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SPFL Weekly – Matchday 1: Five Talking Points

Russell Martin blows his top after a lacklustre showing, Luke McCowan spares blunt Celtic with late heroics, and Derek McInnes’ Jambos breezed into pole position for title challenge. Kieron Bowie was the Starman at Den’s Park, and it was a level start on opening day for promoted sides. We’re back! Here’s our round-up of the big talking points from Matchday 1 in the 2025/26 SPFL season. Martin Fires Warning Shot The post-match talk to the press is rarely more explosive than the game. Yet the new man in the dugout, Russell Martin, let rip in his Sky Sports interview after their opening SPFL game at Fir Park, criticising the mentality of his squad. He accused some of his Teddy Bears of ‘reverting to type’ and needing to ‘drop their egos’. An impressive second-half performance from Motherwell saw Emmanuel Longelo’s powerful strike cancel out James Tavernier’s first-half header in the 1-1 draw. The Lanarkshire side could have won, too, with Jack Butland denying Tom Sparrow, who scored their winner at Ibrox in March, in the game’s dying moments. Martin admitted that his ex-Norwich teammate’s side, Jens Berthel Askou, who joined Motherwell in the summer as Head Coach, was ‘braver’ and more ‘aggressive’ than his side and was lucky to get a point. Their supporters booed off the Glasgow side at full-time, echoing déjà vu from last season. The Brighton man, who played for Rangers on loan in 2018, delivered similar criticism in context to Barry Ferguson’s comments last season. Although Martin said it was ‘not an attack on anyone personally’ ahead of tonight’s Champions League qualifier against Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox, he will need to be careful not to alienate his squad. They overcame Panathinaikos over two legs in the previous round of European qualifiers. However, the less-than-convincing performances and players playing out of position have baffled supporters. He said some players must ‘drop their ego’, but perhaps he should be the one to compromise on his tactics and do so willingly if he wants to succeed in Glasgow. He told Sky Sports: “We need to work out who really wants to be all in and who doesn’t.” Martin has been busy in the transfer window, with the recent arrival of Finnish international Oliver Antman, who arrives from Go Ahead Eagles in a £4m deal, pushing the total to nine signings. The gaffer will hope Antman doesn’t shrink under pressure but grows into a giant in attack. Loyal servant and club captain James Tavernier, who has been at the club for ten years, has been an ever-present in this so-called egotistical environment. Still, question marks remain about his ability to instil a positive culture. Maybe Martin, Tavernier, fresh faces, and player exits can finally push the club in a new direction. Rodgers Needs Firepower After McCowan Bailout Luke McCowan saved Celtic’s blushes with a deflected strike in the last ten minutes of the game against a stubborn St Mirren side at Celtic Park. It was hard to say what was less surprising: Stephen Robinson’s men, unbeaten in last season’s top-six split and fresh off a third consecutive top-half finish, proving they are no pushovers, or McCowan coming off the bench and positively changing the game for the Hoops. The Bhoys started with a party. A rousing rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone rang out, Kris Boyd pleading for Scott Brown to keep talking on Sky Sports so he doesn’t have to hear it. Lisbon Lion John Clark, who passed away in the summer, had a tifo unveiled in his memory. And the club welcomed back 90s legend Paul McStay before he unfurled the league champions’ flag at Celtic Park. Unfortunately, that’s where the shindig faded. The home side struck the woodwork four times and saw a Callum McGregor second-half strike correctly ruled out for handball. It wasn’t until McCowan’s 12-minute cameo that the game came to life. The 27-year-old brought energy and the decisive flourish that Benjamin Nygren and the front three of Yang, Adam Idah, and Daezen Maeda lacked. He had a similar role last year, coming on as a substitute 17 times for Celtic in the league, scoring six goals and assisting seven times for his boyhood club. The narrow 1–0 win means the reigning champions have now won their opening league fixture in 17 of the last 18 seasons. It has been a successful period for the club, but Brendan Rodgers will only continue at Celtic beyond his contract, which expires at the end of the season, if the club continues to develop on and off the park. Rodgers wants attacking reinforcements, but Yang is less than convincing. James Forrest is ageing, and the injured Jota is not expected to return until the new year. Adam Idah continues to blow cold, and Jonjoe Kenny and new signing Shin Yamada are both untested in the league. On BBC’s Sportscene, ex-Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew says the club needs two wingers and a striker, which is a fair assessment based on the manager’s recent comments. Hearts Weather the Wind and Bloom into Title Contenders The Jambos were back in league action after cruising in their League Cup campaign the past few weeks. Even Storm Floris caused chaos across Edinburgh, with Fringe shows cancelled, train services halted, and even the Military Tattoo called off. Still, it couldn’t disrupt Derek McInnes’ men with a 2-0 win over Aberdeen. They had no sympathy for the 650 Aberdeen fans attempting the journey south, or for Dons’ captain Graeme Shinnie, who put the ball into the back of his net in the early stages of the game from a Harry Milne cross. Jambos’ summer signing Stuart Findlay finished the scoring with a brave header past an onrushing Dimitar Mitov. Lawrence Shankland thought he had doubled their advantage in the first half with a wonder strike, which was disallowed for offside in the build-up. Managing his first league game for Hearts against a former club, Derek McInnes told Sky Sports afterwards that “we gave everything.” They will

