Match Reports Archives

Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid: Slot’s men record huge Champions League Victory

An Alexis Mac Allister header gives Liverpool all three points and a famous victory at Anfield. Real Madrid travel to England to face Premier League holders, Liverpool in an eye catching tie as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to face his boyhood side. The opening start was fairly even with both sides enduring time on the ball, but failing to give either keepers any issue. Excellent pressing by Wirtz gave the hosts a big chance, Alexis Mac Allister but the midfielder was leaning back as the shot was taken on which ended going wide. It was a very passive start by the La Liga outfit but Mbappe had a star chance but just like Mac Allister, the striker was leaning back as he skied his opportunity to keep the tie on level terms. Liverpool came very close after 27 mins, a run on the right by Wirtz following a mistake by the visitors, Wirtz with a ball into Szoboszlai but Courtois making himself big to stop the Premier League side gaining a vital lead. After 30 mins, there was a penalty check for possible handball by Vinicius Junior which was originally given as a free-kick. After a lengthy check, the decision was overturned giving the Madrid side the benefit of the doubt. Szobolzlai had a chance a few minutes on but a simple stop for the Real Madrid number one. Late action in the first half as Bellingham works his way into the box, unleashing a strike which was well stopped by the feet of Mamardashvili keeping the game goalless. As both sides went into the break, Liverpool were quite clearly on top but unable to break the deadlock as both sides go in hunting for a second half goal. An early corner for the hosts, Van Dijk was up high and strong but a massive stop by Courtois to tip it over and onto the following corner, Ekitike with a strong header but yet again, Courtois to safety tipping it over the bar. Szobolzlai came close again, a powerful free-kick well punched out by Belgium international, Courtois. Alexis Mac Allister fired the Kop ahead after the hour mark, a free kick in from Szobolszlai as the Argentina international heads home from close range as Courtois is eventually beaten and the hosts get the crucial lead but VAR was ready to spoil the celebrations but after a check, the goal stood. Mbappe almost levelled the game up after 75 as a clipped shot from distance spun wide and kept Real Madrid chasing for an equaliser. Boos rang around Anfield as former red, Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for the final 10 minutes receiving a bad reception on his return but this time in Real Madrid colours as Boos rang around every time the full-back got on the ball. Real Madrid continued to try and find a goal back but failing to find any way to goal but Liverpool were still the mood for more but looked to heading towards a tight victory in Merseyside. Liverpool claimed the major win as they defeat European giants at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League. Player ratings Liverpool: Mamardasvili (8), Konate (7), Robertson (7), Van Dijk (9), Bradley (9), Szoboszlai (10), Gravenberch (8), Mac Allister (10), Wirtz (9), Ekitike (8). Subs: Gakpo (6), Jones (6), Kerkez (6), Chiesa (7). Real Madrid: Courtois (9), Valverde (7), Militao (7), Huijsen (6), Carreras (6), Tchouameni (7), Camavinga (7), Guler (7), Bellingham (8), Vinicius Junior (6), Mbappe (7). Subs: Rodrygo (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Diaz (6).

