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      Full list of Storm Babet postponements as SIX Scottish football matches called OFF including two Premiership clashes

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      STORM BABET has hit Scotland – causing severe disruption to roads and public services across the country, and sadly also fatalities.And now no fewer than SIX clashes are off amid scenes which have left thousands of Scots without power.
      Aerial views of Brechin in Angus after the River South Esk burst its banksCredit: Alamy
      Cars have been left stranded as the flooding causes chaos in areas of ScotlandCredit: PA
      Aberdeen’s Premiership clash with Dundee, scheduled for Saturday night, is the highest profile casualty of the storm, with damage and flooding in two of the Pittodrie stands.
      St Johnstone’s meeting with Motherwell is also off, despite reports earlier in the day from both clubs that the match WASN’T in doubt.
      In the lower divisions, Arbroath vs Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers vs Montrose are both off.
      So too is Elgin City v Forfar and Stenhousemuir vs Peterhead.

      An SPFL statement read: “The Scottish Professional Football League has confirmed that several games scheduled for this weekend have been postponed following significant weather warnings for much of the country.
      “The SPFL has been in discussions with clubs, Police Scotland and relevant authorities on the developing situation and after the red weather warning issued for Tayside, Aberdeenshire and Angus earlier today, it has postponed matches in the interests of safety. ”
      Calum Beattie, SPFL chief operating officer, said: “We have been in close contact with Police Scotland and our clubs and it’s clear that we continue to face very severe weather, particularly in the North East, in the coming days.
      “We never postpone any matches lightly, but our discussions with the emergency services left us in no doubt that this was the correct decision.”
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      An Aberdeen statement read: “The SPFL and Police Scotland have confirmed Saturday’s SPFL Premiership match against Dundee at Pittodrie has been postponed.
      “Much of the Scottish east coast has been ravaged by Storm Babet, leading to significant damage, disruption and, tragically, loss of life.
      “Pittodrie itself has not been immune, with both wind damage and flooding sustained in both the Richard Donald and Main Stands.
      “With the United Kingdom MET Office having updated its weather warning status to red for large parts of the northeast on Saturday, the most severe threat level which includes a risk to life, Police Scotland and the SPFL have postponed the fixture, along with five others, to a future date.”
      Chief Executive Alan Burrows said: “Given the current awful weather and the updated warnings now in place for Saturday, and the associated risk that would pose to the players, staff, and supporters of both clubs, postponing this match to a later date was the only sensible and logical step.
      “It goes without saying that we would ask everyone to heed the current warnings and advice and stay safe until the worst of the weather has passed.”
      The date and kick-off time of the rearranged match will be confirmed in due course.
      Road closures and cancellations to ScotRail services will make it difficult for players and fans to travel to games.
      Scots were urged to stay at home as a matter of course on Friday.
      The worst of the weather will affect the north and east of Scotland, in particular the areas of Angus and Aberdeenshire.
      In the town of Brechin in Angus there has been tragic flooding, with Met Office red weather warning for rain issued for the area.
      Full list of postponements (as of 3pm Friday 20 October)
      cinch PremiershipAberdeen v DundeeSt Johnstone v Motherwell
      cinch ChampionshipArbroath v Raith Rovers
      cinch League 1Cove Rangers v Montrose
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      cinch League 2Elgin City v Forfar AthleticStenhousemuir v Peterhead
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      Duncan Ferguson back in Scottish football as former Rangers star returns after exile of almost 30 years

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      DUNCAN Ferguson is back in Scottish football – some 30 years on from his controversial departure.It’s a sensational return to the Scottish game for the former Dundee Utd, Rangers, Newcastle and Everton man – who has been appointed manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
      Duncan Ferguson is back in Scottish football after a break of almost 30 yearsCredit: Getty
      Inverness Caledonian ThistleCredit: SNS
      The striker left the Ibrox men for Everton in October 1994 after a headbutt on Raith Rovers’ John McStay which led to a three-month prison sentence and a 12-game SFA ban.
      He went onto become a folk hero for both the Goodison Park side and Newcastle United.
      But he made only seven caps for his country and has never returned to Scottish club football – until now.
      He did his coaching badges with the SFA, although was always thought to be unhappy with how they dealt with his disciplinary issues.

