Latest news with #Rangers-daft
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside Rangers-daft tycoon's £1.8m mansion – it's got its own football pitch, pool & GOLF COURSE
The £1.8million property has also got a bar, entertainment room, guests annex and sauna BEAR PIT Inside Rangers-daft tycoon's £1.8m mansion – it's got its own football pitch, pool & GOLF COURSE Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RANGERS-daft rail tycoon Alan McLeish is flogging his swanky country pad for a jaw-dropping £1.8million. The self-made QTS mogul, 65, dubbed one of Scotland's richest men, has listed Bogside House near Monkton, Ayrshire following the end of his marriage to ex-wife Phyllis. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 12 Alan McLeish 12 Bogside House is described as "one-of-a-kind" 12 The pad has its own football pitch, golf course and swimming pool The luxury pad - which the couple purchased in 2014 for £872,000 - comes complete with a floodlit 4G sports pitch, nine-hole golf course, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. Inside there's a swanky bar and a custom-built entertainment and karaoke room. Outside there's an outdoor TV in the courtyard and a fire pit as well as a separate two-bedroom annex for guests, all set within lush private grounds. McLeish's love for the Ibrox side is evident in some of the pictures as framed Rangers jerseys adorn some of the walls inside the home. The property, which is being listed by Ayr and Irvine-based estate agents, Donald Ross Residential, is described as "one-of-a-kind". The listing says: "Bogside House is a truly exceptional lifestyle estate, offering a rare combination of luxury, privacy, and recreation across approximately 11 acres of immaculately landscaped grounds. "Whether unwinding in the games room, entertaining in the conservatory with built-in fire pit table, or strolling through the tranquil gardens, every element of Bogside House is crafted for luxury living and effortless entertaining. "This is a one-of-a-kind sanctuary, a rare offering in the marketplace, defined by its scale, versatility, and exclusivity." McLeish started his business Quality Tree Surgeons (QTS) back in 1991 after borrowing £300 from his mum to buy a chainsaw. Since then he turned QTS into a rail empire, eventually selling it for a whopping £80million in 2018. This house has appeared on dozens of hit TV shows - but would YOU recognise it? McLeish spent years throwing millions into his beloved Rangers FC and QTS sponsored rivals Kilmarnock for 10 years. McLeish, 65, and ex Phyllis settled their divorce last year for less than £125,000 - a fraction of the £16.5million Phyllis, a boss at Kilmarnock FC, had been initially asking for. 12 The walls are adorned by framed Rangers tops Credit: Donald Ross 12 The home has a swanky bar and entertainment area 12 The impressive hallway in the house has two staircases 12 The property boasts an indoor pool and jacuzzi 12 The rail tycoon's property is spread over 11 acres 12 The house is on the market for a cool £1.8million The exes were locked in a courtroom standoff for three years before reaching a deal. As part of the settlement Alan kept the Monkton mansion and agreed to cover half the value of two luxury homes in Spain. Alan's daughter Jennifer McLeish put her own luxury home on the market last year following a spate of firebombing attacks. In January 2023, thugs left vulgar sexual insults trashing Mcleish on walls in central Bothwell. Maniacs also drove a motor to her front gate before setting it ablaze and fleeing. The fire spread to the fence of McLeish's neighbour at the time, former Celtic star Leigh Griffiths. The attacks are understood to be linked to a fall-out between Mcleish's partner Brian McIlear and a known- Glasgow hood. In Hamilton, a wall in the David Lloyd gym car park was daubed with personal insults aimed at Jennifer. 12 The impressive property even boasts a sauna, as well as a gym, pool and steam room 12 The new owners will be able to relax in the steam room
Scottish Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK's cheapest pub famous for £4 three-course lunches SOLD in shock move
The new boss has already broken his silence on what he thinks of the cheap lunchtime deal 'LOVE THIS PLACE' UK's cheapest pub famous for £4 three-course lunches SOLD in shock move THE CHEAPEST pub in the UK, famous for its £4 three-course lunches, has been sold to new owners in a shock move. The Star Bar, where patrons get a free starter and dessert with each main, is located on Eglinton Street in Glasgow. Advertisement 2 The Star Bar has been bought over by new owners Credit: GOOGLE MAPS The beloved boozer has been serving the iconic three courses since the 1960s, giving patrons a cheap and filling meal for a knock-down price. The eatery's basic but much-loved menu includes Scotch broth, fish and chips, macaroni and cheese, meat and potatoes, creamed rice and ice cream. It has been serving bargain eats between 12pm and 2.30pm for more than 50 years. Locals and visitors alike have long flocked to the pub on the ground floor of a tenement which was built in 1892. Advertisement The traditional pub on the south side is one of the busiest in the city, with many considering it to be of legendary status. And it has now been bought over by new owners, according to The Herald. Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer David Low The boozer has been purchased by David Low, a businessman from Glasgow who helped Fergus McCann take over Celtic in 1994. But he has promised punters that he has "no plans" to change to pub's character or the famous lunch offer. Advertisement Mr Low said: "I've always had a keen interest in Glasgow's iconic bars, of which The Star Bar is a fine example, and there will be more to follow. "Customers can be rest assured that I have no plans to change its distinctive character – or its famous lunch offer.' Rangers-daft pub goes up for sale in Scots town It comes after the businessman sold The Arlington Bar in the west end of Glasgow in October last year. Customers have flocked to social media after hearing the news about the sale. Advertisement One person said: "Aw, hope it stays the same... love this place". Another added: "Great pub, good food and cheap beer compared to the city centre". Someone else wrote: "Beautiful old-fashioned friendly old place that has character about it, if they change it, it will never be the same". Advertisement While a fourth posted: "I just love The Star Bar". And a fifth chimed in: "Been a long time but a fabulous old boozer". The quirky diner has an impressive 4.5 stars out of five on Tripadvisor, with one glowing review branding it 'an excellent wee place'. Another reviewer wrote: 'Been on our 'tick list' for MANY years! Advertisement 'Finally got there! Lovely staff - very friendly. Great service! 'Soup like your granny made - macaroni with 'hot peas!' Then rice pudding with 'tinned' fruit. Loved it! 'Hubby had the pie which he said was spot on! Three courses - £4.00! You've got to go try it!' 2 The beloved boozer has been serving customers since the 1960s Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
23-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside the phone call to Andrew Cavenagh that changed Rangers history – and how he ‘learned new phrases' at Celtic game
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ANDREW CAVENAGH was drinking coffee in New York's Upper East Side when his phone rang. It was the call he'd been waiting for - one he knew would change his life. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Andrew Cavenagh spoke to the media for the first time today at the Rangers EGM Credit: Willie Vass 4 He and Paraag Marathe are determined to alter the course of Rangers for good Credit: Willie Vass On the other end was Les Allan, an investment banker from Edinburgh now based in the Big Apple. He came straight to the point with an offer to buy Rangers. Within SECONDS, Cavenagh was working on the multi-million deal he hopes will lead to the restoration of an institution. Having formally introduced himself to shareholders at the club's EGM in Glasgow today, Cavenagh then faced the media for the first time. And he was delighted to share the details of how the biggest deal of his life came about. Cavenagh revealed: 'I was on the upper east side of Manhattan outside a coffee shop about to go to a New York Yankees game. 'I've known about Rangers forever as a football fan. So when the phone call came to ask if I'd have an interest, it was a lightning bolt moment. 'The call was from Les Allan, a banker in New York. I had met him six months prior and he knew our group was interested in a rare but good opportunity in football. 'Les called me and I said 'absolutely'. Three seconds later I was on the phone to Paraag Marathe. 'There are many things about this club that are attractive. But the big one is the supporters - the breadth and depth of the fanbase is incredible. Hundreds march to remember Rangers-daft teen as parents call for end to violence 'We've not seen many other clubs in Europe with this sort of scope and passion. 'Ibrox is an incredibly magical place to attend as a supporter. And the competitions in which we play, the league, the cups and Europe.' Cavenagh, a former banker, is the co-founder and former chief executive of US company ParetoHealth. He is also now the chairman of and co-owner of Rangers. In partnership with 49ers Enterprises, Cavenagh has been entrusted with the job of restoring the club to its former glory. The size of the task is not lost on him. Nor is the burden of expectation he now carries. Yet he believes he has a plan in place - which includes an immediate £20million investment - which can turn the Ibrox club's fortunes around. Cavenagh said: 'I was a goalkeeper playing football growing up. 'We had a play-off match in my senior year and the coach came up to me ahead of the match and said 'Andrew, everyone on the field today is going to make mistakes - all 11 including you. They just happen to have a special place to keep track of yours and it is called a scorebox'. 'Being a goalkeeper, while I would not make myself out as much of a player, it teaches you that you can have big moments, you are going to have to make big decisions, and you have to live with the ones that you get wrong. I am prepared.' After first hearing about the possibility of a takeover in October, Cavenagh travelled to Ibrox for the first time last November. Back then he was just another face in the crowd. Now he's the custodian of the club - the man carrying the hopes and dreams of thousands. He said: 'It's a physical experience when you walk upstairs at Ibrox. 'You walk up the marble stairs to the Blue Room and in the trophy room in particular you can just feel the history. 'There's no other way to describe it. You walk in and instantly feel indebted to the people who have come before you. 'But you also have the desire to do everything you possibly can, not just to improve the history, but also to improve the trajectory. 'I've been a football fan all my life. I've been to five World Cups and five European Championships. 'I've been to countless matches. I think I did 14 new stadiums in the last year. 4 'The last few months have been an incredible experience. 'One of my favourite moments in life is the five minutes before the match kicks off when you can feel the electricity. 'I was lucky to go to the match at Parkhead and it was incredible. 'I learned a couple of new phrases and gestures when I was there, but it was a fantastic experience. 'It was the first match where our fans were allowed back in and we had 2500 fans there. They were incredibly loud and vocal in showing their support. 