Latest news with #Doddie'5LionsChallenge
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rangers legend issues warning to ‘my mob' amid growing Ferguson to Celtic links
Rangers legend Ally McCoist says he is a 'big fan' of Ireland striker Evan Ferguson - and he fears for his old club is Celtic manage to secure his signing this summer. The Scottsh champions have been with a loan swoop for Ferguson, who looks certain to be sent back out by Brighton after a frustrating spell at West Ham during the second-half of last season. The talk is that the Seagulls will demand assurances of regular game-time from any club interested in taking the Ireland striker. And that would not be an issue at Celtic, with Brendan Rodgers desperate to add to his fire-power ahead of their latest title defence. Ferguson made a total of just eight appearances, with most of those coming from the bench, during is half-season spell with the Hammers, and he failed to register a goal. However, McCoist reckons an injury-free run would see the Meathman return to the kind of form that led him to view Ferguson as one of the game's top breakthrough striking talents. Speaking in Dublin, where on Friday he completed a 555-mile cycle around Ireland as part of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge, he told Mirror Sport: 'I'm a fan. Oh aye. 'I want him to get fit. I really like Evan Ferguson and I really want him to get fit and stay fit. 'He can finish. Out of all the younger ones coming through, I thought Evan Ferguson was the one to watch. 'Obviously he's got one or two injuries going on that have held him back a bit, but if he keeps himself fit he will score goals anywhere.' McCoist reckons Ferguson would strike fear into defences through Scotland - including across Glasgow at Ibrox. The Gers icon - who scored 355 goals in less than 600 appearances for the Blue side of the Old Firm, and won 10 Scottish titles - fired a warning to his old club. 'The unfortunate thing for my mob is, he could come in and hurt us. Definitely. It wouldn't surprise me at all. I'm a big fan,' said McCoist. Ferguson's arrival at Celtic - should the Bhoys successfully pursue the Ireland striker - would cast doubt over the future of another Boys in Green star. Adam Idah continues to divide opinion among fans of the Scottish giants, despite hitting 20 goals across all competitions - including in three the Champions League - last season. However, McCoist reckons the Corkman has done more than enough to earn the affections of the Parkhead faithful. Idah's crucial goals during his loan spell at Celtic in the 2023/24 season, including the winner against Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, earned him a permanent switch from Norwich. McCoist said: 'He's done well. He has scored important goals. 'I think one thing you have got to do as an Old Firm centre forward is, sure, you have to get goals. 'But as an Old Firm centre-forward, you have got to score against Rangers. And if you are a centre-forward for Rangers you have got to score against Celtic. 'You have got to score important goals and Adam Idah has done that.' McCoist cycled around Ireland with a crew of fundraisers from the rugby and UK media scene, including Kenny and Gabby Logan. The challenge helped raise funds for both My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celebrities and rugby stars complete cycle for MND research in Dublin
Sports stars and celebrities have completed a cycle around the island of Ireland to raise funds for research into motor neurone disease (MND). The 555-mile cycle set off from Belfast on Sunday in memory of the late Scottish rugby star Doddie Weir. Weir died of MND aged 52 in November 2022, after years of campaigning to raise awareness of the condition and funds for research. Scottish rugby star Kenny Logan and broadcaster Gabby Logan were among those who took part in Doddie'5 Lions Challenge, cycling around 100 miles a day for six days. The husband and wife said thinking of how the 'cruel' disease takes away a person's control of their body inspired them to keep going along the most gruelling parts of the cycle. There were joyous scenes in Dublin as the team completed the journey, celebrating by popping bottles of pink prosecco and ordering rounds of Guinness. Among those who crossed the finish line in Stillorgan were ex-footballer Ally McCoist, actor Jamie Bamber, former Harlequins player Mel Deane, and cancer campaigner Iain Ward. The journey will continue at the British and Irish Lions' 1888 Cup clash with Argentina at the Aviva Stadium, with the cyclists delivering the match ball which travelled along the 555-mile cycle with them. McCoist said he had a view of the ball at the back of Kenny Logan's bike 'going up every hill'. He added: 'I know for a fact the one thing about these people over here, they love their sport, they love their rugby, and they love good people attempting to do good things, and I think when they get with that match ball tonight, I think the reception will be absolutely fantastic.' Speaking to the PA news agency, Kenny Logan thanked the people of Ireland for cheering them on along the way by beeping horns and donating any amount they could. He said: 'We went to one coffee shop, told her what we were doing. She said 'My uncle died of MD'. She gave us 50 coffees and all the food for free. So it's been amazing.' Gabby Logan said the final day was 'really physically challenging', as they climbed 1,250 metres in a few hours, but also provided a profound moment for the cyclists through stunning scenery in Co Wicklow. 'There was quite a lot of solitude today, because we weren't going through villages and towns, we were going through beautiful scenery. (It gave) a lot of time for people to think about why they're doing this today, and you can see the outpouring of emotion at the end,' she told PA. 