Chiefs' USA star Johnson to bid farewell to Premiership
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Daily Record
7 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Freddy Adu reveals truth behind Celtic transfer interest and why 'America's Pele' never fancied Rangers
The former prodigy caught the eye in a game against the Hoops in 2007 during their pre-season tour of the States Freddy Adu is a name synonymous with millions of Football Manager players around the world - and one that Celtic fans of a certain age might remember too. The American made his debut in the MLS at the age of just 14 and was soon the talk of the town all over Europe, even spending time on trial at Manchester United. But while the man once dubbed as 'America's Pele' went onto win 17 caps for his country and make a few appearances for Lisbon giants Benfica, Adu infamously never fulfilled his potential, and retired aged 31 in 2021 after nomadic career that took him to several countries including Serbia, Finland and Sweden. Celtic were touted as a potential destination for the wonderkid back in 2007, with his agent even going as far as saying he planned to get in touch with the Parkhead club about Adu's talent during a Hoops' trip to the States for an MLS-All Stars friendly encounter that summer. A year earlier, a 16-year-old Adu had caught Celtic's attention when he found the net in a 4-0 friendly victory for D.C United against Gordon Strachan's team and says he remembers that goal all too well. Speaking exclusively to Record Sport via the home of slots, Adu recalled: "I remember scoring the goal, a really nice through-ball and I got on the end of it and was able to finish it. It was one of those games where I was able to show my different forms of skill and in turn create a lot of chances and get the first goal of the game! It was a fun time! "I had one of my better games that day! I thought we played some of the best soccer we've ever played as a team against Celtic. I remember that I was pumped up to play that game, and I played one of my best games I think, as 16 or 17 year old. "I remember I was juiced up to play that game because it's not every day you get a chance to play against one of the premier teams in Europe, which Celtic was at the time. Celtic is always a big name, and everybody knows Celtic, so I was really excited. "And I ended up having one of my better games, that game! And I do remember we beat pretty handsomely too, 4-0! That might have been the best game that we played that season, believe it or not!" Although his agent went public about wanting to speak to Celtic, Adu says no discussions about making the move across the pond ever took place. "No", he added. "The weird thing is that there were some rumblings, but it wasn't big enough for me to really get into it I guess. At that point, there were a lot of stories and whatnot about this team or that team, but it never really went anywhere, so I wasn't really aware of it to that extent, I guess." But the now 36-year-old insists he would have loved the chance to dazzle under the lights at Parkhead and reveals his preference over Celtic for bitter rivals Rangers, where former international teammates Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley both spent some time during their respective careers. He stated: "It would have probably been Celtic. Growing up between the two teams, I liked Celtic. I love (Henrik) Larsson, he was very good for them. That Celtic were really, really good in my childhood and I liked them. "I liked them more than I liked Rangers, for sure. And the funny thing is, DaMarcus Beasley did play for Rangers, and I remember Maurice Edu played for Rangers as well, and I remember telling Beasley one time: 'Rangers is cool and all, but Celtic all day, every day!'
