The Odin Thiago Holm project at Celtic Park has officially reached its conclusion, with the Norwegian midfielder returning to his former club, Vålerenga, in a deal that signals a permanent end to his underwhelming stint in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old joins the Oslo side on an initial loan until the end of the Norwegian season. Crucially, the move includes a pre-arranged permanent contract that effectively terminates his ties with the Hoops.

Signed with a reputation as one of Scandinavia’s brightest technical prospects, Holm’s time in the East End of Glasgow was defined more by his time spent on the treatment table than minutes on the pitch. A recent loan spell with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC was supposed to provide much-needed minutes, but instead, it became a microcosm of his Celtic career, flashes of potential buried under a mountain of injury and fitness issues.

Vålerenga boss Joacim Jonsson was candid about the gamble the Norwegian club is taking on their former star: “He has had a few troubled years with injuries, but has been completely healthy since January. We all know what qualities a healthy Odin Thiago Holm has. I think this is an excellent solution for all parties.”

The midfielder admitted that the pressure and the physical toll of the last two years had taken their distributive share. Holm commented: “It feels really good to be in place. The last couple of years have been tough, and there have been a lot of things that have been out of my control. I know the people here and they know me and my body. I felt it was very right to come back here and try to get a re-start.”

Rangers have confirmed the departure of Rabbi Matondo, with the Welsh winger bringing his underwhelming stint in Glasgow to an end by joining Norwegian outfit SK Brann.

The 25-year-old, whose contract was set to expire this summer, has been allowed to leave Ibrox early. While the fee remains undisclosed, It is understood that Rangers have protected themselves with a sell-on clause included in the deal, should the former Schalke man find his spark in the Eliteserien.

Matondo’s exit comes as little surprise to the Rangers fans. Despite arriving in 2022 for around £2.5 million and with a reputation for searing pace, the winger struggled to find any semblance of consistency in a light blue jersey playing 70 times for Rangers, scoring eight goals and providing 11 assists.

While there were occasional flashes of what he could offer, his final season with Rangers has been nothing short of a ghost act. Matondo failed to register a single start this term, relegated to the periphery with just two substitute appearances in the Scottish Cup and a solitary, meaningless minute of league action against Aberdeen back in January.

Currently away on international duty with Wales, Matondo will head straight to Bergen rather than returning to Glasgow.

For Rangers, the move represents more than just a squad reduction; it’s a necessary clearing of the wage bill. By sanctioning an early exit, the club moves on a player who had clearly fallen out of the long-term plans, allowing both parties a fresh start.

Scotland’s World Cup preparations hit another stumbling block in Liverpool as a disjointed performance saw Steve Clarke’s men fall to a 1-0 defeat against the Ivory Coast.

Following the weekend’s dismal showing against Japan, Clarke opted for a tactical rethink, reverting to a 5-3-2 formation at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. While the likes of Dom Hyam and Ross McCrorie handed opportunities to stake their claim for a plane ticket to the States, the end result was a familiar story of missed chances and defensive lapses.

Scotland teased a bright start with Ryan Christie testing the keeper and Kieran Tierney pulling a shot wide, but the optimism was short-lived.

The African champions soon took the game by the scruff of the neck. After John Souttar produced a goal-saving block to deny Nicolas Pépé, the Ivorians’ dominance finally told. Just before the interval, the Scotland backline was caught wide open, allowing the former Arsenal man to slot home as keeper Liam Kelly watched a scuff shot trickle past him onto the post before Pépé bundled home the rebound.

The introduction of Scott Bain at the break proved vital, with the keeper producing a stunning save to deny Manchester United’s Amad Diallo. At the other end, George Hirst was the brightest spark in a blue shirt. The Ipswich man worked tirelessly but lacked the clinical edge required at this level, flashing two efforts wide before seeing a header parried.

While Scotland dominated possession in the closing stages, it was more huff and puff than genuine penetration. Ivory Coast almost doubled their lead late on when Simon Adingra rattled the woodwork, leaving the scoreline perhaps more flattering to the Scots than the performance deserved.

