AliousScotland secured their first victory of the international break, edging out Greece 1-0 in their Nations League A play-off encounter. Scott McTominay’s penalty proved decisive in the first leg, though manager Steve Clarke cautioned that the tie remains far from settled as they prepare for the return leg at Hampden Park.
With the Scottish Premiership on pause, here’s a look at some fresh updates from Celtic and Rangers to tide you over.
Hamza Igamane has roared back into form, netting a sensational goal against Celtic to clinch all three points in the derby for Rangers.
The 22-year-old, enjoying a sharp season at Ibrox, had endured a frustrating 11-game goal drought before delivering when it counted most, securing bragging rights over Celtic just before the international break.
Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield reflected on Igamane’s campaign so far, drawing parallels with his ex-teammate Alfredo Morelos. While Igamane is making his mark in his first year with Rangers, Arfield reckons he’s got a steep climb ahead to reach Morelos’ level.
Writing in his Record Sport column, Arfield noted, “One thing I’ve learned to assess in teammates as I’ve matured as a player is their training ethic—do they consistently show up with intent? Morelos was exceptional in that regard.
He’d storm onto the Auchenhowie pitch like it was a Europa League final. His physicality was unreal—how he’d eat, drink, hold water weight, then shed it was unlike anything I’ve witnessed. Most days, he was relentless on the field.
“Igamane’s got to prove he’s got that same fire. In Glasgow, perception swings wildly—you’re never as brilliant or as awful as people claim. Cyriel Dessers, who I think gets unfairly slated, isn’t half the flop some make him out to be, while Hamza’s probably not yet lived up to all the buzz.
But there’s real potential there—he just needs to grind like Morelos did and maybe he’ll reach that peak.”
Elsewhere, former Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov dished on a cunning move he pulled in 2006 to thwart a Celtic transfer.
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s Romanov: Czar of Hearts podcast, the Russian-Lithuanian tycoon recounted how he persuaded goalkeeper Craig Gordon to reject an early move to Celtic.
This came after Hearts players, including Steven Pressley and Paul Hartley—who both later joined Celtic—publicly voiced discontent with Romanov’s leadership.
Romanov, however, says he swayed Gordon with a stern warning and a big promise.
“I told him, ‘Your contract’s nearly up, and I know Celtic’s come knocking, but you’ll just be their backup, not their No. 1,’” Romanov recalled.
“‘Stick with us, sign a new deal, and I guarantee you’ll play in the English Premier League.’
He chuckled, thinking I was joking. So I said, ‘If you doubt me, take this blank contract and write whatever salary you want.’”
Gordon jotted down a hefty figure—eye-watering for Hearts and rare in Scottish football at the time. Romanov signed it without blinking and handed it back.
True to his word, Gordon stayed, later joining Sunderland in 2007 for a five-year stint before eventually circling back to Celtic after a spell as a free agent.
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