Sports reporter, BBC Scotland. If part of your job is to ask questions, never be afraid to ask them, without fear or favour. Stay clam, show respect, be kind.
The word from China: source close to Beijing Renhe denies that the club made a multi-million pound bid for
@RangersFC
Alfredo Morelos. Says their foreign player quota is full, and that there's a levy on foreign signings over $7 million.
An apology to
@RangersFC
: despite what I was told from China, there was indeed a multi-million euro bid, indeed bids, from Beijing Renhe for striker Alfredo Morelos, with varying options for how it would have been structured. This retracts, and corrects my previous tweet.
Breaking : there WILL be
@StJohnstone
and
@HibernianFC
fans at Hampden a week on Saturday for the Scottish Cup final.
@UEFA
have just told me : “UEFA has been able to find a solution with the Scottish FA to allow a limited number of spectators for the Scottish Cup Final.”
The
@CelticFC
manager Ange Postecoglou with quote of the day when asked if he finds it hard to keep calm in big games against
@RangersFC
. He says he doesn’t , as that’s his job : “when a pilot lands a plane , he knows what he’s doing “
If we’re calling out racist, sexist & homophobic abuse online (or in real life), we shouldn’t be afraid to call out this garbage too.👇 Original tweet deleted, of course, after I highlighted it. Over to you,
@Twitter
. You should have zero tolerance of abuse like this. Enough
The
@CelticFC
Dubai fall out rumbles on. After manager Neil Lennon said there was an ‘agenda’ and something ‘political’ about the self-isolations, deputy first minister John Swinney on
@BBCRadioScot
called his comments “absolutely appalling” and that he was “lost for words”
For the avoidance of doubt (
@mcgowan_stephen
😉): I am absolutely thrilled cash-strapped Scottish clubs are getting much needed money. I am NOT thrilled that AFTER an incomplete
@spfl
ballot was published , a club (ANY club) was allowed to bin its vote and vote again. That is all
Not blaming David Marshall at all for that second goal today. No danger. And he kept us in it with his saves before that 🏴
@ScotlandNT
. Point at Wembley , beat Croatia Tuesday, sorted.
#Believe
#SCO
The
@CelticFC
manager Neil Lennon tells me Celtic were targeting “100 points and 100 goals” plus Scottish Cup, so feels club was one of the worst affected by
@spfl
season being ‘called’ due to
#Covid_19
. Says the historic significance of 9 in a row twice shouldn’t be underplayed
Breaking.
@RangersFC
@JamTarts
@StranraerFC
EGM requisition is defeated. A CEO tells me 13 votes in favour , 27 against and 2 abstentions. 32 votes were required for it to pass
From the last 21 major football honours in Scotland , the numbers are pretty stark. The trophy winners :
@StJohnstone
: 2
@RangersFC
: 2
@CelticFC
: 17
5 trebles and a double for Celtic in that time. Unprecedented dominance. Big summer for them. And everyone else
For those still asking:
1) I sourced info from Beijing re bids for Morelos
2) I was shown evidence (I have SEEN the bids from Beijing Renhe) proving my info was incorrect
3) I apologised to
@RangersFC
as they should have had a right of reply in the first place.
I admit the error
In closing: my w/e began with random sectarian abuse👇well before groups of
@RangersFC
fans sang about being “up to our knees” en route to George Sq. Rangers say: “Sectarianism is unacceptable and has no place in our club”. If decent Rangers fans don’t
#callitout
, nothing changes
If we’re calling out racist, sexist & homophobic abuse online (or in real life), we shouldn’t be afraid to call out this garbage too.👇 Original tweet deleted, of course, after I highlighted it. Over to you,
@Twitter
. You should have zero tolerance of abuse like this. Enough
More on the Celtic story ; my information is that Eddie Howe had been given free reign to do a complete restructure
@CelticFC
and they thought they had their man. But he eventually turned it down because it wasn’t possible to assemble the team of back room staff he wanted.
