Derek Rae
@raecomm.bsky.social
International football commentator:
ESPN, Bundesliga world feed, #EAFC25 video game (since FIFA19 days) and many others.
Originally from Aberdeen in NE Scotland🏴
Happiest working in Köln.
Posts in English & German.
Contact: [email protected]
ESPN, Bundesliga world feed, #EAFC25 video game (since FIFA19 days) and many others.
Originally from Aberdeen in NE Scotland🏴
Happiest working in Köln.
Posts in English & German.
Contact: [email protected]
What is it about the Bundesliga that seems to annoy people who don’t watch it?
Even Thierry Henry (who we all admire) saw fit to have a go at it the other day, placing a question mark over players who come from the league. 🤷🏼♂️
Eh?
Is or jealous/envy about crowds, fan culture? Odd.
So strange.
Even Thierry Henry (who we all admire) saw fit to have a go at it the other day, placing a question mark over players who come from the league. 🤷🏼♂️
Eh?
Is or jealous/envy about crowds, fan culture? Odd.
So strange.
November 25, 2025 at 9:14 PM
What is it about the Bundesliga that seems to annoy people who don’t watch it?
Even Thierry Henry (who we all admire) saw fit to have a go at it the other day, placing a question mark over players who come from the league. 🤷🏼♂️
Eh?
Is or jealous/envy about crowds, fan culture? Odd.
So strange.
Even Thierry Henry (who we all admire) saw fit to have a go at it the other day, placing a question mark over players who come from the league. 🤷🏼♂️
Eh?
Is or jealous/envy about crowds, fan culture? Odd.
So strange.
Definitely feel the World Cup in my bones now having spent an hour going over permutations with a long time Scottish friend/TV colleague & where we might end up next year.
As ever the draw will be instructive.
But nice to keep the run going having worked every World Cup since 1990…old!!
As ever the draw will be instructive.
But nice to keep the run going having worked every World Cup since 1990…old!!
November 25, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Definitely feel the World Cup in my bones now having spent an hour going over permutations with a long time Scottish friend/TV colleague & where we might end up next year.
As ever the draw will be instructive.
But nice to keep the run going having worked every World Cup since 1990…old!!
As ever the draw will be instructive.
But nice to keep the run going having worked every World Cup since 1990…old!!
Leipzig‘s new Germany national team star Assan Ouedraogo will be out of action for the rest of this calendar year after suffering a left knee joint injury in Sunday‘s win over Bremen.
Ouedraogo played on & scored a dream goal with his left foot after the 53rd minute collision with Marco Grüll. #RBL
Ouedraogo played on & scored a dream goal with his left foot after the 53rd minute collision with Marco Grüll. #RBL
November 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Leipzig‘s new Germany national team star Assan Ouedraogo will be out of action for the rest of this calendar year after suffering a left knee joint injury in Sunday‘s win over Bremen.
Ouedraogo played on & scored a dream goal with his left foot after the 53rd minute collision with Marco Grüll. #RBL
Ouedraogo played on & scored a dream goal with his left foot after the 53rd minute collision with Marco Grüll. #RBL
3 game ban & fine of 15,000 Euro for Mainz defender Dominik Kohr after the 9th Bundesliga red card of his career, which is incidentally a record number. #M05
November 24, 2025 at 3:54 PM
3 game ban & fine of 15,000 Euro for Mainz defender Dominik Kohr after the 9th Bundesliga red card of his career, which is incidentally a record number. #M05
Next few 📺🎙️ commentary matches for those who like to keep track. All world feed unless stated.
- Sat 29: Bremen-Köln
- Tue 2: Dortmund-Leverkusen (Pokal for ESPN+)
- Wed 3: Hamburg-Kiel (Pokal)
- Sat 6: Leipzig-Frankfurt
- Sat 29: Bremen-Köln
- Tue 2: Dortmund-Leverkusen (Pokal for ESPN+)
- Wed 3: Hamburg-Kiel (Pokal)
- Sat 6: Leipzig-Frankfurt
November 24, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Next few 📺🎙️ commentary matches for those who like to keep track. All world feed unless stated.
- Sat 29: Bremen-Köln
- Tue 2: Dortmund-Leverkusen (Pokal for ESPN+)
- Wed 3: Hamburg-Kiel (Pokal)
- Sat 6: Leipzig-Frankfurt
- Sat 29: Bremen-Köln
- Tue 2: Dortmund-Leverkusen (Pokal for ESPN+)
- Wed 3: Hamburg-Kiel (Pokal)
- Sat 6: Leipzig-Frankfurt
Kicker gave Darmstadt’s Fraser Hornby a 1, which is a rarely used out of this world rating for excellence.
