logo
Airdrie see off Stenhousemuir to set up clash with Cove Rangers

Airdrie see off Stenhousemuir to set up clash with Cove Rangers

Leader Live10-05-2025
Alex Bannon and Ben Wilson struck either side of half-time as Airdrie, who finished ninth in the second tier, beat Stenhousemuir 2-1 at the Albert Bartlett Stadium to complete a 5-2 aggregate success.
Stenhousemuir, the lowest-ranked of the play-off sides after coming fourth in League One, replied in the second period through Matt Yates but the task was beyond them as the Diamonds eased through.
Rangers, who finished runners-up in League One to the automatically promoted Arbroath, beat Queen of the South 2-1 after the sides had drawn 0-0 in their first leg.
Mitch Megginson put the hosts on the way to victory with an eighth-minute penalty at the Balmoral Stadium before Blair Yule doubled the lead two minutes after the break.
Kai Kennedy gave the Doonhamers hope 13 minutes from time but Paul Hartley's side held on.
Rangers will host the first leg of the final on Wednesday with the return taking place next Saturday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Antman close to Rangers move
Antman close to Rangers move

BBC News

time13 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Antman close to Rangers move

Oliver Antman is expected to join Rangers within 48 hours after a fee was agreed with Go Ahead Eagles for the 23-year-old Finland winger. (Record), externalMidfielder Manolis Siopsis, 31, has been ruled out of Panathinaikos' home leg against Rangers on Wednesday, with the Greeks trailing the Champions League qualifier 2-0. (Herald - subscription required), externalLeicester City boss Marti Cifuentes hints he wants to keep reported Rangers target Conor Coady, 32. (Record), externalRead Monday's Scottish gossip

Conor Coady sees Leicester close Rangers escape route as wait for key transfer trigger continues
Conor Coady sees Leicester close Rangers escape route as wait for key transfer trigger continues

Daily Record

time44 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Conor Coady sees Leicester close Rangers escape route as wait for key transfer trigger continues

Russell Martin and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have been keen on the centre-back throughout the summer Boss Marti Cifuentes has dropped a major hint that he wants to keep Conor Coady at the club amid interest from Rangers. ‌ The defender has been a target at Ibrox all summer - with both the Scottish Premiership giants and Coady had keen to make a deal happen. ‌ The England cap had been keen to link up with Russell Martin in time for the Champions League qualification double-header against Panathinaikos. ‌ However, he has remained with the Foxes following the arrival of Cifuentes as they prepare for the English Championship campaign after Premier League relegation. The 32-year-old has remained as captain going into the new season - and was handed his first 90 minutes of pre-season during the 3-1 defeat to Cologne. With the league opener against Sheffield Wednesday less than two weeks away, Cifuentes admits that the players handed a run-out for the full game are being considered as starters this term. Cifuentes told club media: 'According to where we are in pre-season, it will be a direct competition from day one to see who would be in the starting line-up against Sheffield Wednesday. "It must be a healthy competition between all the players. Today has been a step forward in the right direction in that sense. ‌ 'In the first game I wanted to share minutes to give an opportunity to everyone. But today was about as many players as possible getting 90 minutes. It will be very valuable. 'It's not only in terms of approaching the next couple of weeks, but as well for me learning about where we are as a team.' The Leicester Mercury report that Coady will only be allowed to leave the King Power Stadium if the cash-strapped club can find a replacement. ‌ The Foxes have yet to make their first signing of the summer with reports south of the border suggesting goalkeeper Asmir Begovic could be coming through the door before a new centre-back. It is noted that an experienced replacement for Coady is on the agenda - but appears to be some way off at this stage of the window. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, 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 you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.

Danilo fit and firing for Athens return leg after emerging unscathed from 'scary' tackle
Danilo fit and firing for Athens return leg after emerging unscathed from 'scary' tackle

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Danilo fit and firing for Athens return leg after emerging unscathed from 'scary' tackle

It would once have been described as a 'welcome to the game' tackle. Moments after being one of seven Rangers players introduced by Russell Martin on the hour mark, Danilo crashed to the turf and, for a few seconds, Ibrox fell silent. The challenge from behind by Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry in Saturday's 2-2 friendly draw was woeful. Perhaps it would have been a red card in a competitive game. As referee John Beaton dutifully produced a yellow, Nico Raskin made his feelings known to the visiting defender and he was not alone. Since joining Rangers from Feyenoord in 2023, Brazilian striker Danilo has not had his troubles to seek. He missed a couple of months with a broken cheekbone. Then came two serious knee injuries in successive years. As he lay stricken on the turf, you feared he'd been dealt another cruel hand. The sight of him not only returning to his feet but to the action was greeted as warmly as the goal he claimed with a cute header to halve Boro's lead within four minutes of taking the field. 'It was scary,' recalled the man from Sao Paulo. 'Thank God nothing happened. I knew I would have to come through a challenge. I told him: 'It's a friendly game'. If it was a real game he would have got a red card straight away.' While the risk of injury remains an occupational hazard, Danilo felt better placed to avoid one in that instance than at any time since moving to Glasgow. Having fallen out of sight so often, he was in danger of being out of mind as a wind of change swept through the club. He resolved to spent much of the summer recess toughening up. The upshot was that he returned for pre-season training under Martin feeling more robust than before. 'My coaches in Brazil helped me a lot,' he said. 'After the last game, before I went on vacation, I was already talking with some people to help me. I knew new staff would come in, so I wanted to be in my best shape. I also wanted to show my qualities so I'm ready if I start or I'm on the bench. I want to focus on the positive things. 'I tried to become stronger. The way they play (in the Scottish Premiership), there are a lot of duels. My head is in a great place and the manager is trying to talk to me a lot. 'Right now, I feel physically better. Hopefully I stay fit and try to help the team as much as I can.' Having come through pre-season just about unscathed, a place in the starting 11 which faced Panathinaikos last week was the vote of confidence he craved. With Martin experimenting for the first hour against the Teesiders, the fact Danilo was held in reserve pointed towards another start in Athens on Wednesday. Having wiped the slate clean, the new manager evidently likes what he sees in the forward. The feeling is mutual. 'The style of play just suits me a lot,' said the 26-year-old. 'I like to try and help the team, help the link-up, trying to be there and build-up from the back. 'Everyone is trying to be connected together. It's good.' On Saturday, Martin took some time to like what he was seeing. Cyriel Dessers was off it, Jefte did little to change the pattern of the match and Nedim Bajrami seemed to be everywhere the ball had just been. They can all expect to start on the bench in Athens. Boro claimed an early goal through Neto Borges and Fry added a second after the turnaround, with Martin then ringing the changes. His side were much the better for it. Danilo's cute header came from fellow sub Max Aarons' cross. Findlay Curtis, who was also introduced after an hour, completed a dream week by bundling home a late leveller. Martin viewed the comeback from a seat in the main stand after crossing the line in a verbal exchange with referee Beaton at the break. How the officials missed a clear handball by Luke Ayling, only they could explain. Any further punishment for the Rangers manager seems highly unlikely. What can be taken for read as Athens comes into view ahead of the start of the domestic season is the identity of his first-choice striker. 'I was really pleased with my goal,' said Danilo. 'It's a good feeling, especially for Wednesday. 'If I just have one chance or two then I have to be sharp for what is coming.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store