More stories

  • in

    I made my home debut against Barcelona but a woman claimed I got her pregnant the next day – I was all over the news

    PAUL CADDIS endured a remarkable 24 hours after making his debut for Celtic in the Champions League.The right-back was faced with marking Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi as the Scottish side took on Barcelona in 2008 on his first game as a 20-year-old.
    AS a young pro Paul Caddis made his debut for Celtic against BarcelonaCredit: Scottish News and Sport
    The next day Caddis was in the papers for the wrong reasonsCredit: Youtube – Under the cosh
    But less than a day after his highs on the pitch he hit the lows of being at the centre of a media storm.
    During the game, Caddis, now 35, understandably struggled to contain the world class talent managed by Pep Guardiola that would go on to win a famous sextuple.
    Celtic gave a good account of themselves as they battled to a 3-2 defeat at Celtic Park.
    Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink opened the scoring before a quick equaliser from Messi.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Barry Robson gave the Scottish giants hope before Thierry Henry and Messi completed a comeback win for the LaLiga giants.
    Speaking about the game on the Under the Cosh podcast, Caddis said: “I knew regardless of what I did, if I got abused, they [team and fans] would look after me for being a young lad.
    “But if I did alright I had everything to gain so I was fine.
    “To play against them was a different level. The boss hammered me at half-time, stating ‘can you not see those f****** balls being diag-d onto Ronaldhinho’s toe?’
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    “Shunsuke Nakamura was brilliant going forward but gave me no help defensively so it was just [Eric] Abidal overlapping me for fun – I was all over the gaff. But what an experience.
    “Directly against Ronaldinho and all. Strongest a*** I have ever f****** felt. As soon as the ball came in, the first thing he done was bang [back into you].
    “By the time I’d recovered from being winded, the ball was miles away.”
    However, the excitement of making his home debut came crashing down the next day as the Scotsman was accused of fathering a woman’s unborn child in a newspaper story, which he completely denied.
    Caddis explained: “I played on the Tuesday night but on the Wednesday morning I was on the front page and the back page on the same day.
    “Some girl had come out and said I had fathered her child, which was a load of s***.
    “I was looking at the back page buzzing, saying ‘look at that picture of me and Ronaldinho,’ then looking at the back page seeing a munter in the front saying I was…
    “[The paper] had the story ready for about six weeks. It was a load of s*** but she sold this dream to the papers and they printed it.
    “I had to do a DNA test, at the time she made me think [the baby was mine] but three months later it turned out it wasn’t.”
    Read More on The Sun
    Caddis would go on to make 22 appearances for Celtic before leaving the club and having spells in the lower leagues of English football.
    He is now working as the manager of the National League North side Hereford. More

  • in

    Rangers cult hero looks unrecognisable after career spanning Indonesia, two World Cups and a love of 33 HORSES

    HE only played an average of ten times a season, but enough to earn his status as a Rangers cult hero.Indeed, he’s also a national football hero for the international achievements of the star-studded squad he was part of.
    He joined the Gers 25 years agoCredit: Getty
    He was front and centre of a star-studded French squad – but only grabbed a single capCredit: EPA
    But his time at Rangers, though limited to 30 games in three years remains close to his heart.
    So much so the club’s jersey still forms the background image of his Twitter profile.
    The same can’t be said for a former boss.
    His toxic relationship with the man who signed him – Dick Advocaat – still rankles, even now.

