Barcelona have enjoyed a brilliant season under Hansi Flick but the German has reportedly made some brutal decisions when it comes to members of his squad ahead of the January transfer window

Scotland internationals discuss facing Real Madrid, doing ‘far less’ heading and their linguistic horror stories So, what was it that first attracted you to the island of Gran Canaria with its 235km of coastline, beautiful beaches, glorious golf courses, a climate where it’s 25C today, not nudging zero like back in Nottingham or Sheffield, and a football team where you can get the better of Kylian Mbappé and beat Barcelona? “Oli was here,” Scott McKenna says. There’s a smile and then the man sitting next to him starts laughing. On 25 July Unión Deportiva Las Palmas announced they had signed Oliver Robert McBurnie, the first Scottish footballer in their history, and only the second Briton after Vinny Samways, an icon on the island. Two weeks later, they had another, McKenna joining his old mate. Now here they are in the sunshine at the Barranco Seco training ground: the original odd couple. One defender, one striker. One quiet, that first line delivered deliciously deadpan, the other forever falling about. “Me and Scott are so different, opposites,” McBurnie says. “He’s so laid back. In the best possible way, he’s like a grumpy old man. I call him mi abuelo, my grandad.” Continue reading...

Spanish giants FC Barcelona have yet to set a date on their return to the Nou Camp but discussions have begun over fundraising opportunities involving the stadium

Star striker Kylian Mbappe saw another penalty saved as Real Madrid suffered their second defeat of the season in La Liga to fall four points behind leaders Barcelona