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
  1. Yamal scores first hat-trick as Barca move four points clear

    A hat-trick from Lamine Yamal ensured Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with an impressive 4-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday. The winger was sensational as he helped himself to three goals and the first match ball of his career. Barcelona made light work of the third best side in Spain this season and extended their advantage over Real Madrid, who play on Monday.

  2. Man City set Rodri asking price as Real Madrid step up pursuit

    Real Madrid's pursuit of Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri could be intensified as the Spanish giants were set a price tag. The English club are supposedly open to letting their key player go, but would require a sizeable fee to part with his services. However, with Rodri's contract set to expire at the end of next season, Madrid may strike a bargain.

  1. 🎥 | Hat-trick hero Palmer interrupts Rosenior interview

    Chelsea star man Cole Palmer interrupted his head coach Liam Rosenior’s interview while the new Blues boss praising the forward after he scored a hat-trick away at Wolves on Saturday. Palmer showed why he can never be written off and fired home two penalties and a neat finish into the top corner to earn himself the match ball all before half-time at Molineux.

  2. 'Loves to chat rubbish!' - Palmer speaks on Chelsea exit talk

    Cole Palmer has thrown out any suggestions that he is unhappy at Chelsea and itching for a move back to Manchester. The Blues star scored a hat-trick away at Wolves on Saturday and told fans that he is not listening to the noise surrounding him. Palmer insisted he is happy in west London and not looking to leave the club any time soon, labelling rumours of his exit as ‘rubbish’.

  3. Endrick sent off as Lyon boss makes plea to 'protect' striker

    Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has reprimanded the officials who took charge of his side’s game against FC Nantes after Real Madrid loanee Endrick was shown a red card in what the Portuguese coach described as ‘very harsh’ circumstances. Fonseca continued to criticise the referee and demanded that his forward gets protection from persistent fouling by the Ligue 1 officials.

  4. Lehmann reveals she 'didn't go outside' after online hate

    Leicester City's Alisha Lehmann has revealed she did not want to venture out of her house and instead remained in bed all day when she struggled to deal with a spate of online hate. The Switzerland international has lifted the lid on how being one of the most followed footballers on the planet has impacted her on a day-to-day basis and how at times she was unable to cope.

  5. Harry Kane

    Kane & Bayern fume at 'catastrophic' referee after Bayern draw

    Bayern Munich and forward Harry Kane have been left fuming at the referee of the Bavarian giants' game against Hamburg, feeling aggrieved over a number of decisions that they believe did not go their way. Kane was on the scoresheet, but was unable to stop Bayern dropping points for a second consecutive Bundesliga games this season after they drew 2-2 in north Germany.