Ott Tanak can stake World claim, says his leading Northern Ireland engineer Jamie McMillan
The Estonian kept his cool in extreme conditions at the 'Rally of the Gods' to finish with a 32.8-second lead over the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 of eight-time champion Sebastien Ogier, despite his i20 N Rally1 being struck down with transmission problems right at the death.
The result has significantly boosted his title credentials and moves him to within 12 points of Elfyn Evans and three adrift of Ogier who has only signed up for a partial programme.
Crucial to the result was the work of Tanak's mechanics during service halts, with these operations orchestrated by the 37-year-old's top engineer — Ballyclare's Jamie McMillan.
McMillan feels the manner of the Acropolis performance fuels Tanak's victory hopes going to his home fixture next week.
'For Ott to win in Greece in the fashion he did, in such a positive way, and swing the odds a little bit back in our favour in the World Rally Championship fight is really great,' he said.
'It is definitely nice to get a victory for the team because it has been a long and super busy first six months and, ultimately, having a victory to celebrate in Greece is a big boost.
'The morale is an improvement on where it has been, and our attention has already turned to Estonia.
'We are trying to get the car in as good a window as possible for his home event.'
He added: 'Ott is fast and usually competitive in Estonia, although the high-speed gravel roads are going to be a challenge with the updated 'Evo' car and we are going to have to work hard to pull the package together, to make it work, if we want him to fight for the victory there.
'If we can, then we have Estonia to look forward to and then Finland where the roads are similar.'
McMillan hopes Tanak's run of bad luck in the first half of the campaign is now at an end and those who feed into the No.8 car can pull out all the stops to keep him in the title fight until the final round in November.
'We are not in too bad a position now and hopefully we can take advantage of Seb's absence in Estonia and take some good points and close the gap on Elfyn,' he added.
'If we do that, then the rest of the season should be really interesting — especially as Ott's pace has just always been there.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer update on imminent 22-goal attacker signing
Hearts fans will delight in latest update on pending arrival of Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Heart of Midlothian could confirm the arrival of their newest star early next week despite the footballer having been in the country for two weeks. Pierre Landry Kabore is set to be announced as the Jambos' latest star on Monday having been in Edinburgh for a fortnight ahead of his move from the Estonian side FK Trans Narva. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts boss Derek McInnes revealed that the club had hoped for Kabore's work permit to be approved by Friday, in time for their 3-0 pre-season friendly win over newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland. However, it now appears that has had to be pushed back with the 24-year-old's permit now likely to arrive on Monday. The Tynecastle club have a behind-closed-doors game later this week and it is hoped that the goalscoring ace will make his first appearance for the club then. Speaking to the media, McInnes claimed: 'Hopefully, we can get his work permit done by Monday, I think it is. We were hoping so yesterday, we were indicated we'd get it yesterday and he could play the day. The Burkina Faso international joined JK Trans Narva in January 2024 and would go on to score 22 goals in 20 appearances for the club last season. McInnes continued by adding: 'He's top goalscorer over there. Well, he was, I don't know if he still is. But he's been doing a lot of great work on his own, but certainly, try to get him integrated with us. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were hoping that he could have got on the pitch today, but we've had to wait a wee bit longer. We're hoping that we can maybe make some sort of announcement on that at the beginning of the week.' The Jambos head coach was also questioned on reports that the club's interest in signing Icelandic midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson. The 22-year-old midfielder has scored two goals from 16 appearances for Valur this season and Hearts are hopeful he could be the ninth signing of the summer. McInnes, however, remained tight-lipped on the situation, playing down any hopes by saying ' I don't really want to comment on anything until anything's over the line. I think, like with all signings, we can't keep a secret at Hearts, everything gets out' 'We're interested in a few players and until we're in a position to make an announcement. 'Kabore's well-versed and he's been in the country for a while now. So we're just waiting to get him done. But, and everything else, we'll just wait until we can get things over the line.'
