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Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
West Lothian Schools Pipe Band were crowned World Champions in their grade
West Lothian Schools Pipe Band were crowned World Champions in their grade The talented band members picked up the top trophy in the Novice A section for the first time, after being runners-up for the last four years. West Lothian Schools Pipe Band were crowned World Champions in their grade at the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow last weekend. (Image: WSH]) West Lothian Schools Pipe Band were crowned World Champions in their grade at the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow last weekend. The talented band members picked up the top trophy in the Novice A section for the first time, after being runners-up for the last four years. It rounds off a fantastic year for the band, who also retained their Scottish Champions trophy in the Novice A category in Dumbarton last month. The band were formed in 2007, and have previously won a number of trophies in the last 18 years, including UK and European Championships. West Lothian Schools Pipe Band's pipe major Graham Drummond said: 'We are absolutely delighted to be named as World Pipe Band Champions in the Novice A grade this year. 'The band have been working so hard to take the top prize after coming so close for the previous four years. They deserve this title for all the effort they have put in and we are pleased to bring the trophy back to West Lothian for the first time.' Article continues below Executive councillor for education Andrew McGuire added: 'Many congratulations to all the amazing Westies on becoming the Novice A World Champions for 2025. 'The young people involved put in a huge amount of work to get to this stage, so it's a reward for all the tough nights of practice and rehearsal. 'Thanks also go to their superb tutors and supportive families, who have helped the young people to achieve this fantastic result.' The 'Worlds' – the premier contest in the global piping competitive calendar – brings together the best pipers and drummers on the planet to compete in the ultimate 'battle of the bands'. The event is delivered by culture and sport charity Glasgow Life on behalf of The Royal Pipe Band Association with support from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland's Events Directorate. This year's spectacular showcase of skills and talent saw 15 countries represented by 207 bands, 53 of which were from overseas destinations including Australia, Oman to Zimbabwe. Scotland entered the biggest national contingent – 122 bands. Northern Ireland had the second largest, with 25 bands, and next was the USA with 14 bands. 'The Worlds' attracts thousands of spectators to Glasgow every summer and attendance at this year's exciting two-day contest was over 35,000. Scottish Government failing West Lothian stroke survivors according to leading charity READ MORE: Audiences all over the world were also able to view highlights from the championships on both days via live streaming. This year the major event included a dedicated youth competition. More than 1,500 under 18s competed in this new feature of 'the Worlds' which celebrated and recognised young talent in piping and drumming, and showcased the incredible talent and skills of the next generation. Colin Mulhern, Chief Executive of The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, said: 'We are grateful to all of the competing bands, supporters and spectators who joined us for our 2025 championships. 'This year's 'Worlds' proved to be a fiercely-fought contest and our 2025 World Pipe Band Champions Inveraray & District Pipe Band deserve huge congratulations for winning the global title for a second year running. Article continues below 'Every one of the bands can take great pride in their wonderful performances. They gave us a splendid competition and demonstration of their dedication to excellence, and their outstanding skills and talent.' Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.
