Scottish Premiership

STEVE CLARKE’S plans for tonight’s friendly with Holland are in chaos after SIX players were ruled out over Covid-19 fears.Midfielder John Fleck was KO’d yesterday after testing positive for Coronavirus.
Steve Clarke has concerns ahead of the game against the Dutch
Now another half-dozen players have been taken out of the squad as a precaution.
Stars David Marshall, John McGinn, Che Adams, Stephen O’Donnell, Grant Hanley and Nathan Patterson will miss the clash.
They have stayed at the Scotland camp in Spain while the rest of the group flew to Portugal for tonight’s bounce game with the Dutch.
The bombshell decision was taken after Scotland medics did a risk assessment on the back of Fleck’s diagnosis.
Che Adams will play no part in tonight’s match against the Netherlands
Scotland talisman John McGinn is out the game
BREAKING: Grant Hanley, Che Adams, John McGinn, David Marshall, Nathan Patterson and Stephen O’Donnell all OUT of Scotland’s game against Holland tonight. All six players identified as ‘being in the vicinity’ of John Fleck who is self-isolating with Covid-19. @scotsunsport— Robert Grieve (@robert_grieve) June 2, 2021

None of the six players have tested positive for Covid -19 and aren’t considered definite close contacts.
But it’s been decided they were ‘in the vicinity’ of Fleck for long enough to potentially be at risk – and the advice given by medics is they are ultra cautious.
It means Clarke will be without seven key players for the vital Euros warm-up.
Sheffield United star Fleck has no symptoms but has been ordered to stay away from his team-mates until he gets TWO all-clear tests.
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

But Clarke hopes Fleck is soon back training with the squad as the midfielder will continue fitness work on his own.
Clarke revealed: “We don’t know how it happened. But we’re 99.9 per cent sure that John would have had it before he came to Spain, with the incubation period.

MOVE ON Rangers boss Gerrard should take EPL job as stock could DROP if Celtic win title by 20-points next year, says Barnes

“Hopefully it’s a one-off and an isolated case.
“I’ve spoken to John, he’s fine and has no symptoms. We’ll try and make his time stuck in his room as good as possible for him.
“We’ll get an exercise bike into his room and keep him moving. We’ll look after him, that’s all we can do.

 “But we don’t really want that situation to be the big story. The big story is that we’re in camp and had a fantastic time up until now.
“The training has been good, everything has been top notch.
“The only thing we haven’t really controlled very well is the weather.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Holland manager, Frank De Boer, talks about the postive covid test in the Scotland camp before the two teams meet More

ANGE POSTECOGLOU has emerged as the shock front runner for the Celtic job after a deal for Eddie Howe collapsed.SunSport revealed the ex-Bournemouth gaffer had dramatically pulled out of the job.
Ange Postecoglou is now set to be the new Celtic managerCredit: Getty
Ex-Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre also has admirers at CelticCredit: EPA
Celtic later confirmed the news – with club sources claiming they are in advanced talks with a new target.
Former Australia boss Postecoglou is understood to be that man – and came from nowhere to be installed as the bookies’ favourite.
But SunSport can reveal the Yokohama F Marinos boss is well known to members of the Celtic hierarchy.
The Japanese club are owned by the City Group, who have developed close links with the Hoops in recent years.
Postecoglou, 55, previously bossed the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup and has won the Asian Cup and domestic titles in Australia and Japan.
He is a left-field candidate but has a good coaching reputation, plays attacking football and would jump at the chance of a move to Celtic.
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre also has Hoops boardroom admirers and remains a free agent.
The 63-year-old indicated an interest in the Celtic job months ago and is still out of work after leaving Dortmund in December.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 40/1 FOR PHIL FODEN TO HAVE A SHOT ON TARGET
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

Eddie Howe turned down the Celtic jobCredit: PA
The Swiss coach is rated highly after sterling work at Borussia Monchengladbach and Nice.
Like Postecoglou, though, he has no experience of the British game.
Ex-Celtic player Roy Keane also remains interested in a return to Parkhead.
Hoops chiefs now face a race against time to appoint a new man, with pre-season just three weeks away.
Celtic thought the Howe deal would fall into place when Bournemouth’s season ended in a play-off defeat to Brentford last weekend.
But fresh talks stalled and by Thursday Howe informed Celtic his backroom team wouldn’t be available and that he was out.

