Decorated Linfield star reveals the feat he is still longing to achieve
The midfielder, who will turn 39 in July, almost achieved his ambition three years ago when David Healy's team came within a kick of the ball from reaching the group phase of the UEFA Conference League, only to concede a goal in added time before agonisingly losing out in a penalty shoot-out to Latvian opponents RFS.
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Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Rangers star and glam Wag spotted at popular Glasgow restaurant after Light Blues' huge Champions League triumph
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS enjoyed a night to remember as they brushed aside Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night. And one Ibrox ace who was part of the squad enjoyed an evening at a popular Glasgow restaurant to celebrate. 5 Oscar Cortes in action for Rangers agains tMIddlesbrough Credit: Willie Vass 5 Cortes and stunning partner Isabel enjoyed a night out Credit: INSTAGRAM/@ISABELCAAICEDO 5 They headed for a popular Glasgow spot Credit: INSTAGRAM/@ISABELCAAICEDO Rangers already have one foot in the Champions League play-off round after the 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen in the first leg. Djeidi Gassama fired a double, striking either side of a Cyriel Dessers penalty, as the Gers secured a commanding advantage before going to the Czech Republic next week. A play-off clash against either Red Bull Salzburg or Club Brugge awaits, with a place in the Champions League league phase and the riches that come with it the prize for the victor. It's advantage Brugge after the first leg after they left Austria with a 1-0 win. Gassama has scored four goals in three European games for the Gers since arriving from Sheffield Wednesday while Oliver Antman enjoyed a superb debut against Plzen. Those new recruits have pushed Oscar Cortes further down the pecking order. The Colombian winger, 21, was an unused substitute for the clash with the Czech side and his only appearance so far this season was as a late sub against Motherwell on Saturday. Cortes has been at Rangers since January 2024 but has only made 18 appearances with injury wrecking his time at the club. After just 11 games in all competitions last season, his move from French club Lens was made permanent this summer. That's because the loan deal had a £4.5million obligation to buy inserted. Rangers star John Souttar opens up on his future as he reveals new contract talks have stalled But with Rangers bolstering their forward areas with THREE new wingers, competition has never been more fierce. But Cortes' opportunity could yet come, especially after he was singled out for praise by boss Russell Martin after the friendly against Middlesbrough a couple of Saturdays ago. And the winger himself was all smiles as he enjoyed an evening out in Glasgow with his glamorous girlfriend. The footie ace's partner Isabel Caicedo shared some snaps of the loved-up couple at El Santo in Glasgow city centre. The popular spot is a Latin bar and restaurant, serving up cuisine and cocktails from Brazil and Mexico. Stunning Isabel shared the pictures, with one of herself and Cortes tagged "mi vida," which translates to 'my life.' Cortes will be hoping to see some action this weekend when Rangers take on Dundee at Ibrox. They'll be looking to win their first Scottish Premiership match of the season having been held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell in their opening game last weekend. 5 Oscar Cortes and Isabel Caicedo on holiday together Credit: INSTAGRAM/@ISABELCAAICEDO 5 Glam Isabel has been with Cortes for some time Credit: INSTAGRAM/@ISABELCAAICEDO Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
8 minutes ago
- STV News
Goodwin: Dundee United have to go to Vienna with belief and confidence
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has told his players they must show confidence when they take on Rapid Vienna in Austria. United must find a way past a team that reached the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals last season if they are to progress in the competition, with AIK Stockholm or Hungarians ETO FC Gyor awaiting the winners in the play-offs. Rapid lost to Djurgarden of Sweden after extra time in April following a run which saw them beat the likes of Copenhagen. The 32-times Austrian champions, who lost to United in the European Cup quarter-finals in 1984, produced a 6-2 aggregate win over Decic of Montenegro in the second qualifying round and have won both of their domestic matches this season. Goodwin told DUTV: 'Rapid Vienna are a really decent European team. They got as far as the quarter-finals in this competition last year. 'They've got a huge turnover financially. They've spent a lot of money this summer on transfers, I think they've spent four or five million. 'So we are expecting a really, really difficult fixture. But it's exciting. 'It's exciting for the supporters as well, who travelled in unbelievable numbers last week to Luxembourg. We are expecting similar again in Vienna. 'The players will give everything for the jersey. 'Of course it's going to be a difficult evening, but we have to go out there with belief and confidence that we can get a result and take it back to Tannadice and hopefully still be in the tie.' Meanwhile, Dutch striker Jort van der Sande has returned to his homeland to join second-tier side SC Cambuur on a permanent transfer. The 29-year-old forward failed to score in 35 appearances during his sole season at Tannadice. A club statement read: 'Everyone at Dundee United would like to thank Jort for his professionalism, commitment and contributions during his time in tangerine, as we extend our best wishes for his future endeavours.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Belfast Telegraph
38 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Larne defender lifts lid on why Invermen are relishing chance to test mettle against Portuguese big guns
Larne defender Aaron Donnelly feels his side are riding a wave of confidence and belief on the European stage. The 25-year-old's positive outlook is understandable given the Invermen's recent heroics on their travels.
