Latest news with #CumbernauldColts
The National
5 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic new boy on getting life lessons from Lisbon Lion John Clark
Ross Doohan certainly did when he was in the youth ranks. The goalkeeper had loan spells at Cumbernauld Colts, Morton, Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers during the seven years that he spent on the books at the Glasgow giants as a young man before finally signing permanently for the latter back in 2022. But Doohan, who has returned to the East End following a successful two year spell at Aberdeen, still believes that he knows exactly what is required to play for the Scottish champions, what standards he has to attain both on and off the pitch, as a result of his first stint. Bringing Celtic legend John Clark, who tragically passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, sweet treats on a regular basis when the Lisbon Lion was the kit man and then listening to his stories made him realise the levels that he needs to reach on a weekly basis. The 27-year-old, who signed a three year contract at his old club last week, was distraught when he learned the sad news about Clark earlier on this week. Read more: 'When I was younger I used to come in with cakes,' he said. 'There would be John, Hugh McGovern, Steve Wright and Hugh Hoolihan in the kit room. I used to spend hours in there after training, just sitting and talking to them. 'So it's devastating to hear about John because he's such a legend, he's such a big part of this club. My deepest condolences go to his family. It's obviously not nice to hear at all. 'I was here full-time from when I was 16 until when I was 23. So I always saw him in and about the training ground at Lennoxtown and about the stadium. He was a great guy and had great charisma. It's just a massive loss for the club because he was a massive part of this club. 'There were always wee stories. But John was always the type of person who would just see himself as a normal person. But what he's done in the game for this club is massive and he will never be forgotten. It's just such a shame. 'But the type of guy he was, you'd never think he was a Lisbon Lion in the way he acted. I think he didn't realise how big an influence he had on so many people at this club. Including me and all the youth team when I was there. (Image: Colin Mearns) 'He was just a great person to have around. The way he acted, it wasn't as if he had won the European Cup with the club. But everybody knew he had so he always had the respect of everybody at the club. He was just such a massive part of this football club. 'As I say, I used to bring the cakes in, Tunnock's Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers. I'd bring them in, sit in the kit room and have a chat with him and the other kit men. 'He didn't speak to you about football, it was more about what you were like as a person, which I think is more important. He'd speak about working hard and your attitude and everything. He will just be a massive loss and it's devastating to hear.' Having to vie with Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo for a place in Brendan Rodgers' starting line-up in the 2025/26 campaign will be tough for Doohan. However, the man who made 18 appearances for Aberdeen last term and picked up a Scottish Cup winner's medal in May is delighted to be back at Celtic and is looking forward to the challenge. Read more: 'It means a lot to sign for Celtic again,' he said. 'I feel like I grew up here. I knew I had to probably leave. It was the best for me at that time. With just the one position as a goalkeeper, I felt I had to go out and play. But the loan spells were great when I was here before and when I went away permanently I got a lot of game time. 'I know the club quite well because I have spent a lot of my life here and I know what's expected of being a Celtic player. Obviously winning games is great, but the way you conduct yourself and come across is very important too. 'So I think knowing the club and the size of the club will maybe make it a bit easier for me coming in. I have had the previous experience, growing up here and having to leave to come back. 'Coming from the youth system here, being from Glasgow, I know how big the club is. My family are all Celtic fans and it's just a great honour to be back. It was always a pull when I left here, it was always a dream to come back.' Doohan continued, 'I've got to back myself. I've just got to go out and train and work hard and then any opportunity I get, I need to grasp it. I need to train hard during the week to be ready for the game at the weekend, whether I'm playing or not. 'That's life as a goalkeeper, you always need to be ready. So that's what I'm going to do, work hard and just prepare like I'm playing every game. 'I feel like competition's healthy everywhere. If you're competing with people, that'll bring out the best in you. So that's what I'm looking to do, looking to come in, push on and really see what happens and just hopefully make a stamp in the squad here.'
