logo
Millar wants Blues to emulate Larne's European success

Millar wants Blues to emulate Larne's European success

BBC News5 hours ago

Linfield winger Kirk Millar says he wants his side to replicate Larne and reach the league phase of a European competition this season.The Irish Premiership champions have been drawn against Premier Division champions Shelbourne in the first round of Champions League qualifying.If they overcome Shels, the Blues will face Qarabag but if they lose, they will drop into the Conference League second round qualifying and will play the defeated side between FK Zalgiris of Lithuania and Hamrun Spartans of Malta.Millar has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell during his time with Linfield but is desperate to help them make history by reaching the league phase for the first time in Europe."It would be brilliant to do what Larne did last year, it is one of the things I want to do, I have won it all so it's a big thing and I'd love us to do it this year," he told BBC Sport NI.Ahead of the first leg at Tolka Park on Wednesday, 9 July, Linfield will face Dungannon Swifts in the Charity Shield on Friday, 4 July at Windsor Park.Millar believes the competitive fixture will aid preparations for their European campaign and the upcoming league season as Linfield face the Swifts in the first game of the campaign."I'm looking forward to getting a competitive game in before we have a big European game," he added."It's my first Charity Shield, I was injured for the last one and we have each other [Linfield and Dungannon] first game of the season so it's good to weigh each other up and see where we are at."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kevin De Bruyne 'held transfer talks with Liverpool' as Man City impact emerges
Kevin De Bruyne 'held transfer talks with Liverpool' as Man City impact emerges

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Kevin De Bruyne 'held transfer talks with Liverpool' as Man City impact emerges

Kevin De Bruyne has decided to join Napoli after ending his almost decade-long stint with Manchester City and is said to have spoken to Liverpool about his future earlier this year Kevin De Bruyne had a conversation with Liverpool before committing to Napoli this summer. The midfielder's contract was left to expire by Manchester City after the playmaker played a prominent role in the club's successes under Pep Guardiola. De Bruyne signed for City almost a decade ago in then club-record deal for £55million. The Belgian had indicated that he would like to stay at the club this summer, but the team's hierarchy ultimately decided his journey would come to a closer. ‌ That left De Bruyne in a position to consider his options, and while Napoli ultimately proved persuasive, the 33-year-old had alternative discussions. A 'short conversation' occurred with Liverpool, while Juventus enquired over a move and Inter Milan were unable to find space in their squad, as per the Athletic. ‌ But the choice came down to Chicago Fire and Napoli with the Serie A side winning out. And Manchester City may have even played a role in aiding De Bruyne's decision. It is reported that De Bruyne was in-part motivated to opt for Napoli in order to prove City wrong for letting him go. The Champions League and the opportunity to play under Antonio Conte were said to be decisive factors. De Bruyne noted earlier this year that he was 'surprised but I just have to accept it' after City made their decision. The veteran told the club he still had a lot to give but never received an offer. De Bruyne's move to Napoli was announced early in June as a picture of the Belgium international alongside Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis was posted. The Premier League legend included a short message to his new club: "Sono qui." That translates to 'I am here' in English. De Laurentiis also posted the photograph on his social media pages, along with the comment: "Benvenuto Kevin!" That translates into 'Welcome Kevin' in English. De Bruyne will hope to have as big an impact as Scott McTominay following his move to Napoli last summer. The Scotland international helped the club to Serie A glory and earned the accolade of being named the Italian top-flight's Player of the Year.

Cardiff draw Athlone in Women's Champions League
Cardiff draw Athlone in Women's Champions League

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Cardiff draw Athlone in Women's Champions League

Welsh double winners Cardiff City will take on Athlone Town in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Women's Champions Bluebirds will face the Irish side in a Group 5 semi-final on Wednesday, 30 July at a venue to be winners will face Croatian champions ZNK Agram in the group final on Saturday, 3 August to decide who progresses to the second round of March, Cardiff lifted the Adran Premier League title for a third successive season with victory against The New Saints. They then beat Wrexham 3-1 in April to secure a fourth successive Bute Energy Welsh Cup triumph. However, Iain Derbyshire's side have lost all seven matches they have played in the Champions League, without scoring a season they were eliminated 7-0 by FC Twente in Enschede, though Derbyshire said afterwards he was "so proud of the players" performance against the Dutch are currently top of the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division after an unbeaten start to their year, winning nine games and drawing one.

Brentford agree deal for set-piece coach Keith Andrews to step up as manager
Brentford agree deal for set-piece coach Keith Andrews to step up as manager

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Brentford agree deal for set-piece coach Keith Andrews to step up as manager

Brentford have agreed a deal with their set-piece coach Keith Andrews for the former Republic of Ireland midfielder to replace Thomas Frank as the manager. Andrews is understood to have impressed Brentford's hierarchy when interviewed for the role after Frank's departure for Tottenham. Frank's former assistant Justin Cochrane had been a candidate to step up before he follow Franked to Spurs. Brentford are believed to have considered a number of external candidates including Ipswich's Kieran McKenna and Francesco Farioli, who left Ajax last month. But Andrews, who was appointed by Brentford in July 2024 having been on the coaching staff with Sheffield United, Ireland and MK Dons, is poised to be handed his first senior managerial role. The 44-year-old's appointment would be a risk for Brentford, who are facing a fight to keep hold of last season's top scorer, Bryan Mbeumo, after Manchester United made an improved bid worth £60m for the Cameroon forward, for whom the owner, Matthew Benham, is thought to be holding out for £65m. But Andrews, who won 35 caps and served as Stephen Kenny's Ireland assistant between 2020 and 2023, would again represent continuity after Frank was promoted from his role as an assistant to replace Dean Smith in 2018. Frank had managed Brøndby for almost three years and Denmark youth teams before joining Brentford. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Damien Duff has been linked with a role as an assistant to Andrews, a former Ireland teammate, after his shock departure from the Irish champions Shelbourne this week, although Brentford and Duff have distanced themselves from those reports.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store