Latest news with #Ex-Celtic
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Rangers and Celtic rivals who used to kick lumps out of each other launch new careers together
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) OLD Firm legends Charlie Miller and Simon Donnelly have revealed how making their acting debuts was more nerve-racking than walking into the cauldron of Ibrox and Parkhead. The ex-pros have now joined the stage production of Billy and Tim to celebrate the play's 20th anniversary. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Charlie Miller and Simon Donnelly with broadcaster Rob Maclean who are appearing in the play Billy & Tim 7 Charlie Miller during his Rangers heyday Credit: Scottish News and Sport 7 Simon Donnelly starring for Celtic Credit: Scottish News and Sport 7 Charlie has some previous acting experience in the gritty flick The Angels Share Initially the pair came onboard just for an audience Q&A but now their parts have been extended to act as co-commentators for a fictional Old Firm game - and that means they have scripted lines to learn. Former Rangers midfielder Charlie, 49, says: 'I was nervous the first day we went on stage because we were out of our comfort zone. 'Obviously playing in front of 50,000 or whatever it is, was just normal for us when we played the game.' Ex-Celtic striker Simon Donnelly, 50, added: 'When I was told 'We've got a couple of lines for you to do tonight' the colour drained out my face. 'I started to think, 'What have we got ourselves involved in here?' It's funny because football was just our lives but ask us to say a few lines in front of 200 people and we fold.' Charlie continues 'The rest of the cast nicknamed us 'Biscuits' because they thought we'd go to pieces. But it was something new and we enjoyed it.' Simon and Charlie were both childhood pals growing up in Glasgow's Burnside district, both playing for bitter rivals Rangers and Celtic during the exact same era from 1993 until 1999. And they believe that their lifelong friendship perfectly sums up the message of the play which tackles the Old Firm divide with two fans - Billy and Tim - banged up together for non-payment of fines on the day of a Glasgow derby. Charlie says: 'I've known Simon a long time. We grew up together and played together in a graduate academy too - although we still used to kick the s**t out of each other when we were kids.' Simon adds: 'In recent times we've done the coaching and have done camps together, encouraging Celtic and Rangers kids to come together and enjoy themselves. Rangers fans unfurl giant tifo ahead of Russell Martin's first match 'We would have parents emailing us asking, 'Can our kids wear Rangers and Celtic strips to the camps?' We were both like 'Why not?' It's just a kid wearing the jersey of the team they support.' The old pals have been reunited by Outlander actor Scott Kyle - who played Ross the blacksmith in the fantasy series - who was raised in Rutherglen near the players, and co-owns the rights to play. He says: 'We wanted to do something special for the 20th anniversary to freshen it up. 'There's a scene in the play where the two fans are banged up and both have bets riding on the outcome on the game. 'The stakes are really high because whoever wins the match is going to get released because they'll pay their fine and get out. 'Both of them take shots watching the match through the hatch in the prison door. Before the actors had to pretend they were watching a match, but now the action switches to Simon and Charlie along with Rob Maclean and David Tanner doing the live commentary. 'It's gone down a treat with the audiences and they always get a huge applause.' Trainspotting 2 actor Simon Weir plays the turnkey Harry, who has a grandchild who is going through a major operation. Simon, 52, says: 'That's a key element of the story as they begin to see there are far more important things in life than the outcome of some football match.' Scott, 42, adds: 'Charlie and Simon hadn't seen the play until we had them along doing the Q&A. 7 Actor Scott Kyle with Charlie, Rob, Simon and fellow performer Simon Weir 7 Charlie Miller and Simon Donnelly are appearing in the play Billy & Tim 'But they both loved the really strong anti-sectarian message that comes through in the show through humour and pathos of the story.' However Charlie does have more acting experience than pal Simon after being involved in two major movies - playing a thug in the 2012 Ken Loach film The Angels Share and the 2000 Robert Duval film A Shot At Glory starring Ally McCoist. He says: 'I turned up for Angels Share but the director Ken Loach had fallen down a set of court steps the day before so filming got cancelled. 'So I was on set with a big catering van and the food was tremendous. I then had a fight scene in a corridor and the actor (John Henshaw) just ran down over the top of me. 'He was like a mad man and I was like, 'What the f**k?' I thought he was just going to be acting, so I really had to use my strength to stop him.' However Charlie reveals he missed out on screen time in the Duval flick because he couldn't be bothered 'hanging around all day'. He explains: 'One of my mates told me to come down to Hampden one Sunday afternoon as we were to get into strips and play for a scene. 