Ronnie Esplin

Rangers were eliminated from the Conference League by Jablonec after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat, despite leading 1-0 from the first leg. Derek McInnes condemned his team’s performance as embarrassing and accepted responsibility, while noting that Rangers’ major squad turnover and inexperience had contributed. Motherwell also exited Europe after a 4-1 loss to Freiburg, and Hibernian were beaten 3-2 by Gent after conceding an injury-time own goal.

Rangers lost 2–1 to Jagiellonia Białystok in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying-round tie. Guilherme Montoia’s own goal gave Rangers an early lead, but Kajetan Szmyt scored twice after defensive errors to put the Polish side ahead. Rangers improved substantially after Derek McInnes made three half-time substitutions, but Findlay Curtis hit the post and Jagiellonia goalkeeper Slawomir Abramowicz denied several chances. Rangers must overturn the deficit at Ibrox in the second leg.

Adam Ramsay-Peaty said taking time to reflect on his disappointing 100m breaststroke bronze helped him qualify second for the men's 50m breaststroke final in Glasgow. The experienced swimmer assessed what he could improve and emphasized staying relaxed, while hoping to draw energy from the home crowd. Team Scotland debutant Angharad Evans won the women's 100m breaststroke gold in 1:06.07, overcoming doubts rooted in her earlier World Championship experience and crediting her training connection with the University of Stirling.

Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been given a four-match suspension by the Scottish Football Association for calling Celtic’s stoppage-time penalty against Motherwell “disgusting.” One match is suspended until the end of the 2026–27 season, meaning McInnes is set to miss Rangers’ opening league fixtures against Dundee United, Hibernian and St Mirren. Rangers will appeal, arguing that McInnes criticized a match-defining decision rather than the competence or integrity of officials. The club also cited an independent review that found the referee’s original decision correct and VAR’s intervention improper, and questioned the consistency of previous disciplinary action.

Hearts would face Fenerbahce or Gornik Zabrze in the Champions League third qualifying round if they overcome Sturm Graz. The draw also set out potential European routes for Rangers, Shamrock Rovers, Larne, Motherwell, Hibernian and several other UK and Irish clubs across the Europa League and Conference League qualifying rounds. Rangers are scheduled to play Jagiellonia Bialystok in the Europa League, while the other clubs’ opponents depend on the outcomes of earlier ties.

Opta estimates Scotland’s chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup knockout stage at just 0.07 percent after damaging results involving Senegal and Iran. Scotland are near the bottom of the third-place rankings following a 3-0 loss to Brazil, and qualification is now out of their hands. They require several highly specific results, including heavy defeats for Croatia and Algeria and a failure by DR Congo to beat Uzbekistan, to progress for the first time to the tournament’s knockout rounds.

Scotland captain Andy Robertson is targeting a historic first qualification for the World Cup knockout stages when Scotland face Brazil. Manager Steve Clarke praised Robertson’s leadership and urged him to enjoy what could be the best night of his career. Robertson acknowledged Brazil’s stature and praised former Liverpool teammate Alisson Becker, while hoping Scotland can score enough to prevent the goalkeeper from keeping a clean sheet. A draw would leave Scotland on the brink of progression after wins over Haiti and Morocco.

John McGinn has urged Scotland to show more personality and bravery when they face Brazil in a crucial 2026 World Cup Group C match in Miami. Scotland’s 1–0 defeat by Morocco left them on three points, while Brazil and Morocco moved to four; a draw with Brazil would almost secure Scotland’s first-ever passage to the knockout stages. McGinn praised Scotland’s resilience after conceding early, criticised two unawarded penalty claims and acknowledged that the team must create clearer chances and perform at its best against Brazil.

Scotland lost 1–0 to Morocco in Foxborough after Ismael Saibari scored just 70 seconds into the match, the earliest goal Scotland have conceded at a World Cup. Despite a stronger second-half display and several unsuccessful penalty appeals, Scotland could not equalise. The defeat damages their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, although a draw against Brazil could still improve their chances.

Scott McTominay has returned to Scotland training in Foxborough after missing a session with an upset stomach, boosting the team ahead of its World Cup opener against Haiti. Scott McKenna missed training with a knock, while injured Billy Gilmour observed from the sidelines. Scotland, appearing at its first World Cup in 28 years, must navigate a group featuring Brazil and Morocco as it seeks its first-ever knockout-stage appearance.

Scott McTominay has returned to Scotland training in Foxborough after missing a session with an upset stomach, boosting the team ahead of its World Cup opener against Haiti. Scott McKenna remains a doubt with a knock, while Billy Gilmour is out with a knee injury. Scotland, appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, must navigate a group also containing Brazil and Morocco as it seeks to reach the knockout stage for the first time.

Scotland completed their World Cup preparations with a convincing 4-0 friendly victory over Bolivia in New Jersey. Lawrence Shankland opened the scoring and set up Scott McTominay, while Che Adams added two goals before half-time. Despite numerous second-half substitutions, Scotland remained in control and followed their previous 4-1 win over Curaçao with another strong performance. The result boosts optimism ahead of their first World Cup match against Haiti, although Bolivia’s lower FIFA ranking means the performance warrants some caution.