Two defeats, zero goals, and a squad that looks like it’s still searching for its identity. Steve Clarke remained pragmatic, but the “work in progress” tag is wearing thin with the tournament only weeks away.

The squad now disperses back to their clubs before a final Hampden send-off against Curaçao on May 30th. From there, it’s off to the USA for a final tune-up before the Group Stage opener against Haiti in Boston on June 14th.

If Scotland are to make any dent in a group containing Morocco and Brazil, the bluntness in front of goal needs to be addressed and fast.

Scotland: Kelly (Bain 46), McCrorie (Patterson 62), Souttar, Hyam, Tierney, Robertson, McTominay (Ferguson 46), Christie (McLean 70), Gilmour (McGinn 70), Adams (Conway 77), Hirst (Dykes 77)

Unused Substitutes: Gunn, Hendry, Miller, McKenna, Ralston, Curtis

Forfar Athletic have introduced new measures for supporters at their remaining home matches this season after a series of “unacceptable incidents” linked to youth unrest.

The club says the decision follows disturbances during the March 21 game against Spartans at Station Park, with flashpoints involving youths both inside the ground and elsewhere in the town.

For the upcoming home fixture against Elgin City on Saturday, any non-season ticket holders under the age of 16 will only be admitted if accompanied by a paying adult. Supporters arriving at the stadium wearing face coverings will also be asked to remove them, with entry refused to anyone who does not comply.

In a statement released on Monday, the club said: “The behaviour of these young people is not acceptable. While the club has tried to engage and encourage their support, the attendance of police at two recent games has made these measures necessary.”

“We have received numerous emails from residents and businesses and can only apologise. While we cannot be held responsible for their actions away from the football ground, we have engaged with police and passed on CCTV images, which are now under investigation,” the statement said.

The club stressed that the new measures are designed to allow younger supporters to keep attending safely while also reducing pressure on stewards and police.

“We hope supporters understand the reasoning behind these measures and we thank all of our fans for their support this season,” the club added.

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Celtic’s on-loan right-back Julian Araujo has been ruled out for up to two months after suffering a thigh injury, in a blow that could quietly mark the end of his spell in Glasgow. The Mexico international has returned to Bournemouth for treatment after missing the recent league games against Motherwell and Dundee United, with scans revealing a quad strain that will keep him sidelined until early May.

That timeline leaves his participation in Celtic’s run to the end of the season effectively over with. Parkhead boss Martin O’Neill admitted before the international break that he wasn’t sure how many games the 24-year-old would have left in green and white.

Araujo, who has become a fans’ favourite with his energy and attacking intent, only added to the intrigue last week by posting an hourglass emoji on social media, a cryptic hint that his Celtic time might be running out.

Meanwhile, first-choice right-back Alistair Johnston is nearing a return after hamstring surgery, and is targeting the post-split fixtures later in April. His comeback could coincide with Araujo’s absence and perhaps underline the end of the Mexican’s stay in Glasgow, especially with Celtic facing a managerial change and a significant price tag attached to any permanent deal for the former Barcelona defender.

Are you the kind of fan who sees your club a little differently from everyone else? Scotzine is looking for fans who want to share proper opinions, honest takes and a bit of passion about the team they follow, whether that’s praise, frustration or the straight truth from the terraces. If you’ve got a voice, a point of view and the urge to write about your club with insight and personality, we want to hear from you. Get in touch with us today.

Ayr United have announced that they have parted company with head coach Scott Brown and assistant Steven Whittaker by mutual consent, bringing an end to their spell in charge at Somerset Park. The club confirmed the pair’s departure in an official statement, after a difficult run of results and growing pressure around the Championship side.

A statement on the official club website, read: “Ayr United confirms that Scott Brown and Steven Whittaker have left the club by mutual consent.

“The club wishes to thank them both for their dedication throughout their time at Ayr United and wish them every success for their future careers.

“Training today will be taken by Jamie Murphy, Tommy Tait and Dave Timmins and there will be a further communication regarding an interim position in due course.”

