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      Aberdeen and St Mirren legend Frank McDougall dies aged 65 as tributes pour in for prolific former striker

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      ABERDEEN and St Mirren hero Frank McDougall has sadly died aged 65.A prolific goalscorer, McDougall passed away in hospital due to heart complications.
      Aberdeen legend Frank McDougall has passed awayCredit: SNS
      Born in Glasgow, McDougall got his big break with Clydebank in 1978 and after scoring 28 goals on one season, earned a move to St Mirren the following year.
      The £150,000 fee that took him to Love Street was a record transfer between two Scottish clubs.
      He made more than 100 league appearances for the Saints, further enhancing his reputation as a prolific striker.
      McDougall was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for Aberdeen in 1984 for £100,000 and he made a spectacular impact.

      He was the Scottish Premier Division’s top scorer in his debut campaign with 22 league goals, 24 in all competitions.
      That inspired the Dons to title glory with the Pittodrie side retaining the championship and finishing seven points clear of Celtic.
      McDougall struck a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, a result that confirmed Aberdeen as champions.
      He scored a further 20 times in all competitions in his second season, including four in one game against the Hoops.
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      Although the Dons couldn’t retain the league title, they did win both domestic cup competitions.
      However, a persistent back injury troubled McDougall during his time at Pittodrie.
      It would be diagnosed as traumatic spondylitis and ultimately forced him to retire aged just 29 in 1987, six months after he played in what would be his final match.
      McDougall was inducted into the Aberdeen Hall of Fame last year but he was unable to attend the ceremony.
      It was revealed at the time he was battling lung cancer.
      He did however manage to make an emotional return to Pittodrie in February this year, appearing as a guest of honour at the 1-0 win over Livingston.
      The sad news of McDougall’s passing was announced on behalf of his family by reporter Ally Begg.
      He said on Twitter: “Hi, I’ve been asked to post this on behalf of Frank McDougall’s family.
      “Frank sadly passed away this morning in hospital due to heart complications. Thoughts and prayers very much with Frank and his beloved family. RIP legend.”
      Aberdeen said they were “deeply saddened” to hear of the news of McDougall’s passing.
      They said: “Aberdeen Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Frank McDougall this morning.
      “Frank was an AFC legend, as during his two seasons for the Dons, between 1984 and 1986, he scored an incredible 44 goals and won all three domestic medals.”
      The club’s chief executive Alan Burrows added: “Desperately sorry to read about Frank’s passing. I was never lucky enough to meet him, or watch him play (just before my time), but I know he is held in such high regards by everyone associated with AFC, who remember a talented, lethal striker. My thoughts and condolences are with Frank’s family and close friends at this very sad time. RIP.”
      St Mirren paid tribute to McDougall, hailing him as one of Scottish football’s best forwards of the 1980s.
      The club said: “St Mirren Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former player Frank McDougall. 
      “Renowned as one of the best forwards in Scottish football during the 1980s, Frank joined St Mirren from Clydebank in June 1979 in a move that broke the Scottish transfer record at the time. During his five year stay at Saints, Frank scored 64 goals in 169 appearances. 
      “Frank would then move on to Aberdeen in 1984 where he became a huge fans favourite – scoring 44 goals in just 69 appearances – before having to retire with an injury in 1987.
      “The thoughts of everyone at St Mirren are with Frank’s loved ones at this sad time.”
      Former Love Street team-mate Frank McAvennie said: “It’s such sad news this morning.
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      “Frank was my first strike partner and friend from day one in early 80s. RIP pal – gone way to soon. I’m gutted.”
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      Celtic and Motherwell fans spill onto pitch and throw missiles at each other as ugly scenes mar dramatic finale

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      CELTIC fans spilled out from the stands and onto the pitch after watching their team secure three points against Motherwell in the most dramatic of fashions.Matt O’Riley, just a few hours after sealing a new contract at the club, popped up at the back post with a crucial late winner at Fir Park.
      Matt O’Riley celebrates his winner as fans try to invade the pitch in the backgroundCredit: PA
      Celtic fans had to be held back by stewardsCredit: PA
      Motherwell fans ran onto the pitch after Blair Spittal’s equaliserCredit: PA
      The Hoops thought they had won the game through Luis Palma just a few minutes prior, only for Blair Spittal to equalise for Motherwell.
      Some home fans ran onto the pitch after that goal but were quickly ushered back to their seats.
      Up stepped O’Riley as he ghosted in unmarked to volley home from Greg Taylor’s cross.
      Cue scenes of utter ecstasy in the stands – which ended up spilling onto the pitch.