Incredible. From 2 sets and a break down against
@yoshihitotennis
,
@andy_murray
beats him 6-4 in the 5th to stay in the
@usopen
. In 4h40 mins. With a metal hip. After 9 months out of the game . Even by his standards, it’s unbelievable
.
@spfl
chairman on
@RangersFC
claims: "I wrote to Mr Park on Saturday...requesting any material to support these allegations. I regret to inform you that..I have received nothing..(it's) difficult to understand why Mr Park should not wish to share this alleged material with me"
My ‘agenda’ in the
@spfl
vote affair? None but my own. Shortly after 5pm Good Friday, I tweeted that 3 Championship clubs had voted ‘no’. Then
@spfl
released a statement saying only 2 had. Everything since has been an effort to try to find out what happened. Was I right? I was
Am being told to expect the
@spfl
to ‘call’ the Premiership on Monday, with
@CelticFC
being declared Scottish champions for the 9th year in a row. And
@JamTarts
relegated, pending another attempt at league reconstruction, which could now be resurrected.
@BBCSportsound
from 2pm
The
@CelticFC
boss N. Lennon has no plans to follow CEO P. Lawwell out in the summer. "Why would it be my intention to go? Peter’s decision has nothing to do with my position at all, or my coaches or any of the players. So I don’t understand the context of the question at all.”
Congratulations to
@andy_murray
and wife Kim on the arrival of their fourth child. He’s decided not to play in Dubai next week but is likely to head to Miami next week instead to prepare for the Masters event there the week after. His wild card invite should be confirmed soon
In yet another twist to the
@spfl
vote, as if it wasn’t dramatic enough already, am being told the ‘missing’ Championship vote has somehow been sent but not received ? 🤷♂️ Still expecting it to be a ‘no’ which would give 3 ‘no’ and mean the ‘call the season’ motion would fail
Wow, one of the best 30 mins in recent Scottish athletics history ? Not long after
@lauramuiruns
takes European 1,500m Gold , a super silver from
@EilishMccolgan
in the 5,000m ! How about that,
@Lizmccolgan
? Terrific
Am emotional
@lauramuiruns
hears what she came to hear : Flower of Scotland after she was presented with the 🥇for the women’s 1500m. Thoroughly deserved. Few work harder. Golden girl of the track for Scotland 🏴 with
@EilishMccolgan
at these
@birminghamcg22
The first Scot in history to win the Commonwealth Games men’s 100m freestyle :
@Dunks_Scott
, and he’s a popular winner , Aussie crowd lapping him up , as well as Flower Of Scotland 🏴
Now that
@ScotlandNT
v Ukraine won’t be happening on Mar 24th, should Scotland try to play a friendly that day & donate proceeds to help the humanitarian response to the war? Hampden turned blue and yellow 🇺🇦 in a show of Scottish solidarity towards absent friends? Just a thought
An
@andy_murray
update: he thinks he might be back competing earlier than expected, possibly May rather than June. Recovery from hip surgery is going well; gym sessions at the moment ; back on the practice court in around a fortnight; warm-weather training block likely in April
Bairns fans are getting a big thankyou from
@FalkirkFC
. Refunds taken by fans for cancelled matches? 2%. Number of ST holders who took a refund? Fewer than 50. Amount of money saved? Best part of £90k. Another example of
@spfl
fans stepping up to help their club out
@BBCSportScot
Re potential £10m ‘clawback’ from TV/sponsors,
@spfl
:”That was not reported to (clubs) because it is simply not the case. The central complaint of Rangers is simply wrong & based on a complete misunderstanding of the situation the League and broadcast partners find themselves in”
.
@spfl
says 'missing'
@DundeeFC
vote slip (voting 'No') gets to them AFTER Dundee wrote to them saying "any attempted vote from club should NOT be considered as cast". The plot thickens significantly. Vote is 'cast' - vote doesnt arrive - 'dont count our vote' - vote arrives?
Could the tide be turning for
@JamTarts
@PartickThistle
@StranraerFC
? Just heard from an
@spfl
Championship chairman who thinks clubs in that division have now resolved differences/objections & can support 14-10-10-10; he thinks the Premiership (11-1) holds key to reconstruction
.
