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      Premier League ace in hospital after horror clash of heads as manager blasts rival’s ‘almost life-endangering’ challenge

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      PREMIER LEAGUE ace Michael Mellon is in hospital after an horrific clash of heads at the weekend.The on-loan Dundee striker’s boss Tony Docherty has slammed St Johnstone’s Liam Gordon for causing the “almost life-endangering” injuries.
      Michael Mellon suffered an horrific head injury in Dundee’s win over St JohnstoneCredit: Willie Vass
      The on-loan Burnley striker was rushed to hospital after the collision with Liam GordonCredit: Willie Vass
      And he also raged at referee David Munro for waving play on after the horror incident in injury-time of the Dark Blues’ 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory on Sunday.
      The 20-year-old Scottish U21 striker Mellon left Burnley to join Dundee last month after previously impressing in Leagues One and Two with Morecambe.
      He is already off the mark north of the border after scoring on his debut and grabbing two assists against Livingston.
      However, he suffered a horrible blow yesterday and was rushed to hospital from Dens Park in an ambulance after the sickening collision with St Johnstone captain Gordon.
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      Ref Munro was just yards away but signalled for the game to continue – although Dundee’s medic Dr McCormack ignored that and sprinted onto the pitch to administer treatment.
      After the game the clearly emotionally-charged Docherty didn’t hold back on his view of what had gone on.
      He said: “He’s not great. I’d like the referee to comment on that.
      “For me, that was almost life-endangering. And to not even get a booking for it . . . 
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      “Michael is a top boy in our team and I’m concerned for him because he took a really bad blow to the back of the head.
      “Luckily we have a brilliant doctor here, Dr McCormack, who didn’t pay any attention to the referee and ran on the pitch. He recognised what happened.
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      “It was a sour note at the end of the game and the player’s welfare is the most important thing. But I’d like you to ask the referee about it.”
      Now Dundee have confirmed that they are putting in an official complaint as they provided concerned supporters with an update on the star’s condition.
      A statement read: “Michael sustained a significant head injury in yesterday’s match against St Johnstone, but thanks to the swift intervention by Dr McCormack and the medical team, his condition was stabilised and he was transferred to Ninewells Hospital Accident and Emergency Department.
      “Following specialist investigations he was discharged with appropriate head injury advice.
      “He will continue his recovery under the supervision of the club’s medical team in accordance with concussion protocols.”
      It then added: “The club is today writing to the Scottish FA in the strongest terms to express its serious concerns that play was not stopped to allow immediate attention to Michael after what was clearly a dreadful head clash.”
      Dundee’s doctor was praised for racing straight on to give treatmentCredit: Willie Vass
      Dundee boss Tony Docherty slammed the challenge on Mellon (left)Credit: Rex More

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      Shocking moment Celtic fan’s hair set on FIRE after wild pyro display at Hibs game

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      THIS is the terrifying moment a Celtic fan discovered that his HAIR had been set alight by the pyro show the club’s ultras came up with at Easter Road.Scottish football authorities and the police have been ramming home warnings about the dangers of using fireworks at football matches all season long – with calls for stricter enforcement at games.
      The fan found his hair had been set alight
      Celtic fan’s massive pyro display before kick-off
      The fan attempts to extinguish the fire
      And there’s no better example of those dangers than this video clip believed to have been shot at the Leith stadium last night.
      It shows a Hoops fan patting down his hair in an attempt to put out a fire caused by a major fan display before kick-off in the clash – which Celtic won 2-1.
      It comes after a special league summit earlier in the season scrutinised an increase in the use of pyrotechnics.
      That came in the wake of a massive Rangers display at Dundee earlier in the season caused a televised match to be HALTED.

      Fire alarms in the Bob Shankly stand which accommodates the Gers fans were triggered by the plumes of smoke sent into the stands.
      warning supporters over the use of pyrotechnics and and admitting “regret” over a massive display at Dens Park.
      The Gers released a statement reminding fans that the club are being put at risk of football sanctions.
      Celtic fans have often found themselves in hot water with UEFA over their use of pyrotechnics and banners at European clashes.
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      The “widespread and unsafe use of pyrotechnics” was held up as one of many reasons behind a recent Green Brigade ban.
      The match ended in a 2-1 win to the Easter Road side, courtesy of TWO penalties from Hoops star Adam Idah.
      Huge pyro display from the Rangers fans greeted the Hibs and Light Blues players onto the pitch at Easter Road tonight
      The matter was even raised in the Scottish parliament, with James Dornan MSP asking for Scottish Government intervention.
      The MSP said: “I have been asking for the issue of pyrotechnics to be taken more seriously in Scottish football grounds for some time now.
      “Maybe this extremely unfortunate and potentially disastrous incident will shake up the footballing authorities to deal with it, although to date they’ve shown no real desire to do so.
      “Hopefully the SG will accept that this is a matter that needs government intervention before we see someone suffer serious injury or potentially lose a life.”
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Neil Warnock loses it with Rangers BALL BOYS after losing first match in charge of Aberdeen

