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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities
He reckons people still think he acts like he did on the pitch - and called one of his old Celtic enemies "one of the nicest people you can meet" OUT OF THE GAME OUT OF THE GAME 'I don't know why I can't get a job' – Rangers cult hero quizzed on whether Old Firm past is denying him opportunities Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Rangers star Nacho Novo is desperate for a job in football management. But he has been left scratching his head as to why he hasn't had more opportunities. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Nacho Novo was a cult hero during his time at Rangers Credit: Alamy 3 Novo during his time with Lexington SC in the USA 3 He's been talking about his hunt for a full-time managerial job Credit: LET ME BE FRANK The ex-Gers striker returned to Scottish football with Drumchapel United as part of the coaching staff last year. Drumchapel currently ply their trade in the West of Scotland Football League Premier Division - the sixth tier of the SPFL pyramid. While Novo admits he loves working with the part-timers but has found himself questioning why, after such a glittering playing career, that he's been passed over for other coaching jobs. It was reported last year that Novo applied for the Raith Rovers job when Ian Murray was bizarrely sacked just one game into the season. But the Kirkcaldy club appointed Neil Collins as his successor. Novo, 46, retired in 2017 after having played in the top flights of Spain, Scotland and Poland and winning seven trophies (six with Gers and one with Legia Warsaw). He went through his coaching badges before landing his first job as a coach at Lexington SC in USL League One (the third tier of football in the United States). He initially served as assistant manager and as the head coach of the Under-23s before being promoted to the interim role in September 2023. But he left and within a year had returned to Scotland. After a full season with Drumchapel, Novo has admitted he is still chasing a dream of opening a football academy if he doesn't get a full-time job in management. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed Speaking on the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Novo said: "I've been at Drumchapel for a whole season now and I love it. "Especially because it's proper football, that's how I'd say it! Proper tackles! "We had a good group of boys, some have been pros. They did well this season." Drumchapel finished sixth in the Premier Division this season. And despite his reputation as a former Rangers fan favourite, Novo insists he never had any added grief on the sidelines over the past year. But he does wonder if his association to the Light Blues has held him back when it comes to applying for other jobs higher up the food chain. He said: "I don't know why I can't get a job in football as a coach or anything like that. "Is it because of Rangers? I don't know. "It's probably because of how I was on the park but how I was on the park is not how I am as a person outside." Expanding on that point, Novo talked about how former Celtic foes like John Hartson remain good family friends to this day. And how one-time arch rival Neil Lennon is one of the nicest people he's met in football. Novo said: "People think about Neil Lennon for example, they think he's terrible, that he acts like he did on the pitch. He's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. "John Hartson, he's a good friend of my family. "We played on the same park and hated each other but we respected each other. "On the pitch we were enemies and that was my mentality but outside of that I'm very quiet and a family man." Novo has been approached for a scouting job that would see him scour Scotland and the north of England for talent. But his main ambition is to open a cross-border football academy that would link his homeland and his adopted home. He said: "I tried to open a football academy here and in Spain. "I wanted to bring clubs from Scotland over to Spain for a tournament and bring Spanish teams here for the same thing. "But that takes a lot of insurance to do it right, a lot of admin and red tape. "That's my idea at the moment." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
3 days 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
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero
He made a bigger impact at Gers than expected OLD FRIENDS REUNITED Rangers icons reunite to mark 20 years since famous moment in club's history – including rarely spotted cult hero Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GROUP of Rangers legends reunited this weekend to celebrate the anniversary of one of the most famous moment's in the club's history. And among them was a certain cult hero who fans have rarely heard from - or even seen - since he left Ibrox. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Can you name all the players in this picture? 4 Rangers celebrate winning the title in 2004-05 Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing - The Sun Glasgow The year 2025 marks 20 years since Helicopter Sunday, when the Light Blues pulled off a miracle to snatch the Premiership title from Celtic's grasp on the final day of the season. Heading into the last game of the campaign, Celtic were ahead on points by 92 to 90. Gers beat Hibs 1-0 in Edinburgh thanks to a goal from Nacho Novo but with the Hoops winning by the same scoreline at Motherwell it looked like they would retain their league crown. But two stunning late strikes from Scott McDonald tipped the race in the favour of Rangers, as Celtic went down 2-1 at Fir Park. The famous line in commentary - 'The helicopter is changing direction' - was immediately etched in Scottish football folklore, as the aircraft carrying the league trophy was forced to about turn from Lanarkshire and head to the capital. That day ranks as one of the most iconic in the history of Rangers and the players involved almost immediately gained hero status. Five Stars Limited organised a tribute night and invited six players from the squad to the event, held at the Hilton DoubleTree in Glasgow. The former stars appeared on stage alongside former boss Alex McLeish, each of them answering questions and talking about their own experiences of that odds-defying day. Novo and McLeish were joined by Marvin Andrews, Thomas Buffel, Alex Rae and current interim boss Barry Ferguson, who had only just rejoined Gers in the second half of the Helicopter Sunday season. And the final member of the group was ex-goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus. Rangers fans defiant banner after tifo criticism The Dutchman has scarcely been seen in Scotland since his departure from Rangers a year after Helicopter Sunday. He initially joined Gers in the 2005 January transfer window from Manchester City due to an injury to Stefan Klos. A member of PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie-winning teams of the late nineties and early noughties, Waterreus eventually took over the No.1 jersey from German international Klos. He left with a rising Allan McGregor ready to step in between the sticks and would go on to play for AZ Alkmaar and New York Red Bulls before retiring. Now 54, he has kept a relatively low profile since hanging up his gloves, save for the odd media appearance and briefly venturing into the world of business with his own goalie glove company. Waterreus also played in the testimonial for Rangers legend Fernando Ricksen, who was suffering from Motor Neurone Disease. He looked barely recognisable from his time at Gers at the Five Stars event, his trademark messy and curly locks now ditched for a slick, wavy look. Five Stars thanked the fans who attended and described the do as a "great evening". The company said in a social media post: "A great evening spent with some legends of the club commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 'Helicopter Sunday'. "Thank you to everyone who joined us. We hope you had a good time." 4 Ronald Waterreus during his Rangers days Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 4 Waterreus can be seen in the second row, third from the left Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
