Latest news with #ex-Hibs
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kevin Nisbet on Hearts transfer radar as Lawrence Shankland alternatives eyed and McInnes makes admission
The Jambos are desperately trying to get their captain tied down on a new contract but might be forced to look elsewhere Derek McInnes insists a decision from Lawrence Shankland on his Hearts future is now a matter of urgency - with the Jambos keeping tabs on Kevin Nisbet as a potential alternative. Gorgie captain Shanks is out of contract at Tynecastle and is yet to accept a new deal as he also considers other options available to him, with West Brom and two Saudi Pro League teams keen. McInnes, who hosts former club Aberdeen in a mouthwatering Monday night clash for his first Premiership game in charge, believes Hearts is still Shankland's best bet but admits a decision needs to be made "sooner rather than later.' And if they fail in a bid to convince Shankland to remain in Gorgie, then his Scotland team-mate - and ex-Hibs man – Nisbet is under consideration. Nisbet has returned to Millwall following his Scottish Cup-winning loan spell at Aberdeen last season. The 28-year-old is going into the final year of his deal at the New Den as Alex Neil assesses his future. McInnes is a long-time admirer of Nisbet and is keeping an eye on his situation in south London as Shankland talks continue. On Shankland, the Hearts boss told Sky Sports: 'I'm in constant dialogue with Lawrence, spoke to his agents as well several times through the last few weeks but Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider. "We think we're a really strong option for him, whether we're the best option in Lawrence's eyes we've got to wait and see but there'll come a point really that we need to draw a line under it and Lawrence has got to look at looking after him and I've got to look after Hearts. "Hopefully we can find a solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts. He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try and not let players like that leave the door without putting up the best fight you can and we're in the fight for him. "I believe we're a really strong option for Lawrence, I believe we're the best option for him at this moment, he's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season. 'There are loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. Hopefully as I say we're his best option and at the minute we're in the fight to keep him. "I always feel deadlines are not always healthy and sometimes can be a bit antagonistic but there's been enough conversations with Lawrence. "There'll come a point where he has to move on and try and secure his future and likewise I need to make sure that we secure our squad going forward but we're not at that stage yet, but sooner rather than later really to try and get that resolved because I want clarity in what I'm dealing with and I'm sure Lawrence is wanting clarity on his future as well.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Doig rekindles Celtic transfer interest as Kristoffer Ajer return route emerges
Kieran Tierney is only just in the door at Celtic Park but Brendan Rodgers is wasting no time targeting another left-back. The Hoops have bolstered their backline by clinching a sensational return for fans' favourite KT from Arsenal on a five-year deal. Advertisement Tierney, 28, will be one of the first names on Celtic's team sheet as the Scotland international rejoins his boyhood club at his prime. READ MORE: Lennon Miller cool on Celtic transfer interest as Sunderland join hunt for Motherwell sensation READ MORE: Celtic eye 'bargain transfer for 16 goal Sweden star' but face three way tussle However, the defender's injury record coupled with Greg Taylor's likely exit, means that Celts are in the market for cover. And multiple reports have suggested that the Scottish champions are set to revive their interest in ex-Hibs starlet Josh Doig. Doig, 23, left Easter Road for Serie A side Hellas Verona in a £3million transfer back in 2022 and instantly caught the eye in Italy. Advertisement After a dream switch to Marseille collapsed at the 11th hour, Doig joined Sassuolo for £5m in January 2024 but couldn't save the club from relegation. However, the full-back was a key figure in helping Sassuolo land promotion from Serie B at the first time of asking, making 31 appearances. Doig has been on Celtic's transfer radar since he first broke through at Hibs and now, it's claimed that the Double-winners are weighing up an offer. Ex-Celtic stopper Kristoffer Ajer -Credit:Getty Images Meanwhile former Treble hero Kristoffer Ajer has been told to find another club by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, according to Sky Sports. The towering stopper, 27, endured an injury-hit campaign for Brentford, starting just twice since the March international break. Advertisement Under contract until 2028, Ajer may feel he'll be given a clean slate by his next boss as Thomas Frank prepares to take over Tottenham. Ajer - who lifted nine major honours at Parkhead - left Celtic for the Bees in a £13.5m switch four years ago. The 43-times capped star made his big career breakthrough under Rodgers and his potential availability has set tongues wagging amongst the green-and-white faithful. Elsewhere, Record Sport understands Celtic are keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller's situation and were in contact with the Motherwell board in the last window. The Scotland new boy has been linked with a list of European clubs including Eintracht Frankfurt and Royal Union St Gilloise and the Steelman have already turfed out bids from Udinese and Gilloise. It's believed Celtic have also scouted Hearts' James Penrice, but won't necessarily pursue a deal for the left-back.