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      NEIL WARNOCK slammed the Rangers ball boys for time-wasting after his first game in charge of Aberdeen ended in a 2-1 defeat.The legendary manager, 75, was appointed head coach of The Dons on Monday and was tasked with heading to Ibrox just 24 hours later.
      Neil Warnock criticised the Rangers ball boys after losing his first game in charge of AberdeenCredit: Alamy
      Todd Cantwell scored the winner for the home side at IbroxCredit: PA
      Despite just one win in six league games coming into the match, the visitors pushed Philippe Clement’s side all the way.
      After Rabbi Matonda put Rangers in front early on, Aberdeen levelled on the stroke of half-time through Bojan Miovski.
      But ex-Norwich man Todd Cantwell fired Rangers back in front with 17 minutes remaining, before they held on to clinch a narrow win despite Dujon Sterling being dismissed in the closing stages.
      After the match, Warnock took aim at the behaviour of the ball boys as he vented his frustrations.
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      He said: “At the end there, you’ve got the ball boys adding five minutes on.
      “They were really tuned in weren’t they, not giving them the ball back, make them climb over the wall.
      “Do they have their own teachers?”
      In his post-match press conference, he also accused them of “hiding” the balls “under their jumpers”.
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      During the game, Warnock was embroiled in a heated exchange with the fourth official.
      He then confirmed the topic of conversation to the BBC, saying: “I just telling him how the Rangers lads were getting away with murder.”
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      However, he did compliment the referee for sticking with his decision to send Sterling off for a late tackle, despite the VAR sending him over to the monitor to review the challenge.
      Warnock added: “It makes a change doesn’t it for a referee to be brave and stick with his decision? We don’t get that in England.”
      The result sees Aberdeen drop to ninth in the Scottish Premiership table, but they are still just one point adrift of the top six.
      Meanwhile, Rangers have now won five league games on the bounce to move level on points with Celtic at the top. More

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      Former Aberdeen star training with Man Utd as his career takes shock twist

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      THE connection between Aberdeen and Manchester United is the stuff of Scottish football legend.Sir Alex Ferguson once left Pittodrie to rewrite the history books – with Gordon Strachan and Jim Leighton two more Dons heroes who have performed with distinction at the Theatre of Dreams.
      Aberdeen goalkeeper Joe Lewis looks dejected as Aberdeen face BurnleyCredit: Getty
      Erik ten Hag, manager of Manchester United, eased the pressure with a win over West HamCredit: Getty
      And visitors to first-team training at Carrington these last few weeks might have noticed another surprise link with the Dons.
      That’s because veteran former Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis has been training with Erik ten Hag’s star-studded side.
      According to the Manchester Evening News, Lewis has been sporadically involved in Manchester United first-team training since joining up with the club to maintain fitness in December.
      They claim that he asked one of the United coaches about coming in to train – with the 36-year-old taking part in training this week as the Old Trafford men prepared for the clash with Aston Villa.

      With those who played against West Ham excused the session, Lewis took part in the session with back up keeper Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton.
      It’s thought United will sign another goalkeeper next season, with the 37-year-old Heaton approaching the end of the new one-year extension he signed in June.
      Lewis joined the Dons from Fulham in 2016 and went on to make 271 appearances for the club during his seven year stint.
      A former club captain – was first choice at Aberdeen for years before losing his spot in the team to Kelle Roos last season.
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      He helped the Pittdrie club reach three cup finals in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but unfortunately had to settle for runners up medals in all the occasions.
      The goalkeeper was also named in the PFA Scotland team of the season in 2016/17.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Government to help pay for £2BILLION Wembley of the North Man Utd stadium
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      I’m an ex-Rangers star – now I play guitar in a rock band, catch giant fish & sell beetroot juice

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      NOT all footballers take a conventional route into a new career when their playing days are over.And that’s certainly the case for one former Rangers and Hearts ace.
      The former goalkeeper catches HUGE fish in his spare timeCredit: INSTAGRAM
      But he’s also in a rock bandCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He even has a business ventureCredit: X
      He was signed by Walter Smith at Rangers
      Having been one of Scottish football’s top stars in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this former international star’s life is rather different these days.
      Antti Niemi spent five years of his career in Scottish football.
      Snapped up in 1997 by Walter Smith, Finland goalkeeper Niemi was brought in to compete with long time first choice Andy Goram and Theo Snelders for the No.1 shirt.
      After Rangers failed in their quest for 10-in-a-row, there was huge upheaval in the summer of 1998 when Dick Advocaat arrived as boss.

