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St Mirren suffer shootout pain at Arbroath – Scottish League Cup round-up

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Scottish Premiership St Mirren were held to a goalless draw away to League 1 champions Arbroath and missed out on the bonus point by losing the penalty shootout in the Premier Sports Cup.

Steven Pressley suffered home defeat in his competitive debut as Dundee head coach, with Championship side Airdrieonians causing one of the shock of the opening weekend.

Top-flight Motherwell did manage to take an extra point after edging Clyde on spot kicks after drawing 2-2 with their League 2 hosts.

Relegated Ross County lost their shootout after a 1-1 draw away to fourth-tier Stranraer.

Group A

Dylan Tait scored a hat-trick as Falkirk cruised to victory in Brechin.

Summer signing Brian Graham set up fellow veteran Scott Arfield to strike Falkirk’s opener and the former Rangers midfielder added the second from the penalty spot.

Midfielder Tait added three more, with winger Alfie Agyeman and forward Ross MacIver adding the others.

In the other group game, League 2 side Spartans came from behind to upset Championship visitors Queen’s Park.

Group B

Northern Ireland striker Ronan Hale fired Ross County ahead just before the break against Stranraer, but Tommy Sharp’s close-range strike sent the tie into penalties, which the hosts won 6-5.

It means second-tier rivals Partick Thistle lead the group after Friday’s 4-1 win away to Edinburgh City.

Group C

Player-manager Rhys McCabe set up Chris Mochrie to coolly slot Airdrieonians ahead early on at Dens Park and Dundee were unable to respond.

Group D

Both ties in Group D went to spot kicks.

To add to St Mirren’s misery as they were held to a goalless draw in Arbroath before losing 4-2 on penalties, captain Mark O’Hara was sent off for a second booking two minutes from full-time.

Group E

Hamilton Academical, relegated to League 1, scored two second-half goals to ease aside fourth-tier hosts Stirling Albion.

Connor Smith struck and Kyle MacDonald headed in to give League 1 Accies all three points.

Group F

St Johnstone came from behind to avoid an upset against SPFL newcomers East Kilbride.

The Lowland League champions led through John Robertson’s early free-kick, but summer signing Jamie Gullan replied with a set piece of his own and strikes from Adama Sidibeh and Makenzie Kirk secured the points for the Championship visitors.

Meanwhile, midfielder Dylan Easton scored two penalties in Raith Rovers’ 5-1 win away to Elgin City.

Group G

Summer signing James Hilton gave Clyde a shock early lead as he chipped over stranded Motherwell goalkeeper Calum Ward after a defensive mix-up.

Tawanda Maswanhise soon headed the Steelmen level and put the Premiership side ahead after the break, but Liam Scullion nodded the League 2 hosts back on terms only for Well to win the shootout and the bonus point 5-4.

Greenock Morton won 4-2 away to Peterhead.

Group H

Kilmarnock eased to a two-goal win over Highland League champions Brora Rangers in Stuart Kettlewell’s first competitive game in charge.

A right-foot shot from 18-year-old defender Ben Brannan gave the Premiership side the half-time lead, with summer signing Djenairo Daniels firing the second 10 minutes from time.

Promoted Livingston also won on the road, 2-1 away to League 2 champions East Fife.

Robbie Muirhead gave the visitors the lead from close range in first-half added time before Hearts loanee Macaulay Tait extended their advantage from similar distance just after the break.

Related topics

  • Hamilton Academical
  • Ross County
  • Queen’s Park
  • Brechin City
  • Forfar Athletic
  • Scottish League Cup
  • Annan Athletic
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Stranraer
  • The Spartans
  • Scottish Championship
  • St Johnstone
  • Elgin City
  • Scottish Football
  • Raith Rovers
  • Airdrieonians
  • Bonnyrigg Rose
  • Football
  • Scottish League Two
  • Alloa Athletic
  • Scottish League One

Rita Ora ‘still feels Liam Payne’ nine months after One Direction star’s tragic death

By in Entertainment News, News

Rita Ora said she keeps Liam Payne’s memory alive through music – especially their song For You – as she described the late singer as ‘a really great friend’ of hers

Rita Ora said she ‘still feels’ her friend Liam Payne’s presence(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Rita Ora has said she “still feels” Liam Payne nine months after the One Direction star tragically died in Argentina. The 34-year-old singer said Liam was “a really great friend” of hers, and added she now always sings their song For You “all the time” which helps her keep his memory alive.

