Scotland

POLITICO runs through the intimidating set of policy and party political challenges facing the incoming Scottish first minister.

Yousaf will come under pressure to act on an issue Sturgeon failed to resolve. Sturgeon herself admitted in 2020 that her government had “taken its eye off the ball” on drug deaths. The probe is ongoing. The 37-year-old becomes the youngest and only Muslim first minister in the short history of Scottish devolution. The deadline for any judicial review is mid-April. On Tuesday he offered his closest rival Kate Forbes a role in his cabinet, which according to Yousaf will have to balance his responsibilities as first minister with those he holds as SNP leader. [suffer](https://www.politico.eu/article/scotland-independence-outer-hebrides-working-ferry-service/) thanks to persistent disruption in the creaking ferry networks. But to do so, he’ll have to act quickly. Scotland is Europe’s drug death capital. [sharply criticized](https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/news/multiple-failings-have-led-to-delays-and-cost-overruns-which-continue-to-obstruct-delivery-of) by Scotland’s independent auditor, the government awarded the contract for two crucial new vessels to a now-nationalized shipyard in 2015. [stalled gender reforms](https://www.politico.eu/article/scotland-gender-recognition-reform-bill-change-gender-reform-passed/) — which proved contentious within the SNP — despite the U.K.

Scotland secured a historic 2-0 victory over Spain on Tuesday thanks to two goals from Manchester United's Scott McTominay on a wild night at Hampden Park.

It’s frustrating because we want to win and it’s difficult because you waste time.” This is football and if you concede then you’re penalized at the end. “We conceded easy goals.

Yousaf said on Tuesday that Shona Robison - a close friend of Sturgeon - will serve as his deputy first minister. More appointments to cabinet roles are ...

More appointments to cabinet roles are expected on Wednesday afternoon. The 37-year-old pledged an oath of allegiance to King Charles. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

He is also the first person in the role who wasn't elected to the then-new Scottish parliament in 1999: now 37, he was only 14 at the time. His arrival marks a ...

We are three years from the next Holyrood election and there are obviously lots of other things that need to be done in that time. But the war could also be an opportunity to reset the Ukrainian economy – if only people and politicians could agree how. In fact, the Scottish government could do much more to boost the power of local government. There is work to be done on the educational attainment gap and drug addiction rates. The problem is that it’s not possible to change a tax system without there being losers as well as winners – and the SNP must be willing to face the politics associated with that. As should the hugely destructive burning of grouse moors; in an age of climate breakdown, it should obviously be a criminal offence to set whole hillsides on fire. Where we can ensure the positives of the data revolution are borne out, but don’t allow the wealth to be captured by surveillance capitalism? [beautiful, low-energy housing](https://hiaa.scot/hiaa-2022-awards/) across the Highlands and Islands – for those who can afford it. While high-speed internet access and the revolution in working from home since the pandemic make living there more attractive, a shortage of housing and public infrastructure – especially public transport – means that for many it remains an impossible dream. The Scottish government should prioritise such worker co-ops in procurement, and also consider handing some of its own power to workers. It’s the sense of stagnation – after 16 years in power, it feels like the party is running out of ideas. He is a politician who joined the SNP in the wake of its opposition to the Iraq War.

Members of the Tartan Army reflect on a historic night for the men's national team at Hampden.

And commercial channels have to think about whether the financial returns are worth it. "Before the game I said this was his run coming to an end. The other would be if a free channel made the best financial offer. "My throat is a bit sore today," he told BBC Scotland. While Ian is well-accustomed to disappointment, Callan has only known success. "For him to get the opportunity to be a mascot and then for Scotland to produce one of the best performances in many a year it just doesn't get any better than that."

Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri said: Its the way [Scotland] play, but for me its rubbish, always wasting time, provoking you, always they fall.

