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Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage has joined the board of Cowdenbeath, with the experienced football figure determined to help the Blue Brazil return to the SPFL. Savage, 42, has taken up a director role at Central Park after a career spanning recruitment, scouting and senior football operations. The former Arbroath, East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers forward spent almost four years at Hearts, where he played a key role in shaping the club both on and off the pitch. During his time at Tynecastle, Savage helped oversee the development of the Hearts women’s team into a full-time operation, the creation of the club’s B team and a number of significant first-team recruitment successes. Among the players brought to Hearts during his tenure were Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin, Beni Baningime, Blair Spittal and Frankie Kent, while Alan Forrest also joined the club before later moving on to Dundee. Savage left Hearts in July 2024 and subsequently established his own football consultancy business, continuing to work within the game. Now, his attention turns to Cowdenbeath. The Blue Brazil have been outside the SPFL since relegation through the League Two play-offs in 2022 brought an end to their 117-year spell in senior league football. Cowdenbeath currently compete in the Lowland League and have endured a difficult start to the current campaign, sitting 13th after six matches with one victory. However, Savage has made it clear that his ambition is to help the Central Park club build towards a return to the national leagues. Speaking after his appointment, Savage said: “It is a real honour and privilege to be joining the board of Cowdenbeath FC. “As a club I know well, I look forward to helping them achieve their ambitions of getting back into the SPFL and building something the fans and community can be proud of.” Cowdenbeath believe Savage will bring considerable football knowledge and experience to the boardroom as the club looks to rebuild and establish a route back into the SPFL. Savage recently featured on SNN Sports’ Football Voices The appointment comes shortly after Savage appeared as a guest on SNN Sports’ Football Voices podcast, where he discussed his career and experiences within Scottish football. His appearance offered listeners an insight into the world of recruitment, sporting leadership and the decision-making that goes on behind the scenes at professional clubs. Savage’s move to Cowdenbeath now gives him another opportunity to put that experience into practice, this time with a club looking to rebuild its position within the Scottish football pyramid. For the Blue Brazil, the long-term objective is clear: find a route back to the SPFL and build a sustainable future at Central Park. And with Savage now part of the board, the club has added a figure with extensive experience of football recruitment, club development and working at the highest levels of the Scottish game.

Lionel Messi made an emotional return to action for Inter Miami on Wednesday, just days after the death of his father, Jorge Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner came on as a half-time substitute in Miami’s 3-2 defeat by Leon in the Leagues Cup, receiving a huge reception from supporters at the Chase Stadium. Messi’s father, Jorge, died in Rosario, Argentina, last week at the age of 68 following a long illness. He had been a hugely influential figure throughout his son’s career, becoming Messi’s agent when he was just 14 and remaining by his side as he developed into one of football’s greatest ever players. The 39-year-old had missed Miami’s 2-1 defeat by Monterrey on Saturday after returning to Argentina for his father’s private funeral on Sunday. Messi had also raised doubts over his playing future following his father’s death. In an emotional social media message, the Argentina captain admitted he was “really not sure if I’ll carry on doing it for much longer”, while revealing that his father had encouraged him to play at one more World Cup despite his deteriorating health. Messi subsequently returned to the United States and made himself available to Inter Miami manager Guillermo Hoyos for their must-win meeting with Mexican side Leon. Despite Messi’s return, Miami were unable to progress and were eliminated in the opening phase of the Leagues Cup for the first time since the competition was expanded in 2023. Miami won the tournament in 2023, shortly after Messi’s arrival at the club. The Argentina forward’s return was praised by his team-mates, with midfielder Yannick Bright describing his appearance as “incredible”. “I wasn’t expecting it,” Bright said. “It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150% for him. “It’s a tough situation. We try to stay close to him and support him as much as we can, but it’s a lot.” Leon manager Javier Gandolfi also paid tribute to Messi, saying the legendary forward is a “human being that is different to the rest”. “Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of,” Gandolfi added. Messi’s future now remains one of the biggest talking points in world football, with the veteran forward appearing increasingly uncertain about how much longer he wants to continue his remarkable career. For now, however, Messi has shown that despite the most difficult period of his personal life, he remains willing to stand alongside his Inter Miami team-mates.