Rita addressed her friendship with the late singer during an appearance on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show.

In her interview, she was asked whether she will watch Building the Band, a new Netflix show – Liam’s final project – which wrapped filming shortly before he passed away. The first four episodes premiered on Netflix on July 9, with three more episodes due to drop next week.

The final three episodes will hit the streamer on July 23. Elvis, hosting the iHeart Radio show, asked Rita if she is planning to watch the show, to which she replied: “I 100% will watch it.” She then shared some details on her friendship with Liam, saying: “That’s a really great friend of mine. I still sort of feel him anyway, so it’s fine.”

READ MORE: Inside Rita Ora and Liam Payne’s close friendship as she pays touching tribute to late star

Liam and Rita performing at the Brit Awards in London in 2018
Liam and Rita performing at the Brit Awards in London in 2018(Image: PA Wire)

She then added: “I have the last song that I think we did together as a duo and I sing it all the time. And it just feels like he’s just right there. And we always do a cute little moment of a photo of him and it feels fantastic to just feel like he’s still around through music.”

Rita said: “That’s why music is so powerful. It really does bring back a person, a memory, a feeling.” She continued: “So yeah, I have this incredible memory with him, with For You, our song together, and I’ll always have that.”

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One month after Liam’s death, Rita hosted the MTV EMA and paid a special tribute to her friend. Fighting back tears, she emotionally said to the cameras: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us.

“We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew.

“And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.”

Rita Ora and Liam Payne
Rita and Liam were close friends(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
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Dressed in a dark suit, in a poignant moment that contrasted the rest of the upbeat night, Rita continued: “He had the biggest heart, he was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could. He put so much joy into every room he walked in. And he left such a mark on this world. So let’s just take a moment to remember our friend.”

Prior to Rita hosting the EMAs, a source told The Sun that the British singer would want to be involved in MTV’s plans to commemorate Liam on the show. Touching on their friendship, they said: “She and Liam have been close for years and grew in the industry together. Obviously, she is devastated by his passing.”

UK police detain dozens at London protest against Palestine Action ban

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United Kingdom police have arrested dozens of people at a protest in London calling for a ban on the campaign group Palestine Action to be lifted.

The protest at London’s Parliament Square on Saturday was the latest demonstration against the UK’s crackdown on Palestinian rights activism.

“Officers have made 41 arrests for showing support for a proscribed organisation. One person has been arrested for common assault,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

The arrests followed last Saturday’s detention of 29 people, including a priest and some health professionals, who had gathered at Parliament Square after a last-ditch legal bid to stop the group from being proscribed under “anti-terrorism” legislation failed.

The ban, which cleared Parliament in early July, was passed after activists broke into a military base last month and sprayed red paint on two planes in protest at the UK’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza, which leading rights groups have described as a genocide.

The move has raised fears about freedom of expression in the country, putting Palestine Action on a par with armed groups like al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) in the UK, making it a criminal offence to support or be part of the protest group, punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Protesters at this week’s demonstration had gathered near a statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela outside the British Parliament, silently holding up placards saying “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

The last of the protesters was lifted from the Nelson Mandela statue shortly after 2:30pm local time (13:30 GMT).

Campaign group Defend Our Juries, which had announced it was holding rallies in several UK cities, called the ban “Orwellian” – a reference to the late English writer George Orwell, who wrote about totalitarianism and social injustice.

“Who do the police think they are serving in this?” challenged a spokesperson.

Defend Our Juries posted on X that police had also made arrests at other demonstrations in support of Palestine Action in Manchester, Cardiff and in Northern Ireland. Police have not yet confirmed the alleged arrests.

