Jack McRae

Jack McRae

Writer

Bio: I am a freelance sports journalist and first began writing about football regularly for my university’s student paper. Despite then going viral and suffering humiliation for an article on why Turkey were the 'dark horses' at Euro 2020, my obsession with watching and covering the beautiful game remained strong. I wrote my History degree dissertation on the rise of xenophobia in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup before moving to north London, a stone’s throw away from both Highbury and the Emirates Stadium, to complete a Master’s in International Journalism. I have been lucky enough to interview a number of professional sportsmen and women and, since starting as a freelance writer for GOAL in November 2023, have been able to cover some of the biggest games and events in the all-consuming world of football and sport.

My Football Story: Before I could walk or talk, I was put into an Arsenal shirt and I went to my first ever game shortly after my fifth birthday. Yet, ever since that 3-0 win over Watford in 2006, the Gunners have never quite been able to replicate the golden years of the early 2000s. For each season I have lived by the Emirates, the club have tortured me with a run of consecutive second-placed finishes, but maybe this could be the year. Fortunately, we can always rely on the women’s team to produce some magic.

Areas of Expertise:
  • Inside the joys and many frustrations of Arsenal Football Club
  • Coverage of the Premier League, Women’s Super League and major European clubs
  • Match reports from major tournaments, both domestic and international
  • The impact of football on political and social attitudes – and vice-versa
  • The spate of ACL injuries in women’s, and increasingly men’s, football

Favourite Footballing Memory: It is impossible to split being behind the goal as Reiss Nelson fired in his 97th-minute winner against Bournemouth and standing in the Clock End as Declan Rice scored his second stunning free-kick in the 3-0 win against Real Madrid. Two moments in which I thought we would win it all, even if they ultimately led to nothing.

 

Articles by Jack McRae
  2. Ruben Neves Ronaldo Portugal IrelandGetty
    Player ratingsPortugal

    CR7 bailed out: Neves late winner rescues Portugal

    Ruben Neves rose highest to nod in a late winner for Portugal to beat a resilient Irish defence 1-0 in Lisbon. The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the hosts who had looked as if they would never beat the superb Caoimhin Kelleher in the Irish goal, particularly after their captain Cristiano Ronaldo had his penalty saved by the Brentford shot-stopper.

  3. Watford v Arsenal - FA Youth Cup Fifth RoundGetty Images Sport
    J. WilshereArsenal

    Ex-Arsenal star Wilshere lands first managerial role

    Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has officially been appointed as the new manager of struggling Luton Town. The 33-year-old takes the reins at Kenilworth Road following the sacking of Matt Bloomfield, with the Hatters opting to hand the rookie coach his first permanent senior managerial role in a bold and eye-catching move. Wilshere has only held an interim job with a senior side so far.

  6. messi suarez neymar(C)Getty Images

    MSN reunited?! Miami want Neymar to join Messi and Suarez in MLS

    Inter Miami are considering an audacious swoop for Santos' Neymar as they weigh up the merits of reuniting the famous former Barcelona attacking trident. The winger still has a couple months remaining on his deal at his boyhood club in Brazil, but may be looking to move on. The MLS could prove an interesting proposition given next summer's World Cup will be held in the US.

  7. GFX Hansi Flick Robert LewandowskiGetty/GOAL
    R. LewandowskiBarcelona

    'Unpopular' Lewandowski told to leave Flick's Barcelona

    Robert Lewandowski has been urged to leave Barcelona to once again become the main man in a top team. Legendary Polish goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes his compatriot is being unfairly sidelined in favour of other big names at Barcelona and that he should leave the club to seek a new opportunity. He added that the striker's 17th place finish in the Ballon d'Or was too low.

  8. Neymar Brazil 2022getty
    NeymarSantos FC

    Neymar responds to accusations he's 'hooked on whiskey'

    Neymar has responded to a series of claims levelled at him by taking legal action against a Brazilian journalist. The Santos forward has struggled to deliver on the pitch in a disappointing second spell at his boyhood club and journalist Rodolfo Gomes has claimed that Neymar's personal life is impacting his on-pitch displays.

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