Hearts may hand a first appearance to new signing Alexander Schwolow when they face Rangers on Saturday. The 33-year-old German goalkeeper joined the club on a two-year deal last month as manager Derek McInnes looked to bolster his options between the posts.
Schwolow, formerly of Union Berlin, is now in the mix alongside current No. 1 Zander Clark and veteran Craig Gordon, who has returned to full fitness.
Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, McInnes explained the rationale behind the signing:
“Goalkeeping was an area we felt needed more depth. Craig’s return timeline was uncertain, and then Ryan Fulton picked up an injury. We knew we had to bring someone in.”
McInnes praised Schwolow’s footwork, communication, and movement, adding that all three keepers are at different stages of readiness leaving him with a tough call to make ahead of the weekend clash at Ibrox.
Dundee eye free transfers
Dundee manager Steven Pressley is keeping a close eye on the free agent market as he looks to potentially strengthen his squad further. While the club brought in Yan Dhanda, Cameron Congreve, and Ethan Hamilton last month, no additional signings were made before the transfer window closed.
Following a challenging start to the season, Pressley confirmed during his Thursday media briefing that the club is still open to adding new faces if the right opportunity arises.
“We’re still monitoring the market,” he said. “But so far, nothing has really stood out or felt like the right fit. There’s been no significant movement, but we are continuing to look.”
Jim Goodwin Plans Minor Adjustments, Not Overhaul, for Dundee United Next Summer
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin is aiming for fine-tuning rather than a major rebuild of his squad next summer. After bringing in 14 new players before the recent transfer deadline, Goodwin, who signed a new 12-month rolling contract on Wednesday, indicated that such extensive changes are unlikely to be repeated.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match against Hibs in the William Hill Premiership, Goodwin reflected on the challenges of rebuilding the team over recent seasons. He added that the signings made so far consist of players with potential for growth and development, suggesting future squad moves will focus on strengthening what’s already in place rather than wholesale turnover.
McGlynn Aims to Follow St Mirren’s Path as Model for Falkirk’s Premiership Future
Falkirk manager John McGlynn is using St Mirren as the blueprint for his club’s long-term ambitions in the Scottish Premiership. As the Bairns prepare to face the Buddies on Saturday, McGlynn praised St Mirren’s consistent growth since their promotion in the 2017/18 season.
Now in their eighth straight top-flight campaign, St Mirren have secured top-six finishes for three consecutive years under Stephen Robinson and even earned a place in European competition. McGlynn highlighted the club’s progress both on and off the pitch including a strong youth system and continuous development of their training facilities as the kind of sustained success he hopes to replicate at Falkirk.
“St Mirren are the standard we’re aiming for,” McGlynn said. “If we’re still in the Premiership seven years from now, we’ll be in a fantastic position just like they are.”
Motherwell pleased to welcome Welsh into the squad
Motherwell boss Jens Berthel Askou is delighted to have secured Stephen Welsh on a season-long loan from Celtic. The 24-year-old centre-back, who joined just before the close of the transfer window, is in contention to make his debut this Saturday against Dundee at Dens Park in the Premiership.
Askou praised Welsh’s blend of youth and experience, highlighting his background at a top club and exposure to high-level football.
“He brings quality and experience from playing at a high level,” said Askou. “He’s still young, hungry to learn and improve, but has already featured in demanding, high-tempo matches. His attitude is great, and he’ll bring both ability and healthy competition to our defence.”
