“We’ll fancy our chances”: Killie’s David Watson confident ahead of Celtic visit
Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson insists his side will approach Sunday’s home clash with Celtic full of belief, despite still searching for their first win of the Premiership campaign. The 20-year-old was speaking on Tuesday night at Fir Park, shortly after captaining Scotland U21S in a 0-2 defeat to Portugal in a Euro 2027 qualifier. The Killie academy product admitted that the young Scots “lacked that wee bit of quality in the final third” but quickly switched his attention back to domestic matters. “I know it’s a quick turnaround, but I love playing games,” he said. “We’ve got a good challenge on Sunday and I’m looking forward to it. “Our home record’s really good, so we’ll fancy our chances and we’ll be as positive as we can. “We’ll try and put our authority and our stamp on the game.” Kilmarnock have opened the league season with four consecutive draws, and now Stuart Kettlewell’s side face their toughest test yet against a Celtic team who already have 10 points from 12. However, all is not rosy in Brendan Rodgers’ garden; Celtic lost and failed to replace Adam Idah on deadline day, notably missing out on Kasper Dolberg, who opted for a return to his former club Ajax. The Hoops scrambled together a deal for free agent Kelechi Iheanacho, Rodgers’ former player at Leicester City, after the deadline passed. However, the Celtic faithful remain angry at their board and are planning protests in response to a disappointing transfer window. Watson, who has now passed the 100-appearance mark for his boyhood club, believes both his club experience and the lessons of international football will stand him in good stead. “A lot of those Portuguese boys play in European competitions and they are high-profile players,” he noted. “Celtic are the same, maybe even more experienced, so you can definitely learn from nights like this and take it into a game like Sunday.” While the defeat stung, Watson took pride in leading his country for the first time at this level. With a smirk, he said: “I loved it, it’s a great bunch of lads. I’ve captained youth sides at Killie before, but to wear the armband for Scotland was special.” Becoming a more important cog in the Killie machine season upon season, Watson’s performance on Sunday will be a big part in whether the Ayrshire side can emerge with a home result result, or whether Celtic will drown out the noise from their away support and return to winning ways after two 0-0 draws back-to-back against Kairat Almaty as they exited the UEFA Champions league, and Russell Martin’s struggling Rangers.
Jackson Longridge Targets First Morton Win at Queen’s Park
Morton’s search for a first league win of the season continues after last weekend’s narrow 1-0 home defeat to Raith Rovers. Vice-captain Jackson Longridge saw a late equaliser controversially ruled out, but insists the squad remains confident despite a five-game winless run to start the season. Longridge pointed to the number of new signings and young players in the squad, stressing that the group has “clicked really quickly” and only needs time to gel fully. He believes the first victory will act as a springboard, he said: “As soon as we get the win, it’ll put us in a good position for going forward and I think we’ll kick on as a group.” Frustration with refereeing decisions aside, Morton’s performances have generally been competitive, with four draws before last week’s defeat. Longridge emphasised the importance of staying calm when behind and using the experience in the squad to help younger players through tight games. The defender also underlined his faith in manager Dougie Imrie, having worked with him previously at Livingston: “He’s on us every day, so we’re not allowed to take a foot off the gas. “It’s down to us on the pitch to go and perform and work hard for him.” With Queen’s Park up next, also without a league win, Morton will be eager to turn solid performances into three points. The Greenock side has the depth to improve once all the new faces get up to speed, but the priority now is simple, get that first win on the board to release the pressure and kickstart their campaign and playoff push.
