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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Dundee United's foreign legion make history but battle isn't over
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... No Scots, no problem. At least, no problem eventually, although there might still be some trouble ahead. For Bannon, Hegarty and Sturrock, read Dolcek, Keresztes and Pappoe and as unfamiliar as this Dundee United's multi-national team might seem at present, they combined fluently enough to see off spirited part-timers from Luxembourg. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But is it enough? Remember Rangers is the cautionary advice. The Ibrox side took a 1-0 first leg lead to the Grand Duchy in 2017 in a Europa League qualifying tie under Pedro Caixinha and fell to one of their worst-ever results, losing 2-0 to Progres Niederkorn. Zac Sapsford scored Dundee United's winner against UNA Strassen. | SNS Group Jim Goodwin made some Dundee United history of his own here. Depending on your viewpoint, it wasn't quite as bleak. He simply picked a team devoid of Scotsmen. Given the club's signing activity over the summer, it was almost inevitable this might happen at some point this season but it still felt notable on a night when United returned to a European stage where they distinguished themselves – and Scotland – in the 1980s. These are very different times of course. What might wonder what Jim McLean might make of it before remembering that he, too, explored the world market both as manager and chairman with varying degrees of success. Goodwin gave seven players their competitive debuts and it was little wonder the hosts struggled to break down their stuffy opponents initially. A neat goal from Australian Zachary Sapsford broke the deadlock two minutes after half time although not even this was the signal for the floodgates to open, as most had expected. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad UNA Strassen nearly score at end With two Scots now on the field in the shape of substitutes Craig Sibbald and Owen Stirton, the latter from far off Forfar, United sought to pile on the pressure. However, it never quite materialised to the extent the home fans desired. Instead, UNA Strassen, playing only their second-ever European tie, came close to equalising at the death when Matheus De Souza shot straight at Yevhenii Kucherenko, United's new Ukrainian 'keeper. Stirton did make a quick impact when seeing his angled shot tipped onto the post by Koray Ozcan but it was the visitors who were pushing most effectively towards the end. In the absence of injured skipper, and local boy, Ross Graham, Will Ferry, the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap, led out a team including two Australians, two Croatians and a Dutchman in front of a healthy home crowd and a tifo display. 'Under the lights on European nights,' it read. There have been plenty of those at Tannadice although not as many in recent years as those of a certain age were blessed with. UNA Strassen's Matheus Souza (L) has a shot saved by Dundee United's Yevhen Kucherenko. | SNS Group The previous one before this was one of the best – a 1-0 over AZ Alkmaar. Just don't mention the second leg. There's less likelihood of United coming unstuck in such comprehensive fashion next week although this tie is far from over. All the worrying ingredients were here in a goalless opening half; a home team nowhere near having had the opportunity to gel and an opposition 'keeper who looked like he was in the mood to have one of those nights. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ozcan, UNA Strassen's 30-year-old custodian of the sticks, seemed inspired early on as United began brightly although even then, the first real chance fell to the visitors. Daryl Myre only had to get his lob on target after he was played in down the left. With Kucherenko in no-man's land, Myre's effort bounced wide. It was a warning. UNA Strassen, anchored in the middle by the 39-year-old Vova, looked more than capable. Still, United were making chances and, in the case of Vicko Sevelj, were guilty of wasting them. He was left in glorious isolation after a neat reverse ball from Sapsford but could not beat Ozcan, who spread himself well. There is still work to do The 'keeper was at full stretch when tipping a Kristijan Trapanovski effort away 23 minutes in and denied the same player again shortly afterwards. Were things going to plan? Not for United they weren't. Still, it might have been worse. Tannadice fell silent after Krisztian Keresztes, who had already been booked, tripped Vivo. The veteran was in his own half but a break was on. Keresztes returned very quickly to his position while being sure not to catch the eye of referee Marc Nagtegaal. United finished the half with eleven men and finished the game with eleven, by which time they had secured a just about deserved advantage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