August 5, 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

Our Writers Predict the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership

The William Hill Premiership is looming, with the opening weekend starting with Killie hosting the newly promoted side of Livingston on Saturday and concluding with the blockbuster clash on Monday when Aberdeen visit Hearts. Fresh optimism, big questions and plenty of intrigue await. Will Celtic continue their domestic dominance? Can Hearts, Hibs, or Aberdeen close the Old Firm gap? And who’s facing a scrap at the bottom? The transfer window is still open, and predictions may hinge on late window shenanigans. However, our team of journalists has examined all 12 clubs and offered their early predictions for this season. Aberdeen Callum Hart – 4th I’m tipping them to finish 4th. Cameron Caldwell – 7th Guaranteed European football until January will be a double-edged sword for Jimmy Thelin’s squad. Balancing these demands with the busy domestic calendar will be a struggle. Jack Cranmer – 5th Jimmy Thelin pulled off a shock by guiding Aberdeen to Scottish Cup glory and European group stage qualification. However, that European run could become a burden. The squad is decent, but its depth is questionable. Thursday-Sunday football has hurt clubs like Hearts, and Aberdeen may suffer similarly. Recruitment has been shrewd, but whether it’s enough to maintain a top-four challenge remains to be seen. Mack Kelly – 5th They have had a lot of activity in the transfer window this season, and Thelin is now properly putting his stamp on the squad. I think European football this season will act as a derailer for the Dons and hold them back in the table. That said, I can see the Reds going on a run in the Conference League. Michael Shuel – 5th The Dons have been busy in the transfer market, but losing Jamie McGrath on a free is a blow. Hopefully, their recruits can prove effective. The extension of Alfie Dorrington’s loan is a good move, as he will continue to develop into a top defender. They hope to continue last season’s success, which saw them pick up silverware. Ryan Niven – 5th Inconsistent last season, and with the addition of European football, I feel the Pittodrie club will struggle. Scott Bradley – 5th Despite the historic Scottish Cup win against Celtic last season, we can’t forget the Dons had a poor second half of the season, only managing to win five of their last 26 league games. The Dandies played in Europe under former boss Barry Robson, and they struggled to cope with that Thursday-to-Sunday schedule; the same could happen this season. Celtic Callum Hart – 1st Celtic still seems to be the better team between them and the Rangers; however, I think the gap will be closer this year than last. Cameron Caldwell – 1st While there’s still work to do in the transfer market, Celtic’s established core should be consistent enough to secure their fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title. Jack Cranmer – 2nd Celtic remain favourites, but a storm may be brewing. Brendan Rodgers’ recent comments hint at dissatisfaction with the club’s backing during the summer window. Nicolas Kühn’s departure is a blow, and while Benjamin Nygren appears a capable replacement, it’s hard to argue he’s an upgrade on an in-form Kühn. If he stays fit, Kieran Tierney will be an improvement on Greg Taylor, but that’s a big ‘if’ across a 50+ game season. Up front, serious concerns remain: Jota won’t be fully fit until late in the campaign, Adam Idah is still unconvincing, Kyogo Furuhashi still hasn’t been truly replaced, and the new options lack the quality Celtic have had in recent years. Rodgers has a track record of third-season stagnation, and if he’s not backed, he could walk. If that happens, chaos could open the door to a Rangers resurgence. Mack Kelly – 1st It will be much tighter at the top end of the table this season, but I think the squad’s quality and experience will deliver the Celtics’ fifth consecutive title by no more than six points. Michael Shuel – 1st With the Rangers experiencing a tactical revolution (or mess, as some could call it) and the mastermind Russell Martin joining, the Celtics should be scared. Not really. It will take time for Rangers to gel, and the Hoops have too much quality in all areas of their squad. Could they do with more wingers now? Sure. But that’ll come. Are there question marks around Adam Idah? Look, he will still get 15-20 goals this season. If that’s what you call a flop (even at a staggering £9m), then so be it. Ryan Niven – 1st With the Rangers being rebuilt, Celtic will bring home another title. However, their lack of transfer business so far makes me believe it’ll be a closer title race than last season. Scott Bradley – 2nd Despite winning a double last season, Brendan Rodgers’ men have dropped in form and standards over the last few months. There doesn’t seem to be a real buzz and excitement surrounding the Scottish champions at this moment in time, and the lack of transfer business is a concern, especially amongst the Celtic faithful. I believe this will be Rodgers’ last season, and if he loses the first Old Firm game at Ibrox, the alarm bells will start ringing. Dundee Callum Hart – 12th After Dundee’s poor start to the campaign, I think it’ll continue into the league season. Cameron Caldwell – 12th Steven Pressley hasn’t been a manager since 2019. This lack of recent experience could prove problematic for a Dundee team that only narrowly avoided relegation last year. Jack Cranmer – 12th I don’t want to be too harsh on Steven Pressley; he’s done his homework at Brentford, but alarm bells are already ringing. Losses to Airdrieonians and Alloa in the League Cup, plus a narrow win over Lowland League Bonnyrigg Rose, don’t inspire confidence. Their recruitment, mainly from English lower leagues and loans from Brentford youth, looks risky. Pressley’s man-management has also been questioned, and losing Josh Mulligan and Lyall Cameron won’t help. If results don’t pick up soon, the