Portugal Show Their Class as Scotland U21s Fall Short in Fir Park Clash
Scotland U21 0-2 Portugal U21 Coming off the back of a first team win for the Scottish men’s national side over Belarus, it was the turn of the young team as the Under-21s faced Portugal at Motherwell’s Fir Park in a UEFA Euro 2027 qualifier. Scotland had lost their opening encounter 2-0 away in Czechia on Friday night and now faced an uphill task against one of the world’s great talent-producing nations, who had been quarter finalists at the previous Euros during the summer. Scot Gemmill made a raft of changes for matchday two, opting to persist with the 3-5-2 formation used against the Czechs. Ruaridh Adams came in to replace Liam McFarlane between the sticks, with Dire Mebude, Kristi Montgomary, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Findlay Curtis also starting in place of Ben McPherson, Aidan Borland, James Wilson and Cameron Gardner. The visitors got us underway shooting towards the Davie Cooper Stand and controlled much of the early possession, testing Adams with a few long-range efforts without overly troubling the East Fife stopper. They did, however, open the scoring. Geovany Quenda picked the ball up on the right wing and delivered a pinpoint curling cross into the six-yard box for Porto wonderkid Rodrigo Mora to flick home past the rooted Adams and into the far corner. The diminutive 5’6” attacking midfielder ghosted into the area and finished superbly, underlining why he is already being touted for a full senior call-up. Scotland were on the back foot for much of the half but carved out a couple of half-chances of their own. Former Rangers and Man City youngster Mebude found himself through one-on-one with Portuguese keeper João Carvalho in the dying minutes of the first period. An excellent pass from wide by Curtis found him free on the penalty spot, but the Westerlo striker fired straight at the Braga man, who deflected the shot clear to preserve Portugal’s narrow half-time lead. The visitors doubled their advantage early in the second half. Scotland, attempting to play out from the back, were caught in possession and the ball broke to Mora on the edge of the box with a clear sight of goal. He drove forward, drawing Donovan across, before cleverly slipping the ball to Roger Fernandes, who swept home for 2-0. The €35m summer signing for Saudi side Al-Ittihad marked his first Under-21s goal with total ease. The Scots were handed a lifeline when Portuguese captain and West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes was sent off for a poor challenge on substitute Miller Thomson. He initially received a booking for the tackle but talked himself into an early bath with dissent moments later, reducing his side to ten men. Gemmill made changes in an attempt to inject freshness into his side, but the damage had already been done. The outnumbered Iberians showed their quality, holding firm to secure a valuable three points which moved them top of Group B, level on six points with the Czechs but ahead on goal difference with +7. Portugal demonstrated the value of a squad stacked with players boasting regular first-team football, using their experience to manage the game with ten men and limiting Scotland to very little in the closing stages. For Scotland, the result leaves them with just one win from their last five outings and already trailing the group leaders by six points. They return to action in mid-October with a must-win double-header against Azerbaijan and Malta, the other two winless sides in the section. The young team have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1996 Euros, and need a return to form if that statistic is to change any time soon. Scotland: Adams 6; Donovan 6, Chilokoa-Mullen 5 (Cleall-Harding 5), Graham 5, Anderson 4 (Frame 5), Montgomary 5 ; Watson 6, Kelly 5 (One 6), Lawrence 4 (Thomson 6); Curtis 7 (Wilson 4), Mebude 3 Subs not used: McKenna, Mahady; McPherson, Borland. Portugal: Carvalho 8; Travassos 7 (Forbs 5), Gabriel 7, Oliveira 6, Parente 7; Quenda 8, Rodrigues 6 (Sa 5), M. Fernandes 2, D. Fernandes 7 (Sampio 6); Mora 9 (Amorim 5); Valera 7 (Semedo 6) Subs not used: Gomes; Barroso, Moriera, Balde.
