Porto 3-1 Rangers: First Half Flurry Powers Portuguese Giants Past Gers
Porto 3-1 Rangers Mora (27′) Moura (36′) Fernandez (41′ og) Gassama (6′) Porto consigned Rangers to their sixth Europa League defeat of the season at the Estádio do Dragão, as Danny Rohl’s side pivots toward a looming three-horse title race. Djeidi Gassama gave the visitors an early lead courtesy of a slick team move. James Tavernier slid the ball to Findlay Curtis on the right after nipping in front of a Porto body. Gassama headed the winger’s backpost cross into the ground, and across Diogo Costa, giving Rohl’s side the advantage. After stretching their winning run to eight games on Sunday, the Gers looked full of confidence, but the hosts seized control, delivering a devastating 14-minute spell. A deserved equaliser arrived in the 27th minute, after teenage sensation Rodrigo Mora slid past Jack Butland. The Rangers goalkeeper then collided with James Tavernier in the box nine minutes later, allowing Francisco Moura to roll home. The third blow was administered on the stroke of halftime, after Emmanuel Fernandez headed into his own net from a Porto corner. Rangers’ run of five consecutive clean sheets had come to a grinding halt. Victory pushed the Portuguese side into the Europa League top eight, progressing automatically to the last 16. Rangers’ elimination was previously confirmed; Easter Road awaits the Glasgow giants on Sunday afternoon. Porto: D Costa, A Costa (Fernandez 61′) Bednarek, Kiwior, Moura, Froholdt (Rosario 68′) Varela, Mora (Veiga 81′) Gomes, Samu (Gul 68′) Pepe (Sainz 61′) Rangers: Butland, Aarons, Tavernier, Fernandez (Antman 58′) Djiga, Meghoma (Souttar 46′) Raskin, Diomande, Curtis (Moore 70′) Gassama (Miovski 58′), Chermiti (Aasgaard 70′)
St Johnstone bolster their attacking options.
St Johnstone have completed the signing of Queens Park forward Josh Fowler, who joins on a 2-year-deal. The 24-year-old striker scored 19 times for The Spiders this season, including a goal in every cup competition. 1 in the Scottish Cup, 3 in 3 games in the League Cup, 5 in 4 games in the League Cup and 10 goals in the Championship. The English forward is 2nd for goals scored in the Championship, behind Josh McPake, who he will link up with in the second half of the season. Josh Fowler on signing for The Saints: “We have a goal that we’re all pushing towards and I’m excited to get going. St Johnstone is a very well-run club and I wanted to be part of that. I feel like I’m ready for this step up and this challenge.” “I hope the fans take to me and I can show what I can do. We all have the same ambitions together – the team and the fans. The forward will wear the number 9.
St Johnstone vs Partick Thistle – Match Preview
St Johnstone host Partick Thistle in a 6-pointer at the top of the Championship. The last meeting between these sides finished 2-1 to Partick Thistle. O’Reilly and Watt scored first half goals for The Jags. Into the second period, McPake scored a consolation goal for The Saints. In the previous meeting between these sides at McDiarmid Park, St Johnstone won 5-1. Reading opened the scoring for Partick Thistle, but goals from Gullan, a hat trick from McPake and a late Strike from Mallan saw the Saints pick up an emphatic home win. In their last outing, St Johnstone lost 1-0 at home to Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline. The defeat saw their unbeaten home record in the league come to an end after 11 games. In their last outing, Partick Thistle beat Scott Brown’s Ayr United at Firhill. Mark Wilson’s men raced into a 2-goal lead with 2 quickfire goals from Chalmers and Samuel, to put themselves in a commanding position after 15 minutes. Main scored on the hour mark, but it only turned out to be a consolation for The Honest Men. As a result, Partick Thistle now sit only 2 points off the top, setting up a mouthwatering clash at McDiarmid Park on Friday night. The Glasgow outfit have been poor on their travels, only picking up 13 points from a possible 33 on the road, in the league. Compared to their home record, where they have picked up 30 points, winning 9 and drawing 3. These 2 sides are the highest scoring sides in the division. The Saints have scored 43 in 22 matches, while The Jags have found the net on 35 occasions, 6 above Dunfermline Athletic who sit 3rd in the goal scoring charts. St Johnstone duo McPake and Gullan lead the combined goals and assists tally in the Championship, with 15 and 14 separately. Partick Thistle forward Chalmers sits in 3rd with 12 combined goals and assists. Simo Valakari ahead of St Johnstone’s huge clash against Partick Thistle: “Another big one, another big one, and of course, again, a big big challenge for us and a game we want to play, because, if you want to call it, they are our ‘direct opponent’, they are right behind us, they are chasing us”, The Saints manager stated. “We saw it last week, how tight these games are when you play against the top teams and we know tomorrow night we need to be close to our best to get something out of the game, but it’s the same for them”. Luke McBeth ahead of Partick Thistle’s clash against St Johnstone: “Really looking forward to it, obviously a massive game, so everyone’s up for it and just excited to get going”, he stated. On what aspects in the last couple of games they are looking to carry going into Friday night’s clash: “I think just being solid, trying not to concede. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of threats, but so do we, so think just playing our own, kind of knowing what they’re good at, but also getting up after the ball when we’ve got it.”