      Niemi and Lionel Charbonnier were the two goalkeepers competing to play, but that all changed when Champions League winner Stefan Klos arrived in December 1998.
      The German would go on to be Rangers No.1 for much of the next decade.
      That meant Niemi, who made just 13 league appearances for the Light Blues, moved on.
      But he stayed in Scotland and was between the sticks for Hearts between 1999 and 2002, making over 100 appearances for the Jambos.
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      One of the top keepers in the Scottish game, Niemi earned a switch to the English Premier League with Southampton, and would later move to Fulham and Portsmouth before retiring in 2010.
      Capped 67 times by Finland, Niemi has stayed in the game with punditry work, covering the Premier League and international matches.
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      But outside of football, he’s a man of many different talents!
      Now aged 50, Niemi is a huge fan of fishing.
      The former goalie regularly posts snaps to his Instagram showcasing his incredible catches.
      The waters in and around of Helsinki are prime fishing hotspots and Niemi can be seen regularly fishing for huge pike in the lakes.
      When he’s not on the water, you might find Niemi performing with a ROCK BAND.
      A keen guitarist, Niemi has been seen playing with band Alkamaton.
      Playing bass, synths and acoustic guitar, Niemi and his band have performed up and down Finland.
      Before that, Niemi also formed a three-piece rock band with the Finland national team’s doctor and physio called ‘The Staff’.
      They covered classic 70s and 80s rock tracks, with Niemi on guitar.
      Speaking about his music career, Niemi said: “I had always said I wanted to surprise people, even if it was just once in my lifetime, by stepping on stage at a friend’s birthday or wedding to perform one rock song.
      “It didn’t matter what it was, I just wanted to learn one song. One song became another and another and before I knew it, I had a band.”
      You might thing punditry, fishing and being a musician would be enough to keep Niemi busy.
      But – you’d be wrong!
      That’s because he also ventured into selling BEETROOT juice.
      First launching a few years ago, Niemi is still involved today, helping run Nitrate Beet.
      Niemi was a founding partner of the business that produces beetroot based energy drinks.
      Launching in 2020, the specially designed drinks for athletes had been years in the making.
      Niemi explained: “The idea came from Patrik Borg. He’s a top-notch nutritionist in London but I’ve known him since we played together for the Finland under-16s national team.
      “A couple of years ago, we spoke on the phone because he’d just visited one of the top clubs in Spain and saw that their players were drinking beetroot shots before the game.
      “He explained about the unique nitrates in beetroot and how they work in the body and I’d never heard of any of this.
      “But when I studied it, I realised it’s a regular thing in the Premier League in England, Spain and Germany. It’s especially popular in endurance sports like triathlon and marathons and that sort of stuff.
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      “Most people can’t guess that it’s beetroot. They always describe it as a sweeter liquorice taste.”
      The former keeper is big into his fishingCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Niemi plays guitarCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Niemi competed to be Gers No.1 under Dick Advocaat
      Niemi played more than 100 times for Hearts
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Neil Warnock takes first job outside England as he makes stunning return to management at 75

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      NEIL WARNOCK has been named the new manager of Aberdeen.The 75-year-old has been out of work since leaving Huddersfield earlier this season.
      Neil Warnock has been appointed Aberdeen’s new managerCredit: Aberdeen FC
      Warnock has managed nearly 2000 games during his storied career
      But now he has moved north of the border to join the Scottish Premiership side.
      Speaking about the appointment, Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack said: “From the moment we first spoke with Neil his enthusiasm for managing Aberdeen was infectious.
      “He has had an incredible career in management, not only in terms of volume of games and winning promotions, but also of coming into clubs at short notice and making an immediate impact.
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      “We look forward to Neil, Ronnie and the team pushing hard in the remaining four months of the campaign as we still have a huge amount to play for both in the SPFL Premiership and the Scottish Cup.”
      Warnock’s first game is set to come on Tuesday night when Aberdeen travel to Rangers.
      The Scottish outfit sit just one point adrift of the top six ahead of their trip to Ibrox.
      They are also into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup where they will play Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.
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      Warnock’s last job came at Huddersfield where he helped them survive relegation, before he departed in September.
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      Best Neil Warnock quotesHere are some of the most memorable Neil Warnock quotes:
      “I don’t think we’ve got a discipline problem. It’s the players who are thick who are causing the problems.”
      “Matches don’t come any bigger than FA Cup quarter-finals.”
      “When I pass away, I don’t want clapping or a minutes silence. I want a minute’s booing at Bristol City.”
      “The money players are on these days is immoral, but you can’t knock it.”
      “My wife will be glad about Mourinho coming to Bramall Lane because he’s a good looking swine, isn’t he?”
      “I remember the day when they sold Brian Deane and Jan Aage Fjortoft. It was like when President Kennedy got shot.”
      “Forget the boring Premiership; this was a cracking advertisement for the Championship.”
      “For many years I have thought he (El Hadji Diouf) was the gutter type – I was going to call him a sewer rat, but that might be insulting to sewer rats.”