Hornby was named in the 2. Bundesliga team of the week for the third time this season.
Scotland must him him on their radar.
Hornby was named in the 2. Bundesliga team of the week for the third time this season.
Scotland must him him on their radar.
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Kicker gave Darmstadt’s Fraser Hornby a 1, which is a rarely used out of this world rating for excellence.
Hornby was named in the 2. Bundesliga team of the week for the third time this season.
Scotland must him him on their radar.
Hornby was named in the 2. Bundesliga team of the week for the third time this season.
Scotland must him him on their radar.
The Monday edition of Kicker has this front cover:
“The art of the coach.”
“Dino Toppmöller is pushing Eintracht Frankfurt on. How? He tells all in the big interview.“
“The art of the coach.”
“Dino Toppmöller is pushing Eintracht Frankfurt on. How? He tells all in the big interview.“
November 23, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The Monday edition of Kicker has this front cover:
“The art of the coach.”
“Dino Toppmöller is pushing Eintracht Frankfurt on. How? He tells all in the big interview.“
“The art of the coach.”
“Dino Toppmöller is pushing Eintracht Frankfurt on. How? He tells all in the big interview.“
Don’t understand why any fan of a national team (in this case Scotland) would be so conservative as to think players from qualifying deserve a World Cup place out of loyalty.
Top nations don’t do this.
Pick the best & use the form principle. Besides, a bigger squad than ever before will be needed.
Top nations don’t do this.
Pick the best & use the form principle. Besides, a bigger squad than ever before will be needed.
November 23, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Don’t understand why any fan of a national team (in this case Scotland) would be so conservative as to think players from qualifying deserve a World Cup place out of loyalty.
Top nations don’t do this.
Pick the best & use the form principle. Besides, a bigger squad than ever before will be needed.
Top nations don’t do this.
Pick the best & use the form principle. Besides, a bigger squad than ever before will be needed.
Fraser Hornby scored twice (both superb goals) in Darmstadt‘s 4:2 win over Fürth to consolidate their promotion push.
Burke went 73 mins in Union‘s 1:0 Bundesliga win away to St. Pauli.
If the World Cup were tomorrow, both should be very much in the reckoning for a Scotland squad place.
Burke went 73 mins in Union‘s 1:0 Bundesliga win away to St. Pauli.
If the World Cup were tomorrow, both should be very much in the reckoning for a Scotland squad place.
World Cup squads will be larger than ever before so Scotland must now be looking beyond the regulars.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
November 23, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Fraser Hornby scored twice (both superb goals) in Darmstadt‘s 4:2 win over Fürth to consolidate their promotion push.
Burke went 73 mins in Union‘s 1:0 Bundesliga win away to St. Pauli.
If the World Cup were tomorrow, both should be very much in the reckoning for a Scotland squad place.
Burke went 73 mins in Union‘s 1:0 Bundesliga win away to St. Pauli.
If the World Cup were tomorrow, both should be very much in the reckoning for a Scotland squad place.
My mate Lutz Pfannenstiel at Pittodrie watching Aberdeen where he’s now the sporting director next to former chairman Stuart Milne.
November 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM
My mate Lutz Pfannenstiel at Pittodrie watching Aberdeen where he’s now the sporting director next to former chairman Stuart Milne.
Köln-Frankfurt commentary yesterday & now my home city club simply as a TV viewer today.
Can Aberdeen beat the leaders Hearts?
Cheering them on from afar.
If any followers in the USA want to watch, it’s on the CBS Sports Network (or Paramount+) at 10am your time on the east coast, 7am on the west.
Can Aberdeen beat the leaders Hearts?
Cheering them on from afar.
If any followers in the USA want to watch, it’s on the CBS Sports Network (or Paramount+) at 10am your time on the east coast, 7am on the west.
November 23, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Köln-Frankfurt commentary yesterday & now my home city club simply as a TV viewer today.
Can Aberdeen beat the leaders Hearts?
Cheering them on from afar.
If any followers in the USA want to watch, it’s on the CBS Sports Network (or Paramount+) at 10am your time on the east coast, 7am on the west.
Can Aberdeen beat the leaders Hearts?
Cheering them on from afar.
If any followers in the USA want to watch, it’s on the CBS Sports Network (or Paramount+) at 10am your time on the east coast, 7am on the west.