      Several Hoops supporters jumped the barriers in the away end to celebrate, with stewards rushing to keep them from entering the field of play.
      The same sort of thing threatened to happen after the full-time whistle was blown just a few seconds later.
      Brendan Rodgers raced on to the pitch with his arms aloft but concurrently there was a surge of away fans who’d made their way back on to the trackside – and started taunting the home support, with missiles thrown.
      Pictures and eye witness accounts show missiles from the Well fans were also thrown back at the visiting supporters.
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      In terms of the football, the Hoops toiled for much of the match, enjoying more possession than the home side but struggling to break them down.
      On the flip side, Stuart Kettlewell’s side looked composed when in possession themselves and would’ve felt hard done by when Palma’s cross-come-shot evaded the touches of everyone in the box to nestle in the far corner.
      That was in the 87th minute and as the game moved into stoppage time, the hosts pressed for an equaliser.
      Blair Spittal provided that in the 95th minute and the home supporters were elated as they had thought they’d grabbed a point.
      The Hoops had other ideas though and as the Well switched off at the back, O’Riley was there in the 97th minute to pounce and he ran towards to travelling support and slid on his knees.
      This morning after his contract extension was announced, O’Riley said: “It’s probably hard to put it into a short sentence but I think everybody knows how much I enjoy playing here, especially at Celtic Park because I don’t think you get that anywhere else.
      “I think it’s important going into training every day really enjoying the company of your team-mates, being able to have a laugh and being able to push each other as well.
      “If you’ve got a good relationship off the pitch, it naturally makes it easier to demand high standards from each other, and right now I think we’ve got a real good balance of youth and experience.
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      “I’m still pretty young but I’m probably in the middle of that because we’ve got a young team, but that dynamic and balance is really helpful.”
      It was a busy day for police officersCredit: Alamy
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      Rangers legend Jim Forrest dies aged 79 as Ibrox club leads tributes to star with better goal ratio than Ally McCoist

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      JIM FORREST, the most prolific goalscorer in Rangers’ post-war history, has died.The Ibrox side wrote on social media: “The Rangers family is today saddened by the loss of former striker, Jim Forrest, at the age of 79.
      Rangers hero Jim ForrestCredit: SNS
      RANGERS 1960-61 (l to r) Davie Wilson, Bobby Shearer, Billy Ritchie, Davie Provan, Jim Forrest, Ian McMillan, John Greig, Ron McKinnon, Jim Baxter, Ralph Brand and Willie Henderson.Credit: SNS
      “The thoughts of everyone at Rangers are with Jim’s family and friends.”
      Aberdeen, for whom he played 186 times, scoring 62 goals, wrote: “Aberdeen Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jim Forrest.
      “Jim played 186 times for the club, scoring 62 goals and was part of the side that won the Scottish Cup in 1970.
      “The thoughts of everyone at Pittodrie are with Jim’s family and friends at this sad time.”

      Born in Springburn, the striker joined his boyhood heroes in 1962.
      A year later, in August 1963, he made his Old Firm debut – scoring twice in a 3-0 win for Gers at Parkhead.
      He was just 18-years-old.
      After bagging his first goals for the Ibrox club, Forrest went on to score an astonishing 145 times in 163 appearances.
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      He had a better goals ratio than the likes of Ally McCoist, Ralph Brand and Jimmy Millar.
      Yet, along with George McLean, he was inexplicably made the scapegoat in the aftermath of Rangers’ shock Scottish Cup defeat to Berwick Rangers in 1967.
      Manager Scot Symon described it as “the worst result in the history of the club”, and Forrest never played for Rangers again.
      Forrest – who died at the age of 78 – was only 22 and his stats in the three previous seasons were truly remarkable.
      He scored 39 goals in his first full season. During the treble winning campaign of 1963-64 he bagged an incredible 57 – a British post war record that still stands to this day.
      The following season he hit 35 and had already netted 14 times before Symon’s show of spite.
      It was a decision which arguably cost Rangers the Cup Winners’ Cup as they were forced to turn to centre-half Roger Hynd for the final against Bayern Munich in Nuremberg.
      To his credit, Forrest never spoke out against Symon or the call that ended his Ibrox career.
      Speaking in “Rangers, The 100 Greatest”, Forrest reflected: “I didn’t say anything against the club then and even now I prefer not to go into that.
      “Yes, what happened hurt, but I am a Rangers man and you don’t start hitting out at them. 
      “It’s not my style.
      Following his exit from Rangers, Forrest played for Preston and had five years at Aberdeen, where he won the Scottish Cup in 1970.
      He also had spells in South Africa and Hong Kong.
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      Forrest should be given his rightful place in the Ibrox Hall of Fame.
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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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      Scottish stadium hosted 1st TV game under floodlights & still has a football feel, 20 years after Morrisons moved in

