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Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Callum McGregor took fan fireworks fears direct to Celtic chiefs after Rangers clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IAN MAXWELL thinks that footballers in Scotland can help the football association in cracking down on fan behaviour issues. This comes as the chief joined the BBC Sportsound team on Saturday afternoon to address Scottish footballing issues. 2 Celtic fan with homemade rocket launcher at the 2022/23 Viaplay cup final 2 Ian Maxwell revealed that Callum McGregor, pictured here with Celtic chief Michael Nicholson, had spoken direct to the Celtic board over the matter Credit: SNS On the show, Maxwell said: "Rangers played Celtic at Hampden [in 2023] and there was a lot of fireworks. 'There was a video online and a guy had a rocket. They are finding ingenious ways to get these things into grounds. 'I spoke to the Celtic board after it and one of them said Callum McGregor had gone to them and said that was the first time the players had actually talked about something coming onto the pitch. 'At that point you go; 'I think we need to use the players'. 'The players are a fundamental part of trying to impact on that behaviour because with the best will in the world myself or Neil Doncaster or someone else saying 'go and not do that' just makes people want to do it. 'But if players are going to supporters and saying 'you are affecting our performance, you are getting in our heads, I'm worried when I'm taking a corner' then that is a positive message. 'The more we can use that player platform to spread that message and make people aware of the danger then the better. 'It's a player's place of work and it's not right they are taking a corner and there's all sorts raining down beside them.' There has been multiple fan incident's across the season. Most include pyrotechnic use, but we also saw Aberdeen defender Jack MacKenzie struck in the head by a chair from his own fans on the last day of the season. Shock moment Aberdeen star hit with seat thrown from own fans after rivals' pitch invasion Ticket reductions, and the threat of such action, is the route the governing body is taking to try and clamp down on these fan issues. Maxwell added: 'The ticket reduction is the next step. It's a fundamental step. 'We will see how that goes. Hopefully that has the impact. "If it doesn't and we need to look at something else, we will see what the options are at that point.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Cowie 'would love chance' to stay at County - but should he?
After three seasons of swirling the Scottish Premiership plug hole, Ross County were eventually flushed down the drain on Monday following their play-off in on the half-time whistle in Dingwall, Don Cowie's men were two goals up on aggregate against second-tier a second-leg capitulation, conceding four times from the 39th minute, was symptomatic of their end-of-season Cowie's side beat Kilmarnock 1-0 at home at the start of March, a third win in four games, they were just two points off the top six and seven clear of 11th. But they have been in freefall in the 11 matches since, failing to win a single game."Back in February/March, I did not see this happening to County," former Premiership midfielder Michael Stewart said on BBC Sportsound."I thought they had enough grit and determination to see enough results through that they wouldn't have been dragged into the relegation play-off spot."Reflecting on the woeful form that was ultimately responsible for their relegation, manager Cowie said: "I accept the last three months has not been good enough. That's where we've got to take ownership and accountability."From where we were to where we've ended up is nowhere near good enough. I can only apologise. I'm someone from the area so it hurts more than most because I recognise the impact this will have on the community."Despite that, the County boss still has "hunger and belief" to attempt to guide the Highland side back to the top flight and he would "love to have that opportunity".Whether the club's board agree remains to be seen, but chairman Roy MacGregor is not shy in making brutal calls."Cowie is not naive enough to think questions won't be asked about him as a manager," former Scotland striker Kris Boyd said on Sky Sports."The form has been alarming. The squad has lost its identity. MacGregor is ruthless when he needs to be. Just because you're from [the area] doesn't mean you won't lose your job."Meanwhile, James McFadden wants to see the club show faith in Cowie as the ex-Scotland forward believes fans could see the best of the County manager in the second tier."We look at David Martindale, the whole talk is about them going back up, but there's been a change of style at Livingston," he said on Sky Sports. "Cowie has always been in a job where he's always fighting to stay in the league. Maybe we have a chance to see the best version of him going down, building the team in his image and getting a chance to grow as a manager."
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Interim One gets the better of the Special One'
Former Rangers striker Steven Thompson on BBC Sportsound"I've got to give them massive credit because at 2-0 down, heading into extra time, I feared for Rangers."But they managed to galvanise themselves and regain composure. They showed a lot of bravery, shown mostly by their captain James Tavernier. Rangers' penalties were excellent and Jack Butland was phenomenal."Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday on BBC Sportsound"Butland is the hero. We talked about his lack of form this season compared to last. All of that is firmly out the window. I'm delighted for him - it's a lonely position being a goalkeeper and he deserves all the credit he gets for two massive stops in the shooutout."Rangers were second best for large parts of the night, but they will not care."Commentator Liam McLeod on BBC Sportsound"The Interim One has got the better of the Special One."Rangers were pushed to the brink but prevailed in a competition they cannot do too much wrong in. This is where they come to life for sure. What a night it's been for them."Former Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield on TNT Sports"James Tavernier was amazing in central defence. Leon Balogun, he's such a voice on the pitch, but he's so athletic as well. When you've got that athleticism going back the way it makes it so much easier to press high, because you know he won't get caught out for pace."
