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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Littler roars 'I'm still here' as the Nuke just dodges shock Betfred World Matchplay exit
The World Champion climbed off the canvas after his big on-stage outburst to beat Jermaine Wattimena in Blackpool Fiery Luke Littler rifled an 'I'm still here' warning as he produced a phenomenal fightback to stay in the Betfred World Matchplay. The World Champion let loose with the emotions as he stormed back superbly to beat Jermaine Wattimena and book a quarter-final spot. Littler was in huge trouble against the Dutchman after an out-of-sorts beginning which saw him bust his score in the opening leg and drop a staggering 7-2 behind. The teenager was staring down the barrel, but, with his back to the wall in the 10th leg, he hit a winning shot and roared his defiant message. Littler turned to his family and backers in the VIP section and shouted 'I'm still here' and gave a calm down motion. He was proven absolutely correct as he proceeded to reel off the next five legs in succession to move into the lead of the last 16 clash with big bursts of emotion. Wattimena managed to stem the tide and stop the rot as he got it back to 8-8, but the momentum was all with the World Champion. Littler was in full focus mode and even turned down one of his favourite Big Fish 170 finishes in his final surge to the winning line. The Dutchman didn't give it up and the game forged to a tie-break situation where it had to be won by two clear legs and the Ally Pally king got it done to go through with a 13-11 triumph. Littler let out big emotions at the finale as he survived and, asked how, he said: 'No idea. Ever since the first leg, it just didn't go to plan. Obviously, I bust the 127 and I missed it and I missed my doubles. Then, obviously, tops tops, I said to myself, if you get this, just go off stage. 'After the second break, as some people may know, I say to myself, you're on the stage until the end. When I won there, I pointed to the star on my shirt. I'm a World Champion for a reason. I find these gears when I need it. 'Jermaine, he was always behind me, but I think when I went on to win four or five legs, I said to myself, you're in the lead for the first time now. Don't let it slip away. 'I'll be honest, I've not felt pressure like that since the first round of the World Championships against Ryan Meikle. Bit nervous, but the crowd here, unbelievable. It's only my third game here and I've won two of them. 'Even after my first round game, I said to my family, I want to get back on stage. And right now, I can't wait to be in the quarter-finals.' 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 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.
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rangers activate RHP Jon Gray for first time since fractured forearm in spring training
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray was activated from the injured list Wednesday after being out since getting struck by a line drive that fractured his right forearm during a spring training game in mid-March. Gray could start or pitch out of the bullpen for the Rangers. The 33-year-old Gray is in the final season of a $56 million, four-year deal signed in 2021, and is 21-21 while starting 72 of his 76 games since then. Reliever Luke Jackson was designated for assignment to make room on both the 26-man active roster and the 40-man roster before the Rangers played the finale of a three-game series against the Athletics. Gray was 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA in an injury-marred 2024, when he spent time on the injured list because of a strained groin before his season was cut short by a bothersome right foot issue. Colorado took him with the third overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft and he spent his first seven big league seasons with the Rockies. He was struck by a 106.4 mph comebacker off the bat of Rockies slugger Michael Toglia in a spring training game on March 14. The Rangers signed Gray in the same offseason that they added World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager on a $325 million, 10-year contract, and second baseman Marcus Semien got a $175 million, seven-year deal. Jackson was 2-5 with nine saves and a 4.11 ERA in 39 appearances this season. The right-hander had only one save since April 25. ___ AP MLB:
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gerwyn Price swerves Blackpool bust-up backlash as he storms through to Betfred World Matchplay quarter finals
