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      Frank McGarvey dies at 66 as tribute paid to Celtic & St Mirren hero after cancer fight as family thank fans for support

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      CELTIC legend Frank McGarvey has passed away at the age of 66.The Parkhead hero’s family announced back in October that he had been battling cancer, and now his son Scott has broken the news that his dad had died with his family by his side this morning.
      McGarvey became a Celtic legend during the 1980sCredit: Getty
      McGarvey addressed the Celtic fans at Parkhead before the Hibs matchCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      His son Scott wrote on Twitter: “Our much loved Dad sadly passed away this morning with his family by his side.
      “We are so thankful for all the support we have received over the past few months.”
      A few days after McGarvey’s family confirmed that he had received the diagnosis, the former forward was visibly emotional as he was welcomed onto the pitch at Parkhead.
      McGarvey thanked fans for their support before Celtic’s Premiership match against Hibs on October 15th.
      McGarvey starred in the green and white hoops between 1980 and 1985, making 245 appearances and scoring 113 goals.
      He won two Scottish Premier Division titles, enjoying back to back successes in 1981 and 1982.
      He was also a Scottish Cup winner on two occasions and won the League Cup once.
      Celtic wrote: “Everyone at Celtic is extremely saddened to hear of the death of former striker, Frank McGarvey, who passed away this morning at the age of 66.
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      “The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are with Frank’s family at this extremely sad time.
      “RIP Frank, YNWA.”
      An icon at Celtic, McGarvey is also a St Mirren legend.
      It was with the Paisley club that he broke through into senior football, being signed up by Sir Alex Ferguson from junior club Kilsyth Rangers in 1975.
      He scored 17 times to help St Mirren to the First Division championship in 1977.
      McGarvey’s brilliant form attracted the attention of Liverpool and legendary boss Bob Paisley, and he moved to England for a fee of £270,000.
      He was unable to make a first team breakthrough at Anfield and he moved to Celtic ten months later for the same transfer fee.
      He was, at the time, Scotland’s most expensive footballer.
      McGarvey’s time at Parkhead ended after five seasons and he’s fondly remembered for his final match for the club.
      He struck the winner six minutes from time as Celtic came from behind to beat Dundee United at Hampden to win the Scottish Cup Final.
      McGarvey would rejoin St Mirren and he enjoyed further trophy success as he won the Scottish Cup again in 1987.
      All in, he played almost 400 times for the Buddies and scored 125 times.
      They wrote on Twitter: “St Mirren Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frank McGarvey at the age of 66.
      “Frank will forever be remembered at St Mirren and our deepest condolences are with Frank’s loved ones at this very sad time.”
      Celtic sent a poignant tribute
      St Mirren paid tribute to a star who made more than 400 appearances for them

      After leaving the Paisley club for the second time in 1990, he went on to play for Queen of the South – where he was player/manager – and Clyde, before finishing his career in the juniors with Shotts Bon Accord and Troon.
      Given his international debut by Jock Stein, McGarvey was also capped seven times by Scotland.
      His son Scott wrote on Twitter: “Our much loved Dad sadly passed away this morning with his family by his side.
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      “We are so thankful for all the support we have received over the past few months.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Rangers send scouts to watch Wolves defender Dion Sanderson but face competition from Birmingham in transfer tussle

