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      Moment Celtic’s Daizen Maeda shocks Rangers by scoring after just TWENTY-ONE SECONDS at Ibrox

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      CELTIC headed to Ibrox to face Rangers with over 50, 000 home fans in attendance.And the Hoops took the lead over Rangers in just 21 seconds in the derby clash.Daizen Maeda opened the scoring for Celtic in under half a minute in a quick startCredit: ReutersJames Tavernier’s mistake led to the Celtic goal after Maeda’s pressCredit: Kenny Ramsay🗣️ “A breathtaking start to a breathtaking derby!”Daizen Maeda pounces on James Tavernier’s error to give Celtic the lead vs Rangers inside the first THIRTY seconds – watch live on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/lQ26ifFk0B— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 7, 2024

      It was a lightning quick start by Daizen Maeda as he blocked James Tavernier’s clearance which flew past Jack Butland.It was a poor pass into the Rangers defender by Dujon Sterling which left his side on the back foot.It put Philippe Clement’s side 1-0 down facing the odds with Celtic unbeaten in the last 13 clashes with Rangers when they have scored first.Celtic come into the game one point clear at the top of the table but Rangers do have a game in hand against Dundee, scheduled for next Wednesday.And the Light Blues are yet to win against Brendan Rodgers’ men this season after a 1-0 defeat at Ibrox at the start of the season and a 2-1 loss at Parkhead.The race for the title is the closest it has been in over a decade with both sides neck and neck at the top.But now Rangers have a quick disadvantage in the game with the quick fire start by Celtic. Ridvan Yilmaz and Todd Cantwell missed out on a start for the home side while Celtic captain Callum McGregor started the game on the bench after returning from injury.Most read in FootballMeanwhile, a huge celebrity Rangers fan has been spotted at Ibrox as the world famous star arrives for Celtic showdown.Both sides have their fair share of famous supporters from singers to actors.Ange Postecoglou reveals what his Rangers vs Celtic plans are – as he says he’s still ‘very much on the green and white side’ But it is famous chef Gordon Ramsay who was spotted at Ibrox to take in the derby clash.The Hell’s Kitchen star did once have a trial for the Light Blues’ youth side before an injury ended his football career.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Scottish minnows Stenhousemuir congratulated for winning first ever league title by TV legend and secret HUGE fan

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      TV legend Sir Michael Palin has congratulated his favourite Scottish team Stenhousemuir on winning its first ever league title this afternoon.The Monty Python star, 80, has followed the club for many years and once watched the club face Elgin City at Ochilview in 2005 during a break from filming.Secret fan and TV legend Sir Michael Palin sent Stenhousemuir a congratulatory messageCredit: SPFLStenhousemuir clinched the cinch League 2 title on SaturdayCredit: SNSAnd the broadcaster and writer has sent a video message congratulating the club on their first title win – via the SPFL – after the club clinched the cinch League 2 trophy after a 0-0 draw with East Fife today.Sir Michael said: “Hello – it’s Michael Palin here. I’ve always had a soft spot for Stenhousemuir and in fact at one time I went up to the ground thinking I might make a little film about the club.“I follow the results and I’m extremely pleased to see you’re top of League 2 and headed for glory.“Thanks to everybody at the club. Have a great season next season, from Michael Palin – a Stenhousemuir fan in London.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGary Naysmith’s men have enjoyed an impressive season in cinch League 2, winning the league with four games to spare.The club previously went on a memorable 12-game winning run in the league earlier this season.Neil Doncaster, SPFL chief executive, said: “We wanted to do something a bit special to mark Stenhousemuir winning their first ever league title, so we got in touch with Sir Michael given his long connection to the club. He was delighted to pass on his good wishes to everyone at the club.“I’d also like to congratulate everyone at Stenhousemuir on winning cinch League 2.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“I’m sure it was a special day for all at the club, and one that the supporters will remember for a very long time.”Stenny headed into Saturday’s match needing to win or match Peterhead’s result to secure the title.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballersTheir goalless draw proved to be enough to add the title to their 140th anniversary celebrations this season as Peterhead could only draw 2-2 at Bonnyrigg Rose.The Blue Toon must now rely on the play-offs to secure an immediate return to cinch League 1 alongside Stenhousemuir. More