Brown, who arrived in January 2024 after a spell with Fleetwood Town in English Football, and later signed an extension to remain in place until 2027, leaves the Honest Men with the club sitting 8th in the league, without a league win since the end of January. Whittaker, Brown’s assistant and former Hibernian and Scotland team-mate, also departs alongside him.

Ayr United will now begin the search for a new manager.

Are you the kind of fan who sees your club a little differently from everyone else? Scotzine is looking for fans who want to share proper opinions, honest takes and a bit of passion about the team they follow, whether that’s praise, frustration or the straight truth from the terraces. If you’ve got a voice, a point of view and the urge to write about your club with insight and personality, we want to hear from you. Get in touch with us today.

St.Mirren have confirmed that Craig McLeish will remain in charge of the Paisley side until the end of the season, with former Buddie Stuart Taylor joining as his assistant. The 36‑year‑old McLeish, who stepped up after Stephen Robinson’s swift move to Aberdeen, managed the Buddies to a narrow home defeat to Rangers and an away win against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup - which was enough to convince the club to give him the reins for the run‑in.

Taylor’s return will add a dose of experience and local connection to the cause. The ex‑midfielder played 90 times for St Mirren in the early 2000s and has since built an impressive coaching CV, racking up spells at Aston Villa, Wolves, Stoke and Ipswich. His arrival on the training ground alongside McLeish is seen as a steadying move after a turbulent period in which Robinson’s departure left a noticeable gap at the club.

Behind them, the familiar faces stay put. Marc Kelly, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus continue in their roles, maintaining some much‑needed continuity as the Buddies aim to steer clear of relegation trouble and make something meaningful of their Cup run.

McLeish, speaking to the official club website, admitted he’s thrilled to get the chance to lead the side until the end of the season. “I’m delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the group for the rest of the season,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of big games to come, including that Cup semi‑final at Hampden, and I can’t wait to be part of that.”

Next weekend brings a sharp twist of fate with Robinson’s Aberdeen visiting Paisley - a reminder of how quickly things change in football. St Mirren sit tenth in the Premiership, above Kilmarnock only on goal difference and three points shy of the Dons, but the coming weeks hold both threat and promise. After facing Celtic on April 11, McLeish’s side meet them again eight days later at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi‑final - a stage that offers the rookie boss a shot at writing his own early chapter in the club’s modern story.

Asked about his new right‑hand man, McLeish said the decision was an easy one. “We spoke to a number of people,” he explained, “and Stuart ticked every box, he’s worked at the top level down south, he’s managed himself, he’s excellent day‑to‑day on the grass and ultimately he’s a good person around the place. Everyone I spoke to spoke really highly of him.”

With their manager now confirmed, St Mirren can get on with the remainder of the season looking to stave off the threat of a relegation play-off and win a potential cup double.

Scotland’s first game after qualifying for this summer’s World Cup, ended in frustration as Steve Clarke’s side fell to a late 1–0 defeat against Japan, with substitute Junya Ito delivering the killer blow in the final minutes. After months of celebrating and reliving that stunning win over Denmark which sealed Scotland’s long-awaited World Cup comeback, this was a timely reminder that not every night will be glorious and that Scotland still have a huge amount of work to do on the pitch.

The signs were encouraging early on. Scotland came firing out the traps, and it was almost the perfect start. Scott McTominay, driving into the box with the swagger we’ve seen at Napoli, met John McGinn’s teasing ball from the right. His shot was sharp, but Japan keeper Zion Suzuki scrambled to get a touch, the ball hitting the post on its way out. It should’ve been 1–0, and on another night, it might’ve been.

But that early spark faded. Japan settled, their movement slick, their passing crisp, and gradually they began to pick apart the Scottish shape. Kodai Sano tested Angus Gunn from range before sending another effort sailing high and wide. Yuito Suzuki twice found himself in space, only to be denied by Gunn, while Ao Tanaka’s first-time strike glanced off the crossbar on its way over. It was an uneasy spell for Clarke’s side, who struggled to keep hold of the ball long enough to put Japan under sustained pressure.