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Celtic new boy on getting life lessons from Lisbon Lion John Clark
Ross Doohan certainly did when he was in the youth ranks. The goalkeeper had loan spells at Cumbernauld Colts, Morton, Ayr United, Ross County, Dundee United and Tranmere Rovers during the seven years that he spent on the books at the Glasgow giants as a young man before finally signing permanently for the latter back in 2022. But Doohan, who has returned to the East End following a successful two year spell at Aberdeen, still believes that he knows exactly what is required to play for the Scottish champions, what standards he has to attain both on and off the pitch, as a result of his first stint. Bringing Celtic legend John Clark, who tragically passed away at the age of 84 on Monday, sweet treats on a regular basis when the Lisbon Lion was the kit man and then listening to his stories made him realise the levels that he needs to reach on a weekly basis. The 27-year-old, who signed a three year contract at his old club last week, was distraught when he learned the sad news about Clark earlier on this week. Read more: 'When I was younger I used to come in with cakes,' he said. 'There would be John, Hugh McGovern, Steve Wright and Hugh Hoolihan in the kit room. I used to spend hours in there after training, just sitting and talking to them. 'So it's devastating to hear about John because he's such a legend, he's such a big part of this club. My deepest condolences go to his family. It's obviously not nice to hear at all. 'I was here full-time from when I was 16 until when I was 23. So I always saw him in and about the training ground at Lennoxtown and about the stadium. He was a great guy and had great charisma. It's just a massive loss for the club because he was a massive part of this club. 'There were always wee stories. But John was always the type of person who would just see himself as a normal person. But what he's done in the game for this club is massive and he will never be forgotten. It's just such a shame. 'But the type of guy he was, you'd never think he was a Lisbon Lion in the way he acted. I think he didn't realise how big an influence he had on so many people at this club. Including me and all the youth team when I was there. (Image: Colin Mearns) 'He was just a great person to have around. The way he acted, it wasn't as if he had won the European Cup with the club. But everybody knew he had so he always had the respect of everybody at the club. He was just such a massive part of this football club. 'As I say, I used to bring the cakes in, Tunnock's Tea Cakes or Caramel Wafers. I'd bring them in, sit in the kit room and have a chat with him and the other kit men. 'He didn't speak to you about football, it was more about what you were like as a person, which I think is more important. He'd speak about working hard and your attitude and everything. He will just be a massive loss and it's devastating to hear.' Having to vie with Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo for a place in Brendan Rodgers' starting line-up in the 2025/26 campaign will be tough for Doohan. However, the man who made 18 appearances for Aberdeen last term and picked up a Scottish Cup winner's medal in May is delighted to be back at Celtic and is looking forward to the challenge. Read more: 'It means a lot to sign for Celtic again,' he said. 'I feel like I grew up here. I knew I had to probably leave. It was the best for me at that time. With just the one position as a goalkeeper, I felt I had to go out and play. But the loan spells were great when I was here before and when I went away permanently I got a lot of game time. 'I know the club quite well because I have spent a lot of my life here and I know what's expected of being a Celtic player. Obviously winning games is great, but the way you conduct yourself and come across is very important too. 'So I think knowing the club and the size of the club will maybe make it a bit easier for me coming in. I have had the previous experience, growing up here and having to leave to come back. 'Coming from the youth system here, being from Glasgow, I know how big the club is. My family are all Celtic fans and it's just a great honour to be back. It was always a pull when I left here, it was always a dream to come back.' Doohan continued, 'I've got to back myself. I've just got to go out and train and work hard and then any opportunity I get, I need to grasp it. I need to train hard during the week to be ready for the game at the weekend, whether I'm playing or not. 'That's life as a goalkeeper, you always need to be ready. So that's what I'm going to do, work hard and just prepare like I'm playing every game. 'I feel like competition's healthy everywhere. If you're competing with people, that'll bring out the best in you. So that's what I'm looking to do, looking to come in, push on and really see what happens and just hopefully make a stamp in the squad here.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cumbernauld Colts boss has target date to play on new Broadwood pitch as side prepare for 'outside' friendlies