November 5, 2025

Celtic Freeze Falkirk on Martin O’Neill’s Return

Celtic got back to winning ways with a 4-0 win over Falkirk as Martin O’Neill returned to the Parkhead side’s dugout for the first time since 2005. A first half Johnny Kenny double followed by goals from summer signings Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti helped the defending champions cut the the gap on Hearts to six points, after the league leaders drew 2-2 away to St. Mirren. It was only the second time Martin O’Neill had came up against Falkirk in his career, with the other encounter in 2004 seeing Celtic score double the number scored tonight, in an 8-1 cup victory. There was fan protests outside Celtic Park’s main stand prior the match versus the club’s board, but once on-field matters commenced, Celtic looked in total control. Benjamin Nygren missed a one-on-one earlier in the first half, but the Swede’s second strike of the game half an hour in rebounded off the post and striker Johnny Kenny was first to react, firing home to score his second goal of the season. Falkirk’s best chance at getting back into the game was just a moment after the opener. Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi’s strike took a slight deflection from the edge of the box, but it was well held by Kasper Schmeichel. But just ten minutes after his first, there would be a second for Kenny. Anthony Ralston looped a ball in from deep, and Nygren again made it easy for the Irish international as his headed pass was nodded into the Falkirk goal by Celtic’s number 24 to put them two goals ahead going into the break. Tired of being provider, Nygren got his own name on the scoresheet. Marcelo Sarrachi’s tame volley was pushed out by former Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain, but only went as far as Celtic’s top scorer who bagged his fifth league goal of the campaign having been at heart of the other two goals previously. The home side made it four with 18 minutes to play. Substitute Luke McCowan from deep in his own half spotted the run of Sebastian Tounekti, who beat a sliding Liam Henderson to the ball and scored his first goal at Celtic Park since joining from Swedish side Hammarby on deadline day. Martin O’Neill marks his first managerial gig in six years with a result, with him and Shaun Maloney in the hot seat until the Celtic hierarchy find Brendan Rodgers’ replacement after the Northern Irishman’s shock resignation on Monday night. The result is Celtic’s first win in three league contests, having lost to Dundee and Hearts consecutively before tonight. The Hoops face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday, before travelling to FC Midytlland of Denmark for Thursday evening Europa League action. As for Falkirk, tonight marks their first defeat in four having not tasted defeat since the back end of September. They host a Kilmarnock side on Saturday who fell to a 1-0 home defeat tonight to Aberdeen. CELTIC: Schmeichel 5, Ralston 5, Trusty 6, Scales 6, Sarrachi 7, Nygren 6 (McCowan 66′ 4), Engels 5, McGregor 6 (Hatate 76′ 1), Forrest 7 (Balikwisha 61′ 2), Kenny 8 (Maeda 66′ 3), Tounekti 7 (Osmand 76′ 2) FALKIRK: Bain 3, Adams 6, Allan 4, Henderson 4, Lissah 4 (Hart 62′ 2), Miller 5 (Agyeman 62′ 2), Tait 4, Arfield 4, Spencer 5 (Cartwright 68′ 1), Ross 4 (Williams 46′ 4), Samuel-Ogunsuyi 4 (Graham 62′ 2)

October 29, 2025

Russell Martin Remains Under Fire as Rangers Held by Falkirk

Falkirk 1-1 Rangers Cartwright (73) – Miovski (41) Second-bottom Falkirk hosted Russell Martin’s struggling Rangers side at the Falkirk Stadium this afternoon, with both teams looking to rebound from disappointing defeats in their previous matches. The Bairns returned to home action after a 3-0 defeat away to Hearts at Tynecastle, following a credible 2-2 draw with Hibs the week before, a match in which they came back from two goals down to earn a point. Rangers, meanwhile, finally secured their first league win of the season – and their first under Martin, with a 94th-minute victory over Livingston last weekend. However, any momentum gained was quickly squandered with a 2-1 defeat to Austrian side Sturm Graz in the UEFA Europa League midweek, both goals coming because of typically catastrophic defending. Wearing their white away kit, Rangers got the match underway at Grangemouth and had the ball in the net inside three minutes. Good work from Mikey Moore created space for a shot that Scott Bain managed to parry, but Djeidi Gassama’s follow-up was ruled out for offside after a VAR check by Steven MacLean. Despite that early warning, it was the hosts who took control. Falkirk’s willingness to spread play wide from defence, coupled with relentless pressing and an aerial bombardment of the Rangers box, put the visitors under intense pressure from the outset, much to the delight of the ferocious home crowd. Despite sustained Falkirk pressure, it was Rangers who offered their head coach some relief with a goal just before half-time. Derek Cornelius, operating at left-back, whipped a ball right across goal for Bojan Miovski to tap home with ease. The away support briefly celebrated before resuming chants against Martin, a reminder that, despite any fleeting signs of progress, they remain firmly opposed to his continued tenure. Into the second half and Rangers did not push on, Falkirk came close on the hour mark, MacIver putting his header wide at the back post despite Butland coming and completely missing the cross. But Rangers slackness would be punished, substitute Henry Cartwright was allowed so much room to drive through the middle of the park before driving his strike past the rooted Butland sending two and a half sides of the Falkirk stadium into delirium. That goal meaning Rangers have set a new club record- 23 away games without a clean sheet. The Bairns would then chase a victory, catching Rangers on the break after a slack Mohammed Diomande pass, Alfredo Agyeman broke forward but his strike went just past the post and Brian Graham would come an inch away from squeezing hot shot from close range under Butland, with the former England goalkeeper just catching his effort by landing on top of the ball. In the end it was to end all square, with chants from the away end of ‘Russell Martin, get out of our club’ it is difficult to see how the former Scotland defender carries on from here as we head into an international break and an opportunity for the Ibrox board to look for potential replacements. For the hosts it is a valuable point that lifts them above Dundee and out of the relegation playoff spot. Falkirk Bain 6; Adams 6, Henderson 6, Neilson 6, McCann 7, Spencer 6, Tait 6 (Cartwright 8), Wilson 6 (Agyeman 6), Williams 7 (Arfield 5), Miller 6 (Samuel-Ogunsuyi 5), MacIver 5 (Graham 5) Subs not used: Hogarth, Oliver, Allan, Lissah Rangers Butland 6; Tavernier 6, Souttar 6, Djiga 7, Cornelius 8; Barron 6 (Bajrami 5), Rothwell 6 (Diomande 5), Raskin 6 (Aasgaard 5); Moore 6 (Antman 6), Gassama 7, Miovski 7 (Chermiti 6) Subs not used: Kelly; Aarons, Cameron, Meghoma Att: 7652

