From Heriot Watt University, to Falkirk to the English Championship
Falkirk have this afternoon confirmed Barney Stewart has departed for West Brom leaving for a club-record-fee. The new West Brom man has signed a 4-year-deal in the Midlands in a fee which is believed to be around the £1.3million mark as the Scotland U21 International departs Scotland following a highly impressive time in Scotland. Barney has had some journey throughout his career so far where he started off with his University side, Hariot Watt University where the striker performed brilliantly which earned himself a massive move to Falkirk. The 22-year-old re-joined his Uni side on loan in 2024 before returning to the Falkirk Stadium where he went on loan to Scottish Championship outfit, Dunfermline where he went on to net 8 goals in 12 appearances at East End Park before returning to John McGlynn’s side after being recalled following an impressive spell. During last season, Barney was the top goal scorer for the Bairns since joining back up in January, scoring 10 times which included a hat-trick against Hibs as well as very crucial goals in their sensational Scottish Cup run against Aberdeen, Motherwell and Dundee United which saw the Pars lose out to Celtic in the final. It’s been a very impressive career for the man who was playing University football just two years ago, to now playing in the English Championship for West Brom after signing for a club-record-fee.
World Cup: Young prospects to keep an eye on
With the World Cup upon us, here are some potential young prospects playing at this years tournament. Group A: Hugo Sochurek (17) – Czech Republic At 17 years old, Hugo Sochurek is the youngest player included in the Czech squad and recently became the youngest player to represent the nation. The midfielder has represented Czech at U17 and U19 level and has made 1 appearance for the senior team. The youngster made ten appearance for Sparta Prague last campaign, where he picked up 2 assists. The midfielder is active in regaining possession and capable of covering a lot of ground. He is very mature with the ball at his feet, smart under pressure and thrives in progressive runs and dribbles. Gilberto Mora (17) – Mexico The attacking midfielder, who is set to become the youngest player to represent Mexico at a World Cup, has represented Mexico 9 times. The youngster has already played 53 competitive matches at club level in the Mexican first division for Tijuana, bagging ten goals. The youngster does have previous tournament experience, having played in the U20 World Cup, where he started five games, scored three goals and provided two assists. Mbekezeli Mbokazi (20) – South Africa Mbokazi is a young central defender who made his professional debut in early 2025 for Orlando Pirates in the MLS, and became a key player, captaining the side at a very young age. The left-footed defender now plays for Chicago Fire, where he has played fourteen matches. For South Africa, Mbokazi, in total, has made ten appearances, with four of those coming in the Africa Cup of Nations. Jens Castrop (22) – South Korea Castrop, who played for Germany at various youth levels before switching to South Korea in August last year, is a versatile player, making him a useful asset to this South Korea side. The 22-year-old, who has played mostly in the middle on the international stage and at full-back for Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach, started twenty Bundesliga matches last campaign, where he made 58 tackles, better than 91 percent of Bundesliga fullbacks, despite not starting in fourteen of the thirty four Bundesliga matches. Castrop, should he feature, will make his first competitive international appearance. He has featured in seven games for South Korea, all coming in friendlies. Group B: Kerim Alajbegovic (18) – Bosnia The 18-year-old striker who currently plays in Austria has found the net 13 times this campaign for RB Salzburg, currently rated as one of the brightest prospects for Bosnia. The former Bayer Leverkusen youth product has been known for his pace and technical ability, as well as that, he can play down both wings as well behind the striker and is known for his goals which will be highly beneficial this World Cup. Mladen Jurkas (18) – Bosnia A very late call-up for the teenager as it comes a shock for the Borac Banja Luka keeper. It’s been an eventful year for the keeper as just one-year-ago, he was just starting to gain first-team action in Bosnia’s second tier and now, he’s off to a World Cup. The young keeper kept 16 clean sheets last season, after making his debut at just 17 for Borac which gained him a spot in the reserve list but an injury to Osman Hadzikic saw the teenager called upon to feature at the World Cup. The keeper has only ever been capped at both U17 and U21 level with this being his very first senior call-up and what a chance this may be for the 18-year-old. Niko Sigur (22) – Canada The right-back who has looked very solid over in Croatia this season for Hajduk