Former Celtic centre-half Ramon Vega has formally contacted the Scottish FA to request their backing in his push to oust controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Domestically, Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson has confirmed he possesses no financial resources to recruit reinforcements from the free agent market, even as his squad navigates a defensive injury crisis.
Managerial milestones and career reflections also feature prominently across the game. Everton manager David Moyes oversaw his 592nd match across two tenures during Friday's victory against Coventry City, matching the record set by legendary boss Harry Catterick. Moyes is scheduled to break that mark outright when his team travels to face Brentford following the international break. Meanwhile, 23-year-old right-back Calvin Ramsay has stated he holds no regrets regarding his transfer from Aberdeen to Liverpool for fleeting outings prior to his current loan stint with St Mirren. In addition, midfielder Findlay Marshall explained that being informed by former Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin that his time at the club was finishing provided "the jolt I needed".
Elsewhere in the Scottish Premiership, Rangers continue to maintain high expectations for Vanja Dragojevic. The 20-year-old midfielder was an expensive summer signing from Partizan Belgrade, though he has scarcely featured since an early August Europa League defeat against Jablonec. Across the division, Scotland centre-half Grant Hanley will sit out Hibernian's Saturday fixture at Aberdeen following an operation on an injured thumb. In Denmark, Brondby head coach Thomas Norgaard maintains that defender Luis Binks will be fit to compete against FC Copenhagen and represent Scotland, despite the centre-half limping off during his comeback from injury.
Player availability remains a pressing issue for several other sides ahead of the weekend action. St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari expects Danny Schmidt will likely miss Saturday's contest against Dundee due to an ankle injury that the midfielder previously played through against Kilmarnock. Heart of Midlothian's own injury problems prompted the recall of 19-year-old midfielder Matthew Gillies, who debuted against Thun on Thursday; by Friday, Gillies was still unsure whether his weekend schedule would involve representing Stenhousemuir on Saturday or taking on Falkirk on Sunday. Off the pitch, Dundee supporters await an outcome on the club's proposed new venue, with a fresh public consultation set to be conducted as the wait for a final decision continues.
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