Launched in July 2020, Palestine Action says it uses “disruptive tactics” to target “corporate enablers” and companies involved in weapons manufacture for Israel, such as Israel-based Elbit Systems and French multinational Thales.

Even before the start of the war on Gaza, rights groups and UN experts have accused Israel of imposing a system of apartheid against Palestinians.

The British government has accused the group of causing millions of pounds of damage through its actions.

Oasis fans stunned as couple get engaged during emotional Heaton Park performance

By in Entertainment News, News

Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher were back at Heaton Park in Manchester as part of Oasis last night for the first of their homecoming gigs at the venue on their reunion tour

There was a proposal in the crowd at Heaton Park last night whilst Oasis performed at the venue(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

A couple got engaged at an Oasis reunion gig this week. A proposal among the crowd was filmed as Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher took to the stage for the first of their five hometown gigs in Manchester earlier this week.

After opening the Oasis Live ’25 Tour a week ago at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, the band performed at Heaton Park last night. They will be back on the stage tonight before returning next week for three additional concerts.

During the latest gig, a couple appeared to get engaged as Oasis performed their song Slide Away. Footage shared on social media shows a fan down on one knee amid the audience as they presented a ring to their partner.

Liam and Noel Gallagher returned to Manchester for Oasis' first show since 2009, and there was a proposal in the crowd
Liam and Noel Gallagher returned to Manchester for Oasis’ first show since 2009, and there was a proposal in the crowd(Image: Big Brother Recordings)

The couple, both seen wearing blue Oasis t-shirts in the video, appeared to then kiss before hugging. Other fans are seen celebrating, including cheering and clapping, whilst surrounding the pair after the proposal last night.

Footage of the proposal was shared by the Manc on Instagram today. The caption read: “How could @oasis get any better? Spotting a couple getting engaged mid-gig. Let’s find them! Massive congratulations to this lovely couple.”

Click here for the Mirror’s live updates on Oasis’ tour.

The post prompted reaction from fans on the platform, with some sharing well wishes to the couple. One person teased: “She definitely maybe said YES!!!! Congrats guys.” Another responded to the video: “This is how much brings people together and makes memories last forever.”

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Oasis performed in front of 80,000 fans at the first of their five Heaton Park shows last night. Liam and Noel were joined by bandmates Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Joey Waronker for the concert.

Slide Away was among the numerous songs featured on the setlist for the concert in Manchester. Oasis also played tracks such as Morning Glory, Cigarettes & Alcohol and Rock ‘n’ Roll Star for the homecoming crowd this week.

D’You Know What I Mean? was dedicated to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who was in the crowd. Whilst Half The World Away, which was the opening theme for the Royle Family, was performed as a tribute to the late Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash, who created the sitcom.

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The setlist also included hits like Don’t Look Back In Anger, with Noel leading a singalong as the band played the chart-topping song. Fans were treated to Wonderwall and Champagne Supernova as the gig came to a close too.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Oasis tickets and how to buy them as Gallaghers head north on reunion tour

Iga Swiatek destroys Amanda Anisimova to win first Wimbledon tennis title

By in News, World News

Iga Swiatek demolished Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0 in the most one-sided women’s Wimbledon final for 114 years to seal her sixth Grand Slam.

The Polish eighth seed, who has now won all six major finals in which she has competed, was in charge from the first point and wrapped up victory in just 57 minutes on Saturday.

It is the first time a woman has won a final at Wimbledon without dropping a game since 1911.

And Swiatek, 24, is just the second player in the Open era to win a major title without losing a game in the final after Steffi Graf beat Natalia Zvereva at the 1988 French Open.

Swiatek, who reached the final of the grass-court tournament at Bad Homburg two weeks ago, has looked increasingly strong while the top seeds tumbled at the All England Club.

She lost just one set in her run to the final.

But US 13th-seed Anisimova was expected to prove a stern test after ousting world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals.

Swiatek in action during the women’s singles final against Amanda Anisimova [Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters]

Anisimova made a nervous start in hot conditions on Centre Court.

She was broken in the first game, soon slipping 2-0 behind, and the signs looked ominous.