August 2, 2025

Points Shared at Gayfield for Scottish Championship Opener

Arbroath 1-1 Ayr United N. Todorov 89′ , J. Murphy 5′ Arbroath and Ayr opened the championship season with a competitive 1-1 draw at Gayfield. Despite the pre-match flag-raising celebrations for Arbroath, it was Ayr United who started the brighter of the two sides. Just five minutes in, Jamie Murphy opened the scoring with a fierce right-footed shot from the edge of the box. Arbroath started slowly, but eventually sparked into life on the half-hour mark. Craig Watson’s attempt sailed over David Mitchell’s goal, and moments later, Scott Stewart couldn’t convert a close-range header from a Ryan Dow corner. Reilly also tested the Ayr net, but his shot lacked power. A notable theme throughout the game was the intense physicality, with both teams engaging in numerous crunching tackles. Ayr United’s George Oakley was a constant presence and perhaps fortunate to escape with only a yellow card after an apparent forearm strike to the back of Craig Watson’s neck. Ryan Dow had a golden opportunity to equalise but failed to direct a teasing ball from Harry Cochrane on goal. Further good play saw Scott Stewart pick out Marshall, whose reverse pass to the onrushing Wilkie could only find the side netting. Despite Ayr’s early dominance, Scott Brown’s side had plenty of work left to do. Scott Brown made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Celtic loanee Kyle Ure for Dom Thomas. Another Ayr loanee, Jude Bonnar, had the first chance of the second half but couldn’t direct Curtis Main’s cross. Arbroath quickly responded with an opportunity of their own, as David Mitchell well saved Reilly’s close-range strike. The second half mirrored the end of the first, with Arbroath on top and Ayr struggling to regain control. Around the 65-minute mark, Brown again adjusted his tactics, bringing on defensive signing Shaun Want for Curtis Main, who, despite scoring twice against Arbroath in the League Cup, couldn’t add to his tally in this match. Arbroath’s persistence paid off in the 88th minute when super-sub Nikolay Todorov powered home a teasing cross from Craig Watson, sending the Gayfield faithful into raptures and levelling the score. With five minutes of added time, the home support urged their team on for a winner. While they couldn’t find a second goal, Arbroath’s joint managers David Gold and Craig Hamilton can take significant encouragement from their side’s competitive performance against one of last season’s top Championship teams. Scott Brown’s Ayr United started brightly but will undoubtedly be disappointed with their inability to add to their lead. Teams Arbroath: McAdams Wilkie O’Brien Muirhead Flynn Reilly (Pettifer 90+3’) Dow Stewart Watson Marshall (Callachan 72’) Cochrane (Todorov 85’) Bookings: Muirhead 42’ Stewart 60’ Ayr United: Mitchell McAllister Dick Oakley Main Thomas (Ure 46’) Murphy (Rus 70’) Bonnar (Walker 60’) McKenzie Watret (Hastie 70’) McMann Bookings: Bonnar 44’ Oakley (45+3’)