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Event director Martyn Johnson is ensuring Defender Burghley Horse Trials are future-proofed
With just three weeks to go until the historic event kicks off on the grounds of Burghley House in Stamford, preparations are well under way for Martyn Johnson. Free weekly newsletter Join our weekly YourWorld newsletter for updates, behind-the-scenes insights from our editors and your chance to shape what's next. Free weekly 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... And as he prepares to welcome the elite equestrians to the world-renowned 5* equestrian event, there is plenty to look forward to with a refreshed course and many of the same hallmarks that make Burghley so special. 'The important thing is that we like to keep the event familiar for those who come each year but it's also about future-proofing the event,' explained Johnson. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Derek di Grazia has reversed the course this year and it'll be the first time since 2017 that it has gone in this direction. That will bring quite a different feel and different flavour. 'The course will come up in a different order to people that have been here in the last couple of years. A lot of our riders may have never been round the course in this direction. 'As with each year, it will present its different challenges. They're going to have to have enough left in the tank at the end to be able to get around inside the time.' The directional change means much of the taxing uphill sections on the cross country route will come at the end of the course, while riders will head down the iconic Winner's Avenue early on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In making the change, course setter Di Grazia is providing different challenges for the riders and horses to face while they will also compete in showjumping and dressage during the competition, with the winner crowned on their performance across all three disciplines. Meanwhile Johnson has been ensuring other staple elements of the spectator experience will be on a par with the world-class competition on display. 'The things that we do often relate to the existing audience and potential new audience and how they consume things,' he said. 'Sports presentation is really key to us, how we present the competition, but also more simple things like how good the food offering is, the queue to get in, the loos. They're all really important focuses for us so people have a good experience when they get here.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And while all the work continues behind the scenes to ensure the Defender Burghley Horse Trials keep delivering, Johnson maintains there is just something special about the event that runs through its very existence and makes it an occasion not to be missed. 'Burghley is very unique. It's got a real history with the first event going back to 1961. But I think what makes Burghley really special is the unique setting,' he explained. 'We're very lucky to be in a beautiful parkland with the backdrop of the house. It's a very unique place for cross-country and the terrain here is like no other terrain in the world. 'So it's a very special place to host an event of its type and we're very lucky custodians of it. 'There's lots of things to do here, you don't necessarily have to be an equestrian or an eventing fan, there are lots more exhibition stands here and lots of different food and drink offerings here. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'So it can be a real family day out here as well if you're not interested in horses, but obviously if you are then it is definitely the place to come.'
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Defender Burghley determined to 'future-proof' event for decades
Event Director Martyn Johnson is ensuring Defender Burghley Horse Trials are future-proofed while also ensuring they retain their familiar uniqueness. With just three weeks to go until the historic event kicks off on the grounds of Burghley House in Stamford, preparations are well under way for Johnson. And as he prepares to welcome the elite equestrians to the world-renowned 5* equestrian event, there is plenty to look forward to with a refreshed course and many of the same hallmarks that make Burghley so special. 'The important thing is that we like to keep the event familiar for those who come each year but it's also about future-proofing the event,' explained Johnson. 'Derek [di Grazia]'s reversed the course this year and it'll be the first time since 2017 that it has gone in this direction. That will bring quite a different feel and different flavour. 'The course will come up in a different order to people that have been here in the last couple of years. A lot of our riders may have never been round the course in this direction. 'As with each year, it will present its different challenges. They're going to have to have enough left in the tank at the end to be able to get around inside the time.' The directional change means much of the taxing uphill sections on the cross country route will come at the end of the course, while riders will head down the iconic Winner's Avenue early on. In making the change, course setter Di Grazia is providing different challenges for the riders and horses to face while they will also compete in showjumping and dressage during the competition, with the winner crowned on their performance across all three disciplines. Meanwhile Johnson has been ensuring other staple elements of the spectator experience will be on a par with the world-class competition on display. 'The things that we do often relate to the existing audience and potential new audience and how they consume things,' he said. 'Sports presentation is really key to us, how we present the competition, but also more simple things like how good the food offering is, the queue to get in, the loos. 'They're all really important focuses for us so people have a good experience when they get here.' And while all the work continues behind the scenes to ensure the Defender Burghley Horse Trials keep delivering, Johnson maintains there is just something special about the event that runs through its very existence and makes it an occasion not to be missed. 'Burghley is very unique. It's got a real history with the first event going back to 1961. But I think what makes Burghley really special is the unique setting,' he explained. 'We're very lucky to be in a beautiful parkland with the backdrop of the house. It's a very unique place for cross-country and the terrain here is like no other terrain in the world. 'So it's a very special place to host an event of its type and we're very lucky custodians of it. 'There's lots of things to do here, you don't necessarily have to be an equestrian or an eventing fan, there are lots more exhibition stands here and lots of different food and drink offerings here. 'So it can be a real family day out here as well if you're not interested in horses, but obviously if you are then it is definitely the place to come.' Defender Burghley Horse Trials (4-7 September 2025) has been a major international sporting and social event for over 50 years. It attracts the world's top equestrians and is attended by vast and enthusiastic crowds. For more information visit
