Scottish Football Podcast

The Sportsound pundits debate what changes need to be made for the betterment of Scottish football. Plus post-match reaction to wins for Dundee and St Mirren.

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Scott Allan and Cammy Kerr to look ahead to a huge weekend of Scottish football.

After another busy night in Europe, can Rangers bounce back from a disappointing display and respond against Hibs? Are Hearts already under pressure as Dundee United head to Tynecastle?

Who will come out on top in a potentially crucial Battle of the Saints between St Mirren and St Johnstone? The team also assess Aberdeen's encouraging start, Celtic's new-look attack, Motherwell's momentum and Falkirk's early-season challenges.

Plus, Cammy Kerr with his take on Livingston's...

We look back on a night of mixed results for Scottish teams in European action with losses for Rangers and Hearts, a draw for Motherwell and victory for Hibernian.

It's a huge night in Europe for Scottish football. Can Rangers bounce back from a frustrating league opener and take a positive result from Poland against Jagiellonia Białystok? How important could Nico Raskin be if he stays, and what does Rangers' transfer business still need before the window closes?

Just how difficult is Hearts' trip to Benfica? Are concerns over their start to the season justified, or do the fixtures need proper context? Jonathan Sutherland is joined by Andy Halliday and Cammy Bell as the team look ahead to a massive European test for Scottish clubs.

Motherwell and Hibs are back in Conference League qualifying action, but who is best placed to reach the next round?

The team assess Motherwell's trip to face HJK Helsinki and ask whether Alfred Johansson's side can continue their impressive start to the season. Are the Steelmen now playing with a belief and authority rarely seen from Scottish clubs in Europe?

Meanwhile, Hibs welcome Shkendija to Easter Road after an up and down start to their campaign. Have David Gray's side learned from their early European scare? And can they find the consistency needed to balance...

Matchday one is in the books, but what did we really learn from the SPFL's opening weekend? David CurrIE is joined by Rory Loy and Stephen McGowan to assess Celtic's win over Dundee and ask whether Martin O'Neill's side are truly ready for a crucial Champions League play-off.

Did Dundee show enough to suggest Steven Pressley should be more ambitious this season? Why are Celtic fans still frustrated by the pace of transfer business?

Plus, we look ahead to the European qualifiers facing Rangers, Hearts, Hibs and Motherwell, and ask which Scottish club has the...

Kenny Macintyre, Tom English, Scott Brown and Rory Loy review Celtic 1-0 Dundee in the Scottish Premiership

The Scottish Premiership is back and the opening weekend delivered drama from start to finish. Craig Telfer is joined by Kevin Thomson and Cillian Sheridan to break down all the biggest talking points. Aberdeen snatch victory against Hearts with two late goals, Kevin Nisbet's remarkable scoring run continues, and Dundee United impress as they hold Rangers on Derek McInnes' league debut. The panel assess encouraging performances from St Johnstone and Motherwell, examine whether Falkirk and Kilmarnock should be concerned after opening-day defeats, and preview Celtic's first league outing as new record signings Camilo Duran and Kasper Høgh prepare f...

The opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership continued on Sunday with St Johnstone beating Kilmarnock in a seven-goal thriller and Motherwell winning at Easter Road.

Ryan Stevenson, Andy Halliday,Willie Miller and Michael Stewart assess Saturday's action on the opening weekend of the Premiership as Aberdeen stun Hearts .

Steven Thompson and Andy Halliday asses both Rangers and Dundee Utd following their draw at Tannadice in Derek McInnes' first competitive match as Rangers manager.

Full Premiership full preview - kicking off with tonight's game between new look Rangers and Dundee Utd. Who has been the signing of the transfer window, so far? Are Hearts fans hurting at the moment and Ray asks Conor and Kris - just how big is the step up from the top of the Championship to the Premiership? And have champions Celtic done enough to prepare for the season ahead?

All the reaction after Motherwell and Hibernian both progress in the Uefa Conference League qualifiers. With David Currie, Tom English, Scott Allan and Rory Loy.

It's a huge night in Europe for Hibernian and Motherwell. Charlotte Cohen is joined by Hibs Women's head coach Joelle Murray and Herald football writer Stephen McGowan to preview two pivotal Conference League qualifiers. Hibs return to Easter Road needing to overturn a two-goal deficit after a disappointing first leg against Malisheva, with questions growing around David Gray's side and their European record. Meanwhile, Motherwell head to the Faroe Islands carrying a valuable 2-0 advantage and looking to continue an encouraging start under new manager Alfred Johansson. The discussion also explores the challenge facing Scottish clubs in early-season European...

What will Scottish Premiership football look like this season? David Currie is joined by coach and analyst John Walker and former midfielder Scott Allan for a tactical deep dive into the campaigns ahead. From Hearts' ambitious "organised chaos" under Wouter Vrancken to Celtic's attempts to replace Daizen Maeda's relentless pressing, the panel examine the biggest strategic shifts across the league. There's analysis of Derek McInnes' Rangers rebuild, Hibernian's continued commitment to a back three, Motherwell's efforts to maintain their identity after a summer of change and why Falkirk remain one of the most fascinating teams to watch. The discussion...

