Latest news with #CallumSmith
The Courier
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Courier
What are Raith Rovers' priorities in the transfer market?
With Liam Dick following Jamie Gullan through the exit door at Stark's Park, there is a clearer picture of what is needed by Raith Rovers in the summer transfer market. When the Kirkcaldy club announced their retained and released list on May 14, it included six out-of-contract players they remained in discussions with. Ross Matthews and Callum Smith have since penned extensions. But Gullan's departure for St Johnstone and Dick's decision to leave, with a move to Ayr United expected, leaves clear holes in the squad that remains. With the futures of Andy McNeil and Callum Hannah uncertain for the moment, Raith have 15 players signed for next season, although realistically that is likely to be 14 since one of that number is the disgruntled Sam Stanton. So, what might manager Barry Robson look to add in the coming weeks as Rovers prepare for next term? With Kevin Dabrowski away, McNeil out of contract and loan star Josh Rae having returned to parent club St Johnstone, there are currently no first-team keepers left at Raith. There is an interest in Rae after he was told he was free to depart Saints, but it will depend on the level of any transfer fee. Should the 24-year-old be enticed back and McNeil signs on again then it will be job done. If not, however, there is an obvious issue. With just over five weeks until the Premier Sports Cup opener against Elgin City, recruiting two goalies has to be high on the list of priorities. The back three that finished the season for Raith remains in place for next term. Jordan Doherty, Paul Hanlon and Callum Fordyce helped the team to four clean sheets during the ten-game unbeaten run that pushed them so close to a promotion play-off spot. However, with Euan Murray released and Dick deciding his future lies elsewhere there are no further choices for central defence. A couple of centre-halves look necessary – and that is before you consider the fact that the versatile Doherty may be better suited as a wing-back. If it is not to be Doherty, then a more defensive option on the right flank and back-up for Lewis Stevenson at left wing-back appear desirable. Matthews staying on for another year, allied to Scott Brown and Shaun Byrne, gives Raith a strong heart of the pitch. Kai Montagu will also be another year further on in his promising development and will be adequate back-up if required. However, given the issues with the recalcitrant Stanton, a more attacking, box-to-box midfielder in the mould of a modern-day 'eight' could be on the shopping list. Further forward in the number ten position, Dylan Easton continued to prove his worth to Rovers last season with 13 goals and three assists in 35 league games. And it is a role that Lewis Vaughan is also extremely adept at filling if needs be. With Gullan having opted for a move to Perth, Aidan Connolly freed and the expiry of loan agreements for Aiden Marsh and Finlay Pollock, this is an area that desperately needs attention. Following knee surgery, Callum Smith is unlikely to be fully fit again for the kick-off to the competitive action in the cup and is only now contracted until January. Jack Hamilton is also recovering from an operation, on his ankle, and there must also be doubts over when he will be back to top form. All of which leaves Vaughan as the only fit and available out-and-out striker on the books. Helped by five goals in the last-day demolition of Queen's Park, Rovers found the net 47 times last season. It was some way short of the 58 from the previous campaign – and well away from the 72 goals scored by champions Falkirk. They could well do with at least one attacker who can add goals to the work-rate expected of Robson's team.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Callum Smith denied world title shot at Dmitry Bivol by WBO
British light heavyweight Callum Smith will have to wait for his shot at the WBO world title, despite his status as a mandatory challenger. Liverpudlian Smith earned his status as a mandatory fight for current WBO belt holder Dmitry Bivol after defeating Joshua Buatsi in February to become the organisation's interim champion at light heavyweight. Bivol became undisputed champion at 175 pounds when he defeated Artur Beterbiev in a rematch, setting up the possibility of a rubber match between the two greats of the light heavyweight division. Watch over 150 boxing events a year live on DAZN - subscribe now A third fight has been pursued by Bivol and Beterbiev, with the WBO agreeing that Bivol does not need to defend his title against Smith in order to allow the trilogy match to be made. Smith had made a formal request to the WBO to enforce his mandatory status. Taking to Twitter, WBO president Gustavo Olivieri shared: 'The WBO Championships Committee has resolved that it is in the best interests of boxing and, most importantly, the fighters themselves to permit the highly anticipated Beterbiev/Bivol Trilogy to proceed as planned. Accordingly, this decision overrides the enforcement of the WBO mandatory obligation in the Light