The Essential Scottish Football Podcast

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 40 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker chats to former Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Scotland defender Steven Pressley as they preview the upcoming Scottish Cup quarter-final matches involving Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, Hearts, Motherwell, Dundee, Dundee United and St Mirren. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 40 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker and former Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Scotland defender Steven Pressley discuss all things Brentford FC. Steven is currently Head of Individual Development at the club. He lifts the lid on life with Christian Eriksen and how the Bees have coped with their first ever season in the English Premier League. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 40 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker and former Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Scotland defender Steven Pressley discuss Neil Lennon's appointment as manager of Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia. It's a country Steven knows well having managed Pafos back in 2018. He describes the problems and benefits of managing in football-daft Cyprus! For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 40 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker and former Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Scotland defender Steven Pressley discuss Scott Brown's move away from Aberdeen and what the future could hold for him. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Episode 40 of The Midweek Show is now live. Russell Walker chats to former Rangers, Celtic, Hearts and Scotland defender Steven Pressley. They discuss Scott Brown's move away from Aberdeen and what the future could hold for him as well as Neil Lennon's appointment as manager of Cypriot club Omonia Nicosia. It's a country Steven knows well having managed Pafos back in 2018. He describes the problems and benefits of managing in football-daft Cyprus! They also talk about the postponement of Scotland's World Cup play-off match with Ukraine. Steven is currently Head of Individual Development at Brentford FC. He lifts the lid on life with Christian Eriksen and how the Bees have coped with their first ever season in the English Premier League. And, the pair preview the upcoming Scottish Cup quarter-final matches involving Rangers, Celtic, Hibs, Hearts, Motherwell, Dundee, Dundee United and St Mirren. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Rangers vs Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Hibs vs Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview St Mirren vs Hearts in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Ross County vs St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Dundee vs Livingston in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Aberdeen vs Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times review last weekend's matches in the Scottish Premiership. Aberdeen vs Dundee Utd, Dundee vs Livingston, Ross County vs St Johnstone, St Mirren vs Hearts, Hibs vs Celtic and Rangers vs Motherwell. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer with the Herald and Times, and author, Chris Jack. They discuss the impact Jim Goodwin will make at Aberdeen and how Stephen Robinson will fare as his successor at St Mirren.  And, Mark McGhee's pedigree is called into question as he takes over at Dundee. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW  

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 39 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer with the Herald and Times and author Chris Jack. They discuss Rangers' famous Europa League victory over Borussia Dortmund and explain why Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men still have it all to do. They also consider  Celtic's chances of advancing in the Europa Conference League after last week's defeat by Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Episode 39 of The Midweek Show is now live. Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by author and sportswriter Chris Jack from the Herald and Evening Times. They discuss Celtic and Rangers in Europe, preview the last round of Scottish Premiership fixtures and look ahead to this weekend's games. Russell and Chris also cast critical eyes over the managerial merry-go-round in Scotland and question Mark McGhee's appointment at Dundee. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee on Sunday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between Dundee Utd and Rangers on Sunday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Hearts on Saturday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Aberdeen on Saturday. Can the Dons get a quick revenge over the Steelmen, who put them out of the Scottish Cup last weekend? For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between Hibs and Ross County on Saturday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and St Mirren on Saturday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the upcoming Scottish Premiership matches at the weekend - Livingston vs St Mirren, Hibs vs Ross County, St Johnstone vs Hearts, Motherwell vs Aberdeen, Dundee Utd vs Rangers and Celtic vs Dundee. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. The pair review the last 16 ties in the Scottish Cup and name the teams they think will win the competition in May. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. Aberdeen have parted company with manager Stephen Glass. Was his inexperience his undoing and where now for the Dons? Can they tempt Jim Goodwin away from St Mirren or will they look further afield as they attempt to halt a major slide since Derek McInnes left last March? For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

