knepperhorn: Football Talk: Gary Locke Edinburgh Fringe show, stunning 'no-look' goal

The end of July brings a sense of anticipation for most daily football digests as the new season draws near.**

Football Talk is looking forward to the launch of the new SPFL as much as anyone but what really gets us excited is the prospect of the cultural extravaganza in Edinburgh that gets started shortly.

Imagine our delight when we heard that Hearts boss Gary Locke is to appear in a Fringe show. If only the worlds of football and high culture could clash more often.

The story of league reconstruction could be re-imagined as a Shakespearian epic. Footlights stars could condense the history of Scottish clubs in Europe to a one-minute play. The sacking of Kenny Shiels could be interpreted in a modern dance trilogy.

Free agents could busk on the Royal Mile showing off their skills and hoping to be picked up by American tourists who moonlight as scouts for MLS clubs.

If that makeover doesn't work to make Scottish football the most entertaining on the planet, we can always just rename the leagues to sound like the ones that make money hand over fist.

Top stories

Hearts boss Locke to star in Fringe show
Gary Locke will become a Fringe performer in a bid to raise funds for the Tynecastle club. (The Scotsman)

David Wotherspoon: Get your money on a St Johnstone victory in Europe
The former Hibs midfielder saw a friend win ?4000 after last week's opening leg against Rosenborg and is tipping the Saints to get the job done tonight.(Daily Record)

Let?s win it for Lawrie
James McPake insists pulling off a famous Euro triumph would be a fitting tribute to Lawrie Reilly. (Scottish Sun)

Norling ready for Hibs challenge
Malmo head coach Rikard Norling is confident his side will be prepared for whatever Hibernian have in store for them on Thursday. (TeamTalk)

Stil game: Petrov ready for Parkhead return
Stilyan Petrov has vowed to run out at Parkhead one last time in a fundraising benefit game for his own Foundation (Daily Record)

Vigurs Well pleased at Fir Park move
Iain Vigurs has revealed it was the lure of Stuart McCall that persuaded him to sign for the Fir Park side this summer. (Evening Times)

Souness: I would have returned to Rangers to work for free
Graeme Souness admits he would have been prepared to return to Ibrox to work for free if Brian Kennedy had been successful in his bid to buy the club. (The Herald)

Nike reveals new Celtic away kit for 2013/14
The Parkhead club have revealed the strip they will be wearing on their travels this season. (Celtic official website)

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Why are Arsenal trying to sign Luis Su?rez? Because, finally, they can
David Hytner anlyses a change in strategy at The Emirates. (The Guardian)

Qatar World Cup in winter would cause global 'chaos'
Sepp Blatter's plan to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter would spark global "chaos", according to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore. (Telegraph)

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