Latest news with #NeilLennon
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride v Dunfermline: Mick Kennedy says top opposition friendlies will serve side well for League Cup
The League Two side will face the Pars on Saturday before facing Hearts behind closed doors East Kilbride players started their pre-season training this past week and Mick Kennedy's men will be thrown straight into a tough test this weekend. The Lowland League champions and newly-promoted League Two side welcome Neil Lennon's Dunfermline Athletic to K-Park for their first pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon, ahead of a clash behind closed doors against Premiership side Hearts. Kilby are being thrown in at the deep end, but Kennedy insists it is required ahead opening competitive action at home to championship side St Johnstone on July 12 in the Premier Sports League Cup. On Saturday's test, which is a 3pm kick-off, the Kilby gaffer said: 'It will be the first pre-season friendly for both of us so it will be interesting. I believe Dunfermline have been away for a warm weather training camp so I am sure they will be well-prepared. 'To be fair to our boys, they've come back in great shape so it will be a good test. It is about trying to bed the new boys in, in terms of our philosophy because it will be different to what they are used to. 'Dunfermline and Hearts are difficult games to bed them in, to be honest, but it is a good environment for them to test themselves. 'Neil is trying to build a new team and at the early stages of rebuilding so we'll be interested to see what kind of team he plays. I imagine what team he plays on Saturday and what team starts the season for them will be very different. 'A full-time and Championship club coming here is a great test. We wanted to play against top opposition to prepare us for the League Cup. 'The Hearts game has been sorted, but it is behind closed doors so there will be no fans. That game will be a tough one for the boys.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Premier Sports Cup group stage draw in full as SPFL new boys East Kilbride learn fate and two Premiership sides face off
SPFL newboys East Kilbride have landed a Premier Sports Cup tie against 2021 League Cup winners and recently relegated St Johnstone after the group stage of the competition was drawn on Wednesday. The K Park side have reached League Two for the first time in their history after scoring victories over Brora Rangers and Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-offs, sending the latter back down to the Lowland League in the process. Advertisement Mick Kennedy's side will also face 2015 Scottish Cup winners Inverness, Raith Rovers and fellow fourth tier team Elgin City. READ MORE: Motherwell announce summer departures as 13 stars leave READ MORE: Premier Sports Cup draw details and seedings plus live stream and how to watch for free The likes of Hearts, Kilmarnock and high-flying Falkirk now know who they will need to first overcome in the quest for Hampden glory in this competition Once again Scotland's European representatives get a bye through this stage including title holders Celtic but by no means does that mean there isn't some tasty meetings drawn out the hat. Advertisement Here are three games to watch out for in the Premier Sports Cup groups: Hearts vs Dunfermline An immediate eye catcher pits former Hibs boss Neil Lennon's Pars up against newly appointed Derek McInnes' Hearts with both managers looking to make statements early on in the year. Both clubs have excellent fan bases, and this one will have no shortage of needle in the mix for them to enjoy. Ross County vs Partick Thistle A preview for what may be to come in the Championship, this tie brings Don Cowie's Staggies a taste of what they will be up against as they feel the fall to the Championship. Thistle will once again wish to be in the promotion mix and they know that in order to do that teams like Ross County will need to be overcame so a great test lies for them here also. Advertisement St Johnstone vs East Kilbride Fellow top flight relegation victims St Johnstone will be out to make a statement ahead of their own campaign to bounce back up to the top flight and will have no better opportunity than to take the game to SPFL newcomers East Kilbride who make their first appearance since promotion to league 2 for the first every time. Mick Kennedys Kilby on the other hand will relish this opportunity against a top club to show they may be the newsboy's, but they are not to be underestimated. Premier Sports group stage draw in full: Group A Falkirk Queen's Park Cove Rangers The Spartans Brechin City Advertisement Group B Ross County Partick Thistle Queen of the South Edinburgh City Stranraer Group C Dundee Airdrieonians Alloa Athletic Montrose Bonnyrigg Rose Group D St Mirren Ayr United Arbroath Annan Athletic Forfar Athletic Group E Heart of Midlothian Dunfermline Athletic Hamilton Accies Dumbarton Stirling Albion Group F St Johnstone Raith Rovers Inverness CT Elgin City Stirling Albion East Kilbride Group G Motherwell Greenock Morton Stenhousemuir Peterhead Clyde Group H Kilmarnock Livingston Kelty Hearts East Fife Brora Rangers
