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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
I had mixed feelings about Gassama signing for Rangers but he's like my little brother and I wished him all the best
As club captain at Hillsborough, Barry Bannan grew so close to the young Frenchman that he came to look upon the 21-year-old as a little brother Sheffield Wednesday skipper Barry Bannan is the first to admit he's got mixed feelings about Djeidi Gassama's move to Rangers. As club captain at Hillsborough, he grew so close to the young Frenchman that he came to look upon the 21-year-old as a little brother. Naturally then, he'd love nothing more than to see his friend smash it in Scotland. But that's where the Celtic-daft Owls ace is conflicted. Because if Gassama's goes on to fulfil the huge potential Bannan has seen brewing down in Yorkshire, it might just threaten the era of dominance his Parkhead heroes have built up this past decade. It was that dilemma Bannan had to grapple with last week as he bid farewell to the former PSG youngster at their St George's Park training camp, which coincidentally was where Russell Martin's squad were based too. 'I was really close with Djeidi,' the former Scotland midfielder told Record Sport. 'We had a laugh and a joke when the deal was completed last week at St George's Park. I wished him all the best. 'But I said to him, 'If you need any help in Glasgow, don't phone me!' 'No he's a lovely kid. I've got family members who are Rangers fans and no doubt I'll be looking to him to sort me out with some tickets - but for them, not me personally! 'I got on with him really well, he was like a kid brother to me. There's a big age gap between us and he looked up to me a bit, so I'd love to see him do well - but not too well!' Gassama has signed a four-year deal with the option of a fifth after completing a £2.2million switch to Glasgow. The Rangers fans were made to sweat on the move being completed however. On Thursday night, leaked pictures emerged from Gers training camp down south showing Gassama cutting about the plush £80million base used by the England national team in Light Blues training gear. Yet the following morning, it appeared Gassama's move north could be in danger as Owls owner Dejphon Chansiri stalled in the hope of luring in bigger offers to help appease troubled Wednesday's cash crisis. Asked if he knew anything about the delays, the 35-year-old Wednesday ace joked: 'Aye I locked him in his room for a few days so he couldn't get out! "Seriously, I think this is a great move for Djeidi and Rangers." In the end, Rangers got the deal done this week - and Bannan believes it will work out to be terrific business for the Light Blues. 'Djeidi's done a lot of growing up since he came to Wednesday but at the start of his time here, it took him quite a long time to get to the pace of the English game. 'You could tell he had ability from his first day in training but it just wasn't clicking, he was in and out of the team last season. 'Obviously, as a young kid coming out to a new country, it was quite difficult for him. 'We had a lot of French boys on the team which helped him as well a wee bit but he was obviously adjusting to a completely different life to the one he'd been used to in France. 'You could see that some days he would come in tired and you wouldn't really get much out of him. But then there were other days when he'd be on FIRE! "Being the captain of the club, I was really close with him and tried to help him. And crucially, he did listen to the pointers we tried to give him. 'He was a really lovely, lovely kid off the pitch, really nice. Just a down to earth kid who wanted to learn. 'So his first season was hard but you could see there was ability from the off. 'Then at the start of last season, he came back and had this more mature sense about him. He'd had a newborn baby with his missus, so it looked like he'd done a lot of growing up in that summer. 'I think he was told by the manager that he might have to get on loan before that preseason - but I heard he told the manager something like 'I won't be going anywhere, I'll come back and prove to you.' 'It was like he had a bee in his bonnet. He went away and worked really hard on his upper body strength and last season we saw him become a different player completely for us. 'He got most of the Player of the Year awards along with Shea Charles, so he had a really, really strong season." But while Bannan sees big things for Gassama's future, he admits there's still some work to be done with the France Under-20 cap in the here and now. 'I'd say the Rangers fans are probably still going to have to be patient with him because he's still a young boy, only 21," he said. 'I know that's probably not young in football terms but he's still got a lot to learn. 'He's not shy. He's a lovely kid who just wants to have a good laugh. 'There will be games where you'll be frustrated with him - and then there'll be games where you think, 'Wow, we've got some player on our hands here. 'He has got some serious potential and last season we saw that at Wednesday. 'He maybe didn't finish the season as strongly as he'd have wanted but he did play a lot of games last year for someone of such a young age - and he was brilliant. If he can find a bit of consistency then it'll be a very, very good signing for Rangers.'