The Welsh star was delighted to get the backing of the Winter Gardens crowd after his fiery battle two days earlier Chuffed Gerwyn Price was thrilled to avoid a Blackpool backlash as he stormed into the last-eight of the Betfred World Matchplay. The Welsh star returned to the Winter Gardens stage for the first time after his bust-up clash with Daryl Gurney on Monday night. Price was back to tackle Chris Dobey and instantly into the groove as he smashed the Geordie by an 11-3 scoreline. The Iceman was given big backing by the Blackpool sell-out and Price was delighted about it as he said: 'I think I played pretty well through the middle part of that game. 'Testament to the crowd, you know, they were behind me, which I didn't expect today after Monday. But yeah, it was fantastic. 'That's what I look foreard to now every game is the crowd being behind me. It's nice and then I go and perform like that. I expected a few little boos, which I got, but I expected a little more and it was nice, it was good.' 'The middle part of the game felt like I couldn't miss. I put Chris under a lot of pressure. I think he still played pretty decent in patches. I think early on we both were flying, but I was just pipping him on a couple of legs and probably disheartened him a little bit. It's a good game for me.' Price kept emotions in check to power through the line and added: 'It's definitely tough. I mean, I want to let my emotions go sometimes, but whether I'm 4-1 up or 8-2 up, which I was in that game, I can still lose. I've lost games where I've been 5-1 up, first to six. "I lost to Danny Norbert in the European Championships a couple of years ago, where I was a lot of legs up. So I concentrated right until the end there. It was a tough game.' Price's success maintains his stunning recent run of form and, asked where the motivation lies, he smiled: 'Just the money! And the ranking points, because I dropped down quite a bit. "And yeah, just getting some money on my rankings more than anything. It's one of the trophies I haven't won, which I really want to win. 'I lost in a final of this, I think 2022. So yeah, it's a tournament I really want to win.' Price isn't interested in upcoming opponents as he added: 'No, no, honestly, it doesn't matter. I go up every single time, play the board. I know it's easy to say that, but I do. I go up, I play the board. "If my game's good enough, I'll win. If it's not, I'll go home. today, it was more than good enough. I put Chris under a lot of pressure, but I felt like I was good.' 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 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.
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Rangers activate RHP Jon Gray for first time since fractured forearm in spring training
Associated Press ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray was activated from the injured list Wednesday after being out since getting struck by a line drive that fractured his right forearm during a spring training game in mid-March. Gray could start or pitch out of the bullpen for the Rangers. The 33-year-old Gray is in the final season of a $56 million, four-year deal signed in 2021, and is 21-21 while starting 72 of his 76 games since then. Reliever Luke Jackson was designated for assignment to make room on both the 26-man active roster and the 40-man roster before the Rangers played the finale of a three-game series against the Athletics. Gray was 5-6 with a 4.47 ERA in an injury-marred 2024, when he spent time on the injured list because of a strained groin before his season was cut short by a bothersome right foot issue. Colorado took him with the third overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft and he spent his first seven big league seasons with the Rockies. He was struck by a 106.4 mph comebacker off the bat of Rockies slugger Michael Toglia in a spring training game on March 14. The Rangers signed Gray in the same offseason that they added World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager on a $325 million, 10-year contract, and second baseman Marcus Semien got a $175 million, seven-year deal. Jackson was 2-5 with nine saves and a 4.11 ERA in 39 appearances this season. The right-hander had only one save since April 25. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Findlay Curtis fake news confession as Rangers teenager comes of age - literally
Winger a year older than was reported after Champions League heroics Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It was the night nearly everyone agreed Findlay Curtis had come of age although the exact age in question did not get confirmed until after the game. The groans of reporters could have been heard outside on Edmiston Drive. They had already filed reports against a punishingly tight deadline rhapsodising about an 18-year-old's game-changing impact for Rangers against Panathinaikos. It was 18-year-old this, 18-year-old that. Rarely has a player's age been referenced as much. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Actually, sorry everyone, it might help to know that Curtis is 19,' we were informed by a Rangers official over an hour after the final whistle. Never mind stop the press, hark the sound of fists crashing down upon desks. Rangers winger Findlay Curtis celebrates his opening goal in the 2-0 win over Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group Everyone was culpable. We had all spent the night peddling fake news. Wikipedia, be damned. Curtis, it turns out, turned 19 in June. He can blame the internet for any shortage of cards. On nearly every site likely to cover such information his birthdate remains unhelpfully listed as 1 October, 2006. Of course, it might help if club websites actually included such vital information along with adverts for new season strips and upcoming Oasis tribute band gigs. Where's a copy of the Wee Red Book, that old pocket-sized bible of Scottish football, when you really need it? On the official Rangers website, Curtis is still listed as a B-squad member. No birth date is given although a wide-ranging interview with the player from 9 June last year does note that he 'celebrates his 18th birthday today'. What is indisputable is that he has been involved with the Rangers Academy since the age of six. It's also safe to say, without any fear of contradiction, that he was still a teenager on Tuesday night when he made just his second senior start. What a show of faith from Russell Martin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It was revealed afterwards that the manager had, probably wisely, decided to give Curtis 24 hours' warning that he was playing to help him digest the news. While it might have led to a sleepless night on the eve of the game, it meant more chance to round up the family. Hence his mother, father, girlfriend, girlfriends' parents, his brother and sister and his pals all being inside Ibrox to see the magical moment when the quality of his first touch from Nico Raskin's pass saw possibilities suddenly open up. He chose to drive inside and took two three more touches, the third of which was the connection that sent a shot crashing beyond Bartlomiej Dragowski into the far corner of the visitors' goal. By getting a clearly spooked Georgios Vagiannidis red carded, his next contribution was almost as consequential. Curtis was sent sprawling in the middle of the park by the Greek full-back after another good first touch had spelled danger. Findlay Curtis scores to make it 1-0 to Rangers over Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Detained by knight of the realm Curtis was told on Monday morning he would be starting. He told us this at an hour that we are almost contractually bound to write was 'way after his bedtime' on Tuesday, although the reason for the delay - it was nearing 11pm before the teenager made his way into the media room – was a compelling one. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sir Alex Ferguson had set everything back by paying Curtis a visit in the home dressing room after the game. 'Don't blame me!' Martin pleaded when he finally appeared for his manager's press duties. He, too, had been unavoidably detained by the knight of the realm, who's been spending more time around Rangers recently than Broxi the Bear. 'He just congratulated me on my goal,' reported Curtis. 'Coming from a legend like him, I'll take it.' It seemed notable that Ferguson should be present. After all, he is so associated with Manchester United's 'class of 92'. He was unafraid to push through a raft of talented kids and saw this policy reap dividends. Few if any club since then have been blessed with such an embarrassment of riches. It was no hardship for Ferguson to hand playing time to the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham. Rangers by contrast have a particularly poor record of bringing through youngsters. In fairness to recent managers, what can you do if the talent isn't there? While there might have been a willingness to blood youngsters they've been hamstrung by a somewhat rum field of candidates. Ross McCausland is one of the few to really make a fist of breaking into the team and he now looks set for pastures new. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Adam Devine was hailed as a future James Tavernier replacement and is currently without a club having been released by Rangers in the summer. Leon King, meanwhile, was watching from the bench on Tuesday night but few surely believe he's not already had his best days with Rangers. Rangers head coach Russell Martin gives instructions to Findlay Curtis during the Champions League clash with Panathinaikos at Ibrox. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) | SNS Group Future Scotland international? Whether Curtis can buck the trend remains to be seen. There are signs that he might possess the X-factor required. He refused to be inhibited by a difficult first half for him and his team. It's also not the first time Curtis has caught the eye in high octane circumstances having come on after an hour against Manchester United at Old Trafford in January and looking assured. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Is it the start of something? Martin expressed the hope that it is. It's his job to ensure that Curtis is given the best possible opportunity to maximise his potential, and, crucially, that he does so at Rangers. As was heavily emphasised at his unveiling, Martin is the 'head coach'. Player development is very much his domain. Although his preferred position is in the middle, a winger shining at one of Scotland's biggest clubs is not just good news for Rangers, but also Steve Clarke, or, more realistically, the national manager after Clarke (or maybe even the one after that).