Scotsman
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
and why they wound up Rangers fans at Easter Road
Youth league win built on psychological ploy borrowed from ex-Hibs boss Jack Ross Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Short-term targets, long-held ambitions, massive performances from big-game players. And, as you might expect given the age of those involved, maybe just the odd dash of daft boyishness when it came time to show off the silverware? As he reflects on a season of success for the Hibs under-18s, whose achievement in winning the Club Academy Scotland league title should not be underestimated, head coach Darren McGregor positively bristles with excitement. He can also see the funny side of THAT Easter Road lap of honour that left a famously temperate and generous away support voicing their mild displeasure … Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Revealing how he'd borrowed a psychological tactic from former Hibs boss Jack Ross to keep his youngsters on track over the course of a gruelling campaign, the former Scottish Cup winner, a fan favourite about to be rewarded for his long service with a testimonial against Bolton Wanderers, said: 'I set the boys a challenge at the start of the season and asked them if they could win the league. They all agreed, they all bought into it, so I said: 'Well what does winning the league look like to us? 'We used Aberdeen the previous year as a reference point and how many points did they get? So they got X amount of points, I think it might have been 67. Do we think they can better that this season? They said yes, so that's a reference point then, better than 67 points. 'We broke the 67 points down throughout the season into smaller, sort of mini-goals if you like, and we reassessed it every six weeks. The boys had planned out the six weeks in front of them and how they thought the games would go in terms of goals scored, goals conceded, so it was open and honest. 'Some of the times I said: 'I think that might be a defeat there or I think that might be a draw.' There was nothing wrong with that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'You might think that's accepting defeat. But it actually worked in the reverse because we hit every single target, best goals for in the league, best defensive record against and then obviously we eclipsed the points total that we set out to do. 'So that was the most pleasing thing - that we actually managed to win the league, but also we exceeded our expectations in terms of that challenge we set ourselves. Obviously a by-product of that is winning the league and getting a wee shot at Europe, but also the development of every single player. Adding more detail to the grand plan to break the season down into more manageable chunks, McGregor revealed: 'Jack Ross did it with us once. Listen, if you speak to a lot of football guys it's probably a common theme, but I just really liked it because it got everybody together in the room, it got everybody talking. 'And you divide the groups, so if there's 16 we'll maybe put lads in fours and we'll have them off into different rooms and I'll put a coach in each room just to monitor them. Not really to give much input, just to allow them to discuss it and allow them to discuss the challenges. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So they could sit and say: 'Well, Aberdeen's a really difficult place to go or Murray Park's a really difficult place to go, what happened the last time …' So I just think they get to reflect on previous times and then they also get to speak to each other about what they think this next game might entail. 'It definitely worked a treat. The lads enjoyed it, and it was good to get a catch up and to re-assess the previous, whether it was four weeks or six weeks before it and then plan the following four to six weeks.' Lap of honour included pantomime celebrations in front of away punters Simply declaring their intent to go and win the league felt like a leap of faith by the Hibs coaching staff. In an environment where the Old Firm of Celtic and Rangers effectively have their pick of the talent, or at least those not lured south by Premier League clubs stocking their academies, why did McGregor believe it was even possible? 'You look at the group, you look at the individuals you have within the group, you look at obviously the facilities and the coaching staff and the people at Hibs,' he said, adding: 'You always think you've got a real good chance to be honest. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And this year's been such a good culture about the club, the first team, the women's team, obviously all working together in the same building, I just think that's really sort of built a togetherness. I think the lads have thrived off that. 'And the fact that we do try and treat them like adults as well. I mean we enforce certain rules and regulations on what to do when they're in the building, but we do sometimes give them a wee bit of leeway as well because at the end of the day they're on the cusp of adulthood. 'So they respect us, we respect them and it's reciprocal, giving them that wee bit of freedom. And there's some really good players in that group. 'Every single one of them wants to work hard, every single one of them wants to become a football player. Nobody's in pretending to be a football player and just wasting the days away. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'If you look at their testing results when they first came in, whether that be from a physical point of view or even a technical point of view, every single one of them is getting better and improving. They feed off that, they look at that and they see other lads improving and then they want to get after it and that sets the bar.' Having edged out Rangers for the title, the young Hibees were given a chance to show off the league trophy in front of a full house at Easter Road. Their half-time lap of honour in the final match of the season, a 'meaningless' 2-2 home draw with Rangers, included the lads hamming up their celebrations in front of the away fans. With predictable consequences. 'Aye, I told them they'd better watch!' admitted McGregor, the former centre-half adding: 'I mean they're young exuberant laddies so it's difficult to put a leash on them. 'I was walking behind them and then I saw they were getting a bit carried away. But for me it was just a bit of fun, just young boys enjoying themselves.'
