On this week's Pure Fitbaw podcast we discuss the managerial vacancies at Hearts and Hibs and suggest some candidates for the roles. Listen in now at Apple, Android, Spotify or by using the embedded player below for the full list and keep reading for an advance taster of some of the options.
“It has given me time to find out more about him, how he works and have some really detailed conversations so we can't wait to start the relationship. It is only around the corner so that is fantastic news for the club." Steven Gerrard was positive and enthusiastic when was asked about the appointment of Ross Wilson, former Southampton Director of Football Operations, as Rangers' Sporting Director. Wilson replaces Mark Allen as the man that Gerrard will have to trust and rely upon to deliver the club's recruitment strategy. That strategy, and its execution, has maybe not quite been up to the standard of a forward thinking club in recent years.
Perhaps I’m biased, but for my money there isn’t a better professional football league in the world than the Scottish Championship. This season especially has had more twists, turns and backstabbing than a typical series of Line of Duty and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Falkirk FC are of course the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion of patter this season, of that there is no doubt, but every Rock needs their Austin. Step forward, Greenock Morton.
Episode four of the Pure Fitbaw Podcast is out! Listen right here or subscribe on iTunes, Spotify or your chosen podcast provider: https://embed.simplecast.com/6a0d14e9?color=f5f5f5
Episode One of the Pure Fitbaw podcast with Gavin Miller and Owen Brown soundcloud.com/purefitbaw/pure-fitbaw-episode-one/s-YhLqb
The winter break is over! Wipe the sleep from your eyes, knock the remnants of a James Tavernier flung snowball from your hair, briefly register the shock of Auchinleck Talbot's giant killing triumph in the cup and strap in for the return of the Scottish Premiership.
One of the stories of the season has been the appointment of Steven Gerrard as Rangers manager. Ahead of tonight's Kilmarnock versus Rangers clash (with added Jordan Jones flavoured spice ) two Pure Fitbaw writers had a quick WhatsApp conversation rating Gerrard's time at Ibrox so far.
On Saturday the 5 of January Jordan Jones, Kilmarnock’s influential left-winger, signed a pre-contract for Rangers which will lead to him playing for the Ibrox club from the start of the 2019/20 season. This deal, taking Jones to Ibrox in the summer along with Dundee’s Glen Kamara, has left a sour taste in the mouth of Kilmarnock fans who have grown to love Jones’ performances in the stripes. Over the past two and a half years Jones has rebuilt his career at Kilmarnock after being released by Middlesbrough following a troubled spell at the Teesside club. However, his social media posts celebrating sealing the Rangers deal have added fuel onto the fire. Many Killie fans are annoyed that Jones seems to be thinking ahead to the summer and may lack the motivation to put in good performances for his current club.
You can feel it; that chill in the air, the darkness when you leave for work and darkness on your return home. The constant defrosting of your car in the morning and the taking down of the Christmas tree. There really is not a lot to look forward to in the month of January. Except for the January sales, of course. The thrill of trying to snag the bargain buys that will see you through the year. Well, my friends Dave King, Mark Allan and Steven Gerrard were first in the queue this year: picking up the bargains before anyone else even had a chance to browse through the rack.
It's January, the sales have started and the bargain hunters are already out in force. Football clubs are no different. However, the January transfer window can be a difficult time for clubs to find value in. Chairmen can be frozen with indecision. Stick or twist? Sky Sports News' yellow-tied deadline day hysteria looms ahead. Will you be stuck with a dud on a 36 month contract if you make the wrong move? Can you trust your team's manager to pick the right transfer targets if he can't even pick up three points now and again? Is the journeyman centre back you're so keen on worth the money? Do you need to keep the money for a rebuilding project and a new manager in the summer? When do the shops close? All these questions are making me need some retail therapy!
Pure Fitbaw has braved the crowds queuing at 6am outside shopping centres, cast our eye over umpteen displays of last season's out of style stock and picked out a handful of bargains that are currently plying their trade in Scotland's SPFL League 2.
Pure Fitbaw 