Latest news with #LeagueCup
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘It was complicated' – Rangers cult hero who turned down Celtic opens up on why he chose Ibrox
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE famously turned down Celtic to join Rangers - then scored six goals against the Hoops while playing for the Light Blues. Rangers legend Nacho Novo had the choice of Glasgow's big two after a standout season in Scotland with Dundee. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Nacho Novo loved playing for Rangers Credit: Getty 2 But he could have opted to wear green and white instead Novo, now 46, moved to Scotland in 2001 when his agent recommended a shock switch to Raith Rovers - despite Valencia also being on his trail. After a season in Kirkcaldy he travelled up the A92 to Dens Park, before heading back down to Glasgow when Rangers came calling. But while the Light Blues had him on their radar for some time, it was actually Martin O'Neill who made the first official approach. Novo, however, only had Ibrox on his mind. Speaking to the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Novo revealed: "I knew Rangers were interested in me for a while. I spoke to my agent, I knew there were a big club. "It was complicated at the time because Dundee were entering administration so the chairman wanted to get as much money as possible, which is understandable. "Celtic wanted to speak to me and they made me to go Celtic Park. They said there wasn't going to be any cameras, and of course the first thing I saw were cameras. "I spoke with Martin O'Neill but Rangers were in for me for a long time, while Celtic hadn't been. "I knew Mikel Arteta, I knew Ronald (De Boer), Shota (Arveladze) and Claudio Caniggia. "I used to go to Glasgow for something to eat and things like that, so I had friends there (at Rangers) already. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed "I knew I would feel more comfortable going there. "I remember before that I went to the Scottish Cup final - Celtic vs Rangers - and I sat in the Rangers end when Fergie scored that free-kick. "Being there and seeing the atmosphere, you can't beat that. I think it's the best derby in the entire world. "I just got that feeling." Novo spent six years in Glasgow and lifted the same number of trophies during that time. He clinched the league and League Cup double in his first season under Alex McLeish. Novo was Rangers' top goal scorer that campaign and he went on to score 70 goals for the club in total, leaving Ibrox in 2010 to head back to Spain. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
'I played in Champions League with Man Utd but quit at 27 to become a builder'
Lee Roche was an academy graduate for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, but his time with the Red Devils didn't last long before he quit football altogether for a different career Lee Roche once started a Champions League game for Manchester United – but he found himself out of football completely less than a decade later. The former defender came through the Red Devils academy during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, and while he never established himself in the first team, he did make a handful of appearances for his boyhood club. Starting against Arsenal in the League Cup was certainly a highlight for Bolton-born Roche, whose shining light in his short United career came when he started against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions League in March 2003. Given United had already secured their passage into the knockout stages, Roche was one of many youngsters that Ferguson opted to start in Spain alongside senior stars such as Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville and Laurent Blanc. He lasted 45 minutes and was subbed off at half time with United 1-0 down, before they conceded another after the break to lose 2-0 in their final game of the second group stage. Despite his presence on the European stage, it wasn't long before Roche fell down the footballing pyramid. He had stints with Burnley, Wrexham and Droylsden after being released on a free transfer by United in the summer of 2003, before retiring from the sport at 27 years of age. Now working on a building site in his post-football career, the 44-year-old admitted he didn't expect his sporting career to end the way it did, especially given the success United possess in their academy graduates. Asked if he ever expected to have such a drastic career change, he told LFETV back in 2012: "Definitely not. Especially when you sign for a club as big as Manchester United. You think you're going to be playing football until you're 35. "The way things have turned out I've had to work, I've been working here for nearly three years and it's a bit of a change from playing football, but you just have to get on with it." After parting ways with football, Roche was supported by the PFA and has since become a qualified plumber and owns a cavity wall insulation business. Having had to discover what his next step in life would be after football, Roche said he believes young players should have a back-up plan if their careers don't blossom as they'd expect. "I have had a few fellow workers on the building sites asking me about United and how have I ended up here," he said. "It can get pretty tiresome so I don't go shouting about that I played for United. I do think young players today should be made to train as something, so they know about the real world. Most of them probably don't have a plan to fall back on if they don't make it as a professional." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Glasgow Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow football club calls it quits after 11 years
Broomhill FC, which has been operating for 11 years, confirmed that it will cease operations after "sustainability" concerns. The Lowland League side cited a "number of factors" behind the move, including the "enforced termination" of its ground-sharing agreement with Dumbarton FC. The club also explained that the decision is "not one they take lightly" and thanked fans for their support over the years. A statement was published on social media confirming the move. A fond farewell, from Broomhill FC. — Broomhill Football Club (@BroomhillFC) May 30, 2025 READ MORE: Three Rangers board members depart amid American revolution Founded as part of Broomhill Sports Club in 2004, the team entered the Lowland League as BSC Glasgow FC in 2014/15 and won the SFA South Challenge Cup in their first season. Broomhill also reached the South Challenge Cup final and Lowland League Cup final before taking home the League Cup trophy in 2018/19. Simon Ferry was appointed manager of Broomhill FC in May 2022 after football media platform Open Goal struck up a partnership with club (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group) Football media platform Open Goal, which is known for its popular podcast of the same name, struck up a partnership with the club in May 2022, with plans announced for social media content and programming centred on the team. The club was renamed Open Goal Broomhill FC as part of the move. A documentary aired which followed the management team, players and club officials over the course of the 2022/23 campaign. The partnership was hailed by both parties as 'revolutionary' and 'the beginning of a new era for the club and lower league football'. However, the project ended after just 12 months. Broomhill played its final match against Civil Service Strollers on April 25.