October 6, 2025

Saints Seal Shootout Glory to Dump Killie and Book Hampden Spot

Kilmarnock 2-2 St Mirren (3-5 On Penalties ) Deas (44) Anderson (Penalty 86) Mandron (25) Richardson (59) Penalty Scored: Anderson, Watkins, Thompson King, Idowu, Donnelly, Nlundulu, Dijksteel Penalty Missed : Magennis St Mirren repliacted their penalty heroics of the last round as they beat Kilmarnock 5-3 on penalties after a pulsating 2-2 draw to book a spot at Hampden for the Premier Sports Cup Semi-Final Stuart Kettlewell made one change to his starting eleven from last weekends gut wrenching final minute defeat to Celtic as former St Mirren midfielder Greg Kiltie came into midfield in place of Rory McKenzie. Former St Mirren captain Kyle Magennis made his return from injury settling for a place on the bench. Stephen Robinson made an enforced change as Richard King who came off the bench in St Mirren’s victory away to Falkirk replaced the injured Marcus Fraser. Liam Donnelly who switched Ayrshire for Paisley in, the summer made the bench on his return from injury. Jonah Ayunga looked to give St Mirren the early advantage 90 seconds in sending an effort into the side netting after a ball into the box from Killian Phillips. Right up the over end Greg Kiltie sent an effort into the hands of Shamal George as he looked to haunt his previous club. The frantic start to the game continued, Mandon sent a long-range effort close as a block sent it just past the post Just after the ten-minute mark impressive play down the right flank from Jayden Richardson who whipped a ball onto the end of Mikael Mandron who could only see his headed effort drift wide. Greg Kiltie came close to giving the home side the lead moments later, however his effort was just wide of the target as the game was back and forth with both teams trying to get the upper hand. Just after the twenty-minute mark Kilmarnock captain Robbie Deas sent a dominic thompsom deelivery wide after a foul from Jayden Richardson which landed the right-back into the book. Mikael Mandron sent the away fans into raptures just before the twenty-five-minute mark after he took down a long ball from Jayden Richardson flicking the ball over the head of Mayo before composing himself to slam the ball past the helpless Max Stryjek in the Kilmarnock goal. Kilmarnock looked to respond to going behind with Marcus Dackers holding the ball up well making himself a handful for the St Mirren defence , However a couple of crosses into the box were plucked out the air by Shamal George The first half looked to be petering out with a succession of St Mirren fouls before a Dominic Thompson free kick met the head of captain Robbie Deas who bulleted his headed effort past Shamal George who could only stand there as Kilmarnock drew level. The first chance of the second half came for the visitors in the fifty second minute after good play down the left-hand side the ball was played into Phillips whose effort was superbly tipped onto the croosbar by Max Stryjek. After limited chances in the second half the Buddies retook the lead just before the hour in spectacular fashion. A long throw from Keanu Baccus whose delivery was twice headed out before landing to Jayden Richardson outside the box who sent a volley firing towards the top corner. Straight from kick off buoyed by retaking the lead St Mirren came forward Jonah Ayunga seeing an effort tipped wide by Stryjek. Bruce Anderson looked to restore parity, but his effort was shepherded by Miguel Freckleton who deflected it wide for a corner. With twenty-five minutes left on the clock a Dominic Thompson free kick was deflected out for a corner, The home side appealed for a penalty which fell on deaf ears as David Dickinson stuck to his guns and with no VAR in operation there was no chance for a review. The game descended into a frantic pace as the game entered the final fifteen minutes with the game going from end to end to no avail for either side. St Mirren nearly had a third as Jonah Ayunga fired an effort into the grateful hands of Max Stryjek With five minutes left Kilmarock were awarded a penalty as Richard King brought down Marley Watkins. Bruce Anderson dispatched his penalty to perfection as he sent Shamal George the wrong way to pull Killie back level. Four minutes added on at the end of the ninety, however neither team could find the decisive breakthrough and into extra time the game headed. Despite Kilmarnock starting extra time the better side the first chance fell to the away side as Dijksteel and John linked up down the left-hand side with the latter firing an effort over the bar The rest of the first half of extra time passed without incident with neither team creating any chances with the ball largely being passed around as legs began to tired. The second half of extra time came and went as neither team threatened with the only thing happening was injuries to David Watson and Marcus Dackers as the game petered out to a shootout. Anderson, Watkins and Thompson all disptched their penalties for Kilmarnock, With King, Idowu, Donnelly, Nlundulu, Dijksteel all scoring for St Mirren. Shamal George as he did against Hearts in the previous round made himself the hero as he saved from former St Mirren captain Kyle Magennis to send the Buddies to Hampden sparking a pitch invasion from the Saints faithful. Kilmarnock: Stryjek 7 Brown 6 Mayo 6 Stanger 6 Deas 7 Thompson 8 Polworth Kiltie 7 Watson 7 Daniels 6 Dackers 6 Substitutes: Anderson 7 Watkins 7 Brannan 5 Magennis 5 Williams 5 St Mirren: George 7 Richardson 7 King 6 Gogic 6 Freckleton 6 John 7 Baccus 6 O’Hara 6 Phillips 7 Ayunga 6 Mandron 8 Substitutes: Donnelly 5 Dijksteel 5 Idowu 5 McMenamin 5 Nlundulu 5

