Latest news with #Muirhead
Edinburgh Reporter
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Livingston off to Kilmarnock this week
Livingston will get a taste of the standard required in the Wiliam Hill Premiership when they travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday (kick-off 19.45) on Matchday 2 of five in the Premier League Cup, also known as the Scottish League Cup. David Martindale's side motor along the M8 and into East Ayrshire having secured a 2-1 victory in their opening game in the competition, the goals coming either side of the half-time break. Macaulay Tait secured the win, the Hearts' loan player nipping in between after the goalkeeper and a defender failed to cut out a loose ball and sending it into net with a header from close in after 47 minutes. Robbie Muirhead had broken the deadlock from close in from a central position in the box a minute into first-half injury time, the first goal of the 2025/26 campaign. Defender Patrick Slattery scored for the home side after 55 minutes and then the Methil-based outfit lost Mamadou Bah on a red card six minutes into second-half injury time, after receiving his second yellow card of the game. Tait's strike was his first for the club and he said: 'It's really good. I've been trying for the last couple of years and it has never happened.' Overall, he said: 'It was a tough game, East Fife made it difficult, made it end-to-end at times, but we played some nice stuff and we deserved to win. We should have been a wee bit better in the final third.' Going into the top flight with people he knew and had worked with for the last six months was a decisive factor in Tait returning to the club and, looking at Wednesday's trip, the 19-year-old midfielder said: 'It's good to test yourself early on against good teams and teams in your division and we go into it trying to keep that winning run going.' This was undoubtedly a hard-fought win by the West Lothian club who used five substitutes during the game, May for Muirhead (60), Carey for Smith (60), Winter for Sylla (59), Culbert for Montano (33) and Rudden (82) for McLennan. The starting line-up was Prior, McGowan (captain), Pittman, Muirhead, McLennan, Smith, Finlayson, Sylla, Tait, Montano, Wilson and the subs not used were Hamilton, McAlear, Shinnie and Kabongolo. East Fife: Rollo, Bah, Easton, Munro, Peggie, Millar, McManus, Slattery, Trouten (captain), Jones, Austin. Only one sub was used, Nicol replacing Jones after 82 minutes. Subs not used were Thomas, Gilfillan, Bell, Gordon, and Ramsay. Referee: Calum Scott. The club have confirmed that Jerome Prior has signed a three-year deal to remain at Livingston, extending his stay until the summer of 2028, and that is despite strong interest in the goalkeeper from other clubs. The Frenchman, who was recruited from Pau FC, earned a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year with his displays for Livi last season and his record includes 22 clean sheets in 44 appearances. Teenage midfielder Lewis Latona, who was on loan at East Stirlingshire last season, making 20 appearances, has joined the West Lothian club, the 18-year-old having clinched a one-year deal from Hamilton Academical, and French national, Brooklyn Kabongolo has penned a two-year deal with the club. The central defender was involved in the pre-season camp in The Netherlands. Meanwhile, in retail, The Lions have revealed their new away kit, and it is described as a modern twist on the first away shirt from 1995/96 season, the first as Livingston FC. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots trial fears over filming of court cases for true-crime documentaries
The Murder Trial and Murder Case series feature in the Top 10 most requested titles of 2025 on the broadcaster's iPlayer with over three million views. Real-life- crime documentaries which allow cameras into Scots courts have been among BBC Scotland's biggest hits despite fears they could disrupt criminal trials. The Murder Trial and Murder Case series feature in the Top 10 most requested titles of 2025 on the broadcaster's iPlayer with over three million views. The latest viewing figures come after the broadcaster last week announced Murder Case is set to return later this year with a new three-part series focussing on two cases. Two 60-minute episodes will concentrate on the murder of Tony Parsons – The Vanishing Cyclist – who was killed by a drunk driver on the A82 near Bridge of Orchy and secretly buried in a shallow grave. Sandy McKellar and twin Robert hid Tony's body on a remote estate in the Highlands where it remained undiscovered for three years until Sandy confided in his new girlfriend Caroline Muirhead about the killing and took her to the burial site. She was able to pinpoint the remote location to the police by dropping a soft drink can on the ground. However, two years ago we revealed Muirhead fled court over the pressure of appearing in the documentary. She was arrested after failing to turn up to court for the twins' trial. At the time, she said the demands to take part in the BBC-commissioned programme on the case led her to have a mental breakdown. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay wrote to the BBC to raise concerns with its production company Firecrest Films. He said: 'Ms Muirhead has said she was subjected to inappropriate pressure to nagree for her testimony to be broadcast. 'She further claims that she felt unable to testify due to this pressure and that this, in turn, may have caused the Crown Office to strike a plea deal with the two men accused of murder, instead of putting them on trial, resulting in a downgrading of the charges, which they admitted to.' The real-life crime format has attracted huge audiences. A spokeswoman said: ' Crime documentaries continue to be really popular with audiences in Scotland and across the UK, consistently performing well on BBC iPlayer. 'The Murder Trial and Murder Case series feature in the Top 10 'most requested' titles of 2025 on BBC iPlayer with a combined audience of nearly three million streaming requests. 'This year, the top three 'most viewed' BBC crime documentaries have been Murder Trial: Girl in the River, Murder Trial: Body in the Warehouse and Murder Case: The Hunt for Mary McLaughlin's Killer.'
