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Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
World media reacts as Rangers 'injustice' triggers spiteful Panathinaikos probe over an unforgivable error
There there things to work on for Russell Martin's new-look side but the former Scotland international is delighted with the result. You know it's been a successful night when you have the opposition's local media desperately seeking an intervention over a result they simply can't fathom. Were there things to work on for Russell Martin 's new-look Rangers side? Of course, but they have to work out the kinks after a rousing 2-0 win over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their Champions League second round qualifier at Ibrox. Giorgos Vagiannidis was sent off minutes after Findlay Curtis announced his arrival in light blue with the opener and that was followed up by jet-heeled Djeidi Gassama smashing home on his debut. It wasn't the perfect night with the visitors spurning a series of golden chances, however, Martin and his bold ideas were evident on night one. But no one was safe as one outlet attempted reverse psychology and Filip Djurisic, Vagiannidis and boss Rui Vitória, were all condemned over their role ahead of the return leg in Athens next week. Record Sport goes to Greece and beyond to see how others are viewing a thrilling night at Ibrox. Kathimerini (Greece) "The result does not do justice to the Greek team at all, with the visitors at Ibrox having major complaints from the referee who left them with 10 men early in the second half after a highly controversial second booking for Giorgos Vagiannidis. "Panathinaikos was by far the better team in the first 50 minutes of the game, missing several chances and even hitting the woodwork in the 9th minute with Facundo Pellistri. Somehow Rangers kept a clean sheet and only started asking questions at the Panathinaikos goal after the 35th minute. "Against the run of play the Scots took the lead with a well-balanced shot from a distance by Findlay Curtis. Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was denied a penalty despite getting kicked on the leg and a minute later Curtis powered the ball superbly into Bartlomiej Dragowski's net. "As if that had not been enough, Vagiannidis got his marching orders through a very harsh second yellow card, to leave Panathinaikos with 10 men for about 40 minutes. "That predictably led to the tipping of the game's balance to Rangers' favor, with the hosts scoring a second goal six minutes from time via Djeidi Gassama. "The Greens paid for wasting their chances. However the return leg on July 30 at the Olympic Stadium of Athens will be a completely different game." Sportime (Greece) "It's hard to understand how Panathinaikos lost this game. A match that should have been won in the first half. But at the start of the second half, the picture was similar, with Panathinaikos pressing. "Filip Djurisic is fatal, even more lethal than Giorgos Vayannidis. If we put them on the scale. The Serbian midfielder had clear chances to score. At least four, three of them classic. While in the 5th he takes a choice for no reason, for the home team to go on the counterattack and make it 1-0. "His worst moment, of course, was when he stole the ball, found himself alone against Butland and didn't even take a shot! "Vayannidis also had a bad day . He could have been sent off before the second yellow card, but the Lithuanian referee spared him, just as he did to Rangers. But the next time he gave him a card. "And defensively, the Greek defender wasn't good, losing Curtis in the 1-0 phase. Let's not talk about the diving phase.." A Bola (Portugal) "Rui Vitória, coach of Greek side Panathinaikos , had a less than happy first night in the UEFA Champions League , losing the first leg of the second qualifying round of the European competition 0-2 against Scottish side Rangers. Vagiannidis , a target for Sporting in this summer transfer window, was sent off in the 58th minute. "After the defeat, the 55-year-old Portuguese coach expressed confidence in the team's recovery and highlighted the team's strong performance up until Georgios Vagiannidis ' red card." Gavros (Greece) "Don't dare let Panathinaikos stay out of Europe. Not for Greek football, nor for the UEFA rankings. For us. For the laughs. For the show that this team consistently offers every year. "Is it possible for the "ambassador" to be missing from Europe? It's not possible! And of course we can't stop hearing the joke "Greece, Europe, Panathinaikos", which makes us cry with laughter every time! "Okay. Obviously, we don't care what Panathinaikos will do. We only care about the Legend moving forward, and that's what he's doing! But a little laugh with... our favourite team doesn't hurt!" Proto Thema (Greece) "Panathinaikos played its first official match of the new season at Ibrox Park, against Rangers for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League . The "green" fans have been dynamic, but those who stood out with the "good morning" were the Scottish fans, who raised a banner depicting the Parthenon and reading, "obstacles become our path", while also presenting the figure of the Goddess Athena."