    But his love for Gers fans remains. They even sang his name to the tune of his national anthem to welcome him in 1998.
    It sticks out in the memory even though Ibrox was only a small part of his football career.
    But the game of football is only a small part of the intriguing life of Lionel Charbonnier.
    The flamboyant Frenchman would be spotted wearing a cravate on his trips around Glasgow and he still cut a suave figure 25 years on from his arrival – and still sported one in one of recent appearances on the red carpet at the Balon d’Or.
    Most read in Football
    The shaggy mane of hair has gone and is now slicked back while his wispy beard from his playing days is significantly bushier on the 56-year-old face.
    And his changing appearance is not the only unrecognisable aspect of the World Cup winning goalkeeper.
    He was part of France’s 1998 tournament triumph and though he moved into minor management roles after retiring – it’s his off-the-field activities that make Charbonnier stand out from the retired football crowd.
    He’d nip around the city in a Rover Metro and drop into art galleries outside training. Then after retirement he got into painting more himself.
    Charbonnier played 30 times for the Gers either side of a serious knee injury that eventually ended his career.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    He joined some legendary figures in the 1998 France squadCredit: Reuters
    But the only league win of the World Cup winner’s career came at Ibrox.Credit: Alan MacGregor Ewing – The Sun Glasgow
    But after serious injury that all but ended his Rangers career he retired to France to recuperate and bred HORSES.
    At one stage – while he was still on the books with the Gers he cared for 15 and owned 33.
    His animal loved has passed to his daughter who is now a show-jumper too and he coaches her while working in broadcast punditry back home.
    After retiring from the game at Lausanne Sport he moved into coaching alongside his animal sanctuary.
    And though a man who followed alternative pursuits for a footballer, he did follow a familiar ex-pro’s pursuit into coaching, but true to form, off the beaten track.
    He began in lower league French football and would eventually return to his homeland but in between, he worked as part of the international set-ups at Tahiti and Indonesia – leading the under-20s to the 2009 World Cup in Egypt.
    He also managed a club side in Congo.
    Read More on The Sun
    He’d never rule out a return to Ibrox though, telling the Rangers Review: “For me, to come back one day would be a dream, I would be very, very happy to work for Rangers.”
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

  • in

    Watch moment Celtic star Joe Hart gets completely shut down live on American TV as he takes sly dig at US soccer

    JOE HART got more than he bargained for when he took a sly dig at US soccer in a live TV interview alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers. The pair of Hoops pals were seated alongside each other as they joined the Morning Footy show for CBS Golazo with host Alexis Guerreros.
    Cameron Carter-Vickers and Joe Hart were appearing live on CBS
    Joe Hart couldn’t find the breakthrough against the USA
    Guerreros asked USA international Carter-Vickers about the kind of questions he gets from fans in the UK about American soccer, saying: “CCV I have a question.
    “What is the No1 question YOU get from these Europeans about playing in America, what is the No1 question about America and Joe Hart do you have any questions about America?”
    Carter Vickers responded: “Obviously we have Alistair Johnston here now so I can direct all of the questions about the MLS to him, he knows a bit more than me.
    “The team is a good group and there is a bit of banter flying about Ted Lasso but in the main it is all good.”

    At that point, Hart chipped in, saying: “When do you dominate?
    “Because obviously the US has such a strong history in sports – athletes, the size of the country, the way the colleges are set up to establish great athletes.
    “It is time, right? Enough money has gone into it, enough energy has gone into it.
    “I see players like Cameron, if he’s not starting, then the standard must be high.”
    Most read in Football
    Quick as a flash, Guerreros answered, referencing the 0-0 draw with England during the World Cup, saying: “I think we did a pretty good job against England in the World Cup.”
    Cue hilarity amongst the other panel members, with Hart briefly rendered speechless before replying: “Oh Alexis, that was a good chess move.”
    Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

  • in

    I’m an ex-Celtic star who played with John Hartson – we had to sweep up his pubic hair when he trimmed his privates