Split may be one to watch. Although, Alistair Johnston looks to be the man to start, Sigur could be a decent option off the bench if needed and as we know, Johnston hasn’t had an easy season at Celtic, with injuries impacting his season. Sigur can also play as a defensive midfielder has shown he is full on energy and can bring pace to the full-back options in which he reads the game to perfection and can time a challenge brilliantly which would come in handy for Canada which is a great option if they need him off the bench. Johan Manzambi (20) – Switzerland The Freiburg midfielder has had an impressive season in Germany this season, netting seven times with six assists for a player who is naturally a defensive midfielder. Johan can also play all across the midfield, including helping out on both flanks and has done it well this season as well as helping his side to the Europa League final, losing out to Aston Villa. He has shown that he is very capable and is a very powerful and dynamic midfielder who intercepts danger which will be crucial for this tournament. Johan has made it very hard to beat and is very good in keeping the ball and in possession which will be a gift to the Switzerland side and will be crucial to any success Switzerland have. Group C Endrick (19) – Brazil Endrick, aged 19, enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Lyon last season, which has earned him a World Cup call up. The forward, who can play off the right and through the middle, chipped in with 16 goal contributions in 21 matches (8 goals, 8 assists). Endrick has made 16 appearances for the national team, scoring 3 goals. In Brazil’s final preparation match ahead of this year’s tournament, Endrick came off the bench and netted, in a 2-1 win against Egypt, giving Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti food for thought going into their opening match against Morocco. Rayan (19) – Brazil The young forward, who is primarily a right winger, joined Bournemouth near the end of January, and has most definitely impressed. The 19-year-old made 15 appearances, scored 5 and provided 2 assists. The Brazilian recently reached 10 goal contributions for clubs and national team in 2026. For Brazil, Rayan recently played in
Letters That Unite by FIFA: Andrew Robertson letter from Rute Cardoso
03/06/25, Diogo Jota unfortunately passed away in a fatal car crash, and his wife Rute Cordoso wrote this letter to his former teammate, Andrew Robertson. Rute Cardoso wrote a very heart warming letter to former team mate of Jota, Andrew Robertson as the Scott prepares for his upcoming World Cup in the USA. She said: “Andy, I’m writing to you with a heart full of longing gratitude and above all pride. Diogo (Jota) often spoke of you of the friendship you built. The battles you fought together, the challenges, the laughter, the conversations about football and about dreams. The FIFA World Cup was one of those dreams, a dream that the two of you nurtured side by side with the same passion with which you took to the pitch. When I heard your words and learnt what you felt on that day when Scotland qualified for the FIFA World Cup after so many years of waiting, I realised that Diogo never truly left the pitch. By achieving that moment and securing your place at the FIFA World Cup, you won’t be going alone; you’ll be taking his dream with you too and when you step onto the pitch, I know it won’t be just you walking out — Diogo will be with you in your thoughts, in your steps, in your heart.” Rute Cardoso can’t thank Robertson enough for being that perfect teammate to Jota, always being there for Diogo and always remembering Jota and being a big help for the family and want’s Robertson to fully live his World Cup dream with Scotland. She added: “So today I want to thank you. Thank you for not forgetting him. Thank you for taking him with you. Thank you for turning the pain of loss into strength and into something so beautiful. That’s how we do it here at home too, every day. He would be — and is — incredibly proud of you. Cherish that dream, Andy. Live it for yourself and for him. With love, gratitude and all my support, Rute Cardoso.” Andrew Robertson was amazed by the heart whelming letter by Cardoso and can’t explain how good of a person Rute is and how much the letter means to him, with the fact that letter will always remain by his side forever. Speaking with FIFA, Robertson said: “It’s obviously amazing of Rute to even take the time, you know, for what she’s going through, to write me a letter — but it just sums up the person that she is. Thankfully, I got to know her and the amazing times that they had. Obviously, I’d been to their wedding, celebrated trophies with her and Jots. But yeah, and obviously I’ve seen how heartbroken we all were, but in particular her, when obviously Jots left us. Just, thank you. That letter, you know, will stay with me for a very long time. And we’ve just got to carry him with us. We will always make sure that his name will never be forgotten, that his memories