'It's about finding cure and a solution to a terrible, terrible disease which just rips away people and their lives and at the moment, there's no hope.' Asked about the cruel effect the disease has on a person's control of their body, the couple said it helped get them through the tough parts of the cycle. Gabby Logan said: 'When you're out there and you're on the bike, and it's tiring, your body's aching, and I think 'how lucky am I that I could do that', you know? So that's why you keep going.' Kenny Logan added: 'What Gabby said, think 'you can do these things, people with MD can't'. 'The mind is so powerful. If you get your mind right, your body will follow you, and the one thing with MD, you can have the strongest mind in the world, but your body ain't gonna follow you. 'In those dark moments, when you're up the hills, and you're really struggling sometimes, I just think I just want to get off my bike and I was determined not to off my bike because we can move our legs, we can control ourselves. 'So it's been amazing. Everybody has been amazing. It's just incredible.' Asked what Weir would have thought of on Friday, he said: 'He'd think we're idiots, genuinely.' He said it was 'amazing' to have Weir's wife Kathy on the cycle on the final day, and to have Doddie's son Hamish following the cycle for the week, who was originally meant to take part but had broken his shoulder. Gabby said: 'He'd love this now. He'd love what's going to happen next with everybody going to the game tonight. 'He was so synonymous with the British and Irish Lions and loved in this country as (he was in) every country that he went to. Doddie was one of those people that just really resonated with people.' The challenge has raised more than £557,000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which Weir set up in 2017, a year after being diagnosed with MND. Kenny Logan said: 'When he first started the foundation, he was thinking 'how can I find a cure?' 'And very quickly he realised it wasn't about him. He realised it's his job to try and find a cure for the person who will get it today or tomorrow.' McCoist, while holding a celebratory pint of Guinness, said that they had been well looked after while on the journey. He said the scenery of the island was a highlight, saying that it reminded of home. 'I'm a west coast of Scotland man, and it's so similar, absolutely beautiful, green – in some places it's almost lunar with the rocks – it was fantastic. The weather we've had last couple of days, beautiful greenery over the Guinness Lake,' he told PA. 'So we're gonna come back, no bikes involved, I'm gonna take the car and we're gonna do a little bit of tour. No bike next time, I can assure you.' Asked about MND, he said: 'It's arguably the cruellest and most horrible of diseases when you see what it does to you, it eats away at you. 'Big Doddie, what a figure, not just in the rugby world throughout the UK and Ireland, all over. He's just a lovable, big character, and it shows no mercy, the disease. 'You see what it's done to a lot of people, you know, top sports stars, and it doesn't matter who you are, any walk of life, it doesn't pick and choose. It's a horrible, horrible disease. 'I think we're all duty bound to attempt to do something about it. If we can help, no matter how small you might think it may be, you've got to do it, because we have to find a cure for it.'
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Rangers hero Ally McCoist lands massive double bed and tells roommate ‘it'll be interesting when Gabby Logan gets here'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALLY McCOIST is on a punishing 555-mile charity bike ride right now to raise funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation. It's certainly been eventful so far - including the Gers hero being caught up in a four-person bike crash during the second day. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 McCoist has managed to get dibs on the big bed Credit: Instagram @allymccoist9 2 Kenny Logan isn't too chuffed about the bed situation Credit: Instagram @allymccoist9 The Rangers hero and several others are taking part in the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge to raise money for the fight against Motor Neurone Disease. And now there's been some bedroom-related drama as McCoist and his Scotland rugby legend pal Kenny Logan on the next stop of the journey. To cut a long story short, the room has a double bed and a single bed - and McCoist has used his wiles to secure the double bed. In a video which he shared on his Instagram account, McCoist is pictured saying: "What you've got there is one massive double bed and what you've got there is one single bed. "So what do you do you spoof your roommate to see who gets the massive bed. "I'm just about to show you the loser of the spoof." The camera promptly turns to Kenny Logan, who is standing by the single bed looking none too chuffed. "It will be interesting when Gabby Logan arrives." Gabby is set to check in on the journey from Belfast to Dublin which will cover all four provinces on the island of Ireland and on the way they will be visiting the British & Irish Lions' Origin Clubs. The group will present the match ball for the British & Irish Lions vs Argentina match at the Aviva Stadium to finish off the challenge. Ally McCoist is in cycling crash as he rides 555 miles across Ireland to raise money for the My Name's Doddie Foundation The event aims to raise over £500,000 for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Ally McCoist in four-man crash during 555-mile bike ride