August 1, 2025

SFA Approves Tier 5 Restructure from 2026/27

The Scottish FA membership has officially approved a resolution to restructure the fifth tier of Scottish football. This move will see the current Lowland League replaced by two new regional divisions: the Lowland League East and Lowland League West. These changes will take effect from the beginning of the 2026/27 season and mark a significant overhaul of the national football pyramid. The revamped Tier 5 structure will feature the two new Lowland Leagues operating alongside the existing Highland League, creating a three-league fifth tier. Each Lowland League will comprise 16 teams, with promotion and relegation systems linked to the surrounding non-league structures. While the restructure will not come into force until the 2026/27 campaign, the upcoming 2025/26 season will act as a transition year, particularly for clubs in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL). A minimum of eight WoSFL clubs could be promoted to the new Lowland League West at the end of the campaign, with no teams relegated from any WoSFL division, as confirmed at the league’s AGM before the end of last season. Promotion eligibility is also contingent on Scottish FA licensing, with only clubs holding an SFA Membership Licence able to be promoted to Tier 5. From 2026/27 onwards, the new Tier 5 setup will see each Lowland League operate with promotion and relegation to and from their respective regional leagues, such as the WoSFL and East of Scotland League. The three champions of the Highland League, Lowland League East, and Lowland League West will enter a round-robin play-off. The winner of that mini-league will then face the bottom club in SPFL League 2 in a two-legged tie for a place in the professional leagues. At the other end, one team will be relegated from each Lowland League annually, with the corresponding regional champion replacing them, again, subject to licensing.

July 31, 2025

William Hill Kicks Off Second Season as Proper Supporters of the SPFL

William Hill Kicks Off Second Season as Proper Supporters of the SPFL The countdown is over – the 2025/26 SPFL season is here, and with it, William Hill returns as the Proper Supporters of the SPFL for a second year running. Following a record-breaking first season of partnership, William Hill is back with even greater ambition and a renewed commitment to Scottish football across all four divisions. From the Premiership to League Two, the campaign kicks off this weekend with fan celebrations, flag unfurlings, and the return of one of the SPFL’s most popular shows. The Warm-Up Returns – Now in Podcast Format To mark the start of the new season, The Warm-Up – William Hill’s flagship SPFL preview show – is back and better than ever Hosted by Chris Sutton and Kris Boyd, the first episode sees Charlie Adam step in for Steven Naismith to break down the season’s biggest talking points: – Can Rangers challenge for the title under new leadership? – What will define success for Derek McInnes at Hearts? – Is this the year Aberdeen shows consistent league form under Jimmy Thelin? – What can fans expect from newly promoted sides Livingston and Falkirk? And it’s not just for YouTube this season – fans can now listen on the go, as The Warm-Up is available across all major podcast platforms. Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWarm__Up Listen wherever you get your podcasts Follow for updates: @WilliamHillSPFL Celebrating Champions Across the Divisions William Hill representatives will be present at stadiums this weekend to help unfurl championship flags in the Premiership, Championship, League One, and League Two – celebrating the success of last season’s title-winning sides and the fans who stood by them. Sandro Di Michele, Interim Director of Sportsbook at William Hill, reflected on the partnership: “Our first season back in Scottish football was a real success story for the business, and we can’t wait to get going again. “As Proper Supporters of the SPFL, we made a determined effort to connect with all 42 clubs and their fans. We’re returning with even bigger ambitions, and fans can expect improvements in how we deliver our popular promotions. “Thank you to the SPFL, the clubs, and the supporters for your continued backing – and best of luck to all teams for the 2025/26 season!” How to Stay Connected Whether you’re following your team’s journey or keeping tabs on league-wide storylines, The Warm-Up is your essential companion all season long. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWarm__Up Listen: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more Follow: @WilliamHillSPFL on all major platforms Scottish football is back, and so are the Proper Supporters of the SPFL. Let’s make it a season to remember.