@PartickThistle
have just said it’s “humbling” & “an incredible gesture” that only 64 of their 1,800 season ticket holders applied for a refund after the season was “called”. That’s 3.5% of fans eligible for refunds actually claiming them, saving Jags at least £75,000 👏⚽️
Oh. Re the Morelos bids to
@RangersFC
from Beijing. Yes , I’ve seen them with my own eyes . The money offered was in euros 💶. Thanks for all the feedback . Some very ... varied ... reading.
Stop what you’re doing , if you can , and switch on
@BBCNews
channel and listen to Dominic Cummings’ evidence session to MPs investigating how the UK govt handled
#COVID19
. Unbelievable stuff. Excoriating. Very serious repercussions surely for PM and certain ministers
From
@UEFA
on
@CelticFC
v
@KRreykjavik
next Tues. Game on, as things stand. “At this stage the match is scheduled to take place as planned and we have no further comment to make.”
@ChampionsLeague
first round qualifier , single leg, Celtic Park, 19.45ko . It’s Celtic’s next game
Just watched
@andy_murray
have a hit with Dan Evans on court 1. I mean, what do I know … but he looked pretty good to me ? Serving pretty well and moving very well… 🤷🏻♂️
@Wimbledon
#Wimbledon2022
Can I enlist your help, folks? My 8 year old set up a YouTube channel & has been making videos / content. Someone in her class teased her about only having 11 subscribers. Let’s get her more? Likes/retweets appreciated: & like & subscribe to the channel 👇
Much fury about footballers in bars. Poor decision-making, cleary. Is it close to the anger felt for a hard-working student who’s just had strips torn off their grades (& their future?) because kids from ‘that’ school aren’t supposed to do so well? The fury there is palpable.
From what he inherited in the summer (a club needing a total player overhaul) , that’s some transformation under Postecoglou.
@CelticFC
have the season’s first trophy in the bag and are well in contention at the top of the table . Congrats to
@celtic
; well played
@HibernianFC
It’s been an incredible journey by a remarkable man. And such a privilege to bear witness to large parts of it. All good things come to an end , of course . So when should
@andy_murray
call time on his extraordinary career ?
This is still on
@DundeeFC
website, outlining their opposition to
@spfl
resolution: “ The current proposal will see member clubs cumulatively (lose)... £3.5-£4m”; there are “viable, equitable...alternatives” to ensure “the democratic process is followed”
For clarity: not for a second was I suggesting
@spfl
were at odds with company law. I just don’t ‘get’ a vote where voting one way is final; voting the other way seems like M&S: if you don’t like it, take it back within 28 days? & that’s AFTER incomplete ballot results published?
Great line from
@jamie_murray
with the news that
@andy_murray
is considering resuming his singles career at the Murray Trophy in Glasgow in Sept (which Jamie is helping organise and promote): “We might need to book Hampden “
@BBCSportScot
@BBCScotlandNews
What just happened ? Insane swim from
@Dunks_Scott
to get
@Team_Scotland
an amazing 🥉 in the 4x200m freestyle relay . His 4th medal of the Games , and now out on his own as Scotland’s most decorated Commonwealth athlete of all time . 11 career Commonwealth medals 🏴👏
.
@PartickThistle
asking
@spfl
ceo Neil Doncaster to circulate full details to all 42 clubs of the loans they could get from the League. Thistle say SPFL emergency loans are open to any club to apply for whether to cover for expected prize money or another purpose
@BBCSportScot
The former
@CelticFC
midfielder and former
@AlloaAthleticFC
manager Peter Grant is taking over
@officialdafc
. Grant has agreed to succeed Stevie Crawford and will be formally announced at East End Park tomorrow morning (Friday).
What a fantastic win for
@andy_murray
@AustralianOpen
; takes down the former
@Wimbledon
runner up Matteo Berrettini 10-6 in the match tiebreak in a five set , near 5 hour classic in Melbourne. His best win and best performance in years.