However, the Parkhead club revealed they are in advanced talks with someone, with the aim of appointing a new manager “very shortly”.
A Hoops statement said: “We can now confirm Eddie will not be joining the club, for reasons outwith both his and Celtic’s control.
“We wish Eddie success for the future.
“As part of the ongoing process we have engaged with a number of candidates.”
Eden Mill release special whisky in tribute to Celtic hero Scott Brown More

EDDIE HOWE’S move to Celtic is OFF after the deal to sign the ex-Bournemouth boss collapsed in the 11th hour.The Hoops have spent months in talks with the English boss as they edged ever closer to appointing him.
Ex-Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will NOT be taking the job at CelticCredit: PA
WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
But SunSport can now revealed the deal bringing Howe, 43, to Scotland has hit unexpected obstacles in the last 24 hours.
As things stand, Howe will NOT be moving to Celtic – leaving club chiefs stunned with pre-season around the corner.
Neil Lennon left his post over three months ago with Howe the No1 target -but the Hoops will now hunt for alternatives.
Howe quickly emerged as the club’s top target after meeting Celtic bosses for preliminary discussions.
It’s understood a deal in principle was agreed in April after positive talks.
But the ex-Cherries manager made it clear he wouldn’t take the job until the end of the season – with Celtic happy to wait.
John Kennedy took on the role of interim boss until earlier this month, with Hoops chiefs confident they had a deal for Howe sewn up.
Howe planned to bring Bournemouth coaches Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone north of the border with him.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

Cherries technical director Richard Hughes had also been earmarked for a recruitment role.
Bournemouth’s play-off defeat to Brentford last Saturday looked to have paved the way for all that to happen.
But the result didn’t lead to quick developments – with Celtic forced to put season tickets on sale this week.
In a statement, Celtic bosses admitted they had hoped to have an appointment in place by then – but promised it ‘shortly’.
But now 48 hours on, the deal to bring Howe in has hit the buffers, leaving Celtic in a mad scramble for a manager.
But there is little time for new chief executive Dominic McKay – with the squad due back for pre-season on June 21.
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard’s next job could be Crystal Palace, Celtic or England More

ONDREJ KUDELA has LOST his appeal after racially abusing Rangers star Glen Kamara – putting him out of this summer’s Euro 2020. Slavia Prague’s Kudela was hit with a 10-match ban by European football’s governing body after he was found guilty of the comments towards the Gers midfielder at Ibrox in March in a Europa League tie.
Glen Kamara squares up to Ondrej KudelaCredit: PA
That appeared to rule the veteran out of his side’s matches at the tournament this summer.
And that has proven to be the case after Uefa’s appeals committee heard evidence from several of his team-mates on video conference call this morning.
The Czech Republic controversially left open a Euros place for the disgraced defender in the hope he won his appeal.
But now, Uefa have dismissed that case after today’s hearing, meaning he WON’T feature at all against Scotland in the Euros.
The Slavia veteran was found guilty of the abuseCredit: AFP
A statement on the Uefa website reads: “The UEFA Appeals Body today took the following decision: The appeal lodged by Mr. Ondřej Kúdela has been dismissed. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s (CEDB) decision of 14 April 2021 is confirmed.
“The CEDB had decided to suspend SK Slavia Praha player, Mr. Ondřej Kúdela, for the next ten (10) UEFA club and representative team competition matches for which he would otherwise be eligible to play, for racist behaviour.”
Coach Jaroslav Šilhavý said Kúdela’s chances of having the punishment overturned were slim, despite a spot being left open in 26-man squad.
He said: “We will wait for the situation around the appeal of Ondřej Kúdela against the ten-match penalty to develop this week. 
Kudela has hoped to play for the Czech Republic this summerCredit: Getty
“We feel that the hope is probably low, but we do not want to slam the door. 
“In any case, we have time to operate with that one place on the roster until June 1.”
The Czechs will head for a training camp in Italy ahead of the finals, where they will face the Azzurri and Albania in friendlies.
Kamara spoke out in a TV interview about the ordeal for the first time on April 7 – one week before Kudela’s ban was initially delivered.
The Finnish ace said that he was branded a “f*****g monkey” by Kudela, with team-mate Bongani Zungu backing up those claims.
Steven Gerrard exchanges words with the defenderCredit: The Sun
The Light Blues ace was also banned by Uefa for assaulting the Czech veteran, with the Finland international being slapped with a three match suspension.
Speaking in the wake of the incident, Kamara said: “”He came over and said ‘monkey, you’re a f****** monkey and you know you are’.
“From there I reacted and said ‘he’s racist, he’s racist’, my team-mate heard it. I had a lot of emotions going through my mind.
Betting offers – best new customer deals
Paddy Power – £20 risk free first bet – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Bet £5 get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Min £5 bet on the SBK, min odds 1.5 (1/2). Rewards valid for 7 days. Free bets must be placed at min odds of 1.5 (1/2). Exchange free bet limited to certain markets. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply 18+ Begambleaware.org
William Hill – Bet £10 get £40 – CLAIM HERE
New customers using promo code C40 only. 1x per customer. Min £10/€10 bet. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Free bets paid as 2x £15/€15 (expires after 30 days). Max £10 Bonus. 35x wagering requirement. Max redeemable amount £25. Casino bonus expires 72 hours from issue. Eligibility rules, free-bet rules, game, location, payment-method, currency restrictions, stake contributions and terms and conditions apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:

Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chase their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

“If I could go back to the time of the game I’d walk off the pitch, 100 per cent.
“The manager was actually trying to get me off the pitch, but like I said I was on my own on the pitch and I couldn’t hear anyone. All my emotions were different and I wasn’t listening.

