Latest news with #MichaelSchofield
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘My phone exploded' – Alloa boss reacts to dream Rangers Premier Sports Cup draw as he eyes stunning Ibrox upset
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALLOA boss Andy Graham's convinced the Wasps can sting Rangers again in the Premier Sports Cup. His League One side stormed into the last 16 draw with four wins from four to top Group C, including the scalps of Premiership Dundee and Championship Airdrie. 2 Alloa boss Andy Graham Credit: Michael Schofield 2 He's already pulled off an upset against Premiership side Dundee this season Credit: Michael Schofield And they've been rewarded with a glittering tie and big pay-day for the club against Russell Martin's team at Ibrox. Holders Celtic have got a home tie against newly promoted Falkirk. Incredibly, part-time Alloa are unbeaten in their last two meetings against the Gers, including a draw at Ibrox in the Championship in April, 2016. Indeed, over nine previous matches the little club from Clackmannanshire have only lost three times, with a sensational 3-2 victory in the League Challenge Cup in 2014. Graham - over 250 games as an Alloa player and boss since 2023 - told SunSport: 'I didn't see the draw because I was out with my family. 'But my phone exploded, so I knew immediately who we'd got! 'It's a fantastic game - the players will be really excited while I'm sure the club will also be happy. 'It's the kind of game you want, a big team and a great stadium. 'It's a really good draw and one the players deserve for the way they qualified from the group. 'I think we're the only team from out-with the top two divisions to get through, so we have to be proud of that. Rangers transfer special assesses whether Conor Coady deal is OFF, if Hamza Igamane will leave and when the Gers can expect more incomings 'It's a game for us to enjoy - but we must also go to Ibrox and BELIEVE. 'I remember going to Parkhead, when Jack Ross was manager, nine years ago and Celtic were flying. We'd also had a good start to the season. 'We pushed them all the way. 'We lost a goal in the 83rd minute to James Forrest and then Moussa Dembele later made it 2-0. 'But we gave it a really good go that night. 'Of course Rangers will be heavy favourites - but you have to go there and believe you can cause an upset. 'The players have been fantastic in the Cup group stage and their confidence levels are high. Premier Sports Cup draw Celtic v Falkirk Kilmarnock v Dundee United Rangers v Alloa Livingston v Hibs St Johnstone v Motherwell Morton v Aberdeen Partick Thistle v Ayr United St Mirren v Hearts. 'We've got very important games before that in the league, starting with the opener at Stenhousemuir on Saturday. 'But the Rangers tie is a big one to look forward to. It's what you play football for, the players will want to test themselves against the quality they've got.' On Alloa's remarkable recent stats against Rangers, Graham said: 'It's incredible. There aren't many clubs in Scotland who'd have that record. 'We'll go to Ibrox and I'll want the players to showcase their talent, show just how good they are.' Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen go to Morton while St Mirren host Hearts, Dundee United visit Kilmarnock and Hibs travel to Livingston. Ties will be played weekend August 16-17. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots Oasis ticket-holders offered incredible discounts including cheap merchandise and parking – here's how
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OASIS fans heading to the Scots gigs can monkey around with discount deals before the gig at Edinburgh Zoo - and get money off parking. The Manchester supergroup are playing three dates at Murrayfield Stadium in the capital on August 8, 9 and 12. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Oasis are playing three gigs at Murrayfield Stadium 3 Edinburgh Zoo is a 30 minute walk from Murrayfield Credit: Michael Schofield 3 Murrayfield is hosting three gigs in August The zoo, situated a short walk from the ground, have offered discounts on fans who can show a ticket proving they are going to the sell-out gigs. The huge tourist attraction posted on social media those with gold dust briefs can gain 25% off admission, 25% off bucket hats and 15% off merchandise at the zoo shop. Fans can also take advantage of £20 parking at the zoo, which is a 30 minute walk from Murrayfield Stadium. The post said: 'What's the story, morning glory? 'Oasis are playing Murrayfield and we're rolling with it. 'Got a ticket for 8, 9 or 12 August? 'Flash it at the zoo and get 25% off admission (because nothing says pre-gig vibes like a stroll past a rhino), 25% off bucket hats (Liam would approve), 15% off shop merch (penguins > parkas?), £20 parking – just a short walk from the gig (Don't Look Back in Anger… at traffic).' The summer dates will go ahead when the capital is already packed with residents and tourists during the Edinburgh festival period. Oasis have already played several massive shows in Cardiff and Manchester. The Oasis Live '25 tour resumes on Friday with the first of five gigs at London's Wembley Stadium. Oasis kick off first Manchester homecoming gig after 16 years away The band will then play in Edinburgh and Dublin before heading to Canada, the US and Mexico. Two further Wembley gigs are lined up in September. We previously reported how OASIS fans have been branded 'drunk', 'lairy', 'fat' and 'old' in secret safety briefings ahead of their three sell-out Murrayfield megagigs. Snooty Edinburgh council officials also said punters at August's shows will be mainly 'middle-aged men' who 'take up more room'. Papers released under freedom of information laws reveal fears that acts will pull out of Edinburgh's world-famous arts festival due to possible clashes with 'rowdy' punters heading to the Britpop legends' three sell-out shows nearby Snooty officials expect 'medium to high intoxication' and a 'substantial amount of older fans' among the 210,000 gig-goers at Murrayfield Stadium on August 8, 9 and 12. Meanwhile millions are set to pour into the capital for Fringe comedy, music, dance, cabaret and kids' shows from August 1 to 25.
