Dundee 0-3 Rangers: Gers Cruise to Victory at Dens Park
Rangers ran out convincing 3-0 winners over Dundee on Sunday afternoon, courtesy of goals from Nico Raskin, Mikey Moore and Djeidi Gassama. This result moves the Gers up to fourth in the Scottish Premiership table and secures a third straight win in the league for the Ibrox side as Danny Rohl’s continues his unbeaten start to his Rangers tenure. Dundee started the game brightly and it was the hosts who had the first opportunity of the match, midfielder, Ethan Hamilton saw an early free kick attempt from close range parried away by Jack Butland, after a clumsy foul from Mohamed Diomande, his strike was diverted out for a corner, Rangers managed to clear. However, Rangers had the lead just shy of the tenth minute mark, Nico Raskin was left completely unmarked inside the box which allowed him plenty of space as he rose highest to head beyond Jon McCracken in the Dundee goal following James Tavernier’s corner kick delivery. On the 15th minute, Rangers doubled their lead in quick succession. Tottenham loanee Mikey Moore received the ball in an attacking position before unleashing a powerful shot 20 yards from goal, Dundee goalkeeper John McCracken was unable to prevent it from going in as Moore celebrated his first goal for Rangers. Ever since Nico Raskin’s opener, Rangers took complete control of the game and had the Dundee defence pinned back for large spells, this would see Dundee change to a back four. Dundee enjoyed a spell of possession after this, Jack Butland was forced into punching a corner away from danger, Luke Graham’s follow up effort wasn’t of any worry for the Rangers defence. Mikey Moore thought he’d netted his second of the afternoon and Rangers’ third when he reacted fastest to a rebound, however after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was disallowed as Diomande was penalised for being offside in the build-up. Rangers went into the interval with a two-goal cushion, with Dundee unable to trouble Jack Butland so far. The second half seen Rangers make a triple change, with Youssef Chermiti, Connor Barron and Thelo Aasgaard all entering the field of play with Mohamed Diomande, Danilo and Bojan Miovski all making way. It was a quieter affair for certain spells throughout the second period with Rangers’ tempo dropping slightly, allowing Dundee to have more of the ball. Despite this, Danny Rohl’s men still had their fair share of chances, Thelo Aasgaard was eager to get on the scoresheet however, his long-range strike was well saved by McCracken in the Dundee goal. Shortly after, McCracken was on hand to deny Rangers a third, once again when he got down well to save DjeidiGassama’s low strike from inside the area. As the half went on, Dundee became increasingly frustrated at the lack of chances they were creating, which forced them into a triple change. This proved to have very littleeffect on proceedings as Rangers continued to restrict Dundee’s opportunities. Rangers were in disbelief that they hadn’t increased their advantage when McCracken made an excellent stop to push Nico Raskin’s headed attempt wide of goal. The Gers had to be patient for a third goal, but it eventually came in the 90th minute when Djeidi Gassama cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable strike beyond McCracken to secure the three points for his side. An excellent all round showing from Rangers this afternoon, they host Livingston at Ibrox after the international break while Dundee travel to Easter Road to take on Hibernian, in desperate needs of a win.
