Scottish Football Podcast

How much pressure is on Scotland and manager Sebastian Pocognoli ahead of their Nations League clash with North Macedonia?

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Scott Allan and Cammy Bell to preview the match, does Scott McTominay go straight back into the starting line-up,? Will Pocognoli stick with Angus Gunn or has Scott Bain earned his chance between the sticks?

00:00:00 — Previewing Scotland vs North Macedonia

00:07:25 — Team selection: Does Scott McTominay start?

00:13:36 — Goalkeeping debate: Angus Gunn or Scott Bain?

00:15:30 — Breaking down the North Macedonia threat

00:21:01 — Expectation and momentum at Hampden

How much pressure is on Scotland and Sebastian Pocognoli against North Macedonia? Should he change shape, get wingers into the team and give Scott Bain a chance in goal?

Martin Dowden is joined by Stephen McGowan and Rory Loy to assess Scotland’s options. Plus, after another managerial departure, where do Aberdeen go next and why have recent appointments failed to deliver? And have Hibs finally turned a corner after back-to-back wins, with a cup final against Rangers looming on the horizon?

00:02:41 — How much pressure is Scotland under? 00:09:15 — Is it time for Scott Bain? 00:10:43 — Does Scotland’s shape need to change? 00:16:22 — What kind of manager do Aberdeen need? 00:20:29 — Are Aberdeen’s problems bigger than the manager? 00:21:57 — Have Hibs turned a corner?

Hearts have lost three successive games and conceded 10 goals in the process. So what’s gone wrong at Tynecastle?

Martin Dowden is joined by former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan and Hearts Standard editor Joel Sked to assess the problems. How much blame lies with Wouter Vrancken's tactics and how much with individual mistakes?

Is the punishing schedule exposing Hearts’ injury crisis? Does Vrancken need a Plan B? And can the international break provide the reset Hearts desperately need before frustration among supporters begins to grow?

00:02:22 — What’s gone wrong at Hearts? 00:05:41 — Is Wouter Vrancken getting his tactics wrong? 00:09:08 — The players have to take responsibility 00:11:36 — Why are Hearts conceding so many goals? 00:16:29 — Do Hearts need a Plan B? 00:18:17 — Is the injury crisis just bad luck?

Stephen Robinson is out at Aberdeen after a torrid start to the season, but is changing the manager really enough to solve the problems at Pittodrie?

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Michael Grant and JJ Bull to ask why Robinson couldn’t make it work and how much responsibility lies with the club’s hierarchy and recruitment. Why have the Dons struggled to find stability? What does the next manager need to change? And should Aberdeen look close to home for Robinson’s successor, or could an overseas coach finally provide the identity and long-term direction the club has been searching for?

00:02:04 — Why Robinson had to go 00:03:23 — Why couldn’t he make it work? 00:08:15 — Was Robinson doomed from the start? 00:13:04 — Are Aberdeen’s problems bigger than the manager? 00:16:19 — What must Aberdeen do differently now? 00:21:53 — Who should be the next Dons manager?

Falkirk produced one of the results of the season with a stunning victory at Tynecastle, while Hibs followed their derby semi-final success with another impressive performance to heap further pressure on Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson. Stevie Miller is joined by Ewan Murray and Cillian Sheridan to analyse Hearts' defensive collapse, assess John McGlynn's outstanding work at Falkirk and ask whether Hibs have finally turned a corner under Marink Reedijk. The panel also discusses Aberdeen's alarming slide towards the bottom of the table, the uncertainty surrounding Robinson's future and whether a managerial change could be imminent. Plus, reaction to Rangers' controversial win over St Mirren, Dundee United's continued progress, and another important result for St Johnstone as the Premiership table remains tightly packed.

00:00 Falkirk Shock Tynecastle

02:20 What Went Wrong for Hearts?

04:05 Do Hearts Have a Defensive Problem?

07:01 Falkirk's Remarkable Rise Continues

08:33 Jota Returns as Celtic Beat Kilmarnock

09:58 What Now for Kasper Høgh?

11:45 Is Celtic's Season Starting to Unravel?

14:29 Is Stephen Robinson Running Out of Time?

16:46 Have Hibs Finally Turned the Corner?

17:48 Penalty Controversy in Paisley

19:20 Rangers Keep Winning Without Convincing

21:13 Dundee United's Impressive Run Continues

22:32 St Johnstone's Strong Start Rolls On

Richard Gordon and the team review Hearts 2-5 Falkirk and Celtic 1-0 Kilmarnock as Celtic extend their lead at the top to four points

Reaction to a stunning scoreline at Pittodrie as Stephen Robinson's side concede 4 goals against Hibs. Plus big wins for Rangers and St Johnstone.

