Celtic hungry for first derby win – Sadiku
Celtic boss Elena Sadiku says getting the better of their Glasgow rivals for the first time in four attempts is a priority with the title gone and European qualification now all but impossible, something which the side are still coming to terms with. “The loss against Glasgow City was a horrible one when it comes to not performance maybe, but in terms of how we lost it. And also, when we lost it, we knew that the league is probably going to be out of reach now and it’s a tough one to swallow,” said Sadiku. “Obviously, even if we haven’t won silverware, we wrote history and we managed to do something incredible in the first part of the season. In the second part of the season, we’ve not been consistent, we’ve not been good enough to really compete for the league.” However, Sadiku believes her side have reset full focus on finishing the league campaign on a high, against a side they have been unable to beat in three attempts, with two draws and a loss to date. “We have still nine points to play for and that’s the biggest focus we have right now. Rangers on Sunday, they’re still obviously fighting for their place in the league,” she said. “Yes, they are five points behind Hibs. But it’s a Glasgow derby and we’re going to treat it as a Glasgow derby. We have struggled to get results in these derbies over the last few games.” With one eye on the weekend, Sadiku also has one cast on the summer and plans to strengthen the side. “Like I’ve said before, I think we need more leaders as well in terms of the situation that we’ve had this season. We have a part-time captain and a part-time vice-captain and that cannot be the case for next season. We need more consistency in the camp all the time.”
Sun, Shankland and suspicious Steelmen as Hearts take three points
Hearts 3 – 0 Motherwell A second Lawrence Shankland brace topped off with James Forrest finisher saw an improving Hearts dispatch a frustrated Motherwell side in the ‘best of the rest’ clash. Attempting to combat the heat, the referee called a stop to play to allow players to take a water break. However there would be no denying Shankland in front of goal, the striker profiting from a defensive howler from Stephen O’Donnell to give Hearts the lead. Having tasted the back of the net Shankland would come back for seconds after the break, meeting James Penrice’s delicate cross to almost put the game out of reach and in doing so scoring as many post-split as he had prior. Just two minutes later it was good night Vienna for Wimmer, as Forrest tapped home Aston Oxborough’s save after some excellent work from substitute Yan Dhanda to force the parry. Motherwell for their part did threaten prior to the collapse, Callum Slattery’s sizzling long range effort going just over the bar as the visitors probed for a hole in debutant Ryan Fulton’s goal. Slattery wheeled away in celebration after thundering home an equaliser, only to be denied after a lengthy VAR check ruled for offside as Dan Casey was judged to have obscructed in play. Fulton suffered his first real test, spilling Tom Sparrow’s low driven shot, fortunate not the have it collected by a Motherwell player. Three points for Hearts see them leapfrog Motherwell to go seventh and confirm survival for next season. Missing diamond but Shankland shines bright Quick to deny any criticism of his predecessor Critchley, interim boss Liam Fox did not need to say what he thought of the decision to drop Shankland deeper at the top of a midfield diamond. Instead he showed it by making the striker the sole man up top and it has paid dividends. Four goals in two games has gone some way in reminding the Tynecastle faithful just how good he is, but also what a player they will be losing should Shankland not re-sign. With Craig Gordon also more out than in as it stands, Fox, or whomever the board select as their next manager have a wealth of experience to replace. Either way, with Shankland in red hot form for the first time this season, fans may finally have something to smile about following a torrid year. Auditions but no x-factor In the build-up to this week, Wimmer called the three remaining games “an audition” for some members a bloated Motherwell squad. If that was the case, no prizes for guessing how many of the players earned the golden buzzer. Very much in the game even a goal down, the quickfire double sucked the life out any attempts to salvage something from the game. The manager denied he would make any decisions off the back of a single game. However, with a healthy expected for the signing of Lennon Miller and a cull of the fringes, fans can expect a stronger squad than the one that has flattered to deceive this year. What the managers said: Hearts interim boss Liam Fox: “I think I repeat what I said last week. If you put Lawrence Shankland in these types of positions and you do work on how you’re going to get the ball to him, Lawrence Shankland will score goals.” “This is not in any way, shape or form a criticism of the previous regime, I just felt it needed to get Shankland closer to the goal.” “At this moment in time, we’ve got a day off tomorrow and we’re back in on Monday and that until somebody tells me any different, that is where it’s at.” Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer: “It was a disappointed result. But this happens in football, I think, if you see the stats, it was four shots for Hearts or five shots and they scored three goals, and we had all of our shots and we didn’t score.” “It was not good enough, especially in both boxes, but to make decisions on players depending on one game. I don’t think it’s fair.” “My only thing is what I always say, but also in Germany, if the VAR says something and if the VAR says ‘come on, I have something to say’ then in my opinion it should be a clear mistake.” Line-ups: Hearts: Fulton, Penrice, Halkett, Kent, Forrester, Grant (Kartum 72), Baningime (Nieuwenhof 81), Devlin, Forrest (Kabangu 81), Shankland (c) (Wilson 72), Vargas (Dhanda 53) Unused subs: Clark, Kartum, Kingsley, McKay, Steinwender Goals: Shankland (30, 60), Forrest (62) Booked: Devlin, Halkett Motherwell: Oxborough, Seddon, Casey, O’Donnell (c), Sparrow, Miller, Halliday (Andrews 84), Thompson (Wilson 68), Slattery (Zdravkovski 80), Maswanhise (Dickson 68), Watt (Armstrong 68) Unused subs: Armstrong, Balcombe, Ebiye, Paton, Wilson, Jair Tavares Booked: Halliday, Miller
One hundred not out as Graham walks on Ayr to reach play-off semis
A Brian Graham double saw the striker reach the one hundred goal mark for Thistle and knock Scott Brown’s Ayr out of the Championship play-off quarter-finals. Having fallen a goal down in the first leg, the Somerset Park visitors drew level on aggregate as a sweetly struck corner from 17 year old Jamie Low on his debut, found the Thistle captain’s head to open the scoring just six minutes in. The crowning moment however, came in the dying moments of the game as Graham pounced on a bouncing ball off Alex Jakubiak to leather home the killer blow and a centinary for the club. Ayr will not doubt rue their profligacy in front of goal, failing to land a single shot on target from nine attempts. Victory means Mark Wilson and company will face Livingston on Wednesday for the right to take on a Premiership side.
Lawton balancing individual success with collective failure
Ahead of their clash with Rangers, Celtic’s Emma Lawton says this season has been a “huge disappointment” despite picking up the PFA Player of the Year award and a first international cap. “I don’t really care about myself, I only care about the team,” said Lawton before adding “we know we’ve not been good enough this season. Having the Champions League and the number of games we’ve played hasn’t helped, but we need to reflect as a squad and we haven’t been good enough.” After winning the league last season and competing in Europe, the side are now sat fourth and having failed to earn silverware from four competitions. After three fixtures this season, Celtic are yet to secure a win over their Glasgow rivals but the defender believes the derby can be a platform to end the season on a more positive note. “We’ve played them a lot this season. So we kind of know where their strengths are, but we also know where we can exploit them,” said Lawton. “A lot of it is just stuff that we can control ourselves, like moving the ball quicker and just trying to keep the ball more. I think that’s something that we’ve kind of lacked a bit throughout the season.” Despite the disappointment, Lawton spoke of her pride at being selected as the player of the year by her peers. “Getting the PFA award was really special because I think it’s players within the league voting for you. So to get that kind of recognition from the league is, yeah, I’m really proud about it,” she said before adding what it meant to her family. “They’ve just been really, really happy and really proud. I think I’ve got a really close family. So it’s just nice to share those moments with them.”
Ayr snatch crucial away win at Thistle
A Jamie Murphy header proved to be the difference in an attritional first leg at Firhill which saw nine yellow cards produced. Having ceded possession and with the momentum going against them, the striker produced a deft header to give his side the advantage that would come to be the only goal of the game. Despite the low scoring affair, there was no shortage of action on the night as Nick McAllister was eventually forced off with a head injury which had occurred a few minutes earler after Thistle captain Brian Graham intervened to ask that the player be removed. The interruption would set the tone for a game that seemed to have more stoppages than completed passes, both teams forced to send the ball long to find joy. Graham would have opportunities in the opening half, the first header denied by the palm of the acrobatic Clarke whilst the second sailed past the Ayr keeper’s post. Looking as if a draw would suffice, the visitors aimed to wind down the clock and mount their attacks on home turf. However Scott Brown was instead able to leave with what could prove to be a decisive win for the side. Ayr did have chances prior to the goal, in an attack beginning with Scott McMann the men in white found themselves scything through the middle of their opponents before George Oakley blasted his attempt wide. Looking to the heavens for answers, Graham would see his and Thistle’s final attempt at rescuing something flash wide. Line-ups: Partick Thistle: Mitchell, O’Reilly, Ashcroft, McBeth, Megwa, Turner, Bannigan, Fitzpatrick (Stanway 84), Crawford (Ablade 61), Lawless, Graham (c) Unused subs: Budinauckas, Falconer, Lockhart, Mackenzie Booked: Fitzpatrick, Turner, Crawford, Graham, O’Reilly Ayr United: Clarke, McMann, Agbaire, McAllister (Watret 10), Reading, Rus, Dempsey (c), McKenzie, Murphy (Henderson 76), Oakley (Main 77), McLennan Unused subs: Hastie, Mutch, Walker Goals: Murphy (55) Booked: Oakley, Agbaire, Clarke Attendance: 5,250
EPL Power Player Eyes Move into Scottish Football with £10m Hearts Deal
