Hibernian bolster defensive options with arrival from Millwall
Millwall wing-back Adam Mayor has become Hibernian’s fifth signing of the summer, joining on an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Cambridge United in League One, making 35 appearances, scoring on three occasions and assisting on four. The Englishman is expected to provide competition to Nicky Cadden and Jordan Obita at left wing-back in David Gray’s favoured back three. Speaking on his arrival, Gray said: “We’re delighted to bring another exciting young player into the building and welcome Adam to Hibernian FC. “He is a promising young player to add to the group, and he has already made successful strides in his career so far. “There’s no doubt Adam will bring real athleticism to the squad. He’s a wing-back who really loves attacking and putting crosses into the box and can contribute at both ends of the pitch. “We’re all looking forward to him joining the group and working with him going forward.” In Mayor’s first interview as a Hibs player, he said: “I’ve known [of the interest] for a few weeks now, and as soon as I heard about it, I was really interested, so I’m just happy to finally get it over the line. “I think it’s just the different opportunities [that attracted me here]. “You’re playing in front of big crowds here at home, and you get the chance to push to play in Europe every season, so I think it’s just a different challenge and a lot of bigger opportunities as well. “My aim is to just go and create and score as many goals as I can, and obviously as a team we want to go and do well in Europe and finish as high as we can in the league. “Personally, I want to create and score as many goals as I can. As a team we want to do well in Europe and win a few derbies! Mayor joins fellow youngster Nathan Lowe as Hibernian’s second signing of the day and the fifth incoming so far this season. All of Hibs’ signings plied their trade in League One last season.
England vs Argentina: The Analytics Behind Football’s Greatest Rivalry
Atlanta. A place in the FIFA World Cup Final awaits. Some matches are decided by history. Others by moments. England versus Argentina has always been both. From Mexico ’86 to Saint-Étienne in ’98 and Sapporo in 2002, this fixture has consistently produced footballing theatre. Now, almost a quarter of a century since their last World Cup meeting, the rivals meet again with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on the line. But while history provides the backdrop, the numbers tell an equally compelling story. Two unbeaten giants There is remarkably little separating these sides. Tournament Record England Argentina Matches 6 6 Wins 5 6 Draws 1 0 Losses 0 0 Goals Scored 13 17 Goals Conceded 6 6 Goal Difference +7 +11 Argentina remain the tournament’s only team with a perfect record, winning all six matches, while England have recovered from a group-stage draw to produce four consecutive knockout victories. The numbers reveal two completely different identities At first glance, both teams appear evenly matched. Dig deeper and the contrast becomes obvious. Tournament Analytics England Argentina Shots 92 95 Expected Goals (xG) 11.1 11.9 Expected Goals Against (xGA) 5.7 3.5 Possession 57.8% 58.7% Crosses 153 98 Long Passes 196 155 Possession Won Final Third 39 23 England’s game is built around relentless pressure. Thomas Tuchel’s side have attempted 153 crosses—third-most in the tournament—while also ranking among the leaders for long passes and high turnovers in the attacking third. Their football is based on forcing mistakes before opponents can settle. Argentina’s approach is almost the opposite. Scaloni’s side keep the ball, defend with exceptional organisation and create higher-quality opportunities. Their expected goals against of just 3.5 is among the best in the competition, illustrating how rarely opponents create genuine chances. One team overwhelms. The other controls. The battle that defines the semi-final Every major tournament eventually becomes about its biggest stars. This one is no different. Jude Bellingham vs Lionel Messi Category Jude Bellingham Lionel Messi Goals 6 8 Shots on Target 12 16 Expected Goals 3.1 5.0 Chances Created 6 18 Bellingham has become England’s heartbeat. Six goals have carried England through the knockout rounds, while his ability to arrive late into dangerous areas has made him almost impossible to track. His performances have already seen him equal Pelé’s record of seven World Cup goals before the age of 24. Then there is Messi. Even at 39, no player has created more chances than the Argentine captain. He leads the tournament with eight goals (level with Kylian Mbappé), 16 shots on target and 18 chances created, while also becoming the outright leading scorer in World Cup history with 21 career goals. One represents football’s future. The other continues to redefine its past. Harry Kane remains England’s most reliable finisher Bellingham may be grabbing the headlines, but Harry Kane’s tournament has been every bit as important. Harry Kane Goals: 6 Shots on Target: 13 Expected Goals: 3.4 Tournament Ranking: Joint 4th Goals His movement inside the penalty area continues to create chances at an elite level, while his three headed goals are the most by any player at the tournament. Messi isn’t just scoring… He’s creating everything. Lionel Messi Goals: 8 Chances Created: 18 Shots: 32 Shots on Target: 16 xG: 5.0 Perhaps the most remarkable statistic of all? Messi’s assist against Switzerland was his 10th World Cup assist, and every single one has been scored by a different teammate. His influence extends far beyond goals. Every dangerous Argentina attack seems to begin—or end—with their captain. Midfield could decide everything While the forwards attract the attention, the semi-final may actually be won in midfield. England’s Declan Rice has quietly become one of the tournament’s most influential creators. He leads England with 11 chances created, while also ranking among the World Cup leaders for crosses attempted. Argentina answer with Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister—three