Latest news with #ex-Ibrox
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Dubai-based gangster Ross McGill was a ‘promising athlete' coached by Tory MSP
McGill quit track sport after one appearance for his country when he was 17 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DRUGS mob boss Ross McGill was a teen 100m ace who ran for Scotland, we can reveal. The hood, 31, who kicked off the country's bloody gangland turf war, was coached at Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, by ex-Olympian Brian Whittle, 61, now a Tory MSP. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Mob boss Ross McGill was a teen 100m ace who ran for Scotland 3 The hood, 31, was coached at Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire by ex-Olympian Brian Whittle, now a Tory MSP Credit: Alamy 3 BRAZEN mobsters have torched the cars of rival gang members But we can reveal McGill quit track sport after one appearance for his country when he was 17 — and is now a feared hood known as 'Miami' who sparked a bloody underworld turf war. McGill, 31, of East Kilbride, changed tack to get involved in drugs deals and mayhem more than a decade after he ran for Renfrewshire athletics club Kilbarchan. He set a highly impressive personal best time for 100m of just over 11 seconds while being trained by the former Team GB ace Mr Whittle. The MSP for South Scotland since 2016 said of McGill: 'I remember him as a decent athlete in his mid-teens with potential. 'But he did not stay in the training group for long.' We can reveal an image of a fresh-faced McGill wearing a Scotland vest at a meet in Antrim, Northern Ireland. A source said: 'He came second in the 100m at the Celtic games on August 13, 2011. 'He only represented Kilbarchan AC for one year then disappeared. It was very odd because at the time he seemed like he was going to be a really successful athlete. 'But people who knew him remember he did seem a lot more interested in Rangers than track and field.' McGill, exposed by us as the gang war Mr Big, went on to lead the Union Bears Rangers ultras and was pictured with ex-Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard. The INSIDE story of Scotland's biggest gangster - Jamie 'The Iceman' Stevenson He is said to be behind a mob called Tamo Junto who have been waging war against caged Edinburgh kingpin Mark Richardson, 38, and the notorious Daniel crime family. Insiders say dealers paid McGill in fake cash for a £500,000 cocaine deal after seeing him as 'a nobody'. Tamo Junto has claimed responsibility for firebombings and machete attacks in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Cops have made 48 arrests so far. Mr Whittle won 4x400m relay gold at two European Championships and competed at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club namecheck iconic Rangers Europa League moment as they reveal big signing
It was certainly a unique way to tease the news Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN SPFL club have incorporated footage of an iconic Rangers goal into a signing tease, briefly leaving some fans perplexed. The Gers' Europa League moment is fondly remembered by fans, but few would have thought it would be used in this way. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Mick Kennedy's East Kilbride are SPFL League Two's newest side Credit: Michael Schofield 3 The club bizarrely teased a signing with a clip of John Lundstram's iconic goal for Rangers against RB Leipzig Credit: Willie Vass 3 It saw them through to the Europa League final Credit: EPA East Kilbride FC have been steadily on the rise for a number of years, having just broken into the pyramid to play in League Two next season. Mick Kennedy and Si Ferry's men defeated Bonnyrigg Rose in the playoff final to make it into the SPFL for the first time in the young outfit's short history. Ahead of the huge campaign the transfer business is already well underway. Ex-Kelty Hearts and Partick Thistle midfielder James Lyon, East Fife's Jack Healy, and star of Edinburgh City and Love Island Ouzy See have signed up. They also snapped up 6ft 4in Slovakian centre half Erik Sula who was most recently at Stirling Albion. But the latest signing is very different and EKFC had some thinking they'd pulled off a massive coup to sign ex-Ibrox star John Lundstram! They posted a clip on social media of the Englishman's goal which completed a stunning European comeback against German side RB Leipzig back in May 2022. The 3-2 victory on aggregate saw them through to the final of the competition in which they were defeated by Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties. The video - shared with the classic signing teaser caption of eyes and pen emojis - had supporters saying 'no chance surely' and 'I don't understand'. But it was all made clear soon after as the club confirmed that commentator Callum Patterson is returning to K-Park. Mick Kennedy & Si Ferry in dreamland as play-off win sparks wild pitch invasion as East Kilbride plot rise through SPFL His voice can be heard in the Rangers clip describing the moment: "Keeper's made a mess of this, oh and it's going to go in, it's Lundstram! "And Rangers have got a third goal, they're back in front in the tie! "John Lundstram slides his knees into the corner, into the fans!" EKFC said in their post they're 'thrilled' to welcome him back to commentary duties for match highlights, bringing a 'wealth of experience' with him. One replied that it was the 'strangest announcement I've seen', while another commented: "Teaser video for a commentator, Scottish football never change." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ex-Rangers man to land new role at promotion chasing EFL club following 200-day exile
The ex-Rangers coach is expected to join the EFL Championship promotion chasers. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Rangers first team coach Harry Watling is set to return to football following a 200-day absence after reports claimed he was close to being named as the new assistant boss of EFL Championship promotion chasers Middlesbrough. The Teesside outfit are close to naming former Luton Town head coach Rob Edwards as their new manager following the departure of Michael Carrick last month, and the 42-year-old is expected to to link up with the former Rangers man at the Riverside Stadium as he begins to build his backroom team. Watling will likely be joined by Richie Kyle and Paul Trollope, with the pair having worked with Edwards previously at Luton. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The 35-year-old English coach spent almost one year as first team coach at Rangers, joining the Glasgow giants as part of Michael Beale's backroom team in October 2023, but departed the club alongside the ex-Ibrox boss following a dismal 3-1 home defeat to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership. 'You understand the demands before you take the job,' commented Watling, following his departure from Govan. 'You understand the jeopardy of what it looks like to work at a club as big as Rangers. You understand the demands before you take the job. You have to win. Harry Watling watches on from the Rangers dugout, alongside ex-boss Michael Beale and his coaching staff. 