Hearts Confirm Chesnokov Signing
Heart of Midlothian have completed the signing of Islam Chesnokov, with the Kazakhstan international officially joining the club ahead of the second half of the 2025/26 season. The 26-year-old arrives at Tynecastle after leaving FC Tobol Kostanay at the end of his contract. Hearts had agreed a pre-contract deal with Chesnokov in June 2025. The new signing primarily plays as a right-sided winger but is capable of playing across the forward line. He built a strong reputation at Tobol, where he was a regular starter and a consistent contributor. During his time at the club, he scored 29 goals in 92 games across all competitions. On the international stage, Chesnokov has 21 senior caps for the Kazakhstan national team, scoring 3 goals. The winger will wear squad number 99 and is expected to provide depth in wide attacking areas as Hearts continue their impressive domestic campaign so far. He joins an already strong attacking fleet of Lawrence Shankland, Alexandros Kyziridis and Claudio Braga, who have all been regular starters for Derek McInnes this season. Chesnokov becomes the Jambos’ second signing of the January transfer window after right back Jordi Altena completed his move last week.
Who is Liam Rosenior?
Chelsea have today announced the appointment of new manager Liam Rosenior. The 42-year-old arrives in West London on a five-and-a-half-year deal replacing the outgoing Enzo Maresca. This will be Rosenior’s first venture into Premier League management, arriving from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who are under the same ownership group as Chelsea. The move has thereby been met with controversy from Strasbourg fans protesting their multi-club ownership structure. The French side currently sit 7th in Ligue 1 and topped the league phase of the UEFA Conference League. Rosenior also led Strasbourg to a 7th place finish last season. Prior to coaching in France, Rosenior was in charge of Hull City, where he was dismissed narrowly missing out on play-offs. Interestingly, Rosenior worked with current Chelsea forward Liam Delap during his time at Hull, whilst also coaching current Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos last season at Strasbourg. Much has been made on Chelsea’s transfer strategy in recent years, but it is becoming clear that Todd Boehly and the Chelsea higher-ups are in favour of younger coaches with Maresca also taking charge in his early 40s. According to Transfermarkt, Rosenior favours a 3-4-2-1 formation, a complete switch from the 4-2-3-1 the team will be used to. But Chelsea fans will hope that the club’s return to a back three will come with the successes brought by both Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. As a player, Rosenior played as a right-back for clubs like Brighton and Hull City. He has also been on record earlier this season saying he is a fan of Manchester United when he shared his admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Strasbourg’s clash with Aberdeen. It is yet to be confirmed whether Rosenior will be in the dugout for Wednesday’s trip to Craven Cottage or if he will first take charge during Chelsea’s Saturday night clash away to Charlton in the FA Cup. Either way, Rosenior will have big shoes to fill, being tasked to replace the man who led Chelsea to the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup titles.
Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen: Rohl’s Men overcome Managerless Dons to move Second
Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen Fernandez (11′). Raskin (41′) First-half headers from Emmanuel Fernandez and Nico Raskin secured a fourth straight league win for Rangers, as they continue their climb towards the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The home side, inspired by their derby day victory over Celtic, started on the front foot, looking to leapfrog their fierce rivals into second place. Former Aberdeen youngster Connor Barron almost capitalised on a Dimitar Mitov mistake in the opening minutes, but could not direct his strike on goal from James Tavernier’s free-kick. The lead arrived in the 10th minute thanks to Emmanuel Fernandez. The defender added his fifth goal of the season after leaping to convert Barron’s inswinging corner kick. Mitov claimed to be handled by Mikey Moore, but Nick Walsh quickly confirmed the opener. Despite the routine start for the hosts, Kenan Bilalovic discovered a golden chance to strike level. Nicky Devlin’s hopeful ball split the Rangers’ backline, allowing Bilalovic to stride towards Jack Butland’s goal. But a poor touch from the Swede gave the goalkeeper precious time to gather. Danny Rohl’s side reestablished their dominance, with half-chances for Barron and derby hero Mikey Moore, but Bilalovic would have yet another golden opportunity on the half-hour mark. Kevin Nisbet dispossessed Nico Raskin, and after racing toward goal, he squared to his fellow attacker. Once more, the Swede was unable to sort his feet, and the chance slipped away. Mitov was alert to tip Tavernier’s whipping free kick over the bar as the game trickled towards halftime. Rangers had enjoyed plenty of possession since the Fernandez header, but were unable to fashion clear-cut chances throughout the first period. That was until Raskin converted Barron’s latest delivery in the 40th minute. The Belgian midfielder darted towards the front post from the right-sided corner and headed across Mitov to double the Gers’ advantage. A frustrating end to the half for interim Aberdeen boss Peter Leven, whose side had disappointingly conceded from almost identical set pieces. Raskin should have