European Super Football

The last few days have been unlike anything Boston has experienced before.  A Scotland invasion has swept across the city for this World Cup, a pilgrimage many Scots never believed they would have the chance to make.  Author | Sean M There are families here with several generations who have never witnessed anything quite like it. The Tartan Army has been warmly welcomed wherever it has gone, embraced almost like a long-lost relative returning to a family gathering. Unsurprisingly, spirits were high after Scotland's World Cup victory over Haiti as supporters made their way to Fenway Park in the summer sunshine for a 'Scottish Celebration' night during the Red Sox's game against the Rangers. No, not that one. The Texas version. The evening is the brainchild of Travis Pollio, the Red Sox's director of ticket strategy and promotions. Standing on the corner of Jersey Street and Van Ness Street, he predicts around 4,000 Scots will attend, his voice barely carrying above t...

No Scotland, no party... Scotland's first World Cup since 1998 is proving to be a memorable occasion for their fans and for the people of Boston. Author | Sean M Of all the places the Tartan Army could have chosen as a base for their World Cup adventure, they have ended up in a city famous for driving the English out. Supporters dressed as William Wallace have been mingling with tour guides portraying Paul Revere. Others have been sporting "Boston T Party" T-shirts, with the T standing for Tennent's. Nearby, close to the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Scottish Football Association has transformed a local pub into Scotland House. From exiting the World Cup unbeaten in 1974, to the disappointment of the 1978 campaign, a lone point against Uruguay in 1986, defeat by Costa Rica in 1990 and a heavy loss to Morocco in 1998, Scotland's World Cup history is littered with examples of hopes raised and then dashed. The venue for this Group C match is the Fifa-ren...

Celtic 3 - 1 Hearts Celtic win the Scottish Premiership after dramatic final day Author | Sean M Stadium | Celtic Park Celtic came from behind in an extraordinary finale to beat long-time Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and deny them a first league title since 1960, while sealing a fifth consecutive championship after a remarkable campaign. The Edinburgh side had topped the Premiership since September in their bid to become the first team outside the Old Firm to win the top flight in 40 years and required only a draw to be crowned champions. A closer analysis of what happened However, Lawrence Shankland's opener was cancelled out by an Arne Engels penalty before Daizen Maeda bundled home with two minutes of normal time remaining, with the goal eventually awarded after a VAR review overturned the original decision to disallow it. Callum Osmand raced through to add a third in stoppage time as Celtic moved clear of Rangers with a record 56 league titles. With attention fixed on Ce...

Motherwell 1 - 2 Celtic Celtic secured a remarkable title lifeline as Kelechi Iheanacho’s controversially awarded 99th-minute penalty sealed victory at Motherwell. Author | Sean M Stadium | Fir Park This dramatic victory leaves them just a point behind leaders Hearts ahead of Saturday’s decisive meeting in Glasgow. Martin O'Neill’s side had fought back from Motherwell’s opener to lead shortly before the hour mark, only for the hosts to equalise in the 85th minute. At that point, the defending champions appeared to need a three-goal victory over Hearts at Celtic Park on the final day to retain the title. Late penalty drama Deep into stoppage time, Celtic defender Auston Trusty went down claiming he had been caught by a stray elbow. Referee John Beaton was sent to the monitor before eventually awarding a penalty for handball. Iheanacho held his nerve to calmly convert from the spot, sparking chaotic celebrations and leaving Celtic knowing that any victory on Saturday will secure the ...

Motherwell 1 - 1 Hearts Hearts edged four points clear of Celtic in this endlessly epic Scottish Premiership title race after drawing at Motherwell Author | Ryan Dixon Stadium | Fir Park The league leaders missed the chance to put maximum pressure on the defending champions before Sunday's Glasgow derby. A closer analysis of what happened A trip to Fir Park has become one of the sternest assignments in Scottish football this season and, despite an early effort from Shankland that was superbly blocked by Stephen O'Donnell, Hearts initially appeared tired against the fourth-placed hosts . Derek McInnes' side managed to come from behind to earn points for the fifth game in a row when Lawrence Shankland cancelled out Stephen Kingsley's own goal. Despite a second-half surge, Hearts could not find a winner amid dramatic scenes that included a Motherwell disallowed goal, injuries to key players and a controversial decision not to award Hearts a penalty. What happens next then?...

