Latest news with #WestBromwichAlbion
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Should Hearts' Shankland stay or should he go?
Heart of Midlothian travel to Spain for a pre-season training camp this weekend, just over two weeks out from their opening match of the new season against Dunfermline Athletic on 12 the travelling group, one name is conspicuous by its absence, that of talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract with the club expires at the end of this month. Since Hearts brought Shankland back to Scotland in 2022, he has established himself as one of the most reliable goalscorers in Scotland's top has scored 68 goals in Hearts colours in 137 appearances across all competitions. There's an old adage about good strikers scoring one in two - and Shankland does that. That form, along with Shankland's contract situation, explains the long-standing speculation over the Scotland international. A mooted move to Rangers never transpired and links to West Bromwich Albion appear to have gone Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to keep Shankland in Gorgie and tie him down to a new deal, with conversations between player and club is rife among Hearts supporters after Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom completed a £9.86m deal to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh will Shankland hold out for a move to England or back overseas? Or will he want to be part of Bloom's "disruption" and lead the line in maroon again next season? Hearts can offer 'security' & ambition The fact that Shankland has not made it clear he is leaving is cause for optimism for both McInnes and Hearts is evidently and understandably excited at the prospect of working with the 29-year-old, but will Shankland sign on the dotted line to link up with the club's new team boss?Hearts will hope the chance to be part of their new project, with tried-and-tested performer McInnes in the dugout and Bloom's gravitas in the boardroom, is enough to persuade their star uncertainty over Shankland's future has been clouded further still as McInnes heads to Spain without him."I really feel Lawrence as part of a strong Hearts team can elevate himself," McInnes said earlier this week. "I think he's capable of scoring 25-30 goals a season in the right team and used in the right way."We can offer security. We can offer building a team and being part of a team that's trying to be successful."With Bloom aiming to "disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long" in Scottish football, there is an expectation Hearts will attack the transfer Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, centre-half Stuart Findlay and midfielder Oisin McEntee have already signed in the early knockings of the window, while Elton Kabangu joined permanently after last season's loan the ambition of the McInnes-Bloom project, the prospect of playing under the immediate gaze of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke would be another perk of staying in Edinburgh for Shankland. Why do Hearts want to keep him? One word. Goals."When you get the ball into dangerous areas, Lawrence Shankland will score," former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said on Sportscene at the end of last season."A guy that is capable of banging in 20-plus goals a season doesn't grow on trees."Stewart is right. Shankland has passed the 20-goal mark in the Premiership twice in the past three seasons - no other player has done Furuhashi did it once for Celtic, Cyriel Dessers once for Rangers and Kevin van Veen once for Motherwell. Beyond that, Shankland brings experience and leadership, having captained Hearts during goalkeeper Craig Gordon's long injury has amassed more than 150 Premiership appearances in addition to 16 Scotland caps. Shankland 'looking to maximise earning potential' Had Shankland's contract expired 12 months prior, the suitors would have been piling up to sign him on a free given his goal-scoring feats in the 2023-24 season, during which he bagged 31 goals in all season just gone was less prolific and, as he approaches 30, Shankland is likely considering how many high-profile moves or high-paying contracts he has left in his career."He's at a stage in his career where he's looking to maximise his earning potential, which is completely understandable," Stewart explains why Hearts are yet to hear from him regarding the offer on the no deal has been done, suggesting any alternative offers received by Shankland were not to his liking. With pre-season about to get under way, things will come to a head in the coming Naismith, who was Hearts boss during Shankland's free-scoring 2023-24 season, added: "Like any player, there are more options when you're out of contract."It gives you a chance to sit and think what's best for you at this stage in your career, but he'll want it sorted before pre-season starts."
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Listen to BBC Radio WM's Baggies fan forum
Wondering what went down at BBC Radio WM's West Bromwich Albion fan forum?Catch up on the latest from Halesowen Town's Yeltz Bar as Steve Hermon and Daz Hale are joined by former Baggies midfielder Richard Sneekes to talk all things into BBC Radio WM at 18:00 BST on Friday to listen to the full make it? Don't worry. It'll be available on BBC iPlayer shortly after broadcast so you won't miss a thing.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wrexham handed all-Championship EFL Cup tie
Wrexham have been handed a home tie against rival Championship club Hull City in the first round of the EFL Parkinson's side will face the Tigers in the week commencing 11 August. Hull's visit to the Stok Cae Ras will be Wrexham's first home game of 2025-26, with their league campaign starting at Southampton on Saturday, 9 will be back on their own patch on Saturday, 16 August when they take on West Bromwich Albion.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Wrexham to face Southampton in their first second-tier game for 43 years
LONDON: Wrexham's quest to reach the Premier League next year will begin with an away trip to Southampton on Aug 9 after the English Football League fixtures were released today. The North Wales club, co-owned by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and fellow Hollywood A-lister American Rob McElhenney, will play their first English second-tier game for 43 years. Reynolds said it had felt like an "impossible dream" to get the club to the Premier League, but after three successive promotions they are now just one league away. Wrexham's popularity has sky-rocketed on both sides of the Atlantic due to the North American owners and the smash hit "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary. Their first home match will be against West Bromwich Albion. - REUTERS
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wrexham to kick-off Championship season at Southampton
Promoted Wrexham will start the 2025-26 Championship season away to Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League last game on Saturday, 9 August at St Mary's will kick-off at 12.30 BST for live television will be playing in English football's second tier for the first time in 43 years after securing a third successive promotion last Dragons host West Bromwich Albion in their first home game of the campaign a week fixtures of note see Phil Parkinson's men host fellow promoted side Birmingham City on Saturday, 4 October, while they face Welsh rivals Swansea City away on Saturday, 20 Day sees Wrexham renew acquaintances with Sheffield United at the Stok Cae Ras, followed by the visit of Preston North End on Monday, 29 Rovers away will be Wrexham's opponents on New Year's Day and they travel to Derby County on Saturday, 4 January, return Welsh derby against Swansea takes place on Saturday, 14 March and the regulation season ends with a home game against Middlesbrough on Saturday, 2 May (kick-off 12:20 BST).Follow this link for Wrexham's full 2025-26 fixture list.*Dates and kick-off times will be subject to change.