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      Gareth Southgate set to watch Rangers star against Celtic at Ibrox with shock England call up on the cards

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      JACK BUTLAND has been in fine form since moving to Rangers last summer.Signed by then manager Michael Beale, the ex Stoke City keeper has now become one of the Light Blues’ stand out performers and a contender for the club’s player of the year.Gareth Southgate is preparing to name his squad for this summer’s EurosCredit: GettyJack Butland has been a revelation for Rangers since signing last summerCredit: Willie VassAnd the standard of his goalkeeping for his new club has heaped pressure on Gareth Southgate to name him in his England squad for the Euros.Butland missed out on a very much expected call up when the national squad was named last month for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. Burnley stopper James Trafford was selected ahead of the Rangers man as back up to Jordan Pickford.But now Butland has the chance to impress Southgate in the flesh ahead of the Euros with the England boss set to be in attendance for Rangers’ derby clash against Celtic at Ibrox.Crystal Palace’s Sam Johnstone will not be in the squad and Nick Pope is also a huge doubt, leaving a goalkeeper spot up for grabs.Rangers manager Philippe Clement previously revealed that Butland is focusing on his club duties and is adamant he his still in with a chance of a call up.He said: “It’s not finished yet, so of course there is a chance. It goes on until the day that the selection is made, so there are chances.”But Jack is not performing to get to the Euros. Jack is performing for the club and to win things here. Then the other things can come. Most read in Football”Right now, he’s just focused on his training every day to work well and to be decisive for the team, to be there and to be ready.”31-year-old Butland looks to have found a long term club in Rangers after spending much of his career being loaned out.Oli McBurnie breaks silence on potential Rangers transfer His most recent loan spell came for Manchester United as back up to David de Gea but he failed to make an appearance.He does already have nine caps for his national team and was named in their squad for the 2018 World Cup, but will be hoping for more game time this summer.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Dundee could be forced to MOVE Motherwell clash to alternative stadium due to flooding – with Rangers due days later

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      DUNDEE could be forced to move Saturday’s Premiership clash with Motherwell away from Dens Park if their pitch is deemed unplayable. SunSport understands they may have to find an alternative venue should the weather force a postponement in the next 24 hours. Dens Park has seen may call-offs this seasonA general view of the pitch ahead of the Dundee and Rangers clashTayside has been hit by days of torrential rain and the Met Office predict another 11mm is due on Friday. Dundee have had four Premiership clashes called off due to waterlogging this season, most notably the live SKY TV feature game with Rangers last month. And it’s that game which has forced the SPFL and Dundee chiefs into looking for a contingency plan. The Dark Blues are due to host the title-chasing Gers next Wednesday, meaning there is now no space left in the calendar to fit in postponed matches before the split. The final round of Premiership games are played on Saturday April 13, after which the SPFL need to know the make-up of the top six and bottom six so they can work on the fixture list.  With the title race likely to go down to the wire and clubs still involved in a relegation battle, everyone wants clarity as soon as possible. Broadcast partners SKY also need to know the schedule so they can plan their telly coverage for the remainder of the campaign. Dundee chiefs have been told to formulate a worst case scenario plan for Saturday should the weather defeat them once again. Most read in FootballCity rivals Dundee United are away from home against Queens Park, St Johnstone visit Hibs and Arbroath are up in Inverness so there are three local alternatives potentially available. Another alternative could be to play at Hampden.Celtic hero Neil Lennon’s lets rip at Dundee over Rangers postponementSunSport understands that Motherwell and the SPFL are aware of the situation. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      ‘Gets funnier every time’ – Hibernian star leaves two of his own team-mates on floor with ‘never-before-seen’ free-kick