September 20, 2025

Portugal Show Their Class as Scotland U21s Fall Short in Fir Park Clash

Scotland U21 0-2 Portugal U21 Coming off the back of a first team win for the Scottish men’s national side over Belarus, it was the turn of the young team as the Under-21s faced Portugal at Motherwell’s Fir Park in a UEFA Euro 2027 qualifier. Scotland had lost their opening encounter 2-0 away in Czechia on Friday night and now faced an uphill task against one of the world’s great talent-producing nations, who had been quarter finalists at the previous Euros during the summer. Scot Gemmill made a raft of changes for matchday two, opting to persist with the 3-5-2 formation used against the Czechs. Ruaridh Adams came in to replace Liam McFarlane between the sticks, with Dire Mebude, Kristi Montgomary, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Findlay Curtis also starting in place of Ben McPherson, Aidan Borland, James Wilson and Cameron Gardner. The visitors got us underway shooting towards the Davie Cooper Stand and controlled much of the early possession, testing Adams with a few long-range efforts without overly troubling the East Fife stopper. They did, however, open the scoring. Geovany Quenda picked the ball up on the right wing and delivered a pinpoint curling cross into the six-yard box for Porto wonderkid Rodrigo Mora to flick home past the rooted Adams and into the far corner. The diminutive 5’6” attacking midfielder ghosted into the area and finished superbly, underlining why he is already being touted for a full senior call-up. Scotland were on the back foot for much of the half but carved out a couple of half-chances of their own. Former Rangers and Man City youngster Mebude found himself through one-on-one with Portuguese keeper João Carvalho in the dying minutes of the first period. An excellent pass from wide by Curtis found him free on the penalty spot, but the Westerlo striker fired straight at the Braga man, who deflected the shot clear to preserve Portugal’s narrow half-time lead. The visitors doubled their advantage early in the second half. Scotland, attempting to play out from the back, were caught in possession and the ball broke to Mora on the edge of the box with a clear sight of goal. He drove forward, drawing Donovan across, before cleverly slipping the ball to Roger Fernandes, who swept home for 2-0. The €35m summer signing for Saudi side Al-Ittihad marked his first Under-21s goal with total ease. The Scots were handed a lifeline when Portuguese captain and West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes was sent off for a poor challenge on substitute Miller Thomson. He initially received a booking for the tackle but talked himself into an early bath with dissent moments later, reducing his side to ten men. Gemmill made changes in an attempt to inject freshness into his side, but the damage had already been done. The outnumbered Iberians showed their quality, holding firm to secure a valuable three points which moved them top of Group B, level on six points with the Czechs but ahead on goal difference with +7. Portugal demonstrated the value of a squad stacked with players boasting regular first-team football, using their experience to manage the game with ten men and limiting Scotland to very little in the closing stages. For Scotland, the result leaves them with just one win from their last five outings and already trailing the group leaders by six points. They return to action in mid-October with a must-win double-header against Azerbaijan and Malta, the other two winless sides in the section. The young team have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1996 Euros, and need a return to form if that statistic is to change any time soon. Scotland: Adams 6; Donovan 6, Chilokoa-Mullen 5 (Cleall-Harding 5), Graham 5, Anderson 4 (Frame 5), Montgomary 5 ; Watson 6, Kelly 5 (One 6), Lawrence 4 (Thomson 6); Curtis 7 (Wilson 4), Mebude 3 Subs not used: McKenna, Mahady; McPherson, Borland. Portugal: Carvalho 8; Travassos 7 (Forbs 5), Gabriel 7, Oliveira 6, Parente 7; Quenda 8, Rodrigues 6 (Sa 5), M. Fernandes 2, D. Fernandes 7 (Sampio 6); Mora 9 (Amorim 5); Valera 7 (Semedo 6) Subs not used: Gomes; Barroso, Moriera, Balde.

