fans to keep expectations in check until Hearts prove their consistency: “I thought Hearts’ title talk could wait but win the next two and it’s complete and utter lift-off.” The former St Johnstone man’s comments show both optimism and caution, acknowledging the positive impact being made under McInnes while reminding everyone that success won’t come overnight. Stevenson believes the foundations are strong but insists the Gorgie boys must continue to show the same intensity and focus every week if they want to turn early promise into something lasting.
Jimmy Thelin speaks on speculation linking him with Sweden vacancy
Jimmy Thelin cancelling out the noise on a potential move to become the Sweden boss. This week there has been talk with Aberdeen boss, Jimmy Thelin being shortlisted to become to head coach of the Sweden National Team following sacking of Jon Dal Thomason. Jimmy Thelin speaking to RedTV in a recent interview: “It’s always an honour to be mentioned in these circumstances but I have a long contract here. I’m really happy at Aberdeen Football Club. “We have so many things, hopefully good things to look forward to at Aberdeen Football Club. My focus is 100% here. “I’m really happy here, I have a contract here, and I really enjoy being at Aberdeen Football Club. The spirit and the surroundings here, we have been through a tough time now, but we have a still a strong belief in this three year plan we have, we are working with the same process all the time, and it’s a journey I really like to be involved in.” Talks of the Scottish Cup winning manager to become the Sweden boss have been swept under the carpet as former Brighton boss, Graham Potter looks set to take the hot seat until March to keep all eyes on a place in the World Cup for Sweden.
Arbroath vs St Johnstone Preview
Arbroath welcome St Johnstone to Gayfield as the Perth Saints look to get back to winning ways. Arbroath have had a good start to their Championship campaign as the Lichties currently sit fourth in the table following their promotion from League One last season. Arbroath have recorded four victories as well as three draws and defeats so far this season. However, Arbroath haven’t been on the best of form as they have only picked up one win in their last five outings. Arbroath have recently suffered a few big beatings after a 5-0 home defeat against Neil Lennon and Dunfermline, as well as a 3-0 defeat away in Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers. On a positive note, they have had their ups, defeating Queen’s Park 4-1 as well as a big 1-0 win against Ross County in Dingwall. Whereas for the visitors, they are currently unbeaten in the Scottish Championship since relegation from the Scottish top flight for the first time since 2004. The Perth Saints have only lost once in their last 16, which was a defeat in extra time against Motherwell, dumping the Perth side out of the League Cup. St Johnstone this season have won 7 league games as well as 3 draws and, of course, 0 defeats. St Johnstone haven’t had any poor showings but have had some huge victories along the way, including a 5-1 home win over fellow title challengers Partick Thistle and a vital 2-0 away win to Barry Robson’s Raith Rovers. Both sides last season Arbroath last season were the League One champions as they finished seven points ahead of Cove Rangers in second spot. The Lichties picked up 19 victories across the season with 10 defeats and 7 draws. Arbroath had some big victories last season, defeating Cove Rangers 4-2 in Aberdeen, which proved to be vital in their charge for the title, as well as a 2-0 win away at Inverness. St Johnstone were unable to stay in the Premiership this time around as the Saints finished rock bottom as they finished five points below Ross County, who also suffered relegation after a play-off defeat against Livingston. St Johnstone suffered multiple nasty defeats, such as a 6-0 home defeat to Celtic, a 3-1 home defeat to rivals Dundee, as well as a 2-0 home defeat to Kilmarnock being some noticeable defeats. St Johnstone did reach the Scottish League Cup semi-finals but were unable to cement a spot in the final as Celtic put on a 5-star display, defeating the Perth Saints 5-0. St Johnstone also picked up a famous win at McDiarmid Park, defeating Celtic for the first time since 2016 after a 1-0 win, but that was unable to help Simo Valakari and St Johnstone in the top flight. Last time the two sides met The last time these two clashed was back in August this season at McDiarmid Park as St Johnstone ran away 3-0 winners courtesy of goals by Jack Baird, Jason Holt, and Stevie Mallan. Last time out Last time out for the Lichties, they defeated Queen’s Park 4-1 at Gayfield as Arbroath look to continue their winning streak. For the visitors, last time out they drew 0-0 at home to struggling Ross County, who also were sucked down into the Championship last season. It’ll certainly be a tricky match for the home side as an undefeated St Johnstone side will be looking to continue their form and get further in front at the top of the league.