      A number of names had been linked with the Aberdeen job, including ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
      Former Sunderland and Stokes manager Alex Neil was another named mooted.
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      But perhaps the most left-field candidate in the frame was ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere.
      The 32-year-old, who took over as Arsenal U18s head coach in July 2022, is understood to have applied for the position.
      But Aberdeen wanted someone with more experience – and there are few more seasoned than Warnock as he approaches 2000 games in management. More

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      Premier League legend Neil Warnock set for shock return to management and could be in place for huge clash on Tuesday

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      ABERDEEN are set to name Neil Warnock as their new manager until the end of the season, according to reports.The Scottish Premiership side sacked Barry Robson earlier this week with the team languishing in eighth in the league.
      Neil Warnock looks set to take over as Aberdeen bossCredit: Getty
      Warnock has enjoyed incredible longevity as a manager
      Without a permanent head coach, they earned a 1-1 draw with champions Celtic on Saturday.
      But now, according to BBC Sport, Warnock is preparing to take charge for the remainder of the campaign.
      And he could be in place for Aberdeen’s clash with Rangers on Tuesday.
      The Scottish outfit sit just one point adrift of the top six ahead of their trip to Ibrox.
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      They are also into the last 16 of the Scottish Cup where they will play Bonnyrigg Rose on Saturday.
      Warnock’s last job came at Huddersfield where he helped them survive relegation, before he departed in September.
      A number of names had been linked with the Aberdeen job, including ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon.
      Former Sunderland and Stokes manager Alex Neil was another named mooted.
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      But perhaps the most left-field candidate in the frame was ex-Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere.
      The 32-year-old, who took over as Arsenal U18s head coach in July 2022, is understood to have applied for the position.
      But Aberdeen wanted someone with more experience – and they are now set to appoint Warnock, who is closing in on 2000 games in management. More

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      Aberdeen considering shock move for veteran manager to replace sacked Barry Robson in Pittodrie hotseat

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      ABERDEEN could make a shock move for legendary veteran boss Neil Warnock. SunSport understands the Dons board are considering whether to now turn to someone who can take control until the summer after sacking Barry Robson. 
      Dave Cormack, AberdeenCredit: Willie Vass
      Neil Warnock could be in the frame for Aberdeen jobCredit: Getty
      And should they go down that road, it would bring Warnock, 75, firmly into the frame. 
      The Englishman is out of work following his departure from Huddersfield in September but this week announced he’s ready to get back into the dugout again if the right opportunity arises. 
      Robson paid the price for poor results around Aberdeen’s European campaign, with his side trailing third-placed Hearts by eighteen points. 
      And they have failed to pick up since the winter break, losing to the Jambos and drawing with both St Johnstone and Dundee. 

      Warnock has long made his desire to work in Scottish football clear and has a home north of the border. 
      Despite his advancing years, he remains hungry to stay in football. 
      The massively experienced gaffer has a reputation as a firefighter and has been called in by several clubs over the years to steady the ship. 
      Aberdeen have placed coaches Peter Leven and Scott Anderson in charge for this weekend’s clash with Celtic while they plot out a plan for the future. 
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      But the experience of last season, where Robson won the gig on the back of a caretaker campaign while chairman Dave Cormack and CEO Alan Burrows searched for a long-term appointment, has them considering a high-profile stop-gap.
      Robson’s record as boss
      Bringing in someone with a wealth of experience until May would let them make a serious attempt to save the season, while also buying valuable time to sift through candidates. 
      Cormack is now looking for his FIFTH manager since taking over in November 2019, having dispensed with Derek McInnes, Stephen Glass, Jim Goodwin and now Robson. 
      So the Atlanta-based businessman knows he must get this appointment right and that could mean waiting until the summer for the right candidate to be available.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More