Hibernian 0-1 Rangers: Late Penalty Save Pushes Rohl’s Rangers to Third
Hibernian 0-1 Rangers Danilo (5′) Danilo’s first half strike secured back-to-back victories for Rangers, as they recorded their first away league clean sheet in 25 games. The home side threatened in the third minute, Nicky Cadden was released into acres of space on the left of the Rangers box, but Jack Butland blocked the fullback’s low strike. The visitors raced into the lead moments later. Danilo gathered a Youssef Chermiti square pass on the edge of the box and drilled a left-footed shot past the outstretched Raphael Sallinger. Sallinger had to react swiftly in the 8th minute, tipping Mikey Moore’s bouncing strike behind for a corner as the visitors searched for a second. Jayden Meghoma had enjoyed a positive opening 20 minutes; lots of Rangers’ good play came down his left side. Miguel Chaiwa replaced Chris Cadden, who was booked, and had faced a torrid time defending Meghoma’s attacking threat. Hibs almost responded on the half-hour mark. Grant Hanley rose from a corner and headed down towards the near post, but Jack Butland reacted quickly to tip it away. The home side is unbeaten in 16 home league games, but struggled to create clear-cut chances in the opening period. John Beaton blew his whistle to bring an even first half to a halt, but it was Danny Rohl’s side who had come up with the crucial moment so far at Easter Road. Hibs looked for an immediate equaliser in the second half. Chaiwa worked his way to the byline, flashing a low cross which Thibault Klidje couldn’t force home. The second half had lacked chances, and Gray rolled the dice with a triple substitution, including the introduction of Martin Boyle, who has eight goals against Rangers. Hibs were awarded a penalty in the 85th minute. Connor Barron collided with Junior Hoilett in the box after James Tavernier’s slip. But Butland got down low to his right with a strong hand to divert Jamie McGrath’s penalty, and maintain the visitors’ slender advantage. The second half had lacked clear chances, but the save felt like a massive moment for the Ibrox side. Hibs threatened again in injury time. Chaiwa delivered a whipped cross from the right, and substitute Josh Campbell powered a header inches wide. The win was Rangers’ first clean sheet in 25 away league matches. The win lifts Rohl’s side into third place; they face Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on Sunday afternoon. Defeat Hibs breaks their run of two straight league wins; they travel to Livingston on Saturday afternoon. Hibernian: Sallinger 6 Bushiri 6 Hanley 6 Iredale 6 C Cadden 5 Mulligan 6 Barlaser 6 N Cadden 6 McGrath 6 Klidje 5 Bowie 5 Substitutes: Chaiwa 6 Hoilett 6 Boyle 6 Youan 6 Rangers: Butland 7 Djiga 6 Souttar 6 Cornelius 6 Aarons 6 Meghoma 7 Raskin 6 Barron 7 Moore 6 Danilo 7 Chermiti 6 Substitutes: Tavernier 6 Gassama 6 Aasgaard 6
Robinson Focused on “Turning Performances into Results” ahead of Hearts Clash
St Mirren have endured three straight Scottish Premiership defeats, but manager Stephen Robinson is confident that “the results will follow” as his side hosts high-flying Hearts on Wednesday evening. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Robinson said,” People only see the result and the end product, and of course, that’s ultimately what matters. But in the last two games, we’ve actually played better than the games that we’ve won this season” “I’m very confident in that we know what we need to do better. We had 35 crosses, we had 13 corners, and we had, I believe, 24 shots, but only three on target,” “which tells you that is where the problem lies. That’s as a team. It’s not as just centre forwards alone or forward players. It’s from set plays, we have to score more.” The Buddies return to the SMISA Stadium, a ground where Robinson believes his side can “compete with every team.” “There’s never a game where we feel we are massively under the cosh. We’ve dominated large parts of possession.” “But we know what we’ve got in the building. We know what we’re working to achieve, and had we won on Saturday, we’d be third. So all this needs to be put into perspective.” “We’ve lost three in a row. I didn’t think we were the best team in the world when we lost one in 18. Certainly, I don’t think we’re the worst team in the world. We’re playing well. It’s now turning that performance into results” Robinson’s side face a Hearts team currently top of the Scottish Premiership, the manager