“We could play at four in the morning and our fans would be there” – McInnes
Amid rising title talk, Derek McInnes insists Hearts have to “concentrate on winning games of football” when they resume their campaign against Kilmarnock on Saturday evening. Addressing the media on Thursday, McInnes observed a sense of “calm” within the squad ahead of a defining run of games. “It’s down to the efforts of the players, how well they’ve done. The focus has been great. The last couple of games have really pleased us in the sense that we’ve got the desired outcome. “But the performances have been good as well. We just need to refocus on the next challenge.” “If we can replicate a lot of what we’ve done between the start of the season and now, then we’ll put ourselves in with a chance. But with nine games to go, there’s still almost a quarter of the season, 27 points to win, 27 points that you can lose.” McInnes revealed stalwarts Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland will return to full training next week, but the Kilmarnock match will come “too soon” for both players. The manager also lauded the support of the travelling Gorgie fans, 5000 of whom will pack out the Rugby Park away end. “We feel as if they just want to follow us, and the backing we get home and away has been first class this season, and they’ve got a huge part to play, so when we run out at Rugby Park for the warm up, and the lads see that it feels like a big game right away.” Hearts face Kilmarnock on Saturday evening, looking to maintain their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Scottish Football Restructuring Proposal Phase 4: Refereeing Structure
A comprehensive new proposal to restructure Scottish football has been launched by supporter and former SPFL scout Joe Quinn, including a revamped refereeing structure. Match officiating plays a crucial role in the integrity, fairness, and credibility of any football competition. To align Scottish football with the international best practices and enhance the performance, accountability, and development of referees, this proposal introduces a new structure centred around training, transparency, and the option of full-time professionalism. 1. Current Status (Part-Time System) At present, all referees operating in the Scottish Premiership, as well as those officiating in the lower SPFL divisions and domestic cup competitions, are part- time. These officials often balance refereeing with separate careers or occupations, meaning limited time is available for ongoing training, match review, or performance development. While this system has functioned for decades, it is increasingly viewed as insufficient for a modern footballing environment, where officiating decisions are under constant public scrutiny. Moreover, part-time status restricts opportunities for referees to commit to continuous professional development, embrace advanced technologies, or maintain the physical and analytical standards required at the highest level of the game. 2. Proposed Referee Structure This proposal introduces a more progressive, sustainable model that supports the development of refereeing standards in Scotland. It does not require all referees to go full-time but introduces new optional pathways, better mentoring, and performance review systems. Full-Time Option for Premiership Referees who officiate regularly in the Scottish Premiership will be offered the opportunity to become full-time professionals. This is a voluntary scheme, existing referees can choose to remain part-time if preferred. Full-time referees would be employed on contracts that include scheduled training, fitness monitoring, rule updates, performance analysis, and travel preparation. They would be subject to annual review and development plans aligned with UEFA refereeing standards. This model reflects those already in place across Europe and would professionalise the top level of officiating in Scotland without forcing out experienced part-time officials. Training and Development Roles Full-time Premiership referees would also have a coaching and mentoring responsibility: They will be assigned to support officials in the Championship, League 1, and regional divisions. In areas such as Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands, they will deliver workshops, observe lower-league matches, and provide one-to-one coaching. This initiative strengthens regional referee development and creates a clear pathway to the top for new and aspiring officials. UEFA-Level Referees Officials who have attained UEFA certification or who regularly officiate in European competition will be strongly encouraged to become full-time. This allows more preparation for UEFA duties and ensures domestic standards benefit from their experience. These referees will act as senior figures within the referee team and help raise the overall quality of officiating in Scotland. Transparency and Match Review A new emphasis will be placed on post-match analysis and transparency: Full-time referees will be required to review match footage, attend performance debriefs, and complete official post-match reports with key decision justifications. This will increase public trust in officials and provide an internal platform for learning and improving decision-making. A designated Refereeing Standards Panel will oversee all referee reviews, including issuing public statements on major decisions if appropriate. In addition, referee performances will be regularly monitored and ranked, forming part of their eligibility for high-profile matches, finals, or international assignments. This structure supports higher standards, consistency, and long-term development of refereeing across Scotland, while respecting the experience and commitment of current part-time officials. Contact: Joe Quinn Email: joseph.a.quinn@hotmail.co.uk Mobile: 07967 213586
“Why not?” Buddies Eye More Hampden Glory after Quarter Final Triumph
St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has a clear “belief” his side can deliver more cup miracles after safely progressing to the Scottish Cup semi-finals. First-half goals by Jake Young and Dan Nlundulu proved the difference, withstanding a second-half Partick Thistle fightback to win 2-1 at the SMISA Stadium Ahead of a Hampden rematch with Celtic, whom they defeated in the League Cup final earlier this season, Robinson is looking forward to the challenge. “There’s a belief that we can do it. We need to be the best version of ourselves that we haven’t been in recent weeks. “We found a way to win tonight. We have an opportunity to go to Hampden, which, for this football club, is incredible. “We’ve got injuries galore. Marcus Fraser is out for eight weeks, Mika Mandron is out for six or eight weeks, and Kion Etete got injured in the warmup, so we had no strikers to bring on. But we found a way.” The manager praised goalscorer Young, whose second goal in two games doubled the Buddies’ advantage in the first half. “We got the opportunity to get him up, and we knew it would take time for him to hit the ground. “But he’s the most natural goalscorer we have. And, for a club like St Mirren, that’s difficult to find. “He scores out of nothing, two great finishes and, when you’re not on top of your game, good strikers win games for you.” Speaking on the game, Young expressed his anticipation for facing the Scottish Champions at the National Stadium “Just excited about tonight, happy to get to Hampden and looking forward to the challenge ahead.” Sitting precariously above the relegation playoffs, St Mirren will shift focus to a crucial home clash against Rangers this weekend. However, Buddies fans will dare to dream, having already lifted a domestic trophy this season.