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Derek McInnes' Hearts bow vs Neil Lennon gets TV billing as Premier Sports Cup fixtures and TV picks revealed
Derek McInnes will make his Hearts dugout bow in front of the TV cameras as the SPFL confirmed the Premier Sports Cup group stage fixture list. The Jambos have been selected for live coverage TWICE from five games picked up by the broadcaster for the first phase of the competition. Advertisement The capital club kick off their campaign at Tynecastle at home to Neil Lennon's Dunfermline on Saturday, July 12 with the game getting underway at 5.15pm. READ MORE: Ex Hibs player sues club over 'horrific' injury suffered after tackle by manager READ MORE: What Celtic squad really thought of Rangers meltdown in 2012 and one-horse league race Hearts' trip to Stirling Albion the following weekend, starting at the same time will also be live on the box as is Kilmarnock vs Livingston in an all Premiership affiar, Motherwell vs Greenock Morton and Ayr United's trip to St Mirren. As like last season, a number of other matches will be able to be viewed on the Premier Sports app so fixturs NOT selected for TV remain subject to change. Advertisement The eight group winners and three best runners-up will join Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen, Hibs and Dundee United - who all get a bye due to their European involvement - in the last 16. The Premier Sports Cup trophy -Credit:Alan Harvey / SNS Group SPFL chief operating officer Calum Beattie: 'We are delighted to be able to announce the fixtures and TV selections for the group stage of the Premier Sports Cup as we look forward to the start of the new season kicking off in July. 'In addition to the five matches selected for live coverage on Premier Sports, supporters will also have the opportunity to watch additional games via the Premier Sports app and we hope to be in a position to confirm those selections shortly.' Advertisement *TV picks highlighted in bold** GROUP A Saturday July 12 Brechin City v Falkirk (3.00pm) The Spartans v Queen's Park (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Cove Rangers v The Spartans (7.45pm) Queen's Park v Brechin City (7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Cove Rangers v Falkirk (3.00pm) The Spartans v Brechin City (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 Brechin City v Cove Rangers (7.45pm) Falkirk v Queen's Park (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Falkirk v The Spartans (3.00pm) Queen's Park v Cove Rangers (3.00pm) GROUP B Saturday July 12 Edinburgh City v Partick Thistle (3.00pm) Stranraer v Ross County (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Partick Thistle v Stranraer (7.45pm) Queen of the South v Edinburgh City (7.45pm) Advertisement Saturday July 19 Edinburgh City v Stranraer (3.00pm) Queen of the South v Ross County (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 Partick Thistle v Queen of the South (7.45pm) Ross County v Edinburgh City (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Ross County v Partick Thistle (3.00pm) Stranraer v Queen of the South (3.00pm) GROUP C Saturday July 12 Bonnyrigg Rose v Alloa Athletic (3.00pm) Dundee v Airdrieonians (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Airdrieonians v Bonnyrigg Rose (7.45pm) Alloa Athletic v Montrose (7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Alloa Athletic v Dundee (3.00pm) Montrose v Bonnyrigg Rose (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 Bonnyrigg Rose v Dundee (7.45pm) Montrose v Airdrieonians (7.45pm) Advertisement Saturday July 26 Airdrieonians v Alloa Athletic (3.00pm) Dundee v Montrose (3.00pm) GROUP D Saturday July 12 Annan Athletic v Forfar Athletic (3.00pm) Arbroath v St Mirren (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Annan Athletic v Ayr United (7.45pm) Forfar Athletic v St Mirren (7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Ayr United v Arbroath (3.00pm) St Mirren v