expressed praise for Derek McInnes, but aims to “put an end to that run”, which has seen them move eight points clear. “I love the fact that a UK manager, Scottish manager, has proven that he’s as good as everybody else, which was never any doubt.” “Delighted that Derek has done well, but obviously not tomorrow night. We aim to hopefully put an end to that run. We have to be right at the top of our game; they’ll bring brilliant support. They’ve got a very good squad of players. Their bench is strong. We know that, but so are we.” “We’ve beaten Hearts already this season, went all the way to penalties, so it’ll be a close game, and since then, they’ve had a really good run of form. So it’s a tough game.” St Mirren v Heart of Midlothian The SMISA Stadium 7:45pm Wed 29 Oct 2025
Aberdeen Appoint New Sporting Director
Lutz Pfannenstiel will join Aberdeen as sporting director, and the German is looking forward to joining a club with “true footballing soul”. The 52-year-old German will officially arrive at Pittodrie on November 10th and brings a wealth of experience. After aiding Fortuna Düsseldorf (as Sporting Director) to an impressive 10th-place finish in the Bundesliga, he spent five years in the same role for MLS club St Louis City. He enjoyed similar success for the MLS side, where he was instrumental in founding the youth academy and saw the team win the Western Conference in 2023. Pfannenstiel’s appointment comes at a critical moment for the side, with manager Jimmy Thelin under pressure. The Dons sit 11th in the Scottish Premiership table, having secured two victories in their opening nine league matches. Aberdeen Chairman Dave Cormack expressed high hopes for the new hire, citing Pfannenstiel’s technical knowledge and vast network as key factors in the selection process. “His technical knowledge, academy development experience and global recruitment network were key factors in the board selecting him for this critical role.” Pfannenstiel brings not only extensive professional expertise but also one of the most colourful backstories in football. His dramatic life includes a stint in a Singapore jail, where he spent 101 days on match-fixing accusations before being released for lack of evidence. Aberdeen return to Scottish Premiership action on Wednesday evening against Kilmarnock, before travelling to Cyprus to Face Larnaca in the Conference League eight days later.
Manchester United 4-2 Brighton: United into Top Four after Six Goal Thriller
Manchester United 4-2 Brighton Cunha (24′) Casemiro (34′) Mbeumo (61′, 90+6′) Welbeck (74′) Kostoulas (90+2′) A second-half double by Bryan Mbuemo helped Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United record their third straight league victory. The home side started well, Bruno Fernandes met Mbuemo’s floated left-footed cross, but the captain could not direct his header goalwards in the opening minute. Mbuemo threaded a pass to the onrushing Matheus Cunha minutes later, but the striker could only find the side netting. Brighton responded in the 7th minute. Danny Welbeck drove into space on the United right and fired a low cross to Yankuba Minteh, but the attacker couldn’t make a connection. Carlos Baleba dragged a right-footed shot wide in the 9th minute after more Brighton pressure, as the visiting side gained a foothold in proceedings. Senne Lammens was forced into his first save in the 14th minute. Georginio Rutter marauded down United’s right, and pulled his cross back for Welbeck to sting the palms of the Belgian goalkeeper. Cunha is still searching for his first Manchester United goal since transferring from Wolves in the summer, but went close with a dipping strike which Bart Verbruggen pushed away. He deservedly opened his United account in the 23rd minute with a superb finish. The Brazilian attacker gathered Casemiro’s square pass, he shifted the ball onto his right foot and curled a low strike past the outstretched Verbruggen. Casemiro doubled their lead from outside the box in the 34th minute. His strike took a wicked deflection off Yasin Ayari, and Verbruggen could only watch as the ball rolled into the net. Benjamin Sesko blazed wide in the 44th minute after a flowing team move. Amorim would have been pleased with his team’s performance; they were firmly in control as the halftime whistle blew. The home side picked up where they left off in the second half. Verbruggen’s point-blank save from Fernandes’ poked effort kept Brighton from conceding a third. Despite