WORLD CUP

🏟️ The Scottish FA has raised concerns with FIFA over fan safety at the Boston Stadium following long waits and bottlenecks at the Haiti game. - Matthew Fulton, STV

Speaking from someone who was at the Haiti game, everyone appeared to be trying to get into the same entrance gate number two. There was a lack of signage, and the volunteers weren’t making too much effort to direct people. If you asked them, they directed you to quieter entry points.

📺 Are you needing a boots on the ground vlog of what it is like to be in the States supporting Scotland? Craig Telfer has been doing a daily update for the Terrace from the World Cup.

📱 The Scottish FA has launched a new Scotland App. - Scottish FA website

😔 Sad news from Boston that Scotland fan Donny Strathie died on Sunday ahead of tomorrow’s game against Morocco. It had been his dream to witness a Scotland match at the World Cup. - Calum Loudon, STV

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OTHER NEWS

🔵 It was finally confirmed today that Danny Rohl has left Rangers to join RB Salzburg, with Hearts manager Derek McInnes his replacement. - Martin Watt, BBC

🔴 Aberdeen continued their rebuild yesterday with the signing of midfielder Connor Ronan from Colorado Rapids. - Aberdeen FC website

✍️ Falkirk have received a club record fee from West Bromwich Albion for Barney Stewart. - BBC

🔵 St Johnstone have signed winger Unax Álvarez de Eulate following his departure from Spanish third-tier club CD Guadalajara. - St Johnstone website

✍️ Partick Thistle have signed Seb Drozd from Queen’s Park on a two-year deal. - Partick Thistle website

🏆 Hearts, Hibs, and Motherwell found out their first European qualifier opponents.

Hearts have drawn Austrian side Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.

Hibernian will face Albanian side KF Vllaznia or FC Malisheva of Kosovo in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round.

Motherwell will face Havnar Bóltfelag of the Faroe Islands in the Conference League second qualifying round.

✍️ Calem Nieuwenhof has joined Perth Glory on loan from Hearts. - Joel Sked, Hearts Standard

🔵 Jordan Allan and Brennan Dickenson have left Queen of the South at the end of their contracts. - Queen of the South website

🆕 Stranraer unveiled their new away shirt. - Stranraer FC website

🟢 Eddie May is to leave Hibs after 12 years of service. - Hibernian website

🆚 Dundee will head to Hungary as part of their pre-season preparations before hosting Everton in a friendly on July 18. - Dundee FC website

🆚 Hearts will face UEFA Conference League runners-up Rayo Vallecano in pre-season to mark 140 years of Tynecastle Park. - Heart of Midlothian website

🆚 A reminder that the new SPFL season’s fixtures are announced today at 12 noon.

WORLD CUP FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 GROUP A

Czech Republic v South Africa (5pm - live on BBC One)
Mexico v South Korea (2am - live on BBC One)

🏆 GROUP B

Switzerland v Bosnia & Herzegovina (8pm - live on STV)
Canada v Qatar (11pm - live on STV)

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WORLD CUP

🔙 Scott McKenna is back in full training after missing Saturday’s match against Haiti. - STV

🎤 Gordon Duncan has the latest from the camp, including what Ben Gannon-Doak and Steven Naismith have to say.

🍺 Bar sales have unsurprisingly surged in Boston, with The Boston Globe reporting that bars are experiencing unprecedented high sales. The Hennessy Bar tripled what they would do on St Patrick’s Day. - Redmond Bernhold, The Boston Globe

💷 The Providence Tartan Army, with the help of generous Scotland fans, donated over $25,000 to local causes.

$10,000 will go to a local children’s hospital, another $10,000 to help underprivileged kids play football, and a further $6,500 to help kids learn to play the bagpipes. - Carlos R. Munoz, The Boston Globe

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OTHER NEWS

🟢 Hibernian have signed former St Johnstone defender Jason Kerr from Wigan Athletic. - Hibernian website

🔴 Aberdeen made their fifth signing of the summer. Toyosi Olusanya, who was with the Dons in the latter half of the season, has signed a two-year deal following the expiry of his contract with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo. - Aberdeen FC website

🟠 Dundee United have signed Northern Irish international Michael Forbes following his departure from West Ham United. - Dundee United website

✍️ Falkirk have added 22-year-old goalkeeper Jay Hogarth to their ranks following the expiry of his contract with Clyde. - Falkirk FC website

🔵 Inverness Caledonian Thistle have signed left-back Noa Boutin on a two-year deal following the expiry of his Bournemouth contract. - Inverness Caledonian Thistle website

✍️ Kelty Hearts have signed right-back Gordon Walker from Dumbarton. - Kelty Hearts website

🤝 Stranraer and Hibernian have entered a co-operation agreement ahead of next season. - Stranraer FC website

✍️ Scotland Women’s captain Caroline Weir has signed for UEFA Women’s Champions League runners-up Lyon after she left Real Madrid at the end of her contract. The 30-year-old spent four years at Madrid. - BBC

🔚 Scott Arfield has left Livingston following the expiry of his contract. - Livingston FC website

🔵 And Zak Delaney has left Greenock Morton following the expiry of his contract. - Greenock Morton on X

✍️ The SPFL has published an article detailing all the signings made by SPFL Premiership clubs so far. - SPFL website

🔚 Paul McGowan has reportedly retired from football. - Sean Hamilton, The Courier

🟢 Celtic first team coach Gavin Strachan has held talks with West Bromwich Albion about a move to join James Morrison’s backroom staff. - Stephen McGowan, The Herald

🏃‍♂️ St Johnstone have participated in Abertay University’s research programme into hamstring injuries in football. - Eric Nicolson, The Courier

WORLD CUP FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 GROUP K

Portugal v DR Congo (6pm - live on BBC One)
Uzbekistan v Colombia (3am - live on BBC One)

🏆 GROUP L

England v Croatia (9pm - live on STV)
Ghana v Panama (midnight - live on STV)

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With no usual Scottish Football Kick-Off today because I am currently in the US, here is something to help ramp up the World Cup fever even further.

📺 WHAT TO WATCH AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP

Some of these you might have seen, but hopefully, there’s a hidden gem in here for you.

SCOTLAND CONTENT

Not sure you could have missed this, but if you haven’t seen it yet, get it watched.

This behind-the-scenes look at Scotland at France 98, narrated by Craig Brown, is a brilliant trip down memory lane.

WIDER WORLD CUP VIDEO CONTENT

You can’t beat a good goals compilation.

Check out Kevin Bridges’ BBC documentary In Search of the Beautiful Game on BBC iPlayer.

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🎧 WHAT TO LISTEN TO AHEAD OF THE WORLD CUP

SCOTLAND CONTENT

Australia’s Jackson Irvine interviewed Ryan Christie ahead of the World Cup.

WIDER WORLD CUP PODCAST CONTENT

How the rest of the tournament contenders are shaping up.

Essential World Cup reading if you haven’t got it already. The Nutmeg World Cup special offers an unparalleled 196-page blend of quality writing, fine design and wonderful photography. Click on the link to get your copy.

Get your copy

📱 WHO TO FOLLOW DURING THE WORLD CUP

PODCASTS

BBC Scottish Football Daily

Jonathan Sutherland is hosting daily podcasts with all the latest from the Scotland camp.