Cumbernauld Colts boss John Doyle is hoping his side can get their first game on the new Broadwood pitch before they kick off their Lowland League campaign on July 26. The pitch at the stadium is being relayed this summer and owners North Lanarkshire Council have told the club - and groundsharing Hamilton Accies - that the surface will be ready in time for the start of the new season. Advertisement Colts will play their home friendlies on the outside public pitch at Broadwood while the works are going on, but Doyle is hopeful their final friendly on July 19 against local rivals Cumbernauld United for the pre-season Cumbernauld Cup will be played inside Broadwood. He said: 'Broadwood outside is not ideal preparation. You would want to get a few games on the new surface and find your feet on it before the start of the season, but it is what it is. 'We are hoping to play our last friendly on July 19 against Cumbernauld United on the pitch, but it is still to be confirmed yet that the pitch will be ready in time. 'We hope that will be the first time we get to use it and we will get to train on it that week in the build-up to our first league game of the season. Cumbernauld Colts and Hamilton Accies in action at Broadwood in 2023 'The council haven't told us a date but they have guaranteed it will be by the first league game of the season, which is July 26.' Advertisement Colts announced their pre-season friendlies will kick off on June 26 with a clash against West Park United, kick-off 1.30pm outside at Broadwood. That is followed by a trip to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy on June 30, kick-off 8pm, and a clash with St Mirren B is scheduled for July, although details for that are to be confirmed. Shotts Bon Accord will come to Broadwood on July 12, kick-off 2pm, and Colts will then visit Camelon Juniors on July 15, kick-off 7.30pm, before finishing up with the clash against Cumbernauld United on July 19. The club will announce exact details on that in due course. READ MORE: Hamilton Accies pre-season setback as Broadwood pitch to be ripped up READ MORE: Cumbernauld Colts boss: Hamilton Accies' move to Broadwood could lead to regular Friday nights under the lights
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hamilton Accies given Broadwood lease green light ahead of fixtures release
Hamilton Accies have been given the go-ahead to play their home games at Broadwood Stadium, Lanarkshire Live Sport can reveal. The League One club and their supporters were left sweating over the planned move from New Douglas Park, with the SPFL asking Accies to make amendments to their lease for the North Lanarkshire owned site in Cumbernauld. Advertisement However, it is understood Accies, who are sharing the stadium with Cumbernauld Colts, Rangers Women and various youth teams, have now had their lease to play at Broadwood green lit. This will be officially confirmed tomorrow when the SPFL fixtures are released at 9am and Hamilton's home games will be marked up to take place at Broadwood. The Hamilton players and staff are back for pre-season this week and have been using indoor facilities at Broadwood ahead of beginning pre-season training in earnest today, due to take place on outside pitches at the venue while the stadium surface is being relayed this month. Both Cumbernauld Colts boss John Doyle, left, and Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin will see their sides play at the venue The new pitch is expected to be ready by the end of July, in time for the start of the new SPFL league campaign, which kicks off on Saturday, August 2. Advertisement Last month, the Hamilton Accies board of directors announced the men's team and their academy would be leaving their spiritual home at New Douglas Park after a dispute with the stadium owners. The women's team have opted to stay at the venue as an independent entity, which has led to HAFC calling on them to stop using the Accies branding and intellectual property immediately. READ MORE: Hamilton Academical to set up new Women's team and BAN current SWPL1 side from using club's intellectual property READ MORE: Cumbernauld Colts boss has target date to play on new Broadwood pitch as side prepare for 'outside' friendlies READ MORE: Clyde announce they will now train at New Douglas Park after Accies' exit
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies pre-season setback as Broadwood pitch to be ripped up
Hamilton Accies' pre-season plans have suffered a setback before they have even completed their move to Broadwood Stadium - with the pitch at the Cumbernauld venue set to be ripped up this summer. The South Lanarkshire side announced last week that they would be ending their 24-year stay at New Douglas Park after failing to come to a buyout deal with the stadium landlords, HAFC Stadium Limited which is headed up by ex-Accies owner Colin McGowan. A deal to secure a switch across the region is close to completion after talks with North Lanarkshire Council. However, Accies will need to go elsewhere for their pre-season training with the artificial Broadwood pitch out of service while upgrades are made at the request of the Scottish Football Association and NLC. Lanarkshire Live Sport can reveal the Cumbernauld surface is set to be ripped up and replaced at the end of June, with a completion date earmarked for July 25, although it is hoped it could be ready before then. Some minor stadium repairs are also expected to be carried out. Hamilton's pre-season training starts on June 19 and it is understood the club will either use the public pitches adjacent to the stadium or look elsewhere. A training camp outside of Scotland is also under consideration. This is also likely to cause issues for Accies in terms of competitive action, with the Premier Sports League Cup group stages kicking off in July. Match dates for the competition are July 12/13, July 15/16, July 22/23 and July 26/27. The draw for the competition will take place on Wednesday, May 28. All pre-season friendlies will need to be played away from their 'home' ground and the pre-season North Lanarkshire Cup, which has taken place at Broadwood in four of the last five seasons and included the likes of Airdrieonians, Albion Rovers, Cumbernauld Colts and Motherwell B, will not go ahead. It is the latest setback to his crisis-hit Accies, who are licking their wounds after a 15-point deduction for multiple breaches of SPFL rules saw them relegated from the Championship last week. Rangers Women and Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts are also tenants at Broadwood so will face the same issues over the close season.