being behind, Brighton occasionally offered a threat. Lammens had to be alert to tip Minteh’s inswinging cross round the post as the Seagulls looked for a response. Mbuemo added a third goal on the hour mark, cutting in on his left foot and delivering a low strike into the bottom corner. Amorim’s team looked set to record their third straight league victory. A common theme of the match was that Brighton consistently gifted possession back to their opponents. Lewis Dunk was the latest culprit in the 70th minute, as Fernandes crossed for Mbuemo, who steered wide of the post. Former Manchester United striker Welbeck curled a free kick past Lammens to offer some encouragement for Albion. The goal briefly invigorated the visitors, and Tom Watson went close moments later with a left-footed drive. Brighton did find a second goal in the 92nd minute, Charalampos Kostoulas rose to meet James Milner’s cross, and set up an agonising finish for the home support. Mbuemo added United’s fourth in the final seconds with a high strike into the top corner. Victory moves United into the top four and confirms their third straight league win. Manchester United: Lammens 7 Yoro 6 De Ligt 7 Shaw 6 Dalot 7 Diallo 7 Casemiro 7 Fernandes 8 Cunha 8 Mbuemo 8 Sesko 7 Substitutes: Mainoo 6 Dorgu 6 Ugarte 6 Zirkzee 6 Brighton: Verbruggen 6 Wieffer 6 Van Hecke 6 Dunk 6 Kadioglu 7 Baleba 6 Ayari 6 Minteh 7 De Cuyper 5 Rutter 5 Welbeck 7 Substitutes: Watson 6 Milner 6 Gómez 6 Kostoulas 6 Tzimas 5
Livingston 1-2 Motherwell: Visitors Move Into Top Six after Late Win
Livingston 1-2 Motherwell Bokila (26′ pen) Stamatelopoulos (59′ pen) Just (90+3′) Motherwell leave it late to sting Livi and send the away end into an eruption. Livingston should’ve been ahead after 8 minutes. Bokila took way too long on the ball, taking numerous touches, and when it was unleashed, it was a simple stop by Ward, which landed at Stevie May, but the striker failed to get the hosts ahead. After 12 minutes, a short ball from Said onto the foot of Maswanhise, but a heavy touch by the winger made it a simple catch by the Frenchman in the goals. After 19 minutes, Mo Sylla had a good run into the visitors’ half where he slid the ball onto Stevie May with whose effort struck wide of the goal. Livingston, after 25 minutes, were awarded a spot kick as Bokila smashed home to give Livingston the lead. Livi should’ve been two ahead after 30. Sylla won the ball and put it through to Muirhead. A darting run from the striker into May, whose shot was saved well by Ward, with Muirhead’s rebounded effort going over. Livi go into the break one goal to the good. Motherwell didn’t really test Prior in the Livi goals and probably deserved a lead by the hosts, but an even enough opening 45. On the hour mark, Motherwell were awarded a spot kick of their own with Stamatelopoulos making no mistake and giving the visitors a crucial equaliser. Motherwell quickly went on to score a second to go ahead, a run by Watt which found Stamatelopoulos, but after a VAR check, the decision was offside, which kept the game all square. Livingston had a big chance in 70 minutes, Sylla with a ball into the edge of the box, which found Pittman, who slotted it into the box, but the ball fired past substitute Yengi, which ensured the game remained level. Livi then had a fantastic chance to go back ahead. A ball into the box with Sylla, who headed the ball into Yengi, who was just yards out, but failing to control the ball as Ward is down to collect the ball. Motherwell on 77 minutes should’ve been ahead this time. It was Stamatelopoulos from close range, but he smashed the ball over the bar, which should’ve at least found the target. An event last stage of the game in Livingston. Charles-Cook was close to firing the well ahead, a cross in by Fadinger and the substitute with an overhead kick but missing the target. The steelmen thought they had won it right at the death, a tap-in by Just, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Just came up with another, a strike from distance which fired into the top left-hand corner as the whistle goes and Motherwell leave with a win Livingston: Prior 6 Pittman 6 Muirhead 6 May 7 Bokila 8 Finlayson 6 Sylla 8 Tait 6 Montano 6 Wilson 6 Brenet 6. Substitutes: Susoho 6 Smith 6 Yengi 5 Motherwell: Ward 6 O’Donnell 7 Gordon 6 Welsh 7 Longelo 7 Watt 7 Fadinger 7 Said 7 Just 8 Maswanhise 6 Stamatelopoulos 8 Substitutes: McGinn 7 Koutroumbis 6 Slattery 8 Charles-Cook 6 Hendry 6.