will always be cherished like Rute says in there — the dreams that we’d shared of trying to be at the FIFA World Cup. Obviously, the 2022 FIFA World Cup was when me and Jots really became close. He missed out because of injury. Obviously, Scotland never qualified. And I think we just spoke so much about what it would mean to us both to be at the next FIFA World Cup, and that was the aim for both of us: to get to America. And, yeah, obviously, I’m just gutted that, you know, that was taken away from him. But I think, you know, obviously I’ll carry him in my heart, and I know he’ll be with me come the first game, come the second game, come the third game, and, you know, hopefully beyond that. And, yeah, he’s always there. He’s always something we think about. The memories are always something that we bring up and sometimes laugh, sometimes cry. And, you know, I think that will be no different — especially going into a tournament which is full of emotion. I know he’ll be right at the front of my mind. And, yeah, but I’m not only just playing for me, I’m playing for both of us.” Diogo Jota will forever be missed dearly within the football community and remembered fondly. Gone but never forgotten. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_zhL2HJtJY&t=31s
Aberdeen bolster defensive options with former Leyton Orient defender
Aberdeen have this evening completed the signing Dan Happe following the expiry of the Leyton Orient mans contract. The defender penned a two-year-deal with the option of a further year after becoming a very consistent and reliable defender throughout English Football. The 6ft 6′ defender joined the London side at the young age of 14, going on to make 250 appearances for the O’s, becoming a solid starter week-in week-out which he helped gain promotion to League Two after winning the National League as well as gaining promotion to the English League One. The 27-year-old said he turned down a handful of clubs down south to pen a deal at Pittodrie. Dan Hoppe said: “Having spent my entire career at one club it was a big decision to move on, but I just felt it was the right time to try something new, and this was an opportunity I could not turn down,” he said. “After speaking to the manager, he was so positive and enthusiastic about the club and what he wants to achieve here. He was very persuasive. I had other options, interest from teams in England, but after the call with him I was in now doubt this was the move for me. “I know last season was not what anyone at Aberdeen would have wanted, it was disappointing, but I am confident better times lie ahead with the squad the manager is building. I want to help the team get back into Europe and help the team win trophies.” Hoppe is well known for his ability on the ball and has been a key leader on-and-off the pitch for the London outfit and will become a valuable asset to the new look Aberdeen side. Stephen Robinson said while speaking on the new signing: “Dan is a leader who given his stature is clearly dominant in the air, something which we have missed,” Robinson said. “Given his experience we think he can have an immediate impact while also contributing to our longer-term vision for the club. He’s exactly the right type of character and brings the attributes we’re looking for.” Hoppe becomes Aberdeen’s fourth summer signing as Stephen Robinson looks to get his new looks Dons team ready ahead of their Premier Sports Cup opener with Highland League Champions, Brora Rangers.
From Scotland to Denmark: Topi Keskinen on verge of Dons exit
Aberdeen winger, Topi Keskinen is on the verge of departing Aberdeen with Danish side, Odense eyeing up the Finland International. Topi signed for the Dons back in 2024, signing for around £800k from HJK Helsinki meaning Aberdeen will be looking for a good amount of money should the winger move on. The Finnish International was watched most recently on International duty against Germany in Mainz where the Danish outfit seem to be very keen in the Aberdeen number 81. Odense have undertaken lengthy scouting work in Keskinen and would like to add the former HJK Helsinki man to Denmark as they see the pacey winger as a real target for the Danish outfit. Topi has been recorded as one of the fastest winger in Scottish football with Topi regularly being played as a wing-back or forward for the Dons. Topi netted on three occasions last campaign with five assists also and has capped Finland at senior level 12 times. Stephen Robinson is eager to free up the wage bill and offload players to increase his transfer budget with many other faces set to be shown the exit door with Ante Palaversa, Marko Lazetic and Kenan Bilalovic all set to depart as well as duo, Kusini Yengi and Peter Ambrose also set to be sold. Graeme Shinne also departed last week, letting go of some big wages with the former St Mirren manager signing trio, Brad Lyons, Lewis Mayo and Alexsander Briedl. Connor Ronan is also set to be the fourth summer signing when the transfer window opens in the coming weeks.