Daily Mail
04-08-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Hearts boss McInnes is fully on board with Bloom's ambitions as Tynecastle men get season off to a fine start
Derek McInnes insists he is happy to embrace the ambitious goals of investor Tony Bloom — who has set his sights on Hearts becoming Scottish champions within the next 10 years. Brighton owner Bloom was at Tynecastle last night to watch Hearts open their Premiership campaign with a richly deserved win over Aberdeen. Earlier in the day, Bloom had claimed Hearts are already capable of splitting the Old Firm and finishing second in the table this season. McInnes, who revealed he will sit down for discussions with Bloom for the first time today, is more than happy to buy into the English entrepreneur's vision as seeks an on-field return on his £10million stake in Hearts. 'I knew what Tony was going to say ahead of him saying it and I've got absolutely no problem with it at all,' said the Hearts manager. 'There are so many people like Tony who are ambitious and want Hearts to be successful. He has come in with a fresh pair of eyes and come out to say exactly what he wants. It's what we all want at the club. 'We've got work to do. We've got to come from a long way back as a bottom six club last season but I think we can make progress. 'We are still working off the same budget as the last couple of seasons but Tony, myself and others feel we can bridge the gap and maybe get ahead of others is through recruitment. 'We can be a lot smarter and better on that side of it. Hopefully it gets us closer to the teams with more money than us. 'It's not to say it's a certainty, we've got work to do to achieve it. I'm aware of that and I'm just enjoying working with the players. We're still a long way off where we want to be. 'Tony would have loved hearing his name sung as well. I knew Tony was coming up for the game for a while. 'I haven't spoken to him yet, we've exchanged a few text messages, and we will sit down tomorrow. 'I think he would have enjoyed the game and the result because, as he said, he just wants to see a winning Hearts team more often than not. That's what we all want.' McInnes was gratified by his team's display as Graeme Shinnie's own goal and a Stuart Findlay header secured all three points. 'Every manager wants to get the first league win as soon as possible and I thought we were thoroughly deserving,' he added. 'We came out the traps strongly and were probably worthy of going into half-time a couple of goals ahead. 'I don't think we were brilliant in the second half, but when we got the second goal we managed the game brilliantly from there. 'It was a tough game, as you'd expect against Aberdeen. What we've got in there is a bunch of lads who are screaming to do well, fully motivated. We can play better, but it was a good start. We'll take the three points and move on.' Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin was left dismayed by a lacklustre performance from his team, whose start to the season doesn't get any easier with a home game against champions Celtic on Sunday. 'In the first half we were disappointed with our performance because Hearts the battle with second balls,' said Thelin. 'We had to do better. In the second half there were less mistakes and we created chances, but in the 50-50 duels we have to do better in the future. 'We knew what we were going to face today. It's going to be a different type of game against Celtic.'
Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- Times
Hearts shareholder Tony Bloom: ‘We can split the Old Firm this season'
Tony Bloom has outlined his staggering level of ambition for Heart of Midlothian and insisted the club can split the Old Firm this season, become Scottish champions and participate in the Champions League within a decade. Bloom, the professional poker player and Brighton & Hove Albion owner and chairman, accepted his bold comments might invite ridicule from Celtic and Rangers fans and that the Parkhead club's manager, Brendan Rodgers, would not lose any sleep over them in the short term. The giant Glasgow clubs have won every league title in Scotland since 1985, with Celtic taking 13 of the last 14. Hearts have not been champions since 1960 and it would be astonishing if they could end decades of Old Firm domination given their turnover and wage bill is around one-quarter to one-fifth of Celtic and Rangers'. Last season they finished seventh in the league, 23 points behind Rangers and 40 behind Celtic. But significant improvement is expected under highly respected data specialists Jamestown Analytics, who Bloom has worked with for years, and new head coach Derek McInnes. Last November Jamestown signed a partnership deal to work with Hearts. 'I think that Hearts this season will have an excellent season,' said Bloom. 'I truly believe in the squad of players that has been assembled and I've got every faith in Derek's ability to get the best out of them and to improve them. I think we've got a very good chance of at least being second this season. I want to make sure that we are in the talk to win the title at the start of each season. Hopefully we won't just talk the talk but we will walk the walk.' This summer Bloom invested £9.86 million for a 29 per cent stake of non-voting shares in the fan-owned Edinburgh club. He will put no more money in but is convinced that first class recruitment, coaching, management, facilities and support structures can grow them into consistent title challengers, as happened when he bought into traditional Belgian also-rans Union Saint-Gilloise. In May that club, also using Jamestown's data, became national champions for the first time in 90 years. On Sunday evening Bloom had several hundred fans lapping up his every word as he addressed them in a suite at Tynecastle. He explained that he began to consider investing in a Scottish club two years ago because the competitive landscape was broadly comparable to Belgium's. Other clubs were in the frame and he spoke to some before being impressed and won over by outgoing Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge. He told the fans that he would attend a Hearts game for the first time against Aberdeen on Monday night. Please enable cookies and other technologies to view this content. You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. 