Latest news with #KyleLafferty
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers ace nets winning Junior Cup final penalty as he reveals first-day demand from club bosses
They had waited a long time to get their hands on the trophy CIARAN DIVER hailed Johnstone Burgh's comeback kings after Kyle Lafferty slammed home the winning penalty to end a 57-year wait to lift the Scottish Junior Cup. Hitman Diver netted a stunning equaliser at Broadwood as the West Premier aces hit back to finish strongly against Lowland League Tranent. Advertisement 2 Kyle Lafferty holds aloft the Scottish Junior Cup Credit: SNS 2 It was Johnstone's first success for nearly 60 years Credit: SNS Then the man of the match was among the scorers in the shootout as Murdo MacKinnon's men lifted the trophy for the first time since 1968 – and avenged a loss on penalties in their last final appearance 25 years ago. Former Rangers ace Lafferty – thrown on from the bench in a triple substitution by the Burgh boss on the hour mark – netted the clinching spot-kick with a deadly finish into the top corner. And Diver insisted he always felt it was going to be Burgh's day. The striker said: 'I just felt as the game went on and got longer I felt I was growing into the game more and more, I felt a lot sharper. Advertisement 'We've been a goal down many a time since I've been here and we always seem to find a way back into it. "It doesn't faze us as a team, we always know that we will get a chance, that another one will come and the boys just keep digging in. 'At no point did I think we would lose the game, even at 1-0 down. I knew we would still get a chance." Lafferty told BBC Alba: 'It's a final and you always want to get to finals no matter what standard you're playing in. Advertisement 'When I signed for the club that was the first thing they said to me - 'We need to win the Scottish Cup'. 'That was what they wanted as it had been a long, long time since they had even reached a final never mind winning it. Ex-Rangers and Hearts star Kyle Lafferty sees red for horror tackle in Johnstone Burgh WOSFL clash with Auchinleck Talbot 'Obviously this means everything to the community, not just the club. 'Just look at the turn-out today from all the Johnstone Burgh fans. Advertisement 'It was brilliant and we got over the line.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Kyle Lafferty gives next Rangers boss some priceless advice as he ranks Johnstone Burgh glory up there with Ibrox trophies
Former Ibrox hitman is desperate to land silverware for the junior side two years after dropping down the ranks. Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has urged whoever the new manager is to ensure they have a Scottish football insider by their side or risk being overwhelmed by the job. Lafferty reckons lessons must be learned from last season where too many new signings struggled to adapt to the demands of the domestic scene. His former Gers and Northern Ireland team mate Steven Davis was linked with a coaching role as part of a potential Steven Gerrard return. And Lafferty said: 'They definitely need someone in there who understands the club and league. 'I know bringing in foreign players is difficult. They might not realise how big the club is. They might arrive thinking Scottish football isn't the greatest league in the world. 'But it's tough. I've played in it for many years and there's a lot of good players, young and old. Experienced players. 'It is tough to hit the ground running. Some of the players took a wee while to warm up. 'But yeah, having someone who knows the club, has a bit of authority and isn't afraid to pull someone up if they're not performing - that's needed around the club. 'Ancelotti is a top name. His dad has been one of the best managers in the world.' Barry Ferguson steered Gers to the end of the season as interim boss following Philippe Clement's sacking in February but after winning just six of his 15 games in charge was told his services were no longer required. Lafferty reckons his old team mate did a solid job. But it was one of Ferguson's first comments after taking charge that was most telling. He said: 'When Fergie got the job I knew there'd be a massive improvement. And there was. 'In one of his first interviews he hit the nail on the head. He said it wasn't that the players weren't good enough, they just couldn't live with the expectations of playing for such a big club as Rangers. 'But every single game they were underdogs they went out and performed. Against Celtic they dominated the game. 'But whenever the expectation was them having to win it became a bit too much for them. 'Listen, Ibrox is a difficult place to play. You need to hit the ground running. 'I think a lot of players arrived not knowing how big the club was. But they soon realised. It's tough place to play.' Lafferty's trophy cabinet may be bulging with three Scottish Premiership gongs, a Scottish Cup winners' medal, two League Cups, Serie B and the Scottish Championship title. But the former Ibrox striker and Northern Ireland legend insists adding a Junior Cup gold to the collection with Johnstone Burgh would mean as much as anything he's ever achieved. Few, if any, players as decorated at the top level as Lafferty have ever graced the stage which lies ahead at Broadwood Stadium this afternoon as Burgh tackle Tranent. It's been 57 years since the Keanie Park club last lifted the famous trophy - and 25 years since they were last in the final. But with 3000 fans set to follow them through to Cumbernauld, Lafferty feels the weight of expectation. And he's as hungry to deliver as he has been on any big occasion in a career that's taken him from Rangers, Burnley, Palermo, Norwich, Sunderland, Hearts and Kilmarnock. Not to mention 89 caps for his country and a run to the quarter finals of Euro 2016. But asked if winning in front of 4500 fans this afternoon would mean just as much, the 37-year-old said: 'Yeah, 100 per cent. It is another medal that will go in the cabinet. 'It might not be the biggest competition that I have played in, but it is a medal. I am playing for Johnstone Burgh and I have come here to win trophies and collect medals. 'There has been a lot (of finals) and I have been quite lucky to win the majority of them but I know how important the Scottish Junior Cup is for the club. 'That was one of the first things they said to me when I came here, that they were desperate to win it again.' Lafferty has come to the end of his second season at the West of Scotland Premier League side who finished third behind Clydebank and Auchinleck in the table. Swapping packed stadiums at Ibrox and Windsor Park for wide open terraces around the non-league level hasn't been an issue. There's been offers to return to the SPFL. But Lafferty is content. He said: 'I love it. It is a great club heading in the right direction. I get on really well with the two owners Scott and Jack. It is a proper family club who get the community involved with things. 'Obviously, the football is different. I am not turning out in front of tens of thousands of fans but it is a good group of lads. 