Dundee United right-back Dario Naamo has missed out on Iraq's World Cup squad despite having switched his allegience from Finland only last month. The 21-year-old, who joined United from St Polten last summer, had been called up to head coach Graham Arnold's 35-player provisional squad at their training camp in Spain.
Former Celtic forward Mark McGhee says joining his boyhood club was a "consolation" for having to leave Hamburg. After European Cup Winners' Cup glory with Aberdeen, McGhee had an injury-hit year in Germany before returning to his homeland in 1985. "It was the consolation in me having to leave Hamburg that it was for Celtic," the 69-year-old told the BBC's Sacked in the Morning podcast.
Scotland defender Grant Hanley admits there were times in his career where he thought competing at the World Cup was out of reach. The 34-year-old, currently at Scottish Premiership side Hibs, has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Having missed a month with a hamstring issue in February, the centre-back was forced off against Motherwell in Hibs' final game of the season but is fit and ready for the World Cup.
Luke McCowan knows he must raise his game if he's to become more than a bit-part player at Celtic. The midfielder, who joined from Dundee two years ago, made just 16 starts across 42 appearances in all competitions this season, contributing four goals and three assists, as Martin O'Neill's side won the double. McCowan last month signed a new contract to stay at Celtic until summer 2028, but is not content to rest on his laurels.
