February
Celtic 3-0 Rangers: Hoops fans return to derby as Postecoglou’s men march towards title
SNS GroupAfter a disastrous 2021 for the club, Celtic didn’t waste any time in reclaiming the top spot in Scotland under new manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Old Firm derby back in February was the first major step towards the Premiership title as the Hoops ran out 3-0 winners in the rearranged fixture that was played at a full Celtic Park for the first time in two years following the previous season of Covid restrictions throughout the country.
SNS GroupJanuary signing Reo Hatate scored a double in his first derby before Abada scored a third in a frantic first half in front of 60,000 Celtic fans.
It was Celtic’s first time at the top of the league and they never looked back until they had the trophy in their hands again at the end of the season.
SNS GroupScotland 20-17 England: England defeated at Murrayfield
SNS GroupScotland put the capacity Murrayfield crowd through the Six Nations wringer to emerge with a stunning opening day victory over England.
Put under immense pressure by the abrasive visitors, Gregor Townsend’s men emerged to seize the game late on and win by the narrowest of margins, retaining the Calcutta Cup in the process.
It was Scotland’s third win over their oldest rivals in the last five years.
SNS GroupApril
Rangers 2-1 Celtic: Old Firm win on way to Scottish Cup victory
SNS GroupRangers put back-to-back Old Firm defeats behind them to beat Celtic in extra-time at Hampden and set up a Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
Greg Taylor put the Hoops in front before Scott Arfield equalised to make it 1-1 before Fashion Sakala scored a late winner.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men would need extra-time again in the final when they beat Hearts 2-0 thanks to a goal from Ryan Jack.
It was the first time Rangers had won the trophy since they defeated Falkirk in 2009.
SNS GroupMay
Rangers 3-1 RB Leipzig: Van Bronckhorst leads Rangers to Europa League final in Seville
SNS GroupRangers reached their first European final in 14 years after an emotional night in the semi-final with over RB Leipzig.
Ibrox was rocking from start to finish as James Tavernier inspired the home side to a 3-1 victory on the night and a 4-3 aggregate win.
Tens of thousands of supporters made their way to the Seville sunshine in hope of seeing their club win European silverware 50 years on from their Cup Winners Cup victory in 1972.
But despite taking a second-half lead in the game through Joe Aribo the trophy was won by Eintracht Frankfurt following a penalty-shootout.
SNS GroupJune:
Scotland 1-3 Ukraine: Scotland out of World Cup in emotional night for Ukraine
SNS GroupScotland’s long-wait for a World Cup continues after they missed out on Qatar thanks to a playoff semi-final defeat to Ukraine at Hampden.
The visitors were playing their first game since the country was invaded by Russia earlier in the year and it was an emotional night for players and supporters.
Yarmelenko opened the scoring before Yaremchuk doubled the lead early in the second half.
Callum McGregor pulled one back from Scotland but Ukraine scored again in injury time to seal the 3-1 victory and set up a playoff final against Wales in Cardiff.
SNS GroupAugust
Eilish McColgan emulates mum Liz with 10,000m victory at Birmingham games
Team ScotlandEilish McColgan won Commonwealth gold in the 10,000 metres 32 years after her mum was victorious in the same event.
It crowned a successful night for Team Scotland in Birmingham as they struck gold in four events.
STV NewsMcColgan came back to defeat Kenya’s Irine Cheptai after the Kenyan who built up a lead going on to the back straight and looked like a certain winner.
Her mother Liz McColgan won the same race at the Commonwealth Games in both 1986, in Edinburgh, and 1990 in New Zealand.
Laura Muir leads charge for Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games
STV NewsLaura Muir won the 1500 metres to secure Team Scotland’s 12th gold medal of a record breaking Commonwealth Games.
Before Muir’s race had started Team Scotland had already secured their best ever games outside of Glasgow 2014 with 44 medals already won.
Team ScotlandThe Inverness runner, who also won bronze after finishing third in the 800 metres, was the outstanding favourite for the race and she showed why after taking to the front when she looked unstoppable in her march towards the finish.
It was also the first time ever that a Scot has won the event at any Commonwealth Games and Muir said “it was the one I really wanted”.
September
Celtic 4-0 Rangers: Hoops take early lead in title race
Celtic beat Rangers to take an early lead in the title race thanks to a double from Liel Abada and a goal each from Jota and David Turnbull.
The 21/22 champions laid down a marker with a 4-0 victory in a dominant display at Celtic Park.
SNS GroupCeltic continued to build on their lead as the season progressed and will now go into the New Year nine points in front of their city rivals.
The teams meet again for the second Old Firm game of the season at Ibrox on January 2.
Scotland 2-1 Ireland: Scots excel in Nations League
SNS GroupDespite failing to reach the World Cup in Qatar, Steve Clarke’s men ended the year on a high with back-to-back victories that clinched promotion to Nations League group A.
A 3-0 win over Ukraine was followed up with a 2-1 victory over Ireland, both at Hampden.
Ryan Christie scored a late penalty to win the game after Jack Hendry’s header had cancelled out Egan’s opener.
And a 0-0 draw with the Ukrainians on the final game was enough top the section and guarantee a Euro 2026 playoff spot if required.
SNS GroupOctober
Rangers 1-7 Liverpool: Record defeat for Gers as Old Firm clubs struggle in Champions League
SNS GroupRangers suffered their biggest ever home defeat as they hit a new low in becoming the worst ever Champions League side.
It was the first time in more than a decade that Scotland had two clubs in the top competition following a dramatic playoff win for the Ibrox side over PSV, but the experience soon turned sour with both clubs failing to make the desired impact.
Liverpool’s 7-1 win now joins Celtic’s 1957 League Cup final victory as the joint-heaviest defeat ever inflicted on Rangers.
Rangers lost every game in the group stage and finished with a goal difference of minus 20 while Celtic lost four of their six gamed and drew the other two.
SNS GroupScotland stun West Indies with victory in T20 Cricket World Cup opener
SNS GroupScotland claimed one of the greatest wins in their history, upsetting the odds at the T20 World Cup again as they beat the West Indies by 42 runs at Hobart.
George Munsey’s unbeaten 66 off 53 balls underpinned Scotland’s 160 for five after they lost the toss, with important cameos from Calum MacLeod (23 off 14) and Chris Greaves (16 not out off 11).
The Windies raced to 53 for one but Evin Lewis was out from the penultimate ball of the powerplay, the start of a dramatic collapse that saw the 2012 and 2016 winners lose seven wickets for 26 runs in 45 deliveries.
December
Lionel Messi leads Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar
Football superstar Lionel Messi was the player of the tournament as he captained Argentina to their first World Cup win since 1986.
He stole the show in a dramatic final against France that has been hailed as one of the best in history.
The 35-year-old scored twice in the 3-3 draw with a Kylian Mbappe inspired France before also converting his penalty in the shootout.
It was the PSG star’s first World Cup win in what was possibly his last tournament as he rolled back the years to score seven goals and assist another four.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Staff via Getty ImagesDeath of a legend: World mourns the great Pele
The footballing world and beyond was in mourning as the year drew to a close after the death of legendary Brazil star Pele.
The 82-year-old, who won three World Cups in 1958, 62 and 70, died in hospital in late December.
SNS GroupHe will be remembered as one of the game’s greatest and most revolutionary players for his unique skill and goals record at the highest level.
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