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      A HIBERNIAN star floored two team-mates with one kick to leave fans in stitches during their loss to Rangers.Nectarios Triantis decided to take a quick free-kick just inside the Rangers half.Nectarios Triantis took a free-kick inside the Rangers halfThe ball smacked off the head of Joe NewellThe ball rebounded off the face of defender Will Fish, leftThe pair were left in a heap of the floorBut his punt up the pitch was stopped after only a few metres by the face of his own team-mate Joe Newell.The midfielder was knocked to the ground and the rebounding ball struck the face of defender Will Fish.Newell received treatment as the hilarious incident had fans laughing in shock.One reacted saying: “I feel so bad for laughing at this so many times. I’ve watched it at least twenty times and it just gets funnier every time.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother added: “This has to be CGI lol. That was too perfect.”A third wrote: “Peak comedy.”And another commented: “This is genuinely a one in a billion chance.”Hibs’ embarrassing moment summed up the match as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ibrox.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe result moved Gers back to the top of the table with Celtic travelling to Livingston on Sunday.The pair face each other in an Old Firm clash next weekend, while they could meet in the Scottish Cup final too.Dean Furman looks back on his Rangers career and memorable win bonus as a sub against Celtic More

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      Rangers star in line for major tournament with Scotland – but his brother played in World Cup for a different country

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      JOHN SOUTTAR is ready to play at a major tournament just like his brother – but for a different country.The 27-year-old defender will be hoping to go to this summer’s European Championship with Scotland.John Souttar has seven Scotland capsCredit: Kenny RamsayHarry Souttar faced Lionel Messi for Australia in the 2022 World CupCredit: ReutersSouttar’s brother, Harry, 25, played at the 2022 World Cup for Australia, where he faced Lionel Messi. They join families such as the Boatengs, the Pogbas and the Xhakas in having brothers playing international football for different countries.The most famous example of brothers playing for different countries is probably Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) and Jerome Boateng (Germany) when they faced each other at the 2010 World Cup.The elder Souttar’s career has been heavily disrupted by serious injuries and he has been restricted to just seven caps as a result.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut after his first season at Rangers was written off by fitness issues, the former Dundee United and Hearts centre-back has become a first choice under Philippe Clement since the turn of the year.Former Hearts assistant Lee McCulloch coached Souttar for two years at Tynecastle between 2020 and 2022.The 45-year-old feels the right-sided defender is now ready to push Watford’s Ryan Porteous for a starting berth at the Euros.McCulloch said: “John Souttar, without a shadow of a doubt, is back to a level where he’s good enough to start for Scotland.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“I think John has kicked on since he got into the Rangers team. Any time he gets an injury it knocks him back, but if John gets a run of games, which he showed with Hearts and he’s now showing with Rangers, he’s a big-game player.“He’s got confidence in his ability and he’s a humble, hard-working guy. He’s one of the best defenders in the league with the ball at his feet and he can also defend the box.Republic of Ireland fans all make the same joke after seeing new Sky jersey for the first time-“I thought he was arguably the best player on the pitch in the home game against Benfica last week.“When you see the level he’s at now, you just wonder where he’d be if he hadn’t had all those injuries.” More

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      I’m known as a Rangers hero but before my Ibrox career began I played five-a-sides with F1’s most legendary driver

