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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football legends reunite for evening of entertainment at County Ground
The pair were also team-mates at Tottenham Hotspur for several years (Image: Swindon Town Football Club) Football legends Ossie Ardiles and Micky Hazard have returned to Swindon Town for a night of nostalgia. The Tottenham Hotspur legends and Swindon Town alumni joined fans at the Nigel Eady County Ground on Wednesday, June 11 for 'An Evening with Micky Hazard and Ossie Ardiles'. Advertisement Swindon welcomed the former midfielders to the Legends Lounge to entertain an audience with tales from their impressive playing careers. Ardiles and Hazard spoke to supporters about their time at White Hart Lane and the County Ground, their time in English football and their experiences on the international stage. Ardiles managed Swindon from 1989 to 1991, describing the club's 1-0 win over Sunderland in the 1990 Second Division play-off final as one of his all-time favourite achievements. He also made two appearances for Swindon as a player in a career that also saw him win the 1978 World Cup representing Argentina. Advertisement Hazard scored 17 goals for Swindon in 121 appearances and helped guide the club to the Premier League under the management of Glenn Hoddle. Recommended reading The pair were Spurs team-mates from 1978 to 1985 before Hazard departed for Chelsea, winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup while at the club. Their evening at the County Ground is part of a calendar of events that will see a number of legendary figures from the world of football. Stuart Pearce visited the Legends Lounge to speak with fans earlier this year in March, while Paul Merson will be making a similar appearance at the club on October 29. The events are part of a club initiative to push for increased commercial revenue that could help guide Swindon back to League One. Advertisement The club's Chief Commercial Officer, James Watts, said: "We are doing a selection of events in The Legends Lounge. We want to try and turn it more into a venue, using it for more events and getting promoters involved in that, who we are talking to on a local and national level. "That goes beyond club events but also guest speakers, race nights, and things like that. "The concert was the starting point, and on the back of that, we can add things to the commercial portfolio in the lounge, but also the suites upstairs and then with a redevelopment of the stadium, you can look at other things."
Pink Villa
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Gong Yoo flaunts Son Heung Min-signed Tottenham jersey, medal and heartfelt friendship: 'I'll always have your back...'
Gong Yoo X Son Heung Min was not on our 2025 bingo cards, right? Well, here it is! The duo is proof that friendships can cross occupational boundaries. The renowned soccer player showcased his close bond and respect for the talented actor through a heartfelt message. Although Gong Yoo couldn't witness Son Heung Min lifting the 2025 UEFA Cup from the stands, his support from afar meant a lot to him. Son Heung Min gifts Tottenham jersey to Gong Yoo The Tottenham Hotspur captain gifted the actor a signed jersey of his along with a sweet message showcasing his appreciation for his brother-like friend, Gong Yoo. The jersey also included a handwritten sweet message, which included Son Heung Min addressing the Squid Game 2 star as "Hyungnim"– a Korean term for older brother. The special message read, "Even though you couldn't be at the [final] match, your support helped me achieve this incredible victory. I'm truly grateful." He further mentioned, "I'll never forget your sincere advice and support by my side. I'll always have your back, no matter what happens. Love you! – Ggomm." Gong Yoo proudly flaunted the gift on his Instagram, along with some other heartwarming photos. Gong Yoo showed love for Song Heung Min's special gift Besides the jersey, the actor also shared photos of himself wearing Son Heung Min's winning medal, captioning the June 19 post as "Respect." Both of them donned matching slippers and flashed happy smiles. One particular picture was the fan favourite, in which the footballer was seen putting his hand on Gong Yoo's shoulder as he leaned towards him. Fans in the comments gushed at the unexpected encounter and at how cute the duo looked together. Son Heung Min also shared the same picture, captioning it as "Ggomm Respect." This might indicate that the duo shares the same nickname, as he wrote "– Ggomm" on the signed jersey as well. Notably, the player also affectionately mentioned Gong Yoo as Ggomm during his guest appearance on the variety show Salon Drip 2. On the work front, Gong Yoo is currently filming for Show Business with Song Hye Kyo, and Son Heung Min is enjoying a break after completing Korea's third-round qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I spared Rangers blushes last time they faced Panathinaikos – here is what they can expect this time