Daily Record
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
2025 World Matchplay Darts: Full Wednesday schedule as Luke Littler hunts glory
World Champion hunting a first prestigious Blackpool title World Champion Luke Littler is back on the Blackpool stage aiming to take the next step to a first Betfred World Matchplay title. The teenage sensation made a sparkling start to his bid at the weekend and now aims for a spot in the last eight at the Winter Gardens. Fellow World Champions Gerwyn Price and Michael Van Gerwen are also back on the stage after being part of Monday's explosive session aiming to avoid shock exits. Blackpool has already seen some major names go out of the £800,000 event with Luke Humphries ' first-game exit a stunner. Seeds such as Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall have followed Cool Hand out of the door leaving Littler as the strong title favourite. Tuesday four ties sees multiple World Champions take to the stage and Record Sport takes you through the quartet of eagerly-anticipated encounters. Schedule of Play (7pm) Second Round Andrew Gilding v Dirk Van Duijvenbode Gilding missed double 12 for a spectacular nine-darter in his tie against Damon Heta before running out a 12-10 winner in a Winter Gardens epic. Both players averaged over a ton in a compelling contest and it was Goldfinger who prevailed in a dramatic tie-break. Van Duijvenbode earned his last 16 spot with a superb 10-8 win over Rob Cross. The Dutchman overturned a 6-2 deficit to stun the 2019 champion, unleashing a brilliant late barrage, including a magnificent tops-tops 137 checkout, to complete the comeback. Chris Dobey v Gerwyn Price 2022 runner-up Price maintained his terrific form to overcome Daryl Gurney in an explosive encounter which made headlines for an end-of-match and backstage bust-up. The Welshman defied a spectacular 150 checkout from his rival with back-to-back legs of 11 and 14 darts to wrap up a 10-7 success. Dobey got over a sluggish start to advance to the last 16 for a fourth straight year with a comfortable 10-5 victory over German No.2 Ricardo Pietreczko, winning seven of the last eight legs to progress. Luke Littler vs Jermaine Wattimena Littler sent out a statement to his title rivals producing a devastating display to celebrate his first win on the iconic Winter Gardens stage. The teenager swept aside a shellshocked Ryan Searle in just 16 minutes of play. Littler was imperious from start to finish at the Empress Ballroom averaging 108.92 and crashing in five maximums in his 10-2 demolition of the Somerset star. Wattimena had a tougher passage as he fended off a spirited fightback from 2021 champion Peter Wright to secure his first World Matchplay win, at the fifth attempt. The Dutchman suffered a quartet of first round exits between 2018 and 2021, but he marked his return with a hard-fought 10-8 victory at the expense of the two-time World Champion. Michael van Gerwen vs Josh Rock Van Gerwen overturned a 4-3 deficit against Raymond van Barneveld to prevail in a battle of the Dutch darting legends. Barney exploited some early errors from Van Gerwen to hit the front before the World No.3 found his range in the closing stages to progress. Rock produced a blistering performance to begin his bid for Matchplay glory. The World Cup winner came of age on his Winter Gardens return to sweep aside former European Champion Ross Smith. The Northern Irishman punished a nightmare start from Smith to win the opening five legs without reply, and although Smith grew into the contest, Rock always remained in control. Thursday July 24 (8pm) - Quarter-Finals x2 Friday July 25 (8pm) - Quarter-Finals x2 Saturday July 26 (8pm) - Semi-Finals Sunday July 27 - Afternoon Session (1pm) Betfred Women's World Matchplay Quarter-Finals Beau Greaves v Kirsi Viinikainen Lisa Ashton v Robyn Byrne Noa-Lynn van Leuven v Lorraine Winstanley Fallon Sherrock v Gemma Hayter Semi-Finals Greaves/Viinikainen v Ashton/Byrne Van Leuven/Winstanley v Sherrock/Hayter Final Evening Session (8pm) Betfred World Matchplay Final WHERE TO WATCH: The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