Premier League influence could soon reach into Scottish football as Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom edges closer to securing a minority stake in Heart of Midlothian. The proposed £9.86 million investment from the British entrepreneur would mark a significant development for the Edinburgh club—if approved by its fan-ownership body, Foundation of Hearts (FoH). After more than a year of private negotiations, the deal now hinges on a vote by over 8,000 FoH members. If a simple majority supports the move, Bloom would acquire a 29 per cent stake in Hearts through the issuance of new, non-voting shares. While this would not grant him any say in the club’s decision-making processes, the deal would entitle him to appoint a representative to the Tynecastle board, taking the total number of directors to eight. Bloom’s reputation as one of football’s most analytical minds precedes him. Alongside his stewardship of Premier League side Brighton, he also holds a stake in Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise. His recruitment firm, Jamestown Analytics, has already begun working with Hearts, applying cutting-edge data techniques to modernise the club’s player and coaching recruitment strategy. His investment would bring significant financial injection and strategic expertise, but it also raises questions over the future of the club’s leadership. It remains unclear whether current CEO Andrew McKinlay will remain in post or what role Ann Budge, Hearts’ influential chairwoman, would play going forward. While Bloom wouldn’t be involved in day-to-day operations, Hearts would gain direct access to his network of football experts and innovative analytical systems. For some supporters, this represents a bold step into modern footballing infrastructure; for others, the idea of outside influence—even with non-voting rights—marks a shift in the club’s identity as a fan-owned institution. The vote is now open. Its outcome could mark the beginning of a new era at Tynecastle—one that brings Premier League connections and continental insight to Gorgie.
Idah Strikes as Celtic Deny Rangers a Final Flourish at Ibrox
On a day when Celtic had little to prove but plenty of pride to protect, Adam Idah ensured that Rangers’ hopes of ending their domestic campaign with bragging rights were reduced to rubble at Ibrox. The Irishman’s deflected second-half strike not only cancelled out Cyriel Dessers’ opener but extended Rangers’ winless run at home against their bitter rivals to a historically grim seventh game — the longest such sequence in their storied history. While the title had long been sewn up by Brendan Rodgers’ side, the notion that this derby was meaningless was swiftly laughed off in a contest crackling with tension, controversy, and old scores still to be settled. Barry Ferguson, leading Rangers in what may well be his final Old Firm bout as interim boss, demanded fire and purpose from his players — and, for the first 45 minutes, he got it. Nicolas Raskin thought he’d broken the deadlock with an early header, but VAR’s icy grip ruled him offside. Celtic looked vulnerable — particularly from set-pieces, a flaw Rodgers had flagged pre-match — and were lucky to see Leon Balogun’s point-blank header clatter the bar rather than the net. Eventually, the breakthrough came. It was Dessers again — goal number 25 in a season marked as much by scrutiny as by strikes. A flowing Rangers move ended with the striker shrugging off Liam Scales and burying his finish low past Sinisalo to ignite Ibrox. But as they’ve done so often this season, Celtic responded with maturity and steel. Maeda’s burst down the left forced chaos in the box, and when the ball fell to Idah, the striker swivelled smartly before drilling a shot — via a deflection — beyond Liam Kelly. The linesman’s flag came up. For a moment, Ibrox celebrated. But VAR — this time in Celtic’s favour — ruled that Maeda was passive, not interfering. Goal. One apiece. Rangers, for all their aggression, couldn’t muster another telling blow. Celtic, though far from fluid, managed the latter stages smartly, denying the hosts any clear sight of a winner. Maeda might’ve stolen all three points late on but scuffed a golden chance on the break. In the end, it was a result that encapsulates much of Rangers’ season: promise, frustration, and familiar failings at home. Talking Points Rangers’ Ibrox Curse DeepensSeven without a win against Celtic at Ibrox is more than a blemish — it’s a scar on the psyche of a club still reeling from losing the league with barely a whimper. Ferguson’s men showed character but once again lacked killer instinct. Celtic’s Mentality Remains UnshakenAlready champions, and having shipped three goals in each of their previous three derbies, Celtic might have wilted. Instead, they dug in and salvaged a point through grit and nous — exactly the qualities that have made Rodgers’ men worthy champions. Idah’s Big MomentIt hasn’t been a headline-grabbing spell in Glasgow for the Republic of Ireland striker, but in the white-hot atmosphere of Ibrox, he delivered. His sharp turn and finish spoke of a player growing into the shirt at just the right time. What They Said Barry Ferguson, Rangers interim head coach: “The effort and energy were there. We scored a good goal and handled most of what Celtic threw at us. But the quality in key moments — that’s where we need to improve.” Brendan Rodgers, Celtic manager: “Once we adapted to their shape, I thought we controlled large parts of the game. The goal was deserved, and I never felt like we were under sustained pressure. It’s a result that reflects the character in the team.”