Scotland Build Momentum: Main Talking Points from Denmark & Belarus
Steve Clarke’s Scotland kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign on a positive note, securing four points from their first two Group C fixtures. Last night’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Belarus capped off a solid opening round. While not the most spectacular match to watch, the win was both professional and controlled, leaving the team well-positioned for the upcoming matches. The ever-stoic Clarke himself described it as “A good start,” and now has his sights set on the upcoming home fixture against Greece at Hampden. With the Tartan Army feeling optimistic, can we finally dream of a first World Cup appearance for 27 years? Much-Needed Defensive Stability Scotland’s successful qualifying run for the Euros in Germany was built on resolute defence. They began that campaign with four clean sheets in five games, ErlingHaaland’s penalty in Oslo was the only blemish on the spectacular start. This strong foundation crumbled in the lead-up to and during Euro 2024, with high-scoring losses to Germany, Netherlands, and France, as well as five goals conceded in their final qualifying matches against Georgia and Norway. With clean sheets against both Denmark and Belarus to open the latest campaign, there’s reason to believe Scotland’s defensive prowess is returning. Grant Hanley’s solid showing in Copenhagen was particularly impressive and a welcome sight for fans. Exciting Youth Options The team was bolstered with some exciting young talent. Ben Doak offers a dynamic option on the wing. The former Celtic youngster plays with no fear and was a constant threat to the Belarus defence. His impressive loan spell at Middlesbrough last season earned him a £20 million move to Premier League side Bournemouth. His positive performance against Belarus may just be enough to earn him a start against Greece next month. Additionally, Aaron Hickey has made a welcome return to the squad. A hamstring injury had sidelined him for 16 months, causing him to miss a potential place in Scotland’s Euro 2024 squad. He was dropped straight in against Denmark and delivered a strong performance on the right hand side. With regular first-team football at Brentford, he is another player who could make a significant impact on the national side. What’s Next? A crucial double-header against Greece and Belarus looms in four weeks’ time. With both games at Hampden, it presents an excellent opportunity to push closer to a first World Cup in 27 years. While there is still plenty of work to do, The team is in a great position, with three of their final four matches at home. Clarke and the squad will be well aware of Greece’s threat, especially after a convincing 3-0 defeat at Hampden in March. That resounding victory saw goals from exciting young talents like Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis. Rangers fans will know all about the latter, who was involved in Club Brugge’s 9-1 triumph over the Ibrox side last month. But with a more resolute defensive setup, and the inclusion of fresh talents like Doak and Hickey, the team should be far better equipped to secure a victory.
Celtic Football Club Statement
Following constructive meetings yesterday (Friday) with representatives of the Celtic Supporters’ Association, the Affiliation of Registered Celtic Supporters’ Clubs and the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs, the Club thanks them for conveying the concerns of their members, and Celtic supporters more widely. The Club takes Celtic supporters’ views extremely seriously, and the Club understands the concerns and frustrations which have arisen. We are listening to the views expressed by our supporters, welcome dialogue and we are always willing to learn lessons. The Club is committed to engagement with supporters, and we will work hard to address the concerns and frustrations that have been raised. Achieving success on the field of play underpins everything we do. The Club’s strategy over many years has been dedicated to that objective, and we will always strive to achieve it. Celtic supporters play an integral part in the success of the Club, and we are committed to delivering success for them. Transfer activity attracts enormous attention and speculation, particularly across social media, and the mainstream media has commoditised the transfer window in its relentless search for content. In connection with Celtic, we recognise that debate around this subject reflects the passion of our supporters. Unfortunately, as is often the case in the media and social media, there is inaccurate or misleading information in circulation. It is clear, from our meetings with supporters’ representatives and from feedback from supporters in recent weeks, that supporters seek clarity. We would, therefore, like to address several key points directly. Like every supporter, we are ambitious for Celtic. Our shared objective is football success – to succeed in Scotland and to compete in the Champions League. We are disappointed, this season, not to compete in the Champions League, but we are determined to succeed both domestically and in