The Hampden Roar

Andy Bargh and guests will be giving the fans perspective throughout.

BBC 5 Live Football Daily

Say what you like about the BBC, but there is no disputing that 5 Live’s coverage of a major football tournament (or major sporting event) is world-class.

The Totally Football Show

James Richardson will be hosting a daily podcast from the World Cup - a good way to get a more rounded view of what is happening in North America.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SCOTLAND CONTENT

Scotland National Team

The Scotland National Team media team has been smashing it out of the park. Gordon Duncan has daily updates for us all from the States, plus lots of behind-the-scenes content.

Scotland National Team YouTube Channel

Scotland National Team on Instagram

The Tartan Scarf

A long-term fan of the Scotland National Team. Gordon will no doubt have a lot of content from the World Cup.

The Tartan Scarf on Instagram

The Tartan Scarf on X

The Tartan Army Group

There will be plenty of content from America on The Tartan Army X account.

ScoBall

As will the ScoBall X account.

WRITTEN

You know Gavin at Scotland’s Coefficient is going to be bringing the depth and analysis you won’t see anywhere else. As Rory Hamilton referenced at last week’s Scottish Football Kick-Off World Cup Quiz, it is Gavin’s stats and insights you will regularly hear on his commentary. Well worth paying for a subscription.

Scotland's Coefficient

The new home of the Scotland's Coefficient twitter account. All the information on Scotland’s UEFA coefficient, as well as tracking the performance of the Scotland national team and analysing the facts and financial figures in Scottish football!

OTHER

If you prefer pictures over words, subscribe to Fitbatweets Substack. Keith will be drawing plenty of fun stuff from the World Cup.

Fitbatweets

Football cartoons and roasting takes from Scotland’s most prolific cartoonist. Freshly published every weekday.

By Keith Wallace

🎶 AND DON’T FORGET YOUR SCOTLAND WORLD CUP PLAYLIST

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🗣️ Please do recommend The Scottish Football Kick-Off
🆓 The daily kick-off will always be free.

WORLD CUP

🏡 Scotland have set up base in Charlotte.

😅 Norway is in a huff with Scotland after their manager, Stale Solbakken, criticised the late cancellation of a bounce game. He branded Steve Clarke ‘unprofessional’.

The Scottish FA responded by saying: "The behind-closed-doors training game was organised and arranged between the respective team managers - not the head coaches - and this was the same process we followed when we regrettably had to cancel on Saturday. - Stephen McGowan, The Herald

💷 For anyone interested how Scotland players compare in some of the World Cup betting markets:

Scott McTominay is 80/1 to be top scorer.

John McGinn is 80/1 to be player of the tournament.

Ben Gannon-Doak is 80/1 and Findlay Curtis 100/1 to win young player of the tournament.

Andy Robertson and Ben Gannon-Doak are 100/1 to register the most World Cup assists. McTominay, McGinn, Adams, and Curtis are 150/1.

(All odds taken from Sky Bet)

📻 Clyde 1 Superscoreboard will be live from Boston and Miami. You can join the team live from The Greatest Bar in Boston and Finnegan’s Way in Miami. - Clyde 1 on Instagram

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 4

Kick-Off Reminder:
There will be no more daily news emails this week. I am enroute to the US for Haiti v Scotland. Normal service will resume mid next week, ahead of the Morocco game.

OTHER NEWS

✍️ Ayr United have signed 22-year-old winger Ross Taylor from Stenhousemuir for an undisclosed fee. - Ayr United on X

📝 East Fife manager Dick Campbell has signed a one-year contract extension. - East Fife website

🟢 Celtic winger Luis Palma has joined Lech Poznan on a permanent deal. - Martin McMillan, Glasgow Times

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✍️ East Kilbride defender Rhys Breen has left the club to join Northern Irish side Portadown. - East Kilbride on X

🆕 Greenock Morton launched their new home shirt over the weekend.

🆕 French Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne have appointed Ian Cathro as their new head coach. - BBC

🏟️ East Fife are in the process of replacing the artificial surface at Bayview Stadium. - Ben Kearney, Fife Today

🍒 Former Scotland international Matt Ritchie has announced his retirement from playing to take up the role of Technical Director at Bournemouth. - AFC Bournemouth website

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifier

Israel v Scotland (6pm - live on BBC iPlayer)

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🆓 The daily kick-off will always be free.

WORLD CUP

⚽ No more warm-up games and now less than a week of training to come ahead of our first men’s World Cup match in 28 years. It is nearly here. Watch highlights from the 4-0 friendly win over Bolivia in New Jersey below.

👏 Scott McTominay won his 70th cap on Saturday. His goal on Saturday was his 15th for Scotland, equalling James McFadden’s total. He is the 10th most-capped men’s player for Scotland of all time.

👀 World Cup opponent watch:

Brazil beat Egypt 2-1. Full-back Wesley was taken off injured and has been ruled out of the World Cup. Manchester United-bound midfielder Ederson has taken his place.

Morocco drew with Norway 1-1 yesterday, and Haiti lost 2-1 to Peru.

💧 After a bit of flip-flopping, FIFA will permit fans to take in an unopened bottle of water into World Cup matches. - FIFA on X

⚽ Archie Gemmill’s goal against the Netherlands at the 1978 World Cup has been named the most iconic Scotland goal of all time in a BBC vote.- BBC website

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 5

OTHER NEWS

6️⃣ Scotland Women’s National Team beat Israel 6-0 in Hungary on Friday night in what was a home game for SWNT. The scoreline was dampened a bit with a bad injury sustained by Erin Cuthbert.

🟢 Martin O’Neill will be in charge of Celtic for one more year. - Chris McLaughlin, BBC

⚫ St Mirren have appointed Craig McLeish as manager permanently. The 36-year-old has signed a three-year deal. - St Mirren website

Quick Kick-Off Update:
There will be one more daily news email this week before a brief hiatus for a World Cup trip. Normal service will resume mid next week, ahead of the Morocco game.

If you are in New York or Boston this week, maybe see you for a beer.

✍️ The list of latest SPFL signings:

• Aberdeen have signed 27-year-old defender Dan Happe from Leyton Orient. - Aberdeen FC website

• Airdrieonians completed the signing of defender Sam Fisher from Dunfermline Athletic. - Airdrieonians website

• Alloa Athletic made their first signing of the summer. Queen of the South’s 31-year-old goalkeeper Ross Stewart has joined the Wasps on a free. - Alloa Athletic website

• Arbroath have signed Scott McGill from Stenhousemuir, Andy Winter from Livingston, and Brody Paterson from Kelty Hearts after the end of their contracts. - Arbroath FC on X

• Clyde have signed Jamie Bradley on a permanent deal upon the expiry of his Queen’s Park deal. The 19-year-old has had two previous loan spells with the club. - Clyde FC website

• East Kilbride made Euan Ross their ninth signing of the summer. The 21-year-old has joined after leaving Queen of the South. - East Kilbride on X

• Edinburgh City have signed East Kilbride captain Jack Leitch. - Edinburgh City on X

• Raith Rovers brought in Charlie Telfer and Ross Millen following the expiry of their contracts at Airdrieonians and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. - Raith Rovers website