#AusOpen
Amazing
I always liked the flag of Ukraine 🇺🇦 without really knowing what it symbolises : blue skies over fields of wheat. Simple. Beautiful. Long may it fly over Kyiv and the rest of the country
David Wotherspoon right now. I’m not crying , you’re crying 😢 😭 Reckon he’s now the most decorated player in
@StJohnstone
history, with 3 winners medals ? 2 Scottish Cups and a League Cup. And a Saints fan 😭😭
When I said there may be a big twist to this
@spfl
story , little did I know just HOW much drama was going on. 3 Championship clubs filled out “reject” voting slips.
@PartickThistle
@ICTFC
@DundeeFC
Only 2 arrived at the
@spfl
offices. 1 club is thinking of changing their vote.
Thumbs up for
@JamTarts
Ann Budge’s 14-14-14 reconstruction plan from
@CormackDavie
&
@AberdeenFC
: “Given this is a temporary reconstruction plan, AFC is supportive in principle &, for the survival of Scottish football, I hope every Club feels they can get behind this approach.”
I’ve done
@KilmarnockFC
‘s Stephen O’Donnell a gross injustice here It wasn’t “a long ambitious punt “ rather , “ a long, ambitious , perfectly executed pass” which set up Killie’s first goal! That’ll teach me to look down at my notes at the wrong time!
Big news for
@PartickThistle
fans. My info is that chair Jacqui Low and all but one of the directors are to step away, with the Firhill club preparing to accept their resignations. I’m also expecting further announcements regarding
@Jags_Foundation
&
@ptfctrust
working together
Am hearing that the current preferred option for the Scottish football Reconstruction Group is a
3-tier set up of 14-14-16.
@JamTarts
stay up, joined in Prem by
@dundeeunitedfc
@ICTFC
.
@PartickThistle
stay in 2nd tier, joined by top 6 from Lg1. Brora & Kelty H into bottom tier
Breaking ... good news for
@spfl
Premiership football : contact training approved from tomorrow morning. This update: “The JRG can now confirm that ministers have formally approved full contact training for Scottish Premiership clubs from tomorrow, Monday 29 June....”
One chairman outwith the top flight fuming at a call he’s just had; sounds like today’s Premiership meeting has ruled out 14-14-16, 14-14-14 or any kind of any league reconstruction. Looks like next season, whenever it starts, will be 12-10-10-10 as per with
@JamTarts
relegated
What a way that was for
@lauramuiruns
to win her first major outdoor title. A brilliant, gutsy display of front-running in Berlin's Olympic stadium makes her the 1,500m European champion ! Many congrats.. first big outdoor title... almost certainly not the last...
Take a bow
@andy_murray
: the first player with a metal hip ever to win a singles title on the main
@atptour
.
@EuroTennisOpen
champion. And just 9 months after his surgery. Begs the question : how good could he yet get ...?
A fulsome apology to
@officialdafc
, and their chairman Ross McArthur. I made a big mistake when I said they voted ‘against’ reconstruction in the indicative vote. They were in fact one of 5 Championship clubs, (
@JamTarts
,
@ICTFC
,
@Morton_FC
@ArbroathFC
) who were in favour.
.
@spfl
chairman on money to clubs: "For the Board to be able to authorise end-of-season fee payments to clubs (£9.3million gross), final league placings MUST be determined. Those...suggesting..SPFL may make such payments, without a line being drawn under (the) season are wrong"
Oh , and
@spfl
: “significant misinformation in the media” ? Really? I would humbly suggest we’ve done not a bad job of exposing one or two ... unusual facets... of the whole process . No ? Not to mention trying to give your own stance & statements an equal platform 😉👊⚽️
The
@spfl
hits back. Chairman Murdoch MacLennan has written to all 42 clubs about what he calls “significant misinformation in the media” and says , re
@RangersFC
allegations , “I am entirely satisfied the SPFL and its executives and legal advisors have acted wholly properly”
Ryan Christie in tears 😭 in the post match interview. Stop it. I’m not crying. You’re crying 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
#SRBSCO
#EURO2020
Bring it 👏
Interesting list of clubs who were represented at
@CelticFC
v
@staderennais
last night , presumably looking at potential signings from either club (or scouting for upcoming matches against them). Plenty
@CelticFC
players would have caught the eye again
#january
#transferwindow
Sent this by an
@spfl
club chairman today: "Question. If you're walking along the road with colleagues and you see one sitting on the side in distress, do you:
a) try to help in any way you can
b) all walk by and ignore them, maybe even having a sly kick as you pass?
