Latest news with #Slovaks
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
My winner sparked crazy Celtic scenes when Hoops faced Kazakh side 12 years ago, I'd love to feel that buzz again
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAMES FORREST fondly remembers it as one of his biggest highs. A feeling of pure elation. A buzz he can't get from any other aspect of life. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 5 James Forrest celebrates against Shakhter Karagandy Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow 5 28/08/13 CELTIC V SHAKHTER KARAGANDY-JAMES FOREST SCORES THE WINNER Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow When he scored a last-gasp goal to take Celtic into the Champions League, it felt like he was feeding an ADDICTION. And the wee man, now 34, is desperate for another fix. His winner against Shakhtar Karagandy back in the 2013 play-off was one of the greatest nights of his career. With Kazakhstan opposition in Kairat Almaty potentially standing in the way of Brendan Rodgers' side and a place in the league phase, Forrest would love nothing more than another hit of that same adrenaline rush. The Hoops veteran recalled: 'It was massive. 'The fans that night were really good because we were 2-0 down from the first leg and we came back here. I remember we scored in the first half and the place just erupted. 'That's what will be good when we get our game here as well. 'The fans will push the boys because they want Champions League and everyone involved in the club will want it as well. 'It was amazing when I scored the third goal. The feeling is just hard to describe. 'But I'd say that's why you keep playing. You want more because it's addictive, the feeling you have with the players at moments like that. I'm a Celtic-daft bride – I called off the big day but I still celebrated in my wedding dress at Parkhead 'The buzz you get from it, I don't get it with anything else. It really is addictive. 'I've had so many highs with Celtic. But when you do experience stuff like that, it does make you think, 'I want more of that'. 'You go away for pre-season, you're working five, six weeks, doing double sessions. 'You're playing in games that maybe no one's watching or having training sessions where no one's there. 'But then it all becomes worth it when you get moments like that, 100 per cent.' It's either Kairat or Slovan Bratislava that Celts will have to beat to reach the league phase. Kairat take a 1-0 lead to Bratislava for the second leg of the third qualifying round clash. 5 Celtic manager Neil Lennon (2nd from left) celebrates with his team Credit: Scottish News and Sport But it would be far easier for Rodgers and his squad — logistically at least — if the Slovaks rather than the Kazakhs won through to the play-off. Otherwise, it's an exhausting 7,000-mile round trip to the most eastern point on Uefa's map. Forrest has made that trek a few times with club and county, and knows first hand how tough it can be. He added: 'We've been there three times with Celtic, plus I've been there with Scotland too. 'It is difficult because you probably need to go two days before the game just to adjust because of how far away it is. 'But whatever team we get, it will be two difficult games. "We've got enough experience with international players who know about the travel and stuff like that. 'These away games can be a bit cup style as well. 5 'But then Celtic Park can be really intimidating for the visiting team too. 'I really liked the new format of the Champions League that we had last season. 'So hopefully we can get through the qualifiers, and then look to see who we get in the league phase and where we get to play. 'Every player, coach, fan, they want to be involved in the Champions League, so hopefully we can do that.' Forrest is soaking up every minute of being a Hoops star these days as he appreciates they won't last forever. He maybe doesn't start as many games as he once did. But the winger knows the importance of the job he is often given to finish them. Just like he did when he stepped off the bench to replace Yang Hyun-jun in the opening weekend Premiership win over St Mirren. 5 It is a difficult place to go at the best of times Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow Forrest said: 'You want to keep being involved, you want to keep being part of it. 'But I feel as though a couple of years ago when they changed it and you could make five subs, it's just more known that wingers and attackers will change more. 'Having Ange Postecoglou before and the gaffer here as well the first time, they want to keep the same intensity for the full 90 minutes. It is a difficult position and we have got a lot of players who can play there. 'If you look back through the last couple of years, I don't think many players other than Daizen Maeda would play the majority of games and most of the minutes. 'But I feel as though the position has changed loads. 'Ange used to do it quite a lot as well, and the gaffer's changed it a bit here too. 'With five subs, it's been more normal that they want freshness in the legs. 'You're maybe not starting the game, but you're going to be the one that sees it out. 'You've seen it as well, the number of times you can start, play 70 minutes, not have much of the ball, not much of a game. 'Then somebody can come on for 20 minutes and score, then all everyone talks about is the one that's played the 20. I feel as though I've been in both positions. 'Over the season, you want to be a part of both. 'It's good that you have a big squad and the manager can change because we do have a lot of games. 'You want to play as much as you can but I'm getting older as well 'It's good for the coaches that they know they have got players to swap.' Forrest has also revealed he's not given up on his Scotland career, insisting he will always be available to Steve Clarke for a call-up if required. He added: 'I had the conversation with him last year after I went to the Euros and didn't play. 'If he needed me then he'd give me the call and it was just kind of left like that. 'So it's been left open. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea-bound Kazakh wonderkid, 16, sends Celtic warning as shock 90th minute spot kick hints at gruelling Almaty trip
DASTAN SATPAEV is only 16 years old and is already regarded as the biggest footballing prospect to come out of Kazakhstan. He's already agreed to join Chelsea next summer - and he's just shown Celtic exactly why by scoring a nerveless last minute penalty as Kairat Almaty ran out shock 1-0 first leg winners against Slovan Bratislava. 4 Dastan Satpaev in action for Kazakhstan Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Dastan Satpaev of Kazakhstan during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Dastan Satpayev of Kairat Almaty looks a massive talent Credit: Alamy Celtic will take on the winners of this tie in the play-off round - with travel to Almaty a major obstacle to contend with. It was all too much for the Slovaks to take with midfielder Rahim Ibrahim send off just after the hour mark, then the Slovakian outfit's manager Vladimir Weiss sent off for protesting in the dying stages. The manager - son of Rangers star Vladimir, who also played in the match - was infuriated about the penalty award, given for a shirt tug in a crowded box by Danylo Ignatenko. But things could even have been worse for the Bratislava - with more magic from Satpaev leading to a disallowed 'goal' in the 96th minute, eventually ruled out for a line ball offside after a lengthy VAR intervention. More to follow. 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Budapest Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