The second half brought more control, at least for a while. Scotland pushed higher, forcing Japan backwards, and chances came. McTominay’s looping header cleared the bar before his free-kick drew another solid save from Suzuki. Andy Robertson, charging forward as ever from left-back, unleashed a fierce drive that stung the keeper’s palms but not much else. It all felt promising without ever truly threatening to turn the tide.

Then came the changes, they broke up the rhythm. As fresh legs entered for both sides, Scotland’s edge dulled again. Kaoru Mitoma, introduced off the bench, flashed one chance wide before Ito began to make his presence felt. The Genk forward first forced a stop from Gunn after ghosting past Jack Hendry, and when Scotland failed to clear danger down their left flank, Japan struck. Quick interplay carved open the defence, Ito burst through, and his low drive nestled into the far corner beyond the outstretched Gunn on 84 minutes. A moment of quality, and just about deserved for Japan’s persistence.

George Hirst, on for Lyndon Dykes, clattered a shot into the side-netting late on, but the equaliser never came. At full-time, boos accompanied the end of the game from a section of the support, with Clarke disappointed with the reaction afterwards.

The result won’t rattle Clarke much, but with Ivory Coast up next in Liverpool on Tuesday, Scotland will want to rediscover their spark before they kick off their World Cup campaign against Haiti on the 14th June.

World Cup opponents

Haiti 0-1 Tunisia
Brazil 1-2 France
Morocco 1-1 Ecuador

African football has never been short on drama, but this one just about tops the lot. Two months after Senegal celebrated winning the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned the result and handed the title to Morocco instead.

This all stems from January’s chaotic final in Marrakech, where Senegal beat the hosts 1–0 in extra time. But the real flashpoint came deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty with the game still goalless. The Senegalese players, convinced they’d been stitched up, refused to carry on and walked off the pitch.

For 17 minutes, the final descended into farce. Players gathered on the sidelines, coaches argued, and officials tried to convince Senegal to return to the pitch. Eventually, they did long enough for Brahim Diaz to see his penalty saved. Then, in a cruel twist, Pape Gueye popped up in extra time to nick the winner. Senegal lifted the cup, while Morocco were left fuming about both the result and the delay.

After a formal appeal by the Moroccan FA, CAF has now ruled that Senegal’s actions broke Article 82 of the competition regulations - that says any team refusing to play or leaving the pitch without permission automatically forfeits the match. Article 84 kicks in too, stipulating that the result be recorded as a 3–0 loss.

So, in administrative terms, Senegal didn’t just lose the final, they forfeited it. Morocco are now officially champions of Africa, despite losing the final over 120 minutes.

It’s a ruling that will no doubt split opinion. On one side, there’s a clear rulebook violation. On the other, you’ve got players reacting in the heat of the moment to what they felt was an outrageous penalty decision, hardly a unique occurrence in football.

In the end, it’s a typically CAF finish controversy on top of controversy, and a final result decided not by goals or glory, but by lawyers and committee rooms. Morocco might have their medal ceremony reinstated, but the story of this AFCON will forever be about what happened and didn’t happen in those 17 minutes of chaos.

Scotland will face Morocco in Group C of the 2026 World Cup on June 19th in Boston.

Steve Clarke has named a 26-man Scotland squad for the World Cup warm-up friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast, blending experience with fresh talent ahead of the summer tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Uncapped Rangers loanee Findlay Curtis is a surprise call-up, while Angus Gunn comes back in for the injured Craig Gordon.

Key Returns and Absences

Goalkeeper Angus Gunn returns despite limited minutes at Nottingham Forest this season, replacing the 43-year-old Hearts keeper Craig Gordon who’s sidelined by injury. Gunn started for Scotland at Euro 2024 and brings Premier League pedigree to the position alongside Falkirk’s Scott Bain and Rangers’ Liam Kelly.

Defence sees Nathan Patterson and Dom Hyam back in after injuries to Aaron Hickey and Josh Doig, with Grant Hanley holding his spot despite a month out due to injury. Up front, Middlesbrough’s Tommy Conway rejoins the national team, but Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland misses out while recovering from injury, and Ben Doak misses due to a hamstring issue from the Denmark playoff win.