'I arrived at 12 thinking we'd get this done then get to the pub, but then one of the guys says we won't be finished until 5 o'clock. I just said 'Here's your strip back, see you later'.' 7 However Rob Maclean, 66, did make the cut. The veteran broadcaster says: 'I had to co-commentate a game with Andy Gray and we recorded our scenes at Pinewood Studios, where I walked down the corridors with all these posters from famous movies on the walls. 'The hardest part for us though was trying to be serious as we commentated on Ally McCoist throwing a punch in the middle of that film and trying to make it sound credible.' But now the players can add another acting first to their resume when Billy and Tim - shortened from the original title Singin' I'm No A Billy He's A Tim - begins its run at The Edinburgh Festival at the end of this month. Simon says: 'We've never been to the Festival and now we're actually going to be on at it.' And after their Fringe run the cast will take the show to Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre in October, while there's even an offer on the table to take the play to Sydney's iconic Opera House in 2027. Scott says: 'The Old Firm are huge Down Under and have a fanbase worldwide. We want to travel with this play.' So will these one-time Old Firm rivals now be applying for their actor's Equity cards together now? Simon scoffs: 'No chance - we know our limits.' *Billy and Tim – Old Firm Legends is on at Lomond Theatre at Pleasance at EICC at 8pm from July 31 until August 24. It will also be on at Glasgow's Pavilion Theatre on October 24 & 25. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Rangers and Northern Ireland goalkeeper set to link up with ex-Celtic manager in loan switch
The Rangers goalkeeper is expected to the Scottish Championship on a season-long loan. The Glasgow club believe the Donaghadee teenager will benefit from the first team experience he is expected to receive at The Pars. Munn joined the Gers from Glentoran in 2022, making his first team debut in 5-0 win over Fraserburgh in the Scottish Cup earlier this year. He is under contract at Ibrox until 2028. The 19 year-old has represented Northern Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level. His father Jon Munn was a talented Amateur League goalkeeper, spending the majority of his career with Millisle outfit Abbey Villa with a brief stint in the Irish League with Ards. Ex-Celtic boss and Northern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon was appointed manager of Dunfermline in March, signing a fresh two-year contract in May after helping the Pars avoid relegation to the third tier.
Scottish Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers star Hamza Igamane becomes ‘priority target' for club set to cash in on their £20m striker
RENNES could turn to Hamza Igamane as a replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi. The French side have joined the race for the Rangers striker. 3 Rennes have entered the race for Hamza Igamane Credit: Getty 3 Former PSG kid Arnaud Kalimuendo could leave Rennes this summer for big money Credit: Alamy 3 Ex-Celtic star Kyogo has already left the French club Credit: Alamy Light Blues chiefs want £15million for the Moroccan frontman, with interest hotting up across Europe. Rennes are believed to be looking for a new hitman, as they aim to improve on last season's 12th-placed finish in Ligue 1. They have already sold ex-Celtic striker Kyogo to Birmingham after his miserable spell in France. Boss Habib Beye would love to bring in Igamane, 22, to kick-start his side. Reports in France claim he's become a 'priority target' for the club. Now they are set to lose fellow striker, £20m-rated Arnaud Kalimuendo, with Tottenham and Villarreal targeting the frontman. Lille had agreed terms with Igamane, but there was no official bid. It's believed they are refusing to meet Gers' hefty asking price. Igamane scored 16 goals for Rangers last season following his £1.7m move from FAR Rabat. Everton boss David Moyes has been credited with interest in the hitman for months — and reports in the Netherlands claim Robin van Persie's Feyenoord are also keeping tabs on the situation. Sir Sean Connery's secret £1 MILLION investment in Rangers revealed Italian side Udinese have reportedly made intitial contact with Gers, too. Fellow striker Cyriel Dessers was expected to join AEK Athens weeks ago, but the clubs can't agree a fee. The Greeks bid £4m, with Gers holding out for £5m. Both Dessers and Igamane are set to be in the Rangers squad as the Champions League qualifiers get underway tomorrow night. The Light Blues host Greek giants Panathinaikos in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie at Ibrox. Having both been slightly behind the rest of the group in pre-season preparations, both strikers got minutes during the Gers' behind closed doors friendly win over Hamilton on Saturday. The Light Blues won the encounter 2-0 with Danilo grabbing both goals. The Brazilian striker has been staking his claim to lead the line against Panathinaikos after finding a good run of scoring form. He also scored one and assisted three goals in a 4-1 win over Dunfermline during the week just gone, having also netted against Barnsley the previous weekend. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Celtic star lands major role at Manchester City as he takes up key position on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff
