Alessandro Circati wore the captain’s armband and put in a full shift to help Parma knock off Fiorentina 1-0 in Italy’s Serie A.
The win for Circati’s Parma made it four triumphs in their past seven games, moving them five points above the drop zone.
Cristian Volpato started and played 71 minutes in Sassuolo’s 1-1 draw away to Bologna on Sunday.
Ryan Teague made his playing return following three months out with a knee injury, coming on in the 89th minute of Mechelen’s 1-1 draw with Dender in Belgium’s Pro League.
Cammy Devlin got on the scoresheet but couldn’t salvage a result for Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts who went down 3-2 to rivals Hibernian.
Devlin played the full game and scored in the 89th minute from a rebound, as Hearts tried to rally from 3-0 down unsuccessfully.
The Socceroo was rated 6/10 by Edinburgh Evening News who wrote: “Gave McGrath too much space to score in the opening minutes. Showed his usual work-rate throughout and was in the right place to etch his name on the scoresheet.”
Martin Boyle started and played 84 minutes for Hibs, while Jack Iredale put in a full shift at left centre-back.
Boyle received a 7/10 rating from Edinburgh Evening News who wrote: “Tireless doesn’t begin to describe his performance. Absolutely essential to how Hibs played on the day, setting the tone and the tempo.”
Iredale didn’t receive a rating, but Edinburgh Evening News wrote: “Largely untroubled defensively on the day. Did a lot of unseen work as Hibs lost Nicky Cadden at wingback to injury.”
Zac Sapsford played 73 minutes but miscued a chance on half-time in Dundee United’s 1-1 draw at Aberdeen. For Aberdeen, Nick Milanovic was an 83rd minute substitute.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was a 69th minute substitute for Motherwell but couldn’t inspire them, after going down 1-0 to Rangers. Johnny Koutroumbis played 69 minutes, while Oscar Priestman came on in second-half stoppage time.
Riley McGree was absent with injury as high-flying Middlesbrough played out a 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers in England’s Championship.
Lewis Miller played the full 90 for Rovers, earning a 9/10 rating from Lancashire Telegraph who wrote: “Superb on the right of the defence. His performance levels after a small breather have massively risen.”
2⃣ clean sheets in 2⃣ this week ⛔️#MIDvROV | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/8qHw0hN2Vl
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) December 26, 2025
Hayden Matthews put in a full shift while Adrian Segecic was a 59th minute substitute for Portsmouth in their 1-1 draw with QPR, for whom Daniel Bennie was an unused substitute.
Matthews was rated 7/10 by The News who wrote: “Run in the side continues, despite Bowat returning from injury. Another confident showing, comfortable on the ball and confidence steadily improving.”
Nestory Irankunda was a 66th minute substitute for Watford in their 2-1 win at Leicester City, for whom Harry Souttar was still absent.
Cameron Burgess put in a full shift in Swansea City’s 1-0 loss at leaders Coventry City, while Callum Elder played the full game as Derby County drew 1-1 at Birmingham City.
In League One, Alex Robertson produced a sublime second-half finish to lead Cardiff City past Exeter City 1-0.
Robertson was rated 8/10 by Wales Online, who wrote: “Came close to scoring with a superb curling free-kick that forced a fine save from Whitworth. Classy in midfield and quick to react when Exeter caused chaos in the box. His goal was stunning, getting the ball under his spell from a height before slotting home.”