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Daily Record
Mum of boy who died in River Kelvin pays tribute to 'forever 15' son
Emilis Vanagas died in the river in Glasgow on July 12. The mum of a teenage boy who died in a river in Glasgow said "her heart is broken" in a moving tribute to her son. Emilis Vanagas, 15, died in the River Kelvin near Maryhill Road on July 12. Emergency services including a rescue helicopter were called to the river in the west of the city at 6.40pm. The schoolboy was pulled from the water after a five-hour search. His death is not being treated as suspicious. His mum Daiva Daivute, from Maryhill, led the tributes to her son who had celebrated his 15th birthday last month. She said: "My heart is broken, my dear son. "I am very proud of him, the light of my life that went out too soon. "We are very sad that his life ended so tragically. He still had a lot to do in his life, we will miss him very much. "I would do anything to get him back in our lives. "Always re membered and never forgotten. Forever 15." The circumstances behind how the teenager, known as "Emz" to pals, ended up in the water remain unclear. Devastated loved ones took to social media to hail the youngster "a hero". Emilis' aunt, Ema Kaftanikaitė said: "Our family is heartbroken. We lost my beloved nephew Emilis far too soon – he was only 15 years old. "His life was full of love, laughter, and dreams that will now remain unfulfilled. No parent should ever have to bury their child. "We want to give him the farewell he deserves – with love, dignity, and peace. Rest in peace, sweet Emilis – we will never forget you." His aunt Patrycja Majewska said: "Emilis had just celebrated his 15th birthday and he had his whole of his life ahead of him. "His parents tragically got the news on Saturday and found Emilis in the river close to their house. "Unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene. He lost his life but saved two other lives and always will be remembered as a hero. "His parents are devastated after this tragic loss." His uncle Martinas Kaftanikas added: "Love you forever, my boy." Molly Gibbs said: "I am devastated with the news of what happened. "He was the sweetest boy ever and I can't believe he is gone. Everyone loved him and he died a hero." Sophia Moss Muir said: 'He was genuinely the nicest boy I've met."He was always making sure everyone was okay and died a hero.I can't believe he's gone." Michael Dorran said: "I was one Emilis' first pals when he moved to Cleveden. "I am devastated about this, and will do everything I can to make him proud up there."He'll never be forgotten. He'd always put others before himself and died a hero and will be remembered." Local youth project G20 also paid tribute to the youngster. They said: "Our community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. As you can imagine, no family is ever prepared for something like this." Family and friends will gather to remember the teen at a balloon release in the Celtic-daft teen's memory at the Stockingfield Bridge in Maryhill at 5:30pm on Saturday, July 19. Wellwishers have donated more than £2000 to a fundraiser to help his family with funeral costs. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 6.40pm on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, a search and rescue operation was launched following a report of a 15-year-old male in the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, Glasgow. "Emergency services attended and around 11.30pm the body of a male was recovered from the water.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Daily Record
Teenage boy who died in River Kelvin pictured for first time as tributes paid to 'hero'
The 15-year-old's boy was pulled from the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, on July 12. A teenage boy who died in a river in Glasgow has been named as Emilis. Emergency crews, including a rescue helicopter were called to the River Kelvin near Maryhill Road in the west of the city at 6.40pm on July 12. The 15-year-old's body was pulled from the water after a five-hour search. His death is not being treated as suspicious. The circumstances as to how he ended up in the water remain unclear. Emilis, known as "Emz" to pals, is understood to have celebrated his 15th birthday just weeks before the tragedy. Devastated family and friends took to social media to pay tribute to the schoolboy who was hailed a "hero". Emilis' aunt, Ema Kaftanikaitė said: "Our family is heartbroken. We lost my beloved nephew Emilis far too soon – he was only 15 years old. "His life was full of love, laughter, and dreams that will now remain unfulfilled. No parent should ever have to bury their child. "We want to give him the farewell he deserves – with love, dignity, and peace. Rest in peace, sweet Emilis – we will never forget you." His aunt Patrycja Majewska said: "Emilis had just celebrated his 15th birthday and he had his whole of his life ahead of him. "His parents tragically got the news on Saturday and found Emilis in the river close to their house. "Unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene. He lost his life but saved two other lives and always will be remembered as a hero. "His parents are devastated after this tragic loss." Molly