Rangers Covid rebels reunite 5 years on from wild rule-breaking party as ex-Gers ace aims brutal dig at Nicola Sturgeon
A FORMER Gers player has taken to social media to poke fun at the ex-First Minister, referencing a punishment he faced while at the club.
Jordan Jones posted a recent photo with fellow ex-Rangers man George Edmundson and attached a number of news headlines about the pair's 2020 Covid breach.
5
Former Gers star Jordan Jones shared this snap of himself and George Edmundson
Credit: Instagram / @jordanjones45
5
It was followed by this pic of Nicola Sturgeon
Credit: Instagram / @jordanjones45
5
The former First Minister has been cleared of all charges
Credit: Getty
The snap was followed by one of Nicola Sturgeon - leader of the country at that time - when she was arrested in an SNP finance probe two years ago.
She has since had the charges against her dropped.
The Ibrox duo were found to have attended a house party during a pandemic lockdown as images showed them in the drink-laden flat before police intervened in the early hours.
They were fined by cops and punished internally by the club by way of a suspension.
The SFA also came down hard on the pair as they ended up slapped with a seven-match ban.
Neither of them played for Rangers again.
Jones, now of Carlisle United and formerly of Kilmarnock, moved on loan to Sunderland shortly after the incident then permanently to Wigan in the summer.
Edmundson was loaned to Derby then punted to Ipswich before eventually ending up at Middlesborough.
Before their exits pundit and Ibrox hero Kris Boyd suspected their time was up, whilst current interim manager Barry Ferguson said he was disappointed but personally wouldn't have sacked them.
Jones' gripe with John Swinney's old boss Sturgeon - as seen in his social media post - stems from her reaction to the incident.
Nicola Sturgeon announces release date for her memoirs as she reveals book title
She said: 'It's taking all my power not to use expletives whenever I get asked about football.
"I've not been given all the details of the Rangers incident yet. I know the club has said they are investigating.
'It's unfair to the vast majority who don't have the privileges elite sportspeople have right now.
'When they see them breach these rules, people think, 'Why am I bothering?'
'So I say to football, and sport generally, please make sure your house is in order.
'It shouldn't take me to say to highly paid footballers, 'You have to obey the rules'.
'Whenever football rears its head I get emails from people suggesting I'm in favour of, or against, one team or the other. That's not true.
'I don't care if it's Celtic, Rangers or any other club — if you're breaching the rules, you're in the wrong.'
Sturgeon and then-husband Peter Murrell's grilling over party finances came years after the so-called 'Covidiot' scandal, and she has since spoken out about how it felt to have that hanging over her despite no wrongdoing being found on her part.
5
Jones now plays in England after a recent spell at Kilmarnock
Credit: PA
5
Edmundson is a regular at Middlesborough
Credit: PA
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
35 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Philip Barbaree and his incredible US Open story straight out a movie as he tells all about extra special caddie
Barbaree Jr was still savouring the moment to remember for a lifetime Proud Philip Barbaree Jr admits it has been special to sail through at the US Open with his wife Chloe as the caddie. The duo shared an embrace on the final green on Saturday morning when, having had to sleep overnight knowing he needed a final-hole par upon resumption with Friday halted due to bad weather, hubby survived the nerve-shredding situation to get through to the weekend. Barbaree Jr was still savouring the moment through his third round 75 and beamed afterwards at the achievement of the second-round moment which sealed his spot alongside the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy for the final 36 holes. He said: 'Probably a lot of pent-up emotion and stress from sleeping last night or not sleeping last night, just knowing that I pretty much had to come out and make par on one of the hardest holes on the course and then to actually do it, that's what you practice for, that's what you care about. To be able to pull off a shot like that when it matters and then with her on the bag, it's special. 'She's been caddying for about a year now on the bag and it's been awesome. At first it just started as: Will you just caddie for me just for a couple days, I don't have a caddie. Then started playing well. I pretty much made her stick around. I forced her to stick around. She actually enjoys it, but it's great.' Chloe is delighted to do her bit and said: 'I love it. I always tell him I'm honored that he chooses me as his caddie because I know that's a big role to fill. But I think it just works because I'm there for moral support, whatever he needs. I'm not pushy. I don't know all the facts, so I'm really there for moral support. 'He thinks that I bring a different perspective since I don't have a golf background, I don't play golf, so I see things that maybe others wouldn't see and point it out to him, and it just works. 'Usually my advice that I give him is to not overthink and be confident because I know that he knows what he's doing and when he's confident, he plays the best. So I just say, be confident in your decisions. You know you best. Just play your own game and have fun.' Barbaree Jr agreed: 'I don't like a lot of information. I'll start thinking way too much. I'll start talking it through with the caddie and just get out of my own head. I'll just do my own thing and for her to be there for support and for her to give me good words whenever I need it or whatever it might be or just to have her there provides some ease and comfort. A really good team. 'Usually she doesn't let me look at the leaderboards and I try not to, but I saw where the cut was on an Instagram post last night and I just told her: I know where I stand and now it just got a lot harder, so help me deal with it. Talked it through and just kind of tried to change my perspective that we're here. No matter what happens, it's been a great week. Fortunately it worked out this time.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Charai 'emerges as favourite' for head coach job after Rangers exit
