Latest news with #SamCleall-Harding
STV News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Sam Cleall-Harding: Fourth place would be incredible for Dundee United
Sam Cleall-Harding has targeted a European spot when Dundee United host Aberdeen on the final day of the William Hill Premiership season at Tannadice on Saturday. The 19-year-old defender scored his first goal for the Tayside club with a header from a corner to give Jim Goodwin's side the lead against Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday night. However, the Light Blues fought back with a Cyriel Dessers double – the second from the spot – and a strike from midfielder Nicolas Raskin to keep all three points in Govan. It was a fourth successive defeat for wobbling United who sit in fifth place, three points behind Aberdeen and one ahead of chasing St Mirren going into the final league fixture, with European places up for grabs. Academy graduate Cleall-Harding is aware of what is at stake against the Dons. He said: 'It's going to be massive and I hope I can play my part and get three points. 'If we can get that fourth position it's an unbelievable season, something to give back to the fans as well. 'We know what's at stake, a place in Europe and getting fourth would be an incredible season if we managed to get that. 'We're all determined to get that place and get the three points. 'It was a good experience playing at Ibrox and I'm happy and proud of myself to get on the scoresheet. 'But we're obviously disappointed not to get the three points that we set out to get. 'But we've got another big game on Saturday and we look forward to that.' It has been quite the journey for Cleall-Harding, who spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Kelty Hearts. He said: 'I enjoyed it at Ibrox. I want to play games, it's all I want to do. 'I was just glad to play my game. We didn't get the three points but we've got another big game Saturday to go and get that. 'We had a game plan and I thought it was working. 'Rangers are a good team and they're going to have chances. But we're obviously disappointed about the result.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Courier
Sam Cleall-Harding in one word Rangers 'nerves' response as Dundee United kid eyes 'incredible' prize
Sam Cleall-Harding is clearly not predisposed to nervousness. A clean sheet on his debut at Hearts, another shutout on his Tannadice bow against St Johnstone and a maiden Dundee United goal on his third senior appearance – at Ibrox Stadium. In the space of a few months, the Terrors teen has gone from lining up against the likes of Dumbarton, Annan Athletic and Alloa while on loan at Kelty Hearts, to crossing swords with Rangers on their own patch. Yet, there is little alteration to his mentality. He wants to play; he wants to impress. Football is football. He said: 'Was I nervous? No. This is what you want to do. You want to play football every day and perform at these big stadiums. 'When I got told I was starting, I was happy. It was a good experience and I'm proud to get on the scoresheet. But we're obviously disappointed not to get the three points that we set out for. 'We had a plan, and I thought it was working when we went 1-0 up. But Rangers are a good team and they're going to have chances.' Indeed, Rangers bounced back from Cleall-Harding's towering opener with a Cyriel Dessers brace – one from the penalty spot – before Nicolas Raskin made the game safe with 15 minutes to play. Nevertheless, Aberdeen's 5-1 hammering at the hands of Celtic means that a win over the Dons on Saturday will seal fourth spot for the Tangerines. Cleall-Harding has experienced plenty of memorable Tannadice afternoons as a punter in the stands – now the boyhood Arab could take a starring role in one. 'It's going to be massive, and I hope I can play my part,' he smiled. 'We know what's at stake; a place in Europe and potentially even getting fourth. It would be an incredible season if we managed to do that. We're all determined to get those points and give something back to the fans, too.' Meanwhile, Cleall-Harding has praised the continued influence of Declan Gallagher, who is playing through the pain for the United cause despite knowing his future lies elsewhere. 'He's a top professional and wants to play these games because he's played such a big part throughout the whole season,' continued the 19-year-old. 'He wants to finish on a high and get the group to Europe – so credit to him. 'Gall has been brilliant for me. To learn from someone with the career he's had; you need to take tips off him every day. He really wants to help you and that's all you can ask for as a young boy. 'I'm really happy to have the chance to play alongside him.'