After a dramatic European comeback, have Celtic finally found the spark their season badly needed? Andy Burke is joined by Scott Allan and Gordon Waddell to ask whether they can now build momentum against Kilmarnock.

With injury-hit Hearts struggling, can in-form Falkirk take advantage at Tynecastle? Can Rangers keep up the title pressure when they travel to St Mirren? Plus, they look ahead to the Tayside derby, Aberdeen against Hibs and ask whether Motherwell can follow up their long-awaited win when they visit Dundee United.

00:02:11 — Is Celtic’s comeback a turning point? 00:05:21 — Hearts’ injury crisis deepens 00:06:51 — Can flying Falkirk punish Hearts? 00:11:35 — Celtic look to kick on against Killie 00:15:16 — Can Rangers keep the pressure on? 00:19:50 — Tayside derby and the Saturday Premiership battles

James McFadden, Pat Bonner and Tom English assess Celtic's stunning second half transformation against Besiktas. Plus reaction to Hearts' Conference League defeat to Thun.

Andy Burke is joined by Stephen McGowan and former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan ahead of a huge night of European action. Can Celtic stop their poor run and get a much-needed result against Besiktas? How much responsibility should Martin O’Neill shoulder for their struggles and are recruitment problems at the heart of the frustration around the club?

Plus, after their League Cup semi-final defeat by Hibs, can an injury-hit Hearts side bounce back against Thun in Switzerland, and what would a successful Conference League campaign look like for the Tynecastle club?

00:01:58 — Celtic’s European problems 00:05:04 — Has Celtic Park lost its fear factor? 00:06:44 — Is O’Neill the right man for Celtic? 00:11:04 — Can Celtic fix their recruitment? 00:16:51 — Injury-hit Hearts head to Switzerland 00:21:56 — What can Hearts achieve in Europe

Are Scottish Premiership teams becoming too open for their own good? Charlotte Cohen is joined by John Walker and Rory Loy to examine the defensive problems facing Hearts, Celtic, St Mirren and Kilmarnock, and ask whether style is being prioritised over results.

The enigma of Kasper Høgh is it a question of quality, service or the system around him?

Plus, with Sebastien Pocognoli naming his latest Scotland squad, do the players really suit his formation, where does Scott McTominay fit and who should lead the line?

The Championship is tightening up, and Dunfermline have made a statement. Are they now ready to challenge Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers, and do Livingston have enough to bounce straight back up?

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Ryan Flynn and Craig G Telfer to assess the battles across the SPFL. Can anyone keep pace with Ross County and Hamilton in League One? Who should be worried at the bottom? And in League Two, can Elgin or Spartans disrupt Stranraer and Clyde’s promotion charge?

Plus is Alex Samuel's HUGE bahookie Partick Thistle's secret weapon?

00:02:53 — Dunfermline finally click 00:05:10 — Has Stenhousemuir’s bubble burst? 00:07:10 — Can Livingston bounce straight back? 00:09:13 — Partick Thistle’s title opportunity 00:13:49 — Ross County v Hamilton: League One’s big battle 00:18:52 — Who can win the League Two promotion race?

Hibs' season may have just been transformed by a dramatic Edinburgh Derby victory. Stevie Miller is joined by Alison McConnell and Cammy Kerr to analyse Marink Reedijk's first win as Hibs manager as his side stunned Hearts to book their place in the League Cup final. The panel discusses what Hibs got right, where Hearts fell short and whether the result can spark a revival at Easter Road.

Attention then turns to Rangers, who edged past Aberdeen thanks to another decisive contribution from Ryan Naderi. The team assess Derek McInnes' growing winning mentality, Aberdeen's improved display and what reaching another cup final could mean for Rangers' season.

There's also reaction to a potentially pivotal weekend in the Premiership title race as Falkirk shocked Celtic, raising fresh questions about performances, recruitment and defensive frailties at Parkhead. Plus, discussion on John McGlynn's remarkable work at Falkirk, Kilmarnock's struggles to capitalise against ten-man St Johnstone and whether Motherwell's long-awaited victory can kickstart their campaign.

00:00 Hibs Through to the League Cup Final

02:40 How Hibs Won the Edinburgh Derby

03:24 Does This Change Everything for Marinkk Reedijk?

05:09 What Did Hibs Get Right?

06:33 Do Hearts Have a Big-Game Problem?