      That’s because Inverness have chosen him as the man to take over from Billy Dodds and attempt to move them off the foot of the Championship table – and have handed him a 3-year deal.
      They wrote in a statement: “The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Duncan Ferguson as the new Manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club.
      “The Everton legend joins us on a 3-year deal following an extensive recruitment process which involved some truly excellent candidates.
      “Duncan has worked alongside some of the most respected and outstanding football coaches in the world in recent seasons and we are proud to have him join ICTFC as our new Manager.
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      “His professionalism, commitment and dynamic leadership skills shone through in our discussions, making him the stand out candidate.
      “Everyone at the club is looking forward to supporting Duncan as the hard work starts now and we hope every Caley Jag will now get right behind him and the team in what we are sure will be a thrilling journey.”

      Ferguson earned his coaching reputation as a long-term assistant at Everton – serving as caretaker boss on a couple of occasions for the club.
      Assistant manager role under first Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez, Ferguson found his maiden stint as a manager in his own right at Forest Green Rovers challenging.
      He won just one of his 18 matches in charge, being unable to prevent them from relegation from League One.
      He has been out of work since leaving the club on July 4.
      But he’s back in the game today, having been appointed to the top job at Caley Thistle with other names in the frame having been Morton boss Dougie Imrie and Celtic hero Scott Brown.
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      Inverness to name Newcastle & Everton legend Duncan Ferguson as boss, replacing one ex-Rangers striker with another

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      DUNCAN FERGUSON is set be unveiled as the new boss of Inverness Caley Thistle on Tuesday morning.The former Scotland striker, 51, has won the race to succeed Billy Dodds in the Highlands.
      Duncan Ferguson is set to take over Inverness, according to a reportCredit: Getty
      The club are close to appointing Billy Dodds successorCredit: SNS
      Everton legend Ferguson won just one of 18 games in charge of Forest Green Rovers last season – his first full-time managerial role.
      But Caley Jags chiefs have been impressed by the ex-Dundee United and Rangers striker’s coaching record at Goodison.
      And they believe he’s the ideal man to lead them away from the Championship relegation zone.
      Dodds was axed after a miserable run which saw them pick up a single point this season.

      Inverness contested the Scottish Cup final against Celtic at Hampden in June and had ambitions of promotion to the top flight.
      But Ferguson will take charge for the first time at Arbroath on Saturday with survival the main aim.
      John Robertson and Charlie Christie were in temporary charge for Saturday’s last-gasp loss at home to Dundee United.
      Ferguson will now look to appoint his own No2 with ex-United team-mate Gary Bollan among the frontunners.
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      Ferguson won seven Scotland caps in a playing career which brought a league title with Rangers and FA Cup with Everton.
      He also lost cup finals with Dundee United, Rangers and Newcastle and had two spells as interim manager of the Toffees.
      He worked alongside some big names in the Goodison dugout too – including Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
      Ferguson took in a Scottish league match at the weekend but was spotted at the OPPOSITE end of the country.
      The legendary striker was at Stair Park in STRANRAER for their League Two clash with Forfar Athletic – led by his former United team-mate Ray McKinnon.
      Ferguson ends the week of uncertainty at the Caledonian Stadium where ex-St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson was an early bookies’ favourite before Darren O’Dea was targeted.
      However the Celtic B coach pulled out of the running on Sunday night to focus on his role at the Hoops.
      Scott Brown was also linked, with weekend reports spotting him in the city, but Tuesday morning’s press conference with the Everton legend will call a halt to the Highland rumour mill.
      Billy Dodds was axed along with assistant Barry Wilson after a poor start to the new campaignCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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      Fans brand Scottish football stadium’s snack a ‘WAR CRIME’ and crown it the ‘most depressed burger ever’

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left in a pickle at the state of Dundee United’s burger served at Tannadice.As the Scottish football season kicked off in earnest yesterday, it meant the first visit to a stadium for months for many punters.
      This burger felt the ire of football fans on social media
      And if you were at Tannadice this weekend for Dundee United against Arbroath, you’d have been in for a not-so-tasty treat if you felt peckish at half-time.
      The stadium’s burger offering has been laid into on social media after it was shared on the ‘Footy Scran’ Twitter page.
      Among other things, it’s been likened to a digestive biscuit, called out for not being cooked, and even branded so bad it’s akin to a war crime.
      Supporters from across the country raced to comment on the fare after a picture of it was posted on Twitter.