Ryan Stevenson and Tom English discuss Hearts' prospects with Wouter Vrancken's side dropping into the Europa League 3rd qualifying round after their 6-0 aggregate defeat.

Hearts return to Tynecastle facing a huge challenge after last week's 4-0 defeat away to Sturm Graz. With their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread, can Wouter Vrancken's side produce a famous European comeback or at least restore confidence ahead of the Premiership campaign? Andrew Petrie is joined by Hearts Standard editor Joel Sked to analyse exactly where things went wrong in Austria, from a disastrous nine-minute spell, defensive mistakes and missed opportunities. The discussion also looks at Vrancken's tactical options, the importance of building momentum, the impact of key departures and whether more transfer business is still...

The League Cup group stage is complete and the knockout ties are set, but not without plenty of drama along the way. Charlotte Cohen is joined by former Dundee and Ross County manager Tony Docherty and Arbroath midfielder Ryan Flynn to analyse Dunfermline's impressive progress under Neil Lennon, St Johnstone's shock exit after defeat to East Fife and what it means for the newly-promoted side heading into the Premiership season. The panel also discuss a mouth-watering last-16 draw, including Dundee United's home tie against Celtic and an Ayrshire derby between Kilmarnock and Ayr United. Elsewhere, there's debate over Celtic's...

Ian McCall and Steven Thompson debate some interesting ties in the Scottish Cup last 16, plus reaction as Dunfermline defeat holders St Mirren to reach the knockout stage.

Reaction to Saturday's Scottish League Cup matches plus we get the fans involved as the new SPFL season looms, with David Curie, Scott Brown, Andy Halliday and Tom English.

Motherwell made it look comfortable in Europe with a professional 2-0 win over HB Tórshavn – but how much credit does new boss Alfred Johansson deserve for keeping the momentum going?

Hibs suffered a frustrating defeat in Kosovo, but is it too early to judge David Gray's side before the return leg at Easter Road?

David Currie joined by Craig Telfer and Cillian Sheridan look ahead to a decisive weekend in the League Cup group stage, with Falkirk, St Mirren, Dunfermline, Livingston and Stenhousemuir all battling for places in the knockout rounds.

And wit...

James McFadden and Tom English assess Motherwell's encouraging start to the season following their 2-0 win over HB in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier.

European nights are back - but will they bring a winning start for Hibs and Motherwell? David Currie is joined by Joelle Murray and Andy Halliday to preview two intriguing Conference League qualifiers.

Can Hibs cope without key absentees in Kosovo? Will Alfred Johansson's new-look Motherwell side hit the ground running against HB from the Faroes? The team also assess summer recruitment, the challenge of balancing Europe with domestic ambitions, and whether Hibs and Motherwell can build on promising campaigns.

Plus, was Derek McInnes' four-match touchline ban justified, or has the punishment gone too far?<...

A disastrous Champions League night leaves Hearts facing a mountain to climb after a 4-0 defeat in Graz. What went wrong defensively, and is the tie already beyond them? Scott Allan and Cammy Bell join David Currie to assess Wouter Vrancken's difficult start and where Hearts go from here.

Plus, could Daizen Maeda be on his way to Ipswich, and how big a loss would he be for Celtic? Are recruitment concerns growing again at Parkhead? And with Rangers adding more new faces, is Derek McInnes building a squad capable of challenging straight away?

We...

Alasdair Lamont, Tom English and Ryan Stevenson review Sturm Graz 4-0 Hearts in Champions League qualifying, a result that all but ends their Champions League hopes

Hearts are the first Scottish club back in competitive European action this season as they travel to Austria to face Sturm Graz in a crucial Champions League qualifier.

How ready are Wouter Vrancken's new-look side after a summer of major change? Can they cope with the loss of key figures and keep their European ambitions on track?

Andy Burke is joined by Ryan McGowan and Mark Atkinson as they focus on the challenge facing the Jambos, discuss the impact of Tony Bloom's long-term vision and run the rule over Hearts' summer recruitment. Plus, a look...

Spain are world champions - but beyond the trophy lift, what lasting changes could this World Cup mean for the SPFL?

Have hydration breaks become football’s version of a tactical timeout? And should Scottish football be looking closely at how referees and VAR have been used on the biggest stage?

Back at home, which Premiership sides have made the strongest early statement in the League Cup? Are Dundee United already putting an early scare behind them? Should Aberdeen fans be encouraged by the signs from their rebuilt squad? And after another nervy afternoon, is th...

Richard Gordon, Scott Allan and Callum Davidson review the League Cup action, preview the upcoming European fixtures and are joined by Hibs head coach David Gray

Martin O'Neill's former captain Paul Lambert believes the current squad isn't good enough and that the club need to invest significantly in recruitment infrastructure.

