scotland

Schmeichel and Ralston Make Triumphant Return to Celtic – But How Did Every Hoops Globetrotter Fare?

20/11/2024 Raymond 0

As Celtic prepare for their crucial Premiership clash against Hearts at Tynecastle, manager Brendan Rodgers will be anxiously awaiting the return of his star players, many of whom have been involved in international duty across the globe. Thirteen Hoops players have represented their countries over the past fortnight, with some enjoying standout performances while others faced challenges.

Kasper Schmeichel was instrumental in Denmark’s Nations League qualification, making key saves in a goalless draw against Serbia. Anthony Ralston impressed for Scotland in their victories over Croatia and Poland, earning rave reviews for his performances. Meanwhile, Alistair Johnston marked a milestone with Canada, earning his 50th cap in their 1-0 win over Suriname.

Other notable performances included Paulo Bernardo’s goal in Portugal’s U21 win over Slovakia and Daizen Maeda’s cameo appearances in Japan’s victories. Luis Palma shone for Honduras, scoring twice in their 2-0 win over Mexico. With several players returning from long-haul trips, Rodgers will be hoping they all come back fit and ready to face Hearts in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.

Xherdan Shaqiri says how he wants to be remembered after pipping Cristiano Ronaldo to feat

20/06/2024 Raymond 0

Former Stoke City forward Xherdan Shaqiri scored a remarkable goal against Angus Gunn at Euro 2024, securing a draw with Scotland and propelling Switzerland into the knock-out stages. This stunning strike not only ensured Switzerland’s progression but also marked Shaqiri as the first European to score in each of the last six major tournaments, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo. Reflecting on his goal, Shaqiri said, “I wanted to take full advantage of the opponent’s mistake. Then I saw that the goalkeeper was standing far out and thought to myself: ‘Come on, flick it in now.’ I was glad that I didn’t injure my knees in the celebration. But of course, it was an important goal. And a very nice one too.”

Midfielder left out of national team as Sunderland weigh up transfer decision

16/06/2024 Raymond 0

Sunderland have the option to sign Barnsley’s Callum Styles permanently this summer, following his loan spell during the 2023/24 season where he made 12 Championship appearances. Despite being an unused substitute in Hungary’s 3-1 Euro 2024 loss to Switzerland, Styles remains a key player, having earned 22 caps for his national team. He reassured fans about a recent injury, confirming on Instagram that it was not serious.

Styles, who has played as both a central midfielder and left-back, expressed his enjoyment at Sunderland despite a turbulent season with managerial changes. In an interview with FourFourTwo, he acknowledged the club’s passionate supporters and their Premier League ambitions, indicating his desire to stay longer but noting various factors could influence his future. His current focus is on contributing to Hungary’s Euro 2024 campaign, aiming to progress beyond the group stage.

£80k-a-week: Sunderland AFC’s highest earner from the last 8 seasons

19/03/2024 Raymond 0

Throughout his illustrious career, Defoe was renowned for his ability to find the back of the net consistently. His journey began at West Ham in 2000, where he quickly showcased his goal-scoring prowess, particularly during a prolific loan spell at AFC Bournemouth, where he notched an impressive 13 goals in his first 12 matches in the third tier. Subsequently, his impressive performances earned him a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2004, where he amassed over 100 goals across two separate spells, interrupted by a brief stint at Portsmouth from 2008 to 2009. During this time, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most lethal strikers.