Brann 3-0 Rangers: Rohl Suited but Gers Booted in Norway
Brann 3-0 Rangers Kornvig (40′) Sørensen (55′) Holm (79′) Danny Rohl endured defeat in his opening game at the Rangers helm, as Norway’s SK Brann sprinted to a comfortable Europa League victory in Bergen. The new manager opted for two changes from the side who started Saturday’s draw against Dundee United. Nasser Djiga and Youssef Chermiti replaced Bojan Miovski and Derek Cornelius, as the new Ibrox manager urged his team to, “stick together” in his prematch interview with TNT Sports. The home side enjoyed a comfortable opening half, taking the lead in the 40th minute. Bard Finne raced onto a well-timed through ball which split the Rangers defence, his scuffed strike kindly broke into the path of Emil Kornvig who bundled home. Chermiti had missed a huge opportunity earlier in the game. Joe Rothwell’s clipped ball dropped kindly into the striker’s path, but the Portuguese could only glance his header into Mathias Dyngeland’s hands. Rohl would have hoped for a brighter start to the second half, but Brann picked up where they left off in the first, adding another goal in the 54th minute. Bard Finne was again involved, producing a whipped freekick from the left for Jacob Sørensen to head home. Noah Holm controlled a left sided cross in the 79th minute, slamming home the third and final blow for the visitors. The performance would have served a reality check for Rohl, simply put, he has a huge job to turn the Ibrox side’s fortunes. The result leaves Rangers winless in their opening three matches, they return to Scottish Premiership action on Sunday against Kilmarnock. Brann: Dyngeland, De Roeve (Hansen 78′) Knudsen, Helland, Dragsnes, Kornvig, Sorensen (Sande 78′) Gudmundsson, Finne (Haaland 68′) Mathisen (Pedersen 68′) Holm (Remmem 85′) Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Djiga (Cornelius 76′) Meghoma, Raskin, Rothwell (Barron 64′) Antman (Moore 56′) Aasgaard (Miovski 64′) Gassama, Chermiti (Danilo 76′)
Hibs Gearing up for “Tough Test” against Aberdeen – David Gray
Hibs travel to Pittodrie on Sunday, looking to build on their dominant 4-0 victory over Livingston, which David Gray says was “almost a complete performance.” Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Gray said, “I think it’s been coming, because I do think the level of performance has been good. “And it is now about building on that. I think I said that going into the international break, having to use it as a bit of a reset and making sure that there are no excuses.” “Now we need to move forward. We need to make sure that we start putting wins on the board. So it was really good to start with three points at home, and then now it’s all geared up towards a real tough test on Sunday,” Gray referenced that Aberdeen will pose a “difficult” test after picking up their second straight league victory against St Mirren last weekend. “They’ve developed a really strong squad, a lot of quality in the team, starting to click a little bit now as well.” “They’ll take a lot of confidence from the result and performance. Winning at St Mirren, a really difficult place to go and win.” “And then these are the games (Aberdeen face AEK Athens in the Conference League on Thursday). The rewards for winning the Cup last season give them the opportunity to play in Europe. We’ve experienced that this year.” “It will be a difficult game, but as I’ve demonstrated and we’ve already demonstrated at times this season, we know we’re a good side, take the confidence from the weekend and go up there and try and come back with three points.” “It’s about making sure that we’ve got a game plan ready to deal with that, knowing what we’re going to expect, or at least preparing the players as best you can. But we’re going there to try and win the game, that’s for sure.” Gray referenced the emphatic 4-0 win over Livingston, mentioned Chris Cadden’s involvement in the final two goals “every player’s confidence levels go up when you score goals.” “I think even just Chris Cadden, know, his delivery at the weekend was fantastic. He’s worked really hard on training, doing extra training to make sure the quality is always there, and he’s always had it, just to make sure that comes out. And I think he gets his rewards for that the weekend” Victory for Hibs would help them consolidate third place in the Scottish Premiership, and may help bridge the gap to Hearts and Celtic, depending on their result at Tynecastle
Hearts in “Good Place” ahead of Celtic Visit – McInnes
Hearts host Celtic at Tynecastle this weekend, seeking to extend their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to eight points. Talking to the media on Wednesday, McInnes said his team “are facing the toughest challenge”. “Celtic always provide the toughest challenge, certainly in recent seasons, and it’s another test for us, but it’s a test that we are looking forward to.” “I think we are going into it in a good place, I think we feel ready, I think the supporters feel ready for it, Tynecastle will be ready for it.” Saturday’s three-nil victory over Kilmarnock was Hearts’ fifth straight league victory, and they are now unbeaten in 12 of 13 games since McInnes took over. “Regardless of what we have done previously in previous games, there are good references and some good performances up until now, but it doesn’t guarantee anything, The expectation around the Tynecastle side continues to grow, but for McInnes, “the expectation is on ourselves” “The season is still only eight games in, it’s very early, whether you’re in good form or in poorer form for any team, there’s still so much of the season ahead.” “The time to just judge the team is at the end of the season, not after eight games, but I do think people can see there is plenty of encouragement being given by what the players are giving, and it’s important we just keep trying to tap into that.” McInnes and Rodgers will meet in the dugout for the 23rd time; past meetings have included Scottish and League Cup finals. The Hearts manager was full of praise for his opposite number, “I’ve played against Brendan’s teams often enough, and he is such a top manager, a top operator, and Celtic are littered with top players, They spend the money on the squad they’ve got because and the demand, and they are such a good high-level of player, so we’ve got our work cut out on Sunday to get a result.” “I’m focusing on us trying to be the toughest opponent for them, and making sure our performance gives us a chance”
