Improving Scottish Football

Steve Clarke's time as Scotland manager has come to an end following the 2026 World Cup. In this episode of  Improving Scottish Football , Kieran Hennigan explores the leading candidates to replace Clarke, including Ange Postecoglou, Kasper Hjulmand, Graham Arnold, Alex Neil, and John McGlynn (We may have forgotten to talk about David Moyes 😂...) 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee...

Former Scotland international Mikey Devlin, and coach and analyst John Walker join Kieran for the ultimate World Cup preview show. Come on Scotland! This episode is proudly sponsored by Hollis Financial Planning:  https://www.hollisfinancialplanning.co.uk 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com...

St Johnstone CEO Fran Smith joins Kieran for a great conversation at McDiarmid Park: What should the new TV deal look like?  Should the 3pm blackout be scrapped?     Is the proposed £25 away ticket cap dangerous?    This episode is proudly sponsored by Hollis Financial Planning:  https://www.hollisfinancialplanning.co.uk 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻...

Academy Director David Clarkson sits down with Kieran for a chat at Fir Park. They discuss the impact that Jens Berthel Askou has had on the academy, and whether the introduction of the U-19 and U-17 leagues has been a positive change. This episode is proudly sponsored by Hollis Financial Planning: ⁠https://www.hollisfinancialplanning.c...⁠🌳 Link to all our socials: ⁠https://linktr.ee/ImprovingSc...

Falkirk CEO Jamie Swinney joins Kieran for a great conversation at the Falkirk Stadium: - How do we break the cycle of self-preservation? - Is there a fairer way to distribute funds to the lower leagues? - What are the key factors in Falkirk’s recent success? This episode is proudly sponsored by Hollis Financial Planning: https://www.hollisfinancialplanning.co.uk 🌳 Link to all our socials: https:...

Scott Brown and Graeme Mathie of Ayr United join Kieran: -       Should clubs be mandated to play young players?  -       Is the cooperation agreement working?  -       What are the ambitions for Ayr United?  This episode is proudly sponsored by Hollis Financial Planning:  https://www.hollisfinancialplanning.co.uk 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For...

Emergency Podcast: The Decline of Scottish Football | European Failure Laid BareScottish football’s latest European collapse is here — and it’s time to stop pretending everything’s fine.🌳 Link to all our socials: https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFo... 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries: improvingscottishfootball@gmail.comScotland, Scotland football, national, Scottish football, podcast, Celtic,...

-       75% of the players in their league are home grown! -       Youth football is much more competitive than in Scotland -       Kids play multi-sports – not just football!   🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Kieran is joined by Ian Coll from Sparta Prague, formerly Hadjuk Split and Ce...

- “Scrap the two-legged play-offs" - “It's time to re-think the alcohol ban" - “Hardly anyone wants a 12-team league" 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Kieran is joined by marketing expert Michael Bochel for this special mini-episode. Scotland, Scotland football, nation...

- We need to study what the Dutch are doing so well - Innovation is key - otherwise Scottish football will move backwards. - We should be the place where every young British player wants to go. 🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Kieran is joined by Rory Hamilton for this special mini-episo...

- “Our footballing ambition is too small!” - “We need regional academies everywhere from Stranraer to Orkney!" - “My greatest regret from the McLeish report”  🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Henry McLeish joins Kieran for this special mini-episode—former First Minister of Scotland...

- Why is nobody talking about the Under-21s?  - What are the pros and cons of young Scots moving to English academies? - How do we entice dual nationals to declare for Scotland?  🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Kieran is joined by Owen Brown from The Young Team for this important and ti...

- What makes 'Right to Dream' so successful? - How does Belgian football constantly punch above its weight? - Why is Belgium moving to an 18-team league?  🌳 Link to all our socials:  https://linktr.ee/ImprovingScottishFootball 🙋🏻‍♂️ For partnership enquiries:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com Kieran is joined by Frazer Robertson, 1st Team Coach at Standard Liege. Frazer has also work...