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Barry Ferguson: Reception from Rangers fans meant a lot
In the final home game of the season, United defender Sam Cleall-Harding headed the Taysiders in front after 21 minutes before the enigmatic Cyriel Dessers equalised with a header five minutes later. Dessers slotted in a penalty in the 71st minute for his 28th goal of the season to take his tally to 50 since signing for Rangers two seasons ago before midfielder Nicolas Raskin soon added a third and Ferguson was hailed by the fans. He said: 'It means a lot because it's a club that I've been at since I was seven or eight years old. 'I'm not scared to say it was a bit emotional. Since I've come in, I've given it everything. I've given it everything that I had. 'I said in my first interview that I was going to be me. I'm not going to try and kid anyone on. I really enjoyed it. It was good to get that reception. 'We've still got one game to go on Saturday against Hibs at Easter Road. We need all focus to go on that now.' On Dessers' landmark goal, Ferguson said: 'I'm delighted for him because I think a big man comes in for unfair criticism. I really do. 'But to work with him for the last three months, I see how much effort he puts in on the training field. He works really hard at his game. 'He gives you everything. It's a brilliant return this year, 28 goals. 'When we got that penalty, normally the skip (James Tavernier) goes up and takes them. 'I'm thinking to myself, he better score this or he's going to get one from me. But thankfully, he hit the back of the net. I'm delighted for him and it's a brilliant return.' The defeat left United in fifth place, three points behind Aberdeen whom they host in the final game of the season on Saturday, and one point ahead of St Mirren. Manager Jim Goodwin's side have lost four in a row but he is hoping to clinch a European spot against the Dons. He said: 'There's no getting away from the fact that the last four results have been a major disappointment for this group given what we've put in this season. 'But we've got an opportunity to finish it on a really positive note and there's no reason why we can't. 'We know what we have to do. Not only now have we got the opportunity to secure fifth but with a win we've actually got the opportunity to jump over Aberdeen into fourth. That's a huge incentive for everybody.'
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers takeover king sees Cyriel Dessers hit 50 but Vaclav Cerny hints at Ibrox farewell
It was the final home game of a nightmare campaign but those who bothered to turn up at least had something to cheer Sir Alex Ferguson was back at Ibrox for a trip down memory lane. But it remains to be seen if Fergie Time is over for his managerial namesake. Caretaker gaffer Barry was overseeing what might just be his final home match in interim charge of the team. Sir Alex didn't hang around to see Cyriel Dessers hit the 50 mark for Gers with goals in either half. The former Manchester United gaffer was pictured taking a look round his told team's museum earlier the day but was long gone before United kid Sam Cleall-Harding opened the scoring, never mind Nico Raskin's late third for Rangers. New owner Andrew Cavenagh and his partners from 49ers Enterprises were in attendance and it's now down to the Americans to spell out Barry's future. Here's the talking points from Ibrox: Lap of dishonour Next time the Rangers support turn up at Ibrox, they'll hope to be walking into a very different club. It's been a miserable campaign for the Gers faithful and just as was the case on Sunday, thousands demonstrated just how fed up they are by staying home. But the promise of a US takeover at least offers scope for a brighter future. Just what that entails will be explained in the coming days but in the meantime the Gers faithful had one last home game to get through. Their already sagging enthusiasm for the showdown with United were hardly helped by the sight of Jim Goodwin's side taking the lead 20 minutes in. The hosts had started the brighter and deservedly pounced when Sam Cleall-Harding gave the sleeping James Tavernier the slip to nod home from Ryan Strain's corner on 20 minutes. Their lead didn't last long as Dessers got Rangers level with a fabulous header five minutes later. It was the Nigerian who put Gers in front from the penalty spot on 72 minutes after VAR recommended ref Calum Scott take a look at Vicko Sevelj's challenge on Mohamed Diomande. United were still reeling from that set-back when they were hit with another hammer blow three minutes later as Nico Raskin rifled into the roof of David Richards' net. But even with that late show won't do much to make up for a dreadful season. Frankly, Saturday's Easter Road curtain-closer can't come quick enough for the Light Blues legions. The fans who did turn up certainly weren't hanging about a second longer than needed as they gave their team's