"Apart from that, everyone believes it was the right squad that is only at the start of a new cycle. He told Marca: "We already saw that the grass was too long, and that cost us. "Apart from two or three moments when Spain could've scored, the Scottish team were much better. "It shows you how far Scotland have come under Steve Clarke because when top nations like Spain turn up and make excuses, like laying into the grass and the pitch and fouling. Man City and Spain midfielder Rodri said: "It's the way [Scotland] play, but for me it's rubbish, always wasting time, provoking you, always they fall. "We did many good things to win," he said on Viaplay.

Humza Yousaf is now Keeper of the Scottish Seal after taking the oath of office and pledging his allegiance to the King following a ceremony at the Court of ...

He has been respectful, supportive and warm throughout. The 32-year-old tweeted: "To the great credit of Humza Yousaf the first official [conversation] he had after Monday's result was with me. He said taking on the top job is the "honour and the privilege of my life", adding: "I will strive every single minute of every day to be worthy of it." The 37-year-old is now Keeper of the Scottish Seal after taking the oath of office and pledging his allegiance to the King. Humza Yousaf is now Keeper of the Scottish Seal after taking the oath of office and pledging his allegiance to the King following a ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning. As Keeper of the Scottish Seal, Mr Yousaf now has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the crown, which effectively means he can lead the country with the support of the Scottish Parliament.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was left to rue two defensive errors that cost his side in Tuesday's shock 2-0 loss to Scotland in their Euro 2024 qualifier ...

"You can always change things and improve. I bet on them a thousand times," he said. I'm happy with the attitude of the boys.

One of Scotland's greatest victories, or one that was less of a surprise considering Spain are a team in transition?

Ex-international team-mate Pat Nevin was of a similar mindset, pointing out: "If you've watched Spain, you're thinking - they are not the team they were. A year after England had beaten West Germany 4-2 to lift the World Cup and the same team, bar Jimmy Greaves up front instead of Roger Hunt the only change, were given the run around by Scots determined to make a statement of their own. James McFadden's first-leg winner had Hampden rocking and the Tartan Army dreaming of a summer in Portugal, only for a 6-0 thrashing in Amsterdam in the return to bring the Scots back down to earth. Scotland travelled to Paris having already produced one of their most famous victories by defeating France, then ranked the second-best team in the world, a year earlier at Hampden thanks to Gary Caldwell's close-range finish. Amid the troubled reign of Berti Vogts, Scotland finished second in their Euro 2004 qualifying group behind the manager's home country of Germany, but had a second chance via the play-offs. The Nielsen's Gracenote data agency suggests that, given the gap in the world rankings, "we have the play-off win against the Netherlands in 2003 and the 2006 win against France as the only better home results for Scotland in qualifying for World Cup or Euros".

The visiting captain was not happy but Steve Clarke's side did not need to resort to the dark arts to beat a fading superpower.

It at least implies the Spanish way, a brand of supposedly pure football, should be the only manner in which to perform. De la Fuente emphasised the carrying out of training drills and “the future”. Their team have encountered trouble in Georgia in the not-so-distant past. June’s meeting with Norway will prove a stern test, even more so if the hosts can call on Erling Haaland in Oslo. True, Spain did not waste time but them’s the breaks when you are trailing to the 42nd-ranked team in the world. The Spain defence and their own keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, frequently looked panic-stricken. [“Rubbish” was among the terms](https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2023/mar/29/rodri-scotland-spain-rubbish-reaction-video) used by Rodri to describe Scotland’s approach during [a 2-0 win](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/28/scotland-spain-euro-2024-qualifier-match-report). Callum McGregor’s skill and burst of pace in the dying seconds, in trying to create a third goal, epitomised the Scottish mindset. Having scraped out of the group stage in Qatar, they were removed from the tournament [by Morocco](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/06/morocco-spain-world-cup-last-16-match-report). It was the visiting team who routinely embellished fouls, pursued the officials and, in one sensational act involving Joselu, battered the turf in the style of an irate toddler. Spanish petulance was glaring from the first whistle, a scenario which audibly irked a passionate – and, in fairness, partisan – Hampden crowd. [confidently asserted](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/22/spain-rodri-hernandez-interview-world-cup-qatar) that his nation, Spain, stood out as the strongest collective in the tournament.