Scottish Premiership club from North Lanarkshire
Hibernian have overturned a 2-0 deficit from Kosovo, winning 4-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate in the Conference League qualifier. The side showed intensity from the start, with Boyle, Elding, and Lowe on target as Gray’s men regained momentum and secured progression.
Rangers draw 1-1 away at Dundee United as new manager Derek McInnes watches from the touchline. Lachlan Rose gives United the lead; Thelo Aasgaard equalises after the break. Debutants and fresh signings feature, but no winner is found.
Celtic defeat Kilmarnock 5-1, with Kasper Hogh scoring a second-half hat-trick after a bright start from the visitors. Rangers and HJK also feature in European ties, while West Ham progress in the Carabao Cup under pressure.
Rangers have struggled at the start of the Derek McInnes era, with mixed results in domestic and European fixtures. The team is chasing improvement after a difficult run that has left them trailing Celtic in the league and facing a pivotal return leg in Europe.
Larne is eliminated after conceding a late penalty in extra-time to Invermen following a 2-0 lead, with Montel Gibson sent off and controversy around a handball in the dying stages.
Celtic has collapsed from a 4-0 aggregate lead to a 5-4 loss in Linz, exiting the Champions League playoff. Manager Martin O’Neill has taken responsibility, while players defend the team as they face a costly European setback.
Three Conference League play-off first legs take place on Aug. 20. Hearts host Rapid Vienna at Tynecastle, Gent welcome Hibs in Gent, and Motherwell face Freiburg at Fir Park. All matches are not on UK TV; UK viewers can watch via club streams for a fee. Referees are named for each match.
Northern Ireland clubs face a potential loss of a European slot as Larne exits and Rangers miss out; the play-off system and finances come under scrutiny, with implications for coefficients and domestic competition this season.
The government has announced a regenerative approach to integrate young players into big clubs has paid off as Sesko scores on his first full start of the season in United’s 4-0 win over Sabah in the Champions League. He says patience paid off and that joining United feels right after a year of adjustment.
Shankland has suffered a hamstring tear recurrence and will be out for several weeks to months, with scans to decide on surgery. Rangers assess options as Pocognoli’s squad faces upcoming fixtures and international duties.
Motherwell’s Zlatan Johansson has stayed with the club until at least January 2027 after a disrupted pre-season due to a jaw injury. He has netted twice and provided two assists in 11 appearances this season as manager Johansson says the squad is in good shape and focused on building fitness and team relationships during the upcoming fixtures.
Hearts are unbeaten in eight, and travel to Ochilview to play Stenny in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final. Manager Vrancken stresses no excuses as the team confronts an unfamiliar surface and a credible underdog. Stenhousemuir lead the Championship and seek a first major semi-final, with Bartley insisting on clarity and structure.
Aberdeen, Rangers, Hibs and Hearts advance to the Scottish Cup semis after a weekend of quarter-final wins and penalties, with Hampden hosting the final rounds on the weekend of Oct 31–Nov 1.
Graham Alexander has returned to Preston North End as manager, replacing sacked Paul Heckingbottom. The former player has led Bradford City to top of League One this season and will look to turn Preston's fortunes around after a poor start to the Championship campaign.
Celtic overturn a 7-1 deficit to beat Rangers 5-4 in the Tennent’s Sixes final after a dramatic day-two comeback. Mulgrew celebrates wildly; Hayes suffers a foot injury but continues playing as Celtic clinches the trophy.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has reaffirmed his commitment to the club after a brief period of reflection following a rough spell. He has signalled his intention to push for the league title despite a challenging run of results.
Rangers have returned to league action following an extended international break that squads have described as too long. Managers cite travel, player dispersion, and training gaps, with Shankland and new Hibs boss Reedijk among the talking points. The break disrupted a six-game winning run and led to renewed scrutiny of squad management.
Rangers have maintained a six-match league winning run, moving top of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0/3-1 victory over Kilmarnock. Naderi has starred in attack, while Shankland and Chermiti remain sidelined. Hearts deliver a 5-0 win, and Celtic face pressure as title race tightens.
Rangers have moved to the top of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0 first-half lead against Kilmarnock. The visitors battled back in a tense second half, with Nady Naderi and Kevin Kelsy sealing the win before a late Kilmarnock goal. Hearts also win 5-0, reinforcing momentum across the league.
Scotland has secured progression after a 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in Paisley, sealing a two-legged playoff success. The win follows a first-leg 2-0 victory, while venues approve in-seat alcohol sales as part of controlled consumption pilots; Sweden await in round two.
Hearts are five points off Celtic with Wouter Vrancken guiding a rebuild after a near-miss last season. Bosses have reshaped the squad and the club remains optimistic about a first league crown since 1960, despite stiff competition from the Old Firm.
Jota has returned to Celtic’s first team after ACL rupture in April 2025 and has featured as a substitute in Celtic’s 7-1 win over Hearts. He says the setback strengthened him and he is determined to contribute as he rebuilds fitness.