Graeme Souness rips into 'chancer' Farage as he backs Labour in Hamilton by-election
EXCLUSIVE: In a withering attack on the Reform UK leader, the Rangers legend said Farage will "show up for the cameras, then disappear when it matters".
Graeme Souness has blasted Nigel Farage as a 'chancer' who does not care about Scots in a dramatic intervention in a Holyrood by-election.
The Rangers legend dismissed the Reform UK leader as someone who vanishes 'when it matters' as he backed Labour candidate Davy Russell in tomorrow's crunch vote.
Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are poised to elect their new MSP after one of the most bitter snap elections in decades.
The SNP, Labour and Reform are locked in a three-horse race, with Farage's party accused of racism during the campaign.
Souness, a former Rangers manager who is hugely popular in Larkhall, has now issued his verdict on the contest.
He said: 'Don't fall for Farage, he's a chancer — all talk, and he doesn't care about us. He'll show up for the cameras, then disappear when it matters.
' Davy Russell is different. He's one of your own, a local man that knows what it's like to graft, to face challenges head-on, and to stand up for his community.
'Vote for someone who knows you and will stand up for you - Davy Russell.
Souness, who starred for Liverpool and Scotland during an illustrious playing career, is adored by Rangers fans after a successful spell in charge between 1986 and 1991.
He is now a football pundit known for his sharp takes on top flight players and teams.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar welcomed the endorsement: 'I'd like to thank Graeme Souness for his support. He couldn't be more right, Nigel Farage is a dangerous clown and the people of Scotland see right through him.
'With just two parties campaigning to win, the contest is a straight fight between continued decline under the SNP – or change with Scottish Labour. Tomorrow is a chance to put this failing SNP government on notice and elect a local champion – let's seize that opportunity.'
Souness ' criticism of Farage comes after fellow football legend Sir Alex Ferguson also backed Russell.
He told the Record earlier in the campaign: 'I've known Davy Russell for years, and I can say without hesitation that he's a man of integrity, determination, and deep commitment to his community.
'He's from here, he understands the people, and he never forgets where he comes from. Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse need someone who'll fight their corner — and Davy is that person.
'I'm proud to support him and know he'll work tirelessly for the place he calls home.'
Reform UK's campaign has been dogged by claims of racism against Sarwar.
The anti-immigration party put out an online advert which falsely claimed the Glasgow MSP had said he will 'prioritise' Pakistani community.
Sarwar blasted the ad as 'blatantly racist' but Farage doubled down and accused him of introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics.
Reform also piled more money into the Facebook ad, with spending jumping from around £8,000 to nearly £25,000.
On the final day of campaigning, Sarwar said his party had faced a campaign of 'misinformation and dirt' from opponents, saying only Labour or the SNP can win the seat.
He posed for pictures with Russell alongside supporters holding up signs saying: 'A local champion vs more failure with the SNP.'
He said: 'We have focused on the issues that matter here in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. I think it's for other parties to explain why they've chosen the campaign tactics they have.
' Reform have chosen a campaign of dirt and smear, the SNP have lacked all ambition, the best they can offer is 'vote SNP to stop Farage'.'
Sarwar said Farage is a 'pathetic, poisonous little man', adding: 'Frankly, it's water off a duck's back, because I'm fighting to change our country, he wants to divide it.'
Meanwhile, SNP First Minister John Swinney said he is 'confident we have done all that we can' to secure victory for party candidate Katy Loudon.
He said: 'People face a simple choice in this by-election. They can either vote for the SNP – elect an SNP MSP – or they will end up with a Reform MSP. That's the simple choice.
'People have got to vote SNP to stop Farage and they can vote SNP for the various other steps that we take, our policies on eradicating child poverty, about supporting families in dealing with the cost-of-living crisis.'
He said Farage wants to 'undermine the Scottish Parliament' by scrapping the Barnett Formula, which gives Scots a sizeable public spending advantage.
The by-election is taking place following the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie, with Swinney saying his party is 'working hard to retain the seat in Christina's memory'.
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