List of All Articles with Tag 'sport'

John Carver has challenged in-form Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland to use his late call-up to the Scotland squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Georgia and Norway to stake his claim for a seat on the plane to Germany next summer. It was announced on Monday that the 28-year-old Jambos captain had been drafted in by Steve Clarke after Southampton forward Che Adams became the latest high-profile absentee for this week’s campaign-concluding double-header. Shankland won the last of his five caps in the home win over Spain in March and was left out of the last two squads. However, after taking his tally for the season to 10 goals with five strikes in his last five matches – including a double in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Motherwell – the former Dundee United forward has been rewarded with a recall. Carver believes Shankland should look towards Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous – now a regular starter – for inspiration as he comes in from the periphery. “We got a call yesterday regarding Che having an issue with his groin,” said the Scotland assistant manager. “The good news for us is Lawrence popped up with a couple of goals at the weekend against Motherwell so he’s a player in form. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for him. In the past, we’ve had players who have stepped in at the last moment and taken their opportunity. I can use Ryan Porteous as one. “We went to Ukraine having to get a point in the Nations League, Ryan stepped in (for his debut) and was outstanding, and he’s never looked back since. That happened for him and there’s an opportunity for Lawrence. “He’s in good form, scoring goals for Hearts, which is important. He’ll want to be on that plane in the 23-man squad. It’s a competitive squad. We know what he can do, but this is an extra opportunity for him over the next seven days because he didn’t expect to be here.” Lewis Ferguson has joined the squad on the back of a strong start to the campaign in Serie A, recently equalling Denis Law as the highest-scoring Scot in the Italian top flight, and Carver feels the 24-year-old has a chance of asserting himself as a regular starter for the national team by the time the Euros begins. “It’s great,” he said of Ferguson’s form. “We have some young players pushing their way through and, in particular, Lewis had an extremely good game in Lille (against France last month). “He’s one who is really developing, he’s playing in a physical league and he’s dealing with it really well. He could be one of the players who forces his way forward and gives Steve an even more difficult decision to make in terms of the opportunity to start (at the Euros).” Scotland have generally had a fairly settled squad during Clarke’s reign, but Carver explained that no player should view themselves as either guaranteed to be in the squad or out of the picture for the Euros as there is still time for circumstances to change. In the current squad, for instance, the absence of Adams means Scotland are effectively without five regular starters, with goalkeeper Angus Gunn and defenders Andrew Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Aaron Hickey also out injured. “I’m sure Steve will have some sleepless nights from now until picking the squad but that’s what he wants, that’s why we’re in the game, we want to make difficult decisions,” said Carver. “We want players to force the issue and make it even harder for us. There’s going to be disappointment at the end of it, but there is a long way to go from now until the championships. “A lot of time will pass so players will get injured, players will come into form, but the decision will be made in the best interest of the team.” Scotland sealed their place at the Euros last month but after losing their last three matches – friendlies against England and France either side of a qualifier away to Spain – Carver is adamant they will not be short of motivation. “The desire’s there because we’ve lost three games in a row against top-quality opposition,” he said. “It was three of the top 10 sides in Europe so it’s been a great learning curve, but we want to get back to winning ways. “We have to now press the reset button and go again. It’s great being in the position we’re in but the Euros is in the future, we have to attack the situation now and that is by getting six points in the next two games and making sure that just in case Spain slip up in their last two games, we are ready to take advantage.” Read More How has Mauricio Pochettino got Chelsea firing after early-season slump? Ben Davies keen to prove doubters wrong as Wales target another major tournament Britain’s Katie Boulter eager to build on her successful season in 2024 On this day in 2006: Gold Cup winning Desert Orchid dies at the age of 27 The sporting weekend in pictures San Francisco 49ers return to winning ways against Jacksonville Jaguars

Midfielder Johnny Cardoso will miss the United States’ matches with Trinidad and Tobago that will determine a berth in next year’s Copa América and the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals

Football fans will likely have enjoyed Wolverhampton Wanderers’ last gasp win over Tottenham Hotspur this weekend - well those that don't support Tottenham – but they weren’t the only Wolves to beat a Spurs team. Wolves were trailing since the third minute of the game, when Brennan Johnson darted in front of Wolves right back Nelson Semedo to score a tap-in and put Spurs in the lead. Then, in the 91st minute, Wolves winger Pablo Sarabia took the ball down brilliantly off an early cross to volley home from eight yards. Mario Lemina completed the comeback in the dying minute of the game, with a scrambled finish from a Sarabia through ball. However, eagle-eyed sports fans noted that Wolves actually did the double over Spurs this weekend, after a basketball match in the US. Minnesota Timberwolves edged out San Antonio Spurs 117 points to 110 in the opening game of an NBA Western Conference in-season tournament. Karl-Anthony Towns was the star player there, to ensure that it was a good weekend for all wolves teams. One X/Twitter user, referencing Tottenham’s World Cup-winning French former goalkeeper who left over the summer, said: “Spurs have got to be regretting sending Hugo Lloris to their NBA side. Can't believe he conceded 117.” The football result boosted Wolves to twelfth in the Premier League table, while Spurs continued their recent downward slide to fourth. Manager Gary O’Neill said of the upset: “It was the most proud I have been of a group I have coached, to produce what they produced against a top side. “I would have been very proud of the group even if the game had finished 1-0 to Tottenham. “I spoke to the boys at half-time, that the scoreline was irrelevant. We were the better side, don’t let the scoreline dictate how you feel. “I try to make the team resemble me but I was never good enough to produce a performance like that. “To be 12 weeks in, we’re ahead of where we expected to be. There was a lot of noise around the place about how much of a struggle it might be but we’ve beaten Man City and Spurs, the top two, early on in the transition. We’re ahead of the curve.” How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Time travellers are everywhere on TikTok (and perhaps even in real life?) recently, and there's been crossover in the world of football as well. Cult 90s footballer Anders Limpar played for Arsenal, as well as Everton and Birmingham City, and the Swedish winger made a real impact during his time in English football winning the First Division title and the FA Cup. However, it turns out his time playing in the Premier League was just as interesting for his experiences off the field as it was for his playing career. Football fans might know that he opened a bar after his playing days came to an end by opening the brilliantly named The Limp Bar in Stockholm. Now, he’s spoken about the time he was the victim of an elaborate prank, which for a while made him believe he had travelled in time. The prank was staged as part of the TV show Blasningen, which cost an incredible £200,000 to put together and took place over the course of two days. Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone, Limpar said: “There were 20 guys involved, all to fool me, and I just bit. I was perfect for them. "I believed I was flying in a time machine because we were already in an actual plane from Gothenburg to launch our new beer.” He added: "There were these two 'scientists' on the flight who were talking about being able to time travel, and the plane was diving up and down all over the place. "I can laugh at it all now, but at the time it was really, really scary. They involved actual jet fighters to guide us into Stockholm. We could hear everything over the radio, ‘Where have you been?! You've just shown up on the radar!' Limpar went on: “The whole production was so cleverly done. I felt it was all real. It was absolutely crazy. We had two doctors on board in case I flipped. I'm just thinking, 'What the f*** is going on?!' “This science guy just goes, 'I've done it. I've flown two years in time.' “I went into the pilot shouting at him, demanding to speak to the tower. He ordered me to go back and put my seatbelt on. We were fighting with them in the plane because we wanted to know what was going on." Recounting the story, he added: “It was such a horrible feeling. We thought we were dead. When we landed, we were told they'd had funerals for us and everything. "They showed us newspapers - which obviously weren't real - where crazy things had apparently happened. They told us Norway had won the World Cup in 1998. I was so glad when the guy finally showed up to tell us it was all a prank. I felt like I'd had a rucksack full of stones just fall off my back, I was so relieved. “I couldn't believe it. I was happy, of course, but I felt ridiculous for something like half an hour afterwards, to even think that I was flying two years into the future. But for years afterwards I was angry with it all because it made me a laughing stock in Sweden. I wasn't happy with that at all. That's why, when they asked me if they could sell the whole thing as a DVD, I said no.” He continued: "Look, it was an incredible prank, so funny when I look back now, and I felt so many emotions at the time.” Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