New Statesman
5 days ago
- Business
- New Statesman
Brewdog Britain is dead
Photo by PA Images/Alamy Punk. Elvis Juice. Hazy Jane. Wingman. Malt Fiction. Crazy Monk. In 2007, Scotsmen James Watt and Martin Dickie founded BrewDog with a simple goal: stick two fingers up at the stuffy, supercilious world of Big Beer by making some of the most unquaffable booze in all of Christendom. And for much of the early 2010s they really did capture a particular millennial zeitgeist, as the aesthetic once lazily branded as 'hipster' – the beards, the Black Keys, the BBQ pulled pork – ingrained its Red Wing boots firmly into the British public's psyche. Post-recession, the traditional English pub, with its sticky, patterned carpets, plush ruby red banquettes, and intimate, convivial atmosphere was on the way out (a whopping 1,973 establishments closed in the year following the financial crash). What followed was a reshaping of the public house itself, with BrewDog at the dark heart of it. Suddenly, exposed brick, industrial ventilation shafts, and harsh lighting became de rigueur, as pubs turned from welcoming third spaces, which often felt like extensions of someone's front room, into experiential holding pens; places where the deep nidor of sticky wings and dragon fries mixed with the stale smell of spilt cloudy IPAs. The chairs were uncomfortable, the drinks were expensive, and the branding was very much a focus group's idea of hip. BrewDog always claimed to do things differently. Its headline initiative was Equity for Punks, a crowdfunding scheme which allowed regular old pintmen like you and me to become shareholders in the company (the Financial Times recently reported that unless a buyer comes in with a mammoth offer for BrewDog soon, the shares sold to its 130,000 Equity Punks will be worthless). They drove a tank down Camden high street, decrying 'tasteless, apathetic, fizzy mainstream lagers produced by huge global breweries' (leaked emails from 2018 show that James Watt was open to a partial sale to Heineken). They projected themselves naked onto the Houses of Parliament, for some reason. This week, BrewDog announced the imminent closure of 10 of their public houses – including their Aberdeen flagship and three London sites – citing 'ongoing industry challenges', such as 'rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures'. It's no secret that the hospitality industry is currently in dire straits, but it's been a particularly tough half-decade for these countercultural upstarts. In June of 2021, a significant number of former employees penned an open letter, highlighting the 'cult of personality', 'toxic attitudes', and the 'residual feeling of fear' felt by staff at the company. In 2022, a BBC One Disclosure investigation alleged inappropriate behaviour from then-CEO James Watt towards female employees, which he denied. In 2024, the brewer dropped their pledge to pay all staff the real living wage. Later that year, a second open letter – this time from team members at BrewDog's showpiece pub in Waterloo station – hit the news, with claims of 'bullying, gaslighting … racism, sexism, and ableism'. Up until now, these allegations don't seem to have impacted BrewDog's bottom line too much. The company's financial results for the year ending 31 December 2024 showed gross revenues of £357m, bringing them back into profitability for the first time since 2021. But might this recent batch of closures turn the tide against the brand? Trade union Unite described the move, which will go ahead with just four days notice this Saturday, as 'not just morally repugnant, [but] potentially unlawful'. As for the consumer, walk into BrewDog Waterloo on any given weeknight and you'll find a peculiar mix of commuters, tourists, and team-bonding trips. There's a slide, there's a podcast studio, there's an ice cream truck. It's certainly hard to imagine the pub being anyone's local. And it's also hard to imagine the next generation of drinkers ever being particularly bothered about stepping foot inside its cavernous walls. Much has been said about Gen Z's supposed abstinence (a recent study by IWSR's Bevtrac found that alcohol consumption among 18-25 year olds actually rose in the UK from 66 per cent in 2023 to 76 per cent in 2025) but, anecdotally, you only need to cross the threshold of a traditional London pub on a Friday or Saturday night to see that the one thing BrewDog rallied against is now undoubtedly cool again: the proper boozer, with its packets of pork scratchings and mass-produced lager and stout. Pubs like The Blue Posts on Berwick Street, The King's Head in Finsbury Park, and