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid: Clinical Second Half Spell Seals Win for Gunners
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid Magalhães (57′) Martinelli (64′) Gyokeres (67′ , 70′) Arsenal bulldozed their way past Atletico Madrid to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League after a dominant second-half performance. In a goalless first half, David Raya almost gifted the visitors the lead in the 24th minute. After tussling with Giuliano Simeone at the corner flag, the resultant Julian Alvarez strike narrowly missed as the goalkeeper scampered back to his goal. Arsenal thought they had opened the scoring in the 35th minute, after Gabriel Martinelli bundled home Bukayo Saka’s sliding cross. Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s side, the Brazilian attacker was positioned offside in the build-up. The home side pulled away to a routine victory in the second half, after scoring four goals in 13 minutes to seal the win. Gabriel Magalhães powered home Declan Rice’s inswinging free kick in the 57th minute to open the scoring. Martinelli then made up for his offside goal in the 64th minute. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s clever pass allowed the Brazilian to advance into the box unmarked. He curled a delicate right-footed shot past the outstretched Jan Oblak for a superb second goal. Summer acquisition Viktor Gyokeres added two goals in three minutes to finish off the rout. He bundled home from inside the six-yard box after Eberechi Eze’s initial strike in the 67th minute. The Swede added the fourth shortly, prodding home another Rice set piece to the delight of the home faithful. The emphatic victory moves the Gunners into 3rd place in the Champions League table; they are yet to concede a goal in the competition, and look the real deal. They return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace. Arsenal: Raya, Timber (White 83′) Magalhães (Mosquera 72′) Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi (Nørgaard 83′) Rice, Saka, Eze (Nwaneri 73′) Martinelli, Gyokeres (Merino 83′) Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Hancko, Gimenez (Baena 63′) Le Normand, Llorente, Gonzalez (Ruggeri 63′) Kokę (Gallagher 63′) Barrios, Simeone (Griezmann 72′) Sorloth (Almada 72′) Alvarez
Arteta Praises “Outstanding” Simeone as Champions League Meeting Looms
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal host Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in the Champions League this week, and the Gunners boss believes his opposite number’s “character and willingness would take him anywhere” as he approaches 14 years in charge of the Spanish giants. Speaking on Monday before the European tie, Arteta said he “looks up” to Simeone, “I think what he has done since he got to Atletico has been outstanding, not only what he has achieved but the way he has done it, I think the identity that he has created to the club, to the team, the spirit, I think they are very simple and clear to identify, and that is because the manager is very much them.” Arsenal sit at the summit of the Premier League; their one-nil victory over Fulham on Saturday pushed them three points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City. Arteta was pleased with the “initiative” of defender William Saliba, after a photo spread on social media showing the Arsenal defender studying Atletico on the team coach: “Very pleased because I didn’t encourage it, so it came from them, and that’s the most powerful thing, that a game finishes, the job is done, but what is the next challenge?” “We know that it is going to be a really tough, so the earlier we start to think about it and prepare the better, so I love that initiative from the players, and it tells you how much they want it and how focused they are on what is next.” Simeone is approaching 14 years as Atletico’s head coach, thrashing Frankfurt 5-1 in their last Champions League outing. Arteta was full of praise for the manager’s longevity. “What is for me outstanding is his passion, I think for how long he has been in the game in the same club with the same players” “It is a very tough environment that we live in, and to keep convincing players, you have to be extraordinary well, I don’t know him personally but everything I’ve heard about him is that he is so good at doing that,” “What makes Simeone teams so difficult to play against -” the willingness to win, you can sense that in every single goal in every single yard they play,” “they have had quite a lot of talent throughout the years, that are very specific for their needs and where they want to play, and they are very good at exploiting those opportunities.” Arsenal host Atletico Madrid at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night at 8pm, seeking their third straight win in the Champions League.