Dundee FC Announce Front-of-Shirt Partnership Extension with Crown Engineering
Dundee Football Club are delighted to confirm that Crown Engineering will continue as the club’s front-of-shirt partner for the 2026/27 season. The extension marks the seventh consecutive year that the Crown Engineering logo will feature proudly on the front of the Dark Blues’ first-team shirts, continuing a strong partnership between two organisations with deep roots in the city of Dundee. Since first joining forces with the club, Crown Engineering have been a valued supporter of Dundee FC, playing an important role in backing the club’s ambitions on and off the pitch. Their continued commitment reflects the strength of the relationship and a shared pride in representing the Dundee community. Speaking about the extension, John Nelms, Managing Director at Dundee FC, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Crown Engineering will remain our front-of-shirt partner for the 2026/27 season. Over the past several years, they have been fantastic supporters of the club and great partners to work alongside. “As a Dundee-based company, they share our passion for the city and our ambition to continue pushing the club forward. We look forward to building on what has already been a very successful partnership.” Doug Robertson, Managing Director at Crown Engineering, added: “We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with Dundee Football Club. The club is a huge part of the city and the community, and it has been a privilege for Crown Engineering to have our name on the front of the shirts over the past number of seasons. “We’re excited to continue supporting the club and wish everyone at Dundee FC the very best for the 2026/27 campaign.” The Crown Engineering logo will once again feature on Dundee FC’s first-team shirts throughout the 2026/27 season across all domestic competitions, continuing a partnership that has become a familiar sight for supporters at Dens Park and beyond. Dundee FC are set to launch its brand new 2026/27 kits in the coming months.
Askou backs Motherwell to respond against Celtic after Dens Defeat
Jens Berthel Askou insists he was “happy with the effort” after Motherwell’s late defeat against Dundee on Saturday, as the Steelmen failed to close their gap on the top three with their game in hand. Finlay Robertson’s slotted finish in the 84th minute sealed three crucial points for Steven Pressley’s side, after Callum Slattery handed the visitors a lifeline with a stunning free kick. Speaking at full-time, Askou was upbeat with his team’s efforts. “We played against a team that has caused us trouble this season, it’s no coincidence they are a well-coached team who work hard, defend the box with their lives and have an attacking threat. “I think we really tried to up the tempo, had some really good moments in the first half, we didn’t take. “Eventually, we got the goal and chased the win; it became a very open game. There were moments at both ends, but Dundee were the better team at being able to take those moments. But the effort was there, although the quality was not quite there. “We switched off in a single moment, which they took advantage of because we’d spent a lot of energy really chasing. That can happen at times; unfortunately, it happened today and gave us a mountain to climb in the last 10 minutes. We tried but didn’t quite reach the top. “We need to make sure when we get the opportunities next week, we need to take them. “We’re here to try and win football games and get as high in the table as possible. We have not, and never will be, no matter how good a season we have, be favourites to win the title, so it’s not something we address. We will try to climb as high as possible in the table. “Even though we have been almost invincible over a large period of time, we knew that there would come a day when the opposition just outplayed us and we didn’t get the result – that was today. “I know the players and staff will do their best to make sure that never happens again and we get back to our best on Saturday, and then time will tell where that’s going to take us.” Motherwell return to league action at Celtic Park. Saturday was a blow for their top three aspirations, but they will remain confident of delivering a result against the Scottish Champions.
