Northampton sign Fornah after Derby departure
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
8 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘My phone exploded' – Alloa boss reacts to dream Rangers Premier Sports Cup draw as he eyes stunning Ibrox upset
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALLOA boss Andy Graham's convinced the Wasps can sting Rangers again in the Premier Sports Cup. His League One side stormed into the last 16 draw with four wins from four to top Group C, including the scalps of Premiership Dundee and Championship Airdrie. 2 Alloa boss Andy Graham Credit: Michael Schofield 2 He's already pulled off an upset against Premiership side Dundee this season Credit: Michael Schofield And they've been rewarded with a glittering tie and big pay-day for the club against Russell Martin's team at Ibrox. Holders Celtic have got a home tie against newly promoted Falkirk. Incredibly, part-time Alloa are unbeaten in their last two meetings against the Gers, including a draw at Ibrox in the Championship in April, 2016. Indeed, over nine previous matches the little club from Clackmannanshire have only lost three times, with a sensational 3-2 victory in the League Challenge Cup in 2014. Graham - over 250 games as an Alloa player and boss since 2023 - told SunSport: 'I didn't see the draw because I was out with my family. 'But my phone exploded, so I knew immediately who we'd got! 'It's a fantastic game - the players will be really excited while I'm sure the club will also be happy. 'It's the kind of game you want, a big team and a great stadium. 'It's a really good draw and one the players deserve for the way they qualified from the group. 'I think we're the only team from out-with the top two divisions to get through, so we have to be proud of that. Rangers transfer special assesses whether Conor Coady deal is OFF, if Hamza Igamane will leave and when the Gers can expect more incomings 'It's a game for us to enjoy - but we must also go to Ibrox and BELIEVE. 'I remember going to Parkhead, when Jack Ross was manager, nine years ago and Celtic were flying. We'd also had a good start to the season. 'We pushed them all the way. 'We lost a goal in the 83rd minute to James Forrest and then Moussa Dembele later made it 2-0. 'But we gave it a really good go that night. 'Of course Rangers will be heavy favourites - but you have to go there and believe you can cause an upset. 'The players have been fantastic in the Cup group stage and their confidence levels are high. Premier Sports Cup draw Celtic v Falkirk Kilmarnock v Dundee United Rangers v Alloa Livingston v Hibs St Johnstone v Motherwell Morton v Aberdeen Partick Thistle v Ayr United St Mirren v Hearts. 'We've got very important games before that in the league, starting with the opener at Stenhousemuir on Saturday. 'But the Rangers tie is a big one to look forward to. It's what you play football for, the players will want to test themselves against the quality they've got.' On Alloa's remarkable recent stats against Rangers, Graham said: 'It's incredible. There aren't many clubs in Scotland who'd have that record. 'We'll go to Ibrox and I'll want the players to showcase their talent, show just how good they are.' Scottish Cup winners Aberdeen go to Morton while St Mirren host Hearts, Dundee United visit Kilmarnock and Hibs travel to Livingston. Ties will be played weekend August 16-17. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
13 hours ago
- STV News
League One Alloa handed Premier Sports Cup second-round trip to Rangers
League One side Alloa have been handed a Premier Sports Cup second-round trip to Rangers following Sunday's draw. The Wasps – the lowest-ranked team remaining in the tournament – were surprise winners of their group and will face Russell Martin's Gers at Ibrox on the weekend of August 16/17. Holders Celtic will host newly-promoted Falkirk in one of four all-Premiership ties. The others see Kilmarnock host Dundee United, Livingston at home to Hibernian, and St Mirren play Hearts in Paisley. St Johnstone, relegated from the top flight last term, will host Motherwell while Aberdeen have been drawn away to Championship side Morton. There is guaranteed to be at least one second-tier side in the last eight after Championship pair Partick Thistle and Ayr United were pitted together. St Mirren and Ayr became the last two sides to secure their second-round places on Sunday when Killian Phillips' first-half double set the Paisley men on course for a 2-1 home victory over the Honest Men in Group D. While the Buddies topped the section, Scott Brown's side also progressed as one of the three best runners-up despite losing their perfect record in the competition against their William Hill Premiership hosts. Dunfermline had been waiting in the wings hoping to profit from any Saints slip-up or an unlikely nine-goal defeat for Ayr, but their hopes of progressing were dashed by events in Paisley. The Buddies went ahead after Phillips fired home Roland Idowu's cutback from 15 yards out in the 16th minute, and the recently-capped Republic of Ireland midfielder doubled his tally in the 38th minute when he turned home another Idowu delivery from just outside the six-yard box. Ayr pulled one back in the 64th minute when Kevin Holt headed home Dom Thomas' corner to ensure a nervy finale for the hosts. Dundee – eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures – were the only top-flight side to fail to make it through the group stage. 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
STV News
13 hours ago
- STV News
Killian Phillips at double as St Mirren advance in cup with win over Ayr
Killian Phillips' first-half double set St Mirren on course for a 2-1 home victory over William Hill Championship side Ayr United as they booked their place in the second round of the Premier Sports Cup as Group D winners. Scott Brown's Honest Men also progressed as one of the three best runners-up despite losing their perfect record in the competition against their William Hill Premiership hosts. Dunfermline were waiting in the wings hoping to profit from any Saints slip-up or an unlikely nine-goal defeat for Ayr, but Neil Lennon's side are now out of the competition. St Mirren and Ayr join top-flight contingent Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dundee United, Hearts, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Livingston and Falkirk plus Championship trio Partick Thistle, St Johnstone and Morton and League One outfit Alloa in the last 16. Dundee – eliminated after losing their opening two fixtures – were the only top-flight side to fail to make it through the group stage. St Mirren, who gave a debut to on-loan Wycombe keeper Shamal George, knew they needed some kind of positive result to ensure they did not follow the Dee in crashing out at the first hurdle. A win would secure top spot in the group while a penalty shootout victory following a draw would have been enough to take Stephen Robinson's side through as one of the best runners-up. Any tension in the Buddies camp was eased in the 16th minute when they went ahead after Phillips fired home Roland Idowu's cutback from 15 yards out. The recently-capped Republic of Ireland midfielder doubled his tally in the 38th minute when he turned home another Idowu delivery from just outside the six-yard box. Ayr pulled one back in the 64th minute when Kevin Holt headed home Dom Thomas' corner to ensure a nervy finale for the hosts, but in the end both sides made it into the last 16. 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