Hearts 2 - 1 Celtic A raucous Hearts crowd inspires players to put them on the brink of history Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Tynecastle A goal from club captain Lawrence Shankland thundered the home side to a huge victory over Rangers as the Scottish Premiership leaders restored their three-point advantage at the top and all but ended the Ibrox side's title hopes. Derek McInnes' side lead Celtic by three points with three games to play. Rangers are noe now seven points off the top, surely now ending their own title hopes.  How a dramatic afternoon unfolded Pre match atmosphere Dujon Sterling's volley deflected off Michael Steinwender and looped over Alexander Schwolow to give Rangers the lead during a first half in which they controlled play. One fan even text into the BBC saying: "This is some performance so far from Rangers. Hearts look clueless." In the second half, Stephen Kingsley levelled on the rebound after Alexandros Kyziridis' shot had come off a post...

Hibernian 1 - 2 Celtic Celtic were made to work hard to capitalise on Hibernian’s fourth red card in three matches Author | Sean M Stadium | Easter Road l The away side eventually secured a win that drew them level on points with Heart of Midlothian at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Jamie McGrath became the latest Hibs player dismissed, shown a red card for a lunging challenge on Alistair Johnston after 21 minutes. The champions appeared to be cruising when Daizen Maeda continued his fine form, scoring his fourth goal in three games shortly afterwards. Watch | Unique samples of the goals from Celtic’s YouTube account Hibernian responded before the interval Joe Newell levelled in contentious fashion as the ball seemed to strike his hand in the build-up. Celtic regained control in the second half, with Kelechi Iheanacho converting from close range to settle the contest. The result leaves Celtic level with Hearts, trailing only on goal difference ahead of the Edinburgh side’s mee...

Celtic 6 - 2 St Mirren Celtic will face Dunfermline Athletic in next month’s Scottish Cup final after a breathless eight-goal encounter with St Mirren Author | Sean M Stadium | Hampden Park With the match poised at 2-2, four goals in six minutes overwhelmed the Paisley side, who had recovered from two down to force the additional period. In extra time, a rapid double from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, first with a header and then a composed finish, alongside a strike from Luke McCowan, broke St Mirren’s resistance. Benjamin Nygren then added further gloss, the Sweden international guiding in his 20th goal of an impressive debut season. The result sets up a meeting between Martin O’Neill and his former midfield lieutenant Neil Lennon, echoing the 2007 final, when Dunfermline were beaten 1-0 in their last appearance in the showpiece. It was a harsh outcome on St Mirren, and particularly their 17-year-old goalkeeper, who had responded admirably after his side conceded in both the opening ...

Livingston 2 - 2 Hearts Hearts edged back to the summit of the Scottish Premiership but dropped points at Livingston Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Home of the Set Fare Arena Their advantage, which stood at three points at the start of the weekend, is now down to one following Rangers’ win over Dundee United on Saturday. Celtic’s win over Dundee means they're also now closer to the league leaders. It's going to be a dramatic title race for all three sides. Watch | Highlights from the SPFL YouTube account It might have been worse for Hearts They ended the match with 10 men. Livingston struck early, taking a surprise lead in the fifth minute when Stevie May drove a finish in from the edge of the area to silence the travelling support. Hearts responded with purpose and drew level through their returning captain Lawrence Shankland, who powered home a header from an excellent delivery by Marc Leonard. Both sides passed up chances before the interval, with Shankland going close again fo...

Scotland 0 - 1 Japan Scotland opened their World Cup preparations with a narrow friendly defeat by Japan. Author | Sean M Stadium | Hampden Park Playing for the first time since November’s memorable win over Denmark, which sealed a return to the World Cup after 28 years, Scotland national football team were unable to reproduce that level in the first of their March fixtures. Both sides struck the woodwork in an even first half and continued to create chances after the interval. It was Japan, however, who made the breakthrough when Ito scored in the 84th minute. The forward, who plays for KRC Genk, drove into the Scotland penalty area following neat interplay down the left, before guiding a low finish into the corner beyond Angus Gunn. Watch | Post match reaction from McClean. Video uploaded by Scotland's YouTube account  Steve Clarke’s side return to action on Tuesday against Ivory Coast national football team at Hill Dickinson Stadium, while Japan face England national football te...