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      VERSATILE Wolves defender Dion Sanderson is being monitored by Rangers as boss Michael Beale chases new talent.The Scottish giants are keen on the 23-year-old, who can play centre-half or right-back and is in their price range.
      Sanderson has impressed Rangers while on loan at BerminghamCredit: Rex
      Sanderson is on loan at Birmingham and was watched by Gers’ director of football Ross Wilson and top scout John Park last week.
      Ironically, Sanderson played at QPR last season just before Beale briefly took charge of the Hoops.
      Birmingham want to buy Sanderson if they can agree a fee.
      So the Gers need to make a rival cash bid.
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      However, Sanderson picked up a potentially troublesome hamstring strain in Friday’s 1-0 loss to Hull.
      Birmingham head coach John Eustace provided an update on the loanee, saying: “Dion came off with a slight strain to the hamstring, I think.
      “That’s something we’ve got to look at and he will be getting scanned at the weekend, I’m sure.
      “We were looking to maybe make a change at half time but we had to be careful on the changes because obviously there were a couple struggling, and that delayed our decision-making on that. He ended up going off.”
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      Sanderson has made just one appearance for parent club Wolves.
      His sole appearance came in the 2019 EFL Cup defeat to Aston Villa, where he started at right-back. More

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      Chelsea to ‘accelerate transfer interest in Josip Juranovic’ amid Reece James injury worry for Premier League giants

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      CHELSEA are set to accelerate their interest in Celtic star Josip Juranovic, according to a report.The Croatian full-back is a man in demand after a stellar showing at the World Cup with a host of clubs plotting a January move for the right-back.
      Juranovic has been a standout for Celtic over the last eighteen monthsCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Blues full-back Reece James was forced off on his competitive Chelsea returnCredit: Reuters
      And one team who could now step up their interest are Premier League giants Chelsea, who suffered a major injury setback in Juranovic’s position last night.
      The Daily Mail claim that the West London side will ‘accelerate’ their interest in Juranovic after Reece James went off against Bournemouth last night.
      Juranovic’s performances have seen him linked with the likes of Spanish giants Barcelona and Manchester United too.
      Blues star James was forced off with a knee injury after only just making his competitive comeback from injury against Bournemouth last night.

      The English right-back cruelly missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s Qatar squad after picking up a knee injury against AC Milan in the Champions League.
      And he was forced off just shy of the hour mark as the Premier League got back underway this week, in his first appearance after his injury.
      Celtic are open to listening to offers that are expected to come in for the Croat in January after contract talks stalled before the World Cup break.
      Hoops chiefs are braced for bids and look to have already prepared for life without Juranovic after completing an ealy move for Canadian full-back Alistair Johnston from Montreal CF, who arrived in Glasgow just over a fortnight ago.
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      Ange Postecoglou splashed out a fee in the region of £3m to secure the right wing-back’s services and he could make his debut against Rangers on January 2.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      I never wanted to join Rangers but my dad threatened to PUNCH me if I didn’t agree transfer, Italy legend Gattuso says

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      RINO GATTUSO has revealed his father threatened to punch him if he didn’t sign for Rangers as a kid because of the money on offer.The Italian World Cup winner is now manager of Valencia, but was famously brought to Ibrox by the late Walter Smith in 1997, before he was shipped out to Salernitana a year later in a £4 million deal because Dick Advocaat didn’t rate him.
      Gattuso’s talents were identified by Walter Smith but his stay in Scotland was shortCredit: John Gunnion
      Gattuso achieved cult hero status at Ibrox.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The midfielder went on to a glittering career including World Cup glory with Italy and two Champions League wins with AC MilanCredit: Scottish News and Sport
      From there, he went on to move to AC Milan and won two Champions Leagues, two Serie A titles and that 2006 World Cup with his country.
      And, in an interview in Spain, he admitted had no intention of signing for Rangers as a 17-year-old, until the intervention of his father.
      He recalled: “I didn’t want to go to Glasgow. I had played two games in Serie B and was promoted to Serie A with Perugia, where I played eight games without a contract. Then I played the Under 19s Finals with Italy.
      “One day my father comes and tells me that a representative of Glasgow Rangers has come to town and has offered a contract to me.
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      “I didn’t want to leave and I told this to my father.
      “He told me that the money they were offering was so much he couldn’t even write down the total figure. He told me it was four times his total earnings in his lifetime.
      “When I still said no, he said he would punch me if I didn’t accept it, so I signed for Rangers!”
      “I went to Glasgow and I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have two words in English.
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      “But after two weeks, I looked more Scottish than a Scottish player. I trained three or four times a day, I would go to the gym for hours.
      “I built myself up with this mentality. I knew I didn’t have great technique, but I prepared myself to mentally kill my opponent. I have dedicated my life to football.”
      In total Gattuso featured in 49 Rangers games – starting 36 after the contractual wrangle with Perugia.
      He scored five goals including his first in the UEFA Cup against Strasbourg and despite developing a reputation as a firebrand midfielder, he was never sent off in Scotland – but did amass 12 yellow cards. More