Hearts 1 – 1 Dundee United: Stephenson header earns point for United at Tynecastle
Hearts 1 – 1 Dundee United Kucherenko (25′ OG) Stephenson (45′) Hearts’ unbeaten start to the Scottish Premiership continued after a frantic draw against Dundee United. It was a breathless start in front of a sellout Tynecastle crowd, but the first opening didn’t occur until the 7th minute. Ivan Dolcek slid Zac Sapsford through on Alexander Schwolow’s goal; the attacker cleverly dinked the Austrian goalkeeper to score, but play was brought back for offside. Tomas Bent Magnusson responded for Hearts in the 13th minute. A right-sided corner dropped kindly to the Norwegian on the edge of the box, and his sliced strike forced Yevhen Kucherenko into an important save. Pierre Landry Kabore, fresh off a brace against Dundee eight days ago, was next to test his luck. His left-footed strike had power, but drifted wide of the goal frame. Dario Naamo unleashed Amar Fatah behind the Hearts defence after 17 minutes. The Swede skewed his right-footed shot wide, but the play was brought back again for offside. Oisin McEntee ventured down the United left, and Kabore connected with his fizzed cross to head over, bringing an exhausting opening 20 minutes to a close. A Kucherenko own goal gave Hearts the lead after 25 minutes. Braga found Kyziridis on the edge of the box, and after shifting the ball onto his right foot, he curled a low strike which deflected in off the goalkeeper’s body. Dundee United carried a threat on occasion and grew into the first period. A looping backpost cross found Fatah, who cushioned his header past Schwolow’s goal in the 32nd minute. The visitors almost equalised on the stroke of halftime. Schwolow raced off his line to clear a loose ball, which cannoned off on the onrushing Dolcek. Luckily for Derek McInnes’s side, the deflection fizzed wide. The goal eventually arrived in the 45th minute. Fatah’s backpost corner kick delivery was headed back across the goal by Liverpool loanee Luca Stephenson to spark mayhem in the away end. McInnes opted for a double change at halftime, as they aimed to cement a 10th league victory of the season by bringing on Stephen Kingsley and Michael Steinwender. The changes helped pen the visitors back, and Kucherenko gathered Steinwender’s looping header after 52 minutes as they searched for a second goal. United responded on the hour mark, Fatah drove at the Hearts’ backline, but his blazing strike went high into the Roseburn Stand. Premiership top goalscorer Lawrence Shankland volleyed over a Kyziridis’ cutback as the Tynecastle faithful spurred on their team. The tension was palpable as they aimed to maintain their nine-point league lead. United had the ball in the net in the 71st minute. Sapsford megged Stuart Findlay before drilling the ball across the goal for Fatah to tap home. Once more, play was brought back for an offside. Neither team were able to force the winning goal, and a point felt like a fair result. The Jambos move onto 30 points at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but their lead could be reduced to four if Celtic beat Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. Dundee United remain in the bottom six, but looked far better than their abject showing against Motherwell eleven days ago. They face Falkirk at Tannadice after the international break, with Hearts visiting Aberdeen the day after. Heart of Midlothian: Schwolow 6 McEntee 6 Halkett 7 Findlay 7 Milne 6 Magnusson 6 Devlin 7 Braga 6 Kyziridis 7 Kabore 5 Shankland 6 Substitutes: Steinwender 6 Kingsley 6 Ageu 5 Kerjota 5 Dundee United: Kucherenko 7 Iovu 7 Esselink 7 Keresztes 7 Naamo 6 Dolcek 7 Stephenson 7 Sevelj 6 Camara 7 Fatah 6 Sapsford 7 Substitutes: N/A
Nacho Novo Announced as Darvel FC Manager
Former Rangers hero Nacho Novo has been announced as new manager of 7th tier side Darvel FC. Novo had been part of the background staff at Drumchapel United in the division above, and now takes his first step into management since his retirement from playing in 2017. Darvel sit 14th in the West of Scotland First Division after relegation last season from the Premier Division, and will be hoping that the Spaniard can change their fortunes. “Darvel FC are delighted to announce the appointment of Nacho Novo as the club’s new first team manager.” A statement on ‘X’ reads. “Nacho brings a wealth of experience and a passion for developing talented players, and we look forward to working together as we continue to build for the future. “Welcome to Darvel FC, Nacho!” Novo said on the club’s social media: “It’s a got a history, it’s a family club as well. So yeah, I want to come and do a job. “One of the things that attracted me most was that it’s a family club, and doing a lot of things for the community. “I love these type of jobs.” Novo’s first game in charge is next Saturday, as Darvel travel to Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
Five Managers On The Celtic Shortlist