*Recorded before Mark McGhee was appointed Dundee manager. Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. The sacking of James McPake as Dundee boss came as a shock after two wins on the bounce. So, where now for the Dens Park side and why did they get rid of the manager who brought them up from the Championship ahead of schedule? For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. How good a signing will Aaron Ramsey prove to be for Rangers? He's the £400,000 a week man from Juventus and he's a marquee name, but will he be able to cut it in the Scottish Premiership and just as importantly in Europe?  For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 38 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They discuss the European draws for Rangers and Celtic in the Europa League and the Europa Conference League.  Can Rangers pull off a famous victory against Borussia Dortmund and how will Celtic fare in their match with Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt? For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Episode 38 of The Midweek Show is now live. Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They discuss the return to Europe for Celtic and Rangers, where do Dundee and Aberdeen go now James McPake and Stephen Glass have left their clubs, they review last weekend's Scottish Cup games and there are previews of the SPL matches at the weekend. And, they assess the likely impact Aaron Ramsey will make to Rangers. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the SPL match between Rangers and Dundee United on Saturday.   For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the Motherwell vs St Johnstone match in the SPL matches on Saturday.   For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview the SPL match between Livingston and Ross County on Saturday. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They preview Dundee vs Hearts in Saturday's SPL matches. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They cast their eyes over the final of the Scottish League Cup between Hibs and Celtic and there's disbelief a certain Egyptian striker has been left out of the FIFPro World XI for 2021!! For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They discuss the European draws for Celtic and Rangers and which side is more likely to advance to the knockout stage of the Europa League and the Europa Conference League. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They review last weekend's Scottish Premiership games. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - In this segment of Episode 37 of The Midweek Show Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They ask where do Hibs go now that Jack Ross has left the club? For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Episode 37 of The Midweek Show is now live. Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty. They discuss the European draws for Celtic and Rangers, where do Hibs go now Jack Ross has left the club, they review last weekend's Scottish Premiership games and there are previews of the SPL matches on Wednesday and the weekend. And, of course, they cast their eyes over the final of the Scottish League Cup between Hibs and Celtic. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - Rangers vs St Johnstone & Ross County vs Celtic Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 37 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sports writer, podcaster and author Tony Haggerty preview Rangers vs St Johnstone & Ross County vs Celtic in tonight's Scottish Premiership. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Celtic vs Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview top against third, Hearts vs Rangers, in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview St Mirren vs Hibs in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview St Johnstone vs Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Ross County vs Dundee in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Dundee United vs Livingston in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times review last weekend's matches in the Scottish Premiership. Aberdeen vs St Mirren, Hibs vs Motherwell, Rangers vs Dundee, Livingston, vs Hearts, Dundee United vs Celtic. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times discuss the impact Giovanni van Bronckhorst has had at Rangers. Russell questions Steven Gerrard's legacy and Chris examines the differences between the two managers. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 36 of The Midweek Show, Russell Walker and sportswriter and author Chris Jack of the Herald and Times preview Celtic and Rangers in this week's final Europa League Group fixtures. Rangers are already through to the knockout stages of the competition while Celtic have dropped into the Europa Conference knockouts. Why out why Chris Jack reckons Celtic have a good chance of going far in that tournament. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Episode 36 of The Midweek Show is now live. Russell Walker hosts and he's joined by author and sportswriter Chris Jack from the Herald and Evening Times. They discuss Celtic and Rangers in the Europa League, the impact of Giovanni van Bronckhorst at Ibrox, review the last round of Scottish Premiership fixtures and look ahead to this weekend's games. Russell questions Steven Gerrard's legacy and Chris explains why he thinks Celtic could go far in the Europa Conference League. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

The Essential Scottish Football Podcast pays tribute to Walter Smith in the week the legendary Rangers manager is honoured by the club, its fans and Scottish football with a public memorial in Glasgow. In an exclusive interview with Walter, recorded in March 2021, the day after Rangers broke Celtic's nine season stranglehold on the Scottish title, Jim Traynor delves deep into the Smith archive with Walter and unearths fascinating footballing gemstones. Walter talks about his joy at last season's title win and pays his respects to Rangers' fans when he recalls the way they stuck by the club through the recent bad times. The bond between the supporters and the club is unbreakable, he says.  His reflections about Steven Gerrard's first three seasons, culminating in winning title number 55, are honest and straightforward in typical Walter-style.  And, he puts forward some thought provoking ideas about how the game could be restructured from the top, fuelled perhaps by the bitterness he still felt about the decision to force Rangers to play several games before the UEFA Cup Final in 2008 while Zenit enjoyed 10 days off. This programme is a fitting tribute to Walter Smith, a man who will rightly be remembered as one of the game's greatest ever managers. For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW *A version of this programme was first broadcast on 7 March, 2021.  

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 10 of The Essential Women's Football Show, Russell Walker and Courtney McKenzie preview the semi finals in the SWPL Cup. Glasgow City vs Spartans and Celtic vs Hibs. Listen to their predictions about the games and who will win the Cup! For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW

Essential Bite - in this segment from Episode 10 of The Essential Women's Football Show, Russell Walker and Courtney McKenzie review the last round of fixtures in the SWPL1. Celtic 0 vs Rangers 1, Hibs 0 vs Glasgow City 3, Hamilton 2 vs Spartans 2, Partick Thistle 2 vs Hearts 3, Motherwell 4 vs Aberdeen 3 For more information on our team and variety of shows visit www.essentialpodcasts.co.uk And give us a follow on Twitter - @Essential_Pods and @EssentialPodsRW