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      Rangers star Ryan Kent ‘is target for Southampton’ as transfer fee revealed

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      RANGERS boss Michael Beale has already stressed that he wants to tie Ryan Kent down to a new deal at Ibrox – but he now faces a battle to keep him.Even with Kent being out of sorts this season, his performances in Europe over the last three years have attracted suitors from south of the border as they look to lure the wing ace to the Premier League.
      Ryan Kent could be off to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      There has been long-term interest from Leeds United who’ve been credited with tracking the 26-year-old for the last two seasons, among others.
      And with six months left on his current Ibrox deal, Beale could well be up against it if he is to convince Kent to put pen to paper when he could walk away from Ibrox for nothing in the summer.
      The Gers boss previously spoke of his desire to work with the winger and hopefully convince him to commit his future to Rangers.
      Speaking about Kent and Alfredo Morelos, he said: “With every player, he’s got to be value for money, hasn’t he?

      “I think the most important thing at the minute is the two boys get on doing what they do best — and that’s playing football.
      “I believe I’m the ideal person to manage both players (Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos) because of the previous relationship and having seen them at their best for Rangers.
      “They can get that back very quickly, so let’s take another review in the coming days.
      “But I’m really optimistic they can go and prove they should be here.
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      “In terms of finances, they have obviously got very good agents. We’re very strong on our side and we’ll probably meet somewhere in the middle.”
      But Beale’s hopes of retaining Kent could have taken a further blow today after another Premier League side, Southampton, emerged as the latest side to enter the race for his prized asset.
      Saints boss Nathan Jones is said to be ‘targeting’ a move worth £5million for the Rangers winger, according to the Daily Mirror
      The St Mary’s side currently sit second bottom and are eyeing some more experienced players to help their young squad survive the battle for the drop and it has been suggested that Kent could help give them that balance.
      Southampton were also last night credited with an interest in Celtic whizz kid Liel Abada after his stunning start to life at Celtic following his arrival last summer.
      But Hoops chiefs are prepared to rebuff any interest from the South Coast side and any other Premier League clubs by opening talks over fresh terms with the Israeli winger next month.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Ally McCoist trolls England with cheeky jibe as he quips Kylian Mbappe made history with World Cup final hat-trick

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      ALLY MCCOIST was once again on top form while on commentary duty for the World Cup final.The Scotland hero has been a hit with viewers for his media work over the course of the tournament in Qatar.
      Ally McCoist was on commentary duty for the World Cup final between Argentina and FranceCredit: Getty
      He was chosen by ITV to take the mic for the showpiece tie this evening alongside broadcaster Sam Matterface and ex-Arsenal defender Lee Dixon.
      The match itself turned out to be a thriller – with several touting it to be one of the greatest World Cup finals of all time.
      Argentina came out on top through penalties but looked to have been cruising at one point with a 2-0 lead.
      A quickfire Kylian Mbappe double forced extra-time before Lionel Messi’s second of the night then put the South Americans ahead once again.

