Ange Postecoglou Axed By Nottingham Forest After Dismal Spell In Charge
Nottingham Forest will be on the search for their third manager of the season as Ange Postecoglou has been sacked after only a month in charge following 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. The Australian took charge of the Forest at the start of the season replacing the outgoing Nuno Espírito Santo who was sacked after poor results and a breakdown in relationship with the ownership. After failing to win any of his first 8 games in charge Postecoglou has been shown the exit door by Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, making him the shortest serving manager in the clubs history. The writing had been on the wall for the Aussie as pressure from the fans grew with each passing game as Forest looked to regain their form that gave them European football for the first time in 1996. Postecoglou who guided Celtic to two consecutive Premiership trophies as well as a treble in his final season has found his fortunes much worse since switching Scotland for England. Despite winning the Europa League ending Tottenham Hotspur’s 17 year trophy drought he was shown the door a mer 16 days later as the club finished 17th in a dismal league campaign. Whilst the Australian’s high pressing attacking style of play captivated the Scottish game he has not been able to transform his fortunes to the Premier League and he will be on the hunt for his third job this year. Postecoglou has faced criticism from the English media from the day he was appointed and it remains to be seen what his next move will be as his Premier League experiences have been far from ideal. It remains to be seen who the City Ground club will turn to in a bid to get there season back on track and it will be an interesting process to follow. The early contender is Sean Dyche who was reportedly on the shortlist should the axe fall on Postecoglou.
Arbroath Hand St Johnstone First League Defeat With Sensational Second Half Comeback
A sensational second half comeback from Arbroath handed St Johnstone their first league defeat off the season as the Smokies ran out 3-1 winners. It was a very even start as both teams looked to create chances but within five minutes the visitors were in front. A through ball by Reece McAlear found Josh McPake where the striker put St Johnstone ahead. After the goal, it was one way traffic as Arbroath controlled most the play but failing to get the game level. On 20 minutes, Findlay Marshall had a chance to equalise but his effort from range just going over by a slight margin. Other than that, there was much to speak about as Arbroath controlled majority of the game but failing to take their chances. St Johnstone struggled to get further ahead but luckily for them, Arbroath just couldn’t find a goal. Some very dodgy passes by the Saints backline in the first half but at their fortune, Arbroath were unable to make them pay. Arbroath responded immediately as Findlay Marshall fired the Smokies back on level terms with an effort from range striking bottom right hand corner. Arbroath continued to create chances and cause St Johnstone all sort of issues as soon on Arbroath were ahead as Gavin Reilly scored a tap in from close range following an initial attempt saved. Arbroath then quickly added a third, a similar goal to the equaliser, Findlay Marshall completing a brace with a strike from distance finding the bottom right hand corner. St Johnstone late on did have some chances but not testing the Arbroath keeper as the hosts were more than happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. St Johnstone had no response as Arbroath were simply outstanding. Anytime the visitors went forward they were unable to test the Arbroath number one. A very poor display by the Saints as Arbroath pick up a very deserved three points. Arbroath: McAdams Stewart Muirhead O’Brien Wilkie Gold Flynn Marshall Reilly MacIntyre Dow Substitutes: Cochrane Kabongolo Todorov St Johnstone: Steward Smith Boyes Diabate Foulds Fotheringham Holt Sprangler McAlear McPake Gullan Substitutes: Ikpeazu Franczak
Hibernian 4-0 Livingston: Gray’s Men Banish Derby Demons with Dominant Victory
Hibernian 4 – 0 Livingston Klidje (9′) McGrath (52′ pen) Hoilett (79′, 89′) A Thibault Klidje-inspired Hibs recorded their first home league win of the season against Livingston. Livingston won the first corner of the game, but it was Hibs who produced the first chance of the match. Kieron Bowie found Nicky Cadden in space on the left of the box, but the wingback blazed over. A stray pass allowed Josh Mulligan to unleash a deflected shot moments later, as Hibs continued their search for an opener. Klidje gave Hibs a deserved lead in the 10th minute. A smart touch allowed the attacker to race into the box from Daniel Barlaser’s pass. The record signing fired a right-footed strike into the roof of Jerome Prior’s net for a prolific finish. Klidje showcased electric pace in the 13th minute, rampaging onto a loose ball, but his shot lacked power as Prior easily gathered. Hibs boss David Gray had urged his side to deliver a “reaction” after the devastating Edinburgh derby defeat two weeks ago, and would have been pleased with his side’s intent on their return to Easter Road. The home side almost doubled their lead in the 20th minute. Warren O’Hora kept a corner alive at the back post, but Grant Hanley could not bundle home in the six-yard box. The visitors were forced into an early change moments later, as Blaney walked off to be replaced by Andy Winter. Stevie May led the line with some clever touches, helping his side gain territory on several occasions. Still, it was proving to be a difficult opening period for Davie Martindale’s team. Bowie threatened to add his fourth league goal of the season in the 23rd minute, connecting in the box with a right-footed volley which whistled past the post. Klidje continued to cause terror for the Livingston backline. Captain for the day, Danny Wilson misjudged a looping ball in the 34th minute, but the Togolese striker dragged wide from the acute angle. He dispossessed the Livingston defence again in the 38th minute, playing an incisive ball for Cadden in the box. Once more, the wing-back lacked the necessary