Latest news with #Ex-Scotland
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dozens of kids football camps to return in Scotland during summer holidays – and they're FREE
Check the full list of footy camps further down in this story HAVING A BALL Dozens of kids football camps to return in Scotland during summer holidays – and they're FREE THOUSANDS of Scottish youngsters will be able to take part in free football camps this summer. Dozens of week-long kickabouts will take place across the country in July and August. 3 Ex-Scotland player Lee McCulloch got involved with the football camps Credit: Scottish FA 3 Pat Nevin will also be involved Credit: Scottish FA Advertisement The Scottish FA and Scottish Gas have arranged the events to take place to give kids the opportunity to have fun while improving their football skills. The young players will also have a chance to win prizes at the events for showing good teamwork, communication, respect and fair play. They good even get a chance to win tickets to Scottish Cup games. Bosses say the camps are a good way to keep youngsters engaged and active while off school. Advertisement Around 1,500 kids are expected to take part in the footy events this summer. There is even a chance to meet some of their sporting heroes while there. Former Scotland international Lee McCulloch visited one of the camps in Falkirk last year and even got involved with the coaching. He said: 'Football has always been more than just a game to me. It's about teamwork, confidence, and keeping active. Advertisement "These camps are a brilliant way for kids to stay engaged during the break while also giving parents some much-needed peace of mind.' The ex-national side star even stopped by the family home of Lucas, one of the young players, to chat to his family about the positive impact of the camps. Lidl Air Fryer Recall, TOFS Closing Down Sales, and Jolly's Department Store Revival – Money News Today The Summer football camps build on recent findings showing that nearly half of UK parents feel anxious about keeping children entertained and fed during school holidays — pressures that initiatives like these help to ease. Lucas' mum Deborah said it was a great opportunity for her lad while also allowing her to work and giving her peace of mind he was being looked after. She said: 'As a mum, the best thing about the Scottish Gas football camps is that I can continue to work over the holidays, while my son is at the camp having fun, being active, and in a safe, friendly environment.' Advertisement Footy chiefs have also increased the number of their para camps, which support children with disabilities in engaging with football. Former Chelsea and Everton winger Pat Nevin has been involved in the para camps. He said: "There's strong evidence that football and sport can play a huge role in supporting young people with autism, from improving motor skills and social interaction to helping reduce the severity of certain symptoms. "That's why initiatives like the Para Football Camps are so important. "The positive impact they can have isn't just significant — it can be life-changing." Advertisement Para football summer camps AN INCREASED number of the para football camps for children with disabilities have been organised for later this year. They will be taking place at football grounds across the country over the coming months. A full list of these events can be found HERE. James Corcoran, Head of Strategic Brand Partnerships at Scottish Gas, added: 'Scottish Gas has been a constant in communities for generations, and we're proud to support families when it matters most. "Our holiday camps are about more than football – they offer fun activities for kids and support for parents who need a reliable helping hand over the holidays.'
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Who did it better me or Trent?' – Scotland star asks fans to rate his Spanish as he upstages new Real Madrid superstar
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FORMER Scotland star aimed a cheeky comment in response to Trent Alexander-Arnold after he surprised fans by speaking Spanish in his first Real Madrid press conference. The former Liverpool right-back addressed supporters fluently in their native tongue during his official unveiling in Madrid yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Trent Alexander-Arnold was unveiled in Madrid this week Credit: Getty 2 He spoke fluent Spanish in his first press conference Credit: The Mega Agency The 26-year-old gave a speech in the language, revealing that it's "a dream come true" to join the 15-time European champions. Alexander-Arnold only decided his next move in March, but the revelation left many Liverpool fans wondering if he's been eyeing a switch to Spain for some time. Others were just impressed by his knowledge of the language without even living there. Ex-Scotland striker Oli McBurnie, however, couldn't help but share his own talents after being made aware of the right-back's first media address in Spain. He shared a video highlighting his own Spanish skills on social media, asking fans if he's mastered the language better than Alexander Arnold. McBurnie moved to the country last summer when he joined Las Palmas on a free transfer and has been fluent in Spanish for some time. A clip of him answering interview questions in Spanish resurfaced after the new Real Madrid signing's surprise press conference. He shared the impressive video with the caption: "Who did it better me or Trent?" His followers were certainly impressed as many replied saying he did in fact have the edge over the former Liverpool man - despite them not being able to actually understand what's been said. Others, however, poked fun at the striker's accent in the video. 'This is so impressive' - Fans amazed as Oli McBurnie speaks in flawless Spanish just months after joining LaLiga One fan joked: "The fact that you did it after having inhaled helium makes yours more impressive." That comment was met with a number of laughing emojis from McBurnie himself. While another added: "Nailed the accent." McBurnie only netted three goals in La Liga last season, but he did register an assist in his first game against Real Madrid last August as Las Palmas held the giants to a 1-1 draw. But the former Sheffield United hitman won't have the chance to go head-to-head with Alexander-Arnold in the league next season after his team suffered relegation, finishing 19th in La Liga. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wimmer's shock exit left O'Donnell 'baffled & gutted'