Rangers 0-0 Celtic (2-4 on pens): Hoops hold their nerve to advance to Hampden
Rangers 0-0 Celtic Celtic win 4-2 on penalties Tomas Cvancara’s clinical penalty secured Celtic’s place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after a tense 120 minutes of action at Ibrox. A packed-out Ibrox brought a raucous derby atmosphere, but in truth, the first half lacked clear-cut quality. Rangers started with a similar endeavour to last Sunday’s league encounter. Don Robertson correctly waved off an early penalty shout after Youssef Chermiti’s strike cannoned off Auston Trusty’s arm, which remained in a natural position. The Celtic team sheet surprisingly excluded captain Callum McGregor, who appeared to be suffering with injury. The visitors missed the captain’s instrumental force, as the hoops struggled to counter Rangers’ intensity. Celtic thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute. Liam Scales flicked on Luke McCowan’s inswinging cross from the right. Daizen Maeda reacted quickest, diverting a low header into Jack Butland’s bottom corner. The goal sent the 7,500 away supporters into a frenzy, but with Scales in an offside position, VAR promptly intervened. Danny Rohl would have been happier with his side’s control in the opening half hour, but Martin O’Neill’s side had learned from last Sunday. Mikey Moore’s threat was nullified by a sea of green jerseys every time the youngster got on the ball – the winger was unable to produce the same brilliance that helped foster a 2-0 lead seven days ago. With the score level after the break, Ibrox grew tense on the pitch and in the stands. Benjamin Arthur miscontrolled McCowan’s back pass in the 50th minute, allowing Chermiti an opening. Luckily for Celtic, Viljami Sinisalo was alert to race off his line, and clear from the Portuguese striker. Somehow, the ball stayed out of Sinisalo’s net four minutes later. A dangerous corner kick from Moore was glanced towards goal by Emmanuel Fernandez. The header deflected off Nasser Djiga in the box, causing a stramash in the penalty area, but with several Rangers’ jerseys around the ball, they could not force the ball home. With twenty minutes to play, the games remained finely balanced. Despite no goals, both sides continued to give every ounce of energy to turn the tie in their team’s favour. Benjamin Nygren hooked Nico Raskin’s glancing header away from the target as the game reached a crescendo. Dane Murray produced a brilliant block to stop Tochi Chukwuani’s striker with minutes to play. The visitors had endured endless pressure but defended their box well to stay in the game. The quarter final went into extra time, with neither team able to break the deadlock in a tense second half. Chermiti had the game’s best chance in the 98th minute. Bajrami’s lobbed pass found the striker in space, but from the left-hand side of the box, his deflected shot was skewed behind. The drama continued from the resultant corner, Fernandez towered above a crowded penalty box, to head into the net. However, the goal was rightly chopped off, as the centre back palmed the ball past Sinisalo, to keep the score level. Rangers’ relentless pressure continued. Substitute James Tavernier set up Chermiti in the six-yard box, but the striker’s volley drifted agonisingly wide. The hosts were in complete control but were once more unable to convert their chances. Celtic scored all four of their penalties in the shootout to advance to the semi-finals. A stellar defensive performance rewarded Martin O’Neill’s side’s efforts, securing their place in the semi-final draw. Rangers: Butland 6 Sterling 6 Djiga 6 Fernandez 6 Rommens 6 Raskin 6 Diomande 4 Moore 5 Olsen 4 Naderi 6 Chermiti 6 Substitutes: Chukwuani 6 Gassama 6 Bajrami 6 Tavernier 4 Meghoma 4 Celtic: Sinisalo 8 Scales 7 Trusty 8 Arthur 8 Araujo 8 McCowan 5 Hatate 7 Nygren 5 Maeda 6 Tounetki 5 Yang 4 Substitutes: Chamberlain 6 Cvancara 4 Murray 6 Mvuka 4 Forrest 4 Bernardo 4
Scottish Football Restructuring Proposal Phase 3: Cup Competitions
A comprehensive new proposal to restructure Scottish football has been launched by supporter and former SPFL scout Joe Quinn, including a restructuring of the cup competitions Cup competitions are a vital part of the Scottish football calendar, offering clubs at all levels a chance at silverware, national exposure, and the opportunity to compete against teams outside their division. While the Scottish Cup will remain unchanged in this proposal, the League Cup, currently branded as the Premier Sports Cup, will undergo a complete structural overhaul to ensure a more merit-based and engaging format. Scottish Cup (No Changes) The Scottish Cup, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious knockout competition, will remain unchanged in both format and eligibility. Open to clubs from all levels of the Scottish football pyramid (including amateur and junior clubs, where licensed). Straight knockout format with single-leg ties. Replays only in early rounds (as per current structure). Neutral venues for semi-finals and final. The cup winner qualifies for the UEFA Europa League qualification rounds. This competition continues to honour