O’Neill calls for Celtic ‘unification’ – but is fan unrest affecting team?

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Interim manager Martin O’Neill says Celtic need “some sort of unification”, after fans once again called for changes in the way the club is run during their dramatic Scottish Premiership victory over St Mirren on Saturday.

“Sack the board” rang out from the away end at both the start and end of the contest in Paisley, which Celtic won thanks to Callum McGregor’s 95th-minute piledriver.

It is the latest in a series of protests against the Celtic leadership, who supporters believe have allowed the club to regress.

Results both domestically and in Europe have slumped since the turn of the year.

Celtic trail Hearts by four points in the Scottish Premiership and failed to qualify for the Champions League after a dismal play-off defeat by Kazakh champions Kairat. They have since won only one of their four Europa League matches.

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O’Neill, 73, was parachuted back into the Celtic manager’s role after Brendan Rodgers resigned in late October, exposing a rift between himself and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.

Former Northern Ireland midfielder O’Neill – twice a European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest – is a Celtic legend after winning seven major honours as manager between 2000 and 2005.

However, fans have continued to protest despite one of their heroes returning, determined to force change in the boardroom.

The club’s AGM was abandoned on Friday when shareholders jeered Desmond’s son Ross for accusing some fans of being “bullies”.

It had earlier been adjourned for half an hour by chairman Peter Lawwell following chants of “sack the board”

O’Neill called it “as sad a morning” as he had seen and recalled legendary predecessor Jock Stein saying “a club not united would never be successful”.

“We just need some sort of unification again,” he added after the St Mirren win.

Off-field drama affecting on-field performance?

McGregor’s magnificent goal papered over some large cracks against St Mirren.

Celtic have failed to score in six matches this season, have scored fewer in the league than both Hearts and Hibernian, and were blunt again against St Mirren.

It took until second-half injury time for O’Neill’s side to have an effort on target – a tame header from substitute Yang Hyun-Jun. It took a moment of magic from McGregor to turn one point into three.

For large stages of the match, it looked as though it might have been zero.

Conor McMenamin twice went close in the first half, Miguel Freckleton spooned an excellent chance over the bar, and Liam Scales put through his own goal, only to be spared his blushes by an offside flag against McMenamin.

It was put to the former Leicester City, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland boss that off-field dramas might have affected the Celtic players on the pitch.

“When it was a continuation of not really supporting the team tonight, and it was just ‘sack the board’ the whole way through, there’s an element that it might [affect the team],” O’Neill said.

‘Stein would have sorted it in two days’

Celtic interim boss Martin O'Neill during Saturday's Premiership win over St MirrenSNS

It is now nearly a month since O’Neill was summoned by Desmond to take interim charge and there is still no indication that a permanent appointment is close.

Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy is reportedly the leading candidate, while Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna and Wales boss Craig Bellamy have also been linked.

O’Neill expects to take charge of Thursday’s Europa League match at Feyenoord, but believes the new manager – whoever they might be – is capable of healing the rift between fans and board.

“I absolutely do,” he said. “Jock Stein would have sorted it out in two days, but that was Jock Stein. We were just followers after that.”

When asked if he thinks he can help soften the divide, O’Neill simply said he hopes the club can move in the same direction moving forwards.

“You have to know your place here,” he said. “What you did or were part of 20-odd years ago, I don’t think makes a heap of a difference.

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Gutsy Briton Noakes loses in epic world-title fight

Images courtesy of Getty

In his quest to win the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia, British boxer Sam Noakes put on a strong performance but fell short. He was defeated by Abdullah Mason in points.

Noakes, 28, was hurt by a bloody left eye after a head-to-head collision in the third round of a thrilling and close encounter between two unbeaten stars, but he continued to advance and landed thudding punches on the inside.

However, as he upped the tempo in the second half, it was the eye-catching uppercuts and slick long-range boxing from southpaw Mason, age 21, that made the difference.

In the tenth minute, Mason rocked Noakes, but the Maidstone fighter persisted until the final bell.

American Mason becomes the youngest reigning male world champion with scores of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113.

Noakes hoped to bring his remarkable rise from a career in roofing, railroad, and supermarket jobs to world champion status.