The Courier
a day ago
- Sport
- The Courier
Dundee's Premier Sports Cup fixtures revealed as Dee begin new campaign with home clash
Dundee will kick off the 2025/26 season at home to Championship Airdrieonians. The Diamonds have been regular opponents for the Dark Blues in recent seasons. Last term saw the Dee knock Airdrie out of both cup competitions with heavy Dens Park victories. They won 6-1 in the Premier Sports Cup and 4-0 in the Scottish Cup at the last 16 stage of both tournaments. The previous season saw Rhys McCabe's men win 1-0 at the Excelsior Stadium in the League Cup group stage. As well as Airdrieonians at home, Dundee will face Montrose at Dens Park in their final group stage fixture. Sandwiched between are two away days at League One Alloa Athletic and Lowland League outfit Bonnyrigg Rose. Bonnyrigg Rose v Alloa Athletic (3.00pm) Dundee v Airdrieonians (3.00pm) Airdrieonians v Bonnyrigg Rose (7.45pm) Alloa Athletic v Montrose (7.45pm) Alloa Athletic v Dundee (3.00pm) Montrose v Bonnyrigg Rose (3.00pm) Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee (7.45pm) Montrose v Airdrieonians (7.45pm) Airdrieonians v Alloa Athletic (3.00pm) Dundee v Montrose (3.00pm)
The Courier
a day ago
- Sport
- The Courier
Neil Lennon to kick off new Dunfermline Athletic era live on TV as first opponents revealed
Neil Lennon will kick off his new Dunfermline era with a money-spinning clash against Hearts live on television. The former Celtic and Hibernian boss has agreed a two-year deal to stay on as Pars boss after seeing out the season with the club on a short-term contract. He has talked about rebuilding the Fifers and bringing more entertainment for supporters after some disappointing times of late. And he will have to hit the ground running once the competitive action gets under way in the Premier Sports Cup. Dunfermline now know they will take on top seeds Hearts at Tynecastle in their opening Group E outing. The tie, which will also be a competitive debut in the Jambos dugout for new boss Derek McInnes, has been chosen for TV and scheduled for Saturday, July 12, with a 5.15 pm kick-off. The Pars then enjoy a break in the following midweek before travelling away from home again to face Dumbarton on July 19. Thereafter, the Fifers host Hamilton Accies on Tuesday, July 22, and conclude the group phase with another home meeting with Stirling Albion on July 26. Kilmarnock v Livingston, Stirling Albion v Hearts, Motherwell v Morton and St Mirren v Ayr United complete the games selected for TV so far. SPFL chief operating officer, Calum Beattie, said: 'We are delighted to be able to announce the fixtures and TV selections for the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup as we look forward to the start of the new season kicking off in July. 'In addition to the five matches selected for live coverage on Premier Sports, supporters will also have the opportunity to watch additional games via the Premier Sports app and we hope to be in a position to confirm those selections shortly.' It is four years since Dunfermline qualified for the knock-out stages of the League Cup, with the 2021/22 campaign seeing them beat Partick Thistle, Dumbarton and Stenhousemuir on their way to the second round. Last year, with just one goalkeeper on the books and a threadbare squad, they beat Spartans but then lost to Forfar, Livingston and Cove Rangers to crash out ignominiously. Lennon won the competition as a manager with Celtic in 2019/20 and as a player in 2000/01 and 2005/06. His last trip to Tynecastle was as manager was with Celtic when the Hoops won 2-0 in December 2019.
