Scotland -fans may be surprised last week to read that Andy Robertson had come as a target for Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish side is reportedly trusting to get a deal for the left-wing Back, 31, who won his second Premier League title with Liverpool last season.
Although it might be disappointing for scots to see the national team switch moving abroad, it is in fact a step that can be entirely logical for all parties.
Liverpool is expected to complete a £ 45 million deal for Milos Kerkez van Bournemouth, whom they hope they will be Robertson's long -term successor at the left back. The SCOT contract with Anfield is also after the coming season.
“I'm not getting younger,” he said recently when he was asked about his future at Merseyside. 'I can't change my age, but I have a lot to give. We have had good discussions, me and the club, but what the future has in store, I am not sure. '
A move to Diego Simeone's side would almost guarantee that Robertson would regularly guarantee FIRST team in both La Liga and the Champions League, which would be good news for the Tartan army, given the former Queen's Park and Dundee United Man would probably play second violin for Kerkez.
A signing of £ 8 million from Hull City in 2017, Robertson won it all in Liverpool; Two competition titles, the Champions League, a FA Cup, two competition cups. What a signing he has been. But all the good things come to an end and the time feels good for him to continue.
Some fans of Reds found somewhat fell last season and that is of course; He may be past his Prime, but still has enough to offer at club and international level. He still appeared 45 performances for Liverpool in all competitions, while he also raised his Scotland-CAP total to 84, third on the all-time list behind Jim Leighton (91) and Kenny Dalglish (102).
A move to Madrid could be ideal for Robertson, while looking at his career at the highest level and to chase Caps record.
Askou is confronted with a tough challenge at Motherwell
Motherwell deserves the honor to think outside the box again when it comes to their management position.
The Steelmen Club appointed Jens Berthel Askou last week as their new boss to replace the deceased Michael Wimmer.
De Dane has previously been to his home country, as well as the Faröer and Sweden, with his most recent post assistant boss at FC Copenhagen.
Given the non -announced status of Askou and that his last job as a manager ended in IFK Goteburg about a year ago, his appointment does not come without risk. Only a quick glance at the Fir Park outputs so far this summer will only serve to underline that fact.
Earlier this week, the club confirmed that Harry Paton, Steve Seddon, Davor Zdravkovski and Moses Ebiye were the last to leave after their contracts expired. That quartet had 107 performances last season.
That news follows the previous departure of defenders Shane Blaney and Dan Casey, as well as Ross Callachan and Mark Ferrie. 10 loan players have also returned to their parent clubs after spells in Lanarkshire.
Moreover, the future of club captain Lennon Miller is still in the air in the midst of interest from different large sides.
The departure leaves many minutes behind to be filled. Until now, the only arrivals were former Dundee defender Jordan Mcghee and the Austrian midfielder Lukas Fadinger of SCR Altach.
Youth development will always be the key in a club like Motherwell and Askou may have to trust younger players, especially in the beginning. The earlier experience of the DANE in this respect should be vital.
“I gave 25 or 26 under-19 players their first game in my five and a half year as head coach,” he said this week. “I know what it's like and I like to see young people develop and thrive.”
Askou will take the lead for the first time in just a few weeks, because the steels will get their most important sports cup campaign against Clyde on 12 July. It certainly sounds like the young players from the club get opportunities early when the new manager looks to start well.
It may not be surprising to see a clearance of Fir Park, given a new half finish, but the reconstruction is always difficult, especially for a manager who is just in the door. In Askou, the Steelmen hope that they have the right man for the challenges that lie in front of us.
Bannigan's departure is the newest blow for Jags
It is never boring in Partick Thistle, but although talk points are abundant on Firhill this summer, there are reasons to be cheerful.
It has been a whirlwind month or so before the Jags ended since their campaign with a defeat against Livingston in the Premiership Play-Off Semi-Final.
The club seemed to pack the appointment of a permanent manager, so that Brian Graham – who has now left for Falkirk – by talking to external candidates before they offered their Turret Center the job. After he had rejected it, the club turned to his previous co-interim boss Mark Wilson.
There has also been verbal sparring between the board and the full-owned group The Jags Foundation, while sports director Ian Baraclough is recovering from serious injuries in an accident on vacation, and the club is waiting for the outcome of an SFA condition with regard to fan problems during their play-off overneath.
But the play team is currently the biggest problem at Firhill, and the departure of a club legend has added to the concerns of fans.
After having done more than 400 performances for 15 years, Stuart Bannigan joined Championship Rivals Ayr this week. Thistle wanted to hold the midfielder, but they couldn't agree on an extension, the veteran signed a one -year -old deal with Scott Brown's side instead.
At the age of 32, Bannigan clearly still has enough to offer. He was almost constant when his side came close to promotion and the Club's Player of the Month prize won three times in a row from November to January last season.
Proponents were understandably unhappy in the news, especially in the aftermath of Graham's departure. It leaves the team with a huge gap to fill in terms of experience and leadership. Fans were also angry that the official word of the club had announced almost an hour after Ayr Bannigan's signing had announced.
With the favorites of a few fans now disappeared, on top of the other issues in Maryhill, it suspects that it can be a long season for the Firhill believers.
End of the problems of Accies … or just the start?
When it comes to a lower competition drama, Hamilton is still miles for the Partick Thistle.
On Thursday, accies confirmed their move to Broadwood Stadium for the next two years. It has received a costs, admitted them, and under a number of daring words about fighting for the future, there was also an apology to their supporters. And also completely right.
The controversial Lanarkshire Club is entangled in financial and property problems and were relegated from the championship last month after a 15-point deduction for the violation of several SPFL rules.
In the midst of the turbulence, accies chose to leave the new Douglas Park due to a dispute about stadium possession.
Their request to play their home games in Broadwood in Cumbernululed was hired by the SPFL with a two -year lease – and the option of a third year if necessary – agreed with the North Lanarkshire Council.
“This relocation is not slightly executed,” read a statement that confirms the move. 'As part of our agreement, the club had to commit to paying a full year of rental, operational and security costs in advance, a significant financial obligation that has had immediate consequences for our liquidity.
'We understand the emotional impact that this temporary move can have. Our apologies to our loyal supporters for the inconvenience, but we promise this: we will fight for our future. '
Without the supporters they will not have a future, so let's hope that they can get the fans on the side again in one way or another.