2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Rangers cult hero says Barry Ferguson’s Ibrox history will only make a ‘small difference’ to current squad
BARRY FERGUSON won 15 trophies as a Rangers player.
But some of the stars currently at Ibrox won’t pay much attention to that, according to one of the club’s cult heroes.
Keith Campbell - The Sun GlasgowBarry Ferguson won 15 trophies across two spells at Rangers[/caption]
PA:Press AssociationBut how will his success as a player translate to being the club’s head coach?[/caption]
CLYDE 1Andy Halliday has had his say[/caption]
Andy Halliday grew up supporting the Light Blues and was on their books as a youth player when Ferguson was in his pomp.
He later came back to the club in 2015 and played for his boyhood team for five years.
Before that, incidentally, he was coached by Ferguson when the former Gers skipper was placed in caretaker charge of Blackpool.
The Motherwellstar reckons Ferguson’s long line of achievements as a player won’t have too much of an impact on the current squad at Ibrox.
Halliday insists the former club captain’s record of success might not influence what is a multi-national group of players and that giving the team an identity both on and off the park is more important.
Speaking on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard, Halliday said: “I think it can make a difference. It can make a small difference.
“But what’s more important is your identity as a group, your style on the pitch and what you’re putting in on the training ground every day.
“I’ve worked with Barry Ferguson, he was my manager at Blackpool and what I will say is he will certainly put standards on these players every single day which is extremely important.
“Equally as important is your dressing room. When I was a younger player growing up, the manager was in control of a whole lot whether that be the dressing room, fine systems, whatever it may be.
“Now, especially over the last five or ten years, that’s player policed. The standards are driven by your dressing room.
“So yes he can come in and put standards on your training pith but it’s got to be within your team as well.
“We had people saying that when Michael Beale left and Rangers appointed Alex Rae that he knew what it was like, but he just lost his job as well.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder accused of ‘punching and knocking out’ bandmate Rowetta in furious public row
A FURIOUS public row has erupted within the Happy Mondays – with backing singer Rowetta claiming frontman Shaun Ryder “punched her”.
In a series of explosive messages posted on X, Rowetta — who left the band after 34 years in December — wrote: “When I speak about Happy Mondays, it will always be true. I’m not a liar.
GettyHappy Mondays backing singer Rowetta has claimed frontman Shaun Ryder ‘punched her’ – the pair are pictured here with fellow bandmate Bez[/caption]
twitter/rowettaRowetta posted on X: ‘When I speak about Happy Mondays, it will always be true. I’m not a liar’[/caption]
“Shaun Ryder punched me, knocked me out & there were lots of witnesses & my son had to see me with a black eye.”
She added: “I’ve said nothing for years.
“They should be thanking me for keeping it quiet and not calling the cops instead of calling me a liar and threatening me with legal.”
I approached Shaun’s team with Rowetta’s allegation and they told me: “Shaun is shocked and dismayed to hear of Rowetta’s claim, which is particularly hurtful as it comes from someone who, until she left the Happy Mondays at the end of last year, was an important member of their family.
“For more than 25 years Rowetta was treated with love and respect by the band, its crew and representatives.
“Given her claim however, Shaun has had no choice other than to place the matter in the hands of his lawyers.”
Insiders told me the outburst came after Rowetta was told band member Bez’s wife Firouzeh would be taking over as the band’s singer.
They posted a statement at the time which read: “Happy Mondays and Rowetta announce that Rowetta will no longer be performing with the band. Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future.”
And on Saturday night, the same night as Rowetta’s shock allegations, Happy Mondays performed at the Salford Community Stadium to celebrate rugby side Salford Red Devils’ first Super League home game of the season.
Firouzeh was seen on stage with Shaun and Bez, performing the vocals usually taken on by Rowetta.
A source close to the band said: “Shaun and Bez have worked with Rowetta for over 30 years but Firouzeh is taking over as their vocalist with Shaun.
‘It has turned very ugly’
“The band first talked about bringing Firouzeh in back in January as they are starting work on a new record.
“The decision came when they decided their time with Rowetta had come to an end.
“Rowetta is clearly very angry about the whole thing.
“It has turned very ugly, very quickly.
