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Six players who Sebastien Pocognoli could hand Scotland debuts to next month.

Sebastien Pocognoli confirmed his Scotland backroom staff yesterday, and will confirm his first squad on Tuesday ahead of the first round of fixtures in the UEFA Nations League. Many are expecting a new era to begin on the pitch, along as in the dugout. Scotland mainstays Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland are already confirmed to be missing Pocognoli’s first camp, but it’s likely many of Steve Clarke’s World Cup camp have played their last matches for Scotland. Clarke always maintained loyalty to players who helped him qualify for tournaments, which led to criticism from fans for failing to adapt to an ageing squad. But, Pocognoli doesn’t hold this loyalty. He’s also been known to promote younger players during his management career, and with a promising young generation of players coming through, some of Clarke’s favoured players could make way to usher in a younger generation. Here’s a handful of players who could be handed their first Scotland call-ups on Tuesday. Josh McPake: The Hearts winger has been one of the standouts of the season so far and thoroughly deserves a call-up. Pocognoli was present for the recent Edinburgh Derby, where McPake provided a goal and assist. The only thing going against his call-up chances is that Pocognoli typically favours a 3-4-1-2 formation, which leaves little space for wingers. Calvin Miller: Whilst Miller has spent a lot of time on the right-wing this season, he excelled on Falkirk’s left flank last year, and even had a stint at left-back in August. Kieran Tierney seems better suited to a left centre-back role as opposed to wing-back, and Andy Robertson isn’t getting any younger, handing Miller his Scotland debut makes perfect sense next month. Robbie Ure: The Sevilla striker was in fine form in Sweden before sealing his switch to Spain. It makes sense that Ure is handed his first Scotland cap given his goalscoring form, age and level he’s playing at. Luis Binks: Despite playing every minute in the Champions League qualifiers, minutes have been hard to come by for Scott McKenna in the Coatian league this season. Binks if four years younger and offers similar qualities to McKenna in the left-side of a back three, whilst also playing every minute in the Danish Superliga this season, captaining Brondby. Binks could offer a breath of fresh air at a time that feels like a sliding doors moment for the National Team. Stephen Welsh: He was in fine form at Motherwell last season and probably deserved his seat on the plane to America. Welsh has been a mainstay in the Swansea defence this season as they find themselves third in the Championship. Josh Mulligan: Given Scotland’s midfield options, this could be an outside shout, but even given a recent dip in form, Mulligan has been a great addition at Hibernian, and could be in line for a debut. Analysing Scotland’s last World Cup squad, McTominay will miss September’s camp, it’s unlikely Tyler fletcher returns to the squad this soon (granted Billy Gilmour is available for selection once more). There’s a chance Kenny McLean doesn’t return to the National Team again at 34-years-old, so a big change in midfield options could make room for Mulligan. Between his time at Dundee and Hibs, Mulligan is used to playing in front of a back three and has also been known to fill in at the right-side of defence from time to time. The Hibs midfielder has been involved at Scotland before, earning a late call-up for October’s home win against Belarus, but didn’t get on the park for his first cap. On the other end, players such as Grant Hanley and John Souttar could be the ones to make way for a new wave of Welsh and Binks, whilst a forward combination of Lyndon Dykes, George Hirst and Ross Stewart could allow for Ure to come into the squad. Whilst he’s already made his debut, Sassuolo’s Kieron Bowie is also a promising option to lead the Scotland front-line for years to come.