• Ross County made their sixth signing of the summer. The Staggies have signed Woking and former Queen’s Park central midfielder Jack Turner. - Ross County website

• Stirling Albion rebuild continues. They have brought in defender Kevin Waugh from The Spartans. - Stirling Albion website

✍️ Tottenham Hotspur have completed the signing of Andy Robertson following the expiry of his Liverpool contract. - Ben Collins, BBC

🔵 Cove Rangers duo Mitch Megginson and Blair Yule have left the club after turning down new deals. - Cove Rangers on X

📝 The list of latest SPFL contract extensions:

• Airdrieonians goalkeeper Cade Melrose has signed a new contract. - Airdrieonians website

• Alloa Athletic have signed up David Devine, Cameron O’Donnell, Stefan Scougall, and Steven Herrington for next season. - Alloa Athletic on X

• Dundee’s Fin Robertson has signed a new two-year deal. - Dundee FC website

• Forfar Athletic have extended the contracts of Stuart Morrison, Matty Allan, Blair Alston, and Mackenzie Lemon. - Forfar Athletic website

• Kelty Hearts’ Robbie Cole has extended his stay at the League Two club. - Kelty Hearts website

🆕 Rangers revealed their new away shirt for next season.

🆕 Kilmarnock released their new home shirt.

🆕 Dumbarton also released their new home shirt.

🆕 Robbie Neilson has been appointed the new head coach of Chinese club Shenzhen Peng City. - Alan Temple, The Courier

🆚 Masters Football is returning to Aberdeen this November. Instead of Premiership sides involved, it will be an international edition, with Scotland, England, Wales, and an All-Ireland side competing. - Ruaraidh Britton, Aberdeen Live

👏 Nutmeg Magazine is offering a paid, season-long apprenticeship covering print, digital, and broadcast football media. This is well worth checking out for anyone with career aspirations in Scottish football media.

Nutmeg FC

Wanted: New Voices in Scottish Football Media

Introducing the Nutmeg Academy…

Read more

13 days ago · 16 likes · 2 comments · Nutmeg

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL TODAY

No senior Scottish football fixtures today 👎

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SPFL

➡️ WILLIAM HILL PREMIERSHIP

Title Winners: Celtic
Qualified for Europe: Heart of Midlothian, Rangers, Motherwell, and Hibernian
Relegated: Livingston
Top Goalscorer: Tawanda Maswanhise (Motherwell) - 17 goals

➡️ WILLIAM HILL CHAMPIONSHIP

Title Winners: St Johnstone
Relegated: Airdrieonians & Ross County
Top Goalscorer: Josh McPake (St Johnstone) - 16 goals

➡️ WILLIAM HILL LEAGUE ONE

Title Winners: Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Promoted: Stenhousemuir
Relegated: Kelty Hearts
Top Goalscorer: Oli Shaw (Hamilton Academical) - 19 goals

*Inverness Caledonian Thistle were deducted 5 points
*Hamilton Academical were deducted 21 points

➡️ WILLIAM HILL LEAGUE TWO

Title Winners: East Kilbride
Top Goalscorer: Mark Stowe (The Spartans) - 21 goals

🏆 SCOTTISH GAS SCOTTISH CUP FINAL

Celtic 3 - 1 Dunfermline Athletic

🏆 PREMIER SPORTS CUP FINAL

St Mirren 3 -1 Celtic

🏆 KDM EVOLUTION TROPHY FINAL

Raith Rovers 4 - 1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

BREEDON HIGHLAND LEAGUE
(TIER 5)

Title Winners: Brora Rangers
Bottom: Rothes (no relegation this year)
Top Goalscorer: Miller Keir (Turriff United) - 28 goals

*Strathspey Thistle and Inverurie Loco Works were deducted 3 points

R. Davidson Highland League Cup Winners: Turriff United
North of Scotland Cup Winners: Forres Mechanics
Aberdeenshire Cup Winners: Aberdeen
Aberdeenshire Shield Winners: Fraserburgh

PARKS MOTOR GROUP LOWLAND LEAGUE (TIER 5)

Title Winners: Linlithgow Rose
Bottom: East Stirlingshire (no relegation this year)
Top Goalscorer: Lennon Walker (Caledonian Braves) - 27 goals

Lowland League Cup Winners: Cumbernauld Colts

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GREENVERSITY WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE

➡️ PREMIER DIVISION (TIER 6)

Title Winners: Auchinleck Talbot (Promoted to Lowland League West)
Promoted: Cumnock Juniors, Troon, Pollok, Largs Thistle, Johnstone Burgh, Kilwinning Rangers, Renfrew & Beith Juniors (promoted to Lowland League West)
Bottom: St Cadoc’s (no relegation this year)
Top Goalscorer: Lewis Morrison (Hurlford United) - 25 goals

* Largs Thistle were deducted 3 points

➡️ FIRST DIVISION (TIER 7)

Title Winners: Irvine Meadow XI
Promoted: St Roch’s, Vale of Clyde, Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Muirkirk Juniors, Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, Kilbirnie Ladeside, Cumbernauld United & Darvel
Bottom: Lanark United
Top Goalscorer: Alex Cassells (Petershill) - 17 goals

➡️ SECOND DIVISION (TIER 8)

Title Winners: Belshill Athletic
Promoted: Threave Rovers, Bonnyton Thistle, Blantyre Victoria, Maryhill, Lesmahagow Juniors, Kilysth Rangers, Thorn Athletic & Cambuslang Rangers
Bottom: Forth Wanderers

➡️ THIRD DIVISION (TIER 9)

Title Winners: Craigmark Buntonians
Promoted: Knightswood, Port Glasgow Juniors, Glasgow University, Yoker Athletic, Dalry Thistle, Easterhouse, Ardeer Thistle & Finnart
Bottom: Glasgow Perthshire

➡️ FOURTH DIVISION (TIER 10)

Title Winners: East Kilbride YM
Promoted: Royal Albert, Carluke Rovers, West Park United, East Kilbride Thistle, Vale of Leven, Eglinton, Irvine Victoria & Giffnock
Bottom: BSC Glasgow (resigned from the league)

West of Scotland League Cup Winners: Troon
Strathclyde Demolition Cup Winners: Whitletts Victoria

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EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE

➡️ PREMIER DIVISION (TIER 6)

Title Winners: Hill of Beath Hawthorn (promoted to Lowland League East)
Promoted: Musselburgh Athletic & Dunipace (promoted to Lowland League East)
Relegated: Glenrothes & Hutchison Vale
Top Goalscorer: Jordan Tosh (Hill of Beath Hawthorn) - 23 goals

* Hutchison Vale were deducted 3 points

➡️ FIRST DIVISION (TIER 7)

Title Winners: Armadale Thistle
Promoted: Thornton Hibs, Edinburgh South, Preston Athletic, Blackburn United & Edinburgh University
Relegated: Tynecastle & Luncarty
Top Goalscorer: Craig Baillie (Armadale Thistle) - 19 goals

* Crossgates Primrose were deducted 2 points
* Whitehill Welfare & Easthouses Lily MW were deducted 3 points

➡️ SECOND DIVISION (TIER 8)

Title Winners: West Calder United
Promoted: Coldstream, Oakley United, Kinnoull, Kennoway Star Hearts & Lochgelly Albert
Relegated: Stirling University

