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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
LOI preview: Cork at low ebb as Hoops keep motoring
Unreliability has been a fabric within this year's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division but perhaps two of the more predictable sides will clash at Tallaght Stadium tonight. At points this season nearly all of the chasing pack to Shamrock Rovers have put together a period of form to indicate they could be challengers, or at least move into the European positions. The bottom two sides are the exception and undoubtedly the team sitting in the automatic relegation position have found it hardest in most recent times. Cork City have recorded just two wins in 19 matches and last week's loss to Bohemians was a real low point in their year. They make the journey to south Dublin tonight as huge outsiders against a team that are looking like coasting to the title. With no clean sheet all season, City have been consistent in letting goals in. The positive is they've scored in 16 of their 19 games so the problem is quite evident. How they attempt to solve it will ultimately decide their campaign and games such as this one may not prove decisive. The manner in which they succumbed to Bohs would have had alarm bells ringing for the Rebel Army watching on. Anything they can take from Tallaght would be a massive bonus. The Hoops are in juggernaut mode at the most crucial time of the season. With the games coming thick and fast, they have gone 10 without losing ahead of a double-round of matches over three days. Their lead is nine points and Monday's derby with Bohemians could really turn the title race into a procession. For now, Stephen Bradley wants his side to improve on a 1-1 draw against City in Turner's Cross. "I'm nearly sure I played against Ger (Nash) back in the day with Ipswich v Arsenal. I did a few courses with Ger also, he's a very good coach and I'm sure he'll do good things with Cork. You can see little things he's trying to change already, it won't happen overnight, but I'm sure he'll be very good there. I had a few conversations with Ger on those courses, he knows his football and he's clever, so I think he'll be very good at Cork. "When you have Sean Maguire, Djenairo Daniels and Cathal O'Sullivan, their attacking threat with those three is as good as any in the country. Seán Maguire's movement is very similar to Padraig Amond, very good and very clever, O'Sullivan is a very good young player and Daniels causes real problems so they must be respected and Cork as a team must be also." Adam Matthews is the only other absentee for the home side. Bohemians are the next in line to challenge the Hoops, with a match in Waterford their latest challenge. The Blues were on a winning run of four matches but have hit a minor slump, including a loss in Sligo last week where they struggled to create chances despite dominating the ball. Alan Reynolds is visiting his hometown club, with eight wins out of 10 games a remarkable turnaround in their season. One of those two loss came against this weekend's opposition where it was Waterford hanging on for victory. Reynolds feels he knows what to expect at the RSC: "Waterford are a good side. They had a great record against us last season and they've beaten us already in Dalymount this season, so it's another game where I think we're going into it with something to prove. "That means we need everyone to be at their very best once more if we want to keep the run we've been on going. "But as I said last week, we have a really determined group of players who keep pushing each other week in week out to get even better. "They've had the dark days at the start of the season and they've had the good days on the run we've been on over the past two months, and they are desperate to do everything they can to keep it going and to build on it." St Patrick's Athletic are at something of a crossroads in their season. With the European campaign to come, which has given them hope of putting a run together, their league hopes have taken a battering. Stephen Kenny is trying to inspire a performance ahead of a visit to Galway United. He said: "We've got to rally around, everyone, the players, the staff, and the supporters to get behind each other and the team. It will be difficult game in Galway, we've got to go down there and try to get a big result. We are capable of getting two results on Friday and Monday and we've got to aspire to do that. "Now is the time for us to show our strength in adversity. When I was Under-21 manager of St Pat's many many years ago in my first ever coaching job, the slogan around the club crest at the time was Ni Neart Go Cur Le Cheile, meaning "There's No Strength Without Unity" and that is still synonymous with the club now and that's an important thing for us to remember." Damien Duff and Tiernan Lynch have lots in common as Shelbourne host Derry City in Tolka Park. Both managers have used the quote "it is us against the world" in their media work in the last four days. Siege mentalities are one thing, but points on the board have proved elusive for both sides in recent matches. Shels received a massive lift by defeating Pat's last Monday, with Duff feeling it can be a springboard to move back towards the top four. He said: "We spoke about that break being a bit of a reset and a chance to draw a line under what's come before. Granted, it started with a poor result against Shamrock Rovers, but the lads are in a good place mentally. "There's brilliant togetherness in the dressing room, as you'd expect, and more importantly, there's belief. How can you not be excited with the games we have coming up?" Duff was referencing the Champions League clash with Linfield in July in that thought. Europe is the last thing Drogheda United want to hear about as Sligo Rovers visit Sullivan and Lambe Park. As the European draws took place this week, hearts broke in Louth after seeing dreams dashed. The late defeat to Aaron Greene's goal for the league leaders on Monday only added to their woes. Sligo visit Drogheda tonight looking to stay off the bottom of the table. Manager John Russell has brought in Seb Quirk from Accrington Stanley this week and more new arrivals are expected. The Rovers boss is hoping to build on their victory over Waterford: "There's a long way to go this season and we made sure the players' feet were kept on the ground this week. This is going to be a really tough game for us as Drogheda is a really tough place to go. "They create a brilliant atmosphere up there and you need big players and big voices to get through that. On the back of last week's win, we're really looking forward to this one."