Annan Athletic (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 Arbroath v Annan Athletic (7.45pm) Ayr United v Forfar Athletic (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Forfar Athletic v Arbroath (3.00pm) Sunday July 27 St Mirren v Ayr United (Premier Sports, 3.00pm) GROUP E Saturday July 12 Heart of Midlothian v Dunfermline Athletic (Premier Sports, 5.15pm) Stirling Albion v Hamilton Academical (3.00pm) Advertisement Tuesday July 15 Dumbarton v Stirling Albion (7.45pm) Hamilton Academical v Heart of Midlothian (7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Dumbarton v Dunfermline Athletic (3.00pm) Stirling Albion v Heart of Midlothian (Premier Sports, 5.15pm) Tuesday July 22 Dunfermline Athletic v Hamilton Academical (7.45pm) Wednesday July 23 Heart of Midlothian v Dumbarton (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Dunfermline Athletic v Stirling Albion (3.00pm) Hamilton Academical v Dumbarton (3.00pm) GROUP F Saturday July 12 East Kilbride v St Johnstone (3.00pm) Elgin City v Raith Rovers (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Inverness CT v Elgin City (7.45pm) Raith Rovers v East Kilbride (7.45pm) Advertisement Saturday July 19 Elgin City v East Kilbride (3.00pm) Inverness CT v St Johnstone (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 East Kilbride v Inverness CT (7.45pm) St Johnstone v Raith Rovers (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Raith Rovers v Inverness CT (3.00pm) St Johnstone v Elgin City (3.00pm) GROUP G Saturday July 12 Clyde v Motherwell (3.00pm) Peterhead v Greenock Morton (3.00pm) Tuesday July 15 Greenock Morton v Stenhousemuir (7.45pm) Motherwell v Peterhead (7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Peterhead v Clyde (3.00pm) Stenhousemuir v Motherwell (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 Clyde v Stenhousemuir (7.45pm) Motherwell v Greenock Morton (Premier Sports, 7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Greenock Morton v Clyde (3.00pm) Stenhousemuir v Peterhead (3.00pm) GROUP H Saturday July 12 Brora Rangers v Kilmarnock (3.00pm) East Fife v Livingston (3.00pm) Advertisement Tuesday July 15 Brora Rangers v Kelty Hearts (7.45pm) Wednesday July 16 Kilmarnock v Livingston (Premier Sports, 7.45pm) Saturday July 19 Kelty Hearts v East Fife (3.00pm) Livingston v Brora Rangers (3.00pm) Tuesday July 22 East Fife v Brora Rangers (7.45pm) Kelty Hearts v Kilmarnock (7.45pm) Saturday July 26 Kilmarnock v East Fife (3.00pm) Livingston v Kelty Hearts (3.00pm)
Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Daily Record
Autistic schoolboy hooked on trendy snus after being forced to buy vapes for other kids
A mum, from Wishaw, spoke out as a leading advice charity warned of a worrying surge in reports of young people experimenting with nicotine pouches - widely used by sports stars and celebrities. A mum has told how her 13-year-old autistic son got hooked on trendy 'snus' after being forced to buy nicotine products for other teenagers. The healthcare worker, from Wishaw, spoke out as a leading advice charity warned of a worrying surge in reports of young people experimenting with the nicotine pouches - widely used by sports stars and celebrities. The 'devastated' mum said her son had been 'coerced' by other youngsters, some who carry knives, to buy vapes - even though he is clearly underage. Now he has been caught stealing to fund his own habit for vapes and white tobacco pouches, which users place between their upper lip and gum. The 41-year-old, who has turned to Advice Direct Scotland for support, said: 'It's like living with an addict now because that's what these things are - addictive. 'His personality has changed. He used to be quite calm but now he goes into a meltdown if he can't get a vape or snus. 'I'm absolutely devastated. My son is only 13. He's autistic and vulnerable and yet he's been coerced and manipulated by older kids who should know better. 'Some of these kids carry knives. They saw his kindness, his eagerness to fit in, and they exploited it. They coerced him into buying vapes for other underage kids, knowing full well he wouldn't say no. My son looks 13 so there is no doubt that he's underage and he's going in there with his uniform on. 