Hearts 1 - 0 Dundee Oisin McEntee’s towering header earned leaders Hearts a hard-fought victory over Dundee Author | Alan White Stadium | Tynecastle The victory ensures they head into the international break at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. Derek McInnes’ side were largely frustrated at Tynecastle, where a disciplined Dundee display made life uncomfortable for the division’s pacesetters. Watch | Match highlights from SPFL YouTube How Hearts eventually won the game The decisive moment arrived 13 minutes from time when McEntee lost his marker to power home Marc Leonard’s free-kick, sparking scenes of celebration among the home support. It secured a fourth successive 1-0 win at Tynecastle for Hearts, despite Frankie Kent’s late red card, as the pressure continues to build on the unlikely title challengers with seven games remaining in their pursuit of a first league crown since 1960. The wider impact on the title race Celtic, who lost to Dundee United on Sunday, are now five poi...

Rangers 0 - 0 Celtic (Celtic won 4-2 on penalties) Celtic beat Rangers on penalties to reach the semi finals of the Scottish Cup Author | Sean M Stadium | Ibrox This combustible Old Firm derby ended in ugly scenes with supporters from both sides spilling on to the pitch at Ibrox Stadium. James Tavernier and Djeidi Gassama both missed from the spot following an absorbing, if often scrappy, contest. That left Tomas Cvancara with the chance to send Celtic into the last four after a match in which Rangers had long periods of control. When his penalty beat Jack Butland, Celtic supporters poured on to the pitch, quickly followed by Rangers fans. Police and stewards struggled to restore order as objects were thrown and tempers boiled over in the chaotic aftermath. The immediate reaction of the Celtic boss 120 minutes before the real action took place Both sides had a goal ruled out in the 90 minutes, with Celtic's Daizen Maeda having a header disallowed for an earlier offside before E...

Rangers 2 - 2 Celtic Resurgent Celtic fought back from two goals down to snatch a dramatic 91st minute draw against Rangers. Author | Sean M Stadium | Ibrox This is a result that leaves Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts with a commanding cushion over both Old Firm rivals. Rangers had looked in control thanks to a stunning early double from Youssef Chermiti, opened by a world-class overhead kick that evoked memories of Scott McTominay’s strike for Scotland against Denmark late last year. Having already struck twice at Celtic Park at the turn of the year, the Portuguese forward repeated the feat on home soil as a reshuffled Celtic defence buckled under sustained pressure. A misjudged clearance from Dane Murray allowed Chermiti to pounce again, slipping past Julian Araujo before rounding the stand-in goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo, who was deputising for the unwell Kasper Schmeichel. At half-time it felt like a blow from which Celtic might not recover, but Martin O’Neill altered the moment...

Celtic 4 - 2 Utrecht Celtic kept their Europa League hopes alive with a composed and ultimately comfortable victory over winless Utrecht  Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Celtic Park Goals from Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels, either side of a Nick Viergever own goal, had Martin O’Neill’s side three up inside 19 minutes before Dani de Wit pulled one back for the visitors with their first effort of the night. Utrecht threatened to turn the contest on its head when Adrian Blake struck from distance to beat Kasper Schmeichel, but any lingering anxiety was eased four minutes later as Auston Trusty headed in from an Engels corner. Celtic, who finished 21st in the league phase, will now face either Stuttgart in the knockout play-off round. Utrecht’s European campaign ended with a solitary point. A closer analysis of what happened With qualification on the line, O’Neill urged his players to attack from the outset and they responded with a blistering start against the Dutch side. ...

Celtic have confirmed Wilfried Nancy as their new head coach. The club have brought him in from Columbus Crew, concluding a search of more than a month for a permanent successor to Brendan Rodgers. Author | Sean M We are delighted to announce that we have appointed Wilfried Nancy to the position of Football Manager. More info ⤵️ #BienvenueWilfried | #CelticFC 🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 3, 2025 Nancy has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Scottish champions and has already begun work. Columbus said an agreement had been reached for Nancy to move to Glasgow for an undisclosed fee. The MLS side added that assistant coach Kwame Ampadu, assistant and fitness coach Jules Gueguen and video performance coach Maxime Chalier will also make the switch. Rodgers resigned on 27 October after a 3-1 defeat to Premiership leaders Hearts. Martin O'Neill was installed as interim manager, with Shaun Maloney assisting him. Since then, Celtic have won all of their d...