* Harthill Royal were deducted 2 points

➡️ THIRD DIVISION (TIER 9)

Title Winners: Hawick Royal Albert
Promoted: Edinburgh United, Stoneyburn, Livingston United, Pumpherston & Newburgh
Bottom: Edinburgh CFC

* Edinburgh CFC were deducted 14 points

East of Scotland League Cup Winners: Hill of Beath Hawthorn
Alex Jack Cup Winners: Crossgates Primrose
King Cup Winners: Kinnoull
East of Scotland Qualifying Cup Winners: Camelon Juniors

NRJFA NORTH REGION

➡️ MCBOOKIE PREMIER LEAGUE (TIER 6)

Title Winners: Stonehaven (Qualified for Scottish Gas Scottish Cup)
Relegated: Sunnybank & Islavale
Top Goalscorer: Matthew McDonald (Maud) - 22

➡️ MCBOOKIE CHAMPIONSHIP (TIER 7)

Title Winners: Fraserburgh United
Promoted: Hall Russell United & Deveronside
Bottom: Cruden Bay
Top Goalscorer: Lewie Sawyer (Newmacher United) - 34 goals

Grill League Cup Winners: Bridge of Don Thistle
Domino’s Pizza North Regional Cup Winners: Dyce
McLeman Cup Winners: Bridge of Don Thistle
Elginshire Cup Winners: Fraserburgh United

MACLEOD & MACCALLUM NORTH CALEDONIAN LEAGUE
(TIER 6)

Title Winners: Invergordon (Promoted to the Breedon Highland League)
Bottom: Orkney
Top Goalscorer: Liam Taylor (Fort William) - 27 goals

North Caledonian Cup Winners: Invergordon
Football Times Cup Winners: Halkirk United
Jock Mackay Cup Winners: Invergordon

MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
(TIER 6)

Title Winners: Dundee North End (Qualified for Scottish Gas Scottish Cup)
Promoted: Lochee United (promoted to Lowland League East)
Bottom: Letham United
Top Goalscorer: Jay Yule (Tayport) - 32 goals

MIDLANDS LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION
(TIER 7)

Title Winners: Dundee Violet
Bottom: Brechin Victoria
Top Goalscorer: Sean Hastie (Scone Thistle) - 28 goals

Thorntons Cup Winners: Dundee North End
John Reilly Memorial Trophy Winners: Dundee North End

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE
(TIER 6)

Title Winners: Dalbeattie Star
Promoted: Newton Stewart (promoted to Lowland League West)
Bottom: St Cuthbert Wanderers
Top Goalscorer: Finlay Kennedy (Lochar Thistle) - 18 goals

SoSFL League Cup Winners: Lochar Thistle
SCFA Challenge Cup Winners: Newtown Stewart
SCFA Alba Cup Winners: Lochar Thistle
SCFA J Haig Gordon Memorial Trophy Winners: Newton Stewart
SCFA Potts Cup Winners: Stranraer Reserves
WDFA Cree Lodge Cup Winners: Stranraer Reserves
WDFA Tweedie Cup Winners: Stranraer Reserves

OTHER CUP WINNERS

3 Pillars Financial Planning Scottish Communities Cup Winners: Auchinleck Talbot
FinestCarMats.co.uk South Challenge Cup Winner: Cumnock Juniors
Cup Winners Shield: Whitletts Victoria (Qualified for Scottish Gas Scottish Cup)

SWPL

➡️ SWPL 1

Title Winners: Heart of Midlothian
Qualified for Champions League: Rangers
Relegated: Hamilton Academical
Top Goalscorer: Katie Wilkinson (Rangers) - 30 goals

➡️ SWPL 2

Title Winners: The Spartans
Relegated: Stirling University
Top Goalscorer: Justine Strain (Livingston) - 18 goals

➡️ Scottish Gas Scottish Cup

Celtic 1 - 0 Rangers

➡️ Sky Sports Cup

Glasgow City 2 - 1 Rangers

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🙏🏼 Information lifted from SPFL, Highland League, Lowland League, East of Scotland, West of Scotland Football League, North of Scotland Football League, South of Scotland League, Midlands League, SWPL, NonLeagueHQ.com and Scottish football fixtures website.

WORLD CUP

🎶 It is being reported that FIFA is working with resale sites to sell thousands of unsold tickets. Dozens of new Haiti v Scotland tickets have been listed, including several at face value. - BBC

🍽️ Things have changed a little bit from going to the World Cup in 1974. The West Germany manager reckoned we were one of the favourites, and the players were in dispute with the Scottish FA about how much money from the prize pool they were getting. This 1974 news archive is a fun watch.

⚽️ It is always a thing of beauty and this year’s Guardian guide to every player at the World Cup is no different. All 1248 players have been profiled. - Guardian website

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 8

DOMESTIC NEWS

✍️ Hearts have signed Calvin Miller from Falkirk for a six-figure fee. - BBC

It could be a busy couple of days at Tynecastle - York City have accepted a seven-figure bid for defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott from Hearts. - Blair Meikle, Hearts Standard

✍️ Falkirk have signed 23-year-old Latvian International defender Deniss Meļņiks from FK Auda. - Falkirk FC website

🟡 There was a double-signing at Firhill yesterday.

Oisin Smyth has re-joined Partick Thistle on a permanent deal following the expiry of his contract at St Mirren. Forward Euan Henderson has also joined on a free after leaving Airdrieonians. - Partick Thistle website

✍️ Raith Rovers have signed Kyle Turner from Partick Thistle. The midfielder returns to Kirkcaldy after being at the club during the 2023/24 season. - Raith Rovers website

⚪ Reece Lyon has joined Ayr United following the expiry of his contract with Queen of the South. - Ayr United website

✍️ East Kilbride have made defender Aaron Steele their latest signing following his departure from Peterhead. - East Kilbride on X

🟠 Dundee United goalkeeper Dave Richards will depart Tannadice this summer at the end of his contract. - Dundee United website

🔚 Ross Callachan has left Arbroath. - Arbroath FC on X

📝 The latest SPFL contract extensions:

• Arbroath goalkeeper Aidan McAdams has signed a two-year deal. - Arbroath FC on X

• East Fife’s Liam Newton has extended his contract for another season. - East Fife website

• East Kilbride’s Cami Elliott has signed a new deal. - East Kilbride on X

• Hamilton Academical attacker Stuart McKinstry has signed a new two-year deal. - Hamilton Academical website

• Queen’s Park defender Magnus Mackenzie has signed a new deal. - Queen’s Park FC website

• St Johnstone have extended Taylor Steven’s contract until 2028. - St Johnstone website

🔴 Aberdeen are moving to Macron from adidas as their kit supplier following a record-breaking deal for the club. - Aberdeen FC website

🆚 Hibernian will face Brøndby in a friendly at Easter Road in July. - Hibernian website

🆕 Nairn County launched a golf-themed away shirt yesterday to celebrate the town’s golfing heritage. The Highland League club’s new away shirt features the course maps of the town’s two golf courses, Nairn Golf Club and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club.