Gibbs said: "I was very close with Emilis and I am devastated with the news of what happened. "He was the sweetest boy ever and I can't believe he is gone. Everyone loved him and he died a hero." Sophia Moss Muir said: "I'm heartbroken, he was genuinely the nicest boy I've met." Local youth project G20 also paid tribute to the youngster. They said: "Our community is mourning the loss of a 15-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. As you can imagine, no family is ever prepared for something like this." Family and friends will gather to remember the teen at a balloon release in the Celtic-daft teen's memory at the Stockingfield Bridge in Maryhill at 5:30pm on Saturday, July 19. Wellwishers have donated more than £2000 to a fundraiser to help his family with funeral costs. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Around 6.40pm on Saturday, 12 July, 2025, a search and rescue operation was launched following a report of a 15-year-old male in the River Kelvin, near Maryhill Road, Glasgow. "Emergency services attended and around 11.30pm the body of a male was recovered from the water. To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
Glasgow Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Penny Lancaster issues update on Rod Stewart's health
The 80-year-old singer contracted influenza A, described by his wife, Penny Lancaster, as the worst illness he has ever experienced. Speaking to Hello! magazine, Penny, who has been married to Sir Rod for 18 years, said: 'He had influenza A, which is the worst one you can get. "It knocked him sideways—he's never been so ill in his entire life.' Rod Stewart's dancers wore Celtic tops at the festival (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Sir Rod Stewart pulls out of second gig amid health concerns The Glasgow Times reported that the illness forced the music icon to cancel a slew of US shows in the weeks leading up the the Glastonbury gig. With less than a week to go before the festival, the Celtic-daft rocker began to doubt whether he'd be able to take to the stage. Penny revealed he was taken to a London hospital for a vocal cord check due to concerns over his voice. She added: "He was worrying so much about the expectations and pressure, everyone relying on him and not wanting to let anyone down. I think it just got in his head." Lulu Joined Rod on stage (Image: Newsquest) In a bid to recover in time, Sir Rod underwent steaming treatments and was placed on strict vocal rest. Miraculously, his voice returned just two days before the performance. He went on to deliver a triumphant set, joined on stage by Glasgow music legend Lulu. The pair performed a lively rendition of Hot Legs, during which the Dennistoun-born singer quipped: 'We'd make a great couple—sorry, Penny,' in a light-hearted nod to Rod's wife. READ MORE: Rod Stewart brings Lulu on stage at Glastonbury festival Family members, including sons Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 14, as well as daughters Ruby, 38, and Renee, 33, watched proudly from the side of the stage. Penny described the backstage atmosphere as being 'on fire'. Following the performance, Sir Rod revealed he is currently working on new material alongside Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and drummer Kenney Jones, although progress has been delayed by his packed schedule. Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Rod Stewart rocks Glastonbury main stage in Celtic shirt Speaking to The Express, he said: 'It's all down to me again. So I've got to get the lyrics finished. "I'm working so bloody hard. I've got two albums on the go, two documentaries. I'm just supposed to be doing a book about my model railway, which I've just dropped. I ain't got the time. But there is a documentary. We have been filming it for some time." In addition, the rock icon revealed that his record label is now pushing for him to record a country album. Reflecting on his many commitments, he concluded: "There's so much in the pipeline, but I've had to drop a few things. I'm just so busy, which thank the Lord I am."
Glasgow Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Martin Compston and pal to axe popular show after 3 years
Martin Compston and Gordon Smart will stop recording their podcast, Restless Natives. The duo revealed that they are unable to 'fulfil their recording schedule' for the podcast due to work commitments, The Scottish Sun reports. READ MORE: TV star pictured partying with Celtic team after Cup Final READ MORE: Celtic-daft Martin Compston to star in new thriller series It is understood that Greenock-born Compston, 41, is currently in Dublin, Ireland, filming for a new Paramount+ series. Meanwhile, Smart, 45, is splitting his time between hosting BBC shows in London and Manchester. Martin Compston and pal to axe popular show after 3 years (Image: Supplied) Smart said: 'Restless Natives is going on a hiatus. 'The diaries have finally imploded trying to get us together with his filming and my radio and telly stuff. 'So Wednesday and Friday this week will be the last podcasts.' READ MORE: Martin Compston and famous pal spotted at Glasgow restaurant Compston is known for starring in hit shows and films, including Line of Duty, Sweet Sixteen, and The Wee Man.