Celtic are still to appoint Brendan Rodgers’ replacement following the Northern Irishman’s shock resignation last week. The rumour mill was been going into overdrive over who is next going to take the Celtic Park hot seat, with ex-boss Martin O’Neill keeping it warm in interim charge just now. O’Neill has won both games in charge so far, but has insisted from the offset that he is just there for the short-term, whilst the hunt for a ‘younger’ manager goes on. Here are five coaches that Celtic could employ. 1. Kieran McKenna The bookies favourite. Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna enjoyed back-to-back promotions with the Tractor Boys which seen them back in the Premier League in 2024 for the first time in 22 years. London born, McKenna was rumoured to have been raised in a ‘Celtic-supporting’ household in County Fermanagh, and refused to categorically rule himself out of the running when quizzed about it last week. He has a reported £5million release clause. 2. Kjetil Knutsen The Bodo/Glimt manager guided the Norwegian side to their first ever Eliteserien title in 2020, going on to win three more after that. In charge since 2018, Knutsen has supposedly said no to European giants Ajax in the past, and transformed his Arctic Circle side into a feared European side of their own, defeating Celtic in the 2022 Conference League before getting to last season’s Europa League semi finals and achieving Champions League qualification in the first time in the club’s history. His contract expires at the end of this calendar year. 3. Wilfried Nancy One name that won’t go away is Wilfried Nancy. The Columbus Crew manager won the Ohio side the MLS Cup in 2023 and the Leagues Cup in 2024. The Frenchman won MLS Coach of the Year in 2024 and is said to be thought of highly by Parkhead chiefs due to his expansive, possession-based style of play. Nancy managed current Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston during his time at CF Montreal, and MLS reporters describe a move to coach in Europe as an ‘inevitability’. 4. Nicky Hayen Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen is another coach with links swirling around him. The Belgian has been in charge of the Champions League Club since 2024 after replacing former Celtic manager Ronny Deila, and was able to deliver title success while still initially caretaker. He has added a Belgian Cup to his trophy cabinet since, and is another coach who has refused to dismiss any speculation when asked. He also enjoyed a spell as manager of Haverfordwest County, in the Welsh division, before a quick rise to European football. 5. Ange Postecoglou The noise surrounding the Australian has went quiet, if there ever was any concrete links to begin with. But there is no doubt that the Celtic treble winner has been discussed between the Celtic hierarchy. Leaving Celtic for Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Postecoglou won Spurs their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League, despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, before being sacked after just over a month at Nottingham Forest. Now a free commodity again, the job could be his if he is looking to get back into football so quickly.
Tottenham 2-2 Man Utd: Breathtaking Finale as United Steal a Point from Spurs
Two goals in stoppage time meant that it was a point each for Tottenham and Manchester United in a dramatic game in the early kickoff in North London. Spurs made three changes from their 4-0 win against Copenhagen in the Champions League as Udogie, Bentancur and Odobert made way for Spence, Paulinha and Richarlison As for United, they also made three changes from their last game, a 2-2 draw away at Nottingham Forest, Yoro, Dalot and Sesko dropped out for Dorgu, Mazraoui and de Ligt. After the Remembrance weekend minute silence that all Premier League clubs will observe, it was a disastrous start for United as goalkeeper Senne Lammens let the ball roll under his foot. His heart must have been in his mouth as the ball ran away from him, but thankfully for him, it rolled for a corner, which Tottenham couldn’t take advantage of. United got a better foothold of the game early on and their best chance came from Bruno Fernandes driving forward as he usually does, a poor pass is picked back up by the United captain who plays the ball to Bryan Mbeumo who plays a great ball that was begging to be tapped in but there was no takers. Spurs did create one good chance midway through the first half as Brennan Johnson skipped past Patrick Dorgu and crossed to Richarlison who has a free header but the Brazilian inexplicitly completely misses the ball. It was United who took the lead after 32 minutes as Tottenham fail to clear their lines twice, as Matheus Cunha picked it up on the edge of the Spurs area plays it wide to Amad Diallo whose pin point cross is expertly headed in by Mbeumo who scored his fourth goal in five League games. As the first half came to a close United were doing well and as the whistle was blown for half time there were boos ringing round the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. As the players emerged for the second half Tottenham changed shape and it seemed to work as they looked much more aggressive. Their first chance came from the left as Djed Spence crossed for Cristian Romero as the centre-half was still up from a corner and his flicked shot was saved by the leg of Lammens Spurs again had another shot just a couple of minutes later as Xavi Simons free kick was cleared but recycled by Pedro Porro whose cross fell to Paulinha on the half volley and his powerful strike was saved by the difficult to beat Lammens. Spurs then get the ball in the net again down the right hand side with Porro who finds Richarlison and he slips in Johnson but his exquisite finish across goal is ruled out as the Englishman was a yard or so offside. United