      One fan from England said: “How did the country that fries literally everything manage to produce a burger that looks like it was boiled in bog water.”
      In a similar vein, this punter said: “Good news: you can now buy food in Scotland that isn’t deep fried. Bad news: it’s this absolute war crime.”
      Another asked: “Do you have to pay extra for them to actually cook your burgers at Dundee?”
      Before a third joked: “Did it walk off and head back to the farm at full time?”
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      The comparisons for the snack, which costs a heft £4.50, weren’t favourable in the slightest.
      One commented: “McVitie’s digestive in a bap.”
      Another observed: “Looks like a raw Rustler’s burger.”
      “Is that… still frozen?” asked another fan.
      It was then described as the “most depressed burger ever.”
      Another said simply: “That looks proper vile.”
      Then came this verdict: “That’s a crime against humanity.”
      Another fan described it as a “plastic bath mat” while one likened it to a beer coaster.
      One punter went fully against the grain, and in fact said that with a few simple toppings added, he’d happily order it.
      “Put some lettuce, tomato, pickle, peppers and onion on it and I actually would go for it… plain though is just very not scran,” he said.
      It’s not the first Scottish football food item to cause a stir in the last week either.
      Read More on The Sun
      Celtic Park has opened a new street food outlet in the stadium but the vendor’s signature offering has split fan opinion.
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      I was living the dream as a professional footballer – now I work on a scrap yard… and I’ve never been happier

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      ALEXANDER Easdale was living every young man’s dream – playing professional football.But he sensationally quit the game and for the last 10 months has been working in a scrap yard – and he has never been happier.
      Alexander Easdale played professional football for Scottish Championship side Greenock MortonCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Alexander now works at his dad’s scrapyardCredit: Supplied
      The disillusioned striker with Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton has swapped football boots for steel toe caps.
      Instead of enjoying a couple of hours a day pre-season training, he is up at the crack of dawn and working till dusk sorting through scrap metal.
      He has swapped coaching sessions for swotting up to pass his HGV licence to drive skip lorries to deliver metal to the company’s three junk yards.
      Alexander, 23, who was on Morton’s books for nine years and attracted the attention of a handful of English clubs, says: “I’m a lot happier. I’m really enjoying every day.
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      “Football is fairly well paid. The lifestyle is good. You train in the morning and then you have got time off in the afternoon to do whatever you want and recover.
      “I was full time for almost 10 years in football. I started full-time when I was about 15 or 16 but I just thought, I have achieved what I could at football.
      “One day I thought maybe I could go into the scrap business and start at the bottom where my dad and uncle started.”
      Alexander’s dad is tycoon Sandy Easdale, who with his brother James, started in the family scrapyard business as boys, going there every night after school.
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      Alex says he doesn’t miss the pressure of being a pro footballerCredit: The Sun
      Alexander with his dad SandyCredit: Supplied
      Sandy and brother James Easdale are worth over £1billionCredit: Supplied
      Today, in their fifties, the duo are worth £1.4billion after making their fortune in buses, taxis and window manufacturing.
      Sandy says: “Scrap is in your blood, you either like it or hate it.”
      He and James once travelled to London to buy a Bentley GT first edition from Jack Barclay’s Mayfair showroom, which was in the middle of a renovation.