Kieran is joined by former Professional Player Jamie Mitchell and coach and analyst John Walker to discuss what’s happened to Scottish managers. There are fewer Scottish managers than ever before in the Scottish Premiership, and there’s only David Moyes in the English Premier League (in 2011 there were 7!)  -       What are the benefits of bringing in foreign coaches to Scotland? -       What can...

Kieran is joined by Keith Lasley, Chief Operating Officer at St Mirren. They discuss: - What are the key signs of a modern, progressive club? - How important is a club strategy - and should the SPFL have one too? - How is St Mirren bringing the academy closer to the first team? Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company...

Kieran is joined by Uefa A License holder Blair Munn, who's worked with some of Scotland's top talent, including Lennon Miller and Gabe Forsyth. They discuss: -       Are we entering a golden generation for young Scottish footballers? -       What does it take to make it to the top? -       Why is there still a lack of young Scots playing in the Premiership? Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottis...

Kieran is joined by Falkirk CEO Jamie Swinney and coach and analyst John Walker to delve into the Scottish Championship. They discuss: -       How has Falkirk gone from a mid-table League 1 side to Premiership contenders? -       Do the promotion play-offs need to be restructured? -       Were Premiership clubs right to ban artificial pitches? Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ ⁠...

Ben Doak, Lennon Miller, Max Johnston, James Wilson, Gabe Forsyth… the list goes on. There are many fantastic young Scottish players breaking through in the SPFL and abroad. But which players make our top 10 ? And who will be number one?   Kieran is joined by football scout Kai Watson and coach and analyst John Walker for a positive New Year podcast that spotlights some of our best talent.  Get in...

Kieran is joined by financial expert James Dailey and coach and analyst John Walker, for a deep dive on data and analytics. - Could Hearts + Jamestown catch Rangers (and maybe even Celtic?) - How has ‘Moneyball’ evolved in American sports, and what can we learn? - How do Brentford use analytics to make better decisions on the pitch?  Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ ⁠ https://tw...

Kieran is joined by Joel Sked from the Hearts Standard and A View From The Terrace. They discuss: - What’s the difference between Critchley and Naismith?   - What’s happening with Tony Bloom?   - How good is Jamestown Analytics?   Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot⁠ Scotland, Euros, 2024, world cup, Scotland football, national, Scottish football,...

Kieran is joined by Michael Grant (Scottish Football Correspondent for The Times) and John Walker (coach and analyst). They discuss:  - How good is Jimmy Thelin?  - What can we expect from Aberdeen this season?  - Is the player-trading model bringing success?  Get in touch: ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ ⁠ https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot⁠ Scotland, Euros, 2024, world cup, Scotland footba...

Kieran is joined by Henry McLeish (Former First Minister of Scotland) for this special episode. They discuss: -       Do we lack ambition as a footballing nation? -       Is the current youth setup fit for purpose? -       Are the SFA and SPFL transparent enough?   Get in touch:  ⁠improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com⁠ ⁠https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot⁠   Euros, 2024, european championships, world...

Kieran is joined by coach and analyst John Walker for this Euros Special episode. They discuss: -       Why did we play so negatively? -       Did we learn the lessons from Euro 2020? -       What are the solutions?   Get in touch:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot   This podcast was produced by Edinburgh Documentary films, a film & media company co-founde...

Kieran is joined by journalist Callum McFadden. They discuss: -       Does Scottish football need more investment? -       Can we learn from leagues with less resources? -       Would you pay for an SPFL season pass?   Northern Ireland’s 5-year strategy: https://www.nifootballleague.com/media/13555/nifl-strategy-web-version-2023.pdf   Away allocations by Scotland’s coefficient: https://twitter.com...

Kieran is joined by Graeme McGarry from The Herald. They discuss: -       Should we bin VAR, like they did in Sweden?  -       How is the media landscape changing in Scotland? -       Why are there so many click-bait articles?    Get in touch:  improvingscottishfootball@gmail.com https://twitter.com/Improving_Scot   This podcast was produced by Edinburgh Documentary films, a film & media compa...