Orbán: Ukraine's EU accession has been stopped thanks to government's Vote 2025 survey
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Brussels late on Thursday that Ukraine's EU accession has been stopped in its tracks thanks to the outcome of the government's Vote 2025 public survey on the issue of the country's bid to join the European Union. In a video uploaded to the social media page of journalist Daniel Bohar, the prime minister said he had needed the backing of the Hungarian public since the leaders of EU member states at the summit were unanimous in their opposition to Hungary's position and were foursquare behind Ukraine's endeavours to join the bloc and, later, NATO. Allowing Ukraine to join NATO would involve the alliance in a war with Russia and would lead to a third world war, he added. People who backed Ukraine's aspirations held a 'belligerent stance' and considered that 'this war must be won and can be won'. Slovaks and Hungarians, however, 'do not see a solution on the battlefield', PM Orbán said, adding that he declared that Hungary would not agree to the start of negotiations with Ukraine 'for fundamental and strategic reasons'. He said this declaration had a 'shocking effect' in Brussels, 'even though I tried to say this politely and in a measured way, supported by arguments…' In response to the statement of the European Commission's president and some prime ministers that Ukraine met the criteria for EU accession, 'I had to remind them that the most important criterion is for there to be an actual country' with 'borders, a population, and territory', and without which 'there is no point in talking about any other criteria', he said. 'Legally, it may be stated where its borders should be, but today this is territory occupied by the Russians,' he said. PM Orbán also said its economic data was that of a country at war, so it was impossible to find an economic strategy commensurate with long-term membership of the bloc. He said the commission's president and European People's Party head Manfred Weber were trying to force on Hungary a 'puppet government' to ensure a pro-Ukrainian vassal subordinated to Brussels. 'When they encounter … the Hungarian national position and prime minister, which are not at their mercy and cannot be blackmailed by them, it hits them like a cold shower,' he said. 'But they'll get through this somehow,' PM Orbán added.
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Czech, Slovak planes evacuate 139 people from Israel
PRAGUE: The Czech Republic and Slovakia have taken 139 people home on government planes from Israel because of its conflict with Iran, authorities said on Tuesday. A Czech government plane carrying 66 people landed in Prague on Tuesday morning a day after a Slovak plane had taken 73 evacuees to Bratislava from Amman. Israel closed its air space last Friday after conducting strikes on Iran. 'I am glad they are all OK. The transport was really demanding in the difficult environment,' Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said about the Czech flight on social media site X. The defence ministry said most of the 66 evacuees were Czech nationals. 'It was not possible to send the army plane straight to Israel,' the ministry said in a statement, citing the air-space closure. 'The evacuees were taken to the airport in the neighbouring country by buses. They crossed the border on foot.' Czech media said a convoy with the evacuees had left Tel Aviv on Monday morning and boarded the plane in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. A Slovak government plane with 73 passengers -- mostly Slovaks, but also Poles, Czechs, Austrians, Slovenians and others -- landed in Bratislava on Monday before 1700 GMT, said Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar. Slovakia is sending another plane on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, with both expected to bring back Slovaks and foreigners. Israel began bombarding Iran since Friday, saying it aims to prevent its sworn enemy from acquiring a nuclear weapon -- a goal Tehran denies pursuing. The Israeli attacks have killed at least 224 people and wounded more than 1,000, according to an official toll released Sunday. In retaliation, Iran has carried out multiple attacks that have killed at least 24 people in Israel since Friday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic
Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, flanked by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak, speaks to the media following disembarkment of repatriated Slovaks, along with Czechs, Austrians and Slovenians, returning from Israel, from a flight from Amman, after they left the region following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, at M. R. Stefanik Airport, in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Slovakia's Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Robert Kalinak wait for repatriated Slovaks, along with Czechs, Austrians and Slovenians, returning from Israel, to disembark from a flight from Amman, after they left the region following a missile attack from Iran on Israel, at M. R. Stefanik Airport, in Bratislava, Slovakia, June 16, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa Flights with evacuees from Israel arrive in Slovakia and Czech Republic Flights carrying evacuees from Israel have arrived in Slovakia and the Czech Republic amid the war between Iran and Israel, authorities said on Tuesday, making these countries among the first to get their citizens out of the Middle East. Slovak authorities said that the first evacuation flight with 73 people, including 25 Slovak tourists and five family members of Slovak diplomats working in Tel Aviv, had arrived in the capital Bratislava late on Monday. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said Slovakia had also helped bring citizens of other countries to Europe, including 15 Poles, 14 Czechs, nine Austrians, two Slovenians and one citizen each of Estonia, Spain and Malaysia. "Our partners are contacting us and we are preparing another flight on Tuesday, which should include citizens of the Slovak Republic, as well as citizens of the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Latvia, and France," Blanar said. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Slovakia had helped evacuate seven Hungarians. Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochova said that a flight with 66 people evacuated from Israel had landed near Prague. Poland said on Monday that it was organising the evacuation of around 200 of its citizens from Israel via Jordan. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
