Latest news with #SPFLTrustTrophy
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride 1 Dunfermline 0: Kennedy hails 'exceptional' Kilby as they upset Pars in friendly
The League Two outfit got the better of the Championship side at K-Park Boss Mick Kennedy hailed 'exceptional' East Kilbride after they stunned Neil Lennon's Dunfermline side in a pre-season friendly. The newly-promoted League Two side upset the Championship side at K-Park this afternoon with John Robertson's early strike inflicting defeat on Neil Lennon's charges. EK made a habit of upsetting Championship sides last season, sending both Ayr United and Airdrieonians out of the SPFL Trust Trophy on their way to reaching the semi-finals. They can now add the Pars to their list of Championship scalps - albeit in a friendly - and Kennedy said: "The boys were exceptional. We were outstanding in the first 45 minutes and we could have been a few up. "We totally dominated the first half and missed some big opportunities to add to our lead. "They put on a fresh 11 at half-time and they had a spell of 15 minutes where they could have done better and scored, but I was really pleased with the first half. "The boys have only been in a couple of weeks and we have a distinct way of playing that doesn't really change, so we've had to get a lot into them in a very short space of time, so credit to the boys for picking it up so quickly. "We are a lot further forward this pre-season than we were last season. Our fitness is really good and we are in a good place. "We had Reegan Mimnuagh, Jack Leitch, Jack Healy, Jamie Hamilton and Erik Sula all missing today so there's even more to come. "Neil thought we were excellent as well and I think it was a good game for them. I think Neil has identified players he wants to bring in and he will strengthen his squad from what we played today. "But we managed to get a lot of new signings like Keir Foster, Ouzy See and Josh O'Connor involved today so I'm really pleased." It took Kilby just nine minutes to break the deadlock at a sold-out K-Park, with Robertson finding his way past the Pars' backline and calmy slotting the ball into the net. Seven minutes later the hosts though they had doubled their lead when Cammi Elliot had the ball in the back of the net, but the assistant referee flagged for offside. The Pars came close to a leveller just before the break when Connor Young cracked the crossbar with a strike and on the stroke of half-time Joao Balde saw a striek deflected narrowly wide down the other end. The woodwork came to EK's rescue in 62 minutes when Jake Sutherland's effort came off the post, but they managed to hold out for a winning start to pre-season against a Pars side just back from a warm weather training camp in Bulgaria. East Kilbride's next game is a behind closed doors clash with Premiership side Hearts on July 8.
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie hero Adam Frizzell says he's left Diamonds in a good place as he looks back on four-year spell
The club captain departed last week for Derry City Former Airdrie skipper Adam Frizzell feels he's left the club in a good place, as he looked back on his four years in the Diamond. The 27-year-old signed for League of Ireland side Derry City last week on an 18-month contract that he said was 'too good to turn down', with the side chasing a European place. Frizzell's new team are currently over halfway through their season as Scottish football prepares for the big kick-off and he believes he has left the club on strong footing. The midfielder departs with plenty of fond memories of his spell in Monklands having captained the team to a long-awaited trophy in 2023 with their SPFL Trust Trophy triumph and also promotion in the same year. Asked about his favourite moment from his spell at New Broomfield, Frizzell said: "There have been so many. The first season I went in, we were excellent. We finished second [to Cove] but we won almost every game that season. We had a really good team. "In the second year, we won promotion which was unbelievable as well. "In the third year we won the cup and the club hadn't done that in a long time. To do that as captain was a massive honour for me. "There will be a lot better players than me that don't lift a trophy in their career so it will probably be something I appreciate even more when I look back. "Last year was a bit sticky, but we got there in the end and kept the club in the division. "That was massive for me. If I thought there was a chance of moving on, I wanted to leave the club in a really good place, which I think it is. "It is a really young, exciting squad and I am looking forward to watching them this season, supporting them from afar." Frizzell feels he is making a step up by moving overseas and hopes to get a taste of Europa Conference League football with Derry next season. He said: "I got a very small taste of it [playing in Europe] when I was very young playing for Kilmarnock and we went out in the first round to a Welsh team. "That's what you dream of when you're young and to be going and pushing for Europe was a big selling point. "Not only that but I don't think it would be disrespectful in saying that it's probably a step up in general. It's a really tough league now with a lot of good players in it. It was time for me to come over and challenge myself and I'm looking forward to doing that."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Rangers star Liam Kelly's kid brother takes next step on the journey as he bids to become BETTER than his sibling
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HIS big brother finished the season as Rangers top goalkeeper. And now Liam Kelly's younger sibling has just taken the next step on his nascent football career by signing on a permanent deal for Dumbarton. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Shay Kelly has had a great start to life Credit: Facebook 2 Liam Kelly against Athletic Bilbao Credit: Willie Vass The 18-year-old has agreed a permanent one-year deal with the League 2 side - with the option of a second. The Sons kick off the season five points in arrears on the rest of their division but could be poised to fight back under new Canadian owner Mario Lapointe. The St Mirren academy graduate made his professional debut for the Buddies Under 20's side in the SPFL Trust Trophy against Albion Rovers 2023 at just 16. He was also on the bench for the Paisley side's UEFA Conference League Qualifiers last season before joining up with the Sons on loan in February during a goalkeeper injury crisis. He told the Dumbarton website: 'I'm buzzing. I'm just happy it's done now. I'm looking forward to getting a full season under my belt as a number one at a very good level. 