Celtic 4-0 Dundee United: Martin O’Neill’s Magic Returns Winning Feeling To Celtic
Celtic won their first game of Martin O’Neill’s second interim spell in charge this season, defeating Dundee United 4-0 at Celtic Park. Two goals in each half were enough for the Northern Irishman’s side, with Hyun-jun Yang and Arne Engels netting in the first period, before Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda completed the rout in the final half hour. It was Celtic’s first match since sacking Wilfried Nancy after 33 days, and they Hoops were able to keep a clean sheet for the first time since what we thought was Martin’s O’Neill’s last game as manager, when the defending champions eked out a 1-0 win over the over side of Dundee at Parkhead. The result temporarily lifts Celtic back into second place, three points behind leaders Hearts and ahead of rivals Rangers on goal difference. Both sides are in action tomorrow, away to Dundee and Aberdeen respectively. The hosts dominated proceedings from the referee’s whistle at kick-off, with he majority of play prevented Dundee United from escaping their own half as their resolute defence eventually caved 27 minutes in. Liam Scales picked out Yang on the edge of the area, and the South Korean’s low rocket flew beyond Dave Richards in the United net to open proceedings. And five minutes later Celtic were two in front. Kieran Tierney delivered a ball from the left flank and Belgian midfielder Arne Engels got first to it, putting daylight between the sides after his left-foot effort sailed into the goal. The Terrors had a glorious opportunity to get themselves back into the game which went begging just a couple of minutes before the half-time break. Teenage forward Owen Stirton took advantage of a slack pass from Austin Trusty, but the American was bailed out by an excellent recovery from his centre-half partner Liam Scales who got in the way of the 18-year-old’s attempt. Celtic were able to equal the intensity on the first half in the second, something they were unable to do in many games throughout Nancy’s forgetful tenure. Benjamin Nygren found himself with space on the six-yard line as the ball broke out to him, and the Swede’s fired home to convert for the 9th time in the league so far this campaign. And the Celtic fans would have to wait an extra minute between goals this time. Daizen Maeda got in on the act six minutes after Nygren, with the Japanese attacker reacting first to a parried effort from Sebastian Tounekti. Richard’s save fell straight to the 28-year-old, who put the ball out of reach to put a ribbon on a heavily sought after three points for Celtic. Dundee United remain outside the top six, sitting seventh in the table with only two wins from their last thirteen games. They host Scott Brown’s Ayr United in the Scottish Cup next Saturday. As for today’s winners, a much welcomed result and performance for Martin O’Neill on his return cuts the gap on Hearts at least until they play Dundee tomorrow. The Bhoys have a game in hand of the capital side, which takes place this Wednesday away to sixth placed Falkirk. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Araujo 5 (Donovan 61′ 2), Trusty 5, Scales 7, Tierney 7, Hatate 5 (Nygren 61′ 5), McGregor 6, Engels 7, Tounekti 6 (Forrest 72′ 2), Yang 8 (McCowan 72′ 1) Maeda 6 (Kenny 72′ 1) DUNDEE UNITED: Richards 4, Naamo 4, Sevelj 5 (Eskesen 78′ 1), Graham 5, Keresztes 4, Ferry 3, Stephenson 4, Sibbald 5, Camara 2 (Fatah 46′ 2), Stirton 2 (Strain 61′ 1), Sapsford 3 (Moller 79′ 1)
Hibernian 1-1 Motherwell: Close range Bowie strike earns point for Hibees
Hibernian 1-1 Motherwell Bowie (69′) Maswanhise (52′) Motherwell remained two points clear of Hibernian in 4th place, after an entertaining 1-1 draw at Easter Road. The hosts started on the front foot, eager to add a fourth straight league victory and leapfrog Motherwell into fourth place. Kieron Bowie had the game’s first chance. He stretched to meet Jordan Obita’s cross after neat interplay with Jamie McGrath, but could not steer his header goal from the back post. Obita delivered another teasing delivery on the 15-minute mark, but alertness from Emmanuel Longelo nullified the threat of the big striker. The visitors have impressed with their free-flowing football across the opening 21 games, but chances were few and far between in the opening 20 minutes. Jens Berthel Askou would have been further displeased to see Stephen O’Donnell hobble off during their quiet spell. Obita lashed over the bar after a penalty box stramash as they continued to press towards the opening goal. David Gray’s side had established a grip on proceedings at Easter Road. Josh Mulligan then rolled Elie Youan through on Ward’s goal in the 25th minute. The striker managed two goals at Rugby Park last Saturday, but got the ball stuck under his feet, and the danger was cleared. Motherwell looked like a threat in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Tom Sparrow jinxed past several green bodies in the box, but Raphael Sallinger was alert to tip his curling left-footed strike away from goal. The Austrian gathered a 20-yard Elijah Just freekick minutes later, as the visitors began to build openings. Askou will be pleased to reclaim the services of Tawanda Maswanhise from AFCON. The striker has nine league goals this campaign, and showed electric pace to work a