Hibs loving Kukharevych hopes to drive club to Europe
Despite a difficult second loan spell at the club, Mykola Kukharevych says he has always felt part of the team and says he wants to give as much as he can before returning to Swansea in the summer. Speaking after scoring his seventh goal of the season, the Ukrainian forward expressed how much Europe would mean to the players. “Obviously, it’s incredible, I think for every club who can express themselves in the European arena, this is massive for everyone, everyone wants it,” said Kukharevych. Having played for Hibs before signing for Swansea, the capital has played an important role in his development despite the injuries that have disrupted his season, missing ten consecutive games between December and January. “I felt always like part of the team, it doesn’t matter, everyone I think feels part of the team. Sometimes someone comes and doesn’t play or someone has an injury, but they can come back and they can make a difference,” said the 6″4″ striker. “I understand the club gave me a lot, I can showcase myself in Europe here and I really appreciate it. Now I want to give something back to the club,” he said before later adding “I’m really happy I just fell in love with this club, because it’s a massive club, good city and a very good stadium thanks to the fans.” However when asked, Kukharevych was coy about his future when his loan ends in just a few weeks. “Obviously, I don’t think a lot about that, my focus is on this last game and to achieve as much as possible and after I take my holidays, we’ll see.”
Dundee United players p***** off after Hibs loss – Ferry
United defender Will Ferry says his side are embarrassed after their loss at Easter Road, but will bounce back as they look to secure European football. A lacklustre first-half left the side struggling to overcame a side with just one league in eighteen up until that point, with the defender visibly frustrated after the 3-1 defeat. “Honestly, it’s really frustrating. I don’t want to come in here and give you a rubbish interview, (0:19) but it’s a hard one to take,” said Ferry. “We’ll obviously watch it back, but the first feeling is they are really bad goals and we can’t really hide from that. Even the third one was awful as well. It’s disappointing and we’ll just look to correct it.” As the side struggles to maintain their freshness after forty-two games and a squad lacking the depth of their rivals Hibs and Aberdeen. The opening twenty games saw last season’s Championship winners lose just four games but that has risen to nine in the following fifteen. However the summer signing from Cheltenham said the club must move on swiftly if they are to stay in the race for Europe, with St Mirren their next opponent. “We’re not going to ponder on it. I don’t want to sit here and sulk like a kid. Obviously, you lose games, but it’s the manner we did it,” he said before adding “so, we’ve just got to go and put it right. We can only focus on ourselves, we can’t worry too much about what’s happened now.”
Hibs defeat a reality check – Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin admitted there was little to be done as they fell 3-1 to a “better team” in Hibs, with injuries beginning to take their toll on his side. After going two goals down with a quarter of an hour, the visitors made life difficult for themselves in a crucial battle for the European places. “The first half was a non-event as far as we’re concerned in terms of what we put into it”, said the manager whose replacements at half-time brought the side goal back with Kristijan Trapanovski scoring five minutes after coming on. “We had a 20-minute spell just after half-time where we made a couple of changes and I thought both Middleton and Trapanovski had a positive impact. Obviously, we get that goal and get ourselves back into it but I thought Hibs finished the game stronger then as well for the last 15-20 minutes and got the third goal.” Goodwin admitted his side have been counting the costs of a long season, pushing for the top four in their first season since promotion. “We’ve got a number of players starting the game today that are carrying knocks and that aren’t quite at 100% but that’s the situation we’re in. (3:41) We don’t have huge strength and depth, obviously in that back area in particular,” he said after the game. However the manager was keen to stress that Hibernian were deserved winners on the day. “Sometimes you get beaten by the better team and I think if you look at the players that Hibs have got, individually across the board, I just thought that they were better than us. That is, of course, disappointing given what is at stake but we’re very much still in the fight.” With three games left to play, United find themselves three points behind Aberdeen and six behind Hibs with St Mirren, Rangers and the Dons still to play.