The incident took place on the second day of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge, an event aimed at raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND). The challenge is organised by the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was established by the late Scottish rugby hero Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 after battling MND. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar urged to whip Scottish Labour MPs against welfare cuts By the time of his death, the foundation had raised £8 million for the cause. (Image: My Name'5 Doddie Foundation/PA Wire) The group are cycling from Belfast to Dublin, covering all four provinces of Ireland. Along the way, they will visit the origin clubs of the British and Irish Lions and present the match ball for the British and Irish Lions versus Argentina fixture at the Aviva Stadium. In an Instagram video alongside Doddie Weir's son, Hamish, McCoist shared his thoughts on the challenge so far: "We're here in beautiful southern Ireland, after leaving Westport this morning at about half past eight. It was meant to be eight o'clock! "We're on our way to Galway, and we're about a quarter of the way through and so we've stopped for a coffee and a bit of carrot cake. "But the difference today, mate, it's been unbelievably windy. "It's been a struggle today. "Yesterday was great fun, no wind, but the boys have felt a little bit of pain from the wind today. "We've had one missing in action, Duncan gave himself a sore one so hopefully he's okay." Hamish then reminded McCoist of his own tumble in the saddle, he said: "You've had a little bit of an accident, talk us through it." McCoist replied: "Yes, I just came off myself actually. I was hoping to let that one go, Hamish, but thanks very much! "I had three people in front of me who were down, I shan't name names, but I just went into the back of them, but hey, we're all fine. "It was a comfy landing, I landed on one of the bigger boys." McCoist added: "We're here for your dad, we're here for MND and we're trying to raise as much money as humanly possible and we're having a bit of fun doing it as well. "We've been meeting some great people, the people of Ballymena looked after us, and Monaghan looked after us. The people here have been wonderful." The pundit captioned the clip with a written update, writing: "Day two - we're now 217 miles in, 338 to go. "Conditions today were effectively brutal, horrendous headwind, and two men down. "If you can, please donate using the link in my bio, anything at all, we would be most grateful. "See you tomorrow, Limerick." READ MORE: Texas star Spiteri recalls early days in music as she collects honorary degree McCoist's efforts have been applauded by several famous faces and athletes. Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy commented on the post: 'Keep it going!' Fellow cycling star Mark Cavendish added: 'Good lad!' Former boxing champion Tony Bellow wrote: 'Well done, champ.' Paisley actor, Craig McGinlay, known for playing King Arthur, chimed in saying: 'Great effort Ally.'
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Ally McCoist in four-man crash during 555-mile bike ride
The incident took place on the second day of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge, an event aimed at raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND). The challenge is organised by the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, which was established by the late Scottish rugby hero Doddie Weir, who passed away in 2022 after battling MND. By the time of his death, the foundation had raised £8 million for the cause. (Image: My Name'5 Doddie Foundation/PA Wire) READ MORE: Ally McCoist congratulates 'great talent' on Rangers signing The group are cycling from Belfast to Dublin, covering all four provinces of Ireland. Along the way, they will visit the origin clubs of the British and Irish Lions and present the match ball for the British and Irish Lions versus Argentina fixture at the Aviva Stadium. In an Instagram video alongside Doddie Weir's son, Hamish, Ally shared his thoughts on the challenge so far: "We're here in beautiful southern Ireland, after leaving Westport this morning at about half past eight. It was meant to be eight o'clock! "We're on our way to Galway, and we're about a quarter of the way through and so we've stopped for a coffee and a bit of carrot cake. "But the difference today, mate, it's been unbelievably windy. "It's been a struggle today. "Yesterday was great fun, no wind, but the boys have felt a little bit of pain from the wind today. "We've had one missing in action, Duncan gave himself a sore one so hopefully he's okay." Hamish then reminded McCoist of his own tumble in the saddle, he said: "You've had a little bit of an accident, talk us through it." Ally replied: "Yes, I just came off myself actually. I was hoping to let that one go, Hamish, but thanks very much! "I had three people in front of me who were down, I shan't name names, but I just went into the back of them, but hey, we're all fine. "It was a comfy landing, I landed on one of the bigger boys." McCoist added: "We're here for your dad, we're here for MND and we're trying to raise as much money as humanly possible and we're having a bit of fun doing it as well. "We've been meeting some great people, the people of Ballymena looked after us, and Monaghan looked after us. The people here have been wonderful." The pundit captioned the clip with a written update, writing: "Day two - we're now 217 miles in, 338 to go. "Conditions today were effectively brutal, horrendous headwind, and two men down. "If you can, please donate using the link in my bio, anything at all, we would be most grateful. "See you tomorrow, Limerick." READ MORE: Ally McCoist leaps to defence of Ange Postecoglou and blasts 'clown' claim Ally's efforts have been applauded by several famous faces and athletes. Cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy commented on the post: 'Keep it going!' Fellow cycling star Mark Cavendish added: 'Good lad!' Former boxing champion Tony Bellow wrote: 'Well done, champ.' Paisley actor, Craig McGinlay, known for playing King Arthur, chimed in saying: 'Great effort Ally.'