'I said when I finished my career I did not want to do it with a clubs settling for mid table. 'I wanted a challenge, either a team that was fighting relegation or a team that was fighting for promotion and this is ideal for me. 'Even when I have been here there have been clubs speaking about me joining them. I have had two years here and I am happy here. I came here to win trophies and get to finals and Sunday is one of them.' Lafferty reckons he has one year left in his playing career. And he'd love to spend it at Keanie Park. He said: 'I would like to be. We have spoken so the conversation is there about next season. I know I am getting on and if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. 'I'd like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League. But even after I hang up my boots I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. 'It is something I have looked at, I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. 'Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Carrickfergus reporter leaves Sky Sports News after 16 years: ‘My highlight was when Kyle Lafferty soaked me in beer'
Gilmour is the latest high-profile figure to leave the station following the departures of Melissa Reddy, Rob Wotton, Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor. The 39 year-old cut his teeth commentating on Irish League games on BBC Radio Ulster's flagship Sports Sound show. During that time he served as Sky Sports News' Northern Ireland correspondent, where one of his first assignments was reporting on the Steel and Sons Cup Final on Christmas Day. He joined the staff of the popular station in 2012, where he soon became a familiar face, interviewing the likes of Antonie Conte and Jose Mourinho. He also commentated on Premier League, international and Irish League football for Sky Sports. The Carrick Rangers supporter now intends to work as a freelance sports reporter and commentator. One of his career highlights was an infamous interview with Kyle Lafferty, after Northern Ireland qualified for Euro 2016. He said: 'After 16 unforgettable years at Sky Sports News, it's time to say goodbye and look ahead to a new challenge. 'I've been fortunate to cover major tournaments, Champions League finals, and Premier League heavyweight clashes as well as interview some of the biggest names in world football. 'A personal highlight was following Northern Ireland, reaching a peak when Kyle Lafferty soaked me in beer and mocked my shoes on air after they qualified for Euro 2016. 'In that same interview, he (jokingly) said he wanted Northern Ireland to be drawn against either Argentina or Brazil…in the European Championships. Never a dull moment. A special group of players and staff, and the current side is shaping up nicely too.' Other highlights for Gilmour including interviewing England captain Harry Kane and a parrot that sang football songs. 'There were plenty of other standouts: sitting down with England captain Harry Kane multiple times over the course of his career, a quickfire 1 minute 37 second interview with Erling Haaland, and stepping into the world of Premier League commentary, something I'm keen to continue. 'And then there were the lighter moments… a feature about a dog that went viral for balancing things on its head, and a parrot that sang football songs. We waited three hours in the owner's house before it finally delivered. 'Growing up watching Sky Sports News, I'm incredibly proud to have played a small part in our history. I'll be forever grateful to my SSN colleagues and friends for their guidance, passion and humour over the years. 'Now, I'm stepping into the freelance world to see what's next. I'm open to opportunities'
Scottish Sun
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Club captain and team-mates wade into crowd to separate warring fans lobbing missiles as Scottish Junior match explodes
A former Rangers star played in the game CROWD CHAOS Club captain and team-mates wade into crowd to separate warring fans lobbing missiles as Scottish Junior match explodes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTTISH Junior match was marred by crowd trouble on Saturday after both sets of supporters clashed during the fiery showdown. Johnstone Burgh hosted Largs Thistle in the first leg of the Junior Cup semi-final and it wasn't the football itself which grabbed everyone's attention at Keanie Park. 3 Chaos broke out after the first and only goal of the contest Credit: Youtube / Mark Faloon 3 Fans clashed and missiles were launched Credit: Youtube / Mark Faloon 3 Players and staff tried to calm things down Credit: Facebook / The Tartan Groundhopper A small number of fans ruined the occasion when scenes exploded late on in the tie after the visitors took the lead. Cory Hughes headed home for Largs from a corner in the 83rd minute and his finish - which proved to be the winner - sparked wild celebrations behind the goal-line. Largs supporters were situated in the corner behind that goal and stewards were on scene to ensure nothing got out of hand with rival fans. But it didn't go to plan as videos, which have been posted on social media, show how things got very heated after the first and only goal of the contest. Both sets of supporters clashed behind and were seen having to be separated by stewards and staff. Burgh captain Derek Esplin and some of his steam-mates even got involved to try and calm everything down. Goalkeeper Luke Scullion was also caught up in one moment which saw a punter appearing to fight with a steward. Rangers hero Kyle Lafferty, who now stars for Johnstone Burgh, also played in the showdown but he wasn't spotted amongst the chaos. Eventually players and staff managed to restore order inside the venue but that was after missiles were thrown and supporters locked horns. Masked fans were seen making their way from one end of the stadium to the other to get involved. Ex-Rangers and Hearts star Kyle Lafferty sees red for horror tackle in Johnstone Burgh WOSFL clash with Auchinleck Talbot There were also claims of Largs Thistle fans being targeted by Johnstone Burgh ultras outside Keanie Park after the game. Largs Thistle have confirmed investigations have been launched. A statement read: "The match referee has submitted a report regarding the crowd trouble at the game and as such we will refrain from making further comment until the football authorities have concluded their investigations. "Meantime everyone can be assured that we shall undertake our own investigations as we do not condone any form of aggression or violence." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 7.35pm on Saturday, 19 April 2025, police were called to a disturbance at a football ground in Auchenlodment Road, Johnstone. "The groups had dispersed on police arrival and there were no further reports or any people being injured. "No further police action." Johnstone Burgh and the Junior FA have also been contacted for comment. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