World Matchplay Darts: Full Tuesday schedule as Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting clash
James Wade and Luke Humphries' slayer are also on a tasty Tuesday card in Blackpool for the second biggest tournament in the sport In-form Gary Anderson is back and firing as he looks to win a second Betfred World Matchplay title. The Scottish star goes head-to-head with Stephen Bunting in a brilliant second-round tie which headlines Tuesday's darts action. Anderson has this week already hit out at the "boring" young darts stars who lack the banter of the big beasts from yesteryear. But back to the action. Blackpool has already seen some major names go out of the £800,000 event with Luke Humphries ' first-game exit a stunner. Seeds such as Rob Cross and Dave Chisnall have followed Cool Hand out of the door leaving Luke Littler as the strong title favourite. Tuesday four ties sees multiple World Champions take to the stage and Record Sport takes you through the quartet of crackerjack encounters. Sit back, strap yourselves in and enjoy! SCHEDULE OF PLAY (7PM) Gian Van Veen vs Danny Noppert Van Veen dethroned reigning champion Humphries on the opening night. The World No.1 was bidding to become the fourth player in World Matchplay history to retain the iconic Phil Taylor Trophy, but the young Dutchman had too many guns and an out a 10-8 winner to register his first victory at the venue. Noppert had an easier passage as he dispatched an out-of-sorts Cameron Menzies, racing into a 7-0 lead before wrapping up a comprehensive 10-2 success. The pair were partners for Netheherlands at last month's World Cup. Wessel Nijman v James Wade Nijman delivered a nerveless display on his World Matchplay debut fending off a valiant mid-game fightback from Nathan Aspinall. The Dutch kid's surprise win over the Stockport star set-up a huge clash with 2007 champion Wade, who reaffirmed his title credentials in a 10-3 demolition of 2023 semi-finalist Joe Cullen. Wade, featuring in his 20th consecutive World Matchplay campaign, recorded his highest ever average on the Winter Gardens stage averaging almost 105. Stephen Bunting vs Gary Anderson Anderson made a sprint for the finish in his clash against Luke Woodhouse rattling off five legs on the spin from 5-5 to set up a blockbuster showdown with fourth seed Bunting. The Scotsman struggled for fluency in the opening exchanges, although he produced a masterclass on the outer ring, pinning 67 percent of his attempts at double to get his title tilt underway. Bunting, who overcame a sluggish start to see off Ryan Joyce for the second straight year in round one. The Scouser required a tie-break to topple Joyce 12 months ago, but, despite surrendering an 8-4 cushion, the World No.4 responded with a brilliant 11-darter to advance. Jonny Clayton vs Mike De Decker Clayton, who was runner-up in 2023, defied a 103 average from Martin Schindler to extend the German's winless run in Blackpool, rounding off a clinical display to wrap up a 10-7 success. De Decker celebrated his first victory on the Winter Gardens stage converting back-to-back 104 and 148 checkouts to complete a 10-7 victory over five-time quarter-finalist Chisnall. The World Grand Prix champion trailed 7-6 at one stage before rattling off four successive legs to set up his meeting with fifth-seed Clayton. Remaining schedule Wednesday July 23 (7pm) Second Round x4 - Match Order TBC Littler v Wattimena Gilding v Van Duijvenbode Van Gerwen v Rock Dobey v Price Thursday July 24 (8pm) Quarter-Finals x2 Friday July 25 (8pm) Quarter-Finals x2 Saturday July 26 (8pm) Semi-Finals Sunday July 27 Afternoon Session (1pm) Betfred Women's World Matchplay Quarter-Finals Beau Greaves v Kirsi Viinikainen Lisa Ashton v Robyn Byrne Noa-Lynn van Leuven v Lorraine Winstanley Fallon Sherrock v Gemma Hayter Semi-Finals Greaves/Viinikainen v Ashton/Byrne Van Leuven/Winstanley v Sherrock/Hayter Final Evening Session (8pm) Betfred World Matchplay Final WHERE TO WATCH: The Betfred World Matchplay will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria & Switzerland based subscribers).