September 10, 2026

Everything you need to know about the 2026/27 Premier League season

Arsenal regained their Premier League crown last season, but after a World Cup and a hectic summer which has saw nine new managers in the dugout this season, it’s bound to be another crazy season in England. Coventry, Hull and Ipswich have all returned to the division, two of which winning on opening day. With the first round of the Premier League in, here’s what to expect from every team this season. Arsenal: Mikel Arteta’s side became the first Arsenal team to win the league since the 03/04 Invincibles last season, and it only felt a matter of time after multiple 2nd place finishes. The Champions League finalists look in a good position to do it again, not only due to the squad Arteta has spent years building, or how hard they are to beat, but also thanks to the masses of change around them. Like mentioned, Arteta has spent years building a squad with depth only bested by Guardiola’s Manchester City team, which means Arsenal have been able to have a quieter window. That being said, the business they have done looks to be extremely smart, you can see where every player fits in. Players in: Bruno Guimaraes, Illian Meslier, Christos Tzolis, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie (loan made permanent). Players out: Leandro Trossard, Christian Norgaard, Karl Hein, Jakub Kiwior (loan made permanent). What to expect: Champions Aston Villa: When Unai Emery took over at Aston Villa, they looked like they were bound for the Championship, but the Spaniard has transformed them into European regulars in a matter of years. Villa are now preparing for their second Champions League under Emery after he won his fifth Europa League last season. They’ll be without their star man Morgan Rogers after his big money move to Chelsea, Youri Tielemans could be a massive loss too. It looks like Emi Martinez will stay after all after another summer linked away. If the UEFA Super Cup against PSG is anything to go by, it looks like Villa could promote their youth this season, especially given the amount of big names that have left Villa Park this window. Players in: Johan Manzambi, Joao Gomes, Modu Keba Cisse, Zion Suzuki, Matteo Ruggeri, Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (loan). Players out: Morgan Rogers, Donyell Malen, Youri Tielemans, Lewis Dobbin, Lucas Dinge, Enzo Barrenechea, Ezri Konsa, Samuel Illing-Junior (loan), Andres Garcia (loan), Joe Gauci (loan), Oliwer Zych (loan), Kosta Nedeljkovic (loan). What to expect: European places Bournemouth: Marco Rose has replaced Andoni Iraola in the Bournemouth dugout this season as the club prepare for their first-ever season of European football. Bournemouth are always hard ones to predict, but this year even more so with a new manager, a quantity of unproven signings and balancing playing twice, especially in a squad that doesn’t look to have too much depth. Players in: Alvaro Rodriguez, Antonio Silva, Juanalu Sanchez. Players out: Hamed Traore, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal, Alex Jiminez (loan), Alex Paulsen (loan). What to expect: Bottom-half Brentford: Brentford so narrowly missed out on European football last season following a breakout year for manager Keith Andrews. From Ollie Watkins to Ivan Toney to Bryan Mbueno and Yoanne Wissa to Igor Thiago, they always have someone who knows where the net is. They’re always a hard team to predict and always seem to exceed expectations, so watch out for Brentford again. Players in: Mamadou Sangare, Jannik Schuster, Jaiden Anthony, Callum Wilson. Players out: Frank Onyeka, Jordan Henderson, Ryan Trevitt (loan), Yunus Konnak (loan), Romelle Donovan (loan), Matthew Cox (loan). What to expect: Top-half Brighton: Hearts stole the headlines last year, but Brighton have shown what Jamestown Analytics have been able to do for years. They’re in the Conference League Play-Offs this season, so could be balancing twice a week football too. It’s been a busy window for both ins and outs for the Premier League’s youngest ever permanent manager. Players in: Luka Vuskovic, Zadok Yohanna, Pascal Struijk, Costinha, Michael Svoboda, Rodrigo Rego, Promise David (loan). Players out: Jan Paul Van Hecke, Carl Rushworth, Diego Coppola, Danny Welbeck, Jeremy Sarmiento, Joel Veltman, James Milner (retired), Adam Webster, Solly March, Facundo Bounnanotte (loan), Tommy Watson (loan), James Beadle (loan), Rodrigo Rego (loan), Do Young-Yoon (loan). What to expect: European contenders Chelsea The post-Roman Abramovic era in West London can be summed up by one word, instability. Chelsea are preparing for yet another season under a new manager, but Xabi Alonso seems like one Chelsea fans can be really excited about. Of course, it didn’t work out for Alonso in Madrid, but his 2023/24 season with Leverkusen shows what the footballing legend is capable of. They’ve tried it all at Stamford Bridge, from the stability of Mauricio Pochettino to the exciting new managers such as Graham Potter, Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, but something about Alonso feels different. If he hits the ground running and is given time, the good times could be coming back to Chelsea soon. Of course, it’s been a busy transfer window at Chelsea, but Morgan Rogers has been one of the Premier League’s best players in recent years and should be suited to Alonso’s system. Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson don’t jump off the page at anyone, but the experience they’ll bring to such a young squad can only be a good thing. Players in: Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palesta, Goevanny Quenda, Valentin Barco, Emmanuel Emeghma, Pep Chavarria, Denner, Danny Welbeck, Dastan Satpaev, Jordan Henderson. Players out: Andrey Santos, Marc Cucurella, Trevor Chalobah, Tyrique George, Omari Kellyman, Dastan Satpaev (loan), Alejandro Garnacho (loan), Filip Jorgensen (loan), Benoit Badiashile (loan). What to expect: Champions League places Coventry City: Coventry return to the Premier League for the first time in 25 years this season, and after winning the Championship last season, certainly look the pick of the bunch from the promoted sides. One of the main questions surrounding Coventry going into this season will be whether Frank Lampard can keep up tactically in the Premier League as weak points have been pointed out in his previous sides.