The Advertiser
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Big boost for Brumbies ahead of Super crunch clash
Star playmaker Noah Lolesio is set to return to bolster the Brumbies in their crunch match against the Crusaders, with both teams chasing a crucial Super Rugby Pacific top-two spot. The ACT team haven't finished in the top two on the ladder since 2004, but have put themselves in prime position playing at home on Friday night. The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders with 45 and the Brumbies on 43, with four points on offer for a win. Winger Andy Muirhead said the team had spoken about what will be at stake when they line up against the Crusaders, who have veteran Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor in their ranks. "We were sort of pinpointing this a couple of weeks ago that a result this weekend puts us in a good position to finish top-two, and obviously it's coming down to Friday night," Muirhead said. "It doesn't change our mindset really, we want to be a team that plays good footy at home. "We know what the Crusaders bring and we've had some really good battles here at GIO (Stadium), so we're looking forward to it and hopefully getting a good result and keeping our record at home." He felt the team had been making steady progress and was ready to return to the glory days, having last won the title in 2004. "If you look at the last two years, we haven't been far off the pace, and we've made some really good steps in particular parts of our game,'' Muirhead said. "To get a good win at home this weekend is going to put us in good stead - it's going to put our hand up for a title." Appearing in extreme pain, Lolesio was stretchered off wearing a neck brace against the Western Force this month. Lolesio was later cleared of serious injury, and Muirhead said he was set to play. "I think he's tracking well ... he's been recovering well and I'm assuming he will be involved in some capacity,'' Muirhead said. "Being off the field has given him a bit more motivation to rip in." Muirhead's company, Yara Co, will be running a kick-for-cash challenge at halftime, giving schools the chance to win a share of $50,000. The company is an Indigenous civil construction business that also runs training programs through TAFE for Indigenous students. If Muirhead doesn't get a Wallabies start, he is set to be a leading figure in the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring British and Irish Lions. Toutai Kefu was announced as coach last week, with his assistants revealed on Tuesday, including All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, former Fiji Test coach Simon Raiwalui, and Wallabies great Glen Ella. Star playmaker Noah Lolesio is set to return to bolster the Brumbies in their crunch match against the Crusaders, with both teams chasing a crucial Super Rugby Pacific top-two spot. The ACT team haven't finished in the top two on the ladder since 2004, but have put themselves in prime position playing at home on Friday night. The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders with 45 and the Brumbies on 43, with four points on offer for a win. Winger Andy Muirhead said the team had spoken about what will be at stake when they line up against the Crusaders, who have veteran Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor in their ranks. "We were sort of pinpointing this a couple of weeks ago that a result this weekend puts us in a good position to finish top-two, and obviously it's coming down to Friday night," Muirhead said. "It doesn't change our mindset really, we want to be a team that plays good footy at home. "We know what the Crusaders bring and we've had some really good battles here at GIO (Stadium), so we're looking forward to it and hopefully getting a good result and keeping our record at home." He felt the team had been making steady progress and was ready to return to the glory days, having last won the title in 2004. "If you look at the last two years, we haven't been far off the pace, and we've made some really good steps in particular parts of our game,'' Muirhead said. "To get a good win at home this weekend is going to put us in good stead - it's going to put our hand up for a title." Appearing in extreme pain, Lolesio was stretchered off wearing a neck brace against the Western Force this month. Lolesio was later cleared of serious injury, and Muirhead said he was set to play. "I think he's tracking well ... he's been recovering well and I'm assuming he will be involved in some capacity,'' Muirhead said. "Being off the field has given him a bit more motivation to rip in." Muirhead's company, Yara Co, will be running a kick-for-cash challenge at halftime, giving schools the chance to win a share of $50,000. The company is an Indigenous civil construction business that also runs training programs through TAFE for Indigenous students. If Muirhead doesn't get a Wallabies start, he is set to be a leading figure in the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring British and Irish Lions. Toutai Kefu was announced as coach last week, with his assistants revealed on Tuesday, including All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, former Fiji Test coach Simon Raiwalui, and Wallabies great Glen Ella. Star playmaker Noah Lolesio