08:45 Rangers Edge Past Aberdeen

10:03 Ryan Naderi's Remarkable Rise

11:36 Aberdeen Must Build on the Performance

12:54 How Important Is the Cup Final for Rangers?

14:15 Celtic Stunned by Falkirk

16:34 Is Celtic Heading Towards a Crisis?

19:21 John McGlynn's Finest Coaching Achievement?

22:42 Kilmarnock's Missed Opportunity

23:38 Can Motherwell Finally Build Momentum?

Richard Gordon and the team react to a dramatic day of Scottish football action, as Hibs beat Hearts at Hampden and Falkirk beat Celtic for the first time in 19 years

Andy Halliday, Willie Miller and Tom English assess Rangers' win over Aberdeen in the League Cup semi-finals, hearing from Derek McInnes and Stephen Robinson.

Is the fan ban for Rangers and Celtic disproportionate?

The pressure is rising and Hampden takes centre stage. Can struggling Aberdeen produce the performance they desperately need to shock Rangers, or will Derek McInnes move a step closer to silverware?

Martin Dowden, Stephen McGowan and Scott Allan look forward to a high pressure weekend of Scottish Football. Can Hibs turn their fortunes around against Hearts, and what would defeat mean for Marink Reedijk?

Plus, Celtic head to in-form Falkirk looking vulnerable, Kilmarnock are fighting to stop the rot, and Motherwell and St Mirren collide with both sides desperate for a win

00:02:21 — Rangers and Celtic face closed-door cup ties 00:04:49 — Can Rangers take advantage of Aberdeen’s struggles? 00:09:33 — Can Aberdeen turn their season around at Hampden? 00:13:25 — Hearts v Hibs: Edinburgh derby semi-final showdown 00:18:41 — Could Falkirk expose Celtic’s problems? 00:22:03 — Crucial weekend for Kilmarnock and Motherwell

Jane Lewis is joined by Cammy Bell and Michael Grant after a tempestuous night in the Premiership. Did panto villain Derek McInnes deserve the "crackling" reception he got from the Tynecastle faithful?

Why are Celtic still looking vulnerable defensively after Dundee United held them at Celtic Park, and when will "hooked at half-time" Kasper Høgh get back on the scoresheet?

Plus, can Hibs build on their first point under their new manager? How much pressure is mounting at Aberdeen, and what needs to change for Kilmarnock and Motherwell?

00:02:18 — McInnes’ fiery Tynecastle return 00:06:45 — What were Rangers missing? 00:09:20 — Celtic held by impressive Dundee United 00:12:09 — When will Kasper Høgh find the net? 00:16:39 — A first point for Hibs’ new boss 00:18:28 — Pressure mounting at Aberdeen

Reaction to a big evening of Premiership football across the country as the Old Firm drop points. Plus big wins for Falkirk and Dundee.

Derek McInnes returns to Tynecastle, but what sort of welcome awaits him and can Hearts’ attacking approach cause Rangers problems?

Charlotte Cohen is joined by Mark Atkinson and Rory Loy to look ahead to a full Premiership card. Can Dundee United trouble Celtic after finding form? How much pressure is already building at Hibs after three defeats under their new manager, and can they respond at St Mirren?

Plus, Motherwell’s worrying run, St Johnstone’s opportunity in Perth, Aberdeen’s search for consistency, Falkirk’s growing threat and Dundee against Kilmarnock.

00:02:22 — What reception awaits McInnes at Tynecastle? 00:05:03 — Have Hearts learned from that Celtic defeat? 00:10:07 — Can Dundee United cause Celtic problems? 00:12:17 — St Mirren and Hibs face a huge night 00:19:17 — Can Motherwell stop the slide in Perth? 00:22:41 — Aberdeen, Falkirk and Dundee v Kilmarnock

A year after Martin O'Neill made his remarkable Celtic comeback, where does the club stand now?

David Currie is joined by Tino Callaghan and Michael Gannon to ask whether O’Neill has taken Celtic forward after delivering the double. Why does the club still feel like it’s in a holding pattern? Has recruitment left the manager exposed? What explains Celtic’s continuing struggles in Europe, despite their domestic results?

And with questions over O’Neill’s long-term future, is a succession plan already taking shape, or will Celtic play it safe with their next appointment?

00:02:26 — O’Neill: saviour or sticking plaster? 00:06:59 — The fallout from the Nancy experiment 00:10:04 — Has Celtic’s recruitment let O’Neill down? 00:13:46 — Is O’Neill a human shield for the board? 00:20:18 — Can Celtic win the league again?