August 25, 2026

369 Years of Scots Helping Scots: Scott P. McKenzie on Scotland, Heritage, Sport and the Future

SNN Sports’ CEO Lee Anderson speaks exclusively to Scots’ Charitable Society President Scott P. McKenzie about 369 years of Scottish heritage, community, sport and the future of Scottish identity overseas. There are organisations that preserve history. And then there are organisations that have lived through it. For 369 years, the Scots’ Charitable Society has been doing both. Founded in Boston in 1657 by Scottish immigrants who recognised the importance of looking after their fellow countrymen in a new land, the Society was born from a remarkably straightforward idea: Scots helping Scots. More than three and a half centuries later, that principle remains at the heart of everything it does. But the world around the Society has changed almost beyond recognition. The America of 1657 was a collection of colonies. There was no modern social safety net, no instant communication with Scotland and none of the technology that now allows communities separated by an ocean to remain connected. The need for community, however, has not disappeared. Today, the Scots’ Charitable Society operates around three central pillars — Relief, Scholarship and Culture — providing financial assistance to those facing hardship, supporting students through scholarships and helping preserve and promote Scottish heritage. At the helm is Scott P. McKenzie, a seventh-generation Scot living in America who has spent more than four decades involved with the organisation. For McKenzie, this is far more than an organisation with an impressive historical record. It is a living connection between generations. It is a responsibility. And it is a reminder that Scottish identity does not stop at the country’s borders. Speaking exclusively to SNN Sports, McKenzie discusses what it means to lead an organisation founded in 1657, the importance of Scottish heritage in his own life, why sport can be such a powerful cultural connector, the role of Highland Games, the relationship between Scottish football and overseas communities, and his vision for ensuring the Society remains relevant for another 369 years. A Society Built on Looking After One Another To understand the Scots’ Charitable Society, you have to go back to the beginning. Founded in Boston in 1657 — just 37 years after the arrival of the Pilgrims — the Society was created by Scottish immigrants who understood the difficulties of building a new life far from home. There was no welfare state to fall back on. If someone became sick, lost their livelihood or fell upon difficult times, there were limited resources available. So the Scots created their own. Members contributed to a common fund, known as the “poor boxes”, which could then be used to support Scots who needed assistance. Nearly four centuries later, the circumstances may be different, but McKenzie believes the philosophy remains remarkably relevant. “The Scots’ Charitable Society is a remarkable organization with a very simple purpose at its heart: Scots helping Scots.” That simplicity is perhaps what makes the organisation’s longevity so remarkable. “These Scots decided that they would take responsibility for one another.” The Society has evolved considerably since those early days. Its work now extends beyond direct relief, with scholarships and cultural preservation becoming major parts of its mission. But McKenzie believes the underlying principle has never changed. “What is extraordinary is that the basic principle has survived for more than 369 years. The circumstances have changed dramatically, but the idea hasn’t.” And that, he believes, is what makes the Society’s mission as relevant today as it was in 1657. “We still believe that if someone in the Scottish community needs help, we should be there.” The Responsibility of 369 Years There is something inherently daunting about taking leadership of an organisation that has existed for almost four centuries. Presidents come and go. Generations pass. The organisation remains. For McKenzie, that knowledge fundamentally changes the way he views his role. “It is both an incredible honor and a tremendous responsibility.” He is acutely aware that his presidency is only one chapter in a story that began in the seventeenth century. “When you think about 369 years, you’re talking about generations and generations of people who came before us.” Those generations experienced wars, economic depressions, social upheaval and enormous changes in American society. Yet the Society survived. That gives McKenzie a particular perspective on leadership. “I’m not simply leading an organization that belongs to us today. We’re temporary custodians of something that was entrusted to us by previous generations, and we’re responsible for passing it on to the next generation.” It is a powerful concept. To McKenzie, the objective isn’t simply to maintain what already exists. It is to ensure that the organisation is strong enough to survive long after his presidency has ended. “You don’t want to be the person who presided over the end of something that lasted 369 years.” Instead: “You want to be the person who helped make sure it is here for another 369.” Seven Generations of Scottish Identity McKenzie doesn’t speak about Scottish heritage as an abstract concept. For him, it is personal. As a seventh-generation Scot living in America, Scotland has remained part of his understanding of family, identity and responsibility throughout his life. His mother gave him a piece of advice that stayed with him. “If you want to have an understanding of where you’re going, you need to understand where you came from.” For someone whose Scottish ancestry stretches across seven generations in America, that sense of history carries enormous significance. His ancestors didn’t simply leave Scotland behind. They carried parts of it with them. “They brought traditions, values, stories, music, a sense of community and, perhaps most importantly, the idea that you have an obligation to help the people around you.” That final point is particularly important. Because for McKenzie, Scottish heritage is not simply about the outward symbols of Scottishness. The tartan. The kilt. The clan. The music. All of those things matter. But they are only the visible expression of something deeper. “For me, Scottish heritage isn’t simply about wearing a kilt or knowing your clan tartan.