“Firouzeh is keeping her head down and just wants to crack on.
“No one expected this to get as messy as it has.”
Bez — real name Mark Berry — confirmed to me earlier this month that the group were pushing ahead with a new album, their first original songs since 2007, with the backing of their manager, former Creation Records and Oasis supremo Alan McGee.
Bez told me: “It’s going to be visionary.
“It’s going to be massive.
“I want to hear the most magic s**t you have ever heard.
“I’m sure we can deliver it.”
Rugby girl Pixie is a glass act
SHE waited ten years before releasing latest album Encino but now Pixie Lott has hit the ground running with a string of gigs.
Over the weekend she surprised guests watching the Six Nations rugby to at an IHG Hotel near London’s Twickenham by belting out the National Anthem.
PAPixie Lott has hit the ground running with a string of gigs[/caption]
Chatting to Bizarre Pixie admitted that, while champagne is a nice treat, nothing beats a pint of lager.
Pixie said: “I am partial to a few cheeky glasses of champers.
“But at the same time I love being in a local pub, watching rugby.”
She added: “I’ve got lots of festival dates this summer, and I’m so excited to be out there playing live.”
SUPER SYDNIE‘S LOUD AND PROUD FOR DEBUT TOUR
SOME singers are keen to shake off their Britain’s Got Talent roots, deeming it “uncool” or somehow a hindrance to their future success.
But as she took to the stage at London’s Aldwych Theatre, Sydnie Christmas proved she couldn’t be prouder.
Mixing her jaw-dropping vocals with Jane McDonald-style chatter, Sydnie’s used her debut UK tour to tell the story of how she went from a four-year-old with a dream to winning the hit ITV show and finally making her West End debut.
GettySydnie Christmas took to the stage at London’s Aldwych Theatre[/caption]
The 24-song set list was inspired by music greats including Nat King Cole and – bravely, but to Sydnie’s credit – Whitney Houston.
Impressively Sydnie nailed them all – taking on Whitney’s I Have Nothing seemingly with ease.
Sydnie isn’t short of star supporters either.
BGT judge Amanda Holden voiced the show’s pre-recorded introduction, while fellow panelist Bruno Tonioli proudly watched Sydnie on the sixth row.
Meanwhile, The Greatest Showman’s Loren Allred appeared as surprise guest to sing her and Sydnie’s recent version of Over The Rainbow.
It’s been a bumper 12 months for Sydnie and with more performances planned, including in New York, she shows no sign of slowing down.
YOU know it’s going to be a party to remember when Snoop Dogg lights his joint off the sparkler on your birthday cake.
And Paris Hilton pulled out all the stops as she invited her closest celebrity mates to her “Slivington Manor” in Beverly Hills to celebrate her 44th birthday.
instagram/parishiltonParis Hilton, Snoop Dogg and Jessica Alba[/caption]
instagram/parishiltonAnya Taylor-Joy and Jessica celebrate Paris’ 44th birthday[/caption]
instagram /sydney_sweeneySydney Sweeney also celebrated with the heiress at her huge house party[/caption]
As well as Snoop, stars including Anya Taylor-Joy, Cara Delevingne, Sydney Sweeney and Jessica Alba all celebrated with the heiress at her huge house party.
Paris, who wore a gem-covered dress which was embroidered with stars, had posh burgers and cocktails on tap at the bash – and even hired retro arcade games for her guests to play on.
She shared these snaps from the party and said: “Icons only for the best party of the year. I felt so loved celebrating with so many friends.
“Can’t wait for the next one.”
MICKEY’S MOVIE A SMASH
ACTOR MICKEY ROURKE’s experience as a professional boxer came in handy on the set of his new film – after he went off script and trashed the set.
The resulting scene in The Wheels Of Heaven made for an incredible watch, his co-star and executive producer Gary Stretch told me.
GettyMickey Rourke’s experience as a professional boxer came in handy on the set of his new film[/caption]
But unfortunately it ended up costing the earth to fix.
Gary said: “Mickey was out there.
“He smashed the set up in one take – and it wasn’t in the script.
“We filmed it but then we had six more takes after and we had to rebuild the whole set.
“It was difficult.
“He did it because he’s one of those actors who just does what he wants.
