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Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
'Proud day': Renfrewshire councillors pay tribute to Johnstone Burgh after Scottish Junior Cup win
The club has been formally congratulated following the penalty shoot-out victory over Lowland League side Tranent. Renfrewshire councillors have paid tribute to Johnstone Burgh after they lifted the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in 57 years. The club has been formally congratulated for its achievement following a penalty shoot-out victory over Lowland League side Tranent on Sunday, June 1. Striker Kyle Lafferty converted the decisive spot-kick to ensure a 4-2 win – sparking euphoria among the players and supporters – after a 1-1 draw in normal time at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. It meant captain Derek Esplin became the first Burgh skipper to hoist the trophy aloft since 1968 when George Caughey did just that. Recounting his experience of the day at Thursday's full meeting of Renfrewshire Council, Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, declared it would "live long" in his memory. He added: "For those of us who were at the game, it was absolutely fantastic and I was very fortunate – I was there with my dad, I was there with my daughter and I was there with my granddaughter, so there were four generations of the family. "Being a supporter of a rather large football club, the difference you get when you go and see a smaller community club like Johnstone Burgh is like chalk and cheese because you virtually know everybody in the crowd. It's that community feeling." Ciaran Diver grabbed a second-half equaliser to take the final to penalties after opponents Tranent had taken a first-half lead through Harry Girdwood. Murdo MacKinnon's Burgh then held their nerve during the shoot-out, netting all of their penalties to send their fans and coaching staff into a state of jubilation. The West of Scotland League Premier Division outfit's pitch perfect cast of takers included Fraser Mullen, Diver, Ross Davidson and Lafferty. Later that evening, hundreds of punters draped in red and white descended on Johnstone's Houstoun Square for Burgh's eagerly anticipated homecoming. Councillor Andy Steel, an SNP representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, said at the meeting: "Similar to Councillor McMillan, I was there with my boy and, despite very kind invitations elsewhere, I really wanted to be there with my son to create a memory that hopefully lasts a few years for me and a lifetime for him because that's what it's all about really. "We go to the Burgh on a Saturday afternoon and I like going to watch the Burgh because I get to spend two hours with my son, which I don't very often, so it meant an awful lot." Provost Lorraine Cameron added: "It was a very proud day indeed for everyone in Johnstone. "It just gave the community a whole buzz and you'll be pleased to know I'm in the process of organising an appropriate civic hospitality reception for the players and guests." Two motions congratulating Burgh were unanimously agreed among elected members.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire Council set to formally congratulate Johnstone Burgh on Scottish Junior Cup win
Two motions have been put forward to pay tribute to the club following the penalty shoot-out victory over Tranent. Renfrewshire Council looks set to formally congratulate Johnstone Burgh after they lifted the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in 57 years. Two motions have been put forward to pay tribute to the club and its achievement following the dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Lowland League side Tranent on Sunday, June 1. Former Rangers man Kyle Lafferty buried the decisive spot-kick to ensure a 4-2 win – which led to emotional scenes among the players and supporters – after a 1-1 draw in normal time at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire. It meant captain Derek Esplin became the first Burgh skipper to lift the trophy since 1968 when George Caughey also achieved the feat. The first motion to be considered at the full council meeting on Thursday has been lodged by Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, and Councillor Chris Gilmour, a Labour representative for Johnstone North and the surrounding villages. It reads: "Council wishes to congratulate Johnstone Burgh on winning the Scottish Junior Cup against Tranent for season 2024/2025. "Council recognises the hard work done by the committee, coaching staff and players in achieving this success. The council further wishes the club well for the future." Ciaran Diver had grabbed a second-half equaliser to take the final to penalties after opponents Tranent had taken a first-half lead through Harry Girdwood. Murdo MacKinnon's Burgh held their nerve during the shoot-out and netted all of their penalties to come out on top and send their supporters and coaching staff into a state of euphoria. The West of Scotland League Premier Division outfit's pitch perfect cast of takers included Fraser Mullen, Diver, Ross Davidson and Lafferty to spark the jubilant scenes. Later that evening, hundreds of punters draped in red and white descended on Johnstone's Houstoun Square for Burgh's homecoming. A second motion to be considered at the council summit later this week has been submitted by Councillor Andy Steel and Councillor Jacqueline Cameron, who are both SNP representatives for Johnstone South and Elderslie. It reads: "Council congratulates Johnstone Burgh on their achievement of winning the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time since 1968. "Council applauds the work done by players, staff and volunteers who make the Burgh a central part of Johnstone."