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      FALKIRK’S old Brockville Park used to have a kitchen window looking straight out onto the terracing.Now it has a whole aisle full of kitchen essentials.
      The home came with a free view of the Brockville action
      The historic ground made history in the 1950sCredit: SNS
      Now though a supermarket sits on site
      The Bairns’ old home is no more and was replaced by a supermarket two decades ago.
      Where teams used to park the bus and defend their box, shoppers now park the car and fill their bags.
      But there is no forgetting just where they are with relics of the historic stadium of old still on show outside the town centre Morrisons superstore.
      A cast-iron turnstile is planted permanently outside the front door as testimony to the football folklore that went on before.

      On that town centre site was the first televised night-time game under floodlights when the Bairns hosted Newcastle in a friendly some 70 years ago.
      Their rickety old ground hosted the great and the good of the Scottish game before the club eventually moved out to the Falkirk Stadium.
      But from the Lisbon Lions to greats like Gazza, Laudrup and McCoist – plus Sir Alex Ferguson and many more in between, the hostile and claustrophobic Brockville welcomed them all.
      But Brockville, for all its historic significance, also worked against Falkirk.
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      The Bairns were denied promotion to the SPL on account of their home not having the required 10,000 seats.
      A ground-sharing bid with Airdrie was denied which spared Aberdeen and Motherwell from relegation in 2000 and 2003 withj the Bairns barred from the top flight.
      That forced the club’s hand after financial troubles in the late 1990s and they moved to a purpose-built ground on the Grangemouth edge of town, spending a year at nearby Stenhousemuir in between.
      Fans were able to buy up various memorabilia at a club auction with the dugouts, turf, street signs and folding wooden seats from the stand all up for grabs.
      Fans grabbed memorabilia before the ground was shut down forever
      Bulldozers moved in around 2003
      The old turnstile stands as testament to a time passed
      And while they left a turnstile and team pic for the new supermarket, the club took their own memento – the ‘Brockville Gate’ is still on display at the mouth of the tunnel of their new ground pre-match before every home game – just as it was ‘back home’ at Brockville.
      The final game saw emotional scenes when current Dundee assistant Stuart Taylor scored the final goal against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
      The bulldozers moved in and so did the supermarket and changed the face of the site that had hosted football since the Victorian era.
      However with the old turnstile and various other nods to the games it hosted the legend of Falkirk lives on as visitors do their Saturday afternoon shopping.
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      Where Chelsea and Hibs came to buy club legend ‘Crunchie’ Kevin McAllister – the bars he’s nicknamed after are on sale at the tills.
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      Watch the moment Celtic keeper Joe Hart sent off v Livingston as Hoops veteran gets first red card of career – aged 36

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      CELTIC goalkeeper Joe Hart was shown a straight red card against Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena.With almost half an hour played and with his side 1-0 up courtesy of a Reo Hatate penalty, the Hoops No1 came rushing out of his box to challenge Mohammed Sangare who latched onto a long ball from the Livi defence.
      John Beaton shows the red card to Hart
      But the midfielder got there first and the English shot stopper came clashing into him.
      As the challenge took place outside the box and denied a goal scoring opportunity, with Hart the last line of defence, referee John Beaton was forced to give the keeper his marching orders.
      Surprise inclusion in Brendan Rodgers’ side James Forrest made way for sub goalie Scott Bain who took the gloves for the remainder of the match, leaving the Scottish Premiership champions to play with ten men for over an hour of the match.
      It’s the first dismissal of Hart’s 20-year career.