“He is unpredictable but I find that exciting.
“It cost thousands to fix.
“I was thinking please don’t hit my million-dollar pound camera.”
SAM FENDER has secured the biggest opening week of the year with People Watching – just four days after its release.
He has sold more than 100,000 units so far, becoming the first British solo artist to do so since Harry Styles’ Harry’s House in 2022, and is nailed on to land the No1 album spot on Friday.
JUSTIN A WORK OF DART
JUSTIN HAWKINS has admitted his greatest passion away from his band The Darkness is a good old game of arrows.
Speaking on new Wondery+ podcast How Do You Cope?, which is out now, the frontman said: “I got to the point where I had a dedicated darts room in my house.
Justin Hawkins has admitted his greatest passion away from his band The Darkness is a good old game of arrowsRex
“I befriended darts players and got them to train me and got obsessed with it.
“I used to go to the darts all the time.
“I was trying to figure out how to get my shoulder closer to the board to the point where I developed a hyper-mobile shoulder.
“I was contacting the manufacturers of the barrels and the flights, so I had a signature darts barrel set in solid gold.”
We get it, Justin. You’re a big fan.
Watch out, Luke Littler.
TOP SPOT FOR AITCH
AITCH was a man on a mission, after challenging himself to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Down’s Syndrome Association.
And I’m chuffed to tell you he more than doubled his fundraising target – notching up over £158,000 in donations so far.
instagram/aitchAitch climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for the Down’s Syndrome Association[/caption]
Aaron Fitzmaurice/ SuppliedHe took part in the challenge in honour of his sister Gracie, who has Down’s Syndrome[/caption]
Speaking to me after arriving home, the Raving In The Studio rapper was in great form although admitted the five-day climb had pushed him, and his 17-strong team, to their limits.
“Something as simple as bending down to open your tent makes you feel like you’ve run 100 metres,” Aitch told me.
“Halfway up I turned around and one of my mates had an oxygen mask over his face and he had to go down, he couldn’t cope with the altitude.
“Then we had Johnny, who’s 60-odd-years-old, and he smashed it all the way to the top. You can’t predict how your body will react.”
After reaching the summit, which stands at 19,340ft, Aitch said he was overcome with emotion.
He explained: “I’m not much of an emotional guy but I left that mountain soaking wet with tears.
“You get to the top, everyone’s buzzing. And then the happy tears quickly turn to sad tears because you think, ‘S**t, we’ve got to get back down’. That was the most mentally draining part.”
Aitch took part in the challenge in honour of his sister Gracie, who has Down’s Syndrome, and said he wants to keep raising awareness for the association.
But what did Gracie make of the feat?
Aitch laughed: “She was buzzing and said she’d missed me and my dad, but she just wanted us to go to KFC.
“I wasn’t complaining about that.”
Everyone at Bizarre thinks you’ve more than deserved that bargain bucket, Aitch.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Chet Holmgren jokes about ‘savior of basketball’ making difference for Thunder
Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-123 on Sunday, avenging their 116-101 loss from before the All-Star break. Before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s birthday gift to coach Mark Daigneault, Holmgren joined ESPN’s SportsCenter after Sunday’s win and addressed Aaron Wiggins’ impact. Holmgren finished with 19 points, four rebounds, and three blocks against […]
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The Atlanta Falcons created a quarterback controversy last season. After giving Kirk Cousins a monstrous contract in free agency, they drafted Michael Penix Jr with the eighth overall pick. Cousins struggled and Penix came in and got them back into the playoff hunt. So the controversy is over and the youngster will be the quarterback […]
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The Orlando Magic rebounded from their late-game blunder against the Memphis Grizzlies with a dominant 110-90 victory over the Washington Wizards on Sunday night. Anthony Black led the charge off the bench, matching his career-high with 23 points while adding seven rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block. Black, known for his defensive intensity, […]
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Cowboys’ Stephen Jones reveals contract talks with star free agent coming off career season
How the Dallas Cowboys line up against the NFC’s best for the 2025 season may depend on a good draft. And the roster will need to be managed carefully. Meanwhile, Cowboys executive vice-president Stephen Jones revealed contract talks with a star free agent coming off a career-best season. Jones said the Cowboys have begun negotiations […]
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Netflix’s Full Swing 3 Trailer Reveals New Scottie Scheffler Arrest Footage
The golfing world was stunned last May after World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was arrested upon arrival at the PGA Championship. It was as though the world stood still, with everyone trying to understand how that could have happened. Since that time, all of the charges against Scheffler have been dropped. The occurrence has basically […]
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Two earthquakes hit quiet Scots village just days apart
TWO earthquakes have hit a quiet Scots village just days apart.