From Fir Park to France: Askou makes huge Toulouse Switch
Motherwell head coach, Jens Berthel Askou has departed Motherwell to join French outfit, Toulouse. Motherwell this evening confirmed the departure of Askou to Ligue 1 side, Toulouse after an excellent campaign in the Scottish Premiership despite rumoured interest by Celtic. Jens brought some of the best football in the league to Fir Park in which was his first season in Scotland in which the Danish boss took the Steelmen to a fourth place finish with Conference League football awaiting next season. Motherwell managed to defeat Celtic for the first time in a decade as well as winning away at Ibrox as well as Calum Ward racking up an exceptional 17 clean sheets and finishing top of the golden glove as well as Maswanhise who also had a brilliant season, netting 22 times all season which has gone unnoticed by clubs across Europe. After grabbing their highest league season ending in 13 years, the Dane makes a move over to France after a formal approach a few days ago and agreeing the compensation fee which saw both parties agree personal terms ahead of the deal. “Grateful is the best word to describe how I feel about my time as a manager of Motherwell FC,” Jens Berthel Askou said. “This past year has been an amazing journey. The buy-in and support from players, staff, board members, volunteers and supporters have been invaluable for me to lead the development of the club. There have been so many special moments along the way, but the way the season ended with a hard-fought win at Easter Road, leaving the club in a position of chasing European football next season, couldn’t have been written better. “Special opportunities come rare in football. And you don’t know when they present themselves. So sometimes you have to leave great things behind to create new ones no matter how hard it is. “This year has not just been a year of joy, excitement, togetherness and success. It has also been a glimpse into the future. A glimpse of what this club is capable of when executing ambitions strategically and boldly. “Now I will follow this future from outside. Excited and optimistic on behalf of everyone at Motherwell Football Club. Knowing that I played a small part. And with memories of something truly special. “A huge THANK YOU to everyone who I’ve met along the way. Mon the Well.” As it stands, all staff within the club will remain. “First of all, I want to wish Jens all the very best for the future,” Chairman Kyrk Macmillan said. “When we brought Jens to Motherwell, there was an understanding that if there was success, the club wouldn’t stand in the way of Jens progressing to his next club if it was the correct opportunity at the right time. “Toulouse is a club playing in one of the top-five divisions in Europe, and it is an excellent opportunity for him. I hope this move brings him more success. Thank you, Jens. “This season has been a special one. I’m a Motherwell fan, and it has been a joy to watch the team operate at such a high level. It’s no secret that we have got a strategy in place that we will continue to build upon our model, using the same principles, as we enter this new campaign. Managers leaving a club can be a hard pill to swallow, and whilst we appreciate Jens for what he has done here in the last 11 months, we have been continually working on contingencies and learnings to ensure we do not rip up and start again but continue to build and grow. “There’s lots to be excited about. We have over 20 contracted first-team players, European football on the horizon and crowds are 40% up at Fir Park. We will continue working hard behind the scenes and will update supporters in due course. This is the start of a journey, not the end.”
Arsenal Premier League Champions!
Arsenal secured a long awaited Premier League title as Manchester City failed to defeat AFC Bournemouth. All Arsenal needed tonight was for Man City to drop points at the hands of Bournemouth which went their way on the night as Kroupi netted on 39 minutes with a 95th minute Haaland equaliser not enough to see City continue the title challenge and former City assistant, Arteta securing the league title. Arsenal have seen years and years of failing to get their hands on the title but that all came to an end tonight after an excellent campaign by Arteta’s side. The Gunners started off their season with a 1-0 win away at Old Trafford, courtesy of an early Calafiori goal gave Arsenal the exact start they wanted. From then, it kept going exactly how they wanted with 82 points on the board and just 5 defeats this season, it’s been a brilliant season for the North London side. Arsenal made it title number 14 after ending their long 22-year wait of no top division titles which is their first title since their magical Invincibles title back in the 2003/04 season which also ends a six-year gap without any silverware. The Gunners travel to London rivals, Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon where they will be presented their well and deserved title at Selhurst Park but that’s not their season over as they have the chance to also lift the UEFA Champions League trophy as they meet PSG 10-days time in Budapest.