Europe. However, the Club must adhere to our self-sustaining model: to protect the present and secure the future, ensuring Celtic remains strong for generations to come. The Club’s model has been developed and applied over many years, and during that period the Club has enjoyed a sustained period of success and growth. Further, the Club’s model is not optional – it is now essential as a consequence of the UEFA Sustainability Regulations, with which the Club must comply. Wages and transfer spending are strictly governed by UEFA’s regulations, which effectively cap wages and transfer spending as a proportion of our revenues. Importantly, the Club’s cash reserves are not relevant to the assessment of this de facto spending cap for the purposes of the UEFA regulations. Therefore, all investment decisions must be, and are, guided by responsible forecasts of future revenues and cash flow, which by their nature are volatile. We can never compromise the financial integrity of the Club. In short, throwing money at transfers and contracts is not a sustainable route to success, as many other clubs have found to the detriment of their supporters. Over many years, careful management of the Club’s model has allowed the Club to remain debt-free and to build strong cash reserves. It is important to remain disciplined in our approach. The cash reserves reflected in our accounts exist for the continuous improvement of Celtic Football Club and to manage the inherent volatility within football. These funds are used in a measured fashion for investment in recruitment, infrastructure, and long-term development. We will always listen to our supporters, who have the Club’s interests at heart, in how we can continue to develop the Club within these parameters. The Club plans our recruitment and player trading strategy responsibly and consistently, ensuring the squad can be strengthened for the short, medium and long term, while also seeking to ensure the development and progression of our Academy players. Our objective is to create Champions League players. The recruitment process includes the identification of players, and the conclusion of the transfer. Ultimately, once a player has been identified, confirmed by the football manager and it is then supported by the Board in line with the Club’s financial model, the Club will pursue that target to seek to conclude the transfer within our agreed parameters. Importantly, our ability to progress transfers is not conditional on Champions League qualification. We recognise the importance of timing. Our clear goal is to secure new signings as early in each transfer window as possible, so that players can integrate quickly and contribute from the outset of the season. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to conclude transfers, either within the timescales that we target, or at all. There are many factors and challenges at play in the global transfer market, many of which are outwith the Club’s control, including selling clubs seeking fees beyond our valuation or waiting until the end of the transfer window to seek the maximum price, and players choosing to join another club or requesting contractual terms we cannot responsibly meet within our financial model. It is not always possible to achieve all of the objectives set within a transfer window, and that is regrettable. We share our supporters’ disappointment, and we will always continue to review and seek to improve our strategy and execution. Successful transfers can only be negotiated privately. It would be impossible to secure players if every stage were conducted in public. From time to time, other parties may also seek to create pressure by leaking information to the media. The Club’s position is clear: transfer business will remain confidential until agreements are concluded and announced by the club. It follows, therefore, that much of what is written in the media or online about our transfer dealings is inaccurate. We also understand that this leads to frustration among supporters. While we cannot comment during ongoing negotiations, we are exploring ways to seek to address the gap between speculation and reality once each transfer window closes, in order to improve clarity for our supporters. We thank Celtic supporters for their unmatched passion and commitment. We all share the same ambition: to see Celtic succeed on the pitch while remaining strong and secure off it. We hope this statement provides clarity about our transfer policy and reassurance of
Ten-Man Rovers Edge Morton to Keep Pace with League Leaders