August 20, 2026

Sebastien Pocognoli announced as Scotland boss: Here’s what to expect

Scotland have finally announced Steve Clarke’s replacement with 39-year-old Belgian Sebastien Pocognoli taking the job on a two-year deal. It’s been a lengthy process with numerous names thrown around. Many fans were keen to see another Scotsman take the helm, but it felt there was no obvious candidates which has led to Pocognoli becoming only the second foreign Scotland manager after Berti Vogts. This will only be Pocognoli’s third senior role in management, but his appointment appears not only left-field, but ambitious. The Belgian’s first major coaching role was at Union Saint-Gilloise, where he guided them to their first league title in 90 years during his first season in the dugout. The Belgian Pro League operates similar to the Scottish Premiership with a ‘split’ and USG (who are also associated with Tony Bloom and Jamestown Analytics) won nine of their final ten games to seal the title. Pocognoli has also managed AS Monaco, where a lack of financial backing may explain the poor performances that saw him sacked. Upon becoming Scotland boss, Pocognoli said: “It’s a very strong challenge, with a project to develop the future of Scottish football. There are the metrics, but the human aspect was also very important. I never go to a challenge where I can’t feel the connection. “Scotland is a passionate country and I think also, regarding the strong foundation that Steve Clarke and his staff laid, that I can use this heritage to put the next accent on the style of play while also developing players for the future. “That’s why I’m here.” But what can Scotland fans expect from the ex-Brighton left-back? Developing the youth: The aforementioned stress on developing younger players may lead to names such as Kieron Bowie, Robbie Ure, Josh Doig, Ben Gannon-Doak and many more being Scotland mainstays for years to come. Some older players Scotland fans are used to seeing over the years may need to make way for this resurgence of exciting youth. Style of play Like many modern managers, Pocognoli has installed a distinct brand of football he wants his teams to play. It seems Scotland will play a 3-4-1-2 formation under the Belgian with an emphasis on pressing the opposition when out of possession and fluid, attacking football when in it. Pocognoli’s USG side scored 15 goals from set plays during their league winning campaign in 2024/25. His Scotland team could go onto be dangerous from set-plays, with aerial threats such as Scott McTominay, Jack Hendry and Lawrence Shankland. If only Scotland still had Austin MacPhee. His first Scotland camp will be the first of a new, elongated international break in September and October. His side will play four games, taking on Switzerland and North Macedonia in-between home and away ties to Slovenia in the UEFA Nations League.

