Latest news with #CraigSwan
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
The Open hawks swoop into action to scare off Portrush seagulls
The Open hawks swoop into action to scare off Portrush seagulls Harris hawks drafted into Portrush to scare off the seagulls Birds are seen at The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club The Open hawks have made a flying start at Royal Portrush and a bald eagle is set to join the party, writes Craig Swan. Tournament chiefs have drafted in the initial quartet of the birds to protect fans and keep seagulls away from the Dunluce Links. Harris hawks are here to do the job with a handler taking each of them around the course to take to the skies if any seagulls hover and scare them off. The four have been on the course since Sunday and falconer David Trenier told BBC News NI the hawks are making sure golf fans can enjoy their food in peace. He said: 'They are very, very sociable, used to working with large crowds and are big enough to spook the gulls enough to move them off.' The birds, named Aurora, Belle, Caine and Cheyenne, will rotate in shifts throughout the tournament and come from the Clear Skies Falconry Pest Control is specifically tasked with patrolling the skies over areas where food is served. Article continues below From its rugged coastline to its charming villages, Isle of Mull is home to an abundance of wildlife, including eagles, otters, and red deer (Image: Getty Image ) Seagulls have been known to plunge on Portrush punters trying to nab their grub and Trenier said they can have an 'aggressive' nature for food. He continued: 'When they come in, the presence of the hawk on the course puts them off, they make sure the gulls don't come down.' Previous Open Championships at Troon and St Andrews have similarly called on birds of prey, while Rufus, an American Harris hawk, has been scaring pigeons at Wimbledon for more than 15 years. Trenier said: 'It is so lovely to see the public reaction, they want to talk and they want to ask questions. The kids want to have a picture taken and know more about them.' Pilgrim, a 24-year-old bald eagle, will be at The Open this weekend and Trenier added: 'He will definitely disturb the gulls.' Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here. Article continues below 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.
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic fans give Rangers a new Hotline nickname as SFA find allies against John Brown free speech fighters
Craig Swan manned the phones as the fallout from the sanction dished out to the Light Blues escalated Rangers issued a strong statement in the wake of the SFA fine dished out for ex-star John Brown 's comments on their club TV channel. It was pretty obvious that there was going to be feisty chat to both charge and response once delivered. Safe to say agreement is not on the agenda. First one side. Peter McBryan said: ' I see that Statement FC are at it again. Just pay the fine and move on. "If anything is corrupt at Ibrox, it's the lack of movement into finding and dealing with the missile throwers at the recent Glasgow Derbies at that stadium.' Mark McManus, Purley, said: 'It's funny how when Rangers have a decision that goes against them, they continue to argue they've done nothing wrong. "Yet when other clubs have a decision go against them, the club and fans tell them to suck it up. Rangers called for VAR and look where it's got them. Stop whining and suck it up.' Liam Birney, Paisley, said: 'What part of John Brown is a Rangers employee, therefore Rangers are accountable. If they had sanctioned or disciplined him themselves for his outrageous remark, then the SFA may have seen this differently. "As for those who play the free speech card. That is fine unless it breaks a law. Defamation is the law he clearly broke, so free speech does not apply in this instance.' Now the other as Stuart McLeod said: 'Another fine for Rangers proving correct why John Brown used the words corrupt on air. "We have heard many others previously use words similar from different clubs and we even had Irvine Welsh live on air telling us Alfredo Morelos should be chopped into pieces with a machete. Strange how there was nothing to see in any of those cases.' Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: 'For years the SFA have ignored digs about referees and other derogatory comments at Celtic's annual AGM. John Brown is 100 percent correct. Tell them to shove the fine and call it out, Rangers.' It's transfer season and that is always another great source of Hotline dispute. Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: 'So it appears that Dermot Desmond is going to open the biscuit tin and spend £50 million. Just think that could buy them another five Adam Idah's.' Kevin O'Reily, Queens Park, said: 'Was in knots of laughter with Alan Fleet saying Celtic biscuit tin was alive and well. Ours is full of chunky kit kats, if Rangers even have one it will be half a Rich tea.' Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: 'All the money we are raking means zilch to us Celtic fans. We want the club to spend on quality players. Developing guys is okay for the future, but after end-of-season antics, we need a couple of marquee signings.' William Hutchison, Aberdeen, said: 'I'm confused by the Rangers fan on Hotline. How is Leipzig offering £15 million for Nicolas Kuhn meaning the biscuit tin at Celtic is truly open? "Celtic paid £3 million for him, but getting five times that fee back doesn't say anything about the biscuit tin.' Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: 'I was astonished to read that Kyogo is considering a move to second tier giants Birmingham to kickstart his career. I recall him saying he needed a fresh challenge when moving to France. "Well he's not setting the bar very high if this is indeed the case. And it seems to me Brendan Rodgers didn't attempt to bring him back because of his persistent shoulder injury.' Meanwhile, Donald Dundas, Uddingston, said: 'I would like to thank the chuckle brothers McGarvey and Mitchell for the belly laugh as they took the bait over Rangers being a failing minor team. 'You couldn't count on both hands of fingers and toes the amount of years it has taken for their beloved Celtic to catch up. And now the embarrassment of singing Simply the Best. As the Kylie song goes bhoys, you just can't get us outa your heads.'