He's also coached at the Hoops as well as playing WORLD TOURE Ex-Celtic star lands major role at Manchester City as he takes up key position on Pep Guardiola's coaching staff MANCHESTER CITY have confirmed Kolo Toure as a permanent fixture of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff. The former Celtic defender has landed the gig full-time after a successful stint at the Club World Cup. Advertisement 3 Kolo Toure (left) has joined Pep Guardiola's coaching staff Credit: Alamy 3 He's landed the gig on a full time basis Credit: PA 3 Toure ended his playing career with Celtic Credit: AP:Associated Press Toure, 44, had been working with Man City's academy squad before being named an assistant coach alongside Guardiola for the showpiece event in the United States last month. While City's competition was shockingly ended at the last 16 stage by Saudi club Al-Hilal, it seems like Toure has done more than enough to impress. That's because the club have now confirmed him in the permanent role of assistant coach. Toure was an English Premier League winner with Man City as a player back in 2012. Advertisement He was a £14million signing from Arsenal in 2009 and went on to spend four years at the Etihad. Toure had also won the league title during his stint with the Gunners and had a three-year spell at Liverpool after his time with City too. The former Ivory Coast defender, capped 120 times for his country, finished his playing career with Celtic in the 2016/17 season. Brendan Rodgers took him to Parkhead having also worked with him at Liverpool. Advertisement Toure spent just the one season with Celtic, making 20 appearances across all competitions as the Hoops won the treble. He wasn't offered a new contract but made a quickfire return to the club. Incoming Celtic signing Shin Yamada wipes away tears as he bids emotional farewell to Kawasaki Frontale in Japan After announcing his retirement in September 2017, he took up a coaching role with the Celts. When Rodgers controversially quit the club to join Leicester City in February 2019, Toure followed him to the King Power Stadium. Advertisement Toure went out on his own as a manager in November 2022. He was appointed Wigan boss on a three-and-a-half-year contract but endured a disastrous spell in charge. Toure was sacked after just two months in the role with the Latics rock bottom of the Championship table. They'd failed to win any of Toure's nine matches in charge. Advertisement But now things are certainly looking up with his new role with one of the world's biggest clubs. Hailing the appointment, City's director of football Hugo Viana said: "We're delighted to permanently add Kolo to our first team coaching staff. "Not only does he bring his immensely precious experience at football's elite level, but he also has a deep connection with Manchester City and a deep knowledge of the club. "We've also been hugely impressed with his work and success with our Under-18s, and by adding him into our senior staff permanently, this will only strengthen the transition for players in our academy into the first team. Advertisement "As we already saw throughout his time with Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and James French this summer, his massive personality of optimism and positivity is hugely infectious and we're already looking forward to his work moving forward." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Rangers confirm Djeidi Gassama transfer as Martin 'excited'
The Ibrox club had everything in place for the transfer of the winger from Sheffield Wednesday, but the financial situation at his former club caused a slight delay. However, he has now been announced as a Rangers player ahead of next week's Champions League qualifying first leg against Panathinaikos, singing a four-year contract. Gassama had already been introduced to, and trained with, his new teammates at St George's Park last week. Read more: Russell Martin details his stance on Rangers signing a goalkeeper Ex-Celtic manager fires 'strong' Rangers warning to Panathinaikos Rangers manager Russell Martin said: 'We are very excited to bring Djeidi to the club. He is certainly an exciting player who will get supporters on the edge of their seats, and I believe he will add an extra dimension to our attack with his qualities. "He is hungry to improve as a player and, most importantly, is desperate to pull on the Rangers jersey and help deliver success to the club." Gassama said: "I am very happy to be here and to join the club. I am very excited to start with my new club, it is a club with a lot of history, and I am very happy. "This is a big club, and I need that for my next level and I think it can help me progress."