Nacho Novo was the hero last time the two sides face so knows what Rangers can expect this time out Nacho Novo remembers having a close shave the last time Rangers squared off against Panathinaikos - and not just because his goal spared Walter Smith's side the UEFA Cup chop. The Ibrox cult hero was the saviour back in 2008 when Gers last visited the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. The Spaniard's late equaliser was enough to secure a 1-1 draw on aggregate and nudge the club a step closer to their brush with glory in that year's Manchester final. After a goalless draw at Ibrox, Smith's men were on the verge of going out when a screamer from defender Ioannis Goumas put the Greeks ahead in the last 32 showdown. But Novo - sporting a newly cropped barnet - provided the Light Blues with their hair-raising moment nine minutes from the end as he fired home the crucial finish that saw Rangers progress on away goals. The striker wasn't the only one who had taken a trip to the barbers having been joined by team-mates Barry Ferguson, Allan McGregor Kris Boyd and Charlie Adam for a pre-match trim. And Rangers' Hair Bear Bunch ensured it was Rangers who made the Euro cut as they scalped the Athens giants. Novo told Record Sport: 'The thing I remember about that game is that I had a new haircut. A few of us did. 'Me, Fergie, Greegsy, Boydy and Charlie all went to the barbers in the hotel the day before the game and got our hair shaved short. 'I'm not sure what made us do it but we went for it - and it worked! It must have been a good luck omen. 'It was a crucial goal that season because it was the first game in the UEFA Cup after we'd been knocked out of the Champions League - but it meant we could set off on that incredible journey to Manchester. 'We had a lot of possession but their centre-back scored a wonder goal to give them the lead. He turned and hit one from about 20 yards out, right into the top corner. 'We'd created a lot of chances but didn't put them away. However, we kept our patience and got the goal we needed from a great play. Fergie played the ball out to Chris Burke. His cross came to me and I just hit it.' Novo lapped up his strike with a raise the roof gesture - with Ibrox legend and then assistant boss Ally McCoist the unlikely inspiration! 'It was an amazing night - apart from the celebration,' explained Nacho. "I got some stick for that one but people don't know what it was about. 'I was actually copying Ally McCoist dancing to 50 Cent before the game! He had been jumping out the dressing room throwing his arms in the air, so that one was for Coisty! 'We were a happy camp in those days. You had Coisty and Durranty in those days and they were always making people laugh.' There's likely to be a more serious mood next month when Russell Martin's side kick off their Champions League quest against the Shamrock. The new gaffer will see his side host Pana on July 22-23 before the return in the Greek capital a week later. Novo has warned today's squad they can expect a red-hot reception at the 16,000-capacity Nikolaidis and it's notorious Gate 13 ultras section - and not just because of the expected 30 degree-plus conditions. He said: 'It was a loud atmosphere the night we played Panathinaikos, even though the ground isn't the biggest. The fans are right on top of you and make a lot of noise. 'I wouldn't say it was the most crazy atmosphere I experienced. That was at Red Star Belgrade, who we faced that season in the Champions League qualifiers. Their fans were so intimidating. But Panathinaikos was a tough place to go. 'It was a narrow pitch and the fans created a good atmosphere. But we never feared those places because we always took a lot of Rangers fans with us. We had our back-up with those guys behind us.' And Novo reckons Rangers will need that same passionate support this time round as they face the first of three qualifying hurdles that need to be crossed on the way to the league phase. He added: 'The new manager won't have much time to get his team ready for such a big game. But everybody needs to get behind Russell. 'He's a young manager and will want to do well at Ibrox. He has the hunger you need to succeed at a club like Rangers. Obviously he knows the demands you get at Ibrox because he served here for a short period as a player. 'It will be a tough game but these qualifiers are always tough. That's when you need to show a strong mentality on the pitch. But I think with everybody working together, we can get a positive result.'