      Mbappe though was given the chance to complete a historic hat-trick when the French were awarded another spot-kick two minutes from time.
      His emphatic disposal meant he became the first player to score three in the final of a World Cup since Sir Geoff Hurst for England in 1966.
      Matterface was keen to reference this impressive stat on commentary but was hit with a quick-witted response from McCoist.
      Even so many years after, debate has still never been settled as to whether one of Hurst’s famous goals had crossed the line or not.
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      And McCoist quickly pointed out: “(He’s the) First person to score a hat-trick in a World Cup Final with all three over the line.”
      Matterface joked, “You might get some letters about that comment.”
      To which McCoist replied: “I might get one or two!”
      Speaking after the tie, McCoist couldn’t hide his excitement over the game he had witnessed, he added: “It was an absolutely outrageous final.
      “Let’s be honest for a good bit of it we were disappointed about how France were going about the game.
      “But after the penalty it exploded into one of the best games of football I’ve ever seen, never mind just in the World Cup.
      “We said before ‘Is the script written for the wee man?’ He was amazing.
      “Mbappe and Messi both turned up – the two players that we spoke about before the game. It’s an absolute privilege to be here.”

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      Rangers 3 Hibs 2 – Alfredo Morelos back on target as Michael Beale’s men roar back from early Porteous & Nisbet shocks

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      TEMPERATURES plummeted at Ibrox.But all that mattered for Rangers was that they ended the night six below.
      Alfredo Morelos celebrates his goalCredit: Getty
      Morelos converts after Tillman (on the ground) had carved open the defenceCredit: Reuters
      Ryan Porteous scores for Hibs and celebrates
      Michael Beale must have worried his side would freeze after twice going behind.
      But the new Ibrox boss watched his men turn the heat on Hibs with a heart-warming fightback.
      The Hibees went ahead from a Ryan Porteous header with Kevin Nisbet netting on his return from injury after Fashion Sakala had made it 1-1.
      But the second-half belonged to Beale’s team with Ryan Jack levelling before Alfredo Morelos’ wonderful winner.

      It was must win for Beale and his side with league leaders Celtic in action at the weekend but crucially they got the job done.
      Hibs’ form going into his game didn’t cover them in any glory.
      Lee Johnson’s side had won just one of their last seven league games with the other six all defeats.
      That’s just not good enough for a side with one of the Premiership’s healthiest budgets.
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      This isn’t a club renowned for being patient with their managers.
      Just as Shaun Maloney and Jack Ross, who was at Ibrox last night as a Sky Sports pundit.
      Maybe that’s why Johnson mixed things up.
      Porteous has made his name as a solid centre-back, even forcing his way into the Scotland national team in that role.
      Here he played in midfield.
      It was clearly a ploy from Johnson to add to strength and competitiveness into the middle of the park. And initially it worked.
      Josh Campbell was another one shifted out of his natural position.
      The midfielder, who scored against Rangers at Easter Road earlier this season, was shunted further forward to play off the front.
      Fashion Sakala scores for Rangers
      He linked up with Nisbet who was back in action for the first time since February, when he suffered a ACL knee injury.
      So it wasn’t like this was a Hibs line-up that’s had plenty of game-time together.
      It was almost make-shift with Johnson deciding he had to do something to get better results.
      Maybe he saw it as a free hit against a Rangers side that was bound to get a new manager bounce.
      Whatever it was, Hibs were superb in the first-half and played nothing like a team that’s been toiling.
      They took the lead after only eight minutes with Rangers conceding their latest goal from a corner.
      A simple ball into the box just wasn’t defended properly with Porteous beating John Lundstram to it to head past Allan McGregor.
      The big man they call Porto ran the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the away fans.
      Rangers fans were stunned and it looked like the team was too.
      But in 15 minutes Sakala made it 1-1.
      It was a slick move from right to left with Malik Tillman combining with Ryan Kent before Sakala drilled past David Marshall.
      At that point the majority of the 50,000 crowd expected Rangers to grab the game by the scruff of the neck there and then.
      But Hibs had other ideas.
      Virtually straight from kick-off, they went on the attack with Marijan Cabraja playing a ball through for Nisbet who burst into the box.
      The striker still had plenty to do to score but smashed a sensational shot high into the net.
      Incredibly there were just 53 seconds between the two goals.
      Rangers tried to regroup again and Beale’s men had a series of moments when they threatened.
      But Hibs were full of confidence themselves and also had chances to add to their lead.
      🎙️ “ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴀʟꜰʀᴇᴅᴏ ᴍᴏʀᴇʟᴏꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪꜱ ᴄᴜꜱᴛᴏᴍᴀʀʏ ɢᴏᴀʟ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ʜɪʙꜱ…”Rangers take the lead at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/TvrShTLFDk— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 15, 2022