      It’s also the latest disappointment for him, whose ability as No1 has been questioned by Celtic fans.
      🟥 “Hart commits and doesn’t get there… It’s the correct decision!”Celtic are down to ten men as Joe Hart is 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛𝙛 after a late challenge on Sangare! Watch the match live on Sky Sports now! 📺👇 pic.twitter.com/qj6KeYFROt— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 23, 2023

      The red card follows questions over his performance against Feyernoord on Tuesday night where he was too easily beaten by a free kick from distance, despite also saving a penalty.
      Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm saw red in that match, making it an unfortunate hattrick of ordering offs for the Celts in the space of five days.
      Addressing criticism of his performances of late, Hart said in midweek: “I’ve got respect for the football world. But there are very few people out there whose opinions really matter.
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      “After speaking to Stevie Woods and Brendan Rodgers, I know what I’ve got to offer. I offer everything I’ve got.
      “If it’s not good enough for someone, that’s life, so be it.
      “It hasn’t been good enough before, but it often has.
      “I know from my past as a goalkeeper I’m by no means perfect.
      “If people want to angle in on something specific, they can.
      “But I’ve been around a long time and if you want to make an argument about why I should be in goal, there’s plenty of those too.”
      The dismissal in West Lothian means the 36-year-old will miss next week’s clash with Motherwell at Fir Park.
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      I used to sell BINS and didn’t turn pro till I was 25 – now I plan to dump Celtic and Rangers in the space of four days

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      LIVINGSTON new boy Danny Lloyd sold BINS before he made it as a pro.But there won’t be any trash-talk from him when it comes to the Lions and Scottish football.
      Danny Lloyd didn’t turn pro until he turned 25Credit: SNS
      The 31-year-old joined the West Lothian side at the end of August on a short-term deal.
      And after years of lower league football in England he can’t wait to get going here.
      Lloyd, who will aim to stop champions Celtic tomorrow, said: “I was a regional account business manager in the north-west and I loved it.
      “It was a great job and was a good company to work for.

      “I was sent on my way with blessings to play full-time football, and I keep in touch with a lot of my old colleagues.
      “I look back on that time with good memories.
      “I actually spent two weeks in Edinburgh on a big drive for sales, so I had a little experience of Scotland.
      “Chatting with my agent, we always thought that my sort of profile would be suited to the Scottish game.
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      “I’m robust and very fit. It’s a unique league with the gulf between top and bottom.
      “And you’re going to be presented with completely different challenges within the space of a week.
      “This week we’ve got Celtic at home, then Rangers away in front of 50,000, which will be an incredible occasion.
      “I’m lucky to have the opportunity, but you have to remove that emotion and put your professional head on.
      “I’m massively thankful but I’ve fought tooth and nail for this.
      “I’m 31 with a chance to now play in a top league in Europe.
      “I think I’ve done OK and I’m happy with the way it’s gone. I graft every single day and I’m thankful to be a professional footballer.”
      Lloyd was without a club this summer having left Rochdale at the end of last season.
      The attacker happened to be on a coaching course with Livi new boy Kurtis Guthrie.
      And he offered to put a word into David Martindale, who offered him a few days trial and then a deal.
      Lloyd added: “I had a couple of offers that were in the right location and financially viable for my family in order for me to be full-time.
      “Kurtis said he’d speak to the gaffer and I thought nothing of it. But two hours later he was on the phone asking if I wanted to come in the next day!
      “I did a few days training and Cristian Montano picked up an injury which helped my cause.”
      Lloyd has a busload of family members coming up for today’s clash against the Hoops.
      And he admits that no one will be more proud than grandad George if he faces Brendan Rodgers’ men.
      He said: “He’s a diamond of a man. A proper, honest family man. What he did for me and my career — you would never be able to put a value on it.
      “He took me everywhere all over the country when I was a kid. In my younger life, his life was just total dedication. For me to end up where I am, he’s absolutely over the moon.
      “There’s about 14 people coming on Saturday!
      “I’m very well supported on my side and my fiancee’s side.
      “Her auntie’s partner is a Celtic fan so they are buzzing to see someone from their family potentially play against their team.
      “I want my family to enjoy it because that’s what it’s all about.
      “But it will be time to go to work when I get on the pitch.
      “I don’t know what the gaffer’s plans are, but hopefully I get on the pitch in some capacity.
      “It will be great for them to see that, and for me too.
      “We’re going into it with a game plan to win — it’s a game of football.
      “The goalposts haven’t moved and the objective hasn’t changed.
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      “They are an incredible side with an amazing manager. But we’ve got to put our stamp on the game. Fingers crossed everything falls into place for us.”

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