converted another set piece, this time from Tavernier, with seconds to play in the half. But it was so far so good for Rohl’s rejuvenated side. Rangers continued to control the game in a comfortable second-half display. The incoming Thelo Aasgaard tested Mitov with a left-footed strike as the clock ticked towards the hour mark. Beforehand, Tavernier had jinked away from Graeme Shinnie on the edge of the box, but his right-footed strike rose over the bar. Jack Butland had to be alert to tip Nisbet’s looping header around the post in a rare Aberdeen attack, before Dante Polvara headed over from the resultant corner. With ten minutes to play, Mitov produced a tremendous finger-tip save from Raskin’s darting 20-yard strike, which looked set to ripple the side-netting. Victory secured 2nd spot for Rangers, who will meet managerless Aberdeen again next Sunday in the league. It remains to be seen if the Dons will have their man or if Leven will still be in the dugout. Rangers: Butland 7 Tavernier 7 Souttar 7 Fernandez 8 Meghoma 7 Barron 9 Raskin 9 Diomande 7 Gassama 7 Chermiti 6 Moore 7 Substitutes: Aasgaard 6 Miovski 6 Sterling 6 Aarons 4 Danilo 4 Aberdeen: Mitov 4 Devlin 5 Milne 6 Knoester 5 Gyamfi 5 Shinnie 5 Kjartansson 5 Polvara 5 Armstrong 6 Bilalovic 3 Nisbet 5 Substitutes: Lazetic 4 Clarkson 4 Karlsson 4 Jensen 3 Keskinen 3
The Ten Shortest Serving Managers in Scotland Since 2000
Wilfried Nancy became the shortest serving permanent manager in Celtic history when he was sacked yesterday after just eight matches in charge. The Frenchman left Columbus Crew in the MLS at the beginning of December for Glasgow, but failed to outlast the duration at the helm spent by his interim predecessor Martin O’Neill, who has since returned until the end of the season. Yet the 48-year-old is not alone when it comes to forgettable reigns in Scotland, as we take a look at the ten shortest serving permanent hires in the Scottish top-flight since the turn of the millennium. 1. Wilfried Nancy, Celtic – 33 days The aforementioned Wilfried Nancy. He leaves Scotland with two wins and six losses, with many sceptical he understood the gravity of the situation he was getting himself into. Fans would argue that bigger problems remain at Parkhead, but Thierry Henry’s former assistant’s stubbornness to adapt to the personnel at his disposal and persistence with his 3-4-2-1 shape would be his undoing. Nancy lost a cup final, fell further behind leaders Hearts and lost 3-1 at home to Rangers in just over a month in charge. 2. Jack Ross, Dundee United – 71 days A name that still haunts Dundee United fans to this day, Jack Ross was sacked from Dundee United after seven games in 2022 which seen him lose his last five. Perhaps not the state of the form sheet that was the reason for sacking the former Sunderland manager, but instead the manner of the defeats. After an astounding 1-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar in Conference League qualifiers, players were rested in a defeat to Livingston for the away leg, which the Terrors lost 7-0. Defeats to Hearts and St. Mirren followed, before Ange Postecoglou’s swashbuckling Celtic thrashed them 9-0 at Tannadice to show Ross the door. 3. Derek Adams, Ross County – 79 days Derek Adams returned to Dingwall for a third time in late 2023, but it was most definitely not third time the charm for the former Morecambe manager. This spell is most memorable for his infamous scathing post-match interview after a 1-0 home defeat to Dundee, where he said the standard of Scottish football was ‘shocking’ and that his former Morecambe side were ‘100 times better’ than his new squad. Unsurprisingly, this failed to turn his fortunes around, and Adams resigned after 2 wins from 12 games. 4. Alan Stubbs, St. Mirren – 87 days Alan Stubbs took charge in Paisley in 2018 after St. Mirren won promotion to the Premiership under Jack Ross’ stewardship. He was given just four league games in charge, defeating Dundee on the opening day of the season before three losses to the Rangers, Livingston and Hearts. The Scouser won the Scottish Cup with Hibs in 2016, but has not returned to management since leaving the Buddies and was replaced by Oran Kearney who kept them up via the relegation play-offs. 5. Mark McGhee, Dundee – 103 days Mark McGhee was appointed Dundee gaffer to save their season in February 2022, despite having an existing six-game ban from his time at Motherwell five years prior. Another 9-0 victim to Celtic from his also forgettable Aberdeen spell as manager, he was unable to keep the dark blue side of Tannadice Street afloat, as they went down to the Championship and McGhee’s contract was not extended, having won only once in fourteen fixtures. 6. George Burley, Hearts – 112 days The most unjustified dismissal of this list, fans across the country could not believe what they were being told when news broke that George Burley left Tynecastle by ‘mutual consent’ in October 2005 following ‘irreconcilable differences’ with ill-famed owner Vladimir Romanov. Burley left Hearts top of the league after ten games, having won eight of those. His only other job in Scotland was as national team manager, but he was a lot less successful at Hampden than he was in the capital city. 7. Lee McCulloch, Kilmarnock – 118 days Initially appointed in interim charge alongside Peter Leven in 2017 after Lee Clark left Rugby Park, Lee McCulloch took the reins full-time at the end of the season after Killie finished 8th in 16/17. However, after no wins in his opening eight league games with the permanent gig, the f0rmer Rangers’ utility player was sacked and replaced by Steve Clarke. McCulloch now serves as talent acquisition manager at Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion. 8. Shaun Maloney, Hibernian – 120 days Shaun Maloney was offered his first managerial gig at Hibs in December 2021 after being highly spoken of from his time spent as a coach at Celtic and the Belgian national side. He would win his first two games, but would only register another four wins from his 19 managed overall and was sacked following a 2-1 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to city rivals Hearts. Maloney has now become Martin O’Neill’s assistant for the rest of this season at Celtic. 