September 10, 2025

Ten-Man Rovers Edge Morton to Keep Pace with League Leaders

Greenock Morton 0-1 Raith Rovers Whilst the top tier remained on ice due to the season’s first international break, the heat was turning up in the Championship, particularly at Cappielow, where unbeaten Greenock Morton hosted second-placed Raith Rovers. Both sides had shown promise in the early stages of the campaign. Morton had drawn all four of their opening fixtures in what has been a tumultuous start, marked by devastating off-field tragedy and mounting on-field frustration. Raith, meanwhile, had taken two wins from their first three after an opening-day draw with Queen’s Park, though they came into this one on the back of a defeat away to Partick Thistle. Dougie Imrie restored Owen Moffat and Aaron Comrie to his starting line-up, while Rovers boss Barry Robson kept faith with the side that had featured at Firhill. That included the experienced former Hibernian duo Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson, each enjoying something of a late-career renaissance in Kirkcaldy. The match began cagily, littered with misplaced passes and early offside calls. The visitors carved out the first clear chance, Dylan Easton picked out inside the area only to fire straight at Ton keeper James Storer. At the other end, Iain Wilson forced Josh Rae into a superb stop from a free kick, the Rovers goalkeeper tipping the effort over the bar. It was otherwise a poor spectacle, with little to separate the sides. The home support bracing themselves for what looked like a fifth consecutive league draw as the teams went in at the interval. Imrie responded at the restart by making a change, withdrawing the struggling Kerr Robertson and introducing captain Grant Gillespie in midfield as he looked to seize control of the contest. Yet it was the visitors who struck first. A long clearance from Rae was misjudged by the Morton defence, allowing Easton to nip in ahead of the onrushing Storer and glance a header into the corner. His finish sparking celebrations among the travelling support packed into the terracing behind the goal. With ten minutes remaining, and Morton quickly running out of ideas, the hosts were handed a lifeline. Josh Mullin was shown a straight red card for a reckless, shin-high challenge on substitute Michael Garrity right on the byline. Gillespie would test Rae with a free header from a corner, and a penalty shout for a tackle on Tomi Adeloye waved away by referee Lloyd Wilson. Despite the numerical advantage, Morton couldn’t find a way through, their attacks breaking down in frustration as Raith dug in to protect their lead with some game management tactics. The visitors saw out the final minutes with composure, grinding out a valuable three points on the road. For Imrie’s side it was another afternoon of exasperation, five games played, four draws, and now their unbeaten run finally broken. For Robson and Raith, however, it was a statement victory that keeps them right on the heels of early pace-setters St Johnstone. Morton Storer 6; Comrie 4 (McKay 4), Moore 6, Longridge 5, Delaney 5; Shaw 5, I. Wilson 7, Robertson 5 (Gillespie 4), Blues 5 (Adeloye 5), Moffat 4 (Garrity, 5); Brophy 4 Subs not used: Murdoch; Ballantyne, Corr, Hart, Murphy Raith Rae 8; Doherty 6, Fordyce 6, Hanlon 6; Mullin 4, Matthews 6, Brown 6, Bryne 6, Stevenson 7; Easton 8 (Vaughan 5), McMullan 6 (Hamilton 5) Subs not used: Glavin; Rowe, E. Wilson, O’Connor, Montagu, Hannah, Raeside Att: 2,004