'It was one of the best football experiences of my life.' Educated at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, Cavenagh is a high-powered executive who has dealt with pressurised situations his entire career. The immediate pressure he faces at Ibrox is trying to reach the Champions League while stabilising the club's finances. He said: 'Champions League is the goal we are trying to get to every year. 'That is our goal and we have to get through three matches, or three sets of matches and that won't be easy. 'It is important because it brings more revenue. It will always be our benchmark. 'At the moment £20m is the amount of primary capital that we are putting in. 'We have been careful to not say we won't put more in and to not say we will put in. 'When we think about the amount of capital that is needed, we look at it through three lenses. 'The first is what impact will it have and we think £20m into the club – and again, we're not being specific about where it is going – is the right amount this summer. 'We are not looking for what I think of as the sugar high – come in and spend some money, sign some players and try to win something and then you have the sugar crash that comes from that. 'Our ownership group has looked at this on a long-term basis. 'One of the things we hope we bring is the financial power to create stability so we are not living hand to mouth and the club can operate from a platform of stability.' 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Car sinks into loch at popular Scots country park as man charged
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has been charged after a small car rolled into a loch and sank. Visitors to Strathclyde Country Park in Motherwell were stunned when they spotted the motor drifting in the water yesterday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A man has been charged after a car sank in the loch at Strathclyde Park Credit: Supplied 2 Onlookers were left amazed as the small hatchback slowly disappeared from view Credit: Supplied Day trippers gathered round in amazement as the motor slowly submerged below the waterline. In footage, one onlooker can be heard joking: "Excuse me, you can't park there." A small boat was spotted making its way towards the car as it began to sink. It is not clear exactly how the hatchback ended up in the loch. Cops rushed to banks of Strathclyde Loch around 7.20pm after the alarm was raised. Firecrews were also dispatched to the scene. The vehicle was later recovered and fortunately nobody was hurt. But officers have charged a man over an alleged road traffic offence. A Police Scotland spokesperson told the Daily Record: 'We were made aware of a car that had rolled into the water at Strathclyde Loch around 7.20pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025. 'Emergency services attended, the vehicle was recovered, and no one was injured. Hundreds march to remember Rangers-daft teen as parents call for end to violence "One man was charged in connection with a road traffic offence.' The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has been contacted for comment.
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers star Nicolas Raskin ‘high on list of transfer targets' for Premier League side who've followed him for 18 months
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WOLVES are reportedly weighing up a stunning summer transfer swoop for Rangers star Nicolas Raskin - hoping to fight off rivals Aston Villa. The Ibrox midfielder's stock has risen sharply this year, as he finished the season in fine form for Gers before impressing for Belgium in their World Cup qualifiers earlier this month. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 3 Nicolas Raskin in action for Belgium against Wales this month Credit: Getty 3 He had a stellar season at the heart of Rangers' midfield Credit: Reuters 3 Molineux Stadium, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers Credit: Getty Raskin, 24, won the Light Blues' player of the season award and the club would no doubt demand a club record fee from whoever tries to tempt him away from Glasgow. Calvin Bassey was sold to Ajax for a fee north of £18million in 2023, and Raskin still has two years remaining on his current deal. New Rangers head coach Russell Martin wants to build his team around Raskin and is making a pitch for the player to sign a bumper new contract with improved financial terms. Doing so would put the Ibrox side in a strong negotiating position should Wolves, Aston Villa or indeed another club come calling. According to the Daily Record, Wolves have been tracking Raskin for 18 months and despite a summer of upheaval at Molineux, he remains high on their list of summer transfer targets. Midlands rivals Villa have also been credited with interest in the midfielder, a move that could see him link up with Scotland hero John McGinn. Raskin joined for £1.7m Gers in 2023 as Michael Beale's second signing of the January transfer window that year. The player himself has publicly said he wants to stay with Rangers. He was asked about his future and his thoughts on a new boss at the end of last season. And Raskin said: "I've been enjoying myself this season and it's not so often that you can enjoy yourself at a club. Rangers-daft pub goes up for sale in Scots town "So I'm really happy here, two more seasons in my contract. as Long as the club wants me, I'll be here and we'll see what happens. "I like Barry [Ferguson], but it's not my decision. "The thing is we need to be successful next season. So it's going to be who's coming in and how do we do that? How do we be successful? "Barry's been great for me and my statistics can show it. I've been much more efficient and going forward for the team. "So Barry's been great for me. I think he's a great guy. "It's going to be a big change in the summer. So who knows what's going to happen? I don't know. "So let's just wait and see." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