is set to return to bolster the Brumbies in their crunch match against the Crusaders, with both teams chasing a crucial Super Rugby Pacific top-two spot. The ACT team haven't finished in the top two on the ladder since 2004, but have put themselves in prime position playing at home on Friday night. The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders with 45 and the Brumbies on 43, with four points on offer for a win. Winger Andy Muirhead said the team had spoken about what will be at stake when they line up against the Crusaders, who have veteran Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor in their ranks. "We were sort of pinpointing this a couple of weeks ago that a result this weekend puts us in a good position to finish top-two, and obviously it's coming down to Friday night," Muirhead said. "It doesn't change our mindset really, we want to be a team that plays good footy at home. "We know what the Crusaders bring and we've had some really good battles here at GIO (Stadium), so we're looking forward to it and hopefully getting a good result and keeping our record at home." He felt the team had been making steady progress and was ready to return to the glory days, having last won the title in 2004. "If you look at the last two years, we haven't been far off the pace, and we've made some really good steps in particular parts of our game,'' Muirhead said. "To get a good win at home this weekend is going to put us in good stead - it's going to put our hand up for a title." Appearing in extreme pain, Lolesio was stretchered off wearing a neck brace against the Western Force this month. Lolesio was later cleared of serious injury, and Muirhead said he was set to play. "I think he's tracking well ... he's been recovering well and I'm assuming he will be involved in some capacity,'' Muirhead said. "Being off the field has given him a bit more motivation to rip in." Muirhead's company, Yara Co, will be running a kick-for-cash challenge at halftime, giving schools the chance to win a share of $50,000. The company is an Indigenous civil construction business that also runs training programs through TAFE for Indigenous students. If Muirhead doesn't get a Wallabies start, he is set to be a leading figure in the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring British and Irish Lions. Toutai Kefu was announced as coach last week, with his assistants revealed on Tuesday, including All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, former Fiji Test coach Simon Raiwalui, and Wallabies great Glen Ella.
Perth Now
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Big boost for Brumbies ahead of Super crunch clash
Star playmaker Noah Lolesio is set to return to bolster the Brumbies in their crunch match against the Crusaders, with both teams chasing a crucial Super Rugby Pacific top-two spot. The ACT team haven't finished in the top two on the ladder since 2004, but have put themselves in prime position playing at home on Friday night. The Chiefs are on top of the ladder with 46 points, followed by the Crusaders with 45 and the Brumbies on 43, with four points on offer for a win. Winger Andy Muirhead said the team had spoken about what will be at stake when they line up against the Crusaders, who have veteran Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor in their ranks. "We were sort of pinpointing this a couple of weeks ago that a result this weekend puts us in a good position to finish top-two, and obviously it's coming down to Friday night," Muirhead said. "It doesn't change our mindset really, we want to be a team that plays good footy at home. "We know what the Crusaders bring and we've had some really good battles here at GIO (Stadium), so we're looking forward to it and hopefully getting a good result and keeping our record at home." He felt the team had been making steady progress and was ready to return to the glory days, having last won the title in 2004. "If you look at the last two years, we haven't been far off the pace, and we've made some really good steps in particular parts of our game,'' Muirhead said. "To get a good win at home this weekend is going to put us in good stead - it's going to put our hand up for a title." Appearing in extreme pain, Lolesio was stretchered off wearing a neck brace against the Western Force this month. Lolesio was later cleared of serious injury, and Muirhead said he was set to play. "I think he's tracking well ... he's been recovering well and I'm assuming he will be involved in some capacity,'' Muirhead said. "Being off the field has given him a bit more motivation to rip in." Muirhead's company, Yara Co, will be running a kick-for-cash challenge at halftime, giving schools the chance to win a share of $50,000. The company is an Indigenous civil construction business that also runs training programs through TAFE for Indigenous students. If Muirhead doesn't get a Wallabies start, he is set to be a leading figure in the First Nations and Pasifika Invitational XV, who will face the touring British and Irish Lions. Toutai Kefu was announced as coach last week, with his assistants revealed on Tuesday, including All Blacks legend Tana Umaga, former Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, former Fiji Test coach Simon Raiwalui, and Wallabies great Glen Ella.