tradition, offer upset opportunities, and maintain wide participation across Scottish football. League Cup – Premier Sports Cup Format Overview The current group stage format of the League Cup will be scrapped in favour of a streamlined, knockout-based competition. The new format introduces staggered entry points based on league position and European involvement while maintaining competitive integrity and excitement throughout. All matches will be single-leg ties. There will be no byes or wildcard entries; every team must earn its place by playing. League Cup – 61 Team Format Total Teams: 61 42 SPFL clubs 8 clubs from the National League (Tier 4) 8 clubs from the National League North (Tier 4) 1 club via a two-legged playoff between the West of Scotland Premier Division champion and the East of Scotland League champion This structure maintains inclusivity across the pyramid while offering a competitive national cup format. Round 1 – 32 Teams Scheduled: September Participants: 30 lower-ranked SPFL clubs (Championship, League One, League Two) 14 Premiership clubs (positions 6–12) 8 National League clubs 8 National League North clubs 1 Playoff Winner (West of Scotland v East of Scotland) Format: 27 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage decided by draw Progression: 27 winners advance to Round 2 Round 2 – 16 Teams Scheduled: October / November Participants: 27 Round 1 winners 5 Premiership clubs competing in Europe Format: 16 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage decided by draw Progression: 16 winners advance to Round 3 Round 3 – 16 Teams Scheduled: December Participants: 16 Round 2 winners Format: 8 single-leg knockout ties Home advantage determined by draw Progression: 8 winners advance to Quarter-finals Quarter-finals – 8 Teams 4 single-leg ties The home team is decided by draw. S Semi-finals – 4 Teams Played at Hampden Park Single-leg knockout Final – 2 Teams Played at Hampden Park Showpiece event of the competition No Byes Policy A key principle of this restructuring is that no club receives a bye or wildcard. While clubs enter at different rounds based on league position and European involvement, every team must play to progress, emphasising fairness, merit, and inclusivity. This modernised structure creates a more dynamic, merit-based competition that brings fans meaningful knockout football from the first round onward— while giving smaller clubs genuine opportunities to shine on the national stage. Contact: Joe Quinn Email: joseph.a.quinn@hotmail.co.uk Mobile: 07967 213586
SNN Sports Scottish Cup Quarter Final Breakdown
Ahead of the Scottish Cup Quarter Finals, here is everything you need to watch for as eight teams look to take a step closer to silverware. Game of the Round – Rangers v Celtic Unsurprisingly, all eyes turn to Govan this weekend as the country’s two major forces collide, exactly seven days after their last encounter. As if Youssef Chermiti’s overhead kick, a four-goal thriller, and last-minute VAR drama weren’t enough, the return of 7,000 Celtic fans to the Broomloan Road stand adds an extra edge to this historic derby. Last Sunday’s league clash was a fascinating two halves. Rangers flew out of the traps, racing into a 2-0 halftime lead by smothering Celtic with a fierce press and relentless tenacity. However, Martin O’Neill’s tactical astuteness shone through; his proactive substitutions salvaged a late draw. On reflection, his side might feel they could have snatched all three points. That dismal first-half showing will surely force O’Neill’s hand this time around. Reo Hatate and Sebastian Tounetki, in particular, injected the urgency required for that second-half comeback and have made themselves difficult to drop. Conversely, Danny Rohl faces a different puzzle – he must fix the second-half drop-off that saw his side surrender total control. A cauldron awaits on Sunday. With a winner guaranteed and a hostile atmosphere, expect no punches to be pulled at Ibrox. Team Spotlight – Dunfermline Athletic Neil Lennon’s side pulled off a seismic upset in the Scottish Cup fourth round, dumping his former club Hibernian out of the competition to march on. A 92nd-minute Miguel Chaiwa own goal was the ultimate reward for a tireless defensive display, one that followed a professional dispatching of rivals Kelty Hearts. Now, another mouthwatering home tie against Aberdeen awaits. Lennon was present midweek, witnessing the Dons slump to their 16th league defeat of the season against Celtic. With Aberdeen seemingly sleepwalking toward a dismal bottom-six finish, the Irishman will sense blood in the water. For Lennon, the timing could be perfect to book a ticket to the national stadium for a semi-final. Having hoisted the Scottish Cup four times during his tenure in Glasgow, Lennon’s pedigree in this competition is undisputed. The question now is whether he can inspire his determined squad to claim another top-flight scalp and return the club to Hampden for the first time since 2007. Player to Watch – Logan Chalmers Partick Thistle head into Sunday evening’s quarter-final clash against St Mirren brimming with confidence. Sitting pretty in second place