Greenock Morton 0-1 Raith Rovers Whilst the top tier remained on ice due to the season’s first international break, the heat was turning up in the Championship, particularly at Cappielow, where unbeaten Greenock Morton hosted second-placed Raith Rovers. Both sides had shown promise in the early stages of the campaign. Morton had drawn all four of their opening fixtures in what has been a tumultuous start, marked by devastating off-field tragedy and mounting on-field frustration. Raith, meanwhile, had taken two wins from their first three after an opening-day draw with Queen’s Park, though they came into this one on the back of a defeat away to Partick Thistle. Dougie Imrie restored Owen Moffat and Aaron Comrie to his starting line-up, while Rovers boss Barry Robson kept faith with the side that had featured at Firhill. That included the experienced former Hibernian duo Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson, each enjoying something of a late-career renaissance in Kirkcaldy. The match began cagily, littered with misplaced passes and early offside calls. The visitors carved out the first clear chance, Dylan Easton picked out inside the area only to fire straight at Ton keeper James Storer. At the other end, Iain Wilson forced Josh Rae into a superb stop from a free kick, the Rovers goalkeeper tipping the effort over the bar. It was otherwise a poor spectacle, with little to separate the sides. The home support bracing themselves for what looked like a fifth consecutive league draw as the teams went in at the interval. Imrie responded at the restart by making a change, withdrawing the struggling Kerr Robertson and introducing captain Grant Gillespie in midfield as he looked to seize control of the contest. Yet it was the visitors who struck first. A long clearance from Rae was misjudged by the Morton defence, allowing Easton to nip in ahead of the onrushing Storer and glance a header into the corner. His finish sparking celebrations among the travelling support packed into the terracing behind the goal. With ten minutes remaining, and Morton quickly running out of ideas, the hosts were handed a lifeline. Josh Mullin was shown a straight red card for a reckless, shin-high challenge on substitute Michael Garrity right on the byline. Gillespie would test Rae with a free header from a corner, and a penalty shout for a tackle on Tomi Adeloye waved away by referee Lloyd Wilson. Despite the numerical advantage, Morton couldn’t find a way through, their attacks breaking down in frustration as Raith dug in to protect their lead with some game management tactics. The visitors saw out the final minutes with composure, grinding out a valuable three points on the road. For Imrie’s side it was another afternoon of exasperation, five games played, four draws, and now their unbeaten run finally broken. For Robson and Raith, however, it was a statement victory that keeps them right on the heels of early pace-setters St Johnstone. Morton Storer 6; Comrie 4 (McKay 4), Moore 6, Longridge 5, Delaney 5; Shaw 5, I. Wilson 7, Robertson 5 (Gillespie 4), Blues 5 (Adeloye 5), Moffat 4 (Garrity, 5); Brophy 4 Subs not used: Murdoch; Ballantyne, Corr, Hart, Murphy Raith Rae 8; Doherty 6, Fordyce 6, Hanlon 6; Mullin 4, Matthews 6, Brown 6, Bryne 6, Stevenson 7; Easton 8 (Vaughan 5), McMullan 6 (Hamilton 5) Subs not used: Glavin; Rowe, E. Wilson, O’Connor, Montagu, Hannah, Raeside Att: 2,004
Clarke Believes Scotland can “Deliver” World Cup for Tartan Army
It has been 27 years since Scotland’s last World Cup appearance, a campaign that ended with defeat to Morocco in Saint-Etienne. Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army are ready to start a new journey, with their latest qualifying campaign kicking off this evening. The first assignment is a difficult tie against Pot 1 Denmark in Copenhagen, a city where Scotland were previously swept aside comfortably. Captain Andy Robertson started that 2-0 defeat, and is wary of the Danes threat,” I remember last time we were out there they like to start fast”. Scotland also head to the ZTE Arena in Hungary to face Belarus on neutral ground. With Greece also in the group, Clarke is confident that his team can handle the challenges. “This group of players and this group of coaches can deliver, so that’s what we have to try and do,”. The manager’s belief comes despite Scotland’s dip in form following Euro 2024. This includes relegation from Group A of the Nations League after a 3-0 home defeat to Greece in March, and a further 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland in June. Despite the recent setbacks, Clarke is keen to give the Tartan Army a new World Cup dream to believe in, “I think they enjoyed their time in Germany”, “If we can take them across the ocean to America, then I’m sure they’ll love it.” Squad Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn, Zander Clark, Liam Kelly Defenders: Grant Hanley, Jack Hendry, Aaron Hickey, Dom Hyam, Max Johnston, Scott McKenna, Anthony Ralston Andy Robertson, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney Midfielders: Ryan Christie, Lewis Ferguson, Ben Gannon Doak, Billy Gilmour, John McGinn, Kenny McLean, Scott McTominay, Lennon Miller Forwards: Ché Adams, Kieron Bowie, Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst
Rangers at a Crossroads: 5 Potential Replacements for Russell Martin