Midfield sees Andy Irving from Sparta Prague called up, but the big talking point is 19-year-old winger Findlay Curtis, on loan at Kilmarnock from Rangers. Curtis has impressed with six appearances at Rugby Park since January, building on three Rangers goals and one Under-21 cap. Clarke sees him as a potential spark in attack alongside Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes, and George Hirst.

Scotland host Japan at Hampden on March 28, their first home game since the 4-2 Denmark victory that sealed World Cup spots. Three days later, they travel to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium for a friendly against Ivory Coast, African Cup quarter-finalists.

Curacao visit Hampden on May 30 before a USA-based friendly, ahead of their first World Cup game on June 14th against Haiti.

Scotland Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Scott Bain (Falkirk), Angus Gunn (Nottingham Forest), Liam Kelly (Rangers)

Defenders: Grant Hanley (Hibernian), Jack Hendry (Al Ettifaq), Dom Hyam (Wrexham), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Dinamo Zagreb), Nathan Patterson (Everton), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Kieran Tierney (Celtic)

Midfielders: Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), Andy Irving (Sparta Prague), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lennon Miller (Udinese)

Forwards: Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Findlay Curtis (Kilmarnock), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton Athletic), George Hirst (Ipswich)

Scotland national team boss Steve Clarke has revealed that the Scottish FA hasn’t tabled a new contract offer ahead of his current deal expiring after this summer’s World Cup.

Clarke made the comments in a recent interview, emphasising that while he’s enjoyed steering Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998, no formal discussions have taken place to discuss his future with the national team. “They haven’t put an offer in front of me,” he stated plainly, shifting responsibility to Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell and the board. His existing contract, extended to 2026 back in 2023, expires post-tournament, leaving his long-term role up in the air.

In February 2026, Clarke indicated March discussions with the Scottish FA, but nothing concrete has materialized as yet. Previously, after qualifying with a 4-2 win over Denmark in November at Hampden Park, Maxwell praised Clarke as a “revelation” for delivering three major tournaments out of four - Euro 2020, Euro 2024, and now the 2026 World Cup hosted across USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Clarke ended a 23-year major tournament drought at Euro 2020, followed it with Euro 2024 qualification, and capped it with World Cup qualification success for the first time since 1998.

Maxwell noted previously that World Cup preparations took precedence over contract chats, with succession planning quietly ongoing. Yet Clarke’s impact is undeniable, uniting a Tartan Army often fractured by past failures. His previous 75% certainty of leaving post-World Cup has softened to “50-50,” reflecting his willingness to remain in the role if the Scottish FA wants him to.

The Scottish FA must weigh Clarke’s irreplaceable experience against his age and rumours of a return club management whispers. Fans crave stability after years of glorious failures. With the World Cup fast approaching, it’s time that the Scottish FA decides on the future of Clarke and that of the Scotland national team - Clarke awaits their call as does the Tartan Army.

10 years after I stepped away in 2016, I am thrilled to announce that Scotzine will return on Substack, launching just in time for Scotland’s World Cup 2026 campaign in the USA - unless Donald Trump blows us all up with nukes thinking he’s ordering a Coke!

When I created Scotzine back in 2006, it was because of a complete dearth of independent Scottish football coverage online beyond the mainstream media. In the ten years that I was at the helm, Scotzine grew into Scotland’s biggest independent football website with over 1.6 million visitors, covering the Scotland national team, the SPFL, the Lowland League, the Juniors, and the Women’s game.

With the Tartan Army invading American soil this summer, Scotzine will deliver the raw, unfiltered Scottish football you crave - heralding back to the 1980-90s fanzine culture and returning the site to its roots - a platform where the fans truly are the voice.

Scotzine is looking for Fan bloggers and passionate supporters to share their takes on the club you love or the game in general, from tactical rants to matchday memories. Email mail.scotzine@gmail.com to join Scotzine 2.0 and help shape the conversation around Scottish Football.