What data are gathered from this quiz?

Despite Noakes’ bravery, Mason succeeds.

Abdullah Mason throws a left to the bodyImages courtesy of Getty

A soaring strains of Luciano Pavarotti’s “Nessun dorma” were the unexpected choice for a grinning Noakes to make in a relaxed ringwalk.

In Riyadh, Mason appeared equally confident. The 65-15 amateur standout from Ohio has been widely regarded as one of boxing’s future stars.

The compact Noakes, keeping a high guard, successfully closed the gap after he opened with a slick southpaw jab.

Noakes attempted to intimidate Mason and work the body, but a clever left in the third quarter stifled him.

A doctor gave him a head restraint after the unintended headprawn. Noakes became enthralling and urged him on as promoter Frank Warren became more animated and became known for calling him one of Britain’s most exciting fighters.

A stubborn Noakes landed a heavy overhand right in the fourth, but Mason started moving freely and showing his superior hand speed.

Blood pours from Sam Noakes' face in a fightImages courtesy of Getty

Mason struggled in the seventh inning despite a left hook to the body that slowed him as the contest drew nearer and farther along.

However, in the eighth round, Mason, who had never previously lost more than six matches, began to assert his dominance and landed a stinging uppercut, which Noakes was repeatedly irritated by throughout the fight.

Noakes suffered severe injuries in the tenth grade when Mason connected the pair’s left-hands to one another before sunk an uppercut into the stunned Noakes’ body. Noakes continued to fight and landed his own body shots in the eleventh, but somehow he stayed on his feet.

Both men put in some bravery, but Mason deservedly won the favor.

Noakes stated in a statement to BBC Sport last September that he wanted a world title win to “move along like a Rocky movie,” where he was dropped, raised from the canvas, with blackened eyes, and eventually triumphed.

He may not have won, but he did so while writing his own Rocky-style script.

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Gutsy Briton Noakes loses in epic fight

Images courtesy of Getty

In his quest to win the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia, British boxer Sam Noakes put on a strong performance but fell short. He was defeated by Abdullah Mason in points.

Noakes, 28, was hurt by a bloody left eye after a head-to-head collision in the third round of a thrilling and close encounter between two unbeaten stars, but he continued to advance and landed thudding punches on the inside.

However, as he upped the tempo in the second half, it was the eye-catching uppercuts and slick long-range boxing from southpaw Mason, age 21, that made the difference.

In the tenth minute, Mason rocked Noakes, but the Maidstone fighter persisted until the final bell.

American Mason becomes the youngest reigning male world champion with scores of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113.

Noakes hoped to bring his remarkable rise from a career in roofing, railroad, and supermarket jobs to world champion status.

He suffers his first defeat of his career, which comes after 17 straight victories, including 15 stoppages, but established himself as a contender for the fight-of-the-year title and won over a worldwide fan base.

Devin Haney won the WBO welterweight title earlier than Brian Norman Jr., who had previously won the three-weight title. In the second round, Hayes defeated the champion to a venerable victory.

What data are gathered from this quiz?

Despite Noakes’ bravery, Mason succeeds.

Abdullah Mason throws a left to the bodyImages courtesy of Getty

A soaring strains of Luciano Pavarotti’s “Nessun dorma” were the unexpected choice for a grinning Noakes to make in a relaxed ringwalk.

In Riyadh, Mason appeared equally confident. The 65-15 amateur standout from Ohio has been widely regarded as one of boxing’s future stars.

The compact Noakes, keeping a high guard, successfully closed the gap after he opened with a slick southpaw jab.

Noakes attempted to intimidate Mason and work the body, but a clever left in the third quarter stifled him.

A doctor gave him a head restraint after the unintended headprawn. Noakes became enthralling and urged him on as promoter Frank Warren became more animated and became known for calling him one of Britain’s most exciting fighters.

A stubborn Noakes landed a heavy overhand right in the fourth, but Mason started moving freely and showing his superior hand speed.

Blood pours from Sam Noakes' face in a fightImages courtesy of Getty

Mason struggled in the seventh inning despite a left hook to the body that slowed him as the contest drew nearer and farther along.