Kenny Dalglish Exclusive – Anfield Legend’s Advice for Scotland Captain Robertson
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has wished that Scotland captain Andrew Robertson stays at Anfield until the expiry of his contract this summer. The left back’s deal in Merseyside runs out at the end of this season, with rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur being reported this month for a cut-price transfer. But compatriot Dalglish revealed exclusively on The Warm-Up, presented by William Hill, that he hopes the 31-year-old remains at the Premier League holders until the summer to ensure of a fitting send-off. Dalglish said: “I hope he stays where he is, because he’s been brilliant for Liverpool. “He’s a decent fella—he’s done a great job. “I don’t know if he’s going to move on from Liverpool. It may be best to just let it run its course. When his contract is up, it’s up. “And if he has to go somewhere else, it will be sad. I hope the Liverpool supporters get the opportunity, if he is going to go, to say cheerio to him.” The Scotland captain joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017, but had faced stiff competition this season for playing time since the Reds signed Hungarian Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth last summer. Spurs have already made their interest clear, and there have been murmurs of a move back to his homeland to boyhood heroes Celtic, who released Robertson at youth level. Dalglish talks Andy Robertson and more on this upcoming episode of The Warm-Up, brought to you by William Hill, where footballing icon is joined by Kris Boyd, Steven Naismith and Chris Sutton for a comprehensive conversation covering his early days growing up in Glasgow and his journey through Jock Stein’s Celtic and Liverpool – becoming arguably the greatest player Scotland has ever produced. On Monday 2nd February, the full episode will be published – including stories of Kenny’s early days at Celtic, how his Dad became one of the only people to ever stand up to Jock Stein, being part of a Tartan revolution at Liverpool before successfully moving into management. Kenny Dalglish features on The Warm-Up, the William Hill SPFL’s weekly preview show. Check out the full episode here from Monday: https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamHillSPFL
Aberdeen bolster their options in midfield with the arrival of Afeez Aremu
Aberdeen have today completed the deal for Kaiserslautern midfielder, Afeez Aremu as the Nigerian becomes Aberdeen’s fifth January signing joining on a deal until 2028. The 26-year-old began his career at Nigerian side, Sunshine Stars where he made 15 appearances scoring twice before completing a move to Nigerian outfit, Rivers United where Afeez made 13 appearances with 1 goal. A year on, the midfielder made the move to Nigerian Premier League side, Akwa United making just 9 appearances with 0 goals. Akeef then decided to make a move to Norway to join IK Start making 60 appearances with 4 goals and 1 assist in the process. After a 2-year stint in Norway, the Nigerian made the switch to Germany to join St Pauli where he became a regular starter, racking up 54 appearances for the Bundesliga side where he spent three years before joining fellow German side FC Kaiserslautern featuring 28 times for the Bundesliga 2 side where the midfielder failed to grab any goal or assist in his three-year spell. Aremu has featured on three occasions for Nigeria U20s with 1 appearance for the Nigerian National Team. The fee is reportedly believed to be 250K with the Dons set to lose fellow midfielder Dante Polvara in the coming days.
Hibernian announce first signing of the window.
