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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ally McCoist would accept Rangers sacrificing one thing under Russell Martin to stop Celtic procession
The Light Blues have been starved of domestic success in recent seasons Ally McCoist has loved watching Rangers fly the flag for Scotland in Europe. But the Ibrox legend insists ending Celtic's domestic dominance must be Russell Martin's utmost priority. Gers swatted aside Panathinaikos in Tuesday night's Champions League qualifier to take a commanding 2-0 lead to Athens next week. It's the first of six hurdles the Light Blues will have to overcome if they are to secure a £40million ticket to the lucrative league phase. There's still a long road to go, but if Rangers can get the job done in Greece, they will at least be guaranteed European group stage football. The Ibrox side have boosted Scotland's coefficient in recent years with their Europa League exploits but have been starved of domestic success. And McCoist admits he'd be willing to sacrifice those famous Thursday nights under the lights if it meant derailing serial-winning Celtic's bid for five-in-a-row. He told FourFourTwo: "I would rather see them improve domestically, because we've been miles off it there. "There were good results against Celtic last term but there's an argument that there was more at stake for Rangers, because Celtic were looking like they were running away with it. "It was almost a matter of pride for us. If Rangers can mount more of a title threat, with a repeat in Europe, I'll be happy." While Rangers have spent more than a decade in the shadow of their Old Firm rivals, they've punched well above their weight against some of Europe's elite. It's an ongoing trend that's left Ibrox supporters scratching their heads and McCoist said: "That's been the case for a while now. "It has a lot to do with how they set up to play in Scotland, where they're a dominant side that have to break teams down. "In Europe, even at home, teams aren't looking to sit deep as much - that's when Rangers come to life as they have players that can hit teams on the break. "Some of Rangers' performances in Europe last season were very good - they went to Malmo and won, scored four in Nice, gave Manchester United a really good game, then pulled off an incredible result in Turkey against Fenerbahce in the knockouts. "Some really good performances. I want to be saying that about the league as well." Celtic have also started to make inroads in Europe under Brendan Rodgers, reaching the Champions League knockouts for the first time since 2012/13. McCoist tipped his hat by admitting: "There was a big improvement in their Champions League performances. The 3-1 home win against Leipzig was as good as I've seen them in a long time. "They got a great draw at Atalanta, and they were very unlucky to go out against Bayern Munich in the knockouts, only narrowly losing at home, then drawing in Germany. "They could have taken that to extra-time. It was really encouraging." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rangers icon Paul Gascoigne hospitalised after collapsing at home
Former Rangers midfielder Paul Gascoigne has been hospitalised after collapsing at his home. The England international spent three seasons at Ibrox, winning two league titles, the Scottish Cup and the League Cup. According to The Sun he was taken to intensive care after being found by a friend at his home in Poole, Dorset. Mr Gascoigne has since been moved to an acute medical unit where his condition is described as stable. Read More: Gift that showed heart of gold behind Gazza fireworks - Ally McCoist This loving homage to a Scottish football great ensures his memory will live forever I'll never forget Glen Michael – the man who introduced me to Cartoonland He is expected to remain there for several days, with friend Steve Foster telling the newspaper it was "the best place for him". Mr Gascoigne broke through at hometown club Newcastle United and was widely viewed as the most naturally gifted English footballer of his generation. He went on to play for Tottenham Hotspur and Italian side Lazio before moving to Rangers in 1995. The midfielder known as 'Gazza' joined for a club record £4.5million and was named both PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year in his first season. He left in March 1998 to join Middlesbrough before brief spells at Everton, Burnley, Gansu Tianma and Boston United. Both during and after his playing career, Mr Gascoigne has dealt with addiction issues. He has entered rehabilitation for alcoholism on at least seven occasions, and also been arrested for drink-driving, possession of cocaine and assault.
Glasgow Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
The video has been created to honour the memory of Weir, and the legacy of the foundation he set up to find effective treatments for motor neurone disease (MND) after he was diagnosed with it in 2016. Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. (left-right) Doddie Weir's son Hamish Weir, Doddie Weir's wife Kathy Weir, Ally McCoist and Kenny Logan celebrate the conclusion of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge (Brian Lawless/PA) Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Curler Eve Muirhead is among those in the video (Andrew Milligan/PA) Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
South Wales Argus
04-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
The video has been created to honour the memory of Weir, and the legacy of the foundation he set up to find effective treatments for motor neurone disease (MND) after he was diagnosed with it in 2016. Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. (left-right) Doddie Weir's son Hamish Weir, Doddie Weir's wife Kathy Weir, Ally McCoist and Kenny Logan celebrate the conclusion of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge (Brian Lawless/PA) Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Curler Eve Muirhead is among those in the video (Andrew Milligan/PA) Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Sport stars pay tribute to late Doddie Weir in birthday video
Weir founded the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation in 2017, and died in November 2022 aged 52. Those in the video include Olympic swimming medallist Duncan Scott, Olympic curling medallist Eve Muirhead, broadcaster and ex-footballer Ally McCoist, former England rugby player Mike Tindall and British and Irish Lions fly-half Fin Smith. (left-right) Doddie Weir's son Hamish Weir, Doddie Weir's wife Kathy Weir, Ally McCoist and Kenny Logan celebrate the conclusion of the Doddie'5 Lions Challenge (Brian Lawless/PA) Supporters from across the UK will wear Doddie tartan to work on Friday July 4, as part of a tradition marking what would have been the former rugby player's birthday. Kenny Logan, who played alongside Doddie as part of the 1999 Five Nations-winning Scotland side, said: 'Doddie was a leader in life, and he remains a leader in death. 'His memory inspires thousands of people, both inside and outside of the MND community, to take action and help bring an end to this devastating disease. 'We all know Doddie should still be here with us. He brought light and laughter into every room, even in the darkest days. It's up to all of us to dig deep, keep fundraising and finish what he started. 'We do it because we miss him. We do it because we love him. And we do it because nobody else should have to go through what he and his family did.' The My Name'5 Doddie Foundation has now committed almost £20 million to targeted research projects and launched a Catalysing A Cure strategy to speed up the search for effective treatments. Curler Eve Muirhead is among those in the video (Andrew Milligan/PA) Earlier this year it pledged £4 million to the MND Discovery Network, a new UK-wide initiative connecting leading scientists to accelerate progress. The film also features Jennie Starkey, who is living with MND and is part of the Foundation's Discovery Network board. The video comes after the end of the Doddie's Lions Challenge, in which a team led by Logan and including Ally McCoist, Gabby Logan, and Doddie's widow Kathy, cycled 555 miles around the island of Ireland in five days to deliver the match ball for the British and Irish Lions vs Argentina fixture in Dublin. The ride has so far raised almost £650,000 for MND research. My Name'5 Doddie Foundation chief executive Nicola Roseman, said: 'Doddie's spirit continues to galvanise the MND community. 'The outpouring of support and emotion on what would have been his 55th birthday shows just how many lives he touched and how much his story still matters. It also reminds us that there is still work to be done. 'Every birthday that passes without Doddie is another reminder of the urgency of our mission.' To find out more about My Name'5 Doddie Foundation or to donate, visit