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Scotland v Israel (5pm - match is being played behind closed doors in Hungary)

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ON TV THIS WEEKEND

📺 Friday

• Scotland Women v Israel Women (BBC iPlayer: 5pm)

• World Cup Build Up including The Team That Was and Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game. (BBC Scotland: 8.30pm - 10.30pm)

📺 Saturday

• Bolivia v Scotland (BBC Scotland & BBC Two: 9pm)

📺 Sunday

• Rangers Women v Celtic Women (BBC One Scotland: 2pm)

• Largs Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot (BBC Alba: 4.05pm)

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Welcome to The Saturday Kick-Off email - a special bonus email for paid subscribers. The free daily Kick-Off email will be back on Monday.

Something a bit different, and slightly more question led.

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THE WORLD CUP

WHO PLAYS?

An obvious question to begin with. The biggest question marks will be who starts at centre half, the make-up of the midfield, and whether anyone can usurp Che Adams as the starting striker.

In defence, the favourites to start will be Hanley and McKenna. For Morocco and/or Brazil, will we see Clarke revert to a back three?

In midfield, Billy Gilmour never started the opening game of UEFA EURO 2024 or UEFA EURO 2020. Lewis Ferguson started in Gilmour’s absence against Denmark and started ahead of him in the Greece home game. Is it a case of one of Billy or Lewis starting, or do both find a way into the starting XI?

There is a lot of clamour for Lawrence Shankland to start against Haiti. Can he get in ahead of Che Adams, who will be the favourite to start?

DO WE GET OUT OF THE GROUP?

Does the hoodoo end this time? Three points with a reasonably ok goal difference should be ok. This is the year, isn’t it? Isn’t it?

JUST HOW BUSY ARE SOME OF THESE FAN ZONES IN SCOTLAND GOING TO BE?

Our opening game against Haiti kicks off at 2am - from the Hydro in Glasgow to local pubs across the country, events and watch parties have been organised with many charging tickets. Some tickets are more pricey than others - it will be interesting to see how popular the larger ones with the higher price points are.

WILL SCOTLAND FANS SEE THE ‘MITIGATION OF COSTS’ BY THE SCOTTISH FA?

In an interview with the BBC’s Chris McLaughlin, Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney said, “Our job is how we mitigate the costs for our fans, and that’s something we’re working on,” when he was asked about the concerns fans had raised and whether the governing body would say anything to FIFA about the soaring costs.

DOMESTIC FOOTBALL

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NEWS

📝 Steve Clarke has signed a new four-year contract with Scotland. If Clarke sees out his contract, he will have been in charge of the national team for 11 years. - Nick McPheat, BBC

🔴 Aberdeen made three signings yesterday. Lewis Mayo and Brad Lyons joined from Kilmarnock. They were joined by Austrian midfielder Alexander Briedl. - Aberdeen FC website

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🟠 As expected, Dundee United confirmed the signing of Falkirk midfielder Dylan Tait. - Dundee United website

✍️ Falkirk have signed 28-year-old right back Jack McMillan from Exeter City. - Falkirk FC website

♦️ John Rankin has made Matty Yates his first signing as Airdrieonians manager. The former Stranraer and Stenhousemuir striker has joined from Linfield. - Airdrieonians website

✍️ Ross County have signed 21-year-old winger Luke McCarvel from Kelty Hearts. - Ross County website

⚫ Elgin City signed left-back Evan Towler on a one-year deal. The 21-year-old has had two previous loan spells at the club. - Elgin City on X

✍️ Edinburgh City have signed full-back Chris McGinn from Civil Service Strollers for an undisclosed fee. - Edinburgh City on X

🔴 Hamilton Academical announced the winding-up petition against them had been formally withdrawn following the settlement of all outstanding historical HMRC liabilities. - Hamilton Academical website

🆕 Dundee unveiled their new home shirt for next season.

🆕Hearts announced Gordon Marshall as their new goalkeeping coach, with Jamie MacDonald assisting him as goalkeeping coach analyst. - Joel Sked, Hearts Standard

📝 Latest SPFL contract extensions:

Clyde announced another three contract extensions yesterday. Scott Williamson, Kyle Connell, and Logan Dunachie are the latest to sign up for next season. - Clyde FC on X

Inverness Caledonian Thistle extended the contracts of goalkeepers Ross Munro and Logan Ross. - Inverness Caledonian Thistle website

Queen’s Park defender Rickie Lamie has signed a new one-year deal. - Queen’s Park FC website

🆙 Falkirk Women have been promoted to SWPL 2 after beating East Fife in a play-off last night.

🏆 It is the final domestic action of the season with plenty of cup finals taking place, including the Scottish Gas Women’s Scottish Cup Final and Scottish Communities Cup Final.

WORLD CUP

🎨 An Irn-Bru-themed mural of John McGinn has appeared in Clydebank. It is believed to be part of a wider campaign, with two more murals to be revealed.- Cameron-Daisy Stewart and Davina Howatson, The National

👋 Andrew Tod was drafted into the Scotland set-up for training yesterday. - Scotland National Team on X

⚽ Registrations have opened for the FIFA Fan Zone in Boston. - register here

👕 Classic Football Shirts have opened a pop-up shop in Boston during the World Cup. It is located at 70 Pier 4 Blvd, Suite 430, Boston, MA 02210. - Classic Football shirts on Instagram

📺 The BBC has launched a World Cup section on the iPlayer, showing iconic past matches and goals.

❓ Monday’s The Scottish Football Kick-Off World Cup Quiz at The Clubhouse has officially sold out.

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 15

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 SWPL 1 PLAY-OFF FINAL

Aberdeen Women v Queen's Park Women (7.35pm)

🏆 DOMINOS PIZZA NORTH REGIONAL CUP FINAL

Dyce v Colony Park (7.30pm)

🏆 TWEEDIE CUP FINAL

Stranraer Reserves v Dalbeattie Star (8pm)

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ON TV THIS WEEKEND

📺 Friday

• Aberdeen Women v Queen’s Park Women (BBC Alba: 7.35pm)

📺 Saturday

• Scotland v Curacao (BBC One Scotland: 1pm)

📺 Sunday

• Rangers Women v Celtic Women (BBC One Scotland: 2pm)

• Largs Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot (BBC Alba: 4.05pm)

ENJOY THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL KICK-OFF?

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NEWS

🏆 The Premier Sports Cup Group Stage draw was made yesterday. The fixtures are to be confirmed. - SPFL website

✍️ Hearts announced the pre-contract signing of Lincoln City defender MJ Kamson-Kamara. - Heart of Midlothian website

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🔚 Hearts also announced that Beni Baningime, Frankie Kent, Alan Forrest, and Lewis Neilson are leaving the club at the end of their contracts. Goalkeeping coach Paul Gallacher will also depart the club. - Heart of Midlothian website

🔵 Kilmarnock revealed 14 players will be leaving the club at the end of their contracts. Amongst those departing are Lewis Mayo, Robby McCrorie, David Watson, Matthew Kennedy, Kyle Magennis, and Aaron Tshibola. - Kilmarnock FC website

🔚 Reghan Tumility, Jonathan Svedberg, Scott Bright, Fran Franczak, and Stevie Mallan are all leaving St Johnstone at the end of their contracts. It had already been announced that Josh McPake would be joining Hearts. - St Johnstone website

⚫ Nine players are leaving Dunfermline Athletic at the end of their contracts: Matty Tod, Sam Fisher, Chris Hamilton, Liam Hoggan, Deniz Mehmet, Tashan Oakley-Boothe, Ewan Otoo, Kane Ritchie Hosler, and Sam Young. - Dunfermline Athletic website

🔚 Dylan Tait is to leave Falkirk to pursue opportunities elsewhere. It is being reported that Dundee United will sign the midfielder. - Falkirk FC website

⚫ St Mirren defender Scott Tanser has announced on social media that he is leaving the club.