Mississippi State has fired Zach Arnett after less than one season as head coach, just under a year since he took over the Bulldogs after the tragic passing of Mike Leach from a heart issue

The US Supreme Court asked the Biden administration for input on a lawsuit accusing two soccer governing bodies

A host of former footballers were in attendance as the sport bid a final farewell to Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton. The 1966 World Cup winner’s funeral cortege was welcomed with gentle applause by thousands of fans as it drove past Old Trafford’s East Stand and the United Trinity statue, which features Charlton, George Best and Denis Law. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the images from Charlton’s funeral.

Novak Djokovic has received his trophy after securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for a record-extending eighth time

Mauricio Pochettino’s start to life as Chelsea manager has been somewhat of a mixed bag with the Blues lying 10th after 12 games of the Premier League season. A recent 4-1 win at title-chasing Tottenham and draws against Arsenal and Manchester City suggest the Blues are beginning to turn a corner after taking only five points from their first six league games. Here, the PA news agency breaks down Chelsea’s season so far under Pochettino. A poor start Chelsea’s unbeaten pre-season form did not translate to the Premier League where they struggled to pick up points in the early stages. An opening day 1-1 draw to Liverpool was followed by a 3-1 defeat at West Ham before the Blues went winless in their next three against Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Aston Villa. The 1-0 defeat at home to Villa saw Pochettino call for his players to “grow up” after the Blues’ stuttering start saw the pressure mount on their Argentinian manager. A young team All of Chelsea’s 12 summer signings are aged 25 and under as chairman Todd Boehly looked to recruit youth as a solution to last season’s poor performances, which led to a dismal 12th-place finish in the Premier League. The upheaval to the squad in the summer led to the Blues’ early teething problems as Pochettino juggled formations and XIs in a bid to find his preferred personnel. Is Cole Palmer Chelsea’s main man? Cole Palmer has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s XI since his September transfer from Manchester City. The winger, who has also featured as an attacking midfielder, cost a reported £42.5 million and has scored four times from the spot against Burnley, Arsenal Spurs and a last-minute equaliser in Sunday’s 4-4 draw against his old club City. Palmer’s creativity has helped Nicolas Jackson unlock his goalscoring touch, with the Senegal striker netting four times in his last two appearances. Turning the corner? The west London club have picked up six points in four games against the so-called ‘big six’, which is an improvement on the four points they managed across the whole of last season against their rivals. Although Chelsea have had success against high-pressing opposition, they still need to find solutions to combat low blocks after their recent 2-0 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Read More The issues facing injury-hit Newcastle heading into testing end to year Ben Davies keen to prove doubters wrong as Wales target another major tournament Britain’s Katie Boulter eager to build on her successful season in 2024

The Glazer family are set to miss the funeral of Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton with the club’s owners understood to be wary of becoming a distraction. World Cup winner Charlton passed away last month, with a funeral procession set to be held through the streets of Manchester today. The funeral cortège will pass Old Trafford, the ground Charlton called home between 1956 and 1973, before reaching Manchester Cathedral, where up to 1,000 people will gather to bid farewell. The Glazer brothers, Avram and Joel, will not be among them, though. The American family have owned Manchester United for almost two decades after patriarch Malcolm took a majority stake in the club in 2005, but their premiership has proved increasingly unpopular, with protests commonplace at Old Trafford since an era of sustained and significant success came to an end. British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to soon complete a £1.3b deal that will see the Ineos owner take 25% ownership of the club, which remains one of sport’s biggest brands. According to the Daily Star, the Glazer family held talks with club officials about attending Charlton’s funeral service but decided that the risk of receiving abuse might overshadow and detract from the event. The family dealt regularly with the former midfielder in his role as a director of the club. Charlton was a regular in the Old Trafford stands until being diagnosed with dementia in November 2020. He died three years on from the diagnosis after an accidental fall at the nursing home at which he was receiving care. Read More Rasmus Hojlund says ‘a matter of time’ until Erik ten Hag improves Man United Sir Bobby Charlton died after fall at care home, inquest hears Sir Bobby Charlton funeral announced for November 13