dangerous opening in the 38th minute. After leaving a Hibs defender on the floor, his strike from the right-hand side of the box was tipped away by Sallinger. The visitors opened the scoring seven minutes into the second half. Elijah Just broke towards the Hibs defence, picking out the onrushing Maswanshise on the right-hand side. The Zimbabwean striker was afforded too much time by the hosts, and lashed a low right-footed strike across Sallinger’s goal and into the bottom corner, to send the sell-out away end into frenzy. Gray and Hibs would have been especially frustrated to lose the goal after Bowie had missed a headed chance seconds before. But HIbs and Bowie roared back with 20 minutes to play. Obita latched onto a stray Tom Sparrow diagonal ball. He picked out the Hibs number 9 in the box, who powered home from close range to equalise, and set up a thrilling finale Motherwell had established better control in the second period, and despite the setback, continued to look the most likely to find a winner. Ibrahim Said almost reclaimed the visitors’ lead after heading Calum Slattery’s cross wide at the near post, before Maswanhise’s strike was deflected over with ten minutes to play. Sallinger produced a brilliant save in additional time to deny Longelo. After Maswanhise’s mishit, the ball broke to Longelo on the left-hand side of the box, but the Austrian goalkeeper got down low to smother the right-footed strike and maintain the level scores. Hibernian: Sallinger 8 O’Hora 7 Hanley 7 Iredale 7 Megwa 6 Mulligan 6 Barlaser 8 McGrath 7 Obita 6 Youan 7 Bowie 7 Substitutes: Hoilett 6 Cadden 5 Klidje 5 Levitt 3 Newell 3 Motherwell: Ward 7 O’Donnell 6 Welsh 7 McGinn 7 Longelo 7 Priestman 7 Fadinger 7 Sparrow 6 Just 8 Said 7 Maswanhise 8 Substitutes: Koutroumbis 5 Slattery 5 McGhee 3 Gordon 3
Sixth-tier Macclesfield defeat the FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace in a massive cup upset
Macclesfield FC who were formed five years ago following administration host the holders, Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Third Round. A slow first 10 minutes with very limited chances in the attacking sense with the game seeming very even in the opening stages with a few stop-start moments. Good play between Uche and Pino and the Spanish winger finds his way through but only found the side netting in a chance he should really be doing better in. Edmondson had a free-kick whipped in but failed to find anyone as the cross was too far ahead and too low for anyone to latch on which was a very poor effort. Lacey had a big chance for the hosts, a nice struck ball on target but was ultimately a simple catch for Benitez but some good football by the non-league side by the hosts. Rodney had a wonderful ball in towards 16-year-old Drake-Thomas who just couldn’t get his head to the ball keeping the game all square. Uche launched an effort after 28 minutes from outside the box and was just marginally over the bar. Palace starting to show control but unable to fire ahead. Duffy for Macclesfield with a darting run who unleashed an early cross but just couldn’t find the target and was defended well by the holders. Captain Darcy put sixth-tier Macclesfield ahead against the current holders, Crystal Palace. Duffy with a sensational cross into the box then there was Darcy who smashed his header past Benitez to fire the non-league side ahead against the Premier League outfit. Going into the second half, the visitors unleashed their more experienced players with trio Mitchell, Johnson and Hughes all being introduced as Palace look to defend the FA Cup. Edmondson had a chance after 58 minutes, switched onto his left and struck a low-driven strike but was a simple stop. Macclesfield doubled their advantage sending the crowd in mayhem. Macclesfield keep fighting with hunger, they unleash a strike which was initially blocked in which landed at Buckley-Ricketts who tapped it home with the outside of his foot as Benitez was left unable to even try and stop it. Palace did have their chances but was really struggling to test Dearnley in goals as they just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Wharton smacked an effort from distance but an amazing save by the Macclesfield goalkeeper to keep their lead at 2-0. Palace found one back late on, Pino from a free-kick on the edge of the box which calmly rattled into the back of the net to give to Premier League side a life-line. Uche was grounded late on as they claimed for a late spot-kick but the referee was showing zero interest and let play resume. The full-time whistle went and the National League North side Macclesfield booked themselves a spot in the next round defeating the FA Cup holders, Crystal Palace who sit 144 places above the non-league side in a historic day for Macclesfield in their five year history following their administration when they were known as Macclesfield Town FC. Macclesfield FC: Dearnley (7), Fensome (7), Menayese (7), Heathcote (8), Lacey (8), Dawson (9), Kay (8), Buckley-Ricketts (8), Edmondson (8), Duffy (9), Mellor (8). Subsitutes: Botherwick-Jackson (7), Matheson (7), Dos Santos (7), Whitehead (7). Crystal Palace: Benitez (6), Richards (4), Geuhi (5), Canvot (6), Devenny (5), Sosa (6), Wharton (6), Rodney (6), Drakes-Thomas (7), Pino (5), Uche (6). Substitutes: Mitchell (6), Johnson (6), Hughes (6), Casey (5).