Russell Martin is hanging by a thread. The Rangers boss insists he still has the backing of the Ibrox board; but with the worst start of any permanent Gers manager on record, few fans are buying it. Three straight 1-1 draws have left the new-look Light Blues already six points behind Celtic, and last night’s humiliating 6-0 battering by Club Brugge has torched whatever glimpses of goodwill Martin had left from the support. Now, with the first Old Firm showdown of the season looming on Sunday, supporters are dreading what could be another dark day in a nightmare start. Celtic may have their own problems after a Champions League flop against Kairat Almaty, but Brendan Rodgers and his side be licking their lips at the chance to heap more misery on their oldest rivals and regain some favour amongst their own disgruntled support. Rangers need answers fast. The big-name bosses have been snapped up, meaning the board may have to roll the dice on candidates they’d never have considered in calmer times. Here are five men who could be waiting by the phone if Russell Martin is sent packing. Barry Ferguson Took charge of affairs at the end of last season after the sacking of Philippe Clement, Ferguson was never shy in saying he wanted the job permanently. While he may have felt slighted that Martin got the nod ahead of him, the former captain’s loyalty to the badge can’t be questioned. His brief stint as caretaker was steady if unspectacular, but he brought the best out of Nico Raskin, who has since vanished from Martin’s plans. Joe Rothwell is crying out for a lift, and Lyall Cameron could be moulded into Ferguson’s image if coached by the man himself. Add in the fact he’s unbeaten against Celtic as a boss, including a shock win at Parkhead, and it’s easy to see why his name is back in the mix. Marco Rose Linked with the job early in the summer, the German tactician is without a club after leaving RB Leipzig in March, and his availability has alerted a number of suitors across Europe. Rose is known for his sharp pressing game and ability to shape young players into elite performers, something Rangers badly need after a stuttering summer rebuild that has seen the side look slow, pedantic and disinterested. The sticking point? His wages. Rose won’t come cheap, and whether this new Ibrox board has the gumption for a continental gamble remains to be seen. But landing him would send a statement that Rangers are still a heavyweight name in European football, despite last night’s result looking contrary to that belief. Jose Mourinho He’s the biggest name that could potentially be on the market but could the Special One really rock up in Govan? Jose looks set to depart Fenerbahçe, this week after coming under pressure, and while his trophy cabinet speaks for itself, the fiery Portuguese would come with baggage, and a wage packet that would dwarf anything Rangers have ever offered a manager. Yet stranger things have happened in football. Mourinho loves a project steeped in history and passion, and the thought of him standing in the Ibrox dugout for an Old Firm debut is enough to make fans dream. Mourinho already praised the Ibrox support when he witnessed his Fenerbahçe side lose to Ferguson’s Rangers on penalties in their UEFA Europa League clash last season. It’s a long shot, but it would also be a real statement of intent from the new board. Billy Davies Now back on the grass as technical head coach at Morton, Billy Davies has quietly stepped back into the game and could be a shock name in the frame if Rangers rip things up. The no-nonsense Scot is famed for his ability to light a fire of belief under players, exactly what the current Ibrox squad is crying out for. A proven man-manager who knows Scottish football inside out from his time with Motherwell, Davies showed at Derby and Nottingham Forest that he can take squads far beyond their paper worth, famously hauling a rag-tag Rams side from the Championship basement all the way to the Premier League. He also had a successful spell at Preston North End and a pair of positive stints at Forest. He’s even had a recent taste of frontline management, stepping in to lead Morton against Dunfermline earlier this year, going toe-to-toe with ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon. Not many fans had Davies on their radar, but with safe bets thin on the ground, could the wildcard be the one to drag Rangers out of their predicament. Sold off at the start of the Graeme Souness revolution as a player, could Davies be the man to kick start the newest era of success at Ibrox? Kevin Muscat A former Ibrox defensive enforcer, Muscat has made waves as a coach in Japan and Australia, building on Ange Postecoglou’s blueprint at Yokohama F. Marinos. His high-energy, attacking football earned admirers, and his Rangers past makes him a natural candidate to restore steel and swagger to the squad. Now managing in China, the former Millwall hard man would bring a steel and grit to a dressing room full of players eager for excuses and someone else to blame. Discipline and hard work would be the orders of a day for a squad guilty of coasting and switching off. With the Chinese Super League still ongoing, and Muscat attempting to defend his league title, it may be hard to sway him to Scotland, especially after he was overlooked for Phillipe Clement a few years previous. As a player Muscat was never trusted to feature in and Old Firm match, could we see him debut as a boss in the very fixture he was excluded from as a player? Muscat has never hidden his ambition to return to Europe, and a tilt at the Ibrox hot seat could be his perfect entry point. But would the fans buy into a disciple
