1 week agoNews PlusComments Off on Rangers boss Philippe Clement breaks silence on angry calls from Gers fans to resign as he opens up on talks with board
UNDER PRESSURE Philippe Clement insists the Ibrox board are TWO HUNDRED percent behind him – despite fans chanting for him to go.
Furious Gers punters’ patience snapped as they demanded the Belgian’s sacking while he trudged off following his side’s woeful 1-1 draw with Dundee at Dens Park.
Willie VassPhilippe Clement during the match at Dens Park[/caption]
Willie VassHe and his players were booed off the pitch by fans at full-time[/caption]
Clement is in the firing line again just a week after beating Celtic 3-0 with back-to-back away draws leaving them now a massive 15 points behind the Hoops.
Rangers have won just three times on the road in the Premiership all season and have one win in their last five.
Asked if he believes he still has the board’s backing, Clement said: “Yes, two hundred percent.
“Every day we have talks about everything, about January, next season, everything.
“Yes of course they [the fans] are unhappy today, all of us are unhappy to lose these three points.
“I didn’t hear that but I know I’m the face of the team, that’s part of the job.
“The supporters are behind us when we are good, when we play good games.
“Today wasn’t a good game so I understand it.
“I know these supporters, they don’t give up the moment we show quality.
“It’s about us showing the quality on the pitch then they’re directly behind the team. Always.
“It is our task to do that as fast as possible and that starts on Sunday.
“Defensively we were better than that last game and that is a positive point, but of course it is all about results.”
Clement admits his team’s confidence is shredded away from Ibrox because of the shockers they’ve suffered against St Mirren, Motherwell, Hibs and now Dundee in recent weeks.
He said: “It has to do with confidence also, going behind.
“Maybe it gets in the minds of players about last games, losing points in away games.
“It’s also maybe something to do that you need to play a lot of times with the same players.
“The last couple of weeks with all the changes we have lost stability and maybe some confidence.
“Some players have had to play all the games so you see a lack of freshness.
“We did enough by having the ball and coming in the final third but we were not good enough with the last pass or the finishing.
“I don’t remember a big save from Liam Kelly, but you lose the points because today in the offensive part we didn’t show enough to make the difference.
“We need this quality and depth also in the squad to get fresh players in who make the difference also in that moment.”
Dundee boss Tony Docherty reckons his side were done out of a penalty for Clinton Nsiala standing on Simon Murray’s foot seconds before Vaclav Cerny’s leveller.
He said: “I think it was a penalty, the defender was really clumsy going in on Simon Murray.
“At the time I thought it was really, really clumsy – the fourth official told me they were checking it.
“We lost our concentration a bit after that for the Rangers goal, but it was an outstanding performance from my team.”
SportsfileFootball fans could be a step closer to boozing in stands during matches if a trial at women’s games proves successful[/caption]
They were chosen due to safety procedures, geographical spread and Bristol’s Ashton Gate and Newcastle’s Kingston Park allowing alcohol at rugby matches.
Soccer chiefs want to analyse how booze might improve fan experience at women’s football, which isn’t governed by the same strict anti-alcohol law.
Women’s football is not governed by the Sporting Events Act 1985 which bans boozing while in view of the pitch in the top five men’s leagues.
There were no arrests at women’s games last year and some of the chosen venues allow alcohol at top rugby matches.
Nikki Doucet, of Women’s Professional League Ltd, has said: “I think our fan base and the behaviour is different.
“Ultimately it’s about being able to give our fans choices, while obviously maintaining the safety and what we need to do in terms of being responsible.”
It could then be rolled out more widely across the Women’s Super League and Championship and potentially influence future decisions on men’s football.
Sun Sport was told in October that the Police position had not changed in terms of men’s football although there is no mechanism which would see local Forces able to prevent a women’s game trial.
Drinking in view of the pitch has been banned in the men’s top five divisions since 1985.
Fans caught breaching the laws under the 1985 act can be banned from grounds, handed hefty fans and, in extreme circumstances, given three month prison sentences.