Transfer Window Insight: A Scout’s Perspective First of all, I would like to thank the followers of SNN Sports for all the support, comments and suggestions following my SPFL restructure article published in March, as well as my appearance on SNN Sports’ Football Voices. It was great to hear from supporters and listen to their thoughts on how they would improve the game in Scotland. With the transfer window now in full swing, it is a busy time across the football world. Clubs are looking to strengthen their squads while also facilitating the departure of players who are deemed surplus to requirements. While supporters naturally focus on the announcement of a new signing, there is a huge amount of work that takes place behind the scenes long before a player is pictured holding up a shirt. Recruitment Starts Earlier Than You Think One of the biggest misconceptions about football recruitment is that it begins when the transfer window opens. In reality, planning often starts as soon as the previous window closes. Coaching staff, the Head of Recruitment or Director of Football, and the Chief Scout will often begin discussions about the next transfer window and what the squad may require, depending on how the season develops. While individual players may be discussed, these conversations are often initially focused on positions and player profiles rather than specific names. Once areas for improvement have been identified, recruitment teams begin building shortlists. These shortlists do not always contain individual players straight away. In many cases, they begin by identifying the positions that require strengthening, allowing scouts and recruitment staff to start identifying suitable targets. This process means that, by the time supporters begin hearing rumours about a particular player, that player may already have been monitored by the club for months. The Role of Scouting This is where scouting becomes a vital part of the recruitment process. Many supporters imagine a scout watching a player once and immediately recommending that the club signs them. In reality, it is rarely that straightforward. Scouts will ideally watch players live where possible, while also carrying out research into areas such as contract status, playing attributes and injury history before submitting reports to the Chief Scout. Players are then often watched on multiple occasions. If live scouting is not possible, clubs regularly use video analysis platforms such as Wyscout. Depending on the level of the club, teams may also use Veo footage, internal media footage or utilise relationships with other clubs to access additional video. The aim is simple: to build as complete a picture as possible before an important recruitment decision is made. A player may look excellent in one match, but recruitment is about understanding whether that performance is representative of their overall ability and whether their characteristics fit what the club actually needs. Once enough information has been gathered, final reports are produced. At this stage, managers and Chief Scouts may attend matches themselves to watch a player in person before a final recommendation is made. Why Transfers Take Time By the time a player reaches the later stages of a recruitment process, there is often already an awareness that interest exists. Agents and representatives regularly communicate with players regarding potential opportunities and, in some cases, discussions around personal terms can take place before clubs have reached an agreement over a transfer fee. While supporters may only hear about a transfer once negotiations become public, discussions can often begin much earlier. Once clubs enter formal talks, scouts may continue monitoring a player and providing follow-up reports while negotiations progress. However, there are also times when recruitment staff simply have to wait and hope that the hard work already completed results in a successful deal. Unfortunately, not every transfer reaches the finish line. Deals can collapse because of financial considerations, competing interest from other clubs, disagreements over transfer fees or simply a lack of time remaining in the window. This is one of the less visible sides of recruitment. A club can spend months identifying, monitoring and assessing a player only for a deal to ultimately fall through. Are “Panic Buys” Really Panic Buys? As transfer deadline day approaches, circumstances can change quickly. A club may lose a player unexpectedly, suffer injuries in a key position or miss out on its primary transfer target. This can force recruitment teams to move much quicker than originally planned. Supporters often refer to these signings as “panic buys”, but that is not always the case. More often than not, clubs will already have alternative options identified and discussed internally. The difference is that, with limited time remaining in the window, the recruitment process becomes accelerated. Scouting departments may have less time to build a complete profile of a player, meaning a collective effort is required to ensure the club has as much information as possible before making a decision. Scout reports, video analysis, recruitment staff and management all play a role in building an overall picture of a player. Rather than relying on one individual’s opinion, clubs often bring together information from multiple sources to make the most informed decision possible within the time available. While some late-window signings may appear reactive from the outside, they are often the result of recruitment teams adapting to changing circumstances and working against the clock to strengthen the squad before the deadline passes. Why Some Clubs Are Slower Than Others Supporters often become frustrated when their club’s transfer activity appears slow. However, there can be a number of reasons for this. Managerial uncertainty can have a significant impact on recruitment. If a club enters the summer without a permanent manager in place, recruitment plans can often be delayed. Decisions that may have been discussed months earlier can be put on hold while the club waits for a new appointment. A new manager may arrive with different ideas, preferred player profiles and even changes to the recruitment structure. This can result in targets being reassessed and recruitment plans being reviewed before