in the Scottish Championship, the Jags have become a force to be reckoned with, led by a top goalscorer who continues to thrill the Firhill faithful, Logan Chalmers. The 25-year-old winger finally looks to have found his home at Maryhill. After spells with Dundee United and Ayr, Chalmers is playing the best football of his career, consistently catching the eye with his free-flowing, fearless style on the wings. Manager Mark Wilson grants his star man the tactical freedom to express himself. As the cameras turn to the SMiSA Stadium this Sunday, Chalmers’ individual brilliance will be the vital component if Thistle are to bypass the Premiership opposition and secure a famous cup upset. Scottish Cup Quarter Final Fixtures Friday 6th March – Falkirk v Dundee United – 7:45 pm Saturday 7th March – Dunfermline Athletic v Aberdeen – 7:30 pm Sunday 8th March – Rangers v Celtic – 1:00 pm Sunday 8th March – St Mirren v Partick Thistle – 7:30 pm
“We’ll keep pushing away” – Carrick remains grounded amidst positive form
Michael Carrick has encouraged his side to “live in the moment” after moving up to third in the Premier League table. Carrick continues to be lauded for his side’s excellent form, but insists that catching Arsenal is not the immediate focus for his reinvigorated team. “Listen, you can’t rule anything out in football, but we’ve got to be realistic,” he said. “We’ve just got to try and keep winning games and see. Above us now there are two fantastic teams and there are some really good teams in and around us. “We’ve had a good run but we’re certainly not getting carried away. “You’ve got to be patient but you’ve also got to live in the moment a little bit. “Wherever that’s going to take us, we’ll just have to see. But we’ll keep pushing anyway.” Sunday’s comeback victory over Crystal Palace means United have picked up 19 points from a possible 21 in the league under Carrick. The former midfielder has urged his side to remain “grounded”. “I’m always learning things as you go through and [things] you could have done a little bit better,” he said. “There is a lot of context, with different players and what the games look like. “It’s not so much guarding against it, it’s living in the moment, keeping grounded and understanding what it takes to win games. “We won’t get carried away. You have to feed off the confidence and understand that runs of wins are hard to come by. We’re hungry for more and want it for as long as it will last.” Manchester United return to domestic action against Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, before hosting Aston Villa at Old Trafford this weekend.
“Outstanding” Motherwell edge closer to Premiership summit
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou believes his team’s “defensive discipline” was crucial in their dominant victory over Dundee United, as the Steelmen move to within touching distance of Rangers and Celtic. The 2-0 triumph improves their terrific run of form to just 1 defeat in 20 matches, 14 of which have included a clean sheet. Speaking at full-time, Askou was delighted with his side’s latest win. “A very hectic and lively game. It was difficult to play around them because of their man-marking. “It was a lot about changing positions and counter-movements to open up space. When we got the ball down we played some really good football. In terms of work rate and willingness to run for each other I think it was outstanding. “The defensive discipline gave us full control of the game that was, at times, quite lively. Big credit to the boys for going out and being extremely disciplined for one another. “I think it was a good example of us playing against a team that created a lively game and still being able to control it. “Today we really deserved that clean sheet because we gave absolutely nothing away. We were on top of them, controlling the space in behind. It’s great to see the players are just as hungry to keep a clean sheet and defend as they are going forward. “We know that Tawanda Maswanhise is very, very hard to stop in open play. Eventually he’ll break through and find a chance. He might have been a little bit lucky with that one today but he had other opportunities. A top player and a fantastic young man who works very hard. We’re enjoying having him here and happy the transfer window doesn’t open tomorrow. “What we are in the mix for is for you to discuss. We had a game today, we had to attack, we did that well and got a clean sheet and three points. It was a good game for us in terms of playing against man-for-man pressure and it didn’t stop us today.” With a trip to Dens Park up next, the Fir Park side have a chance to cut the gap on league leaders Hearts to just seven points. While Askou’s team are often praised for their expansive, entertaining style of play, they deserve to be viewed as genuine title contenders. They have suffered only one home defeat all season, and with the league’s top scorer, Tawanda Maswanhise, leading the line, it’s time to stop patronising their title credentials. This is a team with the quality and resilience to remain a persistent threat to Hearts, Celtic, and Rangers throughout the campaign.
