
Was Scotland's summer tour a success or failure?

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The Independent
21 minutes ago
- The Independent
Alexander Isak's agent addresses transfer speculation after Celtic omission
Alexander Isak 's agent has addressed the rumours over his client's future amid transfer interest in the Newcastle United forward from Premier League rivals Liverpool fc. Isak was left out of the squad for the Magpies pre-season friendly against Celtic with manager Eddie Howe admitting he wanted to remove him from 'scrutiny' due to the speculation he may leave the club. Reports have previously said that Liverpool are willing to spend big money - in advance of £125m though perhaps closer to £150m - for Isak this summer as they look to strengthen under manager Arne Slot. Howe is adamant that Isak is not for sale and is confident that he will start the season at St. James' Park. However, Isak's agent, Gonzalo Gaitan, has cast doubt on that stance. Gaitan spoke to Saudi Arabian newspaper Arriyadiyah and revealed that Isak's camp are 'analysing all options'. He said: 'We are indeed studying and analysing all options, and we may be close to finalising the next step for the player. Without revealing any details regarding whether Isak will transfer or stay with Newcastle.' Following Newcastle's defeat to Celtic at the weekend Howe explained that his club want to 'treasure' Isak as one of their best players but admits he doesn't have 100% clarity on whether the striker will remain at the club. 'I chose to send him home. The last thing Alex wants if he is not playing is to be sat in the stand and under that scrutiny, then if he wasn't going to play today, we mutually agreed he shouldn't be here,' said Howe. 'It was my decision. He travelled back to Glasgow with us, but I decided to send him home due to the speculation around him. I've had discussions with him, but that's not abnormal. 'I respect a player's career and how short it is. Alex has been really good, he's trained really well and I realise there'll be noise around him. We have a few of those players who are irreplaceable. 'Your top players are so hard to find, so hard to recruit and so hard to develop. So when you have them, you need to treasure them. Of course we're desperate to keep him as part of our team. 'I think it's difficult for me to ever give 100 per cent clarity on any player, I'd never do that. All I can say is Alex is happy at Newcastle, he loves the players, the staff, the team.' Isak has scored 62 goals in 109 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions.


The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
World Pool Championship 2025 prize money: What is the record-breaking pot in Saudi?
THIS year's World Pool Championship has intensified a little more than usual as organisers have revealed the record-breaking prize money. Fedor Gorst survived Eklent Kaci's inspirational fightback before winning the 2024 title with a 15-14 scoreline. And the Russian-born American resident took home a huge amount of money for securing his second World Pool Championship crown. This victory also meant that Gorst etched his name in history as the youngest ever to win multiple titles. But The Ghost will need to fend off his biggest rivals such as Spanish sensation Francisco Sanchez Ruiz and Scottish superstar, Jayson Shaw if he is to secure another mammoth Worlds payday. However, Gorst needs to keep an eye on some of the other competitors who will be spurred on by the record-breaking prize money. What is the World Pool Championship 2025 prize money? This year's crown jewel of the World Nineball Tour will witness a record prize fund of $1MILLION (£850,000). And a staggering $250,000 awaits the champion. All eyes will be on Fedor Gorst to see whether he can retain his title after a dramatic triumph over Eklent Kaci in 2024. Or will fans witness the rise of a new World Champion. How can I watch the World Pool Championship 2025? The World Pool Championship 2025 will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports in the UK. UK viewers can also head to NOW TV to stream the entire action. For the US fans, you'll need to tune in via DAZN which is also available in over 200 countries globally. What has been said? Director of Matchroom Sport Emily Frazer is proud to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this incredible spectacle. Emily Frazer said: 'We are proud to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the second year of this landmark partnership. "These events continue to set new benchmarks – not only in terms of prize money, but also in prestige and global impact. "Last year featured world-class hospitality and an exceptional set-up for the players, raising the bar for professionalism and player experience. It's about more than competition; it's about legacy, opportunity, and inspiring the next generation of players.'


The Sun
22 minutes ago
- The Sun
Arsenal forced to SCRAP first training session of pre-season tour as thunderstorms wreak havoc
ARSENAL were forced to reschedule the first training session of their pre-season tour of Singapore due to THUNDERSTORMS. The Gunners landed in Singapore on Sunday afternoon ahead of clashes against AC Milan and Newcastle this week before flying out to Hong Kong to take on Tottenham. 5 5 5 Boss Arteta had hoped to get straight to work on Monday morning before holding a press conference to preview the Milan game. But a huge downpour – which included thunder and lightning – scuppered those plans, with training instead moved to the afternoon ahead of the club's launch of their away kit later today. Arteta explained in his presser: 'With the weather we were unable to train today. 'We have to adapt to those situations. We are very excited to have a successful tour.' The Gunners will hope to not have any more disruptions as Arteta attempts to bed in his new signings Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga on this trip, with another new-boy Noni Madueke back in London resting from the Club World Cup. Reports have suggested that Manchester United are preparing a last-gasp hijacking of Arsenal's £63.5million deal for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres. But the Gunners are quietly confident that the club have their new No9, with Gyokeres pushing for a move to the Emirates and the negotiations over add-ons in the final stages. Arteta is keen to transform his squad even further, with Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera making a £16.5m switch from Valencia, while Crystal Palace's £60m-rated Eberechi Eze remains a target. 5 There had been hope that the Gyokeres transfer would be completed in time for him to play some part of Arsenal's pre-season opener against AC Milan on Wednesday. And asked about the Swede, Arteta said: 'I cannot comment on any player who is not part of our group yet. When we have something concrete to offer, we will do that.' Noni Madueke joins Arsenal in £52million transfer from Chelsea as Arteta's spending spree set to reach almost £200m If the club get a deal for Gyokeres over the line, the striker would likely have to wait until August 6 when the Gunners host Villarreal in their first pre-season game back from Asia. After that, Arteta's side conclude their summer preparations against Athletic Club, before ironically kicking off the Premier League season away at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Gunners defender Gabriel reckons the club will hit 'new heights' this season following another agonising year as the Prem's nearly men. And Arteta insists he is '100 per cent' confident that Arsenal followed the correct processes regarding the club's handling of Thomas Partey. Partey was – four days after his Gunners contract expired. 5