      Sandy, 53, says: “There was a skip outside with some copper in it. I said to James, ‘There’s £30 worth of copper in there, put it in the boot.’
      “To the amusement of Jack Barclay’s senior manager we put thirty quid of copper in a two hundred grand car.
      “We will walk round London and everybody is looking at the super cars but we’ll be looking at a skip!
      “I’d rather have a skip lorry than a Ferrari – they’re the same price.” 
      Hard graft
      Alex has taken to the new job quicklyCredit: Supplied
      Last October Alexander told his dad he was quitting Morton to become a scrap man working in the family junk yard in Greenock and Renfrew, near Glasgow.
      Sandy says: “It’s difficult to go from a Championship club to do a hard day’s graft.
      “He left the football club on the Monday and started at the scrap yard the next day.
      “At football you get your breakfast, then have a massage followed by a workout, then you get your dinner and watch a movie to recover.
      It’s difficult to go from a Championship club to do a hard day’s graftSandy Easdale
      “Compare that to driving about collecting rubbish. I thought the experience would either make him or break him. But it has obviously made him.
      “I told him, ‘Remember the future in football is an easy life compared to the scrapyard, you’re not going to sit in the boardroom,’ and he was fine with that.
      “It’s dead easy to say wear a suit and sit in the boardroom and get 100 grand a year and a company car, but he didn’t want that.
      “So he’s at the bottom rung of the whole empire. He’s a dogsbody, has no rank through his name.”
      ‘Down to earth’
      As part of his car collection, Sandy has Lamborghinis, Porches and Rolls-RoycesCredit: Supplied
      Alexander is learning the business quickly, having already passed his truck and bus test, and has a material handling licence.
      “That comes from the football training, having to focus on something and do it well,” Sandy explains.
      “He has been there nine months. He loves it. I am proud he has adapted so well.
      “He doesn’t miss football at all and has not kicked a ball since.
      “In the last ten years, I probably spoke to Alexander for five minutes a day. Conversation over and then he’d go to his room.
      “Now he sits, has his dinner and we talk for ages. ‘I did this, I spoke to this person. How do you do this? How do you do that?’ 
      Alexander doesn’t miss football at all and has not kicked a ball sinceSandy Easdale
      “He’s in the office dealing with customers and dealing with prices. He’s learned in the last nine months where to buy stuff, how much to sell for, what the profit margins are.
      “He has the mental arithmetic that me and James have got. 
      “It surprises me how he’s adapted. He seems to have picked it up and run with it better than I’d ever have thought.”
      Sandy says his son is also helping to modernise the operation, expanding into precious metals and trading in catalytic converters for cars.
      “Talking of cars, I have the biggest car collection ever, so Alexander has access to Lamborghinis, Porches and Rolls-Royces,” Sandy says.
      “But he’s happy driving a little white VW Caddy van that he goes to work in.
      “He’s the most unbelievably down-to-earth boy you’d ever meet in your life.
      “On the day he told me, ‘Dad, I’ve had enough,’ I said to him ‘You’re 22, I don’t want you telling me in five years’ time you finished my football career for me.’”
      But Alexander has no regrets about turning his back on the world of football.
      He says: “There was a lot more pressure in football than in my working life because you are being watched every Saturday.
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      “Here I’m just a worker, doing the job, 8-5, going out in the lorry picking up scrap, working the skips and the machinery in the yard.
      “I feel a lot happier now and I am really enjoying it every day.”
      Alexander says he’s never been happierCredit: Supplied
      Sandy and James are delighted to have Alexander on boardCredit: Supplied More