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
I worry for golf fans after frightening Jordan Spieth off-target strike – it could have been horrendous
Our man Craig Swan shared his fears over supporters getting too close to the action Excited golf fans understandably want to get as close as they can to their heroes. It's part of the magic ingredient of being at an event. There are few sports where the paying public can get as close to the absolute elite of the game as they can at a tournament. They can talk to them as they walk between tees or down holes. It's exhilarating. But, at some point, there has to be an understanding and a stronger instant mechanism in place for the sake of those supporters and also the players themselves when things have the potential to go awry. Jordan Spieth's off-target strike on the first hole of his final round of The Memorial Tournament was another frightening episode. For those who didn't see it, the American had missed the fairway to the right with his opening tee-shot of his final round at Muirfield Village and had to trudge into rough for his approach shot to the green. The Ryder Cup star and major champion didn't catch it properly, it went searing to the right out of the tricky lie and screamed towards punters with one in a yellow shirt diving to the ground to the deck in evading action. Spieth's incident was worryingly similar to one at last month's PGA Championship involving English star Aaron Rai. Also in rough, he looked to drill the ball underneath the branches of a tree while fans stood just to the right, but it went wrong and, instead of finding his intended target, his strike slammed straight into it and came inches away from hitting a fan in the knee. It's happening more and more and these moments are sailing close to the wind and the situation needs to be addressed by self-policing fans or players themselves before something awful happens. You can't manage everyone. Tournament chiefs can't be expected just to clear an entire crowd off a hole when someone hits it off line. That's just impossible and they do everything to let spectators know about the dangers when they enter a venue. They can only do so much, but there has to be a personal recognition from outside of the ropes and maybe even a way of coordinating something stricter in the future for everyone's benefit. Just get them as far out of the way as possible. Or if that means a player standing there for 10 minutes and demanding people move, then so be it. Everyone knows the damage a ball could do if striking someone from close range. It's why, when anyone plays the game, they are taught to stand behind their playing partner at a shot. It's basic common sense. Now that's for most of us hackers and the basic premise appears to be that, as professionals, these guys aren't going to miscue one. Yet it always feels uncomfortable to see when, if a player hits one off line from the tee, they sometimes have to burrow into a crowd and a very narrow tunnel of escape is subsequently created by fans on either side ahead of the ball as they play their next shot. It's natural for folk wanting to get a close-up of their idols, to edge further and further out towards the intended line of the shot peering for a best glance. But it's not fair on the players. How is he or she going to feel to if they crack a fan for catastrophic consequences? Maybe some less clued-up fans just don't realise the peril of the situation and there needs to be ways to keep them as far away as possible in such situations, however difficult to organise in a few short minutes with congestion a potential issue. Of course, not all situations are the same. For example, everyone who attends a tournament is fully aware that, if you stand at a landing zone or beside a green, you have a chance of a miscue dropping out of the sky on you. Most players are great at shouting 'fore' these days and that's perfectly acceptable part of the day when you pay to get into a tournament. That comes with the territory. As stated, tournament chiefs also give ample warnings for these things. They can only do so much. Ben Griffin left a mark on a boy's back at The Memorial with a wayward drive, but the guy was 300 yards away, had time to react and the obligatory signed glove was handed over, handshakes exchanged and all smiles. That scenario unfolds virtually every single day of an event. But these close-range ones? That's different. There's no time to react. If Spieth's strike had gone a few yards lower, it could have been horrendous. It's not Spieth's fault. It wasn't Rai's fault. Or any other player in that situation. They are all trying their best to hit the correct shot. But to be just 10 or 20 yards away in front of any player before an impending strike and just a few yards or feet to the side of their intended target line is a dangerous business. Fans need to be aware. For their own good and that of the players.