Defender Stephen O'Donnell said he was left feeling "pretty baffled" and "gutted" after Michael Wimmer's shock exit as Motherwell manager. The former Stuttgart coach left Fir Park for family reasons, returning to Germany to join third-tier club Jahn Regensburg. Advertisement Ex-Scotland right-back O'Donnell was a regular under Wimmer, who had comfortably guided the Lanarkshire side to top-flight survival. O'Donnell said there was plenty of positivity heading into next season. Then came the "massive shock" of the manager's departure last month. "At the end of the [last game of the season] he thanked us," O'Donnell said on BBC Sportsound. "There was lots of optimism going forward. "Then when I got the text I was pretty baffled. He'd spoken a couple times about his family. These are the kind of things you don't question, family comes first. Advertisement "I was gutted personally. I'd been playing and was looking forward to next season." Motherwell are yet to appoint a replacement for Wimmer. On Sunday's Sportsound, former Hearts boss Steven Naismith said the role would not interest him. Meanwhile, O'Donnell said he would be "excited to work" under another foreign coach.
South Wales Guardian
05-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Rangers appoint new boss Russell Martin on three-year contract
The 39-year-old former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss has signed a three-year contract. He will be joined at Ibrox by assistant head coach Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen. ✍️ Our new Head Coach, Russell Martin. — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 Martin guided Southampton to promotion to the Premier League last year but was sacked in December following one win from their first 16 games. Rangers finished last season under the caretaker management of former captain Barry Ferguson, having dismissed Philippe Clement in February. Ex-Scotland defender Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, is tasked with wrestling power back from the other side of Glasgow after Celtic's stranglehold on Scottish football continued with a 13th William Hill Premiership title in 14 seasons. 'From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history,' he told the club's website. 'Now, as I return, I'm determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club. 'There's a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of.' ✍️ We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Russell Martin as Head Coach of our men's first team on a three-year deal. Full Details ⬇️ — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 Martin's arrival is the latest in a series of major changes at the club. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday, while new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday. Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who led the recruitment process alongside Thelwell, said: 'Our criteria for our next coach were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. Russell was the standout candidate.'
Rhyl Journal
05-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Rangers appoint new boss Russell Martin on three-year contract
The 39-year-old former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton boss has signed a three-year contract. He will be joined at Ibrox by assistant head coach Matt Gill and performance coach Rhys Owen. ✍️ Our new Head Coach, Russell Martin. — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 Martin guided Southampton to promotion to the Premier League last year but was sacked in December following one win from their first 16 games. Rangers finished last season under the caretaker management of former captain Barry Ferguson, having dismissed Philippe Clement in February. Ex-Scotland defender Martin, who had a short loan spell as a player at Rangers in 2018, is tasked with wrestling power back from the other side of Glasgow after Celtic's stranglehold on Scottish football continued with a 13th William Hill Premiership title in 14 seasons. 'From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history,' he told the club's website. 'Now, as I return, I'm determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club. 'There's a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of.' ✍️ We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Russell Martin as Head Coach of our men's first team on a three-year deal. Full Details ⬇️ — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 Martin's arrival is the latest in a series of major changes at the club. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday, while new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday. Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart, who led the recruitment process alongside Thelwell, said: 'Our criteria for our next coach were clear: we wanted a coach who will excel in terms of how we want to play, improve our culture, develop our squad, and ultimately win matches. Russell was the standout candidate.'