🔴 Hamilton Academical have released five players: Kayden Aitken, Ben Reilly, Zak Flatman, Cole Stirling, and Finlay Cameron. - Hamilton Academical website

⚫ Elgin City have agreed a permanent deal with Morgyn Neill. The defender was on loan at Borough Briggs in the second half of the season. - Elgin City on X

✍️ Fellow League Two club Edinburgh City have re-signed Josh Grigor after he spent this season at Lowland League side Tranent. - Edinburgh City on X

🔴 Stirling Albion also made a signing yesterday. Goalkeeper Andrew McNeil has joined the Binos. - Stirling Albion website

📝 Latest SPFL contract extensions:

Arbroath’s Craig Watson has signed a one-year extension. - Arbroath FC on X

Clyde announced a hat-trick of contract extensions. Kyle Fleming, Darren Hynes, and Craig Howie have all signed new deals. - Clyde FC website

Stranraer defender Edin Lynch has agreed a new deal for next season. - Stranraer FC website

🔚 East Kilbride’s Jordan McGregor is to leave the club after both parties failed to agree on terms. - East Kilbride on X

🔴 Clyde’s Tommy Robson has left the club after accepting an offer from another club. - Clyde on X

📝 Kenny McLean has signed a new two-year deal at Norwich City. McLean has been with the EFL Championship side since signing from Aberdeen in 2018. - Norwich City website

🟢 Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has called an end to his playing career due to injury. - BBC

🆕 The Scottish FA confirmed the appointment of Craig Mulholland as Chief Football Officer. - Scottish FA website

🍺 The alcohol pilot at Hampden Park continues this weekend. Those seated in sections N and L in the South Stand Upper will get access to a bar and enjoy music from an ‘in-house DJ’. - Scotland National Team on X

WORLD CUP

☀️ Grant Hanley has been putting in the extra work ahead of the World Cup. Hanley made five visits to Edinburgh Napier University’s Environmental Performance Laboratory to prepare for the hot weather in the States. - Jack Harris, Hibs Observer

🆘 Studio Something is looking for Scotland fans who will have to work during our matches at the World Cup.

📱 Are you interested in seeing behind the scenes at the World Cup with the Scotland National Team kit room staff? The team has started an Instagram page to give you a look at all the hard work and logistics involved. - check out and follow the page here

📺 The Scottish FA is releasing a documentary tomorrow, detailing how Scotland qualified for the World Cup. Check out the trailer below.

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 16

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NEWS

🔵 Rangers unveiled their signing of Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland yesterday. The Scotland striker will wear the number seven shirt at Ibrox. - Clive Lindsay and Colin Moffat, BBC

🔵 Graeme Shinnie has returned to Inverness Caledonian Thistle after leaving Aberdeen. Shinnie won the Scottish Cup with Inverness in 2015. - Inverness Caledonian Thistle website

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✍️ Brian Graham has signed for Ross County for a third time. The 38-year-old striker was released by Falkirk at the end of his contract. - Ross County website

🔵 Cove Rangers have signed Max Barry after he left fellow League One club Peterhead. - Cove Rangers on X

✍️ Kelty Hearts signed 20-year-old Raith Rovers left back Callum Hannah on a permanent deal. - Kelty Hearts website

🆚 The SPFL revealed the seeds for today’s Premier Sports Cup Group Stage draw. The draw is live on the SPFL YouTube channel from 1pm today.

The group-stage action kicks off on the weekend of July 11/12, with further matchdays on July 14/15, July 18/19, July 21/22, and July 25/26.- SPFL website

🔵 St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari was named the Glen’s Vodka Championship Manager of the Season. - St Johnstone website

⚫ Elgin City announced the permanent appointment of Stefan Laird as their new manager. Laird had previously been assistant to Alan Hale, who was sacked for gross misconduct by the club. - Elgin City website

🟢 Hibernian confirmed Ellie Youan is leaving the club at the end of his contract. He was the only player confirmed by the Easter Road club to be departing at the end of his contract. - Hibernian website

🔴 The Spartans announced their retained list yesterday. Callum Booth, Paul Watson, and Steven Lawless were amongst those named as departing. - The Spartans website

⚫ Queen’s Park’s Matthew Shiels has signed a new two-year deal. - Queen’s Park website

🔚 Alloa Athletic striker Conor Sammon has announced his retirement. The former Republic of Ireland international played for several Scottish clubs, including Kilmarnock, Hearts, Falkirk, and Partick Thistle. - Ross Hart, Alloa Advertiser

🔚 Stenhousemuir’s 21-year-old defender Kelsey Ewen has also announced his retirement from playing football. - Stenhousemuir FC website

📺 Andy Robertson was a busy, busy man on the interview front ahead of his final game with Liverpool at the weekend. The Anfield Wrap released a documentary about the Scotland captain.

WORLD CUP

🏃‍♂️ The first Scotland players were training at Lesser Hampden yesterday, with those who played at the weekend due to arrive later in the week.

Steve Clarke had previously said in his squad announcement interview that those who played at the weekend for their clubs would be rested as much as possible for the Curacao game.

⚽ Morocco named their World Cup squad yesterday. They were the last team in our group to name their squad. The BBC has a page on its website where you can find out every World Cup squad.

🔮 German economist Joachim Klement, whose forecast model has a 100% record of predicting the World Cup winner since 2014, has predicted that it will be the Netherlands’ year and Scotland will get knocked out by South Korea in the second round. - Flora Snelson, BBC

✋ The Scotland Supporters Club is looking for volunteers to help set up a TIFO on Friday morning for Saturday’s send-off match against Curacao. - Scotland Supporters Club on X

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 17

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 East of Scotland (Junior) Cup Semi-Finals

Broughty Athletic v Dundee North End (6.45pm)
Carnoustie Panmure v Downfield (6.45pm)

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NEWS

⚽ St Mirren have survived relegation and will be playing Premiership football once again next season. Marcus Fraser’s second-half goal was enough to give St Mirren a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle on the night and a 2-1 win on aggregate.