      🎙️ “ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ʀᴇʟɪᴇꜰ ꜰᴏʀ ʀᴀɴɢᴇʀꜱ…”Ryan Jack turns the ball in to pull the Ibrox side level. Rangers 2-2 Hibs pic.twitter.com/A3jTwBnfhV— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 15, 2022

      Campbell rattled the side-netting with one shot and then set up Elie Youan with an even better opportunity but aimed his shot straight at the Ibrox No1.
      Hibs fans probably spent the half-time break wondering if it would be a moment they’d regret.
      Rangers were always going to come out after the interval and throw everything at the Edinburgh side.
      The question was whether Johnson’s men would be able to cope.
      Given their recent run of results it was always unlikely they’d have what it would take.
      Having a goalkeeper of the class of Marshall gave them a fighting chance.
      The former Scotland star made an incredible save to keep out a header from Sakala from point blank range after 54 minutes.
      In truth the hitman should have burst the net, but credit has to go to the Hibs No1 for refusing to be beaten.
      It was coming, though.
      Rangers had their tails up again and looking more and more dangerous by the second.
      It felt inevitable that they’d get another goal to draw level, and in 58 minutes they did.
      James Tavernier played in a corner which was flicked on at the near post by Tillman.
      Holding off his marker, Jack was in the perfect position to score to make it 2-2.
      Hibs looked spent there and then. They’d put so much into the first-half but their energy levels were drained from their legs.

      And there was absolutely nothing they could do to stop Rangers from taking the lead for the first time of the night just four minutes after they’d made it 2-2.
      Tavernier played another lovely ball into the box for Tillman and the on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder showed brilliant feet to side-step Paul Hanlon.
      The USA man could have been forgiven for shooting on goal but chose the selfless option by cutting the ball back for Morelos.
      All the Colombian had to do was hit the target to be the match winner of a fantastic game of football.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
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      Rangers eye £500k January transfer for Angola ace Benedito Mambuene Mukendi but face competition from top European clubs

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      RANGERS are interested in a £500k move for Angolan rising star Benedito Mambuene Mukendi.The 20-year-old midfielder currently plays in Portugal’s second tier for Trofense, and is considered one of the most talented players in the division.
      Rangers are keeping tabs on Trofense star Benedito Mambuene MukendiCredit: Getty
      Born in Angola’s capital Luanda, he arrived in Portugal at the age of 18, and has spent the last three seasons raising eyebrows, especially in cup competitions.
      Nicknamed “Beni”, his contract is up next summer and Rangers are among several top European sides casting their eye over the player.
      Primeira Liga giants Braga are also considering making a move having monitored him in Portugal for some time.
      Yet Rangers are believed to be preparing a serious January bid for the youngster to scare off any other potential suitors.
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      The Scots also feel they can offer more attractive wages and a chance to play European football should they qualify next season.
      Ibrox has experienced a lot of change in the past few months, with Queens Park Rangers boss Michael Beale replacing the sacked Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
      Beale is looking to bring in a whole host of young talent this winter to bolster his new side’s title charge against rivals Celtic, and Beni could be one of those.
      Rangers reached the Europa League final last season, having finished second in the league, but flopped in the Champions League this campaign, losing all six group games.
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      The midfielder has registered a total of two assists in 15 matches so far this season.
      Beni has amassed 40 appearances across all competitions for Trofense ever since his arrival. More