The Courier
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Jason Cummings relives aftermath of Open Goal Live controversy that ended Dundee career
Jason Cummings has opened up on the Open Goal Live storm that triggered the end of his Dundee career. After signing from Shrewsbury Town in January 2021, the 29-year-old striker notched 14 goals in 36 appearances for the Dee until a controversial appearance on stage at the Hydro in Glasgow the following December. Less than 48 hours before Dundee were due to face Hearts in the Premiership, Cummings, dressed as the Joker from Batman film 'The Dark Knight', was featured in a live show staged by popular Scottish football podcast Open Goal. Cummings admitted to having 'a few drinks' to settle his nerves before sharing the stage with Graeme Souness and Paolo Di Canio and footage from the event quickly went viral on social media. The following morning, after turning up for training at Dens Park, the ex-Hibs hit man was sent home by furious Dee boss James McPake, then saw his contract ripped up. Speaking on the latest edition of Open Goal, Cummings, now starring and winning multiple titles in India, lifted the lid on his feelings around the incident, and insisted he never wanted to leave Dundee. 'At the time at Dundee, I wasn't playing, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem,' he said. 'It was the next day when I went in. I was alright to train. But see if I'd never [been on stage at the Hydro], if I'd been in the house, nobody would have known. 'Because everyone saw it, Jazza [James McPake] was fuming. 'It's not a big deal. See if that was in Australia or somewhere like that, nothing would have happened. 'They all love all that stuff – off the pitch, do what you want, as long as you play at the weekend and you do well, you score, then it is what it is. 'When I left Dundee that time, when Jazza sent me home, my old man phoned me halfway through the drive home and he's like: 'What have you done? Have you been sent home?' 'It was in the paper before I even got home! That's what's killed me, it's not in-house, it's been in the paper that I've been let go. That killed me. 'I said to Dundee I didn't want to leave. I was happy. I was top scorer, training unreal, the best trainer, flying. 'But Jazza just made his mind up and that was it done. 'After that, with Australia, having two years there, then India, none of that would have happened otherwise, because I really did want to stay.' Cumming signed for Australian side Central Coast Mariners after leaving Dundee and was part of the Socceroos' squad for the World Cup in 2022. After helping the Mariners to glory in the A-League grand final in 2023, he moved to India with Kolkata-based Mohun Bagan, whom he helped to lift last season's ISL League Shield before claiming victory in the ISL grand final.
Edinburgh Reporter
03-06-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
McEntee is fourth signing by McInnes at Hearts
Derek McInnes has added Osin McEntee to his squad on a three-year deal, the Republic of Ireland youth international having signed a pre-contract agreement. The 24-year-old will join the Tynecastle club this summer after the expiry of his contact with Walsall, an English League Two club, where he made 79 appearances, scoring six goals. McInnes, Hearts' new head coach, said: 'Oisin is hungry, he wants to learn and improve, and he wants to be part of what we are trying to do at Hearts.' The head coach said McEntee is a ball player and has gained a lot of knowledge in England, but he has played in Scotland, which is a bonus. He will be at Tynecastle until the summer of 2028 and McEntee is the fourth summer singing as McInnes (pictured) looks to re-build the squad ahead of the new campaign. He arrives following deals to bring defender Christian Borchgrevink, goalscoring forward Alexander Kyziridis and Elton Kabangu, who was the club's second top goalscorer last term, into the club. McEntee started his career with the Newcastle United Academy and the central midfielder was captain of the under-18 and under-23 sides. He signed a new contract with the North-East club but was loaned to Greenock Morton and played 28 games before he left Newcastle for Walsall where he signed a two-year contract. There he played in midfield but also in the back three and made his final appearance for The Saddlers in the recent play-off final defeat at Wembley to AFC Wimbledon. Internationally, he has played for the Republic at youth level and his experience includes the European qualifiers in 2023 at under-21 level. Meanwhile, McInnes' new-look Hearts open their campaign in the Premier Sports Cup, Group E, at home to Dunfermline Athletic, now managed by ex-Hibs and Celtic boss, Neil Lennon, on July 12 (5.15pm) and it will be televised. Then Hearts travel to the K Park to face Hamilton Accies on July 15 (7.45pm) and are away at Stirling Albion's Forthbank Stadium on Saturday, July 19 (5.15pm), also in front of the cameras. Hearts return to Tynecastle for their final group match and host Dumbarton on Wednesday, July 23 (7.45pm). Like this: Like Related