The former Rangers assistant's contract was mutually terminated following Russell Martin's appointment. Charai could soon be back on the touchline, with Belgian club Westerlo reportedly interested in him. Timmy Simons, appointed last year, is in doubt of his position at Westerlo, and journalist David Van der Broeck claims Charai is the top contender to replace him. Charai expressed gratitude to Rangers upon his departure. He told the club's website: "As I leave Rangers, I want to thank everyone at the club for their support during my time here. "This is a really special club, and as it enters a new era, I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for what comes next." He also thanked the fans, saying: "Above all, I want to thank the Rangers supporters for their amazing backing across the period. "We had some high moments and some low moments, but their support was the constant. "It is something I will always remember and be forever grateful for." Rangers issued a statement confirming Charai's departure. It read: "Rangers can today confirm the departure of Issame Charai from the men's first-team coaching staff. "Charai, who joined the club in January to assist Philippe Clement, remained on the coaching staff through Barry Ferguson's spell in charge. "However, following the appointment of Russell Martin as head coach, it has been mutually agreed for Charai to move on with the best wishes of everyone at Rangers."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to ‘quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to 'quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats Alex Scott will host Soccer Aid alongside Dermot O'Leary, but from her love-life to a possible move to the USA, how much do you really know about the ex-Arsenal player-turned-BBC star? Alex Scott and Jess Glynne (Image: PA ) Former Arsenal Women's footballer-turned-TV presenter Alex Scott is a familiar face to many in the UK. From the football pitch to the media glare, her transition has been smooth. On Sunday evening, Scott will co-host Soccer Aid with Dermot O'Leary on ITV1, adding to her impressive roster of presenting gigs which includes Final Score, Match of the Day, Football Focus and The One Show. The 40-year-old made her mark playing for the Gunners, Birmingham City and Boston Breakers in the NWSL – as well as earning 140 caps for England. However, her journey from footballer to television personality hasn't been without its challenges. We delve into Scott's personal life, her struggles at the BBC, a possible move to the US, and a harrowing incident involving a kidnapping in Russia. Missing out on Match of the Day and USA plans A disappointing moment in Scott's burgeoning media career came last year when she was passed over for the Match of the Day role. Gary Lineker stepped down from the iconic show after a 25-year tenure, and Scott was reportedly a leading contender to replace him, with BBC bosses keen to take a new direction. However, the job ultimately went to the seasoned trio of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, who will now share presenting duties. Article continues below There were also rumours that Scott planned to move to the USA with her partner, Jess Glynne, to explore further opportunities in her field, following a difficult period with the BBC that came to light last October. Scott shared her pride at Football Focus viewing figures in 2023 (Image: Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images ) The Sun reported that Scott was 'hurt' following a drop in ratings for Football Focus, which she presents, coupled with a perceived lack of support from BBC executives. She had previously addressed rumours regarding the decline in viewership on X in September 2023, insisting that the numbers were strong. But fast forward a year, and a source in October 2024 said: "Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. "The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures." As for her plans with Gylnne, the source revealed they were "contemplating a move to America." Yet as it stands, Scott is staying put in Britain for now, ready to take centre stage on ITV1's Soccer Aid event come Sunday evening. Jess Glynne relationship and love-life Since the summer of 2023, Scott and 'Rather Be' singer Glynne have been romantically an item. Initially keeping their relationship under wraps, Scott eventually confirmed their status as a couple through social media posts, reports the Mirror. She has also expressed her desire to start a family with Glynne. However, finding love wasn't straightforward for the star. Alex has been dating singer Jess Glynne since 2023 (Image: Ian West/PA Wire ) She credits Glynne, 35, with helping her overcome her fear of forming close relationships – a fear she attributes to her childhood experiences with her father, Tony, who has refuted these claims about his parenting. "We weren't allowed to express emotion," Scott said to The Times in June 2024. "Dad didn't allow us to hug each other or say, 'I love you.' It had a huge impact on us all. "I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like... {rigid]. She was like, 'Are you not going to put your arms around me?' But I didn't know how to do that." Scott has previously been open about her past romance with fellow England and Arsenal footballer Kelly Smith, with whom she shared an eight-year relationship before parting ways in 2013. In her autobiography, How (Not) To Be Strong, Scott revealed she was "madly and deeply in love" with Smith. Acid attack warning and death threats Scott has been forthright about the darker side of celebrity life. She recounted her experience with serious threats, including one involving an acid attack. "There are negatives to fame. I've had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats," she told The Times. "People were saying, 'She's only on TV because she's black, female and younger. She's just ticking boxes.' I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face." Alex Scott and Kelly Smith (R) ended their relationship in 2013 (Image: David Price ) However, a harrowing incident occurred while Scott was covering the World Cup in Moscow for the BBC in 2018. In her memoir, she recounts being kidnapped by an Uber driver, turning what should have been a routine 15-minute journey into a terrifying ordeal. Article continues below After the driver chillingly threatened, "Girls like you, I kill", Scott's quick thinking led her to claim a friendship with Vladimir Putin, having met the Russian president earlier on her trip. She warned the driver: "If I don't see Putin tomorrow, he will find you," – a statement that seemingly saved her, as the driver subsequently dropped her off at her destination.