EFL duo keeping tabs on Falkirk defender Liam Henderson
Both Plymouth and Oxford United are keen on bringing Liam Henderson down south after impressing in the Premiership. After an impressive end to the Scottish Premiership, scouts from both sides upped their interest in the 29-year-old. Henderson has had a successful season with Falkirk with in terms of the stats, the defender won 73.4% of his arial duels, 319 defensive contributions as well as 8 clean sheets for the Bairns this campaign. Henderson re-joined Falkirk in League One of Scottish Football joining from Arbroath in which the Scottish defender helped Falkirk return to the Scottish Championship. After yet another successful season, he helped the Bairns reach the top-flight on the first time of asking to return to the Premiership for the first time in 15 years. This season has been a standout season for Henderson, helping Falkirk reach the top six on the first time of asking, competing closely for a European spot. Oxford who have recently been relegated from the Championship are showing some strong interest. Oxford have been leaking goals left, right and centre with 59 goals conceded in the Championship with a few of their current defenders eyeing up a return to the Championship with Michal Helik wanting to return up a league with Henderson coming in as the replacement. Plymouth conceded 63 goals in League One after a horrid start to the campaign, they started to find form and narrowly missed out in promotion to the Championship. Plymouth are in dire need of some big men in order to defend set-pieces as that’s been an area of concern – conceding 13 throughout the season. Henderson would join fellow Scot, Jack McKenzie if he was to join Argyle but a move to Oxford would be beneficial due to the low numbers in that area for The Yellows.
Pep set to leave Manchester City after successful spell in England
Pep Guardiola is set to depart Manchester City at the end of the week after a 10-year spell in England. Pep joined City back in 2016, after former boss, Manuel Pellegrini departed the Etihad. Pep has been on of the best managers in the history of Manchester City having a 72% win rate in the Premier League after joining from Bayern Munich in 2016. The Spanish coach has managed 591 games for City, winning 423 games with 76 draws and 92 defeats during his time. Since joining, he has won many trophies, winning six Premier Leagues, 3 FA Cups, 5 League Cups, 3 Community Shields as well as their first ever, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Cup with the Champions League victory coming back in 2023 in a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Instanbul. Pep won his 20th City trophy last weekend as Semenyo netted the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup Final. He turned Man City into England’s most dominant side for majority of his time in Manchester as well as breaking many records also. Pep led Man City to the 100-point mark in 2018 before a treble the following season. The records continued to come in as Pep secured four back-to-back trophies which included four League Cups and two FA Cups as well as another treble back in 2023 as well as winning his sides first ever European Trophy in 2023. There has been rumours of where Pep may end up next with a possible International job on the cards as rumours suggested Italy could be on the line. A massive loss to Man City as they will now look deep in for a replacement manager with Enzo Maresca coming out to be the frontrunner to take over at the Etihad who departed Chelsea at the start of 2026. Maresca knows Man City well after being the assistant to Pep when the Spanish coach secured the historic treble as well as their first Champions League trophy before leaving to manage Leicester in which he moved onto Chelsea but of course, departed Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day.
Aberdeen captain offered new deal with Inverness interested in their former man
Aberdeen captain, Graeme Shinnie has been offered a 2-year-deal to remain at Aberdeen but Inverness are tracking. Graeme Shinnie who’s born and bred in Aberdeen started up his career in the Highlands with Inverness Caledonian Thistle back in 2009 racking up a Scottish Cup win over Falkirk. The Aberdeen born then went into fulfil his dream of playing for his boyhood side, joining in 2015. Shinnie went on to spend a total of four years before making a switch down south to Derby County. The midfielder was a regular starter for Derby making just shy of 100 appearances with the English outfit. Shinnie then moved onto Wigan making 31 appearances for the side before he made a return to Aberdeen in 2022. Shinnie returned to being a regular starter at Pittodrie with his dream to end his career with leading the Dons to a Scottish Cup victory. After 3 years, his dream came true after a penalty-shootout win at Hampden over Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final gave Shinnie all he wanted and guided his boyhood side to their first Scottish Cup in 35-years. Shinnie has been in-and-out of the side of late, but Robinson has been full of praise of the 34-year-old saying: “arguably the best captain I have ever worked with” and a vital “culture setter”. Aberdeen have offered Shinnie a two-year-deal, but an agreement is still far away with newly promoted Scottish Championship side, Inverness looking to take Shinnie back to the Highlands once again.