Heavyweight Division.' The WBO also stated that they were in no position to enforce the obligation, as they were behind the IBF in the rotation for mandatory challengers. That is in stark contrast to the WBC, who stripped Bivol of his title after he chose to pursue a trilogy fight with Beterbiev over facing David Benavidez. Olivieri explained: 'Furthermore, even under the assumption that the WBO mandatory is due, the established rotation system agreement among the recognised sanctioning bodies dictates that the IBF mandatory is next in line. The WBO will respect and adhere to such order, ensuring alignment with the agreed rotational framework. As a result, Interim Champion Callum Smith will retain his status as the WBO mandatory challenger and, in the interim, is authorised to participate in voluntary bouts.' Whilst the IBF has not enforced its mandatory status since 2021, the WBO believes it is in the best interests of the sport to allow a third match between Bivol and Beterbiev to go ahead. The WBO president continued: 'This ruling underscores the exceptional significance of the Beterbiev/Bivol trilogy, a bout widely regarded as one of the most compelling matchups in contemporary boxing between two of the sport's elite competitors.' Smith is now searching for an opponent, with reports that talks have begun with fellow Briton Anthony Yarde for a bout in August. However, no deal has yet been reached. Olivieri went on to confirm that if Yarde was to be victorious over Smith, then he would become the new interim champion, and as such, the mandatory challenger for the WBO light heavyweight title.
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Callum Smith delighted to sign new deal as Raith Rovers striker gets recovery boost
Callum Smith is delighted to have sorted out his immediate future after agreeing a new deal at Raith Rovers. The 25-year-old has penned a short-term contract through to the January transfer window as he continues his rehabilitation following knee surgery. Manager Barry Robson indicated before the end of the season that the Kirkcaldy club would 'look after' Smith during his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). With his previous deal due to expire in the coming days, it was still an anxious time for the former Airdrie and Dunfermline striker. However, as he targets a first-team comeback early in the new season, Smith now has the peace of mind of a fresh agreement that will cover that return to action. He said: 'I'm happy to sign on and I can't wait for the new season to start,' Smith sustained his injury in the 2-0 victory over Ayr United in November and was ruled out for the rest of the campaign following scans. However, the marksman has admitted he knew instantly the severity of the injury. 'I tried to stretch for a ball that I'm probably never getting,' Smith told Courier Sport. 'But I'm always obviously going to go for it, being a striker. 'So, I've just stretched and my studs have stuck in the ground and my knee's twisted. 'It wasn't a nice one. I felt it right away and I knew as soon as I'd done it that it was going to be bad. 'Before I even got the scan, I knew it was going to be my ACL, just with the way that it swelled up and things like that. 'So, it wasn't looking too promising. Then, obviously, when I got the results, I wasn't in the best place. 'But there's not much you can do. It happened and the only thing in my head has been getting back fit.'
CTV News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Celebrating identity: Halifax Celtic Cultural Festival in full swing
The Halifax Celtic Cultural Festival is being held at Citadel High School. (CTV Atlantic/Callum Smith)
Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Aircraft back in blue
Callum Smith with the Beech D-17S Staggerwing VH-BBL. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Engineer Callum Smith has restored a Beech D-17S Staggerwing VH-BBL at the Wānaka airport, and in a dashing blue. Mr Smith and his team of engineers at Twenty24 Ltd finished returning the Staggerwing VH-BBL to flying condition for Australian owner Allan Arthur. The aircraft was built for the United States Navy during World War 2 but ended up in Britain as part of the lend-lease programme. After short stints back in the US and Norway after the war, the aircraft was sold to Australia where it remained until it was shipped to Wānaka a few years ago. Following the completion of a major overhaul, the aircraft has been test flown at Wānaka and will soon be flown home to Australia. Mr Arthur has history with Warbirds Over Wānaka. His Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk NZ3125 was displayed at the 2006 airshow by legendary New Zealand airshow pilot John Lamont, who has flown at every Wānaka show since 1988. The restoration team at Twenty24 Ltd has no time to rest on their laurels as work cranks up on another Staggerwing — Tracey and Cam Hawley's "Antarctic Staggerwing". This aircraft was taken to the ice by Admiral Richard Byrd as part of his 1940 US Antarctic Service expedition. The couple own another Wānaka-restored Staggerwing, which has been a regular performer at Warbirds Over Wānaka since 2014. — APL
