Latest news with #Celtic-bound
Daily Record
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Benjamin Nygren gets 'fearless' Celtic billing as Alexander Isak lavishes praise on Hoops transfer target
The Hoops are in advanced talks to land the FC Nordsjaelland playmaker Celtic-bound Benjamin Nygren has been dubbed 'fearless' by Sweden teammate Alexander Isak. The FC Nordsjaelland star is close to agreeing a £1.7million move to Parkhead, with the midfielder available on a cut price deal because he is into the final six months of his contract in Denmark. Nygren enjoyed a superb campaign in the Danish Superliga last season, scoring 15 times in 30 league outings. Those displays were enough to catch the eye of Swedish national team boss Jon Dahl Tomasson, who handed Nygren his first senior cap in a shock loss to Luxembourg back in March. The Hoops target then marked his first start for his country days later with a goal in a 5-1 thumping of Northern Ireland. And Newcastle talisman Isak - who is the subject of stellar interest from top clubs around Europe this summer - has lavished Nygren with praise for his impact at international level. He said: "It was very good to play with Benjamin. I really enjoyed it. It's clear he is a fearless player who has a lot of confidence. "Playing with a winger like that who is able to provide good crosses can only be beneficial for someone like me. "I think he did incredibly well in the two games and it was a nice boost for him that he was also able to score his goal too." Last month, Nygren made it no secret that he wants to play in the Champions League - something that Celtic may well be able to offer him. He stated: "The last two years I have shown that I have taken the next step in my career, become a regular starter and I feel I have delivered at a high level for a long time, "I have developed a lot - not only on the tactical levels, but also as a player on the pitch and as a leader. "I am 23 years old and a captain already, which says a lot. My leadership skills are something that I have developed greatly. "I have always seen myself as someone who wants to lead and wants to show others and set a good example both on and off the field. "Playing in the Europa Conference League where I scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahce, was a big boost to my confidence and my dream is to play in the Champions League. "I make no secret of the fact that I have high ambitions and want to play in the best leagues and play in the Champions League. "And if you want to play in the biggest tournaments, you probably have to take the move forward from here."
Scotsman
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland squad announced as Hibs hitman gets shock call, teens keep place plus notable Hearts and Celtic omissions
Clarke selects group for friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Hibs striker Kieron Bowie has been called into the Scotland squad for the first time after national team head coach Steve Clarke picked 25 players for next month's friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein. Clarke was at Easter Road to watch Bowie score for Hibs against Rangers and was no doubt impressed by the 22-year-old, who has previously been a mainstay for the under-21 squad. The former Raith and Fulham hitman joined Hibs last summer and despite suffering a serious hamstring issue, has helped the Easter Road side finish third in the Premiership. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bowie is one of five forwards named in the squad alongside Torino's Che Adams, Middlesbrough hitman Tommy Conway, Ipswich's George Hirst and Hearts teenager James Wilson, who won his first cap for Scotland back in March. Scotland manager Steve Clarke has named his latest Scotland squad. | SNS Group Wilson's club teammate Craig Gordon misses out, however, with the 42-year-old having been sidelined by injury for Hearts' last three leagues matches. Angus Gunn, who is a free agent after leaving Norwich this summer, Kilmarnock's Robby McCrorie and Ipswich's Cieran Slicker are the three goalkeepers in the squad. Uncapped left-sided defender Josh Doig returns to set-up after helping Sassuolo wing Serie B, while Everton's Nathan Patterson is back after more than a year's absence due to hamstring issues. Grant Hanley (Birmingham), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Max Johnston (Sturm Graz), Scott McKenna (Las Palmas), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), captain Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers) and Celtic-bound Kieran Tierney make up the defenders. Miller keeps his place Teenager Lennon Miller, fresh from winning the young player of the year awards, keeps his place after a stellar season with Motherwell in midfield. Rangers' Connor Barron is included alongside regular call-ups Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay (both Napoli), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna) and John McGinn (Aston Villa). Ryan Christie of Bournemouth and Kenny McLean of Norwich are both injured. West Ham's Andy Irving keeps his spot in the midfield ranks. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Other notable omissions include Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland and Aberdeen hitman Kevin Nisbet, while Birmingham's Lyndon Dykes and Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey remain short of match fitness. Celtic left-back Greg Taylor has also been left out. Scotland welcome Iceland to Hampden on Friday, June 6 before heading to Vaduz to face Liechtenstein on Monday, June 9. The two friendlies are Scotland's last warm-up matches before World Cup qualifying begins later this year. Scotland squad in full Goalkeepers: Angus Gunn (Norwich), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock), Cieran Slicker (Ipswich). Defenders: Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Grant Hanley (Birmingham), Jack Hendry (Al Etiffaq), Max Johnston (Sturm Graz), Scott McKenna (Las Palmas), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Arsenal). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Midfielders: Connor Barron (Rangers), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (West Ham), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Motherwell).