1 week agoNews PlusComments Off on Ex-British soldier killed fighting in Ukraine after being hit by grenade from Russian drone as pals pay tribute
PALS have paid tribute to a former British soldier killed fighting in Ukraine.
Jake Waddington, 34, was hit by a grenade dropped from a Russian drone on Monday.
Former Royal Anglian soldier Jake Waddington, 34, was hit by a grenade dropped from a Russian drone on Monday
The former Royal Anglian soldier – who reportedly spoke Russian, Ukrainian and Pashtu – joined Ukraine’s International Legion in 2023.
A second soldier was critically injured in the attack in Zaporizhia province.
Jake’s friend and former comrade Rob Clark wrote on Facebook: “You were one of the best of us.”
He added: “Those who know Jake will remember his particularly peculiar yet infectious sense of humour, how disarming he was, how he saw the good in everyone, his deep love of animals; and his sense of profound decency, honour, and fairness.”
Jake’s career in the Army was cut short after he suffered an epileptic seizure.
Clark added: “The irony is Jake’s medical conditions precluded much of his service in the Army, which is what helped him volunteer to fight in Ukraine.
“He had only just extended for a further 6 months late last year.”
Clark wrote: “I have many, many fond memories of our times together, and I’m so proud of you mate. I sometimes used to think he was not made for this world, but the truth is, this world was not made for Jake.
“My thoughts are with his sister, mother, uncle and all his brothers back in Ukraine continuing to fight on.”
1 week agoNews PlusComments Off on Beloved department store to close after eight years as shoppers left gutted
A BELOVED boutique department store is set to shut its doors for good, leaving loyal shoppers devastated.
The retail store will close after eight years of being in business, becoming a community staple.
A beloved boutique department store has announced its closuregettySandersons, located in the Fox Valley shopping complex in Sheffield will close in March
Sandersons, located in the Fox Valley shopping complex in Sheffield, will close in March following a review of the business.
The family-run store, which first opened in 2016 on the site of a former steelworks, was unveiled with fanfare by actress Joanna Lumley.
Over the years, it became a centrepiece of the retail park, employing 19 staff and offering shoppers a mix of luxury brands and unique items.
However, the company has confirmed that it will focus on its store in Stroud and expand its growing online business.
In a heartfelt statement, Sandersons said: “We are sorry to tell you that our Fox Valley store will close in March. We’ve loved being part of the community here and look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks.
“We have seen significant growth in our online business, and our unique range of brands will continue to be available to all our customers.
“We’ll also be introducing some great deals across our top brands in the closing down sale.”
The closure has left customers heartbroken, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment.
One shopper wrote: “Absolutely gutted. It’s my favorite shop of all time and has been since you opened. The staff have become friends, and the spa is amazing. Such a loss for our area.”
Another added: “This is such a shame. Sadly, the things they now sell are out of most people’s price range. When it first opened, they had a far better choice at affordable prices.”
A third said: “Heartbreaking news. I recently came to buy a Pandora bracelet as a treat. Such a stylish shop — it will be missed.”
Sandersons, which is owned by Dransfield Properties, also owns the Fox Valley site.
The company said it would assist staff impacted by the closure to secure new positions and hinted at exciting future plans for the shopping centre.
A spokesperson said: “Fox Valley has become a strong and successful retail destination, with increased demand from national retailers to take space. We will shortly be announcing plans to consolidate and grow the center.”
Sheffield has seen several department stores disappear in recent years, with both Debenhams and John Lewis closing their city center branches in 2021.
Shoppers visiting Sandersons in its final weeks will be treated to discounts across all brands as part of a closing-down sale.
MORE JOB LOSSES ON THE WAY
Sandersons has pledged to assist staff affected by the closure in securing new positions.
Almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024 after a challenging year for high street firms.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
RETAIL SECTOR STRUGGLES
The retail sector’s woes have been ongoing for years, even before the Government’s Autumn Budget.
The Centre for Retail Research has described the industry as going through a “permacrisis” since the 2008 financial crisis.