However, in the eighth round, Mason, who had never previously lost more than six matches, began to assert his dominance and landed a stinging uppercut, which Noakes was repeatedly irritated by throughout the fight.

Noakes suffered severe injuries in the tenth grade when Mason connected the pair’s left-hands to one another before sunk an uppercut into the stunned Noakes’ body. Noakes continued to fight and landed his own body shots in the eleventh, but somehow he stayed on his feet.

Both men put in some bravery, but Mason deservedly won the favor.

Noakes stated in a statement to BBC Sport last September that he wanted a world title win to “move along like a Rocky movie,” where he was dropped, raised from the canvas, with blackened eyes, and eventually triumphed.

He may not have won, but he did so while writing his own Rocky-style script.

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  • Boxing
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Gutsy Briton Noakes loses in epic world-title fight

Images courtesy of Getty

In his quest to win the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia, British boxer Sam Noakes put on a strong performance but fell short. He was defeated by Abdullah Mason in points.

Noakes, 28, was hurt by a bloody left eye after a head-to-head collision in the third round of a thrilling and close encounter between two unbeaten stars, but he continued to advance and landed thudding punches on the inside.

However, as he upped the tempo in the second half, it was the eye-catching uppercuts and slick long-range boxing from southpaw Mason, age 21, that made the difference.

In the tenth minute, Mason rocked Noakes, but the Maidstone fighter persisted until the final bell.

American Mason becomes the youngest reigning male world champion with scores of 117-111, 115-113, and 115-113.

Noakes hoped to bring his remarkable rise from a career in roofing, railroad, and supermarket jobs to world champion status.

What data are gathered from this quiz?

Despite Noakes’ bravery, Mason succeeds.

Abdullah Mason throws a left to the bodyImages courtesy of Getty

A soaring strains of Luciano Pavarotti’s “Nessun dorma” were the unexpected choice for a grinning Noakes to make in a relaxed ringwalk.

In Riyadh, Mason appeared equally confident. The 65-15 amateur standout from Ohio has been widely regarded as one of boxing’s future stars.

The compact Noakes, keeping a high guard, successfully closed the gap after he opened with a slick southpaw jab.

Noakes attempted to intimidate Mason and work the body, but a clever left in the third quarter stifled him.

A doctor gave him a head restraint after the unintended headprawn. Noakes became enthralling and urged him on as promoter Frank Warren became more animated and became known for calling him one of Britain’s most exciting fighters.

A stubborn Noakes landed a heavy overhand right in the fourth, but Mason started moving freely and showing his superior hand speed.

Blood pours from Sam Noakes' face in a fightImages courtesy of Getty

Mason struggled in the seventh inning despite a left hook to the body that slowed him as the contest drew nearer and farther along.

However, in the eighth round, Mason, who had never previously lost more than six matches, began to assert his dominance and landed a stinging uppercut, which Noakes was repeatedly irritated by throughout the fight.

Noakes suffered severe injuries in the tenth grade when Mason connected the pair’s left-hands to one another before sunk an uppercut into the stunned Noakes’ body. Noakes continued to fight and landed his own body shots in the eleventh, but somehow he stayed on his feet.

Both men put in some bravery, but Mason deservedly won the favor.

Noakes stated in a statement to BBC Sport last September that he wanted a world title win to “move along like a Rocky movie,” where he was dropped, raised from the canvas, with blackened eyes, and eventually triumphed.

He may not have won, but he did so while writing his own Rocky-style script.

related subjects

  • Boxing
    • seven days ago
    Frazer Clarke faces off with Jeamie TKV
    • 28 April 2024
    Split image of Claressa Shields, Paddy Pimblett and Chris Eubank Jr

BBC boxing is back in action.

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    BBC Sport microphone and phone

Mani’s brother shares heartbreaking update days after Stone Roses star’s death

Just days after Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s sudden passing at the age of 63, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist’s brother posted a heartfelt update on social media.

The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist’s passing has come to the attention of Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s brother, who recently posted a heartfelt update on social media.

The tragic news was announced by the musician’s brother, Greg Mounfield, on Thursday (November 20). In a Facebook post, he wrote: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield. RIP RKID.” He further commented below the post: “Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.”

