Latest news with #Aberdeen
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Darts star who struggled at World Matchplay shows true colours with Luke Littler admission
John Henderson only won one match at the World Matchplay in his career, but the Scotsman has hailed the event as one of his favourite PDC tournaments and heaped praise on Luke Littler John Henderson has praised the World Matchplay as one of his top PDC tournaments, though he conceded that the event's iconic venue could have benefited from improved air con. The World Cup-winning Scot appeared on the Winter Gardens stage five times from 2011 to 2019, and despite only securing a single victory against 2005 champion Colin Lloyd, he regards the tournament as 'fantastic.' Current world champion Luke Littler is set to compete in Blackpool with high expectations of adding to his impressive list of achievements. Despite a disappointing first-round exit in his Matchplay debut, Aberdeen's Henderson believes Littler will enter the fray with a fearless attitude. "I always found the Matchplay... I think Winter Gardens was probably one of the best venues, but I struggled because of the heat," Henderson, who is regularly seen competing in the MODUS Super Series broadcast live on Pluto TV, told the Express. "I mean, Blackpool in the middle of July, and the Winter Gardens was, it was like an oven and absolutely roasting. I've lost a lot of weight since the last time, so I might have handled it better now, but then I used to sweat a lot and struggled with the heat. "The tournament itself was fantastic, it really was. My record's not great. I think I only won one game there against Lloydy. I always mention it when the Matchplay comes around. World Matchplay Darts 2025 preview ON SALE NOW Warm up for the World Matchplay darts at the famous Winter Gardens with our 48-page preview publication, which is available to order now The height of summer, darts, Blackpool. It can only mean one thing - the World Matchplay at the famous Winter Gardens. You can get ready for one of the highlights of the darting year with our special preview publication. "But no, even though I only won once, it was one of my favourite tournaments. It was great, the crowd were magic, they were so close to the stage, everybody's out there. There are a lot of folk on holiday, plus there were a lot of Scots who used to come down to support the boys, so it was good. "Luke will go up there with no fear like he normally does. Just another game of darts, and that's the way he looks at it, another game of darts. His attitude's fantastic, he's got a great attitude towards the game." When questioned about the influence The Nuke has had on darts since bursting onto the scene, Henderson was eager to praise the teenager and admitted he's relieved his own time amongst the PDC elite is nearly finished. "There's only one word to describe him - he's just a beast," Henderson continued. "He's just phenomenal. Obviously, [a player like] Luke is only coming along every so often, but it really has progressed as the younger generation coming through, I think everybody's buying dartboards now, there's academies up and down the country now. "Luke has certainly put his mark on the sport, there's no question about that. I don't know how much practice he does at home, but he doesn't seem to practice too much when he gets to the venue, and he goes and does what he does on a stage. He's obviously been born with a talent, and it's amazing what he's done, and he has made the sport even bigger. "Phil [Taylor] took it to a level I thought darts could never go to, and then obviously, Michael van Gerwen, Gary Anderson and Peter Wright have come on, brought it to another level. "I think Luke's actually surpassed that again and brought it to another level. You just wonder where it's going to peak, and there are more and more youngsters, they're starting at six, seven, eight years old. "By the time they get to 12, 13, you never know, there's probably loads and loads of Luke Littlers out there. I'm kind of happy that I'm coming to the end of my career now, when you see the standard!"