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Most popular holiday destinations for Scots revealed – but there's a warning for travellers as ‘busiest day' approaches
The top holiday picks have been revealed for those seeking guaranteed sun, outstanding food, culture and natural beauty HOT TICKET Most popular holiday destinations for Scots revealed – but there's a warning for travellers as 'busiest day' approaches Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE most popular destinations for Scots holidaymakers this summer have been revealed - and Spanish hotspots took first place. Taking the prime spot was Malaga and Alicante in Spain for those seeking guaranteed sun, outstanding food, culture and natural beauty - closely followed by Faro in Portugal. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Alicante in Spain took joint top spot with Malaga Credit: Alamy 2 September 5 is set to be the busiest day for Scotland's airports Credit: Michael Schofield Other popular destinations included Palma de Mallorca, Rhodes, Tenerife, Antalya and Dalaman. The new report by easyJet Holidays also found Edinburgh and Belfast were said to be the most popular domestic destinations for Scots holidaying closer to home or visiting family. However, those planning a sunny getaway have been warned as Scotland's busiest day of the summer for travel is on the horizon. easyJet research found Friday, September 5, is set to be the busiest day for Scotland's airports. The budget airline will see nearly 2,000 flights take off with over 300,000 customers expected to fly. This includes 180 flights carrying a whopping 28,000 customers to and from Scotland alone. This year, the airline launched eight new summer routes Scotland, including Antalya and Reus from Glasgow, and Enfidha, Dusseldorf, Zurich, Olbia, Marrakech, and Milan Linate from Edinburgh. Sophie Dekkers, easyJet's Chief Commercial Officer, said: "Every year, millions of customers continue to choose easyJet for the unrivalled choice of destinations we offer across our network, our great value fares and our crew's fantastic service. 'And this year with more seats and more new routes, we're offering more choice for customers than ever before, and we look forward to taking them away for a well-deserved holiday, always aiming to make travel easy.' The new data comes as Glasgow Airport was named as the best in the UK and another Scots hub was named in the top 10. The airport was hailed as the first choice for fast and affordable travel. Sould Park opening in Malaga Travel experts analysed air hubs across the UK, comparing the best and worst for average flights per day, average delays, cancelled flights, and flights delayed by 30 minutes or more. Staff at the ground transport firm hoppa also took into account the number of airport links, lounges, parking cost per day and scored the airports out of 10. With a rating of 9.21 out of 10, Glasgow Airport came out on top, The study found the airport has around 158 arrivals and departures per day, with an average flight delay time of 9.6 minutes.