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      Dundee United kit manufacturers involved in Twitter spat as fan calls them out over one crucial detail on new strip

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      DUNDEE UNITED’S new kit launch went down a treat with supporters.But the company who made United’s kit have managed to score a rather spectacular own goal.
      Dundee United’s new home top has been well-received by fans
      But Erreà made a critical error when promoting the shirt
      Erreà, the Italian sportswear brand, signed a deal with the Tannadice outfit to produce their strips starting from this season.
      They unveiled their first offering today, with the home kit revealed on social media (though the release date remains TBC).
      While supporters wait to find out when they can get their hands on the new threads, they’ve been looking at as many images of it as possible.
      Erreà posted some of snaps of the jersey being modelled on Twitter, but didn’t quite get the reaction they were hoping for as they got one key detail mixed up.

      They wrote: “Introducing @dundeeunitedfc’s new home kit.
      “Orange, elegant, it pays tribute to the iconic club founded in 1909.
      “The jersey features a stylish pattern of the club’s rampant lion logo, with white and black details on the collar and sleeves.”
      One particular aspect of that description left United fans with the same complaint.
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      Plenty of Arabs quickly pointed out to Erreà that their club’s official colour is of course tangerine, not orange.
      One exclaimed: “Excuse me, ORANGE? No, we play in tangerine.”
      While another, offering a more positive perspective, said: “*Tangerine. Looks great!”
      But a response from Erreà to one reply stood out above all others, with the manufacturers getting on the defensive.
      A supported commented: “Should be tangerine. Not orange. At least get the colour right!
      “Plus, we didn’t start playing in tangerine till 1966. Not off to a good start with 2 important stats incorrect!”
      Erreà seemed to get the claws out for their comeback.
      The brand said: “Sorry for the two inaccuracies James, we will improve so that everything will be perfect next time thanks to your valuable advice.
      “Congratulations you are a big fan of your club. Do you even like the jersey or did we get that wrong too?”
      Talking about the kit on its own, punters seemed to be mostly in approval.
      One called it a “stunning kit” while another said it “genuinely looks class”.
      A Hearts fan even chimed in: “Furious at how nice a kit that is.”
      Others shared their excitement and the fact they couldn’t wait to get their hands on the top.
      But, many agreed that the shirt looked better without one key feature…
      The sponsor on the front.
      One said: “Not United’s fault; the same can be said for most kits and money is money, but… That looks absolutely SENSATIONAL with no sponsor.”
      Another commented: “Going to be heartbreaking watching them plaster sponsors all over this masterpiece.”
      “Looks unreal without the sponsor on it,” came a further reply, and many after it…
      United’s head of commercial and sponsorship, Elliot Shaw, said: “I am absolutely delighted how our maiden kit of the Errea era has turned out.
      “The design is stylish and contemporary, and I have no doubts that it will be a real hit with our supporters.
      “I am also thrilled to introduce Bartercard as our new front-of-shirt sponsor for the 2023/24 season.
      Read More On The Sun
      “Bartercard have been a fantastic partner to work with, and it is great to see how our initial conversations last summer around partnering with the club have developed at such a pace that they are now Principal Partners. I would like to thank Chris and the team for the magnificent support that they have given to Dundee United.”
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      SPFL side announce key man’s contract with VERY rude post as fans say ‘huge if true’ – and even Rylan’s got involved

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      TV presenter Rylan Clark couldn’t help getting involved when Championship side Raith Rovers announced a key man’s contract extension with a VERY rude post. Former Falkirk star Liam Dick has emerged as a key man for the Kirkcaldy side and Ian Murray’s men were clearly happy to keep him involved as he penned a new one-year contract.
      Rylan Clark keeps a keen eye on developments in the cinch SPFLCredit: Getty
      He has signed a new contract extensionCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      The contract extension post sent the internet into meltdown
      Whether or not the club banked on their tweet being viewed no fewer than 5MILLION times or not is another matter – as Rylan got in on the action.
      And it’s all because of the interesting way they phrased the post.
      They wrote: “✍️ Dick extension.”
      “We’re delighted to announce Liam Dick has renewed his contract for another year, keeping him at the club until June 2024.

      “Liam’s strong defending and versatility has been vital in his 80 appearances for the club, scoring four goals.
      “#YouBelong”
      Let’s just say it was a post – and a HASHTAG – which raised a few eyebrows, not least from Rylan Clark who is the face of cinch’s SPFL sponsorship.
      He quickly responded: “Fine with it.”
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      And footy fans from all over the UK rushed into the comments to make their own jokes – as the post gained huge traction for a fairly routine contract extension.
      Raith were delighted that their post reached 5m views
      One wrote: “Huge if true”
      Another said: “Best player announcement yet/”
      A third wrote: “Player sponsored by Viagra.”
      A fourth said simply: “That’s massive/”
      A fifth said: “It’s great to have a hard man at the back.”
      Raith took to social media again this morning to say they were delighted with the engagement they had got on their social media post – and that the player and his sponsors were all equally delighted.
      They wrote: “Well, things escalated last night.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Over 5,000,000 people now know Liam Dick extended his contract for another season.”
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      Three EFL clubs watching former Liverpool ace with star set for transfer after stunning season in Scotland

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      YAN DHANDA is being watched by Blackburn, Birmingham and Ipswich.The Ross County attacking midfielder, 24, has shone for the Scottish Premiership club this season.
      Yan Dhanda has impressed in his first season in Scotland with Ross County after leaving Swansea last summer.Credit: PA
      The Birmingham-born midfielder started his career at LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      Dhanda has had nine assists and three goals in 31 games north of the border.
      And he even scored directly from a corner against Hibs in February.
      Dhanda moved to Scotland on a free transfer from Swansea.
      He signed a two-year deal with the SPL side.
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      But the Englishman could be available for a price of £400,000.
      Dhanda started his career with the Liverpool academy before joining Swansea in 2018.
      Since his move to Ross County, Dhanda’s performances have improved as the season has gone on.
      And that has attracted the Championship trio to register their interest in the Birmingham-born player.
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      Ross County travel to relegation rivals Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
      Malky Mackay’s side are bottom of the table but just one point behind Kilmarnock and the Tangerines. More