The tremors were recorded near the Stirlingshire village of Kippen.
Two earthquakes struck near Kippen in Stirlingshire
The first quake, measuring a 1.3 magnitude, hit on Tuesday, February 18 at 8.12pm, close to the A811.
It was recorded by the British Geological Survey (BGS) Seismology Team at a depth of around 3km.
Locals did not report any damage to property or tremors.
A second, slightly smaller quake with a 1.2 magnitude struck just three days later at 9.57pm on Friday, February 21, in almost the same spot and at the same depth.
It’s not known whether villagers felt the tremors from the latest quake.
Quakes can come in clusters.
An earthquake swarm is a sequence of seismic events occurring in a local area within a relatively short period of time.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Scots gangster dubbed ‘The Captain’ to pay back £125k from £2m drug cash fortune
A GANGSTER who made almost £2million has been ordered to pay back just £125,000 – and can use designer trainers and watches as part of the wealth handover.
Paul ‘The Captain’ Fleming faced a proceeds of crime hearing in Edinburgh.James ‘The Don’ White headed up the mob formerly run by the Gillespie brothers
But the 40-year-old has been allowed to even used flash gear he bought from his ill-gotten gains to help him pay back the total he now owes through Proceeds of Crime laws.
The hood yesterday agreed to hand over a haul of luxury goods he splashed out on before he was nicked.
During a brief hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh Fleming was present as a judge was told that a settlement in the proceedings was agreed.
Defence counsel Allan Macleod, for Fleming, told judge Lord Cubie it was agreed that the benefit from general criminal conduct in his case was £1,841,903 and the available amount for a confiscation order was £125,970.
Mr Macleod said that almost £50,000 of the assets identified was money that was already held by the authorities.
He said the remainder was made up of “high value” goods, including trainers and three designer watches.
He told the court: “There is an agreement these goods are to be surrendered to the Police Service of Scotland.”
He said Fleming has signed a mandate authorising the release of the trainers, by brands such as Jimmy Choo, and watches to police.
Mr Macleod told the court that he understood the police would sell the items and if the sale achieved more or less than the estimated value then there would be an application to vary the terms of the settlement.
“It could be more valuable or less valuable,” the defence counsel told the court.
Lord Cubie made a confiscation order against Fleming for £125,970.96.
Fleming is serving a nine-year jail sentence for his role in a serious organised crime group involved in trafficking drugs and guns.
White is currently serving a nine year and 10 month prison sentence.
Fleming was extradited from Spain after fighting his return by attempting to claim asylum in the European country before pleading guilty to directing others involved in serious and organised crime to commit offences on his return to Scotland.
He was involved, over a four year period, in arranging the importation of banned firearms and ammunition, the bringing in, supply and sale of cocaine and cannabis and hiding and transferring “dirty money” from crime throughout the UK and Europe.
Kingpin Barry Gillespie disappeared in Brazil before James ‘The Don’ White took controlGlasgow hood James Gillespie hasn’t been seen since 2019.
A fake solar panel firm was used as a front to bring narcotics into the country and some of the cash from illegal activities was laundered through the purchase of designer watches.
Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Proceeds of Crime orders are a vital tool to disrupt crime in Scotland and one of the many ways we can target those who try to profit from illegal activity.
“We will not stop at prosecution. The Crown has the power to extend orders to seize money and assets Paul Fleming acquires in the future to pay back the full amount he made from his crimes.
“The money recovered is reinvested into our communities through the Cashback for Communities programme.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on The 8 essential tips to stop airlines losing your luggage & a 2-second trick that’ll help them recover it much quicker
IT’S every holidaymakers nightmare – stepping off the plane at your holiday destination only to find your luggage hasn’t made it with you.