🔵 Queen of the South have appointed Nicky Clark as their new manager. The forward will be player/manager, with his father and Albion Rovers manager Sandy Clark joining as assistant manager, and Albion Rovers assistant George Patterson joining as first-team coach - Queen of the South website

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🔴 Graeme Shinnie will be leaving Aberdeen at the end of his contract. It was also confirmed that Ryan Duncan, Vicente Besuijen, Tom McIntyre, and Elvis Bwomono are also departing. - Aberdeen FC website

🦁 Livingston have announced another pre-contract signing. Raith Rovers’ Jordan Doherty is the latest to make the move to West Lothian. - Livingston FC website

🔵 Greenock Morton have released Fergus Owens, Ali Crawford, Kian Taylor, Nathan Shaw, and Zak McKay. - Greenock Morton website

🔚 Inverness Caledonian Thistle have released nine players, including Ross Millen, Oscar MacIntyre, Chanka Zimba, and Robbie Thompson. - Inverness Caledonian Thistle website

🔵 Stranraer have signed East Kilbride and former Celtic academy forward Lewis Dobbie. - Stranraer FC website

✍️ Edinburgh City have signed Tranent forward Cammy McKinley. The 25-year-old was Tranent’s top scorer last season. - Edinburgh City on X

⚫ Queen’s Park’s Carlo Pignatiello has signed a new one-year deal. - Queen’s Park website

🆚 The Highland League is the first Scottish league to publish its fixtures for next season. They also announced that Breedon has extended its sponsorship of the league for another three years. - Callum Law, The Press & Journal

WORLD CUP

💷 The Bank of Scotland has unveiled a limited edition £20 note featuring Scott McTominay’s overhead kick.

Only 100 of them have been printed, with 50 available through a mix of collector auctions, a prize draw, and two pop-ups in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The pop-ups, where you have to crack the vault code, are at Queen Street Station in Glasgow on Saturday and at the St James’ Quarter on Wednesday, 17th June.

The prize draw is available to enter now, and costs £10 per entry. Proceeds are going to their partner charity, Crisis. - Donald Erskine, The Herald

📺 Tennent’s Lager released a World Cup advert yesterday.

⌛ The final team space at The World Cup Quiz hosted by Rory Hamilton next Monday in Glasgow remains. Plenty of prizes and a free Nutmeg magazine for every participant. - enter here

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 18

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

➡️ North of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Stonehaven v Buchanhaven Hearts (7.30pm)

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LATEST SCOTTISH FOOTBALL RESULTS

➡️ William Hill SPFL Premiership Play-Off Final First Leg

Partick Thistle 1 - 1 St Mirren

➡️ North of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Buchanhaven Hearts 1 - 2 Dyce

NEWS

👋 Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has left to join French club Toulouse. The Dane joined last summer and guided Motherwell to fourth.

Not many managers who leave the Scottish game will be missed by fans of other clubs, but it certainly feels that way for Jens Berthel Askou. - Craig Turnbull, STV

⚽ The Scottish FA has released the audio of the end of the Celtic v Hearts match to set the record straight that referee Don Robertson had ended the game. - Scottish FA website

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🔴 Aberdeen defender Mats Knoester suffered a broken bone in his kneecap and will be out for up to 10 weeks. - Sean Wallace, The Press & Journal

✍️ The latest SPFL signings:

Cove Rangers have snapped up former Arbroath defender Victor Enem on a free transfer. - Cove Rangers on X

East Fife have signed Myles Gaffney on a permanent deal. The League One club had signed the forward on loan from Annan Athletic during the second half of the season. - East Fife website

Edinburgh City have signed midfielder Robbie Leitch from Clyde. - Edinburgh City on X

Livingston will bring Kilmarnock midfielder Liam Polworth to West Lothian at the end of his contract this summer. The 31-year-old started his career at Inverness before moving to Motherwell. - Livingston FC website

Stirling Albion have signed Montrose midfielder Craig Brown for an undisclosed fee. - Stirling Albion website

Stranraer announced the permanent signing of striker Dean Cleland. The 18-year-old had been on loan at Stair Park from Hibernian. - Stranraer FC website

🔵 St Johnstone defender Liam Smith has signed a new deal at McDiarmid Park. - St Johnstone FC website

📝 Louis Longridge has signed a new contract at Queen’s Park. The 34-year-old has signed on for a seventh season with the Glasgow Southside club. - Queen’s Park FC website

🏆 Celtic and Dunfermline Athletic face off in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final tomorrow. Celtic are in their fourth successive final and eighth out of the last ten. Should they win, it will be the 43rd time they have lifted the historic trophy.

Dunfermline are in the final for the first time since 2007, looking to win a third Scottish Cup trophy. The last time they won it was in 1968.

⚽️ With it being the Scottish Cup Final tomorrow, Pie & Bovril is running another Scottish Cup Final Tenz Competition. 10 questions, 10 points per correct answer, and the winner gets £100. It is free to enter here.

🏆 The SWPL 1 title comes down to the final day on Sunday. A Hearts win or draw away to Hibernian will seal the title. If they slip-up and lose, a Rangers win away to Glasgow City will mean the title heads to Glasgow.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Clydebank midfielder Nicky Low is embarking on an ambitious charity fundraiser over the weekend. He is cycling over 120 miles today and tomorrow before running the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday. - you can donate here

⚽️ Scotland youth international Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri has been called up to the senior Jamaica squad for the upcoming Unity Cup in London. The 16-year-old, who is at the Manchester City Academy, will still be eligible to play for Scotland or England - FIFA doesn’t consider these matches competitive. - Alan Temple, The Courier

📒 If you or your kids have a Panini World Cup sticker album, you could get some free stickers and do swaps with the Panini team in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

They’ll be at Sainsbury’s in Darnley, Glasgow tomorrow from 10am - 12.30pm and 2.30pm - 5pm.

On Sunday, they’ll be at Sainsbury’s Blackhall in Edinburgh during the morning and Smyths Toys at Fort Kinnaird in the afternoon. - Panini UK website

❓ The very last team of four is still available for The Scottish Football Kick-Off World Cup Quiz. There will be no more availability after this.

Come and join over 100 other World Cup fans at The Clubhouse in Glasgow on Monday, 1st June. Rory Hamilton will be on hosting duties, and every participant will receive a free copy of Nutmeg magazine. - grab the final team slot here

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 22

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

🏆 RJM SPORTS EAST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Musselburgh Athletic (7.30pm)
Leith Athletic v Dunipace (8pm)

🏆 CREE LODGE CUP FINAL

Dalbeattie Star v Stranraer SOS (7.45pm)

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL ON TV THIS WEEKEND

📺 Saturday

• Celtic v Dunfermline Athletic (BBC One Scotland & Premier Sports: 3pm)

• Sportscene: Scottish Cup Final Highlights (BBC Scotland: 7.15pm)

📺 Sunday

• Glasgow City Women v Rangers Women (BBC iPlayer: 1.10pm)

• Hibernian Women v Heart of Midlothian Women (BBC Alba: 1.10pm)

ENJOY THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL KICK-OFF?

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NEWS

😬 Ligue 1 club Toulouse have approached Motherwell regarding appointing Jens Berthel Askou as their new manager. - Stephen McGowan, The Herald

♦️ Airdrieonians have sacked Head Coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair following their relegation to League One. The Diamonds had appointed Taylor-Sinclair following Danny Lennon’s short stint in charge. - Airdrieonians website

🔵 St Johnstone have signed defender Daniel Finlayson following his release from Livingston. - St Johnstone website

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🟠 Dundee United have released Ryan Strain, Johnny Russell, Ashley Maynard-Brewer, and Kristijan Trapanovski. Craig Sibbald also departs after signing a pre-contract with Falkirk. - Dundee United website

The Terrors also announced they have triggered a one-year contract extension for Ross Graham and midfielder Vicko Ševelj. - Dundee United website

🔚 Five first-team players are leaving Motherwell at the end of their contracts. Kofi Balmer, Callum Slattery, Dylan Wells, Sam Nicholson, and Zach Robinson all depart. Andy Halliday had previously announced he would be retiring. - Motherwell FC website

🗣️ Hearts have issued a second statement following Saturday’s defeat at Celtic.