Daily Record
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin must be Rangers history maker in his first game in charge as one thing is clear about Ibrox
It's a tough start to competitive life at Ibrox for Martin but Kirk Broadfoot insists he simply must deliver a win on Tuesday or the Champions League dream will be as good as over. Kirk Broadfoot reckons Russell Martin will have to make Scottish football history in his first game as Rangers boss if his side are to keep their Champions League dream alive. Panathinaikos visit Ibrox on Tuesday night for the first leg of the second qualifying round tie - and they have never lost to a Scottish team in seven previous encounters. But Broadfoot believes to have any chance of getting through the qualifier Martin's new-look outfit must hit the ground running and beat Rui Vitoria's Greeks in Govan ahead of the return leg in Athens eight days later. Three previous meetings between the teams have ended in draws while Panathinaikos won at Ibrox in 2003. They've also dumped Aberdeen in 2007 and Motherwell home and away in 2012. The winners over the next 10 days will still face two more rounds of qualifying to hit the £40m 'league phase' jackpot. And former Ibrox defender Broadfoot, who was part of the Gers side that drew home and away in the last meeting with Pana in 2008, said: 'I think it's a 50-50 if I'm being honest. Tuesday's game at Ibrox is going to be massive. If Rangers can come away with a result at Ibrox - maybe a 1-0 or 2-0 win - then I'd fancy them. 'But I think they need to be leading when they go to Athens. If they're going over there level, I think it's going to be hard. Especially as it's going to be a new defence. They'll have no time to click. The manager has a style he likes to play but will he go with it in Athens? 'Unfortunately the fans don't care about that. They just want results and they will be judged on this game even though it is really early.' Martin is adamant his side, which could include up to seven new signings, will be ready for the test that awaits them on Tuesday evening. Broadfoot hopes the former Scotland defender is right. But he also knows the shock that lies in wait for the light blues new boys when they first encounter the wait of expectation on their shoulders. He said: 'I think unless you're Scottish and you know what it's about.. even then it takes time to adjust. 'Even me being a Rangers fan, signing with Rangers, I didn't know what was happening with the pressures and how drawing a game was the end of the world. 'I wasn't used to that. These guys will never feel anything like this at any other club. They need to learn fast that nothing but winning at Rangers counts. It's the same at Celtic. 'Sometimes guys just can't adapt and that's the problem and the pressure that comes with it. 'Unfortunately you don't get a year to settle in. You've got to hit the ground running or they'll make their mind up and then they're on you. 'Guys like James Tavernier will be trying to get that through to them. I was lucky when I went. There was big characters like Barry Ferguson and David Weir, then we signed guys like Lee McCulloch and Kris Boyd who I travelled with. 'All these guys helped you along and they brought a good core in. The Scottish boys, Kevin Thompson, Steven Whittaker, Stephen Naismith, who all knew what it was about. 'I was lucky to get into a squad like that. The mentality was second to none.'
The Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
‘Daleks' brought in to beef up security at Donald Trump's Scottish golf courses ahead of his visit
IT looks like Daleks have been brought in to beef up security at Donald Trump's Scottish golf courses ahead of his visit next week. The US President is due at Turnberry and Aberdeen from Friday to Tuesday. 5 5 The 'Daleks' — security devices that resemble Doctor Who's croaky-voiced enemies — have been set up to deter intruders. Once their motion sensors detect intruders, they record video and alert cops. The security boost has been put in place months after activists from Palestine Action targeted Turnberry. Eight people have been charged in relation to the incident on March 8 after red paint was sprayed on the clubhouse and damage was caused to the greens. Trump is opening a links course in Menie, named after his mum Mary MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis. A source said: 'Trump could arrive any day so the staff need to be constantly on their toes. "There has to be a state of readiness.' Jeffrey Epstein. Donald Trump swings club in frustration as he misses putt at Turnberry 5
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Tall Ships Races Aberdeen set sail as visitors 'wowed' after Deacon Blue opening
Thousands of visitors attended the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen this morning. The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen 2025 set sail today while wowing visitors to the once-in-a-generation event this morning. Huge crowds gathered as the gates opened at 9am to witness the 50 vessels berthed around the quayside. Around 7,000 music fans were also thrilled by Deacon Blue, who took the stage last night to open the Quayside Concert series. Visitors spoke about the rousing fanfare to start proceedings at an official ribbon cutting by Lord Provost David Cameron. Chloe Wright, 37, from Cults came to see the Tall Ships with her husband David, and her two children Benji, 10 months old, and Mack, 3. She said: 'We are loving it, there is just so much to see and not just the ships. And it is nice to see Aberdeen coming out and being in such fine fettle. And it's so good for the kids. 