'Obviously, I came for the last run here, got a wee taste of it and I absolutely loved it. "I'm just determined to get in now, show everybody what I can do and make an impact' Despite offers to join squads at a higher level, the attraction of regular first-team football convinced him Dumbarton was the right place for him to be. He said: 'That was the main attraction, on top of how good the manager is, how well he works and how much I've enjoyed my time here with him, Frank and Eric. 'I probably could have held off a bit longer and got full-time offer but when you've got somebody wanting you, you just want to go and play. Russell Martin's to-do list in first week as Rangers boss PLUS Lawrence Shankland and Greg Taylor latest 'At my age especially, I see a lot of keepers holding off and not backing themselves. "But I completely back myself and I just want to go and show everybody that I'm more than good enough to play.' Shay featured in five matches towards the end of last season for Stevie Farrell's side, saving an incredible three penalties and will be a vital part of the side heading into the new campaign. He'll now battle with Brett Long to be the club's No 1, although the veteran stopper is currently injured. He said: "Brett's a brilliant goalie. I seen a lot of Brett before he was injured and I'm excited to work with him. 'Obviously there'll be no bad blood at all. If Brett is playing, I'll be buzzing for him and if I'm playing, I'm sure Brett will feel the same.' Kelly has previously spoken about how much he can learn from his Gers star brother, whose penalty heroics in the battling goalless first leg draw against Athletic Bilbao will live long in the memory. "I want to be the best goalkeeper I can, I want to be better than him but that'll be a tough task. "He gives me wee pointers all the time, anything that I can add to my game from him then I'll use them. 'He's done so well for himself and anything I can learn from him is great." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies star Oli Shaw postpones honeymoon as boss hails commitment to pre-season
The striker got married last week but has swapped the chance of sunny climes for Cumbernauld this June Newly wed Hamilton Accies star Oli Shaw has turned down the chance of a honeymoon this summer to make sure he hits the ground running this season, boss John Rankin has revealed. The former Hibs and Kilmarnock striker tied the knot with wife Michaela at the luxury Achnagairn Castle estate in Inverness last Saturday, with Shaw posting images from the big day on his Instagram page. But Shaw has swapped the chance of sunning himself in some exotic destination for Cumbernauld, as the Accies players work up a sweat in pre-season training at their new Broadwood home. The club have upped sticks from New Douglas Park after a fallout with the stadium owners and had a two-year lease at Broadwood approved by the SPFL on Thursday. Shaw, who netted 16 goals in 44 appearances last season, reported for training this week and Rankin heaped praise on Mr and Mrs Shaw for their dedication to Hamilton Accies' bid to make an immediate return to League One. Rankin explained: "To keep Oli at the club for this season is huge. "He got married on Saturday there and I offered him an extended holiday to go and spend some time with his new wife, but he knocked it back. "He said he will go on his honeymoon next year because he wanted to come back in and train. "That sort of commitment from day one is important and it shows the type of character that Oli is. "Oli missed the first few weeks of pre-season last season and I think he's felt he's always played catch up because of that. "But this season he is determined to start the season quickly. That speaks volumes for him, but also the commitment his wife has shown to him. "Most people only get married once so for her to give up her honeymoon this year for Oli to come back and train is huge for us. "Hopefully it helps him start the season well and he hits the ground running. "Oli is happy at the football club and he stressed that to me in the summer. Oli is loving his time here, he loves scoring goals and he loves the players and environment he is working in." With Accies homeless over the summer as they awaited official confirmation from the SPFL to sanction their controversial move to Broadwood, Rankin revealed he had to meet his players in hotels up and down the country to thrash out deals to keep them at the club. A handful have moved on, with the likes of SPFL Trust Trophy hero Reghan Tumilty joining St Johnstone, while skipper Sean McGinty activated a relegation release clause to join Lanarkshire rivals Airdrie. Rankin added: "There were a lot of players who were out of contract and decided to move on, and we wish them all the best. "Some who were in contract and had relegation clauses decided to take them, others didn't. "I met all the players individually when the season finished. Obviously, we didn't have a stadium so we were meeting in various hotels up and down the country. "I had some tough conversations with some players that wanted to stay but didn't want to play in League One, which I totally understand. We are talking good servants to the club. "But there are people who are really committed. Oli is one of them. His goal return last season was a big thing for us."
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie announce Ben Wilson exit as striker joins The New Saints for club record fee
The striker as left New Broomfield for the Welsh Premier League Striker Ben Wilson has completed a move from Airdrieonians to The New Saints in a club record fee for the Welsh side. The 23-year-old striker has joined the side the Diamonds defeated in the 2024 SPFL Trust Trophy final for an undisclosed fee, although it is understood to be worth six figures to Airdrie. Wilson made a big impression when he arrived in Monklands last summer, netting a hat-trick on his competitive debut in a thumping 8-0 win over East Kilbride in the Premier sports League Cup. He also netted in each of his first four games for the club. But the former Cliftonville man has now completed a switch to the Welsh Premier side, who unveiled the striker with an announcement video this afternoon. A club statement from Airdrie read: "Following a successful season in the Championship, striker Ben Wilson has moved to Welsh side TNS for an undisclosed fee. "Northern Irish frontman Wilson notched 17 goals in his solitary season at the Albert Bartlett Stadium, finishing as the side's top scorer following his move from Cliftonville last June."The 23-year-old's exploits caught the eye of Cymru Premier champions TNS, who were keen to add to their firepower ahead of another European campaign."We wish Ben the best of luck as he begins a new chapter in his career, and we thank him for some big moments in the season past."