Everyone at
#CelticFC
is devastated to hear of the passing of Lisbon Lion, Bertie Auld and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
Bertie was a legend of the club and he was adored by the entire Celtic Family.
Rest in Peace Bertie, You’ll Never Walk Alone
@JimSpenceDundee
Beg to differ. Yesterday had nothing riding on it.
@RangersFC
job was done as soon as title won. Understandable drop in intensity since. Their run in Europe is the measure of how far ahead of
@CelticFC
they are. As well as the 20 points. What Celtic player gets in Rangers team?
Still think one of the nicest tributes to
@andy_murray
came from the game’s so-called bad boy (he’s not)
@NickKyrgios
: “ to this day you have been someone I literally just look forward to seeing.” Think anyone would be happy to be thought of like that in any walk of life 👏
The wording of the notes to the
@spfl
resolution is key. You CAN’T revoke a ‘yes’ vote. But there’s no explicit guide (here) regarding a ‘no’ vote. It’s now clear
@DundeeFC
sent a ‘no’ vote which somehow arrived AFTER they said ‘consider our vote not cast’... Lawyers, anyone? 💰
From a top CEO on
@spfl
statement today re Friday’s vote:
“There we have it. They (Dundee) did vote No but because it mysteriously hadn’t arrived they were given the opportunity to uncast it”
This person, & many others in the game, are seething about all this. How does it end?
GOLD FOR
@Dunks_Scott
IN THE BLUE RIBAND 100M FREESTYLE!! AHEAD OF OLYMPIC CHAMPION KYLE CHALMERS AND LEGEND CHAD LE CLOS. a new Scottish swim star is born !
@GC2018
@Team_Scotland
biggest win of his young career... astonishing....
The
@spfl
EGM discussion is over and the votes are in. Well , they’ve been emailed anyway .... meeting adjourned and will reconvene at 3 for the results ...
Seems
@andy_murray
‘s recovering well from the hip surgery. He’s committed to playing the
@CitiOpen
in Washington end Jul... and am hearing he may well start his comeback in Glasgow , at the Scotstoun challenger event at the end of April. Entries tbc by the 25th, I understand
Regarding the
@sfpl
vote , I’ve had this today from a top club CEO : “It clearly states in the resolution that a vote cannot be uncast.” Could be v interesting, depending on what can be proved was/wasn’t sent and was/wasn’t received
@BBCSportsound
@BBCSportScot
@BBCScotlandNews
Despite Eddie Howe turning down the chance to become the next
@CelticFC
manager - because he couldn’t assemble the back room team he wanted - the club is still confident of announcing Neil Lennon’s successor soon, as they’re in advanced talks with their 2nd choice candidate
Not the big tennis story of the day . Nonetheless, another fine win for
@andy_murray
, taking down the huge-serving American Reilly Opelka to book a spot in the Sydney Tennis Classic final. 67/64/64 in 2h24. Terrific
Aaron Hickey ✈️ 🇮🇹; heading out to sign a 4 year deal with
@BolognaFC1909en
, pending a medical . “A dream move “ he says. Could make his debut in the San Siro against AC Milan. “From the school playground to playing against
@Ibra_official
, crazy”. Good luck young man
Better news for
@andy_murray
. He’s NOT having surgery on his injured ankle; is out of the protective boot and hopes to be back hitting on court “soon”, according to his management team. No date yet though for a return to competition
The contract to take Odsonne Edouard from
@CelticFC
to
@CPFC
is done - a deal that could eventually net the Celtic £20m. The French u21 striker moves to Patrick Vieira’s Premier League side on a 5 year contract for an initial fee of £15m. Add ons could take it to £20m