A number of factors have seen the industry struggling, including the rise of online shopping and lower footfall to stores, the coronavirus pandemic and the increased cost of living for households.
In recent years, a number of major chains have collapsed into administration leading to the closure of hundreds of shops.
Other retailers have stayed afloat but have decided to downsize their store portfolios, like Boots.
Independent retailers across the UK have been hit particularly hard.
The Centre for Retail Research said 11,341 independent stores shut in 2024, a 45.5% jump from 2023.
But it’s not all been bad news across the sector, with a number of retailers including B&M, Aldi and Lidl announcing in recent years plans to open hundreds of branches between them.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year, and more are coming.
The number of jobs lost in British retail dropped last year, but 120,000 people still lost their employment, figures have suggested.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that 10,494 shops closed for the last time during 2023, and 119,405 jobs were lost in the sector.
It was fewer shops than had been lost for several years, and a reduction from 151,641 jobs lost in 2022.
The centre’s director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is “less bad” than good.
Although there were some big-name losses from the high street, including Wilko, many large companies had already gone bust before 2022, the centre said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams.
“The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increases in interest rates have led many consumers to tighten their belts, reducing retail spend,” Prof Bamfield said.
“Retailers themselves have suffered increasing energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and falling demand that have made rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult.”
Alongside Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it collapsed, 2023’s biggest failures included Paperchase, Cath Kidston, Planet Organic and Tile Giant.
The Centre for Retail Research said most stores were closed because companies were trying to reorganise and cut costs rather than the business failing.
However, experts have warned there will likely be more failures this year as consumers keep their belts tight and borrowing costs soar for businesses.
The Body Shop and Ted Baker are the biggest names to have already collapsed into administration this year.
1 week agoNews PlusComments Off on Moment Joe Biden tells Kamala Harris ‘fire away… no pun intended’ in live update on LA wildfires as death toll hits 6
THIS is the moment President Joe Biden told Kamala Harris “fire away… no pun intended” during a press conference on LA’s deadly wildfires.
The poor remark has left many shaking their heads as the death toll hit six and 70,000 people have fled their homes in the City of Angels.
President Joe Biden made a tone-deaf joke in a live update on the deadly LA firesKamala Harris could be seen laughing as Biden said ‘fire away… no pun intended’The Palisades Fire has caused 30,000 to evacuate their homesFlames engulf a building in the Eaton Fire
As he handed the mic to Vice President Kamala Harris, the US President said: “Fire away… no pun intended.”
Harris, seated next to Biden, was reportedly seen laughing, sparking further backlash online as viewers slammed the comment as “tone deaf”.
“Two of the most useless people ever birthed sitting next to each other. Quite an achievement,” one furious user wrote on social media.
The president’s ill-timed quip comes as wildfires rage across Los Angeles, leaving neighborhoods in ruins and even forcing celebrities to evacuate their multimillion-dollar mansions.
Firefighters are battling the inferno with dangerously low water supplies, while terrified locals record their hometowns burning.
It comes as…
Five people have died as uncontrolled wildfires engulf Los Angeles
At least 130,000 have been evacuated and schools have closed
Nearly 400,000 homes are left without power as over 2,000 buildings destroyed and 30,000 acres burned
Firefighters are “maxed out” and reportedly running out of water
For the thousands who have lost everything, Biden’s gaffe has only added insult to injury.
But this isn’t Biden’s first blunder during the LA fire crisis.
Earlier this week, he awkwardly pivoted to personal news after a grim update on the Palisades wildfires.
“The good news is, I’m a great-grandfather as of today,” Biden announced at a Santa Monica fire station, adding, “I’ll remember this day for a lot of reasons.”
The president’s celebration of his great-grandson, William Brannon Neal IV, came right after addressing the devastation.
To make matters worse, Biden stumbled over the details, first calling the baby a “10-pound girl” before correcting himself.
And then there was this head-scratcher: Biden joked about his son Hunter’s home being burned down, calling it “one piece of good news” that it might still be standing.
Meanwhile, a Brit dad shared the devastation his family faces after their home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed in an “apocalyptic” wildfire.