'When we first saw all the ships I just though ' wow '. I was really little when they were last here and my dad took me, so this is the first time I have seen them in years and years and I had forgotten what to expect. 'We are looking forward to going on the boats and the kids are really excited as well.' Mark Foster, 58, from Bridge of Don, who was also an early visitor at the Tall Ships with his wife, Pamela, continued: 'It is quite amazing. I was surprised by the size of them. The one on the other side of the port is absolutely huge. When I first saw it all I could say is 'wow'. Some of these Tall Ships are beautiful. 'That atmosphere here is busy, but it's not too crowded, so it's actually calming. There is a plethora of food bars, shops and craft shops as well, and I daresay a lot of them are from the Aberdeen community, so that's good to see as well.' Even as people were getting their first look at the range, scale and sheer excitement of the Tall Ships this morning, Deacon Blue fans were still buzzing about last night's gig. It saw the iconic Scottish band sing their extensive range of anthems from over the years to the delight of the thousands who filled the purpose-built open-air gig space at Peterson Seabase. And the crowd also gave the warmest of welcomes to local favourites, Little Kicks, as well as rising Scottish star Brooke Combe who played a blistering set. Callum Fitzwater, 47, from Fife, added: 'I came up just for this, I'm a massive Deacon Blue fun. The gig is amazing, it's a great venue and a great set-up, just brilliant. Watching them performing Dignity, one of their top songs, in this venue was so good, I love it. 'The Quayside Concerts as an idea is just brilliant, areas like Aberdeen and Dundee need to do this more often. Edinburgh and Glasgow have had everything but Aberdeen can hold their own.' Carran Legge, 52, from Aberdeen, noted: 'I just love Deacon Blue and the gig has been so good. When they sang Dignity it was just amazing in this venue, what an atmosphere. Aberdeen should definitely do more things like this.' Deacon Blue kicked off the Quayside Concert series of gigs that have created a mini-summer music festival at the heart of the Tall Ships Races Aberdeen. Next up will be Ministry of Sound Classical playing at the venue tonight; Tide Lines and Calum Bowie playing special charity gig as a thank you to Aberdeen RNLI tomorrow Sunday, followed by the Kaiser Chiefs playing out the series – which sold out within days – on Monday evening. The enthusiasm for the Tall Ships Races was shared by Vanessa Mori, Deputy CEO and Commercial Director of Sail Training International which stages the world-famous Tall Ships Races and who is in Aberdeen for the event. She said: 'The whole team at Sail Training International is absolutely overwhelmed with the enthusiasm that Aberdeen has shown over the past two and a half years in the lead up to this event. To see the city come alive with 50 tall ships, international crews and local communities is just a delight. 'It's a pleasure working with the team, in what is and will be an amazing event for the city over the next four days. We look forward to the next one.' And Scottish Government Minister for Business and Employment, Richard Lochhead , also praised the vibrant event when he visited on the opening day. He said: ' The Tall Ships celebrate Scotland's proud maritime history and long tradition of international exchange. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Aberdeen Line, which built more than 100 ships from the Walter Hood Shipyard, in the very place the Tall Ships are berthed today. 'It's incredible to see Aberdeen hosting this spectacle which draws visitors from across the world. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring our country continues to be the perfect stage for events like this one, which connect communities and bring huge economic benefits.' Beyond the harbour area, there is a Discovery Zone with STEM activities for young and old at the Castlegate, a funfair on King Street, and a Military Village along with other stalls and activities at Union Terrace Gardens. Also, shops, pubs, restaurants and businesses across the city centre have also pushed the boat out, decked out in bunting and posters ready to welcome the 400,000 visits The Tall Ships Races is expected to generate over the four days. Tomorrow will see the carnival atmosphere of the crew parade, with crews, bands and musicians from the Tall Ships, along with the Band of HM Royal Marines, taking to the city streets in a riot of colourful costumes and fancy dress. Monday will have the Red Arrows performing amazing aerial acrobatics just off the coast with the Esplanade as an excellent grandstand for thousands of fans. Tuesday will see the spectacular Parade of Sail as the Tall Ships leave port to muster at sea ready to start their race to Kristiansand in Norway. 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BBC News
20 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Four-goal Fulham beat Aberdeen in pre-season friendly
Aberdeen fell to a 4-1 defeat to Fulham in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the Premier League club's training London side, who finished 11th in England's top tier last term, named a strong team, as did the Dons, who took an early lead through summer signing Kusini Fulham hit back with a double from Harry Wilson, before Rodrigo Muniz and Joshua King sealed the friendly win for Marco Silva's men after the break.