Celtic maintained their four-point lead at the top of the Premiership with a hard-fought victory over Hibs, while Hearts bounced back from a difficult week with an important win against Motherwell. Stevie Miller is joined by Kevin Thomson and Conor Sammon to analyse Celtic's performance, discuss the struggles of big-money striker Kasper Høgh and assess whether there are signs of progress at Easter Road despite another defeat for Hibs. The panel also looks at Hearts' encouraging response under Wouter Vrancken, Rangers' impressive attacking form, Dundee United's thrilling win over Aberdeen and mounting concerns for Motherwell after a sixth consecutive league loss. Plus, Falkirk's revival and Kilmarnock's defensive worries come under the spotlight.

00:00 Celtic Stay Four Points Clear

01:20 Celtic Get the Job Done at Easter Road

03:37 What's Wrong with Kasper Høgh?

04:53 Carter-Vickers Returns, Johnson Concern

06:03 Are Hibs Showing Signs of Progress?

10:18 Hearts Bounce Back at Fir Park

12:17 Claudio Braga Finding Form Again

13:29 Is Motherwell's Losing Run Becoming a Crisis?

15:43 Rangers' New Strike Partnership Delivers Again

17:38 Derek McInnes Returns to Tynecastle

19:43 Was Dundee United v Aberdeen the Game of the Season?

21:29 Have Falkirk Turned the Corner?

23:24 Kilmarnock's Defensive Problem

25:14 The Tightest Premiership in Years?

Big wins for Celtic and Hearts in the Scottish Premiership and we have all the reaction on Sportsound with Richard Gordon, Scott Allan and Derek Ferguson.

All the news from Saturday which saw wins for Dundee Utd, Falkirk, Rangers and St Mirren. We hear from the managers after a stormy day across the country, on and off the pitch!

Andy Burke, Scott Allan and Ewan Murray look back at Thursday night's Euro ties featuring Hearts and Celtic and look ahead to the weekend's SPFL fixtures.It’s top versus bottom as Celtic take on Hibs, can Hearts get back to challenging the Glasgow sides or will Dundee leapfrog them into third place?

Kenny Macintyre and the team reflect on a difficult night for Scottish clubs in Europe as Celtic lose at home to Celta Vigo in the Europa League and Hearts are beaten 2-0 in Turkey by Trabzonspor in the Conference League

Martin O’Neill’s side welcome La Liga’s Celta Vigo in the Europa League, while assistant manager Shaun Maloney says it is "close to" a must-win game. How much is riding on this one for Celtic? How important is it to keep the momentum going after their 7-1 demolition of Hearts?

Have they found the best possible attacking front three in Camilo Duran, Callum Osmand and Haissem Hassan? And after the high of Sunday, could the potential drop in atmosphere due to fan boycotts have an adverse impact on the players?

What impact could the SPFL rights tender have on fans? Will it mean watching your own team is easier, or should we temper any expectations of wholesale change?

00:02:00 — Tribute to Georgi Nemsadze 00:03:10 — Why Celtic must beat Celta Vigo 00:05:05 — Team selection and defensive concerns 00:08:35 — Green Brigade boycott and Celtic Park atmosphere 00:12:50 — SPFL TV rights tender explained 00:19:35 — Will more live games help Scottish football?

After their Celtic Park humbling, are Hearts ready to take on Mo Salah’s Trabzonspor in the Conference League - will it be an even tougher test for Wouter Vrancken’s side?

Is it time to rethink their risk-reward style of football - or should they stick to their organised chaos approach? And just how worrying is their away form this year?

Elsewhere in the capital, why has there not been a new manager bounce for Marink Reedijk? Are issues off the park turning things too toxic at Hibs for there to be any success? Is their lacklustre recruitment the driving force behind the downturn in results?

Is it time to be worried about a relegation fight?

With David Currie, Mark Atkinson, and Rory Loy.

Could Partick Thistle move to the top of the Championship, and how much controversy surrounds the penalty decision everyone is talking about?

Andy Burke is joined by Ryan Flynn and Craig Telfer to assess a dramatic week in Scotland's lower leagues. They discuss whether Dunfermline can kickstart their season, ask if Stenhousemuir can stay in the title race, and examine Ayr United's frustrations after two costly refereeing decisions.

Plus, Ross County hammer Queen of the South 7-1 to continue their remarkable League 1 charge, while Stranraer and Clyde emerge as the early frontrunners in an increasingly intriguing League 2 campaign.

Celtic produced their most emphatic display of the season with a stunning 7-1 win over Hearts. Jane Lewis is joined by Alison McConnell and Cillian Sheridan to assess a ruthless Parkhead performance, discuss where it leaves Kasper Høgh in the striking pecking order, and look ahead to a crucial European test.