Invigorating game tonight in Köln. Frankfurt almost gave it away near the end too in a 4:3 thriller.
Thanks if you watched around the world.
Thanks if you watched around the world.
November 22, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Invigorating game tonight in Köln. Frankfurt almost gave it away near the end too in a 4:3 thriller.
Thanks if you watched around the world.
Thanks if you watched around the world.
Another thought I’ve been having.
What Ireland did in Hungary last weekend made believers out of Scots.
For geographical & cultural reasons, an Irish story like that is always going to carry more weight than one from a team far away.
So thanks 🇮🇪 for showing 🏴 the way. Hope to see you next summer.
What Ireland did in Hungary last weekend made believers out of Scots.
For geographical & cultural reasons, an Irish story like that is always going to carry more weight than one from a team far away.
So thanks 🇮🇪 for showing 🏴 the way. Hope to see you next summer.
November 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Another thought I’ve been having.
What Ireland did in Hungary last weekend made believers out of Scots.
For geographical & cultural reasons, an Irish story like that is always going to carry more weight than one from a team far away.
So thanks 🇮🇪 for showing 🏴 the way. Hope to see you next summer.
What Ireland did in Hungary last weekend made believers out of Scots.
For geographical & cultural reasons, an Irish story like that is always going to carry more weight than one from a team far away.
So thanks 🇮🇪 for showing 🏴 the way. Hope to see you next summer.
The best thing about the international break?
It took away the narrative for a few short days that only super clubs & big money matter in ⚽️.
As someone from a small country (in this case the one that played the starring role in the drama), it was heartwarming to see & feel the balance redressed.
It took away the narrative for a few short days that only super clubs & big money matter in ⚽️.
As someone from a small country (in this case the one that played the starring role in the drama), it was heartwarming to see & feel the balance redressed.
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The best thing about the international break?
It took away the narrative for a few short days that only super clubs & big money matter in ⚽️.
As someone from a small country (in this case the one that played the starring role in the drama), it was heartwarming to see & feel the balance redressed.
It took away the narrative for a few short days that only super clubs & big money matter in ⚽️.
As someone from a small country (in this case the one that played the starring role in the drama), it was heartwarming to see & feel the balance redressed.
Another rights shake up in the UK will mean uncertainty for colleagues in the industry and this is now permanently ongoing. Security is hard to find.
It’s why I have generally preferred not to be exclusive to one broadcaster & instead work across the board & pick what motivates me.
It’s why I have generally preferred not to be exclusive to one broadcaster & instead work across the board & pick what motivates me.
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Another rights shake up in the UK will mean uncertainty for colleagues in the industry and this is now permanently ongoing. Security is hard to find.
It’s why I have generally preferred not to be exclusive to one broadcaster & instead work across the board & pick what motivates me.
It’s why I have generally preferred not to be exclusive to one broadcaster & instead work across the board & pick what motivates me.
A bit behind with today’s Kicker cover:
“Exclusive interview Müller.“
“The ultimate Bavarian about his life in Canada, the attacking department, title chances & adrenaline rushes.”
“Exclusive interview Müller.“
“The ultimate Bavarian about his life in Canada, the attacking department, title chances & adrenaline rushes.”
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A bit behind with today’s Kicker cover:
“Exclusive interview Müller.“
“The ultimate Bavarian about his life in Canada, the attacking department, title chances & adrenaline rushes.”
“Exclusive interview Müller.“
“The ultimate Bavarian about his life in Canada, the attacking department, title chances & adrenaline rushes.”
Going to keep banging the drum for Oli Burke to be a Scotland squad member as long as he continues to start & do well in one of the world’s top leagues.
If he falters or loses his place with Union, I’ll say that too.
What we must get away from is judging someone on how he played 4 years ago. Crazy.
If he falters or loses his place with Union, I’ll say that too.
What we must get away from is judging someone on how he played 4 years ago. Crazy.
November 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Going to keep banging the drum for Oli Burke to be a Scotland squad member as long as he continues to start & do well in one of the world’s top leagues.
If he falters or loses his place with Union, I’ll say that too.
What we must get away from is judging someone on how he played 4 years ago. Crazy.
If he falters or loses his place with Union, I’ll say that too.
What we must get away from is judging someone on how he played 4 years ago. Crazy.