July 29, 2025

Spartans Boss: East Kilbride the Team to Beat in League Two

The Spartans concluded their Premier Sports Cup campaign with a 4–0 defeat to William Hill Premiership side Falkirk earlier today. The Edinburgh-based side went into half-time trailing by just one goal, but three second-half strikes from the full-time Bairns saw the score line widen after a promising opening 45 minutes. Dylan Tait opened the scoring in the first half before the Spartans tested Falkirk goalkeeper Scott Bain on several occasions. However, a second-half double from Calvin Miller and a goal from Scott Arfield secured a comfortable win for the hosts. Despite the two sides being separated by the full length of the SPFL pyramid, Spartans boss Douglas Samuel, now the longest-serving manager in the SPFL, having been at the helm since 2012, felt his side competed well. Speaking post-match, the former Edinburgh University boss said he was “proud” of his players and praised their “effort and performance,” although he admitted the second-half display could have been better. Spartans earned promotion into the SPFL pyramid in 2023 after defeating Albion Rovers in the play-offs as Lowland League champions. They begin their League Two campaign next week away to last season’s Lowland League winners, East Kilbride, marking their official debut in the senior league setup. Despite East Kilbride also being newly promoted, Samuel has already identified Mick Kennedy’s side as the ones to beat this season. He said: “They are the favourites for League Two, so I expect it to be a hard game. In that sense, today was great preparation for us” “Will they be able to press and get after us with the same intensity as full-time Falkirk players? “We’ll find out.” Kennedy, the former Darvel boss who famously defeated Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup, has been open about his ambition to take East Kilbride as high as the Championship within the next few years, and his side have already shown flashes of their quality. Earlier this month, they defeated Championship side Raith Rovers 4–2 in their own Premier Sports Cup group. However, they also suffered defeats to St Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the latter a 6–2 loss on Tuesday, suggesting there’s still work to be done. East Kilbride have also endured a disrupted pre-season in terms of squad building. Summer signings Josh O’Connor, son of former Hibs striker Garry, and Sena Niang both left the club just weeks after signing, in a bizarre situation. They’ve also been hit hard by injuries. New signing Ouzy See is out for the entire season after picking up an injury against Raith Rovers. Cami Elliott remains sidelined with an Achilles issue that kept him out over the summer. Defenders Jamie Hamilton and Jordan McGregor are out, while midfielder Joao Balde is racing against time to be fit for the League Two opener. While the Spartans’ heavy defeat to Falkirk exposed the challenges of stepping up against full-time professional opposition, there were encouraging signs in their competitive spirit and early-season preparations. With the League Two campaign kicking off next week against a strong East Kilbride side, Douglas Samuel’s squad will be eager to build on their pre-season efforts and make their own push at the top of the table. The coming weeks will be crucial in setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting season in the SPFL’s fourth tier.

July 27, 2025

McGlynn: “We’re Going to Another Level Now” as Falkirk Prepare for Premiership Return

Falkirk manager John McGlynn praised his side’s focus and momentum after a dominant 4–0 win over The Spartans secured progression to the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. Goals from Dylan Tait, Scott Arfield, and a Calvin Miller double rounded off an impressive group stage campaign at The Falkirk Stadium, with the Bairns finishing unbeaten on eleven points. Despite missing out on a seeded place McGlynn insisted the bigger picture far outweighs any short-term disappointment. For the Falkirk boss, next Sunday’s Premiership opener against Dundee United represents more than just a fixture, it marks the end of a long road back to the top flight after 15 years away. He said: “Next Sunday, at 2 o’clock, we’re live on Sky, everybody is buzzing here, everybody is so excited. “It is the first time for a generation of fans that they’re going to see their team playing in the Premiership.” The sense of anticipation has been building for weeks, ever since the Bairns secured their second consecutive promotion to return to the Premiership. McGlynn’s men looked sharp and clinical, with quick, one touch passes, and the ability to drive up the park quickly either from the flanks, or through the centre. While Falkirk’s cup form has been almost flawless, apart from a 0-0 draw away to Cove, where they picked up a bonus point during the shootout, McGlynn admitted it’s now all about what lies ahead: “We’ve come back, and we’ve played a lot of pre-season friendlies, and we’re fed up with them. “With the greatest respect, we’ve got a bit fed up with this because we’re going to go to another level now. “It’s the excitement and the enthusiasm that will be out here next Sunday. The winning momentum is there. “We wanted to continue the momentum today, which we have done.” Falkirk may have been edged out of a seeded spot by the likes of Hearts, St Johnstone, and Partick Thistle, all of whom took maximum points, but they head into the new league campaign unbeaten, confident, and with belief surging through the stands. For the Falkirk faithful, many of whom have never seen their club in the top tier, Sunday’s clash against Dundee United will be more than just a curtain-raiser, it’s a whole new ball game for a generation of supporters.