9. Russell Martin, Rangers – 123 days In an era of awful appointments at Ibrox, Russell Martin holds the unwanted tag of being booted out the quickest. Enjoying little success in Govan as a player and as a manager, his arrival at the beginning of this season was immediately met with scepticism when he announced he would not follow club tradition of wearing a suit and brogues. His public fallouts with star men Nico Raskin and Hamza Igamane doomed him from the start, as he was escorted out of the Falkirk Stadium after a 1-1 draw which would be his last match as Rangers manager, winning just one of his first eight league games. 10. Michael Wimmer, Motherwell – 133 days Another appointment that didn’t go wrong, Wimmer left Motherwell at the end of last season having only took the job in February 2025. He won five and drew three of his twelve games in charge at Fir Park, before leaving for his native land to manage German third-tier side
Neil McCann Announced as New Kilmarnock Manager
Kilmarnock have announced former Hearts and Rangers winger Neil McCann as their new manager on a one-and-a-half-year contract. The 51-year-old has replaced Stuart Kettlewell who left the post on the 15th of December following a 10-match run without a win, a run that has now stretched to 14. McCann who had a glittering playing career winning major honours at both Tynecastle and Ibrox takes his third managerial job after previously working at both Dundee and Inverness Caley Thistle. McCann has also worked as an assistant coach at both Dunfermline Athletic and most recently when he worked under Barry Ferguson at Rangers at the end of last season. Billy Dodds will join McCann as his assistant after also working at Rangers last season, tasked with the job of saving Killie’s season. Both have spent long periods in-between coaching jobs working as pundits on BBC Sport Scotland TV and Radio programmes, respectively. Kilmarnock currently sit in 11th place with 13 points from 21 games, just four points above bottom place Livingston. The first game is a massive one for the new Killie coaching team as they face Livingston away in a real relegation 6-pointer which will clearly be seen as a must win for both teams. A cup game at home to Dundee then three league fixtures away to Motherwell, at home to Aberdeen, then away to Rangers fills out the rest of the next five games for Killie meaning it’s far from being an easy start to life at Rugby park for the new coaching staff. Killie have only spent one season outside the topflight since 1993, that being the 2021-22 season where Derek McInnes gained promotion straight back to the Scottish Premiership and McCann and Dodds will be desperate not to take the club back down.
Chelsea announce Liam Rosenior as new head coach
Chelsea have announced Liam Rosenior as Enzo Maresca’s replacement in the Stamford Bridge dugout. Rosenior arrives from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, who are under the same ownership group as the West London side. Rosenior departs France having guided his team to finish at top of the UEFA Conference League phase whilst also sitting 7th in France’s top flight. Prior to Strasbourg, the Englishman started his managerial career with Hull City, where he was sacked after narrowly missing out on the play-offs. Rosenior would then take over from outgoing Patrick Viera at Strasbourg. In his first interview with the club, Rosenior said: “I am extremely humbled and honoured to be appointed Head Coach of Chelsea Football Club. This is a club with a unique spirit and a proud history of winning trophies. ‘My job is to protect that identity and create a team that reflects these values in every game we play as we continue winning trophies. To be entrusted with this role means the world to me and I want to thank all involved for the opportunity and faith in undertaking this job. I will give everything to bring the success this club deserves. ‘I believe deeply in teamwork, unity, togetherness and working for one another, and those values will be at the heart of everything we do. They will be the foundation of our success. ‘I am excited to work with this extremely talented group of players and staff, to build strong connections on and off the pitch, and to create an environment where everyone feels united and driven by the same goal. ‘There is a real hunger to win, and I will give everything, every single day, to help this team compete and win at the very highest level to make everyone connected and proud to be a part of Chelsea Football Club. ‘I want our fans to be proud of who we are and what we represent in every single game that we play. They are the soul of this enormous, historic and huge football club. ‘I cannot wait to meet you all. I cannot wait to get started.” The 42-year-old coach has signed a contract until 2032. Chelsea make the short trip to Fulham tomorrow where it is unknown if Rosenior will take charge yet. If not, Chelsea have another short trip to Charlton on Saturday in the FA Cup, where it is likely the Englishman would be in the dugout.