August 17, 2026

Maison des Icônes – Preserving Defining Sporting Moments Through Art

Icons are not made. They are remembered. And Maison des Icônes are remembering some of sport’s most iconic moments and figures, starting with Zinedine Zidane’s World Cup-winning performance in the 1998 final for France against Brazil. With their first piece being a recreation of artist Celia Calle’s 2001 work in partnership with Adidas, it treats this moment of footballing history with care, context and style. After speaking with Maison des Icônes founder Duncan Frew, he explained the motivation behind the artwork. Frew said: “The inspiration came from a simple observation: football has created some of the most powerful cultural moments of the last century, yet very few of them have been immortalised with the same artistic reverence as other areas of culture. “You can walk into a gallery and find beautiful pieces celebrating cinema, music, fashion or history, but the moments that made millions of football supporters cry, celebrate and fall in love with the game are often only remembered through photographs, old shirts or memorabilia. “Maison Des Icones was created to bridge that gap – transforming football’s most iconic moments into timeless works of art that deserve a place on the wall, not just in a collection of memorabilia. “Football has always been a huge part of my life. It is more than a sport – it is emotion, identity, family and memories passed between generations. “Art has the unique ability to capture emotion in a way that photography sometimes cannot. A great artist does not simply recreate a moment; they reinterpret it, highlighting the feeling, movement and story behind it. “By bringing football and art together, Maison Des Icones aims to create something that resonates equally with the lifelong supporter, the collector and the lover of beautiful design.” The sole piece available just now is originally Celia Calle’s, an artist who worked with Adidas in 2001 with pieces to commemorate some of their most famous boots of the early 2000s. Maison des Icônes were delighted she was able to buy into their idea from their first conversation. “Celia immediately understood the vision. She has spent years transforming sporting moments into sophisticated pieces of contemporary art, so the idea of creating a dedicated maison celebrating football’s greatest icons was a very natural fit. “What excited us both was the opportunity to move beyond traditional sports memorabilia and create something with genuine artistic value – pieces that people would proudly display in their homes alongside any other form of fine art. “Celia is an incredibly important part of the Maison Des Icones story and her artistic style was fundamental in bringing the original vision to life. “Our immediate focus is on building this journey together and creating a collection that establishes the identity and standards of the Maison. “Looking to the future, the beauty of the concept is that football has inspired many incredible artists across different styles and mediums. There may be opportunities to collaborate with other artists who share our philosophy, but any future partnership would always need to protect the quality, craftsmanship and emotional storytelling that defines Maison Des Icones.” So far, the only available piece is that of Zidane, which is available to purchase through the link at the bottom of this article. But rest assured, despite the French name and debut, there is scope to take the brand beyond Les Blues. “The French name reflects the artistic heritage, craftsmanship and sense of timeless elegance that sits at the heart of the brand, rather than limiting the stories we choose to tell. “Football is the world’s game, and Maison Des Icones will celebrate iconic moments from every era, country and club. Whether it is a World Cup-winning moment, a legendary club triumph or an individual piece of brilliance, our ambition is to curate the moments that transcended football and became part of global culture. “There are several exciting moments currently being explored, although we are deliberately keeping some of them under wraps for now. “What I can say is that we are not simply choosing famous goals or famous players. The moments that interest us are those that represent something bigger – moments of genius, triumph, heartbreak and cultural significance.” Check out Maison des Icônes website here: https://maisondesicones.com And follow them on Instagram to ensure you do not miss any future releases: https://www.instagram.com/maisondesicones.art

June 17, 2026

Top 10 Scotland Goals at the World Cup

Scotland return to the World Cup in the small hours of tonight for the first time in 28 years against Haiti. The Tartan Army have gone a generation without seeing their side add to the 25 goals scored in World Cup Finals, with the last of these coming Craig Burley in a 1-1 draw with Norway in 1998. But having qualified with the help of a gravity-defying Scott McTominay overhead kick, a Kieran Tierney strike that curled as quick as an F1 motor, and Kenny McLean’s effort that travelled half the length of Hampden, there is every chance this squad breaks into this list of top ten goals scored by the Scottish national team at World Cup Finals. 10. Graeme Souness vs Soviet Union, 1982 Scotland captain Graeme Souness scored his first goal for the national side in a 2-2 draw with the Soviet Union in Espana ’82. He picks up the ball 40 yards from goal, drives forward and jinks past one Soviet defender, before drilling the ball accurately into the bottom left corner from outside the box. 9. John Wark vs New Zealand, 1982 In the opening game of the aforementioned 1982 campaign, John Wark netted twice in as many minutes as Scotland thrashed New Zealand 5-2. This entry is Wark’s second of the match, as he met Gordon Strachan’s floated cross with a powerful diving header to help give Scotland lift-off in Malaga. 8. Craig Burley vs Norway, 1998 The final goal, as of yet, to be scored at the World Cup from a Scotland player. Former Chelsea and Celtic midfielder Craig Burley chased a ball over the top and delicately lobbed the ball into the Norway net to bag what was the final goal of a 1-1 draw. The group in France was also made up with this year’s opponents Morocco and Brazil. 7. Peter Lorimer vs Zaire, 1974 Scotland kicked off the 1974 tournament with a 2-0 win over Zaire (now D.R Congo) in a campaign they ended unbeaten but would not progress in because of goal difference. Joe Jordan headed the ball to Peter Lorimer at the edge of the penalty area, who caught it on the volley and found the top right corner to give Scotland the opener. 6. John Robertson vs New Zealand, 1982 From the same game as Wark’s header, Nottingham Forest legend John Robertson ended hopes of a New Zealand comeback with a free-kick just outside the box, curled excellently into the top left to give Scotland a 4-2 lead, before Steve Archibald completed the rout later on. 5. Kenny Dalglish vs Netherlands, 1978 It was about time the record goalscorer made this list. Kenny Dalglish contributed to a very famous win over Holland in ’78. Joe Jordan leaped up to put the ball across the penalty box much like he did four years prior, and King Kenny was unmarked, unleashing a rocket of a half-volley beyond the Dutch goalkeeper high into the right of the goal. 4. Kenny Dalglish vs New Zealand, 1982 When you score as many goals for Scotland as the King has, you run the risk of making this list twice. However, a lot of this goal’s value is down to the assist from Strachan. The former Scotland gaffer used his blistering pace to teleport into the box, before passing to Dalglish who lifted it in the goal on the slide just at the corner of the six-yard box. 3. Gordon Strachan vs West Germany, 1986 And the winger never just set them up, he could score them as well. He evaded the German backline and got onto the end of a through ball from Roy Aitken, hitting it first time across the goal into the top left to give Scotland a lead against West Germany for all of five minutes, before succumbing to an eventual 2-1 defeat. 2. David Narey vs Brazil, 1982 Another famous opener in an eventual defeat, coincidentally scored 18 minutes in like Strachan’s vs West Germany, Dundee United hero David Narey gave Scotland the lead with a stunning attempt from Narey from outside the box. He picks the ball up narrowly with his left foot, then fires it like a missile with his right into the same side of the net, before the Brazilians found their rhythm and won 4-1. 1. Archie Gemmill vs Netherlands, 1978 Arguably the most iconic Scotland goal until that night against Denmark in November, but without a doubt the most iconic Scottish goal at the World Cup. Archie Gemmill scored his second in a famous 3-2 win, picking the ball up on the right flank, skipping passed three Dutch defenders with ease, and lifting the ball so calmly over the despairing Netherlands goalkeeper to write his name in Scottish World Cup history.