Current Bochum coach Uwe Rösler tells Bild:
“I was given my job at Fortuna Düsseldorf by Lutz Pfannenstiel (new Aberdeen sporting director) who is someone always looking at other markets and who thinks outside the box. That was lucky for me.“
#AberdeenFC
“I was given my job at Fortuna Düsseldorf by Lutz Pfannenstiel (new Aberdeen sporting director) who is someone always looking at other markets and who thinks outside the box. That was lucky for me.“
#AberdeenFC
November 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Current Bochum coach Uwe Rösler tells Bild:
“I was given my job at Fortuna Düsseldorf by Lutz Pfannenstiel (new Aberdeen sporting director) who is someone always looking at other markets and who thinks outside the box. That was lucky for me.“
#AberdeenFC
“I was given my job at Fortuna Düsseldorf by Lutz Pfannenstiel (new Aberdeen sporting director) who is someone always looking at other markets and who thinks outside the box. That was lucky for me.“
#AberdeenFC
World Cup squads will be larger than ever before so Scotland must now be looking beyond the regulars.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
November 20, 2025 at 12:27 PM
World Cup squads will be larger than ever before so Scotland must now be looking beyond the regulars.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
Oli Burke should be in the reckoning given he offers something unique & starts most weeks in the Bundesliga.
Another to watch is Fraser Hornby, having a great season with Darmstadt in Bundesliga 2.
Meine Eintracht Frankfurt-Analyse für ESPN. Wie sieht’s vor dem Topspiel in Köln aus? #SGE
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Can Eintracht keep exceeding expectations without Ekitike, Marmoush?
Eintracht Frankfurt were German darlings last season, but without star strikers Hugo Ekitike and Omar Marmoush, how big of a step back will they take?
www.espn.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Meine Eintracht Frankfurt-Analyse für ESPN. Wie sieht’s vor dem Topspiel in Köln aus? #SGE
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
My ESPN column this week on Eintracht Frankfurt and why I think their ups and downs this season won’t hamper them down the line.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
Can Eintracht keep exceeding expectations without Ekitike, Marmoush?
Eintracht Frankfurt were German darlings last season, but without star strikers Hugo Ekitike and Omar Marmoush, how big of a step back will they take?
www.espn.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My ESPN column this week on Eintracht Frankfurt and why I think their ups and downs this season won’t hamper them down the line.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
It has been a remarkable 24 hours to be a Scot🏴
So much love sent from around the globe because everyone saw a bit of themselves in the spontaneous reactions, the despair to sheer joy, the celebrations, the meaning of it all in the only sport that truly unites the world. ⚽️
So much love sent from around the globe because everyone saw a bit of themselves in the spontaneous reactions, the despair to sheer joy, the celebrations, the meaning of it all in the only sport that truly unites the world. ⚽️
November 19, 2025 at 7:15 PM
It has been a remarkable 24 hours to be a Scot🏴
So much love sent from around the globe because everyone saw a bit of themselves in the spontaneous reactions, the despair to sheer joy, the celebrations, the meaning of it all in the only sport that truly unites the world. ⚽️
So much love sent from around the globe because everyone saw a bit of themselves in the spontaneous reactions, the despair to sheer joy, the celebrations, the meaning of it all in the only sport that truly unites the world. ⚽️
Köln-Eintracht Frankfurt for me this weekend.
Saturday Topspiel on the world feed with Hoffenheim assistant coach Moritz Volz providing analysis.
ESPN+ USA & Sky UK among others around the world.
18:20 CET/17:20 UK/12:20 ET/09:20 PT #KOESGE
Saturday Topspiel on the world feed with Hoffenheim assistant coach Moritz Volz providing analysis.
ESPN+ USA & Sky UK among others around the world.
18:20 CET/17:20 UK/12:20 ET/09:20 PT #KOESGE
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Köln-Eintracht Frankfurt for me this weekend.
Saturday Topspiel on the world feed with Hoffenheim assistant coach Moritz Volz providing analysis.
ESPN+ USA & Sky UK among others around the world.
18:20 CET/17:20 UK/12:20 ET/09:20 PT #KOESGE
Saturday Topspiel on the world feed with Hoffenheim assistant coach Moritz Volz providing analysis.
ESPN+ USA & Sky UK among others around the world.
18:20 CET/17:20 UK/12:20 ET/09:20 PT #KOESGE
For all Scots, this is an invitation worth considering :)
Congrats 👍🍾
If someone can't get visa for the USA, you're welcome in Cologne.
If someone can't get visa for the USA, you're welcome in Cologne.
November 19, 2025 at 10:53 AM
For all Scots, this is an invitation worth considering :)