Mr Stalbow revealed the emotional toll of losing not only his “amazing home” but also treasured belongings, including pictures of his late grandfather.
“It hasn’t just hit one house, it’s hit everybody. The whole village, schools, restaurants, everything we’ve got is turned to dust, and it looks like an atomic bomb’s hit it.”
Firefighters battle the Palisades FireResidents of a care home are evacuated during the fireAPResidents of the Pacific Palisades are running for their lives from the blaze[/caption]
1 week agoNews PlusComments Off on Furious Samia Longchambon hits back at rival who calls for her to be AXED from Coronation Street
CORONATION Street actress Samia Longchambon has hit out at her ‘rival’ who suggested her character could be next on the chopping block amid the ongoing Corrie cash crisis.
The ITV soap is going through its toughest period in its entire 65-year history with funds at an all-time low, cast members leaving in huge numbers and general unrest backstage at the soap.
GettySamia Longchambon has been locked in a war of words online over her Corrie character[/caption]
GettyThe star took aim at celeb agent Melanie Blake who suggested her character should be written out of the soap[/caption]
ITVSamia’s Twitter exchange comes amid the current Corrie cash crisis where a number of stars have been sacked[/caption]
Both Charlotte Jordan and Sue Cleaver opted to quit the embattled soap whilst Luca Toolan and Colson Smith were axed by bosses – shortly after it was confirmed that Sue Devaney had suffered the same fate.
Now, celebrity agent and author Melanie Blake has had her say on which character she things bosses should be next to get rid of.
Melanie, who is the agent for some of Corrie’s top talent, suggested that Samia’s character, Maria Connor, had outstayed her welcome.
As Melanie reflected on the current cast exodus, she called to hear her followers opinions before she suggested she would have Maria booted if she could.
She said: “Maria out for me 1st plz [taxi emoji].”
Seemingly unhappy with the comment, Samia responded in which she simply asked Melanie: “What have I done to upset you?”
Melanie, who is the author of the bestselling book Ruthless Women, went on to insist that Samia had never “upset” her but felt as though the character had run its course.
In a lengthy response to the actress, she said: “You haven’t upset me darling, I’ve met you and your lovely l just think ‘Maria’ has had a really good on screen run but doesn’t get the stories she needs for me to stay invested in on what is clearly going to be a tightening up on numbers.”
Melanie went on to say that she wouldn’t miss Maria in the soap’s current state due to her current lack of on-screen storylines.
The celebrity agent continued: “I would equally like to see you either stay and get more ‘Maria driven’ stories which I’m sure [I] would change my mind.
“Your talent has never been in question – just the characters relevance in its current climate.
“She’s in the danger zone unless you have great stuff coming up we haven’t see yet!”
However, Samia did not back down as she responded back to Melanie’s points and address if she should be fired.
GettyAgent and author Melanie did not back down in the spat[/caption]
ITVSamia did not hold her tongue during the exchange[/caption]
The star, who has played Maria since 2000, said back: “So, basically, ‘nothing personal but you think I should be fired’.
“Thanks [crying laughing emoji]. Wishing you all the best Melanie..”
Not backing down, Melanie went on to reply: “Actually it’s sounding quite personal now as you are totally ignoring my very polite responses explaining my comment.
“Apologies if I touched an unintentional nerve.
“We are allowed our opinions and on which characters we like over others & that was it. All best too, and good-luck!”
The Sun revealed earlier today how the current cast are currently panicked over which stars will be next to be given the boot in order to save money.
A source said: “There’s a WhatsApp group which has been pinging with messages about concerns of where the axe will fall next.
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“It’s a tough time on the soap and it’s filtering down.
“There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P Shepherd on board.”
Insiders also said some of the cast had moaned about the long hours, with some threatening to jump ship.
The source added: “Filming is tough.
“One person moaned they were ‘worked like dogs’.
“With the grip on the purse being tightened by ITV, it’s not fun.
“The days of bumper pay are gone.”
GettySamia has been on Corrie for almost 25 years[/caption]