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
Dundee United learn qualifying fate at UEFA Conference League draw
Dundee United have been drawn to face Una Strassen in their first Conference League qualifier. The Tannadice side enter the competition in the second qualifying round and as a seeded side they have been handed a favourable tie as they aim to progress in the tournament. Una Strassen qualified for Europe as runners-up of the Luxembourg National Division last season. The first leg will take place on July 24, with the return leg taking place seven days later. A fourth-place finish on their return to the Premiership puts one-time UEFA Cup finalists United in Europe for the first time since the 2022-23 season. They are now three ties away from League Phase football and Jim Goodwin will be hoping for a strong start to the season when they begin competitive football with their first European test. 🇪🇺 Back on the European stage#DUFC will go head-to-head with FC UNA Strassen in the Second Qualifying Round of the #UECL 🇱🇺 — Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) June 18, 2025 Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Panathinaikos profiled as Rangers face Champions League rivals with £30m-rated danger man and proud Scots record
Russell Martin's first competitive match as Light Blues boss will be against the Greek giants Rangers have never beaten Panathinaikos – yet their very name conjures up happy memories for Ibrox legions. That's because Walter Smith 's men progressed against the Greek giants during an unforgettable run to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester in 2008. Nacho Novo struck a late leveller after falling behind in Athens and, thanks to a goalless draw at Ibrox, progressed on away goals. Now Russell Martin will be looking for more of the same after being paired with the Greek Super League side in the second round of Champions League qualifying. Alex McLeish's men also faced the Greeks in the group stage of the competition 22 years ago. Brazilian Emerson gave them the lead but they were pegged back late on before a defeat in the Ibrox return. Here, Record Sport gets the lowdown from Alexandros Xenikakis, sports presenter with Greek TV station ANT1, as he answers some key questions How did Panathinaikos get on last season? They started the season really awful. Even though they managed to qualify for the main draw of the Conference League, the Shamrock had a really tough time domestically. That led them to change manager. Diego Alonso left, Rui Vitoria came. But with the Portuguese boss in charge, Panathinaikos's luck changed and they embarked on a 16-game unbeaten run. However, since the turn of the year, it's been another spell of ups and downs. But an important win away against AEK Athens in the final weeks of the season ensured they finished second behind Olympiacos to claim a place in the Champions League qualifiers. Not a great campaign but then not bad given how the season started. Who is the danger man Rangers will have to take care of? Panathinaikos's player of the year last term was Azzentin Ounahi but he has returned to Marseille after a year-long loan. That leaves Fotis Ioannidis as the man Rangers would have to be fearful of. He did not have the best of campaign's last year but the club captain has the quality to make the difference for Panathinaikos. Last summer, the club rejected bid close to 30million euros from Ipswich. There is still a possibility that he may get transferred during the summer window. Serbian international Filip Duricic attacking midfielder was their top league scorer and has played in England, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands before arriving in Greece. Tell us about the coach and his style of play? Portuguese gaffer Rui Vitoria is a former Benfica boss. His arrival last year proved to be the turning point that saved the season for Panathinaikos. When he arrived in Athens, the Greens were stirring eighth and going nowhere. But with Vitoria's leadership, they made an impressive comeback to finish runners up. As for his style, he does not have one specific philosophy. We have seen his Panathinaikos team playing a controlled and high-quality football, but also a times relying on a strong defence, with many players behind the ball. He is a good manager but he isn't focused on creating a stable team with one specific identity. Will Panathinaikos fancy their chances of beating Rangers? Panathinaikos have recorded some big results in Europe lately, knocking out Marseille and Lens. They also ran Ajax close in Amsterdam before being squeezed out on penalties. The club's approach to European competition means they respect all opponents but do not fear any team. Based on that I believed they will be confident of qualifying, but with the understanding that Rangers is a really good team who have also had some great results in Europe during the last few years. PREVIOUS MEETINGS: Rangers last faced the Greek side in 2008 when they met in the UEFA Cup, with the Light Blues winning on away goals. And they also played against each other in the Champions League group stage in 2003 with a draw in Athens and defeat for Rangers at Ibrox. INTERESTING FACT: Panathinaikos have played against Scottish clubs seven times - Rangers four times, Aberdeen once and Motherwell have never lost.