finally managed to get a little bit of a break from defending as Casemiro’s long pass was chested down brilliantly by Fernandes again but he sliced his shot over the bar. Spurs get their equaliser on 84 minutes as Wilson Odobert pushes them forward gets a good ball wide for Destiny Udogie and his crossed pass to Mathys Tel is controlled outstandingly by the Dutchman to get himself a yard of space away from countryman Matthijs de Ligt and Tel’s shot on the half spin deflects off de Ligt to finally get Spurs level. United try to get their lead back almost straight from kick off as Benjamin Sesko and Mason Mount connect well and Sesko looks to be through on goal if it wasn’t for Micky van de Ven making a goal-saving challenge. That challenge would be the end of Sesko’s game as he went off injured, and United would finish with 10 men as they had no more available subs. Spurs then managed to turn the game around in the 91st minute as a half-cleared corner was picked up by Odobert in space and his curling shot was deftly flicked on by Richarlison who’s got 4 goals in 11 games this season. Ridiculously, we didn’t get a Spurs win as United would end up getting a 96th minute equaliser a Fernandes corner is floated to the far post and de Ligt, whose marker was very well blocked off by Luke Shaw, found the net despite the best efforts of Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario. A score draw was a fair result in a game that started slow but then exploded with action come the end of the game. Final score Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United. Tottenham Hotspur Vicario, Porro (Udogie), Romero (Danso), van de Ven, Spence, Paulinha (Bentancur), Sarr, Johnson, Simons (Tel), Richarlison, Muani (Odobert) Tel 84’ Richarlison 90+1 Manchester United Lammens, de Ligt, Maguire (Yoro), Shaw, Mazraoui (Sesko), Dorgu (Dalot), Fernandes, Casemiro (Ugarte), Cunha (Mount), Diallo, Mbeumo Mbeumo 32 de Ligt 90+6
Ross County 3-3 Ayr United: Points Shared in six-goal Thriller
Ross County welcome Ayr United to Dingwall as both teams are eager to get back to winning ways. The Staggies make four changes from last week’s defeat at Gayfield against Arbroath as Dean Cornelius, Kieran Phillips, Dylan Smith and Gary Mackay-stevens come in to replace Scott Fraser, Jamie Lindsay, Connor Randall and Alex Iacovitti who drops to the bench. Scott Brown makes just one one change from their 1-0 defeat against Dunfermline as Kevin Holt returns as Liam Dick drops onto the bench. County had an early flurry with Duncan whipping in a corner with Alki Wright getting a head on it but a good stop by Mitchell with another good chance being cleared by Stuart Brannigan. Ayr had a chance of their own, Mcallister with a cross into the box with Mark Mckenzie meeting the cross but a comfortable save for Trevor Carson in goals. Ronan Hale has a decent enough effort, Hale on the left hand side, cutting in unleashing a strike with a simple catch for Mitchell as moments later, Hale again with a similar strike but on the right which struck side. Ethan Walker got the Honest Men ahead after 22 minutes, Mckenzie with a low driven cross into the box, Walkers with plenty of space eventually controlled the ball and struck home to get Ayr in front. The hosts had a big chance, a lose piece of play by Ayr which allowed defender Alki Wright to have a chance of his own but not enough accuracy as it fires wide. Ronan Hale got county back level, a ball up the field to Hale where he cut onto his right foot and struck it home doing what he does best to get the Staggies on level terms. It didn’t take county long to fire ahead as a cross from Declan Gallagher across the box found Jordan White who put County ahead. Scott McMann from distance almost got Ayr back level but a brilliant fisting save by Carson to keep his sided in front. A bright first half display by County but as soon as the hosts went 2-1 up, Ayr looked to use that as motivation as it was a good response but failing top draw level. A very entertaining first half in the Highlands. Four minutes into the second half, Duncan almost added a third for County with his strike being tipped over by David Mitchell in goals. Jordan White had his second of the afternoon, multiple attempts beforehand but Jordan White took on a strike and smashed it home to get a third. Ayr found one back, a cluster in the box with the ball landing at Scott McMann where he struck it nicely into the bottom right hand corner. Substitute Curtis Main levelled the tie, a shot from the edge of the box smashing past Trevor Carson following a goal line block by Wright following an initial attempt. Mark Mckenzie could’ve had Ayr ahead, a powerful strike from close range but going out for a throw in to the hosts. In the dying stages, if a winner was to come, it certainly looked in favour as the visitors as we were in for a nervy end. It ends level but what a game as both sides put their quality on show. Both sides will leave on a positive note in a sensational game of football for the neutrals. Ross County: Carson, Crompton, Wright, Cornelius, Hale, Phillips (O’Sullivan 75′), Smith, Mackay-Stevens (Iacovitti 75′), White, Duncan, Gallagher Subs: Laidlaw, Foster, O’Sullivan, Clark, Iacovitti, Reid, Scott. Ayr United: Mitchell, Mcallister (Dick 66′), Holt, Bannigan (Main 58′), Ure, Murphy (Bonnar 66′), King, Walker, McKenzie, Rus, McMann Subs: Russell, Dick, Want, Main, Thomas, Bonnar.