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Che Adams ends Scotland drought in style as unrecognisable Steve Clarke side dismantles Liechtenstein
Our man Scott Burns was in Liechtenstein as Clarke's much-changed side returned to winning ways Scotland played in the shadows of the Alps and it was hat-trick hero Che Adams who peaked in this much-needed win over Liechtenstein. Yes, it was only a friendly but it put a win on the board and both Clarke's starting frontmen got in on the act. Adams got a treble and George Hirst netted his first for the country. Lennon Miller made his first start and made an immediate impact. He saw a shot blocked and Adams knocked in the rebound in the fourth minute. The Torino star got another in the first half, after Miller pressed, won it and fed the forward who finished with a low reverse shot. Scotland dominated. John McGinn's second half shot came off the post before Anthony Ralston put in a cross and Adams flicked it on to Hirst to score. It was a job done. Clarke was also able to give debuts to Josh Doig, Andy Irving, Connor Barron and Kieron Bowie in the closing stages. Adams claimed the matchball when he netted from a Nathan Patterson cross with the final touch of the game. Okay, the minnows were never going to offer the toughest of challenges but Scotland got the victory and a welcome boost ahead of the World Cup qualifiers - which kick-off in the next international window in September. There will be no room for error against Denmark, Greece and Belarus. This game in the Rheinpark Stadium brought some welcome positivity back after the home defeats to Greece and Iceland. It was only Scotland's second visit to Liechtenstein; the last one was a 2-1 win back in 2010. This one was as straightforward as they come. They got the win they were after. The Scotland players can now rest up after a long, hard season and focus on the real action. The one thing that is certain is that the next team they face in red and white - the Danes - will be a significantly tougher nut to crack. Ross Doohan answers SOS for Scotland debut The Celtic-bound keeper was on holiday in Turkey when he took the call to see if he would make the trip to Liechtenstein. The 27-year-old had been a Scotland under-21 regular but his last action on that front had been five years ago. Doohan had played a number of games for Aberdeen this season and got the nod because he was still training up to the Scottish Cup final. The Tartan Army encouraged his every touch. He probably couldn't have picked a better opponent. He was rarely troubled and spent most of the time as a sweeper rather than keeper. Perfect first start with a cap and a clean sheet. Lennon Miller makes first start The Motherwell youngster came off the bench to make his debut against Iceland. He was handed his full debut in Vaduz. The one thing he always tried to be was positive. He was always looking up and trying to make things happen. He played a part in two of Adams' goals. The first his shot was blocked and it was his pressing that raced Liechtenstein into the mistake for the second. The 18-year-old can be happy with his night's work. It certainly won't be his last Scotland start. Could this be his last act as a Motherwell player? Previous manager, Michael Wimmer, has predicted he would be departing Fir Park this summer. Che Adams breaks Scotland drought in style The striker had done well in his first season in Torino, finishing as his side's top scorer. He had found goals harder to come by in dark blue. In fact, his early goal was his first in over a year, since he netted in the friendly win over Gibraltar. You could see the delight in his face as he finally got back on target for his country. There was no such long, frustrating wait for his next Scotland goal. It took him 22 minutes to make it a double. He made it a treble in the final minute. It is now a more respectable nine goals in 39 appearances. He also pitched in with a neat assist for Hirst. George Hirst opens his Scotland account The Ipswich Town forward got his first start against Iceland last week and Clarke stuck by him for this game. Hirst had made cameo sub appearances. He looked half-decent against Iceland. He was in on the action in the early stages of this game too. He worked hard again and got his moment of glory when he knocked home Adams' header from close range in the 48th minute. Has he staked a claim to start in the World Cup qualifiers? Scotland's terrible friendly record improved Clarke has ordered an improvement from his players going into this double header but the first game ended in disappointment against Iceland. The national coach went into this game with just one win in his last 10 friendly games. Yes, okay a lot of them were against top opposition but there were also a few blots on the copybook, like Northern Ireland and Iceland at home. Scotland's last friendly had been over a year ago when they beat Gibraltar in a warm-up for Euro 2024. The best of the rest had been draws with Finland, Austria and Poland and a number of morale-denting defeats against Turkey, England, France, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Iceland. It was unlikely Clarke and his team were going to come up short in this one and they didn't! Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
How to watch Liechtenstein v Scotland on TV and online plus highlights and team news details
