Scotland’s domestic league has been dominated by Celtic and Rangers, but American investors see untapped potential A club that plays in red, white and blue was always ripe for American investment. The arrival of Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers as Rangers’ new owners has the potential to shake up a Scottish top division which has been won by Rangers’ fierce rivals, Celtic, in 13 of the last 14 seasons. It’s not just at the top, however, where American money is reshaping Scottish soccer. Six of the Scottish Premiership’s 12 clubs are now American-owned. The 49ers’ purchase of Rangers wasn’t even the only US takeover of a Scottish club this summer: Calvin Ford, the great-great-grandson of Henry Ford, completed a deal to buy Livingston. Scotland’s top division is now just one club away from having a majority of American owners. Continue reading...

Plus: most champions-in-waiting beaten en route to Champions League glory and the hottest English match on record Mail us with your questions and answers “Arsenal have signed a new keeper, Kepa,” noted John Marsden last week. “Are there any other examples of players with a name so similar to their position?” While we can’t find a player named Left Back, there is a former Anderlecht defender by the name of Mark De Man (which, admittedly, is an on-pitch instruction not a role). The Belgium international earned five caps for his country and retired in 2012 with a spell at third-division KSK Hasselt, having rejected the chance to make the move to Kilmarnock. “I have two children and my wife has a good job. I did not want to move to Scotland on my own,” said De Man. Continue reading...

Everton are interested in Aston Villa captain John McGinn but Unai Emery's side have no wish to sell the Scotland midfielder.

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland is reaching a critical point as he decides whether to sign a new Heart of Midlothian contract or move on.

Hungary left-back signs five-year deal with champions Liverpool’s spending for new season passes £200m-mark Liverpool have completed the £40m signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth on a five-year contract. The 21-year-old left-back is the club’s third arrival this summer, following that of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. Kerkez, who links up with fellow Hungary international Dominik Szoboszlai at Anfield, is viewed as the long-term successor to Andy Robertson, who is a target for Atlético Madrid. It is understood, however, that Liverpool have no intention of forcing out the 31-year-old Scotland captain, who started in 29 of his 33 Premier League appearances last season but is in the final year of his contract. Continue reading...

BBC Scotland looks at the key questions following the Ibrox club's £20m funding being approved on Monday.

Former players Derek Ferguson and Lee Miller reflect on the success of Scotland international sons, Lewis and Lennon respectively, and what their futures hold.

BBC Scotland looks at the key parts of Friday's Scottish Premiership fixture unveiling.

Plus: goal-difference chasms between league-table neighbours, a rare Welsh feat in defeat, and more • Mail us with your questions and answers “During the Liechtenstein v Scotland game there was a reference to Billy Gilmour scoring more goals for Scotland (2) than his various clubs (0). But has a recognised striker ever finished their career with more goals for their country than their clubs?” asks Stuart McLagan. The structure of women’s football in North America, particularly before the NWSL was founded in 2012, makes it the likeliest source of an answer to this question. There was no league at all in the US between 2003 and 2009, and to this day players sometimes appear more for their country than their club in a calendar year. Continue reading...

Liverpool close to signing Bournemouth’s Kerkez for £40m Bournemouth want Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert Andy Robertson is the subject of interest from Atlético Madrid as Liverpool edge closer towards the signing of the Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez for a fee of about £40m. The Premier League champions planned to sign Kerkez to compete with the long-serving 31-year-old Scotland defender but are relaxed about the interest. Liverpool are not yet thought to have received any formal contact. The trigger for Kerkez’s move is expected to be Bournemouth’s signing of the Rennes left-back Adrien Truffert. The 23-year-old Rennes captain, who received interest from other clubs, has agreed personal terms and is expected to cost about £15m. Continue reading...

The Scottish FA is "always scanning to see who's available" to be their next national head coach, chief executive Ian Maxwell admits as Steve Clarke enters the final 13 months of his current contract.

BBC Scotland takes a look at the influx of investment in Scottish football from the United States.

Kieran Tierney has returned to Celtic after six years with Arsenal, but what can the Scottish champions' fans expect from the returning Scotland defender?

George Hirst scored his first international goal and Che Adams grabbed a hat-trick as Scotland eased to a 4-0 victory against Liechtenstein. Ipswich striker Hirst got Scotland’s third goal in the Vaduz friendly early in the second half with a close-range finish on his fourth cap. Adams was on target twice in the first half after scoring only once in his previous 19 internationals and the Torino forward headed home with the last action of the game. Continue reading...