Hearts will take no consolation whatsoever from the fact their progress to the status of serious entity in a Scottish title race was demonstrated by the atmosphere at Ibrox. The scale of celebration that met Rangers’ victory decreed they had not defeated also-rans. Danny Röhl, the Rangers manager, went cavorting...
Winter Olympics briefing: Great Britain are on a golden roll as records tumble
If the Sunday already felt golden under the alpine sun for Team GB, it only glittered brighter after dark Super Sunday? More like Golden Sunday. From the sunlit snowboard slopes to the floodlit ice track, Great Britain delivered a one-two punch that will live long in Winter Olympic folklore. In...
Revitalised Scotland trample all over Steve Borthwick’s lofty ambitions | Robert Kitson
A humbling Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield has left the England coach with significant questions to answer Some of life’s certainties are impossible to sidestep. And to the trinity of death, taxes and rail delays can now be added a fourth familiar staple. When Scotland play England at Murrayfield it...
FA Cup fourth round: 10 talking points from the weekend’s action
Pressure is telling on Scott Parker at Burnley while Dominik Szoboszlai is reaching new heights for Liverpool The lack of pressure on Scott Parker this season, despite a collection of desperate performances and an impending relegation, has been mystifying. Plenty at Turf Moor feel a strong sense of loyalty to...
Saga of the Silkmen: calm before the storm in Macclesfield as Brentford await
After Macclesfield’s FA Cup giantkilling, the quiet Cheshire town remains suitably unassuming in the spotlight after years of heartbreak Along the passenger bridge at Macclesfield railway station, a frieze celebrates the town’s history. Towards the far platform it reads “1874, Macclesfield Town established”. The next entry is “1979, Joy Division’s...
Tom Banton powers England to emphatic T20 World Cup win over Scotland
Group C: England, 155-5, bt Scotland 152 all out, by 5 wkts Banton hits seven boundaries in unbeaten 63 In the city where a few handfuls of rupees were melted down to make the original Calcutta Cup, it was Scotland who lost their shape when the heat started to rise...
‘More bling’: Matt Weston targets second Winter Olympics gold after skeleton glory
British sledder has high hopes for new mixed team event ‘We’re going to be one of the strongest sets of teams’ Matt Weston celebrated becoming the first British athlete to win a gold medal at these Olympics by having three slices of margherita pizza and then going straight to bed....
Dina Asher-Smith blasts back to form with 60m UK Indoor Championships record
Asher-Smith runs 7.05, her third-quickest time Keely Hodgkinson sets national indoor 800m record Given the doldrums British female sprinting was in before her emergence, it was perhaps little surprise that Dina Asher-Smith stood largely unchallenged on the national stage for the best part of her 20s. So, it was to...
Eden Hazard: ‘I’m more of a taxi driver than a football player now, but it’s OK’
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid idol wants merely to be remembered as ‘a good player and a funny guy’ after a career of multiple titles – and spats with Mourinho If Italy is a boot, Lecce sits right on the heel. It is here, deep in the countryside a few...
‘Ferryman’ Igor Tudor has the record to steer Tottenham to safety
Croat never stays long but is an expert at doing what is necessary and also comes with a reputation as a taskmaster In Italy, the interim manager of a football club is often referred to as “un traghettatore” – a ferryman. When waters are choppy, you do not need some...