Olympic sports bodies want urgent talks with the IOC about the risk of cuts in their revenue shares and medal events at the 2028 Los Angeles Games because cricket and other newcomers have been added to the program

The international break could hardly have been better timed for Newcastle with the rigours of competing on multiple fronts having taken a devastating toll on their playing resources. On Saturday, the Magpies arrived at Bournemouth without 11 senior players as a result of injury and suspension. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the issues facing a club which has enjoyed a swift rise under its new owners amid stiff opposition on and off the pitch. How extensive are Newcastle’s selection problems? Very. Head coach Eddie Howe was unable to call upon Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson through injury, as well as suspended duo Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, at the Vitality Stadium. The Magpies then saw Miguel Almiron added to the list when he limped off after just 31 minutes. Burn, Barnes and Anderson are facing months on the sidelines, while £55million summer signing Tonali will not be able to play again until August next year after admitting breaches of betting regulations. How much toll have the injuries taken on the pitch? Until last week, very little, but chickens have started to come home to roost. Howe, who favours a high-pressing game, gambled on leaving Almiron and the in-form Anthony Gordon out of his starting line-up for Tuesday night’s Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund in the hope they would be able to come off the bench and affect the game late on. In the event, he was forced to introduce them at half-time with Dortmund already leading, and his side was unable to stave off a 2-0 defeat. So depleted were Newcastle’s resources on the south coast four days later that 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley was handed a first Premier League start, while 18-year-old striker Ben Parkinson was used as a substitute and Alex Murphy, 19, and Amadou Diallo, 20, were also named on the bench. However, tired legs and minds contributed to a second successive 2-0 loss. What lies ahead? If the opening three months of the season have been gruelling, the final two months of 2023 promise to be no less taxing. The Magpies head for Paris St Germain on November 28 and entertain AC Milan on December 13 knowing they may have to win both games to keep alive their first Champions League campaign for 20 years, and having accounted for both Manchester clubs in the Carabao Cup, now travel to Chelsea in the quarter-finals next month. In addition, they face league clashes with improving Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham before they head for Liverpool on New Year’s Day as they attempt to fight their way to another top-four finish. Will they attempt to address the situation in January? They were always likely to bolster their squad during the winter transfer window, but Tonali’s unexpected absence has made that imperative. However, they also remain short in central defence and attacking roles and all three areas are likely to be focuses. How might their options be limited? The club was close to its Financial Fair Play limit at the end of its summer spending spree and sporting director Dan Ashworth has indicated a “creative” approach may be needed, and that could mean loan deals with options to buy. In addition, Premier League shareholders will later this month vote on a proposal to ban loan deals between ‘associated clubs’ – those whose owners hold stakes in other clubs – on an interim basis. Newcastle are 80 per cent-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which also has controlling interests in Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal. Agreement would prevent the Magpies from pursuing a long-held interest in Al-Hilal’s former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, with whom they have been linked repeatedly in recent weeks. Is there a need for perspective? There is. The club sat just one place off the foot of the table when Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the helm in November 2021. They finished fourth last season to secure a place at European football’s top table for the first time in two decades and also reached the Carabao Cup final. They currently lie fourth in Champions League Group F, but have a mathematical chance of making the knockout stage, and are seventh in the Premier League table with another domestic cup run well under way. Read More Ben Davies keen to prove doubters wrong as Wales target another major tournament Britain’s Katie Boulter eager to build on her successful season in 2024 On this day in 2006: Gold Cup winning Desert Orchid dies at the age of 27 The sporting weekend in pictures Football to bid farewell to Sir Bobby Charlton on Monday San Francisco 49ers return to winning ways against Jacksonville Jaguars