Full details ahead of Scotland's trip to Liechtenstein Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland play their final friendly ahead of the World Cup qualification campaign when they take on Liechtenstein in Vaduz. Steve Clarke's men will be looking to sign off with a much-needed victory against the minnows, who have only defeated Hong Kong in the past five years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland lost 3-1 at home to Iceland on Friday night and after the team was booed off the pitch at Hampden, a poor result would be highly damaging for Clarke and his players. Here are all the details ahead of the match: The Scotland squad trains ahead of the match against Liechtenstein. | SNS Group Liechtenstein v Scotland match details The international friendly match between Liechtenstein and Scotland takes place on Monday, June 9 at Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz. Kick-off is at 5pm BST. Liechtenstein v Scotland TV channel BBC Scotland have taken up the rights for this match and the game will be shown live on BBC Two and BBC Scotland. Liechtenstein v Scotland live stream The game can be watched live on the BBC iPlayer. Liechtenstein v Scotland highlights There is no Sportscene highlights package scheduled on the BBC channels, but match highlights will be put on the BBC Scotland website not long after the final whistle. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland will face Liechtenstein at the Rheinpark Stadion. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 Liechtenstein v Scotland team news Scotland head coach Steve Clarke is without goalkeepers Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie, defender Kieran Tierney and midfielder Scott McTominay due to injury. Celtic-bound goalkeeper Ross Doohan cut short his family holiday to join up with the squad and is set to make his debut for the national team.
Scottish Sun
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss
He insisted that Scotland are still massive favourites against his 205th-ranked minnows KEEP IT UP KEEP IT UP 'I wish I had those problems' – Steve Clarke's Scotland goalkeeper crisis laughed off by Liechtenstein boss Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIECHTENSTEIN boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off suggestions Scotland have a goalkeeper crisis and said: 'I wish I had those kinds of problems!' Scotland face the tiny Alpine nation — ranked 205th in the world — in a friendly in Vaduz tomorrow night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Liechtenstein boss Konrad Funfstuck laughed off Scotland's injury crisis in goal Credit: PA 3 Angus Gunn went off after just six minutes in Friday's defeat to Iceland Credit: PA 3 Robby McCrorie was injured in the warmup and joins Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark and Gunn on the sidelines Credit: Ger Harley/Sportpix/Sipa USA Steve Clarke's squad in disarray after injuries to Craig Gordon, Liam Kelly, Zander Clark, Angus Gunn and Robby McCrorie. That means Celtic-bound Ross Doohan is likely to come straight in for his debut. But Funfstuck said: 'I'd love to have the problems the Scottish coach has! 'Scotland have a good goalkeeping tradition and they will have good goalkeepers in their younger years who will have big careers. 'They have very good players, a good structure and a good coach. 'We have to focus on ourselves and try to develop our football, with clear principles and ideas. That's our goal. 'Travelling back from our match in Wales we saw some of the Scottish supporters who were already on the way to Liechtenstein. 'British football, and Scottish football in particular, is special. It has undergone a huge development in the league and the national team. 'The national team has created a buzz and we have great respect for the Scottish team. 'They are extremely good and individually strong and we're looking forward to meeting them. Scotland fans need to STOP booing Steve Clarke and his players says Kris Boyd 'We know the clear positioning of our side and Scotland — we are clear outsiders, the absolute underdog. 'But we showed against Wales on Friday night that it's not easy to play against us. 'We made it difficult for them and we want to try to show the same energy and power against Scotland.' Clarke's side are aiming to bounce back after the 3-1 loss to Iceland on Friday and Funfstuck — whose side went down 3-0 in Cardiff — added: 'I would have preferred that Scotland had won against Iceland, I'm honest about that. 'But Iceland have a good team with a good individual quality — Scotland against Iceland is an open match. 'It doesn't change the fact that Scotland are a very good team. 'They will have a lot of fans here and they will really want to present a spectacle for them.' The majority of Liechtenstein's players are part-timers who play in the Swiss and Austrian third and fourth tiers. Midfielder Simon Luchinger, who's just signed for Austrian Second Division side Schwarz-Weiss Bregenz, admits he'll have his own Scottish backing tonight. The 22-year-old — who'll win his 30th cap — said: 'When I was at St Francis University in Pittsburgh in the USA. I played alongside a Scottish player called Patrick Heron. 'I haven't seen him for more than three years but he is coming to the match in Vaduz so it will be great to see him. 'I love the intensity and passion of British football. We have a little more anticipation than usual about this match. 'It was a highlight for me to play in Wales and playing Scotland at home will be another positive.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