Daily Record
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic are petrified of Rangers American Revolution as 49ers told transfer they must make for starters
Craig Swan manned the phone and it was anything but a quiet Sunday morning Excitement continues to grip Rangers fans with the takeover complete and the anticipation of better times ahead for their club. The investment from the United States and the prospect of a new manager being appointed has captured the imagination of the Light Blues punters. Celtic are the team to catch, but the Ibrox supporters who contacted the Hotline think that's going to happen quickly. Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: 'At last the takeover is complete. Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers are now ready to take Rangers back to the top where they belong. "The east end of Glasgow must now be dreading the thought of what's to follow. First bit of business will be naming a new boss. "I hope he will have a bit of Scottish knowledge. £20 million has been quoted as the first investment to start with. Therefore we will need some shrewd free signings to start the new incoming players. " Lawrence Shankland should now be a must for starters to fill his boyhood dream. "He is the best striker in Scotland and will score the goals needed to topple Brendan's Bhoys. Looking forward to enjoying this happening.' George Wilson, West Sussex, added: 'So let's hear it from the usual anti-Rangers brigade on here who will inevitably be trying to come up with every possible reason why the Rangers take over will fail. "They fear the new regime will put Rangers back on top in Scotland and continue and improve their success in Europe. "Unlike the Celtic camp, who can I remind you, wrongly boasted of a cup final victory, world records and a treble before they actually won it. "I will boast of nothing and only say a completely fresh start with a new manager and board and a cash injection can only improve Rangers.' Gordon Ferguson, Kilwinning, said: 'A group of men have a chance to build something incredible. Go forth the 49ers. It's time to lay the ghosts of the white and green era to bed. Let's make Rangers great again, Time to rump Celtic.' William Ellis said: 'All we hear is Celtic this or Celtic that. As football goes, this season Rangers have beaten Celtic, so it's not the mighty Celtic that Rangers need to worry about, it's other teams in the division. "Rangers have proved they can more than match Celtic in a head to head. Therefore, don't worry about Celtic. Focus on teams who have beaten you last season and all will be fine.' However, Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, sounded caution as he said: 'People making wild predictions are easily carried away by this takeover, but are 49ers just using Rangers as a project? Throw peanuts to buy players. "Being a realist, you'd hardly buy one world-class player for £20 million. Rangers threw that amount away on duds Lammers, Danilo, Dessers and Igamane. The reality? £50 million bringing world-class players is what Rangers need for success. Graeme Souness did it in 1986.' Across Glasgow, Celtic fans seem unperturbed by the events. Lance Little, Erskine, said: 'So that's another £6m in Celtic's bank account after Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool deal. "Add the £46 million from a successful Champions League run and 55,000 season ticket renewals and the futures looking bright. Apart from that, we are Scotland's most successful team.' Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, is looking at transfer business and said: 'With Brendan Rodgers no doubt weighing up a incoming striker, I hope it's came to his attention that Girona are seemingly willing to listen for offers for Bojan Miovski who was always a thorn in Celtic's side in Aberdeen colours. I'd still prefer Kyogo to return, but Miovski is a player Rodgers knows well and would be an excellent acquisition.' Thomas Seery added: 'A certain regular on the Hotline really wants to give it a rest about Kyogo Furuhashi returning. ' Stripping the gloss back, he had one good season when Jota was flying. He scored three goals in 22 Champions League games, which Adam Idah equalled after eight.' 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.