The National
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The National
Misha Botting on being inside the minds of Scotland's best
34 years on from leaving his country of birth and on the verge of closing one of the most significant chapters in his life, Botting is reflecting on a journey that is as fascinating as it is unique, and is contemplating how he rose to become one of this country's preeminent sports psychologists. Having grown up in Moscow, Botting's talents lay in ballet, becoming a dancer with the renowned Bolshoi Ballet Academy. On relocating to Scotland, Botting joined Scottish Ballet, with which he danced for five years before his days as a dancer came to an end. At this point in his life, Botting knew he wanted to remain in sport, although not necessarily as a coach and so and an undergraduate and then postgraduate degree course led him into the world of sports psychology. Botting grew up in Russia (Image: Colin Mearns) Botting would ultimately spend nearly two decades inside the minds of some of Scotland's very best athletes, with the highs as high as they come in the sporting world in the shape of Olympic gold medals for his charges. And there's been the less glorious but no less significant moments of helping athletes through injuries, disappointments and crises of confidence, too. Now, Botting, who has risen to become the sportscotland Institute of Sport Psychology Manager, is just weeks away from leaving the role that was so much more to him than just a job. 'After university, I felt like sports psychology was my calling and I feel so lucky to have been paid for a job which has never felt like a job, it's something I love to do,' he says. 'To be a sports psychologist, you have to be so emotionally invested and so while I still love helping individuals find solutions, 18 years is a long time and it just feels right to try something different.' The list of sports and individual athletes with whom Botting has worked is too lengthy to mention here (and, for Botting's sins, includes myself). But his most notable partnership, in results terms anyway, is with curler Eve Muirhead and her rink, with whom Botting worked for many years. Their partnership was as successful as they come, with Team Muirhead becoming Olympic champions at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Botting is far too modest to claim any significant credit for Team Muirhead's Olympic triumph but in understanding their journey to Olympic gold, it becomes apparent that the psychological work Botting did with Muirhead and her teammates was vital in allowing them to fulfil their potential. 'Working with Eve (Muirhead) and her team for Beijing 2022 was such an interesting experience because a year before they won gold they were in a bad, bad place - they could barely win a game and they were not certain to even be at the Olympics,' Botting says. Team Muirhead with their Olympic gold medals (Image: Getty Images) 'The team hadn't forgotten how to curl, rather their bad form was to do with the psychological side. But they made the adjustments and the compromises that they needed to become Olympic champions.' There were, says Botting, countless highs during the past 18 years of working with Scotland's elite. From helping athletes perform after deaths of coaches to overcoming the mental trauma of serious injury to providing athletes with tools to perform under the most intense of pressure, Botting's successes are plentiful. And a personal highlight, he recalls, was returning to his birth country to take part in the Opening Ceremony as a member of Team GB at the 2018 Sochi Winter Olympics. (Image: Colin Mearns) There is, perhaps surprisingly, a complete absence of lows when Botting reflects on his stellar career. The sports psychology mantra is, after all, that it's all about the process rather than the result and Botting fully subscribes to this. 'I genuinely can't remember the low points because I was never disappointed in anyone's results,' he says. "I was always impressed with athletes' commitment to the process because that's what it's all about. If an athlete puts their heart and soul into the process then that's all you can ask of them.' Botting's secret in becoming such a successful, liked and respected sports psychologist with so many of this country's top athletes is two-fold. Firstly, his experience as an elite performer himself has, he believes, been extremely useful. As is his willingness to do things slightly differently. 'In high-level sport, staying present in the moment is vital but it's also very difficult. It's like an emotional yo-yo, which I understand and the fact the athletes know I went through something similar when I was on stage really helped,' he says. 'Some of my practices might not be typical sports psychology and you will not find them in a textbook but these things helped me put my creativity into practice and help athletes to see the world in a slightly broader sense. 'I was working with a runner and in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, he was injured and it was very difficult for him to cope so we created haiku for each other and that helped him appreciate parts of his life beyond athletics and understand that it wasn't just about the next Olympic Games. 'And I worked with an athlete who was speaking about hitting the wall in the marathon and so I got my trainers and ran the Edinburgh Marathon so I could understand what it was like. ]'It's one thing reading books and understanding statistics and research, but it's another thing feeling the sport on your skin.' Botting may have just weeks remaining of his role as sports psychologist to the great and the good of Scottish sport but the impact his work has had will remain etched in the memories of every athlete he paired up with. And, for Botting himself, the past 18 years are unforgettable. 'You see the tears of frustration or hear the screams from injury or cries of joy and you know an athlete has put everything into it,' he says. 'I've really connected with those feelings and that's what I've loved about this job. 'I've been blessed to work with so many incredible athletes across so many amazing sports and I'll miss it immensely but you get to a point whereby you just have to move on. And I'm at that point now.'
