Latest news with #McCoist
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ally McCoist destroys Ange sack rumours as Rangers hero rekindles love affair with Tottenham reality check
McCoist reckons it would be 'remarkably harsh' for Tottenham to sack the former Celtic boss Ally McCoist has had no problem putting rivalries aside with Ange Postecoglou in the past – and he's now slaughtered Tottenham for even thinking of sacking the big Aussie. The former Celtic boss had a season of both extremes in North London. On one hand, a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League was a disaster, but on the other, triumph in the Europa League, which brings with it Champions League football next season, is a trade-off virtually every Spurs fan will happily take. Postecoglou delivered on his promise that he always delivers silverware in his second season, with Tottenham taking home their first major honour in 17 years. And yet there are rumbling reports that the victory over Manchester United in Bilbao won't be enough to save him with owner Daniel Levy seriously considering his future. Rangers hero McCoist struck up a good working relationship with Postecoglou during his time in Scotland, hilariously offering to take him down south on his back if it meant him leaving Celtic after dominating the Scottish game for two years. And now he's come out swinging on his behalf as he destroyed the sack rumours live on talkSPORT. He said on the breakfast show: "It's probably the only profession on the planet where we sit and talk about someone new coming into a job, when the current person is still in a job, and has been incredibly successful in that job over the past three or four weeks. "The irony isn't lost on me. I think it would be remarkably harsh. You're talking about someone who's got the club Champions League football and their first trophy in 17-odd years. "Yes, we all know the league position was shocking, but you could almost see him throw all his eggs in one basket towards the end of the season. "I don't care what anyone says; if someone had said 'We'll give you the Europa League and Champions League football' to any Spurs fan at the start of the season, they are biting your hand off. And that's it. "So for me, if he loses the job – and by the way, knowing that club, and knowing the way it's run, that's absolutely possible – then that's just the world we live in. It's just the world Tottenham live in, to tell you the truth." 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. 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 Mirror
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool handed Florian Wirtz transfer warning as questions asked of £120m deal
Liverpool are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen and Germany attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz in the summer transfer window but an Anfield legend has reservations Ally McCoist has cast doubt over the wisdom of Liverpool spending a record-breaking fee on Florian Wirtz. The Reds appear to have made the German playmaker their No. 1 transfer target, and are vying with Bayern Munich to win the race for his signature. Bayer Leverkusen are demanding in excess of £120million for the 22-year-old, meaning Liverpool will have to smash their transfer record - set when they paid £85m for Darwin Nunez in 2022 - to bring him to Anfield. Chief executive Michael Edwards is travelling to the US to meet with club owners FSG to discuss a potential approach for Wirtz, with the club are prepared to break the bank to land the midfielder. By some, including McCoist, are a little sceptical about Leverkusen's asking price. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Scotland international was asked if he thought £120m was too steep for Wirtz, and his response was emphatic. "Yes, for anybody it is - that's my argument," McCoist said. "Is he a good player? Yes. Is he a top player? Yes, but straight away if you can get three players at £40m or maybe an £80m and a £40m. Yes, is the answer to the question." He insisted Liverpool would be wise to invest that money elsewhere, particularly since other positions, such as centre forward, need addressing more urgently. "I think that money could be better spent, I really do," he stressed. "Yes, I like him as a player and he'll make a difference in any side but it's too much for me, it really is too much. I know the market has gone crazy but I still think the priority [should be a striker]." McCoist's comments come as Liverpool explore their attacking options ahead of a busy transfer window. The club has held long-term interest in Wirtz, who was a standout in Leverkusen's 2023/24 title-winning campaign. His hot streak has carried over to the current season, with Wirtz scoring 16 goals and notching 15 assists in all competitions. As such, he's seen as one of Europe's most promising attacking midfielders, and his ability to play across multiple roles in the final third makes him an even more attractive prospect. Manchester City were tracking Wirtz, but have withdrawn from the race due to worries about cost. Bayern Munich are still in the running and are understood to be confident of beating Liverpool to his signature. Even if Wirtz were open to a move to the Premier League, the financial implications could be a major hurdle for the Reds. City are believed to have withdrawn after fearing the deal - with wages, agent fees and bonuses taken into account - might exceed the £250m mark. Liverpool have plenty of money to play with after setting aside a big chunk to replace Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. But given that Salah and Van Dijk have extended their contracts, much of that money can be reinvested elsewhere. Whether Liverpool opt to make a blockbuster move for Wirtz or follow a more balanced recruitment strategy remains to be seen. But if McCoist's view reflects broader thinking, even admirers of the player might feel that the cost outweighs the reward.