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Viktor Gyokeres reveals why he rejected Man Utd to join Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has revealed that he wanted to join Arsenal ahead of Manchester United after facing Mikel Arteta's side in the Champions League last season. Arsenal have finally completed their move to sign the striker from Sporting CP after agreeing a deal worth €63.5m (£54.8m) up front, plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons. Gyokeres, who travelled to London on Friday and completed his medical on Saturday, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners and will wear the iconic No.14 shirt. The 27-year-old had also attracted interest from Manchester United and could have linked back up with Ruben Amorim following their time together at Sporting. However, Gyokeres turned down United's approach and was adamant about joining Arsenal after going on strike at Sporting earlier this month. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Gyokeres will now his new Arsenal teammates in Singapore for their pre-season tour of the Far East. 'I just felt that it was the right club for me,' Gyokeres said in an interview with 'What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I've seen in the past years, how they've been playing football. 'When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against. 'That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. 'It's been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That's what it's all about. It's going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.' Gyokeres also insists he has 'improved a lot' since struggling to make an impact at Brighton earlier in his career. 'To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling,' Gyokeres said. 'I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team. 'It's a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well. More Trending 'Now to come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going.' After announcing their deal to sign Gyokeres on Saturday evening, Arteta said: 'We're absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves. 'Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat. 'We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle United plot move for £50m Chelsea striker to replace Alexander Isak MORE: Everton make surprise £31m offer for Chelsea and Liverpool transfer target MORE: Arsenal star agrees shock exit ahead of Viktor Gyokeres' £63m arrival
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Darwin Nunez's shirt number U-turn as Alexander Isak dream poses Liverpool problem
Liverpool are looking to seal a blockbuster deal for Alexander Isak this summer, but as things stand, they won't be able to offer the Swede his two preferred squad numbers Alexander Isak could be denied his dream shirt number if he joins Liverpool. The Newcastle striker is the Reds' top attacking target, and while a move initially seemed out of reach this summer, Isak's recent request to explore his options has shifted the landscape. Newcastle had previously insisted the 25-year-old was not for sale at any price, prompting Liverpool to turn their attention elsewhere. That led to a £79million deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike being hastily sealed. However, Isak's apparent push for a move has reignited interest at Anfield. To secure the Swedish international, Liverpool will almost certainly need to break the British transfer record for a second time this window, having already spent £116.5m on Florian Wirtz. Earlier this month, Newcastle reportedly rejected a £120m approach from the Reds, with speculation mounting that the Magpies could demand upwards of £150m. Adding another layer to the potential deal is the issue of shirt numbers. Isak has long favoured the No. 14 shirt - worn by his idol Thierry Henry - but that number is currently occupied at Liverpool by Federico Chiesa. He's also a fan of the No. 9 shirt, having worn it for several years on the international stage. The No. 9 currently belongs to Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan has been heavily linked with a move away from Anfield this summer - potentially opening the door for Isak to inherit the iconic number. Should Liverpool land the Newcastle striker, Nunez would find himself pushed further down the pecking order, particularly with Ekitike and Cody Gakpo also vying for minutes. That, in turn, could accelerate his exit. Even if Nunez stays, there's a precedent suggesting he might give up the No. 9 shirt willingly. Last year, he ceded the number at international level to Uruguay legend Luis Suarez, who returned to the squad after a lengthy absence. Suarez - who famously wore No. 7 during his time at Liverpool - was touched by the gesture, praising Nunez's character. "He, with the humility that he has, a very good kid, said, 'No, Luis, you're the No. 9. I'm going to respect you'," Suarez recalled. "Those are details that demonstrate the greatness and humility of a player who is going to be one of the best, if not [already] one of the best in the world today." Whether Nunez would offer the same courtesy to Isak remains to be seen. The same can be said for Chiesa, who holds Isak's dream No. 14 shirt. Isak has previously explained the roots of his affection for No. 14. Speaking to Newcastle legend Alan Shearer in January, he said: "Thierry Henry [who wore No. 14 at Arsenal and Barcelona] was definitely one player I liked a bit extra. "Many great players have had No. 14. [David] Ginola at Newcastle. When I signed for Newcastle, out of the numbers that were available, I think 14 was the iconic one. I'm happy with No. 14, but on the other hand, I know No. 9 is a special shirt." Isak has worn the No. 14 at Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and occasionally with the Swedish national team. At Real Sociedad, he sported the No. 19 - a number currently occupied at Liverpool by Harvey Elliott. However, with Elliott also tipped for a summer departure, that shirt could present yet another alternative. For now, the Isak transfer saga is at a tense standstill. The Swede is yet to take part in Newcastle's pre-season preparations, largely due to the speculation surrounding his future. Magpies manager Eddie Howe claimed that no immediate decision would be made about Isak, and while he did admit there was a chance the striker would be sold, he insisted he was "confident" Isak will stay. "I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that," he told reporters. "But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That's what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation. "But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern-day transfers. The manager, of course, has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board." "Of course, there are things going on behind the scenes [with Alex]. He will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. "He's been magnificent for us and he's very popular in the dressing room. We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said [last weekend] I was confident that he'd stay. I don't see anything that's going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it's football and who knows what the future may bring. "All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We're in a very strong position financially. We're determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We've got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory."