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Rod Stewart's wife's heartfelt message to rocker in post
Rod, 80, and his partner, Penny Lancaster, recently celebrated being married for 18 years. The cute pair tied the knot on June 16, 2007. To celebrate, Penny revealed the adorable duo is embarking on an incredible train trip from Paris to Portofino. Revealing the trip, the star said Paris was where they got engaged before getting married in Portofino. READ MORE: Megastar Rod Stewart pictured at Celtic Park on trophy day READ MORE: Hoops superfan Sir Rod Stewart spotted at Celtic's Champions League clash Sharing the excursion on Instagram, the 54-year-old English model and TV personality shared a lovely picture of the pair, who were about to board the train. In the photograph, Penny towered over Rod, who was donning a trendy pink blazer, a cool manbag, and some clean white jeans. Meanwhile, Penny stunned in a flowery dress while holding a plush handbag. Penny said: "Entering a bygone era - The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) from Paris, where we got engaged, to Portofino, where we got married 18 years ago. It's totally magical." Rod Stewart's wife heartfelt message to rocker in touching post (Image: Instagram) READ MORE: Hoops-daft singer spotted at Celtic's Champions League clash READ MORE: Celtic-daft Sir Rod Stewart pictured at Glasgow restaurant The VSOE train runs from Paris in France to Portofino in Italy. The service is expected to depart from the French city on Thursday, June 19. Described as being a 'romantic rail adventure', the train takes passengers through the French countryside and along the 'stunning' coastlines of the French and Italian Rivieras. According to its website, holidaymakers would need to fork out £27,400 per person for a Grand Suite on the train. However, a cheaper Cabin Suite on the train would cost travellers £18,850 for a ticket. Twin Cabins were also available on the train; however, they have sold out. Sir Rod Stewart is known for his incredibly successful music career. The talented artist, and huge Hoops fan, is known for his tunes such as Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?, All for Love, Sailing, Baby Jane, I Don't Want to Talk About It, and many more.
Glasgow Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Greg Taylor spotted with Celtic FC player on boat in Spain
The Scottish footballer, 27, was pictured in Formentera with pal and Hoops player Luke McCowan. Taylor's football future is currently unknown after his contract at Celtic ended last season. However, that didn't stop the footie ace from enjoying the sunshine with 27-year-old Luke. READ MORE: Celtic star jetted off on lavish holiday after Scottish Cup READ MORE: Celtic star left fans BAFFLED after sharing holiday snaps (Image: Instagram) In a picture on Instagram, the pair posed for a topless snap together while on a boat. In the image, the duo, both from Inverclyde, looked chuffed as they basked in the Mediterranean heat, donning trendy swim shorts. Taylor joined Glasgow's Celtic in 2019 after leaving Kilmarnock FC, where he played from 2016 until 2019. At the Hoops, the star made over 150 appearances and netted several goals for the club. Meanwhile, his pal McCowan joined Celtic several years after Taylor in 2024. The youngster has since only made over 30 appearances at the club.