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
OAP couple at war with Scots council over garden in fresh battle over home
Last April, Des was given 28 days to remove 'all property and fencing'. STANDING GROUND OAP couple at war with Scots council over garden in fresh battle over home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COUPLE vowed to stand their ground after stopping council officials tearing down the garden they have tended for 55 years. We told how Des and Jeanette Connor were stunned to learn they do not own their cherished plot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Workers turned up earlier this month to remove all property and fencing Credit: Michael Schofield 2 The garden holds cherished memories for Des and his wife, Jeanette Credit: Michael Schofield And they stood firm when landscapers arrived earlier this month to rip it up after a legal row. Great-grandad Des, 80, of Cumbernauld, said: 'They came to demolish the fence and the patio, cut down the tree, take away the hut and sow down grass. "I explained I'd been here for 55 years.' The bemused workers then made a call and an official showed up to talk to Des. He said: 'It's quite disturbing.' Tensions first arose in May 2023 when former roofer Des refused contractors access to the back garden to fix a leak at his neighbours' property. Two months later North Lanarkshire Council told him it owned the patch of ground. A sheriff in Airdrie sided with the local authority. Last April Des was given 28 days to remove 'all property and fencing'. North Lanarkshire Council said: 'We noted the sheriff's ruling. Our officers and contractors attended the property but were denied entry. 'We can't comment further on ongoing legal matters.' I'm being forced to tear down my loft conversion - my neighbours call it a 'monstrosity' but I'm going to fight back It comes after we told how Lewis Capaldi is locked in a battle with his neighbours over plans for a new fence. The Someone You Loved singer, 28, hopes to beef up privacy with a 6ft-high wooden barrier around the grounds of his farmhouse, near Glasgow. But resident Adam Dunwoodie has objected to the star's planning application claiming an existing fence has already had a 'significant adverse impact' on his home life. He said he understands Lewis's 'desire for security and privacy' but argued the height of the proposed partition would be 'oppressive'.
Scottish Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
I tried the ‘secret' Greggs menu items only available in Scotland – as reason for local items revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGGS fans are only just realising that there is a secret menu only available in Scotland. Everyone is familiar with the classic sausage roll or cheese and onion pasty but did you know the Empire Biscuit is only available north of the border? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Scottish Sun man Jordan Tennant taste tests the Scottish Greggs menu Credit: Michael Schofield 6 Some of the items include Scotch Pies, Empire Biscuits and Apple Danishes Credit: Michael Schofield A Greggs spokesperson lifted the lid on the regional favourites after it was revealed that Scotland had the most local items. They said: "Historically, our regional bakeries had responsibility for making their own products, which resulted in some local Greggs delicacies. "Some of these were so popular that as the business has grown, we are still selling them today." Elsewhere in the UK, Meat and Potato Pies can only be scoffed in Manchester while the London Cheesecake can be purchased in the southeast of England. We previously revealed that customers were left heartbroken after a much-loved staple was axed, however there are plenty of other mouthwatering treats. And Scottish Sun man JORDAN TENNANT was crust the man to try out the Scottish offerings. SCOTCH PIE I'VE eaten more Scotch Pies over the years than I care to remember. And Greggs is definitely up there with the best for its generous filling. The crust is crisp and the meat is mouthwatering with a stunning spice. Only available in Scotland, the northeast of England has Savoury Mince Pie - we'll stick with the real thing. 6 The Scotch Pie has a golden crust and is filled with stunning Credit: Michael Schofield PINEAPPLE CAKE IT wasn't just a burst of flavour I got from these sweet treats. The Pineapple cake also brought back a burst of nostalgia from devouring them as a kid. Our neighbours to the south are missing out on its rich cream filling on top of a sweet pineapple jam. 6 The Pineapple Cake is a fan favourite for its sweet and rich filling Credit: Michael Schofield EMPIRE BISCUIT THEY say everyday is a school day and this was certainly the case when I discovered the Empire Biscuit originated in Scotland. I'm told these are also available in the northeast of England. SCOTLAND REGIONAL ITEMS Bloomers Scotch Pie Empire Biscuit Fruit Scone French Fancy Pineapple Cake Devon Doughnut Jumbo Choc Ring Doughnut Vanilla Doughnut Apple Danish If you've never crossed paths with this mouthwatering treat, there's jam in the middle and a cherry on the top. 6 The Empire Biscuit is a golden biscuit with jam, icing and a cherry Credit: Michael Schofield APPLE DANISH THERE'S nothing Scottish about the name but that didn't bother me one bit. When I think of a Danish pastry, I think of a flaky croissant-type texture. But this was spongy and sweet and was perfect with a cup of coffee. 6 The Apple Danish is sticky and pairs well with a cup of coffee Credit: Michael Schofield UK'S REGIONAL ITEM Stotties – North East Savoury Mince Pie – North East Meat and Potato Bake – Manchester Corned Beef Bake – West, North East, Leeds, Wales Bread Pudding – South Choc Flake Cake – Wales Peach Melba – North East Custard Tart – West Cheese Scone – North East London Cheesecake – South East Pink Iced Finger – North East Tottenham Cake – South East Welsh Cake – Wales