lap of dishonour at the end a swerve. Slick Cyd brings up the 50 Where do you start with Dessers? He's a striker that seems to have the Rangers faithful pulling their hair out on a weekly basis. Yet his deadly double means he now has 50 goals in just two season in Glasgow. He made the point himself last week that fans would have taken those kind of figures had they been offered them when he arrived from Cremonese. But there's still that nagging feeling that a more reliable frontman would be well on his way to a century by now had they been presented with some of the gilt-edged chances Dessers has spurned over his time in Scotland. That may be true but you can't take anything away from his two finishes last night. Having missed two glorious headed chances against Aberdeen on Sunday, no-one was expecting him to bullet home with a stunning finish from Jefte's wicked delivery. He was able to bring up his 50th for Gers with a second half penalty after regular taker James Tavernier stepped aside - and it's enough to nudge him ahead of Daizen Maeda and Simon Murray to take over the Premiership golden boot race. Butland back with a bang From Super Jack Butland in goal one year to calamity keeper the next, this season certainly hasn't gone how the Ibrox No1 expected. The former England stopper was Gers player of the year by some distance last term — but he's miles of it this campaign. Clangers home and away to Motherwell, a humiliating OG against former club Manchester United, the inexplicable spill at Dens Park — all of those have served to chip away at the high esteem the 32-year-old has been held in since his arrival in the summer of 2023. Last month's howler at home to Hibs proved to be the final straw for Ferguson as he dumped Butland back to the bench, with Liam Kelly handed the gloves instead. But after six games kicking his heels amongst the subs, Butland was back in sticks to face United. It was a chance to show he still has it to be the club's first-choice stopper - or maybe an opportunity to stick one of the club's highest earners in the shop window. Regardless of the reasoning, he took it by making three big saves from Glenn Middleton, Sam Dalby and a Dessers mis-kick. Fond farewells? Butland isn't the only Rangers player with a question mark over his future. With huge changes coming this summer, there's barely a first-team member who can be certain of their involvement next season. Gers would undoubtedly love to keep Vaclav Cerny next season but unless the in-coming Yank owners can find a fresh pile of dollars, it looks like the £6million-rated Czech loanee is on his way back to Wolfsburg. That certainly seemed the message as he paused while being subbed off to bid what looked like an emotional goodbye. Leon Balogun has already made his pitch for a new deal this week but with the centre-back set to turn 37 next month that's far from guaranteed, despite another steady showing in defence. As for costly recruits like Nedim Bajrami, Danilo, Robin Propper and Tom Lawrence, most of those who bothered to turn up last night won't mind if the farewells dished out at full-time will be a final one. United run flat Dundee United stormed through the split with ambitions of chasing down third place. Instead, they arrived at Ibrox desperately clinging onto the fifth and final Euro spot after a disastrous start to their top-six schedule. Now the have to beat Aberdeen at home on Saturday if they are to ensure their passports will be getting booked next tee,. Jim Goodwin admitted his knackered Tangerines have been running on empty after a gruelling first season back in the Premiership. Successive defeats to Celtic, Aberdeen and St Mirren saw them concede 10 goals stripped the Tannadice men of much of the confidence they'd built up during a previously impressive campaign. They didn't look too tired right in the early stages at Ibrox right enough, despite turning up with only 17 fit players. But once they let Cleall Harding's lead slip it was always inevitable their energy reserves would run dry and so it proved. They need to find a spark against the Dons or it will be St Mirren jetting out on Conference League duty.
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dundee United 1-0 St Johnstone: Analysis
On current form, United are more than worthy of their place at the top end of the players are showing a confidence that has been evident for the vast majority of the season and it's clear to see the fans, who are turning up in great numbers, are enjoying the work ethic and quality on only worry is that Sam Dalby, United's top scorer this season, went off injured in the second half. He will be a huge loss if he misses any of the remaining emergence of Sam Cleall-Harding has soothed injury worries in defence and the 19-year-old looked solid in just his second final five games will ultimately decide if Europe awaits for United but, regardless, this season is one to remember for the Tannadice club.