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Michel Ange Balikwisha to Celtic transfer addressed by agent as winger's private feelings made clear
The winger is in demand this summer and Royal Antwerp look to boost their coffers Royal Antwerp winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha's agent has lifted the lid on a potential move to Celtic. Brendan Rodgers is looking to add more firepower to his frontline - with a new winger on the Parkhead shopping list this summer. Reports in Belgium had suggested that 24-year-old Baliikwisha is a target for the Scottish Premiership champions with claims that a deal was "close" to bring wide man to Glasgow's east end. Sporting director at cash-strapped Antwerp Marc Overmars has admitted that the club are open to selling their key men - with Balikwisha expected to be on the list of departures with his contract set to expire next summer. However, the player's representative Jibril Rekkab insists that while the Belgian is not against the idea of a move to Celtic - but talks have yet to take place. He told Record Sport: "Michel-Ange is not closed to the idea of joining Celtic, but the club would still have to come forward. No discussions are underway." Celtic have been keen on the 24-year-old winger for more than a year and were ready to move before he suffered his last injury. The Hoops have already sold Nicolas Kuhn to Como for more than £17 million and Balikwisha is one of their top wide options they see as his replacement. Meanwhile, Celtic have been urged to put their best bid forward if they want to firm up their interest in Cukaricki midfielder Andrei Bacanin. The 18-year-old has also been linked with Ajax, Udinese and rivals Rangers. Cukaricki sports director Vladimir Matijasevic has admitted that their young Serb is likely to be sold amidst growing interest over the next week or so. Matijasevic said: 'There is a lot of interest in our young players and currently the focus is on the transfer of Andrej Bačanin. 'He attracted the attention of numerous clubs by playing for our team last season, but also for the Serbian national team at his age. 'We've had calls from Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, Ajax, Udinese, and some other teams are interested. 'It is possible that some other options will appear and I expect the transfer to be realized in the next ten days. "I expect that this will be another big outgoing transfer from Čukaricki, which would cover the budget of our club". The Hoops are also likely to confirm Marco Tilio's move to Rapid Vienna in the coming days. Record Sport revealed that the Austrians were closing in on a deal for the Australian international. The move will see Tilio move to Rapid on an initial loan with an obligation to buy for around £1.5 million after he makes a set amount of appearances.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Scottie Scheffler kills Rory McIlroy battle cry stone dead as world's best brutally underlines his brilliance
Supporters in Portrush turned the dial up to 11 to back McIlroy for his final round at The Open Sizzling Scottie Scheffler silenced a partisan home crowd as chants backing home hero Rory McIlroy were swept straight into the Atlantic Ocean. Supporters in Portrush turned the dial up to 11 to back McIlroy for his final round but the brilliance of the World No.1 soon told as he raced out to a three under start as he closes in on his fourth major. McIlroy received a rock star ovation on the first tee in scenes akin to the reception players receive when starring in A-list team events such as the Ryder Cup. And the cries from the crowd continued onto the course but they had little effect on Scheffler who marched to the beat of his own tune. BBC's Jonathan Bradley is walking the course and he revealed the crowd's final forlorn attempt to put Scheffler off didn't work. He said: Not to say it was a Ryder Cup atmosphere earlier but there were certainly a good number of "let's go Rory" shouts as Scottie Scheffler walked up the fairways. "Those have died off as that gap on the leaderboard grows between the world number one and the world number two." Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic page, 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 your phone. Join our Celtic community here.