July 27, 2025

Billy Davies inspired Ryan Bertrand in the Champions League final

Ryan Bertrand won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 and spoke of how Billy Davies inspired him in what was the biggest achievement of his career. The left-back made his Champions League debut in the final and he remembered one key bit of advice that his former Nottingham Forest boss gave him. Bertrand was on loan at the Tricky Trees for one season back in 2010 and he learnt a lot under Davies. Speaking on the Business of Sport podcast, the former England international was set to play in the biggest game of his life and he thought back to what Davies told him that calmed his nerves for the occasion: “So, I’ll be in the Champions League final and all I’m thinking about is Billy Davies. He used to say, this was playing against Derby, and we played them, so it’s a big game there. “I think we beat them 5-2 or something, but before the game he was just walking around the dressing room saying ‘play the game and not the occasion’, just walking around saying ‘play the game not the occasion’, and funnily enough when I was at that Champions League [final] when I was getting ready that’s all I could think of. “So, when I’m hearing the Champions League soundtrack and stuff which is amazing, and having that realisation of what this echo of just play this game, it’s just another game.” The 35-year-old was asked by the host if Davies’ advice worked on the night and he responded: “It did, it did. It actually worked alright playing against for example [Arjen] Robben was there and no matter how dangerous he was, I had that repetition against him when I was 16 because the more you play against a player, the more you become familiar with them.” Davies has returned to the game and is Greenock Morton’s new Technical Head Coach and will support Dougie Imrie on what promises to be an exciting season for the Ton.

July 25, 2025

East Kilbride’s Turbulent Summer Raises Questions Before League Two Campaign

East Kilbride became the fifth team to be promoted from the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland Football League to the William Hill SPFL last season, after defeating Bonnyrigg Rose in a playoff final. Former Darvel manager Mick Kennedy, who famously oversaw a Scottish Cup upset against Jim Goodwin’s Aberdeen a few years ago, led his side to promotion after a standout season in the fifth tier. However, concerns have been raised about the high turnover of the playing squad during the club’s title-winning campaign. Since Kennedy, who also once guided amateur side Colville Park to the Scottish Amateur Cup, took charge of ‘Kilby’ in 2023, the club has used a remarkable number of first-team players, 54 in 2023/24 and 38 so far in 2024/25, with 11 new signings this summer alone. Yet two of those summer recruits have already departed K-Park in what has been an unusual saga. First, Josh O’Connor, the 21-year-old son of former Hibernian and Scotland striker Garry, left Northern Irish side Crusaders at the end of last season and was announced as an EK signing on June 25. He featured in a friendly soon after, but just weeks later, on July 10, was unveiled by League Two rivals Elgin City. One such case could be written off as an odd anomaly. However, fellow new signing Mouhamed “Sena” Niang, Dumbarton’s Player of the Year last season, has also left, despite only joining earlier this summer. The Senegalese midfielder was announced as an East Kilbride player, also on June 25, and appeared on the bench twice before suddenly moving to another League Two side, Clyde, on July 18. Kennedy’s side also signed Ian McShane and Scott Ferguson from Gartcairn in the final months of last season, only for both to leave before making a single appearance in their debut League Two campaign. With rumours of a fractured relationship between players and staff, and such a high rate of player turnover. Could be the first sign of trouble at a club widely expected to challenge for another promotion? During their Lowland League campaigns, the club took full advantage of the less-restricted non-league transfer windows. But following promotion, East Kilbride must now operate within the standard summer and January windows. They can no longer make quick changes after a couple of poor results. The question now is whether Kennedy and his team can adapt to the realities of league football, or if we are seeing the early signs of teething problems for the SPFL’s newest members.

July 21, 2025

SPFL