Yet it happens to millions of us every year.
Nobody wants to arrive on holiday without any luggageGettyMake sure to keep essentials in your carry-on for emergenciesGetty
If you’re keen to avoid becoming part of that figure, there are 8 essential tips to help prevent it from happening, Chipolo says.
Get rid of old labels and stickers
It’s easy to avoid this job, but it’s always safer to remove old airline tags and stickers from your case.
Bags are scanned at multiple points along their journey so it can be easy to confuse scanners with old flight info.
Always remove old labels and tagsGetty
Take emergency essentials in your carry-on
If the worst does happen and you’re left empty handed at the baggage carousel, this will help you cope with the first few days of your trip.
Make sure to pack things like your wallet, toothbrush, medicine, phone chargers and a spare pair of pants in your carry-on.
A Bluetooth tracker can help locate your luggageGetty
Invest in a recognisable luggage tag
Let’s face it – a lot of bags look the same, so it can be hard to identify them from a distance.
Invest in a tough, brightly-coloured luggage tag to make it easier to spot yours out of a line-up.
You can even purchase personalised luggage tags online if you like to mix style with practicality.
Keep your contact info inside your case
Don’t overlook the chance of your luggage tag being ripped off during transit – it’s common for cases to get chucked around on their journeys and even the toughest labels can be torn off.
For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep your contact details inside your bag too, so if a good Samaritan does find it and look inside, they’ll know how to reach you.
Purchase a smart luggage tag
Popping a smart tracker inside your case is an easy to way to locate your luggage in a flash.
iPhone users can connect a Bluetooth tracker to their phone’s ‘Find My’ app, they’ll just need to purchase an Apple Airtag or Chipolo’s Spot finder.
The ‘Find My’ app even has a Notify When Found feature, where other iPhone users can help you locate your lost luggage.
Android users don’t have access to the ‘Find My’ app, so they’ll need to rely on a Bluetooth GPS tracker, which has a more limited range.
Get rid of all loose straps from your luggage
Remove all straps that aren’t absolutely necessary for carrying your luggage.
This will make sure your bag doesn’t get hooked on anything while journeying through baggage handling.
Make sure your luggage is easily identifiableGetty
Snap a quick pic of your luggage
Although this won’t prevent your luggage from going missing, this two-second hack is a great way to help identify your bag if it does.
If you have to reach out to the lost property department you’ll be able to easily show them what your luggage looks like, so they’re more able to find it.
Check-in early
Getting to check-in nice and early is the best way to make sure the airline staff can process your luggage in a calm and organised manner.
If you rock up late, you’ll cause them to rush, and this could mean your luggage gets sent to the wrong location – or worse still, it might be too late to get your luggage onboard at all.
Luggage Rules for Major Airlines
British Airways
Cabin Baggage: 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 45 x 25 cm) and 1 personal item (max 40 x 30 x 15 cm), total weight up to 23 kg.
Checked Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag up to 23 kg. Premium Economy, Business, and First Class allow more.
EasyJet
Cabin Baggage: 1 small cabin bag (max 45 x 36 x 20 cm), no weight limit but must fit under the seat.
Checked Baggage: Fees apply, up to 23 kg per bag. Passengers can pay for additional weight up to 32 kg.
Ryanair
Cabin Baggage: 1 small bag (max 40 x 20 x 25 cm). Priority boarding allows an additional larger cabin bag (max 55 x 40 x 20 cm, up to 10 kg).
Checked Baggage: Fees apply, options for 10 kg or 20 kg bags.
Virgin Atlantic
Cabin Baggage: Economy and Premium allow 1 cabin bag (max 56 x 36 x 23 cm, up to 10 kg). Upper Class allows 2 bags.
Checked Baggage: Economy Light has no checked baggage. Economy Classic, Delight, and Premium allow at least 1 bag up to 23 kg. Upper Class allows 2 bags.
Emirates
Cabin Baggage: Economy allows 1 bag (max 55 x 38 x 20 cm, up to 7 kg). Business and First Class allow 2 bags (total up to 12 kg).
Checked Baggage: Economy Class varies by fare type (from 20 kg to 35 kg). Business and First Class allow up to 40 kg and 50 kg respectively.