Rangers 1 - 1 Braga Rangers claimed their first point of this Europa League campaign but will reflect on a wasted chance after a mistake from Nasser Djiga cost them victory in a draw with 10-man Braga. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Ibrox James Tavernier put the Scottish Premiership side in front from the penalty spot deep into first-half stoppage time, and their position strengthened when Rodrigo Zalazar was sent off for appearing to move his head towards Nicolas Raskin. Yet Djiga’s misjudged header from a throw into the Rangers area dropped invitingly for Gabri Martinez, who swept in the equaliser and left Danny Rohl’s side without the win they badly needed. The result brings an end to their run of seven consecutive European defeats, but with daunting trips to Ferencvaros and Porto to come, either side of a home meeting with Ludogorets, their prospects of progressing remain slim with just one point from five matches. A further setback arrived in stoppage time when Mohamed Diomande w...

Feyenoord 1 - 3 Celtic Celtic produced a stirring response in Rotterdam, overturning an early setback to secure a notable Europa League victory over Feyenoord. Author | Sean M Stadium | De Kuip Celtic corner It marked their first away success in European competition since November 2021, ending a run of 15 matches without a win on the road. Ayase Ueda had put the hosts in front with a composed finish, yet the Scottish champions recovered impressively as Yang Hyun jun and Reo Hatate struck before the interval. Benjamin Nygren added a powerful third late on to settle any lingering tension among the travelling support. The result offered a timely lift after their heavy defeat by Midtjylland in the previous round. Martin O'Neill’s side were forced to absorb pressure at times but held their shape well and made their chances count, strengthening their position as the Northern Irishman's interim spell edges towards its conclusion. Feyenoord have now been beaten in four of their five gr...

Scotland 4 - 2 Denmark A remarkable night in Glasgow.  Author |  Sean M Stadium |  Hampden Park A pair of injury time goals from Kieran Tierney and Kenny McLean handed Scotland a dramatic victory over Denmark and sealed their return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Scott McTominay set the tone at Hampden Park with a superb bicycle kick after only three minutes, although Rasmus Hojlund soon pulled Denmark level to stall the early surge of optimism. Scotland needed all three points to finish top of Group C and claim an automatic place at the finals. Lawrence Shankland and Patrick Dorgu exchanged goals after the break, but Tierney and McLean produced two remarkable late strikes that sent the home support into raptures as Scott Clarke’s side held their nerve.  A closer analysis of what happened   Inside three minutes, Scott McTominay rose astonishingly high to steer the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel with an audacious overhead finish. Hampden e...

Greece 3 - 2 Scotland Scotland find themselves within a single match of their first World Cup appearance since 1998, after Denmark’s draw with Belarus kept an unlikely route open on a breathless night Author | Sean M Stadium | Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki Just after the hour in Piraeus, Scotland trailed 3-0 to a Greece side already out of contention, while Denmark were edging ahead against Belarus in Copenhagen. Goals gifted far too cheaply to Tasos Bakasetas, Konstantinos Karetsas and Christos Tzolis appeared to end any realistic hope of automatic qualification, leaving March’s play-offs looming. Then the script tilted. Belarus equalised, and within three minutes Ben Gannon-Doak rifled in his first goal for Scotland at the very moment Nikita Demchenko put the group’s bottom side into a scarcely believable lead in Copenhagen. As word filtered through to the Scotland bench, Ryan Christie headed in to reduce the deficit, on a night littered with narrow escapes, missed sitters and no sh...

Rangers 0 - 2 Roma Rangers endured another punishing Europa League night as Roma inflicted a fourth straight defeat in this season’s competition. Author | Mark Lee Stadium | Ibrox Danny Rohl’s team were booed off at half-time, two goals down and fortunate the margin was not greater. Only Jack Butland’s sharp goalkeeping and some wasteful Roma finishing spared further damage. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s exquisite strike ten minutes before the interval effectively settled the contest, the captain guiding home after a flowing Roma move. Earlier, his teasing corner had been glanced on by Matias Soule, the Argentine forward heading into an empty net to give the visitors the lead. At 2-0, memories resurfaced of the heavy Champions League qualifying defeat by Brugge in August. Rangers rarely troubled Mile Svilar, though Djeidi Gassama’s lively runs at least forced some defensive scrambling from the Italians. A bad night for Scottish teams in the Europa League Super Local Sports News | Glasgow ...