The Army & Navy in Dalston are regularly teeming with young people chasing fun and authenticity (and, yes, splitting the G). Even the relatively new buzzy Soho boozer du jour, The Devonshire, eschews the stripped-back millennial aesthetic in favour of a classic, cosy pub feel. It's part of a broader trend away from the bland minimalism of the 2010s towards something markedly messier and more free – and towards something that, crucially, is far less concerned with artificial anti-establishment posturing. Of course, one has to wonder if James Watt even cares particularly at this stage. In 2024, he stepped down from his role as CEO after 17 years, 'to take a bit of time off, to travel, [and] to spend more time with my family and friends'. James Arrow, the Chief Operations Officer who replaced him, also quit in March of this year. But since resigning, Watt has found a second wind as something of an online celebrity, creating banal video content with his wife Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo (of Made in Chelsea fame), launching a Dragons Den-style TV show called House of Unicorns, and rubbing shoulders with Jim Davidson and Lee Anderson at Nigel Farage's 60th birthday bash. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe So is this the beginning of the end for BrewDog? Have we reached peak Punk? The world is a very different place now to what it was in 2007. The try-hard PR stunts, the private equity, and the bad employment practices – all under the inauthentic guise of 'punk' – feels, in 2025, deeply uncool. So, drink up your Lost Lager. It's almost time for last orders. [Further reading: A drinker's guide to offshore London] Related
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Villagers appeal for final push to help renovate Stirlingshire war memorial
A total of 77 names of fallen local heroes from both World Wars appear on the Plean cenotaph - with campaigners looking to raise funds to clean up the monument. Community activists in Plean are edging closer to their goal of raising enough funds to restore and clean up the village cenotaph. Around £560 of the target has so far been raised thanks to an online crowdfunding appeal set up by Plean's Voice. And the stalwarts are asking people to donate what they can to give the effort the final push. In an online plea they said: 'We are looking to have the cenotaph cleaned up and all wording restored, to go along with our beautiful new planters and hanging baskets to brighten up our village. 'Our quote for this is £700. Can we as a village pull together and get this done, even £1 would help.' Plean's voice is a local charity set up by residents to make the village 'a lovely, more fun place to live'. The group hosts regular events throughout the year and has been successful in securing enhancements such as Christmas lights, and summer hanging baskets and tubs in recent years. Their latest project hopes to ensure their prized war memorial is given the attention it deserves. The cenotaph was unveiled on 6 August 1922 by General Sir Charles Munro, Bart., KCB, who commanded the Sixth Division in France during World War I. There are now 77 names of the village's fallen heroes on the memorial - 59 from WWI and 18 from WWII. Information published by the Imperial War Museum details how Mr Wallace Thorniecroft, of the Plean Colliery Company, presided at the unveiling ceremony in 1922, which was attended by 'a large concourse of people from the surrounding district'. Ex-servicemen paraded under Captain Thorniecroft, and other bodies present were the Boy Scouts, the Boys' Brigade, and the Girl Guides. Mr Thorniecroft mentioned that the great majority of the 57 men whose names were recorded on the memorial enlisted voluntarily in the early days of the war. General Monro meanwhile is reported as saying: 'From forge, from factory, from farm, and from shop the men came forward. The came with a high purpose; they saw the call of righteousness, the call of duty, the call of honour, and they never wavered.' He said Scotsmen had every reason to be proud of their representatives in all these fields of battle, and 'therefore it was fitting that they should come there that day to unveil a memorial, as worthy as could be, of their great achievements'. Newspaper reports at that time reported: 'It was said sometimes that memorials were not needed to these men, who unfaltering devotion to duty brought distinction to our arms. 'His [General Munro's] reply was that that it was highly necessary they should do all they could, by memorials or otherwise to keep before the younger generation the fine courage shown by those who came before them and to set them a high ideal.' Following the unveiling, Lady Monro placed the first wreath, and her action was 'followed by many relatives of the deceased'.
