⚽ The Kick-Off - Friday 26th June 2026
The World Cup soul-searching continues. Hearts confirm appointment of Wouter Vrancken. Ross McCrorie returns to Rangers. St Mirren sign Chris Mochrie. St Johnstone re-sign Ruairi Paton.
Random Scottish Football Fact #335:
Between John McGinn’s goal in the 28th minute against Haiti and the 49th minute in the 3-0 defeat to Brazil, Scotland had zero shots on target.
WORLD CUP
😐 The soul-searching following another disappointing major tournament group campaign goes on. From debates about the technical level of the players to questions around tactics and frustrations around accepting mediocrity - it will no doubt rage on for a while. If you are interested in the outsider’s view of the 3-0 game, The Totally Football Show daily podcast discussed it yesterday.
📰 There have been a couple of interesting articles following the defeat and where things are at with the team and beyond.
Stephen McGowan has written in The Herald on Scotland at the World Cup. Ewan Murray has looked at things from a wider perspective in The Guardian.
🏠 Ecuador’s 2-1 win over Germany was another nail in the coffin for Scotland’s slim hopes of reaching the Round of 32.
OTHER NEWS
🆕 Hearts have confirmed the appointment of Wouter Vrancken as their new Head Coach.
The 47-year-old is a two-time Belgian Manager of the Year and took Belgian top-tier side Sint-Truiden from relegation candidates to the Europa League. - Heart of Midlothian website
🔵 Rangers have brought Ross McCrorie back to the club. The 27-year-old returns after five years at Bristol City. - Rangers website
⚫ St Mirren have added another summer signing. Midfielder Chris Mochrie has joined the club. - St Mirren website
🔵 Ruairi Paton has returned to St Johnstone on a permanent deal. - St Johnstone website
✍️ Greenock Morton have signed Harry Cochrane from Arbroath. - Greenock Morton on X
♦️ Airdrieonians have signed former Scotland youth international Dapo Mebude. The forward was most recently at Arbroath. - Airdrieonians website
🔴 Fergus Owens has joined Hamilton Academical. The 22-year-old had a short spell with Greenock Morton last season. - Hamilton Academical website
✍️ East Kilbride have signed goalkeeper Shay Kelly from St Mirren. - East Kilbride on X
⚫ Elgin City have signed former Stranraer full-back Matty Grant. - Elgin City on X
✍️ Dumbarton have signed Scott Tomlinson on a permanent deal from Ayr United. The winger was on loan at The Rock last season. - Dumbarton FC website
🔴 Kevin O’Hara has left Hamilton Academical following the expiry of his contract. - Hamilton Academical website
🟡 Annan Athletic’s Max Kilsby has left the club to join English National League club, Darlington. - Annan Athletic website
✍️ Former Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken has signed for EFL League One club Bradford City. - George Cran, The Courier
🏃♂️ Barrie McKay is the latest player to join the PFA Scotland pre-season camp. Andrew Shinnie, Charlie McArthur, and Oscar MacIntyre also joined the camp in recent days. - PFA Scotland on X
🏟️ Hearts Women have reached an agreement with The Spartans to play their games at Ainslie Park next season. - Heart of Midlothian website
🆚 While there have been pre-season friendlies taking place throughout the past week, this weekend is the first to have a busy fixture card. - view all Scottish pre-season fixtures on the Scottish Football Fixtures website
WORLD CUP FOOTBALL ON TV THIS WEEKEND
📺 Friday
Norway v France (STV/ITV: 8pm)
Senegal v Iraq (ITV4: 11pm)
📺 Saturday
Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia (ITV4: 1am)
Uruguay v Spain (STV/ITV: 1am)
Egypt v Iran (BBC Two: 4am)
New Zealand v Belgium (BBC One: 4am)
Croatia v Ghana (ITV4: 10pm)
Panama v England (STV/ITV: 10pm)
📺 Sunday
Colombia v Portugal (BBC One: 12.30am)
DR Congo v Uzbekistan (BBC Two: 12.30am)
Algeria v Austria (BBC Two: 3am)
Jordan v Argentina (BBC One: 3am)
South Africa v Canada (TBC: 8pm - Round of 32)
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Matty Grant left Stranraerfir Johnstone Burgh in July 2025. The Elgin City post is somewhat misleading!!!