Apostolos Stamatelopoulos made his starting Scottish Premiership debut for Motherwell but suffered a worrying quad injury, while there were debuts for Keanu Baccus, Max Balard and Daniel Bennie.
Stamatelopoulos exited Motherwell’s 2-1 loss to Rangers in the 44th minute due to a thigh injury.
The Aussie, who moved from Newcastle Jets to Scotland a fortnight ago, had started brightly with a half chance or two.
But ‘Well manager Stuart Kettlewell indicated the injury was a concern. He said: “It doesn’t look great at this point, I have to say.
“There was a bit of tightness in his thigh. Very quickly that turned into something sharper and something that might be a bit more significant. We need to wait and see and assess that.”
Elsewhere, Kye Rowles and Cam Devlin both were given 6/10 ratings in Hearts’ disappointing 3-1 loss to Dundee.
Edinburgh Evening Times wrote about Rowles, who put in a full shift, “Slightly slack backpass at the opening goal. Couldn’t stem the Dundee flow.”
On Devlin, who started and played 70 minutes, “Busy as always. Didn’t give opponents time on the ball.”
England’s Championship season commenced over the weekend, with Riley McGree started and played practically a full game as Middlesbrough won 1-0 over Swansea City.
Teesside Live rated McGree 6/10 and wrote: “It didn’t always come off for him on the day, but there was no shortage of effort, while some of his touches and protection of the ball in intricate spaces was clever and helped Boro create positive openings.”
Tom Glover was an unused sub for Boro.
Ex-Perth Glory and Australia U17 midfielder Daniel Bennie made his debut for QPR as an 85th minute substitute in their 3-1 home loss to West Bromwich Albion.
Buzzing to have signed for @CardiffCityFC ! Exited for this next chapter 💙 pic.twitter.com/mfp4D7yCPh
— Alexander Robertson (@alexrobertson03) August 7, 2024
Fresh from signing a four-year deal with Cardiff City, Alex Robertson went unused on the bench in the Bluebirds’ 0-0 draw with Sunderland. Nectar Triantis was also unused.
Harry Souttar also sealed a midweek move, joining Sheffield United on loan from Leicester City for the season, but was unused sub in their 2-0 win at Preston North End on Friday.
“As soon as I found out I was available and the club was looking at me, it was a no brainer to come here.”@harryjsouttar 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/VPHshk3n6B
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) August 7, 2024
Sam Silvera made his Portsmouth debut, starting and playing the first half in their 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Callum Elder started and played 86 minutes in Derby’s 4-2 loss to Blackburn.
In League One, ex-Southampton and Olyroos midfielder Caleb Watts scored the winner as Exeter City edged Rotherham United 1-0.
Watts scored only three minutes after entering the fray, side-footing a volley home from Johnly Yfeko’s left-wing cross in the 71st minute.
Socceroo Keanu Baccus made his Mansfield Town debut following his off-season move from Scottish club St Mirren, starting and playing 83 minutes in a 2-1 win at Barnsley.
In the Dutch Eredivisie, ex-Central Coast midfielder Max Balard made his debut for NAC Breda, playing the full 90, as they lost 4-1 at Groningen.
In the Coppa Italia, Cristian Volpato was a 65th minute substitute in Sassuolo’s 2-1 win over Cittadella.
In Belgium’s Pro League, Aiden O’Neill put in a full shift as Standard Liege drew 0-0 with Mechelen, while Jordan Bos was absent due to injury in Westerlo’s 4-3 win over Union SG.
Others
Full games
Lewis Miller, Martin Boyle (both Hibernian), Paul Izzo (Randers), Gianni Stensness (Viking), Lachlan Jackson (Suwon), Mitch Langerak (Nagoya Grampus)
Minutes
Alessandro Circati – SB 46 (Parma), Awer Mabil – SB 85 (Grasshoppers), Jack Iredale – ST 71 (Bolton), Harrison Delbridge – St 22 (Incheon United), Mitch Duke – SB 74 (Machida Zelvia), Connor Chapman – ST 85 (Gimpo Citizen), Lachie Wales – ST 61 (Gyeongnam)
Unused subs
Alex Gersbach (Kalmar), Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough), Ash Maynard-Brewer (Charlton), Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Pohang Steelers)
