Prolific striker Hardy leaves Rangers for Bristol City
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Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Discrimination in football reached record high during 2024-25 season, damning Kick It Out report reveals
Kick It Out received almost 1,400 reports of discrimination during the 2024-25 season, the anti-discrimination charity has revealed. There were 1,398 reports of abuse, which is a new record high, up from 1,332 in the 2023-24 campaign. The data shows a rise in sexism, transphobia, and faith-based abuse, with racism remaining the most reported form of discrimination. There was a big spike in sexism and misogyny, with the number of complaints rising by 67 per cent, with a rise also in youth football. Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor said: 'These figures show that discrimination remains deeply embedded across the game, but the rise in abuse in youth football should be a wake-up call. 'No one should be facing hostility simply for taking part. 'What we're seeing now is that fans aren't just reporting abuse, they're demanding action. There's been a clear shift this season in how people are calling out sexist behaviour, both online and in stadiums, and asking football to treat it as seriously as any other form of hate.' 'At the same time, it's clear that online platforms are still falling short. The volume of abuse remains high, and too often, those responsible face no consequences. 'Fans are doing their part by speaking up. It's now up to football authorities, tech companies and government to show they're listening, and to act.'
Scotsman
9 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Russell Martin addresses his Rangers changes, Matt Gill's key intervention and John Souttar's expiring contract
Rangers head coach has say on 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen 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 manager Russell Martin had no hesitation about praising his players following an emphatic 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen that leaves the Ibrox side well placed to contemplate a Champions League play-off round tie against Club Brugge or Red Bull Salzburg. They do still have a second leg to negotiate in Czech Republic next week and Martin stressed that nothing had been secured although Rangers proved that the manager's criticism following the weekend's draw with Motherwell had been a necessary intervention. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was left enthusing about the energy and described Lyall Cameron – one of the few to escape censure on Saturday night – as setting the tone for the evening with his energy. He also lauded new signing Oliver Antman, who like Cameron made his full debut although in his case it was just 48 hours after signing from Go Ahead Eagles. Antman enjoyed a fine performance, which included an assist for Rangers' third goal from Djeidi Gassama. Rangers head coach Russell Martin at full time after the 3-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group But Martin knew he could not escape being questioned about his big personnel decisions, which included dropping skipper James Tavernier. The right-back made an appearance late in the second half, when it was already 3-0. Nico Raskin was another high-profile casualty who also made an appearance off the bench. 'He (Tavernier) was great, as were all the lads,' reported Martin. 'I said my piece, if they have a piece to say then it's really respectful and honest. The way he played when he came on tells you everything you need to know. There's been no problem and I don't envisage any going forward.' Souttar's contract situation John Souttar wore the armband until Tavernier's introduction, with 16 minutes left. The centre-half is out of contract at the end of the season and Martin wants him to stay. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I think John has real leadership qualities and he can definitely step into that,' he said. 'But you have a few other guys who can do that. But I chose John because I believe he has the respect of everyone in the dressing room. 'He's played really well for us already and showed real willingness to do what we're asking him to do. He's a man and we have quite a young group on the whole. It was an important choice for us tonight and he did brilliantly, and if he does it again, he'll keep getting better.' On the matter of his future, he added: 'It will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. I'll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it's not my job to sort that stuff out.' Rangers captain James Tavernier and head coach Russell Martin at full-time after the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Martin was happier to expand on the game he had just watched and applauded Cameron, who lasted 73 minutes on his first competitive Rangers start and caught the eye. 'Lyall was fantastic,' he said. 'His energy helped the team a lot and he did exactly what we asked him to do. He showed real moments of quality and his willingness to run for the team selflessly was immense. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm really pleased with him because we've made a lot of signings and he's probably gone under the radar a little bit. But he's desperate to learn and do well. He has a lot of attributes and I've been really impressed with him. He'll help us.' 'Most complete' team performance yet Antman was also extremely lively in what Martin described as the 'most complete' team performance under him so far. The manager made a point of noting his assistant Matt Gill's contribution when it came to the new winger, who was forced to take on a lot of information on the eve of the match having only just joined. 'Gilly sat down with Olly at half-time - he'd been battered with video stuff after a long 48 hours,' Martin said. 'In the first half he wanted a lot of touches but in the second, he was devastating with so many runs in behind. That's what Gilly showed him and that's the process we're in. I'm really pleased with him because we've picked out some bits and he's taken it into the game.'