September 6, 2025

Partick Thistle Avoid Scare to Defeat Raith Rovers

Partick Thistle halted a Raith Rovers comeback as they defeated a side that came back from two goals down 3-2 at the Wyre Stadium at Firhill. This result inflicts Raith with their first league defeat of the campaign, with Thistle now unbeaten since their opening day 5-1 thrashing to St. Johnstone and find themselves level on points with today’s travelling side. The hosts raced in front with a blistering performance in the opening quarter of an hour of the game, with journeyman talisman Tony Watt giving the Jags the lead in the 7th minute of the game, when he slid onto the end of a low cross courtesy of Thistle academy graduate Aidan Fitzpatrick who’s work down the left wing made it all happen. Fitzpatrick would score one of his own just six minutes later, cutting onto his right foot with the use of a couple of stopovers, and putting his laces through the ball to bury it passed Josh Rae in the away goal. Thistle remained on top of the visitors up until the 20th minute which is when the momentum began to shift in favour of the Kirkcaldy side, when Partick Thistle captain Lee Ashcroft brought down Raith forward Paul McMullan inside the box and was booked for his troubles. Dylan Easton took the spot kick, and sent goalkeeper Josh Clarke the wrong way as he tucked the ball into the bottom left corner the goal. Raith found inspiration from this avenue back into the match and really began to take the game to Mark Wilson’s side, eventually finding an equaliser after being two behind so early on in the 36th minute. McMullan chased an aerial long ball and chested it down to put himself through one on one with Clarke. He took it round the Thistle goalkeeper but the angle was unkind to him, leaving him with no option but to square it back across for midfielder Ross Matthews to hammer home and level the scoring. Many of the Thistle faithful had their hearts in their mouths on the 65th minute when Raith striker Lewis Vaughan went down inside the box, with many fearing the home side had conceded another penalty. Alas, the referee brandished his yellow card to Vaughan for simulation. Thistle reclaimed their lead 16 minutes from time, as both of their wingers combined to give them the advantage. Aidan Fitzpatrick again with some stunning play down that left flank to beat his man, before his left footed cross zipped across the box for Logan Chalmers to run onto the end of at the back post to smash it goal wards to net his 5th goal of the season in all competitions. There was a couple of late scares of an equaliser for Raith in the dying minutes of the game. Jack Hamilton had a chance to level the scoring around 10 minutes from time, but couldn’t sort his feet out and the ball hit his leg and sailed over the bar from close distance. Merely just a couple minute after this, a cross from wide right nearly floated into Josh Clarke’s goal, but his palm to divert it only led to another chance for Paul McMullan, with the attacker seeing his effort cannon off of the crossbar. Raith piled on further pressure, with the ball falling to Jordan Doherty in acres of space in the final minute of regulation time, but his half volley hit the side netting and Raith’s hopes of a point on the road evaporated. Partick Thistle: Clarke 5, Reading 6, Ashcroft 5, Chalmers 8 (Lawless 3), Crawford 6 (Turner 4), O’Reilly 6, Fitzpatrick 9 , McPherson 6, Stanway, Watt 8 (Samuel 4), Lets’osa 7 (McBeth 2) Raith Rovers: Rae 5, Hanlon 5, Fordyce 5, Matthews 6 , Mullin 6 (Vaughan 3), McMullan 8, Brown 6 (Hamilton 3), Byrne 5, Doherty 7, Easton 7 (Chin 3), Stevenson 5

August 30, 2025

Imrie’s men salvage late draw at emotional Cappielow

Morton 2-2 Ayr United Greenock Morton welcomed Ayr United on a sombre afternoon at Cappielow Park where Morton manager Dougie Imrie took his place in the dugout despite the heart breaking loss of his infant daughter earlier in the week. Prior to the game, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed by both sets of supporters before kick-off as Imrie made two changes from their Premier Sports Cup defeat to Aberdeen while Scott Brown and his Ayr United side were still on the hunt for their first league win as he made five alternations. But the match poignantly began with the home support rallying behind their manager, with the Cowshed section chanting his name loudly in the opening stages and throughout the match. United carved out the first real chance when Marco Rus broke free down the left and whipped in a front-post cross for Curtis Main, but the ex-St Mirren striker’s flick was well blocked by James Storer. Morton were handed a penalty midway through the first half. A perfectly weighted through ball from Cammy Ballantyne released Michael O’Halloran, whose cutback struck the hand of a United defender. Eamonn Brophy took responsibility from the spot and calmly slotted the ball low into the bottom-left corner. 📺 WATCH NOW: Morton manager Dougie Imrie speaks post game David Mitchell dived the right way, but even at full stretch he could not prevent the former Kilmarnock man’s precise strike. Despite a flurry of chances for Main, Morton held firm and went into the interval a goal to the good. Brown’s Ayr side left still searching desperately for a breakthrough going into the second period. United found it within minutes of the restart, Main rising at the back post to meet a free-kick and hooking the ball across goal for Kevin Holt to tuck away, bringing the sides level. The visitors then turned the game on its head from another set piece. A superbly delivered corner from Ethan Walker was met at the near post by Nick McAllister. 📺 WATCH NOW: Ayr United boss Scott Brown gives his post game thoughts The Honest Men skipper glanced his header home to give Ayr the lead inside the opening quarter of the second half. Storer kept Morton alive late on, producing a brilliant reflex stop to deny George Oakley’s thunderous header from inside the six-yard box. That save proved pivotal. With the clock running down, Nathan Shaw whipped in a curling cross to the back post, where Brophy rose to glance a simple header past Mitchell, sparking relief and jubilation among the home support. Zach McKay would test Mitchell late on but the scores would remain level. Both sides continue to search for their first league win. After a traumatic week Morton will be the happier of the two sides, the players turning up for their manager with the type of grit and destination that will surely see them move up the table this season. PLAYER RATINGS: Morton: Storer 6; Ballantyne 7, Moore 5, Longridge 6, Delaney 5 (Corr 4); Blues 6, Robertson 6 (Garrity 5), Shaw 8; O’Halloran 5 (McKay 4), Moffat 6 (Wilson 4), Brophy 9* Goals: Brophy (23) Ayr United: Mitchell 6; McAllister 8, Holt 8, Dick 6, McMann 6; Rus 6 (Watret 5), McKenzie 6, Ure 6, Walker 8 (Hastie 4); Oakley 7, Main 6 📺 WATCH NOW: Billy Davies’ post game reaction