Gray “Looking for Reaction” as Hibs Face Livingston
After a last-minute derby defeat two weeks ago, David Gray has urged his side to “hit the ground running” after the latest international break. Speaking on Hibernian’s YouTube Channel, Gray admits that the break was “a bit of a reset” and acknowledges that Saturday’s opponents will be a test for his squad. “The way Davie’s set his team up this season, they’re playing a lot of good stuff, they’re going to be difficult to beat as they always are, but we need to focus on what we can do:” “I’m looking for a reaction clearly, because of what happened in the last game, the amount of time we’ve had to wait to get back on the pitch, but as I’ve said, it’s probably come at a good time from that point of view.” Gray confirmed that Alasana Manneh is the only player out injured, acknowledging that he has “a lot of players to pick from”. Hibs fans will be encouraged by the progress of Joe Newell, the injured club captain hasn’t played since December 2024, but continues to show positive signs. “Joe Newell trained again for the last week, a little bit stop-start with the birth of his son, which is brilliant for him and his family, but again really pleasing to see him back in amongst the group” “he’s still got a lot of work to do because he’s been out for such a long time.” Hibernian sit 7th in the Scottish Premiership, drawing five of their opening seven league matches. Gray’s side will be eager to attain their first home victory of the season, banishing the derby disappointment.
Former St Mirren Chairman Stewart Gilmour Steps Down From SMISA Board
Stewart Gilmour thé former St Mirren Chairman has resigned from his position on the SMISA board citing the funding model as the key reason behind his decision. The former Buddies chairman who relinquished control of the club in 2015 has been a member of fan owned group board since 2022 as SMISA alongside Kibble took control of the club in 2021. Gilmour in a Facebook post said: “It is with deep regret I must announce that I have resigned from the SMISA Board, this is very much against my wishes, however the regulations attached to being a SMISA Director do not allow me to express my own opinion publicly. Therefore, I have done so within the confines of the Board and as such those objections are in the minutes.My decision concerns the great change in the SMISA Funding model that is about to take place should the Members approve the new Build the Buds policy going forward. “I should highlight there are many good things about the Build the Buds, however the capping of the Reserve Fund at ONLY £500,000 is something I must speak out about. “This was a figure voted on, by no doubt well-meaning individuals, most of whom have absolutely no experience of downsizing either a company or indeed a football club with a £5 million plus turnover. “This figure represents a mere 10 per cent of St Mirren Football Club’s annual turnover and does not even match ONE MONTH of our current outgoings. “The Club could, and in all probability will, face difficult decisions in future should our fortunes fade, and history bears out that they will. Dealing with this is a very difficult and costly operation to carry out. Employees do not just walk away; you cannot get out of contracts.” Gilmour has highlighted his concerns at the clubs ability to operate in the event the clubs recent high times come to an end and they find themselves in financial difficulty. The former Chairman has used Motherwell, another fan owned club, as an example as to why this funding model is the wrong direction for the SMISA board to go down. “You should be aware that another club of similar size, Motherwell FC have a fund of £1 million, by coincidence exactly the figure I believe should be our minimum at this point. And one that should be subject to review in five years. “There unfortunately is a belief among some sections of our support that we shall never hit hard times, possibly caused by relegation to the Championship. I assure you clubs of our size have their wonderful times, but unfortunately also times when it is tough. Very tough. I have been there. History tells us this happens to clubs of our size. “The Membership numbers of SMISA rose dramatically when we had the opportunity to buy the majority shares in the club, of which we are still the majority shareholder. “This was an investment made by around 1,200 supporters, many of us bought into this process with the view that the club was better in the hands of St Mirren people rather than overseas investors! “However, this football club we all love is an asset we must