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers new manager hunt intensifies as Celtic diehards say Ancelotti will 'crack like the others'
Craig Swan took your calls as the Italian's credentials to get the job at Ibrox are assessed Rangers' hunt for a new manager continues to dominate the Hotline. Ibrox chiefs are seeking a full-time replacement for sacked Philippe Clement and it's a saga which is attracting much attention. Rangers supporters are keen for answers and there's also some wondering why it's such a bone of discussion amongst Celtic fans. Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, said: 'If Davide Ancelotti lands the Rangers ' job, I hope that he will have been made aware that it will put him in the spotlight relentlessly every day, his every decision and statement scrutinised. 'That pressure has cracked several Ibrox managers, who have left the club the worse for wear after being unable to endure those pressures which come with every poor result. Maybe he will be the exception and grow into being the miracle worker Rangers need if they are to get the monkey of Celtic off their back.' Lewis Fotheringham, Mount Ellen, said: 'Rangers appointing Ancelotti as our next boss is a gamble we cannot afford to take, considering it didn't go so well for Pedro Caixinha or Michael Beale in recent years. 'Gerrard was a gamble that eventually came good. but that took three years. We can ill-afford to wait that long for success again.' John Spence, South Ayrshire, said: 'So the hunt continues. It's starting to remind me of 2021 when Celtic spent all summer chasing Eddie Howe, who eventually knocked them back. Left scrambling, they had to grab whoever was available, in the shape of big Ange. Of course it worked for them, but it was as much about luck as judgement. 'Rangers' circumstances are different, they're not focusing on one individual. But if we're to have any chance of competing with Celtic next season, with the amount of work that will entail, we need a new manager in place now. We simply can't afford to leave this appointment to a last minute lottery.' Kenneth Hutton said: 'Do all of the Celtic fans that plague the Hotline realise that the dross from the upmarket side of Glasgow have the same Old Firm results for last season. Two wins, two draws and two losses each. Rangers have only to buy a couple of quality defenders and we will not only compete but win the title next season.' Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: 'I wish that the Celtic Crew would stop speculating about the next Rangers Manager. Dry your eyes boys, please no more tears. Tiny Tears McGregor and Co will be put out of their misery soon.' Alan Flett said: 'How amusing to hear Celtic fans jumping to the defence of their greetin' faced captain. Who cares what he's won? He's a bang average player in a bang average team. As for their precious Kyogo making a return? Bring it on! He's yet another bang average player who couldn't hack it outside the Gallowgate doss house.' Dr Robert S Pender said: 'I forecast Brendan Rodgers will move on by Christmas due to the gaining power that Rangers will have. He is already looking for an escape.' Elsewhere, John Scott, Grassmoor, had a view on the merits and set-up of the play-off system and said: 'Hibs have failed twice in the play-offs. 2014 relegated and 2016 where we failed in a bid for promotion. 'Rangers too failed to gain promotion in 2015. Three ties the majority lapped up by cheering on the underdogs of Motherwell, Hamilton and Falkirk. No offence, but who but their own fans got excited about County v Livi? 'Gates of 2653 and 4550 is a million miles from the 50,000 that watched AFC Wimbledon v Walsall in the EFL2 Playoff Final at Wembley. 'There's no great interest if our smaller clubs are involved in Scotland. Can we not consider relegating three clubs. A proper battle to avoid relegation and an exciting, fairer fight for promotion from our Championship. Games we will all want to see.'