August 23, 2025

Partick Thistle 1-1 Morton: Rivals Draw in Firhill Thriller

There was no shortage of thrills at Firhill as Partick Thistle began their home league campaign against rivals Greenock Morton. Thistle fans were looking for a response following a disastrous opening-day defeat to relegated St Johnstone. The Jags had taken an early lead in Perth but collapsed, conceding five without reply. Morton’s start to the season was more complicated. Manager Dougie Imrie, linked with the Firhill job in the summer before Thistle appointed Mark Wilson, missed the opening league fixture for personal reasons. Technical head coach Billy Davies stepped in, guiding the side to a 0–0 draw with Neil Lennon’s Dunfermline. Team News Imrie returned to the dugout in Maryhill, making three changes: Eammon Brophy was handed his full debut, with Cammy Blues and Ali Crawford also starting. Owen Moffat, Kerr Robertson, and Michael O’Halloran dropped out. Thistle made two changes of their own, with debutant goalkeeper Josh Clarke and home-grown midfielder Ben Stanway replacing Lewis Budinauckas and Ts’oanelo Lets’osa. Before kick-off, a minute’s applause for lifelong Thistle supporter Robert Reid was warmly observed by both sets of fans, while Morton’s travelling support unveiled a banner for their manager’s young daughter reading: Keep fighting, Remi. First Half The opening stages saw few chances, the blustery conditions leading to scrappy play. Thistle’s Logan Chalmers went closest in the first half hour, his wind-assisted free-kick from wide drifting just past James Storer’s post. Morton finally made the breakthrough in the 35th minute. A Cammy Ballantyne cross was held up by Brophy at the near post before being laid off for the onrushing Crawford to fire home, sparking bedlam among the away fans. The visitors then struck the bar twice in quick succession through captain Jackson Longridge and Tomi Adeloye. Thistle responded immediately, Chalmers’ strike crashing off the inside of the post and straight into Storer’s arms. Second Half The game burst into life after the break. Thistle introduced Lets’osa for Luke McBeth, and the Lesotho-born midfielder quickly won his side a penalty after a clattering challenge from Longridge. Chalmers stepped up, sending Storer the wrong way to level the match. Imrie, Davies and Longridge were all visibly unhappy with the referees award of the spot kick against their side. Minutes later, Chalmers broke down the left and squared for Aidan Fitzpatrick, who raced through the middle. With only the advancing Storer to beat, the former Norwich winger somehow dragged his effort wide. Both sides would threaten in the dying stages, with both putting set pieces into dangerous area but neither keeper was forced into any late action as the match ended square. What’s next? Thistle at least have a point on the board, and Morton pick up a valuable away draw but both sides remain in search of a first league win of the season. Both sides now turn their attention to Premier Sports Cup action, with a home tie with Scott Brown’s Ayr United next week for the Maryhill men whilst Imrie, Davies and co host Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen at Cappielow in their own second round tie. Partick Thistle: Clarke; Logan (McPherson 69′), Reading, Ashcroft, O’Reilly; Stanway (MacKenzie 84′) , McBeth (Lets’osa 46′), Crawford; Fitzpatrick, Chalmers, Watt Subs not used: Budinauckas; Lawless, Horn, Falconer. Scorer: Chalmers (50′) Greenock Morton: Storer; Ballantyne, Moore, Longridge, Deleney; Wilson, Blues (Moffat 67′), Crawford (Garrity 84′), Taylor (Robertson 67′); Brophy (McKay 78′), Adeloye (O’Halloran 67′) Subs not used: Murdoch; Corr, Hart. Scorer: Crawford (32′) Att: 3,926