'It is terrifying. He stole £170 from us and that is so out of character. It is unbelievably stressful and yet nothing is being done.' Earlier this month, new data emerged suggesting that young people under the age of 18 are now more aware of nicotine pouches. Sports stars like ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon and ex-England forward Jamie Vardy have been known to use snus, along with former boxer Mike Tyson and late superstar DJ Avicii. A survey commissioned by charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), found the percentage of 11-17 year olds who said they knew of the pouches grew from 38% in 2024 to 43% this year. Nearly 4% of children in this age group had tried the pouches, equivalent to 210,000 young people. Hazel Knowles, consumer lead at Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'We have noted increased concerns from people about the rising use of nicotine pouches among young people. 'There are fears that marketing strategies that include sweet flavours, trendy packaging and social media promotion are seen as targeting youth and non-smokers. 'Many young users are unaware that nicotine pouches contain addictive substances. 'Open, non-judgmental conversations and access to educational resources are key to prevention. 'People can reach out to us if they have any issues about the sale of these pouches to youngsters or any other consumer issues relating to this growing phenomenon.' Concerns over snus were raised after the charity logged more than 100 reports of kids - many still in their school uniforms - being sold vapes in the last year. It says enforcement is failing to stop rogue traders from selling vapes to children - some as young as 11 years old. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. From June 1, it became illegal to buy or sell disposable vapes. Only devices considered to be reusable are legal. Knowles added: 'We have noticed the growing prevalence of underage vape sales - a trend that threatens the health and wellbeing of children. Vaping products are finding their way into the hands of children with disturbing ease. 'Every sale to a child is a breach of trust, a moment where profit is placed above protection. We urge anyone with any concerns to contact us so that we can work to counteract this worrying trend.' For free advice, go to or call 0808 164 6000.
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic hero Neil Lennon reveals Walter Smith's ‘amazing' reaction to THAT infamous spat with Rangers legend Ally McCoist
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT will forever be remembered as one of the most bitter exchanges in Old Firm history. Celtic legend Neil Lennon has opened up on what really happened between himself and Ally McCoist during the infamous touchline spat in 2011. 3 Ally McCoist and Neil Lennon squaring up on the touchline Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 Things got very heated at full-time Credit: Reuters The famous Scottish Cup meeting at Celtic Park resulted in three red cards, 13 yellow cards and 34 fans arrested. It was the Hoops who came out on top courtesy of Mark Wilson's first and only Old Firm goal, but it wasn't just the action on the pitch that caught everyone's attention. It's widely remembered as the time the Celtic and Rangers legend went head-to-head in an angry exchange at full-time. The pair previously joked that it was Scott Brown who sparked the heated affair for noising up El Hadji Diouf. But now the two-time Celtic boss has pinned all the blame on the Senegal forward. Speaking on the Open Goal podcast, he said: "El Hadji Diouf started it all. "Emilio Izaguirre got injured after Steven Whittacker caught him in a foul, got a second yellow and was sent off. "Diouf came over to get instructions when Tim Williamson was running on to treat Emilio. "Diouf gives him one of them (motions an elbow). "I clocked it and said 'you f*****g leave my staff alone'. Incredible moment Celtic legend Neil Lennon was strangled by boss Martin O'Neill "Coisty then came on to say 'don't talk to my players'. "So, that was the start of it really, then it got really spicy in the game." On the incident with McCoist itself, Lennon continued: "I shook hands with Walter, then he goes. "Coisty said 'don't speak to my players like that,' and I f*****g snapped. "The normal thing to do is to shake hands and leave it, but I said 'is that right?'" 3 Neil Lennon with Walter Smith in 2010 Credit: PA:Press Association Lennon went on to reveal that Walter Smith let rip at not only himself, but McCoist as well, during a post-match meet-up in the Celtic manager's office. On Smith's reaction, Lennon said: "He was amazing. "He gave us both a bollocking afterwards in my office - he told us to behave ourselves! "He was brilliant. I loved him. "I had a lot of respect for him, he was a brilliant manager. Really, really smart." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