STV News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Man Utd fan and Iceland boss Gunnlaugsson sad to see McTominay leave
Iceland head coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson wishes Scotland talisman Scott McTominay was still with Manchester United rather than making waves in Italy. The 52-year-old former Bolton, Leicester, Stoke and Dundee United forward is a Red Devils supporter and was disappointed to see attacking midfielder McTominay leave Old Trafford to join Napoli, where he starred in their Serie A title triumph over the past season. 'Scotland have some really good players, who have performed spectacularly well,' said Gunnlaugsson as he faced the media at Hampden Park ahead of Friday's friendly against Scotland. 'McTominay has performed really well in Naples. I am a United supporter and I am not too proud of that at the moment! I was really proud of him when he was playing for us (United). 'United is based on younger players coming through the ranks and progressing so it was difficult to see him go. 'Him going and doing that well in Naples, while we (United) didn't do so well in the league…that happens in football, so good for him. 'He showed his character and showed a new side to his game. Everyone knew he had goals in him. He's really difficult to handle in the box. 'That's something we need to be aware of because he times his runs so well from the midfield. Once a midfielder gets goals and assists, the value goes up and up. 'John McGinn is a big player for Aston Villa. Billy Gilmour, I really like him, he is good on the ball and his passing between the lines. Andy Robertson is a title-winning player with Liverpool. 'Some of them have had really good seasons and others maybe a bit harder but being proud Scotsmen I expect a really tough game tomorrow.' Gunnlaugsson had a six-month stint in Scotland with Dundee United in the 2002/03 season. 'I didn't play that many games, but I enjoyed the golf,' he smiled. 'I lived closed to St Andrews and Carnoustie was close by. I loved the atmosphere in the stadiums but when you play football, our time kind of reflects what you did on the pitch, and my performances weren't up to scratch. There were pluses and minuses.' Gunnlaugsson took charge of Iceland earlier this year and is hopeful of leading them back to the level of 2016, when they beat England on their way to the last eight of the European Championship in France. 'I feel like we are in the 2013-2014 moment, where the guys were really promising and they were developing into a really good team that kind of exploded in 2016 and followed up in the 2018 World Cup,' he said. 'I feel like we are three years before the big time. Hopefully, it won't be as long as three years. We are not there yet but we are close.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scotland becomes the focus at the French Open as Jacob Fearnley and Cam Norrie set up Battle of Britain tennis clash
FRENEMIES Scotland becomes the focus at the French Open as Jacob Fearnley and Cam Norrie set up Battle of Britain tennis clash Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO Scotsmen will go head to head in the French Open for the first time ever when Cameron Norrie faces Jacob Fearnley on Super Saturday. Norrie, whose father is Scottish and Fearnley, from Edinburgh, both made it to the third round at Roland Garros. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Jacob Fearnley beat home favourite Ugo Humbert at the French Open Credit: Getty 2 Cameron Norrie triumphed over Federico Gomez of Argentina Credit: Getty It's the first time any British male will appear in the second week of the French Open singles draw for the in eight years. An all-British third-round clash will go ahead after the pair had interesting passages on day five in Paris. For the fourth time in five visits to Roland Garros, Norrie reached the third round, thanks this time to a 7-6 6-2 6-1 win over plucky lucky loser Federico Agustin Gomez from Argentina. A few hours later Fearnley broke new ground in his third match at major level, although he benefited from his opponent withdrawing hurt. Ugo Humbert, the No.22 seed, tripped over and fell awkwardly on the ground as he hit a double backhand in game eight of the second set. The Frenchman, 26, clutched his right calf and then hobbled backstage for medical treatment. Though he did return it was not for very long and after Fearnley delivered an ace in point one of the ninth game, Humbert retired hurt after one hour and 43 minutes, with the score 6-3 4-4 in the Scotsman's favour. It was not the way Fearnley would have wanted to progress but it sets up a brilliant clash and means someone will emulate Andy Murray, who got to the second week in 2017 when he made the semi-finals. For Norrie, playing in the second week of this major has so far eluded him but he is feeling confident about his chances of having his best fortnight at a foreign Slam. The 29-year-old has sunk to 81st in the world – he was 33 this time last year – and until the start of the clay-court campaign in April, he had been struggling to find a win. Rafa Nadal bursts into tears during his tennis farewell speech as three legends of the sport join him on courtv Yet he said: 'I feel like I'm improving as the years go on. 'Even how I'm adapting so quickly to playing on the clay. 'I've improved. It's a completely different mindset. Making the third round now, with another good opportunity. 'I'm happy to be through and enjoying my tennis again. I'm not going to change anything regardless of who I play. 'I feel like I have a really good game for the clay in general. 'I think it's down to whether I'm moving well and giving nothing away, like I did here. I can be really difficult to beat.' Sonay Kartal kickstarted what was billed as Thriller Thursday for the British contingent but she was out before lunchtime. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