ARMS’ LENGTH Nicola Sturgeon gave ‘short shrift’ to Rangers help plea when experts asked her to intervene during administration

“I had a lot of emotions going through my mind. I was angry, upset – I felt humiliated.
“All my family, friends, fans, whoever was watching, I was taken back a lot and I felt like a little boy. It was a really weird feeling.
“This kind of thing shouldn’t be in the game. It’s an every day life thing and I don’t know if we’ll ever see a change in my life time. If I can make a difference I’ll do it.”

Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon gave “short thrift” to a plea from experts to help Rangers during attempts to secure the club’s financial future, a court has heard.
David Whitehouse, 55, told the Court of Session on Wednesday that Ms Sturgeon didn’t want the Scottish Government to intervene when the Ibrox club was placed in administration in 2012.
The former administrator told lawyer Kenny McBrearty QC that he and his colleagues approached Ms Sturgeon, before she became first minister of Scotland. 
He said that Ms Sturgeon ruled out giving any help to Rangers because of concerns about bias.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Linfield join Rangers in 55 titles club as Belfast side make ‘joint most successful’ boast More

MARTIN O’NEILL wants to return to management in England this summer at the age of 69.The legendary Celtic gaffer is hopeful his CV is still fresh in the memory after two years out of the game.
Ex-Celtic boss Martin O’Neill is ready to get back into managementCredit: PA
The ex-Leicester, Aston Villa and Ireland chief spent a short spell at Nottingham Forest before his break.
Now O’Neill is actively looking for a post and is also formulating a new-look backroom staff.
Speaking last month, the Northern Irishman hinted that he would consider offers to get back into the dugout.
He said: “I probably have hidden behind this pandemic and taken a break.
O’Neill has been out of football since leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019Credit: PA:Empics SportWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

“But I don’t think you ever lose your enthusiasm for it.
“That enthusiasm I had for Gaelic football and football hasn’t really left, so I will have a little look at these things and see what develops.
“But I haven’t exactly gone into a cave yet, although who knows.”

BYE BYE BU Kilmarnock players are happy to see the back of missing Youssouf Mulumbu, reveals boss Tommy Wright

O’Neill won seven trophies during his five years at Parkhead – including a Treble in 2000/01.
He famously led Celts to the UEFA Cup Final in 2003 but lost out to Jose Mourinho’s Porto side in Seville.
Since leaving Forest in 2019, O’Neill has worked as a TV pundit and has even covered various Celtic games for Sky Sports this season.

However, he ruled himself out of a possible return to Celtic Park following Neil Lennon’s departure in February.
He said: “I’ve had a great time here but my time is gone.
“The torch has been passed and it’s up to other people now.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page 

Eden Mill release special whisky in tribute to Celtic hero Scott Brown More

SHAUN ROONEY headed himself into St Johnstone folklore at Hampden to win a Cup Double for Saints by beating Hibs.The result rounds off a magnificent season for the Perth Saints, having secured a top five finish in the Premiership alongside the two pieces of silverware.
St Johnstone celebrate Shaun Rooney’s goalCredit: PA
Callum Davidson made a raft changes to the XI he fielded against Livingston for the last game of the season.
Zander Clark was between the sticks and Chris Kane returned up top as did Rooney at right wing-back, while stalwarts Liam Craig and Murray Davidson dropped out to make way for Craig Bryson and Ali McCann.
Pacy attacking Glen Middleton, hero in the semi-final, also came back into the side as well as defender Liam Gordon.
Hibs gaffer Jack Ross had given plenty of players a rest last weekend too, including the terrific trio of Martin Boyle, Chrisitan Doidge and Kevin Nisbet.
St Johnstone boss Callum DavidsonCredit: Reuters
He also handed Cup starts to goalkeeper Matt Macey, young star Josh Doig, vice-captain Paul Hanlon, right-back Paul McGinn and Aussie midfielder Jackson Irvine.
Kane had the first chance of the game after nine minutes when Bryson poked a bouncing pass through the Hibs defence.
The Saints forward quickly pulled the trigger and shot over the bar, despite perhaps having ample time to take a touch. Put it down to those final nerves.
St Johnstone threatened again on 16 minutes through the speedy Middleton.
Glen Middleton battles with Josh DoigCredit: PA
The on-loan Rangers winger dribbled into the box but was denied by a lunging Alex Gogic just when the danger really looked on.
The Leith side had their first crack at Clark ten minutes later when Joe Newell shifted the ball wide to Irvine, who in turn had found space in behind Rooney.
The Aussie aimed a shot at the far post but Clark stuck a leg out to block it brilliantly.
And then just after the half hour mark came Rooney’s opener.