Women’s Champions League: Scots duo suffer Champions League exits
Glasgow City and SWPL champions Hibernian saw their hopes of progressing in the Women’s Champions League halted with both sides beaten in their second qualifying round semi final ties. City’s 2-0 loss to Austria Vienna means they drop into the new Europa Cup, which is being introduced, while Hibs have to face Cypriot side Apollon Ladies on Saturday to earn their place. Glasgow, the second placed team in the SWPL were in Vienna and keen to get the win against the hosts, but found themselves behind just after half time. The home side found success with a free kick on the 49th minute as Katharina Schiechtl sent one in from 30 yards out as the ball dropped into the bottom corner. Austria Vienna nicked a second one at the end after Glasgow lost possession in the midfield, allowing the hosts to catch them on the break. It was left to Maria Olsen to kill off Glasgow’s hopes, burying her chance past Lee Gibson and dropping Leanne Ross’ side into the Europa Cup. For Hibs, they have one more chance to prolong their European interests after Danish side Fortuna Hjørring sunk them with a last-minute winner, losing 2-1, to end their Champions League hopes. Both sides missed penalties early in the first half as Kathleen McGovern’s spot kick was saved while Fortuna’s Omewa Ogochukwu blasted hers over the bar. Rachael Boyle gave the SWPL champions the lead early in the second half as Hibs gave themselves a fighting chance, but the Danes got back on level terms. Ogochukwu atoned for her earlier penalty miss by scoring with around 20 minutes and really made up for it with when she struck the winner late in injury time, leaving Hibs needing a win on Saturday against Apollon Ladies to stay in Europe.
Billy Davies Praises Support for Morton Boss Dougie Imrie
Greenock Morton’s technical head coach Billy Davies has praised the support shown to manager Dougie Imrie following the tragic loss of his infant daughter Remi, who passed away at just 20 days old. Despite the heart breaking circumstances, Imrie was in the dugout for Morton’s 2-2 draw at home to Scott Brown’s Ayr United on Saturday afternoon. Davies revealed that the manager only confirmed his intention to be present the day before the crucial William Hill Championship fixture, taking his place on the sidelines during a flawlessly observed minute’s silence for his daughter. Davies, the former Derby County boss, had previously stepped in earlier in the campaign to lead the Cappielow side against Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline Athletic. But on this occasion, Imrie was determined to be involved. He was shown just how much the Greenock community, and Scottish football as a whole, were behind him. The Cowshed section sang the manager’s name before, during, and after the match, with Imrie visibly emotional at full-time. Reflecting on the importance of getting a result after such a difficult week, Davies said: “We wanted to get a result, get points for the manager and his family. “It’s been a tough, tough week for everyone involved.” Support for Imrie extended far beyond Cappielow. At Tynecastle, before their fixture against Hearts, Motherwell fans unfurled a banner that read simply: “Stay Strong Dougie, Rest in Peace Remi.” A simple but poignant gesture from ex-Hamilton player Imrie’s former rivals, underlining that some things are far more important than football rivalries. Imrie has also been inundated with messages of support from across the country and throughout the footballing community. Davies added: “It was nice to see everyone across the country get behind the manager and his family. “He deserves tremendous respect because he’s a very misunderstood character who has had to deal with a lot of things.” On the pitch, Morton took the lead in the first half through an Eamonn Brophy penalty but fell 2-1 behind early in the second half as Ayr struck twice from set pieces. Assessing the defensive lapses, Davies admitted: “We only didn’t handle it because one or two people individually switched off. “Unfortunately, you can coach all week and say all the right things, but that’s what cost us today.” Brophy, however, rescued a point with a late header on what was an emotional afternoon at Cappielow. Davies praised both the team’s resilience and the striker’s contribution: “I’m delighted with the character we showed and delighted to get that late goal. That’s what Eamonn does best, he scores goals. He’s still not where we want him fitness-wise, but two tremendous goals today and great for him personally.” 📺 WATCH NOW: Billy Davies’ post game reaction Three draws from their opening three matches leaves Morton unbeaten but still searching for a first win. Imrie, Davies and their squad now travel to Perth to face a St Johnstone side already tipped for a swift return to the William Hill Premiership after winning their opening trio of fixtures. For yesterday however, the result felt secondary, the afternoon was defined instead by unity, resilience, and a community standing firmly behind their manager in his darkest hour.