Scotsman
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
42-goal former Rangers striker drops major retirement hint as he reveals future coaching plans
The 37-year-old enjoyed successful spells at both Rangers, Kilmarnock and Hearts in previous years. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Rangers and Hearts striking hero Kyle Lafferty admits he is considering calling time on 20-year career after lifting the lid on his future coaching plans in a recent interview. The 37-year-old striker agreed a one-year deal with West of Scotland League side Johnstone Burgh last week, where he helped them win the Scottish Junior Cup for the first time since 1968 by scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout win over Tranent Juniors in May, but admits this coming season is likely to be his last. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Northern Ireland international has a storied career in Scotland, having played for numerous Scottish Premiership sides. Joining Rangers in deal reported to be worth £3million from Burnley in the summer of 2008, he won three Scottish titles, two Scottish League Cups and a Scottish Cup during his time at Ibrox, but departed to sign for Swiss Super League club FC Sion in 2012 following the club's financial collapse. Former Rangers, Hearts and Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty has committed his immediate future to Johnstone Burgh in the West of Scotland League First Division. | (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group) Lafferty admitted his regret at leaving Ibrox, saying: 'The way I left was disappointing and I have thought about it over and over again and the situation a lot of players found themselves in. It was a difficult time and if I had the opportunity again I would stay and fight for the club and try to help them as much as possible.' After his spell in Switzerland, Lafferty spent time at both Palermo and Norwich City before returning to Scotland to sign for Hearts in 2017, where he scored on his debut against Elgin City. After bagging 12-goals in his first season at Tynecastle, the Enniskillen-born forward was re-signed by Rangers, where he spent just one further season before his contract was terminated by mutual consent. He scored a total of 42-goals during his two spells at Ibrox. Following short stints with Sarpsborg 08, Sunderland and Reggina, he then returned to Scotland by signing for Kilmarnock in 2012, where he was hugely impressive, scoring eight goals in just nine appearances. He left Rugby Park temporarily, joining Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta, but returned to Kilmarnock in 2021, where he helped them win promotion from the Scottish Championship. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad More recently he has spent time with Johnstone Burgh though, where he is moving into third - and potentially final - season at the club, and is hoping he can spearhead the James Y. Keanie Park outfit to promotion before he hangs up his boots as he opened up on his future plans to move into coaching.
Scotsman
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Ex-Hearts, Sunderland and Rangers star admits retirement could be near as he signs latest contract
A former Hearts, Rangers and Sunderland striker has admitted he is considering retirement. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former Hearts and Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has admitted his career could be nearing an end after he put pen-to-paper on a new one-year deal with West of Scotland League Premier Division side Johnstone Burgh. The 89-times capped former Northern Ireland international made his name with current English Premier League club Burnley before joining Rangers during the summer of 2008. A four-year stay at Ibrox brought three Premiership titles, two League Cup final wins and a single Scottish Cup final triumph as Lafferty scored 31 goals in 104 appearances before linking up with former Rangers and Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso at Swiss club FC Sion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNS Group The striker went on to spend time with the likes of Palermo and Norwich City before joining Hearts on a two-year deal in June 2017. After scoring 13 goals in 37 appearances and helping his side end Celtic's 69-game unbeaten run in domestic competitions, Lafferty returned to Rangers after a one-season stay at Tynecastle before wrapping up his professional career with short spells with Sunderland, Reggina, Kilmarnock, Anorthosis Famagusta and Linfield. A move into the semi-professional game came during the summer of 2023 as Lafferty penned a two-year deal with Johnstone Bergh - although a serious knee injury suffered in his second game for the club hampered the impact he made during his first season at James Y. Keanie Park. However, the former Hearts man made a big impression last season as he scored the decisive penalty to help the Burgh lift the first Scottish Junior Cup for the first time since 1968. Now 37, Lafferty has committed to one more season with the club and is targeting one last hurrah by guiding the Burgh into the Lowland League before he hangs up his boots. He said: 'I would like to be [at Burgh next season]. I know I am getting on and, if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. I would like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League. Even after I hang up my boots, I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. It is something I have looked at. I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.' Your next Hearts read: Hearts transfer latest: Key reasons why pair have opted for club detailed and Premiership player talks Jambos
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Former Rangers star Kyle Lafferty agrees new Johnstone Burgh deal and admits next season could be his last
The 37-year-old striker has a vision of moving into coaching as he begins to look to the future. Kyle Lafferty has signed a one-year contract extension with Johnstone Burgh as the striker admits it could be his last hurrah in professional football. The former Rangers and Northern Ireland forward has extended his stay at Keanie Park for a third season after pitching up at the club in 2023. The 37-year-old is one of seven players who have signed a new deal with the Junior Cup winners. Lafferty scored the winning spot-kick in a penalty shoot-out with Tranent at Broadwood Stadium earlier this month. Speaking prior to the deal being announced, Lafferty said he would love one more season on the pitch and to help Burgh not only win the West of Scotland League Premier Division but also get promoted to the Lowland League. He said: 'I would like to be [at Burgh next season]. I know I am getting on and, if I am here next year, it will probably be my last season. I would like to go out leaving the club in the Lowland League.' However, it won't be the last of the footballing action if the Northern Irishman does call it quits on his playing career in 2026 as he says he has ambitions to go into the coaching side of the game. It is an area he has already explored having set up his own coaching business called Kyle Lafferty Soccer Academy. He said: 'Even after I hang up my boots, I would like to stay on as a coach at the club. 'It is something I have looked at. I have my own soccer academy as well so I think I can pass on my experience and hopefully bring the young lads on because I think we don't have a lot of lads from the 21s coming through. Hopefully that will be a side I can look after.' Also signing on at Keanie Park for another year is Max Kerr, Darren Christie, Craig Menzies, Malky McDonald and Aaron Mason. Hero keeper Luke Scullion extended his deal until 2028. Still under contract at the club is Calum Law, Cammy Eadie, Danny O'Neill, Kian Gilday, skipper Derek Esplin, Noah Young, Blair Rossiter, Allan MacKenzie, Ross Smith, Aidan Gilmartin and Ciaran Diver. A number of players, however, are moving on. Those heading for pastures new are Jason Naismith, Connor McGlinchey, Fraser Mullen, Gary McCann, Alan Cook and Stuart McCann. Midfielder Ross Davidson returns to SPFL League Two outfit Stirling Albion after his loan expired. The club said in a statement: 'Johnstone Burgh would like to thank the departing players for their time and effort at the club and wish them the very best for their new ventures.'