June 13, 2026

SNN Sports is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner 2026

Football Legends Unite for Mental Health at SNN Sports Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner 2026 Glasgow, Scotland – SNN Sports is proud to announce the return of its highly anticipated Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner 2026, taking place on Friday 10 July 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow. Bringing together football legends, supporters, business leaders, and members of the wider sporting community, the evening will celebrate the power of football while raising vital funds and awareness for Men Matter Scotland, a charity dedicated to supporting men’s mental health and suicide prevention across Scotland. The black-tie event promises an unforgettable night of football stories, inspiration, entertainment, and fundraising, featuring an impressive lineup of guests including former football stars Billy Davies, Bobby Petta, and Maurice Ross, alongside former Scottish and international players. Guests will also hear from Steven Sharp, whose powerful story of resilience, determination, and overcoming adversity has inspired countless people both within and beyond football. Additional guest speakers and football personalities will be announced in the coming weeks. The evening will be hosted by respected football figures Gordon Smith and Gerry McDade, who will guide guests through a programme designed to deliver honest conversation, memorable stories, and meaningful discussion around the challenges often faced behind the scenes in professional sport. Guests attending the gala will enjoy: Drinks reception on arrival Three-course dinner Exclusive guest interviews and Q&A sessions Live entertainment Charity auction featuring unique prizes and experiences Fundraising raffle Opportunities to network with football personalities, sponsors, and supporters While football remains at the heart of the event, the evening’s deeper purpose is to support the life-changing work carried out by Men Matter Scotland. Funds raised will contribute directly to mental health services, outreach programmes, and safe spaces that help men facing difficult circumstances. CEO Lee Anderson said: “The Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner is about much more than football. It’s about bringing people together, sharing real stories, and using the platform that football provides to make a genuine difference. Mental health affects families, friends, colleagues, and communities across Scotland, and Men Matter Scotland does incredible work supporting those who need help most. We’re honoured to welcome some fantastic names from the world of football, but what makes this evening special is the opportunity to raise awareness, raise vital funds, and create conversations that can have a lasting impact. We look forward to welcoming guests from across the football and business communities for what promises to be a memorable and meaningful night.” With attendance expected from across Scotland’s football and business communities, organisers are encouraging supporters to secure their places early. Ticket Information Individual Ticket: £85 Table of 10: £800 (saving £50) Event Details SNN Sports Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner 2026 Date: Friday 10 July 2026 Time: 6:00 PM – Midnight Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow, G3 8QT Sponsorship opportunities remain available for businesses wishing to support the event and align their brand with one of Scotland’s most meaningful football fundraising evenings. For sponsorship enquiries: asha@snnsports.co.uk Tickets are available now and early booking is strongly recommended due to limited availability. Ticket Link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/snnsports/2199675 About SNN Sports SNN Sports is one of Scotland’s fastest-growing independent sports media platforms, delivering interviews, breaking news, features, podcasts, and exclusive content to millions of football fans across Scotland and beyond. Through events such as the Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner, SNN Sports continues to use the power of sport to support communities and causes that make a real difference.