'When you have the turnover of players that we did in that pre-season, it's going to take time to click and we did everything on and off the pitch to try and make that happen. It was a case of introducing a lot of international players to Glasgow. Making sure that they're happy with their accommodation, they're happy with the timing of their partners coming over.' Following his departure from Ibrox, Watling was appointed as manager of English non-league outfit Ebbsfleet United in September 2024. During his time in charge of the club, he signed 10 new players, but was unable to change the team's fortunes, with his time at Stonebridge Road far from successful. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ex-Ibrox man left the club via mutual consent after less than three months in the role, following a poor run of results that saw the Northfleet side win just three of his 18 games in charge of the club. With the club bottom of the National League table and 11 points from safety, Watling was replaced by Josh Wright, though he was unable to halt the club's relegation to the sixth tier of English football.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers swap deal mooted for in-demand hitman as EPL sides quoted 'high price' for 16-goal star
Rangers are said to have set a 'high price' for their in-demand hitman. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers have told interested clubs they will demand a 'high price' for star striker Hamza Igamane this summer, according to reports in France. The Moroccan international has courted interest from the English Premier League for a number of months, with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton both linked to the 22-year-old during the January transfer window. That interest does not appear to have subsided in the post-season either, with reports in Europe claiming clubs are circling for the Rangers hitman. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A £2million signing from AS Far last summer, Igamane had an impressive debut campaign in Glasgow, scoring 16 goals in all competitions - including a memorable late winner in a 3-2 win over rivals Celtic in March. Capable of playing as a main striker, or on the left-hand side of a front three, the youngster had adapted well to the Scottish Premiership, and has shown his goal scoring instincts in Europe too, scoring four times during the club's Europa League campaign last season. Rangers striker Hamza Igamane has transfer interest from the English Premier League. | SNS Group His form has led to a trio of English top flight clubs being linked to a potential transfer ahead of the new season, though Rangers hold all the cards due to Igamane still having four years to run on his current deal at Ibrox. As interest in the player grows, new reports claim it will take a 'high price' for the club to even considering selling the Moroccan. 'Three teams looking for a number 9 are very interested in Igamane,' claim Footmercato. 'West Ham, who are eyeing a striker, have set their sights on Lucas Stassin (ASSE) as well as the Moroccan striker (Igamane), who the Hammers are very fond of. The same goes for Everton, who are looking to bring fresh blood to their attack, as neither Beto, nor Armando Broja, nor Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose contract expires in June 2025, have been satisfactory. 'As for Brentford, the situation is similar, with their attack too reliant on the Wissa-Mbeumo duo. The latter is reportedly leaving for Manchester United or Arsenal. However, for all suitors, it will be necessary to pay a high price to convince Rangers to sell Igamane.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, one potential option that could tempt Rangers to sell would be if Everton included ex-Ibrox academy product Nathan Patterson in a swap deal, according to a new report. LiverpoolWorld say that Patterson 'would relish the chance to return to Rangers and the club he supports but this time as the first choice with [James] Tavernier as his back up.' The Toffees have also been linked to Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande.
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers swap deal mooted for in-demand hitman as clubs quoted 'high price' for 16-goal ace
Rangers are said to have set a 'high price' for their in-demand hitman. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Rangers have told interested clubs they will demand a 'high price' for star striker Hamza Igamane this summer, according to reports in France. The Moroccan international has courted interest from the English Premier League for a number of months, with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton both linked to the 22-year-old during the January transfer window. That interest does not appear to have subsided in the post-season either, with reports in Europe claiming clubs are circling for the Rangers hitman. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A £2million signing from AS Far last summer, Igamane had an impressive debut campaign in Glasgow, scoring 16 goals in all competitions - including a memorable late winner in a 3-2 win over rivals Celtic in March. Capable of playing as a main striker, or on the left-hand side of a front three, the youngster had adapted well to the Scottish Premiership, and has shown his goal scoring instincts in Europe too, scoring four times during the club's Europa League campaign last season. Rangers striker Hamza Igamane has transfer interest from the English Premier League. | SNS Group His form has led to a trio of English top flight clubs being linked to a potential transfer ahead of the new season, though Rangers hold all the cards due to Igamane still having four years to run on his current deal at Ibrox. As interest in the player grows, new reports claim it will take a 'high price' for the club to even considering selling the Moroccan. 'Three teams looking for a number 9 are very interested in Igamane,' claim Footmercato. 'West Ham, who are eyeing a striker, have set their sights on Lucas Stassin (ASSE) as well as the Moroccan striker (Igamane), who the Hammers are very fond of. The same goes for Everton, who are looking to bring fresh blood to their attack, as neither Beto, nor Armando Broja, nor Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose contract expires in June 2025, have been satisfactory. 'As for Brentford, the situation is similar, with their attack too reliant on the Wissa-Mbeumo duo. The latter is reportedly leaving for Manchester United or Arsenal. However, for all suitors, it will be necessary to pay a high price to convince Rangers to sell Igamane.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, one potential option that could tempt Rangers to sell would be if Everton included ex-Ibrox academy product Nathan Patterson in a swap deal, according to a new report. LiverpoolWorld say that Patterson 'would relish the chance to return to Rangers and the club he supports but this time as the first choice with [James] Tavernier as his back up.' The Toffees have also been linked to Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande.