midfielders whose intelligence allows Messi to conserve energy before accelerating into decisive moments. If either side dominates central areas, they will likely dominate the match. The defensive story Although both teams have conceded six goals, the underlying metrics suggest Argentina have been considerably harder to break down. Defensive Comparison England Argentina Goals Conceded 6 6 Expected Goals Against 5.7 3.5 Shots Faced 65 49 Saves Required 12 8 Jordan Pickford has enjoyed another outstanding World Cup and, in the quarter-final against Norway, became England’s all-time appearance holder at the tournament with 18 matches. But Argentina’s defensive structure has ensured Emiliano Martínez has been asked to do significantly less. That may prove crucial if the game becomes stretched. Experience vs momentum England arrive with arguably their strongest generation in decades. Argentina arrive with perhaps their greatest ever player chasing one final masterpiece. Thomas Tuchel has transformed England into an aggressive, front-foot team that presses relentlessly and attacks with width. Lionel Scaloni has spent almost eight years refining a side capable of controlling football matches with patience and precision. Two philosophies. One final destination. Prediction by the numbers Analytics never guarantee a result. But they identify where matches are likely to be won. England hold the edge in pressing intensity, attacking width and high recoveries. Argentina lead in defensive efficiency, chance quality and clinical finishing. When the margins are this fine, individual brilliance becomes decisive. Few players in football history have delivered more decisive moments than Lionel Messi. Yet few players at this World Cup have influenced games more consistently than Jude Bellingham. Football’s greatest rivalry has always produced unforgettable stories. The numbers suggest this chapter could become one of the very best.
Derek McInnes will bring the league title back to Ibrox and send Celtic into MELTDOWN – Scott Bradley
It’s been an eventful couple months for Rangers since the SPFL season concluded in May. Former head coach Danny Rohl departed the club for RB Salzburg and his replacement was the man who nearly guided Hearts to the league title, Derek McInnes. It was a move that had been a long time coming. Nine years ago McInnes snubbed the Ibrox club and many thought that would’ve been his one and only chance to manage his boyhood team. This time round there was no way the former Rangers player could reject the Light Blues and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. McInnes done an incredible job at the Jambos and was extremely unlucky to not deliver them their first title in 66 years. But he knew himself that was his only realistic chance to make history at the Jam Tarts and it was unfortunate certain dubious refereeing decisions cost the Edinburgh club in the end. The Gers have wasted no time since the season ended and have been making some big moves by signing Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Dan Neil, and Cammy Devlin. Former goalkeeper Allan McGregor is also apart of McInnes’ coaching staff as the Govan club are slowly bringing back that Rangers core to the club – something that’s been lacking for far too long. For many years, there’s been far too many players and managers that have been at Rangers that just don’t understand what the club is all about and they’ve struggled with the expectations and demands. McInnes is a man who lives and breaths Rangers. He grew up a fan and has won trophies with the Light Blues. The late great Walter Smith endorsed McInnes as Rangers boss years ago, and there is no better compliment than getting praise like that from someone like him. For the first time in years, there is genuine optimism going into a Premiership season for Rangers. The appointment of McInnes is a smart and sensible one. He’s a proven Scottish football manager who knows our game inside out. It’s an appointment that should’ve happened years ago but better late than never as they say. The Celts should be VERY worried about what McInnes and Rangers could do this season. If I was a betting man, I’d be tipping McIness’ men to pip the Hoops to the title. The Rangers boss will have a real chip on his shoulder with how last season ended. He’ll be motivated more than anyone to get one over the Parkhead club and bring the glory days back to Ibrox. It’s a new era at Rangers and the appointment of McInnes is a game changing one.
Hibs add “natural goalscorer” ahead of European Qualifiers
Hibernian have made their fourth signing of the summer transfer window, adding 20-year-old striker Nathan Lowe from Stoke City on loan. Having progressed through the Stoke City Academy, Lowe has made 142 career appearances, including stints at Stockport, Walsall, and, most recently, Wycombe Wanderers last season, where he managed 11 goals. A promising young player, his career highlights include a senior debut for the Potters in 2023 and being awarded League 2 Young Player of the Season for Walsall, scoring 18 goals in 30 appearances. Manager David Gray was delighted to finalise the deal. Speaking with the Hibernian website, Gray believes Lowe has an abundance of positive attributes for his side. “I’m really pleased to add Nathan to the group as we continue to build for next season. “We have been looking to add a player with his attributes to the squad, and he brings a great energy and enthusiasm about his play, as well as a physical presence. “He is a natural goalscorer, and he has proven that he can score a range of different types of goals. “He has good experience too, having already played a substantial amount of games at a competitive level despite his young age. “I am looking forward to working with him, and we’re delighted to bring him into the building ahead of our first competitive game of the season later this month.” The signing of Lowe brings Hibernian’s transfer total to four, having already acquired defender Jason Kerr and midfielders Callum Wright and Azeem Abdulai.