June 8, 2026

All SPFL Players at the FIFA World Cup 2026

Twenty-one players who played in Scotland last season will be at this summer’s World Cup, representing thirteen different nations. Scotland unsurprisingly have the lion’s share of SPFL players with eight, as the Tartan Army are set to travel in their thousands to witness their country play at the World Cup for the first time since 1998. GROUP A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia Only one Scottish league player makes the plane for a Group A nation and that is Hyun-jun Yang of Celtic. The 24-year-old, who has been capped by South Korea eight times already and will be joined by former club teammate Hyeon-gyu Oh, was named as the champion’s Young Player of the Year after notching 10 goals and 3 assists. Celtic loanee Julian Araujo made Mexico’s provisional squad, but misses out with an injury. GROUP B: Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland Celtic’s Alistair Johnston and Rangers on-loan defender Derek Cornelius make Jesse Marsch’s Canadian squad for the tournament. Johnston signed for Celtic on the back of an impressive showing in Qatar in 2022, whilst Cornelius did not feature for Rangers since November following an injury and reported fallout with Danny Rohl. Former Ibrox pair Nikola Katic and Cedric Itten will travel over with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Switzerland respectively, and Johnston and Cornelius will be joined by Liam Millar, who had a loan spell with Kilmarnock before covid. GROUP C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland Only Scotland have SPFL representation from this group, with Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Grant Hanley, Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Findlay Curtis, and Lawrence Shankland making Steve Clarke’s final cut. Ex-Celtic hero Odsonne Edouard declined the opportunity to play for Haiti after a remarkable return in his debut season at RC Lens in Ligue 1, whilst Lille summer signing from Rangers Hamza Igamane had his season ended prematurely at AFCON with Morocco. GROUP D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkiye America’s Austin Trusty of Celtic and Australia’s Cammy Devlin of Hearts will face off against each other potentially for the first time since the dramatic climax to the Premiership campaign which seen Trusty’s side snatch the title from Hearts’ grasp. Trusty will be joined by former Celtic and Rangers loanees Timothy Weah and Malik Tillman, whilst Devlin will be accompanied by a plethora of former SPFL talents, such as Tete Yengi, Jackson Irvine, Harry Souttar (brother of Scotland’s John), Aziz Behich, and also Scottish born defender Cameron Burgess. Hibs’ forward Martin Boyle was a late removal from the final squad. GROUP E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador There are no active players from the SPFL in this group, but Curacao are managed by ex-Rangers gaffer Dick Advocaat, and his squad includes Juninho Bacuna, who had a quiet six months in Govan during the 21/22 campaign. Ivory Coast will have Amad Diallo at their disposal, who was on loan at Rangers in 2022 when they made the Europa League final. GROUP F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia Celtic teammates Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti will face off against each other when Sweden go head to head with Tunisia in the opening round of fixtures, before both come up against a Japan side with fellow club teammate Daizen Maeda amongst its stars. Three former Parkhead centre backs also feature in this group, with Gustaf Lagerbielke and Carl Starfelt potentially pairing beside each other for Sweden, and the Netherlands will have Virgil Van Dijk at the back captaining their side. GROUP G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin will come up against Motherwell starlet Elijah Just will face each other when Belgium take on New Zealand. Raskin makes the Belgian squad for his first international tournament after making his debut in March last year, as does Just despite amassing over 40 caps for New Zealand already. GROUP H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay No SPFL players make will appear in Group H. Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic did not make Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad, though he did captain them on his return from the international wilderness in a 1-0 friendly win over Dominican Republic in October last year. GROUP I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway Rangers’ Thelo Aasgaard will be in Norway’s camp for the summer with former Celtic centre-back Kristoffer Ajer. Dundee United’s Dario Naamo had been named in Iraq’s provisional squad after switching his allegiance from Finland, but was cut from the final selection. GROUP J: Argentina, Jordan, Algeria, Austria There is no link to the Scottish game in this group besides former St. Mirren trialist and Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez who fled the country whilst on Paisley because it was too cold. Mahrez’s teammate Fares Ghedjemis is also in squad, after a move to Celtic failed to materialise in January. GROUP K: Portugal, DR Congo, Colombia, Uzbekistan Kilmarnock’s Aaron Tshibola is in line to play against Cristiano Ronaldo as part of the DR Congo setup. The 31-year-old resigned for Killie in February for a third time, and played 14 times as Neil McCann’s men secured their Premiership status for another season. GROUP L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama Another group with no direct links to the SPFL, although the England squad does include three players who were once upon a time eligible for the Scotland squad – Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and of course Elliot Anderson who was named in one of Steve Clarke’s squads in 2023, before pulling out due to injury.