Scottish striker Robbie Ure has completed a £5.5m move to La Liga side Sevilla from Swedish league leaders IK Sirius. The 22-year-old completed his medical on Monday before putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the Spanish club. Sevilla will pay an initial €6.5m (£5.5m) for Ure, with a further €2.5m (£2.1m) potentially due in add-ons. The move represents a remarkable rise for Ure, whose career has taken off since leaving Belgian giants Anderlecht for Sweden. Ure has been one of the standout performers in the Allsvenskan this season, scoring 20 goals and registering three assists in just 20 appearances across all competitions. His 15 league goals have helped Sirius move to the top of the Swedish table, with the club holding a 12-point advantage at the midway stage of the campaign. From Rangers to La Liga Ure began his senior career with Rangers, making three first-team appearances and scoring once before moving to Anderlecht in 2023. His time in Belgium proved difficult, with the striker making just one senior appearance for the club. That changed dramatically after his move to Sirius in March 2025. Since arriving in Sweden, Ure has scored 31 goals and provided seven assists in 50 appearances, attracting interest from clubs across Europe. Now, he will have the opportunity to establish himself at one of Spain’s historic clubs and lead the line at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium. A piece of Scottish history Ure will become only the third Scottish-born player to represent Sevilla in an official competition. The club says he follows Ted McMinn, who played for Sevilla during the 1980s, and Duncan McVean Thomson, who featured during the 1915-16 season. Sevilla also highlighted two other Scots with connections to the club when announcing Ure’s arrival. Jock Wallace managed the Spanish side during the 1986-87 season, while Edward Farquharson Johnston was Sevilla’s first president. Scotland decision still to come Ure has represented Scotland at Under-19 level but has yet to make a decision on his senior international future. The striker is also eligible to represent Ukraine. However, Ure told BBC Scotland last month that his preference would be to wait for a Scotland call-up. With a £5.5m move to La Liga now secured and his goalscoring record continuing to attract attention, the 22-year-old’s next challenge will be proving he can make the step up to one of Europe’s major leagues.

Celtic suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in the Algarve as Martin O’Neill’s side ended their Portuguese training camp with a sobering lesson against one of Europe’s most accomplished teams. While the scoreline will concern supporters, pre-season results are rarely the full story. The Hoops have spent the past week enduring intense double training sessions in the Portuguese heat, and the fatigue showed against a Sporting side that looked sharper, quicker and far more clinical throughout. There was one major positive on an otherwise difficult evening as summer signing Camilo Duran announced himself with a goal on his unofficial Celtic debut, showing exactly the kind of instinct inside the penalty area supporters will hope to see throughout the season. Sporting strike first With several World Cup players still unavailable, O’Neill named a youthful starting XI featuring Callum Osmand up front alongside James Forrest and Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Sporting controlled much of the opening period and deservedly took the lead after Geny Catamo burst past Cameron Carter-Vickers before teeing up Gabriel Silva, who calmly finished beyond Viljami Sinisalo. Celtic struggled to create clear opportunities, although Paulo Bernardo came closest before the break when his effort was brilliantly cleared off the line. James Forrest remained Celtic’s brightest attacking outlet during the first half, while Osmand worked tirelessly despite receiving little service. Duran makes instant impact O’Neill made several changes after the restart, introducing Arne Engels, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and later debutant Camilo Duran. The Colombian needed less than five minutes to make his mark. Pouncing on hesitation from Sporting captain Eduardo Quaresma, Duran robbed possession inside the box before confidently slotting home to level the scores at 1-1 and give Celtic supporters a glimpse of his sharp finishing ability. It proved to be only a brief moment of encouragement. Defensive errors prove costly Sporting immediately regained control as Celtic’s defensive mistakes began to mount. A mix-up involving Ross Doohan gifted Bragança the simplest of finishes to restore the Portuguese side’s lead before Mangas made it 3-1 after another defensive lapse. Bragança completed the scoring late on with a composed finish from inside the area, wrapping up a convincing 4-1 victory for the hosts. Plenty to work on Although the result will disappoint, context remains important. Celtic have spent the past week undergoing demanding fitness work, several first-team regulars remain absent, and O’Neill continues to assess a number of younger players before the competitive campaign begins. The biggest positive was undoubtedly Duran’s encouraging debut. His movement, pressing and composed finish offered an exciting glimpse of what he could bring to the Celtic attack this season. However, the defensive performance will give O’Neill plenty to think about. Celtic were repeatedly exposed by Sporting’s pace and movement, while individual errors ultimately turned a competitive contest into a one-sided scoreline. With the new season rapidly approaching, the Hoops now return from Portugal knowing there is still work to be done before competitive football gets underway. Full Time Sporting CP 4-1 Celtic Celtic Goalscorer: Camilo Duran (57′)

Billy Davies believes the biggest lesson he learned throughout decades in football had nothing to do with tactics. Speaking at the SNN Sports Legends & Legacy Gala Dinner, the former Derby County, Preston North End and Nottingham Forest manager explained that understanding players as people was the foundation of successful management. Davies reflected on his upbringing at Rangers, describing a dressing room full of demanding senior professionals that taught discipline, respect and accountability. But despite football changing dramatically over the years, one principle has remained constant. “Treat people well because it is person first and the footballer second.” Davies explained that every player carries challenges away from the pitch, making empathy one of a manager’s greatest strengths. “Young or old, you’ve got to understand what people are going through,” he said. The former Premier League manager also encouraged young players to never stay silent if something isn’t right. “Always speak up. Never be frightened to ask questions.” For Davies, creating an environment where players feel respected and heard is just as important as producing results on the pitch.