Daily Record
9 minutes ago
- Daily Record
How Tavernier and Raskin reacted to bad Rangers news says 'everything' as Russell Martin offers peek inside tough chats
Martin made the call to drop the usually key duo but it paid off with a 3-0 victory Russell Martin says James Tavernier and Nico Raskin still have a future at Rangers - despite dropping the big-name duo for their Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen. The Ibrox boss made a huge call by leaving out his skipper and star midfielder for the impressive 3-0 win over the Czechs. Djeidi Gassama 's double and a Cyriel Dessers penalty put Rangers in the driving seat ahead of the second leg next week. While Tavernier and Raskin were left kicking their heels on the bench, Martin's men produced their best display under him so far. He admits it was tough to leave out the captain and Belgian international - but is adamant they still have a part to play at the club. Martin said: 'I don't like the word dropped. 'You don't get dropped from the team, we're going to need everyone. 'It's not easy to drop anyone, especially players who have been really important to this team. But as the head coach you have to do what you think is the best for the team to win on the night. 'There's a tendency to make it a big thing and it's not at all. We won't go with the same 11 every week so everyone will need to be ready. 'After Saturday at Motherwell, I realised the team needed something a bit different and I had made my mind up. 'The guys trained like beasts on Sunday morning and tomorrow the guys not in the team will need to do the same. 'We need to live there all the time. No one person is harder than another in terms of the conversation. 'It's not easy when you care about the players and you want them to do well. But I'm always honest with them on why they're coming out. They don't have to agree but hopefully they respect a bit of honesty. 'Their reaction said everything when they came on the pitch. Did it feel like making big decisions? No, I don't see it like that. 'I judge every moment now. We spoke about everyone having a clean slate so what went on before, I had no control over. 'So it doesn't hold a lot of weight right now. In football there's a tendency to look back but we need to be judged on now. It's not personal, it's about what was best for us tonight.' Tavernier has been a virtual ever-present since signing for Rangers a decade ago. The skipper was left out sporadically for a spell last season under ex-gaffer Philippe Clement but re-established himself in the side and started this term under Martin. But Max Aarons was restored to right-back last night, with Jefte back in the team on the left. Martin said: 'Tav was great [as were] all the lads. I said my piece, if they have a piece to say then it's really respectful and honest. The way he played when he came on tells you everything you need to know. 'There's been no problem and I don't envisage any going forward.' John Souttar was given the captain's armband in Tavernier's absence and Martin was full of praise for the Scotland centre-back. He only has a year left on his current Ibrox contract and Martin hinted that he wants the club to get him tied down on a new long-term deal. He said: 'John knows how I feel about him. Kevin Thelwell and the gang know how I feel about him. 'He's been great and I think he's going to be really important for us. But on the contract front, it will be dictated by John, his agent and the hierarchy here. 'I'll keep giving my opinion, for sure, but it's not my job to sort that stuff out.' Rangers' 3-0 victory over Plzen gives them a great chance of progressing to the play-off round of the Champions League where they'll meet either Club Brugge or Red Bull Salzburg. But first Martin needs three Premiership points against Dundee at Ibrox this weekend. He said: 'Saturday now needs to be the focus. We have to replicate the energy and intensity we played with tonight and brush up on some bits. 'We need to try and make sure we put in a performance that builds on this one. I really enjoyed it and I'm proud of the guys.'