    JOHN HARTSON is regarded as a hero at Celtic – but the academy players had to sweep up his pubic hair.Paul Caddis was in the Hoops’ youth set-up when Hartson was banging in the goals for the first team.
    John Hartson was a prolific goalscorer for Celtic from 2001 to 2006Credit: Getty
    Paul Caddis was in the youth team and had to clean up after HartsonCredit: Getty
    The Welsh striker scored 109 times for the club in 201 appearances between 2001 and 2006.
    But Caddis, who made his Celtic debut in January 2008, has less fond memories of Hartson.
    That is because part of the role as a youth player at Celtic Park meant cleaning up after the senior stars – including when Hartson trimmed his privates.
    Caddis, 35, told the Undr The Cosh podcast, Caddis revealed: “John Hartson used to trim his balls and we used to have to move balls out the way to sweep them.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “He’d trim up and there’d be all these ginger pubes.”
    Caddis was talking to host John Parkin about the jobs scholars used to do as part of their apprenticeship – with Parkin revealing he would force teenagers to shave his hairy back at York City.
    Caddis, now Hereford manager, added: “I would love it to go back to that way. I worked with Fleetwood academy. I know the 18s do jobs and that but they’re doing nothing compared to what they used to do.
    “It was better the old way, that’s why they’re such little a***holes now. They’re all chirpy, too much too young and all the rest of it.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    “Nowadays, academies are almost built alongside first teams so you lose that nervousness.
    “You used to idolise a lot of the boys in the first team. You don’t see that now because you’ve probably grown up with them over the last three or four years.
    “We would never go in for lunch until after every first-team player had left the building. It would be half two, three o’clock sometimes because one of the first-team players was still in the gym.
    “I think that’s the way it should be. It’s the first team’s building, that’s the way I see it, but nowadays it’s becoming too snowflakey.”
    One-cap Scotland international Caddis played 24 times for Celtic, including against Barcelona in the Champions League on his home debut, before a journeyman career in the EFL.
    Hartson, meanwhile, is still regarded as a hero at Celtic, where he won three league titles.
    The forward turned pro at Luton and then had stints with Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon and Coventry before moving north of the border and returning to finish his career at West Brom.
    He also represented Wales 51 times, scoring 14. More

  • in

    Former EFL boss quits his job ONE HOUR after being named Manager of the Season

    GARY BOWYER has left Dundee FC just an hour after being named the Scottish Championship Manager of the Year.The former Blackburn Rovers boss took over as manager of the Scottish side in June.
    Gary Bowyer was awarded the Championship Manager of the Season for his incredible campaign with Dundee FC
    He managed to guide them to promotion back into the Scottish Premiership and was given the award as a result.
    But despite his title winning credentials he won’t be staying around to help keep them in the top division.
    The club announced that Bowyer would be leaving via an official statement.
    The statement read: “Gary helped the club achieve its objective of an immediate return to the cinch Premiership and we are grateful to him for leading us to the cinch Championship and automatic promotion.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    “Now is the time for certainty as we enter a critical summer of work in the transfer market and on the training ground, to ensure the first-team squad is ready to compete in the Premiership and remain in the top division.”
    Dundee will now be without a manager until they can find the right fit for their return to the Scottish Premiership.
    The club’s managing director, John Nelms, commented on Bowyer’s exit too.
    He said: “Given the importance of the weeks and months ahead, I felt it was necessary to ensure we are all aligned on the direction needed to ensure the club is ready for its return to the Premiership.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    “On behalf of everyone at the club, not least our fans, we wish Gary the best for the future and reiterate our thanks for his achievements in the past year.”
    Bowyer secured the league title by five clear points and only lost seven league games at the helm of Dundee. More

  • in

    Three EFL clubs watching former Liverpool ace with star set for transfer after stunning season in Scotland

    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.
    read more football news
    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.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    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

  • in

    Ex-Rangers chief set to join Nottingham Forest in shock new career move

    FORMER academy chief at Rangers, Craig Mulholland, could be set to join up with Nottingham Forest.Gary Brazil is leaving the club after nearly 10 years.
    Nottingham Forest are set to hire Rangers’ ex-academy chief Craig MulhollandCredit: Rex
    And new football supremo Ross Wilson wants his old pal Mulholland to sort out the youth set-up.
    Wilson left the Gers last month after spending four years at the club as its sporting director.
    The 39-year-old has been given the title of chief football officer at the City Ground.
    The recruitment chief will effectively replace Filippo Giraldi who was sacked as sporting director after just six months in the role.
    Read More on Football
    The former Rangers director will take on a more expanded role at Forest.
    Wilson said: “I would like to thank the players, led superbly by captain James Tavernier, and the manager Michael Beale, as well as all those who have come before them in the three and a half years I have spent at Rangers.
    “I would like to thank Douglas Park, Stewart Robertson and the Board for their support.
    “I wish John Bennett – a true Rangers man – a successful chairmanship.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “This is a great club, and there are so many reasons for Rangers to face the decades ahead with optimism and pride.
    “Thank you for your support. I wish everyone associated with Rangers nothing but the best for the future.”
    Forest are fighting for survival in the Premier League as they are 18th in the table with the same points as Leeds and Leicester who are just above them in the safety zone. More

