Stephen Mcgowan

Iowa

Football Writer at The Herald (Scotland)

Football writing for @heraldsportscot and @NutmegMagazine. Broadcasting. Podcasting

Articles

Stephen McGowan: Russell Martin can solve 'complicated' Rangers problem with one fix

2 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

The Electronic Tims website claimed the appointment didn’t ‘make any sense whatsoever.’ Another supporter called it a ‘reckless gamble. Board embarrassing themselves again.’ When the Australian lost three of his opening six league games the prophets of doom nodded sagely. Over time they were silenced by good recruitment and a winning catch phrase. ‘We never stop’ became Postecoglou’s personal mantra at Parkhead and he was true to his word.
Sir Alex is proof you can win things with kids as SFA look to spark change

3 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

The men behind a new club-operation system for the SPFL cite the most successful Scottish manager of all time as the best example of a coach who proved that it’s not only possible to win by playing kids. It’s also possible, with strategy and bravery, to win by playing kids born and raised in Scotland.
How SFA see co-operation system benefiting national team as clubs in talks

3 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

Talks over tie ups are already underway with Celtic talking to Queen’s Park, Rangers in discussions with Raith Rovers, Dundee United studying a link up with Montrose, Aberdeen preparing to work with Arbroath and Cove Rangers and Hearts negotiating with League Two Spartans. Recent figures from CIES Observatory show that St Mirren offered just 0.8% of their available first team minutes to players aged 21 or under. Dundee had the highest figure in the SPFL Premiership with 24.8%.
Scottish Premiership side agree deal to sign ex-Celtic keeper Scott Bain

4 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

Scott Bain. (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group) PREMIERSHIP newcomers Falkirk have agreed a one year deal with former Celtic keeper Scott Bain. Despite having 12 months to run on his Parkhead contract Bain, 33, left the Scottish champions immediately after the Scottish Cup Final.
Why hiring Ancelotti at Rangers would be out of character for Andrew Cavenagh

5 days ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

In the summer of 1995, a 36-year-old Carlo Ancelotti snipped the umbilical cord binding him to mentor Arrigo Sacchi and agreed to take control of Serie B side Reggiana. His first frontline managerial job almost imploded after two months. Seven games without a win left the team rock bottom of the table. After a 4-1 defeat to Pescara, club president Dal Cin warned the press that he planned to make a decision over the future of his head coach in the coming hours.
Rangers hold discussions with ex-Ajax boss as new name enters the frame

1 week ago | glasgowtimes.co.uk | Stephen Mcgowan

The 36-year-old Italian resigned from the Dutch giants after an end of season collapse saw a nine point lead whittled away, PSV Eindhoven claiming the Eredivisie crown. Despite dragging the former European champions up from a fifth place finish and securing Champions League football an emotional Farioli quit blaming a difference in ‘visions and timeframes’ from the Ajax board.
William Hill chief executive on why SPFL is undervalued in sponsor market

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

“That was a real experience,” he tells Herald Sport. “I would rather have been one of the Swedish players who played for Celtic or Rangers, picking up the trophy than presenting it. “But that was as close as I can come and it was a privilege. I can’t even imagine how it must be to go out there every week on the pitch in front of 60,000 supporters.
Celtic to rival PSG, Liverpool and Everton for transfer target valued at £9m

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

Celtic are interested in Veljko Milosavljevic (Image: Getty) Celtic are interested in signing Red Star Belgrade’s teenage central defender Veljko Milosavljevic. The sought after 17-year-old is attracting interest from PSG, Liverpool and Everton. Reports in Serbia claim Celtic have had an opening offer rejected. While that’s premature, the Scottish champions have run scouting checks on the coveted teenager.
Ian Crocker on 30 years in Scottish football & ignoring Celtic or Rangers 'nonsense'

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

Ian Crocker will celebrate 30 years in Scottish football as he covers the Scottish Premiership play-off final (Image: SNS) For Ian Crocker season 2024/25 will end the same way as so many have in recent years. Stuck behind a caravan on a single carriageway of the A9 on the road north to Dingwall for a Premiership play-off. The first-ever play-off between Aberdeen and Dunfermline marked his first exposure to Scottish football.
Scott Bain free to leave Celtic as club agree to cut contract short

1 week ago | heraldscotland.com | Stephen Mcgowan

Scott Bain has been told he is free to leave Celtic (Image: SNS) Celtic have told third-choice goalkeeper Scott Bain that he can leave the club on a free transfer. Heading into the final 12 months of his agreement, the Parkhead club have agreed to cut the deal short and let the 33-year-old go. Signed in 2018, Bain made 69 appearances for the Celtic first team, his last game a 3-2 win over St Mirren in May last year.