Hibernian have announced the signing of Owen Elding from Sligo Rovers. Elding joins on an four-and-a-half year deal with Hibs paying an undisclosed fee. David Gray’s side have longed for a striker to fill a tall, physical profile to compete with the highly sought after Kieron Bowie. Hibs missed out on Lyndon Dykes on deadline day during the last window, with the Scotland striker since moving to Charlton. Elding is now expected to fill this profile standing at 6ft 2. He has also played part of his career on the right wing, cutting onto his left foot, extremely similar to Kieron Bowie when he first moved to Edinburgh. Elding is an extremely highly rated youngster back in Ireland, with the 19-year-old also being linked with European clubs such as Club Brugge, Sturm Graz and even Juventus. In his first interview with the club, Elding said: “I’m buzzing to be here. Got here this morning, did the medical, met a few of the lads, and I’m just buzzing to get going now. “It’s been hectic. I came in this morning, met everyone and all the staff. Done the medical; there was a lot of testing to be done. “I came over and visited, and I stayed over last week and watched a few games. It was just the ambition of the Club [that made me want to come here] from when I came round and looked at all the facilities. “Everything’s top drawer and I’m just buzzing to get going.” In the 2025 League of Ireland season, Elding found the net on 12 occasions whilst also bagging the Young Player of the Year award. When talking about what he wants to achieve at Hibs, Elding said: “I’m hoping to come in and make a big impact straight away; come in, score a few goals and help the team. “But, in the long run, hopefully we can get the team into Europe. This club should be competing in European competitions and winning trophies. “I’m a good, honest worker “I know where the net is. I’ll give everything for the team and hopefully we can win some football matches.” This marks Hibs’ first signing of a quiet window, which has frustrated many fans. The club are still linked with German fullback Felix Passlack, but his move is thought to be held up by VfL Bochum anticipating a replacement before allowing the move to go through. Rumours have also started circulating that David Gray’s side will add ex-Motherwell midfielder Kai Andrews to the ranks, whilst a club-record sale of Kieron Bowie to Hellas Verona seems to be a formality at this stage. Owen Edling could make his Hibs debut as early as Sunday at home to Rangers.
Aberdeen to Japan, to Aberdeen to Osaka
Aberdeen flop Kusini Yengi has finalised a move to Japan to join Cerezo Osaka on loan after a disappointing spell in Scotland. The Australian striker had many other options but has opted to open up a new chapter in Japan with Cerezo Osaka and Australian boss, Arthur Papas looking to join up with Yengi with the pair knowing each other from their A-League days. Yengi joined Aberdeen from EFL side, Portsmouth in the summer and has failed to make any impact in the Granite City with the striker now being far down the pecking order at Pittodrie. Yengi is hopeful of getting a spot on the plane with Australia to the 2026 World Cup in America as he searches for some much needed game time. The former Portsmouth man has only scored once for the Dons’ since joining from England with the only goal coming in the Scottish League Cup in a 3-0 away win at Greenock Morton. Kusini hasn’t featured for Aberdeen since the 11th of December after coming off the bench in a 1-0 defeat to French outfit, Strasbourg. The Aussie forward was last on the team sheet on the 18th of December but didn’t feature in a 3-0 defeat at Sparta Prague. The last full start for Yengi was when in August in that 3-0 win in Greenock. Despite his form at Aberdeen, he has netted on six occasions for the Australian National Team in eight outings so far this season. Yengi started off at Adelaide United in Australia where spent 3 years at but failing to get going ahead of a switch to Western Sydney Wanderers where he featured 19 times scoring just four goals. Yengi then moved to English League One side, Portsmouth netting 13 times in 31 helping Portsmouth get to the Championship but no goals in 14 as the striker struggled in the Championship. A move to Pittodrie was up next but hasn’t been able to get the Aberdeen support excited with just 1 goal in 10 outings as he aims for vital game in in Japan.