Rooney scores the winnerCredit: The Sun
It was a classic header from the rampant full-back.
And maybe it was filled with extra bite having missed out on a Scotland Euros call.
He timed his run to perfection to leap onto the end of David Wotherspoon’s cross and quite simply dominated Doig in the air and steered a solid header past Macey.
Hibs went close a couple of minutes later when Newell burst through the middle of the Saints defence and fired at goal – but his effort was always rising and it cleared Clark’s crossbar.
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros

£50,000 jackpot
The best fantasy football game this summer
Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
FREE to play

That was about it for pure sights of goal until the half-time whistle.
Within the first five minutes of the restart, we had drama at Hampden.
First, there were claims for a Hibs penalty after a free-kick caused chaos in the box when Jamie McCart blocked a close-range header – those in green were convinced the defender did so with his arm but replays showed it hit his knee.
Whistler Nick Walsh wasn’t having it and the Saints subsequently drove right up the other end through Middleton.

‘HOW LOW’ Celtic icon Sutton takes pop at McCoist’s Rangers Scottish Cup record – but the Gers legend has last laugh

Newell managed to hold the winger up and then somehow got his body in the way of Rooney’s follow up to deflect a shot wide.
Just as the teams started rolling the substitutes on and the game’s tempo died down slightly, the Perth Saints found themselves taring a two-goal lead straight in the face.
A fortunate deflection found its way to Kane who raced into the box but as he went to shoot he was bowled over by McGinn and Walsh pointed to the spot.
Middleton stepped up but his left-footed effort was superbly saved by 6ft7in Macey – and the goalkeeper was alive AGAIN to deny Kane’s rebound.
Penalty for St Johnstone and a chance to seal the cup double…but Matt Macey comes up with a heroic double save for Hibernian! 🖐Unbelievable drama 😱😱#ScottishCup pic.twitter.com/xicRWsRsFG— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) May 22, 2021

The remaining minutes were nail-biting affair – Hibs had plenty of possession but couldn’t find a way to break down the Saints’ tough defence.
On 88 minutes a promising Hibs attack ended with Boyle on the floor – Walsh quickly branded a yellow card for simulation.

Boyle’s reaction was that of a man resigned to defeat, both in that situation and in the tie as a whole.
And even when the fourth official gave Hibs a lifeline with five minutes of stoppage time, you felt that St Johnstone would still just hold on.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

St Johnstone players get in the party mood after stunning Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup More

OLI McBURNIE has tonight confirmed he’s OUT of Scotland’s Euros squad.The Sheffield United striker has failed to recover from a broken foot in time.
Oli McBurnie will not live out his Euro 2020 dreamCredit: The Sun
Heartbroken McBurnie revealed he will be missing when Steve Clarke names his 26-man squad on Wednesday.
He said: “Qualifying for the Euros with my country was the best moment of my career so far.
“Not to be able to go to that tournament with the boys is heartbreaking for me.
“I’m devastated that I suffered a fractured metatarsal against Arsenal.
The Sheffield United striker is out with injuryCredit: Getty
“It has ruled me out for the rest of the season and has unfortunately ruled me out for the Euros.”
McBurnie, 24, has taken stick for his Scotland performances – but Clarke has always backed him to the hilt.
He has yet to score for the national team but did convert a crucial penalty in the play-off shootout win over Serbia.
Steve Clarke with the attackerCredit: PA
McBurnie’s Bramall Lane team-mate Ollie Burke would have been in contention to replace him.
But SunSport understands the forward is also unavailable after a broken foot ended his season.

HIT BACK Rangers say ‘f*** the Pope’ video not ‘genuine’ as club blasts attempt to discredit players in ‘trial by social media’

McBurnie’s injury could open the door for the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Leigh Griffiths to step in.
Lyndon Dykes, Che Adams and Kevin Nisbet look likely to be named as strikers in Clarke’s squad.
McBurnie would also have been a guaranteed pick – but will now watch from the sidelines.

Shankland and Griffiths have both featured during Clarke’s reign, with the Dundee United man probably in pole position.
The Tannadice striker has been a regular, while Celtic star Griff has struggled for games since the turn of the year.
Callum Patterson has also featured up top for the national team over the years, with Matt Phillips still available for selection too.

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Rangers fans organise incredible Burj Khalifa light show in Dubai to mark ’55’ title triumph More