The main takeaway from the statement is: “We have also written to the SFA and SPFL setting out our observations and questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the premature ending of the match, and expressing our concern that a troubling precedent has been set whereby a pitch invasion can effectively determine the duration of a football match, rather than the match officials.” - Heart of Midlothian website

📝 Dundee have triggered a one-year extension in defender Billy Koumetio’s contract. - Dundee FC website

✍️ East Fife have signed 38-year-old goalkeeper Derek Gaston following his release from Stirling Albion. - East Fife website

🔵 Rangers have decided not to take up their option to sign Andreas Skov Olsen permanently in the summer. - Chris Jack, Rangers Review

🔴 Aberdeen are aiming to send out as many as 21 young players on loan next season. - Paul Third, The Press & Journal

🏆 The Premier Sports Cup Group Stage draw will be made on Wednesday next week. Brora Rangers, Brechin City, and Linlithgow Rose have been named as the three guest clubs for this season. - SPFL website

🏅 It is an awards double for East Kilbride. Mick Kennedy has won the Glen’s Vodka League Two Manager of the Season, and John Robertson won League Two Player of the Season. - SPFL website

👏 John McGinn became the first Scottish captain since Graeme Souness in 1984 to lift a men’s European trophy last night.

Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League Final.

Scotland's Coefficient

A Scottish History of European Finals

Read more

a month ago · 5 likes · 5 comments · Scotland's Coefficient

😔 Former Hearts, Celtic, and Motherwell midfielder Mike Galloway has sadly passed away at the age of 60. - Celtic website

🆕 Melissa Andreatta has named her Scotland Women’s National Team squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Israel. Both the home and away double header are being played in Hungary behind closed doors.

Claire Emslie has been called up, five months after giving birth. - Scottish FA website

WORLD CUP

⚽ Grant Hanley has declared himself ‘fully fit’ for the World Cup.

Steve Clarke told the press: “Grant had a scan after the game at the weekend, his knee was given the all clear.

“He has assured me he is fully fit.” - Patrick McPartlin, Hibs Observer

Hibs teammate Rocky Bushiri has been ruled out for DR Congo due to injury. Kilmarnock’s Aaron Tshibola is his replacement.

🏃‍♂️‍➡️ Four young Scotland players have been called up to the training camp ahead of next Saturday’s friendly against Curacao.

Hearts’ forward James Wilson and clubmate Liam MacFarlane will be joined by Dundee’s Luke Graham and Manchester United’s Tyler Fletcher.

Goalkeeper MacFarlane, who was on loan at Alloa Athletic this season, will travel to America as our ‘27th man’ to help with goalkeeper training. - Scottish FA website

📱 I want to highlight the BBC’s Scotland World Cup squad guide. A lovely bit of visual content. - check it out here

🔎 If you want to understand our Group C opponents a bit more or try and pretend you know what you are talking about at work or in the pub, check out John Walker’s analysis of what to expect tactically from Brazil, Morocco, and Haiti.

🆚 Not relevant to this World Cup, but UEFA has revamped the qualification process for the 2030 World Cup.

The top 36 European nations will be split into three groups of 12 playing six home-or-away matches against six different opponents - two per pot.

The top teams in each group will qualify automatically, with the remaining spots allocated via play-offs. The number of auto-qualifiers and play-off teams has yet to be confirmed.

The remaining 18 lower-ranked nations, like San Marino and Liechtenstein, will participate in a second tier but will still have opportunities to qualify. - Dale Johnson, BBC

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 23

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

➡️ William Hill SPFL Premiership Play-Off Final First Leg

Partick Thistle v St Mirren (8pm - live on Sky Sports Football)

➡️ North of Scotland Football League Premier Division

Buchanhaven Hearts v Dyce (7.30pm)

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WORLD CUP

🌎 Steve Clarke announced his Scotland World Cup squad yesterday. The headlines are call-ups for Ross Stewart and Findlay Curtis, and the omission of Lennon Miller. - Scottish FA website

⚽ Steve Clarke revealed a young goalkeeper will be called up as a ‘27th man’ for training purposes. He couldn’t reveal the name as they hadn’t told the mystery keeper yet. - Sky Sports on X

📺 Hear from Steve Clarke following the announcement.

📺 ITV announced its team for World Cup coverage. Sam Matterface and Ally McCoist will be commentating on Scotland v Morocco. Connie McLaughlin will be the Scottish reporter on the ground. Duncan Ferguson is the only Scottish pundit. - ITV

⏳ One final, final bit of rejigging has freed up space for one last team of four at The Scottish Football Kick-Off World Cup Quiz. It is going to be a great night, so get your team in here. There will be no other team spaces made available after this.

NEWS

🦁 Livingston have announced that 14 players are leaving the club following relegation to the Championship.

Joel Nouble, Barrie McKay, Jeremy Bokila, Dan Finlayson, Andrew Shinnie, Jamie Smith, Samson Lawal, Graham Carey, Andy Winter, Lewis Latona, Codi Stark, and Liam Sole have been released at the end of their contract.

Danny Wilson and Mo Sylla have also left following relegation clauses.

Livi still have 23 players under contract ahead of next season and are in discussion with Scott Arfield and Shane Blaney. - Livingston FC website

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👋 Motherwell midfielder Callum Slattery is leaving Fir Park after five years. - Motherwell FC website

🔵 Forfar Athletic made a double signing yesterday.

Adam Brown has joined from Stirling Albion, and Aaron Arnott from Kelty Hearts. - Forfar Athletic website

📝 The latest SPFL contract renewals:

Forfar Athletic’s Ross MacLean has signed a one-year extension. - Forfar Athletic website

Montrose goalkeeper Cammy Gill has extended his contract at Links Park. - Montrose FC website

Partick Thistle youngster Matthew Falconer has signed a new two-year deal. - Partick Thistle website

🔵 Stranraer’s Deryn Lang has turned down an improved contract and will leave the club. - Stranraer FC website

😐 Raith Rovers Interim Chairman John Sim revealed that the club was close to going into administration in February had it not been for director Ruaridh Kilgour putting money in to cover wages. - Iain Collin, The Courier

⚪ Ayr United officially unveiled Gary Naysmith and Brown Ferguson.

⚖️ Laura Downes, who was football administration manager at Stirling Albion, has been charged with embezzling £10,000 from the club. - STV

🏟️ Dundee United have begun work on renovating their Tannadice pitch, including improving drainage. United encountered several issues with their pitch following record rainfall throughout the winter. - Dundee United website

⭐ Rangers’ Youssef Chermiti was named the star man in the final SPFL Team of the Week. - SPFL website

📺 Four-part Partick Thistle documentary "One Team in Glasgow" is available to stream on STV Player today.

🌎 Days until Haiti v Scotland at the World Cup: 24

SCOTTISH FOOTBALL FIXTURES TODAY

Fixtures in the Midlands League, North of Scotland Football League and SWPL 1 play-offs and Potts Cup. View all fixtures on the Scottish Football Fixtures website.

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