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Daily Record
an hour ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Russell Martin broke my heart but as a Rangers diehard this is how I think he'll fare at Ibrox
Leeds United hero Stuart Dallas has swapped the pitch for the stands as he follows Gers across Europe Stuart Dallas has Follow Followed Rangers across the continent. And the former Leeds ace is convinced that with Russell Martin leading from the front, his Ibrox heroes are now heading back to the promised land. The retired Northern Ireland defender may be a legend at Elland Road but he grew up idolising the Light Blues. And since hanging up his boots last year, the 34-year-old has had plenty of spare time to join his big brother Marcus on foreign jaunts cheering on Gers in Europa League action. He was among the thousands of jubilant fans who celebrated last term's memorable away wins over Nice and Fenerbahce and has been a regular at Ibrox too down the years. Now Dallas can't wait to see how far Martin's new-look line-up can make it this season as they begin their Champions League quest with next month's multi-million-pound Panathinaikos clash. Dallas witnessed just how difficult it is to put the breaks on Martin's high-risk passing philosophy himself when he was given a front-row seat during his final injury-hit season at Leeds. He may not have been out on the pitch for the Lillywhites' fateful 2024 play-off final clash but he certainly felt for his team-mates as they were given the runaround by Martin's swashbuckling Southampton side on the day they clinched promotion to the Premier League with victory at Wembley. And he's vowed to be in among the Ibrox legions again this term as Martin's Rangers set out on the long road back to Uefa's top tournament. 'I think it's a great appointment,' he said. 'I was injured for the play-off final against Russell's Southampton team, but I've come up against his sides before. I'm a big fan of his. 'I know the appointment has caused a bit of divide in the fanbase because of how he fared in the Premier League. 'But if you give him the right tools, he's a very, very talented manager.' Russell's refusal to budge from his possession-heavy tactical plan cost him his job at St Mary's as Saints' lack of firepower was brutally exposed by their ruthless top-flight opponents. But Dallas expects to see the new Light Blues boss stick to his guns again at Ibrox. He said: 'He has a clear style of play. He knows exactly what he wants. 'This thing about him not being able to adapt is based on the fact he didn't do so well in the Premier League. 'But the year that Southampton went up, they beat Leeds in the play-off final, in fact they beat Leeds three times that year. "He was able to change his shape and adapt to different situations. So I think it's a great appointment. I'm excited again to see how he gets on. 'People think it's just passing, passing, passing for no reason, but that is mentally draining a player if you're having to chase the ball. 'I get it. There's a fine line in passing the ball around and doing nothing with it, but Russell Martin knows how to break down a low block. 'Ninety-five percent of the time in Scotland, you're going to come up against that, bar maybe when you're playing Celtic. 'He takes risks at the back, but with the high risk comes reward as well, doesn't it? I think it's good. 'Obviously, he's going to need players. Of course, he has a squad that needs an upgrade but again, I'm very excited for how it's going to go.' And Dallas is looking forward to taking in a few more European away days this season. Recalling his recent trips with Gers, the Bluenose from Cookstown said: 'I went to Fenerbahce, I was a Nice as well. Sadly I wasn't in Seville. I was supposed to go to Bilbao, but I was on holiday. 'But I've done Anfield, Old Trafford, a lot of away games. 'Obviously when you're playing, it's difficult to get up to games at Ibrox. 'But my brother's been a season ticket holder for years and all my pals are big Rangers fans. Going to more games with my brother was always something I said I'd do whenever I retired. 'It's enjoyable going away. My first game at Ibrox was back in 2002. It was Rangers-Hearts. 'I went with my brother, my mum and my granny. My grandad brought me over to the game. Me and my brother went. "I think we won 2-0. I would have liked to have been able to get more games throughout my career but it just doesn't work out that way. 'I took my kids up to the Bilbao home game. I drove all the way up there for a 0-0 draw! 'But the penalty save that night was worth it. It will be great to see Rangers back competing on all fronts. 'They need to close that gap to Celtic.'
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes hang in the balance after Lyon agreement
Crystal Palace earned a place in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, but UEFA's multi-club ownership rules threaten their participation amid a nervous wait for a decision Lyon have struck a deal with UEFA which they hope will pave the way for them to play in the Europa League next season. The announcement could spell bad news for Crystal Palace, whose own participation in Europe is up in the air. Palace beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to earn a place in the 2025/26 Europa League, but UEFA's multi-club ownership rules have thrown a spanner in the works. Eagle Football Holdings, who have a 43 per cent stake in Palace, are also the owners of Lyon and UEFA doesn't allow two clubs with the same owners to compete in the same competition. John Textor, of Eagle Football Holdings, announced on Monday that he had sold his stake to US billionaire Woody Johnson for £190million in an effort to rectify the issue. But that deal still has to be ratified by the Premier League because Johnson, who also owns NFL franchise the New York Jets, has to pass the owners' and directors' test. The situation was further complicated by the news on Tuesday that Lyon had been relegated from Ligue 1 due to financial issues. The French giants finished sixth in Ligue 1 but saw their demotion confirmed by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG). Nevertheless, they have now announced that they should be able to keep their place in the Europa League next season, despite playing in Ligue 2. 'After validating its financial viability procedure, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has signed an agreement with UEFA's club financial control body,' the statement read. 'The club could thus participate in the Europa League competition next season, subject to a favorable outcome during the appeal of the DNCG's decision. OL thanks to the UEFA representatives who supported it in this procedure.' Eagle Football Holdings are reported to have mounted up debts of around £422m to fall foul of the regulators. But chiefs Textor and Michael Gerlinger are understood to have personally given financial presentations to provide guarantees and reassurances to UEFA's Club Financial Control Body. According to reports in France, Textor has reportedly promised a €35m (£30m) investment to steady the ship. But it remains to be seen whether the DNCG and UEFA have different interpretations of Lyon's finances. Palace are remaining hopeful that Textor's decision to sell the club to Johnson will allow them to compete in the Europa League next season. A decision from UEFA is expected by the end of the month after club officials flew to Switzerland for high-stakes talks. A club statement earlier this week read: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson 'Woody', an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football's holding in the Club. 'Whilst the completion is pending approval from the Premier League and Women's Super League, we do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club. We would like to go on record to thank John Textor for his contribution over the past four years and wish him every success for the future."