Imelda, Mani’s wife, passed away in 2023 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020, almost exactly two years after her death. Mani’s younger brother has shared a heartbreaking photo of Mani, Imelda, and their family since learning of his passing.

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Mani, Imelda, and their family were pictured in Greg’s most recent update on Saturday (November 22), and the younger brother wrote: “On behalf of myself and all my family Mounfield/McGill I would like to express a massive thanks for all the messages and tributes to RKid. RIP Gaz”.

The family has shared numerous heartfelt tributes since Mani’s passing. His stepbrother, John Barlow, posted a photo of himself with Mani and Greg on Facebook on Friday, November 21. The post read: “Absolutely devastated to learn of Gary ‘Mani’s’ sudden passing.

The two boys now lack a mother or father because he recently lost his wife, Imelda. Absolutely tragic thoughts are with his brother Greg and the boys.

Additionally, Greg shared a sentimental photo of the pair on Facebook, simply titled “Heartbroken.” A young Mani was standing next to Greg, who was sporting a blue shirt and glasses, in a zip-up and jeans.

Mani, a native of Manchester’s Crumpsall, became a star after joining The Stone Roses in 1980. He appeared on both of the band’s albums before splitting up with the Stone Roses and joining Primal Scream.

Continue reading the article.

He announced his retirement from Primal Scream in 2011 in order to reunite with the Stone Roses. Following the sad news that he passed away, Ian Brown, the frontman of Stone Roses, has received many e-mails from the music industry. REST IN PEACE MANi X, his sincere message read.

The Stone Roses’ shared the following message: “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The best bass player and friend we could have hoped for.

Kate Middleton’s stark warning about ‘physically present but mentally absent’ parents

The Princess of Wales’ early years center is funding research to help parents deal with the issues that parents are experiencing with their homes’ growing gadgets.

Kate Middleton ‘s early years centre is offering a six-figure sum in research funding to find solutions that will help parents combat the distractions caused by gadgets that interfere with family life. Kate’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is inviting researchers to submit proposals to tackle what has been dubbed “technoference”, which can disrupt parent-child relationships, something which Kate spoke passionately about this week in her first major speech in two years.

The news comes shortly after Prince William, 43, discussed his and Kate’s approach to technology at home and revealed the topic of Prince George, 12, getting a mobile phone was becoming a “tense issue”. The chosen study will get £100,000 in funding and work with families across the UK to understand when and why this issue arises and test practical ways to minimise its impact and the findings used to shape resources for professionals such as health visitors and early years educators.#

When William and Kate revealed to a journalist in Brazil about their recent Earthshot Prize trip that they still refuse to let George, who turns 13 next summer, use a cell phone, adding, “It is really difficult. Our kids don’t use phones.

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“Gerald will have a secondary school with limited access, perhaps.” It’s getting to the point where it’s starting to get a little tense. But I believe he is aware of why we communicate our disagreements.

In an essay she co-wrote and published last month, Kate, the mother of three, also reacted to the “epidemie of disconnection” created by smartphones and other devices, and she urged society to “invest in the relationships you have with each other.”

There are numerous studies on how digital devices impact relationships, but there is currently little evidence about what is causing people to use them when it interferes with family life, according to Christian Guy, executive director of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The center aims to close these research gaps so that we can find the solutions that can truly affect families’ lives.

Kate, who is also mum to Princess Charlotte, 10, and seven-year-old Louis, voiced her worries surrounding the impact of modern technology on family life in the thought-provoking essay, co-written with Professor Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development.

In her capacity as lead author, the princess claimed that fostering strong social and emotional skills among children would help them form successful relationships in later life.

It stated that while new technology offers many advantages, we must also acknowledge that it contributes to this disconnect epidemic in a complex and frequently troubling way. Digital devices frequently do the opposite of what traditional devices do in order to keep us connected.

Continue reading the article.

Our attention span is stifled by our smartphones, tablets, and computers, which prevent us from giving each other the attention they need in relationships.

“We sit together in the same room while our minds are scattered across dozens of apps, notifications, and feeds. We’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”