'I think because of not being in the bubble [of Scottish football] I think it's easier for me. I've seen what we've done at Brighton, I've seen what we've done at Union Saint-Gilloise, so hence the confidence in where I think Hearts can go. I think when I took over in Belgium I had a one-off press conference and I was probably more guarded. Seven years ago things were a lot less proven, so I wasn't as bullish. Here I've just got a lot more confidence in what Hearts can do. 'I understand there will be a lot of Celtic [or] Rangers fans who will be laughing and saying 'well I've heard it all before'. I'm just saying it as I see it. I'm not saying it's going to be a straight line success, I'm not saying we're going to win trophies in this season or that season, but I genuinely believe that we will be a significant factor in Scottish football right here, right now and for the long term. Looking from afar, looking at the success we've had with Union Saint-Gilloise, I just thought there was an opportunity here to shake things up in Scotland. 'I do understand how difficult it is. I mean Celtic and Rangers' budgets are perhaps six or seven times' Hearts, Hibs and Aberdeen's. That is a big obstacle to overcome. I don't think Brendan's going to be too concerned about what I'm saying. I'm not sure he's going to be too concerned about Hearts right now. But hopefully, over the course of the season [that changes]. It'd be great for Scottish football if he is worried about Hearts. I won't talk about what the odds are. I would just like to say that if we have not won the league title in the next 10 years I will be very disappointed.' Bloom consulted Uefa and was told he could not buy more Hearts shares because simultaneously owning 30 per cent or more of two clubs would mean they could not both play in the same European competition in the same season. As things stand he has had it confirmed that Hearts and Brighton would not be affected were they to be in the same tournament. 'There won't be any more investment from me, certainly while the Uefa rules stay as they are.' Every Scottish club should wish its rivals well in the European tournaments in order to boost the country's co-efficient, he said. This season even Celtic face a play-off to reach the Champions League proper. 'As and when Hearts win the league we want to go straight into the Champions League, we do not want to have two games.' He 'absolutely' believed Hearts would be in Uefa's elite tournament during his time with the club. 'And I hope that as and when Hearts do win the league, the coefficient is such that we go straight into the Champions League group stages. Just like Union Saint-Gilloise, by winning the league, have gone straight into this season's group stages of the Champions League.' Hearts v AberdeenScottish Premiership, 8pmTynecastle ParkTV Sky Sports
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'There will be changes' - how 'mature' Tierney can be Celtic leader
Kieran Tierney wants to be a leader and help Celtic "maintain our place at the top" on his return to his boyhood international Tierney rejoined the Scottish champions this summer after leaving for Arsenal six years left-back, 28, says a homecoming was always on the cards and he is now ready to take on a more "experienced role" at the club."I've grown up as a player and matured as a person as well, so there will be changes," Tierney said."My personal and collective target is just the same. It's just to keep Celtic as successful as possible and maintain our place at the top. I think that's the objective."I'll probably take on more of an experienced player role now to when I left. I was 21, 22 and now I've come back 28 years old with a lot more experience than I had."There's the younger boys in the team that I can help along the way if I can."Tierney is itching to get back in action with Celtic and insists he will enjoy every moment as the club eye a fifth consecutive Scottish title and Champions League progress."I won't be the only one who says that when you're away from it," added Tierney. "You miss the people in the club, the fans, the atmosphere and just everything about the club."You do miss it. But now I'm back here and I want to enjoy every single moment again and make the most of it."
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tierney 'not wishing one day away' as he savours 'special' Celtic return
Kieran Tierney admits his return to Celtic was always "a matter of when, not if" after he left the Glasgow club for Arsenal nearly six years Scotland international agreed a pre-contract with his boyhood club in January and officially rejoined the Scottish champions last month on a five-year Gunners paid £25 million for the left-back who insists he always planned to return to Celtic Park when "everything fit"."Coming home is something special, because it's the dream that I've worked towards all my life, so to come back is amazing," he told the Official Celtic podcast. "I think, if I'm being honest with myself, it was always matter of when, and everything fell into place now and it's been perfect,. "I'm absolutely delighted to get it done, and I just can't wait now to get it back in action."I'm really looking forward to pre-season as well, getting games under my belt, getting to know everyone, getting back in the system that we play here. "I'm looking forward to everything, I'm not wishing one day away."