  • in

    Let’s raise a glass to Celtic boss Postecoglou.. don’t be surprised to see him an impact this side of Hadrian’s Wall

    IT WAS a storm in an egg cup, or perhaps a whisky glass, but Celtic’s probable fifth treble in seven seasons has the other half of Glasgow itching with frustration.And there can be few scratchers north of the border more aggravated than Rangers manager Michael Beale, 42, who has already been rendered title-less as another Hoops monopoly of big trophies plays out.
    Ange Postecoglou’s CV is nothing to sneer atCredit: Getty
    He is on course to win the treble with CelticCredit: Kenny Ramsay
    His counterpart five-and-a-half miles away, Ange Postecoglou, brushed off Beale’s comment that the Greco-Australian was a lucky man to have had handy transfer cash.
    “Not luck but know-how” was an Aussie reaction the late Shane Warne, God bless him, would have been proud of. I am sure the Greeks had a phrase for it, too.
    Under-estimating Ange has been a common reaction throughout his 25 years of management.
    But get this for a CV: Two titles in the old National Soccer League with South Melbourne; two in the A-League with Brisbane Roar, yet another in Japan’s J League with Yokohama F Marinos.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    And then, a badge really to boast about, guiding Australia to 2015 Asian Cup glory.
    With the Roar, he once went an impressive 36 games undefeated. Eat your heart out, Pep.
    There isn’t a name Aussies can’t transform into a single syllable so Angelos soon became Ange to his mates in Melbourne.
    He was five when his family, penniless and jobless settled there in 1965. A defender with the features of a warrior, he was to become a one-club player and Aussie international.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    Postecoglou, 57, has led Celtic to the title and won the league cup twice in his first two seasons with the club, dominating Scottish football as Manchester City threaten to do in England.
    But where Celtic are set to be champions for the 53rd time, no English club has the satisfaction of nearing an equivalent domination — Manchester United leading on 20 from Liverpool’s 19.
    Now whether being emperor of a small kingdom is more satisfying than being president of a big one, the fact is that Celtic are minor players in modern football.
    The national team are only beginning to shrug off the air of useless braggadocio that settled over it in the past two decades.
    In Glasgow pubs, they still tease Sassenachs about the 3-2 win against England, 1966 World Cup winners a year earlier.
    And the triumphs of Robert the Bruce, seven centuries ago.
    All bar Celtic and Rangers struggle to attract attendances of more than 20,000.
    Billionaire owners are not to be found and television contracts are tiny compared with those in England.
    Sky recently signed to pay Scottish football £150million-a-year from 2025, while the company’s current contract with the EFL is £119m-a-season, but is likely to be increased because there is a probable new rival.
    Chicken feed compared with the Premier League champions, who will earn £176m from TV money this season alone.
    There are still advocates of the admission of the two Old Firm clubs to the English structure, although these tend to fall foul of arguments about the level of entry.
    The Ibrox capacity is just over 50,000 and Celtic Park is around 60,000 so the possibility will always be attractive to some — the SNP  Government probably not.
    Read More on The Sun
    And so with the odd exception — Rangers under Steven Gerrard in 2021 — Celtic have a recent record of domestic dominance that looks set to continue.
    Postecoglou’s feats around the world suggest he would make an impact this side of Hadrian’s Wall and, no, this is not a new defensive strategy. More