A Scotland legend has called time on a remarkable career - but where does Craig Gordon rank among the country's greatest-ever goalkeepers, and who is ready to step into his gloves for the years ahead?

With shock results already appearing in the League Cup, how seriously should Premiership clubs be taking these early-season fixtures - and what does a defeat at this stage really tell us about a team's prospects?

And as Spain prepare to face Argentina in the World Cup final, will individual brilliance prevail, or will the best team win the biggest prize...

With a new manager in the dugout and European nights on the horizon, are Motherwell ready to take the next step?

Charlotte sits down with Derek Watson of the Well Society and Motherwell fan John O'Leary to tackle the key questions that could define Motherwell's season.

Can Alfred Johansson maintain the club's attacking identity? How will the Steelmen cope if their biggest assets attract transfer interest? And after last season's momentum, can supporters dare to dream again?

Can Hibs build on last season’s progress and take the next step under David Gray? Are they genuinely equipped to make a splash in Europe, and have they strengthened enough to challenge at the top end of the Premiership?

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Mark Atkinson and Harry McArthur to ask whether Hibs are heading in the right direction, which new signings could make the biggest impact, and if this squad is stronger than the one that fell just short in Europe a year ago.

Can Dundee turn a season of survival into a season of ambition? After winning over sceptical supporters, what can Steven Pressley achieve in year two?

Charlotte Cohen sits down with George Cran and Robin Grimmond to debate the big talking points surrounding Dundee ahead of the new campaign.

Have Dundee recruited well enough to offset some major departures? Which players are poised to make the biggest impact, and could Ashley Hay become the goalscorer fans have been waiting for?

Most importantly, is a long-awaited top-six finish a realistic target or wishful thinking?

Celtic are the reigning Premiership champions, but optimism around Parkhead is in short supply. Charlotte Cohen is joined by Herald sports writer Stephen McGowan and Celtic supporter Asim Rabbani to discuss a dramatic title triumph, the emotional final-day victory over Hearts and why many supporters remain deeply frustrated despite ending last season on top. The panel examine Martin O'Neill's return for another year, concerns over recruitment, the lack of transfer activity ahead of a crucial Champions League qualifier and uncertainty surrounding several key players. There's also discussion around Callum McGregor's future, the influence of decision-makers behind the scenes and...

After a solid but ultimately unspectacular seventh-place finish, Dundee United head into the new season determined to kick on. Andrew Petrie is joined by Courier columnist Jim Spence and The Dode Fox Podcast's Ronny Costello to discuss a summer of change at Tannadice. The panel assess Jim Goodwin's future, the growing expectation of a more attacking style of play, and whether key signings such as Dylan Tait and the returning Jack Walton can help United move forward. They also reflect on the departures of influential figures including Amar Fatah and Luca Stephenson, debate the club's recruitment strategy and shine...

Hearts came agonisingly close to the ultimate prize before suffering heartbreak on the final day of last season. Now, a new chapter begins at Tynecastle. Andrew Petrie is joined by Heart Standard editor Joel Sked and former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan to examine one of the most dramatic summers in recent club history. The panel discuss the departure of Derek McInnes, Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin, the arrival of new head coach Wouter Vrancken, and how Hearts' relationship with the Jamestown analytics model continues to shape recruitment. There's also debate over the futures of key players, including Claudio Braga...

Richard Gordon is joined by Falkirk manager John McGlynn ahead of the new season and we chat World Cup with Pat Nevin, Derek Ferguson, Moira Gordon and Peter Wright.

Kilmarnock head into the new Premiership season with optimism growing after a remarkable turnaround under Neil McCann. Charlotte Cohen is joined by Sandy Armour of the Killie Hippo and Callum Scott from the Forever and Ever podcast to discuss how Killie recovered from a difficult start to last season and why supporters are feeling positive again. The panel reflect on Stewart Kettlewell's departure, McCann's impact, the influence of January signings such as Joe Hugill and Findlay Curtis, and a summer rebuild that includes the return of Mark O'Hara and exciting new faces. They also assess the move back to...

Who will win promotion? Who could surprise everyone? And who might be in for a long season? Craig Telfer and John Walker join Charlotte Cohen for a comprehensive preview of League One and League Two. Ross County's immediate promotion hopes, Hamilton's recruitment drive, East Kilbride's first full SPFL campaign and a fiercely competitive League Two all come under the microscope. With predictions for the biggest movers, top scorers and managers to watch, there's plenty for Scottish football fans to get excited about before the action begins.

After a turbulent campaign that swung from Scottish Cup glory to relegation worries, Aberdeen head into a new season with Stephen Robinson at the helm and a major rebuild underway. Charlotte Cohen is joined by Aberdeen fan Beth Wallace and Press & Journal chief sports writer Ryan Cryle to reflect on the end of the Jimmy Thelin era, the challenges facing the club and the expectations for the months ahead. The panel discuss a busy summer of recruitment, the search for goals, concerns over last season's defensive frailties and how Robinson wants his side to play. They also assess the...