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      IT’s hard to imagine living in Monte Carlo and then trading it for life anywhere else.But that’s exactly what Mark Hateley did, swapping the French Riviera for the banks of the River Clyde when he signed for Rangers in 1990.Mark Hateley formed a formidable partnership with Ally McCoist at RangersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHateley played for AS Monaco before signing for GersCredit: GettyRecognise that iconic helmet? The man wearing it was a neighbour of Hateley’sCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe former striker, capped 32 times for England during his career, played for Coventry, Portsmouth and AC Milan before moving to Monaco in 1987.He’d score goals wherever he went but it was in Glasgow where he became an idol to the fans and the Derby man has gone down in history as one of the best players to ever pull on the shirt for the Light Blues.Hateley was a focal point of the nine-in-a-row team but before reaching hero status in Glasgow, he spent three years under Arsene Wenger at AS Monaco in Ligue 1.He was the then-future Arsenal manager’s first signing as Monaco boss and would play alongside supreme talents such as Glenn Hoddle and George Weah before a nasty ankle injury saw him seek a move back to Britain.Read more Rangers storiesBut not before he’d rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most rich and famous.Some of the faces Hateley bumped into included Roger Moore, Ringo Starr and Frank Sinatra.But Monaco is of course most renowned for the Formula One scene, and many of the drivers live in Monte Carlo year-round, or at least own property there.During Hateley’s time, he counted none other than arguably the greatest F1 driver who ever lived as a neighbour.Most read in FootballAppearing on the Under the Cosh podcast, Hateley discussed what it was like living in Monaco before his £1m transfer to Gers.He revealed that he lived in an apartment one floor above none other than Ayrton Senna.I snubbed an audience with the Pope and got crucified in the media but it just wasn’t for me says Rangers legendThe McLaren hero would regularly hit him up for a quick kick-about – sometimes even on the weekend of the Monaco Gran Prix.When asked about any famous neighbours from his time living in the principality, Hateley said: “Oh, I had Ayrton Senna. He lived the floor below me in Monaco.”All he wanted to do was play football.”He’d come and ask me and we used to play before the grand prixs. We had a five-a-sides at Saint-Jean.”All the drivers would play. Well the ones who liked football, they’d play.”Racing car drivers want to be footballers, and footballers want to be racing car drivers!”After signing for Rangers, Hateley would take his new team mates back to Monte Carlo for the odd night out.On one such occasion, he was quizzed by midfield ace Ian Durrant.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe young Scot said in the middle of a drinking session in Casino Square: “Monaco? Govan? You’re off your f****** rocker.”The paddock at Circuit de Monte Carlo in Monaco, home of the Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Simon JonesSenna would often ask Hateley for a game of five-a-side footballCredit: PA:Press AssociationStade Louis II, home of AS Monaco, as seen from the airCredit: Getty – ContributorKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Dundee vs Rangers postponed in ‘utter farce’ just 90 minutes before kick off with pitch compared to movie Dune

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      RANGERS’ clash away at Dundee has been called off just 90 MINUTES before kick-off, the club have confirmed.The Scottish Premiership clash was due to get underway at Scott Foam Stadium at 12pm on Sunday afternoon.Fans have criticised the state of the pitch as the match was postponedCredit: PARangers boss Philippe Clement was left disappointed as the game was called offCredit: PABut it has now been axed with the pitch covered in mud patches.A brief statement from Rangers on social media read: “GAME OFF: Today’s match against Dundee has been postponed.”The club will make further comment in due course.”The announcement was accompanied by a picture of the desperately poor pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd fans were quick to slam Dundee for the state of their home turf.One Rangers supporter said: “Dundee should forfeit the game and we get the points. Utter farce their pitch is x.”While another football fan added: “If you enjoyed Glasgow’s Willy Wonka, you’ll love the Dundee Dune 2 Experience.”A third replied: “Get them fined. No club should be allowed in the top flight if their pitch can’t deal with a bit of rain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Just as bad if not worse than the plastic pitch carry-on.”And a fourth said: “Shambles. Dundee should start facing sanction after the third game called off this season so far. Fans out of pocket again.”Moment Rangers ultras welcome their heroes out against Benfica with massive Dublin tifo Rangers dropped to second place in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday following Celtic’s 3-1 win over St Johnstone.But having played one game less, a win over Dundee would have taken them back to the summit.They now sit one point adrift of their Glasgow rivals.Dundee are seventh in the table, two points off Hibernian in sixth. More