protect. We simply must! If we do not protect it with forward thinking and no short-termism, allowing for our experienced reality of Saints’ capacity and capabilities then we could lose it. “The proposed figure of £500,000 is far from what would be required in an emergency. It is simply not enough to ensure that we could ride out that initial hard period, should the worst, or perhaps the inevitable happen. “This would be a disaster for all the Members who have invested their hard-earned money into SMISA in the belief that SMISA would have a war chest able to cope.” Gilmour finished his statement by again hammering home his belief that the proposed cash reserve figure of £500,000 is nowhere near enough to sustain the club should a return to the Championship be played out. “To me this proposal is the equivalent of your house burning down and not having insurance: the Reserve Fund IS OUR INSURANCE, and it requires to be at a level that will ensure Saints can survive a problem cash period. “This argument for me comes from the heart (and the head). This is about our club always being here, it is about our Grandchildren following in our footsteps. “To succeed and survive you must have an adequate plan. I respectfully warn that this proposal in inadequate and should be reassessed. I do hope fellow Members will see that we do need a much larger reserve to protect our investment in St Mirren Football Club.”
‘I love Rangers Football Club’ – Frank Lampard breaks silence on links to Ibrox hotseat
Frank Lampard breaks his silence on the links to him becoming Russell Martin’s replacement at Rangers. Martin was sacked 12 days ago after only winning five of his 17 games in charge and leaves the Light Blues eighth in the Scottish Premiership table. The Gers have still yet to find a replacement but are closing in on Shanghai Port boss Kevin Muscat. Lampard has been linked to the Ibrox hotseat and was close to getting the gig two years ago but Philippe Clement beat him to it. The Englishman has got Coventry City flying right now as they’re currently top of the English Championship and unbeaten. Speaking to the press before the Sky Blues’ league fixture against Blackburn Rovers, the 47-year-old was asked about the vacancy at the Govan club and expressed his love for the Glasgow giants: “I’m very, very ambitious and when I say that I’m talking about being here. I want us to be better. I think we’ve improved a lot. Everyone in the building’s work really hard to get to where we are. “There’s a real joy in that when you come to work and you have that feeling and I want to continue that and drive it and drive it. “I’m going to drive up until January and I’m going to drive until the end of the season. I’m very happy here, so I feel nothing of it. “And I love Rangers Football Club. I grew up loving Rangers Football Club. Those rumours are just there. I’m very happy here, and I want to continue to do better.”
John Souttar brands Russell Martin’s style of play as ‘unique’
John Souttar has branded sacked Rangers boss Russell Martin’s style of play as ‘unique.’ Martin was fired by the Light Blues after a horrendous start to the season only managing to win five of his 17 games in charge and he left the club eighth in the Scottish Premiership table. It’s been 12 days since the Englishman’s sacking and the Gers have still yet to find a replacement as under-19s coach Steven Smith is in charge for the clash against Dundee United tomorrow. Speaking before the tomorrow’s all important fixture, the Scotland international broke his silence about Martin’s departure and believes the players do need to take responsibility: “”Yes, the players have got to take responsibility. “We’re the ones that take the pitch. Whatever manager is here, whatever manager is not here, the lads have got to take responsibility because there were games where we weren’t good enough – attacking defensively, on the ball, off the ball.” The 29-year-old added that the players enjoyed Martin’s training sessions but just couldn’t translate it into results on matchday: “I think everyone knows the results weren’t good enough. “There were points where we showed a bit of promise and I thought it was a unique style of play. “The boys enjoyed the training pitch but on the weekend or during the week we didn’t get the results we needed.” Kevin Muscat looks set to become the Ibrox club’s new head coach but won’t be able to take charge until the Chinese Super League finishes on the 22nd of November. The former Australian international currently has Shanghai Port top of the table as he looks to close in on a second successive title.