She appeared to have found her feet in her next service game, but the tenacious Swiatek refused to give ground and recovered to move 3-0 ahead when Anisimova double-faulted.

At 4-0 down, Anisimova was facing a first-set wipe-out, but she was powerless to halt the rampant Swiatek, who sealed the first set 6-0 in just 25 minutes.

The American won just six points on her serve in the first set and committed 14 unforced errors.

An increasingly desperate Anisimova could not stem the tide in the second set, double-faulting again in the third game to give her opponent game point and then netting a backhand.

The crowd got behind her, but to no avail as Swiatek kept up her level, serving out to win and celebrating before consoling her devastated opponent.

The distraught Anisimova left the court briefly before returning for the trophy presentation.

Swiatek is Wimbledon’s eighth consecutive first-time women’s champion since Serena Williams won her seventh and final title at the All England Club in 2016.

Players embrace.
Poland’s Iga Swiatek, right, with Amanda Anisimova of the US after winning the women’s singles final at Wimbledon [Toby Melville/Reuters]

Swiatek inflicts 6-0 6-0 defeat on Anisimova to win Wimbledon

By in News, Sports News
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Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport tennis news reporter at Wimbledon

Poland’s Iga Swiatek ruthlessly took advantage of American opponent Amanda Anisimova’s nerves to win her maiden Wimbledon title, with the 6-0 6-0 victory taking just 57 minutes.

Swiatek, 24, was also playing in her first final at the All England Club but looked more assured from the very start.

No woman had won a Wimbledon with a double bagel – the name given to a victory without dropping a game – since 1911.

It is the sixth Grand Slam victory of Swiatek’s career, having won on each of her appearances in major finals.

“It seems super surreal,” said Swiatek, whose five previous titles came on clay or hard courts.

“Honestly, I didn’t even dream of winning Wimbledon because it was way too far.

Eighth seed Swiatek drew on all of her greater experience to race through the first set in just 25 minutes.

Anisimova, just three months younger than Swiatek, looked tense from the very start and made a flurry of errors in an opener where she won just nine points.

Despite a sympathetic Centre Court crowd willing her on, things did not improve in the second set for the 13th seed.

A total of 28 unforced errors, plus five double faults, starkly illustrated Anisimova’s struggles.

Fighting back the tears as she addressed the crowd, Anisimova said: “It’s been an incredible fortnight for me – even though I ran out of gas.

Swiatek becomes an all-court great

If Swiatek had not already proved she should be ranked among the greats of the game, she has certainly done so now.

Mastering a surface considered her weakest – even though she won the Wimbledon junior title in 2018 – has added further credence to her case.

Swiatek has become the youngest woman since 23-time champion Serena Williams in 2002 to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces.

A sixth major takes her clear of Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis, with only a total of 10 women now having won more in the Open era.

Swiatek became known as the ‘Queen of Clay’ after winning four French Open titles in five years, while her two-year reign as the world number one – ended by Aryna Sabalenka last year – was underpinned by consistent success on the hard courts.

Grass was the surface she had not cracked.

Before this triumph, Swiatek had made the second week at the All England Club only once, when she reached the quarter-finals in 2023.

Losing in this year’s Roland Garros semi-finals – early by her previous standards – meant she had longer to prepare on the surface, helping her quickly readjust improve her confidence and game.

‘Special moment’ for Swiatek but Anisimova ‘froze’

Three-time Wimbledon singles champion John McEnroe on BBC TV: “Everyone is in a state of shock. Nobody saw Swiatek being this good on this surface.

“She played against someone who absolutely froze and I feel terrible for Anisimova.

“Well deserved for Iga.”

Two-time Grand Slam champion Tracy Austin, on BBC TV: “A special moment for Swiatek and her team. I did not see this coming at the beginning of the tournament.

“You have got to hand it to Iga. She went about a tactical way to conquer grass and made it look so easy.”

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s an incredible story for Anisimova to be in the final in the first place.

“It’s a fantastic effort and she has to look back at that. Iga played really well and the balls weren’t dropping for Amanda. It was a masterclass in what to do in a final. It was a great tournament for her.”

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  • Tennis
  • Jonathan Jurejko