June 2, 2026

Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week: Paying tribute to Paul McGrillen and Chris Mitchell

Mental health is something every man struggles with on a daily basis but some are too afraid to speak up. Male suicides are three times higher than female suicides and approximately 75% of all suicides in the United Kingdom are from men. The highest risk age in England for male suicide is between 50-54, at a 26.8 per 100,000. According to a Scottish government report, one in three people are impacted by mental health in any one year in Scotland. Two well known Scottish footballers Chris Mitchell and Paul McGrillen sadly took their own lives. McGrillen played in Scotland for 19 years and lifted the Scottish Cup in 1991 with Motherwell. On 29 of July 2009, the football star was found in his home, as a result of hanging and never left a note. Mitchell played with Falkirk, Ayr United, Bradford City, Queen of the South and Clyde. Due to complications from surgery for spinal injury meant that he went from playing professionally for Queen of the South to part-time for Clyde whilst working a job in a factory. After completely leaving the sport, he admitted to his family that he was depressed and started seeing a psychologist and was placed on medication but stopped taking them due to the side effects. On 7 May 2016, Mitchell phoned his partner saying he was planning on killing himself and the call was still live whilst he was hit by a train. In 2018, Paul’s brother Alan, spoke about what football clubs can do in order to combat mental illness: “Mental health is at the forefront of everybody’s minds. We’ve had many players and ex-players speak about the battle they’ve had with depression. “It’s also in the stands. The people who are working day to day and who are providing their kids with a strip and a season ticket to go and support their team. “A year after Paul died, Gary Speed committed suicide. I had wrote away to the SFA asking if we could get a Show Racism the Red Card type campaign throughout the full of Scottish football to start with. “If you get that campaign and awareness through every club, not just to support the players on the park, but to support the people who pay their hard earned cash to walk into a stadium. “The SFA and the rest of Scottish football really has to take this on board and try and run with it. This issue won’t go away. We won’t save everybody, but if we can reach out to one or two people, then that campaign does it job. “These clubs are worth millions of pounds. They need to have a bit more due care and attention and promote this. I think it will actually save lives.” If you’re struggling with your mental health, get in contact with Men Matter Scotland as their aim is to improve men’s mental health and wellbeing through peer to peer support to help prevent suicide. Join us on the 10th July for a special evening hosted by SNN Sports, bringing people together for a night of football, honest conversation, and support for Men Matter Scotland. Tickets and tables now available – https://www.tickettailor.com/events/snnsports/2199675 How to get in touch: 01419447900 contact@menmatterscotland.org Office hours Mon-Fri 10:30-21:00 Service Area Glasgow and surrounding area

May 18, 2026

Meet Dedicated Dumbarton Youngster Who Travels 500 Miles Each Week to Play

500 miles. No, not The Proclaimers most well known anthem, but instead the distance Dumbarton U14s midfielder Leah Dunn travels each week for training and matches. Dunn, from Campbeltown in Argyll and Bute, plays for both Campbeltown Pupils Boys at home and Dumbarton Girls U14s, with 130 miles separating both towns. And her parents were more than happy to look into avenues far from home to help progress his daughters football career. Her father Kris said: “She’s [Leah] got dual registration, so she can play for the boy’s team. “She was part of the girl’s setup in Campbeltown, in a good wee team, but there’s no competitive football for them unfortunately in the rural areas. “So they can train, and they can go to a couple of festivals, but that is it unfortunately for the girls down there, so a lot of girls are being left behind. “So we got her into the boy’s team because there is actually a boys league, so they can play competitive football. But coinciding with that, Leah got picked up for the Scottish FA emerging talent.” Dad Kris and Mum Jen also play the role of driver, making the six-hour round trip twice a week. However, there was an occasion when daughter Leah FLEW into training! “So its 130 miles from Campbeltown to Dumbarton, so 260 mile round trip on a Wednesday and then 260 mile round trip on the Saturday night. “Two weeks ago, she actually flew up, flew up for her training! There’s actually a wee LoganAir flight that takes you from Campbeltown straight into Glasgow international, it’s quite funny!” And Leah herself is aiming higher than a LoganAir aircraft at peak altitude. “I’m 100% focused on becoming a pro footballer I want to become like my favourite footballers Caroline Weir who plays for Real Madrid and Leah Williamson who plays for Arsenal.” With Dumbarton now in the process of installing a synthetic pitch, all youth teams will soon be able to play and train at the iconic The Rock. Find Dumbarton’s website here: https://dumbartonfootballclub.com/ Find Campbeltown Pupils here: https://campbeltownpupils.co.uk/ And remember, if you have any local stories you want shared, send them to us on our socials!

May 13, 2026