August 9, 2025

Aberdeen Freeze in Tynecastle Cauldron as Hearts Top Table With Victory

There were chants of ‘we shall not be moved’ at Tynecastle Park as hosts Hearts moved up to first place in the table, as the Jambos faithful created a raucous atmosphere as they watched their side defeat Scottish Cup holders Aberdeen 2-0. Both sides were able to round off the first week of Premiership action, amid fears of a potential postponement due to an amber level weather warning of severe wind. Hearts came into this one the sharpest of the two sides, having played four Premier Sports Cup matches prior to this, winning all four, and scoring four in each. Not to mention defeating Premier League opposition in Sunderland 3-0 also, in a testimonial for club legend Craig Gordon. Aberdeen were away from in the opening Monday night fixture for the second consecutive season after they beat St Johnstone 2-1 this time last year, but the side from the North East were unable to replicate the same kind of result which kickstarted their memorable unbeaten run at the start of last season. Hearts would take the lead in the 11th minute, courtesy of Aberdeen captain Graeme Shinnie, who had been receiving the pantomime villain treatment from the home support up until this point. A Harry Milne cross hit off the Dons’ skipper last before hitting the net, which all started from Claudio Braga driving down the right hand side to make it all happen, and when his cross led to a Cammy Devlin strike deflecting out to Milne, he zipped a ball across to help put the Maroon side ahead. Milne almost doubled the lead three minutes later, when his strike surprised all of Tynecastle when it hit the bar. Aberdeen would hit the woodwork themselves just a minute later, when Nicolas Milanovic’s cross hit off the leg of Kusini Yengi and tumbled onto the post left of Zander Clark. Hearts thought they had doubled their lead just on the stroke of half time, this time through their captain, Lawrence Shankland, who found the top left corner with a fantastic curling strike outside the box. However, after a lengthy VAR check, the goal was ruled out for an offside in the build up, giving the Gorgie side a one goal advantage to defend going into the second period. There was a clear momentum shift to be seen from the beginning of the second half, which seen Aberdeen create many opportunities and enjoy large spells of possession in the Hearts half. No opportunity came better than Kusini Yengi’s five minutes after the restart, with the Australian getting onto the end of a deep curling Leighton Clarkson free kick from around six yards out. His effort, however, bounced wide of the goal on what was the striker’s competitive debut for the Dons. Hearts weathered a red coloured storm for the first two thirds of the second half, before coming alive again and doubling their advantage. Harry Milne lifts a free kick in from a narrow position which was failed to be cleared by Aberdeen’s Mats Knoester, allowing Scotland international Stuart Findlay to capitalise and beat Mitov in the Aberdeen net in the air to give Hearts a two goal cushion and net his second of the season already. There was another worryingly long VAR check for a potential offside put hearts in mouths around Tynecastle, but groans quickly turned into cheers of delight when referee Nick Walsh pointed to the centre circle. This result continues Derek McInnes’ 100% record as Hearts manager following his appointment at the end of last season, as his side look to make it ten competitive victories in a row when they travel to Tannadice to face Dundee United this Sunday afternoon. For Jimmy Thelin and his men, they face the easy task of hosting the champions Celtic at Pittodrie in the Sunday lunchtime fixture, with Brendan Rodgers’ side looking to avenge their Scottish Cup Final loss and make it two wins out of two for the campaign. Hearts: Clark, Kent (Steinweinder, 70′), Hackett, Shankland (Magnusson, 90′), Braga (Wilson, 71′), Borchgrevnik (Forrest, 70′), Devlin, Spittal (Kyziridis, 70′) , Milne, Findlay (Goal, 73′), McEntee Bookings: Kent (19′), Hackett (54′), Devlin (61′) Aberdeen: Mitov, Shinnie (OG, 11′, Devlin 81′), Knoester, Nilsen (Morris, 69′), Aouchiche, Yengi (Boyd, 62′) Clarkson, Milanovic (Sokler, 81′) , Milne, Jensen, Keskinen (Polvara, 62′) Bookings: Aouchiche (60′), Milanovic (78′)

August 5, 2025

Match Reports