Keith Jackson

Michael Stewart says he is willing to meet Scottish refereeing chief Willie Collum to resolve their year-long dispute, while insisting he will not stop expressing views he genuinely holds. Stewart has been barred from Hampden and excluded from a refereeing media briefing after criticising VAR decisions, officiating and the SFA, including referring to Collum as “Wee Willie.” He apologised for any offence caused but argued that broader issues, including lengthy bans imposed on Derek McInnes and Elliot Watt for criticising decisions, require open discussion rather than suppression. Stewart says the dispute has caused personal and professional stress and may discourage others in Scottish football from speaking out.

Rangers have completed a £3 million deal for Hannover winger Daisuke Yokota and are pursuing PSV’s Couhaib Driouech, with the Dutch club reportedly valuing the Moroccan at £6 million. Rangers are also considering a renewed bid for Frosinone’s Fares Ghedjemis after an £8 million offer was rejected. Manager Derek McInnes says owner Andrew Cavenagh is supporting an ambitious recruitment drive but acknowledges the club will not sign every target. Yokota and new defender Olwethu Makhanya were registered in time for the Europa League qualifier against Jagiellonia Bialystok, while Nico Raskin remains available despite possible transfer interest.

Scotland is reported to be backing a potential European boycott of the next World Cup in opposition to FIFA president Gianni Infantino's proposed FIFA Forward Enterprise, which would involve selling a 20% stake in the tournament to a private investment group reportedly linked to Donald Trump's family. Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and president Mike Mulraney joined an emergency meeting of UEFA's 55 national associations. The SFA said it shared concerns about the proposal's rushed issuance, deadline and lack of consultation and governance, and backed UEFA's collective opposition.

SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and president Mike Mulraney are expected to attend an emergency meeting of all 55 UEFA member associations to coordinate opposition to Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell a 20 percent stake in FIFA’s World Cup for $15 billion. European football bodies are considering measures including a potential boycott, while the Czech Republic has expressed support. Infantino is reportedly offering member associations financial incentives to approve the plan and is seeking reelection, alongside exploring an expanded 64-team World Cup. Mulraney’s role as chairman of FIFA’s financial committee has complicated Scotland’s position, but the SFA intends to take a strong stance against the proposal.

An independent report on the March 8 Ibrox disorder warns that the four-minute pitch invasion and crowd surge constituted a near‑miss with potential for life‑threatening violence. The review criticises Celtic, Rangers, the SFA, the SPFL and Police Scotland for inadequate preventative measures and calls for stronger sanctions, including section closures, alignment of governing‑body rules and firm action against repeat offenders and ultra groups. The SFA is urged to apply serious penalties at the upcoming August 13 hearing to demonstrate that Scottish football is committed to confronting escalating fan disorder and safeguarding match‑day safety.

An independent review into the Rangers–Celtic Scottish Cup match on March 8 calls for stricter sanctions to curb rising fan disorder, urging coordinated action by the SFA and SPFL, tougher penalties, section closures, tighter ticket allocations and enhanced security planning. The report highlights failings by governing bodies, clubs and police, noting the roles of the Green Brigade and Union Bears in the unrest. Rangers criticise the review for insufficient scrutiny of the SFA’s ticketing decisions, while Celtic question Police Scotland’s handling of violent home supporters and back stronger Safety Advisory Group authority.

Celtic’s lack of summer transfer activity has reignited tensions between supporters and the club’s leadership, placing Martin O’Neill in a precarious position despite his successful rescue of last season’s campaign. With key players departing, contract missteps such as losing Kelechi Iheanacho, and leadership figures Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson facing mounting scrutiny, O’Neill risks being perceived as enabling a struggling board. The article warns that unless major reinforcements arrive soon, frustration may turn to backlash as Celtic prepare to defend their title amid strengthened competition from Rangers under Derek McInnes.

Steve Clarke’s resignation as Scotland manager is described as emotionally driven, poorly handled and possibly pre-planned, despite being viewed as ultimately necessary. The piece criticises Clarke’s behaviour during the World Cup, his cautious tactics and his failure to secure results needed for progression. While acknowledging his success in regularly qualifying Scotland for major tournaments and building a strong squad, the commentary argues that his risk‑averse approach and frustration under tournament pressure undermined his final campaign. Clarke’s departure is framed as the right moment for Scotland to pursue a more ambitious future under new leadership.