Scottish Charity Launches Pioneering Football Academy in Rwanda
Scottish charity launches groundbreaking football academy in Rwanda and calls on elite youth coaches to help change lives A Scottish football charity is seeking experienced youth coaches to volunteer at a newly launched football academy in Rwanda, East Africa – a pioneering project designed to transform grassroots football in one of the country’s most deprived regions. Karongi Football Academy officially opened in October 2025 and already works with 280 children aged between eight and 18. Remarkably, it is the first and only girls’ football academy in Rwanda, with a long-term ambition of achieving a 50/50 gender split. The academy is funded entirely through the efforts of Scottish youth players and coaches who travel to Rwanda on trips organised by registered charity Scottish Football for Rwanda. Now, the charity is inviting experienced coaches to help mentor and support its growing team of Rwandan coaches on the ground. Former St Mirren and Airdrie manager Danny Lennon is among the first high-profile names to get involved, travelling to Rwanda in June 2026 alongside Hibs Women midfielder Ellis Notley and Livingston FC Women’s coach Michael Wilson. A game-changing project Chief Executive Carey McEvoy outlined the origins and ambitions of the academy. “Since 2020, we’ve been taking groups of Scottish youth players and coaches to Rwanda with the backing of clubs such as Hearts and Spartans, as well as the Scottish FA,” McEvoy said. “When the Rwandan FA (FERWAFA) asked us to focus our efforts on youth development in the Karongi region – an area that has been long-deprived – the academy was born.” Thanks to the generosity of volunteers and supporters, the academy is already redefining what youth football looks like in Rwanda. Every player now owns a pair of football boots – a significant step forward in a country where many children traditionally play barefoot or in crocs. Each child also has their own football, rather than sharing one or two between an entire squad, allowing for structured training sessions rather than informal matches. Portable floodlights have also been introduced, a crucial development in a country where darkness falls at 6pm all year round. Small-sided games, appropriate goals and modern coaching practices – commonplace in Scotland – are being implemented for the first time in the region. “It’s completely changing the model,” McEvoy added. “These are basic things by Scottish standards, but in Rwanda they’re transformational.” The long-term vision is to establish senior men’s and women’s teams representing the Karongi district, competing in Rwanda’s national leagues for the first time in many years. Passing on experience Beyond equipment and facilities, coach education sits at the heart of the project. Groups of Scottish coaches will visit Rwanda three times each year, working closely with local coaches to develop a sustainable, culturally appropriate coaching model. “Not everything we do in Scotland will automatically work in Rwanda,” McEvoy explained. “That’s why having experienced coaches like Danny and Michael working alongside the Karongi team is so important – together they’ll shape an approach that’s right for Rwandan children.” The trips themselves have proven hugely impactful, with several coaches returning multiple times after being inspired by their first visit. More than football While football is the foundation, the academy’s wider mission is about education and opportunity. Players aged 16 and over are offered vocational training, learning practical trade skills to support them beyond their playing careers. A player sponsorship programme also helps provide school lunches – a critical intervention in a country where education is free, but meals are not. “Many children go without lunch, which affects both their learning and their performance on the pitch,” McEvoy said. “We know from other projects that something as simple as a school meal can dramatically improve attendance, focus and achievement.” How to get involved There are limited spaces available for experienced youth coach volunteers across all three trips scheduled for 2026 and 2027. More information is available at: www.rwandafootball.org/trips To sponsor an academy player, visit: www.rwandafootball.org/academy
