I'm a Scottish football cult hero who rubbed shoulders with Yellowstone star and Ally McCoist in little-known movie

Scottish Sun

13-05-2025

Nobody would have guessed how big a star he would become
'NEVER PLAYED SOCCER' I'm a Scottish football cult hero who rubbed shoulders with Yellowstone star and Ally McCoist in little-known movie
IF you haven't seen A Shot at Glory, I suggest you rectify that now.
Ally McCoist, Robert Duvall, a US TV megastar and a host of Scottish football cult heroes? What more could you want?
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Robert Duvall in his role as Gordon McLeod, manager of Kilnockie in A Shot at Glory
Credit: United International Pictures
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Ally McCoist had a part in the film too, as an aging ex-Celtic hero!
Credit: United International Pictures
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A future TV megastar was also in the flick
Credit: United International Pictures
The film, released in the year 2002, was directed by Michael Corrente and had limited commercial and critical success at the time.
But it's since established itself as something of a fans' favourite, among those who know about it at least.
The movie follows the story of the fictional Kilnockie FC, who are managed by Duvall as the character of Gordon McLeod.
McCoist plays the part of a fictitious former CELTIC player, Jackie McQuillan, who signs for the club and proves to be quite the handful to manage.
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But the two men come together to lead the club on an improbable cup run in the midst of the looming threat of their American owner, played by Michael Keaton, who wants to relocate them to Ireland.
Throw in Succession star Brian Cox in the role of the manager of Rangers and a soundtrack by Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits, you'd think it was a winning formula.
But there was one inevitable problem - the young American star in the film had NO experience of playing football.
Owen Coyle did however, and he has opened up on rubbing shoulders what it was like filming alongside an actor who would go on to become a household names thanks to his appearance in the Yellowstone TV series.
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Cole Hauser, who plays the part of Rip in the Paramount drama, was cast as back-up goalkeeper Kelsey in the A Shot at Glory.
Cult hero Coyle told the Open Goal podcast about the scene where he was to make his big introduction.
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And he was on the receiving end of a cheeky quip from one of his co-stars during the scene.
Coyle said: "The experience was brilliant.
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"Obviously some of the people who were in it, Robert Duvall, Michael Keaton, Cole Hauser from Yellowstone.
"He was brilliant. He plays the young goalkeeper who was going to replace John Martin.
"He was to get injured and Cole Hauser was to come in. Kelsey his character was.
"But he'd never seen a football, never played soccer in his life.
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"Anyway, we were filming at Kilmarnock and there was a corner coming in and John was going to come and punch it, collide with somebody and get injured.
"And then Rip from Yellowstone would come in and be the goalkeeper."
The football scenes were all filmed with pros, mostly Airdrie players at the time, and Coyle was keen to make sure he got plenty of screen time.
So much so that, contrary to what he'd normally do at corner kicks, he decided he'd rush back to help out in defence.
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Coyle's old Airdrie team mate Sandy Stewart noticed this and was quick to point it out.
"'Whit you dain?"', I said 'I'm on the near post'.
"Sandy said 'You've never came back for corners in your life!'
"And I said 'Well I'm f****** back today!"
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Owen Coyle told the Open Goal podcast about his Hollywood experience
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Coyle (centre) was part of the Kilnockie team
Credit: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES
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Cole Hauser in one of his scenes with McCoist
Credit: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES
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Hauser as he looks today
Credit: Getty
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