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Blow to Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes as relegated Lyon strike deal with UEFA
Crystal Palace 's hopes of playing in next season's Europa League were delivered a blow on Friday when Lyon announced that they had reached an agreement with UEFA to play in the competition. The south London club qualified for Europe in the first time in their history when they won last season's FA Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Man City in the final. However, their participation in the Europa League has been under threat due to UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership. Eagle Football Holdings — who have a 43 per cent stake in the club — are also the owners of Lyon. UEFA prevent clubs who share owners competing in the same compeition and, under their rules, Lyon are set to take the Europa League spot because they finished higher (sixth) in their domestic league than Palace (12th). John Textor, who owns the group, has agreed to sell the stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in a desperate attempt to keep the south London side in the competition. A decision on whether that will be enough to allow both clubs to compete in the competition has been expected by the end of the month after Palace official flew to UEFA HQ in Switzerland for a crunch summit. Palace hopes were raised this week when Lyon were relegated from Ligue 1 following an audit of their finances by Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG), the body responsible for overseeing the finances of French football clubs. Lyon's demotion was seen by a 'game-changer' by insiders at Selhurst Park who believe that they should now be regarded as the higher-placed club should only one of the two clubs be allowed into the Europa League. Lyon, however, released a statement on Friday which suggests they are still in the box seat. 'After validating its financial viability procedure, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has signed an agreement with UEFA's club financial control body,' the statement read. 'The club could thus participate in the Europa League competition next season, subject to a favorable outcome during the appeal of the DNCG's decision. 'OL thanks the UEFA representatives who supported it in this procedure.' Palace remain confident of finding a resolution given that no facilities, players or resources are shared with Lyon. The relegation of the club, who faced off against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals last season, will mean former Premier League stars could line up in the second tier next season. Former United and Chelsea man Nemanja Matic is on the club's books, as well as ex-Arsenal duo Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette. They are seven-time Ligue 1 champions, last winning the league in 2008 — their seventh domestic title in a row.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Brentford turn to Andrews to fill gap left by Frank
Keith Andrews has been appointed the manager of Brentford, succeeding Thomas Frank at the Premier League club. Frank moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, replacing Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who had been sacked despite guiding the club to a Europa League triumph. Andrews steps up after being hired as the set-piece coach under Frank and following roles with Sheffield United and Ireland. "Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. "He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank." Brentford have become an established club in England's top flight since being promoted in 2021, producing upsets against some of the biggest teams. But Andrews faces a challenge to preserve the club's place in the top division following Frank's departure and the sale of numerous first team players. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen and forward Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Manchester United. Midfielder Christian Norgaard is also a reported target for Arsenal. "Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress," Giles said. "We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better." Keith Andrews has been appointed the manager of Brentford, succeeding Thomas Frank at the Premier League club. Frank moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, replacing Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who had been sacked despite guiding the club to a Europa League triumph. Andrews steps up after being hired as the set-piece coach under Frank and following roles with Sheffield United and Ireland. "Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. "He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank." Brentford have become an established club in England's top flight since being promoted in 2021, producing upsets against some of the biggest teams. But Andrews faces a challenge to preserve the club's place in the top division following Frank's departure and the sale of numerous first team players. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen and forward Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Manchester United. Midfielder Christian Norgaard is also a reported target for Arsenal. "Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress," Giles said. "We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better." Keith Andrews has been appointed the manager of Brentford, succeeding Thomas Frank at the Premier League club. Frank moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, replacing Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who had been sacked despite guiding the club to a Europa League triumph. Andrews steps up after being hired as the set-piece coach under Frank and following roles with Sheffield United and Ireland. "Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. "He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank." Brentford have become an established club in England's top flight since being promoted in 2021, producing upsets against some of the biggest teams. But Andrews faces a challenge to preserve the club's place in the top division following Frank's departure and the sale of numerous first team players. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen and forward Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Manchester United. Midfielder Christian Norgaard is also a reported target for Arsenal. "Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress," Giles said. "We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better."
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brentford turn to Andrews to fill gap left by Frank
Keith Andrews has been appointed the manager of Brentford, succeeding Thomas Frank at the Premier League club. Frank moved across London to join Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, replacing Australian coach Ange Postecoglou, who had been sacked despite guiding the club to a Europa League triumph. Andrews steps up after being hired as the set-piece coach under Frank and following roles with Sheffield United and Ireland. "Keith is clear in what he wants, he's detailed, and the players and staff like and respect him," Brentford director of football Phil Giles said. "He understands the players in the building and the way we've played and trained under Thomas Frank." Brentford have become an established club in England's top flight since being promoted in 2021, producing upsets against some of the biggest teams. But Andrews faces a challenge to preserve the club's place in the top division following Frank's departure and the sale of numerous first team players. Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has left for Bayer Leverkusen and forward Bryan Mbeumo is a target for Manchester United. Midfielder Christian Norgaard is also a reported target for Arsenal. "Keith will bring his own evolution but isn't starting from scratch, so hopefully we can make some quick progress," Giles said. "We were looking for somebody not just to maintain what we've been doing but actually try and get better."