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Ally McCoist's incredibly honest pre-match ratings of Aberdeen and Celtic ahead of 1990 Scottish Cup final
Aberdeen and Celtic are gearing up to lock horns in this weekend's Scottish Cup final at Hampden. The Hoops also provided the opposition when the Dons last won the national competition in a mammoth penalty shootout in 1990. In the build-up to the 1990 final, the Press and Journal featured four pages of player ratings compiled by then Rangers striker Ally McCoist. McCoist, who was only 27 at the time and Rangers' top scorer that season, provided a detailed analysis of each player. It was clear McCoist, who now works as a pundit, fancied the Dons to come out on top at Hampden, which they eventually did when Brian Irvine slotted home the winning penalty. Here is McCoist's analysis of the Aberdeen and Celtic squads ahead of the 1990 final, including his mark out of 10 for every player.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Ally McCoist quizzed on emotional Ange Postecoglou moment as Rangers icon asked ‘has your wife been in touch?'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT was a night for the ages for ex-Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou as his Tottenham side triumphed over Manchester United in the Europa League final. And it seems nobody was happier for them than Rangers legend Ally McCoist! Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Ally McCoist and Ange Postecoglou shared a nice moment 4 McCoist was thrilled to see Postecoglou win the Europa League 4 McCoist was commentating on the game in Bilbao Credit: Alamy 4 Ange Postecoglou has won Spurs' first piece of silverware since 2018 Credit: Getty After a season of domestic turmoil and heavy criticism, Spurs boss Postecoglou followed through on his bold claim to win the North London club their first major silverware for 17 years. The former Hoops manager boldly stated that he "always" wins silverware in his second season in charge of a club - and he followed through with that promise in Bilbao. A scrappy Brennan Johnson goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Tottenham and punch their ticket to the Champions League next season. It's a remarkable prize at the end of a horror season that sees Spurs sit 17th in the Premier League table with just one game left to go. Postecoglou, 59, has faced some heavy criticism through the campaign and plenty of it in the lead-up to this game. He reacted angrily to a piece that claimed he was teetering on the brink of becoming a "clown" if Tottenham didn't win the final. Ally McCoist blasted those comments ahead of the game and was absolutely thrilled to see Postecoglou triumph - despite their rather different Old Firm allegiances! Rangers icon McCoist was in Bilbao to commentate on the game for TNT Sports. After Spurs' triumph, he made his way down to the sidelines and shared a touching moment with Postecoglou. Both men seemed delighted to see each other and shared a warm embrace. Prince William made TNT Sports pundits 'nervous' before viral interview at PSG vs Aston Villa clash McCoist dialled into the talkSPORT Breakfast Show from Bilbao Airport this morning and he was quizzed on the rather emotional moment. Former England striker Gabby Agbonlahor wondered if the 'big hug' had made McCoist's wife JEALOUS! Agbonlahor asked McCoist: "Most importantly, how good of a hugger is Ange Postecoglou? "I saw after the game you had a big hug. "Has your wife been in touch? A bit of jealousy about how good the hug was. It was a long tight hug Ally!" McCoist replied: "I was delighted for him. I've known him a long, long time, it goes a long way back. "I thought some of the stick - a lot of it is justified because it's been a terrible season for both clubs - but I thought some of the criticism before the final was a little bit personal." Jeff Stelling added: "The clown comment was a disgrace." McCoist continued: It was terrible. You can argue about his tactics, his formations. I was genuinely delighted for him. I really, really was pleased for him." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Furious Ange Postecoglou backed over 'clown' rant before Europa League final
Ally McCoist feels Ange Postecoglou was well within his rights to bite back at a reporter over the use of the term 'clown' ahead of Tottenham's meeting with Manchester United in the Europa League final Ally McCoist has backed Ange Postecoglou after the under-fire Tottenham boss took aim at a reporter during a press conference ahead of Wednesday night's Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao. Postecoglou, 59, has endured a torrid second season at the helm with Spurs currently 17th in the Premier League after losing a staggering 21 games, albeit the Londoners have enjoyed success in Europe. Victory over United would land them a trophy and an unlikely ticket to the Champions League next season, though Postecoglou's own position is unclear given their domestic struggles. One report ahead of Wednesday's big match highlighted the scenario, with the headline claiming that Postecoglou was 'teetering between hero and clown' ahead of Tottenham's season-defining showdown with the Red Devils. That did not go down well with the Spurs chief, who hit back at the reporter in question and admitted he was "really disappointed" to see that sort of terminology used. Postecoglou's reaction has become a big talking point online in the aftermath of the incident but McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, says the former Celtic chief was well within his rights to give some back after copping a load of criticism in recent months. "He's quite right. It's a ridiculous question," McCoist said when the question relating to Postecoglou's legacy was discussed. He continued: "I think he's well within his rights. I think it's a ridiculous question. I think it's a stupid question. "To label him a clown, it's just wrong on so many counts. So I think he's well entitled to fight his corner. I think it's a stupid question." McCoist's co-host, Alan Brazil, pointed out that Postecoglou brought up the term 'clown' in the press conference. But McCoist was having none of it and insisted it was right for Postecoglou to call out the article in question. The Scot said the clown reference 'crossed the mark', though, adding: "That's personal. That's got nothing to do with his ability to coach, manage or pick a team or get results, that's way above that. That's not the game for me. I'm in Big Ange's corner all day with that one." Postecoglou has refused to be drawn on speculation over his own future. Several reports have outlined that Tottenham will likely make a change if they lose Wednesday night's final with some even claiming Postecoglou could leave even if Spurs win in Bilbao. He scotched suggestions he could choose to walk away, though, when the question was put to him, saying: "No, because I don't think my job is done here. I really feel like we are building something and what a trophy does is hopefully accelerate that. "So, I still think there is work to be done. It is quite obvious with the challenges we've had this year, which I think are well chronicled but there is some reasoning in the context of that, but also there has been some growth and I would like to see through. "Whether that happens or not is not that important right now, but I don't think, far from it, this job is finished. I certainly feel there is some growth there that we can take this club to where it needs to be."