Elsewhere, Rangers drop points at Dundee after surrendering a winning position. Was it simply a blip or a warning sign? Plus, praise for Dundee's impressive rise under Steven Pressley, concern for bottom-of-the-table Hibs, and the significance of Falkirk, Aberdeen and St Johnstone's weekend results.

2:11 — Celtic run riot against Hearts 5:07 — Kasper Høgh's place in Celtic's attack 8:37 — How Hearts respond after the 7-1 defeat 10:30 — Rangers frustrated at Dundee 14:01 — Dundee's impressive rise under Steven Pressley 16:21 — Hibs hit rock bottom as pressure builds

After Celtic's 7-1 thrashing of Hearts on Sunday afternoon, we hear from the managers and the Sportsound team including Pat Bonner, Michael Stewart, Andy Halliday and Tom English.

All the reaction to Saturday's Scottish Premiership matches which saw wins for Aberdeen, Falkirk and Kilmarnock, and draws at McDiarmid Park and Dens.

Will Celtic and Hearts be suffering from a European hangover ahead of their weekend match-up? How will Steven Pressley's Dundee lineup against Rangers on Saturday night? Can they beat the Glasgow giants at home for the first time in almost a decade, or will Derek McInnes' side go back top of the table? Plus there's a Tayside derby between St Johnstone and Dundee Utd and can Killie catch Motherwell at the bottom of the table? Craig Telfer presents with Conor Sammon and Scott Allan.

Scott Allan, Ryan Stevenson and James McFadden assess Celtic and Hearts' performances in Europe as O'Neill's side make it back-to-back Europa League defeats

Can Celtic produce a result in Lisbon that changes the mood around the club? Craig Telfer is joined by former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan to preview a huge night of European football. The pair discuss the ongoing debate surrounding Celtic's direction, Martin O'Neill's position, and whether a positive result against Benfica could ease tensions around Parkhead. They also assess Celtic's tactical options, the form of Kasper Høgh and the challenge posed by one of Portugal's strongest sides. Attention then turns to Tynecastle, where Hearts begin their Conference League campaign against Danish outfit Nordsjælland. Ryan explains why the visitors may be tougher opponents than many expect, discusses Hearts' impressive progress under Wouter Vrancken, and reflects on the unique atmosphere European nights can generate in Gorgie.

00:00 Can Celtic Change the Conversation?

01:26 Has Celtic's Motherwell Win Eased the Pressure?

03:08 What's Driving Fan Frustration at Parkhead?

06:35 Does Martin O'Neill Share the Blame?

09:29 Benfica v Celtic Preview

11:33 How Can Celtic Get a Result in Lisbon?

14:09 Score Prediction: Benfica v Celtic

14:31 Why Nordsjælland Are More Dangerous Than You Think

16:55 Hearts' Impressive Rise Under Vrancken

19:42 The Magic of European Nights at Tynecastle

22:51 Score Prediction: Hearts v Nordsjælland

Looking ahead to the weekend fixtures. With Ray Bradshaw, Scott Allan and Andy Halliday.

After 28 years, Scotland are back in the World Cup finals, with manager Steve Clarke guiding the national team through qualification and the most dramatic climax at Hampden Park.

Scott McTominay left a struggling Man United to become Serie A’s Most Valuable Player, win the Scudetto for Napoli and be nominated for the Ballon D’Or - all in one year. Was he this good all along? Is he finally getting the respect he always deserved? This episode of Football Daily, hosted by football writer and Copa 90 presenter Eugene Noble, goes right back to the start of Scott’s incredible story and explores the making of McTominay: How he grew from the Man Utd academy, to being taken under José Mourinho's wing, to performing on the international stage. We speak to coaches and players who knew him at the academy, like Paul McGuinness and James Weir, as well as podcasters, pundits and fans like Jay Motty, Joe Fischetti and Umberto Bernardo, who have tracked his career from Old Trafford to the Neapolitan sun. We also hear from football journalists like Mina Rzouki about how Scott has transformed under Antonio Conte, as well as Scottish Legend and commentator Pat Nevin about how he is becoming a symbol for the nation in the blue shirt of Scotland. We even speak to Scotland head coach Steve Clarke about Scott’s crucial role to the international team and a conversation that sparked Scott’s career back into life. In 2026, McTominay is facing his biggest season yet: Napoli have a title to defend. They’re back in the champions league. And Scotland have their world cup qualifier campaign already underway. So the question isn’t just how Scott McTominay got here - it’s how much higher can he go?