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Stephen McManus identifies sizzling Celtic prospect destined for the top as B team boss makes a candid admission
Big Mick is convinced the next generation of stars are ready to break through at Parkhead Every Celtic youngster dreams of following in the footsteps of poster Bhoys James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney. But Stephen McManus knows better than most that only a handful will ever make it all the way. Now B team boss, the former Hoops captain is hellbent on streamlining the route from the youth set-up to the first-team. As an academy graduate himself, Big Mick is a shining example for the current crop learning their trade at Lennoxtown. The ex-defender rose through the ranks, captained Celts to title glory and led them into the last 16 of the Champions League. These days, it's his job to nurture the next generation of stars. And while the road to Brendan Rodgers' top team is anything but straightforward, McManus insists there will always be a pathway. He said: "Yeah, listen, that's what pre-season is for as well. This is my fourth year with the B team and we've been really lucky that over the last three years, we've got boys that have played, after under-18s, they've played 150 games. "They've played 50-odd games a season, which after under-18s, you don't always get. We're lucky that we've got that. "Like I say, our job is to try and prepare the boys for first-team football. Hopefully, it's here. Absolutely. "We've been lucky this year, I think. Francis Turley made his debut this year. Jude Bonner made his debut this year. Sean McArdle came on and made his debut towards the end of the season. "And then you've got the boys that have been out on loan as well. You've got Ben Summers, Matthew Andersons as well. "So it's been a really productive season again for us. But ultimately, we want to make sure we try and do our best to help the manager and the first-team staff to be able to say, 'Right, these are what we've got. Are they ready to fit into the first-team squad?' "That's what pre-season is for. As a young player, you get an opportunity. You'll get an opportunity, whether it's in pre-season or every day that you come to work, every day that you're then performing for your club, whether you're at the football club or you're at somebody else on loan. "So it's difficult. It's difficult, of course it is. That's why the people that come through are so limited. "But when you look at the success that we've had with boys that are playing football at other clubs, it's great." With Greg Taylor vacating the No.3 jersey, there could soon be an opportunity for a homegrown talent to step up. Returning hero Tierney will reclaim his place at left-back - but his injury record means Rodgers will need to manage his minutes carefully. Rising star Matthew Anderson is among the most highly-rated emerging talents at Lennoxtown. Dubbed 'the next KT' by coach Greig Robertson, the defender spent last season on loan in Austria with feeder club Admira Wacker. Now 21, this summer could prove to be make-or-break. McManus said: "He's got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive. He's a terrific boy with a brilliant family, and again, you can only stay with us, with the B team, for a couple of seasons. "Matthew outgrew the B team two years ago. That's why he's not played for the B team. That's why the next stage of his development was to go out and loan. "Some people make their debut at 16 and then go and play for the rest of their careers. Some people are 21, 20, they need to go a different route. That's fine, that's fine. "But what you need to do is, when you get an opportunity, you need to try and become a football player, and that's what Matthew's done. "He's a terrific boy, terrific worker for a terrific family, and he'll be a top player. He'll be a top player." For aspiring players, there are few better role models than Forrest, McGregor and Tierney. Forrest recently overtook Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox to become Celtic's most decorated player, with 26 trophies to his name. Skipper McGregor - whose own breakthrough came via a loan to Notts County - is only two major honours behind. And Tierney famously banked the club a record £25million fee in 2019, only to return on a free six years later. Speaking to promote next month's friendly clash with Newcastle United at Parkhead, McManus added: "You need that here, where it's so important that people can relate. The boys that have been here, that have done it. "I've spoken about this before, but when I look back over 20-odd years, boys that have come through the football club, you want them making an impact. "Making an impact is not just playing now and again. You want to contribute. You want to play five games. You want to play 50 games. You want to play 100 games. You want to play in the first team. "You need people that have done it, basically, just to prove, listen, if they can do it, there's no reason why the other boys can't do it. "That's where Kieran falls into it, Callum falls into it, and James falls into it. It's great, but it's a hard slog. "Of course it is, but you need the right types of people that are leading the football club, and that's what we've got here at the moment."
Daily Record
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kyogo set for surprising transfer as Celtic hero 'lined up' for Birmingham City move by Brendan Rodgers ally
The Hoops sold the hitman for £10million to Rennes in January but he could be set to move again inside six months Kyogo could be set for a surprising move to Birmingham City this summer. The Celtic star left in a big £10million deal to Rennes in January but the move turned sour very quickly for the former Hoops favourite with his match action very minimal as he fell down the pecking order at the Ligue 1 side. Now Japanese news outlet Sponichi Annex are claiming that the 30-year-old is likely to make the move to England's second tier where he would team up with Chris Davies and former Celtic team-mate Tomoki Iwata. They state several European clubs are keen on Kyogo's services but the Blues are the most enthusiastic as they aim to return to the English Premier League. Kyogo himself is also reported to be positive about the transfer to the English side. The former Celtic striker needs to get himself back playing with the World Cup next year. To be included in Japan's squad he would need to be playing consistently once again and a move to Birmingham would open that door. The Blues won English League One with relative ease last term and set records along the way. Now they are hoping to make a splash in the second tier as they look to complete the journey back to the big time. Kyogo was a huge success at Celtic after Ange Postecoglou brought him to Glasgow. He netted 85 goals in 165 games for the Scottish champions. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