composure and blazed over Prior’s goal. Connor McLennan had a chance to bring Livingston level after a corner kick routine, but his strike went high into the Famous Five Stand from May’s cutback. Despite holding a halftime lead, Gray would be keen for his side to add to their lead, with Hibs already losing four points from winning positions this season. Jamie McGrath has enjoyed a positive start to his Hibs career since a summer move from Aberdeen. His chest and volley from the edge of the box had to be tipped over by Prior. McGrath was involved again moments later, playing a reversed ball to Barlaser, whose left-footed strike was palmed away. Klidje was dragged down in the Livingston box in the 50th minute, as Hibs were awarded a penalty. McGrath made no mistake, rolling past Prior for a deserved second goal. May cleared Grant Hanley’s towering header off the line in the 53rd minute, as the home side continued to threaten. The Hibees have drawn five of their opening seven league matches, but looked set to record a league victory for the first time since August 2nd. There was a bite about the home side, regularly dispossessing a ragged Livingston side for much of the 90 minutes. Despite the dominance, an uncomfortable moment occurred in the 63rd minute, as a rare Livingston corner dropped in the six-yard box. Thankfully, for the home support, the ball was swiftly cleared. Robbie Muirhead produced a terrific 35-yard strike as the visitors looked to respond. Raphael Sallinger had to be alert to push the ball away. Junior Hoilett headed home in the 79th minute and sidefooted a fourth Hibs goal ten minutes later to banish any thought of a Livingston comeback. It had been a comfortable afternoon for the Leith side, who moved into 3rd place in the Scottish Premiership. They travel to Pittodrie next Sunday to face Aberdeen, whilst Livingston will look to bounce back against Motherwell the day before. Hibernian: Sallinger 7 O’Hora 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 7 C Cadden 7 Mulligan 7 Barlaser 7 McGrath 8 N Cadden 7 Bowie 7 Klidje 8 Substitutes: Boyle 7 Hoilett 7 Chaiwa 6 Campbell 5 Livingston: Prior 6 Finlayson 6 Sylla 6 Wilson 5 Blaney 5 Montgomery 6 Pittman 6 Susoho 6 McLennan 6 May 6 Bokila 5 Substitutes: Winter 6 Muirhead 5 Tait 5 Montano 5 Shinnie 5
‘Its Another New Challenge – and We’ll be Ready’ – Rodgers on Arriving Muscat
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says that he is ready to take on Kevin Muscat as the Australian looks set to be announced as the new Rangers. Muscat, currently managing in China with Shanghai Port, is said to be close to agreeing a deal which would see him move to Ibrox at the close of the Chinese domestic season, with his side retaining their two point lead at the summit today with a 4-3 win away at Qingdao Hainiu. Steven Gerrard turned down the opportunity to take the reigns in Govan for a second time, and former Sheffield Wednesday gaffer Danny Rohl pulled himself out of contention earlier this weekend. Muscat, who won a treble with Rangers as a player, is now the firm favourite to replace axed Russell Martin and become the NINTH Rangers manager to be in the opposing dugout from Rodgers across his two spells at Celtic. “I don’t know him that well, but I came across him a few times when I was at Liverpool.” Rodgers said at his press conference. “He’s done a really good job in the teams that he’s been at in Asia, and if he’s to be the new manager coming in, it’s another challenge and as I said for us, we’ll be ready for it.” Muscat has won league titles in Australia with Melbourne Victory, and in Far-East Asia with Yokohama Marinos of Japan, and current side Shanghai Port of China. The Chinese season ends in 4 weeks, with Muscat expected to arrive after then with Neil McCann as his assistant. Steven Smith will take charge of the Light Blues fixture at home to Dundee United this weekend as Rangers sit eighth in the table with eight points, nine behind rivals Celtic and eleven behind league leaders Hearts.
Hibernian v Livingston Match Preview
Hibernian host Livingston at Easter Road on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership. Recent Form The Easter Road side will be fully focused on bouncing back from a frustrating 1-0 defeat to city rivals Hearts at Tynecastle before the international break. Craig Halkett’s stoppage-time winner meant Hibs tasted defeat for the first time this campaign. Before that, they had drawn their previous five games. A slow start to domestic proceedings has left the Leith outfit sitting seventh in the Premiership table, with eight points from seven matches. David Gray’s men have endured a difficult opening to their league run, with their only victory of the season so far coming on the opening day — a 2-1 win away to Dundee at Dens Park. On their return to the top flight, Livingston sit ninth in the Premiership, having picked up six points from eight matches. The West Lothian side have played a game more than their opponents this afternoon — registering one win, drawing three and losing four in their eight league encounters. Livingston have found themselves on the wrong end of stoppage-time defeats against Hearts, Dundee and Rangers this season. Before the international break, Livingston earned a 1-1 draw against Jim Goodwin’s Dundee United at Tannadice. Scott Pittman fired the visitors ahead in the first half before Dundee United centre-back Krisztián Keresztes levelled matters in the second. Previous Meetings The two sides also met in the Premier Sports Cup round of 16 back in August at the Home of the Set Fare Arena. Hibs ran out convincing 2-0 winners on the day, courtesy of goals from Thibault Klidjé and Josh Mulligan. Team News David Gray is expected to have a fully fit squad, except midfielders Alasana Manneh and Joe Newell. Miguel Chaiwa and Elie Youan will return from their respective injuries. Joe Newell is edging closer to a return following a long-term layoff; however, this game will come too soon for the 32-year-old. Livingston are hopeful of registering Curaçao international Joshua Brenet in time for this one. The full-back joined the club as a free agent. Meanwhile, Cristian Montano, Cammy Kerr and Aidan Denholm are all close to returning to action.
