JULEN GETS REAL DEAL AT MADRID
REAL MADRID have appointed Spain’s Julen Lopetegui as their new manager just two days before the start of the World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp were the early targets of the Champions League winners following the shock resignation of Zinedine Zidane.
But the Spanish giants yesterday announced former goalkeeper Lopetegui will be the safe pair of hands to take over after the World Cup on a three-year deal.
Real Madrid will pay Spanish FA £1.75million in compensation for the 51-year-old former Porto manager.
● Ross County fullback Jason Naismith has signed for Peterborough for £250,000.
The former St Mirren defender was the subject of bids from Aberdeen and Sunderland but Naismith has gone to the League One side on a three-year-deal.
Posh assistant boss Paul Raynor said: “This is a big one for us. He is much sought after and everyone can see the calibre of club that have been interested.”
● Alloa manager Jim Goodwin has landed teenage wing star Jake Hastie in a loan deal from Motherwell.
The 19-year-old is Goodwin’s fourth addition of the summer after Greig Spence, David Galt and Adam Brown.
Goodwin said : “Jake is a young boy with good pace and a good left foot. He’s one Motherwell have high hopes for and hopefully, we can give him a good platform in the Championship.”
● Chris McStay – son of Celtic legend Paul – has agreed a one-year extension with Clyde.
The 22-year-old joined the Bully Wee in February after returning to Scotland from a spell in Australia.
● Ross County and Ryan Dow have reached agreement on the final year of his contract with the 27-year-old striker set to put pen to paper on an amended deal.
The relegation from the top flight triggered a clause that could have seen Dow walk away.
● Morton manager Ray McKinnon is set to make his fourth signing with full-back Gary Miller ready to join Chris Millar, Gregor Buchanan and Charlie Telfer at Cappielow.
● Atletico Madrid ace Antoine Griezmann says he has decided on his future – but has refused to make it public.
With speculation linking him with Barcelona, Griezmann said he’d confirm his position before France’s World Cup clash with Australia on Saturday.
But he said: “The decision has been taken but it is not the time or the place to talk about it.”
● Peterhead boss Jim McInally has brought David McCracken back in a player-coach role.