The Ultimate Portuguese Football Road Trip: Matches, Cities & Car Rental in Portugal
Why Portugal Is Perfect for Football Away Trips From Lisbon to Braga and Porto to Faro, Portugal allows fans to combine multiple fixtures, cities, and experiences within a single trip. While travel times are short, football schedules rarely align neatly with public transport. Late kick‑offs, weekend fixtures, and stadium locations outside city centres make flexibility crucial. That’s why more travelling supporters are choosing car rental in Portugal — building trips around football, not timetables. Car Rental in Portugal Why Football Fans Choose Klass Wagen For supporters creating a football‑first itinerary, Klass Wagen positions itself as the ideal travel partner. With car hire offices at Portugal’s main football gateways — Lisbon (LIS), Porto (OPO), Faro (FAO), and Madeira (FNC) — Klass Wagen operates at all the locations football fans are most likely to arrive through. With a fleet of 2,000+ vehicles ranging from economical city cars and family-sized SUVs to premium Mercedes models and spacious 7-seaters, Klass Wagen gives fans plenty of options to match their budget and trip plans. Their Risk 0 service means you don’t pay a damage deposit and are fully covered, removing stress from your journey. Key benefits for football travellers Unlimited kilometres — ideal for travelling between Lisbon, Braga, Guimarães, and Porto 24/7 customer support — essential for late‑night returns after matches Risk 0 Service — a no‑deposit, full‑coverage option that removes stress from travel plans Find out more: www.klasswagen.com Best Time to Plan a Portuguese Football Trip Spring (April–May) The business end of the season. Title races, European qualification battles, and relegation fights create electric atmospheres across the Primeira Liga. Autumn (September–October) Comfortable temperatures, fewer tourists, and easier ticket access make this an ideal period for first‑time visitors. Winter (November–March) Northern cities such as Porto and Braga are cooler and wetter, but accommodation prices drop and matchday culture remains strong throughout the season. Where Football Fans Should Eat Food is an essential part of any Portuguese away trip, especially when travelling between matches. Porto — Mercado do Bolhão Fresh seafood, meats, and regional cheeses in one of the city’s most iconic markets. Lisbon — Belcanto Two Michelin stars and a modern interpretation of Portuguese cuisine. Braga — Churrasqueira Nacional Braga Renowned for grilled meats, generous portions, and a no‑nonsense local atmosphere. Cultural Stops Between Fixtures Break up matchdays with some of Portugal’s most important cultural landmarks: Porto: Soares dos Reis National Museum — Portugal’s oldest art museum Lisbon: Belém Tower — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of the Age of Discovery Braga: Sé de Braga — Portugal’s oldest cathedral, founded before the country itself Pre‑Match Bars & Fan Spots Porto: Eleven Sports Bar Foz Lisbon: Rooftop Bar – Hotel Mundial Braga: Bar do Estádio, located inside Estádio Municipal de Braga Ideal spots to soak up local atmosphere before kick‑off. Matchday Experiences Porto: Estádio do Dragão is one of Europe’s most intimidating venues, driven by the relentless support of the Super Dragões. Lisbon: Benfica’s Estádio da Luz and Sporting CP’s José Alvalade Stadium offer two elite and contrasting matchday experiences in the capital. Braga: Estádio Municipal de Braga, carved into a mountainside, is among the most visually striking stadiums in world football. Budget Guide for Travelling Fans One‑Day Trip Meals: €30–50 Match ticket: €40–80 Drinks: €15–30 Weekend Trip Accommodation: €100–120 per night Meals & activities: €80–130 Transport: Car rental in Portugal with Klass Wagen offers flexibility and strong value, especially for groups Post‑Match Nightlife Porto: Lust Porto Lisbon: Lisbon Pub Crawl Braga: SETRA Frequently Asked Questions Is renting a car in Portugal worth it for football fans? Yes. It provides flexibility around late kick‑offs, away fixtures, and multi‑city trips. Which airport is best for a Portuguese football trip? Lisbon and Porto are the most popular gateways, with Faro and Madeira offering strong alternatives. How easy is it to drive in Portugal? Portugal has well‑maintained motorways and clear signage, making driving straightforward for visitors. Why choose Klass Wagen? Unlimited kilometres, 24/7 support, and a no‑deposit Risk 0 service make it ideal for football travellers. Final Whistle Portugal offers everything football fans want from an away trip — passion, culture, value, and atmosphere. But the country is best experienced on the move. With the freedom that comes from car rental in Portugal, and a football‑friendly service like Klass Wagen, supporters can build the ultimate Portuguese football road trip — long after the final whistle blows.
